☀️ Arselia and Akonia

As ordered, at noon, the southern squad boards the "Thunder."

Upon learning of their arrival, one of the sailors called for the captain, who turned out to be a business-like woman, barely over 30.

"Welcome aboard the 'Thunder,' esteemed guests," she said, finishing the phrase and inhaling the port air. At that moment, a button on her blouse couldn't withstand the strain. The button shot off with such force that even an agile samurai couldn't dodge it, hitting him right in the cheek. "My name is Sanexa Rimm." The woman tried to act as if nothing had happened. "Rest assured, my crew and I will deliver you to Barsina as quickly as possible."

Alaria had to make a considerable effort to suppress a smile caused by such a comical and absurd sight. Perhaps it would have been even funnier if the button had ricocheted off someone else's button, and then again and again, causing a chain reaction until the last one clinked against Klin's helmet. In a less formal setting, if they all knew each other better, one could have sarcastically remarked, "Who are you shooting at, Captain? Your own people!" but in this case, such behavior would have been completely inappropriate. Therefore, they had to play along, ignoring what had happened and maintaining professional composure, instead of teasing the embarrassed captain and samurai. As always, in the opinion of the Tanarian, the first word belonged to the leader of their squad, and so she remained silent. It was not worth disrupting the chain of command.