“MY LORD! MY LORD!” The ensign was as most ensigns are, small, skinny and filled with a little too much enthusiasm. His cries carried throughout Lord Maelon’s chambers, disturbing the beautiful silence.

“I SWEAR ON ALL THE GODS IF THIS ISN’T AN EMERGENCY I’LL HAVE YOU DRAWN AND QUARTERED!” The abruptly awakened Lord boomed as he threw open the door.

“Your Lordship, we’re dropping out of warp. We’re going to be right on top of the signal!” The ensign stammered, the words falling out of his mouth. “Knight-Commander Kennick has asked for you on the bridge.”

The Lord smiled, his bathrobe falling open. 

—————————————


“Shields up, red alert.” Lord Maelon commanded as he strode onto the bridge, his crisp blue and gold uniform freshly pressed. “Commander Kennick, ready your squadron. As soon as we drop out of warp I want them flying in a defensive diamond around the New Dawn. Have the marines standing by with their boarding craft. Have we any idea if they are Human or sub?”

“Not yet, sir. And it is already done. The ship and crew stand ready.” 

“Excellent.” Lord Maleon responded flatly as he took his seat in the command chair. “Lieutenant Hackitt, give us the countdown till the drop.”

“In ten” the young officer called from his place at the propulsion console, “nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Dropping out of warp.”

“Sir, we are picking up ship signatures from a number of small vessels!” Lieutenant-Commander Tadik called from the comms console. “Bio-signatures detected! Sir, they may be human!”

“Hmm,” Lord Maelon’s fingers rapped against the gold and ivory armrests of the command chair. “Scan for weapon signatures on all detected vessels. I want to know if they are any military vessels present. When you do that, I want you to lock weapons on the largest and most heavily armed. If they are not human then they will be made to understand their sub-human nature before we depart… You have all that Mister Kennick?”

“Aye, M’lord.” The Knight Commander said before barking orders to the various department heads on the bridge. 

While the New Dawn was a large and sophisticated exploration ship, it was not a warship. It was equipped with various weapons systems, however these were only meant as defensive measures. House Maelon's naval doctrine leaned more heavily on fighter craft and boarding parties than on offensive weapons capabilities. On-board the ship was complement of Knights who had been knighted by their Lord personally, and they would fly the New Dawn's fighters or lead marine boarding parties. They were ready to fight and die for their Lord, no matter what. 

“Lieutenant-Commander Tadik, prepare to send out a broadcast to anyone in the area.” Lord Maelon said, rising to his feet.

“On your word M’Lord.” 

Lord Maelon stood, his feet together, hands folded folded behind his back, upright, and puffing his chest out ever so slightly as to bring attention to all the bits, baubles, trophies, and ribbons that decorated his uniform. 

“Hello, I am Lord Danton Maelon, head of the House of Maelon of the Ederian Sovereignty. I come as an appointed ambassador of the Sovereign and noble council of Edyr. We come peacefully, and only as fellow galactic citizens. Please, if it is at all possible, contact us. We will leave this channel open.  I repeat…”


[@Dragonruby]