Summary: The Fourth Expeditionary Fleet

FORCE OF DIPLOMACY The Fourth Expeditionary Fleet was on an important mission. It would turn out to be the most important mission they’d ever been on. They just didn’t know that yet. ******* Three months ago, a large number of Faster-Than-Light (FTL) jumps occurred in an uninhabited region of space. The probable cause of the arrest was criminal activity of some kind. After all, no government would set up any supposedly secret. testing in a place so obvious. Admiral Madera and his crew were prepared to destroy the series of large bases that were thought to be operated by pirates. But when they reached the first system on their list, something was very wrong. Radar indicated that most of the system’s activity was on a rocky planet, instead of
Suddenly, the comms officer propelled himself into the room. “The X-rays have already translated our language!” Madera nearly choked. Translating an alien tongue that was fast unheard of. “Well, open us a channel!” “Of course, Admiral.” A few seconds later, a voice was heard. “Hello, can you hear me?” Madera lifted the microphone and answered. The “Hello. I am Admiral Madera, representative of the Confederation. I welcome you to the wider galaxy.” It was the standard welcoming for a new species, although usually it needed a dozen linguists and several weeks to translate it correctly. “I am Jeremy Douglass, General Secretary of the United Nations and a representative of all mankind. I hope cooperation between our species will be profitable for all of us.” Madera was shocked. They brought a member of their government to First Contact? I’m glad to hear this. I will answer all your questions, but before that, I have a couple of questions of my own. To figure out what role would best suit you.” “Of course. Ask whatever you wish.” “How did you decipher our language?” “Well, I suppose your data set was easier to decipher than