UNC003E

**START**

**The Arrival at Omega.**

Omega's ship had departed for his planet, and in his namesake of Yumlaiance he was able, after a not too long period of time, to communicate with the command of his. The captain had to explain what happened to his superiors. Specifically, the admiral-in-chief of his fleet.

- Yes, admiral, I had no choice but to send Lieutenant Rant, he was the only one who could communicate with them, I was trying to reestablish contact.

- But then, have you sent a simple newly graduated lieutenant to deal with an unknown civilization, Captain? - It was the almost indignant response he received from the high command. –

Everyone on the bridge looked at each other in a hurry. It was not at all pleasant to witness the reprimand that his superior was receiving. Conlet himself believed that it would have been better to have reported from the privacy of his office, but the connection came almost suddenly. In any case, there was no remedy, and he did not want to hide anything from his crew either. At least he could have them as witnesses that their action had been the most logical. Perhaps sensing those thoughts, his deputy, Commander Elkor, intervened.

-With all due respect, Admiral. The captain acted in the best interest of the ship. I attest as first officer.

Conlet silently thanked his de second for his den to take the floor again.

- Sir, there was no other solution, besides, the rules of the stellar navy authorize an officer, whatever his rank, to make such decisions if he has no contact with any higher command. - Conelt calmly justified himself and added to reinforce his decision. - And that officer also belongs to the warrior monks of the Kail. In fact, he has been the only one able to maintain satisfactory communication with these individuals.

- I know what the rules say! - thundered the voice of the command. - Although despite that he had to send someone else next to that officer. He is still a novice no matter how monk-warrior he is.

- Yes sir, although given the characteristics of that ship in terms of its size I did not deem it prudent to send more officers. We also do not know the techniques and organic nature of these beings and in anticipation of possible unwanted contacts I preferred to limit the risks to a minimum, Admiral. Not to mention that Lt. Rant is the only one able to shield his thoughts, given that he detected telepathic abilities in those individuals. - Conelt argued that he showed signs of his craft. –

His interlocutor sighed, giving the impression that he was analyzing all those explanations. Conlet knew this and was perfectly aware that his career could end right there. Given the circumstances, though, that was what he was least concerned about at the time. Finally, his superior seemed to relax and after snorting a little he commented.

-I will inform the government. I hope that as soon as possible you will send instructions and someone more experienced to establish a high-level contact. Hold the position and as soon as possible immediately contact Lieutenant Rant to convey our orders and prepare for the arrival of a ship that can establish diplomatic relations with this new planet as soon as it is proven to be safe.

- Aye, sir - replied the captain. –

After sighing long, Conlet sat in his command chair, Elkor, approached to tell him.

-It hasn't gone so badly, sir.

-With a little luck they will only remove the bars. - He commented humorously on his superior, alluding to the three metal strips that adorned each of his shoulders. - And they won't throw me into the Daziarn...

-Well, sir, or the same thing they grant him the fourth and he becomes a captain. - Elkor wanted to encourage him. -

Despite being called a captain, Conlet's rank was that of commander, while that of his deputy was that of deputy commander. This was due to the intricate types of hierarchies in the fleet. A true captain would carry four bars and command a heavy or battlecruiser. Conlet's ship was a light cruiser, but he technically captained it.

-Right now, I look more like the captain of a space minesweeper. - His superior smiled sighing. - Siloris has not been amused by my decision.

-Despite your anger, Admiral Siloris knows perfectly well that you have done what you should have done. - Elkor wanted to reassure him. –

-I hope that the government and the general staff will share your wisdom. Or I'll have to go find Captain Kored Mann - Conlet sighed ironically, alluding to one of the mythical heroes of Yumlaiance, missing in space centuries ago. -

Oblivious to this, Yener was crossing space on her new friends' ship. For a few long moments no one spoke because the feelings of confusion and even surprise weighed on everyone. In the end Kira, who seemed by far the most communicative of the four patrollers, perhaps because she shared that telepathic bond with him, addressed her guest with the word audible this time surely to include everyone in that conversation.

- It was very fortunate that our two ships met.

- Yes, of course, it's a big event. - Yener replied with a polite smile as he thought. - At least I hope so. - And asked in turn with interest. - Is there much left to get to your planet?

- Just a couple of hours. - Peter answered now. -

Yener watched him bewildered. That would be a unit of time no doubt, but it didn't have the equivalence in its own measures.

- Hours? - inquired with a confused tone. -

        Luckily his interlocutor noticed that by adding.

- Unfortunately, we don't know your temporary units. Although I hope we find something that will serve both of us. A measure of something common to both worlds.

Yener nodded, although at that very moment nothing came to mind, apparently the rest of the boys had equal difficulty in drawing some kind of parallel. And it was chance that, dressed in obviousness, came to solve the problem when Peter wanted to know with professional curiosity.

- At what cruising speed were you coming? If I can ask you. They've made a very quick approach.

And a light, and never better said, was lit in everyone's minds. It seemed so easy now that they were eager to head against the wall.

- Sure! - Kira said funny - How can we not have guessed it that before?

- It's true. - Yener agreed by confirming his own assumptions by probing the minds of those guys. -

- The speed of Light in a vacuum! - He acknowledged Peter again being more ceremonious in the deal, he really came out without thinking when he commented. It's a constant throughout the Universe. If you tell us in which units, you express it, we will have the equivalence with ours. It is a kind of Rossetta stone.

