Sand and Glass Negotiation on Sonos 3D Render, Digital Artwork by emarukk

! REPORT

Sand and Glass Negotiation on Sonos

3D Render by emarukk

Sand and Glass – Negotiation on Sonos

The heat was not just the manufactured warmth of ships' air, heated by generators and systems; it was far more oppressive. It enveloped them like a thick, suffocating blanket, ever-present and relentless, with no respite from a cool breeze or air conditioning. It clung to the skin like a persistent, heavy breath, not enough to suffocate, but impossible to ignore.

As they stepped from the Space Travellers Companion shuttle, the craft ascended swiftly, its powerful liftoff thrusters stirring up clouds of dust and swirling the dense, humid greenhouse air into chaotic spirals around them. The thunderous roar of the engines quickly diminished, swallowed by the vast emerald glare of the sky above. The shuttle did not stay, vanishing into the horizon without hesitation.

"We're not meant to linger," Neha murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she adjusted her tactical goggles, the lenses gleaming red under the burning sun light. The air was thick with tension, and the soft sand sank under their feet. Olivia nodded in silent agreement, her lips parted as she gazed around in wonder. Her heart pounded in her chest as she fought the overwhelming urge to sprint back toward the fading roar of engines, the sound growing fainter with each passing second, a reminder of the safety they were leaving behind.

The oasis was undeniably real. It sprawled outwards and reached the dunes with fresh greenery like something had spilled out from an emerald sea. Thin palm analogs stood still, their thick trunks and fronds casting delicate shadows over the sand covered by grass and vegetation at their base. Behind this lush scene, the emerald sea stretched outwards, its surface rippling and sparkling like a vivid hallucination beneath the oppressive humidity of the Sonos sky. In the distance, dark ridges loomed, their jagged forms resembling ancient, buried scars etched into the base rock of the planet. The air was thick with an unusual blend of scents, burnt metal mingling with the earthy aroma of warm roots and the subtle hint of a long-held breath, creating an atmosphere both mysterious and mesmerizing.

Olivia adjusted her breathing filters, even though the atmosphere outside was deemed technically safe, at least by official standards. Despite this assurance, she detested the natural air, finding solace in the fresh, dependable air provided by the filters. It reminded her of the recycled air on ships, a comforting constant in her life. The air from the breathing apparatus was like a cool breeze offering relief amidst the oppressive, clinging humidity that weighed heavily around her.

They wore light, breathable garments, meticulously selected for the mission's demands. The fabric clung closely, offering barely enough coverage to maintain modesty, while the colors blended seamlessly with the desert landscape. This carefully selected attire blended with the typical local style, ensuring they were not too visible.

The goggles emitted a gentle blue glow that softly pulsed against their eyes, acting as a protective barrier against the sun's filtered ultraviolet rays. This shield was crucial, as it also safeguarded them from the psychosomatic flicker sickness. Common ailment afflicted those who journeyed from the depths of space to the vibrant, green worlds. Through the lenses, the tactical view unfolded with intricate detail, providing them with all the crucial information required, like a digital map unfurling with precision and clarity.

Olivia's energy shotgun emitted a low, steady hum, a faint but reassuring sound that pulsed through her hands. She held it close, as if it were a treasured secret, while her eyes darted around, wide with wonder and uncertainty, unsure of where to focus her gaze. Her mouth hung slightly open, betraying her awe. The goggles she wore offered her a network of reference points, guiding her through the vastness of the open world and ensuring her safety from sickness. Contrary to Olivia's rifle, Neha's sidearm was a marvel of engineering, solid and compact, it housed magnetically-chambered rounds, making it a formidable weapon that was as quiet as it was deadly. Neha didn't need goggles to protect her from sicknesses, and her movements were sure and deliberate.

"You been planetside before?" Olivia asked, although she knew the answer. Her voice was a delicate thread as her head moved from side to side. Her eyes swept over the expansive sea, then zeroed in on the virtual reference points displayed by her goggles.

"Not often," Neha smiled and replied to assure Olivia she knew what they needed to do. "But I was born on a planet. It wasn't as scorching as this one but vast and luminous."

