Edrin
Edrin looks at Chaala with a 'Ah' look on his face of sudden realization. He brings up the logs of Dominicus and Voss that Shone had found.
"I thought you saw these logs before Boss. Sorry" he says quietly.
ISS Harrier — Captain’s Log
Junior Administrator Silvia Dominicus
Survey Scout ISS Harrier
Marinagua System
After two weeks of orbital survey operations, the overall situation on Marinagua has become clearer. The planet is inhabited by a complex native civilization displaying multiple tribal identities and a broad range of technological capabilities, though most observed infrastructure appears consistent with late atomic to early information-age development. Orbital reconnaissance indicates a large urban center situated near the coastal basin designated in our records as Balac Pontli. Within this region we have identified what appears to be the remnants of a pre-collapse aviation facility that has since been repurposed into a functioning trade port.
Multiple off-world vessels have been observed landing at or near this site. These ships appear to belong to independent traders rather than any formal Imperial authority. Their presence suggests that off-world contact with the local population has already been established at some level, though the nature of that relationship remains unclear. Signals intelligence monitoring indicates several competing linguistic structures among the planetary population, suggesting the presence of distinct tribal or political groups rather than a single unified authority.
Under normal survey doctrine I would prefer to continue gathering intelligence remotely until a clearer understanding of the local political structure could be developed. However, the presence of active off-world trade significantly alters the situation. If independent traders are already interacting with the planetary population, then a cautious diplomatic approach may allow us to establish a more stable relationship between the Imperium and the people of Marinagua before misunderstandings develop further.
For this reason I have authorized a controlled surface contact mission.
The cutter will deploy to the trade facility observed near the Balac Pontli region. Our intent is not to assert authority but to introduce ourselves formally, present documentation establishing Imperial Scout status, and assess the nature of the existing off-world trade network. If successful, we may be able to determine which groups on the planet hold political authority and whether a formal diplomatic channel can be established.
Our objective is simple: establish peaceful contact, determine the nature of existing off-world relationships, and return with enough information to properly classify Marinagua within the survey records.
I believe the opportunity exists to open a constructive relationship with the inhabitants of this world.
If we proceed carefully.
First Contact at the Ad Hoc Starport
The cutter entered Marinagua’s atmosphere on a shallow descent path calculated to avoid sudden sonic disturbances across the surrounding terrain. From orbit the world had appeared vast and luminous, its oceans reflecting pale sunlight across immense stretches of blue. As the craft passed through the thinning cloud layers, the details of civilization began to emerge—roads threading through cultivated farmland, scattered settlements clustered along waterways, and finally the immense urban basin of Balac Pontli rising along the horizon.
Freja Gruber guided the cutter toward the landing site Dominicus had selected earlier during orbital reconnaissance. Several kilometers outside the city limits, the remains of an ancient aviation complex stretched across the flat terrain. The airport had clearly been built for a far more advanced civilization than the one currently using it. Sections of runway had fractured under decades of neglect, and several of the surrounding hangars stood partially collapsed. Yet the central apron remained active. Two battered merchant vessels rested near the northern edge of the field while smaller cargo craft clustered around improvised warehouses assembled from salvaged structures and prefabricated materials.
Even before the cutter completed its descent, ground vehicles began moving toward the landing area.
Freja eased the ship down onto the cracked runway surface with steady precision. The landing struts compressed against uneven pavement and the engines slowly wound down into silence. The approaching vehicles stopped roughly fifty meters from the cutter, and several Alejia emerged. They were tall, lean figures wrapped in layered fabrics and leather armor bearing distinctive painted markings across their shoulders and faces. Some carried weapons, though none were raised. Instead the Alejia simply stood watching the craft with careful, measured curiosity.
Inside the cutter Dominicus studied them through the viewport for several seconds before standing.
"Helmets off," she told the crew quietly. "Let them see who we are."
The airlock cycled, and warm Marinaguan air flowed into the chamber as Dominicus stepped down onto the runway surface for the first time.
The Alejia leader approached slowly and stopped several paces away. For a moment the two groups regarded one another in silence beneath the wide sky of Marinagua. Then the Alejia spoke. The words were unfamiliar, but the cadence suggested formality—perhaps a ritual greeting or statement of identity. Dominicus waited for the translator to assemble fragments before responding.
