[color=slategray]Terra Supremus
[i][url=https://imgc.artprintimages.com/img/print/grand-ole-bestiary-mario-gorillini_u-l-q1atz0r0.jpg?artWidth=300&artHeight=300][color=slategray]A Gorilla Yankee in the Herald's Court[/color][/url][/i][/color][hr]The day finally came. After incredibly fast refits, reverse-engineering, staff training and other whatchamacallit procedures that went over his head, the [i]Terra Supremus[/i] was above New Gift once more. The act of flying was normally feared among apes, rising from the ground without their firm grip on anything rooted to said ground was an innate fear. The main reason why any of the ape flying machines, such as the Legion ones he could see circling the former colony ship, were drones controlled by a remote pilot. Frankly, the act of rising from the ground as they had in this rumbling, grand ship felt exhilarating to this old gorilla. He bared his teeth at the sight of New Gift down below, the light and dark of the two halves of Munus in perfect contrast. He felt appeased at the sight which gave old eyes a new meaning for beautiful. 

The conflicts which dot the supercontinent seemed insignificant from here. The politicking and the trade wars, the raiding and the constant harassment of native beasts. It felt so far away from him. He zoned in on the harsh, dark greens of the equatorial jungles, cutting the continent in half from east to west. Grey orbs hardened and a smile turned into a frown. Waste of space. Damned imperialist scum. Flashes of bright lights, crimson splattering on dark green, good apes torn to shreds. That horrible munching sound which he could still hear in the far distance, even from here. His mood darkened as forgotten memories came to.

His brooding would be interrupted with a light cough, given by a smiling young orangutan who looked far too old for his age. The old gorilla pointed his gaze downwards, bowing his head in submission.

[color=cd5c5c]"Forgive me for interrupting an old ape reminiscing of his branches colonel, but I did call a meeting of the representatives two minutes ago."[/color] The light, soft voice was mismatched with the wrinkled face that accompanied it. Such was the fate of many Khans and their imminent heirs. He cleared his throat, marveling slightly at the rich cloths and silks adorning his old subordinate.

"You can't call me colonel no more Temujin, I was discharged from the Auxiliary Corps years ago. Believe it was 'cause I let an unexpected troublemaker under my command. Ya don't need to come meander all this way for a disgraced legionnaire like me. Anyways, I'm only a sergeant now." He said humbly, eyes subtly tracing the burn patches and scars which marked the imminent heir's fur. To young, hotblooded apes of the latest generation, such things were attractive and used to woo females. Often leading to wild romping and tussling. To him, it was a sign of his greatest failure and deepest regret.

A light laugh interrupted his brooding contemplation. He risked a glance at Temujin's eyes, seeing mirth and an undeserved twinkle. [color=cd5c5c]"It sounds like we remember things differently, [i]Sergeant[/i] William."[/color] The orangutan grinned widely, flicking his eyes downwards in a small gesture of appeasement. Or was it submission? No, that couldn't be it. He was only the guest security, not anywhere close to a state representative. Imminent heirs did not hold any official position within the Khanate. But one needed to be monkey-brained to not realise the importance of submitting to the next [i]Khan[/i] of all things.

The ornately robed heir started knuckle-walking closer to him, faster than that waddle apes on two feet had. A combat stance, reminding William of old times. They were one arm span apart once the heir started talking. [color=cd5c5c]"I believe that you were discharged without precedent or proper procedure, and that the Khan himself, my father, came to address the issue. As Supreme Commander of the Legion, which includes the Corps, this was an unusual case for him to address. But for your incredible acts of heroism and for saving [i]me[/i]-"[/color] The voice paused a beat, letting that sink in. [color=cd5c5c]"-he wished for you to return as colonel and rewarded a Medal of Supreme Inheritance. But instead, you politely declined the most powerful ape on New Gift in front of the Senate, wishing to join the military in your old frontier city-state. The Khan can accept defeat but he does not forget. You declined every attempt to promote you or fast track you to officer school. Instead, you were committed to staying in the lower NCO ranks. The Khan cannot keep an insult like that to continue."[/color]

The large drum in his ear stopped for a second. William felt his palms and feet sweat glands release droplets like rain, the nerves rolling off of him. "I didn't mean to commit any treason Temujin, I just didn't feel-"

