Yangfan
Inactive Member
Yangfan
The away team sat and stood around the dining table, eating a dinner comprised of a cold cut sandwiches and canned fruit. Henry, Shina, and Motoyama were sitting down, while the two Elysian soldiers stood.
Shina was eyeing the cuts of meat the Essians left for them, but she didn't want to start a cooking fire, since it was hot enough in the room as it was.
Henry nibbled at his food, and frequently looked at the elevator, as if expecting it to move, and bring news from the Essian leaders. He understood that a decision of this magnitude takes time, however, and willed himself to be patient.
With dinner finished and the discarded wrappings and bottles stowed back inside the supply crates, the away team relaxed in the tree house. The three officers sat around the dining table, while the two enlisted soldiers stood. The sun had set, and dusk crept over the land.
"We should get some sleep soon," said Henry, his face barely lit in the dying light. "I want to be well-rested for tomorrow. I believe we can trust our hosts, but we should put up a sentry just to be safe... We'll each take a 90-minute shift on guard duty, in order of increasing rank, then increasing seniority. That means you go first, Drake."
"Aye sir," replied Drake.
"And, um…" continued Henry, taking a sip from his water bottle. "We should set up some sort of sleeping arrangement. I only saw two beds in the other room, although they're quite large, big enough for two or three people."
"As your personal bodyguard, sir, you and I should take the same bed," said Shina in a serious tone.
"But Shina, you don't really serve me in that capacity anymore…" said Henry, as he watched Shina's smile turn into a pout. His mind quickly considered the alternatives. "However, um… us sharing a bed would be fine." Henry smiled awkwardly, trying to maintain his professionalism in front of his men.
"You could have the other bed, sir," said Mazda to Motoyama. Drake nodded.
Motoyama's gaze turned to Mazda and Drake's wings. "No. That will not be necessary," he said. "You two would not be comfortable sleeping on chairs. I, however, will manage with them just fine."
Mazda and Drake looked at each other, and peered at the large beds in the next room. The two Elysians then looked at each other's rank pins.
"You can have the bed, sir", said Drake to Mazda.
"Erm, thank you," replied Mazda with a polite smile.
"It is probably cooler on the floor anyway," observed Drake.
"Well, I'm glad that got sorted out," said Henry. "See you gentlemen in the morning." He turned to head to the bedroom.
Shina was already on one of the beds, poking at the mattress.
Meanwhile, at the shuttle site, the pilot activated the shuttle's perimeter alarm system, and crawled into her sleeping bag for a good night's sleep.
* * *
Morning, sounds of birds in the jungle. The sun had not yet risen, but the sky had already turned a shade of light bluish-gray in anticipation.
Henry sat by the dining table, his eyes watching the sky through a window. Motoyama dozed in a chair nearby. In the next room, Shina slept in one bed while Mazda slept in another. Drake made do with a pillow and the floor.
Due to the heat, no one was really in uniform. Henry and the two Elysians wore shorts and T-shirts. Shina had put on a T-shirt and a short skirt before turning off her holographic systems and going to sleep during the previous night. Motoyama was still in his wetsuit, although Henry surmised that the suit's environmental control system was keeping Motoyama quite comfortable.
It was already quite warm. Warm enough to be uncomfortable for Henry. ~it is the humidity~, Henry silently observed to himself.
Tyler
In a few moments the silence was broken by a Separa young adult messenger, who appeared in the elevator platform and slid across the floor and looked around for their guests. With a light thump of the tail section she looked around for them. "Excuse me but are you awake yet? I bring word from the council members." She called out in a melodious voice with a slight hissing of the "s" sounds.
Yangfan
"I'm quite awake," replied Henry in a low voice. "But excuse me for a moment," he said as he moved to wake Motoyama, only to find that Motoyama was already awake, and was staring intently at the Separa messenger.
"Taii Kaori, wake the others," ordered Henry.
"Aye, sir", said Motoyama as he stood up, adjusted the rank pin on his wetsuit, and moved to the other room.
Henry returned his attention to the messenger. "Now, please tell me what messages you have for me from the council."
Tyler
The young adult female messenger straightened herself up and spoke clearly and enunciating that best she could with the species typical hiss.
"We have come to the conclusion that we must find out more about your people before joining you. We would like to send an emissary to learn more of your people prior to our final choice to join you or remain separate." She dutifully repeated. "We mean not disrespect to you on a personal level but we much bear the welfare of our people in mind as well. This decision was not reached easily but fortunately one has volunteered."
