The battle if that even can be called ended without any surprise and faster than anyone could imagine.
But The Commonwealth is an empire built upon the ashes of warriors. Since the day the first ape grasped stick to this day Humanity was waging a neverending war. Defiant against all odds and ready to wage war against the entire cosmos. Fa'ennis understood that and are not only willing but happy to stand with Humanity against every foe.
Thuel checked all data and it doesn't make any sense. How Potatoes can hide so well but the rest of their technology is pure garbage?!
They destroyed all potato ships and some drones were sweeping the outer system. He committed all available resources for the recovery mission. His initial attack was calculated for maximum shock and he hoped many destroyed ships will contain this time some interesting findings. He checked the operation progress and was content. System mapping was 96% done and they will have to proceed with sampling on some promising asteroids.
Neural link implant demanded his focus and displayed information that two planetoids from the 201st Fleet in 3 hours will take over the recovery of Shadow ships. Supervisor just entered the system and also in 3 hours will reach this planet's orbit. Right now he realised he must begin the proper first contact procedure and oh God how he hated this part...
Elisabeth Windsor almost jumped on her armchair when she received a transmission from Ra'volta on the task force channel. The supervisor was almost here so this will be most probably her last mission in exceptional class. She opened com ready for punishment. She began the traditional formula of communication.
"TCF Ra'volta to TCF Freya, Lady Elisabeth?"
"TCF Freya to TCF Ra'volta. I'm listening Lord Thuel."
"Comandor Elisabeth I will be busy with finishing securing the area and will need Johan and most of the others to finish our task in the system. So I'm giving you Anna from destroyer Frost and Arthemis from Heavy Cruiser Warhammer. You will continue First Contact procedures."
She didn't expect that but He continued.
"In a few hours Supervisor will arrive so I want you to begin asap. This will allow us more flexibility since we will deal with it under Royal Family authority and not military."
Her face must look stupid now. Thuel however avoided eye contact with her. She received a quick message on a private channel from him.
"I beg you, Liss! I hate this stuff. The supervisor slowed down and will enter orbit with the 201st ships. It means he also doesn't want to initiate the first contact."
So Thuel didn't think she is a coward? If that's so, her dark thoughts can wait. She smiled and saluted:
"Yes Sir! Just officially introduce us to them."
Admiral Murrnal Bram saw happiness around him, all Cion regained hope. Our new Gods could easily destroy us if they wished but instead, they saved us all. They declined to take our children because they have the power to save us all. He was the last leader of his kin and he must do everything to make new Gods protect all that remain of the Cion race. 25 ships and a proto colony they established on this planet was all that survived- a bit over half a million Cions alive. Barren and cold planet but with a breathable atmosphere. They can't stay here but they might have to as 10 ships at any moment can lose hull integrity dooming all onboard.
With fear, he was admiring the elegant shapes of Star Gods ships. Many ulong long, with obviously weapon systems which technology was almost magic and mystery for him. What he should do now? He wouldn't dare to initiate communication as if it could offend them. In the happy atmosphere that engulfed his ship, he was thinking very very fast.
He has one good but desperate idea so far.
The communication officer sounded a silence signal on the bridge and everyone immediately focused on the screen. Admiral signalled everyone to do as he say. This might be their only chance.
Thuel was satisfied with the operation so far. It looks like some potato ships still have some atmosphere inside and that gives hope for survivors. And survivors mean prisoners for interrogation. Liss and her team were almost ready, Johan and his team were recovering the most promising wrecks, and drones were continuing the mapping system. He ordered a few Foxes to descend on Cat's planet and gather some intel.
"Lord Thuel my team is ready for initiating the full first contact procedure after you introduce us to Admiral Murrnal Bram."
Elisabeth informed him after a few minutes. Thuel smiled at his thoughts. 'I can dump this work on you Liss. This will be my little revenge for dumping battle on me.' Grandfather was most probably is preparing hell for him as soon as he return home. Lately, he told 'I can't allow Throne inheritor who also happens to be my Grandson become a political clown. Not on my watch.' so im doomed thought Thuel. But I can at least postpone this for a few next months until the end of this training.
Commonwealth policy on contacts with alien civilisations was actually simple- avoid. The only exceptions are contacts that potentially can benefit the whole Commonwealth but that never happened so far. The exception was Fa'enni's first contact initiated by Fa'enni themselves so that barely counts. Thanks to this policy deep in Commonwealth territories few races which didn't developed or FTL or even space flight were monitored. One day someone will have to tell them 'sorry guys but we didn't want to interrupt you.' but this day is still very distant.
