Lt. Ryden Sylvax - There she is
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Ryden Kel
May 9, 2026, 6:49:57 PM (20 hours ago) May 9
to sb11...@googlegroups.com
((Small Conference Room - MTF Maximum Thrusters))
The lingering vibration from the rough landing had only just faded
when Ryden finally pushed himself away from the conference table. The
reality of the mission felt different now that solid ground sat
beneath the ship. Less abstract. More immediate.
He glanced once more at the information displayed across his PADD
before addressing the group.
Sylvax: Let's suit up, civilian clothes, then we will meet at the
settlement. We are expected to meet with one of their leaders. ::he
scanned his PADD:: Her name is Leda.
Even saying the name aloud shifted something subtly in his mind. Leda
was no longer a distant figure buried in reconnaissance reports. She
was someone waiting just beyond the hull.
Willow: Please correct me if I am wrong Sylvax, you mentioned to Ross
a Temurian trader named Kiro, however we are to meet with a leader
named Leda. Would it not be wise to meet with your trading contact
first?
Ivalyan: ::quickly, before her nerve could dissolve:: W-w-would it not
make more sense to meet K-Kiro first? ::She glanced between them,
steadier now, chin up just slightly.:: If he’s already expecting us…
we establish c-c-commerce footing before leadership. Lower the stakes
of the first impression. Let Leda hear we’ve already done b-business
before she meets us.
Ryden paused, considering the point. It was a fair question, and
strategically sound. Kiro represented familiarity with trade; Leda
represented authority... or whatever approximation of authority
existed within Temurian society.
He adjusted his grip on the PADD slightly.
Sylvax: Under normal circumstances, yes. ::His tone remained
thoughtful rather than dismissive.:: But if the settlement already
knows strangers landed nearby, approaching a trader before
acknowledging one of their leaders may look evasive. Especially in a
community that likely survives by noticing when people avoid direct
conversations.
Willow: That is more than reasonable. Say no more.
Ivalyan: S-sirs.
Ryden gave a small nod of appreciation. Part of him was relieved she
understood the distinction so quickly; another part remained aware
that every choice they made now carried the potential to shape the
entire interaction that followed. He glanced briefly toward Ivalyan.
Sylvax: Besides, if Leda decides we’re trustworthy enough to remain in
the settlement, speaking with Kiro afterward becomes much easier. ::A
beat.:: I’d rather not begin our stay here by looking like we’re
conducting business behind their backs.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
As the conversation shifted, Ryden became more aware of the strange
inconsistency of the group standing around the conference room.
Different fabrics. Different cuts. Civilian attire assembled from
practicality rather than cohesion. They looked less like a unified
trade crew and more like travelers who happened to board the same
ship.
Willow: Now, I must ask, based on our meeting this leader in civilian
attire, would it be suitable for us to change? Be more cohesive in our
appearance? As much as possible anyway, in order to attempt for us to
sell the idea we are from some non-Starfleet organization?
Ryden looked up from the PADD again, his gaze moving thoughtfully
across the group as he considered the question.
She wasn’t wrong. The details people overlooked often mattered as much
as the ones they noticed. A faint smile touched the corner of his
mouth.
Sylvax: Considering we currently look like three people who lost an
argument with a cargo freighter wardrobe processor...
The dry humor lingered just long enough to soften the tension in the
room before he continued.
Sylvax: Yes. Cohesion would help. ::He folded the PADD behind one
arm.:: Nothing too polished. Nothing coordinated enough to look
manufactured.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
His eyes drifted briefly toward the viewport, toward the settlement
waiting beyond the asteroid rock.
Sylvax: We want to look capable. Independent. Like people used to
moving between settlements and making trades. ::A small pause
followed.:: Not like Starfleet officers pretending not to be Starfleet
officers.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
His expression warmed slightly after that.
Sylvax: Though admittedly, that may still depend on how well we all
act once we get out there.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
((Timeskip - Elder's Chamber - Temurian Settlement))
The walk from the Maximum Thrusters to the settlement was colder than
Ryden expected.
