As it had done at the last planet, Terminus settled in orbit at their new destination and sent out a wave of sensor drones to enhance the data that they already had about their new target.
Thanks to Max's advanced research, this one looked much more promising, with a balanced distribution of water and land, natural vegetation, some animal life, what appeared to be an artificial grid pattern in the open prairies.
That would be a priority to excavate and search for relics, as the chances that it was the ruins of a city were so high, even before they received the information that there were scraps of the same artificial alloy that was used to make the Dyson Spheres there.
They hadn't even set foot on the planet yet, and the team was almost certain that this was what they were looking for.
It also wasn't the only location on the planet that showed signs of ancient civilization. The humans had fled from the Great Enemy so long ago that it was normal for many planets to have gone through their whole civilized lifecycle, from colonization to resource depletion and abandonment, and then to nearly full reclamation by nature afterwards.
But there were many sites here that showed promise, so the inhabitants might not have come here first, but at some point after leaving the first world they had colonized. If that was the case, they might not find anything resembling military technology remnants here, but they might find some sign of terraforming or space travel technology.
Both were valuable to the researchers, even if they weren't what Max had been hoping to find.
[Commander, which location should we examine first? Prairie City, or the River Pyramids?] The research team leader requested once the data was analyzed the next morning.
[Split the team and go to both. I suspect that there will be plenty to find here, and we need to do our best to make sure that we don't ignore anything. Searching from orbit is fairly limiting, so I want feet on the ground in as many locations as we can without interfering with your capabilities.] Max replied.
[Understood, will you be joining us?] The team leader asked.
Max looked at the screen full of notifications on the wall next to his desk and sighed.
[Not today, but I will try to get down to the surface at some point to assist, or at least make a photo op for the Alliance News Networks. They love that kind of stuff.]
[Good luck with that. I will get the teams ready. How much time do we have? I saw the messages on the Alliance military boards that they were sending the Innu and Valkia vessels back into combat if the Anomaly Fleet moved.] The research team leader replied.
[I don't know. I get the feeling that I might not have much time, but I will buy you guys as much time as possible out here so that you can get every bit of ancient history possible recorded.
The chances that we will be attacked so far from a populated planet are extremely low, so I'm not too concerned about Terminus itself, but as the spokesperson, they will expect me to be where the action is eventually.] Max sent back with a rueful smile.
Everyone got back to their tasks, and Max headed out to get a coffee, as there wasn't a Replicator in his office.
Nico was waiting for him in their suite, sorting through a large pile of clothing with a dissatisfied frown on her face.
"What are you looking for?" Max asked, unable to decipher the jumble of her thoughts.
"We just finished one planetary search, and the second one is starting off with a lot of promise. We're going to need to give interviews to the media sorts, as well as take them on a trip down to get a closer look.
That means multiple outfits, that don't look too similar to each other, and that fit the situation. So, I'm trying to sort out what I already have and what I need to make in order to get the looks that I want." She explained.
"You can go for a uniform for at least one of them, and maybe a Mobile Suit for the trip down to the surface?" Max suggested.
That would cut two options out of the required list, he assumed.
"That's not cruise ship themed at all. Remember, these are being broadcast to everyone in the Alliance who cares to tune in. We're promoting Terminus as a vacation destination, not somewhere that needs body armour or military troops." She replied as she held up a black silk skirt with what looked like a blazer, but with sleeves made entirely out of lace.
Max wondered briefly if that still counted as a jacket or if it was now technically a vest, then set the thought aside as he realized that he would also need outfits for the planned events.
"Nico, dear Nico, my very dearest friend..." Max began.
She smirked back at him. "If you want me to pick your outfits as well, it is going to require a suitable bribe, Mister Max."
Her teasing made him smile. Her thoughts showed that she already had a half dozen outfit ideas for him that would go with the looks that she was trying to assemble, so he just had to make them if he didn't have the clothes already.
But where was the fun in that.
"Oh? And what sort of suitable bribe did you have in mind?" Max replied as he stepped up behind her.
He felt his heart begin to race as Nico leaned back to rub against him, and slid her hand into his pocket. But then she took her hand back and turned around with a fake frown on her face.
"What's with the empty pockets? No money and no candy?" She pouted.
"Oh, so that's what you're after. Well then, let's get through these appearances and I will give you all the sweetness you can handle."
They both laughed as Nico's mind immediately went to cake and not romance. If there was one thing that was predictable about Nico, it was her sweet tooth.
