As Rain and Zarya leave the office, they decide to strategize first. Rain had a plan to just enter Leinata and 'live life like nothing is happening' and slowly talk to their president as the 'Thread's ambassadors'. Zarya's plan included to just break in and threaten the president to agree to peace.
"Zarya?? Are you okay?? Why is that the first thing that popped up in your head?", asks Rain, shocked at her idea.
"Huh? What? You didn't hear anything, hehe~", says Zarya, also chuckling a little.
Of course, Rain got a little worried for Zarya there. She decided to call Xita and to create several waypoints that connect the Thread, so they can quickly teleport to the Thread using the waypoint they set on the Governing District. Rain also created Zarya's Thread Component, which is used as a legitimate way to prove that Zarya is a Thread member and that she can also teleport anywhere using the waypoints.
"ID: Zarya-Luna created. Commencing permission obtaining command.", spews out the waypoint phone.
Rain quickly leaves Zarya to go back to the Thread, and then comes back.
"Here is your waypoint phone. You can use this to directly connect to the Thread and call other members. You can call Xita and me. You'll meet Xita now, once we go to the Thread and set up your own room. Let's take a small break – of around 2-3 hours before we head on to Leinata.", says Rain, giving Zarya instructions on how to use everything.
"Thanks, Rain! I can't believe I am joining you to the adventure!", says Zarya excitedly.
"Just make sure you are well-prepared and careful with everything.", says Rain.
As they teleport to the Thread, they quickly set Zarya's new room next to Rain's. Zarya meets Xita, and does a small tour of a part of the Thread. Then, they decide to finally go to Leinata with a vehicle that they rented in Sanydra.
Several hours later, on the border with Leinata, they run into an issue. Since they have also been escorted by Sanydran police, they needed to make sure Rain and Zarya had proper legal documentation of Sanydra. Thankfully, the president gave them temporary documentation and also the status of "Ambassador of Peace - Thread". They entered Leinata and have driven to the city of Morsk – the capital of Leinata.
As they leave, and book a hotel, Rain bumps into a man.
"I am so sorry, sir. I didn't notice you there.", says Rain, now completely red because of embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it, miss. Were you booking a hotel here?", says the man.
"Yes. I just came to Leinata from Sanydra to do some work here.", says Rain, trying to act all cool and serious.
"I see. I'm Mailen, by the way. I am a tourist that is also involved in Leinata's issues because my planet is connected to some war stuff here. I am completely unaware of what's really happening.", says the man.
"You are also interested in the situation in Kephar?", asks Rain, thinking that she may have just gotten yet another companion.
"Yes. However, I am quite unknown of everything and completely confused. I got here a week ago and I still don't have any idea of Leinata's issues with Sanydra and the other country.", says Mailen.
"Interesting. Have you heard of the Astral Thread?", asks Rain.
"Yeah. Everyone is talking about it. I thought of joining it, but they're probably very prestigious so I may not be able to join them.", says Mailen, quite saddened by such fact.
"Well, do you want to join us? I lead it.", says Rain, coming closer to Mailen.
"You lead the Thread? I want to join you, gladly! People have said that you're the new peacekeeper of Kephar and that you are the hero that the universe waited for. I want to be a part of its mission!", says Mailen, excited but serious at the same time.
"Well, you have a lucky day then! Come help us resolve Kephar's issue and you'll be able to join us quickly!", says Rain, excited and a bit red because of Mailen. She finds Mailen quite handsome, especially his "strong-looking attire".
Mailen, in his head: "This person… She looks very nice; I want to get to know her more. I know I will, if she is actually saying the truth."
"You said you're a tourist. Does that mean you're not from Kephar?", asks Rain.
"Yes. I am from Astoria, a planet in the Virgo constellation.", says Mailen. "What about you guys?"
"I am from Earth in the Solar System, and Zarya is local here – well actually from Komara.", replied Rain.
"Interesting… Alright, let's get to a point now. Issues in Leinata, right? What is your plan?", asks Mailen, trying to get to work. He is being serious for once and actually 'locked in' to his work.
"So. Our plan is to converse with the president of Leinata into why he doesn't want peace. If that fails, we will personally research and take down the president temporarily to finally bring peace to this thousand plus long war.", says Rain, completely serious and strategized.
"Understood. How should we get to the president though? He is the strongest person in this nation, so we should be very careful around him as well.", asks Mailen, now quite curious of what Rain has done so far.
"That's no problem. The president of Sanydra gave me the information and the green light to talk to the president. We just have to show this piece of paper.", says Rain as she pulls out a piece of paper out of her purse. It states the following:
SANYDRAN PRESIDENTIAL ISSUE
Date: Peace Month 3, 2175 Second SE
From: Office of the President – Kael, 472nd President of Sanydra
Subject: Diplomatic Authorization – Ambassadors of Peace (Thread Crew)
To All Allied and Neutral Nations of Kephar
By the authority vested in me as the 472nd President of Sanydra, this document formally recognizes the following individuals as official peace ambassadors under the directive of the Republic of Sanydra and the Astral Thread:
Rain Usen – Leader of Astral Thread and Ambassador of Peace (Thread Crew)Zarya Lunova – Guide of Astral Thread Crew and Co-Ambassador of Peace (Nationality: Komara)
These representatives are authorized to:
Engage in high-level diplomatic discussions with the governments of Leinata, Pequina, and other Kepharian nations to promote peace and mutual understanding.Travel freely across all territories of Kephar for official diplomatic purposes.Request and attend presidential-level meetings when necessary for peaceful negotiation or alliance building.
