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Exiting the Tempest, Bridget holds her arms above her head in what she hopes is the universal gesture of peace. Numerous guards crowd around her, weapons drawn. They appear tense and mutter in a language that her translators can’t yet pick up on. She’s tempted to ask SAM how the translation process is going, but worries the natives might consider it a threat and instead holds her tongue.
As she nears the end of the ramp, one of them approaches her, seemingly asking a question from the tone of their voice. Unsure how to respond, she stands still as they scan her. She’s tempted to make a joke about taking her shoes off, but thinks better of it and remains silent.
“Eham daar goss,” the alien behind her says.
“Nasen roa.”
She still can’t understand a word they’re saying, but when the barrel of a rifle nudges her from behind, she gets the hint to move forward.
As they guide her away from her ship, she tries to look around without being too conspicuous.
The architecture is like nothing she’s ever seen before. She would love to get a better look if she weren’t currently held at gunpoint. Curious citizens crowd around them, with children peeking behind their parents’ knees to get a glimpse at the strange new alien that’s appeared.
By the time Bridget approaches a stairway where a regal blue figure addresses her, SAM’s translation seems to have taken effect.
“I’m Paaran Shie, governor of Aya. We are the angara.” She holds herself tall, looking down upon Bridget with judgmental eyes. “And who are you?”
Bridget bows her head slightly, hoping to show respect. “My name is Bridget Ryder. I’m a pathfinder with the Initiative.”
“Yes, you crossed darkspace. I’ve heard of your journey.”
A new angara arrives then; a large purple man with a flowing blue shawl.
Turning to him, Paaran says, “Jaal…I have this in hand.”
The newcomer waves her away dismissively before interrupting, “Evfra saw the ship come in and sent me to find out what’s going on.”
Paaran explains Bridget’s purpose to him as he approaches her; taking slow, measured steps down the stairs. Clear blue eyes bore into her, his gaze utterly chilling. His large frame towers over her and as he approaches, Bridget finds herself taking a half step back.
Before she knows it, he is right there; his face scant inches from hers. He envelopes her entire space and looms in a rather threatening manner.
“Aya is hidden…protected,” he growls with a hint of menace. “What do you want?”
Bridget stammers as she attempts to think of a proper response. Damn, he is big. And there are still the guns pointed at her back. This has so much potential to go poorly.
“I-I’m sorry,” she stutters quickly. “Landing here, without warning…on fire, was…not the plan…”
A long, painful silence follows her pitiful attempt at diplomacy and she cringes internally, anticipating the gunfire that will put her down.
Surprisingly, it never comes.
Jaal looks her over carefully, his gaze even and calculating, as he answers, “Good to know…Because if it was, that would be a very bad plan…”
He stares at her for a while longer before the corners of his mouth tilt up into a fraction of a smile. It happens so quickly, Bridget is almost convinced it didn’t happen at all.
“I’ll inform Evfra. He’ll be waiting for you in his office at the resistance headquarters,” he says, not looking at her. “I’ll meet you there.”
Paaran accompanies Bridget through the city, though it’s by no means a friendly tour. The armed guards still stand behind her, a constant reminder that any small slip up will result in her being taken down.
Now that she can understand their language, the harsh words they whisper amongst themselves become clear as day.
They call her a thing, a monster…and they worry of the danger she represents. She supposes she can’t blame them for their fear...Colonizers have never been harbingers of good luck. If she had known the cluster was already populated, she never would have agreed to this role in the first place.
They arrive at the headquarters shortly and Bridget spots Jaal speaking with a younger angara. She only catches bits of their conversation, but it looks as though Jaal is giving him advice. The young man clearly admires him.
When they part, the adolescent stares her down, making no attempt to hide his curiosity and distrust as he glares daggers at her.
Bridget sweats under the pressure, shrinking back slightly. She’s taken aback by how open his appraisal of her his.
“Our experiences with the kett make us naturally distrustful of all aliens,” Jaal says by way of explanation.
She nods solemnly. “We’ve had our own run-ins with the kett.”
He looks at her, his eyes calculating, but his expression does soften a tad. “Then…you really do understand.”
Jaal explains how his people have been taken by the invaders; how they often never see their families again. Bridget tries to get him to elaborate but he merely tells her to save her questions for Evfra.
The man in question is extremely gruff and ill-tempered. Bridget attempts to plead her case for entering the vault, but the man doesn’t budge.
Meanwhile, Jaal seems captivated by what she tells them. There’s a certain curiosity he seems to carry in regards to her knowledge of the Remnant. He asks Evfra if he can follow Bridget on her journey, to act as his eyes. Begrudgingly, Evfra agrees. He leaves them alone then, telling Jaal to be prepared to strike should Bridget attempt to kill him.
Bridget can’t help but frown. She knows it must be difficult for them to trust her given everything that’s happened, but she’s still hurt by the accusation.
Jaal turns to Bridget and softly says, “I’m Jaal Ama Darav. I’ll be your envoy through Angaran space.”
Giving him a friendly smile, she extends her hand for a handshake. “Nice to formally meet you. It’s gonna be cozy so I hope you like people.”
He stares at her outstretched hand before he places the back of his hand against the back of hers. Confused, she tries to correct him by placing her palm in his. He lets out a grunt of frustration, holding her wrist firmly in place as he plants the back of his hand against hers once more.
Gruffly, he mutters, “I hope I don’t regret this.”
Bridget lets out a shaky sigh as he turns and walks away. His cold reaction stings just a bit. That definitely could have gone better…
She follows behind him in silence, her gaze glued to his large back.
All things considered, it was a better first contact than their experience with the kett, but it was still an incredibly rocky start. She can only hope that things will go smoother from here on out. So many people are counting on her…She needs this to work if they are to have any hope of survival.
Perhaps, in time, Jaal will come to trust her more. Maybe, if things go well, they can become friends.