Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 21, 2021 20:04:06 GMT
---Somewhere outside GAE space, Ancerious Galaxy---
Lilith 'Lilly' Axonn used to be a spy for the previous emperor of Axonn but had until now been serving as a high ranking commander as part of the Oberkommando Des Heeres Araxia.
"Chart out the areas surrounding our territory and make first contact with other nations" was what Arabel said to her. While it was a good posting to be away from the boring paperwork normally associated with an office in the capital Erlun, the mission had been just as boring with just as much things going on.
The four ships of her fleet, Liechte Kreigsflotte Lilith emerged from hyperspace close to the sun of another seemingly boring system. One star, four planets, one of which was too close to the star to support life, one habitable and another a gas giant surrounded by an asteroid field. The last being a planet so far away from the star it had basically frozen over.
"Sensors, have we got anything on screen?" Lilith called out to the officers on deck, waiting for a reply.
"We haven't found anything yet, my lady but we have found at least one planet with suitable standards for life." An officer replied, he didn't look away from his console.
"Alright then, document the system as usual and let's begone as soon as we're done." Lilith stood to stretch before going off the bridge to her quarters. "Come get me if anything comes up."
"Entering normal space comrade commander." An officer reported to his commander, Captain Nguyen Nam overall commander of the Divine Davia Empire Third exploration fleet.
Moment later a large bright wormhole tore opened the empty void and the Davian ships busted out one after another. There were 10 vessels 1 Bach Dang class Cruiser, 1 Thang Long class Carrier, 1 Van Kiep Support Cruiser, 6 Chuong Duong Heavy Destroyers and a Science ship.
"Jump finished. All ships in perfect condition. Your order sir?" The officer reported while the other ships in the fleet reported their condition.
"Good. Scan and map this system." Nguyen Nam ordered as the main SAI of his ship showed itself: "Captain we detected a habitable planet. Request investigation and..."
"Unknown contacts detected. Sir we have an alien fleet nearby possibly trying to explore the system. Your order sir?" The tactical officer asked.
"We're making contact with these aliens according to our protocol. Raise our shield to maximum, weapons ready but remain cool. Combat formation and move toward them slowly. We must not show any hostility. Prepare to hail them." Nguyen Nam quickly ordered as the Davian fleet changed its course and slowly moved toward the other fleet slowly.
"To unknown contacts. This is the Third Divine Davia Empire exploration fleet. We came to explore this system in peace. We sincerely request you to identify". The message would be sent using every possible way in the attempt to contact with the alien ships.
"Lady Lilith, are you awake?" Captain Felix Weiss had come knocking on door. "we've picked up several unknown contacts."
The door slid open, Lilith stood there looking a bit tired as though she had just woken up.
"Who are they and how many?" she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"Ten ships in all, unknown size. They're identifying themselves as the third Divine Davia Empire. Saying that they're here in peace." Weiss spoke softly, but loud enough. His face was partially obscured due to him standing in a lit corridor while her room had its lights turned off. His hair was about as white as the lights and that was his only significant feature apart from an eyepatch.
"They're requesting for us to identify ourselves, how should we respond?"
Lilith thought for a while as she got dressed properly.
"Firstly send an encrypted message to OHKA, make sure they can't track or if they do track it make sure to decrypt it." pausing for a moment as she put on her fitting undershirt she continued. "Next, reply to them the following. We are the Liechte Kriegsflotte Lilith of the Grand Araxium Empire, state your business with us."
"Yes, my lady. I'll be headed to the bridge first." Weiss shut the door as he left.
Without respond the Davian ships keep their course and moved toward the unknown fleet. Soon the passive scanning on the ships began to work. The unknown fleet turned out to be 4 ships and on par with the Davian ships.
And in a gesture of hospitality the message would be sent out again.
Lilith stepped onto the bridge silently, almost not making a sound, the crew were silent as they worked to finish charting the system.
"sitrep." She called to Captain Weiss. "has the message been sent?"
"no, not yet my lady. we're just finished with the first message to OHKA." Weiss reported, he stood in a lower section of the bridge along with the comms officer working on encryption. "We're just about to begin sending the second message now."
"What about those contacts?" Lilith turned to the sensors officer who had turned around in his seat.
"unknown contacts approaching our position." The officer stood and flashed up the system map on the holo table in the middle of the bridge, showing the ten contacts headed towards them. "We also have confirmation that their ships have their shields raised."
"The encrypted message told the OHKA that we have made contact with a potential faction right?" Lilith asked. She didn't tell Weiss what to put into the message but she hoped at least that it wasn't intercepted. Though she was confident that they couldn't break the encryption.
"Yes, my lady. I've told the OHKA that we have made contacts with a small fleet of unidentified contacts." Weiss looked up again at Lilith.
"I've also asked for reinforcements should we need it. I hope you're alright with my decision."
"I have no complaints but for our sake I hope they don't intercept and decrypt." Lilith turned to the navigation crew.
"Move us away. Slowly. We don't want them to start thinking that we're planning something."
"Aye aye. Setting speed to one quarter. Other ships in fleet have also received orders for movement." The helmsman started throttling the ship up to speed, the low rumbling of the sublight engines could be heard throughout the ship.
"Should we send the reply now?" Weiss began walking up the steps to the platform above as Lilith nodded. He acknowledged and signaled the comms officer to begin transmitting.
