[Video]

[killikambassador]

[The video opens to a man dressed in rather nice robes, with an electrostaff strapped to his back. His eyes are completely black, his face is carefully neutral but with a pleasant air about him. His hands are folded neatly in front of him, indicating that he has the device propped up against something.]

Greetings. We are Vector Hyllus, Dawn Herald of the Killik hive of Oroboro.

While finding ourselves on this world was not something we anticipated, we are choosing to look upon this as a learning experience, for the Dawn Herald's duties include exploration of the unknown.

We are also a trained diplomat, though whether those skills will be of use here are still unknown, and we do have more practical skills that we may lend.

Comments

[Video]

[thrawnsaide]

[Eli greets Vector with a smile. He's in his military uniform, although by now it's looking a little worn and not it's usual crisp appearance. He speaks in a soft but heavy Wild Space accent.]

Many of us here are in a similar predicament. We're all trying to do what we can to survive and figure out what our purpose for being here is.

I'm Lieutenant Eli Vanto. I've served the Empire before I was sent over here. I'll be glad to help you if you need any assistance.

[Video]

[killikambassador]

[Vector graces Eli with a small smile of his own. He doesn't recognize the uniform, but the accent is one he's heard once or twice in the past.]

We greet you, Lieutenant Vanto. Lord Kallig has explained a little of this new world we find ourselves in, and any assistance you may provide will be greatly appreciated.

[Video]

[thrawnsaide]

I'll send the files I have collected since my time here to you. Lord Kallig has been extremely resourceful.

[Video]

[killikambassador]

We thank you, Lieutenant Vanto. If there is any assistance we may provide in return, you need only ask.

[Video]

[thrawnsaide]

No need to worry about me. Is there anything I can do to help you out? Do you have a place to stay?

[Video]

[killikambassador]

We do not. Do you know of any places that are accepting tenets?

[Video]

[thrawnsaide]

You are free to stay at my place. I operate a kitchen there, but there are available rooms for you to stay.

[Video]

[killikambassador]

Thank you, Lieutenant Vanto. We will not make ourselves too intrusive.

[Video]

[thrawnsaide]

No need to go that far. But there are others living here as well. You're free to do what you wish as long as you are mindful to everyone else. As we will be doing the same.

Video;

[kallig]

I can imagine your ability to take things in stride helped you in your work as a diplomat, Vector.

[If anything though, this seems to amuse Altair on some level. He liked to think himself the same, but honestly his own arrival had been rather troubled.

He also wonders how someone so pleasant had ended up working in Ravage's Sphere of Influence-- but then, he has many different types working under him at home too. He's not idiotic enough to think that everyone in his own Sphere has views that align perfectly with his own.]

Should there be anything at all you need, you are free to call on me, of course.

Video;

[killikambassador]

It did, yes. It is a good quality in a diplomat.

[Perhaps being a Joiner also has something to do with taking this new situation so well.]

You are most gracious, my lord.

Video;

[kallig]

I never gave that much thought, but I can see how.

[He's only really familiar with Ravage, after all, and their personalities don't tend to work well together. And what he does know of Ravage, is that despite heading the Diplomatic Sphere, he prefers expansion of the Empire through conquest, something that Altair can't agree with.]

It is only right that I offer. I wish for the survival and well-being of all who are here, but especially for those from our own world.

[Sometimes he wonders if he'd feel the same way, should he have been taken from any point besides when he was, but... Not something he feels like getting into, really.

As for Vector still calling him Lord... He wonders if that's just habit, too. Or if there's something about him that suggests referring to him by his first name would be dangerous, even if he'd said it's okay.]

It would be nice for me to chat to someone from my time, as well.

[Adding in a bit of Sith-y selfishness can lower guards, he's found. Not that Vector particularly seems like he has his up.]

Video;

[killikambassador]

Truly, you are a most unusual Sith, my- ahem, Altair.

[He remembers that Altair said it was okay to address him by name instead of title, but old habits can be hard to break. Vector's had very few encounters with Sith, though he's heard stories. His training told him to behave a certain way around the Sith, for they could sense emotions and could be quick to offend.]

We would welcome an opportunity to chat.

Video;

[kallig]

The Sith exist to serve the Empire and protect its citizens- though I know not many Sith agree with me on that point. That I would be a protector here as I am there is not too strange, I think.

[Though he may truly be unusual. After all, only he and Marr seem to have the proper interests in mind, and many Sith are more... Singularly focused.]

... If it's difficult to merely call me by my name, you can refer to me as you have. That old habits are hard to break is something I know more than most others.

[How long had it taken him to stop bowing and scraping to anyone he perceived as being above himself. How long had it taken him to even get used to being called Lord instead of scum, or freak, or slave or some combination of the three.]

Video;

[killikambassador]

It an old habit, yes. When we received diplomatic training, we were told that Sith prefer to be addressed by titles and formalities, and they are quick to take offense to small mistakes. But we can see that you are not like that.

We believe that we simply need to get used to calling you by name.

Video;

[kallig]

Good to know that diplomats get training on that point, I suppose.

[There's some amusement there. How To Speak To A Sith 101?]

You can take your time getting used to it. There is no sign that we'll be returned to our worlds any time soon, after all.

Video;

[killikambassador]

You said you were glad to have someone from our time here. Does this mean that all the others from our galaxy are not from our period of history?

[video (eventually)]

[pileofspirits]

[It takes some fiddling--during which the feed goes off and on, going from audio, to an empty text screen, to nothing but static--but the being on the other side eventually figures it out and a proper video feed begins. Their sclera might be white, but their irises are flat black, and they're holding the device close enough to their own face that not much more than very pale skin and bits of white hair falling into their face is visible.

They sound pleased, at least. Voice seeming male, but very soft, and happy despite the way they struggle to put words together in a way that makes sense.]

Greetings greetings. We're Phalanx. And other... lots of names. But they... it's not a name but it's. And we're also trained and not trained and not skills.

[killikambassador]

[Others might be disturbed by this broadcast and the other's mannerisms, but Vector takes it in stride as always.]

We greet you, Phalanx.

[pileofspirits]

[As fractured as their attention is, the majority is relieved that the face on the other side of the screen doesn't seem to be put off by them, so they smile.]

We greet you we greet you. [They happily parrot, before trying new words.] How many? Many?

[killikambassador]

[Vector's not exactly sure what they're asking, but he takes a stab at it.]

The hive is made of millions of killiks.

[pileofspirits]

[He apparently gets it right, or at least right enough to be impressive, as Phalanx's weird eyes widen in surprise.]

So many--millions?? A hive? Like bees? You're... you're bees?

[killikambassador]

Bees are an apt comparison, yes. However, killiks are much larger and more intelligent, but we are a hive mind, yes.

We are a Joiner, a human who has been accepted into the hive mind.

[pileofspirits]

Oh. So... [Dirty fingers become visible onscreen as they fidget with their mouth and try to think of how to ask in a way that makes sense.] So not in? Not full of bees but. But you are a bee? One?

[killikambassador]

Yes, we are of the hive. We still have some of our free will and individuality, but we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.