CHAPTER 11: HOT TIMES

[doc]

Fegh, your research indicates that you'll have to go through customs and meet with a local welcoming commitee that will ask about your intentions, trade, and any other items of merit.

Richol rubs his beard stubble. "I'm still thinking it has to be carbon. But that'll take a lot of work...Krystal, can you double check my calculations?" as he hands her the pad.

Slycer grunts. "Are we there yet?"

The Major looks at Balus. "I just realized...you were the one the captain had with him when I first signed on for the mission."

[sasqaricious]

"Sweet, I love math." She says in Earnest as she starts to go over all the calculations. Starting on them she pauses and looks up towards Balus almost wondering if this is a genuine calculation check or a distraction for unknown reasons. Either way she accepts the pad and starts to go over the calculations all the while almost wondering if Balus is even interested in these types of things.

Advanced Math – [dice=100]/65%[rand=3019781586652363685246501367487183605791503242823294458158834872]

[dakota]

Balus hesitated, then nodded." Yes sir. That was me. For some reason the Captain has asked for me specifically a couple times."

[Dome]

Fegh waits for the conversation between Balus and the Major to finish. Then he explains to the Major and the entire team what will be expected of them once the elevator stops.

[doc]

The Major smiles. "Yes. well guess he just wants to use your PR to intimidate some of the other former Epoch Riders. Outside of the Kesmin, you're probably the most famous face on the planet." His chuckle sounds like an old motor turning over.

Krystal, you caught a couple minor errors, but the method is sound - and from what you're figuring, the manufacturing capability is beyond anything you think Seeron has at present.

[dakota]

Balus wan't sure if the Major's comments were meant as a comment, but he smiled and nodded," I didn't realize how far things would go when they asked to use my picture in a recruitment drive. Guess I should have asked about royalties."

[sasqaricious]

Doing it subtly Krystal does go through and correct the errors and hands it back, "Looks good, but if this is correct it would be beyond our capabilities to build it with our current level of technologies. We may have to see if we can obtain or maybe trade for that which we need. Might be interesting to find out." She smiles half stoked on seeing this planet.

After that she tries to see especially on the boring ride down if she could come up with some method that their technology would allow for.

Mechanical Engineer – [dice=100]/55%
Astrophysics – [dice=100]/50% (Not much use for this but thought it could help, not that it did, lol)
Electrical Engineer – [dice=100]/55%
Alien Technology Mechanic - [dice=100]/45%
[rand=392275451608857241619760975802870828910704196617925634468044998701]

[doc]

Krystal, you think you might have to mine a few asteroids just to get the raw materials, nevermind the logistics involved.

"Heh. You probably should have." The Major chuckles as finally, the Elevator opens.

You are now in a lounge identical to the one you just left, except for a window that shows the exterior of the planet - a red sky filled with ashy clouds and rows upon rows of squat low brown rock buildings.

"Greeat." Slycer remarks and then looks at Fegh. "Lt., your guide say anything about this being the most boring planet of all time?"

[sasqaricious]

Krystal actually makes note that to have the science sector scan asteroids to see if they can find the raw material they may need. She knows it might not be feasible but figures it might still be worth a try.

Krystal after hearing what Slycer says speaks up, "Even the most boring planet in the universe still offers much to us in the way of possible technologies and even cultural exchange." She cuts herself off tying not to sound chastising or anything like that.

[dakota]

" If you'd been with us last time," Balus warned Slycer," you would be happy for a boring planet."

[doc]

"You say so." Slycer remarks.

The Major looks about as a door opens. A Half dozen figures enter - all standing nearly 8 feet tall, their forms are those of solid red-grey rock, with a pair of softly glowing orange orbs for eyes, and no signs of ears, nose, or a mouth. When they speak, impossibly, their voices seem to echo out through their entire bodies.

"WELCOME."

[sasqaricious]

"Woah....that is, so...neat." Krystal responds mostly to herself but should other people here it she does not attempt to hide it. On the same toke feeling a little intimidated she does take a step closer to Balus.

[dakota]

Balus placed a large but comforting hand on Krystal's shoulder as she neared him to let her know he was close, then waited for contact team's reply.

[doc]

The lead stone giant speaks, and when he does, you feel a slight warmth - as if his body is radiating heat.

"DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DECLARE?"

The Major responds.

"We're here in peace to establish diplomatic contact -"
"YOU MAY SEE THE MINISTRY OF OFF-WORLD RELATIONS."
"-and trade-"
"YOU MAY SEE THE MINISTRY OF TRADE."
The Major raises an eyebrow. "...and cultural-"
"YOU MAY THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE."
"And military-"
"YOU MAY SEE THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE."
"O...k. We have nothing else to declare then."
"YOU MAY EXIT. ENJOY YOUR STAY."

The giants exit, and leave the door open. The Major looks at Lt. Fegh. "Alright, let's get our bearings, and then see about assigning teams for the different ministries."

[sasqaricious]

Krystal takes a lot of will power to hold back her tongue at what jumped in her head as several humorous remarks jump in. "What a pleasantly well organized machine this place seems to present itself to be." Which in her head is truth, even though she still has the giggling in the back of her head.