[Closed] Between the Lines, Secrets

[Archene]

Today, could be a perfectly normal day for few, some or many throughout the entire universe. Among the things happening, there was a message sent to the Drathian government, a message labelled confidential by the Acruani. The message was sent alone however. Its contents read:

Greetings Our Drathian Friends,


We hope that the Fylkirate has been developing appropriately since the end of IIA. Despite Our wishes to avoid any weakening of our relationship since then, due to Our requirements to replenish Our physical selves and assistance We were required to give organics, both in Triangulum and Andromeda, We are sorry for Our lack of presence and interaction.


Given that We are finally within operable levels and the Fylkirate previous highly hospitable amicability, we pave a good future between the Collective and the Fylkirate. Currently, We have a number of technologies we would be more than willing to share given that they are not shared beyond Drathian borders. Given that We wish to form a bound of equality between our people, We find it improper to gift them freely, thus we wish to discuss further arrangements so that we may obtain Drathian data - historical, technological, military or otherwise - in exchange.


Upon deciding on the possibility of such exchange being made, We hope we get the chance to formally visit your capital so We may discuss further arrangements personally.


With boundless faith,
Seltana Dha, Overseer of Acruani Relations with the Drathian Fylkirate

Now, that may be a surprising message to some, if not for the contents in general, for the last line it contained. At least until the fall of the Keltaken Empire, or more precisely, while Zlasa was in power, the one responsible for the relations between Drathians and Acruani was Zara. Whether the change had to do with the former or the later was unknown however.


The message came with the data required for the Drathians to access the channel to communicate with the Acruani. Hopefully, they would answer soon. Regardless, the Acruani could wait.


@Drakorphobia

 

[Drakorphobia]

Vishikinut Communications Tower, Drathian Fylkirate


As always, the skies over Vishikinut were dark with storm clouds, giving the sky a startlingly similar appearance to that on the capital world of Drathia. These clouds were natural, though, and brought with them high winds and nearly constant rain. It had been nearly twenty years since the Drathians had first colonized the planet, and since then, the glowing plants of their homeworld had grown nicely into forests scattered about Vishikinut's previously barren three continents.


With a population of 9 Billion, the planet didn't seem very much touched by civilization. Drathian buildings were, after all, hexagonal in shape, meaning that they could link together to form city blocks that were much smaller than could be created with rectangular shaped structures. It didn't provide much for a yard, but that's what rooftop gardens were for. At the center of one of the major population centers was a communications tower, which stood high above anything else in the city.


Inside was a white skinned Drathian, with equally white hair. The only trace of colour on her body was that of her orange eyes. Yillian, the Head of Relations with the Acruani.


"My lady. Incoming transmission from the Collective." Reported a younger Drathian, still new to the facility. Yillian offered him a smile, before daintily walking out of her office, and towards the main communications chamber. It was a dark room, with an entire wall dominated by a large screen for video feed, and both a receiving and sending holoprojector. Between the two was a console for typing or reading. Replaying the transmission, Yillian decided to send one of her own, using the projector.

Seltana Dha, 


For a time, we were worried that our recent change in administration had warded off the Collective's willingness to cooperate. We are glad to see that is not the case. As of right now, the capital is still not entirely ready for new arrivals, as repairs still must be made, as well as administrative duties taken care of. It would be our pleasure to receive you here instead on Vishikinut, where we can exchange information and agreements for the benefit of both our civilizations.


With warmest regards,


Yillian, Overseer of Drathian-Acruani Relations.

Yillian closed the transmission and let out a sigh. It indeed worried her that Zara was not the one sending the message, as any sense of normalcy before the war would have been most welcome. There was nothing to do about it now, though, save for hoping that Zara hadn't been terminated.

 

[Archene]

It did not take the Acruani even half hour to reply to the message.

Yillian,


That is understandable, and we are glad that the current administration is glad to hear of us. We hope that the repairs in your capital proceed well. We will be arriving at Vishikinut within 1 Standard Acruani Day.


