04-02-2025, 07:31 AM
As the away team stepped over the threshold into the Federation embassy, they were greeted by a sparsely decorated lobby, about the size of a small apartment. Nobody was present at the receptionist desk along the back wall. The crew heard the creak of a wooden door, followed by a couple of echoing footsteps from a narrow staircase. Before long, they were face to face with Ambassador Weisbrantz.
“Welcome to Riani!” Jonas said, a practiced smile on his face. He shook hands with each member of the team, shooting a weary glance over the crew’s shoulder, toward the street outside. “Please, come upstairs and make yourselves at home.”
The ambassador’s office was more decorated than the lobby below, though it was a bit too small for comfort. A stuffy warmth began to accumulate as the away team filed in. Three mismatched chairs sat on either side of a stately wooden desk. Dim light filtered through a grimy window. The ambassador had accumulated many photos, which were displayed on every wall.
“I apologize for calling you all the way out here with very few details, captain. Riani may be along the Federation’s border, but it’s a long way from the culture you’re used to. I’ve seen some encouraging signs in the past couple of years, but it’s fragile. Frankly, I think the Federation tends to forget how progress is made in developing cultures.”
The ambassador’s smile tensed, deepening the creases around his eyes. Then, his expression grew serious. His eyes still darted around the room, seemingly searching for something.
“In fact, the Federation saw fit to change our approach to Riani. They sent a new ambassador to replace me: Miss Saida Gebrezghi. The problem is that she was meant to check in earlier this week, and nobody has heard from her.”
“Welcome to Riani!” Jonas said, a practiced smile on his face. He shook hands with each member of the team, shooting a weary glance over the crew’s shoulder, toward the street outside. “Please, come upstairs and make yourselves at home.”
The ambassador’s office was more decorated than the lobby below, though it was a bit too small for comfort. A stuffy warmth began to accumulate as the away team filed in. Three mismatched chairs sat on either side of a stately wooden desk. Dim light filtered through a grimy window. The ambassador had accumulated many photos, which were displayed on every wall.
“I apologize for calling you all the way out here with very few details, captain. Riani may be along the Federation’s border, but it’s a long way from the culture you’re used to. I’ve seen some encouraging signs in the past couple of years, but it’s fragile. Frankly, I think the Federation tends to forget how progress is made in developing cultures.”
The ambassador’s smile tensed, deepening the creases around his eyes. Then, his expression grew serious. His eyes still darted around the room, seemingly searching for something.
“In fact, the Federation saw fit to change our approach to Riani. They sent a new ambassador to replace me: Miss Saida Gebrezghi. The problem is that she was meant to check in earlier this week, and nobody has heard from her.”