Negotiations, Part 2

Posted on Wed Apr 29th, 2026 @ 8:28am by Legate Andrinn Orin & Major Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Captain Joshua Young [Taylor] & Lonian Royal Sovereignty

Mission: Season 6: Episode 7: Crossroads of Destiny
Location: Niea IV :: Pomei
Timeline: MD1
2968 words - 5.9 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

In the meantime, Emeyr returned to her seat. These people knew of Lonian customs, which was surprising because she had never seen people like them before. Or maybe their own customs happened to mimic Lonian ones? In either case, they definitely understood mannerisms toward a throne, so she took her seat so the others didn't feel like they were being rude. "So, please, share your story. Orbital Control informed us of your arrival and that your ship... I hope I pronounce it right: Ellie-see-ooum?... had sustained damage."

===

Orin couldn't help but break a little bit again when he heard Emeyr try and say the name of the ship again. Once she was done talking, Orin said, "It's pronunanced Ely-si-um. But, yeah. We've been through a lot over the last little bit and have found less than....nice people along the way. I'm sure that you've probably have meet a few of them yourselves."

With a nod, Emeyr made a mental note on the pronunciation. "Some hostile species do approach every once in a while, but Lady Sama's defense grid ensures we have plenty of warning so we can protect our people. A couple months ago, we had a couple Nelorin ships pass through to try and abduct people for the Thaih'ean slave market. We were fortunate that nobody was taken."

"I think the Thaih'ean were one of the first species we interacted with. I think they're part of the reason we're in this part of the universe. I think it was either them or some other species that basically abducted our ship and pulled us this way. But, I'd have to double check because it has been a little while. However, I am curious about this Nelorin species. I don't think we've had the chance to meet with them yet. What can you tell me about them?" Orin asked, as he spoke with Emeyr. As he spoke, Orin tried to make mental notes of keep eye contact with anyone of the royal court to a minimum.

Grabbing a datapad, Emeyr pulled up an image of what the Nelorin looked like. They had horns in shades of gentian and facial ridges almost looking like a cross between a Klingon and a Cardassian. In this particular image, the Nelorin had jewelry that framed the forehead ridges and rested on the bridge of their nose. She presented the datapad to Orin. "Not too much is known about them, I'm afraid. But they are one of three species who have indentured themselves to the Thaih'ea, the others being the Ainos and the Kholqa."

Orin crinkled his own nose as he took a look at the images of the Nelorin. "Almost reminds me of a child of a Klingon and Cardassian from back where I'm from. Mixed in with a little bit of Bajoran. Now, what about the Ainos and Kholqa? Much known about them or do we have the same understanding of them as the Nelorin? Also, almost slipped up and said something that Humans say back on Earth," Orin said as he handed the datapad back to Emeyr.

"I am happy to share the information we have on these species, though I'm surprised you haven't heard of them," Emeyr responded. The alien species he listed off weren't familiar to her.

Orin snapped his fingers and said, "Your Grace. I totally forgot something. I brought you something. It's nothing major, but something that I thought about as a token of appreciation for allowing us to visit. Mr. Teevs and I were talking not too long ago. He asked me why Humans and other species from where we come from say things. Idioms and sayings. So, before I even knew of this meeting, I started personally looking into the idioms of several cultures of the Milky Way Galaxy. There aren't many yet, but I was hoping you might appreciate it."

Orin pulled out a PADD and handed it over to Lady Emeyr.

Emeyr tilted her head in polite confusion as she accepted the device. "I appreciate the gesture, however I must admit that I've never heard of these things before. Earth? Humans? A Milky Way? What are these?"

"Oh, yes. Teevs did mention to me that the name Milky Way was foreign around these parts. Even with the humans that were taken. I think he called it 'Deraka Laris Veneat' or something? Galaxy hazy spiral in its most literal translation. Does that ring any bells?" Orin asked, knowing he might've blundered a bit there.

For a few seconds, Emeyr didn't speak. She stared at the beings at her table with wide eyes. These beings were... were from another galaxy???? All she could think about was the Distant Life theory, something that Relou's scientists had been working on for decades. They hadn't been able to confirm life existed in other galaxies because it took too long for signals to travel, and all they could really see were star system-level events from millions of years ago. "Are... are all of you these Humans?" She managed to ask. Even her guard's expression lifted into surprise at the news.

"Um....no, we're not all humans. People like Major Richardson and Captain Young are humans. But, my parents come from two different worlds. One, a place called Trill and another from a world called El-Auria," Orin said as he tried to keep the talking a bit slower. Orin knew he was starting to go into uncharted territory because even though this was a warp capable species, they hadn't traveled out farther than their own little pocket of the universe.

Orin took a step closer and said, "I know that you must have a million questions and I'd love to answer any that you might have. First of all, are you alright, Lady Emeyr?"