- That's true-. Yener corroborated not knowing what kind of stone that could be. – Anywhere its speed is the same, no matter how we measure it.

Kira nodded with an accomplice smiled testifying.

- That's right. - And he telepathically conveyed to him the formulas to that effect. -

Yener thanked the gods and their teachers for teaching him so well in the use of his skills. He could communicate mentally and also use his Adaptation technique to probe deeper into the language and idioms of other cultures. And to think that there were individuals in their own world saying that the Kail was out of date for the present time. Without going any further that idiot of Mulhar. Here it should be now!

-Sometimes I think he has something personal against me, since he found out he was a warrior monk from Somer. - Thought. –

The truth is that he hadn't even bothered to probe that idiot to try to figure out what. So, he decided to forget that, now he had much more important things to focus on. At least he was relieved, despite all those Kail disciplines that counted in his favor, he was lucky to meet that girl gifted, like him, for mental contact. That made things much easier, but although she had transmitted to him the temporal concepts of year, days and hours that shuffled in her world, they still did not have an equivalence with the measures of Yener himself. And this one, eager to fix that problem declared.

- We measure the speed of Light at 4 million Rans per nanodan.

The boys watched him with a full gesture in bewilderment as they struggled to find equivalence with their own measurements. Gina, the young blonde who was in charge of the navigation controls at the time, supplied the data to the computer and it got to work while Gordon informed the student.

- We estimate it at three hundred thousand kilometers per second.

Yener nodded trying in turn to establish a mathematical rule of conversion. So he was able to capture those kilometers were equivalent to the measurement of length and the so-called seconds to that of time. They responded respectively to rans and nanodans. The point was. How much could each be equated with each other?

But evidently, the computer was faster offering equivalence in Rans per kilometer. Gina read the data stating.

- Every kilometer ours is worth about 0.666 of those "raans" - He was able to pronounce with visible difficulty something whipped knowing not to do it correctly.

- Or, put another way. A ran leaves for approximately 1.5 of its kilometers. - Yener replied by doing the reverse operation. -

- That in terms of distance, the time has been estimated at 20 seconds per nanodan. - Smiled Gina now improving her pronunciation. -

- Of course, how many things we will have to polish to get to understand each other well! - Terció Gordon visibly amused stating. - The Master teacher will love it.

Yener wondered if those boys would also be some sort of monks like him, given that the redhead had talked about a teacher. Although those thoughts were put on hold as soon as he heard the brunette girl reply to her partner with an affable tone.

- Not as many as it seems at first glance.

And showing off the good atmosphere that now invaded the ship, he smiled to add.

- I have the impression that, in essence, we are very similar. That is why it has not been particularly difficult for us to understand each other.

- I completely agree with that. - Yener agreed quite encouraged by the promising start of all that. -

And he had to agree with his telepathic interpreter for what he had felt in those guys. Although he initially looked at them far above to see if their offers were basically sincere or not, he concluded that they were all good people. However, he was now able to entertain himself in doing so in more detail and addressing each one in particular. Starting with the brunette girl.

-He's a really fascinating person. - It was said. -

Of course, focusing on the certain Kira, I was sure that she possessed great kindness and intelligence. (To tell the truth, with I had already thought before, that could be said of everyone, but in this girl she perceived a kind of accumulated wisdom, the result surely of her acute extrasensory perception). The telepath also possessed poise and sobriety in her character that helped her a lot in fulfilling her mission. He noticed her tolerant and open but always cautious at the same time. However, as he tried to take his diagnosis further, it faded as if it became entangled in a very subtle barrier. That was another of the qualities I felt in that girl, she was able to stand firm without losing her elegance and kindness. Only in very extreme cases would I abandon them. And Yener realized that she was hiding something, but not just from him. Anyway, the yumlaincer deemed it more appropriate to stop right at the place where his psychic speaker had marked him. He was more than convinced that this alleged secret was about his private life. He therefore gave up continuing his survey and the reply of it materialized in a soft and fleeting smile that Yener captured and returned. That was a universal gesture and involved mutual permission. When he concluded his analysis, he would allow the girl to do the same with him, although of course, setting his own limits.

- We have little left to get to Port Doplert. - Gordon asserted by programming the approach sequence. -

Yener kept quiet and watched the pleased gestures of those boys. It was only logical that they would be happy to return home. He would feel the same way. In any case, he decided to continue with the checkup, this time of the boss, that guy named Peter. By his first impression he was someone with the wood of leader, determined, noble and of ideals devoted to the freedom and defense of his planet and those who made up his confederation. He also had a high sense of duty. He was one of those who would not hesitate to fulfill his obligation whatever it cost, even if to do so he had to sacrifice himself or even pass over a friendship. I would even be able to break the rules if I thought they conflicted with what I thought was right. Seen this way he seemed like a ruthless and stubborn guy, but deep down, Yener's skills told him that the subject of his study interpreted that last assertion in another context, the predominance of the collective good over the particular and of the just over the unjust. He also found that he was a lover of adventure with a tendency to relax a lot once out of his duties. That almost reminded him of himself. It was an interesting duality, a serious and responsible Peter, even relentless in the line of duty and another more festive and relaxed, infinitely more permissive once released from his task and all this seasoned to a large dose of goodwill that eventually could even be seen under the prism of innocence ... Ahma! there were things that by elementary ethics I shouldn't have access to. I'd better move on to the next object of study.