[color=cd5c5c]"-worthy?"[/color] A simian hand, orange fur tipped with albino white, gripped the disgraced officer's soldier firmly. [color=cd5c5c]"Well, you better prove your worth now. In the power vested in me as Herald of the Khan, I reinstate you as Colonel William Travis IV, Legionnaire. Furthermore, I promote you to head of my personal guard for this expedition. You proved yourself by coming here, after declining the most powerful ape in the Khanate several times. You proved yourself worthy on the frontier. You proved yourself worthy in that jungle, Legionnaire. You proved that to every monkey that got out alive that day, including a young foolish youngling with father issues. You are worthy, William, you merely need to believe in it. I trust you. The [i]Khan[/i] trusts you. You need to trust yourself."[/color]

There it was. That Earth-damned ability to move even the stiffest of mountains. Damn Khans and their progeny, too good for the lot of them. William could only nod numbly. He knew this was a trap somehow. He had spent years on the frontier as an underpaid, overworked sergeant before this golden opportunity came. This Earth expedition could bring his name to the history books once more, like his predecessors had tried before him, if only in small mentions. Every name in this ship would be written down for this culturally significant occasion. Work as a minor guest security guard, get the name Travis spoken again. Not many apes thought his genetic ancestor was significant enough. But instead, he was dumped with responsibility and a personal speech from the imminent heir and Herald. An old friend.

It was almost enough to make his slumped shoulders stand a little straighter. William nodded, gently removing the heir's good hand down and fixing his bespoke dark suit. "Lead the way, herald."[hr][color=slategray][b][@everyone][/b]
Through the Gateway, to Earth[/color]
[url= https://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/ZZ08E5EBFD.jpg][color=slategray]The Clergy's Guide to the Galaxy[/color][/url][hr]Excitement grew in waves as the announcement. She felt it in the air, the chitter chatter of excited apes down below. That of security guards, workers, minor state representatives, historians and scientists. But here, among representatives of the most important figures of the Khanate, silence reigned. Personal guards and Legionnaires were rigid, alert. Attendees and servers have long left this space above the bridge, leaving these powerful apes to think silently among themselves. The holographic projection of the Terra Supremus' looked grim, with a floating image of the [i]thing[/i] next to him. The newly-appointed and unknown head of the Herald's personal guard furrowed his eyebrows and grunted. She dismissed him at first, only seeing an old gorilla with greying fur and bent back. She had second thoughts when she saw how much his presence fit among these strong leaders. Unlike her.

"This right here poses a damn security problem. So many unknowns." The old ape grumbled out, reminding her of John and his own grumblings. A light, almost angelic giggle carried itself from the most powerful simian in the room. The Herald was unlike any authority figure she had seen before. Her life had been sheltered and unlike many here, her only encounters with the outside world was textbooks. The imminent heir to the Khan had been enjoyable and light to be around, much unlike his somber brother. He seemed to carry a heavy weight on his shoulders but fought on with mirth and happiness. He seemed to avoid her though, but that was to be expected. Suspicion was evident in everyone's eyes as they passed over her.

The Herald bared his teeth at the old gorilla, twinkle in one of his scarred eyes. [color=cd5c5c]"You think so? Always acting like the largest seed in the fruit, bringing everything down. Ya old ape."[/color] The familiarity between the two did not surprise her. She did expect that from the air around them. But the gorilla's sputtering and protests were so comical she almost had to suppress a giggle of her own. She could NOT afford to embarrass herself among the powerful like this. John trusted her with this.

A soft clearing of the throat brought the attention of the room to the wildly dressed ape next to her. A Freeman Republican, dressed in that seemingly uncomfortable, apparently itchy clothing and wig of theirs. The chimpanzee brought his handkerchief down, folding it neatly into a breast pocket. A Descartes something or other, young like her. "Perhaps we should think about [i]who[/i] these beings are and [i]why[/i] they are here. The what has already been established by good Captain Nelson here. By his analysis, we've stumbled upon some sort of space station, correct sir?"