"Well sir the other fleet is...retreating or at least trying to moving away." The Davian tactical officer reported.
"Well...did we scare them?" Nguyen Nam muttered while his comm officer spoke: "Sir we detected a message sent from those ships, destination unknown, the message was encrypted, attempt to decrypt however will take a long times if it's possible at all."
"In the other hand we received their message. Broadcasting now sir." The ship's main SAI announced: "We are the Liechte Kriegsflotte Lilith of the Grand Araxium Empire, state your business with us."
"Possibly they're trying to get words home or something. Anyway possess with caution. We don't want to scare them away or starting a war. All ship stop moving and reply to them."
The message would be sent to the now identified as the Grand Araxium Empire fleet: "Greeting Grand Araxium Empire fleet. We're the Third Divine Davia Empire exploration fleet. We came here merely to explore and mapping this system as well as trying to make contact with other species. We have no hostile intention. We already told you our business, now we sincerely request you to state your with us."
"Contacts have ceased movement, navigator, turn us retrograde and halt." Captain Weiss ordered. He had just noticed that the other fleet had just stopped moving shortly before.
"Sir, message asking for our purpose in the region." The comms officer called up. He was sitting in the console pit on the lower level of the bridge.
This time Lilith spoke up. "Tell them that we're here for the same reason, exploration and charting. If they have any business with us they should tell us now."
"Right away, my lady." The comms officer got back to work sending out another message.
"Kreigsflotte Lilith is on the same mission you are on. Should you have any business with us we kindly ask that you conduct it now." was the message sent in reply.
"They stopped movement and sending more reply sir" The comms officer reported while looking at his various screens: "Are we going to reply?"
"Indeed we should reply." The captain answered before sending his message: "We are glad that our purpose here is the same and we both respect peaceful approaching. Beside we sincerely request to establish diplomatic contact with the Grand Araxium Empire if it is possible and within your authority. "
"Let's see what we get. If we can establish good relation with these people or at least make them not hostile toward us then it will benefit us greatly. We all understand the important of this operation aren't we?" Nguyen Nam talked with his officers and captains: "For the sake of the empire and the secret project. I want no mistake from anyone. Understood?"
"Understood comrade commander."
Lilith hesitated. She did receive proper schooling in politics but more importantly she had been granted power in advance to use whatever means she saw fit in order to establish friendly relations with the neighbors. As long as it was within good reason. However she felt for a moment as though she would not be a good candidate to begin working with another faction in order to begin building relations. It was something she had not yet begin to think about doing as she had only used to be working as a spy and black ops commander.
"Send them the following." She turned to the comms officer and walked down to his work station. "We would be honored to allow a peaceful first contact between our two peoples"
Captain Weiss only stood and watched Lilith. He was probably the only one person on the bridge who knew of Lilith's service and personal history, at least from what he had been told from the newly crowned empress, Arabel. It's good to she her grow a bit, he thought.
The Davian fleet received the message.
"They agreed to make first contact with us. Tell them this" Nguyen Nam stood up from his command throne: " it would be our honor to receive your diplomat on board our ship, or we can send our own diplomat to you should you feel it more comfortable." The Davian captain then stepped toward one of his officer: "Comrade Commissar. You will be our represent."
The commissar saluted: "Understood comrade commander."
For the moment this encounter became a very important mission. Having yet another none-hostile and possibly friendly faction in this location would no doubt benefit the empire and its project should this contact success. Beside Captain Nguyen Nam also hope for some trade agreement too.
Lilith turned to Captain Weiss with a look on her face as though asking if she could invite them onto his ship. True Lilith was assigned overall command but the ship still belonged to her captain and his consent was needed. Weiss nodded.
"We'd be more than welcome to accept you aboard our ship. Just fly for the largest ship, the hangar bay's on the side." Lilith responded with that and waited their reply again. "Our Starfighters are ready to escort you in if you should need them."
"Comrade Commissar. They invited us to their largest ship and also providing honor guard. You can go sir." Nguyen Nam told his commissar who saluted and stepped our of the control room.
The Davian fleet again sent a message: "We gladly agree to send diplomatic delegation to your ship for further talk. We also agree your offer to escort our delegation. May the diplomatic go well and benefit both our people"
A while later a shutter was launched from a Davian battle cruiser escorted by 2 fighters. These crafts moved slowly toward the GAE largest ship.
Four fighters launched from the flight deck of the large destroyer, streaking towards the three craft that were on approach towards the ship. Two on either side of the formation, guiding them in for landing in the hangar.
Lilith and Captain Weiss had made their way from the bridge to the hangar, waiting for the foreign delegation to arrive. With them stood Lilith's honor guards, one squad on each side behind them. They stood to attention with their assault rifles and wore their regular Dark grey uniforms but with distinct purple markings on their helmet, full face gas mask and armor plates.
The 3 Davian crafts quickly landed on the large ship's dock: "Transport landed, delegation dispatched. You can go ladies and gentlemen."
The transport opened its gate and the Davian diplomatic delegation step out. The commissar walked in front flanked by an adjutant and a winged humanoid SAI, behind them came 4 powered armor soldiers. Since it was a diplomatic mission the commissar and his adjutant do not wear powered armor just normal armor and uniform.
The Davian group walked in front of Lilith and Captain Weiss then saluted them: "Greeting I'm commissar Tran Pham or the Davian Armed Force, it's my honor to represent my people in this formal diplomatic talk. And may I ask what're your name?"
