Salentia's Story

Shaselia nodded, calculating ship operations with the new information provided by Lewis. It wasn't the best of news. She looked hopefully to Nyaidia, "Thank you," and then to Lewis with the ghost of a smile. Maybe they weren't in the worst shape, after all. They had no idea who these aliens were, or where they came from, but their stories were one and the same. Joruv gave his wife a peck on the cheek. His hands danced across the control panel as he prepared the loading bay for depressurization.

"Permission to board granted," Joruv said to Nyaidia, "It's at our humblest request that any weaponry remain peace tied. What are the atmospheric conditions optimal to your survival? We are at...22% oxygen. Loading bay depressuri-"

"First!" Phetalia shoved her way through the crowd towards the door. Derud grabbed at her and failed, earning a hopeless look from his wife. He smiled sheepishly at a glowering Maniria. Opum and Phetalia barreled from the room. They excitedly grabbed at Wolov, who didn't mirror their excitement but played along regardless. The three kids rushed off to the loading bay to greet the aliens.

Joruv swiveled to the surveillance controls. He flipped the viewscreens to display the loading bay. He hit another button, holding it down. On the screen the doors slowly began to open.

Nyaidia, her Blackguards, and the engineers made their way on the bridge. She found the children (and adults) that hounded them to get a glance annoying but she managed to not show it.

"They just carry our tools" Nyaidia heard an engineer answer the question of one of the crew.

Nyaidia took a look around the bridge with her own eyes now not though a viewer. Turning to the captain she said. "My engineers will help in whatever way they are able. I have been given the power by my government to act as a diplomat for my people and to further relations between our peoples."

"Oh," said Phetalia, shrugged, and hung back to keep watching. She was glad to hear they were going to help, but was more interested in the technology they brought along than anything else.

"Thank you," Joruv responded to Nyaidia with a light bow of his head, "I'd like to formally invite you to join us in a meal when the day is done. I'm not sure if we have the same diet, but if we can stand the same air surely our similarities extend beyond. Our protein processor malfunctioned, I'm afraid, so we've minimal to offer of that specifically. However our garden is a true treat."

Shaselia nodded and smiled greatly at the mention of the garden.