NationStates Jolt Archive

An official Xanthalian diplomat stands waiting at the designated docking port on the YLX-01 facility in orbit of Mirfak III. The station is massive, spanning around eight billion cubic meters. It is one of two such stations operated by the Socialist Republic, and though it carries a Labule designation number it is a public facility, serving far more civilian purposes than military ones. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ships pass through here every day, and though the station has a resident population of under 1,000 sentients, it is rare for there to be fewer than ten times that many people aboard at any one time. The lower decks of the station serve the purposes of research and house military facilities, with crew and resident quarters just above. The main part of the station consists of internal drydocks and external docking ports to serve almost any vessel type imaginable from an ever-growing list of origins, with promenade and meeting areas at the core. The uppermost decks are where actual starbase operations are handled, with communications, security and control facilities, and the command center.

The look of the place is more or less as one would expect, with the main docking areas consisting of gates and open areas not unlike the classic airport facilities, if on a much grander scale. The actual technological sophistication of the base is deceptively low however, and perhaps the most impressive aspect of its design is its powerful shield array, which was bought from another nation. Aside from passive internal sensors and traditional guards, security is decidedly lax on the main, civilian decks, a risk taken to ease flow of the station's immense transient population in light of the base's largely neutral nature. It seems to be a well-calculated decision, because as of yet the crime rate on the two stations, staggeringly high instances of theft aside, is very low. The walls are colored in shades of metallic silver and brown, an aesthetically neutral stance that, if anything, makes the place look a bit more shoddy than it is. To the logical mind, it seems almost incredible how clean the station is kept considering the sheer volume of people that occupy it at all hours. Somehow, a combination of diligent maintenance crews and the police and military officers that seem to occupy almost every room and hall manage to keep conditions adequate to make a good impression of Xanthal for those who pass through it.

The diplomat waiting at the gate is a xanthalian, the second most prevalent species in the country, making up just over twenty percent of the total population. He is waiting to greet an exchange officer coming in from the Interstellar Realm of Hyperspatial Travel's Realm Fleet. The Socialist Republic has sent its own delegate to the Realm Fleet as well, as a part of a mutually agreed-upon switch to enhance the military and cultural understanding between the two nations. This exchange of volunteer officers of high repute and standing in both navies is one of two test cases, and if it is successful, it could be the start of a regular program. As the incoming ship's arrival is announced on the local P.A., the diplomat straightens and prepares to fulfill his part of the assignment.

Note: The xanthalian species is a product of old-Xanthalian genetic engineering facilitating interspecies breeding. The end result is more or less human, though notable differences include a tough subdermal skin layer, increased agility, lack of body hair (except for top of head), decreased average physical strength, slightly elevated and pointed ears, weakened senses of smell and taste, slightly increased vulnerability to biological and chemical agents, increased learning and mental processing abilities, and increased lifespans (about 200 Earth Years on average). Though the xanthalians were genetically engineered, when the old technology was lost those among them unable to breed died out and, over time, those remaining developed a uniform set of defining characteristics and became regarded as their own species.

Tyythk was excited. Having never been outside his own nation, he had been chosen for this proud duty, simply because his behaviour had always been exemplary officer, an excellent tactician, and an endearing diplomat. Of course, his combat prowess was not especially brilliant, but that was to be expected, as all Lythirians were somewhat pacifist.

He concentrated, and his misty body began congealing into a somewhat humanoid form, the blueish mist that made up his body turning a benign pink, and his optical receptors, which were all around his body, moving into the one point, as 'eyes'. He had found that members of humanoid races found him slightly disconcerting, so he constantly adapted his form, to one that was aesthetically pleasing to that particular race.

As he accessed the available knowledge about Xanthalians, his 'ears', or concentrated sonic receptors, began to have a slight point to them, and elevated themselves slightly. Although, to all people who saw him, his body would look normal, he was still a misty being, and gaseous, for the most part.

The hairs that he had taken painstaking care to create, vanished, and dissolved into more material for him to work with. He stood aboard the bridge of the small cruiser, looking for the most part Xanthalian. His hair was a lustrous black, and his skin a slightly olive colour, and he was, perhaps, slightly taller than the standard given for their species, gained by accessing [Path=ESUS:Xanthal:Species:Xanthalian] on the onboard AI.

He solidified his hands and feet, as he would need those to create the sounds and greet Xanthalians, as well as modifying his psychic presence, so he could alter the soundwaves he broadcasted. Of course, they would know he was a shapechanger, but at least they would be able to meet him as if he were one of them. This would probably go to furthering diplomatic relations somewhat, so he was prepared to shoulder the not-inconsiderable pain, and take that step.

The ship slid smoothly out of Truespace, and, for the most part, unnoticed, the AI began procedures to secure docking rights.

He folded more mist around him, creating clothes, although shoddy, as he had had little time, and hoped that he did not commit a fatal faux pas, such as that he had done last mission, in the very opening steps of the exchange..

