"Byrne to all crew - jumping on my mark. 3... 2...1..."
About 50 kilometers out from Shasta Orbital, a sharp flash rippled across the nebulae, resulting in an intense explosion of white and purple. The Coronado jumphole was ready to let go her grasp of the massive vessel navigating the void. With a pulse from the jumphole, the Ingenuus pierced the nebulae.
"Shasta control, the is the Ingenuus. We are on approach and will be ready for mooring within the hour." "Copy that Ingenuus. Welcome to Shasta station. We have you on scanner, and have activated mooring point 3. Pope Skarsi Wyrdmake welcomes you and the Ingenuus Research Group."
Engaging the Ingenuus cruise engines, the external core pulsated with a small flash of green, pushing them into a faster acceleration. As they turned starboard towards Shasta, the lift doors opened near the back end of the bridge. Walking out carrying a glass and a still smoldering pipe, a man strolled forward and promptly sat and one of the chairs surrounding the nav-table. Giving a nod to his XO Byrne, Finn McCool looked around still in awe of the magnificent creation he and the various others in the IRG were now calling home. Leaning forward, he activated one of the private frequencies used for communicating with the various directors and scientists. Leaning forward, her began reviewing the logs from the jump as well as the readings from the power core.
With a few kilometers of Shasta, the automatic tractor beams from mooring point 3 engaged and started the process of guiding the Ingenuus towards the station's south wing. Majority of the crew now boarding the shuttles to take them to Shasta more public space, Finn boarded his own shuttle towards the center of the station, where the conference was to be held. Looking down at the massive biodome, and the docking chamber protruding from it's side, the shuttle slowly made it's approach as the giant hanger doors moved open. Landing shortly, Finn gathered his belongings and walked down the ramp extended from the shuttle.
Awaiting him was a man in the customary robes of the Discordian Popes. "Welcome to Shasta! A pleasure to receive you. If you will follow me, I will lead you to the auditorium where the summit is held."
Guiding Finn towards the large doors leading to the dome, he glanced over just in time to see Mrs. Winterton crash into a worker's bench. About to speak up, Rachel glanced at Finn and give a quick hand motion and look that signaled him to let it go. Smiling, Finn waited for Rachel to gather herself and join him and the Pope.
Arriving in the dome, the view was spectacular. Lush gardens, with gushing waterfalls surrounded them. Exotic animals and birds filtering in and out of sight, the continued onwards down the path towards the chambers. Looking up and behind him, Finn caught a magnificent view: The Ingenuus in her glory, stationed not far outside the gigantic transparent wedges...
Turning back, another man in robes stood in front of them some ways up the path. Recognizing the figure, Finn couldn't but smile again as he saw Pope Wyrdmake making conversation with another delegate.
"Skarsi! It's been too long lad. Always a pleasure t' see an old friend, along with your beautiful gardens. I trust you have been well?"