as written by Luxin and barney_fife
Just as the Iova-class was about to depart, following the Jump-waves they'd detected, the creator of those very figments returned with such immediacy that the bridge of the frigate was silent, lit up brilliantly as the holo-display of the local gravity well lit up with the Reverence's entrance.
"Sir, that's a huge ship. Matches the size of nothing we've got back home," said one of the crew members, his brow furrowed. "How we gonna get safe?"
Rashiim looked around, seeing several lights winking in and out, indication that they were being scanned for information. "Go ahead and hail them, non-hostile. I'd rather live to see the next sun, and hopefully that sun with be home at Iara-Agar. Oh, and make sure that our markers are visible, if you please."
From the ship came a sudden flurry of radio-static like information, a constant, repeating broadcast in the native Iarin tongue indicating their ship class and lack of hostile intent. Unfortunately, there were few speakers of the tongue, that the Iarin were aware of, in the Milky way beyond their own ships' crews. In addition to the coms burst, several markings on the frigate's hull flared up, both in the visible spectrum as a pleasant shade of cyan, and in the other areas of the EM spectrum, showing the same marking for each.
The markings, also in Iarin, were indicative of a reconnaisance vessel, even though the language was truly alien and the pattern of marking did not match the conventional systems of the Milky Way.
____
"Initiating language assimilation." The Shipboard AI stated as Harkin frowned at the alien language scrolling across his screen.
"The basics, then, looks like we're not dealing with the Machine Demon." Harkin said, turning to the flickering holographic representation of his shipboard AI.
"Send hostile challenge and ID, universal protocol." Harkin ordered, as the Lieutenant spoke up.
"Sir, I'm detecting some kind of marking identification, it's not comparing with known databases, whoever this is, is likely not to have encountered our people."
The AI Had finished fomulating it's response, translating the standard hostile challenge into a basic mathematical language that even the most basic computer software could decipher and translate into the language of the recipient.
"Unidentified vessel, this is the Devotion, of the United Aschen Empire. Identify yourselves or you will be engaged and destroyed."
By this time the inhibition field had activated, extending several hundred AU Around the Reverence II, this inhibition field was designed to prevent entrances into, and exits from real-space, and inhibited nearly all forms of teleportation, and FTL travel.
Three massive engines engaged and the ship began to approach. The initial hail repeated, and sent in a universal mathematical language.
Harkin looked up to the alien language that was scrolling across the display, the AI speaking up.
"Language assimilation in progress, analysis estimated to be forty percent complete, more vocabulary samples are needed."
"Starboard fire control to CIC, I've got firing solution." An intercom chimed, while Harkin frowned. "Hold your fire, let's get this communication problem solved." He said, while the shipboard AI transmitted language ciphers for the Aschen language of Anquietas, hoping the recipient onboard had advanced enough systems to analyze and translate the Aschen language. Along with this attempted transmission, the shipboard AI requested language samples of the Iarin language, so it could facilitate translation.
____
"Sir, we've got an incoming trasmission. Base two logic. The systems are capable of deciphering it without issue, but that ship's coming closer and we're getting a dampening indication on our Super-luminals. Recommend setting drive power to forward and port shields via super-luminal connection."
Rashiim looked to his right, acknowledging the woman, his second in command on board his ship. "Very well, Darrana. Have the computer translate out whatever that message is, but do not return such signals. Leave our radio transmissions open. I appreciate a new language, but we will not let them have ours as easily." He turned back and brought up his ship-wide intercom system.
"All hands, you are free to speak at ease and freely. There is a vessel of significant size approaching and hailing, requesting translingual smaples. Your chatter will be their samples, as I will not hand over our databases freely. Such is not our mission. We are also essentially Drifters at this moment, so super-luminal power has been re-routed to the port and forward shield systems. If nothing else, we'll take a hearty blow or two before we finds our Risings." He turned the intercom off and seated himself.
"Let them hear us, loud and clear. And let us pray that the Divine Three keep us safe."
The female spoke up once more. "Sir, we're receiving another transmission. Language, though the computer is having to take significantly more time parsing out a translation to our language. Would you like to hear the initial hail while it works?" Rashiim nodded.
