Powers felt his fists tighten at this... this 'Soviet's' woman's words. How could this woman not be aware of what the UEG was? It was a massive interstellar empire, for god's sake! But at the same time, he wanted to laugh. Did she actually say that the UEG would be crushed under the heel of the Soviet Union? By what - ancient guns? Not happening. Nonetheless, he still opened up a COMM channel.

[quote][color=0072bc][i]"Romanova,[/i] I don't know what you're playing here, but should you prove to be a threat, then you shall be dealt with accordingly. As for now, be thankful you are protected by Federal Law Code 2247 paragraph eight line twelve. It dictates that I cannot attack without being attacked first."[/color][/quote]

Nikolai gawked at him. "You memorised all [i]that,[/i] commander?" Powers gave the Russian A.I. an annoyed scowl. "Of course. The UEGNC made all commissioned officers remember that one line after the conclusion of the war." The A.I. scratched his cloth-wrapped head. "Oh. Makes sense, then." The battlecruiser's captain sighed. "Yes. Yes it does. But right now, we still have some diplomatic issues to solve."

Nikolai's arm immediately shot upwards. "Ooh! I know! I will speak to them!" Powers nodded at that. "Go ahead." Nikolai returned the nod with a smile.

[quote][color=0072bc]"Greetings, comrades. I am Artificial Intelligence Construct Nikolai serving on the United Earth Government Naval Command battlecruiser [i]Paramount[/i]. My associates mean you no harm. The [i][color=0072bc]Paramount[/color][/i] will be within viewing range shortly. Perhaps we can sort this out over a drink of fine vodka, eh? Until then, goodbye."[/color][/quote]

He then repeated in Russian.

[quote][color=0072bc]"Приветствую вас, товарищи. Я Искусственный интеллект Построить Николай служить на единой земле правительство военно-морское командование крейсера первостепенное значение. Мои соратники не причиню вам вреда. Первостепенной будет находиться в пределах зоны обзора в ближайшее время. Возможно, мы сможем разобраться в этом за бокалом любимого напитка тонкой водки, а? До тех пор, до свидания."[/color][/quote]

An unsure look overcame Powers' features as soon as Nikolai finished delivering his message. "Are you sure this is going to work?" The A.I. nodded rather confidently, reassuring Powers ever so slightly. "Of course! They are Soviets, like me!" The Captain's palm met his face. "Right, who could forget that? Are the particle cannons back yet?" Nikolai nodded. "Yes. Cannons 1 and 2 have just finished rebooting and the drones are back online with minimal damage. Sector 3 is back, with all personnel reporting." Powers allowed his arm to fall back down to his side as he stared out the viewscreen. "That's a relief."

"Yes, but I am getting more radio signals from the other objects." Nikolai said. "I'll play them right now."

[quote][color=00aeef]“This is colonel Darius Mills, commander of the United States Air Force Vessel [i]Helios[/i]. We do not wish to engage in any form of hostilities.”[/color][/quote]

If Powers recalled correctly the United States Air Force was the air defence force of the United States, an old government on Earth that was absorbed into the UEG centuries ago. So it was impossible for a vessel to claim to be the USAF right now.

[quote][color=008B8B]"My Name is Raiden Korten, and I am the current SOSCOM commanding officer of the Heavyweight Research ship codename:Oblivion. We are a research Vessel. and intend no harm. our ship shall remain open to communications, Good day to you."[/color][/quote]

Powers didn't know what this 'SOSCOM' was, but he had a feeling that he would find out soon enough.

[quote][color=6ecff6]"Attention outsiders, this is Captain Markurio of the V.V. [i]Pale Quiver[/i]. We are the true loyalists of the Valinosian Pact, and we hear your messages of peace. So long as you refrain from committing acts of barbarism, you have my word that my vessel's weapons shall be powered down. I have hopes that you outsiders are different, but make no mistake; We will retaliate if you prove to be just like the rest of them."[/color][/quote]

The Captain had no idea what the Valinosian Pact was, either. He didn't exactly want to believe that the ship's weapons were powered down. He had learnt to trust nobody during the war.

[quote]"This is Captain Sarah Parker with The Intrepid, we are friendly and will be able to offer emergency repair services once we have our own ship in order. If any one is in need of assistance, we are happy to show good will and assist."[/quote]

Sarah Parker sounded human enough. Powers wondered if they were. At least this one wasn't immediately threatening.

[quote][color=bc8dbf]"Greetings unknown vessels. We are the Advent, and we come with no ill intentions towards those who mean us none in return. To those who do, know that we will not hesitate in defending ourselves as we deem fit."[/color][/quote]

Another faction completely unknown to him.

He gently massaged his temples as the massive ship continued to boost its way forwards, its repulsor engines glowing blue in the starless void. Hundreds upon thousands of artificial lights dotted the ship's bulky shape, and sensor arrays jutted out here and there. Occasionally, several flocks of maintenance drones flew out to repair any structural damage. On the ship's starboard side was the word PARAMOUNT in huge, white letters that were illuminated by several spotlights. It brought some colour to the [i]Paramount's[/i] drab grey paint job. Most of the ships were now in viewing range of the ship's powerful onboard cameras. The sensors counted nine in total.

One appeared to be a giant metal ring with no visible weapons, and resembled a UEG mobile repair/refit station. Powers assumed this one was the [i]Intrepid.[/i]

The next was a roughly cylindrical ship around a kilometre long. On the side of the ship was the world OBLIVION in [i]English[/i] letters. Normally Powers would attempt to contact the mystery ship, but given what had transpired in the last few minutes, he decided not to.

Another was a grey ship that was of unmistakable [i]human[/i] design, and what appeared to be several hangar bays. The ship was only a mere five hundred metres in length, the size of an average frigate. This one was bristling with weapons.

A tiny (compared to the [i]Paramount[/i]) ship drifted into view. It was the size of a UEGNC corvette. While small, it was awfully fast, and looked more like a dagger than a ship. Again, this one had no visible weapons. 

Possibly the strangest was apparently a giant manta ray that slowly flapped its wings as it cruised through the void. Powers didn't know what to make of it.

What appeared to be an armed human freighter sat unmoving in the distance. This one was somewhere between the size of a heavy frigate and medium destroyer. 

Then there was that green ship that looked like a giant wing with engines. It drifted in between the collection of ships.

Finally, the largest one hung all the way in the back. It dwarfed all the other ships, though it was still around half the length of the [i]Paramount[/i]. This one looked more like a sword, and appeared to have been built by machines. Strange runes of blue light flowed through its body.

Then the [i]Paramount[/i] received another hail from the [i]Romanova[/i] just as the battlecruiser neared the odd flotilla.

[quote][color=ed1c24]"[i]Romanova[/i] to all ships. We propose a meeting on a any other ship to discuss our situation and confirm our present location."[/color][/quote]

Powers leaned into the receiver. 

[quote][color=0072bc]"[i]Romanova[/i] and all other ships, we accept your proposal. The [i]Paramount[/i] has enough docking bays and hangars to house your needs. Hangar Bay Primary, located on the underside of this ship, will be unlocked for diplomatic purposes. Please send a diplomatic team over with armed escort, should you wish. Be warned, however, that you are being closely monitored."[/color][/quote]

The Captain turned away and back to Nikolai once he had finished broadcasting. "Get Meeting Room A-1 ready. I want all sentry turrets in that area active, but do not deploy them unless these diplomats show open hostility. If we're meeting on any other ship and I have to leave the [i]Paramount[/i], get some security detail and prep a Talon along with a pair of Stingrays. I am [i]not[/i] taking any chances."