Shades of Gray - Season 2
- Thread starter BolianAuthor
- Start date
Nerys,
Yeah, you'll have to keep an eye on Richards...
Revd,
Um... I really don't see a problem here, because I have reduced the file size by saving it for web use, and I have also posted far larger images in this very forum before, and never once got any form of notice from you about it. If you want to remove the image you can, but I'm assuring you it is within forum guidelines.
Just go to the Urantia thread, and you can see far larger images there, and you can also see that you never alerted me to any sort of problem associated with said images.
-BolianAdmiral
Yeah, you'll have to keep an eye on Richards...
Revd,
Um... I really don't see a problem here, because I have reduced the file size by saving it for web use, and I have also posted far larger images in this very forum before, and never once got any form of notice from you about it. If you want to remove the image you can, but I'm assuring you it is within forum guidelines.
Just go to the Urantia thread, and you can see far larger images there, and you can also see that you never alerted me to any sort of problem associated with said images.
-BolianAdmiral
ORVANI WARSHIP - 9 MONTHS FROM ORVAN
The massive saucer sailed through deep space, some of the closer stars flying by, as one of the massive arms of the Milky Way sliced through the void, filling a vast swath with a cloudy expanse of stars.
CREW DINING AREA
The large room was buzzing with activity, as many Orvani were seated, eating and conversing, some of whom were doing so beside a few large panoramic windows, which afforded a stunning view of the space outside.
President Bensen sat across from Anne Tyler, eating his food, as an Orvani brought Anne a plate of what could be described as soup.
She regarded the sight of the orange-pink liquid inside the bowl, and sniffed it, as Bensen watched.
"Smells like pea soup." she remarked, looking to Bensen, who now pushed his empty plate aside.
"Their food isn't bad." he began. "The roots I just finished were kind of like radishes and potatoes." he said, encouraging her to eat her food, which she began to do.
"Well?" Bensen asked, as she took the first taste.
"It's not bad. I'll give it that. It actually tastes like onion soup." she added, taking more spoonfuls of the food.
Suddenly, a call came in from the control room of the warship.
"All decks, be advised... we are at this time initiating spatial re-orientation... prepare for adjustment." the calm voice said.
Bensen looked around... the announcement didn't seem to be of much concern for the Orvani. He got up from his seat, and walked to one of the large windows, as Anne followed him.
The two humans gazed out at the starscape, until something began to happen...
Throughout the entire starscape, various different areas of space were beginning to "shift"... some rotating about, others panning around, while some regions of stars seemed to either rise and fall, or vanish from sight... it was as if they were looking at space through a kaleidoscope.
Suddenly, Anne became visibly dizzy, and began to waver, losing her equilibrium, as she began to fall, as Bensen caught her, trying to prop her up.
"Anne?" he called out to her, as one of the Orvani came rushing to her side, as she began to regain some of her focus.
"She is becoming disoriented, due to the spatial adjustment." the Orvani began. "We have something we can give her, that will stop this." he offered, as Anne again looked out the window, this time, groaning in pain.
The Orvani squinted, focusing into Anne's mind, studying her brain's functions, as his face momentarily shared a look of discomfort with her, as he withdrew from her mind, looking to Bensen.
"Her mind is unable to cope with what she is seeing... her mind aches, and it is causing her pain. Has she been reacting like this during our previous two adjustments?" he asked.
"You mean a migrane of some sort?" Bensen replied. "Well, I don't know... I was not with her the other times." he offered.
"We need to get her to the medical ward... we can help her there." the Orvani offered, as Anne suddenly looked to him, struggling to free herself in protest.
"NO!" she shouted. "You won't get me in one of those rooms again! I know what goes on there! That's where you butcher humans, and steal our children!" she shouted, drawing the attention of some of the dining Orvani.
"They will help you!" Bensen shot back at her.
"I'm not going in one of those rooms!" she shouted.
"We already told you... the people who did that to you are criminals... they do not represent us!" the Orvani tried to explain.
"I don't care! You're not touching me! None of you are!" she spat out.
"You stupid insect!" the Orvani spat back. "There are people on your own planet who rape women... does that mean that you never again go to a doctor?" he shot, as he walked away, leaving her to Bensen.
Anne looked to the President, anger all over her face.
"Did you hear that? He called me a stupid insect!" she said.
Bensen looked to her, without sympathy in his eyes.
"You know what?" he began. "If you refuse help from these people, with the incredible knowledge and technology thay have, that can help you... well, then you are stupid! Enjoy your migrane." Bensen shot back, walking away, leaving Anne to herself.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
The massive saucer sailed through deep space, some of the closer stars flying by, as one of the massive arms of the Milky Way sliced through the void, filling a vast swath with a cloudy expanse of stars.
CREW DINING AREA
The large room was buzzing with activity, as many Orvani were seated, eating and conversing, some of whom were doing so beside a few large panoramic windows, which afforded a stunning view of the space outside.
President Bensen sat across from Anne Tyler, eating his food, as an Orvani brought Anne a plate of what could be described as soup.
She regarded the sight of the orange-pink liquid inside the bowl, and sniffed it, as Bensen watched.
"Smells like pea soup." she remarked, looking to Bensen, who now pushed his empty plate aside.
"Their food isn't bad." he began. "The roots I just finished were kind of like radishes and potatoes." he said, encouraging her to eat her food, which she began to do.
"Well?" Bensen asked, as she took the first taste.
"It's not bad. I'll give it that. It actually tastes like onion soup." she added, taking more spoonfuls of the food.
Suddenly, a call came in from the control room of the warship.
"All decks, be advised... we are at this time initiating spatial re-orientation... prepare for adjustment." the calm voice said.
Bensen looked around... the announcement didn't seem to be of much concern for the Orvani. He got up from his seat, and walked to one of the large windows, as Anne followed him.
The two humans gazed out at the starscape, until something began to happen...
Throughout the entire starscape, various different areas of space were beginning to "shift"... some rotating about, others panning around, while some regions of stars seemed to either rise and fall, or vanish from sight... it was as if they were looking at space through a kaleidoscope.
Suddenly, Anne became visibly dizzy, and began to waver, losing her equilibrium, as she began to fall, as Bensen caught her, trying to prop her up.
"Anne?" he called out to her, as one of the Orvani came rushing to her side, as she began to regain some of her focus.
"She is becoming disoriented, due to the spatial adjustment." the Orvani began. "We have something we can give her, that will stop this." he offered, as Anne again looked out the window, this time, groaning in pain.
The Orvani squinted, focusing into Anne's mind, studying her brain's functions, as his face momentarily shared a look of discomfort with her, as he withdrew from her mind, looking to Bensen.
