Prologue: The Commission

[Jon]

"Long complicated story," Michael says. "I'll tell you later, once we get on our way."

[Carthrat]

Arkian glances at a clock on the wall.

"The last person is late," he notes, dryly. "We're all being kept in suspense."

[Ebiris]

"Is it past the time, already?" Rowan asks, also glancing up at the clock. "That's not a good way to make a positive impression when you have a royal appointment..."

[Halbarad]

As if on cue, a young woman with dark blue hair enters the room, overhearing Rowan's last comment. "Actually, we've just received word that our last survey team member has had a death in her family. She won't be able to attend the formal commissioning today."

Stepping into the room, the woman bows. "My name is Alena - it's a pleasure to meet all of you," she says with a smile. "If you're all ready, I'll take you to meet her Majesty - she's waiting for you now."

[Carthrat]

"Ah, yes, thankyou," says Arkian, hurridly. With one final glance at his (in truth, overpolished) boots, he stands to follow the woman.

I wonder if three cans were enough..

[thepanda]

Stuffing a final few tasty snacks down his throat Chris nods, ready to finally see the queen.

I bet she looks even better in person. Wonder if I should've brought a camera?

[Ebiris]

Rowan looks a bit guilty for even saying anything on the subject after hearing that.

Silently, she stands up, smoothing out her robes and falling in with Alena.

[Halbarad]

After receiving an affirmative responce from Michael as well, Alena leads the group of four back out into the palace hallways, taking a short walk before arriving at a grand entryway. Two liveried guards stand post on either side of the enormous closed double doors, a carved crescent moon in the center of the lintel above the portal. Alena nods to the guards, opening the doors wide before stepping inside. "The Queen will see you now," she says, nodding to the surveyors.

The room beyond is a spectacle of grandeur unlike anything any of you have ever seen before, aside from during the occasional broadcast of significant events from the throne room. A lush red carpet leads along the length of the room, with paintings of the eight planetary senshi lining the walls on either side of the room - familiar faces all. At the end of the carpet stands a raised dais, on which is a large throne - made of glass, crystal, or diamond - it's hard to tell which. And seated on the throne is a woman whose face you've seen for your entire lives, everywhere from on the television to on the backs of your pocket change - Queen Serenity herself. To her left stands a tall, pink-haired woman in a senshi fuku of red and blue, the Princess Usagi - Sailor Moon. To the queen's right is her consort and wife, a beautiful, dark-haired woman in a red fuku - the Lady Rei Tsukino, Sailor Mars.  Both Usagi and Serenity wear smiles as they see the group enter, although Rei keeps her expression neutral as she looks between the assembled group.

As the four of you approach the dais, the Queen stands, nodding to you. "Welcome to the Palace of the Moon Kingdom," she says with a smile. "I am Queen Serenity." Her eyes flicker between each of you briefly.

Code Select Expand

<Halbarad> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Halbarad rolls 2d8 and gets 3."

Ebiris:

Code Select Expand

<Rei-chan> roll 2d8-2
* Hatbot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d8-2 and gets 10."

You feel a touch on your mind - very much like the feeling from the brainscans you've undergone from time to time. But unlike the cold, almost clinical feel of a brainscan, this touch gives you a warm, comfortable sensation - it's actually rather pleasant.

Everyone else:

Code Select Expand

<C-Rat> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "C-Rat rolls 2d8 and gets 3."
<Joan> roll 2d8
* Hatbot --> "Joan rolls 2d8 and gets 9."
<Thepanda> roll 2d8 for I still have no idea!
* Hatbot --> "Thepanda rolls 2d8 for I still have no idea! and gets 7."

You feel a warm, friendly sensation for a moment, like a gentle touch on your minds.

All: The sensation only lasts for the briefest fraction of a second before dissipating, the Queen smiling at each of you in turn. "Congratulations to each of you - you've all been chosen for this mission because of your own unique skills and abilities. You're all aware of what we've asked you here to do; I won't bore you by explaining it yet again. Just know that the Kingdom's thoughts and hopes will go with you as you travel."

She smiles, stopping several feet away from you. "Thank you all for accepting this responsibility. It means a great deal, especially to me personally."

[Ebiris]

Rowan blinks. She did that without even trying? she thinks, some alarm creeping in. Briefly, she begins to firm up her mental defences before pausing, Well... she IS the Queen... I guess I'll just have to not think of anything bad. Think of something nice Rowan! she tells herself. Like... bunnies! Everyone likes bunnies! Happy hopping white... that thought trails off as she glances at Princess Usagi, Or pink...? Oh, no! I can't think of rabbits! I'm sorry, your Majesty! I'm just so nervous!

Her face turning ever brighter red, Rowan bows deeply. "Thank you for inviting me," she squeaks out, mortified.

[thepanda]

Overawed. That was the only word that could accurately describe the sensation Chris was feeling. Sure, he’d known he was here to see the queen, but the reality of the situation only just hit home. He was standing in the same room as the Queen, her wife, and and their daughter. The guys on New Eden would never believe this. His parents wouldn’t believe it. Heck, he was here and it all seemed a bit farfetched.

“Yes your majesty,” he begins before fumbling a bit. Recovering quickly he continues. “I mean, it’s an honor to be here.”

[Halbarad]

The Queen returns to the Crystal Throne before giving you each a smile. "Please, don't be nervous," she says gently. "Are there any questions you had for me while you're here?"

[Ebiris]

Rowan glances sideways at Michael.

Do we have to take along the guy with the crazy powers he can't control? she doesn't ask. That would be rude. But if the Queen could by chance overhear said thought...

Speaking up however (while still blushing and not meeting the Queen OR the Princess' eyes), she asks, "Your Majesty, what's the actual timeframe on our mission and any followup missions for commencement of actual colonisation?"

No sense wasting the Queen's time with minute details we'll probably get explained to us by mission control, but it's nice to get an idea of the big picture, she thinks to herself.

[Halbarad]

If the Queen picks up Rowan's mental comment, she doesn't mention anything about it.

"The mission is scheduled to depart within a week, although I understand due to the tragedy involving the last member of your team there may be some rescheduling - you'll have to ask Ami about that when you meet with her later today." She shakes her head a bit. "Such a shame... Anyway, as far as followup missions go, those are dependent on the results all of you will be giving us. We're prepared to send a preliminary colonization mission to Mars almost as soon as we hear back from you, as we're anticipating very few problems there, but the other planets will take a bit longer - depending on the conditions there."

She gives Rowan a smile. "Hopefully within five years we'll have begun on the colonization of the rest of the System, and hopefully within fifty we'll see fully-grown colonies on each of the other planets."

[Ebiris]

Rowan nods, seeming to relax a bit, now. "So... Mars, first?" she asks, with a glance at the fiery senshi of said planet.

[Halbarad]

Serenity frowns slightly, and Rei returns Rowan's gaze calmly, smiling very faintly. "That was the original plan, yes," the queen replies. "Unfortunately, without a botanist we're going to have to delay the expedition to Mars - I believe your first destination will be Mercury at this point, but you'll need to speak with Dr. Mizuno about that," she finishes, referring to the head of the mission - your next meeting in just a few hours is with her, for your initial mission briefing.