"It doesn't feel real," Olivia mused softly. "Like a simulation that's overheating, teetering on the edge of believability."

Neha remained silent; she understood perfectly. Stationers, those who spent their entire lives within enclosed environments, were ill-suited for the vastness of the open sky. A person accustomed to living in confined spaces finds it challenging to adjust to the sprawling, unbounded expanses of the planet. Neha was acutely aware of Olivia's predicament. The absence of walls and the lack of shelter made her feel dizzy and exposed, as if the vastness could swallow her whole.

Neha led, and they moved forward, covering a short distance on foot and approaching the compound with careful steps. The dome-roofed sandstone structures seemed to emerge naturally from their engineered stone foundations, surrounded by elegant shade structures and meticulously maintained, servo-tended gardens. Automated watering systems glided effortlessly beyond the small plantations, reminiscent of the gardens of Verdantia from Olivia's childhood. The scene was both familiar and alien to Olivia, who struggled to place its essence. To Neha, however, the place exuded warmth and a sense of belonging, offering a cozy and homely atmosphere. Olivia couldn't quite grasp what made it so.

This was Oligarch Parven Dhel's exclusive retreat, a place intimately tied to a man renowned for three distinct passions: his private garden, meticulously curated with orchids that were emotionally attuned to their surroundings; his intense fascination with thrall poetics and the untamed, raw allure he referred to as 'feral beauty'; and his peculiar penchant for entertaining guests who arrived armed. Aldo had given the duo a heads-up before they embarked on their mission: this was to be a negotiation of peace, yet Parven was a man who appreciated a certain "edge" over traditional etiquette. He had a particular affection for charming women who carried firearms with grace, so Neha was a natural to meet with him. Olivia could fill in what comes to feral beauty and allure. Anders and Dwayne were advised to play the role of pleasant gentlemen, piloting shuttles around the vicinity while the ladies handled the intricate dealings. With a sprinkling of small but thoughtful gifts, they were confident they would easily achieve their objectives.

"Ready for the show?" Neha asked, her voice a soft murmur as she surveyed the landscape through her goggles, which fed her a constant stream of data. Her brows furrowed in surprise at the absence of armed guards and imposing defense towers. It seemed Sonos was indeed the haven of tranquility that whispers had suggested: a serene and peaceful place.

"So we're the show," Olivia muttered under her breath, her tone tinged with irony. She was ready to be the show and feed hungry eyes with pleasure.

"We are," Neha responded with a light giggle, her eyes finally catching sight of some discreet gunnery turrets and fixed camera systems nestled among the surroundings. "And the prize."

Since the CNS Resolute had anchored at Sonos, the planet had fallen under the unyielding control of the Confederation. Official narratives painted a picture of a once-turbulent and violent place, subdued only by the arrival of the military governor. But the locals knew better. Sonos was already a model of order, maintained now through the looming presence of military might and veiled threats.

Officially, the governance of Sonos lay in the hands of Vice Admiral Hudson, yet the day-to-day enforcement had been delegated to Commander Max Commodus. With his fiery red hair and piercing green eyes, he blended in with the locals, yet was a figure of dread. He kept the planet tightly reined in, his influence extending like an invisible web. Unlike Vice Admiral Hudson, who might show restraint, Commodus was not one to shy away from using force. Then there were the oligarchs, like Parveen Dhel, wielding immense power over trade and subtly pulling the strings of the military governor. This was the leverage needed to achieve their ends.

"I'd rather walk in a corridor," Olivia whispered, a note of unease in her voice. "At least I know where the walls are."

"Soon we'll be inside," Neha comforted, her voice a soothing balm against the tension.

Olivia cast a glance toward the sea, its surface undulating, and the air shimmering with heat waves, reminiscent of the distortion from engine exhaust. She couldn't tell if it was a normal occurrence or a harbinger of danger. The wind pressed the heat against her spine, and she took a deep breath, stepping forward into a realm of glass, dust, and diplomacy tinged with the ever-present specter of peril.