"Her mind is unable to cope with what she is seeing... her mind aches, and it is causing her pain. Has she been reacting like this during our previous two adjustments?" he asked.
"You mean a migrane of some sort?" Bensen replied. "Well, I don't know... I was not with her the other times." he offered.
"We need to get her to the medical ward... we can help her there." the Orvani offered, as Anne suddenly looked to him, struggling to free herself in protest.
"NO!" she shouted. "You won't get me in one of those rooms again! I know what goes on there! That's where you butcher humans, and steal our children!" she shouted, drawing the attention of some of the dining Orvani.
"They will help you!" Bensen shot back at her.
"I'm not going in one of those rooms!" she shouted.
"We already told you... the people who did that to you are criminals... they do not represent us!" the Orvani tried to explain.
"I don't care! You're not touching me! None of you are!" she spat out.
"You stupid insect!" the Orvani spat back. "There are people on your own planet who rape women... does that mean that you never again go to a doctor?" he shot, as he walked away, leaving her to Bensen.
Anne looked to the President, anger all over her face.
"Did you hear that? He called me a stupid insect!" she said.
Bensen looked to her, without sympathy in his eyes.
"You know what?" he began. "If you refuse help from these people, with the incredible knowledge and technology thay have, that can help you... well, then you are stupid! Enjoy your migrane." Bensen shot back, walking away, leaving Anne to herself.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
ORVANI WARSHIP - 27 DAYS FROM ORVAN
The massive saucer shot through space, the distant stars seeming to drift by rapidly, as the vessel continued on its course for home.
CORRIDOR - MEDICAL DECK
All was quiet on the ship, in these, the wee hours of the night... at least... to the humans. Anne Tyler carefully walked through the corridor, watching with caution, as some Orvani walked across the other direction, via the cross-corridor, in the distance.
After a moment, she was startled, by a very gentle and quiet hissing sound, that lasted for almost a second, as if someone had dragged a pair of extremely light slippers gently across a floor for a second. She turned to her right, and gasped in surprise, at the sight of a lone Orvani, in what humans would call a Doctor's smock, or lab coat, absolutely pure brilliant white in color.
The Orvani looked to her, merely blinking a couple times, until he finally held out one of his hands, and opened it, revealing two very small capsules.
"Miss Tyler." he began. "I had a feeling you'd eventually show up." he added, looking to her, and indicating for her to take the two capsules. "Here." he urged. "Take these, and your headaches will be gone." he encouraged.
Anne looked at the Orvani with reluctant caution. Finally, she took the two capsules from him.
"Great," she began. "I'm on a spaceship, and an alien is giving me tylenol." she lamented.
The Orvani looked to her, as he countered her remarks.
"Miss Tyler, you don't understand. "After you take that medicine... you will NEVER have another headache again. Ever." it offered. "It will correct the imbalance in your body, that allowed you to experience headaches."
Anne's eyes suddenly grew wider.
"What the-- you don't need me to lie on any tables? You don't need to probe me, or anything? No rectal probes, or slicing me up?" she asked, surprised.
The Orvani looked to her with morbid curiosity.
"Rectal probes? Why would we ever want to look there?" he asked her, as he began to shake his head. "I say, Miss Tyler... you have a remarkably filthy mind." he added, as he turned to head back into his office, the doors closing silently behind him, as Anne regarded the two capsules in her hand.
UNITED NATIONS - NEW YORK CITY
The flags of the nations of Earth fluttered in the breeze, as three Orvani saucers hovered over the large building, keeping perfectly still, as the crowds and media gathered nearby, to gaze upon the crafts, as they held position.
DIPLOMATIC OFFICE - PRIVATE SESSION
The U.N. Guards opened the door for the group of three Orvani, as they entered a small room, where a group of five humans was standing, behind a desk.
The lead Orvani recognized one of the humans instantly... the Vice President of the United States. Beside him, was the Premiere of the Russian Union. The other three men appeared to be from the region that the humans called "The Middle East".
Vice President Richards nodded to the guards, who left the room, closing the doors behind them, revealing two military guards, armed with assault rifles, standing sentry at the doors.
"Commander, it's good to see you again." Richards boomed, as he offered his hand to the Commander, who reluctantly shook it, before breaking the silence.
"Mister Vice-President." the Commander began. "May I ask why you asked me here? We had no prior arrangements to meet with anyone." he asked.
Richards offered the same strange smile, as he looked to the leader of the Russian Union, indicating for him to begin.
"Hello." Sergei Zumanov began, his voice laden with an extremely thick and heavy Russian accent. "I will get to point, so not to waste time." he added, looking to the Commander. "Your people... your ships... have been on our planet for what, almost three years now. In that whole time, we have asked nothing of your people. But I am afraid that your close ties with President Bensen, and the Americans has some of us worried." he stated.
The Commander only gazed back at Zumanov, in response.
"What we want..." Zumanov continued, "Is a gesture of international goodwill... an offering, if you will, of international cooperation." he added.
The Commander looked the group of humans over, finally replying.
"What is it you want?" he asked.
"Technology." one of the Middle Eastern men said, as he looked to the Commander.
"You already have samples of our technology... you have the molecular re-organization technology." the Commander offered. "What more could we offer you?" he asked.
At this, Richards walked around the desk, and moved to stand right in front of the Commander, towering over him.
"Well..." Richards began, looking down to the Commander. "Why don't you start, by telling us about your weapons." he calmly stated, as the Commander looked back up to Richards, the reflection of the man visible in his large, black eyes.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
The massive saucer shot through space, the distant stars seeming to drift by rapidly, as the vessel continued on its course for home.
CORRIDOR - MEDICAL DECK
All was quiet on the ship, in these, the wee hours of the night... at least... to the humans. Anne Tyler carefully walked through the corridor, watching with caution, as some Orvani walked across the other direction, via the cross-corridor, in the distance.
After a moment, she was startled, by a very gentle and quiet hissing sound, that lasted for almost a second, as if someone had dragged a pair of extremely light slippers gently across a floor for a second. She turned to her right, and gasped in surprise, at the sight of a lone Orvani, in what humans would call a Doctor's smock, or lab coat, absolutely pure brilliant white in color.
The Orvani looked to her, merely blinking a couple times, until he finally held out one of his hands, and opened it, revealing two very small capsules.
"Miss Tyler." he began. "I had a feeling you'd eventually show up." he added, looking to her, and indicating for her to take the two capsules. "Here." he urged. "Take these, and your headaches will be gone." he encouraged.