Blinking a couple times as if she were snapping out of her own thoughts, Lady Emeyr's expression brightened again. "I'm alright, Mister Orin, thank you. It's... our scientists have a theory about distant life beyond our deraka. With the number of species in our quadrant, it seemed... well, impossible that the species here were the only ones in this universe. Your presence proves that theory to be... true. And abundantly so." Their lack of knowledge about the region now made perfect sense. She glanced at the PADD of sayings, the device now carrying much more significance than she originally thought. The words on the screen were not only proof of life, but proof of diversity, from a place only theorised to have the potential to sustain life.

While continuing to stare in awe at the diplomatic team, she turned her head slightly toward Phyans. "Phyans, please summon Lady Relou." She held up a hand toward the diplomatic team, "if-if it's alright with you, of course! She is the heir to the Third House of culture and innovation, which includes scientific development. She would be thrilled to meet you all!"

Phyans didn't realise his shock was clearly written across his face until Emeyr called his name. He closed his mouth and quickly composed himself, though the news of other life kept his brows raised in surprise. He glanced to Orin to see what his response would be before he moved.

"Sorry to create such shock for you and your world. I guess that I just didn't think much about people from other universes would be such a shock. I do apologize for that. But, yes! I'd love to meet this Lady Relou. That PADD contains idioms and cultural sayings from I think Trill, El-Auria, Earth, Bajor, and Betazed. I haven't had much chance to add more yet, as this meeting was coming up quicker and quicker. Trill, El-Auria, and Earth, you now know about. Earth is the homeland for Humans. Bajor is the home for a species with the same name, as is Betazed. We've got plenty of more species onboard that, if you were ever willing, we'd love for you to get to know more about. With your blessings, of course and that of our commanding officer," Orin said as he kept trying to read the facial expression of Lady Emeyr. He didn't want to make direct eye contact, but at the moment, he was trying to basically read her and the room about the news.

Emeyr shook her head. "No, no! Don't apologise! This is... this is incredible! I'm just surprised because, to be honest, I never thought meeting aliens such as yourselves would ever happen!" The surprise was gradually evolving into excitement. She handed the PADD to Phyans, "show this to Relou when you see her."

Standing, Phyans accepted the PADD with two hands. "Yes, your Grace!" He went to exit the room, nearly running into Meev at the door, who was carrying in a tray with beverages. He apologised, catching the tray so it wouldn't fall, before he left the room.

Meev was admittedly startled by Phyans as they nearly collided at the door, and briefly watched him rush off. He had never seen his colleague move so fast. Glancing inside the room, he saw Emeyr beaming and practically buzzing with excitement, and Velose looked surprised. Whatever just happened had to be huge if it made the guard break composure.

Emeyr took in a steadying breath to try and contain her excitement, but the news of multiple species from another galaxy being on one ship was huge! And an offer to meet them??? Breathe... she reminded herself. "If your commanding officer permits it, I would be honoured to meet more of your people." Her expression shifted slightly, into something resembling concern through the mask of enthusiasm. "Wait, you're from Deraka Laris Veneat, or Milky Way as you called it. That's millions of light years away; your people are a very long way from home!"

"A little over one hundred fifty million light years, your Excellency," Mattias spoke up, being careful to follow the rules of etiquette that Teevs had taught him. "And growing farther with each passing moment. We found ourselves here in your galaxy, following a catastrophic encounter with a quantum filament. We have been trying to find a way home during this past year that we have been stranded here."

"Totally forgot about the quantum filiment. That felt like it was years and years ago by this point," Orin said between him and Mattias. He knew that saying would have gotten them some weird looks by the people of Teevs' homeworld.

"Even with faster than light travel, it would take hundreds of cycles to return home," Emeyr said with a soft gasp. They had a tragic story, but also a noble one. "Likely more with how damaged your vessel is."

The door to the chamber opened, and Phyans led someone in. She wore a modest silver dress, with extra fabric on the hips and down the sleeves to provide texture. Her hair was hidden beneath a headwrap. Hovering around her head were rings with silver balls, and they rotated slowly to almost mimic planets around a star.

"Your Grace, and esteemed guests, I present Lady Relou, heir to the Third House," Phyans introduced.

Josh had remained silent the entire time, from disarming (which he did under silent protest) to letting Mattias as his CO and Orin as lead diplomat do the talking. he did what he was good at... being silent and alert as he surveyed the guards and their surroundings.

"It's very nice to make your acquaintance, Your Grace," Andrinn said as he waited for Lady Emeyr to talk to Lady Relou.

"I must say, very few things can pull me away from preparing for Falenor Day." When Relou saw the negotiating team, her eyes went wide with curiosity and wonder. She clasped her hands together as part of the effort to keep herself composed. "Is it true... are you really from another galaxy?"

