In past years, leaving for the University of Wilmington was never that large of an event for Alakantar O’Neill and his family. For the Corporation’s advances in instant teleportation and other high-speed forms of communications and transport made the four thousand mile distance between the university and his home almost negligible. If he wanted to visit his parents, they were only a few seconds away through the teleportation systems of the military spacecraft overhead or if he didn’t want to go through that much trouble, a simple communication link using three dimensional holograms could be used.
But this time as Alakantar was preparing to leave for the university in Kaymiril, far from his home in Northrop-Grumman, the atmosphere in the shuttle bay was different than earlier departures, sadder as a matter of fact. His parents, the Vice Chairman, and their advisor stood before him with somber expressions as the rear door of the puddlejumper lowered and struck the metal plated floor behind him.
The first to approach him was his mother who reached up and kissed him on the cheek as a tear ran down her face. “Goodbye, Alak,” she said, shakily. “Call us when you settle in so that we know you’re alright.”
He nodded, smiling. “I will.”
The next was his father who shook his hand firmly. “Good luck out there, son. Don’t get into any trouble. Make sure that keep up with the work. And always have your eyes open and alert…” He paused briefly and grinned. “…because I know there’s got to be plenty of women out there for ya.”
“Jack!” his wife yelled, elbowing him in the side.
Jack jumped to the side and looked at both his wife and son. “What?! Its college, Siri! You know…’go forth young man and partake in the bounties the world has provided’.”
Siri said nothing to her husband as the Vice Chairman, Shiran Naelthasser, spoke up. “Moving on...Alakantar, I hope that your stay in Kaymiril goes well for you and that you learn much there. Though, I do suggest that you take notes of what their culture is like so that we all can see what you have seen, and so that you will have something to look back upon and remember. Good luck and Godspeed.” He bowed his head to the young Drow.
“Thank you, uncle,” he replied, returning the bow.
Finally, the advisor, Ire’arra Aleanrahel, spoke softly in a strange, cryptic manner. “I bid you farewell, young Alakantar, and I wish to impart these words to you: choose wisely where you will place your trust for the Serpent will protect life, but with its talons the Hawk will snatch it up.”
Raising an eyebrow, Alakantar stared at the advisor, unsure of what to make of this advice that was given. All that could leave his mouth was, “Ummm…ok…I…erm…will keep that in mind. Thank you.” Then, he turned from her and began to climb the ramp for the puddlejumper. “Goodbye everyone.”
The family waved farewell to him as the ramp lifted up and closed behind him, pressurizing the cabin within. Soon, the shuttle lifted off of the deck and cruised upwards through the open metal doors in the ceiling into the sky and later space.
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The long flight to Kaymiril was largely uneventful for the young Drow, but he did find the peace and quiet to be quite enjoyable for him as he piloted the puddlejumper through space. But it was not all that difficult to fly the small vessel so he found extra time to relax some and jot down a few things in a simple datapad, which was going to be used as a journal that he was planning on keeping up to date during his stay here.
Part of the trip through, he accidentally fell asleep in one of the plush pilots’ chairs, only to be awakened by the frantic beeping of the console in front of him. Groggily, he groaned and rubbed his eyes to see the display before him clearly.
“Well,” he mumbled as he read the screen. “That was faster than I expected.”
Apparently he was now in Kaymirilian space and decided that now would be an excellent time to transmit a simple text message to his host family.
- Code: Select all
<::Transmission Sent – Corporate Jumper One::>
<::Priority Code Alpha::>
<::Begin Transmission::>
My vessel is currently in Kaymirilian space, and
I wish for a place to land. Can you please suggest
a location?
-Alakantar O’Neill
<::End Transmission::>
Kaymiril 04-10-2006 13:44
At the same moment his request was sent, Alakantar was sent a message.
Sender: Albera Province
Kestal Residence.
Vendui', Alakantar. You will find a place to land your craft two miles due south of the location this transmission has been sent from. Specific coordinates are provided as well.
You will be met by Jaril d' Kestal upon your arrival.
Bwael al, lu'eth al'doer.
_______________________________________________________________
Jaril stood in the open field, just in front of the landing site.
