Once again, I don't own any of the characters. Hope you enjoy. Remember please tell me anything you'd like to see happen in this story, there's no real set plan as yet, I'm interested to see where this story goes. Please enjoy
Chapter 2
The H.M.S.S. Wellington was in the midst of a panic, Coms officers were scrabbling across the bridge as officers and men bawled orders and threatened dire consequences. The Asari and Turian Ambassadors who had decided to remain on board for the voyage to the citadel hurried into the bridge, "What's happening commander?" asked the concerned Asari, her voice firm but her tight posture betraying her concern. "If there's an emergency, why are there no sirens or alarms?" growl The Turian, "My men are still in the hold! You'd better not be thinking of abandoning them!" Commander Munro sighed, "This isn't an emergency that concerns you ambassadors." He glowered, emphasising their title meaningfully. "There is no danger to any alien aboard this vessel. Though the same could not be said for our coms officers if they don't repair our links with Ministry signals." Declared the clearly agitated Munro, glaring at the offending officers in question.
"Why?' asked the now curious Asari, "We've made it clear you're under our protection. I hope you are not considering us dishonest."
Munro waved his hand, "No your exllency," he stated, obviously struggling to keep in control. "But we are waiting for an important vid from earth and if we can't get it, the crew will be very pissed off, with a very capital "P"". "What in the galaxy are you expecting?" inquired a now very curious Elina.
"Munro paused and turned to the Turian ambassador. "Mr. Ambassador," he said gravely, "I know Turians and Humans have got off to a rough start but may I ask you a question?" Sartatian huffed but nodded, his curiosity also peaked by the humans' odd behaviour. "Your race is very militaristic, much like ours." Stated Munro, "What do Turians usually do to unwind?" both Elina and Sartatian blinked, this was not a question they'd been expecting. Sartatian coughed and looked at the strange human commander. "We Turians have different leisure activities, sparring, watching competitive sports…" "That's all I need!" interrupted Munro bluntly, "You guys watch sports. How would a Turian crew react if the biggest game of the decade was been broadcast live and they missed it while they were off duty?" Sartatian was flummoxed, "They'd be disappointed human, nothing more!" he stated firmly linking his talons behind his back. "What is it you're trying to watch?" as Elina, "I'm interested to see what has your crew in such a state." Munro stared at her then shrugged, "The Rugby galactic cup." He sighed. "The what cup?" asked a puzzled Turian and Asari.
At that precise moment there was a shower of sparks and a loud bang on the other side of the bridge. "I got the bugger sir!" came an elated voice from where the sparks had come. The bridge crew gave a small cheer, almost drowned by the sound of elation roaring through the whole vessel. Elina and Sartatian stared at each other in bemusement as the deck shook slightly beneath their feet. Munro turned to face them again as vid screens began popping up on everyone's omni tools. "It's a vital competitive game," he stated simply, "Especially for those of us from New Zealand. It's the cup final, All Blacks vs Albion 5." The two aliens merely shook their heads. "My men would never be interested a human game," muttered Sartatian, turning on his heel and heading for the lift down to the cargo hold. Munro chuckled and turned to Elina, "And how about you ambassador, would you be interested?" Elina nodded graciously and stepped forward to view the vid screen, curious about what was the cause of all the excitement. She stopped and raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh at what she saw. Sartatian had just stepped out of the lift to come face to face with a hold full of Turian Prisoners, caught in the act of attempting to replicate a haka being taught to them by their guards while the opening moments of the match played out on the wall behind them.
In the days that followed the rugby incident, the once surly Turian prisoners of war had started to get on with their human hosts. The humans for their part were steadily beginning to relax around their once former enemies, some even going so far as to start having communal meals and giving interested Turians a tours of the open parts of the ship. Due to the short nature of the Contact War (as it was now being called)
There had been few casualties on either side, resulting in friendships forming much quicker than would otherwise have been the case. Sartatian however, was still attempting to be outraged at the Turians' attempt to replicate a pathetic human custom. What he didn't know, was that Munro and Elina both knew he'd watched the game in his cabin and had even clapped at the All Black's win.
One day while walking to the Officers mess for dinner, Elina encountered another strange aspect of these decidedly unique humans. She was just passing an open bulkhead when she heard raised voices, "Oh shove it Doc! You're just quack jafa Lawson" exclaimed an exasperated crewman as he stormed from the room almost colliding with the surprised Asari. The Man paled and apologised to a startled Elina before dashing down the passage and out of sight. Elina frowned, thinking her translator might have glitched as she continued to the wardroom. Later, after the excellent dinner had been cleared away (Elina had quite enjoyed the English beef followed be that strange dessert, what had Munro called it again? Pavlova?) She turned to the Human commander, "I heard a strange human word today commander, and I was wondering if you could tell me what it means." Munro sat next to her and gestured for her to continue. "A crewman called one of your medical staff a quack and a jafa, what do those words mean?" Munro stiffened as she spoke, and Sartatian, who'd been pretending to ignore the pair, leant forward slightly. Munro smiled grimly and toyed with his wine glass for a few minutes before speaking. "A quack is a doctor who is not popular with the men, and a jafa stands for Just Another Freaking Australian" he murmured.
Elina looked puzzled, Sartatian frowned, "But I thought your two colonies..." Sartatian paused, "My apologies… countries, were side by side and united through your commonwealth." "That we are," nodded Munro, "But that doesn't mean we like each other. Especially since Australia tried to buy New Zealand in 2028."
A few days later the two Ambassador were called to the bridge. Munro informed them that they'd soon be approaching the citadel. Elina noticed a human reporter from the B.G.B.C. standing behind them, camera pointed out the bridge window to capture the moment. She smiled as she saw Munro fiddling with his cufflinks, a habit she'd noticed he assumed when nervous. While these Humans were certainly strange, and had the same life spans as Turians, she saw great potential in them. Munro in particular fascinated her. While he was obviously a very senior officer he also had an easy attitude which endeared him to his men. He could command like a Turian but could also discuss art and human literature like an artist. Elina nodded to herself. Yes, these humans may find a place within the citadel.
As the Wellington speed through the clouds of gas surrounding the space station Munro felt decidedly nervous. This was the moment that most humans had been dreaming of for almost a century, and here he was, about to meet a highly advanced galaxy of unknowns.
Finally6 the clouds parted and the activity within the bridge paused as every human stared at the huge majestic structure before them. Elina directed the destroyer to land at a high security docking bay near the central spire at the centre of the space station, a place she called The Presidium. By the time the ship had actually docked, a huge crowd had already gathered, held back a barricade and a mass of blue armoured Turians. Munro also noticed a large number of cameras, or what seemed to be cameras, pointed at the ship. Munro made his way to the main docking ramp. At his suggestion and Sartatian's insistence, the Turian troops had been given back their weapons (Unloaded) as well as their regimental banners and were drawn up in parade formation, ready to be the first ones out. Sartatian turned to Munro as he surveyed his troops. "I appreciate you giving them back their weapons and letting them leave with pride commander," he murmured softly. Munro nodded and smiled as the hatch opened, the Turians marching out in perfect lines.
Once the Turians were gone, The Wellington's Marines drew up in ceremonial khaki armour, their felt lemon squeezer hats all straightened perfectly. As they marched down the ramp, Munro could hear the gasps of the crowd outside. He smiled at Elina and Sartatian, who to his surprise smiled back, and stood in front of the ship's crew. He nodded to his men, and marched down the ramp to face the galaxy