Anne looked at the Orvani with reluctant caution. Finally, she took the two capsules from him.
"Great," she began. "I'm on a spaceship, and an alien is giving me tylenol." she lamented.
The Orvani looked to her, as he countered her remarks.
"Miss Tyler, you don't understand. "After you take that medicine... you will NEVER have another headache again. Ever." it offered. "It will correct the imbalance in your body, that allowed you to experience headaches."
Anne's eyes suddenly grew wider.
"What the-- you don't need me to lie on any tables? You don't need to probe me, or anything? No rectal probes, or slicing me up?" she asked, surprised.
The Orvani looked to her with morbid curiosity.
"Rectal probes? Why would we ever want to look there?" he asked her, as he began to shake his head. "I say, Miss Tyler... you have a remarkably filthy mind." he added, as he turned to head back into his office, the doors closing silently behind him, as Anne regarded the two capsules in her hand.
UNITED NATIONS - NEW YORK CITY
The flags of the nations of Earth fluttered in the breeze, as three Orvani saucers hovered over the large building, keeping perfectly still, as the crowds and media gathered nearby, to gaze upon the crafts, as they held position.
DIPLOMATIC OFFICE - PRIVATE SESSION
The U.N. Guards opened the door for the group of three Orvani, as they entered a small room, where a group of five humans was standing, behind a desk.
The lead Orvani recognized one of the humans instantly... the Vice President of the United States. Beside him, was the Premiere of the Russian Union. The other three men appeared to be from the region that the humans called "The Middle East".
Vice President Richards nodded to the guards, who left the room, closing the doors behind them, revealing two military guards, armed with assault rifles, standing sentry at the doors.
"Commander, it's good to see you again." Richards boomed, as he offered his hand to the Commander, who reluctantly shook it, before breaking the silence.
"Mister Vice-President." the Commander began. "May I ask why you asked me here? We had no prior arrangements to meet with anyone." he asked.
Richards offered the same strange smile, as he looked to the leader of the Russian Union, indicating for him to begin.
"Hello." Sergei Zumanov began, his voice laden with an extremely thick and heavy Russian accent. "I will get to point, so not to waste time." he added, looking to the Commander. "Your people... your ships... have been on our planet for what, almost three years now. In that whole time, we have asked nothing of your people. But I am afraid that your close ties with President Bensen, and the Americans has some of us worried." he stated.
The Commander only gazed back at Zumanov, in response.
"What we want..." Zumanov continued, "Is a gesture of international goodwill... an offering, if you will, of international cooperation." he added.
The Commander looked the group of humans over, finally replying.
"What is it you want?" he asked.
"Technology." one of the Middle Eastern men said, as he looked to the Commander.
"You already have samples of our technology... you have the molecular re-organization technology." the Commander offered. "What more could we offer you?" he asked.
At this, Richards walked around the desk, and moved to stand right in front of the Commander, towering over him.
"Well..." Richards began, looking down to the Commander. "Why don't you start, by telling us about your weapons." he calmly stated, as the Commander looked back up to Richards, the reflection of the man visible in his large, black eyes.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Ugh, wow...I am not liking this Richards guy, not at all. Let's hope the Orvani can restrain themselves in HOW they slap him down, or things could really heat up...
...and Orvani Tylenol? I love it!!! (And also the quip about the anal probe.
)
...and Orvani Tylenol? I love it!!! (And also the quip about the anal probe.
)
UNITED NATIONS - NEW YORK CITY
The flags of the nations of Earth fluttered in the breeze, as three Orvani saucers hovered over the large building, keeping perfectly still.
DIPLOMATIC OFFICE - PRIVATE SESSION
The Orvani Commander smiled back at Vice-President Richards, as he looked the human in the eyes.
"I can tell you that our weapons are powerful." he began. "I can also tell you, that you will never get them." he added.
The look on Richards's face turned sour, as he turned to walk back to the desk, before again facing the Orvani.
"We have been gracious enough, all of us have, to allow your people to live on and have access to our world. I think it's not unreasonable that we make a reasonable request?" Richards told the Commander.
The Commander stepped even closer to Richards, as he replied... a move meant to show that the small Orvani was in no way afraid of, or threatened by the Vice-President.
"Really?" the Commander asked. "Suppose we WERE to give your people some of our weapons technology... to whom would we offer it? To you? To the Russian Union? To the United Arab Emirates? To the Canadian Free Hold? Who gets to choose, who wields the awesome power we would hand down to you?" he asked. "You don't have the slightest beginning of any form of understanding as to the sheer power of our weapons... your minds would not be able to grasp the scope of devastation that would be unleashed, in the wrong hands." he added.
At this, the Russian Premiere stood up, and walked to the Orvani Commander, looking to him.
"Commander," his thick Russian accent boomed, "We fully understand what you are saying, and we also understand your belief that we would not be able to share, and um... "play nice", as it were, with each other, if we had this technology... but please consider what I will tell you now." he added. "What if, God forbid, there was something that happened, that demanded we defend ourselves from you... or even, another starfaring species, if we came across one that was hostile? How would we even begin to hope to defend ourselves?" he asked.
"We would protect you." the Commander began. "As for your people having to defend against us... that would only happen, if there was either something that you did, to anger us, or if you tried to directly attack us, in which case, we would react." he added.
"Commander..." the Russian leader again started. "Like I say, we understand your concerns, and are prepared to offer you a forum, where you would have a voice, in how elements of your technology are distributed." he said.
"And that would be?" the Commander asked, now looking to Richards.
"A joint, multinational technological appropriations committee. Based here, in the United Nations." Richards began. "One member from each industrialized nation, and one Orvani overseer, who has final vote and say." he added. "That would be the nice way. The other, not-so nice way, would be to force us to try to take what we want... by force." he stated, wearing a wry smile.
This remark made the Orvani nod with understanding, as he moved to stand right in front of Richards, and looked up to him.
"Now THAT, I would absolutely love to see, Mister Vice-President. Do you honestly think your world's arsenal would ever have any hope of doing any damage, whatsoever, to us?" asked the Commander.
"We'd do as much damage as we could." Richards stated back, offering a sly smile.
"I see." the Commander said, as he walked over to one of the military guards. "May I see that for a minute, Sir?" he asked, regarding the man's military assault rifle.
The guard shot some confused looks at the other men, before reluctantly handing the Orvani the weapon. The Commander very gently took the rifle, and began to walk to Richards with it.
"Here!" the Commander called out, as he threw the rifle to Richards, who reached out to catch it.
