Well…

Laurence Joo took a deep breath as the stealth drop shuttle silently descended through the cloudy skies of Acteon. The planet's dense foliage stretched out below like a verdant sea, punctuated by the scar of a sprawling stone seaside town centred around the King’s castle he was to infiltrate.

Joo’s stomach knotted with a mix of anticipation and worry. He had studied the planet's culture, its brutal treatment of females, and the depravity of its elite, all of which went against everything he held dear but were oddly intriguing to him. But he was an officer of the Confederation Intelligence, and he had a duty to uphold.

He considered what the Gomorran’s might do if the took over the planet in their twisted quest for power. They were a harsh and strange lot. Corruptedly so. The thought made him all the more determined to succeed in his mission. The shuttle touched down with a gentle thud and the hatch hissed open, revealing the alien world beyond.

The air was thick with the scent of blooming flora and the distant sound of the wild beasts that roamed the forests. Joo took a step out of the shuttle, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, and immediately felt the gravity of his situation. He had been briefed on the primitive customs and language, but the reality was always more intense than the simulations.

Joo had been provided with a simple, yet elegant outfit befitting a knight of moderate standing, which was his cover. The fabric was rough against his skin, a stark contrast to the finely tailored uniforms made of modern materials that he was used to. His boots crunched on the gravel as he followed the pre-programmed route to the encircling town and the castle's gates, his thoughts heavy with the gravity of his mission.

The town was bustling with activity, the local people going about their daily lives, mostly in fear of the a pending invasion by Lord Baird’s forces. The sight of a new knight in their midst brought curious glances, some hopeful, others wary. Joo tried not to stare at the fascinating details of the vastly different culture he was experiencing. This was a normal town to an Acteonese knight… nothing to see here. The smell of roasting meats and baking bread wafted through the air, a tantalizing aroma that made his stomach growl. He had to stay focused, had to play the part. The air was thick with the near and distant cries of exotic creatures like birds and squirrels, horses and dogs, chickens and cows, sheep and pigs. Weird primitive creatures long evolved into more efficient forms to fit their purpose in the confederation.

He spied a group of slavegirls working in an alcove house and selling their wares. An honest to goodness brothel. He had a smattering of local coins made by the confederation and was tempted to sample the brothel but he had a mission.

Joo made his way through the unwashed throng, his eyes scanning intently. He knew he had to blend in, so he adopted a casual swagger that he'd observed in the holos of the planet's men. The cobblestone streets were a minefield of excrement and mud, and he stepped carefully to avoid soiling his boots.

This truly felt like a cultural reserve.

The castle loomed before him, a bastion of medieval tyranny amidst the sprawling town. The stone walls, tall and impenetrable, spoke of a time long past, a time when might was right and the weak served the strong. A time that was alive here and now. Joo stepped along the road to the drawbridge. He wore the armor of a knight and was nodded through by the guardsman.

It was close to dinner and he knew that the king served knights and his guests in the main hall. He was approached by a valet as he entered the outer keep.

“Greetings sir knight, I am Briv, valet to the king… what brings you to our liege’s castle on such a fine day?” Briv asked expansively.

“We’ll met Briv, I am Laurence Joo, travelling knight seeking an audience with your king hoping to gain his employ, failing that a meal and accomodations for the night,” he subtly slipped the valet two silver coins.

“It is a busy time, what with the Assembly of Lord’s and negotiations with Lord Baird. But a knight is always welcome here, please, come in Sir Joo,” Briv lead Joo into the bustling dining hall.

“Lord Baird, his name is synonymous with heresy I hear,” Joo said careful to let only Briv hear.

“I cannot say,” Briv replied, “he is an interesting Lord. I don’t think he will be joining us this evening…” Briv saw Joo to a seat and left.