*The flight out of Obichen had been long, hours long; Samus may have had passenger seats installed, but neither she nor her diplomatic associate could do anything about the traffic
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Telrim’s done a lot of waiting in her time. A few hours in Samus’s ship is parsecs better than a few months in a tank - she can even tell herself that she’s had worse destinations. Whatever’s waiting for them can’t be as bad as the Taxxon tunnels. But thinking like that makes her regret again her lack of weapons, or equipment to check over… or even a body suited for combat. Even making the usual kind of conversation is difficult, so she’s glad Samus chooses to distract them all
( ... )
Noticeable indeed. Aurora holds up a cautioning hand, her posture asking for patience. She wants a little room to navigate still, and perhaps a moment to think. The latter she takes, not replying again until all the fighters have returned to their formation.
"Telrim, partnered with Natasha. They've been excellent guests while visiting my home, and I have faith they will be equally gracious guests for you," she remarks pleasantly. "And do please convey my compliments to your wing commander. The discipline displayed is remarkable."
*Samus has to bring a fist to her lips to avoid punctuating Aurora's latter remark with a bray of laughter. The grin she gives the girl should speak well of her pride.*
Telrim keeps her peace and lets Aurora handle matters, holding back a flicker of amusement. She has to maintain her self-control, and if she lets herself crack a smirk this soon she's afraid she'll lose the mask entirely. She approves of Aurora's introduction, anyway: no more information than the Andalites need for communication.
As for the prying comms officer, her silence is its own kind of message to him: no, she's not going to jump in and demand to be introduced by rank. No, she's not falling over herself to play 'bait the enemy filth' today.
< ...Understood. > The Andalite sounds suspicious but doesn't - yet - realise what he's passing on. < An officer will be waiting to escort you to the commander. With the appropriate security. >
*If Telrim feels she needs to maintain her mask, Samus is under no such obligation, and wears an amused smile for the rest of their flight to the NovaBurst's docking bays. She hopes they have a berth large enough for her ship, as it's probably a bit bulkier than the Andalites' own graceful, short-range fighters. With the comm line muted, she'll take the time to make some last-second plans on first impressions.*
So, what do we think? Do I go out alone, first, let them make sure I don't have a Yeerk in here with me, let me make sure they're not going to shoot, and then you two come out? Or do we all go at once?
Telrim gives Aurora a nod of acknowledgment - one faintly relieved, as if she's surprised to find herself approving. However undeniably competent these two are, she's used to working entirely with her own kind. Relying entirely on her own kind - and those bound to their service.
"Depends on how gentle you want to be," she answers Samus. "They'll certainly want to screen you. All of us. But even the idiots won't open fire without permission. It's too dangerous with you and unnecessary to deal with us."
She glances aside at the approaching bay. The one they're approaching seems large enough to suit - probably outfitted for captured craft, although there's a somewhat chunkier fighter variant in the next berth that demonstrates another use. It's possible to see the Andalites' welcoming committee forming up as they draw close.
*Decision made, Samus turns her attention fully to the landing. She's trying to make a good impression, here, and also not spook anyone in the welcoming committee. She decelerates into the hangar smoothly, the air taking on a subsonic throb as she switches from maneuvering thrusters to repulsors and sets the ship gently down. Letting out a breath after the landing, she settles the ship's systems down into stand-by mode--it can wake up in a hurry, if it needs to, but it shouldn't seem especially menacing otherwise (she hopes
( ... )
"From what we know of Earth diplomats, I'd say you compare impressively." Telrim unclips her own harness, stretching as she joins them on their feet. Even without half her armour, Samus looks prepared to handle a diplomatic breakdown. The kind of figure a Yeerk wants between herself and more assembled Andalites than she's seen in decades.
For that matter, she'd like to assume Aurora has a few tricks the swivel-eyed fools won't spot. She takes a moment to check on Natasha's state of mind, then nods to the others. "We'll be right behind you."