As soon as the rifle impacted with Richards's hands, it INSTANTLY crumbled apart, as if it were nothing but black sand, as what was left of the rifle fell through the Vice-President's fingers, like beach sand falling through a child's fingers.
"WHAT THE???" Richards shouted out, looking to the Orvani.
"If the weapons of your world are that effective against us... I'd say we're in for a short fight, eh?" the Commander shot back at him.
"Wha-- what the-- how did you do that!" Richards demanded, as the other leaders looked on with shock, at what they had just witnessed.
"You might want to reconsider how happy you are with our gift of the molecular re-organization technology." the Commander began. "My ship above us used it to scan the rifle's molecular structure, and re-organize it into sand." he continued, now sporting a smile of his own. "We can do the same to anything... a rifle, a knife, a plane, a tank... a ship." he went on, as Richards's look turned sour. "Consider that a wake-up call, gentlemen. If you'll excuse us, now..." he finished, as he turned to leave the small room, leaving a shocked group of world leaders behind, as they looked to the scatter of sand that was moments before, a rifle, on the floor.
As the last Orvani left the room, it paused, looked up to the other military guard, and patted him on the back. The sudden jolt to the man's body caused him to grip his own rifle harder, and it, too, disintegrated, right in his hands, the grains of sand falling to the ground, as the last Orvani just shrugged at the guard, as it left the room.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
The flags of the nations of Earth fluttered in the breeze, as three Orvani saucers hovered over the large building, keeping perfectly still.
DIPLOMATIC OFFICE - PRIVATE SESSION
The Orvani Commander smiled back at Vice-President Richards, as he looked the human in the eyes.
"I can tell you that our weapons are powerful." he began. "I can also tell you, that you will never get them." he added.
The look on Richards's face turned sour, as he turned to walk back to the desk, before again facing the Orvani.
"We have been gracious enough, all of us have, to allow your people to live on and have access to our world. I think it's not unreasonable that we make a reasonable request?" Richards told the Commander.
The Commander stepped even closer to Richards, as he replied... a move meant to show that the small Orvani was in no way afraid of, or threatened by the Vice-President.
"Really?" the Commander asked. "Suppose we WERE to give your people some of our weapons technology... to whom would we offer it? To you? To the Russian Union? To the United Arab Emirates? To the Canadian Free Hold? Who gets to choose, who wields the awesome power we would hand down to you?" he asked. "You don't have the slightest beginning of any form of understanding as to the sheer power of our weapons... your minds would not be able to grasp the scope of devastation that would be unleashed, in the wrong hands." he added.
At this, the Russian Premiere stood up, and walked to the Orvani Commander, looking to him.
"Commander," his thick Russian accent boomed, "We fully understand what you are saying, and we also understand your belief that we would not be able to share, and um... "play nice", as it were, with each other, if we had this technology... but please consider what I will tell you now." he added. "What if, God forbid, there was something that happened, that demanded we defend ourselves from you... or even, another starfaring species, if we came across one that was hostile? How would we even begin to hope to defend ourselves?" he asked.
"We would protect you." the Commander began. "As for your people having to defend against us... that would only happen, if there was either something that you did, to anger us, or if you tried to directly attack us, in which case, we would react." he added.
"Commander..." the Russian leader again started. "Like I say, we understand your concerns, and are prepared to offer you a forum, where you would have a voice, in how elements of your technology are distributed." he said.
"And that would be?" the Commander asked, now looking to Richards.
"A joint, multinational technological appropriations committee. Based here, in the United Nations." Richards began. "One member from each industrialized nation, and one Orvani overseer, who has final vote and say." he added. "That would be the nice way. The other, not-so nice way, would be to force us to try to take what we want... by force." he stated, wearing a wry smile.
This remark made the Orvani nod with understanding, as he moved to stand right in front of Richards, and looked up to him.
"Now THAT, I would absolutely love to see, Mister Vice-President. Do you honestly think your world's arsenal would ever have any hope of doing any damage, whatsoever, to us?" asked the Commander.
"We'd do as much damage as we could." Richards stated back, offering a sly smile.
"I see." the Commander said, as he walked over to one of the military guards. "May I see that for a minute, Sir?" he asked, regarding the man's military assault rifle.
The guard shot some confused looks at the other men, before reluctantly handing the Orvani the weapon. The Commander very gently took the rifle, and began to walk to Richards with it.
"Here!" the Commander called out, as he threw the rifle to Richards, who reached out to catch it.
As soon as the rifle impacted with Richards's hands, it INSTANTLY crumbled apart, as if it were nothing but black sand, as what was left of the rifle fell through the Vice-President's fingers, like beach sand falling through a child's fingers.
"WHAT THE???" Richards shouted out, looking to the Orvani.
"If the weapons of your world are that effective against us... I'd say we're in for a short fight, eh?" the Commander shot back at him.
"Wha-- what the-- how did you do that!" Richards demanded, as the other leaders looked on with shock, at what they had just witnessed.
"You might want to reconsider how happy you are with our gift of the molecular re-organization technology." the Commander began. "My ship above us used it to scan the rifle's molecular structure, and re-organize it into sand." he continued, now sporting a smile of his own. "We can do the same to anything... a rifle, a knife, a plane, a tank... a ship." he went on, as Richards's look turned sour. "Consider that a wake-up call, gentlemen. If you'll excuse us, now..." he finished, as he turned to leave the small room, leaving a shocked group of world leaders behind, as they looked to the scatter of sand that was moments before, a rifle, on the floor.
As the last Orvani left the room, it paused, looked up to the other military guard, and patted him on the back. The sudden jolt to the man's body caused him to grip his own rifle harder, and it, too, disintegrated, right in his hands, the grains of sand falling to the ground, as the last Orvani just shrugged at the guard, as it left the room.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Hmmm...Richards can't directly undermine the Orvani, I see--but I am concerned he might try to selectively provoke an attack against those he believes deserve it. (Or if not Richards, one of the other leaders in there.)
I concurr with Nerys. I can see that someone will try to provoke the Orvani against someone else...
Well, just remember the old adage...
Sometimes dreams can come true.
Sometimes dreams can come true.
And I suppose that holds true with nightmares as well?
Yes, and yes. 
DOWNTOWN CHICAGO
The day was winding to a close, as the sky very slowly began to welcome the dusk, as it grew slightly darker, and the air a little cooler.
The business people and citizens of the large city walked amongst the sidewalks, in a rush to get home, or catch their subway. Suddenly, something prompted a large group of people to look up to the sky, in time to see a lone Orvani saucer, as the craft flew silently overhead, making not a sound.