Meanwhile the Davian ship reported back to their fleet about their successful docking and the current status. The contact list of Divine Davia Empire in this galaxy had yet another faction added and marked as a human faction.
Lilith watched the delegation come up to them. She was short, just 147cm tall. Not even her regular service boots could increase her height so she had to constantly look up when speaking to people. She returned the salute.
"Welcome aboard. I am Reichsfeldmarschal Lilith, this here is Captain Felix Weiss." Lilith looked over her guests before speaking again. "Come, I'm sure you'll want to get to know each other better.
Lilith turned to lead the diplomatic delegation to a nearby meeting room. Captain Weiss followed after her, while the honor guards remained at attention at the hangar.
Commissar Tran Pham nodded to his soldiers and the 4 Davian soldiers stood guard near the shutter, they would remain there for the times being.
Meanwhile the Commissar and his two assistants followed the GAE officers to the nearby meeting room.
The meeting room wasn't exactly a meeting room but it served the same purpose. Just walking distance from the hangar the room was used as a briefing room for pilots. A large holographic projector table was in the middle and on the edges of the room were staggered seats for pilots, a handful of chairs were in the middle around the table for officers to use.
"Please, have a seat. What is it that you would like to discuss first?" Lilith sat on the chair facing the doorway and Captain Weiss between her and their guests. "Let me say first though that the Araxium Empire is happy that we have found more people in this galaxy."
"We thank you for your hospitality" The two Davia sat down while the winged SAI remained hover next to them: "Also we share your joy for meeting new people in the vastness of space." The Commissar said: "Reichsfeldmarschal Lilith, Captain Felix Weiss, I think it would be best if perhaps we began with an exchange of information. As good will we Davian will share you our current map of the galaxy according to our knowledge." The commissar glanced at the hovering SAI which quickly landed and handed over a small wooden box to the Commissar. Tran Pham then put the box on the table and opened it. A 3D hologram of the galaxy showed up which also depicted clearly the border of factions, trade routes, conflict zones as well as hazard and uncharted region of the galaxy according to the Davian's knowledge.
"Beside we also offer our diplomatic code to your people." The commissar continued as the SAI gave out its signal to the GAE ship.
Captain Weiss tapped a few buttons on their side of the console, displaying the current star chart the GAE had thus far collected.
"You can take whatever information we have here that isn't coded. But as you can see we're on complete opposite ends of the galaxy. So I must ask, what are you doing here?"
There was something that Felix didn't like about these people, considering that they're so far from home yet so relaxed. It bothered him a little, though he didn't show it on his face.
"We thank you for your information sir." The Davian's Commissar smiled: "For your question. We're a long range exploration fleet. We Davian is new for this galaxy so our high command decided to dispatch us exploration fleet around to explore and map the galaxy. At the moment we received a few charts from the other people and it turned out this side of the galaxy..." Tran Pham pointed at the empty space across the southern part of Ancerious: "...is uncharted and rather empty so we tried to take a look. And indeed I admit that it's quite unusual for us to travel so far from our current base."
"Beside according to your chart then your territory would be near this system." Tran Pham continued: "So I guess you're also exploring this system right?"
Captain Weiss narrowed his eyes a little, there wasn't anything that he could do to prove that they were here for something other than exploration fleet, considering their size they were a little too large to simply be exploring.
"Yes, we are here as an exploration fleet. Though it seems to me that your ten ships would be too large for such a purpose, are you maybe being a little too cautious?"
Lilith kept one eye open and looked up to the captain next to her, she didn't know what he was doing but chose to stay quiet for the moment. If her time working in intelligence and counter intelligence taught her anything is that people don't always tell you the full truth. So choosing to sit and stay quiet, she listened.
"So we have similar purpose here. And for your question sir." The Davian commissar carefully choose his words yet his rather relaxing gesture did not change: " The space especially those non-charted may have a lot of dangerous and we as long range explorers often go very far from our base so having a decent group would be safer isn't it?"
"That may be so, but considering how our fleet is smaller than yours and yet of similar mission." Felix so far hadn't understood what their motives were for keeping such a large fleet for exploration and he didn't really buy the excuse that they were just cautious.
Seeing as Captain Weiss couldn't get anything out of their guests from his efforts, she decided to intervene.
"Well then, that aside. I think I would like to know a little bit about your people. How did you come about, your history, ideology and government. Stuff like that."
Tran Pham responded to Captain Weiss: "Maybe we're just being a little too careful for our exploration. Anyway we will consider your concern captain."
Then the Commissar considered Lilith's words before answering it with generalized detailed which dictated by Davian's protocol: "Our present in this galaxy was more coincident. We arrived in this galaxy not long ago through an abnormally wormhole, yet our initial encounters have proven to be a little rough so almost all of our operation here would be conducted by our Armed Force with limit civilian activity for the times being. However our government in general is differ, the government of Divine Davia Empire is run by the Grand Imperial Council with several members, below them would be the Senate and lower there are rings of lower officials. Despite being titled as 'Divine Empire' we are not a theocracy. Besides, it must be said that we are rather militaristic but we do not actively seek conflict. Instead we prefer building alliances of friendly nations and maintaining trading arrangements as well as peaceful expansion. Also we respect all sapient life so oppression or slavery is not tolerated by our people, the empire ensure the decent life of its citizen yet everyone should work if they want to improve ourselves. Hopefully the ways of my people are not too unfamiliar to your people.
