Chapter 16

We jumped in at about 15 light seconds, which was twice what everyone else was doing. My radio received a broadcast in an alien language 45 seconds after arriving, so I replied, “This is the MX1, with a diplomatic delegation from the Poseidon Dominion to the Federation. Please provide us directions, and a location for our shuttle craft to dock.”

The reply was in English, again with a 45 second delay, “MX 1, continue on your course, come to a stop at 2 light seconds from the station. Do not approach closer than 1 light second, or you will be fired upon. We will send a shuttle craft to pick up your delegation, when you have come to a full stop in relation to the station.”

“So do we wow them, or take it carefully?” I asked.

“Let’s take it carefully.”

I moved forward at 100,000 kps, staying sublight, but using 1000xft to boost the actual speed of 100kps. For those on board it would have been a subjective 12.5 hours, so I stored them until we were within 5 minutes of arrival at our ordered parking spot.

“We are at our parking spot,” I announced, “There is a craft on approach.”

I displayed my power provided image of the craft, as it approached. It was about five meters wide, and fifteen long, and was moving at approximately 25,000kps, impressive considering there were no signs of rocket propulsion, or spars.

I drew a bright red circle around my airlock, blinking it on and off, and drew arrows towards it. The craft came to a stop, and sent a message, “Our docking port is on the side, how does your port connect?”

“Just come within a few meters, our system will attach and seal to your port. Do we need our own atmosphere, or are you primed with Earth standard air?”

“We request you remain sealed in suits, breathing your own air until we can run biocompatibility and pathogen tests.”

“Understood, if you can turn the lights on around your docking port, we will connect.” I said, as I stored the crew, and conjured them back wearing space suits.

The bright orange suits were diamondillium armored, with internal power and air. They were fully capable of supporting life for eight hours with internal storage tanks. They were also something that was custom forged onto each person, thus requiring the conjure swap.

The craft moved into position, and I extended my lips around it, holding it tight against the port, and sealing the air around it. The crew going aboard were already standing behind a diamondillium door, waiting for the pressure to equalize. The pilots were startled by the sudden shift of the exterior, but remained calm.

They detected the pressure on the other side of the door, and it opened. A tall willowy being stood there, vaguely humanoid, except for the elephant trunk style arms and legs, very large black eyes, and green and purple skin, dressed in a flowing pink gown. It clashed terribly to my eyes.

The interior airlock door opened, and I along with Val, Mike, and 3M moved thru the door. It closed behind us, and I double checked that we all had weapons attached to our hips. Our suits were all recording video and audio for later review. Back at base where everyone was gathered watching our twins acted out the scenes, one for each of us, plus extras for others. I was making sure that no pearl technology was being exposed to the aliens. I could only hope that the pearl in their heads either went undetected or dismissed as a biological oddity.

A soft female voice came over our suit speakers, “Welcome gentlebeings. The Federation welcomes the Poseidon Dominion delegation, please enter and sit.”

“Val, take the lead. 3M, then me, then Mike.” I told them on the inter suit radio, and they moved into position.

The interior was brightly lit with bench seats along the walls. The pilot’s cabin was behind a closed door. The only alien visible was our guide. We sat together against the far wall, facing the door, which sealed shut. Our guide sat opposite us. She said something that was not translated, then turned and looked at us.

“Please release the docking clamp.”

I complied, my lips pulling back, sealing the bay. A slight pucker of a kiss pushed the shuttle away. My power could sense us moving, but with no windows, there was no sensation or visual cue. I informed the crew that we were moving.

We moved towards the station, lifting above one branching arm, and curving under a second where we reached an open door. The craft passed thru the door, and it shut behind us. I could sense the air pressure rising in the cavernous room. Our guide stood, and touched the door, which opened, “Please this way.”

We exited in the same order, as we reached the bottom of the ramp that had extended, a door at the far end opened. Four creatures came thru. A striding creature, much like a praying mantis, wearing a rough brown cloth robe, and a bright blue yamika, was followed by two more of the green and purple aliens, also in flowing gowns of pink. The final creature was a squid like creature in a round cylinder of a tank, with treads at the bottom, and a sealed top. Studded across the clear tank at various heights and directions were small black orbs, making no discernable pattern across the clear glass.

“That is the creature that followed me here,” came the same voice we had heard a week earlier. Our friend Scout 412 was here in the greeting party.

Mike stepped up, “Have we met? Your voice sounds familiar but your shape does not.”

One of the black orbs on the side of the glass tank spun, and a tentacle reached out, it pointed at me, “That one is the leader, arrest it,” it said stridently.

Val put her hand on her pistol, but I warned her not to start something. The mantis approached, gave a slight bow, and said, “Gentlebeing, what is your species?”

“I grew up on Earth, I always thought I was human. Now I’m not sure. I am known as Admiral Barkley.”

“It lies. It chases and hunts, it lies. It.” came the voice again.

One of the beings in pink held something up, and the voice of the scout cut off. The mantis turned and nodded at the creature holding up the small blue stick, then turned to Mike. “Gentlebeing, what is your species?”