That is none of my business. - He thought between angry and funny. -

For her part, Kira closely followed her colleague's inquiries because Yener had no qualms about letting herself in while doing so. That was a minimal gesture of goodwill and above all education among beings endowed with such faculties and so should think that girl also because she followed that analysis without intervening waiting politely for her own turn of reply. Lieutenant Rant didn't want to make her wait long, as they would soon reach their goal, so he continued to focus on Gordon...

-An interesting subject. On the one hand, of good wood and with an enthusiasm in many occasions excessive. On the other he had a remarkable character that led him to strokes of genius and poorly controlled anger when his little patience overflowed. He wasn't a bad guy, although he was quite an extremist. It could go from the greatest euphoria to pessimism in a short time. But like his peers he had no bending in his conduct and sincerity presided over his actions. It was, however, more direct or, rather, less subtle and diplomatic than the rest. A very rough diamond perhaps. And I was visibly interested in...

- Wow! - Yener smiled, sneaking his mouth with the back of his right hand. -

Here it was better to stop. Although that impression was so clear that it could hardly be left out. Yener confirmed it by looking away at Kira who was now smiling more broadly, it was certainly an eloquent way to prove her right, he returned a smile of circumstances and eluded her deep gaze to look at the other girl, the last subject of his analysis.

-This girl is much more interesting than she appears. Even if it's so withdrawn. - Judged. -

That quiet blonde was indeed shy. He hadn't spoken until he had to because of his position as a navigator. I could read in it the same doses of kindness and tolerance as in the others. He also noticed a very close education to that of Peter. Yener came to suspect some link between the two. The girl admired her superior and held him in high esteem, although the reason for this could not be very well defined. She actually appreciated all of her peers, but was less imbued with those desires for adventure that Peter seemed to have or that blind enthusiasm of Gordon. He was more stable in character and calmer than the two men, of that there was no doubt, it was perceived that he did not change much outside of his obligations. Despite this, Lieutenant Rant did not feel the same inner capacity in Gina as in Kira. The blonde was much easier to probe, lacked those psychic faculties that her partner possessed, but apart from that detail she was more influenced by the opinions of others, more manageable perhaps or could be inclined to accept suggestions or criteria from others. She was there, almost as if that was what everyone expected of her, she must have a hard time imposing her own desires and opinions. However, he was true to his duties and knew how to remain consistent when implementing his plans. Yener detected that this girl showed great interest and curiosity in him. However, that did not surprise her, it was logical that the aforementioned patrol boat looked at a being from a planet unknown to her. The same thing happened to Yener himself (proof of this was this same meticulous survey) and to anyone with medium scientific intelligence would have the same thing happen in that situation. But there was something else, a desire in that girl, a diffuse thought related perhaps to a deeper longing that she herself controlled, perhaps because of a lack of faith in achieving it or because of the desire to stay with her peers. But as he decided with the others, he avoided continuing the analysis in more depth, whatever that desire belonged to the intimacy of that attractive girl whose face seemed taken from the ancient fables of fairies yumlaincers.

-It is very beautiful, and I think it does not take advantage of its full potential. - He ruled the boy in his mind. -

And with this he ended his balance of the crew and Kira proceeded to make Yener's own.

-A boy with a desire to progress in his career and with many values of his world and his culture rooted in him. - She discovered that she continued with the approval of her mental interlocutor. - It's something believed in according to what things, but it values friendship and honor very much. He has a hobby related to something physical and is also a constant individual in what he does. He doesn't usually give up, although sometimes he takes that to the extreme. Nor is he sometimes aware of where to stop. - Kira couldn't stop a condescending smile from popping up on her countenance, though she erased it right away so that it wouldn't transcend others too much. - It seems that the lieutenant is very fond of entering into relationships with the opposite sex, although not only of a sexual nature.

That's private. - Yener telepathically pointed out to him with amusing correction. -

-It has allowed me to read it despite being able to block your thoughts. - She replied in the same way. - Does it mean anything?

I don't think he's much different from the men of his world. - He answered mentally. -

- In that they must certainly look like all the males of the universe! - She laughs now without being able to avoid it -.

- What are you laughing at, Kira? - He wanted to know Peter with a surprised gesture, just like his other companions. -

- Nothing, my stuff. - She replied dodging, but jovially at the same time. -

Peter shrugged his shoulders and the others smiled as well. When her friend claimed that these were "hers" it could be said that any attempt to get something more out of the blue died right there.  She was certainly a very reserved girl in what things and had a quality that was difficult to emulate. He settled the subject with exquisite delicacy and even sympathy. Peter, for example, was also reserved for according to which subjects, but any attempt on his part to narrow down the plot in question about which he did not wish to be explicit, was based on a more abrupt and artificial reaction. As if the atmosphere was frozen for a few moments, although then it was easy for him to return the relaxation to it. With Gordon, for example, the thing was similar to an asteroid explosion when someone asked him about a topic he didn't want to touch. And Gina, well, she would just keep a hurried silence that would fill the girl herself and anyone who dared to try to delve into their intimacy with mutual blush. But with Kira it was different, he could usually ignore the issue or sidestep it so that the talk wasn't affected. The would-be inquisitor was bewildered but amused at the time with her reaction. And something similar seemed to happen with that alien guy. Perhaps it was because of the mental skills of both. Yener did indeed try to be cryptic when it suited him, but unlike Kira was a more worked attitude, he himself knew that, if he lost his nerves, he could be as irascible as that redhead from Omega. But his discharge was also short-lived, though Yener was certainly more thoughtful than Gordon. (Which presumably wasn't very difficult.) To tell the truth, when Kira's character was very reminiscent of Larus's, friendly, cordial, but reserved when interested in what aspects, (not many of course). Although for his part Yener could not complain, especially if he compared them both with a certain individual nataclier he had met at the academy. That guy if that was the mystery and self-control in person, always seemed to be aware of everything pretending then not to know anything, so purely of Nataclia that Yener that took him out of his boxes. That individual knew it and seemed to enjoy it; he did not miss the opportunity to do so Thank goodness he had lost sight of it!

