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Admiral Corulag also got up from his throne as his fleet began to move in on the mining installation. His first officer from earlier walks forward.
"Vice Admiral...something was off about that Captain Mouton."
"I agree, Major. I think our new friends may be hiding something."
"Would you like me to come along? My psionics may come in handy."
"Of course, but be subtle about it, and keep your guard up. Now, prepare a shuttle and a platoon of marines. I want to be ready by the time we reach the installation.
-------
Surely enough, there was a large installation at the coordinates, built into the rock of a medium sized asteroid. Reports show that almost all of its minerals had been drained and its inside hollowed out. It seemed to have been abandoned recently, perhaps within the past couple of weeks.
Corulag and the Sovereign fleet were already underway, holding position as a Mu-class shuttle with a fighter escort made its way towards the mining station.
(20% of my treasury)
( how are you doing birdax? Its been a while )
As the expedition draws closer, Mouton gives orders to hold position ten kilometers away, and heads off into his shuttle with escort.
The reconnaissance vessel continues scanning, looking for possible weapons on the facility and the surrounding asteroid belt.
Aside form the Sakooran vessels, who obviously had weaponry, they were no traces. It seems the Sovereign was keeping their end of the bargain.
Meanwhile, back in the facility, a Burmecian officer along with a warrior escort waited in a hangar for the xeno diplomats to arrive>"
The gunship lands first, stark white with royal blue highlights around the edges. Eight Combat Scouts debark, weapons held against their chest as they take up positions for Captain Mouton's shuttle to land.
Once landed, Mouton steps out, his normally black nitinol armor now colored white and blue in the same manner as the gunship. A pistol rests on his hip, along with a combat knife on the other side. One fighter lands in the hangar as well, ready to fire if need be, but otherwise makes no moves. The remaining three craft take up an orbit around the facility.
Mouton links up with the Scouts, and walks in step towards the Sovereign party.
"Captain Mouton of the D.E.F Valiant, arriving as requested by Vice Admiral Corulag."
"Of course. Right this way." The officer replies as she and her armor clad escort lead the way.
The mining installation had been abandoned for some time, with some leftover equipment scattered about, yet nothing in the way. They'd eventually reach the main command center. Corlag was inside, wearing a Sakooran Officer's armor, black and gold in the colors of the Sakooran Sovereign. A squadron of Sakooran soldiers were stationed behind him as well.
He looks up at the xenos entered. "Come on in, Captain. I'm sure we have much to discuss."
The Combat Scouts take the lead, parting ranks to allow Mouton to step forward once they reach the command center.
"Indeed we do. I presume you are Vice Admiral Corulag?"
"Why yes I am. Come, sit down."
Corulag takes a seat at a table, settling down. "Would you care for a drink? I brought a glass of Darkstem Bitterwine. One of the finest alcohols in all of Sakoor."
Mouton waves his hand slightly, dismissing the offer before sitting. Two Scouts take places on both sides of his chair, weapons still across their chests, while the remaining six take their places at the door they had entered through.
"While I appreciate the offer, it goes against Freeground Expeditionary policy to drink while on the job. What is the first matter you wish to discuss?"
"Very well then, let's get to the point."
He adjusts himself and motions towards Mouton. His psionic Duraxi officer stood position right next to him. "First things first, who exactly are your people? You said you were explorers, but that's about it."
"That is what we are. Explorers sent out into the wider galaxy on behalf of the Freeground Conglomerate. We were tasked to find a new system to call home."
One of the Scouts at his side moves his head a fraction at that, ever so slightly; he knows that their extragalactic origins could be an issue, and as such understands the secrecy, but wonders why his Captain failed to mention their further orders of securing new weapons and technology to fight their sworn enemies.
"Interesting. Could you perhaps tell me more about this Conglomerate?" Corulag asks. "I'm not demanding much, just a brief explanation on politics, ciulture, military firepower and the like."
"Freeground came to existence several decades ago, rising on the back of the ideals of freedom and liberty. We have only terraformed half of our system, and as such have little in the way of a standing military. I cannot go into greater detail on the armed forces - I'm sure you understand why - but our culture is one of tradition. Family units are vitally important to us, as is freedom of expression and individual rights. Religion, while not outlawed, has become nearly nonexistent; few wish to pray to a higher power when we can touch the stars, although we do retain some tenets of the spiritual organizations that once had hold on the homeworld. Courage, discipline, honor, fidelity, perseverance - we have adopted those tenets and incorporated them throughout society."
??? ~ ???
“So... What you’re saying... Is we should preform old protocol, and reinforce the core?”
“Yep.”
“...You 100% sure that mom—”
“Yes. I am. Am I clear?”
“...Y-yes. Just didn’t expect it so soon. What did she get herself into, to get stuck?”
“Acording to her? Long story. I, on the other hand, have some business to attend to.”
“W-what? Sa—”
“Before you even outcry... We found a place that might have the resources for a bind ring... Or two.”
“Where, and how?”
“Extranet. Some poor sods without a diplomat even. Got their king to be the live-streamed national straw man.”
“. . .”
“Funny though. What they remind me of... Well, off to go down memory lane, and have these dank musked old blueprints tried. Do take care though. Don’t you all set the place on fire, unless you want to go a round...”
“G-got it, sis...”
“. . .” Ears almost flicking a bit, thinking... “Well... You seem to have emotion... Somewhat. And you seem to be sapient... You sure you’re not alive?” A odd question. But a warm one.
Dawë Space ~ Near Mega-forge...
The dwarven clans
...Hmm? Some ship coming. Hailing already, as it gets close enough to be noticed. Reflective black, angular, and somewhat curved, style wise. A nice decal job of some red flowers, green vines, and red thorns, sprawled all across it. No marks, or identifies of ~recognizable~ nationality, but unarmed, and a civil 70 meters...
...But... Hailing for communication. Staying back as it does.
"Interesting. Our "tradition" if you can call it that is the construction of faster and higher caliber. We prefer getting to a safe distance before perforating anything that annoys us with enough firepower to bring down a small spacecraft."
vee can blow stuff from afar too. But hell fast vehicule are good. Tha kids back home love racing in drakkars
"Ah, someone else who enjoys a manly sport. We found some freak in the outer rim with one hell of a car. Thing can hover, and we clocked it at mach 19 in first gear. Next grand prix is in about a day. I can get you a spot, if you are interested."
the dwarf pondered for a moment before he had a flash of insight "tell ye what, we'll send our bes kids. If dey like it wee can make it a galactic grand rpix. We have figured out how ta make galaxy-wide broadcast if ya didn' heard. And we build real good so we can make tha best roads. What da ya say ?"
"I see no reason not to go ahead. Possible outcomes all lead to greater gain than total loss. Location is an abandoned mining complex, eastern rim. Prix starts in 2.3 days."
"aye. Ve'll send er guys. Their ride might be a bit different ta yers so ye will decide if dey are greenlighted or not. But if dey arn't, dey can at least see what it's about"
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