For history. Well it's a rather long story yet in short. In the distain past around 7000 years ago we were forced to leave our birthplace then we were on the receiving end of slavery for 500 years then oppressed and used as meat shields by the other evils for another 200 years before we freed ourselves and made them pay the price.
And how about the Grand Araxium Empire? Are you the native of this galaxy or did you come from another place. Also, If I'm allowed to ask; my lady may you tell us some viewpoints of the Grand Araxium Empire?"
Lilith leaned into the panel on her side of the table and projected a series of holographic images and maps. Then she began to explain.
"The Araxium Empire is in the same situation as you in this galaxy, we are not native here, we simply traveled through a wormhole to get here. Our origins on a single planet are as I'm told, not allowed to be accessed by most military and civilian personnel so all I can tell you is the history of the 1st and 2nd empires. Our system of ruling is led by a single empress and she is advised by the senate who are elected once every few years. This senate gathers once after a while to discuss their problems and the Empress will act upon them. The choice of declaring war and other affairs related to national security and such is left to the empress and the military. It should be noted however that the military is loyal only to the empress and nobody else. But in turn the empress is loyal to her people and nobody else."
"Roughly 1200 years ago a great war broke out, a neighboring faction stuck the capital world and left it crippled. We won that one but we weren't able to change their ideology or government to something more peaceful. And a few years later we were attacked across the border by another faction, this time the war was swift and we repelled the invasion but the war never ended until we took the capital world. This time our advice for them to change their ideology to something more peaceful succeeded and we became close allies. But sometime during that war the country fell apart from the inside. You see, back then when we were ruled by the last emperor the senate controlled the regular forces and they really hated the last emperor because he was the one who took over the throne from the 3rd emperor who was in secret dealings with another faction. Now they caused a civil war which we lost. Most died, a few went into internment with our allies and a handful of us went further north to establish a new government and slowly built up our forces. Seventeen years later we came back in force, sweeping aside the old regular forces and forced our way into the territory of the first faction we fought against, this time the war was so short and brutal that their internal structure fell apart and is now known as the Terran Territories."
"The Grand Araxium Empire which was formed some 100 years ago is the unification of all three factions under a single flag."
Tran Pham listened then replied: "I understand your situation and history lady Lilith. And I hope that the way of our people are understandable to the other. So is there anything you want to discuses next?"
"Yes, you'll be allowed to have a look around. Captain Weiss here will help with anything should you need." Lilith stood up and walked over to the door. "Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be transmitting information regarding our first contact back to command."
Bowing lightly, Lilith exited the room and leaving Captain Weiss to entertain their guests.
The commissar stood up and bowed back slightly: "So be it then."
He then turned to Captain Weiss: "Sir. We can go if you please. Or are you interest in further discussing?"
"If you so need to discuss anything else you can, but I'll be following you around to explain things if you do need explanations." Weiss responded.
Though their ship was just a destroyer leader it was still capable of landing a few companies worth of equipment. This included motorized transport, mechanized transport, towed artillery, mechanized artillery, tanks, armored cars and anti-aircraft weapons. Everything they needed to conduct a small expedition to the surface of any planet.
"Thank you sir. It would be my pleasure to be allowed to take a look at your ship and equipment. Beside we may also discuss about some trading if your people are willing. Please lead the way sir."
Normally an opportunity to take a look at the ship and new equipment were something hard to be denied more so in the case of the Davian who preferred trading.
The captain led the representatives out of the meeting room and down a wide hallway deeper into the ship until they reached a garage. Inside was parked full of wheeled and tracked armored personnel carriers, towed and motorized artillery, including tanks and recovery vehicles. Enough for a small expeditionary party to be sent down to the surface.
"So, where would you like to start?" he turned to his guests, "Most of the equipment here is in full working condition aside from those at the back of the garage under maintenance."
The Davian took times to look around at the garage. The equipment of the new faction interested the Davian guests.
"Your equipment is impressive sir. For the trading we will be happy to trade raw materials and other super processed materials with your people." Commissar Tran Pham bowed a little: "Beside we also want to enter the none-aggressive pact with your faction. So is it possible?"
Weiss thought hard about the question. Of course it wasn't in his power to say yes or no but he could imagine Empress Raxia accepting a proposal of non-aggression. "Yes, it would be possible. As for material trading I'm not so sure about since it is not my place to decide these matters. But I can pass the proposal along through my contacts."
"Thank you Captain. Also it would be my honor to sign the pact then. The terms for the non-aggression pact are simple, we will not participate in any military action against each other, and doing so anyway will result in the agreement being voided." Commissar Tran Pham said while transferring the datapad which contained the basic non-aggression deal to the GAE's captain: "Here's the data of the pact. Do you want to add anything else in this?"
"For the trading between our factions, we can figure it out later then"
Captain Weiss returned the man's bow with a salute and pulled all the information he needed from a nearby terminal with his login, passing the secure channel communication to Erlun and sending Tran Pham's documents to a temporary storage before they sent everything including the system survey and first contact information back to HQ. Then escorting his guests back to their ship, he waved them off as they departed the Araxian destroyer leader.
Back on bridge, Lilith transmitted her report of the system including the recording of first contact with another empire back to Erlun. And shortly afterwards, her fleet jumped out of system leaving the Davians to finish their work.