-That cretin.... I wish he had been able to establish this contact! Although I'm sure you'll soon find out. - He thought with resignation. - He is worse than Mulhar, as presumptuous as he is, but with a brain.

I certainly thought so. Mulhar was nothing more than a cocky bully and resentful of something he thought he sensed. But that nataclier was none of that, it is more, on the contrary, he never did or said anything that was not useful to him.

-In that it is like any nataclier that is awarded. - It was said funny. -

While he protected those considerations in his mind, Kira finished the survey of that boy with an interesting appendix. He possessed great inner strength and was completely devoted to his world. He loved his land and his own very much and despite giving them to him as a lignite and liking beautiful girls very much, he did not seem willing to go beyond according to what limits. He would never use his skills to make a dishonest match of a girl and he would never put frivolity before his obligation. In the latter he looked a lot like Peter. They both had that kind of double way of being. One serious and professional to the maximum in the field of his work and the other more casual and even sometimes childish outside of it. But in the case of that Yener his duties seemed to extend beyond the mere military establishment. I was part of an elite group or something. But Kira couldn't see it more clearly...

-He's a pretty interesting guy. That's for certain. I assume that his superiors would not have sent someone who was not capable for this contact. - The young woman thought. –

He also looked at the boy's uniform. A kind of warrior cut asymmetrically, somewhat longer on the right side of burgundy red tone. The young man wore white pants with black boots that only went up to his ankle. On the left side of his chest, he wore a gold-colored bar.

-That will surely indicate his rank. - He guessed the girl. -

And it barely gave anyone time to draw further reflections, or for anyone to comment on anything else as a planet appeared in the on-board scanner. They soon got an image on the screen. It was Peter who pointed one hand at it as he proudly declared.

- There, is our planet Omega!

- What a joy to come home! - Gordon added. -

Yener watched with interest the vision of a huge trampolyto where the ship in which he was traveling was heading. It seemed quite advanced. As a military man he immediately thought about possible strategic applications for his long-range cruisers. And just as if I read the thought to him, which was otherwise true, Kira told him.

- In your world I guess you'll have a spaceport like this or even bigger.

"Yes, well," Yener smiled shyly. - We have a very large one in our capital. And other minors in different of our main cities.

That place was a huge flat surface covered with metal plates. In them were discovered drawings that were actually lines that subdivided the floor. Yener could see how some were huge elevators through which small ships climbed. The largest and heaviest ones were parked on the sides. Along with them numerous transports came and went, evicting passengers and goods.

- Isn't it an exclusively military port star? - The boy was surprised. -

-No, here we combine the uses. We are not military strictly speaking either, but members of the space police. - Peter explained. -

-In my world we also use some trampling for both purposes, but most do differ according to whether they have military or civilian traffic. - He told them. -

Overall, that information was irrelevant, he thought. Yumlaiance was a long way off, but these people were really confident. If an enemy power decided to attack the first target would be this one. It didn't seem like I was too well protected. Although appearances may have deceived. Looking then to his right he was surprised by the size of a huge ship that was not inned but levitating several hundred meters.

-It's the Cosmopolitan. - Gordon told him. - It is under maintenance.

-The largest transport and passenger ship of the confederation. - Kira pointed out not without pride. - An authentic luxury cruise. Tickets are really expensive depending on which compartments you want to occupy.

-Yes, I remember that we traveled in it on the day of our graduation. As a prize. - Gina smiled. -

-Really impressive. - Yener admitted. -

That spacecraft was colossal. It could be even bigger than the biggest yumlaincer portanves. And that was a lot to say. However, being a passenger cruise ship that was unimportant.

-Although it shows that these people are capable of a sidereal engineering of the first magnitude. - Determined the boy. – They are at the level of any of the worlds of our alliance. And if you've built this gigantic ship, you might as well have similar ones dedicated to war.

He continued to observe closely and in turn saw a kind of huge towers that emitted light on the tracks. And as they descended less than a hundred meters in the units that their hosts spoke, he observed some tubes through which numerous vehicles circulated. Surely they would be isolated and empty so as not to find resistance. In fact, that planet wasn't too big and didn't feel much gravity. Maybe it was because he was still on that ship. However, he assumed that the conditions would be the same as those on the planet's surface.

-They will have in good logic the same conditions of gravity, pressure and temperature here to homologate them to those of their world. - Thought. –

Kira gave him a slight nod. Yener smiled gratefully, that girl had confirmed those elucucrations.