Yangfan
The rest of the away team wandered back into the main room. Shina yawned. The two Elysian soldiers looked tired but alert. Motoyama's posture remained as straight as ever, despite sleeping in a chair all night.
"Your emissary will be treated with the utmost respect," replied Henry. "Who was the volunteer?"
Tyler
The female responded simply. "The Templar Issus who escorted you yesterday, he displayed interest in learning more."
Yangfan
Henry nodded. "I would like to meet with the council again, to thank them for their hospitality before I leave... It is my people's way. It would also take a bit of time to arrange transportation for your emissary."
He then turned to Shina. "Contact the shuttle pilot. Tell her to patch you through to the Celia and get her to send down another Kitty or a Fox… No wait…" Henry suddenly remembered Issus's giant stature. An Aerokitty shuttle might have trouble carrying Issus and all of his belongings. "Actually, get the Celia to patch you through to Fleet HQ and have them send over a Lion… Ask them to warp in the Lion via a Jilanth. We need it right away."
Shina nodded, took out a data pad, and began typing into it.
Tyler
The female nodded. "of course" she said and went ahead on down the tree and waited below.
"Greetings once again." The male priest said once Henry gained access again as well as anyone who came with. "What else may we do for you?" They asked pleasantly, seeming to be in good moods despite the heat.
Yangfan
Henry and Shina bowed to the priests, while the rest of the away team stood behind them. "There is nothing else that I require, Master Talris, Lady Rinas, Lady Neris," said Henry, looking to each of them in turn. "I simply wish to thank you for your hospitality. Your emissary shall be treated with the utmost respect, be given access to every system of the Yamataian Empire, and be allowed to return to his homeworld at a time of his choosing. I shall escort him personally, as my schedule allows," Henry continued. "It is my hope that, someday, I may call you my countrymen. I take my leave of you…" He waited until he saw a nod of acknowledgement from the priests, and then turned to leave, expecting to see Issus waiting for him outside.
Meanwhile, a Jilanth shuttle hyperfolded into the Essia system. It carried a large Lion shuttle on its back, via several hastily arranged magnetic grippers and coils. The Jilanth carried its heavy cargo straight for the Celia, where the Lion shuttle would be detached and pressed into service.
Tyler
Indeed Issus was awaiting Henry outside. "I hope you slept well." He said shortly and looked around some, obviously stretching by how the lower half was moving around some. "I do hope that all your kind are as polite as you have been." he said as they descended the pyramid. "But I must ask is there anything I should bear in mind."
Yangfan
"You're too kind, Mr. Issus," replied Henry as he walked. He considered Issus's query carefully. "… The Empire is home to several cultures, some very different from yours. Please be considerate of this fact if you should see something that offends you. This is not to suggest that you would not enjoy your trip, however. I expect that it shall be a thoroughly memorable experience for you," he finally said.
"Sir, the Lion shuttle that you ordered have arrived at the landing site," said Shina.
"Excellent…" Henry returned his attention to Issus. "Are you ready, Mr. Issus? The Yamataian Empire is quite vast, and it will take you at least a few weeks to tour every system. While you may come back to your homeworld anytime you wish, you would do well to prepare for an extended trip, if you wish to make a comprehensive report to your priests upon your return."
Tyler
"I shall bear that in mind," he said. "I have already prepared myself for the journey." Issus replied with a nod, on his back he was carrying a heavy looking what looked to be a footlocker over his shoulder.
Yangfan
"Very well, Mr. Issus," replied Henry. "I have instructed our shuttle to rendezvous with us at our original landing site. Please, lead the way."
After some walking in the jungle, Issus, Henry, and the rest of his away team arrived at a clearing in the jungle. Also in the clearing was a small Kitty shuttle and a large Lion shuttle.
"I was worried that the shuttle that we landed in would not be able to accommodate all of us," commented Henry. "So I sent for a larger one," he said as he boarded the Lion shuttle. Issus, Shina, Motoyama, Mazda, and Drake followed behind him. Issus found that the shuttle's roomy interiors gave him plenty of breathing room, despite his long, coiling body.
"Shina, inform the pilot of the Kitty that she is to escort us," ordered Henry.
"Aye, sir."
Henry then walked up to the pilot's pit in the Lion shuttle. "Take off when you're ready," he told the pilot. The Neko pilot gave him a brisk nod.
Soon, the two shuttles slowly lifted themselves above the jungle canopy, and then shot into the sky.