The saucer was not in any hurry. There was a brisk, but very casual feel to its pace, as if it were merely heading out for groceries... just a little flyby at dusk, over the town.
The heads and eyes of the humans below followed the saucer, as it flew away into the distance, vanishing from view, as the tall skyscrapers of Chicago obscured it from further view.
BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN - CHICAGO
As the sky began to turn a rust-orange color, from the setting sun, as a lone man looked to the Orvani ship in the distance, with wary eyes.
The man followed the saucer, as it traced a course between a group of tall buildings, before again vanishing from view.
The man turned to face forward, as he looked to the people walking about the plaza, as he raised his left arm up. In his left hand, he held a group of papers... posters, really. A simple grayscale representation of the face of an Orvani, with the name "Orvani" written below it. But there was a bold diagonal slash of red, that cut through the image, as if someone were "slashing" the image in two.
"There! See for yourselves, dear citizens, the signs of the coming Orvani oppression!" he called out, pointing to where the saucer had been. "They patrol our skies, walk amongst us, on our streets, and hover menacingly above our towns, buildings, and homes!" he added, his voice raising. "They're watching us! Waiting for the right moment to move, and impose their will among us!" he added.
Some people in the park paused to listen, while others shook their heads in disbelief, walking away.
"This may be your last... your ONLY chance, to fight for freedom!" he continued. "The time to fight draws nigh! Rise up, and make a stand against the coming Orvani oppression! Join the Orvani Resistance!" he called out, as now a couple men got curious enough to step forward, and take a couple of papers from him. "That's right!" he encouraged. "Step forth, and make a statement... not on our planet! Not on our planet!" he began to shout.
ORVANI WARSHIP - 9 DAYS FROM ORVAN
The massive saucer continued on course for Orvan, the vastness of space surrounding it with all of its beauty.
OBSERVATION LOUNGE
The room was quiet, as a handful of Orvani crew sat at their tables, talking amongst themselves, while President Bensen sat at one of the large windows, gazing out into space, as the stars drifted by.
He was utterly captivated by the vista outside. He could not believe what he was seeing... an entire ARM of the Milky Way Galaxy, jutting vertically across the starscape, in shockingly brilliant clarity, just filling the sky with milky clouds of stellar clusters, in varying shades of purples, blues, whites, and even some yellows. Nowhere on Earth could he ever hope to see even a handful of individual stars, let alone this... this wonder... this awesome spectacle of creation.
He looked to his table, to see the Orvani Commander he had befriended, standing before him, with some type of computing device.
"Mister President. may I sit with you?" he asked.
"Of course." Bensen replied, as the Orvani Commander noticed the streak of tears down the President's face.
"Mister President... what's wrong?" the Commander asked.
"Mm? Oh..." Bensen began, wiping the tears from his face. "It's nothing. It's just that... I had no idea, just how vast..." he added, as the Commander looked to him. "How vast the universe really is. I've never seen such raw beauty. So many stars... trillions upon trillions... so many stars..." he said, looking again to the view outside.
The Commander also looked out the window, nodding.
"It is indeed beautiful." he agreed.
"I wonder." Bensen whispered.
"Wonder what?" the Commander returned.
"In all the time we've been travelling on this course... I wonder, how many of those stars we've passed, have hosted families of planets with life... intelligent life." Bensen said, looking to the Commander.
"A few." the Commander answered, smiling, as he regarded Bensen. "But you must always remember the crickets, Mister President." he added.
"The crickets?" Bensen asked, looking to the Orvani.
"ALL life is intelligent, Mister President. All of it." he added, as Bensen's face showed that he now remembered... the encounter outside the White House, on that one white winter night, when he had found the Commander listening to the song of the crickets... a song that the Commander said they were singing to the stars.
Bensen nodded his understanding, as the Commander now leaned forward, showing him the computing device he had been holding.
"What's this?" Bensen asked.
"Maps." the Commander began. "Even though we're still over a week from Orvan, I wanted to show you a little bit more about our world, and familiarize you with the area where we'll be landing, and our military command areas, which you will be allowed some guarded access to, when I accompany you." he added, as he pressed some buttons, and a series of maps and callouts began to appear, as Bensen leaned closer, to share with what the Commander was showing and telling him.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
The day was winding to a close, as the sky very slowly began to welcome the dusk, as it grew slightly darker, and the air a little cooler.
The business people and citizens of the large city walked amongst the sidewalks, in a rush to get home, or catch their subway. Suddenly, something prompted a large group of people to look up to the sky, in time to see a lone Orvani saucer, as the craft flew silently overhead, making not a sound.
The saucer was not in any hurry. There was a brisk, but very casual feel to its pace, as if it were merely heading out for groceries... just a little flyby at dusk, over the town.
The heads and eyes of the humans below followed the saucer, as it flew away into the distance, vanishing from view, as the tall skyscrapers of Chicago obscured it from further view.
BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN - CHICAGO
As the sky began to turn a rust-orange color, from the setting sun, as a lone man looked to the Orvani ship in the distance, with wary eyes.
The man followed the saucer, as it traced a course between a group of tall buildings, before again vanishing from view.
The man turned to face forward, as he looked to the people walking about the plaza, as he raised his left arm up. In his left hand, he held a group of papers... posters, really. A simple grayscale representation of the face of an Orvani, with the name "Orvani" written below it. But there was a bold diagonal slash of red, that cut through the image, as if someone were "slashing" the image in two.
"There! See for yourselves, dear citizens, the signs of the coming Orvani oppression!" he called out, pointing to where the saucer had been. "They patrol our skies, walk amongst us, on our streets, and hover menacingly above our towns, buildings, and homes!" he added, his voice raising. "They're watching us! Waiting for the right moment to move, and impose their will among us!" he added.
Some people in the park paused to listen, while others shook their heads in disbelief, walking away.
"This may be your last... your ONLY chance, to fight for freedom!" he continued. "The time to fight draws nigh! Rise up, and make a stand against the coming Orvani oppression! Join the Orvani Resistance!" he called out, as now a couple men got curious enough to step forward, and take a couple of papers from him. "That's right!" he encouraged. "Step forth, and make a statement... not on our planet! Not on our planet!" he began to shout.
ORVANI WARSHIP - 9 DAYS FROM ORVAN
The massive saucer continued on course for Orvan, the vastness of space surrounding it with all of its beauty.
OBSERVATION LOUNGE
The room was quiet, as a handful of Orvani crew sat at their tables, talking amongst themselves, while President Bensen sat at one of the large windows, gazing out into space, as the stars drifted by.
