Snippet #1354591

Fayren smiled at Rasha's action, and handed the sword back to Morose, who promptly sheathed it. The Matriarch released the Velidus' hand, and turned to Morose saying, "Retrieve Rash's crew and ship. They will be our guests for the time being."

Morose saluted in conformation before leaving, to return to his men. Fayren returned to her throne, and the guard protecting what she had been previously left, allowing her to take her seat. She seemed to forget about the Velidus for a moment, nosing the thing she had curled about, but after a moment she returned her attention to Rasha. "Velidus stay here." She explained resting her head on her hands, and then waving her hands at the surroundings.

She turned from the alien toward the black-dyed wolves. Addressing an old black-and-white she stated, "Edithe, I expect you and the other scholars in the palace to work on bridging the gap in our language."

"Yes, Matriarch." Replied the old female Lysk.

Fayren looked to a guard, and pointed, "Arkyle, show Rasha to the guest rooms." She ordered.

"Yes, Mistress." The guard acknowledged, bowing.

The guard walked past Rasha, waving his hand to indicate that he was to be followed. "Come." He said.

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The exploratory ships came through easily, and were launched a short distance from the Jumpgate. With no satellites in the new system the Solar Sails were nearly useless, and so they were folded back to the sides of the ships. Their thrusters kicked on, but the Frigates did not travel much faster than the Cruiser, so as not lose their escort. Inside the Cruiser, emblazoned with title Gungnir, the crew worked seamlessly on the bridge. Captain Felladin sat looking out the small reinforced windows. The system appeared habitable, and that was good news. More accurate information could brought on by analysis rather than oberservation, though. "Activate the scanners." He ordered.

"Yes sir." Came an anonymous acknowledgement.

Felladin continued to stare off into space until the soldier spoke again, "Sir, there's an unidentified heat signature in the system within traveling distance."

"What?" Felladin asked coming over to the center of the room, where a newly-made rudimentry holographic map of the system appeared.

On the map there was a large red dot. "Analyze the heat signature." The Captain ordered.

The map zoomed in on the dot after a couple of seconds, and revealed an unfamiliar vessel. It was exactly the opposite of the ship design the Lysk used. Instead of sharp and elegant the ship was blunt and bulky. What was more, it was a little than the Gungnir. Felladin also noticed the ship looked old, but he dismissed it. "It appears to be fleeing sir."

Fleeing? From what? Them? "Follow it, but don't head it off. If we can get within range to attempt opening a comm channel then do so, but remember we're here observe this system. If it leaves, do not follow, and, whatever happens, do not engage in hostilities unless we are fired upon first. Understood?" The Captain asked.

"Yes sir!" Came a resounding response from all the crew on the bridge.

The orders were soon relayed througout the Gungnir, and to it's two companion frigates. Their thruster output increased, and they began to follow the unknown ship.