Sector 13

The Taam Yim assumed a posture intended to look casual, not taking action to reduce the hull area exposed to the Venterran ships. Tiro answered the message from the Himiko’s Revenge.

"This is the frigate Taam Yim of the Treecuu Star Empire. I am special emissary Tiro. We are on a diplomatic mission to establish contact with the Venterran Federation, as per the new foreign policy of the Senate. We have estimated that your fleet, designated by you as the 501st, is the closest Venterran presence. I can assure you that you have nothing to fear from the Treecuu Star Empire. There will not be any hostilities between us unless you choose to initiate them. We wish to contact your officially recognised political government."

Tiro managed to keep a neutral tone, despite the upset atmosphere on the bridge. The Treecuu were mostly used to dealing with the subdued civilisations within the Empire, called subject species, and they rarely dared to threaten their overlords.

Captain Eeract clenched his fists. "Com, have the ships approaching the Yim-Lootuu System stopped or altered course?"

"They have either masked or are outside the range of our sensors" responded the officer at the communications console.

"Has Command stopped relaying their echoes from our long-range assets?"

"Affirmative."

"That can only mean that they either have lost lock or don't want to reveal continuous tracking by relaying the information to us."

Tiro raised one hand to interrupt the bridge officers.

"Don't forget you're on a diplomatic mission now. Our military will deal with them as they see fit."