UNC002E

**START**

**The Meeting of Two Worlds.**

- Set course 2-8-6-w. Let's go to medium power...

- Aye, sir, average power, two-eight-six-w.

Sitting on the bridge of command Lieutenant Yener Rant D’lal repeated the order of his superior, only three weeks ago he had graduated from the general academy of the army in Yumlaiance and despite all his preparation and his magnificent record he was somewhat nervous. Since childhood he had dreamed of becoming a famous warrior of the Kail as his teacher and mentor and a loyal servant of his Imperial Majesty. Now that, after five years of studies and arduous training, he was already a lieutenant, he would surely succeed.

-I just have to gain experience and manage to do something worthwhile. - I thought. -

However, for this the fundamental thing was to have practice and there was nothing better for that than serving on one of the light cruisers of the fleet. Thanks to being the third of his promotion he had been able to ask for that destination, he knew that he was very lucky because this way he could achieve two of his main objectives, learn and live adventures. It had been a week since they had left the planet and crossed the jurisdictional zone of the Quadruple Alliance. They were in almost unknown space, but until now except for a magnetic storm that they suffered three days, after passing through a double star system of red dwarfs, not much had happened. Tactical maneuvers, preparation courses to establish contacts with friendly or enemy ships or the rules of engagement. All this seasoned with some interference due to that same magnetism with its home world and with the rest of the fleet. Although that was not something out of the ordinary when they crossed according to which regions of space.

-It is like reviewing the Academy's agenda again, but in an accelerated version. - It was said with resigned boredom. - But hey, we weren't going to the neutral zone either, so I knew I wasn't going to see a Nephralerbattleship.

Of course he would have preferred it, it would be something unusual and invaded his curiosity. Although, like the rest of his world, he had a mixture of contempt and distrust combined with a certain fear and fascination towards those guys.

-I remember the stories mom told Erel  and me when I were little. That if the nephralers descended from the lords of darkness. That if they were pale because they lived underground. - He smiled now, meditating. - As children we believed anything!

Although he had to admit himself, perhaps due to the influence of his training in the monastery he was not as skeptical as most of his compatriots.

I still believe many. At least, Master Goshawk never denied that my mother's stories were entirely made up. I wish I could see for myself!

Of course, he had a great desire to seek answers to many questions, questions that, since he was a child, fascinated him. Added to that was that he never stood out for being a quiet and restrained boy. In fact, he had a tendency to rush to figure things out and always wanted to get away with it, almost at any cost. He smiled, recalling his mother's scoldings, patient conversations with his father, and even his own younger brother's appeals for calm. Not even in the Monastery had they managed to take that part away from him. Even his master Azor Ligero sometimes admonished him with that paternal and quiet style of his, typical of whom he already had a great knowledge and experience in life. And that's despite the fact that the boy did not stop committing mischipeies since he entered the Order of the Kail at the age of eight. Those things that would have taken anyone out of their boxes were nonetheless taken with great aplomb and serenity by their mentor. And that was one of the qualities that Yener admired the most. Surely because he was unable to show such restraint.

- Ha, ha! I could never be a good instructor for puppies. - It was said. - I've never been able to understand how he manage to be so patient...

Truly, I adored that man. And he sought his approval as much or more in some respects than that of his own family.

-My father has never understood me too much. - I was thinking now with a worse mood. - He never wanted mom to talk to the Kail to be admitted, and then well, he said yes, it was something very honorable and that would serve for my achievement sheet in life. With that I could always pursue politics or join a prestigious firm if I studied economics. I think I gave him a dislike when I decided to enter the military academy in Dumlans.

And it was something else that, against all odds, he got. His father claimed upon learning of this that he could never pass the tests. Yener took the decision to prove him wrong. And he really did! With great pride he remembered his graduation ceremony, in the presence of his family and his teacher, when he was given the office of lieutenant, swearing allegiance in the name of the gods to the people of Yumlaiance, personified in the figure of the Emperor, the government and his superiors.

My father, as usual, said that he thought it was very good and that he congratulated me, but that he should not insist on pursuing a military career, that he would not go beyond the commander at most. He also insisted that in private enterprise and with his contacts he would earn many more credits and live better. Well, he could not convince me, although he did manage it with my brother, Erel  has made him proud, he will be the one to take care of the family business. Fortunately, Azor Ligero did know how to understand me.

The master of the Kail himself had suggested that, in order to gain experience, he should embark on one of those ships that made voyages of exploration beyond the borders of its stellar quadrant.

"Perhaps your destiny is beyond the sky of Yumlaiance, Sparrowhawk," he told him shortly before his graduation as a lieutenant. –

At that time he was very encouraged, if his teacher advised him to do so it only reinforced his determination. Live adventures, face some unknown being or gain glory for himself and his planet.

Except in the neutral zone, this is perhaps where I thought I could have the opportunity to test my skills. Although I still have a long way to go to reach you, master. But I'm on my way. - He thought not without satisfaction, although diminishing his enthusiasm to think not without annoyance. - Although I thought it was going to be something else and as this is still so boring I will never have the opportunity to make merits to achieve it.

And so it was. The boy eagerly awaited something that would alter the monotony of that trip. Not surprisingly, he had entered a very little-traveled quadrant of the galaxy. It is in such areas that strange sightings had occasionally been reported, but they had never crystallized into encounters with ships of any power.

-They can be secret models of the Nataclier. Those guy always try to hide everything. - I thought. -

But not even a suspicious radar echo or propulsion signature had been detected. Up to that point I had only seen a lot of empty space and received a lot of routine orders.

- This is certainly not the idea I had in mind. - Thought once again feeling somewhat disappointed -... I would be having a better time on a picnic with my mother and her friends.

And that was certainly a lot to say! The poor man could not stand those meetings with gossip and the news of the heart almost as the only topics. At least, being a cry, he played with his brother, or with his friend Karie  whom he was pleased to tease at the slightest opportunity.