- Let's land now. Adjust the magnetic belts. - Reported Gina staring at the Yumlaiance officer. -

Everyone did it with alacrity and the ship landed gently with its electromagnetic supports. After a few minutes they obtained permission to descend from the device. After informing the bridge of the planet that they were bringing on board an officer of a foreign power. The boy then asked almost not to be rude to the others.

- Are the atmospheric conditions and environment the same as in your ship?

-Yes, don't worry. - Peter replied, telling him. – Now, you must go to the decontamination and protection chamber.

Kira smiled amused, although no one noticed more than him, because at that moment he turned his back on his companions and was looking at him, Yener then nodded. For his own safety and that of his hosts, he did not wish to leave any potentially dangerous pathogens for them. It was the telepathic once again who informed him via mental conversation.

-Fear not. In that room you will receive an emission of nanobots capable of protecting you from any microorganism that may be in our world likely to cause you some damage. It will also create a microscopic barrier that prevents those who portas from escaping into our environment.

Thank you. I assumed that. I hope that will be enough. - He said. –

-Just in case, use a special mask with filter. -He recommended the young woman. –

Yes, in my suit I also wear such measures. - Yener revealed to him that yes, he added. - But all caution is little.

So, after undergoing that process for a few moments in that chamber, located in a corner of that ship, he was finally disinfected and was able to get out. And of course it was an essential precaution. There was nothing he could do more than agree on it with his kind guides. Being in a completely unknown world any security measure did not over. He would have liked not to need that, but it would take some time to use his skills to see if that environment could cause him any potential harm. So you better not take any chances.

-If he had the rank of grandmaster surely he could breathe his atmosphere, even if it was harmful, without problems. But I'm still a long way from that. - Admitted. -

And he opted for prudence. Once he put on that mask he nodded.

-Let's descend to land. - Ordered Peter. -

He did so himself. Little by little the others were going down. Yener looked intently around him. The others told him that he should follow them to a slider that would put them in the terminal. Once there, what looked like two high-ranking Omega commanders approached them and greeted the newcomer.

- Welcome to the headquarters of our confederation. I'm Pierre Larans, the colonel in command of the space police. - A tall man, with short dark brown hair, assaulted by some premature gray hair, was presented. -

I'm Commander Graham Stevens, second in command. - Then intervened a man taller and corpulent still, with hair and whiskers trigueños. -

- First Lieutenant Yener Rant D'́lal is introduced. First wing of the fifth squadron of the first galactic fleet of Yumlaiance. – This was announced greeting in a firm position. - It's an honor for me, Colonel, commander.

Everyone looked at each other in astonished. With such a classification that planet had to have a very powerful fighting force. Although it would depend of course, on the number and carrying of the ships assigned to a fleet. At the moment there was no way to know.

- If you have the kindness, lieutenant - The colonel kindly told him. - Once you rest, we invite you to attend a meeting of our council, I would like to introduce you to the dignitaries of the Confederation.

Thank you very much, Colonel. But if you have no objection, I prefer to come as soon as possible. This is a very important moment for both worlds. In addition, I should try to establish contact with my superiors, I am not qualified to discuss high-level politics. I believe that the matter should not be delayed. And I wouldn't want to make the dignitaries of their world wait. – Yener stressed. -

-As you like," the colonel replied, pleased by such an assertion, not for nothing did the members of the Council wait as intrigued as he had been. - I will order that the communication be prepared. Now, if you excuse me for a moment Lieutenant Rant. - Yener nodded his head and that soldier addressed Peter ordering him. - Lieutenant, come with me to give me your report.

He approached waving and together with the colonel walked through the trampling apart to a more isolated area.

- And okay? - Colonel Larans asked him with much more familiarity. - What's your opinion?

- You see, Dad - Peter replied the same way. - I don't find it hostile, and I'm sure Kira will agree with me. Rather, he has the same interest in learning as we do. But I can't say anything about his superiors.

- Yes - I replenish Pierre with reflective tinge. - I do not understand how they have sent only one lieutenant. Unless, for them, that rank is much higher than for us.

- I don't know, the fact is that it came in a rather small ship - Peter informed him. - About the size of one of our Hummingbird-class attack cruisers. I guess they wouldn't have any of their senior commanders in it. Nor did they seem to be accompanied by others. Surely they would only be in reconnaissance tasks. Or they may have gone astray. - He conjectured the young man. -

- That leads us to think about where they will have the rest of their ships - commented his interlocutor by messing his chin in a pensive attitude. - Maybe he'll tell us.

- I don't know. It doesn't seem likely to me - peter opined. - And besides, chances are you'll have orders not to reveal the exact amount of your forces.

- You're right. That is the most logical thing - agreed Pierre. - In short, the best thing will be to lead you to the Council and for them to decide how to establish relations. We know nothing about that officer or his planet. -

And looking at the position of the others he made an indication to Kira, the girl approached with pretension excusing herself with Yener and the others.

- You will say, my colonel. - Said the girl reaching out to him and his partner and waving. -

- What do you think of that officer? - Pierre openly asked him after returning the greeting. -

- From what I've read in your mind, it seems well-intentioned and sincere. I also think it belongs to an alliance of worlds similar to ours - she replied. -

- That complicates it even more - colonel Larans replied arguing. – It could mean that we will not only have to deal with it individually on a planet. - He conjectured to add more carelessly to line followed. - Well, we'll think about that later. Peter, accompany him personally to the Congress building.