Lilith 'Lilly' Axonn used to be a spy for the previous emperor of Axonn but had until now been serving as a high ranking commander as part of the Oberkommando Des Heeres Araxia.
"Chart out the areas surrounding our territory and make first contact with other nations" was what Arabel said to her. While it was a good posting to be away from the boring paperwork normally associated with an office in the capital Erlun, the mission had been just as boring with just as much things going on.
The four ships of her fleet, Liechte Kreigsflotte Lilith emerged from hyperspace close to the sun of another seemingly boring system. One star, four planets, one of which was too close to the star to support life, one habitable and another a gas giant surrounded by an asteroid field. The last being a planet so far away from the star it had basically frozen over.
"Sensors, have we got anything on screen?" Lilith called out to the officers on deck, waiting for a reply.
"We haven't found anything yet, my lady but we have found at least one planet with suitable standards for life." An officer replied, he didn't look away from his console.
"Alright then, document the system as usual and let's begone as soon as we're done." Lilith stood to stretch before going off the bridge to her quarters. "Come get me if anything comes up."
"Entering normal space comrade commander." An officer reported to his commander, Captain Nguyen Nam overall commander of the Divine Davia Empire Third exploration fleet.
Moment later a large bright wormhole tore opened the empty void and the Davian ships busted out one after another. There were 10 vessels 1 Bach Dang class Cruiser, 1 Thang Long class Carrier, 1 Van Kiep Support Cruiser, 6 Chuong Duong Heavy Destroyers and a Science ship.
"Jump finished. All ships in perfect condition. Your order sir?" The officer reported while the other ships in the fleet reported their condition.
"Good. Scan and map this system." Nguyen Nam ordered as the main SAI of his ship showed itself: "Captain we detected a habitable planet. Request investigation and..."
"Unknown contacts detected. Sir we have an alien fleet nearby possibly trying to explore the system. Your order sir?" The tactical officer asked.
"We're making contact with these aliens according to our protocol. Raise our shield to maximum, weapons ready but remain cool. Combat formation and move toward them slowly. We must not show any hostility. Prepare to hail them." Nguyen Nam quickly ordered as the Davian fleet changed its course and slowly moved toward the other fleet slowly.
"To unknown contacts. This is the Third Divine Davia Empire exploration fleet. We came to explore this system in peace. We sincerely request you to identify". The message would be sent using every possible way in the attempt to contact with the alien ships.
"Lady Lilith, are you awake?" Captain Felix Weiss had come knocking on door. "we've picked up several unknown contacts."
The door slid open, Lilith stood there looking a bit tired as though she had just woken up.
"Who are they and how many?" she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
"Ten ships in all, unknown size. They're identifying themselves as the third Divine Davia Empire. Saying that they're here in peace." Weiss spoke softly, but loud enough. His face was partially obscured due to him standing in a lit corridor while her room had its lights turned off. His hair was about as white as the lights and that was his only significant feature apart from an eyepatch.
"They're requesting for us to identify ourselves, how should we respond?"
Lilith thought for a while as she got dressed properly.
"Firstly send an encrypted message to OHKA, make sure they can't track or if they do track it make sure to decrypt it." pausing for a moment as she put on her fitting undershirt she continued. "Next, reply to them the following. We are the Liechte Kriegsflotte Lilith of the Grand Araxium Empire, state your business with us."
"Yes, my lady. I'll be headed to the bridge first." Weiss shut the door as he left.
Without respond the Davian ships keep their course and moved toward the unknown fleet. Soon the passive scanning on the ships began to work. The unknown fleet turned out to be 4 ships and on par with the Davian ships.
And in a gesture of hospitality the message would be sent out again.
Lilith stepped onto the bridge silently, almost not making a sound, the crew were silent as they worked to finish charting the system.
"sitrep." She called to Captain Weiss. "has the message been sent?"
"no, not yet my lady. we're just finished with the first message to OHKA." Weiss reported, he stood in a lower section of the bridge along with the comms officer working on encryption. "We're just about to begin sending the second message now."
"What about those contacts?" Lilith turned to the sensors officer who had turned around in his seat.
"unknown contacts approaching our position." The officer stood and flashed up the system map on the holo table in the middle of the bridge, showing the ten contacts headed towards them. "We also have confirmation that their ships have their shields raised."
"The encrypted message told the OHKA that we have made contact with a potential faction right?" Lilith asked. She didn't tell Weiss what to put into the message but she hoped at least that it wasn't intercepted. Though she was confident that they couldn't break the encryption.
"Yes, my lady. I've told the OHKA that we have made contacts with a small fleet of unidentified contacts." Weiss looked up again at Lilith.
"I've also asked for reinforcements should we need it. I hope you're alright with my decision."
"I have no complaints but for our sake I hope they don't intercept and decrypt." Lilith turned to the navigation crew.
"Move us away. Slowly. We don't want them to start thinking that we're planning something."
"Aye aye. Setting speed to one quarter. Other ships in fleet have also received orders for movement." The helmsman started throttling the ship up to speed, the low rumbling of the sublight engines could be heard throughout the ship.
"Should we send the reply now?" Weiss began walking up the steps to the platform above as Lilith nodded. He acknowledged and signaled the comms officer to begin transmitting.
"Well sir the other fleet is...retreating or at least trying to moving away." The Davian tactical officer reported.
