"If you all are done with your bickering," Cassefin chimed in, her eyes closed as she sat into her seat. "We are approaching atmosphere over the dig site. When we land, I want you all ready to go. Helmets on and visors down. I don't want you all embarrassing me once we're there."
---
A short while after that, the shuttle announced their arrival in a short, ringing chime followed by a small bit of turbulence. As there were no windows or view ports of any kind on the shuttle, it was difficult to tell where they were exactly until they were finally exiting the shuttle itself. Stepping out onto the landing platform would first provide the team with a demonstration on Gold Harbor's noticeably humid climate. Most of the distance across any horizon was populated with little more than dusty badlands, the golden brown expanse shining in the high-noon sunlight.
Before the vast expanse, however, the Cirrus Station personnel would first be presented with a grand view of the Sinkstrip from their elevated position on one of the many shuttle landing pads. The area was essentially a enormous, cavernous natural sinkhole, formed in earlier times on the planet and now left high and dry, with no discernible bottom in sight as Squad 35 viewed the depths. The area around and along the walls of the natural sinkhole was thick with Nepleslian-made catwalks, machinery and mechanisms for the large-scale mining operation. Most of the larger buildings were built along the safer edges of the Sinkstrip, but there were a couple complexes farther down into the cavernous expanse, built for one purpose or another.
Their shuttle pad itself was a partitioned area of a larger spaceport, which was very, very busy from the looks of it. Other transport shuttles and larger starships were both landing and taking off, cargo transports loading and unloading materials while small shuttles (kept under close watch by some local law enforcement) dropped off Nepleslian VIPs, no doubt there for the very Eco-Eco Summit that Cassefin and Purina were heading to.
As the two Cirrus Administrators and their entourage exited the shuttle, a man in professional attire approached them, a humble smile across his face. He was the sort payed to greet and to direct. Behind him stood five figures that many of the CSS members would instantly recognize. Clad in lithe, lustrous and functional full-body armor worn under stylish designer clothing, all of them definitely female, holding weapons to match the sleek, ergonomic style... the Vinross Yu-Cranker Uniques. The personal security force for Vinross Yu-Cranker Materials, much like the CSS were to the Cirrus Research Station. As the Cirrus Station personnel approached, the Uniques turned their attention towards them, their faces obscured by the blank, chromed faceplates, their heeled, armors boots clacking harshly against the metal platform.
---
"Welcome to the Sinkstrip, Miss Montreal, Miss Popjoy," the man said, offering her and Purina both a short, professional handshake. "I'm sorry that our hosts for the evening couldn't meet with you personally, but they have been very busy organizing the meeting. I'm just here to greet you, unfortunately, but our fine security personnel here will be leading you to the facility where the Summit will be held. There will be a complementary banquet after the meeting, and tours of the facility as well if you're interested."
Off to the side, the Uniques all turned to one another, their heads nodding and making motions as though they were talking... most likely communicating privately through their headsets. A couple of theirs shoulders began to heave up and down momentarily... laughter, most likely. After a moment, one of the Uniques approached the Cirrus crew while the well-dressed doorman went on to wait for another shuttle coming in on fast approach.
From behind the faceless plate, a female voice spoke through an external speaker near the jaw. "I'll take ya'll to the conference room. Common," the Unique made a simple motion for them to follow.