Chapter 21:

On the bridge, Adam was sitting in the command chair, looking at the sensors, when the AI, which made him uncomfortable, spoke.

"Sir, I have run a diagnostic on all sensors of the ship and collected data on our exit point. We have nothing in our path. I do not detect anything in our path. We should exit slipspace in approximately five minutes and eighteen seconds."

Adams was a little annoyed by the AI's observation, as he did not trust it, but responded anyway. "Thank you, Morana."

In that moment, the main entrance to the bridge opened with the two admirals and three Xenos. Most Terrans didn't want them anywhere near their ships, but orders were orders after all. The AI turned to face them, giving a salute.

"High Admiral on deck!"

Everyone except for the pilot stood up and saluted. Aleks and Gregory returned the salute, while Adams moved to give Mihajlovich the chair.

"It's ok, Admiral, stay where you are. Admiral Grayback, you are taking second."

The Ape nodded, giving a "Yes, sir," and took his seat.

"Also, Morana, raise Commander Usui. I looked over the altercation; she will need to do extra hours and give a formal apology to Fleet Admiral Adams. I will decide further measures later, but now I want her on the bridge, and convey that I want her here ten minutes ago."

The AI nodded as Mihajlovich turned to the Xenos. "Welcome to the bridge of the TW Titan. We will arrive at our destination in?"

He looked at the AI, who responded, "Two minutes, sir."

Mihajlovich nodded and continued. "Ambassador, tell me about this system we are about to enter. What should we expect?"

The old councilor looked at him. "It is a trading hub, no inhabited worlds, one large docking and trade station, one defensive platform, and one or two patrol ships. This system is close to our border with the Fusar."

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Mihajlovich gave him a sharp look. "Should we expect a welcoming party, Ambassador?"

The old councilor and his companions exchanged glances, understanding Mihajlovich's implication. "No, High Admiral, nothing of the sort. They should be reading us by now."

Mihajlovich looked at Morana, knowing the AI would have informed him if they were about to land into danger. She made a gesture, moving her artificial eyes left and right unnaturally, signaling that she did not detect any danger.

"Very well, Ambassador. I trust you," he said, although he lied. Then he turned to the front of the bridge, walking up to the view screen. "Please join me."

Commander Usui stepped onto the bridge, only slightly out of breath, and saluted. Mihajlovich raised an eyebrow at her, wondering how she got there so fast. "Commander, take your seat," he said, gesturing to the third chair to the left of Adams.

She nodded, walking past the AI, who gave her a smile, and sat in the command chair. "Expecting slipspace ETA thirty seconds," announced the pilot.

Mihajlovich stood in front of the command chairs in the bridge's center, facing the empty view screen, the Ambassador standing next to him looking just a bit uneasy.

"Exiting slipspace in five, four, three, two…" the pilot said, as the ship made a hardly noticeable jolt as it exited slipspace.

"Sir, sensors detect only one station with a defense platform. No ships detected within the system," reported the sensor officer.

Mihajlovich nodded. "Get us a little closer and hail the station. They should talk to their Ambassador."

"Admiral, we are not in range. You should make a jump closer to the station. Comms cannot reach this distance," advised the communications officer.

"But ours can," said Mihajlovich with a grin. "Hail that station!"