[center][h2][b]The Legion Collective[/b][/h2]
[i][b]Trade lane 875 I-W.[/b][/i][/center]

Almost immediately after the other ship sent out the message Legion detected the approach of another ship. However, they knew that, for the most part, they were safe now. This was not a hostile race, or a hostile system. In fact, judging from the messages they were getting and the amount of variety in the trade lanes, both in ship style and technological advancement, it appeared to be a trade hub of sorts.

To verify this Legion began constructing a more advanced quantum structure within their ship, though the outside did not change. By the time the Trade Enforcer arrived they were applying the finishing touches to the Quantum Entanglement Viewing platform, or QEVP. They diverted their attention between the Enforcer's delivery and the use of the QEVP.

While one portion of them accessed the main Collective and processed more of the languages and phrases, in addition to receiving what they quickly deduced to be a sort of translator, Legion additionally scanned the surrounding systems, and even further, galactic arm within several million light years. What they found were several more trading hubs, all with similar crafts as those they were currently interacting with, in addition to more trade lanes filled with a variety of ships.

This was indeed a nation focused on trade, and this suited them just fine. With this discovered they began to focus their efforts on detecting  the capital system. From the information given they were even able to construct an accurate multidimensional map of both the [I]Ahmun Sul[/I] systems, the locations of trade lanes, and where their territory ended.

Finally their knowledge of the alien species' language finished decoding, though it had not taken long in truth. It was at this point that their comms relay systems altered slightly so as to meet the frequencies upon which this race communicated.

By doing so they made contact with the four nearby craft and began speaking, now fluently, in their language. The sound of the voice was biological, coming from one of the several ambassadors on the bridge of their ship speaking through a comms relay hub that had been integrated into said area of the craft. [B]"Greetings once more, those of the Ahmun Sul. We graciously accept your gifts and thank you dearly for your hospitality. We will be heading to the nearest center of trade, or speaking to this Trade Enforcer if that is the necessary course of action to begin trade relations. We are, the Legion Collective and, as was said before,"[/B] there was a light, somewhat feminine laugh then before the ambassador continued, [B]"...we come in peace and wish no harm on you or any of those who trade with you unless fired upon or gravely threatened with legitimate hostile intent, which we genuinely hope to avoid.[/B]

There was a brief silence as Leraeni, the ambassador who was speaking for the Collective, allows her kin, in their entirety, to transmit and process more data. In this silence Leraeni, who was the equivalent of a female for Legianan species, waited for the response of the Ahmun Sul Trade Group via which ever ship choose to first. Multiple comms links had been established so there would be no interruptions or feedback even if all four ships spoke to her at once. This, in addition to the mass processing power of Legion, and through them, her own mind, she would be capable of understanding all four simultaneously with little effort.

In fact, even as they spoke with the ships they began reaching out, attempting to glean more information on their next destination--aka the nearest trade planet or hub, which would allow them to discuss trade agreements in length. While they could make contact from their current location it took more power from their ship to do so, and while such was not difficult for them to generate, they preferred to be as efficient, and as polite, as they could. Thus they would make an appearance once done where they were at that moment. It would be far more socially acceptable to make an appearance anyways, and likely better for the reputation they had just begun to create for themselves. This was just the first step of many after all.
[h2][/h2]

While the first exploratory craft had made peaceful contact already, one heading on a trajectory far from the Ahmun Sul Trade Group had just exited their Quantum tunnel to detect something rather troublesome. A small fleet of unknown armed craft, which upon detecting them, began to close the distance. Their ambassadors were not awoken upon the occurrence of this, but instead were placed under extreme defensive precautions, the portion of the ship--the middle--that they were in quickly prepared for quick locational alteration should such be needed. A null shielding system was quickly built to protect the ship and beneath the immediate surface of its hull weapons were constructed. While Legion was a peaceful people they did not take lightly to threats or threatening vessels bearing down on them.

They were right to ready their defenses too, for the vessels approaching were pirates, unaffiliated with any one nation, who had happened upon their ship. However, the location that the Legion ship had exited the quantum tunnel had left them in an area of space, which belonged to the United Terran Federation. Perhaps the Collective would be assisted before it became necessary to mercilessly disable the systems of the pirate ships and subsequently devour their ships--at which point the pilots of said ships would be entered into stasis and quantumly scanned so as to discovered anything of interest in regards to their species and biological make-up.

[center]Regardless it was going to be interesting.[/center]