With boundless faith,


Seltana Dha, Overseer of Acruani Relations with the Drathian Fylkirate

And truly, it didn't even take a Standard Acruani Day (24 Earth hours) for them to arrive at Vishikinut's system. This time, the Acruani came with a Hive Queen Ship, beautiful(?) nearly spherical, shiny silver piece of machinery of over 10 kilometers from edge to edge. The ship immediately sent a transmission as it jumped in, "This is Overseer Seltana Dha, coming for a meeting with Overseer Yillian. Please, give further instructions for landing procedures. We will only be sending down a personal ship." The voice sounded as humanly pleasant as one could be. The pitch wasn't bad, the tempo was natural, all to the point it just sounded like an average human female. Technology Marches On.


@Drakorphobia

 

[Drakorphobia]

Upon arrival, the ship was greeted by the sight of twenty corvettes, and three destroyers, orbiting the planet. Two stations, one military and another civilian, were also in orbit, slowly patrolling around the stormy atmosphere of Vishikinut. Once the transmission was sent, there was some discussion between officers below, before it was replied to. By the voice on the channel, the Acruani could tell that it was Overseer Yillian who had responded.  "Very well. Seeing as you have your own shuttles, there is no need for us to usher you through the ones on the station. Please land at Station 2, platform 7. I'll come down to meet you there. Winds are heavy, so please do be cautious when exiting the shuttle." The Acruani were granted with the planetary coordinates to the station, where they'd be able to land and meet their hosts. Perhaps even buy some merchandise too. 

 

[Archene]

A well-defended planet, by Drathian standards, possibly. Or maybe, this was them making a show of power so that they would be treated as equals on the negotiations. Sincerely, it was a rather interesting planet to observe, "We will be departing immediately." And truly, it did not take 5 minutes for a tiny silver speck to leave the Acruani Hive Queen. At least, a speck in comparison. The Acruani shuttle was average sized when compared to any other race's shuttle. The shuttle went towards the given coordinates.


The ship soon found itself landing at platform 7 of station 2. The hatch of the ship opened, a woman that was in a way rather human looking stepped out. She was only of average height, certainly no taller than 1.70m. Her skin was milky with a slight sheen. Her hair pink, chromatic, hair reached nearly halfway down her back, and her pale blue eyes had a strange glow in them. More importantly, she had a figuratively bright smile on her face as she stepped out. Her body figure being covered by some sort of skin tight white bodysuit, which at least, seemed to have been made thick enough to keep her body heat perfectly perfect.


As she exited she left the ship, undaunted by the winds! Well, she was walking carefully, and the suit was aerodynamic, by chance.

 

[Drakorphobia]

On the surface, Yillian was waiting for the Acruani. She was adorned in the standard dress of the Drathian diplomats, that being a long black jacket with golden buttons running down the front, and slightly baggy pants of the same colour. The back of the jacket was adorned in the vaguely skull shaped signet of the Fylkirate, stitched with what looked to be literal gold thread. Fabric made of metal that gave the design a rather intriguing metallic luster. She was holding an umbrella to protect herself from the rain, the top of which was nearly identical in design to the back of her jacket. The rain was pouring down hard, a seemingly endless tropical storm that kept the hardy crops of the planet fresh with water, and allowed the luminescent plants imported from Drathia to thrive in abundance. 


"It's wonderful to finally see you face to face, my Acruani friend. Though had you not explicitly said you were indeed Acruani, I could almost mistake you as a human. It's amazing how far technology can advance in such a short time. Hm?" Said she with a slight bow before offering her umbrella out for Seltana to step under. Assuming her guest stepped in the cloth shield with her, she'd begin her way down the walkway to the spaceport proper. Of course, in such darkness, the way was lit by standing lamps possessing some sort of orangish yellow orb as a light source. Whatever it was, the slight pulse it gave whilst floating in its chamber gave it away as organic. As always, the interior of the spaceport was bustling with different shops and kiosks, with a central elevator that led to the upper levels. This would not be where the two would head, however, that place instead being the Relations Center at Vishikinut's capital city of Raygh.


"Would you like anything before we depart?" Asked the ambassador. Around them was plenty for browsing or purchase. Food, jewelry, trinkets, media, and other shiny things. Even if some of the items were not currently on display, the rolling banners that scrolled over the head of stands showed that the Drathian market was chocked full of exotic goods. One banner in particular even advertised the newest issue of "The Slyphnir Chronicles", apparently some graphic novel by the way the issue number (342) was followed with a cartoonish Drathian clashing blades with an equally cartoonish, yet overly muscled Keltaken warrior. "Or do you not take interest in such things?"