It's not like we don't like other races as well.
A few times the Navy destroyed planetoids that potentially could destroy all life on their planets. It's just like Commonwealth does not exactly want to create Galaxy Federation 2.0 or share our technology with other races. We are the most advanced civilisation inhabiting this Galaxy.
Some internal hypocrisy alerts started ringing in Fa'enni's part of his soul only to be brutally killed by his human part saying: 'this makes absolute sense, chill out'.
He looked at his communication officer. She was like him Fáe- half Human, half Fa'enni. Her Mother was a Human medic serving in the 515th Army and her Father was one of the first true Fa'enni doctors. However, she didn't like the idea of being a medic herself and after military training and school that every single child in the Kingdom attend she chose the Navy Academy. Little to say she was an excellent student. All his crew was excellent and made it here fresh out of Academy.
"Communication. Establish transmission to the flagship of Cions."
"Yes Sir! It seems their communication systems are starting to fail." Lieutenant Rinn Frisá informed her Captain. Thuel nodded.
"Thank you, Lieutenant, for the information but I don't think we can do anything about it. Connect us anyway."
"Aye, aye Captain!"
Thuel focused on the virtual screen floating just before him. He was sitting on his command armchair and already connected Elisabeth to transmission. She will take over this conversation as soon as he introduces her. He saw Cion Admiral standing near his command console. He has Lion like hairy face with a magnificent mane with stripes of white fur on his head. He was looking like a humanoid almost pitch-black lion. He might be old.
Near him was standing at attention Cion woman with a fully human-like very cute face and once absolutely gorgeous human-like body with clearly black panther features like eyes and cat-like ears. She was not old but had many scars and even missing fingers on one hand. They all looked miserable but other than that his crew was absolutely right. Space Catgirls.
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Lieutenant Frisá nodded to him as a sign that the connection is working.
"Welcome again Admiral Murrnal Bram. I'm Prince Thuel Uriel Raven of Fa'enni Kingdom and Captain of Terran Commonwealth Navy."
Thuel smiled at them. All Cions looked into his eyes and kneeled. Strange manner of showing respect but that's Liss's problem in about two minutes. Admiral started with a very serious voice.
"Lord Thuel Uriel Raven. We the Cion people wish to plead fealty to you Great Lord, to the Kingdom of Fa'enni and the Terran Commonwealth. We beg you to protect remnants of Cion folk and we wish to serve you in any way you deem us worthy."
Thuel was blinking speechless. After a whole one minute of silence, he asked calmly.
"What have you just said?"
Admiral swallowed and replayed again pouring all remaining confidence into his words.
"Lord Thuel Uriel Raven. We the Cion people wish to plead fealty to you Great Lord, to the Kingdom of Fa'enni and the Terran Commonwealth. We beg you to protect remnants of Cion folk and we wish to serve you in any way you deem us worthy."
Admiral quickly glanced at Lord Thuel. He looked surprised.
"He can do that Elisabeth?"
That was an unexpected reaction thought Admiral. Another voice joined the conversation.
"Yes Lord Thuel. And you as Prince can accept or decline his plead. Technically you can take them under your protection and introduce them to Commonwealth later."
Lord Thuel was hesitating. But Bram knew the only thing he can do now was only kneeling and wait for his God's decision. He closed his eyes. No one in the command center dared for even louder breath. He saw many who prayed.
"I can decide la..."
"Impossible Lord Thuel" a third voice, a terrifying voice like the sound of war, destruction and raging fires sounded in transmission. "I checked the constitution and all laws related. You must accept or decline them right now."
Thuel closed his eyes and very slowly sighed. After another few minutes of silence, he spoke words all Cions prayed for:
"I Lord Thuel Uriel Raven noble of Terran Commonwealth and Crown Prince of Fa'enni Kingdom accept your pleas. Lady Elisabeth will carry talks on my behalf. I will join you very soon."
Admiral heavily breathed, tears wetting his eyes. They are saved.
Thuel was trying to comprehend what just happened. But now he must convince his Father and Grandfather the course of action he took is a good one. No, not good- the best one. Then he will have to convince his Mother which shouldn't be that difficult. He inhaled and exhaled. He wanted to laugh... His Father will kill him or have a laughing fest of the decade.
"Ra'volta compress all ship logs regarding the encounter with Cions and my personal notes and send them to my parents. Told them I'm ready to receive my punishment and only I am responsible for this entire ordeal. I did what I believed is in best interst of Commonwealth."
"Yes, my prince. At once"
Dark humour started overtaking him. 'Great! I'm Feudal Lord of space Cat Girls!'
