[h2]Boarding Tunnel[/h2]

[quote=@Bingelly]
[b]Vitiafa of Endiohon[/b]

Raising the grate to the boarding tunnel, Vitiafa measured the group that met her and Iorosinn. She counted 12 guards, armed and ready and a particularly pathetic and ugly xeno on a mobility scooter as she stepped forward.

"Officer Larci is away with a pilot, they left not long ago to retrieve his shuttle," the priestess answered as she stepped out into the open. Her hands were raised, cautiously but clearly establishing her as non-threatening for the moment. "We can call try to reach her communications if that is needed, but the pair should return shortly.

Her eyes narrowed angerly at the amphibian she towered over, though her hands remained by her shoulders. "Do not presume our motivations, either, and I assure you that they are honest."

[/quote]
[quote=@El Gato Naranja]
[h3][b]Sarvenolos of the Third Fane of Tekumo[/b][/h3]
[hr]

...

“Oh, it’s you people again!” Sarve appeared seemingly out of nowhere from behind the group of armed guards, and Diavoldo. “I wondered whether you actually proceeded with your plan… well, it seems that you have actually gone ahead.” He slithered a little forward, casting a glance at the Gloriont. He even gave a wink, a little quirk he picked up from humans. “Please forgive the Gendari, he's displaying signs of senility and paranoia typical of advanced age. I mean, you did talk about getting the colony ship ready so that we can all proceed into it in an orderly manner, yes?”
[/quote]


There was an exchange of glances between the security officers.  The presence of a member of clergy made the people in the ship seem less likely to be armed thugs stealing the rescue craft, "Ma'am," the guard who seemed to be in charge's tone had shifted.  He seemed a lot less sure of what he was dealing with, "We'll wait to confirm with Larci, but assuming everything is in order, we'll be on our way."

Divaldo's eyes bulged in outrage.  He motioned at Vitiafa with budgey fingers, "Any [i]tralk[/i] can put on a fancy dress and pretend to be respectable!" he declared, "The snake assured me these were pirates, even if he is trying to ingratiate himself now."

The guard, however, ignored Divaldo.  He paused, then motioned to one of the others, responding to some unknown message that must have been broadcast across station security coms, "Rajani, take the lads and look into that.  I'll stay here with Aspen and Shamil.  See if we can't get this nonsense sorted out."

"Nonsense?!" Divaldo tried to puff himself up further, though it still failed to make the grey amphibian seem any more threatening, "I am the Overprelate of all Grendari and Keeper of the Sacred Flame!  My word carries the weight of mountains!  This is absolute, utter incompetence of galactic proportions! I shan’t stand for this!  No sir! Not while I still have air in my lungs..."

He didn't seem to be stopping any time soon.  The guards ignored him, for all intents and purposes acting like the Grendari didn't exist.  Apparently he'd done this before.

[hr]

[h2]Velia[/h2]

Meanwhile, in the shuttle hangar, Velia was leaning against a wall, playing with a loop of string strung between her fingers as John signed out the ship.  The sound of raised voices from the far side of the hangar had her look up from her game.

A group of people seemed to be trying to barge their way into the bay.  A member of station security physically pushed the leader back - a big looking man with a black beard.

"Hey John!" she called, "Looks like things are getting a bit heated over there," she paused, appreciating the accidental pun, "Want to get a shuffle on?" she suggested as she collapsed the cat's cradle, shoving the string back into her pocket.