-I always jumped totally angry. And I was making common cause with Erel  to give me back the jokes. Well, at the end of the day, they're the same age.  - He smiled once again. –

The thing is, I was rambling on those memories of childhood and adolescence. A sign that nothing interesting was happening.

Let's hope this is encouraged. - Wanted. –

As if he had guessed the thought, his superior and ship commander, Captain Amir Conelt  told him resting one of his hands on Yener's shoulder.

- Boy, don't think we're going to engage in combat against a fleet of strangers willing to invade our space on your first mission! - The veteran officer declared and his tone certainly sounded quite jocular. -

-- No, no sir-- Yener replied confused and even whipped to admit. - I just thought this would be different.

- Different? - The captain repeated something incredulous, adding with paternal tinge. - Rant, you'll soon realize that things aren't like in the academy's theoretical classes, nor the combat simulators.

- Anyway, we are entering an unknown area. The last base of the Quadruple Alliance is already almost a kuarseq  from here. You never know, sir. - He still wanted to oppose it. -

- Look. - The captain responded with a paternalistic smile. - I do not want to disappoint you, but, as you well know, space is so large that we could be surrounded by inhabited planets and thousands of ships and never get to know about them. In addition, this is only a reconnaissance flight prior to an authentic exploration mission, that's a thing of a more prepared combat flotilla and with self-supply ships. And they haven't been done for quite some time. The budget is not so good.

Yener had no choice but to agree with her captain, the government had a spending-cutting program that included distant exploration missions. He considered it a serious mistake. It was better to be prepared and maintain outposts, in case a possible hostile civilization wanted to attack Yumlaiance it would not have difficulty if they only possessed defensive enclaves in their own star system, or a few light patrol ships.

Being such huge sectors, anyone could sneak in, but of course most of our resources are destined to patrol the neutral zone.

And in other demarcations it was the fleets of their allied planets that were in charge of ensuring common security. So everything else I would do some exchange program with any of those worlds and that way I would get to know other places.

-Akapler will be able to be fine... no, too cold, it's worse than Kalte. Or so they say. Ciloner has a lot of gravity and is very uncomfortable... and Nataclia. I don't know, those guys are really boring, if not deranged. - Sighed. -

So, I was thinking about being patient and just complying with orders when a holographic radio officer reported the presence of a weak signal on the screen. That gave him a shy hope, although warnings like those had had them in droves. However, things seemed to promise after a few moments when  Conlet  inquired.

- Can it be a meteorite or a comet?

- I don't think so, sir, - replied the ensign in charge of the screen specifying the data - your movement is too regular and you are moving towards us in a direction. It seemed to vary according to ours. As if I hadn't detected. I think it's a ship.

- The "Imbola" was close to our position sir, could it be them. - Yener argued logically. –

-Try to confirm it, try to capture its propulsion signature. - Ordered the captain. -

Yener was motivated by a possible encounter with something unknown, although realizing that his superior might take that for a childish enthusiasm, he wanted to eat himself not wanting to be noticed too much. In addition. That was the most plausible explanation, surely the detection ones would confirm that the signal came from the battlecruiser Imbola, the most powerful ship and ship patrolling this sector. But something inside made him feel a little nervous.  One of those disciplines he mastered seemed to have been activated. Although for the moment he did not want to give it greater importance or communicate it. Many on the ship did not like that he exhibited such skills and even considered it in bad taste that he flaunted them.

-As the teacher said. There are quite a few people today who don't pay much credence to tradition. Well, they do wrong! - I meditated not without comptroller. - Where would Yumlaiance be if it were not for our traditions and culture? Above all, that of the Lords of the Kail of Somer.

He had had a few fights in places of leisure when for one reason or another he was known to be a member of the order. There was never a lack of funny people who asked him, of course with derision, to hypnotize the waitress who was so good or to levitate a pitcher of Blorg beer to approach her. And, above all, when the imbecile on duty made a mockery of the imposed names of the Kail. Kind of like that.

- Hey, friend!, How do they call you in the Monastery? The Jumping Frog? The Dancing Monkey?

Normally he didn't take the slightest notice, but if some idiot got too heavy it would end badly. On more than one occasion they even arrested him for shaking more than one by applying some combat technique and he spent a couple of nights in the dungeon. Fortunately, he never did much harm to anyone and being a member of that reputed order he usually had a certain wide sleeve, the authorities often turned a blind eye, being aware that such provocations existed. Of course there were many people too who supported, respected and admired them. Although when it was his turn to suffer some punishment he accepted it without protest and without anyone from the family or the Monastery moving a single finger to get rid of it. Because on that, both his parents and his teacher, they agreed.

-If you get into a mess, get out of it yourself. - He quietly oozed the rant that his father used to let go of him when that happened. -

But with Goshawk Light it was different, at least in the way that man spoke to him. When the boy thought that his guardian of the Kail might be scolding him, he surprised him by making himself ashamed to realize his wrongdoing. Sometimes I didn't know what was worse.

"Well, of course I know. Master Goshawk's way is much worse, it makes me  realize how idiotic I can become. - He said he was really rushed to think about it. -

He remembered it once in particular. He was about fifteen years old and it happened when, after being sent to collect firewood for some of those infractions he used to commit such as being late, trying to impress a girl with his skills or simply being distracted in classes, his mentor told him on his return.

-Wow, Gavilán Veloz. Looks like you've picked up quite a lot.

-Yes, master. I regret playing target shooting at the door of the warehouse with my axe. - He sighed as the punishment was because of that on that occasion. - And even more so when Cunning Owl was going to open the door, I celebrate that it is so fast dodging. - Sighed in relief. -

Light Goshawk laughed at that. Stating funny.

- Why do you think they call it cunning Owl?

I don't know. Although I don't think it has to do with his speed. - The bewildered boy commented. -

His teacher laughed again, patting the boy's shoulder and replied.