The away team sat and stood around the dining table, eating a dinner comprised of a cold cut sandwiches and canned fruit. Henry, Shina, and Motoyama were sitting down, while the two Elysian soldiers stood.
Shina was eyeing the cuts of meat the Essians left for them, but she didn't want to start a cooking fire, since it was hot enough in the room as it was.
Henry nibbled at his food, and frequently looked at the elevator, as if expecting it to move, and bring news from the Essian leaders. He understood that a decision of this magnitude takes time, however, and willed himself to be patient.
With dinner finished and the discarded wrappings and bottles stowed back inside the supply crates, the away team relaxed in the tree house. The three officers sat around the dining table, while the two enlisted soldiers stood. The sun had set, and dusk crept over the land.
"We should get some sleep soon," said Henry, his face barely lit in the dying light. "I want to be well-rested for tomorrow. I believe we can trust our hosts, but we should put up a sentry just to be safe... We'll each take a 90-minute shift on guard duty, in order of increasing rank, then increasing seniority. That means you go first, Drake."
"Aye sir," replied Drake.
"And, um…" continued Henry, taking a sip from his water bottle. "We should set up some sort of sleeping arrangement. I only saw two beds in the other room, although they're quite large, big enough for two or three people."
"As your personal bodyguard, sir, you and I should take the same bed," said Shina in a serious tone.
"But Shina, you don't really serve me in that capacity anymore…" said Henry, as he watched Shina's smile turn into a pout. His mind quickly considered the alternatives. "However, um… us sharing a bed would be fine." Henry smiled awkwardly, trying to maintain his professionalism in front of his men.
"You could have the other bed, sir," said Mazda to Motoyama. Drake nodded.
Motoyama's gaze turned to Mazda and Drake's wings. "No. That will not be necessary," he said. "You two would not be comfortable sleeping on chairs. I, however, will manage with them just fine."
Mazda and Drake looked at each other, and peered at the large beds in the next room. The two Elysians then looked at each other's rank pins.
"You can have the bed, sir", said Drake to Mazda.
"Erm, thank you," replied Mazda with a polite smile.
"It is probably cooler on the floor anyway," observed Drake.
"Well, I'm glad that got sorted out," said Henry. "See you gentlemen in the morning." He turned to head to the bedroom.
Shina was already on one of the beds, poking at the mattress.
Meanwhile, at the shuttle site, the pilot activated the shuttle's perimeter alarm system, and crawled into her sleeping bag for a good night's sleep.
* * *
Morning, sounds of birds in the jungle. The sun had not yet risen, but the sky had already turned a shade of light bluish-gray in anticipation.
Henry sat by the dining table, his eyes watching the sky through a window. Motoyama dozed in a chair nearby. In the next room, Shina slept in one bed while Mazda slept in another. Drake made do with a pillow and the floor.
Due to the heat, no one was really in uniform. Henry and the two Elysians wore shorts and T-shirts. Shina had put on a T-shirt and a short skirt before turning off her holographic systems and going to sleep during the previous night. Motoyama was still in his wetsuit, although Henry surmised that the suit's environmental control system was keeping Motoyama quite comfortable.
It was already quite warm. Warm enough to be uncomfortable for Henry. ~it is the humidity~, Henry silently observed to himself.
Tyler
In a few moments the silence was broken by a Separa young adult messenger, who appeared in the elevator platform and slid across the floor and looked around for their guests. With a light thump of the tail section she looked around for them. "Excuse me but are you awake yet? I bring word from the council members." She called out in a melodious voice with a slight hissing of the "s" sounds.
Yangfan
"I'm quite awake," replied Henry in a low voice. "But excuse me for a moment," he said as he moved to wake Motoyama, only to find that Motoyama was already awake, and was staring intently at the Separa messenger.
"Taii Kaori, wake the others," ordered Henry.
"Aye, sir", said Motoyama as he stood up, adjusted the rank pin on his wetsuit, and moved to the other room.
Henry returned his attention to the messenger. "Now, please tell me what messages you have for me from the council."
Tyler
The young adult female messenger straightened herself up and spoke clearly and enunciating that best she could with the species typical hiss.
"We have come to the conclusion that we must find out more about your people before joining you. We would like to send an emissary to learn more of your people prior to our final choice to join you or remain separate." She dutifully repeated. "We mean not disrespect to you on a personal level but we much bear the welfare of our people in mind as well. This decision was not reached easily but fortunately one has volunteered."
