First Contact

[Xah]

The Advocate nods and the view of the outside shifts as the vessel accelerates down the Nexus. The ground below becomes a blur of colour and lines, with the Nexus ahead taking on a red hue, and that behind turning slightly blue. "Hub is positioned at the centre of the Nexus," it said. "And contains the majority of the population of the Owners, as well as facilities for the operation of the Nexus, including the Nexus Council. Membership of the Council is part of your status as a Client, and it offers an opportunity to influence Nexus protocol."

The craft slowed, with the surroundings becoming visible once more. Unlike the Nexus around the Piethrixian Gate, here the Nexus was built up and evidently highly developed. The airspace below was full of moving vehicles, from tiny dots barely visible, to much larger craft, all moving in lines and threads. The surface itself was a patchwork of structures, tall and short, with the largest stretching many kilometres above the ground. Dozens of Gates could be seen, each one surrounded by a web of facilities and a hive of activity. In the centre of the Nexus, not far ahead, was an enormous cylindrical construct, easily twenty kilometres in diameter, and hundreds of kilometres long, its far end a blaze of starlight.

"When we dock with Hub, a number of other Clients have expressed an interest in meeting you. Do you wish to do so?"

[Pie]

The Admiral stops for a second. "Didn't expect that but ok, Piethrixia has always wanted to meet new life and civilizations, though sometimes for not very Peaceful reasons." He gestures to the guards still standing near the airlock. Ensign David is still sipping a glass of tea.

[Xah]

"A lot of species we make contact with are humanoid, at least in appearance," the Advocate said. "Whilst biochemistry, minor external details, and internal physiology varies, the basic bilateral, bipedal form seems to be a common occurrence in evolutionary terms. A lot of Clients are not humanoid, however, so do not be too alarmed with their form; all are intelligent and in most cases, highly advanced cultures. Most do not breathe the same atmosphere as you and so there will be fields in place to ensure separation; do not attempt to cross those fields, as conditions on the far side may be fatal."

The Envoy craft approached the vast bulk of Hub, gliding easily into one of many circular openings until it stopped. A very slight waft of air was all that signalled the opening of the dome around the craft. "Please, follow me," the Advocate said and led the small party off the craft and into a large room. In the room were four other species; a large jellyfish-like being floating in a pale orange gas; an eight-limbed (four arms, four legs) being not much taller than a human; a vaguely cylindrical mass about three meters in length, made of many-legged individual parts; and a small, meter tall being that looked much like a folded umbrella.

"These are Client-representatives of the Ghalimi, Kadjar, Talik and Maktakil. You may speak, as translators are available."

[Pie]

The admirals decades of training and wars with non-humanoid species take over and he reaches for his pistol holster on his hip, but he notices what he is doing and puts his hand out to try to shake hands with the Aliens. "Admiral Jacob Daniels, Piethrixian Armed Forces. Nice to meet you."

[Xah]

The extended hand was 'looked' at by the assembled beings in their various ways for a few moments, before the Advocate stepped forwards. "Your gesture is appreciated," it said. "But unfortunately doesn't work well reciprocated. Its meaning is known to most here."

There was a collection of sounds from the floating creature in the orange gas, which turned into a soft translated voice. "Ghalimi acknowledge the arrival of a new Client civilisation. Welcome to the Nexus. May we ask how you wish to be addressed."

A series of clicks comes from the insectoid collective, "Also, I/we wish to know if you are one mind or many."

[Pie]

"Nice to meet you Ghalimi, I am Admiral Jacob Daniels, Us Piethrixians like to be Called Piethrixians, Sometimes we call ourselves the Dominion, some lesser-used names exist as well." He pauses to think of what the Insectoid has asked. "We are all independent beings, we all think for ourselves, Sometimes in less peaceful ways then required. I'm guessing your species is what we would Call a hive mind?"

[Xah]

"I/We are one mind, made of many components." The insectoid replied. "Components single mind, we/we make sure that information said to one is or is not shared to all."

The large floating Ghalimi speaks once more. "Admiral Jacob Daniels, do you speak for all of Piethrixians? How will your people cope with the new knowledge of the Nexus?"

[Pie]

"Yes, I am able to make descisions for all of Piethrixia." He pauses to think. "Not really sure. Our scientists have suspected something like this existed for a while now, they just didnt know it was so big."

[Xah]

"Admiral Jacob Daniels," the ghalimi says. "What do you think your people would hope to gain from participation with the Nexus? It is an opportunity for many things; trade being most other Client's desires."

"Question: how does your government function?" the smaller umbrella-like alien asks.

[Pie]

"Well, I'm hoping for a better way for trade and technological Advancement, as well as the ability to give our technology to other nations who need it." He says, then turning to the Umbrella like alien, well we have a leader, and they control the different functions of the nation through different Ministers and offices below them who make the wishes of the Leader into reality. "