As Bronya stepped off the wooden starskiff onto the hangar deck of the Wavetamer, a wave of relief washed over her worry-worn body. Despite knowing that starskiffs were time-tested, with a design that predated Belobog's Eternal Freeze, and having heard Luka's assurances of their safety, she still couldn't shake an inexplicable unease about flying around space in a ship made of wood. Her times going with the Nameless up to the Astral Express had been far more nerve-wracking at first, but they used ships made of metal and advanced technology.
As the ship settled to a halt, Li Sushang rose swiftly to her feet. With purposeful, practiced motions, she strode to the hatch, inputting the correct sequence to open it. She then turned to face Bronya, extending a welcoming hand. The "girl" - though Bronya felt a twinge of uncertainty at labeling someone who, despite their outward appearance, was clearly decades her senior - was clad in a striking garment of yellow, white, and brown. The vibrant hues were in a flowing, intricate pattern, reminiscent more of a performer's garb than the practical attire of a soldier. The outfit's ostentatious nature seemed at perfectly in tune with Sushang, just not the role Bronya expected of her escort.
"Careful with the disembarking," the Xianzhou sergeant said with a warm, knowing smile. "Most folk who don't grow up with starskiffs often misjudge where to put their feet when exiting. Takes some practice, it does. Luka here is a prime example." She gestured to the young man who had ridden up with Bronya. "When we invited him out for a bite to eat, he-"
"Oi Sushang, I thought we weren't going to discuss that!" Luka exclaimed, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "Besides, why by the Builder's Blessed Breeches would anyone design the docks for these contraptions with even a slight gap? It's practically inviting disaster!"
Smirking mischievously at Luka's flustered expression, Pela leaned in closer to Sushang, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Come on, Sushang, you have to tell me about this little incident. Luka's always going on about how perceptive he is, how he 'is always aware of his surroundings', and all that." She air-quoted the last part, rolling her eyes playfully. "So I'm dying to know what happened that got him all embarrassed and flustered."
"Pela..." Luka sighed wearily, the boy rubbing his red hair with his regular hand as the two young women giggled merrily at his blushing embarrassment.
Gazing at the trio with a twinge of envy as they laughed and talked with such ease, Bronya dutifully rose from her seat. She ambled towards the starskiff's exit hatch where Sushang's outstretched hand awaited, ready to assist her disembarkation. Accepting her hand thankfully, Bronya navigated the somewhat difficult task of exiting the ship, stepping carefully to maintain her balance and not becoming stuck in the gap between ship and platform. Once safely on solid ground, she straightened up and turned her gaze back towards the hanger they had landed in, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings with a combination of curiosity and apprehension.
Inside the cavernous hangar bay, a stark contrast awaited the visitors. Opposed to the wooden frame and body of the starskiffs that lined the walls, the hanger's interior was a modern marvel of sleek metal alloys and reinforced polymers. To Bronya, who had only known the comforts of the Astral Express, this cold, utilitarian space seemed harsh and unwelcoming. The absence of the warm, handcrafted details she had as a frame of reference made the hangar feel sterile and impersonal. It was a space designed for efficiency, not luxury or passenger comfort.
... This... Is a warship of the Xianzhou... Bronya reminded herself, as she made her way down the platform with a determined stride. Her eyes scanned the busy hangar, taking in the sights of technicians hustling forward the recently docked starskiff. She watched intently as one group of mechanics began examining the jade wheel engine, their tools glinting under the bright hangar lights. Meanwhile, another team entered the vessel itself, disappearing into its cramped interior to conduct their thorough inspection. As Bronya approached the far end of the hangar, her gaze landed upon a peculiar sight - a large vat filled with a murky, greenish solution was being slowly lowered from an overhead crane. Hoses with spray nozzles attached stretched out from the vat, reaching towards the starskiff in preparation for some sort of operation.
"Miss Sushang, forgive my curiosity," Bronya inquired with a puzzled expression, pointing towards the peculiar-looking vat. "But...What exactly is contained within that vessel? Could it possibly be some kind of special protective coating for our starskiff?"
Fixing her gaze on the strange, greenish liquid inside the vat, Sushang's face twisted as she tried to make sense of it. Bronya watched in silence, practically seeing the cogs in Sushang's mind spinning as she contemplated. After several moments of deep consideration, Sushang must have had an epiphany, for she snapped her head toward Bronya, a grin spreading across her face.
