Hunter’s recollection of the short meeting with the cultivators didn’t take long to exposit. But the whole time he’d had to struggle to keep himself focused, his mind kept wandering back to his questions.
These people cultivated etherium, like he does with the internal arts. Were they the same thing?
Was there a method which could help people learn how to develop a sensitivity to etherium?
Aera and the Commander spent a half hour asking him questions, and deciding what would be the most relevant to share with Trey when he arrived. He’d hoped to have some time with the Sabletowners after the meeting. Trey and the Captain arrived after the meeting concluded.
“I hear there’s been some excitement!” Trey said as he watched Hunter, Aera, and the Commander enter the hangar bay. Hunter noticed Trey was much less boisterous and energized than he usually was. For the first time since he’d met the man, he felt like he could see right through him.
The outpost must have been in terrible shape. He hadn’t seen Trey looking this uncertain in a while. The last time was when they met just after leaving Sanctuary. Whatever storm clouds had gathered in his mind back then seemed to last for mere moments, and then he’d snapped out of it.
This time, the storm clouds seemed to be darker. Maybe it was the constant stress, the endless work, the revelation of escalating dangers. Whatever it was, Hunter was worried. He glanced at Aera. If she was concerned, she didn’t seem willing to express it. Hunter followed her lead. He figured she was much more of an expert regarding Trey Oberon than he was.
Captain Gregor seemed to be troubled as well, but Hunter may have been imagining it. The man seldom smiled. But if anyone could handle negative emotions, it was these guys. Hunter had to believe that.
As much as Hunter found that the worst of events slid right off of him these days, even he was feeling some of the emotional weight of their circumstances.
“Was that them, sitting on the ground outside of the ship?” Trey asked after they’d all greeted each other.
“Yes, sir,” Commander Striker said, “they’ve told Hunter that what they’re doing is called cultivating. Hunter speculates that this is a way for them to speed up the growth of their AR.”
“These people use etherium?” Trey asked, his eyes widening.
“Yes, sir. Based on what they displayed, their knowledge and usage of etherium is far deeper than our own.”
Trey let out a long exhale.
“Well, when do I get to meet these guests? What do we know about them so far?”
“We’ve informed them we are waiting to discuss what their arrival means for us. Now that you’re here, we want to establish clear boundaries on what we will and will not share with them, information wise. We’ve organized what we know so far, and we’re just waiting for the official debriefing with you once we reach the bridge.”
Trey nodded.
“So why are they outside the ship?” he asked.
Commander Striker seemed taken aback by the question.
“I deemed the security risk to be too high, sir. There’s something you should see.”
Hunter couldn’t believe that he’d almost completely forgotten about the footage the bridge crew had captured.
The Commander was holding a large tablet, and he handed it to Trey. Hunter watched the video on the tablet play, and Trey’d reaction, while subdued, mirrored his own when he’d first seen it. After the footage finished, Trey’s jaw clenched as he considered the implications.
“I understand the concern, but I’m sure Hunter would have noticed if there was someone using their invisibility tech nearby, right?” Trey asked.
Hunter shrugged.
“I’m still not clear about that. I know I can feel it, but I don’t know if I’ll always feel it. There’s too much we don’t know,” he said. He initially spoke to support the Commander’s decision, but only after speaking did he realize the validity of his own point.
He knew that there were some things about etherium that he couldn’t sense at all, at least not yet. The thought both frightened and thrilled him. Discovering more etheric principles and creating new constructs excited him. However, the possibility of threats beyond the scope of his sixth-sense gave him nightmares.
Trey frowned.
“Very well,” he said, keeping whatever thoughts he had about the situation to himself, “we’ll keep our meeting brief. I’m confident that you have plans to make our next meeting with the — what did they call themselves?”
“They say they’re from a place called Sabletown, sir. As far as we’re aware, they are a conglomeration of people from different worlds. Refugees who escaped an environment of constantly escalating conflict.”
Trey didn’t seem to like what he heard, and when he noticed everyone watching his expression, he chuckled.
“Well, it’s not the best news, is it? But there’s a certain poetry to it. Two peoples, looking to start a new life beyond the reach of wherever they came from, meeting each other by some strange quirk of fate. Let’s go find a room somewhere with coffee, yeah? I’m hankering for a fix.”
“Just brewed a pot!” Hunter said. “Nearing the end of my private stash, too.”
“You’re a godsend, boy,” Trey said, smiling in relief and patting Hunter on the back.
“I know,” Hunter said with a wide smile. He didn’t know if Trey’s distraction had faded, but Trey seemed happier.
Aera was already inside the meeting room, studying the board. Hunter hadn’t realized she’d entered ahead of them.
“Let’s keep this meeting brief. Looks like you’ve been busy,” Trey said, eyeing the board with all the information they could organize. “Translation device? Sounds interesting.”
Hunter was about to speak, but he caught Aera’s eye and she was giving him a look.
“What?” he asked.
“Dad just said to keep the meeting brief,” she said.
Hunter's brows furrowed. He felt kind of offended by whatever she was implying, not that he was sure what she was implying.
“You get a bit carried away when you’re at your most impassioned, Hunter,” Trey said.
