[OfficialLorelie (Felinia 7): I'm sorry, Erkath. What do you plan to do?]
[LadyErkath (Deverinian Prime): Officially separate from him and kick him out of my house so that I can focus on Earth Fashion. With how big I'm expecting that to be, I won't have the time to be distracted by other things.]
[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): Damn, that's cold. She just addressed her husband as 'other things'.]
[Justiceistruth (Earth): Don't you mean ex-husband?]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): Fucking virgin twats. The man is cheating on her, so of course, she's going to leave that trash.]
[NonpareilRaphilia (Aaru): It's not technically cheating as we see it, but I agree she should kick him out of the house.]
[Celebrityhunter69 (Earth): kick him to the curb, Erkath.]
[Superhearofangirl (Earth): Yeah, Erkath, you're better off with someone like the streamer.]
[OrangeeyedStace (Felinia 7): …]
[OfficialLorelie (Felinia 7): …]
[OfficialAphrodite (Felinia 7): Ohhhh, good idea. Come join the harem, Erkath.]
[LadyErkath (Deverinian Prime): …]
[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): What the absolute fuck is this? Why are the streamers women actively recruiting more women into his harem without him having to do anything?]
[Every other man in the chat: …]
[OrangeeyedStace (Felinia 7): Adam only has two women currently, thank you very much, and we are not actively recruiting anyone.]
[NonpareilRaphilia (Aaru): Currently? 🤣]
"What about…." Rowena began, but was interrupted as an automated announcement came over the intercom.
"We are now arriving at the Orbital Elevator Planetary Station."
As the automated voice finished speaking, the seat restraints automatically retracted, allowing the pair to move freely once again.
"I didn't notice that they had even applied the brakes," Adam remarked in surprise as he stood up.
"And this is why they leave the artificial gravity on," Rowena replied before leaning forward with a smirk and saying suggestively, "Or maybe you were enjoying our conversation too much to notice."
"I can't deny that I enjoy talking to you," Adam replied just as he turned at the sound of the elevator door opening, causing him to miss Rowena's radiant smile.
"I'm glad to hear it," Rowena said happily as she took his arm before adding, "Now, my husband. How about I show you around Solarian Prime?"
"You have been here before?" Adam asked as he allowed Rowena to lead him into the elevator.
"I have been to many of the famous planets during my life and this one is just one of them," Rowena replied as she pressed the button to close the elevator door before adding, "Keep me around and I can be your personal tour guide."
"It's not like I was planning to kick you off the ship," Adam remarked.
"Happy to hear it," Rowena replied as the elevator doors opened again and they retraced their steps back to the main elevator, where several people had already boarded it.
The pair managed to board the main elevator a few moments before the doors closed and it moved downward.
"It's not serving the other pods?" Adam asked curiously.
"The planetary stations of the orbital elevators are almost always larger compared to their orbit variants because they have to help support the weight of the elevator that is within the atmosphere. Because of this, they have room to install five elevators, one to serve each pod," Rowena explained, and just as she finished, the elevator doors opened, allowing everyone to exit.
The pair stepped out along with everyone else and followed the signs pointing towards the exit, which eventually led them to the station's main concourse area, where many individuals from various races were going about their business of either waiting for their pod, grabbing something to eat or drink or perhaps doing a bit of last-minute shopping before they departed.
What surprised Adam most, however, was that there were actually several tree trunks in the concourse area, each of which had several branches with leaves before they disappeared through gaps in the roof.
"I see what you mean about the nature on this planet," Adam remarked.
"Yup, you will probably find it hard to believe, but only the largest tree was here when they built this place, the others grew later and the Solarians were forced to rearrange the concourse and even open holes in the ceiling to accommodate them."
"I know you spoke before about why they chose to build an orbital station instead of a spaceport, but why accommodate the new trees? Wouldn't it be easier just to cut them off once they show signs of growing?" Adam asked curiously, causing many Solarians who were nearby and heard him to glare at him.
"You're not wrong," Rowena said as she showed the Solarians an apologetic smile before explaining. "That is indeed what races on other planets would probably do. The issue here lies in the fact that the Solarian race is very in-tune with nature, so much so that if one of their race wishes to fell a tree, they need to submit a request to the Environmental Sustainability Bureau."