The military man in naval regalia tugged at his collar before replying. "Initial scans have indicated that this is an artificial, hollow orbital object over the remains of Earth. We cannot identify some of the materials used and designs do not match completely with known architecture. But erm, according to some of the historians on board, there are indications of [i]human[/i] influence within the structure. Our analysts and cultural experts agree with the idea that this is an amalgamation of different human colony structures."

The immediate silence was thick and awkward. Her own eyes widened. Living spirits, here? The Freeman shuffled uncomfortably in his seat before cutting through the tension. "Well, that is unexpected."

A snort. [color=cd5c5c]"Indeed. Who knew the humans had it in them to come together again? Look at what happened to Earth."[/color] She almost risked sending a glare at that statement. Humans have died in droves on that planet. Those poor spirits on that dust-ball, yearning to be freed. She wondered if she could go there and relieve her guilt.

"I agree, they went tits up on that planet. My ancestor tried to warn them." The Conservationist gorilla, jungle green clothing and goggles. They always somehow had some sort of mud on them somehow, even travelling through space.

"Have we dispatched any drones in a screen yet?" Another voice. A chimpanzee in a old Roman-style tunic and toga. The Polity representative, she noted. There were more 4 different representatives here, only one of whom did not come from a Greater State. A variety of factors had brought each of them in this room with the Herald. The Polity was the most powerful city state in Tellus and those frontier states stuck close in the Senate.

The young Freeman coughed politely again. Was he sick? "Perhaps we should avoid being so brash."

A derisive snort came from the only other lady ape there. "The philosophers being scared? Hardly the first time."

The toga-wearer snarled. Bad blood there, the Conservationists had long since taken the spot of the Polity among the Greater States. He bared his fangs. "It is called a precaution, you uneducated tree-loving philistine. Your band of barbarians should learn the concept, they might be useful in keeping firearms pointed away from you."

The conservationist narrowed her eyes.

"Minor." 

"Tree-hugger."

"We were evolved to climb trees you fool!"

"And we were enhanced to be better, you devolved ingrate!"

"Why I oughta gouge your eyes, [i]troglo[/i]-" *BANG*

The long table rose and tilted to one end, everyone jumping back in a fright. The now malformed and crumpled furniture slammed back into the ground with a thud. The old ape stood with his chest puffed, nostrils flared. Tall, ferocious. Threatening. He beat his chest so hard that she swore she heard some clothes rip. The thumping rang through the room, fear crawling into her spine. They were learned apes but sometimes, she wondered why some spirits were left behind when the [i]Supremus[/i] clung to old innate fears. Guilt fought with fear as her thoughts rushed through her head.

"We're on the edge of something big here, you baboons!" The booming voice cut through the silence. "I can't stand watching you monkeys squabble in front of the imminent heir to the Khan himself. Keep your rivalries to yourselves and let the adults talk." The arguing pair from before bowed, the toga-wearer more so than the female. The old gorilla crashed back down to a knuckle-walk stance, glaring around the table. A frightening capable ape.

The Herald however only frowned, lounging in his chair as he gazed on the ruined table. [color=cd5c5c]"That was vintage, you know colonel? Real original Human-made steel, not forged by an ape."[/color] A long sigh escaped the young orangutan, seemingly unbothered by the other things going on in the room. What an infallible young man. He gazed back at the hologram of the space station, finger scratching his hairy chin.

[color=cd5c5c]"I think we should contact them."[/color] And that was it. One sentence ended the discussion. She saw his gaze land on her. 

[color=cd5c5c]"How do you think we should handle this, Priestess Joan? The Church must have sent you here to advise me somehow."[/color] She felt every eye on her now but none felt as powerful as [i]his[/i]. One wrong word and she could be packed out of here. Joan decided to clench her fists and look the herald in his inquisitive eyes. Fight fire with fire. The orangutan just smiled.

"T-This one believes we should open negotiations, no matter who these travelers are. Humans or not, this one believes that it is better to start with talking, as the good spirits would have done. Humanity's legacy should not be of war but of peace." Joan gained enough confidence in her short speech to add a final part. "But we should be careful, lest they be opportunistic people."

