Prosian Universe #32 - Sarkrenian Diplomacy

Sarkrenia does not need to be rescued. It has simply decided that perhaps it no longer wants to stand alone. Deep beneath the surface of a distant world lies Sarkrenia-a sophisticated civilization built among immense caverns, waterways, crystal-lit cities, and technologies shaped by centuries of underground life. For generations, the Sarkrenians have largely kept to themselves. Now High Matriarch Skresha Morshon has contacted the government of Prose with an extraordinary proposal: formal diplomatic relations, open trade, and perhaps, eventually, membership in the Alliance. Senator Arzana Rin is chosen to make the first official visit. Then she chooses Terev Gillings to accompany her. Terev is a historian, teacher, technician, and Second Science Officer aboard SS Scavenger. Diplomat was never particularly high on her list. Once on Sarkrenia, however, Terev and Arzana make an unusual decision. To show respect for their hosts, they temporarily adopt Sarkrenian appearances and identities. Terev Gillings becomes Travna Seelek. At first, Travna is simply a role. But as Terev walks Sarkrenian streets, shares its food, meets its people, and discovers that they sometimes forget she isn't one of them, the role begins to reveal something unexpected about Terev herself. Meanwhile, two worlds discover how much they have to offer each other. Prose possesses biological and agricultural sciences Sarkrenia needs. Sarkrenia has mastered metals and materials that Prose struggles to produce. Trade may be easy. Trust is harder. And membership in the Alliance must ultimately be Sarkrenia's own decision. Warm, humorous, and filled with the everyday details of encountering another civilization, Sarkrenian Diplomacy is a story about opening doors without surrendering what lies behind them-and discovering that sometimes the stranger on the other side can become a neighbor.