Collective-Roman Contact

There was a short pause in the dialogue before the AI responded in kind "Collective confirms Homo Sapeins presence. Priority adisory; subjects simian biology inefficient, evolution in progress. Exogen notice; Peaceful relations acceptable. Exogen species cataloged; Romus Human designated sub species of Homo branch. Request full biological and cultural information and long term communication establishment."
Another Civilis Protectione craft jumped into system and a moment began to drift towards the planet, before seemingly recieving orders to move to assist the others in their circling of the exogen Roman Empire. It glided forwards silently through the black void and joined it's vulture-like brethren in what was forbodingly like a prelude to a danse macabre; A confirmation of peaceful intentions, it seemed, did nothing to cure the Collective of it's sickly suspicion of these outsiders.  "Report business in sector black four." The AI stated in a calm, electronic voice, seemingly unaware of how hostile one might consider the movements of the Civilis Protectione ships.

This was to the Collective standard proceedure. Unauthorised objects in their space were seen as a menace at best and an act of war at worst. Paranoia was too light a word for the Collective. Their society was based upon cynicalism and seeing the worst in just about anything. Although not so far as to be fatalistic, they were notorious for reporting just how likely everyone was to die in hard situations. This, coupled with their cold and calculating attitudes towards battle, gave them a reputation for being uncaring about their soldiers; In the eyes of their masters, the common soldier was completely expendable. While they were not one for unneeded casualities, it was not from any form of humanitarian stand point; It was simply that they expected maximum efficency from their officers... And failure to deliver could carry with it some very bad consequences for the one responsible...