"That... Is the solution of controlled growth," Sushang declared triumphantly, his smug grin widening as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. "It's an alchemical concoction prepared in much the same manner as the nutrient-rich liquid that we use to grow our prized starskiffs. You see, since the starskiff hulls are alive, any damage inflicted by normal wear and tear can be effortlessly repaired simply by allowing the material to regenerate. The repair process is quite straightforward - our skilled technicians will first excise the damaged portion of the hull, then-?!"
"Whaahhh!"
"Pela!"
Bronya and Sushang whirled around, startled by the frantic shouts of Luka and Pela. Their eyes widened in horror as they witnessed Luka lunging forward with lightning speed, his arms wrapping around the waist of Pela just as she teetered on the brink of the platform. The group stood atop a platform a full story high above the bottom of the hanger, and though the fall may not have been lethal, the potential for severe injury was all too real.
With a burst of determined strength, Luka yanked Pela back onto the solid metal of the platform, pulling her into a half embrace just as her feet left the ground. The force of his pull sent them both stumbling back a step or two, but Luka kept his balance and ensured Pela was steady in his arms. Both Bronya and Sushang hurried over, reaching out to offer additional support.
"Are you alright, Pela?" Bronya asked, genuine worry etched on her face. She gently grasped Pela's arm to keep her friend from swaying. "What on earth happened? We thought you were going to go over the edge!"
Pela's cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment as she took a moment to catch her breath. "I...I wasn't watching where I was walking," she confessed with a sheepish smile. "I was too busy teasing Luka about his little misstep."
Luka let out a rueful chuckle and shook his head. "I told you. These docks for the starskiffs are designed for disaster. It's like they want you to put one foot wrong and send you tumbling to your death."
Looking at Luka for a moment, her cheeks flushed slightly, before turning her gaze away and clearing her throat.
"Thanks, Luka..." the warrant officer began, her voice a touch soft but steady. "But I really must insist you release me now."
She glanced down at the boy's arm wrapped snugly around her waist, her blush deepening at the intimate contact.
"I assure you, I've learned my lesson. I don't need... your assistance any longer."
With a startling realization that he had been holding onto Pela the entire time, Luka swiftly let go of the warrant officer's waist, his face turning a deep shade of crimson. "Apologies, Pela! I didn't mean to..." he stammered, running a hand through his unruly red hair. An uncomfortable silence lingered in the air between them, causing Luka's cheeks to flush even redder.
Meanwhile, Sushang observed the awkward exchange with an almost annoyed expression, shaking her head disapprovingly.
"Well... It seems the lovebirds have some tension to work out," Sushang muttered under her breath, earning a raised eyebrow from Bronya. "But thankfully no one was hurt. We should-?!"
"Sergeant Li!" A cold, authoritative voice snapped from behind them, sending shivers down Bronya's spine. She immediately recognized it as belonging to Yukong, though the harshness of her tone was unlike anything Bronya had ever heard before. Sushang froze mid-stride, her entire body tensing as she slowly turned to face the irate Helm Master.
"H-Helm Master!" Sushang stammered, bowing her head so quickly it looked as though she might snap her neck in the process. "I-I've escorted the Supreme Guardian and her entourage as ordered. I was just about to escort them to you when-"
Yukong cut her off with a sharp growl of anger, her sharp canines bared in a snarl and her ears flat against her head. "When you almost allowed a member of the group to fall to their death because you were distracted?! It's your duty to keep them safe, Sergeant Li. Failures like this are unacceptable!"
Bronya's eyes widened in shock at the sudden shift in Yukong's demeanor. The usually stoic and composed Helm Master looked ready to tear Sushang apart with her teeth, her entire body trembling with barely restrained fury. Luka, who was also familiar with Yukong's normal stoic behavior, couldn't help but gape at the sight, his mouth hanging open in shock. Even Pela, who had been relatively unbothered by the situation until now, shrunk back slightly, clearly intimidated by the irate Foxian's piercing stare.
"Helm Master Yukong," Bronya spoke up, taking a step between Yukong and Sushang in an attempt to diffuse the tension. She raised her hands in a placating gesture. "I must intervene on Sergeant Li's behalf. Her distraction was due to my questioning about starskiff maintenance. If anyone is to blame for her momentary inattention, it would be me."
