Reginalld's page

The scholars look intimidated and impressed in equal measure by Reginalld's presentation. The embri, Master Tch'ktelago, indicates subtly to the others that having the brenneri diplomat in another star system could be personally advantageous to many of the panel members. "Well, he sure doesn't lack confidence," someone murmurs. "A natural leader!" whispers another.

Nice writing, that made me laugh twice!

Thanks! I was shooting for a mix of Baron Munchausen and Hitchiker's Guide Vogons in the body of a typical english bureaucrat. IT's what the brenneri seem to inspire in me:)

This is my (Doctor Mono's) Brenneri Envoy, Reginalld Rulodf Errichs Raspe IV. I'll be building his background tonight, but I wanted to get the interview up there ASAP.

The advertisement on that infosphere site sounded intriguing: Applicants wanted for scientific research expedition. Only candidates with backgrounds in physics, engineering, information technology, interpersonal relations, or small-group security will be considered. Extensive, prolonged travel required. Click the info-link to complete a preliminary questionnaire. It was all a bit mysterious, but perhaps that only added to the allure.

After filling out the questionnaire, and a few follow-up forms, the notification came: you passed the initial screening! The message was accompanied by a free ticket to Pabaq, the university planet of the sluglike osahrus. And, for the first time, you finally learned what the expedition was all about. Several academic and government research institutions were going to jointly fund the first Near Space expedition to study the Pact Worlds’ sun!

But now, the hard part. Here you are in Jhavom (Pabaq’s capital), sitting in a chair in the middle of a conference room in the research facilities of the Advanced Institute of Heliodic Studies. Facing you, seated at a long table, are a panel of esteemed academics, project managers, budget experts, and more. Although several of the interviewers are osharus, a sprinkling of others—even a Vesk—are here as well. There were several other applicants in the waiting room before you were called in, so it’s clear the competition to become an expedition member is high.

”Ahem,” begins one of the panel members, a frail-looking elderly damais with greying hair. ”Applicant, would you please state your name, qualifications, and experience relevant to fwho has some strong Andoran ieldwork of this nature?”

"Ah, yes." For a moment, Reginalld marveled at how his voice echoed in conference room. He'd been in this room before, of course, but never in the capacity of an interviewee. "As you know, I am Reginalld Rulodf Errichs Raspe IV, secondary attache to Commodore D'molay and senior analyst for the CISC: Continental Inter-species Commission."

Raspe takes a moment to hand out datapads to each of his interviewers in turn, even giving a curt "hem-hem" to a vlaka that was disregarding the paperwork.

"As I work for both corporation and state, you will need to make your mark, or whatever species appropriate ident note you can make, on the datapad before you to access my dossier." Without even looking over to the Embri on the far right, the brennari shakes his furry head and adjusts his monocle. "And no, Master Tch'ktelago, you do not get to avoid signing the form because of our previous negotiations representing our respective people on the comission. You know as well as I do that regulation 118-2047.12A requires documentation- in triplicate no less." Satisfied that the embri diplomat had acquiesced, Reginalld turns back to the elderly damai leading the interviewing council- though he does steal a glance at his datapad to be sure that regulations had been followed before he would be allowed to speak per regulations.

"Madam," a deep and respectful bow. "Thank you for this opportunity. It is my understanding that this trip will need a diplomatic arm, or at least that is what the Commodore has explained. The pact worlds are diverse- primitive and somewhat barbaric at times- but diverse. That requires an experienced hand, someone with a history of inter-species and cross culture diplomatic acumen. Someone not afraid to learn from the Pact World cultures themselves instead of watching repeats of old holovids on the Zo! or the Harrow network. As you'll see if you scroll down to page 283 of my dossier-" Reggie checks his datapad, "Forgive me councilwoman. Your access hasn't updated, let me forward the proper paperwork to get- ah. Yes. There it is." He looks back up at the council. "As you can see on page 283, I have experience with both the Known World and Veskarum military as liaison officer handling mostly allied deployments and acted along Captain Frinallic of the Red Fleet in first contact missions along the Eastern Rim worlds. Please disregard references to the Rim World massacre, Lord Ch'klasla. That was eight years after we had left the Rim. Now, where was I? Ah. yes- experience. You need someone that understands diplomacy and cultural distinction. By my records alone, you won't find anyone this side of Varturan more qualified."

Reggie give a sidelong glance up at the embri. Sorry, Master Tch'ktelago, but yes. That includes you, or we would have had very different dealings over the mining rights to asteroid CW-88 two years back, my good man."