-You never know what might be behind a door. That's what he always says. And therefore open with caution. Also, as a master of the second-level Kai, his senses alerted him that something wasn't going as well as it should.

Yes, I really regret that. - The young man excused himself once again by looking at the ground and admitting. - I deserve to be punished for my stupidity.

His mentor looked at him slightly shaking his head and replied with a friendly tone and full of enigmatic introspection, as almost always when he told him some anecdote from ancient times.

-Sometimes Gavilán, being punished is our destiny. And you certainly learn more from a mistake than from a success. That will make, at the pace you take, one day you will be very, very wise.

The boy didn't know how to take that. Goshawk Light had that kind of sly humor that Yener liked or took him out of the way, depending, of course, on whether it was directed at him as a target or not.

-Yes, master. - He sighed resignedly. -

-And remember that, had it not been for a punishment for his lack of attention in a class, our refounder Skarn  Dailin, who at the time was  Skarn  Tioros,would have died along with his classmates and the Kail would never have resurfaced.

-Yes teacher, you told me as a child, in the ancient language its meaning was that of Silent Wolf, and that after being the only survivor was renamed as Lone Wolf.

That was a consolation! Especially when he had been put in a comparison of equality with that legend. Even if it was to talk about punishments. He smiled without being able to avoid it to add.

-Seen this way, to have gone to collect firewood as he did, is a great honor. I can be proud of that.

And his mentor displayed that everlasting smile of his, nodding lightly to sentence.

-You start to see it from the right perspective, Gavilán, remember that there are always different ways of seeing the same thing...

Now, an order from the captain made him put aside those reflections and memories.

- Let's get on a parallel course and prepare the attack systems just in case. Arrange also communication on the standard frequency of the alliance, it could be a Nataclia ship.

- Yes, sir. Or perhaps Ciloneresa  or Akapler - Added Larus Daet, another of the ship's young lieutenants, Yener's partner from the academy. -

In reality, they were great friends and had achieved their destinies together. Larus always calmer and more moderate than his partner smiled amusedly to his insides drilling the impatience of his friend with those blue and bright eyes. Yener's good guy was crazy to find anything weird out there, even more than flirting with girls when they were off leave. Although in the opinion of Lieutenant Daet himself it was better not to tempt luck.

- You're always impatient to get in trouble, Yener. - He said it with amusing tone. -

- How when I went with you to dibarem  stadium to see my team? - He smiled at the alluded to. -

- Only a madman came up with the thought of wanting to enter the area of the staunch fans of the Campirians  of  Guadail with a flag of the  Prehistar of Dumlans! - Rio Larus. - Thank goodness I managed to dissuade you from staying!, when you scored the tie and shouted goal, not all your disciplines of monk-warrior would have saved you.

I admit it was ingenious of you to say that this was a sociological experiment, and that we were rehearsing a joke.

- And thank goodness you ran away afterwards! - He added his partner laughing too. - At least you took advantage of the moments I gave you until the ultras realized that it was a very bad excuse.

"Well, a lot of them didn't care whether it was an excuse or not!" laughed Yener, remembering how they ran after him.

Even the comrades who were near their posts smiled. And it is that sports raised passions, there were several teams in their world of importance, but those two were without a doubt, the most a bitter rivals.

"Well, this time we are not in a match. This is something a little more important. - Commander Elkortold them, the second in command, interrupting that relaxed atmosphere. - That ship has veered to approach, and according to the readings is increasing its energy spectrum.

They could be weapons or defensive systems. - Declared a navigation officer. -

- Will it be an enemy ship? - Asked Yener thinking about those guys who were almost unspeatable to his own. -

Let's hope not, Lieutenant Rant. - Declared Elkor. -

-It is not likely in this sector of space. Anyway, we have to be careful, the last thing we would need would be to provoke a diplomatic incident with some allied power, - warned the captain, adding without hiding his concern. –Or worse, with one that is not.

- We have already sent the message, sir, - an ensign intervened and immediately objected. - But we get no answer in the frequency of the Alliance, or even in other sequences.

- Try all the simultaneous channels you know, in all languages. Enter universal mathematical and light communication codes. Whatever it is I hope you can understand some of that. - He wished the veteran officer to whom that was beginning to seem quite atypical. -

- We've verified that it's a ship, sir. It is only several bidicars, its size is a quarter of ours approximately, its technology, so we can see is similar.

- Then we could get closer keeping the attack systems ready - Yener suggested. - With the shield deployed. We will probably surpass them in potential.

- Our shields are not very powerful, - Larus objected, adding with caution- and we do not know the actual attack capability of that ship, should it be armed. We should not be fooled by its size.

-Well said Lieutenant Daet. - The captain approved. -

- It's true, because of its shape and speed I think it's a fightership, -- Yener said -- I have no doubt about that.

- Any more perceptions, Rant? - He was asked by Commander Elkor. -

No sir. My senses confirm this. They are not helpless, for better or for worse they can fight. It's the most I can feel at this distance. – The alluded to concluded. –

-A very sharp intuition. The same one that we must have all had on the bridge. - Whispered a certain Kair  Mulhar, another lieutenant who sat two seats from Yener. -

This one looked at him with inquina, That guy was the typical case of the clown who underestimated the disciplines of the Kail! In a pun of Tibinquésorigin, a region of Yumlaiance, he came to say thatthey were"disciples",sosimple.

-One of these days I'm going to shake you with one of my "disciples".  And you'll tell me what you think. - Yener was said with broad glee. –

Fortunately for him, those thoughts were alien to the rest. Perhaps not entirely to Larus who already knew him well enough to have worried about the look that Yener dedicated to the imbecile that one. Although thanks to mother Maray, goddess of patience, her friend was restrained and Larus made not the slightest comment.

- Are we already close enough? - In the meantime the captain asked the navigator-.

- Yes sir, distance, eighty-one bidicars. - Confirmed the officer. -

- Are they still not responding to our signals? - Yener asked quite expectantly. -

- Negative sir...- replied the communications ensign. -

-- Maybe they're hostile or they just don't understand us," Larus conjectured-...

