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if the citizen refuses to change, stronger measures will be used.”
    “We’re getting a communication from the planet,” interrupted the communications officer, her voice full of confusion. “It’s from someone called…the Thor?”
    “That is our king,” said Captain Nightsong.
    “On screen, please,” said Captain Sheppard.
    The picture of Golirion on the front viewer was replaced with a male and a female Aesir; however, they were very different in appearance from Captain Nightsong. Where Nightsong’s hair was blond and his skin green, the king and queen had dark hair and pale blue skin. A thin circlet was all that marked them as royalty; neither wore any other regalia. Nightsong bowed deeply.
    “Greetings, people of Terra,” said the king.
    “Welcome to Aesir space,” added the queen. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
    Following Nightsong’s lead, the Terrans who were standing on the bridge bowed as well. “Thank you for your words of welcome,” said Captain Sheppard. “I am Captain James Sheppard. We are happy to come to your aid.”
    “Lieutenant Commander Hobbs is the hero we were looking for,” said Captain Nightsong. “Although he is not the commander of this ship, he is the leader of their space marines and their space fighter squadron. Captain Sheppard is the commanding officer of the ship that supports them.”
    “That is…interesting,” said the king. “Interesting and unexpected.” He looked at Captain Sheppard. “Queen Farseer and I would be honored if you would join us for a strategy session in an hour. We will send you the coordinates of the closest transporter platform.”
    “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what to call you,” said Captain Sheppard.
    “You may call me ‘Thor,’” said the king.
    “I’m sorry, Thor, but we are unable to transport down,” said Captain Sheppard. “We haven’t been scanned. The only way we can come down is via shuttle.”
    “I will have our technician send you the coordinates of a landing site. Please make it as soon as you can, but limit the number of people you bring to five, including your shuttle crew.”
    “Yes, Thor,” said Captain Sheppard. “We will see you shortly.”
    The front view screen returned to the picture of Golirion as the transmission was terminated.
    Captain Sheppard turned to Captain Nightsong. “The king and queen seem…dissimilar…to you.”
    “Indeed,” said the Aesir. “They are of the Drow, or the underground Aesir; I am of the above ground clan, the Valir.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “When we emerged from our stay underground and took to the stars, there were those among us who chose to stay below. It was what they knew, and what they were comfortable with. Most, in fact, no longer desired the wide open spaces. Over time, those who stayed below ground lost the pigmentation from being in our star’s light. Their hair grew dark while their skin became pale. Most of the Drow would look like I do if they chose to spend some time in the light; however, only a small percentage come up to tend our world’s surface and take to the stars.”
    “What can we expect when we meet your king?” asked Captain Sheppard.
    “I expect he will meet you in Reeve Hall,” replied the Aesir. “As I mentioned, our regional leaders are called reeves. When the situation warrants, the king and queen will meet in Reeve Hall with the Council of Reeves to discuss important events. I expect the king and queen will meet you there, as you will be the first off-world visitors we’ve had in over three centuries. I imagine that qualifies your visit as an important event.”
     
     

Shuttle 01 , Approaching Golirion, HD 69830, June 1, 2021
    “ Sir, this is amazing, ” commed Lieutenant Bryan ‘Hooty’ Hooten, the shuttle’s pilot. The ship was descending vertically toward the landing pad, a tiny sliver of metal in the middle of a continent-wide forest.
    “ The trees can’t be more than 20 feet away on any side