"Unidentified vessel, this is the Devotion, of the United Aschen Empire. Identify yourselves or you will be engaged and destroyed." The words, now in Iarin, were harsh and unexpected. He had thought that the hail would be less violent and more negotiating, perhaps even welcoming. but this was cold, almost mechanical to him. There was no joy or life the way the Iarin knew it. There was only subjugation and cruelty, just as there had been millennia ago for the Iarin people.
"We have their formats, then. Return their message, altered for ourselves."
-----------
Amidst the coms chatter in Iarin, a single phrase would return to the Devotion's bridge, this time in pristine Aschen thanks to their computers.
"We are the Iarin Collective, Vessel Firrona. Your hail has been received and we are translating to your language even now. We appreciate your approach, but ask you to stand down your weapons. We will not be destroyed."
____
Harkin took a slow sip from his tea as he read over the message, displayed in Anquietas on one of the CIC's many internal displays.
"I have firing solutions." The AI said, as targeting information flickered to life before the Admiral and his crew. Several red lines highlighted firing trajectories between the Reverence, and the Iarin ship.
"Signal the fleet, and alert forward firing control, forward turbodisruptor banks are to be primed and ready to fire on my orders." Harkin ordered.
Communications occured between computers in real time as the AI relayed Harkin's orders. The Datastream was alight with activity as the Imperial Fleet was being hailed by the Reverence.
"Unidentified vessel in weapons range E-7, requesting diplomatic envoy, and fleet presence."
"Fleet presence and diplomatic envoy granted, prepare Xeno ship for inspection. Deploying the Legatus Stygies to your location. ETA five millicentons."
Harkin read over the data replies, as well as the AI's translation of the native language. "Note, they declined to provide language ciphers, recommend caution. Language assimilation is eighty percent complete." The AI spoke up, and Harkin nodded. "Send standard inspection request, if they do not comply, deploy Condors and a Marine strike team to take them by force."
The AI offered a swift nod, before she sent another message, in the same mathematical language as before.
"Iarin Collective, Vessel Firrona, you are instructed to power down your shields, disable your weapons systems, and proceed to the following coordinates for inspection. Failure to comply will be construed as a hostile action, and you will be engaged. We have a diplomatic staff en-route to further assist you."
At that moment, eight small craft emerged from a massive ventral hangar bay, three Condors, and five F-11x Apollo fighters. The Apollo fighters were fairly quick and nimble, their delta wing configurations boasting a pair of RCW Disruptor cannons, as well as missile hardpoints.
The Condor was a medium sized transport shuttle, each carrying twelve Imperial Marines, it was Harkin's hope they would not be needed.
"Firrona, this is Apollo Three-One, You're to proceed on designated course, we will provide escort." At that moment, a set of coordinates was sent by the shipboard AI of the Devotion. The Iarin ship was being directed towards one of the massive Reverence II's hangar bays.
____
The bridge of the Firrona had gone silent once more, but this time because the messages hada relayed, in real-time, in perfect Iarin. The translation had completed minutes prior, but hearing such commands in their native tongue disturbed those who heard them.
"Sir..."
"Not now, Kallka. I heard it too. They speak like the Virahg once did to our people. That it comes to us in our own Speeches is more disturbing to me than you may realize." He paused. "Is the Ahhet prepared, as required by our mission?"
The female from before, Darrana, looked up at him. "Ahhet has been primed since before we left Iarin Sovereignty, Sir. We are well-prepared for what may befall us."
"Very well, Rashiim replied. "Lower shields and safe all weapons. Do not disable them, simply safe them. I do not expect a firefight, and I do not wish one, but I would rather be able to bring us online in the event. If we die, we die without cowardice."
--------
A message returned to the Devotion, echoed to the squad-craft deployed to escort.
"Devotion, of Aschen Empire. Your greetings are met fairly, but it is our request to remain in the confines of space, rather than within your hull. We have removed our shielding and safed our weapons. Our intent is not hostile, and we are certain a vessel of such size is more than capable of scanning us in full. Reply awaited."