Yukong's piercing gaze shifted from Sushang to Bronya, her annoyed expression softening slightly at the presence of her political guest. "Miss Rand," Yukong's voice was still stern, but lacking the earlier harshness. "You should not make excuses for Sergeant Li. Her duty is to maintain constant vigilance, regardless of any distractions."
Bronya shook her head, maintaining eye contact with Yukong. "I assure you, Helm Master, Sushang told my subordinate about the dangers before our walk."
Pela nodded quickly in agreement, flinching slightly under Yukong's critical stare. "That's right, ma'am. She warned us very clearly."
Bronya continued, "And when I simply asked another question to satisfy my idle curiosity, Sushang felt obligated to answer. I truly believe she acted in accordance with her duties and should not be faulted for it."
Yukong's jaw clenched, her annoyance still visible, but she gave a stiff nod after a tense moment. "I... see. Very well, Sergeant Li. Forgive my harshness. I was unfair to berate you so severely in front of our esteemed guests."
Sushang breathed out a shuddering sigh of relief, standing up straighter from her cower. "Thank you for your understanding, Helm Master. It won't happen again."
"And make sure it doesn't." Yukong's tone was still stern, but her body language relaxed somewhat. She gave Sushang a dismissive wave. "You are dismissed."
Sushang bowed deeply once more before scurrying away, no doubt grateful for the tense moment to have passed. Yukong watched her go before turning back to Bronya, her expression apologetic.
"My sincerest apologies for my outburst, Supreme Guardian Rand. I should have been in better control of my temper. Please forgive my poor conduct."
Bronya offered Yukong a warm smile, holding out a hand in a gesture of friendship. "There is nothing to forgive, Helm Master Yukong. We understand completely. The safety of your guests is obviously a high priority for you, and we respect your dedication to that duty."
"My dedication to my duty and the means which I carry it out are different matters Supreme Guardian. Even in my... frustrated state, I should have handled that more diplomatically. Please accept my apologies and know that I intend to learn from this and do better." Yukong said as she met Bronya's gaze, her eyes filled with sincerity.
Bronya's smile remained fixed, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes as she inclined her head.
"I have no doubt of your sincerity Helm Master... But I do believe it is time we broach the subject of the sudden change of plans which has brought us onboard this ship today." Her words carried a gentle yet firm undertone, hinting at the gravity of the situation.
"... Yes, we should discuss that." Yukong replied, her jaw clenching and her eyes narrowing as she faced the weight of Bronya's questioning gaze.
"... And yet again I must beg your forgiveness. I had not intended for the current situation to unfold in this manner, and I feel regret for placing you and your people in an uncomfortable position." Her words were tinged with genuine remorse, the heaviness of her tone reflecting the burden she carried.
"... This most likely has to deal with the generals of the Xianzhou being here, correct?" Bronya pressed further, her tone still neutral but her gaze sharp and unwavering. "They were not part of the original itinerary we agreed upon when I invited you to the planet. I do not doubt that they mean no harm, but as the leader of my people I need to understand the full circumstances."
Yukong nodded slowly, her expression turning grave.
"You have every right to know. And I have gotten 'a' reason from them... Though I can only pray that you can accept it with as much grace as I was forced to." She added, a hint of resignation creeping into her voice.
"Come now, Yukong. You make it sound as if I twisted your arm in the situation," a relaxed, male voice spoke.
As Bronya observed Yukong's ears flattening against her head, her tail lowering in a show of annoyance, and her mouth opening to bare her sharp canines in a warning snarl, she turned to look at the man approaching the party. Almost instantly, she recognized the man from the pictures Luka had taken during the Wardance, but even without such a clear image in her head, Bronya felt she would have been able to tell who he was just from the aura of confidence and power that radiated from him.
General Jing Yuan approached the group with an easy smile playing at the corners of his mouth and five Cloud Knights trailing behind him, a pointless precaution considering the tales Bronya had heard of the man's incredible martial prowess. He was the general of the Xianzhou Luofu after all, known for his exceptional strength and cunning tactics on the battlefield.
"I will admit," Jing Yuan said as he came to a stop beside his clearly agitated Helm Master, "that I was a bit more...persuasive than usual about my desires this time. But you were always free to deny me at any point, Yukong."
