[b]Combat Information Centre, Zhang He, Flagship of the Pearl Fleet [/b]

The Admiral muted the communications mike again and turned back to the chief science officer. "...so, magic." he said with his eyebrows raised to a now much more shocked looking science officer. "Opinion?" 

"Highly unlikely." the chief science officer said. "Could be cultural differences. 'Magic' to us defined as things "impossible by conventional science". What "conventional science" is could differ dramatically due to the infinite nature of the universe." he exposed. 

"So you don't believe in their "magic" business?" 

"False. To them, this "Magic spell" could very well be a form of science not even they recognize as science. At the very least, do I think that this "magic spell" is possible with our conventional knowledge of science? Absolutely not. Do I believe that this "Magic Spell" can be explained through conventional or future science? Definitely so. Another thing to note," the chief officer continued, "No matter whether through science or magic, fact remains they were somehow able to see into our thoughts. Our knowledge. Our ideas. In this case, while they may say it was "a magic spell that only affects language" the fact remains that they were able to openly see our "idea" of language." 

"What is the point?" the Admiral asked, already having a bad feeling of to where this was going. 

"We don't know what other "ideas" that this Eternal Union can openly read from us." The chief officer voiced everyone's fears. "If they were able to take our "idea" of language, what's to say that they don't take our idea of, say, economy? Our idea of maps? Or the thought of home? The thought of one of our star charts? Simply thinking about our star charts could very much tell them the location of Atlantis. Or if they steal the "idea" of tactics and strategy from you, sir, they could very well understand each and every one of our strategies and tactics, giving them a complete edge in battle - even during the middle of a battle potentially, allowing them to read the mind of the enemy commander. Strategy, plan, force composition, every and all available assets, all an open book. To add on to that, aside from the word of one minor vessel we don't have any indication as to their culture. Truly peaceful? Hopefully. Possibly deceptive hiding an imperialist, expansionist conquest-driven society? Very much possible." 

Admiral Hei was silent for a moment, taking all of this information in before unmuting the communications again. 

"I understand." Admiral Hei nodded, now feeling a much greater sense of danger than he could originally feel. "Captain Magnus, I am Admiral Hei. We feel no trouble from your magic spell and we thank you for returning peace with peace. We have come a long way from home, searching among the stars for fellow sailors of the stars."