The Firrona hung in the void gently, her shields removed and her weapons honestly safed, but she did not move forward. Her main form of thrust from her Super-luminals was essentially removed at the moment, and her sub-luminals were not strong enough to move her in pace with anything else.
____
There were a few murmers among the crew of the Devotion's CIC as the Iarins refused their orders. Harkin frowned slightly as the AI spoke up.
"Language assimilation complete." The AI Said, as Harkin frowned, sipping his tea once more.
"Patch me through directly to the Xenos ship, vocal translation." Harkin ordered, and the AI Swiftly patched an audio transmission through, this time, rather than the cold mechanical female voice of the shipboard AI, it was the gravely, accented voice of Admiral Harkin.
"This is Admiral William Harkin, Flag officer of the Fleet of Rigorous Prayer, I am also the commanding officer of this vessel. You are currently within the sovereign space of the United Aschen Empire, furthermore you are within a restricted military weapons proving area, during the course of a highly classified weapons test. To exacerbate matters further, the United Aschen Empire is currently in a state of wartime readiness, thus we take our security very seriously.
Therefore it is imperative that we conduct your inspection on our terms, to ascertain your purpose, where you came from, and the nature of your vessel. This inspection is done physically to eliminate the chance that countermeasures could be deployed. I have very little leeway to give you, so you can choose to comply with our orders, and proceed with meaningful contact. Or you can continue to refuse, at which point I will have no choice but to seize your vessel and take you and your crew prisoner. The latter I'm sure will impact any future relations our two people may have." Harkin explained.
"You have my word you and your crew will not be harmed, but I cannot guarantee that if you continue to refuse our directives, please proceed on the designated course, I will arrange for a diplomatic staff to address any concerns you may have."
The message was stern, and to the point, it seemed with a tinge of frustration.
---
At that moment the Quintet of Apollo fighters had reached the small frigate, with the trio of Condor transports moving towards the ship itself, deploying specialized magnetic landing gear to attach to the hull, the Marines inside were preparing to drill into the ship.
The Apollo fighters circled one more pass, before the pilot responded.
"That's a negative, proceed on course, this directive is non-negotiable. Please proceed for inspection." The Pilot hailed.
____
As the patch came through, and the Admiral's voice sounded throughout the small frigate, Rashiim grinned. He let the alien finish his speech, pretty as it was, before responding, his words translating to Aschen without issue through the link.
"It's is we\ith great honor we meet you, William, Admiral and Officer, of the Fleet. Please, let us first apologize for the information you are about to receive. We mean it not as an assault on your systems, though they may treat it as such, but rather as a show of good faith, giving you the starways required to visit the space we know as our home." He looked to the side and nodded.
A momen later, a highly concentrated radio pulse shot to the Reverence II, acting in ways similar to an EMP due to sheer volume of information, as it contained not only basic directions, but all of the calculations with corrections for navigating a safe and quick route from here to the Milky Way's edge, as well as the requisite information required to build the engines needed for trans-galactic travel.
"To continue, it is not because we offer you any offense that we do not comply, but because we cannot give you a thorough inspection of our vessel. While you claim this as your territory, and we cannot readily argue against it, we had received anomalous readings of an errant supernova and had sought to understand why it had occurred." He paused for a moment, noting indications from the exterior of his ship. "I would also ask that you kep your servants from burrowing into my hull. It is not for their safety, as the ship cannot fire weapons systems at the moment, but they would dislike what they might find within the hull's barriers. I do not wish their perishing, not that of my crew. We will proceed forward, but we will meet in the Pavarran. The Interspace. We can establish the connection, if you cannot access it yourselves, but I cannot allow myself or my crew to board your vessel, just as I cannot allow you to board my own."
He stood slightly taller, despite the fact that he knew the transmission was vocal only, then looked to his pilot, Kellka, and waved his hand ever so slightly. The sub-luminals flared ever so slightly as they began to push the craft forwards, closer to the Reverence, albeit slowly. In Rashiim's mind, he could only figure that this alien race could stand to slow down a bit.
"We come as asked," he said, before closing the transmission for the moment.