His tone was light, joking even in the face of Yukong's barely restrained anger. "You simply chose not to."
Gazing at the Helm Master, Bronya pondered if Yukong might actually lunge forward and clamp his fangs into the general's jugular vein, right in the middle of the tense encounter. The intensity of the Foxian's glare sent an involuntary shiver racing up Bronya's spinal column, even while the general maintained his facade of amiable composure.
As the tense moment stretched on, Yukong's rigid posture began to relax, though her eyes remained fixed on Bronya. She took a deep breath, her annoyance giving way to a more measured expression.
"Lady Rand," she said, her voice leveling out, "I'd like to introduce you to my superior officer. General Jing Yuan, the Commander of the Xianzhou Lufou, clearly not a man prone to rash decisions or carelessness."
His eyes twinkling at his subordinates sarcasm, General Yuan stepped forward. With a slight bow, he addressed Bronya. "Lady Rand, it is a pleasure to meet you. I do hope the... unfortunate circumstances of our initial encounter have not soured your opinion of me or my troops."
Bronya returned the bow gracefully. "The pleasure is mine, General. While I must confess that I was somewhat concerned by what I might be walking into, I am willing to put those concerns aside for now. The situation may be far from ideal, but I believe we can work together to resolve whatever has caused this issue."
"I appreciate your concern, Lady Rand," General Jing Yuan replied with a respectful nod. "However... While I regret if my response seems to dismiss your worries, I must inform you that the matter which prompted my arrival here is, in fact, rather trivial."
Bronya blinked in astonishment, her gaze darting between the general and Yukong. "Trivial, General? I... I apologize if I appear ignorant, but I fail to comprehend how a warship's presence over my people's planet could be considered inconsequential."
Before the General could respond, Yukong took a step forward, gesturing dismissively towards him with a sarcastic air.
"Oh, 'The General' is simply struggling with his 'communication' today, Lady Rand," Yukong said, jabbing her finger into the General's cheek and baring her teeth in annoyance. "You see, he was assigned by the Marshal to take a mandatory vacation... To relax and recuperate..."
Yukong continued with a tight smile, poking the General's cheek with a fury, "And what better place to do so than on a subordinate's delicate trade negotiation, right? Never mind that he didn't inform said subordinate of his plans until we were literally boarding the transports!"
Still smiling, Jing Yuan rubbed the side of his face, "Yes, well. I may have... forgotten to mention my intentions."
"Forgotten to mention..." Yukong repeated with an even tone, the rage clearly evident in her eyes as she shook her head. "Yuan... I expect this kind of behavior from Feixiao. She's impulsive and reckless... But you? The problem with you is that I can't even begin to predict what's going on in that head of yours!"
Finding herself wedged between the two high-ranking Xianzhou officials, Bronya struggled to make sense of the unexpected turn of events. Well, at least we don't have to worry about an invasion today, she mused wryly, trying to extract a scrap of humor from the surreal situation.
"Helm Master. General." Bronya interjected, attempting to regain some semblance of control over the spiraling conversation. "Could someone please enlighten me on what's happening here? And how this might affect our trade negotiations?"
General Jing Yuan, his smile still present even as he suffered under Yukong's increasingly agitated pokes, turned his attention back to Bronya. "Of course, Lady Rand. I do apologize for the confusion. As Yukong mentioned, I am here on a mandatory vacation... one I was hesitant to take, given the events happening in my home. However, since the Marshal insisted, I had no choice but to comply."
Yukong snorted derisively, her anger barely contained. "And naturally, the General couldn't just go somewhere normal or with a proper itinerary... No, he had to surprise a subordinate just before she had to leave, forcing her to scramble to set up a proper escort and support team."
Bronya blinked slowly, still trying to process the unexpected development. "I... I see," she said at last, choosing her words carefully. "But what does this mean for the negotiations? Am I to negotiate with Madam Yukong as we planned... or am I to speak to you and this other general, this... Feixiao? And how will this affect the trade agreement?"
The General held up a placating hand. "Please, Lady Rand, do not concern yourself with my presence. I have no intention of interfering with your negotiations. I am simply here to... relax. You will continue to deal with Madam Yukong as originally planned. I will be staying out of your way."