His son and subordinate nodded and waving militarily walked away towards his guest. Yener, while he had said goodbye to Gina and Gordon, they both walked away to what looked like the terminal to probably go to their accommodations. The girl presented him with a watchful look and a friendly smile before leaving and he reciprocated.

-Really a beautiful young woman. - He thought following her with his gaze for a few more moments. –

Then the yumlaincer was left alone. But he did not waste those moments, since he did not lose detail of some of the ships he observed on the tracks of that tramway. Confirming their impression when they were on the descent, most were small in size, rather short-haul patrol boats. Others, a little bigger light attack, but I did not see any that had considerable dimensions. Those would probably be orbiting the planet given the difficulty of landing them. The same thing happened in Yumlaiance.

-Your battlecruisers or ship carriers will be at some distance. There is no point in swoding around a planet, let alone posing on it. They would be an easy target. They will surely have them distributed in the areas of influence that they deem appropriate. - He opined with total military sense. -

In that he was guessing, about the size and quality of those ships, when Peter's voice took him out of his reflections.

- Sorry we made you wait, but we should inform you right away. - That boy excused himself by adding with kindness. - If you have the goodness to follow me. I will immediately lead you to our advice.

Yener nodded slightly and followed his host to a magnetic levitation vehicle that in Yumlaiance was known by the name of slider, climbing on it they accessed that kind of highway of vacuum tubes that moved them at a good speed, although the movement inside was almost imperceptible. During the journey, Peter took the opportunity to ask his guest.

We haven't talked about it. I guess your rank will be too high among yours to have been designated as an intermediary.

Not really. - Yener admitted. - I'm only first lieutenant. - It reminded him. -

"I am a Lieutenant. - He was informed by Peter. -

-I do not know the equivalence of your military rank with ours. - His interlocutor said. -

We are a police force, not a military one. - Peter stated, qualifying that yes. - Although we operate in a similar way to the army. I imagine it will be similar to the way you function.

For now, I lack evidence to support an opinion. - Yener responded cautiously. –

-Claro. - Convino Peter. -

To the yumlaincer it seemed that perhaps it had been something cutting, but he could not afford even the slightest slip that gave information to those strangers. As friendly as they seemed!

-The history of our world has many examples of traitors or individuals who knew how to deceive very well. I should not trust myself, however kind they may seem and their wives are very beautiful. - It was said. –

In your case, especially for the latter! And as his master Light Goshawk had always warned him, the greater the temptation, the greater the prudence to avoid it. So he was silent. Peter did the same thing, and that was already starting to get a little uncomfortable. Luckily after a few minutes the vehicle stopped and omega's officer opened the exit gate.

"We have already arrived at the building," the patrolman said. - The council has been warned and has called a special meeting. You will be received as soon as you reach the top floor. When you finish go back to the ground floor and I will show you your accommodations.

"Thank you very much," replied Yener trying to make up for his previous dryness with a sincere compliment. - You are very kind. Like everyone else around here. That is something we value very much.

I guess it's a universal constant to value that. - Peter said. –

"Of course, you're right. - Yener smiled feeling a little silly. -

Peter smiled and showed him the elevator he was supposed to take, he himself apologized, as other obligations demanded of him. Yener went up to the floor indicated by his companion and once he arrived he left the elevator to face a long corridor with a wide door as a finish. After traveling the distance that separated him from this came to meet a kind of flying robot that he said in a metallic voice.

- Please wait a few moments...- After which he added with metallic but funny tone, at least for the boy. - Right, it can happen.

The doors opened wide and Yener observed a long table arranged in horseshoe, at least a dozen chairs directed towards him and occupied by beings of the most varied species watching him. One green and of great bulbous head, another yellow and of a size less than half a meter. At the other extreme, one looking like a rather hairy ape and so on and so on even stranger; another of them was human, but he also seemed of small stature judging by the size of his legs and finally, in the center of the room, a middle-aged and quite attractive human woman who was the one who addressed him in the first place with a kind and firm voice.

- Welcome to you, Lieutenant. I'm Lora Dair, the president of the Council of omega's allied planet confederation.

- My name is Yener Rant D'lal, representative of the planet Yumlaiance and the Quadruple Alliance of which she is a member. It's a great honor for me to be here. On behalf of the sovereign of my world and his allies, I thank you for receiving me in peace. - I replenish him with identical courtesy. -

- There is no other desire in us, nor do we harbor any other intention than to know each other in peace and offer you our friendship, lieutenant - replied the president. -

Yener was able to attest to that, by succinctly reading the mind of her interlocutor. She couldn't do it more deeply in case they had someone like Kira, who could detect it, or she herself possessed telepathic abilities. However, the little he was able to glimpse he liked. That woman seemed to have very remarkable qualities, such as patience, empathy and a great desire to help and seek consensus coupled with a strong will when the time came. He seemed to have everyone's respect. He must have been very suitable for a position of such importance as the one he held.

I would like to reiterate my deepest thanks to you, Madam President. - The boy testified. -

Have you said that you have sovereign? - He asked that woman with an unscruulated curiosity. -

- Yes, indeed. His Majesty the Emperor of Yumlaiance. - I say Yener with pride. -

- So you rule by monarchy. - Observed one of those beings of evidently alien appearance sitting at one end. - How interesting!

- Not exactly - I replenish the yumlaincer that nuanced. - Our Emperor is rather a symbol of respect and tradition that unites us. In my world, we have elected our rulers for centuries.

