06-25-2025, 05:25 AM
The elevator doors slid closed as the away team stepped inside. Scanning the key padd in Velaul’s hand, a mechanism sprang to life and the platform began to raise. The wall facing the atrium was transparent from the inside, showcasing an impressive view as the lobby shrank into a haze of dim light and holographic glitter.
After a short journey, the elevator eased itself to a halt. Another pair of doors slid open to reveal a luxurious penthouse suite. The room was bathed in a rich orange light that lent more color than luminance. A large window on the room’s back wall showcased the skyline of Saule’s commercial district, adorned with neon lights and video advertisements.
There was plenty of room for the away team to spread out as they waited for their host to arrive. The expansive suite included a separate office and a miniature replicator. Clues about the identify of their host, however, were sparse. If their mysterious contact had been to the room before, they hadn’t left anything behind.
The party waited for several minutes, the settling quiet interrupted by an automaton carrying a tray of neon green cocktails. The drinks smelled strongly of citrus and left a tingling sensation on the lips.
Finally, the penthouse doors slid open again to reveal the stern, chrome-jawed face of General Alukh. He looked at each member of the party with the practiced eye of a tactician, then nodded and stomped inside.
“Thank you all for coming,” he said. His voice reverberated with a mechanical echo. He walked over to the replicator and made himself a hot drink that smelled like coffee.
“Ambassador Saida Gebrezghi is being held in a detention center near Tanndi’s industrial district. She’s alive, and her injuries are being treated by our best doctors. Unfortunately, the pilot who was with her did not survive the crash.
“Earlier this week, an unknown alien spacecraft entered our space. According to official reports, it failed to respond to hails and it was shot down over the Tanndi wasteland. However, I’m afraid that this tragedy seems convenient, considering the desire of the Xha crime family to cut off contact with outworlders. I strongly suspect foul play.
“I swore an oath to President Khushku, but I recognize that she’s now faced with an impossible conundrum. She faces down the threat of war with other Riani nations, and now with the Federation as well. I’ve kept close tabs on Jonas’s career since he arrived on Riani, and I believe in his vision for Riani. Now I’m asking you to help me find a solution that brings us closer to peace."
The General took a long sip from his drink, waiting for someone else to speak.
After a short journey, the elevator eased itself to a halt. Another pair of doors slid open to reveal a luxurious penthouse suite. The room was bathed in a rich orange light that lent more color than luminance. A large window on the room’s back wall showcased the skyline of Saule’s commercial district, adorned with neon lights and video advertisements.
There was plenty of room for the away team to spread out as they waited for their host to arrive. The expansive suite included a separate office and a miniature replicator. Clues about the identify of their host, however, were sparse. If their mysterious contact had been to the room before, they hadn’t left anything behind.
The party waited for several minutes, the settling quiet interrupted by an automaton carrying a tray of neon green cocktails. The drinks smelled strongly of citrus and left a tingling sensation on the lips.
Finally, the penthouse doors slid open again to reveal the stern, chrome-jawed face of General Alukh. He looked at each member of the party with the practiced eye of a tactician, then nodded and stomped inside.
“Thank you all for coming,” he said. His voice reverberated with a mechanical echo. He walked over to the replicator and made himself a hot drink that smelled like coffee.
“Ambassador Saida Gebrezghi is being held in a detention center near Tanndi’s industrial district. She’s alive, and her injuries are being treated by our best doctors. Unfortunately, the pilot who was with her did not survive the crash.
“Earlier this week, an unknown alien spacecraft entered our space. According to official reports, it failed to respond to hails and it was shot down over the Tanndi wasteland. However, I’m afraid that this tragedy seems convenient, considering the desire of the Xha crime family to cut off contact with outworlders. I strongly suspect foul play.
“I swore an oath to President Khushku, but I recognize that she’s now faced with an impossible conundrum. She faces down the threat of war with other Riani nations, and now with the Federation as well. I’ve kept close tabs on Jonas’s career since he arrived on Riani, and I believe in his vision for Riani. Now I’m asking you to help me find a solution that brings us closer to peace."
The General took a long sip from his drink, waiting for someone else to speak.