Despite the incident with the local hunters, there was not much discussion, or confrontation, for the rest of the day between the Humans and the natives outside. Mallory had recalled everyone back into the ship, and there was plenty for them to discuss and decide upon. Deliberations with the officers and on-board experts lasted for much of the rest of the day. 

[hr]

Overall, there was the feeling that tensions between the Ascendancy and Mythadian camps were coming to a head, though among the Human crew, there was still a desire to try to avoid a war breaking out on their proverbial doorstep. There had been multiple offers from both sides, and at least for the moment, Zey had not decided to take sides. Provided nothing happened to force their hand, they would likely accept Silbermine’s offer to negotiate terms in Keraknúr, just like they would accept an equivalent offer to negotiate with the Ascendancy. 

After what had happened between Nellara and Silbermine in the Ascendancy camp, Zey had ordered the creation of a sort of reception area right outside the ship, near the cargo bay. The idea of neutral territory could conceivably reduce the odds of conflict, though there were no guarantees. At the very least, having some “formal” area to meet with the natives on their own terms was something that could be useful. For now, they had only had time to set up a glorified campsite. They brought out a few spare chairs from inside, and a few empty crates for the larger aliens, and arranged them in a somewhat organized fashion. Over time, they could likely set up proper tents to create a more respectable encampment, but for now, anything they set up would probably just end up combusting. 

On her part, Kareet cared little for how presentable the Humans made their camp. Her own goals were far more pressing to her. She had been told that the Humans’ Captain had asked for someone in her crew to come to her to take her up on her offer. As such, she was up early, sitting on one of the crates in the encampment as she waited patiently for her volunteer to arrive. Others had made similar offers to her the previous day, like Kerchack, J’eon, and Shirik, and they too would find someone to meet with if they decided to make good on them. 

[hr]

From the Ascendancy’s side of the border, Nellara’s perimeter guard would be the ones to make contact with the Tekeri scouts from the allied force coming in from the southeast. For now, it was a smaller, advanced force that had reached them from ahead of the bulk of the forces from Lenkik. It was certainly good news that their reinforcements were starting to reach them, but the first words that the soldier who came running, out of breath, into Nellara’s tent had to say would certainly come as a shock by any measure. 

“Castigator, it’s…General Kvarr…almost here.”