He was utterly captivated by the vista outside. He could not believe what he was seeing... an entire ARM of the Milky Way Galaxy, jutting vertically across the starscape, in shockingly brilliant clarity, just filling the sky with milky clouds of stellar clusters, in varying shades of purples, blues, whites, and even some yellows. Nowhere on Earth could he ever hope to see even a handful of individual stars, let alone this... this wonder... this awesome spectacle of creation.
He looked to his table, to see the Orvani Commander he had befriended, standing before him, with some type of computing device.
"Mister President. may I sit with you?" he asked.
"Of course." Bensen replied, as the Orvani Commander noticed the streak of tears down the President's face.
"Mister President... what's wrong?" the Commander asked.
"Mm? Oh..." Bensen began, wiping the tears from his face. "It's nothing. It's just that... I had no idea, just how vast..." he added, as the Commander looked to him. "How vast the universe really is. I've never seen such raw beauty. So many stars... trillions upon trillions... so many stars..." he said, looking again to the view outside.
The Commander also looked out the window, nodding.
"It is indeed beautiful." he agreed.
"I wonder." Bensen whispered.
"Wonder what?" the Commander returned.
"In all the time we've been travelling on this course... I wonder, how many of those stars we've passed, have hosted families of planets with life... intelligent life." Bensen said, looking to the Commander.
"A few." the Commander answered, smiling, as he regarded Bensen. "But you must always remember the crickets, Mister President." he added.
"The crickets?" Bensen asked, looking to the Orvani.
"ALL life is intelligent, Mister President. All of it." he added, as Bensen's face showed that he now remembered... the encounter outside the White House, on that one white winter night, when he had found the Commander listening to the song of the crickets... a song that the Commander said they were singing to the stars.
Bensen nodded his understanding, as the Commander now leaned forward, showing him the computing device he had been holding.
"What's this?" Bensen asked.
"Maps." the Commander began. "Even though we're still over a week from Orvan, I wanted to show you a little bit more about our world, and familiarize you with the area where we'll be landing, and our military command areas, which you will be allowed some guarded access to, when I accompany you." he added, as he pressed some buttons, and a series of maps and callouts began to appear, as Bensen leaned closer, to share with what the Commander was showing and telling him.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
ANZA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA
The student all sat in neat rows, at their small desks, as the teacher paced in front of her desk, speaking to the class, as behind her, the images of two planets beside one another rotated, on the wall-sized plasma screen... Earth and Orvan.
"Now, Class." she began. "As you all just learned, the President has taken a trip. He went to visit the Orvani, on their planet. Who can tell me the name of their planet?" she asked, as multiple little hands rose up in the air.
"Orvan!" the children called out, as the teacher smiled.
"That's right!" she continued, now moving to face the screen. "As you can see, Earth and Orvan are the same size, and rotate at roughly the same speed. Our day is 24 hours. A day on Orvan is 32 hours long. We have 10 hours of sunlight, the Orvani have 13." she added. "Now, who can tell me the main differences between Earth, and Orvan?" she asked.
"They don't have a moon!" one little girl called out.
"Correct!" the teacher encouraged. "Anything else?" she added.
"It looks different than Earth." a boy called out.
"Correct." the teacher began. "From space, it looks just like Earth... colors of blue, green, white, and brown. But as you get closer, you see that Orvan has one large supercontinent, surrounded by a global ocean. Another difference, is that Orvan has no ice on the planet. It is too close to its parent star, to get cold enough for water to freeze." she added.
"Does that mean it's never snowed on Orvan?" one girl asked.
"That is correct." the teacher replied. "Most of the land surface of Orvan is like a desert. There are large areas of forests, but these are on the edges of the landmass, near the coastal regions." she explained.
"How old are the Orvani?" one boy asked, his hand in the air.
The tecaher walked to the front of her desk, to face the class, as she replied.
"Well, we don't know for sure, because the Orvani have never told us." she began. "But we DO know, from the records they have shared with us, is that the earliest of those records dates back five-hundred-thousand years. The Orvani race is extremely old." she stated. "However, from what we have been told by the Orvani themselves, an individual Orvani only lives to be about 30 human years of age." she added. "Now... who can tell me the name of the region on Orvan, where the President will be landing?" she asked.
After a moment, one boy raised his hand, and replied.
"The Venthari Plateau?" he asked.
"Very good!" the teacher said, looking to the boy. "The Venthari Plateau is the largest desert on Orvan, located in the center of the supercontinent." she added. "The President will be arriving in two days, which will put him in the beginning of the Orvani summer. The President has promised all of us here on Earth, that he would contact us once, from Orvan, in a live transmission, at some point during his visit. So, my homework assignment for you, is to think of a question you would like to submit, to ask the President, or one of the Orvani." she said, as the class grew excited at the prospect.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
The student all sat in neat rows, at their small desks, as the teacher paced in front of her desk, speaking to the class, as behind her, the images of two planets beside one another rotated, on the wall-sized plasma screen... Earth and Orvan.
"Now, Class." she began. "As you all just learned, the President has taken a trip. He went to visit the Orvani, on their planet. Who can tell me the name of their planet?" she asked, as multiple little hands rose up in the air.
"Orvan!" the children called out, as the teacher smiled.
"That's right!" she continued, now moving to face the screen. "As you can see, Earth and Orvan are the same size, and rotate at roughly the same speed. Our day is 24 hours. A day on Orvan is 32 hours long. We have 10 hours of sunlight, the Orvani have 13." she added. "Now, who can tell me the main differences between Earth, and Orvan?" she asked.
"They don't have a moon!" one little girl called out.
"Correct!" the teacher encouraged. "Anything else?" she added.
"It looks different than Earth." a boy called out.
"Correct." the teacher began. "From space, it looks just like Earth... colors of blue, green, white, and brown. But as you get closer, you see that Orvan has one large supercontinent, surrounded by a global ocean. Another difference, is that Orvan has no ice on the planet. It is too close to its parent star, to get cold enough for water to freeze." she added.
"Does that mean it's never snowed on Orvan?" one girl asked.
"That is correct." the teacher replied. "Most of the land surface of Orvan is like a desert. There are large areas of forests, but these are on the edges of the landmass, near the coastal regions." she explained.
"How old are the Orvani?" one boy asked, his hand in the air.
The tecaher walked to the front of her desk, to face the class, as she replied.
"Well, we don't know for sure, because the Orvani have never told us." she began. "But we DO know, from the records they have shared with us, is that the earliest of those records dates back five-hundred-thousand years. The Orvani race is extremely old." she stated. "However, from what we have been told by the Orvani themselves, an individual Orvani only lives to be about 30 human years of age." she added. "Now... who can tell me the name of the region on Orvan, where the President will be landing?" she asked.
