2. Gnycish 2, Tyroth

He says, "Good endeavors. We'll open and maintain a coded communication channel with your vessel, the Christa McAuliffe. If you've questions for us, you'll relay them through your own ship." The alien seems determined that some sort of subterfuge is the way forward. Whether that's a cultural proclivity or insight into what happens at the Ethics Summit remains to be seen.

Now, as to getting to the conference held in an underwater research facility targeted to the bottom of an ocean, you have two choices. The first, while enroute the Raven has been equipped with minor modifications that will allow it to operate safely underwater. You could actually dive and then dock in the station's submarine bay. Or you could use the transporters.

What's your preference?

"With the new modifications, The Raven can go all the way down to the depth of the Summit. The station's submarine bay, I mean. Having our own vessel as means to escape might be prudent, I reckon." Luna suggests

"From a security standpoint, it is without doubt the best course to take," Drake agrees, trying to tone down his excitement at the idea of visiting the underwater research center.

I agree, and it will also allow me to have extra supplies nearby if needed

Cole offered the alien captain a nod in the affirmative and stood, pulling his uniform straight and tapping his comm badge to provide a SitRep to the Christa, also informing Captain Syrran they would be taking the Raven to the surface. Thanking their hosts once more, Cole promised to be impartial and any findings in their investigation would be transmitted immediately in the interest of transparency and diplomacy.

Yes. This is going to be so much fun. Luna thought. She had only ever done an underwater trip in a simulation. Now it was the real deal.
As soon as it was appropriate, she returned to the Raven to prepare for departure.

You return to the Raven through the uncomfortable tube-like corridors, the aliens providing further communication protocols to keep your tacit alliance a secret - they seem determined that subterfuge is the proper course forward.

Once you've made it to the Raven, and seated yourselves aboard, the trip to the planet is uneventful. The last few kilometers may be a different story.

Luna, how about a Piloting roll for this new maneuver. Difficulty 1 just to keep things interesting. If you succeed, please feel free to narrate the journey to the station under the ocean.

Leaving the strange alien craft feels like a release to Luna. The descent to the planet is easy and trival. Upon entering the planet's atmosphere a vast ocean reveals itself. It is an impressive sight. There is no end to it, at least not one Luna can see.

She pushes a few buttons on the consol to activate the underwater system.
"Hang on tight, this is not a Zero G maneuver." the warn the rest of the crew before hitting the water with a mighty SPLASH!!The manufacturer is well-executed and even yhough the splash was big, the crew didn't feel it too much.

Luna is a quick study, and takes the entry easily. The water parts before the modified frequency shield, adapted to sluice through the water rather than evaporate it in a spray of plasma. The powerful engines of the runabout are enough to drive the vehicle at cataclysmic speeds through the salty ocean, and Luna find a threshold that doesn't unleash titanic forces in the ecosystem but still allows them to make solid headway.

The ocean is living, with strange animals swimming past and darting out of the path of the speeding spaceship. You see little signs of bony specimens and most seem to be fluidly shaped invertebrates.

The Raven is hailed on the frequencies provided by the Summit's organizers in their invitation. "Greetings delegation from the United Federation of Planets. We have been quarters set aside for you, and a liaison will join you at the submarine bay. Please follow the guidance prompts in the side frequency and welcome to Tyroth."

The station when you find it looks much like a space station only it is magnetically and physically tethered to the seabed. Luna pilots the Raven between hanging equipment into a bay. The force field allow the Raven through while keeping the ocean out. The runabout settles onto the bay floor, completely dry.



Near a bulkhead hatch, you see an elegant alien waiting for you. They're wearing an exo skeleton that provides support to their body which appears reasonably humanoid. The biologically attuned of you would recognize as boneless like a cephalopod from Earth. Perhaps the humanoid shape is a construct of the exoskeleton.

Aurin marveled at the elegant complexity of the modifications to the shield and propulsion, watching through the viewscreens as they dashed through the ocean as if soaring through the air. He had clearly had more modest expectations, a skimming of the surface followed by a leisurely submergence to the facility. It pleased his sensibilities, and he was looking for uplifting diversions in the face of the tragedy they were racing towards.

He was inordinately glad that the aliens had agreed to proceed in good faith. Apart from his ethical objections to the subterfuge - the potential legal and moral quagmire that concealing their motivations might invoke - he had little confidence in his ability to uphold a ruse. He had been told he had the poker face of a five year old klingon. The white lie of wobbling a few power conduits to buy time was a far cry from trying to remember his imaginary motivation in the face of numerous possible suspects.

As they emerged into the bay, he took a moment to take in the biology of their host. He inwardly mused at their overt admiration of the humanoid form, and their potential misunderstanding of... certain human cultural mores vis a vis their... mammalian traits. Perhaps he would have a chat with them later, oviparous species to oviparous species.