Fine frost crunched beneath their boots as they crossed the uneven
asteroid surface, long shadows stretching across the ice beneath the
dim glow of distant industrial lamps. The basalt formations
surrounding the ship concealed most of its silhouette now, leaving
only darkness behind them as the settlement slowly emerged ahead.
At first glance, the Temurian structures looked less constructed than
assembled... patched together from salvaged hull plating, cargo
containers, fractured antenna arrays, and scavenged machinery that had
somehow been transformed into homes and gathering spaces. Warm amber
light spilled through narrow openings between sheets of metal while
cables and suspended lanterns crisscrossed overhead like woven
strands.
And everywhere, Temurians watched them.
The species reminded Ryden vaguely of old Federation zoological
records of bush babies... large luminous eyes, oversized ears that
twitched constantly at surrounding sounds, compact fur-covered frames
wrapped beneath layered robes and scavenged protective gear. Yet there
was something distinctly harder in their appearance too, something
survival-driven. Their glowing eyes followed the away team with
careful curiosity from beneath hoods and scrap-metal visors, their
movements quick and quiet as they slipped between narrow alleys and
stacked structures.
Not hostile.... But certainly cautious.
Ryden kept his posture relaxed as they moved deeper into the
settlement, resisting the instinct to study everything too obviously.
Beside him, the soft hum of generators and distant mechanical chatter
blended with murmured Temurian voices in a language the universal
translator struggled to smooth completely.
Eventually, they were guided toward the center of the settlement... a
broader open structure built beneath the hollowed remains of what
looked like an old freighter hull suspended overhead like a protective
canopy.
Several Temurians stood waiting there. At their center sat Leda. She
did not rise when they approached. Instead, her ears twitched once
beneath her hood as she regarded them in silence long enough for the
weight of observation to become intentional. Ryden stopped a
respectful distance away, aware of Willow and Ivalyan beside him, and
inclined his head slightly in greeting.
Sylvax: Elder Leda. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.
Leda: ?
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
-----
Lieutenant Ryden Sylvax
Chief Medical Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240109RK1
The lingering vibration from the rough landing had only just faded
when Ryden finally pushed himself away from the conference table. The
reality of the mission felt different now that solid ground sat
beneath the ship. Less abstract. More immediate.
He glanced once more at the information displayed across his PADD
before addressing the group.
Sylvax: Let's suit up, civilian clothes, then we will meet at the
settlement. We are expected to meet with one of their leaders. ::he
scanned his PADD:: Her name is Leda.
Even saying the name aloud shifted something subtly in his mind. Leda
was no longer a distant figure buried in reconnaissance reports. She
was someone waiting just beyond the hull.
Willow: Please correct me if I am wrong Sylvax, you mentioned to Ross
a Temurian trader named Kiro, however we are to meet with a leader
named Leda. Would it not be wise to meet with your trading contact
first?
Ivalyan: ::quickly, before her nerve could dissolve:: W-w-would it not
make more sense to meet K-Kiro first? ::She glanced between them,
steadier now, chin up just slightly.:: If he’s already expecting us…
we establish c-c-commerce footing before leadership. Lower the stakes
of the first impression. Let Leda hear we’ve already done b-business
before she meets us.
Ryden paused, considering the point. It was a fair question, and
strategically sound. Kiro represented familiarity with trade; Leda
represented authority... or whatever approximation of authority
existed within Temurian society.
He adjusted his grip on the PADD slightly.
Sylvax: Under normal circumstances, yes. ::His tone remained
thoughtful rather than dismissive.:: But if the settlement already
knows strangers landed nearby, approaching a trader before
acknowledging one of their leaders may look evasive. Especially in a
community that likely survives by noticing when people avoid direct
conversations.
Willow: That is more than reasonable. Say no more.
Ivalyan: S-sirs.
Ryden gave a small nod of appreciation. Part of him was relieved she
understood the distinction so quickly; another part remained aware
that every choice they made now carried the potential to shape the
entire interaction that followed. He glanced briefly toward Ivalyan.
