Beyond The Glowing Whirlpool

Chapter 36: A ZHALIAN CUSTOM

(Prell play above for background music)

The hours passed by pretty quickly, and finally, the transportation had arrived. All the guests were taken to the center of the capital, to a place that resembled a very futuristic version of the coliseum or grand arena. The capital was booming with people, all finely dressed in festive clothing and rushing over to the arena, where the grand celebration was supposed to take place. The city looked even more fantastic in the evening, lit up with multiple lights, parades, and fireworks everywhere. The air was filled with cheer and festivity, and it was really hard not to be affected by it. Ecstatic, both Alice and Stacie were gaping at everything around them like two little kids, completely overwhelmed with wonder and excitement. Their transportation has entered one of the security protected tunnels of the arena, and they were escorted inside by Zhalian guards. The arena inside was very large. The architecture was oval in shape with a grand platform on one side. The platform was softly lit up and surrounded with some sort of screens, very much resembling a stage. All around, there were many seating places going up in eight levels. The seating areas were not just simple rows of chairs you see in any typical theater. They were more of very comfortable booths with half-circle shaped tables and soft-cushioned rounded sofas. The first level seating area was made exclusively for the Zhalian ruler and the special guests. The second level was for the Zhalian elites, and the rest of them were for the more common class society.

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They all were shown to two booths on the first level, that were right next to each other. Captain and his crew were seated at one of them, and Satterans at the other, with Syrus Ebele joining them. There was an attendant stationed at each booth, to tend to the guests every need.

-Greetings. - He said in Zhalian language, as soon as they all settled down. - I hope you are comfortable. Your refreshments will be served shortly. The celebration will be starting soon. If you have any concerns, or requests, feel free to let me know. - Then he suddenly turned to Stacie, who was translating to her group. - I see that you have a soundtron. You know you can upload your language from it into our universal translator. - He pointed to a small device that was attached right in the middle of their table. - It will use your language to translate every other language that will be spoken here, and make it easier for your group to understand, so that you can enjoy the evening, without having to be burdened with the task.

-Oh! - Gasped Stacie with surprise. - How cool is that! Um, uh... how is it done? - She took off her soundtron, and showed it to the attendant, with a questionable look on her face.

-Oh, you do not know how it works. - He figured and took the soundtron from her hand.

He positioned the soundtron right above the device and pressed some buttons. Suddenly a bluish light sprung up from it and scanned her soundtron. Then he returned it to Stacie, and she slipped it back on.

-And now your language is in our database and will be translated to everyone's as well. Including mine. - He added, pointing to his ear adorned with a similar to Stacie's device.

-This is pretty cool. - Expressed Tony, studying the device, which was glowing with holographic subtitles. - I wish we had stuff like that back on Earth too. It would make international communication a whole lot easier, am I right captain?

-Oh yeah. - Agreed captain - looks like this place is set up for dealing with all kinds of foreigners. This part of the world is starting to get more and more interesting. I am glad we got a chance to witness this intergalactic celebration of theirs.

-That's all good and swell. - Said Melinda. - I just wish I didn't have to wear this restricting dress that feels like it's about to burst at the seems! I can barely move in it.