"Why can't I have a real weapon?" Rosaria objected. She was a teenager but the petulance in her voice was vaguely reminiscent of a whining child half her age. The duchess wished she could have said she had never heard or seen an adult throw a tantrum over a perfectly reasonable decision; the truth was a great number of the aristocracy had honed their skills in being overtly upset into a fine art. Her recent promotion fortunately meant that noblemen and women would be more reluctant to show this side of themselves. The lower one was in the complex socio-political strata of the empire, the greater the chance of becoming the target of the frustrations of the a lord or lady, regardless of whether it was an irate tirade, chastisement, or unwarranted punishment. Such petty maneuvers of the court were distant enough that the diplomat found herself smiling at the similarity rather becoming annoyed herself.

"That weapon is real enough," Solae pointed out. She had secured one pistol (for lack of a better term) for herself and her younger counterpart. Unable to bring herself to carry a lethal firearm, hers and Rosaria's were loaded with exceedingly potent tranquilizers. In her heart of hearts she knew that Rene would be more comfortable with her being able to defend herself with more force. By her own admission she had nearly been dragged off by slavers once, almost been apprehended by Duke Tan's mercenaries on Zatis, and had to threaten a man that held her paramour captive. The need, coupled with recent training, was a perfect scenario for her to take the plunge, but it was a step she could not take. Merely thinking of having that sort of power under her fingertips made her queasy. She did not trust her judgment in life and death a fraction as much as she inherently trusted her fiance's.

"This is bullshit," Rosaria grumbled. Yarue and Dasin were visibly rankled at the criticism, which was veritable slander against their mistress, but the linguist put up a calming hand and smiled.

"Well then, you can spend some of your free time composing a thorough argument for why you have earned the right for a 'real weapon' as you put it. I'll accept it in either written or verbal format, and I will review it with Rene when it's completed," she said with a grin that made it clear she was enjoying this far too much. For someone as gifted with all the methods of communication it was a fun exercise to undertake. To a recently freed youth that had come to resent aspects of her formal education it was absolute torture. It was not an assignment without merit. Solae wanted Rosaria to explore her emotions, not dismiss them as Thorne had taught her, so long as she took the time to realize that not every feeling deserved action.

Honestly it was an unspoken agreement between the adults that Rosaria was not ready for a lethal weapon. Yarue and Dasin had the physical prowess to defend themselves. Something about them made Solae have unwavering faith that they were sufficiently responsible not to abuse the 'privilege' of being allowed in the firearms cache. None of the four could say the adolescent had yet earned their confidence she wouldn't be reckless, excitable, or panicked depending. Thorne had groomed her to take over a criminal enterprise. From what they had seen, however, she had no experience with the world outside her tutor. They were just acclimating her to the universe and encouraging empathy. Handing her a loaded plasma rifle could undo their progress and the Syshin were skeptical that she didn't have a ruthless streak underneath her trauma.

The wilderness posed a challenge to the crew of the Bonaventure unlike other planets. When they had touched down on an oceanic planet there was a sea separating the ship from its resident duo. On this deserted world there were forests, mountains, and other obstructions that could cause interference, without the benefit of the infrastructure they had found on Zatis or with the Kalderi that allowed quick, efficient contact with the vessel and its resident AI. Freak weather, unknown creatures, and towering constructs meant that it would be difficult to reach Mia unless they found a better connecting link.

With the assistance of Mia, Solae had repurposed some scrap pieces of technology to fabricate an improved relay. It must much less subtle than her regular communication devices, but wouldn't be as hindered by structures or hills, depending on how far they had to travel given that the two they were visiting could flee to remain hidden. A cord of metal and plastic curled over one ear and up onto her temple with synthesized silicone helping it stay in place. A small visor could be rotated up above her hairline or over her left eye if she decided that computer analysis was required. Fashionable socialites would be horrified at the sight of her. Caring nothing for aesthetics, and even less what her peers would think of her reliance on a machine, she had been excited about testing out how it would affect their exploration.

"Are you sure that is... safe?" Dasin inquired with what she knew to be a Syshin expression of concern on his features.

"I am ethically barred from assisting humans in manufacturing, using, or maintaining any item that could cause harm to another human unless in self defense," the AI interjected in a seductive purr over the speakers.

"That is her way of saying yes, it is safe. She can't give us absolutes, since mathematically there is always a minuscule probability that things could could awry, but it's statistically negligent. I'll be fine," Solae assured, putting her hand on Dasin's forearm with a friendly smile. He relaxed a little. When they had first met neither Syshin welcomed contact of any sort. Within a week they had started to warm to Solae in particular, who used it as a way to express affection, or convey a positive message when words were insufficient.

"If you would lead the way, kind sir," she added, looking to Rene. It was safer for him to "run point" but she played it off with some humor so as not to alarm her companions. Their theory that the two they were seeking were lovers was still in the front of her mind, but the closer they got to them the more apprehensive she was that they had misjudged the circumstances completely.