Snippet #2487469

"I will see that arrangements are made for you to speak with our minister of trade to make more formal arrangements," Avantia replied to Rebekah. "I trust you found the art exhibition to be -"

Soneanna's interruption was somewhat unexpected. Busy as Avantia was, she hadn't time enough to scarcely sleep let alone see to her niece's personal matters, but she hadn't expected her to barge in, in such a manner.

"Soneanna... now isn't -"

Another avorian swept in behind Soneanna, a member of Avantia's royal guard. The man bowed.

"Forgive me, Matriarch. There's an urgent matter regarding the Xupra refugees in Jincai," he explained.

"Go on," Avantia replied.

"They have brought a sickness with them," the guard replied. "Our men there have all been exposed, as have the villagers. Captain Iyengar is maintaining order, but panic spreads. Several of the Xupra have escaped into the countryside. The Captain is requesting more men to help locate them, and he advises that we quarantine Jincai as a precaution until we know more about this sickness that drove the Xupra from their homes."

Avantia took the news stoically enough as she rose from the cushions she rested upon.

"See that he gets the men he needs," she replied. "I'll be leaving him in charge of managing the affairs in Jincai as I will be departing for the Chemias system tomorrow."

It was a poor time for her to be traveling so far from Volaria, but it couldn't be helped. Her presence was all but expected in the Chemias system, and it would be poor form to slight those who had been the ones to take up arms against the Cybrans when Volaria lacked the means to take the fight to the Cybran homeworlds.

"Soneanna, we will discuss this later, I need to go prepare to meet with the TNG representatives," she explained.

"Rebekah, it was a pleasure as always. We can continue this discussion during our trip to the Chemias system," she added. "For now I must take my leave," she explained.

The guard moved to follow Avantia as she strode from the room leaving Rebekah and Soneanna alone.