The Alchemy of The Aurora Chateau Deo Belle Etoile

"I have been able to put together some conclusions about mineral deposits, but there is no sign of life beyond what we have agreed to believe is their principal civilization." Major Gallant said in a smooth, sonorous tone. "No sensor aboard this vessel has come close to penetrating Argo's enigma. We have soil scans, maps, everything we would normally be able to acquire from any other planet, except for an obscured shroud over their civilization. That should be our chief concern. A strategic infiltration into their society."

"In search of paradise, yet even then we use words meant for war," Reverend Doughty mused. "Why not simply call them?"

deFol, seeing an imminent insurgence, shook his head. "Our deep space probes found no communication signal residue of any sort. They remain as much a mystery to us as we to them. I agree that our first move should be a strategic one, not simply waving our arms over our heads and shouting that we've arrived. No evidence has come to light that would lead us to believe that Argo is the world of paradise."

"Sir, with all due respect, perhaps I'm not seeing eye to eye with you, but what do you propose we should do?" Major Gallant asked.

"It seems reasonable that we should send out an advance party to determine the nature of Argo's principal civilization." He caught a wary glance from Reverend Doughty and hastily added, "but not a human."

"Send a Mars series?" Major Gallant asked.

"It's not a war, Major." Sergeant Major at Arms Victual blew a translucent wisp of spicy air, fresh from supper. "And if it was, we could simply level their one city."

"Which we're not going to do, right?" Reverend Doughty asked.

deFol shook his head. "Not a Mars series. Not to a world that, even by the little information we do have, meets the criterion for a world of paradise. Perfect climate, well-adjusted geology structures and ample mineral deposits. Though a Venus series may prove valuable. The citizens may be more lenient to answering our list of questions if they are posed from the safety of their own beds."

Victual chortled though fell silent when Doughty interjected.

"Kill them in battle or seduce them in their homes? Isn't this entire line of reasoning imbecilic?" Doughty asked, exasperated.

"No," said a deep, rich voice from the hallway.

deFol narrowed his eyes and looked up as Argentice walked onto the bridge. It hadn't been the first time the robot had given its opinion on a subject and deFol's desire to have him remain outside during staff meetings was to prevent its interruptions altogether. Mostly because the machine tended to be right.

The introverted machine that rarely spoke, and offered the soundest argument when it did, stepped into the bridge's warm, glowing light. The gray skinned, androgynous humanoid wore its hair in a seemingly immobile style. Strands of hair bounced out of place when it walked, only to return to their original posture. "Excuse my interruption, gentlemen," it said like clockwork.

deFol folded his arms across his chest, glancing side to side at his first officers.

"Say your peace, Argentice," Gallant said.

"It is in the mission's best interest that a robot is sent in for reconnaissance. Just not a machine of war or love." Argentice steepled its fingers together and set the dangerous gambit of digits against its chest.

"Until one month ago, Argo has been nothing more than a mythical place, a figment of human belief in mortal paradise. The single question that has evaded all of you throughout your discussions is whose?" Its aquamarine eyes, coronas polished with a subtle tint of blue, looked at the first officers.