On June 6, 2440, Tokyo’s Hotel Hiro hosts an informal reception bringing together V’ren leaders, Sol Defense Fleet personnel, journalists, and the young people helping bridge two cultures. Kevin Wood’s unexpected Harajuku modeling career, Marshall Maja’s Mount Doom achievement, and Matthew Marmaduke’s televised revelation about his three wives give the evening plenty to talk about.
First contact meets pizza night as Marmaduke hosts General Wood and senior V’ren—and L’tani arrives as his date.
Speculation grows as Leonard Wood heads to Marmaduke Freehold amid hints of a private Friday meeting with V’ren leaders.
Captain K’rem T’all jokes about Marmaduke’s workload as critics question his growing authority and ties to alien leaders
As a public thank-you for his tireless work, Matt gifts K’rem a fully customized truck—complete with V’ren-language interface and all the horsepower one needs to feel truly at home in Missouri.
At dawn, seven V’ren shuttles descend onto Missouri soil, and a coronation takes shape beneath rising sunlight. Matt Marmaduke receives the trust, blades, and oaths of alien captains—declared High Lord of the V’ren by rite of weapon, witness, and will.
General Leonard arrives at the Freehold, greeted with warmth, history, and a candid briefing on V’ren command, upcoming events, and quiet political strategy.
In the shadow of the landed V’ren ship, Matt Marmaduke meets the alien delegation on scorched Missouri ground. What begins as formal posturing shifts to mutual trust, ending in a decisive agreement—refuge for the V’ren under his charter, and a direct line of truth between him and their chosen ambassador.
From the observation alcove of the VMS Kalnareth, senior V’ren officers watch Missouri fields and a dusty human truck come into focus. Ten thousand lives ride in stasis below decks. Translator units are prepped, landing plans are set, and the question remains: will they be welcomed—or merely tolerated?
As the alien refugee ship enters Earth’s atmosphere, Beacon technology takes control—slowing and cradling it toward an unknown landing site. Drones scatter, mapping the planet in real time. The search narrows to Missouri, where one stubborn former Amazon officer is about to become the most important man on the ground.