____
The Shipboard AI Chimed a moment as the information was sent towards the Reverence II. Several AI Banks scanned the incoming information for a malicious payload in real time, before indexing and collating everything into the order of importance.
The calculations were translated into FTL Coordinates for Aschen FTL Drives, utilizing the information from course corrections and stellar charts. The information to build a trans-galactic drive was noted, but filed. The Reverence II was already fitted with a highly capable FTL System, which also afforded transgalactic travel. This was the case for most modern Aschen vessels.
Harkin silently watched the data scroll across the screens as his firing control officer turned to face him.
"Admiral?" He asked, awaiting further instructions. "If what they say is true, and they were investigating the result of our weapons test, then it stands to reason it's unlikely they were trying to infiltrate Imperial Space. Even if that was their aim, a weapons range is a foolish place to do so." He said, while Harkin nodded.
"You came to seek the cause of this anomalous supernova? It was not an anomaly, we deliberately induced it as part of a weapons test. That is all I can tell you." Harkin said, before he nodded to the AI.
"Transmit video link, initiate deep scans of the alien vessel." Harkin ordered, and the AI nodded abruptly before the order was carried out.
At that moment the Iarin vessel would be transmitted a live video feed of Admiral Harkin, and the large, dimly lit CIC behind him. Harkin was an aging man, with stern, carved features, thin lips, and a graying goatee.
His uniform was dark grey, trimmed with dark blue, and the diamond-shaped insignia that denoted his rank as Admiral. In addition to a polished leather belt that crossed his chest and waist.
An audible harsh alarm klaxxon blared in the background, along with flashing red lights.
"I appreciate the gesture, please understand that we are at war with an enemy that would stop at nothing to destroy every last man, woman, and child of this Empire. This enemy will use any deception to infiltrate our defenses. We fight an enemy that knows no quarter, and thus we shall not give any." Harkin said, standing sternly center in the video feed.
"You are required to remain here until our diplomatic staff arrives, at that point they can meet at this location you have designated. It is for your safety, and our security." Harkin explained.
"If you have any questions or concerns, I will attempt to address them, it will be two Millicentons until they arrive."
____
As the video feed displayed on the rather large viewing window on the bridge of his ship, Rashiim had a similar display sent out to the Aschen.
"Perhaps my meaning was unclear. Interspace is...difficult to think of, for some. We have the capability to connectthe subconcious waves of multiple sentient beings and project them, real-time, across distances vaster than a Lightdrive can move. While they have no connections to this galaxy yet, The PICA Corporation has used Interspace connections in the Onyx Galaxy in vast amounts, allowing for local areas pre-generated Interspace locales. We offer to bring the mental structure of those you wish to send to one such locale to discuss further diplomacy."
As the deep scan began searching the ship, a portion of the sihp owuld simply show an outline and an indication of empty space. On the visual image of the ship, the outlined area of blankness correlated with the gap in the ship's hull between its fore and aft sections. A light on one of the panels alerted Kellka to the in-progress deep scan, but he made no outward mention of it, as he was visible on the display.
____
Harkin remained silent as he pondered his options. "What exactly is he talking about?" He asked, and the AI's avatar shrugged. "Hypothesis; they are offering to connect your mind across vast distances to communicate in a simulated reality in real time."
Harkin simply shook his head, turning back to the video display.
"That's not going to happen." He said in a calm, gravely voice. "You haven't been giving us very many reasons to trust you, saying our people will perish boarding your ship, refusing to come here and meet with us personally, insisting on a mental link to communicate.."
"I'm sorry but you've given us no cause to trust your intentions." He said calmly, and at that moment, there was another flash, an FTL Signature roughly a dozen or so kilometers away from the Iarin vessel.
This vessel was unlike the Reverence II before it. Hard, heavily armored angular lines, a deep gunmetal grey trimmed with reds, and eight massive three-barreled MAC emplacements that swiveled to life.
The
Legatus Stygies, a massive and powerful
Iconoclast Class Battleship maneuvered carefully, closing the gap within several moments between it's initial position, and the Firrona.
