ADAN & KIPLING

Adan then turns to Kipling and begins to speak in his native tongue
extending his right hand, "I don't believe we've been properly
introduced. I am Adan a wanderer and warrior. I am pleased to meet you.
I hope that with time we can get to know each other better and from the
sounds of it our voyage will provide plenty of it." 

"Pleased, my friend, pleased." Kipling shakes Adan's hand and looks into
his eyes, reflecting a kindness and honest gratitude in making Adan's
acquaintance. "Another wanderer, my-my. It would seem that wandering gets
many of us in the thick of stuff of the worlds, eh?" 

"You are a metan? I've never met one, no, not myself. Heard of your ilk,
but so much one hears is warped by the tale teller's own perceptions, it
is hard to make out the truth. I heard Z1, charming fellow, mention you
could fly. Isn't it grand. I'm sure you're much faster than me," Kipling
begins to twist and shrink, changing from the Satyr like man into a
large grey-brown Pelican. He flaps his large wings and awkwardly rises
in the air, lands, and returns to his original shape. 

"No hummingbird, I. But oh, over a bountiful sea, I can dive from the
sky with the best of them. It's quite exhilarating." 

Just as Adan begins to grow weary of the Gennen's banter, Kipling turns
to the Admiral, "Now, sir, where might we find these young fellows who
shall accompany us? It would be most rude not to introduce ourselves to
someone we shall be travelling with." As the others discuss weapons,
provisions, and the like, Kipling acts as if he understands and nods
away, although he's no idea what they are actually discussing... 

"They are not on the base currently. I'll have them meet at Zulu-One's
ship." 

"Of course, Zulu-One, you are in overall command from our viewpoint. You
know the enemy and the territory." 

Z1: "Agreed. I will go through the mission with them before we launch." 

"Where can your gate place us? We would like to get as close to my
homeworld as possible."