Blinding Lights

Posted on Thu Jul 30th, 2020 @ 11:26pm by Commodore Jane Saulitis

Mission: Cruel Meridian
Location: Royal Sozon Amphitheater
Timeline: MD 12 - Dusk
1737 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Seated on a circular stage amidst an uproarious crowd, the Sozon diplomats flanking a vacant, centrally positioned throne all craned their necks to watch a foreign spacecraft fly over the show at spectacular speed. Just as the flight path broke away, a litany of multicolored flares erupted from the aeroshuttle from both wings and the belly mounted countermeasure dispenser, mixing with the wake of the shuttle to create an angelic pattern in the skies over the Royal Sozon Amphitheater. The shuttle disappeared into the starset as sounds of amazement washed throughout the crowd. The diplomats exchanged nervous looks, knowing that the court of public opinion needed to rule in their favor for their plan to come to fruition.

"An impressive display."

"Shut up."

Their brief conversation was interrupted by the whine of impulse engines straining against the gravity of Sozon II as the aeroshuttle made a long, lazy descent into show center. The stage lighting cut out, plunging the entire venue into darkness save the running lights and glowing red and blue on the nacelle of the shuttle. In the crowd, thousands of handheld electronic devices twinkled in the darkness like stars in the sky, eagerly awaiting whatever the visitors had planned next. For those either lucky or influential enough to be seated a few rows away, they would have heard the hum of the transporter an instant prior to the flash of blue light as the security teams beamed down into place on either side of the ramp leading down from the landing pad.

"And now, introducing the visitors to the Sozon Empire, please extend a warm Sozon welcome to the United Federation of Planets!"

Slowly, the exit hatch to the shuttle cracked open as the booming public address echoed through the amphitheater. Flashbulbs popped at a furious rate - each photographer in the pit yearned to be the first to capture the alien visitors. Standing nearby, dozens of reporters stood ready to observe, each with a camera crew in tow. The buzz of an overhead drone with yet another camera was silenced by the downbeat of the music as the team made their entrance onto the stage. The music was loud enough that it almost drowned out the sound of the boos and jeers raining down from the crowd as they began to walk.

The Sozon diplomats exchanged a smile.

When she'd seen the venue Jane had stared straight ahead to keep from rolling her eyes. The feminist in her burned with anger at this man's pompous and obviously entitled upbringing and beliefs. This was not what she wanted for Leyana at all and still she had to hold her tongue because for one it was none of her business and for another Leyana had not expressed to her that she wanted to do anything other than go through with the marriage. Jane smiled when she sat the diplomats for the other side and said through her teeth. "Everyone smile and play nice."

Lhaes had no trouble sensing the captain's internal anger, it was easy enough to pick up on. He tugged down the jacket of his dress whites and made sure his Honour Blade was in its proper place. In honour of his species, he had decided to wear it at his hip, rather than stuff it in his left boot as usual. Out of habit, his eyes scanned the crowd, looking for exits and possible threats. "Your anger is just captain," he murmured as he flanked her, "but it's best to bury it before we make any wrong impression."

Jane eyed Lhaes and nearly retorted something but they were too close so she made herself relax in the presence of the others.

Leyana stood inside the shuttle, wondering how to get through the hatch a second time in this ridiculously wide and impossible to move in dress.

Cassie, bedecked in her jungle-toned dress, matching sandals, a ridiculous amount of hair extensions tied together in a Viking braid, and green and blue eye makeup that extended to her temples, looked out the side viewport. She was visibly nervous: first impressions were everything, and she was not used to being the center of attention in this manner. She almost wanted to puke.

"The Grand Vizier will introduce you," she said, still glancing out the viewport, to the officers present, "once Emperor Tevrin arrives. That'll be your cue to exit the Aerowing. Then I'll come out on my cue, and introduce Princess Leyana."

Just as she finished giving the last instructions to her fellow passengers, the shuttle smoothly landed in the amphiteatre, without so much as a thud. The hatch opened but a moment later. Cassie breathed in, out. Smiled. "Alright, showtime."

Herbert Barr stood behind the Princess ready to assist her when she needed. This was very difficult for him, he’d grown so close to the Princess over the past few days. He understood she wanted to carry out her duty and he wouldn’t stand in the way but it was very hard for him to watch. He pushed thoughts of the last few days behind him as he adjusted his dress whites.