Chairman Gina Inviere, a slender blonde woman was going over the command console, reading the data being provided by the Devotion as the massive battleship took a position directly over the Firrona, at 5km long, it too dwarfed the small scout ship. As it positioned itself, and then began to slowly descend, the Chairman hailed the smaller ship."
"Vessel Firrona, this is Chairman Gina Inviere, supreme commander of the Imperial Aschen Navy. I don't have time for games, So remain stationary, and prepare to be boarded." She hailed sternly, before she picked up her intercom.
"War Adepts, report to ventral airlock seven, initiate boarding protocol."
As the Iconoclast positioned itself above the vessel, the Video feed of Harkin showed him frowning. "You have a choice, proceed to the Devotion and dock in our hangar, and we can salvage this situation, or be taken prisoner by that ship's soldiers." He said, before he terminated the link.
____
Rashiim watched, and listened to the stimuli around him. He closed his eyes as Harkin finished speaking then smiled briefly. As the link terminated, and he was capable of acting freely, he looked around.
"You all know my thoughts on your character, and I'm proud to have been given you as my crew. Unfortunately, I do not see a way to leave this without someone becoming injured and gravely disappointed. However, I do see us all returning home. At least, assuming those scientists who sent us out here knew what they were making when they developed the damned thing.
"Kellka, you have the Con. Darrana, I need you to engage all thrusters, and try to get the super-luminals back online. Set a course as directed towards the Devotion and verify docking lineups are in order. I wish to board their vessel without issue, and hopefully iron this mess of a meeting out in such a way that it works out well. I really do not wish the hostility I see on the horizons if this meeting goes south.”
He gave another look around, this time waiting as the ship moved smoothly through space. As it approached the Devotion, the automatic docking system took over the controls of throttles and piloting to align with the larger vessel appropriately, right up until the issue of the docking systems not being a match that would allow proper egress.
Although Rashiim had honestly wished to try and figure things out without violence, he worried that now there was no realistic and safe way to bridge the physical gap between ships, there would be no congress to talk, therefore providing no avenue for peace. He also feared that, because he was at this point resting his ship quietly beneath the Devotion with no obvious attempt to dock further, they might take it as an offense and destroy him and his crew. With a heavy sigh, he hailed for the bridge of the Devotion with a simple message.
“We are unable to dock with your vessel, as your designs do not match our own. Please respond. We do not wish war from such a small issue.” He closed the communication almost immediately after, waiting for their response with a bit of anxiety gnawing at him. He reached deep within himself, however, tapping his internal companion, allowing the being to wash away his trepidation and concern to replace it with confidence and boldness. He wished such a thing could be given to all species, but it was not to be. The Iarin had been chosen, or so some billion or so of them believed, to carry this power across the stars, though for what purpose they still did not truly know. Some said they would conquer, many said it would allow them to be peacebrokers, and a small few even went so far as to say it would elevate them, allow each of them to Ascend, and become gods amongst the species they aided. Iarin researchers claimed such things as pure nonsense.
____
Inviere's War Adepts were poised to board the Iarin vessel, before it started it's way towards the
Devotion. A brief exchange of communication took place between the Devotion, and the Legatus Stygies AI Systems.
As the Iarin vessel approached the Devotion, it's massive size would be quite obvious, twenty-eight kilometers of length was nothing to sniff at, and it was clear the massive Reverence II could easily accompany the size of the small frigate.
Harkin paused at the mention of being unable to dock with the vessel, but then he turned to his AI. "Depressurize main hangar bay alpha." He said, while the AI nodded, and a Lieutenant spoke.
"That's the main CNV bay." He said, while Harkin nodded. "Should easily overcome any design differences they may have with our docking systems." Harkin said.
Inside the main hangar bay, klaxxons blared to inform the personnel inside to proceed out of the Hangar bay and prepare for depressurization. It took about five minutes, five minutes of no response, before Harkin's voice came in on the radio waves once more.
"That won't be a problem, but I need you to follow my directions very carefully. If your ship possesses landing gears, I would prepare them. Otherwise increase your elevation once you receive the signal." Harkin ordered, as the AI Informed him the main hangar bay was empty, and depressurized.
"Open the bay doors." Harkin said, and the AI nodded.
