----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking around the room with a smile, President Arbourt raised his hands for silence as the nearby aides brought out some chairs. "At my personal request, our guests have agreed to answer some questions. As such, I have set aside an hour for this event before they depart for their tour of Earth. Please keep your questions brief and concise as our values and concepts may not match with their own.

'Deylen Of Centari News Network has the floor.' The central voice chimed.

"Yes, hello... It is my privilege to be able to ask this question, and I hope it's not too personal. My question is directed towards Ambassador Srettia. I see that you have taken the last name of Captain Michael beside you. Does that mean you two are married? And if so, does that mean your people are capable of romantic interaction with our own?"

Srettia huffed in slight annoyance and looked to Michael, who just shot her a wry smile. "Honestly... At first, I tried to kill Michael... Twice. He was larger than our males, and I suppose wider as well, so he was kind of terrifying; we also fought a lot when we first met. But he showed his worth as a male very quickly by risking his life to protect my people from what could have been a significant misunderstanding. A misunderstanding could have resulted in some severe consequences. It was hard for me not to develop feelings for him, though I found that my people move quickly when choosing our mates from what I've heard. It seems the Voktlix are somewhat similar as well, so I guess you Terrans are the only ones 'Dancing around' as Michael has put it."

'Next Question.'

'Mereensa... representative of the Canis Star, World Cube.' Has the floor.

"Yes, Hello... Representative Yirphayen. I see many people are dancing around calling you by a gender. My question is, what gender are you exactly, and how do we refer to you?"

Yirphayen released a resonance of understanding and humor at the question and radiated with a soft light. " I have no gender, and the concept is very new and confusing to me. The notion of choosing a partner based on such a thing is rather entertaining as well, as my own species commonly find a like-minded partner whose company we enjoy to spend our life with."

Murmurs and excited whispers swept throughout the gathering as the understanding of what precisely that meant for both science, psychology, and a general understanding of life dawned on the crowd.

'Next Question.'

'Anarmarth of Galactic News Center' Has the floor.

"Ambassador Ankiah. Forgive me if I offend you, but my curiosity seems to have gotten the better of me. My question is if you're aware of your resemblance to native Earth creatures know as a fox and or wolf."

Ankiah sighed, eliciting much laughter from the crowd and answering the question without needing to speak. "Yes, I am. Though we are drastically different." Standing up and hardening the fur on her tail. Ankiah proceeded to cut a small line on the floor for all to see. "As you can see. I may look like a fox or wolf, as you say, but I am far more dangerous."

Snicking to herself as the crowd gasped in awe, Ankiah sat down and turned her nose into the air with smug satisfaction.

'Next Question.'

'Proletius representative of Denduu system' Has the floor.

"Yes, Hello, Ankiah. My question is also for you. I don't think you understand what kind of impact your arrival will have on our own. My question is. Would you or others among your people consider taking a Terran as a partner?"

Ankiah smiled and looked directly at the bald man. "Well, I can't speak for my kind, but I already have a Terran partner. She has been quite supportive in my rehabilitation and a great friend."

Proletius cocked his head and wrote something down on a datapad. "Sorry, I think you misunderstood. I meant romantically."

Ankiah shifted her weight in her chair and let out a cocky grin. "As did I."

Once again, the room erupted into hushed whispers and conversations at the answer before quickly being silenced by the automated conference system.

Ankiah deciding to humor the crown continued her train of thought. "Among my kind, you see. There is a significant gender discrepancy. There are about three females born for every one male. Which, as you can imagine, leads it to feeling more like seventy females to one male. This lead to the females of my kind seeking comfort with whoever they were compatible with and the forming of family units consisting of a few females to one male."

Nods of understanding swept throughout the room, leaving Ankiah happy with her answer.

'Next question.'

'Nioakuz representative of L'arc En Ciel system' Has the floor.

"Hello, honored Guests. My question is for Yirphayen. Why is it you sing to us as your talking, if I'm to be honest. It's quite breathtaking."

Yirphayen harmonized in confusion at the carbon form and looked to Michael. "I don't understand the question."

Michael waved at the man and gave a smile. "I can answer that."