Without acknowledging her superior's statement, Yukong turned to Bronya, her frustration evident in the set of her shoulders. "Lady Rand... While we could, in theory, continue with our plans for negotiations... I would ask you to reconsider."
Bronya's brow furrowed in confusion. "Reconsider, Helm Master? I... I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean to say you no longer wish to negotiate with my people? If so, I must say I'm quite disappointed, especially considering the General's assurances that this wouldn't affect the talks."
"...Regardless of 'his' assurances, the situation has changed," Yukong said, gesturing at the surrounding warship, the Wavetamer. "We have brought a warship above your planet. Any negotiations we conduct will be... tainted by that fact. The Xianzhou would be accused of using coercion, no matter what we say or how fair we try to be."
... I suppose any agreement that appears to be forced by having a gun pointed at your head is going to raise eyebrows, even if it was unloaded, Bronya thought to herself, though she kept the observation private. But still...
"I... I appreciate your consideration, Helm Master. But... we have come so far. Surely we can find a way to proceed without... complications?" Bronya pressed, unwilling to give up on the progress they had made.
Yukong shook her head, her expression pained. "I wish that were the case, Lady Rand... But the truth is, I fear any agreement we reach under these circumstances will be seen as... invalid. It would tarnish the honor of not only my office and commission, but that of the Xianzhou as a whole. That is not an event that I would want to occur."
"So... so what do you suggest we do, Helm Master?" Bronya asked, feeling a rising sense of desperation. "If we cannot proceed as planned... what alternatives do we have?"
Before Yukong could respond to Bronya, an aide ran up and bowed respectfully to both the General and Helm Master.
"General! Helm Master! I am sincerely sorry to disturb you, but... But I bring urgent news. We have just received a transmission from the Euryale. It is one of the ships belonging to the Jade of Credit. The ship captain... respectfully requests permission to dock at our station."
Bronya immediately perked up at the mention of Jade's name. "Jade? Yes, Jade was the one Topaz mentioned she would be getting to assist me."
As Bronya studied the Helm Master's face, Yukong's expression soured, her brow furrowing deeply. The General glanced between Bronya and the aide, then back again, a contemplative look on his face. "The Jade of Credit, you say? Hmmm. Well, it would be discourteous to refuse her, I suppose. Give her permission to dock. We will meet with her when she arrives."
With a respectful bow, the aide scurried off. As he departed, Bronya turned to Yukong, who still wore a troubled expression.
"Madam Yukong... what is it? Is there something concerning about Jade of Credit that I should be aware of?" Bronya inquired, noting the Helm Master's unease.
"Jade... Jade... Jade..." Yukong muttered, grasping at her ears as a shiver ran through her body. "Please tell me it's not her here. Please tell me it's just a misunderstanding, that she sent a subordinate to speak on her behalf instead. Because if it truly is Jade herself, it can only mean one thing."
"At the very least, it suggests that this incident has drawn the attention of the Stonehearts," Jing Yuan added, his ever-present smile in place. "And if Jade of Credit is involved, things are sure to become even more intriguing."
Yukong's head whipped towards her superior, Bronya imagining catching a glimpse of her eyes glowing red as she stared daggers at Jing Yuan.
"Don't even joke about this, Yuan. Not a word!" She snapped at him before turning back to Bronya. "Lady Rand, while I'm hesitant to continue negotiations in their current state, with Jade in the picture..."
Yukong paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "We will have to speak with her before proceeding any further."
Turning to glare at the General, she jabbed her finger into his nose.
"You. You do something useful and escort our guests to the meeting chamber. And inform Feixiao that Jade will be docking shortly."
With a bow to Bronya, Yukong spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving Bronya stunned and standing beside Jing Yuan.
The General chuckled jestingly as he watched Yukong leave.
"Jade and Feixiao... this should be most interesting indeed. I do hope you're prepared for the meeting, Lady Rand." He said to Bronya with a wink before gesturing for the group to follow him. "Thus did the Helm Master command, so shall I obey."
Bronya hesitated momentarily, her eyes following the retreating form of Yukong before she shook her head and trailed after the General.
Interesting indeed..., she echoed the General's sentiment in her mind, a touch of trepidation coloring her thoughts. But should I be worried about just how interesting this is going to be?