The next thing that would greet the Iarin was the armor plates on the underside of the Reverence II retracting, folding up into themselves slowly, revealing the ship's inner hull, and a set of massive blast doors easily 20 Kilometers in size, that ran the length of the underside of this massive carrier. As the armor plates slid away, several massive latches began to cycle, spinning and disengaging, before the blast doors themselves began to open up, revealing a massive interior hangar bay that was large enough to incorporate the Iarin ship a thousand times over. Beacon lights flashed, acting as guides for the ship to pull up into the Hangar bay, this was followed by coordinates and instruction to proceed inside.
Inside the hangar bay, two more Aschen warships could be seen towards the back of the bay- Battlestars that were undergoing repairs, as personnel in EVA Suits were welding armor plates, flickers of blue sparked all along these vessels.
If the Iarin ship didn't possess a landing gear system, massive docking claws could secure the ship in place, no matter it's design, as the bay of a Reverence II was designed to accommodate a myriad of different ship designs; no matter how alien.
Harkin then came up on the communications.
"Proceed up into the hangar bay, and then follow the docking beacons. The bay will pressurize once you're inside and you will be able to safely exit your ship."
Harkin subsequently terminated the link before he turned to the AI.
"Security to the main Hangar bay, war adepts as well, also instruct Chairman Inviere to ring aboard so we can get this show on the road."
____
Rashiim watched as the bay doors slid away to reveal the massive space within. He smiled and nodded towards his pilots, directing them with that nod to proceed into the open space.
"Ivva, I want this recorded. QAny preliminary information we can get on these kinds of vessels now will aid us in the future," Rashiim said quietly, having moved to lea beside one of the female officers on the bridge. She gave him a querelous look. "Sir, I don't see h-" She stopped as he raised a finger.
"Information sells faster than brick. This is taught to all Iarin. If we gain this knowledge, then we may profit from it beyond our own uses. For a race as hostile as they seem, I do not doubt that these Aschen have a host of enemies all their own." He turned sharply, then gestured for him to respond to the Devotion.
"We give you our thanks in multitudes for this diplomacy. We come." As the rather quick transmission passed through, he smiled again. It wasn't the best situation, as those blast door were rather thick, but the Ahhet required no space to operate. If an escape was needed, it would be made. Daranna had finally gotten the ship into the bay by now, the landing gear deploying to steady the ship.
While the ship's landing gear was not initially visible, as soon as the ship was within the bay itself, a web-like construction would fan out from its flanks, splaying to hold to whatever surface was close enough. Luckily, if the structure was incapable of supporting even a small portion of the ship, the webbing would slide off to find a more suitable structure.
"Hold airlock. We will wait until they have come to greet us. I want only three of us maximum to leave the ship, as this mission is hardly going to be safe. Kellka, you will remain in the event of my Ascending. Daranna, you will also stay aboard, as you are one of two aboard who understands how to use the Ahhet. I need Ivva and Bevvon to join me when we go to meet these Aschen, no matter how much like the Virahg they may seem."
____
Once the Iarin vessel was inside the main Hangar bay of the Reverence II, the blast doors began to close below it, latching one by one as a smooth floor slid out with the blast doors, and provided a sturdy surface for the vessel to land upon.
Once the blast doors closed shut, and the outer armor plates slid over the blast doors, the massive bay began to pressurize until it reached the proper atmospheric mix to sustain human life, oxygen and nitrogen. There was a brief pause as the shipboard AI Ascertained proper pressure and mix levels, before she turned to Harkin.
"Xenos Vessel is secure in the main hangar bay." She said calmly.
Harkin nodded before he turned to his XO. "You have the conn." He said, before he turned to make his way towards the Tramway.
----
Inside the Hangar Bay, the massive doors to the interior of the ship slowly began to open up, Imperial Marines filtered in first with weapons at the ready, quickly moving to take cover behind cargo containers, crates, and other storage devices. War Adepts however came in second. These hulking twelve foot fifty ton power armored warriors clunked in with heavy footsteps, slinging their heavy Magnetron rifles, and portable Ion cannons as they moved into position. Each war adept took formation, providing a pathway of towering armored warriors as Harkin made his way through the line, as each adept moved to parade rest.
