Tarubia

[Doom]

I frowned, realizing this was no angel, but merely a technological marvel created by the people that sent the metal sphere. I looked down, then nodded, saying, "I'm not sure how many are still alive, but it would take days to find all the survivors on our own. We could use assistance." I paused, looking over D-47 more carefully, and said, "What is your name, golem?"

[Sparrow]

"...I am called D-47."
He stands and looks over the land scape.
"If assistance is what you require, we have brought an adequate number of people to locate survivors and treat the ill. If you don't mind the help. I'll contact them now."
He turns to the fleet, still in the shallows.
"They're awaiting permission to act. As we don't know if anyone from our land is welcome here."

[Doom]

"If you are here to help us, I see no reason for us to shun you. I insist, bring in as many doctors and clerics as you deem necessary." It felt strange, speaking to a being that was not alive, but I felt that the cold, emotionless figure, deep in his artificial mind, was genuinely concerned for the well being of our people, not just because of orders. "And, thank you." Muttered Detria.

[Sweetheart]

After flying over the epicenter for about 30 minutes, assesing the damage, Major Romanov Skimoff told the pilot to let him down. The VTOL F-2A Jet dropped the Major off in an area where the land was flat. After the F-2A left the airspace, Romanov pulled out a small PDA, and begain to write down the damages and what equitment will be needed for repairs. After writing down the info, Romanov went looking for anypersons who looked like a leader, or anyone who had any power in the local government.

[Doom]

I saw him step out of a flying machine that made thunderous noise. I wasn't sure what to make of him, but he didn't appear to be threatening. So, I left Detria to coordinate with D-47 while I went to greet this new stranger. He held a small device that glowed, with text that matched the words the metal sphere had shown me. I bowed graciously, saying, "Welcome to Tarubia.... In its darkest hour." I hadn't meant to sound desperate or disturbing, so I tried to overlap what I'd said with a Western custom I'd seen demonstrated somewhere, by someone I couldn't remember. I jutted out my hand, trying hard not to look like a fool.

[Sweetheart]

"Hello," said Romanov, shaking Talu's hand. "Are you the local leader?"

[Sparrow]

".... You are welcomed."
He sends a silent message, giving the go ahead.
The other ships immediately approach land and crawl ashore. The open their ramps and people begin exiting. There are twelve people on each of the twelve ships, a majority are scientists, others appear to be guards. On on of the ships, the one D-47 exited, two people walk out last. Sparrow and Steve. The others line up in five rows in front of them and make a slight bow awaiting orders. Sparrow speaks calmly with them while Steve stays silent, scanning the landscape. After a moment several in the rows nod, then go off in one direction to find people, the others go in another direction to do the same. Five people come over and examine the people D-47 treated. Sparrow, and Steve also walk over.
"Hello." Sparrow says in a kind tone, then curtsies to Detria in greeting.
Steve nods then says,
"Greetings." in a similarly kind tone and bows slightly to show respect.
Another scientist, one holding a laptop to his side follows close behind them, seeming almost jitterish to be outside. Three guards watch the new comer cautiously and then walk over and stick close to Steve and Sparrow.

[Doom]

Detria, a little frightened by these strangers, hesitantly bowed, saying, "Hello, welcome to Tarubia. Sorry to bother you, but the mountain erupted out of the blue, and....." She trailed off, then shook her head, saying, "My name is Detria, and I'm pleased to meet you. May I ask your names?"

~~

"Why, yes, I am. My name is Talu Regboron. I am the High Prophet of.... uh, yes, I'm the local leader." I didn't want to seem high and noble in this humbling circumstance, but I wasn't sure what to say. "Are you one of the people who sent D-47, the healing golem?"

[Sparrow]

"I am Sparrow." Sparrow says in a calm tone.
"I'm Steve." Steve replies.
"My name is Malcolm." the scientist with the laptop says hesitantly.
The guards don't offer their names, as they are to distracted watching the surrounding area.
The five other people chat among themselves before one says,
"Do we have permission to move patients onto the ships to remove them from the elements?"
This question is directed at Detria.

[Sweetheart]

D-47... Sparrow's here? he thought. "No, I'm with a seprate team. I'm here to asses damages and bring in repair equitment." Romanov said. "Major Romanov Skimenoff, at your service." Then he saluted the man, considering a local leader was a higher rank than himself.

[Doom]

I wasn't sure what the salute meant, but at your service meant he was respectively offering his services. I assumed the salute was a gesture of humility, so I motioned for him to follow me. "If you have come to help rebuild, then perhaps I should show you someone with a little more direct authority over the destroyed city than me. Please, come this way."

~~

Detria could see me returning, so she shook her head. "You shouldn't ask me. In a disaster situation, I think the High Prophet Talu should direct what happens to whom." I stood next to her, as she explained to me, "They are asking if they can take the wounded away from the ruins, so as to protect them from the elements." I nodded to the figures who were positioned as if they were leading these medics, and said to them, "You have full permission to do whatever you see fit to keep these people safe." I walked over to them and bowed, restating the greeting I had given to Romanov. Detria, watching me, turned around, and her heart fluttered when she saw the Major. She inched over to him and curtsied hurriedly, stuttering, "M-m-my name is-is-is... uh, Detria. My name is, uh, Detria. What is your's?"

[Sweetheart]

"Hello Ma'am, I'm Major Romanov Skimenoff." Romanov said, "Are you the leader of this nation, Detria?"

[Doom]

"N-n-no! That's H-high Prophet Talu. He leads the nation. Yea... He, uh, unified the separated or something like that.... Hi, my name's Detria." Her unusually intelligent vocabulary and common sense had all but deserted her, but she didn't care. This man put some sort of hypnotic spell on her, and she didn't mind.

[Sparrow]

The five people nodded thanks and respect, then carefully move the patients to the ships.
Sparrow curtsies then shakes his hand.
"We'll do all we can to help."

[Doom]

I looked her over, amazed at her strange clothing. "How did you know the city state was in distress? How did you know to come here?"

~~

Detria's small talk faded into drooling gibberish as she stared more intently at Romanov. She gurgled, "You're handsome, sir."