- That's fine - granted another one sitting there. - Tell us, lieutenant. Is your planet far away?

- I wouldn't be sure - it was Yener's cautious response. - I came here on one of your ships. Neither his speed, nor his distance readings were known to me until I had traveled much of the way.

- But you are already perfectly fluent in the common language of the Confederation. How is that possible? - He wanted to know the bluish individual. -

- I have certain telepathic abilities that, together with those of one of your patrol boats, have provided me with the precise language keys. - The boy answered sincerely. -

"I see," commented that short human with a ratonil face that he had seen before to investigate. - Do you belong to a combat fleet? Or was he just on an exploratory mission?

-Both - Yener declared. - My ship is part of a tactical wing. It is part of one of the squadrons into which our first fleet is divided.

- So you have more than one fleet? - This little man shrewdly inquired. -

- With all due respect - Objected to the yumlaincer. - I cannot provide more accurate information about the military forces of my world or its allied planets without the authorization of my superiors for that purpose.

And by doing a brief sweep of that subject's mind, he was able to verify that it was not even remotely similar to that of the president. That guy gave the impression of being as servile as he was devious. He was able to show an allegiance or, rather, an unconstitute follow-up to his warlord, but he despised and distrusted other members of his own council. Luckily, Yener knew how to keep her expression unchanged, though she had almost involuntarily contracted into a grimace of disgust and disappropriation by only superficially probing that guy.

- And I complained about the natacliers! This one is on its way to Nephraler. - Thought. -

- You must apologize to the representative of Cassiopeia - The president intervened clarifying to her guest. – He, in addition to being an ambassador for his world, is a military attaché and tends to be inclined to these issues.

- I understand that. - Yener nodded down. - I would have asked the same question instead, but as I have said before, for more information on that or any other point, I must receive direct instructions from my high command, Madam President.

- We will do our best to contact them as soon as possible. - He observed that, addressing once again his guest, he said with marked courtesy. - For the time being you are welcome once again. You will be tired, I will order that you be prepared accommodation. By the way," he added, looking at him with curiosity. - I see that you belong to the human species, as do some of us.

- I've also thought about it, - Yener admitted speculating with a smile. - It could be that we had common ancestors. As we say, in their world there are also children of Ishir and Maray.

- Sons of Ishir and Maray? - The president asked in surprise. - What does that mean?

- Maray is one of our most important goddesses. Ishir is her daughter and according to some beliefs in my world, she created us by delegation of a higher god. There are others who do not support these ideas. Atheists or who profess other cults. - Yener explained. -

- Are you? - lora wanted to know that he immediately qualified. - I mean, follower of that cult.

- I do, I have been educated in that faith, which is the official one of our world.

- So they worship gods - observed that little yellow being. - And more than one as far as I see.

- Yes, indeed, our chief gods are the Creator, who is the supreme maker of Cosmos. The goddess Maray, creator of many worlds. The god Alex, who gave us medicine and music and the children of both, the god Kail, who rules over war and wisdom. And the goddess Ishir, who is the creator of our species and has as symbols our Sun and our Moon, representing the light. But I'm not the best place to talk to you about the religion of my world. That's the responsibility of our priests or magicians, as we call the experts in those subjects. Do you also have gods? - Wanted to know in turn. -

- Our alliance declares itself non-denominational - Lora said. - Although that is officially, each of its members has or does not have different gods and beliefs that it worships if it deems it appropriate.

- Do humans in your particular world have any? - Yener asked him quite interested. -

- It could be said that many of us also place our faith in the Creator. - The president agreed which made Yener smile. -

- We are therefore more similar than you could have imagined. - He gladly said this one by adding as a farewell. - Now with your permission I will retire as you had advised me. Delighted to meet you all, ladies and gentlemen. - He added deferentially to the rest of those gathered there. -

The president nodded with a slight bow of her head and Yener greeting the council turned around leaving the room. When he was young his had gone. Lora returned to her seat and addressing her colleagues asked them.

- And okay? What do you think? Dr. Newman? - He went first to the one sitting closest to him.

-He seems like a nice young man with good intentions. - Replied the questioner, who was a representative of the Constellation of Scorpion, a bald-headed individual who had two pairs of arms. I liked your words.

Above all, we must be prudent and not lower our guard. Appearances could deceive. – A burly, greenish-skinned one intervened, who identified himself as representing a sector of the Andromeda Galaxy. –

I fully agree with the opinion of my distinguished colleague. - He affirmed that man of ratonil gesture, adding. – I will have to inform my worthy leader, General Tirelius, immediately of this contact.

Of course. You all have that obligation and that right. - The president agreed, adding. – In any case, we must remain faithful to the spirit of our confederation. To welcome potential new friends within the framework of tolerance, respect and the principle of trust. Without neglecting of course, the most elementary precautions.

All the representatives of the Confederation nodded, they were unanimous in describing that meeting as pleasant, although each one already made his own calculations in the interest of his planets. They should first check the strength of this new potential ally. If that planet Yumlaiance and its alliance were powerful, everyone would try to attract it to their particular sphere of interest. Lora was certainly no stranger to those thoughts, although she would be satisfied if they could establish a fruitful relationship at all levels. But, above all, that it be based on peace and mutual benefit.

It's a complete enigma. - Meditated. - And it's not easy. Even if that boy was indeed someone well-meaning, in the long run he won't be the one to speak for his world.

