[b]IR1211 (5 years prior to current events)
1st Imperial Morte Expeditionary Fleet
At Blume Vier[/b]

"[i]We've reached Blume Vier, Sir! Our ships on the front are approximately 500 skm (space kilometers) from the planet's surface.[/i]" Oberleutnant Braun said. "[i]Exit warp, take up defensive formation! Leutnant Kranke, relay my order the transport vessels to begin their landing procedure![/i]" Kampführer Sterbstahl said."Understood""Aye, Sir. Reducing warp field." In spite of recent turn of event the 1st Imperial Morte Expeditionary Fleet reached their destination without suffering any loses. Now, the only issue was how the large fleet of unknown aliens would react? So far the situation was far too ambiguous for Sterbstahl's liking. Regardless, the fleet has their psychic wave absorbers on full combat status, knowing that the aliens surely won't try to use their mental powers again.
[quote=@SgtEasy]
[h3]54th Exploration Fleet, Unknown System[/h3]

I looked at the fleet in front of me, a swarm of ships that could threaten my crews life and my life. I opened the line. "I greet you in the name of the Democracies. I shall be honest with you." I paused, mincing my words. "We are stuck. We have landed lightyears from our borders and for some reason, our ftl drives do not work in your borders. You have just met one of the most infamous enemies of my country. We are stuck here. We are stranded. I offer, as the highest ranking officer of this fleet, an alliance. Your blood will be our blood. Your wars shall be our wars. Your losses will be mourned as much as our losses. The blood of your enemies shall run. They shall be crushed under our United feet." 

I wait.[/quote]"[i]Sir, I pick up a new message coming from that fleet. Accompanying psychic wave detected.[/i]" Leutnant Kranke said. "[i]Status? Nature of attack?[/i]" Sterbstahl asked. After the Ixian wars all communication officers also became responsible for psychic countermeasures, a duty which Morteans were throughly drilled for yet haven't required to do since the last a century. "[i]Psychic countermeasures are stable, negligible change. Attack is recognized as uniform and encompassing the whole crew... Sir, I don't get this! Brainwave detectors say the field intensity is below the Kraepelin limit. How's that possible?[/i]" Leutnant Kranke felt confused. Kraepelin limit was a minimum intensity of brainwave fields to harmfully effect Mortean minds. It's based on empirical data from both Ixian Wars. Unless Leonore's sensors were malfunctioning it said that the psychic attack is too weak to do anything to them. That was unusual. Similarly for the aliens trying the exact same attack twice when they know it failed.

"[i]It's a trick. Bet they use some sophisticated masking technology to goad us to lower our defenses! It's a proof they're afraid! They don't risk to attack us! Sir, if I may suggest I would like to lead a detachment of 20 frigates and 100 destroyers to crush our enemy![/i]" Stabskapitän Sturm said. He was a young man who haven't even fought in the 3rd Luxon War. He was an excellent graduate and fine officer material but lacked experience. The Mortean leadership sent him on this expedition with this exact purpose. That being said, Sturm's logic wasn't really wrong. It reflected the general mentality of the Mortean military leadership and what Sturm had been taught in the academy. Same mentality can be also described by other civilizations as 'dangerously paranoiac', mind it Morteans have over a thousand years of historical reasons to support this. Yet this way of thinking also led to the Morteans to erase an entire race of psychics out of fear. Not like Sterbstahl felt any remorse over eradicating billions. Death is just a matter of course, it happens to anyone. But exterminating the Ixians indirectly lead to the 3rd Luxon War and then this long range expedition of his now.

As such Kamführer Sterbstahl shared a much different view. "[i]Rejected. While your reasoning may sound true, we are in unknown territories with an unknown race. Under no circumstances we can allow to split our forces, understood?[/i]" "[i]Yes, Sir![/i]" Sturm obediently accepted Sterbstahl's unofficial reprimand. Meanwhile an almost impossible thought formed within the Kampführer's mind. "[i]Leutnant Kranke! Your record states you received Class A mental shield training. Is that true?[/i]" "[i]Yes, Sir. But why wou-...[/i]" "[i]Leutnant Kranke, I order you to deactivate your psychic absorber, now![/i]" "[i]What?[/i]" Sterbstahl said something completely unexpected. "[i]But...affirmative, Sir![/i]" Refusing the order of a superior officer was almost unthinkable,Leonore had no choice but to comply. "Leonore, transfer all psychic monitoring rights to the sensory chief Obertleutnant Braun." "Understood! Transfering brainwave scanner and psychic field countermeasures to Oberleutnant Herbert Braun now!" "[i]Obertleutnant Braun, you have temporary control over our psychic defenses, do your duty and also pay special attention to Leutnant Kranke's readings.[/i]" "[i]Aye, Sir.[/i]" Braun replied, it'd take a minute but he'd be ready soon.