Relou's guard remained by the door, relaxed but also curious about the newcomers. How could one not be?

Mattias stayed near Orin, though far enough away to not seem insulting in any way to their hosts. As he followed Orin's lead in bowing and proper etiquette with the Lonian aristocrats, he kept scanning the area for any danger, the hairs on the back of his neck still not quite quiet. Something was off about this whole thing, but he couldn't his finger on it.

Following suit, Josh bowed as well but not before picking up on Mattias's unease with the present situation. Giving a quick but subtle look around, he couldn't see anything amiss but he trusted Mattias.

"Yeah, we are from a galaxy we call the Milky Way Galaxy. I can't remember off hand what Lady Emeyr called it, but we are....from a far away place," Orin said as he thought about it. He looked at Lady Relou and asked, "What's Falenor Day, if you don't mind me asking?"

Relou's lips mouthed the galaxy name after Orin said it. "Falenor Day is the celebration of our planet completing an orbit around our star. It's in a few weeks. Do your people have a similar observance?"

"Well, we don't alway celebrate it. But, several worlds have celebrations for various celestial events. But, we all also celebrate stuff like the founding of our United Federation of Planets. I could sit here and list off so much!" Orin said as he thought about it. Nothing and everything was jumping out at Orin when he thought about it.

That made Relou's eyes light up with fascination. She opened her mouth to speak, then stopped herself as she glanced back to Emeyr, who seemed amused by the interaction. "Oh, I have so many questions, but I can wait until your meeting with Lady Emeyr is finished." She glanced apologetically to Emeyr, who gave a 'no worries' shake of her head. "Maybe," she added with a soft chuckle.

Emeyr smiled at that. "Relou's House handles cultural affairs and innovation, including research and infrastructure," she explained to the guests.

"Depending on how the talks go, I'm sure that you would love talking to our Chief Engineer and Chief Operations Officers onboard the Elysium. I'm sure that they would love to share ideas about how others do stuff go faster than the speed of light, among other topics," Orin told Emeyr and Relou. He looked at Major Richardson and Captain Young as he put his said with a chuckle, "After we know more gentlemen, I promise. Not giving away state secrets."

Mattias looked back at the ambassador and replied in perfect straight-man technique, "Good, I'd hate to have to keel-haul you, Sir."

Josh simply looked at Orin, for several seconds his face neutral, unreadable before he replied. "Wise decision sir. hate to break in a new diplomat."

Relou smiled at Orin, though she did spare a quick glance at the two protection officers, unsure if they were joking or not. "I promise to not ask for such secrets," she assured. "Though I would love to learn more about your people and where you come from."

"Indeed," Emeyr chimed in with a nod. It seemed like a good time to pivot toward the point of the meeting, which was negotiating some kind of trade. "Knowing the journey ahead of you, I'd hate for you to depart with your ship in the state it is. We have a repair station in orbit around Quoli, one of our moons. It can at least help repair the hull damage."

"That's quite gracious of you. With your permission, I think we'd take you up on your offer of helping to repair the ship. But, as a mutual gesture and with permission I'll have to get from the Commodore, I would like to offer Lady Emeyr and any other heads of houses and diplomatic envoys to come up to the ship for a meal possibly? Show you what our Federation is about and maybe some various dishes that we have to offer?" Orin asked towards Ladies Emeyr and Relou, as well as anyone that they might want to bring onboard for such a thing.

"I know Lady Relou wouldn't object to such an invitation," Emeyr chuckled, smiling toward her colleague. Relou looked like she was trying her hardest to contain her excitement over the idea. "If your commodore permits it, we would graciously accept the offer."

Phyans' expression shifted into positive calm, his mouth faintly twitching into a smile before he composed himself. He was pleased to see that this was going so well. The room was quietly buzzing with excitement as the two Heads of House worked to reign in their emotions.

"Well, I think if you'll excuse me, I'm going to head off and ask my leadership onboard if.....a royal reception can occur," Orin said as he bowed gently.

Emeyr nodded, standing so she could see them off. "Of course! May our relationship receive the blessing of good fortune." She turned to Relou and gave her a smile, "I think the knowledge these guests can share with us is a sufficient trade for the services we can offer toward repairing their vessel."

Relou chuckled. "In this circumstance, I agree entirely, Lady Emeyr." She then turned toward the group and, picking up Orin's mannerisms as the potential preferred behaviour of his species, have a similar bow. "It was so nice to meet all of you!"

Orin bowed once more and said, "Well, I think we'll retire to our ship and we'll be in touch with more information. Thank you all for having us." He stepped back with Mattias, Joshua, and everyone in the landing party. Orin tapped his combadge and said, "Orin to Elysium. Beam us up."

Within moments, the entire team was beamed back up......to start planning a party!

[OFF:]