Oh, Aurora has all kinds of tricks up her sleeves. Nobody has a uniform that well tailored without having a few secrets added. Not that she's planning on any breakdowns, diplomatically or otherwise.
She, too, takes a moment to stretch, then she pats Telrim/Natasha's arm. "It'll be okay. Remember to smile. It'll worry them more if you're smiling." Her own smile is, briefly, mischievous.
*Samus nods in satisfaction, tucking her helmet into the crook of her arm and stepping into the lift. Squaring her shoulders, she descends, gaze sweeping her reception as she steps out.*
"I thought you wanted me to be nice," Telrim murmurs dryly, eyes on Samus as she heads out.
Naturally, the waiting party is a), large and b), armed. There are a couple dozen unfriendly-looking warriors drawn up to greet them, not counting another couple of squads who 'just happen' to be passing by behind them. A small group of engineers is off to one side, main eyes already checking out the new ship. Their stalk eyes, however, are shooting uneasy looks toward the guards.
Out in front, fortunately, are a couple of familiar faces. Halas is standing straight and trying to look as if he didn't run all the way here; beside him is Doctor Lirrouth, inspecting a datapad and calmly ignoring the warriors behind him. He does look up fully at Samus's appearance, expression shifting for a moment into a mouthless smile.
< Samus Aran, > Halas acknowledges formally, unsure how welcoming to be. And not just because she's only been gone for a few minutes. < I... see you were able to retrieve your ship undamaged
( ... )
((Skipping Aurora for a round or two while Samus meets the welcoming committee.))
*Samus' eyes settle on Halas and Lirrouth, and she allows herself a small smile as she approaches them--not quickly enough to get the guards worried, and stopping far enough back that she shouldn't seem like a threat to anyone who doesn't know her. Halas' delicate choice of words wins a low chuckle and a nod.*
I think Doctor Lirrouth will be the final word on "damage," but I was. Have I missed much?
*She gives a nod to Lirrouth as well, both to greet him and to invite him to begin his scans. She knows that after where she's been, the Andalites and humans both are going to want to know that she isn't being controlled
( ... )
Lirrouth inclines his head and steps forward delicately. He too seems stiffer than on their last encounter, his air appraising as he looks over his erstwhile patient. His initial scan is, of course, directed at her skull, one tuned to find the signs of live Yeerk tissue. He relaxes palpably when she proves to be alone in there. Second order of business, then: attempt to check those wounds on her back.
< Very little, > Halas replies, one eye on Lirrouth until the doctor gives him the all-clear. Then he too relaxes. < We have persuaded all of the humans to rejoin their leader, and the commander has relocated to a more spacious meeting area. We are still... keeping watch for other arrivals. > Speaking of which. One eye turns up toward her ship, around which the engineers are already fanning out. < You have a Controller with you. >
There's a touch of accusation in his voice, but it's nearly buried under the unspoken questions. He just need to mind his words here. It's too public.
*Knowing the contents of her own skull, Samus never had cause for concern over the first scan. She rather expected Lirrouth would be checking on his work, as well. He'll find it's healing well--too well, really. It's showing several days' worth of recovery, for those twenty minutes she was gone. She's expecting questions about that, but hopefully Lirrouth will be allowed into the meeting and she can answer them just the once. Halas' question, though, needs a more immediate response.*
I do, yes, in a voluntary human host. She's unarmed, and has a relevant contribution to make to the discussion. She is under my protection, and I will accept responsibility for anything she does while aboard this ship.
*Those two points, she suspects, will resonate a little with the Andalites' sense of honor, if not their sense of hospitality.*
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"Telrim, partnered with Natasha. They've been excellent guests while visiting my home, and I have faith they will be equally gracious guests for you," she remarks pleasantly. "And do please convey my compliments to your wing commander. The discipline displayed is remarkable."
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As for the prying comms officer, her silence is its own kind of message to him: no, she's not going to jump in and demand to be introduced by rank. No, she's not falling over herself to play 'bait the enemy filth' today.