There were five small craft here, and room for many more. Alakantar had been assigned the place his sister's craft had occupied...she was currently Ambassador to Gronde.
It had been a month since he'd spoken to the foreign Drow, and he was looking forward to meeting him face to face, helping him adjust to his society, and learning as much as possible about the Corporation before he went off to study there.
Soon, now. Very soon.
Northrop-Grumman 04-10-2006 14:26
Upon reception of the transmission, Alakantar sent a confirmation reply and quickly programmed the coordinates into the vessel’s intricate autopilot system. With its fast computations, the system began to calculate the distance and flight path that it needed to land, and only after a second, the vessel changed its course setting and banked slightly to the right and downward into the planet’s atmosphere.
In the skies overhead, a small tan cylindrical shuttlecraft plummeted through the clouds, continuing its route to the landing site. Luckily for the young Drow, this vessel had the inertial dampeners that kept the ride for him comfortable and greatly negated the G forces that the exterior was facing, unlike some of the older models of fightercraft that he sometimes flew which lacked such a system.
Soon though, the shuttle leveled and came to a halt over the open spot next to the other craft. It then disengaged its primary propulsion systems and powered its landing thrusters up. Down it moved until the bottom struck the ground with a low thump. Almost instantly, the rear hatch unlocked and lowered as a drawbridge, revealing Alakantar standing with a large hard suitcase in his grasp.
Kaymiril 04-10-2006 21:42
Jaril was dressed in silks that flowed easily around him in the breeze, and his hair -- half tied back to keep it out of his face -- hung to about shoulder-length.
A magnificent silver bird with exceptionally long plumage hopped from his shoulder as Alakantar stepped out, and glided over to the other Drow, changing forms into a flat metal sheet.
"Please, place whatever you may have brought with you on my Gul, Grace. She'll take it all up to the house, and we will walk."
Jaril had approached in the mean time, and made the slight bow with the spreading arms customary to his culture.
"Gre'as'anto lueth verve dro, Alakantar O'Neill d' Aleanrahel. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the d' Kestal Residence."
Northrop-Grumman 04-10-2006 21:43
Similar to Jaril, Alakantar’s hair was kept at a modest shoulder length. But it was not tied back in any such way and freely blew along with the wind that swirled around him. Though, any more similarities to the other Drow were quickly disregarded when one examined his clothing. Denim jeans, a blue-green button-up shirt, and black sneakers gave the impression that he was one who had been influenced heavily by the primarily human society in which he lived. Of course, little did anyone know, this was what he typically wore when going to college and didn’t even think about changing into something different.
When the flat metal sheet appeared before him, Alakantar carefully placed the large suitcase upon it and stepped over to Jaril who greeted him. He was a little surprised at the name by which he was called as it definitely longer, more cumbersome to speak than before, and made his usual last name irrelevant, but he figured that it was something he would have to get used to and ran it through his mind several times before replying to Jaril.
He fumbled over the pronunciation of the words at first but finally got it sounding as it should. “Gre'as'anto lueth verve dro, Jaril d' Kestal. It certainly is a pleasure to be here.”
Kaymiril 04-10-2006 21:43
Jaril chuckled.
"We'll speak in common for your benefit for about a day before going back to Drow. Go on, Grace."
The Gul bobbed, then started moving forward.
Jaril shook his head.
"Pretty, that sort, but it's almost faster to walk than use them."
Northrop-Grumman 04-10-2006 22:45
Watching the Gul move away from them, Alakantar pondered for a moment about the first unique thing he had just seen in Kaymiril and compared it to his own homeland that seemed to be vastly different. Nodding his head slightly, he commented to Jaril.
“I agree with you. They are pretty…but it kinda makes me wonder why don’t you all just use something motorized, like what we use…a truck or something built specifically for that purpose...could make things easier, faster, and more efficient in the long run…”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 00:57
Jaril raised his eyebrows, beginning the walk home.