- Don't you understand us with that technology? - Yener exclaimed, claiming. - Please, that's not logical! Even if they do not speak our language they will understand the mathematical sequences.

His partner and friend shrugged his shoulders. I didn't know what to answer that either. Yener was certainly right on this occasion. A civilization capable of building that ingenuity by force should understand such simple mathematical foundations.

- Won't it be a drill? - Larus then inquired acutely, explaining himself. - You know, my captain. Sometimes the high command sends camouflaged ships to study the reactions of the crews with officers fresh out of the academy.

That could be the case, sir. - Mulharagreed, seriously for once. - You may want to see how we operate under pressure.

As far as I am concerned, I was not given any order, nor was I warned to that effect when we left. - Declared Conelt. -

And Yener's basic senses told her that her commanding officer was telling the truth. Or at least that's what I really thought. Perhaps the admiralty would have sent a ship even without notifying the captain. Although that procedure was not orthodox, I believed them to be perfectly capable. I would not ignore that on board was he who with his perceptions of the Kail could detect something in the captain himself. The truth is that he himself was totally lost in the midst of that situation.

Now I do hope that we are not mistaken. On this occasion, I don't think master Azor's philosophy was of much use. The wisdom we would gain from making a mistake will not help us if we start a war. - He thought with concern. -

- What do we do, sir? - Larus then asked to stare at his captain as if trying to anticipate the latter's reaction to the gestures on his face. - Do we wait?

- For now that will be the most prudent thing to do, - Conlet  agreed, but be ready to break contact at any time and try to locate the position of one of our battlecruisers. We could need your support, at least as a deterrent.

Yener nodded to that order, he knew that the captain liked to have his backs well covered and of course, for that there was nothing better than the new battlecruisers. Removing the super-cruisers and ship carriers were the most powerful thing in the fleet, one of them would scare any intruder smart enough to realize their power. But we'd have to see if those strangers were smart enough.

"And apart from the Imbola,we should not have any more in this sector. -He thought in a hurry. -

Of course the screen did not show more ships, but they could have camouflage devices, such as those odious Nephralers that so troubled the Allied command. I wish it wasn't their ship, although if it had been, they would have received some response, one way or another. Yet neither world was interested in an escalation of hostilities. Mulhar said thesamething.

-Those guys will be weird, but they're not stupid. At least, I guess they'll have someone to reason in Helgamad, their capital, Yener replied.

-Su world is in the opposite quadrant, but I think they are capable of anything. For once, I agree with you  Somerés. - He smiled this.

That's what that cretin called him. Although he knew full well that Yener was born in Dumlans capital and was Yumcer. However, his mother was from the somer region, or rather from the ancient kingdom that was called, in the ancient language, the kingdom of  Sommerlund. That, together with the fact that the monastery was in that region, had earned him that nickname from that cretin since he met him shortly after arriving at his current destination.

- Sir, a transmission is received by band four – The communications ensign warned at that moment. - It's a binary code, it seems very easy, they also try to tell us something.

The crew of the bridge could give a relieved sigh, those guys did not intend to engage in combat, at least for now. If they tried to communicate, they might have peaceful intentions. But who knows? They could also be sending them an ultimatum for surrender. Now everything depended on luck and key service.

- Can you figure it out? - The captain asked with his eyes wide open. -

"The computer is in it, sir," replied Larus, who was dealing directly with the matter. - I think you can...

After a few seconds, the computer translator actually claimed to have the answer.

-They are keys to spectra of basic chemical elements. - One of the communications ensigns reported. -

They must be trying to establish a system based on things we share. - Conjectured commander Elkor. –

That would be the most logical thing to do, we would do the same. - Agreed his superior who inquired. - Do you get anything else?

Yes, sir. More similar keys. - It was the answer. –

-Contesten y transmitan de igual modo. - Ordenó Conlet. –

-Transmitting basic mathematical formulas. And binary code with logical equalities. - Declared the officer in charge. -

Everyone waited expectantly. Surely the computers of these individuals would be on a par with theirs. If so, they could quickly decipher all of that and create some idiomatic link to craft more complex messages. Yener then felt something, as if an alien thought had visited him for a few moments.

I am absolutely sure that you want to make peaceful contact, sir. - He then told Captain Conlet. -

Very well, Lieutenant Rant, that's my opinion. - The questioner agreed, ordering. - Transmit in code of new universal contact.

And that order was one of the most exciting thing that Yener or anyone else on board the ship had ever experienced. Officially a communication protocol was initiated with a totally unknown alien culture. So, after sending salutations on behalf of the Quadruple Alliance of Planets and specifically theirs, Yumlaiance, they listened. Just a few moments later they received the reply. The captain ordered that the contents of the message be revealed only to the command bridge. The communications ensign complied with the order and the computer issued the statement that it had been able to translate with inexplicable ease.

- It's a salutation message... it says verbatim." Greetings, we are a patrol ship of the Federation of United Planets of Omega, we are peaceful and we want to engage in communication, respond on the same frequency if you have understood the message."

And after looking at each other with surprise, a young officer asked.

- Federation of worlds? Which federation are you referring to? –

- Clearly none that we know. – Larus replied. -

-We must have traveled too far from our borders. - Commander Elkorsaid. - It may be that that electromagnetic storm when we passed near that binary star system affected our course and measurement. - Conjectured Lieutenant Daet. -

- It may well have been so. We'll take care of that later. For now, respond to your request - ordered the stunned captain. - Indicate our name and planet of origin and express our peaceful intentions.

- To the order- replied Lieutenant Daet by cautiously asking his superior - Under the system of attack, sir?

- With all due respect, my captain. I still don't trust myself - Mulharobjected. - It could be a trick. The way they have made contact is too easy. Their language is very similar to ours, their lexical bases too similar.

