Sector 13, 2 AU from Taam Yim
501 Venterran Strike Fleet, Flag ship, Himiko's Revenge

“Commander Kensei, the unknown object has stopped 1 AU* short of our interdictors’ effective range and has transmitted a message stating their compliance and what are believed to be diplomatic codes. They have also requested an audience with the Fleet.” Said Himiko, the Ship’s AI.

“I see,” murmured Commander Kensei, “Himiko, get me Lt. Magan on internal comms.”

“Understood sir, one moment please.” Responded the AI as she disappeared from the monitor.
Shortly afterwards a small display popped up on the Commander’s screen with the Lieutenant in question.

“Commander, Communications Officer Lt. Dezrek Magan reporting for duty sir.” said the figure saluting through the display.

“At ease Lt.” replied Kensei. “I need you patch a secure line of communications between the Himiko’s Revenge and Forward Unto Dawn. I’d like to speak to Commander Kobayashi in private”

“That can be arranged sir, but what about our response to the Treecu message?” asked the Lieutenant.

“Don’t worry about it you’ll receive a message from Himiko regarding the response. In the meantime, ensure that no one eavesdrop in the conversation between DSERF 723 Fleet Commander and I.” said Kensei sternly.

“Sir” the Lieutenant said as swiftly saluted and disappeared from the display as another one popped up revealing the face of the Commander of the 723^rd Deep Space Exploration and Retrieval Fleet. A pale skinned humanoid with black hair and purple eyes.

Sneering through the DSERF Commander spoke, “501^st Strike Fleet Commander Akira Kensei. What’s an elite commander from the Federation doing so far out in space? Shouldn’t you be pushing pencils back in The Last Hope of Ceres? Or telling off some midlevel captain for recklessly disregarding orders?

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t put me in the same categories as those old fools who abandoned us during the Wako system incident,” replied the Commander in a no-nonsense manner

Izana smiled, “Right, I forgot you hated those pencil pushers back in High Command. Nonetheless it’s rare to see you contact me just before the rendezvous. Did something happen?”

Kensei grimaced, “Yes, there’s a Treecu vessel that claims to be on a diplomatic vessel, stopped 1 AU from the effective field of my interdictors. They’re requesting an audience, but I have no intention of stopping for negotiations.”

“And did you want my fleet to interact with them instead?” asked Izana.

“Negative, I’m contacting you because I’m appointing you Rear Admiral of the combined=” said Akira before he was interrupted.

“Hold on! We’re equal ranks, I don’t recall subordinating myself to you Kensei. Or did the Higher ups order that.” Said Izana coldly.

Kensei sighed as he replied, “Let me finish, Izana. You’re not my subordinate with the appointment, this will only distinguish us from each other. You will also take charge of the rest of the fleet and chart a course to the target planet. While I deal with these diplomats. I’ll be taking my ship, the Assault Carrier, Himiko’s Revenge, her Carrier complement of 10 Estella-C Frigates and an interdictor, the Lockheart.”

“Are you sure? As one trained in the diplomatic corp, wouldn’t it be more prudent to have me interact with them instead?” she asked.

“No, dispatching you would interfere with my orders to get you to the system. By ensuring that you are protected by the fleet while I ascertain the motives of these Treecu, we can kill two birds with one stone.” Replied Kensei, “Besides, you’re not the only one to receive basic training in diplomacy Izana.”

“Fine, I’ll let you deal with the diplomats and accept the appointment to Rear Admiral of the Venterran Combined Exploration Fleet. However, you owe me a drink for relegating me to a subordinate position Akira.” Izana said before she ended the heavily encrypted conversation leaving Kensei’s monitor with a map of the situation.

The AI, Himiko, reappeared on the screen and spoke, “Sir, shall we relay a reply to the Treecu?”
“No we’ll let them know I will meet them at their current position after we enter slipspace, and Himiko, tell our Xenolinguists to analyze the any response and update your translation software with respect to their language.”
Himiko nods, “Understood sir, any other commands you would like to inform the fleet before I transmit your orders?”

Akira grins, “Yes, inform all ships under my command that  DSERF 723 Fleet Commander Izana Kobayashi has accepted her appointment as rear admiral of this fleet. They are to follow her orders and escort her to the designated planet. The interdictor Lockheart will still remain under my direct command in addition to our complement and will sortie with us to the Treecu vessel.”
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A short period later in Slipspace**

“Himiko, open comms and relay the following message to the Treecu.” Said Akira as he continued, “Attention, Treecu vessel, Taam Yim. The Assault Carrier Himiko’s Revenge and Interdictor Lockheart has been dispatched to your current position. If you have business with the Venterran Federation, the Captain of the Himiko’s Revenge is willing to listen to your message while enroute to your position.”
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*AU= Astronomical Unit, the distance between Earth and Sun
**Slipspace