"[i]Sir, may I ask your reason?[/i]" Concerned, Leonore made this question. "[i]Yes. I have a reason to believe we're in a misunderstanding. Ixians used psychic communications to control and brainwash our people. But these xenos are not Ixians. My suspicion is that they are attempting some sorts of psychic interpretive communication.[/i]" "[i]Sir, you mean communication means that is past languages?[/i]" "[i]Indeed. This may also resolve our problem decoding the xenos language. Based on these two factors I determined you Leutnant Leonore Kranke as the best candidate for the job. Don't worry, if you were to taken over by them I swear to execute you personally.[/i]" "[i]Thank you, Sir.[/i]" Morteans never feared death but were afraid to fail their mission. Sterbstahl reassured Leonore that she won't compromise the ship's crew. "[i]Obertleutnant Krakne, deactivate psychic dampeners in the comms and listen to the xenos' message once over! This is your order![/i]" "[i]Yes, sir![/i]" "[i]Obertleutnant Braun I order you to monitor Leutnant Kranke as your top priority! Your duties as sensory chief are temporarily taken over by Leutnant Hauser.[/i]" "[i]Aye, Sir. I'll perform my best![/i]" Sterbstahl gave his orders. Now it was time to see what the aliens really wanted to say!

[quote=@Durandal]

[h3]Expeditionary Fleet Theros, IR1211 (5 years prior to current events)[/h3]
Fires burned softly against the backdrop of the night, illuminating scattered areas that had not seen destruction. In several cases the fires roared to stupendous heights, traveling hundreds of feet into the air as they consumed the fuel provided to them, spreading ever slowly. Rubble lay strewn about the concourse, shattered and cracked from the impact of the fall which had been facilitated by the personnel of the 43rd Expeditionary Fleet, Fleet Theros. Thousands of infantry strode through the wreckage of the once mighty hill, sifting through the wreckage in hopes of finding their prize: a magical resonance which matched no known signatures. Unable to utilize any form of scanning technique due to the interference, it was left to the hands and eyes of the Sakari to find the item.

Five ships broke through the cloud cover, repulsor engines flaring brightly as they decelerated from the atmospheric entry. Of small size, they were rarely-seen Netori-class frigates, used primarily for rapid troop deployment in large numbers, scouting missions, or in-atmosphere support. Already touched down were two Cantarin battlecruisers, although they had not disgorged their full load of troops onto the ground. Settling slowly, the three frigates ceased their movement, a small rubble accompanying the stop. Admiral Vostach watched the proceedings from atmosphere, gaining direct visual data from the psy-network, enabling him to observe in real-time unimpeded.

One of the bridge crew of his ship, a Dasius dreadnought named [i]Sin and Damnation[/i], approached him, bowing shortly before proceeding into her report.

“Two groups of unknown vessels have been detected by the passive sensors. I do not believe they have detected us for they lie on the opposite side of this planet, but measures should be taken in some form to either contact them or ensure our victory should the need arise,” she spoke. Vostach considered the situation carefully. Doctrine indicated that if any civilization were encountered weak enough to be overcome, they should be overcome immediately. If not, care should be taken to establish relations with the group, friendly ties that would enable victory in the future. It seemed it would be the second option.

“Very well. Crew, take us to the groupings. Fleet Theros, remain here until further notice.” With the order given, the [i]Sin and Damnation[/i] pulled away from the fleet and hurtled over the planet, moving towards the grouping of ships in the distance. Waiting for approximately 30 seconds, he then transmitted a radio message towards both fleets, “This is the [i]Sin and Damnation[/i] of the C’ran Dominion. May we request information as to your presence here?”[/quote]
"[i]Sir, I picked up masses of unique space-time distortions directly opposite to the planet! They don't match any known parameters![/i]" Leutnant Hauser, the new temporary sensory chief said. "[i]Are they similar to hyperspace exits?[/i]" Sterbstahl asked, considering their previous hostile encounter. "No sir! They aren't like anything we know!" Hauser felt ashamed but he had no choice but to tell the truth. "[i]Damn it! One after another! If it keeps up I may have to speak with the Kaiser to abort this mission. This is like a breeding nest of trouble! Order the fleets to send out 6 fighter squadrons to check! We can't risk endangering our colonists![/i]" With that 6 squadrons of altogether 72 fighters launched to scout the blind spot behind the planet.