- Do you hint that all of this could be a trap of some enemy ship that knows us? - Asked Elkor. –

"It could well be, my commander. - The questioner nodded. -

Captain Conlet  then addressed his officers asking with visible interest.

Very well, gentlemen. I want to hear your views. do you all agree with Lieutenant Mulhar?

No sir. My opinion does not coincide with yours. - Terció Yener. -

- Do you spot something new now with your Kail skills, Rant? -. Wanted to know Conelt. -

- I continue as before, I can barely perceive anything, we are too far away and space isolates us. My sixth sense is not able to function in optimal conditions. Yener said that he also did not wish to admit that he had not yet sufficiently sharpened such discipline. –

-Sir, does Lieutenant Rant want us to trust in skills that he is not sure about, risking the ship? - Inquired Mulhar  with patent distrust. –

Yener snoted her head trying to contain her anger. I would willingly punch that guy in the face!  On the other hand, however, he had to admit that on this occasion his objections were quite objective. Still, he declared.

Nor should we be hostile, sir. Surely we will have entered your space. We should give a low profile of threat, not lower shields, but also not point our guns at them.

I agree with that, my captain. - Added Larus. –

The commanding officers exchanged glances. They thought it was good that these young lieutenants were having this exchange of suggestions. Finally it was Conlet  who took the floor to say.

All your views are equally reasonable. We cannot trust ourselves and let our guard down, nor should we be aggressive in a strange space.

That's right, sir. - Commander Elkoradded, to sentence. - Especially if reinforcements could arrive.

- All right, Lieutenant Daet - The captain agreed to be carried away by prudence. - For now keep the systems alert. But transmit already...

The transmission was made and soon they received a message inviting them to a visual contact on screen.

"Do we do it, sir?,- Yener asked visibly nervously. -

- Of course, I'm curious, you don't? - He smiled at the captain who didn't seem to be worried about just that. -

- I hope they are not too ugly, - smiled weakly the boy trying to appease his restlessness and curiosity. -

I think we'll survive that, Lieutenant. Issue images and prepare our reception system. - He was ordered by Commander Elkor. -

Rant obeyed and after a few tense moments the screen lit up and what they saw of course, was something that nobody expected. Looking at them with the same curiosity as them and who knows if wondering the same thing, four pairs of surprised eyes that corresponded to the same number of young faces that were no different in any way from their own. Those boys wore a blue uniform with wide white strips covering their chests and a kind of padded shoulder pads of the same color. Yener compared his own brown hair to one of those boys and they were pretty much the same.

- For Ishir, Alex, Maray and Kail! They look human. - Exclaimed Larus in amazement -. How is that possible? What planet are they from?

-They said something about a world called Omega. - Yener reminded him. -

- It could be an illusion and they take our form to deceive us. - Mulharwarned him. –

-An attempt on your part not to scare us. Interesting reasoning. - Commented Commander Elkor. –

- And how would they know about our appearance? - Conlet asked keenly, to declare. - Either they are equipped with vision systems and information devices capable of getting through our armor and security measures, or they possess extrasensory powers.

No one answered at the moment. Andener wasn't too sure it wasn't either. He was even beginning to perceive something strange, as if, as his captain had said, a kind of rather important psychic force manifested itself from that ship, although it was not necessarily hostile but quite powerful.

- What do you think, you Rant? - Wanted to know Elkor. -

I advise caution, sir. - It was the only thing he could think of replicating. -

And coming from him, that was a lot to say. For his part, Conelt  messed his chin leaning on his bridge armchair and trying to think. If those guys were really like him and his might well be a world close to the Alliance or known to some friendly power like Nataclia, although calling the natacliers friends sounded like a most forced euphemism. (Those guys would hide even the light of the suns from their own mother if they got the upper hand.) They always acted in a mysterious way, as if they were reserving information at every moment. On the one hand, it was natural, no matter how allied the secret services of Yumlaiance were not going to reveal everything they knew to any other world of the Quadruple Alliance, however, the  natacliers were excessive. And in a situation like this, the high command would certainly want as detailed a communication as possible. And if they weren't, it couldn't jeopardize the safety of the ship and the entire crew. It was risky but the captain believed the best option would be...

- I'm going to propose an approach to make direct contact. - Conlet decided to let his crew know. - All isolation and biological decontamination protocols will apply.

That left everyone around him perplexed. His officers looked at him in astonished, fearful and longing for that to come.

-Be prepared, one of you will be the one designated for this mission. - Ordered Yener, Larus and Mulhar. –

The three greeted and immediately went to the decontamination room to equip themselves.

-Maybe they will choose you in the end, Daet. - Mulhar commented with some derision when adding. - You don't always have the privilege of traveling with someone so famous.

-I doubt very much that those beings, whoever they are, know of my existence. - He commented stoically and modestly this one. –

Yener looked at that stupid Mulhar  with inquina. He alluded to The Fact that Larus had been a successful singer at Yumlaiance and decided to leave his career in favor of serving his world. But there always had to be some idiot who reminded him of that with disdain, calling it a kind of publicity stunt or a one recommended for his fame! So he did not shy away from intervening, addressing that cretin of  Mulhar

-Or we may send you. - He conjectured in the same acidic and ironic way by pointing with feigned unease. - Better than not, or they might think we're all the same.

- What do you mean by that? - He replied that guy, with the mood of few friends. -

I think it's very clear. - His contertulio smiled defiantly at him. –

Mulhar approached him staring at him, as if that way he would be able to intimidate him, Yener simply moved his head, although he was having an unspeakable time not to give that idiot a good mamporro. More so when he spied on his face.

- Have you believed that with those kail fair tricks that you have been taught in that monastery relic you are better than the rest? I would like to see you out of order so you can teach me some.

-I'll tell you one thing. - He replied the questioned tempering his anger barely. - You're right about something. I would also like to show you some... when we're out of order, of course.

Yener then noticed Larus' hand perched on one of his shoulders. He said, addressing his two companions now.