The herald hummed. Those eyes were much too old now, wizened and calculating. It forced Joan to put her gaze down but not before she caught a smile come up and disappear. [color=cd5c5c]"I think the good Sister is correct, is she not? The Church truly brings out the wise."[/color] He pierced each representative with a striking gaze, waiting for them to nod. She saw each of them flicking their eyes at her as they do so. She cursed in her head. She did not agree to the trip for politicking. She thought this would be a mere pilgrimage to Earth! 

The eccentric ape clapped, a full blown grin on his face. [color=cd5c5c]"Well then, since I doubt my father has died in the short time we have been travelling, I do not have the political power to deal with foreign affairs. Even if I am herald, I was only named so as a title, not an official political position. We did not expect the dead to come back to life after all!"[/color] He winked at Joan then raised a finger to the captain.

[color=cd5c5c]"Captain, I want you to send our first contact package in Esperanto first, as it is our main official language. Use our historical linguists to translate the package into old Earth English, Mandarin and Spanish and send a package again afterwards in that order. If I remember history correct, those were the most widely spoken even among our own caretakers. Send a message as well, asking for an invitation to their ugly station."[/color] A pause. [color=cd5c5c]"Actually, I will write it myself."[/color]

Surprised "o's" formed on every ape's face in the room. "You are inviting yourself to the station sir?"

A wave of dismissal. [color=cd5c5c]"Have our decontamination procedures used. We already had them prepared for the representatives, researchers, archaeologists, historians and guards arriving from a dead Earth. Do not worry, I am not overstepping my political boundaries. I promise to not make any official deals yet, not until I have word from the Khan. I just wish for the Supremus' first step into galactic communication to be more natural. Colonel Travis, have all security forces and cultural experts practice marching down the long hall, through the jungle. We need our best examples of human culture, we are their inheritors after all."[/color]

The old gorilla looked incredulous at the demands, as did the rest of the room. Joan raised a hand and gained the herald's attention. As well as the entire room. Foolishly attracting more attention to herself, she would later realise. "This one asks what you plan on doing, Herald Temujin?"

[color=cd5c5c]"A parade performance Joan! Showing the Supremus' best culture and fiercest soldiers. I think we should curate the performance a bit, we can't possibly fit every representative, expert and guard. Colonel, I've changed my mind, only the most important will perform. Extend one hand and keep a knife in the other, is that not what you meant Joan?"[/color] He cut off her protest with a wink. [color=cd5c5c]"Thank you for your suggestion Priestess."[/color]

Joan felt a few glares thrown at her. She shrunk in on herself.

[hider=Codex: First Contact Package]
[color=slategray]As humanity's supposed legacy in the stars, a first contact package was made by the caretakers as a final gift. Within it contains simple images of the three Supremus species, a basic overview of their biology, examples of Esperanto text and alphabet as well as a series of equations indicating the ability for complex calculus. Two additions have been made from the original. Ramanujan, after solving Fermat's Last Theorem, much to the disgruntlement of Fermat the orangutan, added his own [url=https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/media/math/render/svg/49a59057b013e0f53abf350f5db0a6d7917eba56][color=slategray]formula for the infinite series of π[/color][/url] as a part of sharing his inherited legacy. Beethoven III insisted upon Für Elise to be included as audio playing over the entire package. Möngke, the current Khan at the time, agreed to have it on, to the disgruntlement of other great musicians.

Also included is a message, addressed by the Herald of the Khan to the Meeting Place, shown with the Khan's banner:
[code]Greetings fellow descendants of Earth! 

We are the Supremus, a group of three simian species uplifted to sentience. You may have referred to us as chimpanzee, orangutan and gorilla. I insist that this is not a joke nor a retelling of certain human movies. A handful of talented, intelligent individuals made the decision that, if humanity was to perish, there would be other species' to continue your legacy. We are your inheritors and we welcome you as a familiar descendant of once-green Earth. 

I, Temujin II, ask for invitation upon your mighty station. There I will explain more in depth the working of our government and the history of our people. Although I and the Supremus aboard our ship are not vested with power for official negotiation, I will make it worth it. And at the end of our visit, when I will unfortunately have to leave your station to inform my nation, we will host a grand performance in our docking bay, for all those interested. A celebratory start to a new friendship between your peoples and the simians of the Khanate.

Temujin II, son of the Khublai Khan, Herald of the Khanate, descendant of Yesugei I[/code][/color][/hider]