Beginning to read what Jack began throwing up on his implant, Michael nodded in understanding along with the crown. "So. When we first met Yirphayen, its language was extremely difficult to translate. At first, we thought it sang its words to us. We were actually wrong in that regard. What It does is send a direct light wave that carries its words to its intended target. We have a translator attached directly onto its core that picks up on those waves and translates them for us."

Michael was surprised at the information and looked to Yirphayen, who just seemed to hold still as if expecting Michael to continue. "To further clarify. The music is actually a byproduct of Yirphayen sending its signal. Interestingly enough, it can talk through a direct lightwave or through a wide range radio signal depending on its distance and if it's looking for someone. Lucky for us, the sounds are pleasant and something that directly translated into our emotions."

'Next Question.'

'Traezin of the Ririsyan News Center' has the floor.

"Yes! Hello Ambassador Srettia, may I say your jewelry is absolutely beautiful! My question. If it's not too personal, that is. My cameraman has noticed the tip of your tongue poking out of your mouth at a steady pace. He would have missed it if not for doing a slow-motion short of you for later use. Is it a regular occurrence for your people to do such a thing or just a personal tik?"

Srettia frowned and cursed the fact she didn't practice harder on her tongue control. "No. All my people use our tongues to scent the air as we can sense a great many things through it. I can taste numerous things in the air with my tongue, most notably pheromones, temperature, and people. An example would be that I would be able to tell if my food was poisoned even if an odorless toxin was used. As such, it's considered rude to openly scent the air in a formal setting such as this."

Extending her tongue, Srettia showed how she could scent the air as an example and fought to hold back her laughter as the crowned gasped at the length of her tongue. "When I first came in contact with Terrans, your pheromones were confusing. Yes, you do have them. I took a while to decern, which were which, but I was able to figure it out with my mate's help. I can tell you with great accuracy that many of you are attracted to the members on this stage."

Srettia gave a smug grin as many members of the crowd looked away as nervous laughter overtook numerous spectators.

"DO YOUR MEN HAVE TOUNGES AS LONG AS YOURS!?" An excited reporter yelled, gathering Srettia's attention.

"Ummmm... Yes, they do. All of our people have similar tongue length." Srettia replied, scenting the air soon after and noticing a distinct increase of pheromones from the females in the crowd.

'Further interruptions will not be tolerated.' The automated system replied, silencing the crowd.

'Next Question.'

'Sas'fua Of the Mikoche Informer' Has the floor.

"Question for Captain Michael. What was the reaction to Terrans in the Aaster system? How did they react to finding out they weren't alone in the galaxy?"

"Well, the first one I met ran away screaming then kept trying to kill me." Michael replied, earning a few laughs and an elbow to the ribs. "Honestly, though. They were suspicious of our motives. They had no reason to trust us but every reason to hate us. My beautiful wife Srettia here helped to bridge the gap between our people by setting up a conference on her ship. Though if we even slightly break their trust, it wouldn't surprise me if they kicked us out of their system and lock it down."

'Next Question.'

'Luscian, representative of The Zrianu Colony Cluster' Has the floor.

"Question for Miss Srettia. Do you have fangs, and if so, can you show us?"

Srettia frowned but decided that as a good ambassador, she would humor the poor Terran. "Yes, I do. And no, I will not. My fangs are an essential part of our courtship as we use them to mark our mate and leave our scent on them. This tells other females that the male is taken and to stay away."

"Why would you need to keep other women away?" Luscian asked.

'Warning you are allowed only one question.' The system rang out

Srettia nodded yet decided she would answer the question anyway. "Because when we choose on our mate, our hormones cause us to become extremely possessive. It's best if other females know to keep things friendly or stay away if they value their safety."

Ankiah nodded as her friend finished. "I can confirm. Do NOT flirt with a female Aasteran's male. It's quite terrifying."

"And before you ask. No. Males do not do the same thing, though they could. Their teeth are larger and serrated; it causes massive internal bleeding and damage. Though some females are known to accept such a mark to show their commitment." Srettia quickly added.

'We have time for two more questions before our guests make a closing statement and depart for the day.'