"Well...did we scare them?" Nguyen Nam muttered while his comm officer spoke: "Sir we detected a message sent from those ships, destination unknown, the message was encrypted, attempt to decrypt however will take a long times if it's possible at all."
"In the other hand we received their message. Broadcasting now sir." The ship's main SAI announced: "We are the Liechte Kriegsflotte Lilith of the Grand Araxium Empire, state your business with us."
"Possibly they're trying to get words home or something. Anyway possess with caution. We don't want to scare them away or starting a war. All ship stop moving and reply to them."
The message would be sent to the now identified as the Grand Araxium Empire fleet: "Greeting Grand Araxium Empire fleet. We're the Third Divine Davia Empire exploration fleet. We came here merely to explore and mapping this system as well as trying to make contact with other species. We have no hostile intention. We already told you our business, now we sincerely request you to state your with us."
"Contacts have ceased movement, navigator, turn us retrograde and halt." Captain Weiss ordered. He had just noticed that the other fleet had just stopped moving shortly before.
"Sir, message asking for our purpose in the region." The comms officer called up. He was sitting in the console pit on the lower level of the bridge.
This time Lilith spoke up. "Tell them that we're here for the same reason, exploration and charting. If they have any business with us they should tell us now."
"Right away, my lady." The comms officer got back to work sending out another message.
"Kreigsflotte Lilith is on the same mission you are on. Should you have any business with us we kindly ask that you conduct it now." was the message sent in reply.
"They stopped movement and sending more reply sir" The comms officer reported while looking at his various screens: "Are we going to reply?"
"Indeed we should reply." The captain answered before sending his message: "We are glad that our purpose here is the same and we both respect peaceful approaching. Beside we sincerely request to establish diplomatic contact with the Grand Araxium Empire if it is possible and within your authority. "
"Let's see what we get. If we can establish good relation with these people or at least make them not hostile toward us then it will benefit us greatly. We all understand the important of this operation aren't we?" Nguyen Nam talked with his officers and captains: "For the sake of the empire and the secret project. I want no mistake from anyone. Understood?"
"Understood comrade commander."
Lilith hesitated. She did receive proper schooling in politics but more importantly she had been granted power in advance to use whatever means she saw fit in order to establish friendly relations with the neighbors. As long as it was within good reason. However she felt for a moment as though she would not be a good candidate to begin working with another faction in order to begin building relations. It was something she had not yet begin to think about doing as she had only used to be working as a spy and black ops commander.
"Send them the following." She turned to the comms officer and walked down to his work station. "We would be honored to allow a peaceful first contact between our two peoples"
Captain Weiss only stood and watched Lilith. He was probably the only one person on the bridge who knew of Lilith's service and personal history, at least from what he had been told from the newly crowned empress, Arabel. It's good to she her grow a bit, he thought.
The Davian fleet received the message.
"They agreed to make first contact with us. Tell them this" Nguyen Nam stood up from his command throne: " it would be our honor to receive your diplomat on board our ship, or we can send our own diplomat to you should you feel it more comfortable." The Davian captain then stepped toward one of his officer: "Comrade Commissar. You will be our represent."
The commissar saluted: "Understood comrade commander."
For the moment this encounter became a very important mission. Having yet another none-hostile and possibly friendly faction in this location would no doubt benefit the empire and its project should this contact success. Beside Captain Nguyen Nam also hope for some trade agreement too.
Lilith turned to Captain Weiss with a look on her face as though asking if she could invite them onto his ship. True Lilith was assigned overall command but the ship still belonged to her captain and his consent was needed. Weiss nodded.
"We'd be more than welcome to accept you aboard our ship. Just fly for the largest ship, the hangar bay's on the side." Lilith responded with that and waited their reply again. "Our Starfighters are ready to escort you in if you should need them."
"Comrade Commissar. They invited us to their largest ship and also providing honor guard. You can go sir." Nguyen Nam told his commissar who saluted and stepped our of the control room.
The Davian fleet again sent a message: "We gladly agree to send diplomatic delegation to your ship for further talk. We also agree your offer to escort our delegation. May the diplomatic go well and benefit both our people"
A while later a shutter was launched from a Davian battle cruiser escorted by 2 fighters. These crafts moved slowly toward the GAE largest ship.
Four fighters launched from the flight deck of the large destroyer, streaking towards the three craft that were on approach towards the ship. Two on either side of the formation, guiding them in for landing in the hangar.
Lilith and Captain Weiss had made their way from the bridge to the hangar, waiting for the foreign delegation to arrive. With them stood Lilith's honor guards, one squad on each side behind them. They stood to attention with their assault rifles and wore their regular Dark grey uniforms but with distinct purple markings on their helmet, full face gas mask and armor plates.
The 3 Davian crafts quickly landed on the large ship's dock: "Transport landed, delegation dispatched. You can go ladies and gentlemen."
The transport opened its gate and the Davian diplomatic delegation step out. The commissar walked in front flanked by an adjutant and a winged humanoid SAI, behind them came 4 powered armor soldiers. Since it was a diplomatic mission the commissar and his adjutant do not wear powered armor just normal armor and uniform.
The Davian group walked in front of Lilith and Captain Weiss then saluted them: "Greeting I'm commissar Tran Pham or the Davian Armed Force, it's my honor to represent my people in this formal diplomatic talk. And may I ask what're your name?"