< ...Understood. > The Andalite sounds suspicious but doesn't - yet - realise what he's passing on. < An officer will be waiting to escort you to the commander. With the appropriate security. >
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Telrim/Natasha gets a curious look as Aurora returns to her seat. Does she approve?
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So, what do we think? Do I go out alone, first, let them make sure I don't have a Yeerk in here with me, let me make sure they're not going to shoot, and then you two come out? Or do we all go at once?
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"Depends on how gentle you want to be," she answers Samus. "They'll certainly want to screen you. All of us. But even the idiots won't open fire without permission. It's too dangerous with you and unnecessary to deal with us."
She glances aside at the approaching bay. The one they're approaching seems large enough to suit - probably outfitted for captured craft, although there's a somewhat chunkier fighter variant in the next berth that demonstrates another use. It's possible to see the Andalites' welcoming committee forming up as they draw close.
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"If it would ease their minds, I say we go out one at a time. There's no good reason to make this more difficult."
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One at a time, it is.
*Decision made, Samus turns her attention fully to the landing. She's trying to make a good impression, here, and also not spook anyone in the welcoming committee. She decelerates into the hangar smoothly, the air taking on a subsonic throb as she switches from maneuvering thrusters to repulsors and sets the ship gently down. Letting out a breath after the landing, she settles the ship's systems down into stand-by mode--it can wake up in a hurry, if it needs to, but it shouldn't seem especially menacing otherwise (she hopes ( ... )
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For that matter, she'd like to assume Aurora has a few tricks the swivel-eyed fools won't spot. She takes a moment to check on Natasha's state of mind, then nods to the others. "We'll be right behind you."
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She, too, takes a moment to stretch, then she pats Telrim/Natasha's arm. "It'll be okay. Remember to smile. It'll worry them more if you're smiling." Her own smile is, briefly, mischievous.
Then it's time to work.
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Gentlebeings.
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Naturally, the waiting party is a), large and b), armed. There are a couple dozen unfriendly-looking warriors drawn up to greet them, not counting another couple of squads who 'just happen' to be passing by behind them. A small group of engineers is off to one side, main eyes already checking out the new ship. Their stalk eyes, however, are shooting uneasy looks toward the guards.
Out in front, fortunately, are a couple of familiar faces. Halas is standing straight and trying to look as if he didn't run all the way here; beside him is Doctor Lirrouth, inspecting a datapad and calmly ignoring the warriors behind him. He does look up fully at Samus's appearance, expression shifting for a moment into a mouthless smile.
< Samus Aran, > Halas acknowledges formally, unsure how welcoming to be. And not just because she's only been gone for a few minutes. < I... see you were able to retrieve your ship undamaged ( ... )
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*Samus' eyes settle on Halas and Lirrouth, and she allows herself a small smile as she approaches them--not quickly enough to get the guards worried, and stopping far enough back that she shouldn't seem like a threat to anyone who doesn't know her. Halas' delicate choice of words wins a low chuckle and a nod.*
I think Doctor Lirrouth will be the final word on "damage," but I was. Have I missed much?
*She gives a nod to Lirrouth as well, both to greet him and to invite him to begin his scans. She knows that after where she's been, the Andalites and humans both are going to want to know that she isn't being controlled ( ... )
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< Very little, > Halas replies, one eye on Lirrouth until the doctor gives him the all-clear. Then he too relaxes. < We have persuaded all of the humans to rejoin their leader, and the commander has relocated to a more spacious meeting area. We are still... keeping watch for other arrivals. > Speaking of which. One eye turns up toward her ship, around which the engineers are already fanning out. < You have a Controller with you. >
There's a touch of accusation in his voice, but it's nearly buried under the unspoken questions. He just need to mind his words here. It's too public.
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I do, yes, in a voluntary human host. She's unarmed, and has a relevant contribution to make to the discussion. She is under my protection, and I will accept responsibility for anything she does while aboard this ship.
*Those two points, she suspects, will resonate a little with the Andalites' sense of honor, if not their sense of hospitality.*
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