Chapter 10: Encounter
Location: Murasia
Early morning…
The sound of thunder brought Tails out of his slumber, filling him with a growing sense of unease. Despite the storm having headed northward, the Fox cub's astrapophobia was in overdrive. Slipping out from his sleeping bag, the youngster exited the campsite and headed to the cliff edge.
"Get down!" a voice hissed.
Immediately dropping to the ground, Tails discovered Geoffrey hiding behind a nearby bush. With one hand, the Skunk pointed to his eyes and then pointed to the sky surrounding the mesa. Squinting, the Fox found that an aerial drone was silhouetted against the surrounding darkness.
"How long?" mouthed Tails.
The secret agent flashed ten fingers twice, meaning that the craft had been surveying them for at least twenty minutes. That came as a concern, as they had no way of knowing if the individuals watching them were friendly.
"Should I get Aunt Sally?"
The Skunk immediately nodded, prompting the young Fox to head back to the campsite and wake the others. Geoffrey continued to keep watch of the done, never removing his blue eyes off the craft. His ears caught two pairs of footsteps approaching from behind, no doubt belonged to the Princess and the hedgehog.
"What is it?" Sally asked.
"Surveillance craft," he whispered, "Noticed it twenty minutes ago. It circled around the mesa counter-clockwise then returned to this exact spot."
The chipmunk snapped open NICOLE's handheld, causing the holographic Lynx to manifest herself.
"NICOLE, are you detecting any lifeforms onboard?"
"Negative, Sally. But it does appear to be broadcasting on a broadband radiofrequency," the AI stated.
"Is that thing armed?" Sonic asked.
"One moment…It appears the vessel does contain some onboard weaponry, but it appears they've been stripped out for additional surveillance equipment."
"If its broadcasting, then there has to be someone around to receive it."
Stepping out from behind cover, Sally raised her hand above her head, much to the shock of Sonic and Geoffrey.
"My name is Sally Acorn, my father; King Maximillian of the Acorn Archipelago has sent us here as emissaries."
There was a prolonged silence, so long that despite NICOLE's assurances, Sonic and Geoffrey worried that it might just open fire on them.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness," a voice greeted, "I am Admiral Raymond Gaskaville of the Terran Republic Armed Forces."
The chipmunk was perturbed by the sudden greeting, causing her to glance in the direction of Sonic and Geoffrey. The two Mobians were just as concerned, not knowing what to make of the situation that was unfolding.
"If you'll remain where you are, I'll be there shortly to meet you in person."
"That would be most appreciated," she said.
No response emerged from the UAV, leading the Princess to believe that the connection had been terminated.
"We'd better inform the others of the impending arrival of our guests."
Location: The Daedalus
Five minutes later…
Admiral Gaskaville took a drag off his pipe, staring out across the unending landscape of lava and magma. He was an elderly-looking man, with a Hungarian moustache that dominated most of his face. He was dressed in a black military wear, while an ocular implant had replaced his left eye. Attached to the left-side of his head was an external neuralware drive, providing him with a constant stream of data. The bridge of the Sovereign-class battlecruiser was a hive of activity, with technicians scurrying around like rats. The vessel hadn't yet entered service, meaning that many of its systems remained untested.
"Admiral, I've got the Prime Minister on the line," reported the communication officer.
Having ascertained the intentions of the Mobians, he needed to inform the Republic's Head-of-State.
"Bring it up on screen," he ordered.
Projected on the window was the image of a younger man, with short red hair and blue eyes. Prime Minister Victor Carmichael appeared groggy and irritated, understandable, given the hour in which he was contacting him. The signal was being broadcasted from Elsecaro, a tourist city where he was recuperating following corrective surgery.
"Admiral Gaskaville, what to you have to report?" he inquired, unable to keep the irritation out of his voice.
"We've got a first contact situation. Representatives from the Acorn Archipelago have arrived here in Murasia."
"Have they made any mention as to what they want?"
"Only that they've been sent as emissaries. I intended to meet with them in person to ascertain that."
"Hmm…, bring them aboard the Daedalus and escort them to the Capitol," stated the Prime Minister.
"Shall I have communications contact you once that has been done?"
"Yes. I'd like to speak with the individual leading this diplomatic mission."
"Her name is Sally Acorn; a Princess dispatched by her Father."
"I see. Collect their personal information and I'll make the necessary arrangements."
"Understood, Sir."
The projected image immediately disappeared, leaving Admiral Gaskaville to focus on his new task.
"Helmsman, input coordinates and initiate tactical warp jump."
"Aye aye, Admiral."
There came a more discernible rumble from within the vessel, as the FTL Drives began to come to life. Nervousness gnawed away at him, with his concerns primarily being that with many the systems were still untested.
"ALL HANDS PREPARE FOR WARP JUMP IN FIFTEEN SECONDS," the helmsman announced.
The rumble steadily increased, and the helmsman again came over the communication system of the Battlecruiser.
"WARP JUMP COMMENCING IN FIVE…FOUR…THREE…TWO…ONE!"
A rift opened before the vessel, and it was drawn into the swirling tunnel of blue, white and purple light.