At this time that could be historic for our world, I do not think it is in our interest to do anything that spoils this opportunity.

Mulhar then stepped aside to nod and reply with a more conciliatory tinge.

-In that you are absolutely right, music star. There will be another opportunity.

He just left that room. Yener sighed trying to ease her anger and Larus told her.

-No, no

-Totally agree. - Agreed his friend who, trying to defuse the atmosphere, commented with guasa. - I've never understood, the gods must have been wrong about that...

- In what? - Larus innocently asked. -

- Can you believe that this idiot is a Prehistar fan like me? He should have been from the  Campirians  like you!

At least he achieved his goal, to make Larus smile, Yener then told him seriously.

-We have to prepare and wait for Captain Conlet to choose.

-I guess it's between you and Mulhar. - His friend speculated, adding with a half-smirk. - The colored jackets.

Yener smiled in turn, in the Yumlaiance military there were two basic types of uniform, the red color was intended for those who, like him, belonged to the ground sector, that is, planetary operations and direct interventions, the blue color that his friend Larus wore was proper to the star navy and the navy, to navigate space or water. Blue jackets were for navigation and made up the bulk of the crew on starships and ocean-going vessels.

-In honor of tradition, blue as the color of the sea," Yener reminisced of when they were told such things as first-year cadets at the academy. -

In fact, all cadets started the same way and for two years they followed a common program, but from the third year on they had to choose the branch they preferred. Yener, much more attached to the land, the forests and the mountains, chose the red branch, as he was also called. Larus, despite being from Guadail, always preferred piloting and navigation. So, his friend was probably right.

-Yes, the operative of field missions is supposed to be my job, although any officer can carry out tasks of the other branch if necessary. - He remembered. –

  Although the names of their ranks were also different and on their dress suits they wore different insignia. That always puzzled many civilians, including his own family and friends.

-For example, when I was about to leave and said goodbye to Karie, that thing about Captain Conlet actually being a commander and his second in command, Commander Elkor actually being a senior lieutenant, I didn't understand. - She smiled. -

And it was complicated for someone outside the military certainly, but they were old positions that came from the days of sailing the oceans and seas of Yumlaiance, so, on a starship, their officers were called by them. Yener himself had no problem, his rank of first lieutenant was the same in both versions.

-Well, there I go doing it again, I got to rambling. - He censored himself. -

And it was that at times when he felt nervous, he tended to do that, taking his mind away from the situation that was making him tense to something more comfortable and familiar. But now that was the least of it, he wanted to relax, taking a deep breath, waiting for everything to be ready. So, after being ready and waiting just a few nanodanes, the captain gave the order and the message was transmitted. He also called the chosen one. Meanwhile, on board the other ship, its components were also discussing among themselves.

- Do you think we should do it, Peter? will they be legit? - questioned one of them with a robust appearance and curly reddish hair to that of brown hair. -

"I don't know," he replied with a rather confused gesture. - They are not from any of the planets of our federation. Nor do we know anything about his intentions.

- Could it be those strangers who have invaded our space? - The redhead inquired. -

I don't think so. Their way of acting is totally different. - His partner said. -

Yes, they seem much more direct. And I don't like that proposal of yours. They might as well try to board us to take over the ship. – His interlocutor declared. –

I guess, Gordon, they'll think the same of us. - His partner replied. –

Surely, but they have offered to send us one of their own. It could be ready to attack us or perhaps spread some harmful agent.

-My friend, you have become very suspicious. - Smiled Peter. –

-Since we were on the planet of the Saurians and on the Green planet among others, I have learned that we have to wait for the unexpected. - He replied this. –

That caused Peter to adopt a pensive gesture, taking his left hand to his chin.

-We could do a virtual meeting, with a holographic presence. - Commented. –

-Our teams and yours may not be able to synchronize easily. A simple image transmission is one thing, but a projection would require almost completely lowering the defenses. - He was reminded of his partner. –

-The same as to send someone. - Peter said sharply. –

If they send one of their own, I don't think they would want anything bad to happen to them. - Gordon replied, claiming. - Sounds a bit ugly, but it would be our hostage.

His partner nodded, now his face was possessed by doubt. He then went to another of the crew.

-In that you are absolutely right, friend. I don't know what to think. -Admitted to consult followed. - What do you think, Kira?

The eyes of all of them converged on a girl with long straight black hair and tan complexion who had stayed out of the conversation listening attentively. She, after spending a few seconds looking at the screen that, frozen, still showed the faces of those strangers, with her piercing jet-colored eyes, responded reflexively.

- As far as I can tell from their expressions, it is true that they are as curious and as they are. They want this contact to go well. I think we can take a chance, they don't want to attack us, I'm sure of that. Also, there's one of them who seems to have a huge mind control, when I tried to probe him he got warned and blocked my telepathic waves.

He could be trying to fool us. - He conjectured the redhead with a distrustful tone. -

It's the same thing I did, a basic telepathic defense. That confirms what I said. They are more concerned with preventing an attack than with receiving it. It is best to be friendly. - The young woman who sentenced opined. - And that's the policy of our confederation. Always try to establish peaceful contacts with other cultures.

That sturdy, red-haired boy nodded. That was true. Then he looked at his partner and friend.

- Well, Pedrito? - He asked him using that familiar treatment that used to lavish him from his days as cadets. - You are in charge. What do we do?

- Okay then. We will allow it. - He stated Peter eager to make contact with those strangers. - Let's see where this takes us.

The boy also dedicated a look to the blonde co-pilot with short hair to the base of the neck, a complexion somewhat paler than that of his companions and large blue eyes, who sat next to Kira and she nodded slightly sketching a shy smile. Although that didn't help much. His sister had certainly always been unsysocious. I was going to ask her for her opinion, but I knew in advance that she would simply agree to what had already been agreed. Peter shrugged his shoulders and sighed. Of course, if someone had told him that his first official patrol mission on the edge of that section of the confederacy was going to turn out like that, he would never have believed it. This was something he had been looking forward to since he enlisted in Omega's space police academy. At last he would live adventures like the ones he imagined, in fact  he already had a few and now it was clear that they had gotten into another one. Or... how many more reconnaissance ships made contact with beings from other worlds other than the known ones? It hasn't happened for nearly a century. Some of it he commented on the rest.