"Oh, there are faster versions of the original design, but I've had Grace for...xhaos, a good seventy years now. She's like a pet...I couldn't just discard her. Ever had a pet that you brought with you wherever you went, kept you out of trouble, helped you get into trouble? Well, that's what Grace is for me, only she's also a mode of transport, and in emergencies she can move at a decent speed...and she's a communication device and can locate the other members of my family."
He let the vivant variance of his family's land display itself for Alakantar's eyes. Along with the greens, there were brilliant reds, yellows, and purples, and even little blue plants here and there.
"Aside from that, a Qu'ess came up with the proto design before we even had contact with the outside world. These are Kaymirilian, just as I am Kaymirilian, just as every plant you trod upon as we travel to my ancestral home is Kaymirilian. The stones that constructed its foundations were Kaymirilian, the air you breathe is Kaymirilian. And it is GLORIOUS." His hands had risen into the air, and he let them drop.
"You see you’re more technologically advanced ways as superior, and I like our magickally advanced ways. I will not call them superior...but I will call them familiar. These constructs are in alignment with Kaymiril's cultural fiber...and why mar that with trucks, and roads for trucks? What would happen to our beautiful homeland?"
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 14:16
Alakantar gazed out across the lands that surrounded him, admiring and taking in its untouched splendor as he considered Jaril’s words.
“You’re right,” he replied. “And now that I think about it, it definitely would destroy your homeland and its culture, because one thing I have learned…although it’s hard to get into that mindset…is that each society has a certain way it functions and if something is changed within or newly introduced, then that society loses its stability and could very well crumble. Something that works for one, does not always work for the other.
I could use this transportation difference as an example…yes, it would destroy your homeland and way of life if it were introduced, but at the same time, it’s what Northrop-Grumman has to have for it to function. We could never use your magickally constructed designs because it simply wouldn’t be feasible for an urban and highly industrialized society such as ours. We need subways, freight trains, tractor-trailers, and other cargo transports to move materials in and out from factories, businesses, and homes with relative ease and efficiency.”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 14:27
Jaril nodded, although Alakantar would receive many surprises, even before he left.
Kaymiril had a high level of trade and manufacturing, and there were established methods of transport.
"Different cultural values. Now...dressed like that, you're going to stick out like a darait plant among a field of seris. We can make a trip out to the borders of this province this week to get you fitted for clothes that are the normal around here, with your family's ensign embroidered on them."
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 14:48
Alakantar tugged at his shirt slightly as he glanced down at the clothes he had on. Then he peered over what Jaril was wearing and sighed a little.
“Eh, yeah, that would be nice, considering with what I am wearing, I don’t exactly look like I fit in that well here with the rather…human-looking…clothes. I guess I am just used to wearing this all the time at home and college…erm…well, anyways, I’m up to getting that taken care of.”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 14:50
"There's no shame in being from where you're from...but it was my understanding that you wanted to know more about us. I believe my older sister Seliphe is soon going to get her clothes made for the upcoming term...and I should probably add some human-style clothes to my wardrobe, if I am to live among your people for the next year."
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 15:03
He shook his head. “No, I’m not really shameful. It’s just that it’s going to take some time to get used to the differences and all. Honestly, this is my first time living outside of Northrop-Grumman so it’s an adjustment.”
Chuckling a little to Jaril’s last statement, he added, smiling. “Yeah, seriously, what you have on really won’t work that well for a college student in my homeland. You need something that can take a beating and then some. Like what I have on is good for running to class through the rains, snow, and other crap we get hit with on campus and besides, you would look as out of place as I am here.”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 15:05
He chuckled.
"This was designed to take a beating. Spider silk, specially woven and enchanted. We get into trouble at school."
He held out his sleeve -- he'd worn an outfit he was wearing while he'd been attacked once for a reason. There was a slight tear running along the mid fore-arm.
"This is all that happened when someone tried to slice my arm off. Be wary of the Aresta family and the Novari family...depicted respectively by a Hawk and a Rat."
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 15:14
A Hawk… Alakantar pondered this for a moment, recalling Ire’arra’s words of advice from earlier and wondering if that was what she was truly referring to or perhaps she was sprouting her usual cryptic sayings. He decided to shelve that thought for just the moment and inquire further into what Jaril was talking about.