Meanwhile the Davian ship reported back to their fleet about their successful docking and the current status. The contact list of Divine Davia Empire in this galaxy had yet another faction added and marked as a human faction.
Lilith watched the delegation come up to them. She was short, just 147cm tall. Not even her regular service boots could increase her height so she had to constantly look up when speaking to people. She returned the salute.
"Welcome aboard. I am Reichsfeldmarschal Lilith, this here is Captain Felix Weiss." Lilith looked over her guests before speaking again. "Come, I'm sure you'll want to get to know each other better.
Lilith turned to lead the diplomatic delegation to a nearby meeting room. Captain Weiss followed after her, while the honor guards remained at attention at the hangar.
Commissar Tran Pham nodded to his soldiers and the 4 Davian soldiers stood guard near the shutter, they would remain there for the times being.
Meanwhile the Commissar and his two assistants followed the GAE officers to the nearby meeting room.
The meeting room wasn't exactly a meeting room but it served the same purpose. Just walking distance from the hangar the room was used as a briefing room for pilots. A large holographic projector table was in the middle and on the edges of the room were staggered seats for pilots, a handful of chairs were in the middle around the table for officers to use.
"Please, have a seat. What is it that you would like to discuss first?" Lilith sat on the chair facing the doorway and Captain Weiss between her and their guests. "Let me say first though that the Araxium Empire is happy that we have found more people in this galaxy."
"We thank you for your hospitality" The two Davia sat down while the winged SAI remained hover next to them: "Also we share your joy for meeting new people in the vastness of space." The Commissar said: "Reichsfeldmarschal Lilith, Captain Felix Weiss, I think it would be best if perhaps we began with an exchange of information. As good will we Davian will share you our current map of the galaxy according to our knowledge." The commissar glanced at the hovering SAI which quickly landed and handed over a small wooden box to the Commissar. Tran Pham then put the box on the table and opened it. A 3D hologram of the galaxy showed up which also depicted clearly the border of factions, trade routes, conflict zones as well as hazard and uncharted region of the galaxy according to the Davian's knowledge.
"Beside we also offer our diplomatic code to your people." The commissar continued as the SAI gave out its signal to the GAE ship.
Captain Weiss tapped a few buttons on their side of the console, displaying the current star chart the GAE had thus far collected.
"You can take whatever information we have here that isn't coded. But as you can see we're on complete opposite ends of the galaxy. So I must ask, what are you doing here?"
There was something that Felix didn't like about these people, considering that they're so far from home yet so relaxed. It bothered him a little, though he didn't show it on his face.
"We thank you for your information sir." The Davian's Commissar smiled: "For your question. We're a long range exploration fleet. We Davian is new for this galaxy so our high command decided to dispatch us exploration fleet around to explore and map the galaxy. At the moment we received a few charts from the other people and it turned out this side of the galaxy..." Tran Pham pointed at the empty space across the southern part of Ancerious: "...is uncharted and rather empty so we tried to take a look. And indeed I admit that it's quite unusual for us to travel so far from our current base."
"Beside according to your chart then your territory would be near this system." Tran Pham continued: "So I guess you're also exploring this system right?"
Captain Weiss narrowed his eyes a little, there wasn't anything that he could do to prove that they were here for something other than exploration fleet, considering their size they were a little too large to simply be exploring.
"Yes, we are here as an exploration fleet. Though it seems to me that your ten ships would be too large for such a purpose, are you maybe being a little too cautious?"
Lilith kept one eye open and looked up to the captain next to her, she didn't know what he was doing but chose to stay quiet for the moment. If her time working in intelligence and counter intelligence taught her anything is that people don't always tell you the full truth. So choosing to sit and stay quiet, she listened.
"So we have similar purpose here. And for your question sir." The Davian commissar carefully choose his words yet his rather relaxing gesture did not change: " The space especially those non-charted may have a lot of dangerous and we as long range explorers often go very far from our base so having a decent group would be safer isn't it?"
"That may be so, but considering how our fleet is smaller than yours and yet of similar mission." Felix so far hadn't understood what their motives were for keeping such a large fleet for exploration and he didn't really buy the excuse that they were just cautious.
Seeing as Captain Weiss couldn't get anything out of their guests from his efforts, she decided to intervene.
"Well then, that aside. I think I would like to know a little bit about your people. How did you come about, your history, ideology and government. Stuff like that."
Tran Pham responded to Captain Weiss: "Maybe we're just being a little too careful for our exploration. Anyway we will consider your concern captain."
Then the Commissar considered Lilith's words before answering it with generalized detailed which dictated by Davian's protocol: "Our present in this galaxy was more coincident. We arrived in this galaxy not long ago through an abnormally wormhole, yet our initial encounters have proven to be a little rough so almost all of our operation here would be conducted by our Armed Force with limit civilian activity for the times being. However our government in general is differ, the government of Divine Davia Empire is run by the Grand Imperial Council with several members, below them would be the Senate and lower there are rings of lower officials. Despite being titled as 'Divine Empire' we are not a theocracy. Besides, it must be said that we are rather militaristic but we do not actively seek conflict. Instead we prefer building alliances of friendly nations and maintaining trading arrangements as well as peaceful expansion. Also we respect all sapient life so oppression or slavery is not tolerated by our people, the empire ensure the decent life of its citizen yet everyone should work if they want to improve ourselves. Hopefully the ways of my people are not too unfamiliar to your people.