"My name is Silvia Dominicus," she said calmly. "I am an Imperial Scout."
The translator struggled but eventually produced partial meaning—name, traveler from the sky, authority. The word Imperial proved difficult to translate and resolved loosely into a concept the Alejia understood as
K’áhnohtli, a ruler or authority figure. The statement clearly caused confusion among the Alejia, who spoke briefly among themselves while continuing to observe the visitors.
Dominicus presented several trade items and an Imperial identification document while maintaining a calm and respectful posture. The exchange continued for nearly an hour as both sides attempted to understand the nature of the encounter. Eventually the Alejia leader bowed slightly and withdrew with his party without offering hostility or invitation.
The visitors from the sky were left alone beside their cutter.
The Alejia did not return again that day.
The following morning the Alejia returned in greater organization. At the center of the approaching group walked a figure wearing deep blue robes and carrying a ceremonial staff or spear. The translator eventually resolved the individual’s identity as **Ziyótl Toha’kai**, an Alejia envoy. The tone of the meeting was noticeably different from the previous day’s cautious observation. Gifts were presented first—bundles of preserved food, woven textiles, and crafted tools—followed by the beginning of a formal diplomatic exchange.
Dominicus and Freja managed most of the discussion while the rest of the team observed and recorded the encounter. Much of the conversation centered on identity: whether the travelers from the sky were merchants like the Free Captains who occasionally visited the region, representatives of the Niparoo–Marinagua Trading Company, or something entirely different. The translation of the term Imperial continued to cause uncertainty among the Alejia, whose language associated the concept with distant rulers rather than explorers.
Despite the confusion, the meeting remained respectful.
By midday the discussion concluded with an invitation.
Through the translator the meaning became clear: Dominicus and her escorts were invited to attend a formal meal later that afternoon with the leadership of the Xá’kai.
Dominicus and Freja reviewed the translation carefully before accepting.
Dominicus determined the diplomatic team as a balance diplomatic, technical, and security requirements. Chief Engineer Ramon Troulin will serve as second and executive officer for the contact team. Scout Recruit Feng Larsen will document the encounter and maintain our recording equipment. Scout Medic Ilse Corvan will monitor biological and medical considerations associated with first contact. Scout Gunner Tomas Kade will provide security for the team while also evaluating local infrastructure in his capacity as a trained civil engineer. Scout Apprentice Freja Gruber will pilot the cutter and assist with translator systems.
Senior Engineer Harlan Voss will remain aboard the cutter to maintain the vessel and oversee communications monitoring while the team conducts the meeting.
At approximately fifteen hundred local time, Ziyótl Toha’kai returned with a smaller escort party dressed in ceremonial attire. Dominicus prepared to depart with most of the crew while ensuring the cutter would remain operational in their absence. Freja Gruber, who had flown the descent from orbit, requested permission to accompany the delegation, explaining that as the cutter pilot she had already been visible during the landing and that her familiarity with the translator systems might prove useful during the meeting. Dominicus considered the request briefly before agreeing.
Senior Engineer Harlan Voss was instructed to remain aboard the cutter to maintain the vessel, monitor communications traffic, and keep the ship ready for immediate departure should circumstances change.
With that decision made, Dominicus organized the landing party into a formal diplomatic contact team consisting of Junior Administrator Silvia Dominicus as diplomatic team leader; Chief Engineer Ramon Troulin acting as second to Dominicus and executive officer for the expedition; Scout Recruit Feng Larsen assigned to record the encounter; Scout Medic Ilse Corvan responsible for medical oversight and biological observation; Scout Gunner Tomas Kade providing security while also contributing his civil engineering expertise; and Scout Apprentice Freja Gruber, the cutter pilot and enthusiastic participant in the first contact effort.
Under the escort of Ziyótl Toha’kai and the ceremonial Xá’kai delegation, the diplomatic party departed the landing field while Harlan Voss remained behind to watch over the cutter.
From orbit the ISS Harrier continued its silent observation of the unfolding encounter, recording what appeared to be the careful first steps of diplomacy between the Imperium and the people of Marinagua.