“Damn, what reason would they have to do that?”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 15:17
"Our families have been at odds for many centuries now. My death would provoke my father to attack, which would in turn lead to Valshanthi interference or civil war. Either way, at least one of the top two Houses in Kaymiril would be upset and the balance of power would be thrown into chaos, letting a new order take its place. More than half of all the top Houses like the present order as it is, and about eighty percent of the rest of the population."
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 15:29
“That’s a pretty delicate situation that you all have there in my opinion. One wrong or I could say…depending on the person involved…perfect move and suddenly chaos unfolds…its kinda hard for me to imagine that,” he stated. “Well…you don’t have to worry about anyone trying to kill you or anything like that in Northrop-Grumman just because of who you are. But a word of advice for when you do go there: stay away from making any religious statements or you will wind up getting in the middle of a fight. It’s touchy right now.”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 15:34
"Good to know. I'll be sure to avoid it...I'm not much of a fighter."
He grinned. "I'd be dead a couple of times if Cousin Eya hadn't shown up. Eyarayin d' Drasdera...I don't think you'll meet her, she's off at war presently, no telling when she'll be back. She has the most convenient timing of anyone I've ever met."
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 20:08
Alakantar chuckled some. “Sounds like you have a ‘guardian angel’ to keep watch over you. That can be rather nice when you’re in a tight jam. You ought to be thankful that she’s around especially from what you tell me goes on around here.”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 20:11
"I wouldn't know about guardian angel...Cousin Eya's brutal. Lightning fast, too...much like her House's Emblem."
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 20:16
“Very nice.” Then he raised an eyebrow and asked, “By the way, out of curiosity, what’s her house’s emblem? It's seems Kaymirilian Houses have a great variety of them.”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 20:18
"Different emblem for every House, Greater and Lesser, although many of them run similar. Drasdera's emblem is the Great Serpent...you find a good many of them in Chalin, which is the province they rule over."
Northrop-Grumman 05-10-2006 22:24
…and a Serpent His eyes widened at the thought of the second portion of the advice becoming clear to him. Protecting life....Jaril’s cousin protected his life…but how does all of this work together? Why has she told me all of this? Alakantar pondered it in his mind as he inquired even further, hoping to find some answers.
“Drasdera…what are they like? Nice folks or what?”
Kaymiril 05-10-2006 22:28
"Nice? Only in that they'll only kill in the line of duty. Cross one, you'll WISH they could kill you, though...They don't speak much, and when they do, you listen. I've never been more afraid of anyone than I as of my Great Aunt Streea when she issued a reprimand. They're our military family. Trained in strategy and combat from literally their first day. Highly disciplined...and they have this underlying hostility...only family they won't lash out at if they're angered by them is the Maril House, and that's ONLY because they swore loyalty to them...and each matron reaffirms that at her mother's death."
He glanced at the Drow youth beside him.
"But, as I said, her siblings are graduated, and she's at war, so you shouldn't really have to worry about her. Why the sudden curiosity?"
Northrop-Grumman 06-10-2006 15:55
Alakantar truly did not want to go into great detail about a particularly odd ten thousand year old former Valsharess that he knew who had given him cryptic advice about creatures that may or may not be true or even relevant to what he was doing here. But instead of going into detail, he merely shrugged.
“Eh, just wondering…all this is rather new to me and considering how deadly this place can be, I’d like to know more about the Houses and all so I know who is who. Don’t exactly want to get myself caught up in something I don’t know about.”
Kaymiril 06-10-2006 15:56
"Trust me, we'll be going over that in detail. Most houses won't even look twice at you, after seeing an unfamiliar Emblem embroidered into your clothes...but there are two that might try to defy the Valsharess and kill a foreigner, and maybe two more that would try because you are staying with us. My sisters Seliphe and Balais will be attending the university next year as well, so you won't be completely alone. Seliphe is about 190, and Balais is only 150."
Northrop-Grumman 06-10-2006 15:56
“Well…that still is four Houses that could be going after me. Not exactly the most optimistic thing to think about as I just got here, and I am definitely not used to it at all…” He sighed and continued. “…but this is a different culture, and I need to understand how everything works and keep my eye out for these things." Then he glanced over to Jaril. "I am indeed glad that you’re going to help me with that.”
