[@Zadubadabu]
[b][u][color=salmon]Hostel System, Second Exploration Fleet[/color][/u][/b]
The Fleet Commander moved to bring his hand down, to order another reply to be made and sent, angry. But his fist didn't make it all the way down; another's hand grabbed his arm, halting his progress. Growling, he whirled to the offender, ready to tear the disrespectful Hocklyn apart. But no- it was his adviser. Advisers were agents of ONI- Office of Naval Intelligence. They kept captains in check, and reported everything straight to ONI to keep records of every event. 

Before the Fleet Commander could berate the agent's disrespect, the Hocklyn said, "Wise, they are, to cease approach and demand, and to offer negotiate and listen. But wise we are, to cease insult and offer a hand, until they can be gauged for what they are, instead of what we assume they are."

The Fleet Commander continued growling, and wrenched his arm away from the agent. He turned back to the bridge, and waved dismissal to the agent. Like any other Hocklyn, he backed away, allowing the Fleet Commander to remain in command, reputation unhindered. The Commander paused for a moment, before waving at communications.

Shortly afterwards, a response was broadcasted back to the alien fleet.

"Your former Queen is within our grasp. You will not receive anything from us, including your former Queen, until we have decided that whatever you give us is equal in value- the fact that you are chasing a single outdated, half-built ship with a fleet says the Queen is very valuable indeed. More so, since she is obviously very clever, to have evaded you for so long."

"We will not move against you or yours. If you so wish it, you may send [i]one[/i] ship forward with a diplomatic figure, or negotiator. If you are part of this Roa'marii Empire, then we will require a similar figure from them. We may be slavers, but we would not wish to step on toes by dealing with you directly, without Big Brother present. Your queen may be able to escape in a nation of her, but in a nation the likes of mine, she will get nowhere. She will be turned over to our Naval Intelligence, and taken deeper into our territory. You and your emissaries, diplomats, or negotiators will later be taken to her, if you so insist, where we can all deal together. From what I hear, she's quite a fire. It seems that the fact that she'd be dead if she took a wrong step is keeping her from strangling all of our necks."

"We await your response. No significant military presence will be accepted, and if we hear news of any weapons that you did not make us aware after we are conducting negotiations, we will have to cast yours out, for you to deal with."