-Well, we have already contacted other civilizations. - He was reminded of Gordon. –

-Yes, but not as advanced as this one. - He argued. – And that puts us in a situation of enormous responsibility. For better or worse.

It's true. - Admitted his partner, who seemed to worry now. –

I think we should trust. - Kira intervened sentencing. - It's a hunch, there are good people on board that ship.

Peter nodded, he had already had a chance to see how right the feelings of his partner and friend could be.

- So, are you sure? Do I give you the answer now? - The redhead insisted as full of interest and ill-disguised impatience as the rest. -

And Peter himself, barely repressing his excitement in favor of properly complying with the official steps, confirmed to his partner and friend.

- Yes, Gordon, let them know we accept, Gina. Take it upon yourself to tell Omega about the situation, use our mother's private channel. I would like to say about the President-in-Office of the Council. - Rectified, whipped immediately, giving the name of that office a slight tinge of solemnity that provoked the smile of his companions as he added. –Communication despite traveling by subspace will take a while. So we will have to act alone.

-Very good. - That young woman testified. - Here Dragonfly, here Dragonfly. - He said emitting by his communicator. - Calling control Omega... can you hear me?...

And as the girl established that communication, Kira riveted.

-First of all I recommend calm and prudence.

His commanding officer nodded. That was how it should be. So Gordon sent the answer to those strangers. This in turn was welcomed, aboard the ship Yener told the captain upon receiving the message.

- You are sincere sir, I think you are as concerned as we are about the intentions we may have. One of them has even tried to read my mind, but I haven't let him.

They could be trying to probe information. - The commander commented. -

Yes sir, and it is logical, I tried too, but that same presence has blocked me in turn. This is normal. Psychic screen techniques. - He declared the boy he estimated. - Although from this distance they could only have a glimpse of our emotions. Not of any kind of knowledge or secret that we have.

- That training of sommer's warrior monks is impressive! - the captain who added to the line in a row replied in admiration. - I am glad to have him on board. Then you will see that you have to tread carefully.

Those words certainly gave Yener great satisfaction, even more so when he watched that idiot from Mulhar. Although the following ones that his superior pronounced really left him petrified.

-Well Lieutenant Rant, since you seem the most prepared to deal with them I entrust you to move to the unknown ship and come into contact. They won't be able to probe you easily. But first we will send a message to the high command to confirm the permission ...

Yener's heart was turned upside." He swallowed saliva and looked around running into equally incredulous faces that returned that stunned look. He? Captain Conelt  had appointed only him to set up that first encounter with only Maray would know that strangers!

- Me, sir? - He then exclaimed aloud. -

Yes, you. - The captain was reaffirmed. - For the reasons I quoted. Are you scared, Lieutenant?  It's logical, anyone would be.

It's not that I was afraid, well maybe a little yes after all, although it was more of a great sense of responsibility. That is what he said.

I just want to represent our world in the best possible way. - He was able to reply in a hurry. -

-Well, apply all the knowledge and skills you have. - The captain told him. - Understood?

The young man nodded, waving. Anyway, that was an order and he did not dare to raise any other objections. At least seeing Mulhar's inquina face encouraged him. Although, on the other hand, he observed Larus' gesture of relief. I certainly did not know whether that mission would be a great opportunity or a sentence. However, he believed he could give hope a boost.

It is true that I have not felt hostility. Anyway, if you have someone with telepathic abilities, I can't know if these are superior to those of my disciplines. I would like to have Master Goshawk here. - Meditated not without concern. –

And faced with the impossibility of him being there, at his side, he himself wanted to emulate that great sage that he had had as a mentor since he was a child. What would you advise?

-He would say something like..." Gavilán, if you do not look for the answers you will never answer the questions. Or that kind of thing that he always says and that many times they managed to get me out of the way. - He recalled with nostalgia. -

However, the thought of his beloved teacher instilled in him confidence. And he considered himself prepared. He was not only an officer in the army of Yumlaiance, but a warrior monk of the Kail of Sommer.

-I am not a Master yet, but I am Wise, I have only one basic discipline to master, and at my age the great Skarn  Dailin, had already made history. In fact, he had to fight the Lords of Darkness by dominating just the basic five. Well, now it's my turn... - It was said trying to harangue. -

Another message came from that ship, pulling Yener out of those thoughts. In it they asked them to please wait, since they also had to receive permission from their superiors.

That is understandable. Being a military ship they will also be subject to discipline. - Commented Elkor. -

-Answer that there is no problem. - Ordered the captain yumlaincer. -

This was done and Conelt  in the meantime tried to contact his base or some other ship in the fleet, but it was not possible to do so, magnetic interferences surely derived from that storm they suffered, prevented communication. Instead, the other ship was able to contact their planet which, after a few minutes, granted them permission to board by relying on Kira's telepathic intuition.

They have said that we can send our representative when we are ready. - Notified by the communications officer. -

Thus, before doing so, Captain Conlet  declared his entire crew to make Yener's designation official in accordance with the regulations.

- Well gentlemen, in view of the impossibility of contacting a higher command and following the guidelines of article twenty-three-bar eighty, as the highest-ranking officer on board the ship I will confirm my decision. Lieutenant, get ready to board that ship and parliament. In the case of being isolated decide at your discretion. But remember that your potential promises or statements will involve our planet. As well as our alliance in common cosmic policy.

Now it was drops of cold sweat that ran down the boy's neck. However, he was able to respond by maintaining an acceptable tone of voice within his growing nervousness...