Despite it all, he was glad to finally set down at the conference. He glanced curiously towards the Commander. He would definitely wanted everyone to be on the same page as to the tenor of their interactions, so he held back any pithy comment to let him set the tone.

Cole joined the rest of the crew in marveling at the view provided by the runabouts forward viewscreen as Luna expertly raced through the water, sea life abundant and scattering out of the way as they sped towards the station that oddly, despite wondering what else he had expected, looked much like a space station. Offering praise to a job well done and an appreciative smile to his pilot he made to disembark.

The delegate that met them was no less strange and elegant than their recently met allies and despite his fascination with the aliens biology Cole made every attempt not to gawk, instead approaching with his hand extended and his best most diplomatic smile as he made introductions before inquiring about the business at hand.

"We were met upon arrival in system by a delegation who had been in attendance before the murder of their ambassador planetside. In the interest of diplomacy, as well as to allow our own delegation to attend the conference, we agreed to assist in uncovering the truth of the incident," he stated, his tone non-threatening.

"We make no accusations, just hoping my science officer might be allowed to examine the scene?" he said, a single brow arching in both question and pleading as he attempted to gauge the elegant beings reaction and mood at the question.

---

Definitely, anyone who wants to assist in the commander's negotiations, describe how you're helping and then make a single die roll for a relevant helper skill check and focus.

Luna scans the arrival bay and the welcome committee. This place is supposedly the scene of a murder and someone could be hostile towards the crew. Worst case all of them.
She knew Cole was doing the same. Attitude, body pose, unbuttoned weapon holsters, watchful glaces. Any small thing could be a sign of hostility.

Drake made use of his psychology training as it related to security. To be forewarned is to be forearmed and in this case, Drake was taking body language into account. Harder with an alien species, yes but he had studied medicine too and many alien lifeforms, some not unlike this one.

M'RESS stands back, scanning the area with her eyes holding her bag of portable med gear. Diplomacy is far from her strong suit

Aurin stood next to the doctor, holding his own package of gear, trying to project an air of professionalism without interfering with the Commander's first impressions. The experts were, he hoped, here.

"I am designate Zza. Please follow me to your quarters. We can talk there and speak of whatever you wish."

The alien in the exosuit, seemingly ignoring your request for access to the crime scene, leads you down a hallway. The station is built for the humanoid form, and it seems (she?) is the only one finding that awkward. In a turbolift she says, "Brown 17," to the attendant computer and when you're all inside, the lift ascends a couple levels. In the welcoming hallway, she leads you to a door.

"These quarters have been delegated to Starfleet for your time here." The doors open, revealing a suite with eight cabins off of a central sitting area. A huge floor to ceiling window takes up the entirety of the far wall. "Privacy controls are here," she shows you the panel before the door, "and the resident software will provide you what you need to know about the station. Welcome to Tyroth."

Before you can remind her, she says, "I understand you'd like to speak with our head of security. He will arrive in five Federation minutes."

Cole's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, brow furrowing, and face pinching in the beginnings of a frown as the even stranger alien seemingly ignored his request and motioned for he and the team to follow her to their assigned quarters. Exchanging a look with the rest of the team, he shrugged, nodding towards the attendant in an indication to follow. The station, odd considering their host's apparent awkwardness with her exosuit and bi-ped means of locomotion, seemed designed with the humanoid form in mind, reminding Cole of the countless space stations he had visited across the galaxy. They were taken to their quarters, an expansive suite with rooms off a central sitting area, but what drew his attention was the large floor to ceiling view at the far wall. Whistling he stepped to the window, taking in the underwater scene with a small grin of wonderment before acknowledging their hosts helpful instructions. Turning from the seascape, he smiled and thanked Zza for her hospitality, stating he appreciated her setting up a meeting with their head of security.

When the doors slid shut, the smiled faded from his face and replaced with a serious narrowing of the eyes and grim, tightening of his lips, "Drake. Luna. Check for listening or other security devices.

"Aurin. See what the computer will give you access too --- or more importantly what it might not give you access too."

Turning to the remaining members of the team, "Doc. Jayce. I want you to join me in speaking with the security chief, mainly Doc so you can ask what specifics you may have regarding the ambassador's body and Jayce to observe and provide your opinion on the chief's overall presentation and demeanor. Should something seem off I want to know about it when he leaves ..."

"Right away, Commander." Drake runs a series of tests on his tricorder.

Meanwhile, Luna is doing a more traditional search of the room, looking for hidden devices and threats and just opening every cupboard and closet to see what is inside. She also goes to give the huge window a knock just to test if is strong enough to prevent all the water behind it from flooding the suit.