Kaymiril 06-10-2006 15:57
"It's a matter of education, really...which is why it's best you aren't just pushed into our culture. And it's four houses...no...the other two don't have anyone attending this term. So, two houses, out of about fifty...and then you're not counting the Scholar lines...probably another six dozen families represented there. Maybe three people that MIGHT try to go for you. You a swordsman at all?"
Northrop-Grumman 06-10-2006 15:57
Alakantar nodded. “Yeah, I am, fairly decent, I guess. I’ve been training at it for most of my life and get by pretty well back at home, but I am unsure about it here since Kaymiril seems to be way more centered around swordplay than we are…I wasn’t planning on coming armed. Though after my mother’s continued prodding, I did bring my longsword and a few knives with me. They’re in the suitcase, right now.”
Kaymiril 06-10-2006 15:59
"Good, you'll be able to defend yourself."
Jaril walked a few more paces, then stopped abruptly.
"If you can summon your weapons. You aren't allowed to carry them openly, or conceal them on your person."
Northrop-Grumman 06-10-2006 16:04
“Damn,” Alakantar cursed. “I can’t summon them or really anything else. Levitation? Sure…but that’s about it.” He stopped and realized his problem. “I’m kinda limited in my options, aren’t I?”
Kaymiril
06-10-2006 16:05
"The options stand as 'risk getting skewered' or 'learn how to call your weapons to you.'"
The young An'shalla nodded.
"Yes, your options are limited."
Northrop-Grumman 06-10-2006 16:09
“I figured,” he mumbled. “But if it all possible, I’d like to learn since I’d rather have at least a chance to defend myself in case something happens.”
Kaymiril 06-10-2006 16:10
"We can teach you. My brother Terin will be home for the foreseeable future, and he's the one that taught me."
Northrop-Grumman 08-10-2006 16:51
Alakantar nodded, smiling. “Excellent. I will be looking forward to that.”
“By the way…I’ve been wondering. What exactly is learned at the university?”
Kaymiril 08-10-2006 16:54
"It's more an exercise of learning how to deal with other nobles than it is learning any of the material," explained the young nobleman.
"But history and literature are taught, as are mathematics, strategy, and music...and more recently, foreign cultures."
Northrop-Grumman 08-10-2006 17:04
“Sounds a little different from what I’m used to,” he replied. “Over in Northrop-Grumman, the universities really do not teach you how to interact with other people, except in for some fields. It’s more designed to prepare you for what line of work…a career…you intend to enter.”
Kaymiril 08-10-2006 17:06
"We've all been raised to accept our careers when we come of age. But the peace in Kaymiril is a very fragile thing, so we learn who our enemies truly are, who are friends truly are, and how to keep that fragile balance best."
Northrop-Grumman 08-10-2006 17:21
Alakantar raised his eyebrows. “I tell you…your society is incredibly complex in how it works, the balance that you must maintain, the house system, the way the university functions….but nevertheless, it’s pretty fascinating to me.”
Kaymiril 08-10-2006 20:37
"Be glad we aren't Lolthian. There, if you irritated one of the females, you could be executed on the spot."
Northrop-Grumman 08-10-2006 22:20
“So Kaymiril is like a walk in the park compared to that?” He chuckled. “Good thing your nation isn’t like that. I think I’d be executed rather quickly, considering I have a habit of asking way too many questions…at least, that’s what I’m told.”
Kaymiril 08-10-2006 22:22
"Hmm...likely not."
Jaril chuckled. "Ussta abbil...in the Underdark, an inquisitive male was a threat. You'd not have made it past the time you could talk."
Northrop-Grumman 08-10-2006 22:35
“Definitely glad I didn’t grow up there…or I should say, more accurately, born there.”
Alakantar smiled and looked towards Jaril. “Hopefully, your people are more tolerant of someone like me…Honestly, I am fairly inquisitive, but that’s just because I love to learn about new things.”
Kaymiril 08-10-2006 22:37
"If we weren't, we would still be the Underdark."