Inside the a large building on the north side of headquarters was where the Cosmic Legion keeps their famous Cosmic Jets, named for an early support of the Legion.

Rah looked around for where Solar Flare was, and headed in that direction.

"...so what's the situation?" she asked.

"The ruling council of Rakion has asked us to patrol their sol system while peace talks are taking place over a small war," Solar Flare said.

"Seems pretty simple," said Rah.  "What kinds of problems are they having?  I mean, besides the actual war."

"There are worries about off planet factions getting involved. We're going to be there to keep an eye out for them. You four will be placed in the city these peace talks are taking place while I patrol the sol system with the ship and keep an eye on you," Solar Flare said.

"I can scan for hostile intent, although that's not always a sure indicator," m-Taa said.

"More than I can do," said Rah.  "I've got good senses of sight and smell, but I doubt that I can do better than a network of cameras and sniffers."

"We have a few hours until we arrive," Solar Flare said. "Feel free to relax until then."

"Sure," said Rah.  She looked for a good perch to revert to her true size on.  She was always very tough, but getting stepped on was no fun.

There were things like arm rests and ledges along the side of the walls.

Rah went for an arm rest.  She'd be closer to the others that way, and besides, they were padded.

m-Taa took a chair.

As did the others.

"Is very nice way to travel," the Fury said.

"Not the worst ship I've been on at all," said Rah, stretching out on the armrest.

"No," m-Taa agreed. "When I was a student I had to take the cheapest options available."

"Yeah," said Rah.  "Troop transports for me, before I passed the test and became a Titan.  If I never have to crowd onto a bench with two dozen other new recruits so close we can all smell each other's breath, that's fine by me."

"I am seeing that the tiny one is very tiny," the Fury said.

"I'm Chiren," said Rah.  "This is how tall we are.  Just like Xophans.  Have you ever met a Xophan?  My size, furry, big ears."

"The Fury has not been meeting them," the Fury said.

"You will if you travel around a bit," said Rah.  "...and look in places someone my size would be, of course."

"Like looking under the rocks?" the Fury asked.

Rah rolled her eyes, a wasted effort if there ever was one.

"Perhaps where you are from, there are rocks littering the floors and corridors," she said.  "Here, things are more civilized.  And neater.  And there are suitable walkways and seats for Xophan and Chiren citizens."

You feel that 987-2 is offering you comfort.

"Thanks, Two," said Rah.  "I'm fine, though."

"My sister looks under rocks all the time," m-Taa said, "but then she's an entomologist."

"Ah, she must be finding the bug peoples all the time," the Fury said.

"Do I make you that insecure, The?" Rah asked.  "You should get over that."

"Sorry, I did not me your peoples, but perhaps actually tiny bug peoples," the Fury said.

"Ah, all right," said Rah.  "Most people don't describe those bugs as people, though.  Or are there sapient species that small?"

"The Fury does not knowing.  After learning about your peoples, the Fury is curious," the Fury said.

"Ah," said Rah.  It was an interesting question.

"Well, I've never heard of people like that," she said.  "I guess they could exist?  But, I mean, it's just us and the Xophan at this size, and Chiren got this small after the Mad Science Wars.  Even smaller people would really be super-rare.'

You feel that 987-2 considers it a possibility.

"She hasn't mentioned any," m-Taa said, "and I'm sure she would if she'd found some; she likes to tease me about how insects are more interesting than plants."

"Are they?" the Fury asked.

"I guess that depends on what you find interesting," said Rah.  "Scientist probably have different views, too."

"Ah. the Fury is not the scientist so the Fury does not knowing," the Fury said.

"That's fair," said Rah.  "Now, me, I mostly find insects more interesting, but certain plants can change that.  It just depends."

You understand that 987-2 has a hard time speaking with them.

"With plants?" said Rah.  "Well, that makes sense, I guess.  Most plants don't have brains or do a lot of thinking.  With certain exceptions..."

You understand that 987-2 agrees.

"What about you, m-Taa?" asked Rah.  "Do you pick up anything from insects?  Or plants?"

"Only sapient or near-sapient ones," m-Taa said. "Normal insects have instincts, not feelings.  There are theories that plants have a level of connection, but so far the only signals we've found are chemical, not psychic.  Which is fine with me; I don't want to feel distress when I take samples."

"Ah. Makes sense for the scuries," the Fury said.

"And there's probably an exception out there somewhere," said Rah.  "One of the Gargantua is a plant.  It would be pretty big even by your standards."

You feel that 987-2 finds sapient plants hard to read as well.

"Sometime, I'd say you should check out the Rose Goddess," said Rah, "but I've got a feeling that it's mostly 'ANGRY!  DESTROY!' if you come down to it."

"I am curious," m-Taa said, "but clearly caution is called for."

"Well, the Rose Goddess is about twice my height, fills up a radius of about five times my height, and is made of thorns, vines, hostility and raw power," said Rah.  "So not really much for conversation."

"Sounds like good enemy," the Fury said.

"Oh, she is," said Rah.  "Kind of rough on civilian populations sometimes, but not as bad as some of the others-- she's not exactly fast-moving."

The Furry nodded.

"Many heroic things to do."

"Not so many these days," said Rah.  "The Gargantuas are safely contained for now.  Giant science at work."

"So you can deal with the bigs?" the Fury asked.

"I do that, yes," said Rah.  "For years now."

"Good. The bigs can use some knocking down of pegs," the Fury said.

"Seems like you could do that too, The Fury," said Rah.

"Yes, the Fury is here to show the bigs that the smalls can do things of heroics too," the Fury said.

"Works for me," said Rah.

"Your usual height, or your giant height?" m-Taa asked, musing.

"Either," said Rah.  "Both are me.  Both are who I am.  I'm strong in both, too."

"we have arrived," Solar Flare said. "I will be landing, please prepare yourselves for what is to come."

Rah nodded, stood, and assumed her full, grand size.

"Well, I meant what the plant's size should be compared to, but we can discuss it later," m-Taa said, standing up.

"Oh," said Rah.  "This height.  She's much bigger than you are."

The Fury suddenly grew about a foot in height (making him almost four feet tall) and massively muscled.  Meanwhile, Solar Flare managed to land the ship without difficulty.

"I will be back to pick all of you up once everything is signed," he said. "Call me if there is anything that you cannot handle."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Wed 24 June 2020.

"Got it," said Rah.  "Seems pretty straightforward, team.  We've got a couple of people who can sense trouble coming, and a couple of heavy hitters to solve problems if they come up.  Should be easy."

After everyone was let out, Solar Flare took off with the ship.

Rah looked around for any sign of the signing.

m-Taa scanned the area around them for any intense negative emotions.

[OOC: Empath Girl rolled 22 using 1d20+11 ((11)).]

You can see the capital building, where the signing is supposed to be taking place.



There is a general sense of unease and nervousness in the crowd. You can tell there is the occasional person who is displeased with the treaty, but it's not a blinding hate.

"Well, if you two don't sense anything, the building's over there," said Rah.  "Let's go!"

m-Taa followed her toward the building.

"I will be writing a promising review for all of you," Solar Flare said. "This was a difficult mission and everyone did well."

"A change of pace from the Titan Corps," said Rah, "but honestly, not too different.  I can handle this."

"Good. I look forward to see what you do," Solar Flare said.

"Definitely a change of pace from botanical field research," m-Taa said.

"So back to HQ, then?" Rah asked.

"Yes," Solar Flare said, bringing the ship out of warp, near headquarters. "You have the rest of the night free."