"The Environmental Sustainability Bureau?" Adam asked in curiosity.
"Hmm, how do I explain this?" Rowena replied as she tried to think of the best way to explain when a voice suddenly spoke up.
"The Environmental Sustainability Bureau is in charge of everything related to the environment of Solarian Prime. Their jurisdiction over environmental matters is even above that of the royal family".
Adam and Rowena turned to see that the one who had spoken was a beautiful female Solarian who was now looking at the pair's outfits curiously as she asked, "What sort of strange clothing are you wearing? Is this the current fashion trend in the Sandanar Galaxy?"
"And you are?" Rowena asked curiously.
"Oh, sorry, my name is Gweyir Cairis. I spoke up because I wanted your friend to understand the delicate balance we have here on Solarian Prime before he ends up getting himself attacked."
"Why would I get attacked?" Adam asked with confusion.
"You have clearly never visited Solarian Prime and the fact that you're even asking such a question leads me to believe that you've led a very sheltered life up until now," Gweyir replied before pointing to a pendant she was wearing around her neck and asking, "Please tell me you have at least heard of the Environmental Sustainability Bureau?"
Adam shook his head as he looked at the pendant that was leaf-shaped and even showed the leaf's veins.
"Oh, for all that is green, you can't be serious?" Gweyir said in an exasperated tone while shaking her head in disbelief.
"The Environmental Sustainability Bureau is actually a faction that was created by a small number of planets where vegetation is known to prosper and the races of those planets have grown to honour and respect it," Rowena began to explain.
"Solarian Prime was one of the founding members, and although only a small number of planets initially created it, many more planets have joined the Enclave over the years, reaching the point where they even have members who speak on their behalf in the Universal Senate.
There is a branch of the Environmental Sustainability Bureau on every planet that is a member of it."
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): It sounds like one of those activist groups that fight to prevent the felling of trees.]
[HackerSu (Trillion): That's exactly what they are.]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): They would have a field day on Earth then with how our rainforests are being cut down.]
"At least one of you isn't completely clueless," Gweyir remarked as she gave Rowena a look of acknowledgement.
"I once had the pleasure of meeting Eytelis the last time I visited Solarian Prime, who explained the Environmental Sustainability Bureau's core goals and ideals," Rowena replied simply.
"You've met with Solarian Prime's Bureau Chief, Dryad Eytelis?" Gweyir asked in surprise before adding with a frown and a hint of disbelief, "No offence, but that's difficult to believe. The bureau chief hardly ever leaves the great tree and even the royal family has difficulty meeting her."
"Whether you choose to believe it is up to you," Rowena replied with a nonchalant shrug.
"Can we get back to the point about me possibly getting attacked?" Adam asked.
"While the Environmental Sustainability Bureau as a whole does good in the universe, there are members of it that are more…. Fanatical, who have been known to attack individuals who spoke out against their beliefs," Rowena explained before adding with a smirk, "let's hope for their sake that they don't do anything foolish and end up getting themselves hurt or worse killed."
"Their sake?" Gweyir replied in a disbelieving tone as if she found it hard to believe that the two Terrans in front of her could pose a threat to any Solarian.
"Don't judge my husband by appearance alone; he is far more capable than you realise," Rowena said with a smirk before turning to Adam and saying, "Let's go, darling; we need to head to our hotel."
Rowena pulled Adam off towards the exit while waving her free hand to Gweyir and saying, "A pleasure meeting you."
Gweyir watched the two strangely dressed Terrans depart before shaking her head and heading off to conduct the business that she had originally come there for.
"I can see why Eytelis will choose her in the future to be her representative," Rowena remarked.
"So you knew that woman?" Adam asked.
"Not personally, but in about five years, the current Solarian who acts as Eytelis' representative will retire, and Gweyir Cairis will be selected to replace them."
"What does the representative do?"
"Mainly attend social functions and other gatherings that Eytelis would normally need to attend herself as the Environmental Sustainability Bureau's Bureau Chief here on Solarian Prime. However, as Gweyir mentioned, Eytelis very rarely steps out of the great tree."