For history. Well it's a rather long story yet in short. In the distain past around 7000 years ago we were forced to leave our birthplace then we were on the receiving end of slavery for 500 years then oppressed and used as meat shields by the other evils for another 200 years before we freed ourselves and made them pay the price.
And how about the Grand Araxium Empire? Are you the native of this galaxy or did you come from another place. Also, If I'm allowed to ask; my lady may you tell us some viewpoints of the Grand Araxium Empire?"
Lilith leaned into the panel on her side of the table and projected a series of holographic images and maps. Then she began to explain.
"The Araxium Empire is in the same situation as you in this galaxy, we are not native here, we simply traveled through a wormhole to get here. Our origins on a single planet are as I'm told, not allowed to be accessed by most military and civilian personnel so all I can tell you is the history of the 1st and 2nd empires. Our system of ruling is led by a single empress and she is advised by the senate who are elected once every few years. This senate gathers once after a while to discuss their problems and the Empress will act upon them. The choice of declaring war and other affairs related to national security and such is left to the empress and the military. It should be noted however that the military is loyal only to the empress and nobody else. But in turn the empress is loyal to her people and nobody else."
"Roughly 1200 years ago a great war broke out, a neighboring faction stuck the capital world and left it crippled. We won that one but we weren't able to change their ideology or government to something more peaceful. And a few years later we were attacked across the border by another faction, this time the war was swift and we repelled the invasion but the war never ended until we took the capital world. This time our advice for them to change their ideology to something more peaceful succeeded and we became close allies. But sometime during that war the country fell apart from the inside. You see, back then when we were ruled by the last emperor the senate controlled the regular forces and they really hated the last emperor because he was the one who took over the throne from the 3rd emperor who was in secret dealings with another faction. Now they caused a civil war which we lost. Most died, a few went into internment with our allies and a handful of us went further north to establish a new government and slowly built up our forces. Seventeen years later we came back in force, sweeping aside the old regular forces and forced our way into the territory of the first faction we fought against, this time the war was so short and brutal that their internal structure fell apart and is now known as the Terran Territories."
"The Grand Araxium Empire which was formed some 100 years ago is the unification of all three factions under a single flag."
Tran Pham listened then replied: "I understand your situation and history lady Lilith. And I hope that the way of our people are understandable to the other. So is there anything you want to discuses next?"
"Yes, you'll be allowed to have a look around. Captain Weiss here will help with anything should you need." Lilith stood up and walked over to the door. "Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be transmitting information regarding our first contact back to command."
Bowing lightly, Lilith exited the room and leaving Captain Weiss to entertain their guests.
The commissar stood up and bowed back slightly: "So be it then."
He then turned to Captain Weiss: "Sir. We can go if you please. Or are you interest in further discussing?"
"If you so need to discuss anything else you can, but I'll be following you around to explain things if you do need explanations." Weiss responded.
Though their ship was just a destroyer leader it was still capable of landing a few companies worth of equipment. This included motorized transport, mechanized transport, towed artillery, mechanized artillery, tanks, armored cars and anti-aircraft weapons. Everything they needed to conduct a small expedition to the surface of any planet.
"Thank you sir. It would be my pleasure to be allowed to take a look at your ship and equipment. Beside we may also discuss about some trading if your people are willing. Please lead the way sir."
Normally an opportunity to take a look at the ship and new equipment were something hard to be denied more so in the case of the Davian who preferred trading.
The captain led the representatives out of the meeting room and down a wide hallway deeper into the ship until they reached a garage. Inside was parked full of wheeled and tracked armored personnel carriers, towed and motorized artillery, including tanks and recovery vehicles. Enough for a small expeditionary party to be sent down to the surface.
"So, where would you like to start?" he turned to his guests, "Most of the equipment here is in full working condition aside from those at the back of the garage under maintenance."
The Davian took times to look around at the garage. The equipment of the new faction interested the Davian guests.
"Your equipment is impressive sir. For the trading we will be happy to trade raw materials and other super processed materials with your people." Commissar Tran Pham bowed a little: "Beside we also want to enter the none-aggressive pact with your faction. So is it possible?"
Weiss thought hard about the question. Of course it wasn't in his power to say yes or no but he could imagine Empress Raxia accepting a proposal of non-aggression. "Yes, it would be possible. As for material trading I'm not so sure about since it is not my place to decide these matters. But I can pass the proposal along through my contacts."
"Thank you Captain. Also it would be my honor to sign the pact then. The terms for the non-aggression pact are simple, we will not participate in any military action against each other, and doing so anyway will result in the agreement being voided." Commissar Tran Pham said while transferring the datapad which contained the basic non-aggression deal to the GAE's captain: "Here's the data of the pact. Do you want to add anything else in this?"
"For the trading between our factions, we can figure it out later then"
Captain Weiss returned the man's bow with a salute and pulled all the information he needed from a nearby terminal with his login, passing the secure channel communication to Erlun and sending Tran Pham's documents to a temporary storage before they sent everything including the system survey and first contact information back to HQ. Then escorting his guests back to their ship, he waved them off as they departed the Araxian destroyer leader.
Back on bridge, Lilith transmitted her report of the system including the recording of first contact with another empire back to Erlun. And shortly afterwards, her fleet jumped out of system leaving the Davians to finish their work.