"Holy crap, will you look at the size of this thing!", Lenny exclaimed as he looked around the landing bay of the Gondaari battlecruiser,  "you could park the Celine in here and still have room to spare."

"From what I've heard," Chief Booker added, "this isn't their biggest.  Rumors say the Gondaari have carrier type craft that make this look like a rowboat."

"Indeed," Luci interjected, then continued, "scanner indicates a low level power source forward of our position.  Are you picking up anything on the bio meter, Chief?"

"Just us, Luci," Booker responded, "let's check out what you've got, could be the engine room or another high power source."  Pausing for a moment Booker continued, "Aria, we're going to check out the reading.  How's our signals, have we got a clear copy on your end?"

Looking around the bridge and getting an affirmative from everybody, I called back to the Chief, "we're good Chief, got a clear audio and visual.  Copy you checking out the signal, remember Tyrell, take your time and be safe."

With a slight chuckle in his voice that put my mind at ease somewhat, the Chief replied, "copy that Mother Hen, we promise to be careful and return to the coop soon."

Booker's words sent a good feeling throughout the bridge crew with Janice softly voicing, "you just gotta love that man, sometimes."

"The signal is getting stronger," Luci reported as the trio walked down one of the large corridors of the cruiser, "we should be arriving at the source soon according to the readings.  There is still no data of what type of power it is, it doesn't register as harmful and our suits should protect us from any possible radiation dangers."

As the group traveled the ship, Lenny couldn't help but be awestruck at the sights, spinning around often to view the scenery he found himself when he suddenly stopped.  "Uhh, guys...," He stammered to speak, "I think you really need to see this."

"And what is it this time, Mr. Kearnan," Luci asked with a bit of irritation in her tone, "another bank of lights flashing in an odd sequence?"

"I'm gonna say no, Luci, but I really think you two might just want to turn around and check this out,"  Lenny responded.

Turning to see what Lenny was looking at, the threesome found themselves face-to-face with a what appeared to be a humanoid female with golden toned skin, wearing a dark bodysuit and hooded cloak.

"Welcome to Yesterday's Hope, my friends.  If you'll follow me, please, we have much to discuss," the mysterious woman stated.

"And if we don't?", Booker replied instinctively.

"Then I'll send you back to your ship and we'll each go on our merry way," the figure responded, "but we all know that is not why you came here.  I realize you have no reason to trust me, but I promise your friends will not be harmed and we'll both benefit from this."  Then in a turn that took us all of the Celine Maru by surprise, the mystery woman added,  "well, how about it Aria... you're the captain, the choice is yours."

Shocked to hear my name, I stammered in response, "how did you know my... ... ... never mind, I'm sure you know more about us than our names.  OK, if my people on your ship agree, then I agree.  You guys over there game?"  The replies from the salvage party were a nervous, but resounding yes. Contining to address the woman, I said,  "I'm going to trust you that no harm will come to my people.  I figure if you had wanted to hurt us, we'd have been vaporized by now."

"While that is very true Aria, we are not barbarians.  The Gondaari are a peaceful race and we only fight when we have to, and then we fight to win... or as you humans say, 'no holds barred and no quarter given, none expected'," the Gondarri stated.  "However, you came here filled with curiosity, unarmed and in peace, we reciprocate your actions.  Your people are our honored guests and when we are finished here, it is my hope we part as friends and allies," the woman added.  Addressing the three people standing before her, "Chief, Luci and Leonard, if you will be so kind as to follow me, we'll get out of these dank, drafty corridors and continue our talks somewhere more comfortable. This heavy cloak is really beginning to get on my nerves."

Within a few minutes, the group found themselves walking down a much narrower corridor than the ones before and stood before a dimly lit panel where the Gondaari woman turned said, "finally.  I sometimes forget how big this ship is.  Any way, we've arrived to what we'll call the conference room.  By the way, I think you'll like this."

To be continued...

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Not sure what's going on?  Well give this link a click: A Little Introduction Is In Order and hopefully it will clear things up for you.
Thanks for dropping by and hope you enjoyed yourself!  Until next time, this is Aria... signing off.

Minbari Sharlin Cruiser model courtesy of daniel181 at ShareCG
Sci-fi City Shuttle model courtesy of Herminio at ShareCG
N7Ryder Armor by Forender at Forender.Com