Hunter shrugged and nodded. He couldn’t deny it.
“I suppose you’re right. But it’s among the most impressive feats of etherium-work I’ve seen in my life, even after what I saw and felt from the A-Class.”
“Well, I’m intrigued, but let’s go in order of the list you guys have written out,” Trey said.
It didn’t take too long to get Trey up to speed. He was a career business leader. Meetings like this were an everyday occurrence for him. Retaining information, choosing what was the most pertinent, and acting on it; it was as practiced and routine as walking and breathing.
The debriefing lasted just under an hour, and they spent only another half hour deciding which information to classify and what to share with the Sabletown delegation.
It was a basic plan. The location and development of their colony should remain unclear. The specifics of their technology, including constructs, and their martial capabilities and numbers should also be kept vague.
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They would remain vague until they had a better idea of what Sabletown knew and will share. Trey told them he assumed they’d be feeding each other information and goodies piecemeal until someone eventually takes the first proper step in bridging the divide. It might even be Trey himself who makes that choice, but he had no intention of making it now.
Just after their meeting was done, one of the bridge crew reported June seemed to have completed his cultivation. Trey took that as an invitation.
Hunter watched Trey as they walked through the ship’s corridors. Something was shifting in the man as meeting the Sabletowners loomed.
Trey always seemed to have an air of optimism about him, which kept his head high and his movements energized. His time at the outpost diminished his energy. However, meeting their alien guests rekindled it.
Trey, Hunter, Aera, and the Commander met the Sabletowners without as much of a Guard escort as last time. Hunter assumed it was a sign to the Sabletowners, showing that they were welcome here.
It could also be a way to tell them that Oberon wasn’t afraid of them as well.
June smiled and bowed to greet them when they approached. Trey returned the gesture and then held out his hand. June looked at the hand with an awkward curiosity, his eyes seeking clarity from the group.
“This is one way that we greet each other in our culture,” Trey said.
“I believe the translation matrix is still working its way through him,” June said to the group. Trey frowned and Aera whispered to him. His eyes widened, and he chuckled.
“It’s called a handshake. It’s a way of greeting each other in our culture,” Hunter said, happy to clarify.
June nodded and held his hand out as well, and he shook it in the air.
A couple of the Guards snorted. June took that as a sign that he hadn’t quite understood. He looked embarrassed.
“I suppose there is an extra step which I’ve missed?” he asked. There was a visible reaction from Trey as June spoke.
“Ah, I’m understanding him now,” Trey said. “That is remarkable.”
“I see that the translation matrix is making good progress, then,” June said.
Trey stepped forward and gripped June's still outstretched hand.
“Here, this is a handshake,” Trey said, demonstrating by shaking the man's hand with enthusiasm.
“Is there a protocol for the amount of shakes?” June asked.
Trey rose his eyebrows as he considered the question.
“You know, now that you ask, I think there is, but it’s all based on the context. The more vigorous the shake, the more positive the emotion behind the greeting. A grip on the shoulder while shaking the hand can imply both excitement, familiarity, and compassion. A firm grip between strangers can imply the desire to dominate the other, or a mutual respect. What else am I missing?” Trey asked to himself.
He shook his head.
“I can’t think of much else to explain the basic principle.”
June nodded.
“I understand. Earlier, I attempted something of a vital — or etheric — handshake with Hunter,” June said.
“That’s interesting. I don’t think I recall hearing much about that,” Trey said, and Hunter received some pointed glares from the group.
“You heard about it,” Hunter said, “but I left out the parts that I’m still trying to figure out for myself.”
“I must admit, I’m curious about those details as well,” June said. “Your people are an enigma to me, with such varying capacities with etherium and technology. Your sensitivity appears to be an anomaly, and I’d love to learn more about it.”
“I propose that this is an excellent point with which to begin our discussions,” Trey said.
“I concur,” June said. “I am June of the Stellar Sword lineage. Depending on where in the universe you end up, there are many protocols for greeting an individual with superior cultivation. This is something I will enjoy discussing with you today once we deal with more pressing matters.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, June. I’m Trey Oberon, leader of Oberon Enterprises and the Skyhold colony,” Trey said. “You’ve caught us at an interesting time, June, but this is a special occasion for us and you’ve got my full attention for the time being. As curious as I am about your culture and your capabilities as a cultivator, I’ve got a few questions I’d like to get out of the way first.”
“Ask away,” June said.
“The most pressing question is about this threat you mentioned. What can you tell us about it?” Trey asked.
A few junior crewmen interrupted them, carrying out sections of tables which Hunter recognized from the cafeteria. He was thankful for whoever had thought about bringing those out.
“Care to sit down?” Trey asked.
June and his disciples accepted the invitation.
“Regarding the threat, the amount of power we have observed from the creature which recently appeared matches what we’ve felt from the Unbound-stage. It is also referred to as the Elemental Adept stage among human cultivators. These beings can cause much devastation unless contained or destroyed.
Trey sighed.
“June, I wish I could say that this isn’t our problem. But from what we’ve gathered from this world so far, there is a non-zero chance that this threat you speak of; if it indeed mirrors the level of power as the creature from the lake, then it might actually be the source of the beast waves.”