Harkin slowly stopped roughly thirty feet from the Iarin ship, checking his watch he waited for them to disembark, while Marine Snipers moved to position to provide Harkin with cover, in case these were hostiles.
The Empire could never be too careful.
____
Rashiim, Ivva, and Bevvon entered the pressure barrier of the
Firrona, donning transparent masks that fit snugly over their moths and noses, though they did not appear to be at all flexible. As the pressures equalized, Ivva and Bevvon covered their eyes and bent forward slightly, growing somewhat nauseated at the low pressure environment that the Aschen preferred.
"Sir, please assure us that such pressures are not common in this galaxy," Bevvon said quietly, his voice tinged with the obvious physical displeasure. "I do not know how many times I can stand being in such a place." Rashiim only smiled at the comment, having visited such low-pressure worlds to have become used to the differences. By the time the airlock had begun to open, all three were standing tall and proud, not a one of them under six feet in height, though Rashiim was built more powerfully than the other two.
They stepped out, panel of light emitting from the small frigate to support their footfalls, until they stood before Harkin. Although the garb they wore was obviously designed to be practical, it held an air of mystical thought and exotic design to it. It hugged the body well, but only upon the upper portions of each limb, and only slightly onto the neck. All other portions of the garments were somewhat flared, adding a minutely imposing quality, but otherwise appearing, if in an older style, fashionable to certain degrees. The Iarin, for physicality, looked rather human, though their eyes were the colors of a Terran sunset, and only Rashiim showed obvious male distinction, while the other two were rather androgynous.
"We have come, as asked, Harkin Admiral of the Empire Aschen. There is no need for weapons, for we have none upon ourselves. Let us speak in concord, that our peoples not suffer the indignity of war." The captain's voice was muffled, as the mask he wore translated his words for him while also filtering out only enough Nitrogen for the Iarin to breathe easily. While they would have been able to survive without the masks, it would have been uncomfortable for them for quite some time, delaying diplomatic process.
____
The Cargo bay of the Reverence II was massive, easily accommodating the Firrona and providing a pressurized atmosphere. The War Adepts surveyed the alien crew intently, while the Marines remained behind cover. Harkin too was armed, a disruptor pistol holstered at his hip. Though imposing, the War Adept's demeanor was more guarded than hostile.
"Welcome aboard the Devotion." Harkin said, extending his hand. "I apologize, but weapons are a hard truth in these trying times. There's no telling when the Machine Demon or the countless enemies of the Aschen Empire may manifest. The Vermintide of filthy Xenos never abates." Harkin said cooly, before he stepped aside.
"The tram is this way, the Devotion is a big ship, and the conference room is a short tram ride from our position."
As they walked, a pair of Marines followed behind, with Harkin in front taking the lead. The tram station was several hundred meters in front of them, and a small tram was just docking at the station.
"We have a formal representative of our people en-route, he will be arriving via something we call the Bifrost. Our emperor himself has elected to personally come aboard to greet you." Harkin said, while they continued to walk. "I apologize for the presence of weapons, but we cannot afford the luxury of truly being at peace at the moment. Security should ease up once we reach the conference room."
____
The three Iarin looked from one to each other at the mention of weapons, showing that they were wholly unarmed, beyond whatever their bodies were capable of. They didn't seem nervous, but rather intrigued and generally interested by the ship around them.
"Do not worry, Harkin Admiral. We recognize the need for weapons, though we had hoped that they would not be brought to the field," Rashiim said, gesturing for them to go further. As they began to walk towards the tram, the two others shared a look between themselves, then followed.
"Your emperor is coming to greet us? But we are simply members of an expeditionary force. Surely someone of such importance would rather meet with our own leaders." He chuckled, then shook his head. "You say that security will become more lax, but he is your emperor. I suspect you will have more security around him than you have around us."
Rashiim turned and looked back at the other two Iarin with him, nodding. Each of three accessed their internal symbiotes, using their bonds, each in unique ways, to store who they were within the other being. A safety precaution, to be sure, but one they used only when deeply concerned that things could go wrong.