Sylvax: Besides, if Leda decides we’re trustworthy enough to remain in
the settlement, speaking with Kiro afterward becomes much easier. ::A
beat.:: I’d rather not begin our stay here by looking like we’re
conducting business behind their backs.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
As the conversation shifted, Ryden became more aware of the strange
inconsistency of the group standing around the conference room.
Different fabrics. Different cuts. Civilian attire assembled from
practicality rather than cohesion. They looked less like a unified
trade crew and more like travelers who happened to board the same
ship.
Willow: Now, I must ask, based on our meeting this leader in civilian
attire, would it be suitable for us to change? Be more cohesive in our
appearance? As much as possible anyway, in order to attempt for us to
sell the idea we are from some non-Starfleet organization?
Ryden looked up from the PADD again, his gaze moving thoughtfully
across the group as he considered the question.
She wasn’t wrong. The details people overlooked often mattered as much
as the ones they noticed. A faint smile touched the corner of his
mouth.
Sylvax: Considering we currently look like three people who lost an
argument with a cargo freighter wardrobe processor...
The dry humor lingered just long enough to soften the tension in the
room before he continued.
Sylvax: Yes. Cohesion would help. ::He folded the PADD behind one
arm.:: Nothing too polished. Nothing coordinated enough to look
manufactured.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
His eyes drifted briefly toward the viewport, toward the settlement
waiting beyond the asteroid rock.
Sylvax: We want to look capable. Independent. Like people used to
moving between settlements and making trades. ::A small pause
followed.:: Not like Starfleet officers pretending not to be Starfleet
officers.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
His expression warmed slightly after that.
Sylvax: Though admittedly, that may still depend on how well we all
act once we get out there.
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
((Timeskip - Elder's Chamber - Temurian Settlement))
The walk from the Maximum Thrusters to the settlement was colder than
Ryden expected.
Fine frost crunched beneath their boots as they crossed the uneven
asteroid surface, long shadows stretching across the ice beneath the
dim glow of distant industrial lamps. The basalt formations
surrounding the ship concealed most of its silhouette now, leaving
only darkness behind them as the settlement slowly emerged ahead.
At first glance, the Temurian structures looked less constructed than
assembled... patched together from salvaged hull plating, cargo
containers, fractured antenna arrays, and scavenged machinery that had
somehow been transformed into homes and gathering spaces. Warm amber
light spilled through narrow openings between sheets of metal while
cables and suspended lanterns crisscrossed overhead like woven
strands.
And everywhere, Temurians watched them.
The species reminded Ryden vaguely of old Federation zoological
records of bush babies... large luminous eyes, oversized ears that
twitched constantly at surrounding sounds, compact fur-covered frames
wrapped beneath layered robes and scavenged protective gear. Yet there
was something distinctly harder in their appearance too, something
survival-driven. Their glowing eyes followed the away team with
careful curiosity from beneath hoods and scrap-metal visors, their
movements quick and quiet as they slipped between narrow alleys and
stacked structures.
Not hostile.... But certainly cautious.
Ryden kept his posture relaxed as they moved deeper into the
settlement, resisting the instinct to study everything too obviously.
Beside him, the soft hum of generators and distant mechanical chatter
blended with murmured Temurian voices in a language the universal
translator struggled to smooth completely.
Eventually, they were guided toward the center of the settlement... a
broader open structure built beneath the hollowed remains of what
looked like an old freighter hull suspended overhead like a protective
canopy.
Several Temurians stood waiting there. At their center sat Leda. She
did not rise when they approached. Instead, her ears twitched once
beneath her hood as she regarded them in silence long enough for the
weight of observation to become intentional. Ryden stopped a
respectful distance away, aware of Willow and Ivalyan beside him, and
inclined his head slightly in greeting.
Sylvax: Elder Leda. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.
Leda: ?
Ivalyan/Willow: ?
-----
Lieutenant Ryden Sylvax
Chief Medical Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240109RK1
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