All nations are respectfully asked to extend diplomatic courtesy, safe passage, and cooperation to these envoys, in accordance with Kepharian peace accords and interplanetary law held by the Universal Holder Corporation (UHC).
This authorization is valid for ten (10) standard days from the date above, unless renewed or revoked by presidential order.
Signed,
Kael
472nd President of Sanydra
Rain gives the piece of paper to Mailen for reading, and says: "You are counted as an ally to the Thread now, so you can also help us with the peace keeping and because you're an upcoming member of the Thread."
"Alright. I'll do my best to bring peace to Kephar and finally join you guys and become the most peaceful team ever!", says Mailen, ready to fight for peace.
Mailen has started to trust Rain. Especially due to the presidential issue that she has, he has figured out that Rain is the real deal and that the Thread is finally here.
"Let's do it, then. Let's head on to our room and then discuss our plans tomorrow, on the anniversary of the war.", says Rain, also expecting a presidential call from the president of Leinata tomorrow.
Rain and Zarya head to their own room, and Mailen went to his own room. The two of them have a conversation.
"Why was he here too? I am confused.", asks Zarya, kind of suspicious of Mailen.
"I think he also has a room here, and he is just unaware of the full situation. I won't lie, I would've also been confused about everything in a week if it weren't for you, and the officers that explained everything when I landed here.", says Rain, also mentioning how she got detained and questioned about her identity.
"Apparently the Thread is a very big thing in the universe. Do you maybe know what's up?", asks Rain.
"Well, before the Thousand-Year War started, and the Solar System went into the time dilation era, the UHC announced the arrival of the thread in the next few thousand years. After the time dilation, we kept believing until the Thousand-Year War started. Then, we were very focused on our internal issues, and we kept having ships from the outer space telling us they're the real Thread. Of course, they probably figured out you were the real deal, due to your connection to President Usen, right?", says Zarya, giving Rain a full-on lore drop.
Rain, completely lost in what Zarya said, speaks up: "What do you mean, President Usen? Was my father a president?"
"Luvin Usen was the 460th president of Sanydra, who told the UHC that the Thread is coming to bring peace. That was around 50 years ago. Then he proved the Thread's existence, because around 150 years ago, he joined the Solar Scientists to infiltrate the Thread, because its original goal was to make propaganda and chaos in the universe. Of course, the plan failed, and he told Kephar that the end of the war is near by the Thread's coming.", says Zarya, while also beginning to prepare dinner.
"Interesting. So he wasn't just a spy – but a president for Kephar.", says Rain.
"Yes. And he hid that to the Scientists. He was genuinely a hero in the universe, and around 500 planetary leaders have come to Kephar to mourn his death, and put a big statue in a city he was born. We can go there once we finish the mission here.", says Zarya.
"Good idea. Also, the dinner smells nice. What are you making?", asks Rain, sniffing around the kitchen.
"Just some toast and milk so that we can sleep well. My mother taught me how to make the best toast ever.", replies Zarya, while focusing on cooking.
"You're a good cook, that's for sure!", says Rain with a big smile on her face, and preparing the table.
In the other room, Mailen was making his food and thinking of Rain and Zarya.
"They seem really, really nice. It's likely that they are the real deal. I will trust them the whole time during their trip, and once I get all the proof that they actually are the real deal, then I will join them. The presidential issue is a good start. Thankfully, the UHC won't hesitate to let me in the Thread – they've also waited for them. This Rain girl is also really good with her words; I like her a lot."
They all head to sleep, and a new dawn approaches them.
"Good morning, Zarya. How are you already awake so early? It's six o' clock.", says Rain, with a deeper voice than usual.
"Morning. I don't know, honestly, I usually wake up early, at around four.", says Zarya, already finished with breakfast.
"Mailen was here a few minutes ago. He wanted to go out with us for a run. Are you up for it?", asks Zarya, giving Rain some water to get energized. "Today is a big day, we will probably talk to the president of Leinata.", says Zarya.
"Alright. Let's meet with Mailen, have a run and you know, get to know him more!", says Rain, excited to see Mailen again.
Zarya puts her hands on Rain's hands, and says: "Do you like Mailen, per chance? You've been red since I mentioned him."
"No, it's just that I am very embarrassed and awkward when I meet new people…", says Rain quietly.
"Hmm. I trust you in that. Don't worry, I think you two are similar by personality, it's fine.", says Zarya, making sure Rain feels fine.
They finally leave their room, and meet Mailen outside, in front of the hotel's main door.
"Morning, ladies. Have you slept well?", asks Mailen.