Anger flashed across Itxaro’s face when another communication came in, this time from Mallory, and she felt a familiar temper flare in her belly. [i]So excited to show their force. As if that will help.[/i] She wasn’t eager for another standoff. 

[color=fff200]“One second, sorry,”[/color] Itxaro said apologetically, almost sweetly to Gar’Tan and the others before stepping away, as if that would sever the mind link they shared. [color=fff200]“Mallory, listen,”[/color] Itxaro began into her comm link, [color=fff200]“We are all playing nice here, but it is a very precarious situation. If you come out here waving your fucking guns around, it will [i]not[/i] end well. Meet us out here if you want, but for our sake, leave the goddamn goon squad behind.”[/color] Itxaro looked pleadingly to Vigdis, hoping the engineer would back her up on this, but she had a feeling she’d have to stand alone here. To turn away now that they’d just established communications, and instead put guns on them, would be the diplomatic equivalent of a middle finger. She idly wondered where the commander was. [I]At least [/i]she[i] knows not bringing a gun to the negotiating table. I think. Why isn’t she out here?[/i]

Itxaro turned back to the alien visitors, her skin visibly flushed. [color=fff200]“Sorry, sorry. Everyone is very excited to meet you. Where were we?”[/color]