[snip]

=/\= That sounds like an acceptable deal. I already told you that we would protect you from raids from others who would take the sun crystals without asking or trading, and your society would do better if it developed naturally without outside influences. Well, without any further anyway. So, do we have an agreement? =/\=

There was a moment of relayed whispers followed by a nod from the priestess, =/\= The High Elder agrees to this deal. When do you wish first delivery? We could have a sum of 50 or so Sun Crystals in the next two rotations of days, or can delay such gathering from Va’s mines till a later appointed time? =/\= She asked.

Glen had no idea how long it might take to set up a trade deal, but these people clearly had no idea of the sheer scale of the galactic distances involved. =/\= The founding planets of the United Federation of Planets lie a vast distance from here. We are here, on the very far limits of our known space. It takes weeks to get a starship to this planet and weeks to return again, and that’s only if a starship is available in Sectors close to here. The territory is vast. I’m not sure that I can explain that any more clearly! Then there can be problems getting here; ion storms, spatial anomalies, Orion pirates. Delays may be experienced. It will be quite some time before a regular and reliable trade arrangement can be put in place. =/\= Glen told them.

While this was said one of the guards nearby had retrieved a leather parchment and gave it to the High Elder who dipped some kind of grey toned ink on it drawing a thin circle and square overlaid symbol on it. After sprinkling some kind of glittery like substance on it he blew the excess off and handed it to the High Priestess who took it carefully. =/\= You may sign this parchment of trade. Simply mark it with your signature of choice as a binding agreement for this trade. =/\= She indicated the beefy guard nearby offering a bone made pen and the grey toned liquid to Glen, while a vial of glitter was held in another palm.

Glen was torn between not wishing to annoy the Elders and the impracticality of what they asked. He thought he might have a compromise. =/\= If it helps, then my ship, the USS Merrimack could take away the first 50 Sun Crystals? The second shipment might need to wait until a later appointed time, but I could, at least sign your binding agreement today? =/\=

Glen walked forward, with the full intention of signing up to the trade deal on the parchment with the bone pen and ink, if the Priestess would agree to his small constraint.

Meanwhile, the galaxy turned, the stars rotated, and human affairs were being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man’s.

Glen took hold on the strange pen and dipped it in the ink at exactly the same precise time that the Merrimack began to energise the Transporter to bring back the last crew members from the planet surface.

• Glen, CO

OOC: For sim sake I’ll assume Glen’s signature was finished just a split second before the transporter took him away. Just got a call so will fully reply to this properly in a bit

GM CockRoach