Yangfan
The rest of the away team wandered back into the main room. Shina yawned. The two Elysian soldiers looked tired but alert. Motoyama's posture remained as straight as ever, despite sleeping in a chair all night.
"Your emissary will be treated with the utmost respect," replied Henry. "Who was the volunteer?"
Tyler
The female responded simply. "The Templar Issus who escorted you yesterday, he displayed interest in learning more."
Yangfan
Henry nodded. "I would like to meet with the council again, to thank them for their hospitality before I leave... It is my people's way. It would also take a bit of time to arrange transportation for your emissary."
He then turned to Shina. "Contact the shuttle pilot. Tell her to patch you through to the Celia and get her to send down another Kitty or a Fox… No wait…" Henry suddenly remembered Issus's giant stature. An Aerokitty shuttle might have trouble carrying Issus and all of his belongings. "Actually, get the Celia to patch you through to Fleet HQ and have them send over a Lion… Ask them to warp in the Lion via a Jilanth. We need it right away."
Shina nodded, took out a data pad, and began typing into it.
Tyler
The female nodded. "of course" she said and went ahead on down the tree and waited below.
"Greetings once again." The male priest said once Henry gained access again as well as anyone who came with. "What else may we do for you?" They asked pleasantly, seeming to be in good moods despite the heat.
Yangfan
Henry and Shina bowed to the priests, while the rest of the away team stood behind them. "There is nothing else that I require, Master Talris, Lady Rinas, Lady Neris," said Henry, looking to each of them in turn. "I simply wish to thank you for your hospitality. Your emissary shall be treated with the utmost respect, be given access to every system of the Yamataian Empire, and be allowed to return to his homeworld at a time of his choosing. I shall escort him personally, as my schedule allows," Henry continued. "It is my hope that, someday, I may call you my countrymen. I take my leave of you…" He waited until he saw a nod of acknowledgement from the priests, and then turned to leave, expecting to see Issus waiting for him outside.
Meanwhile, a Jilanth shuttle hyperfolded into the Essia system. It carried a large Lion shuttle on its back, via several hastily arranged magnetic grippers and coils. The Jilanth carried its heavy cargo straight for the Celia, where the Lion shuttle would be detached and pressed into service.
Tyler
Indeed Issus was awaiting Henry outside. "I hope you slept well." He said shortly and looked around some, obviously stretching by how the lower half was moving around some. "I do hope that all your kind are as polite as you have been." he said as they descended the pyramid. "But I must ask is there anything I should bear in mind."
Yangfan
"You're too kind, Mr. Issus," replied Henry as he walked. He considered Issus's query carefully. "… The Empire is home to several cultures, some very different from yours. Please be considerate of this fact if you should see something that offends you. This is not to suggest that you would not enjoy your trip, however. I expect that it shall be a thoroughly memorable experience for you," he finally said.
"Sir, the Lion shuttle that you ordered have arrived at the landing site," said Shina.
"Excellent…" Henry returned his attention to Issus. "Are you ready, Mr. Issus? The Yamataian Empire is quite vast, and it will take you at least a few weeks to tour every system. While you may come back to your homeworld anytime you wish, you would do well to prepare for an extended trip, if you wish to make a comprehensive report to your priests upon your return."
Tyler
"I shall bear that in mind," he said. "I have already prepared myself for the journey." Issus replied with a nod, on his back he was carrying a heavy looking what looked to be a footlocker over his shoulder.
Yangfan
"Very well, Mr. Issus," replied Henry. "I have instructed our shuttle to rendezvous with us at our original landing site. Please, lead the way."
After some walking in the jungle, Issus, Henry, and the rest of his away team arrived at a clearing in the jungle. Also in the clearing was a small Kitty shuttle and a large Lion shuttle.
"I was worried that the shuttle that we landed in would not be able to accommodate all of us," commented Henry. "So I sent for a larger one," he said as he boarded the Lion shuttle. Issus, Shina, Motoyama, Mazda, and Drake followed behind him. Issus found that the shuttle's roomy interiors gave him plenty of breathing room, despite his long, coiling body.
"Shina, inform the pilot of the Kitty that she is to escort us," ordered Henry.
"Aye, sir."
Henry then walked up to the pilot's pit in the Lion shuttle. "Take off when you're ready," he told the pilot. The Neko pilot gave him a brisk nod.
Soon, the two shuttles slowly lifted themselves above the jungle canopy, and then shot into the sky.