[right][sub][i][Starring: Kayla][/i][/sub][/right]
[right][sub][i](Addressing: [@Crusader Lord])[/i][/sub][/right]

Kayla laughs out loud. "Of course, of course I'd be glad to see your vessel!," she sends back. She's already imagining it like the parties of politics back home- food, social puffery, alliances and betrayals, holograms...

Oh, no, these people probably don't have holograms, do they?

"I'll bring some holograms!" the Oligarch adds on. She's been looking for an opportunity to mess with the new micro-projectors. The ECU has been trying to perfect miniature projectors for years, sneaky little devices that allow holograms to be projected outside of Suites. They've seen some success back on New Hollywood- she hears they even wow'd some foreign whoevers from some place called Salome- but never before have they been used in the way Kayla now intends to use them.

Before waiting for a reply, she slips back into the engineering subsection of her cruiser and hunts down a micro-projector. There's only one on board, but she's sure nobody will notice it's gone. Then, back in the Captain's Quarters that aren't [i]technically [/i]hers (but nobody was willing to argue about), she sews it right into the fabric of her dress. It's only a few centimeters wide- a little metallic circle- and it fits perfectly into the shoulder area. Okay, okay, it's a little bit of an awkward bump, but it won't matter. When she presses it like this...

The micro-projector lights up, an odd blue aura glowing from her left shoulder. "Hologram: dog!" the Oligarch happily commands, and lo and behold, an adorable little dalmatian puppy is suddenly at her feet.

It works! Oh, wait til the Zetans see this one!

[center][b]~~~~~~~~[/b][/center]
[right][sub][i][Starring: Tanaka][/i][/sub][/right]
[right][sub][i](Addressing: [@Taeryn])[/i][/sub][/right]

The ECU Embassy is a busy, busy place tonight. 

First of all, the recent declaration of a blockade has sent the staff into a position of heightened security. In these early days of Human Reunification, the term that the Noocracy is now officially using, nobody can yet be sure who to trust. The Undefeated, perhaps, but even then only perhaps. So, for all that the New Hollywoodites value presentation, measures are being taken. Discreet scanners and locked sidearms hide behind curtains. A silent alarm system is rigged to go. And, of course, the newly (roughly) programmed holo-protectors are only ever as far away someone shouting "Hologram: protectors!"

It's still not all enough to make the Liaison feel prepared. Since being stationed here, Tanaka has felt more vulnerable than he ever has in his life. Maybe it's just being so close to enemies- how far away are the Zetans right now?- but he's nervous. Even the usual holo-programs haven't calmed his nerves. So instead, for the first time in his life, Tanaka is using work to relax. How strange.

"[i]I am Ambassador Katrina Gupta, Appointed representative of the Federal People's Republics of Auriga...[/i]"

He's been analyzing this message for half an hour. For all that Tanaka suspects people don't think he's the brightest Oligarch in the Oligarchy, he understands language. Not in the head sense, but the ear sense. He can hear the flow and rhythm instinctively. This Liaison couldn't tell you what an adjective is with a plasma pistol to his head, but yet...

"[i]...to those who have come together in this Meeting Place around our shared place of origin, and to any and all beyond.[/i]"

Any and all beyond? Do they only mean human colonies who haven't come to the Meeting Place? Or does this message of love include even aliens? Tanaka's gut tells him it's the first one, but his brain worries it's the second.

"[i]On behalf of the proud and free workers of Auriga we welcome all who would greet us in peace and friendship to share in the fruits of our labour and the infinite possibilities that lay ahead of us all now we are once again free to traverse the stars as true brothers, sisters and others of humanity.[/i]"

That's a little more comforting- [i]humanity[/i]. They don't sound to have forgotten it, the way some have. But what's this about shared labor, free workers? There are some Oligarchs who won't like that talk. Tanaka prepares to mention it in his report to Heralds.

"[i]On Behalf of all of Auriga, I wish you all the heights of joy, through all misfortunes.[/i]"

A diplomatic closer. But one that hints, even if it's only a hint, that they've gone through some misfortunes themselves. Enough that it came to mind for their initial greeting to the galaxy. Alright.

Tanaka decides that's enough study. For all his nerves lately, he's still the explorer at heart; he wants to see these people. It's a bit of a walk across the large station, but when the Liaison at last reaches Auriga's new office, he's glad to be requesting entry himself. They have a lot to talk about.