Session thirteen: Confrontation on Walsten

Exchanges between the two lupine members of the ship seem to change in tone and the vessel is filled with a new emotion, I believe it is referred to as ‘young love’. I enjoy the feeling of this emotion. I must meditate on this new experience, maybe I will attempt to recreate it?
 
Though I understand that the other sophonts mark the passage of time I believe they place much larger significance into it. 168 standard hours had elapsed, as the crew realised that we had not left jump space yet a feeling of unease began to permeate the very air. By 192 standard hours the one called Mary entered into a negative cascade of increasingly intense uncontrolled terror and thoughts of death. While very disturbing to witness I was very curious to witness this display. By 202 standard hours we at last left jump space. I have surmised that the reaction of the crew was in some way influenced by the ‘more than standard’ time we spent in jump space, as the mood shifted at once to relief. I may ask to assume the labour of plotting astrogation, I am trained in this area and would like to avoid future miscalculations.
 
Captain Starlene takes the helm and our star vessel descends to the planet referred to as ‘Walsten’. We land at a cluster of structures and sensor data indicates that the surrounding area is agricultural land. I would like to learn more of this planet, it may have potential and is not under imperial control to my knowledge.
 
We vacate the star vessel and are greeted by a man referred to as ‘John’. He speaks to Captain Starlene and I sense a bond shared between them, he refers to me and I introduce myself. It is always an interesting experience communicating with a sophont for the first time, this man speaks in images and sounds of the words he would use with his mouth. He reminds me of Alexander. He asks if I would like something to drink and I affirm that I would appreciate water.
 
We enter the house and Captain Starlene moves to a separate room with John, I sense they wish privacy so I remain with the crew and meet another new human. This one is much older than Starlene and John and I learn she is their mother. Humans must collaborate to produce offspring and this means that she is progenitor of this domicile. I relay to her my memory of the events on ‘Theev’, she then asks where the one referred to as ‘Vargof’ is to which my saviour replies “he isn’t coming back, he’s gone”. This causes an immediate response of confusion shortly followed by grief and loss, the Progenitor retrieves some alcohol and offers it to the crew.
 
Captain Starlene and John return then and are made aware of the loss of ‘Vargof’. An alert from the ship interrupts what seemed to be a moment of remembrance with information that a huge well armed star vessel has just exited jump space in the system. Captain Starlene quickly questions John about the nature of a deal with the one referred to as ‘Her’ then advises that he and the other residents leave immediately. I sense that we may be in danger and share a plan to lead the predators away from our hive by remotely piloting the ship. Chief also shares a plan to avoid danger that involves diving the star vessel below the nearest large body of water. Captain Starlene makes the decision to stay and reason with the approaching threat, though this appears to be comparable to self termination there is little time to argue and limited choices. I decide to find somewhere dark and quiet to wait, I have little choice but to trust Captain Starlene.
Another star vessel descends to the planets surface and lands near the residence, there is a conversation between Captain Starlene and ‘Her’. I sense the Captain's fear and yet she does not run or try to fight, she simply speaks the truth. I ready myself to act should ‘She’ take any hostile actions, I dare not attempt to peer into her mind lest I reveal myself. ‘She’ laughs and says that she believes Starlene, but that she must prove it by ordering the residents of this estate to return. I am left alone among the rafters of a building as the rest of the crew leave their hiding places, knowing the reaction to my presence when last I was near this being I ask Captain Starlene if I should remain hidden to which she replies affirmation. When the others return ‘She’ converses with John and Starlene and they seem to make an agreement.
 
Seeming satisfied with her truth seeking mission ‘She’ produces the one referred to as ‘Doc’, and invites both he and Chief for a private conversation. When they return she notes to Starlene that she may continue to deliver the merchandise for this estate.