"Sir, Grumbar Squadron reports they've picked up an unknown large ship, coming towards us! Shall they engage?" Second communications officer Kevin Jager said. He took over Leonore's duties while she was listening to the alien fleet's message. "[i]Of course not! Take evasive actions and continue with the mission![/i]" Sterbstahl quickly gave his order. Their defenses over there was far more than sufficient to deal with a single ship, whatever it is. "[i]Our sensors picked up the new vessels, type unknown, based on mass and energy signature readings it must be a dreadnought.[/i]" Leutnant Hauser said somewhat nervously. Becoming a sensory chief all of sudden took its toll. Having a powerful alien warship approaching them when by Mortean standards they were already at 'knife-fighting range' didn't help matters. "[i]Sir, incoming transmission from the unidentified ship![/i]" Oberfähnrich Jager told. "[i]No psychic brainwave signal with the new message. Leutnant Kranke's psyche is also still stable.[/i]" Obertleutnant Braun who recently took over their psychic defenses reassured the crew. "[i]Open the channel.[/i]" Sterbstahl ordered.
"[i]Lona Isono Ukufa C'ran. Kwangathi siyanicela ulwazi ngokuthi phambi kwakho lapha?[/i]"
As expected the message was in yet another foreign alien language. Sterbstahl almost wished this also had a psychic signature with it.

"[i]Send our standard first contact message to them..." Sterbstahl said, almost with a resigned tone. "Sir, do you mean the message we sent to the other fleet less than a hour ago?[/i]" "[i]Yes, just do it![/i]" This was the third new alien race they discovered within a single day. Sterbstahl was certain this day would be remembered in their history books. The only question was whether it gets a positive note.
Message was sent to the C'ran flagship Sin and Damnation which read as the following:
"[i]Greetings, this is the 1st Expeditionary Fleet of the Morte Empire! We're coming with peace and to claim the fourth planet on this uninhabited system.[/i]"
Of course the message was sent in Mortean but the C'ran technology would allow them to translate the contents soon.

[hr]

"[i]Oberleutnant Braun, status report![/i]" "[i]Psychic influence is active but negligible. All signs are clear![/i]" Braun stated. "[i]Sir, if I may?[/i]" Leutnant Kranke said, turning to Sterbstahl. The kampführer responded with a small nod. "[i]Your suspicion was right, Sir. It was an interpretive telepathic message. I listened to both transmissions a few times and wrote down their exact words. They are no aggressors, the other fleet also wants peace![/i]" Leonore said and turned to Braun who monitored his brain. "[i]She isn't lying, Sir.[/i]" Came the confirmation. "[i]I see. Display their message on our console![/i]" "[i]Aye, sir.[/i]"
/Hello there, I come in peace/
/I hail from the Tay'Ran Jik Democracies and I was sent here to find new territory. I see that you have occupied this system so I shall do no harm. I wish for cooperation between our countries. I have sent you the first contact package to your ships hardware. If you would like, I will send the diplomats onboard and five security guards to board your ships and conduct negotiations between our two stellar nations./
/I greet you in the name of the Democracies. I shall be honest with you./
/We are stuck. We have landed lightyears from our borders and for some reason, our ftl drives do not work in your borders. You have just met one of the most infamous enemies of my country. We are stuck here. We are stranded. I offer, as the highest ranking officer of this fleet, an alliance. Your blood will be our blood. Your wars shall be our wars. Your losses will be mourned as much as our losses. The blood of your enemies shall run. They shall be crushed under our United feet./

"[i]They are...quite eager, I think?[/i]" Obertleutnant Braun Heinlein said, surprised. "[i]Kamführer Sterbstahl, may I remind you this could be still just an elaborate ruse by the aliens?[/i]" Sturm said, still adamant about his views. "[i]I don't neglect the possibility, Stabskapitän Sturm. But they gave us enough reason to at least attempt negotiations. Oberleutnant Braun, keep monitoring Leutnant Kranke. Leonore Kranke, you will relay the following message:[/i]"

"[i]Greetings, this is the 1st Expeditionary Fleet of the Mortean Empire. Our past gave us heavy reasons to distrust psychic powers so we almost mistook your interpretive telepathy as a direct attack. That being said we've come with peace to colonize this uninhabited planet for our kind. We are open to negotiations and welcome your diplomats. Although considering our special circumstances and the sake of my crew, I wish to conduct the talks without psychic assistance. Our translators are already working to decode your language, combined with our interpreter devices we can soon converse on your own language.[/i]"