Yener, in turn, was relieved to have left that meeting. Diplomatic conferences were not exactly his thing.

-If those people knew the times I have fought in one of the taverns that are in Holmgard or in Dumlans. - Thought more fun than rushed. –

To tell the truth, most of the time it was not his fault but the fault of some idiot who insulted him, his order or Prehistory.

And I don't know which of those offenses I consider more serious, I might be able to kill someone for any of them. - I reflected amused. –

He stood before the elevator asking him which floor he wanted to go to.

The truth is, I don't know. - Declared. -

-I need accurate data to take you. - Answered a robotic voice. –

-Ground floor. "He said at last. -

He wasn't too sure if that would take him to his accommodations, but he thought he'll already ask there.

-There will be more people and I will be able to inform myself better. - Reasoned. -

The door opened soon after, he set out to enter when he ran into a young woman who intended exactly the opposite.

- Sorry - he apologized. -

- Don't worry - I replenish the girl that Yener immediately recognized as that blonde girl who had come on the ship along with him.

- I think we've seen each other before on the ship. I was a navigator, wasn't it? - He was very interested in contacting that attractive girl. -

- Yes, that's right. - He corroborated the young woman in a somewhat shy way without focusing her gaze entirely on his eyes – We came together.

- I'll officially introduce myself then. I am First Lieutenant Yener Rant D, L'l'lal, from Yumlaiance, delighted.

- My name is Gina Margarite Annette Larans, I am an ensign of omega's planet federation. - She responded by overcoming a little that embarrassing expression on her face. -

- A long and nice name. And I see that he is called the same as the colonel - Yener observed suspiciously. -

- Yes, it's my father - she smiled adding blush. - And the president of the Council is my mother.

- Wow! - Smiled Yener in turn -. So it could be said that having a talk with you is meeting two embassies, diplomatic and military at the same time.

- No, she shouldn't think that - I replenish her increasingly blushing. - The positions held by my parents have nothing to do with me or my brother.

- Brother? - Yener inquired, pretending to be surprised, even though he had already intuited something like that. -

- Yes, the officer who brought you here and who commanded the ship, is my brother. - She clarified. -

"Apparently here everything is family- Yener said that he added with a more extroverted gesture.  -Please tweet me. I thought I had reached that first diplomatic agreement on board with all of you.

I'm sorry. - He was able to answer that young lady who was really colored. - It was so focused on navigation that I shouldn't have noticed.

The girl certainly felt like a fool. She was supposed to be conversing with the representative of a new world and despite her own studies of diplomacy, she wasn't exactly playing a big role. Also, of course to drop all his full name, which he did not like to do. But that way at least he had something to say. She sighed, all that happened to her because of her damn shyness. In that, of course, she was the opposite of her brother.

- Peter has told me times, I have to be more talkative. But I don't come up with anything natural with those I don't know. - He lamented in silence. -

To Yener these mental disquisitions of his interlocutor did not go unnoticed by his discipline of telepathy. And that, far from being embarrassing to him like his speaker, she seemed really delicious. That girl wasn't shy, it's that she almost died of shame.

    What he couldn't quite say was whether it was for reasons of that diplomatic contact or because she found him attractive.

-I would certainly prefer the latter. - He said to himself amused. -

He thought again that Alas, if instead of in the middle of a diplomatic visit he had been in a bar in Dumlans or Holmgard! Although on this occasion not to star in a fight, but to establish social relations with a girl like that. I'm sure I would have already linked. But first of all he had to remember where he was and what was expected of him, he had to be restrained and very careful. He chose to smile politely asserting.

-Don't worry. You don't have to apologize. But since we are both young officers and colleagues, I don't see why we should maintain so much formality.

- As you like – She smiled again she who could master her patent Goss hawking to add - Now if you excuse me, I should go see my mother, well. I wanted to say to the President-in-Office of the Council.

Yener nodded politely away from the elevator, the girl came out and dedicating one last nice look to her got lost in the corridor. He got into the elevator.

- Which floor do you want to go to? - Listened again. -

-Ground floor. - Repeated. –

And as that pot closed the door and moved down to the lobby Yener thought that was the best contact, he had established so far. That girl seemed charming to him, although she was even shyer than he had imagined.

-Anyway, you never know. I should have asked him for a good place to eat and all that. And hopefully we could have eaten together. - He thought, although he immediately wanted to put it out of his mind and said to himself. - Duty comes first. After that, with a little luck... we'll look at more private land...

          Of course, for him, his tendency to want to fraternize excessively with the opposite sex could sometimes be counterproductive. He had to be careful at the academy, there were very pretty girls who were very hot, but any false step could have cost him dearly.

-That of the little colored flags and so on. - He remembered. - Not to say that it's forbidden to interact that way among cadets. Well, if they don't find out in the superiority of course.

He thought of his friend Larus and how he had helped him to keep his feet on the ground on more than one occasion.

-I must commend his restraint. - He admitted with a slight smile as he went in search of somewhere of interest. -

Meanwhile, Gina did not come out of that meeting very encouraged, and not because she did not find the boy nice and handsome, but mainly because of her lack of communication.

-If I want to have a future in the space police or in diplomacy, I have to be much more communicative. - She reproached herself. -

    She consoled herself with the thought that fortunately relations with this new world would not depend on her.

**START**