The ship is guided in through the throngs of other vessels at and around the station to an external docking port by the starbase's automated traffic control system. The docking procedure is quick and simple, and within minutes the ship is secured and airlocks connected. As he waits for his guest to come aboard, the xanthalian exchanges a few words with a human in Labule uniform who happens to be passing by. They then bow and part as the human carries on. The diversity of Xanthal is almost legendary, and its list of native species is extensive to the point where "at least one of everything" has become the usual response to queries about its population. Indeed, the Xanthalian state, for all the changes it has gone through in its thousand years of existence, remains nearly blind to diversity.

Though some of the more exotic species have problems with design schemes tailored more towards serving humanoids, this has made little difference against the openness of the Xanthalian people. The station's crowded halls reflect this diversity and, to an extent, exaggerate it with the high volume of foreign citizens that pass through. The Socialist Republic has three primary resident species: humans, which make up 32% of the population, xanthalians, which compose 21%, and 17% than. The remaining 30% is made up of an almost-endless list of minority species.

Tyythk walked off the ship, as the hissing of the hydraulics in the ramp, a luxury from a bygone age, accompanied him. In a melodic voice, he spoke to the Xanthalian, who was there to meet him.

"Greetings. I am Tyythk, a Lythirian citizen of Hyperspatial Travel. I greet you in the name of peace, and hope that your life is happy and full."

His voice chimed throughout the station, making heads turn, as Lythirians had long been negotiators, and could easily alter the soundwaves emitting from their bodies, in order to please those with ears...

He seemingly drew a breath, but, as he did, tiny wisps of mist flew off him. He paused, and the mist congealed back into his body, and he continued speaking..

"Would you care to converse with me, as I am sure we have much to share, about both our illustrious nations..."

OOC: I need to know if Tyythk can understand Mirfakan, or if he has a translation device of some sort. If not, I'll be providing that.

IC: The Xanthalian bows cordially. "I am Jotaro Ozu. I have been sent to greet you and help you choose your assignment in the Labule." He motions forward. "I would be glad to speak with you and answer any questions you may have. Please, follow me." With that, the two merge into the station's hall traffic and begin moving through the docking areas, towards the center of the facility. They quickly leave the docks behind and enter the promenade section, passing retail shops and lounges of all different kinds. The sounds and smells are wide and varied, not to mention the visual parade of people and places. Though the scene is not out of the ordinary for a cultural center, it is impressive for a space station.

The two quickly arrive at a set of what look to be elevators, though they also provide limited horizontal transportation. Joining a group of five others in the midsized car, the doors close and they move off, the constant roar of the station's populace temporarily cut off as they travel in this metal box. A perseid and a tellarite standing behind the envoy and his escort strike up a conversation as they travel. They ride for almost a minute, then one occupant reaches their stop and exits, replaced by two more. Another ride, then Jotaro and Tyythk disembark. The design of the station is the same here, but the atmosphere is completely different. As the lift doors close behind them, there is almost complete silence, with only soft electrical hums from various pieces of equipment and muffled voices drifting down the hallways breaking the quiet. The masses of people are gone, and the docks and shops of the middle decks are nowhere to be found, replaced by evenly-spaced metallic sliding doors and small control panels on either side of the hall, interrupted only by the occasional intersecting hallway.

They pass only two people in the hundred meter walk from the elevator to one such hallway, then turn and quickly arrive at a set of doors, which Jotaro opens by pressing a button on the right hand side. They enter the room, which is a small conference area furnished by a central round table and a computer access and display terminal built into the wall on one side. This being an internal room, there are no windows, giving it a very claustrophobic feel when the doors close behind its two new occupants, sealing them into this 4x4x4 enclosure. The xanthalian chooses a seat near the computer display. "Please, sit or stand wherever you would like. Before I begin showing you your options, do you have any questions that you would like answered?"

OOC: He doesn't so much understand a language, as sweep general impressions of what people are saying out of their minds. Essentially a more specific empathy.

IC: "Please. Firstly, what precisely is the role of the Labule. I have not been privy to such information, as my government did not deem it needed. Secondly, does the equipment you use activate via a computer interface, joystick interface, or other? Thirdly, would it be possible for me to have a room prepared, with vapour-emitting devices in it? My people are notoriously weak to a lack of water, and we need to replenish our strength at least every week."

Tyythk inclined his head graciously, and waited for Jotaro to reply.

Jotaro considers the qustions briefly, then answers. "The Labule is the Socialist Republic's military, and all official space and planetary forces are under its jurisdiction. It is primarily a defensive force, with generally little in the departments of versatility and range. Our starships operate primarily by simple computer interfaces, along with your everyday buttons and switches. I am fairly sure that there is no room of the type you describe aboard any ship serving in the Labule, except perhaps the Alphashra, which is currently on a deep-space exploration assignment. However, I have confidence that we can arrange something temporary to accomodate your needs on whatever vessel you decide to serve on."

OOC: I am cancelling this RP due to inactivity.