James was dressed in his formal Ambassador outfit, a knee-length dark green coloured jacket with gold trim, black trousers and shoes. Straightening his lapel, he looked at himself in the full length mirror. A couple of grey hairs had started to appear. He was not that old, but the job did sometimes take its toll with the high stress levels. He was one of the youngest ambassadors the Galactic Council had but he'd achieved so much in such a short amount of time that he was considered one of their best.

"It's time," Msizi said interrupting his self reflection.

"Thanks, I'd better not be late and incur the wrath of the Princess," he joked.

"Indeed, Sir," Msizi smiled back, "That would be most unwise."

Entering the lounge again, James spotted his two guards waiting by the lift doors. They were dressed in formal dinner wear, but he could tell they had body armour underneath.

This was the first time James had left the suite since the station tour over six weeks ago. He had hoped to have visited Xilquin by now, but the schedule had had not permitted it. The lift open on to the gardens as normal. A buggy was ready and waiting for them. Getting into the drivers side, one of the guards drove them along one of the main promenades in sector two, it was filled with people slowly making their way towards the grand palace at the far end.

Most of the people were there just to watch the proceedings and to get another glimpse of James. He obliged by waving and saying hello to everyone.

The palace was a breathtaking sight, it sat in the middle of the glassed ceiling with perfect views of the stars above. It looked like an old Earth library with stairs leading up to the main entrance and columns evenly spaced along the front, each one was covered with intricate sculptures and delicate engravings. Several of the columns were wrapped in large silver and gold sashes. Fixed spotlights highlighted different parts of the palace emphasising the details in the structure. Artificial fire-bowls were evenly spaced either side of a long red carpet leading up towards the main entrance.

Parking the buggy a little walk from the entrance, James stepped out and made his way towards the red carpet, Msizi and the guards following behind. Walking along the carpet waving and smiling at the other guests and visitors, James stopped in amazement when he noticed Sara at the top of the stairs waiting for him. She was dressed in another striking outfit, an elegant silver and blue ballgown with highlights that accented her shimmering skin tone. She wore the same gold band on her head as when they first met.

"Welcome Ambassador," she said as he approached.

"Princess Sara. You look spectacular tonight," he said giving a bow and kissing her offered hand.

"Thank you James," she blushed. Grabbing his hand she lead him into the palace.

The entrance hall was lit by two large crystal chandeliers, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floor. The walls were covered with pictures that depicted beautiful scenery from various locations across Beldor and of the station itself. Leading the way, Sara continued past a couple of large ornate doors and into the main banquet hall.

The hall itself was lavishly spacious, with a mesmerising ceiling portraying a mural of stars, galaxies, and swirling nebulae. It made you feel like you were dining under the vast expanse of space.

"The ceiling can open up at night to see the real stars," Sara disclosed to him.

In the middle of the banquet hall was a long elaborately decorated table, large enough for roughly fifty guests. Each place setting had been laid out with crystal glasses and silver cutlery and a small red and silver flower centrepiece. In the centre of the table was a rotating holographic model of the station.

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A small orchestra of musicians were playing in one corner, their gentle music resonating around the room perfectly.

As soon as they entered the room the Master of Ceremonies announced them both. "Princess Sara Of Beldor. Special-Ambassador James Wallace Of Earth."

All conversations stopped with everyone turning to look at them. Sara realised that she was still holding James's hand and blushed for a second time.

While engaging in small talk with the other guests, Sara slowly led James to the far end of the room, towards his chair which was next to the head of the table. As Sara moved to her own chair, waiters pulled their chairs out for them. As she sat down, James and everyone else in the room took their seats and conversations quieted down to whispers.

After a few moments the Master of Ceremonies started tapping a glass to get everyone's attention.

Sara stood. "Thank you all for coming. As some of you may know, I have been keeping Ambassador James all to myself for the last six weeks in endless meetings," she smiled while looking down at James. "Tonight, I have let him out so that he can meet some of the many wonderful people of Beldor and Tranquillity."

Laughter and applause filled the room. Sara continued, "Please welcome our new friend and allies, Ambassador James Wallace of Earth."

As everyone stood up from their chairs, the applause grew louder.

James basked in the welcome before finally standing. "Thank you, thank you all very much." He waited as people took their seats again before continuing "Being an ambassador can be a difficult job but over the last six weeks I have had the pleasure to have been working with some very smart and brilliant people; a couple of which I can see here," he said raising his glass towards Boril, Jafar and Fula.

He continued, "they have given me hope that not all meetings are boring and soulless, but can also be fun and enjoyable. I would also like to echo the Princess's statement and say a big thank you all for coming here and for welcoming me with open arms. I know that first contact can be a nerving prospect for many people."

Applause once again filled the room. Raising his glass James continued, "I would also like to make a small toast to a currently absent friend, Xilquin. I hope he gets better soon."

"To Xilquin", everyone repeated raising their own glasses.

As waiters finished circling the table filling peoples glasses, the first of many food courses were brought out.

* * *

James spent most of the evening answering questions and having pictures taken with everyone there, Sara never left his side. He was the centre of attention telling stories of other planets and races. Describing some of the many aliens he had encountered on his travels, and the fact that they all don't look like Tolians or Humans.

Once dinner finished people moved into a large sitting room with dimmed lighting and sofas arranged around a roaring fake fire. It was a more intimate setting with which James could continue his stories. James was sat on one sofa with Sara next to him, the room full of other guests either sat on the floor or standing, all looking at him with wonder and awe.

"Species ranging from the floating brain blobs of Zeron-Five to the gentle giants of Juter-Seven," he continued. "Aliens come in all different shapes, sizes and colours; the Galactic Council welcomes everyone with open arms. It's a bizarre quirk of life that I happen to look like you."

"What are your functions as an ambassador?", someone in the crowd asked him.

"I have several jobs as a special-ambassador. The first is to help new species join the alliance, which is why I am here now. I usually start the process off and after a couple of months I hand them off onto a second team to complete. In this instance, I'll be doing everything," he smiled. "Secondly, I solve disputes between two or more races that are fighting over resources or system rights."

Several more questions were asked with James giving detailed answers. He was enjoying his time, it had been a long time since he got to meet the people he was helping. The drink was making him more relaxed too.

By the end of the night when everyone else had left, James and Sara were asleep together on the sofa. Sara had drifted off and absent-mindedly kicked off her shoes, curled her feet up and promptly fell asleep nestled against James with her head on his shoulder. James was snoring gently having already put his head back and his feet on a small table.

About an hour later Elle and Msizi were stood watching them. "Should we wake them?" he whispered.

"They do look rather peaceful, but that can't be comfortable can it?" she replied tilting her head to one side, "I haven't seen the Princess this relaxed in a long time."

"Indeed. Wake her up first and get her to her room. I'll go fetch the guards and a buggy to take him home," he smiled.

...