After a moment, one boy raised his hand, and replied.
"The Venthari Plateau?" he asked.
"Very good!" the teacher said, looking to the boy. "The Venthari Plateau is the largest desert on Orvan, located in the center of the supercontinent." she added. "The President will be arriving in two days, which will put him in the beginning of the Orvani summer. The President has promised all of us here on Earth, that he would contact us once, from Orvan, in a live transmission, at some point during his visit. So, my homework assignment for you, is to think of a question you would like to submit, to ask the President, or one of the Orvani." she said, as the class grew excited at the prospect.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
THE ORVAN SYSTEM (ZETA RETICULI B)
With a lightning quick streak, the massive Orvani warship came hurtling out of superlight speeds, and slowed to a mere sublight glide, as it sailed in front of Zeta Reticuli B, the second star of the system, and the star which Orvan orbited, as the brilliant light and rays of the star danced along and around the smooth metal ship, the light flaring, as the ship angled away from the star, towards the inner system.
Zeta Reticuli B was a star exactly like Sol, Earth's star. It was the same size, age, luminosity, and spectral type. It was partially for this reason, that life on Orvan had evolved along similar lines as on Earth. From what few images President Bensen had seen of Orvan, back on Earth, Orvan's plant and animal life closely resembled that of Earth. Orvani plants were predominantly green, as their process of photosynthesis was the same as plants on Earth.
The only real difference with Orvan, was the total lack of frozen water. Orvan was the second planet from its star. If it were in the Sol System, it would lie between where Earth and Venus are located. The Orvani Commander had warned President Bensen that he may find the local daytime temperatures on Orvan uncomfortable... on a normal day, noon time temperatures on the Venthari Plateau could reach 120 degrees. And Orvan was DRY... extremely dry. Even though Oravn had a global ocean, only the coastal regions ever saw any measure of rainfall.
The warship now began to sail ever onward into the inner Orvan System, surrounded by the blackness of space, broken only by the waning yellow haze of the star's light behind it, as it grew more distant.
Finally, after a long moment, a little blip of whitish-blue light popped up, in the center of the horizon... Orvan.
ORVANI WARSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
On the bridge, the Commander stood tall, facing the massive forward holo-panorama of the planet, as it grew ever larger on the display, as his Course Designer was working to align the ship for final descent, as President Bensen and Miss Tyler stood behind the Commander, their eyes glued to the image on the display.
Finally, one of the officers at the aft end of the bridge spoke up, facing the Commander.
"Sir, this is unusual." he began. "I'm reading severely decreased neuronic activity, on the surface." he reported.
"Explain." the Commander replied, still facing the holoview.
"It's as if almost nobody down there is broadcasting... the people down there are not dead... but, for some reason, they have closed their minds... they're not linked into the neuronic network... there's no traffic." the officer stated.
"Hmmm." the Commander pondered. "Yeah... we should be recieving a huge influx of new transfer data, at this range, but we're not." he added. Finally, he turned to face Bensen, who looked to him with a look of both sympathy and puzzled confusion. "Course Designer, take us down. Everyone else, I am ordering a neuronic closure, until further notice... all Orvani on board are to cease broadcasting, until further order." he instructed.
Multiple replies of "Aye, Sir!" were heard, as the Commander again turned to face the holoview.
The image of the globe of Orvan filled the display, as the massive warship finally broke through the atmosphere of the planet, as a loud sonic snap was heard, outside the ship. Gradually, speckles of vegetation and desert dunes and craters could be made out on the surface, as the vessel dove lower into the sky, while ghostly whisps of white cloud were broken through, as the ship sailed into them.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
With a lightning quick streak, the massive Orvani warship came hurtling out of superlight speeds, and slowed to a mere sublight glide, as it sailed in front of Zeta Reticuli B, the second star of the system, and the star which Orvan orbited, as the brilliant light and rays of the star danced along and around the smooth metal ship, the light flaring, as the ship angled away from the star, towards the inner system.
Zeta Reticuli B was a star exactly like Sol, Earth's star. It was the same size, age, luminosity, and spectral type. It was partially for this reason, that life on Orvan had evolved along similar lines as on Earth. From what few images President Bensen had seen of Orvan, back on Earth, Orvan's plant and animal life closely resembled that of Earth. Orvani plants were predominantly green, as their process of photosynthesis was the same as plants on Earth.
The only real difference with Orvan, was the total lack of frozen water. Orvan was the second planet from its star. If it were in the Sol System, it would lie between where Earth and Venus are located. The Orvani Commander had warned President Bensen that he may find the local daytime temperatures on Orvan uncomfortable... on a normal day, noon time temperatures on the Venthari Plateau could reach 120 degrees. And Orvan was DRY... extremely dry. Even though Oravn had a global ocean, only the coastal regions ever saw any measure of rainfall.
The warship now began to sail ever onward into the inner Orvan System, surrounded by the blackness of space, broken only by the waning yellow haze of the star's light behind it, as it grew more distant.
Finally, after a long moment, a little blip of whitish-blue light popped up, in the center of the horizon... Orvan.
ORVANI WARSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
On the bridge, the Commander stood tall, facing the massive forward holo-panorama of the planet, as it grew ever larger on the display, as his Course Designer was working to align the ship for final descent, as President Bensen and Miss Tyler stood behind the Commander, their eyes glued to the image on the display.
Finally, one of the officers at the aft end of the bridge spoke up, facing the Commander.
"Sir, this is unusual." he began. "I'm reading severely decreased neuronic activity, on the surface." he reported.
"Explain." the Commander replied, still facing the holoview.
"It's as if almost nobody down there is broadcasting... the people down there are not dead... but, for some reason, they have closed their minds... they're not linked into the neuronic network... there's no traffic." the officer stated.
"Hmmm." the Commander pondered. "Yeah... we should be recieving a huge influx of new transfer data, at this range, but we're not." he added. Finally, he turned to face Bensen, who looked to him with a look of both sympathy and puzzled confusion. "Course Designer, take us down. Everyone else, I am ordering a neuronic closure, until further notice... all Orvani on board are to cease broadcasting, until further order." he instructed.
Multiple replies of "Aye, Sir!" were heard, as the Commander again turned to face the holoview.
The image of the globe of Orvan filled the display, as the massive warship finally broke through the atmosphere of the planet, as a loud sonic snap was heard, outside the ship. Gradually, speckles of vegetation and desert dunes and craters could be made out on the surface, as the vessel dove lower into the sky, while ghostly whisps of white cloud were broken through, as the ship sailed into them.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
Ooooh...potentially dangerous developments on both planets! Looks like some social unrest about to start on Earth--and as for Orvan...I'm wondering if it's already begun.