'Hector representative of the Ricjo system.' has the floor.

"Hello, Miss Ankiah. My question is as follows. Have your people attempted to fix your gender issue with genetic engineering? If not, why?"

'Warning you are allowed only one question, please refrain-'

Ankiah frowned and overrode the system while she looked at the man. "Umm. My people have just entered what I've come to learn is the 'early industrial age' as you refer to it. We don't really have the knowledge to do that stuff yet."

"My apologies, ambassador. I meant no disrespect." Hector replied with a bit of a red-faced.

'Next Question.'

'Remote Viewer Meliaa has the floor.' Oh wow! I got through. Hi Yirphayen! My name is Meliaa! I want to know that since the way you talk is so beautiful, would you be willing to like? Make a... No, that's not right. Would you be willing to release a music album?"

Yirphayen let out a song of happiness and confusion about what the young carbon form requested. "I don't know what an album is. But if it would make you happy, I would be willing to."

'Question period has ended.' The voice proclaimed, cutting off the cheering young girl.

President Arbourt stood and walked towards the central podium to address the crowd. "Well, That was certainly exciting. Thank you all for participating, and I apologize for not being able to earn more time for such a period."

Looking over to his guests, Roman smiled. "Before we adjourn for the day and allow our guests to tour our lovely planet. Both Srettia and Ankiah have a closing statement they've prepared for us."

Srettia looked to Ankiah and stood, taking her hand as they both walked over to the podium. Looking out at the gathered Terrans and camera drones, Srettia smiled. "Firstly. I want to thank you. You might not be aware of how dire things were in the Aaster system. But my people were dying. If not for your timely intervention, I would still be a simple miner. I would wake up cold, work cold, hand in my ore cold. Maybe I would be able to afford some heat for a few days here and there, strike it rich and spend it all away so I could enjoy myself for a while. But when Michael came, it changed everything. My people are now warm and fed. We're learning things again... It's been a wonderful time to be alive, and I'm happy it's occurring. But, if living has taught me one thing, It's that someone will always need help."

Srettia looked to Ankiah and squeezed her hand, motioning her to take the lead. "So, um. You may be wondering where Yirphayen and I fit into this picture. I mean... They only found the Aaster system, right? Well, Srettia was right. Things are not fine in the Galaxy. I don't know how it happened. I was sleeping when I woke up to a crash, and a bright light shone into my room. The next thing I knew, I was hooked up to a machine that was draining my blood for these things to drink. I was abducted from my home. Yirphayen was taken from his and used as a battery. To be drained of its energy and used as food when it died. The Terrans in the Aasteran system rescued the two of us. I'm still not okay, and the memories of the tortures I sustained are scarred deep within me.

Taking a deep breath and putting on a brave face, Ankiah looked over the crowd with keen eyes before continuing. "I am asking for your help. I don't know what happened to my people, but we haven't done anything to these beings to deserve what's happening to us. Please help my people."

President Arbourt stood tall and nervously nodded towards Admiral Ewart, who began walking towards the stage as the two ambassadors returned to the seats with the crowd yelling at the President for answers.

As the Fleet Admiral took the stage. He activated the room silencer and eyed the crown sternly. "This is indeed happening. And we were waiting for a better time to inform the public of this tragedy. It is also the reason our fleets are moving towards the border systems. We are reinforcing our security in the case of an encounter with this enemy force."

As the crowd furiously tapped away at their data slates, Ewart continued his thoughts as the President nodded along. "On the topic of helping our new friends. We are currently beginning the total refit of Jupiter station. This refit will be able to equip the entire navy with the new fold cores, allowing us to move our navy to the Aaster system and push outwards, liberating any planets, new alien species, or colonies that require our help. I am issuing a recruitment notice here and now. We need marines. Particularly boarding marines. We will need these trained and able bodies to help capture their ships and free any prisoners found aboard. Make no mistake. We will not let our friends suffer while we have the ability to help."

With his speech finished, Admiral Ewart turned to look at the Ambassadors and nodded. "You have the entire Terran navy at your disposal. We will make the Briolb pay for what they've done."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------