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Description
"They're falling behind", Nussbaum said. On the viewscreen, the massive Tzenkethi ship started to disappear as it decelerated.
"Are their weapons hot?", Metlesits asked, keeping his cool.
"No, they're just decelerated a bit", Nussbaum said, tracking the alien craft on his radar screen.
The Tzenkethi ship stabilized itself at a distance of exactly two ship-lengths behind the Polaris. The minutes ticked past, without anything happening. It's been five hours since the Polaris arrived at Tzenketh, and more than three since the mysterious ship appeared.
"Anything on the frequencies?", Metlesits asked, turning to Heimann.
"Nothing, Sir", the communications chief said, shaking his head.
"What a weird way to greet a newcomer!", Jiménez said with a cynical snort.
"They know our aft weapons are limited, so they decided to fall back", Metlesits said, trying to make sense of the things.
"Do you want me to turn the ship around, Captain?", Jiménez said, "Let's see if they change their position."
"Hold your horses, Lieutenant", the Captain said quickly, "I don't want to antagonize them. This is a weird xeno bunch, they might take it as a threat."
"Or an insult", Heimann said musingly.
"Any ideas, M.r Heimann?", Metlesits asked.
"Well, we know the Tzenkethi are cast-based", Heimann said, scratching his chin, "Maybe they want to show dominance like this. You walk before me, for I am the master."
"Wow, that's deep and scary at the same time", Nussbaum whistled.
"Energy pulse from the Tzenkethi ship!", Ainsworth cried out, her scanners flaring up, "It's a transmission, very high-powered!"
"On screen, Mr. Heimann!", Metlesits ordered.
The viewscreen blinked into the image of what looked like a small carnivorous dinosaur: scaly and fang-snouted, weird, chameleon-like turret eyes, on two legs, yet slightly hunched. The creature was naked except for the ornate body paint that covered its body in elaborate, colorful swirls.
"Aliens, assume the position of respect!", the creature said in a no-nonsense way, "I hereby present you the great shiplord Atvar, kinsmale of the Emperor and grand amongst the Tzenkethi!"
The image changed to the bridge of the Tzenkethi craft, in the center of which stood Atvar himself. For the untrained eye, he was a carbon copy of his race-mate, but his body paint was much more elaborate and bore different patterns. Alien or not, one could not misunderstand the distrustful look on his face.
Metlesits stood up from the command chair, but it was Nussbaum who spoke first. He looked at his friend with a wink, signalling he had an idea.
"Fleetlord Atvar, in the name of the people of Earth, we greet you", he said, "Allow me to present you the exalted Captain Metlesits of the First Fleet, hero of Kzinhome and defender of Humankind!"
His words almost made Metlesits laugh out aloud. He understood what game they were playing, and was ready to play along.
"Greetings, Atvar, great amongst your kin", he said, sounding as theatrical as he could, "The noble and majestic people of Earth asked me to extend my hand of friendship toward the exalted people of Tzenketh. We have travelled past unnumbered stars, and I'm happy to finally meet you!"

Okay, this is a sequel to an older image of mine:

Also, back at the university, I actually used to title my tests and reports as "His splendid exaltedness, the utmost venerable David Metlesits". Yupp, even back then, I was a weird guy...

Models by me

Description
"They're falling behind", Nussbaum said. On the viewscreen, the massive Tzenkethi ship started to disappear as it decelerated.
"Are their weapons hot?", Metlesits asked, keeping his cool.
"No, they're just decelerated a bit", Nussbaum said, tracking the alien craft on his radar screen.
The Tzenkethi ship stabilized itself at a distance of exactly two ship-lengths behind the Polaris. The minutes ticked past, without anything happening. It's been five hours since the Polaris arrived at Tzenketh, and more than three since the mysterious ship appeared.
"Anything on the frequencies?", Metlesits asked, turning to Heimann.
"Nothing, Sir", the communications chief said, shaking his head.
"What a weird way to greet a newcomer!", Jiménez said with a cynical snort.
"They know our aft weapons are limited, so they decided to fall back", Metlesits said, trying to make sense of the things.
"Do you want me to turn the ship around, Captain?", Jiménez said, "Let's see if they change their position."
"Hold your horses, Lieutenant", the Captain said quickly, "I don't want to antagonize them. This is a weird xeno bunch, they might take it as a threat."
"Or an insult", Heimann said musingly.
"Any ideas, M.r Heimann?", Metlesits asked.
"Well, we know the Tzenkethi are cast-based", Heimann said, scratching his chin, "Maybe they want to show dominance like this. You walk before me, for I am the master."
"Wow, that's deep and scary at the same time", Nussbaum whistled.
"Energy pulse from the Tzenkethi ship!", Ainsworth cried out, her scanners flaring up, "It's a transmission, very high-powered!"
"On screen, Mr. Heimann!", Metlesits ordered.
The viewscreen blinked into the image of what looked like a small carnivorous dinosaur: scaly and fang-snouted, weird, chameleon-like turret eyes, on two legs, yet slightly hunched. The creature was naked except for the ornate body paint that covered its body in elaborate, colorful swirls.
"Aliens, assume the position of respect!", the creature said in a no-nonsense way, "I hereby present you the great shiplord Atvar, kinsmale of the Emperor and grand amongst the Tzenkethi!"
The image changed to the bridge of the Tzenkethi craft, in the center of which stood Atvar himself. For the untrained eye, he was a carbon copy of his race-mate, but his body paint was much more elaborate and bore different patterns. Alien or not, one could not misunderstand the distrustful look on his face.
Metlesits stood up from the command chair, but it was Nussbaum who spoke first. He looked at his friend with a wink, signalling he had an idea.
"Fleetlord Atvar, in the name of the people of Earth, we greet you", he said, "Allow me to present you the exalted Captain Metlesits of the First Fleet, hero of Kzinhome and defender of Humankind!"
His words almost made Metlesits laugh out aloud. He understood what game they were playing, and was ready to play along.
"Greetings, Atvar, great amongst your kin", he said, sounding as theatrical as he could, "The noble and majestic people of Earth asked me to extend my hand of friendship toward the exalted people of Tzenketh. We have travelled past unnumbered stars, and I'm happy to finally meet you!"

Okay, this is a sequel to an older image of mine:

Also, back at the university, I actually used to title my tests and reports as "His splendid exaltedness, the utmost venerable David Metlesits". Yupp, even back then, I was a weird guy...

Models by me