- Yes sir, I'll remember. I'm leaving now with your permission. - Finished in a firm position. -

The captain nodded and Yener climbed onto a platform that adjusted the coordinates of the other ship and transported him.

-Good luck, friend. - Sighed Larus. -

Y Mulhar, fiel a su irónico carácter, le comentó.

- Do you know a daet thing? ... At first it bothered me that the captain chose that idiot from Rant. Now I'm scared.

- Fear? - His interlocutor repeated. -

-That vain monk is able to start a war. Let us hope that he knows how to behave. - He declared his contertulio. –

Larus looked at him with a perplexed gesture, but he did not retor, all he wanted was for his friend and partner to be okay. For his part, Yener reappeared three meters from those four individuals who were watching him closely. After spending a few moments in decontamination he was able to get out of the isolation container of the teleportation still wrapped in a kind of insulating energy field. The brunette girl stuck in the two deep and beautiful black eyes looking at him with interest and spoke to him telepathically.

- Welcome... we are from omega's Federation of United Planets. I'm Deputy Lieutenant Mercedes Carrion. But everyone calls me Kira.  Where do you and your colleagues come from?

- I am First Lieutenant Yener Rant D ́lal  - he responded in turn telepathically - from the planet Yumlaiance. We are on a mission of exploration beyond the borders of our planetary alliance. You are telepathic, I've noticed it since you tried to probe my mind.

- That's right. And you have skills in that regard, too. - He smiled and nodded, then informed the rest of his colleagues of that exchange of data. -

For Peter and the others the scene was disconcerting, those two staring at themselves in the absolute of silences. Nor did they dare to utter words.  They waited anxiously for Kira to finish and be able to tell them his impressions. Although apparently it did not give the impression of judging this alien boy dangerous. Yener, realizing this, allowed himself to sketch a shy smile that was mechanically reciprocated by his hosts. The yumlaincer was concentrated despite everything trying to make some of his skills work.

- Okay - Yener surprised everyone by speaking in their language with acceptable fluency. - Thanks to the kindness and trust of Kira, who has let me read part of her thoughts, I can speak for all who do not have telepathic ability and respond in their language.

- This is quite surprising. - I replenish Peter by controlling his sincere disbelief and adding with prevention. - I would like to talk to you about the intentions of yours, but I have no authority to initiate high-level contacts.

- I have that authority, at least to certain limits. - Yener replied more confident now in his possibilities and politely requesting. - Please, let's go to tutearnos, we must be almost the same age. - Smiled now to add with gentle diplomacy. - If possible, I ask you to contact me with your superiors and we will talk.

- You'd better join us to our planet-- peter then proposed to him deciding to accept that tuteo as well. - So you can talk to our representatives. They are much more qualified for it.

That was a very interesting offer for his interlocutor of course who, on the other hand, did not know what to do. Anyway, the yumlaincer could feel that the offer of that boy was sincere and devoid of all evil. He seemed to want to establish good relations with what for him were inhabitants of other worlds. Even so, he would have to ask Coneltforauthorization. Although Yener had basic training as a warrior monk, he was no more than a lieutenant newly incorporated into the service and this was his first real mission.

- I must inform my captain of that proposal - he replied then with kindness, even adding with some complicity.  - I guess, in my place, you would do the same.

Of course. - Agreed Peter. -

And the rest of those boys did not raise any objections either, they fully understood the obligation of their guest to be accountable to their superiors. What's more, Peter connected the screen on the spot to establish eye contact and once accomplished Yener himself exposed the situation to his captain. He weighed that proposition for a few moments. On the one hand, sending a boy fresh out of the academy was reckless. On the other hand, I did not want to risk the ship or the crew, however terrible it sounded, it was better to lose a single officer than the entire crew. And of course, he was under an obligation and  inform his superiors as soon as possible. Lt. Rant could buy time and begin laying the groundwork for smooth communication. His Kail disciplines allowed him to learn the language of these individuals at the time and to be impervious to their soundings. So, after taking all that into account, he finally declared.

- All right, Lieutenant, go to that planet while I try to inform our command. We will have to wait for what is left of the magnetic storm to amaine and I do not know when we will be able to communicate. However, I trust you, I hope you will establish good contact, and remember, you will speak for our planet and the other members of the Quadruple Alliance.

- Thank you sir, I will do everything in my power. - Yener replied solicitously and without further ate the transmission was cut off, at the moment the yumlaincer turned to the others and agreed. -Very well, we can leave for your world.

Peter nodded and made the appropriate indication to Gordon and Gina that they were in charge of the navigation. Both set course for their base and the ship picked up speed heading quickly towards its place of origin. Far beyond the space known to the world and Yener's allies.

So it's four planets. - Kira commented, leaving him perplexed. –

However, Yener smiled, it was obvious, just as he had been able to understand the language of his new "friends", Kira had been able to do the same with his.

-It is what has a mental transfer, it usually goes in both directions. - Thought. -

The girl nodded and he decided it wasn't worth trying to deny that by corroborating.

There are four of us, it is true. Although we have contacts with more worlds that we can call friends. Are you part of a larger alliance? - Wanted to know in turn. –

-The Omega Confederation is made up of eleven planets. - She replied, qualifying. - Actually there are many more, but I say planets referring to civilizations.

I understand. - The young man said. –

Apparently that looked like it was even bigger than it already seemed. Yener could only beg the god Kail to sharpen all his disciplines, the goddess Maray to give him empathy and generosity to understand these people well, the goddess Ishir asked for charm and gift of people and the god Alex to keep his health for the hard task he was going to undertake.

Because of course I will need the help of all four. - Thought. –

Although he received the supportive smile of Kira that gave the impression of perceiving his tribulations, that reassured him, he thought that, at least in that girl, it could be trusted. If only it were the same with all the other members of that mysterious confederation!

I'll soon find out. - He said he was ready to do so. –

And so, that little ship was cutting the distance that separated it from its world of origin, that unknown planet called Omega.

**START**