---

Cassandra rose from her seat as the others walked down the red carpet, breathed in, out, gathered that tiny bit of confidence she needed to strut in such a dress, and exited the shuttle when she heard her own name being called out. As expected, the skirt of her dress billowed out behind her as she confidently, with a swagger even she didn't know she could muster in such circumstances, and stopped only a few metres from the Imperial Balcony, on which the Emperor and his advisors stood. She looked at up at Emperor Tevrin, silent, almost challenging, for a full minute before ever-so-slightly turning her head towards the left, lowering her eyes, and gracefully dipping into a low curtsy until her knee touched the floor, as she had practiced so many times before.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent," Tevrin spoke un-amplified such that only his advisors could hear him. It was clear that the Sozon head of state was quite pleased with how the opening ceremony was unfolding, given the wry smile that stretched across his lips. "The girl knows to wait, to play off of the tension that patience that create. This is good, perhaps the human female is something different compared to the Tulians, or even our own." This statement earned him a few sideways glances from his advisors, but they sat frozen as they all waited for the human diplomat to make her next move.

Cassie rose just as elegantly as she had curtsied. "On behalf of the USS Majestic's crew and the United Federation of Planets, I thank you for this warm welcome on beautiful Sozon." Her voice carried throughout the amphitheatre, thanks to the microphone cleverly concealed in her dress.

She paused, stepping to the side of the carpet, and continued, in a practiced, yet accented, Sozon, "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed ambassadors and councilors, your Excellency Emperor Tevrin Condruil IV, it is my utmost privilege and honour to introduce to you this day, Her Royal Highness Princess Leyana of Tulias!"

Looking utterly uncomfortable, but forcing herself to smile, Leyana appeared from the shuttle. She felt she looked ridiculous in her extravagant dress. The young princess curtsied politely, letting her gaze wander across the crowd. Where was her intended? She held her breath, perhaps a fraction too long as she started to feel faint. "Herbert..." she whispered under her breath, "help me... please..."

“Of course, Princess.” Herbert said as he stepped forward and offered the Princess his arm for her to hold. He offered her a reassuring smile.

She clung to his arm, closed her eyes for a moment and expelled a deep breath. "Stay with me," she begged, "don't leave me alone." She bit her lip, a sense of dread and anxiety washing over her. "Don't leave me."

“I wouldn’t dream of it, my love.” Bert whispered reassuringly. He wasn’t sure what was about to happen but he was pretty sure he wasn’t going to like. However, he kept a professional look on his face. He still wore the uniform and was proud to do so.

Jane wondered if Leyana was going to faint and she couldn't blame her, she wasn't fairing much better and people weren't here to look or pay attention to her. She took a deep breath to steady herself and just let Cassie take the leading knowing she knew a lot more about their customs and situation than she did.

Uproarious applause had erupted from the crowd at the first sighting of the princess. The flashbulbs quickened their already frantic pace, creating a near dizzying effect on stage as every camera in the amphitheater focused on the newest arrival. A previously requested recorded track introducing the rest of the crew played over the public address system, but the sound was drowned out by the cheers emanating from every nook and cranny of the venue. Every step they took was seen live by millions across the Sozon Empire.

From his elevated seating position on stage, Emperor Condruil looked on as the group made their way up the gently sloping entrance to the stage. His team had ascended an identical ramp located stage opposite, navigating the slight bend and incline without much difficulty. Sozon architects had achieved quite the accomplishment with the Royal Sozon Amphitheater - there were no obstructed sight lines, and the acoustics were well managed despite the fact that the venue was open air. Tevrin gave a single nod of his head as a signal. The music faded, and the Grand Vizier raised his hand perpendicular to the floor to silence the crowd.

"Friends, patriots, distinguished guests, welcome one and all to the grand negotiations. We certainly hope to see and hear much cause for celebration over the coming days from the distinguished individuals gathered here on stage. None more distinguished than our great emperor, Tevrin Condruil!"

Another wave of applause rippled through, but Tevrin was unfazed. His attention was firmly on the crew from the Majestic.

"Now," the Grand Vizier continued, "the Emperor has informed us that we will hear opening statements from our distinguished visitors. Please, refrain from interruption until the statements are complete. The stage belongs to the United Federation of Planets!"

To Be Continued . . .