And somehow, I suspect that the humans, by being low-tech, are going to end up showing the Orvani just how far from insects they REALLY are. I mean, it's bad enough when we at our technology level lose power. Something tells me without THEIR tech, these people will have NO clue how to function.
And somehow, I suspect that the humans, by being low-tech, are going to end up showing the Orvani just how far from insects they REALLY are. I mean, it's bad enough when we at our technology level lose power. Something tells me without THEIR tech, these people will have NO clue how to function.
ORVAN
ORVANI WARSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
On the bridge, President Bensen and Miss Tyler looked on with unwavering fascination, at the image on the vast holodisplay, while the Orvani crew delegated the craft's approach for landing on the surface.
After a second, a few wispy clouds wafted past the ship, and gave way to the image of an absolutely massive volcano, which seemed to be part of a long mountain range. The crater of the volcano alone, by Bensen's guess, had to be about as wide as the entire Los Angeles basin, on Earth. The crater of the volcano stood just high enough, to surpass the height of the other mountains in the range.
As the ship drew closer, Bensen could now make out four lines of lights, as if someone had put crosshairs on all sides of the volcano's crater. The four rows of lights then began to strobe in unison, all pointing to the crater. Bensen could not believe it... THIS was the landing site... inside this vast and dormant volcano!
TOLTANI CALVERA - ORVAN
The Orvani military General stood on a vast platform, atop the ridge of the mammoth volcano, as his subordinates stood behind him. The General looked up to the sky, as the massive warship drew near, blotting out the dusk Sun, and slowing to a mere hovering drift, as it began to very slowly creep into position, above him.
The entire rim and interior of this volcano, which the Orvani called Toltani Calvera, had been converted into a massive military base, and landing area. The Orvani liked the fact that the crater of the volcano would provide natural cover for their massive warships, when not in use. Plus, building a base into an existing landform meant that nothing in the outer landscape would have to be altered.
Toltani was the actual name of the volcano... named for the ancient diety of fire, that the extremely ancient Orvani once worshipped. Calvera was the Orvani equivalent of Mons, the latin word for mountain.
The General and his subordinates all turned, to face the mighty warship, as the massive saucer assumed formation directly over the center of the crater, and very slowly, began a perfectly straight descent, into the chasm.
The inner shell of the crater was lined with many windows and landing bays, as well as some extended gangway-like structures. Some smaller saucers and other craft zipped about, below the warship.
ORVANI WARSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Bensen and Miss tyler watched the holodisplay, as with an extremely gentle and soft "thud", the warship settled into landing formation, at the base of the crater. After a second, another two "thuds" were heard, and the Commander turned to face the two humans, smiling.
"Ah... there we go. The landing arms have us secure." he began, as he walked to the humans, extending his hand. "President Bensen, Miss Tyler... on behalf of the Orvani Nation, the crew of the ship, and the Orvani people, I welcome you to our world, and our home. Welcome to Orvan." he stated.
As President Bensen's hand met the Commander's, the full impact of his words, and the moment settled in, and as they shook hands, Bensen felt a powerful wave of emotion wash over him, as he gasped, and stuggled to fight back tears. The Commander picked up of what Bensen was feeling, and looked to the man.
"Don't worry... it's okay." he offered. "I understand. This is a great moment in history, not only for you, but for your entire species. You, Sir, and you, ma'am, are the first of your kind, to set foot on another world." the Commander said, as he then remembered the Majestic 12 members. "Well... formally, at least." he added.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
ORVANI WARSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
On the bridge, President Bensen and Miss Tyler looked on with unwavering fascination, at the image on the vast holodisplay, while the Orvani crew delegated the craft's approach for landing on the surface.
After a second, a few wispy clouds wafted past the ship, and gave way to the image of an absolutely massive volcano, which seemed to be part of a long mountain range. The crater of the volcano alone, by Bensen's guess, had to be about as wide as the entire Los Angeles basin, on Earth. The crater of the volcano stood just high enough, to surpass the height of the other mountains in the range.
As the ship drew closer, Bensen could now make out four lines of lights, as if someone had put crosshairs on all sides of the volcano's crater. The four rows of lights then began to strobe in unison, all pointing to the crater. Bensen could not believe it... THIS was the landing site... inside this vast and dormant volcano!
TOLTANI CALVERA - ORVAN
The Orvani military General stood on a vast platform, atop the ridge of the mammoth volcano, as his subordinates stood behind him. The General looked up to the sky, as the massive warship drew near, blotting out the dusk Sun, and slowing to a mere hovering drift, as it began to very slowly creep into position, above him.
The entire rim and interior of this volcano, which the Orvani called Toltani Calvera, had been converted into a massive military base, and landing area. The Orvani liked the fact that the crater of the volcano would provide natural cover for their massive warships, when not in use. Plus, building a base into an existing landform meant that nothing in the outer landscape would have to be altered.
Toltani was the actual name of the volcano... named for the ancient diety of fire, that the extremely ancient Orvani once worshipped. Calvera was the Orvani equivalent of Mons, the latin word for mountain.
The General and his subordinates all turned, to face the mighty warship, as the massive saucer assumed formation directly over the center of the crater, and very slowly, began a perfectly straight descent, into the chasm.
The inner shell of the crater was lined with many windows and landing bays, as well as some extended gangway-like structures. Some smaller saucers and other craft zipped about, below the warship.
ORVANI WARSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Bensen and Miss tyler watched the holodisplay, as with an extremely gentle and soft "thud", the warship settled into landing formation, at the base of the crater. After a second, another two "thuds" were heard, and the Commander turned to face the two humans, smiling.
"Ah... there we go. The landing arms have us secure." he began, as he walked to the humans, extending his hand. "President Bensen, Miss Tyler... on behalf of the Orvani Nation, the crew of the ship, and the Orvani people, I welcome you to our world, and our home. Welcome to Orvan." he stated.
As President Bensen's hand met the Commander's, the full impact of his words, and the moment settled in, and as they shook hands, Bensen felt a powerful wave of emotion wash over him, as he gasped, and stuggled to fight back tears. The Commander picked up of what Bensen was feeling, and looked to the man.
"Don't worry... it's okay." he offered. "I understand. This is a great moment in history, not only for you, but for your entire species. You, Sir, and you, ma'am, are the first of your kind, to set foot on another world." the Commander said, as he then remembered the Majestic 12 members. "Well... formally, at least." he added.
-- TO BE CONTINUED --
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