June nodded.
“This is our best guess as well. Because our people are sensitive to vita, we’ve observed a significant correlation between our perceptions of this distant creature and the increasing frequency of beastwaves. The stronger the unbound’s presence, the stronger the beastwave,” he said.
Hunter felt a pit form in his gut, but he did his best not to show it.
“Thank you for your warning, but again, I ask what you believe we can do to help with this threat. By all appearances, your people are powerful.”
“We ask because an unbound threat is beyond our ability to defend against. Although we have ways of protecting ourselves, it will be very costly and will not be sufficient to remove the threat we face. We have approached you because of your status as a Technic civilization. You may have means available to you which we do not ourselves possess,” June said.
“The safety of my people is paramount to me, and I have thousands of souls counting on me to make the decisions that will ensure their safety. If you’re sure that this threat isn’t something you can handle on your own, then we are duty-bound to assist you. However, I’m not sure that I know where to start with demonstrating what we are capable of, and how we might deter this threat,” Trey said.
“Your words are honourable, Trey Oberon. And your uncertainty is understandable. However, I believe that clarity is something which I can assist you all with. With your permission, I would like to take you and your people to a place near to here, where I may display what I am capable of. From there, we can proceed.”
Hunter’s heart threatened to beat right out of his chest.
A demonstration of power? Hunter thought. So cool.
Even June’s disciples seemed excited by the prospect. Hunter tried to assess Trey’s thoughts, but all he saw was a frown. He glanced at Hunter, and then back to June.
“I think it’s a bit too early for that,” Trey said. “Surely, you understand.”
June nodded.
“I understand. Perhaps we can agree to a time and place?”
“That sounds like a much better idea,” Trey said. “What’s the timeline for the emergence of this threat?”
“It’s difficult to say,” June said. “We estimate it could appear anywhere from within the next 12 days to a month.”
Even Hunter felt the pressure from that timeline. But at least this time, they’d have time to prepare to face whatever was coming. All the ships should have shown up by then, and the combined might of the Oberon fleet will probably be more than enough to deal with the beast.
Trey nodded.
“I trust that so long as your timeline holds true, we should be well prepared to face any threat.”
“I am relieved to hear that. However, your inexperience with cultivation and the unbound stage is worrying. I propose that our exchange happens no later than 2 days from now, as we will require time to coordinate a joint defence and attack. You will need to fully understand the just what the title of Unbound means by then.”
“We can do that,” Trey said. “I also propose that we exchange a way to communicate with each other. I would like to send a representative back to Sabletown in the hopes that you would exchange your own representative with us. These will act as—”
“Ambassadors. I am familiar with the concept, and I agree with this proposal on behalf of our settlement. Aruon?” June said with an amused smile on his face. Trey nodded, unfazed by the interruption.
Aruon stepped forward, a look of unconcealed hope apparent on his face.
“You will remain behind to liaise with Oberon Enterprises. Here,” June said, another device appearing in his hands. Aruon took the device, seeming to be quite familiar with it.
“Send her out,” Trey said into his radio. Hunter saw a familiar face as the airlock hissed open: one of the non-essentials he’d encountered traveling from Sanctuary. She walked down the boarding stairs with enthusiasm and a hint of nervousness as she beheld the alien trio.
“This is Amanda Patter,” Trey said. “She’d been with my company for over a decade and has a knack for languages and cultures. I’m sure she will offer a brilliant example of our compani’s ideals.”
“Amanda will be welcome among my people,” June said.
“I’m very pleased to hear that,” Trey said.
“Then, if that’s all for now, I will return to Sabletown with Amanda and Galan. Aruon can contact me at any time.”
With that farewell, Hunter marvelled as an etheric shield appeared around June, Galan, and Amanda. For a second, Amanda squealed as she was slowly lifted into the air, but she adapted very quickly.
Then they were gone, shooting away like a burst of light. Hunter could hardly believe the speed with which June could move. How did he compensate for g-force?
Would Amanda survive? It seemed like a dumb question. June seemed competent enough to know the capabilities of a squishy non-cultivator.
“Hunter, I’m excited to become more familiar with your honoured people,” Aruon said. Hunter looked at Aruon with a smile.
“Aruon, the feeling is mutual.”
“Let’s find Aruon a space on board the ship for now. With some of the space in the hangar-bay being cleared, I think we can set him up there,” Trey said, looking at Aruon. “I’m afraid that all our quarters are full, but we’ll do our best to ensure that you’re comfortable. We’ll find you a more appropriate residence in the next day or so, as most of our people will be disembarking. You can come to the colony with us.”
“Ah, the Skyhold Colony? I’m curious about the circumstances of your being here. How long have you been in this world? Why does this ship appear so damaged?” Aruon asked.
“It’s a long story,” Hunter said, not sure how much they’ll be able to hide from Aruon if he was going to be living amongst the crew. He’ll have a front-row seat to Skyhold’s development.
“Hunter is correct,” Trey said, “Unfortunately, your people found us at a rather turbulent time, and we have a lot of work to get done over the next few years.”