Greta's wrist unit pinged, insistently. She couldn't ignore it any longer. This was the third reminder and there was barely enough time to change into her dress uniform.

She pushed the button on the communications board and spoke. "Rasta, Freddie, I hope you are ahead of me. We're leaving for the crystal concert in less than 30 minutes standard."

Rasta's usual double click was her only response. Where was Freddie.

"Sorry, Captain. Just got out of the cleansing unit. I'll be ready." Freddie sounded a little out of breath.

"Check the sleds. Nice as it was of the Qwaiter to provide us with easier transportation, I worry about them in the next sonic storm."

"Rasta is reorganizing the hold. We will be able to store them inside. It is a tight squeeze, but they do fit."

"I'll thank him later." Why did these elephants on two legs succeed when she couldn't in all the years Rasta worked with her? He was turning into an exemplary officer. She would have to amend her reports to Federation HR.

She half slid down the narrow access way to the lower level and disappeared into her cabin, shedding her uniform as soon as she stepped inside. At least the biologists and medical practitioners of Romulus agreed, there were no diseases which could infect her or them loose on the planet. No need for the deep cleansing decontamination cycle as well. At least not for her or Rasta.

Freddie wasn't so lucky.

Come to think of it Rasta was right. She didn't notice the stench of rotting waste in the waterways anymore either. The human body could adapt to many things, and bad smells were the least of them.

Greta whipped through her preparations and emerged fully groomed at the same time as her crewmates. She waved them down the narrow passage ahead of her. When they emerged in the main living area, they inspected each other for anything that might offend.

Freddie wore his medals and the jeweled ambassador's collar. Rasta lowered himself to pulling out his dress uniform and making sure his dreadlocks were in an orderly detangled mass. He secured them with a gem studded band she didn't even know he possessed. Mission ribbons spanned an impressive area of his left upper chest. He actually outdid her own display.

"I think we're ready. Well done, men. I'm proud of you and all the work accomplished to date. Your tapes are impressive, and Rasta--- thank you for making sure we can keep the sleds safely out of harm's way."

Was that a blush on Rasta's dark cheeks?

"Nothing to it, Captain. Shall we leave. The concert starts in two hours, and we have a state dinner beforehand. I'm curious about Qwaiter's boss, and the governing entities of this plant." Rasta started toward the ramp controls, lowering their only apparent exit.

She nodded. "Lock it up before we leave."

Rasta snorted. "I'm not that dense, Captain."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The dinner was the strangest thing Greta could remember experiencing in all her time with the Federation Space Navy. Banquets, state dinners, feasts of celebration didn't hold a candle to the incredible spread of vegetarian dishes stacked on tables which were at eye level for her and Rasta. Freddie was able to extend to his full height and describe the display for them.

The delegation of planetary leaders was confusing. Each major city, of which there were nine, had a leader like Qwaiter. There were two major continents, one with four and the other with five cities. Major rifts reaching depths of over eight kilometers separated them, with what little free water remaining still flowed. The levels were slowly increasing.

Engari East and West had leaders elected every four years by all nine city mayors. It turned out her thought of mayors was similar enough to their concept that it worked and was approved for use in her reports.

Citizens above a certain age voted for the mayors on a designated schedule. How their economics worked and why the merchants were trying to establish a trading relationship with her and her crew, wasn't clear as of yet. Greta did not bring it up when she was introduced to the pure white leader of the planet.

Prtelto explained her ancestors lived in the polar areas where snow did occasionally fall even now.

"I know it is rude, but you have fur? And I see dark skin under it. Like polar bears on old Earth. I will send images," Greta promised.

"No offense taken. It seems cold is universal," Prtelto giggled, her trunk waving and tiny trombone sounds pulsed from her. She could feel the floor vibrating through the soles of her dress shoes.

Greta smiled, her own chuckles escaping at the pun. Universal had a whole new meaning since their first contact with the Scilari.

"It is good to know life in all its varied forms has preferred branches of development no matter the environment," Prtelto continued, as Freddie bowed beside me.

"The other world, Eclecta, is silicon based. Their life forms imitated our computers and more precisely your crystals."

"Indeed, I have read the reports from our Zbera. I would be honored to meet them and introduce them to the crystals. I believe our tiny golden friends are a primitive co-inhabitant of our planet. They only came to our notice when two suns formed an interconnected system and combined. A most unusual astronomical event."

"Your history is fascinating. To survive such an event as a species, is extraordinary," Greta bowed again, and the gesture was far more than a standard greeting.

"And very nearly exterminated us as well. The crystals and their ability to understand the changing electrical currents that herald severe weather events save us, as they saved you." She inclined her head, in a gesture Greta could only interpret as gratitude. "But come, join us at the head table. We have constructed it to accommodate your stature."

Freddie's clicking laughter had Greta wincing.

Prtelto's ears rippled, as she fixed her eyes on the insectoid emissary.

"I spent time with Zodera as you know, touring the mechanical systems, as well as two merchant's premises. The furniture maker had children's beds and tables. I saw the same table model there."

Again the trombone staccato toots, which Greta now decided was a discrete form of laughter, emanated from the silvery white leader. Humor was understood and appreciated. A very good thing when cultural differences were such a shock.

"Sit, our foodstuffs are compatible with your dietary needs. Let us eat and continue this fascinating discussion." Prtelto waved her trunk toward the tiny chairs and table set on a pedestal with stairs they ascended to get to a level which allowed them to converse comfortably.

Greta raised a glass of gradated blues from clear to navy, as the leader raised her own.

"To new beginnings and a long friendship."

The roar from the honored guests was deafening.