"And that's how we ended here my Lady. If not for your intervention my race would be doomed." Murrnal Bram bowed to most probably a subordinate of his God who was looking at him from the height of communication display in silence.
Elisabeth tried to remain calm and she barely held. Thuel was right to intervene.
Cions got it worse than Fa'enni during the War of Salvation time. For 383 years they were hunted down, most probably captured or just killed with seemingly no reason and were always running, always afraid. They never were able to find out the fates of those captured by Jarta-vuri.
Cions were predators and capable warriors but you can't fight what you can't even see so they fled. From race once being 50 billion strong this last group of half a million remained. Their ships were in a such tragic state that it was absolutely miraculous they still remained hermetic to hold air inside.
And calling this mix of fumes and pollution could hardly count as breathable air. She was forwarding all data to Thuel. He should join them soon and decide what to do and in 15 minutes planetoids will join them as well. She received a fast note from Thuel.
"Admiral. Lord Thuel is about to join our discussion. He knows already everything we were speaking of so don't worry."
Bram shivered, of course his God knows and like Lady Elisabeth told Lord Thuel appeared. He kneeled before his God.
"Excuse my late presence. I had to report everything directly to Raven Rock and Dauntless. Admiral Murrnal! I know you have many questions but I don't know if I have answers. However, we must start preparations. I don't know what will happen in further future but I'm certain what closest holds. Cions can not stay in this system."
"My God we will do as you say!"
Thuel grabbed his head and started to ruffle his hair. He looked at Elisabeth in near panic and very calmly addressed the admiral.
"I'm not God admiral. I am mortal as well. Our technology is the most advanced in the known Galaxy but it's still science and knowlage. If you got a chance to understand it you would be able to do the same things."
Bram heard the beautiful laughter of Lady Elisabeth.
"Admiral, Lord Thuel for sure is not God. I'm certain we would saw something in his medical records. We allow you to call us Lords as we truly are nobles of our nation. But we vehemently reject the title you given to Lord Thuel."
No matter what they wish to be called they are Gods. But he confirmed obediently:
"As you wish my Lord."
Thuel panic recessed for now. He will owe one to Elisabeth after this. He started once again.
"I was about to say that TCF Victoria, TCF Assassin and TCF Dominator will enter orbit in 3 minutes. I have already asked Dominator for help during the evacuation. Admiral your ships are... mess. They are not fit for any kind of interstellar travel and we don't have time for repairs. But even if they could use their jump drives your ships are too slow and have a too short range to keep up with our ships during hyperspace jump. But we will not abandon them."
Murrnal Bram tried to understand his Lord but failed.
"Admiral in a few moments you will detect three Terran Commonwealth Fleet Carriers entering orbit. Do not be alerted." Thuel informed him.
Admiral looked at his crew. They were exhausted but stand proud to not disgrace themselves before their Lord. Sudden commotion erupted near the sensor and radar officer. In disbelief, he displayed on a secondary display monitor for all bridge crew to see new ships that entered the system. His own eyes must have narrowed from fear in the same manner his ears started twitching. If their sensors are right before them arrived three moons.
Such might and power at His disposal and he claims He is not God?! He who with a single word destroyed the biggest fleet of Jarta-vuri his race ever saw and claimed He is not God?! Admiral tried to remain calm and asked.
"What're your orders, my Lord?"
"TCF Dominator will approach your fleet and will open its hangars. Disable all weapon systems and simply don't touch anything. We will take control over your ships during the mooring procedure. However, for safety reasons, you will need to leave your ships and turn off every power systems on board. You will then enter safe zones shown by the crew of Dominator. We promise to keep you safe as long as no one tries to attack our marines. Special evacuation ships will be soon entering the planet to pick up all of your kin."
Murrnal Bram was relieved. Half of his people stayed on the surface and picking them all up will take a few more days. These enormous ships must have plenty of orbital shuttles at their disposal so even a few of them will make a difference.
But instead of small shuttles he saw five ships as big as one he learned was called Ra'volta exiting hangars of the ship that must have been Dominator. These ships accelerated at impossible speeds straight towards the colony while scared and surprised hisses were heard on Bram's bridge.
He also wanted to ask what happened? Such big ships will be torn by the gravity of the planet if they came any closer and with such speed but those ships defied all laws they knew as set in stone. One of them turned with grace in the atmosphere and landed light as a feather a few dozen of meters from the colony unfazed by terrain or tall hard trees that covered this part of the planet. Others waited and hung in the air. It happened so fast...
He heard his God speaking with someone invisible on screen.
"...they have good weather down there so that will be a fast run. 10 minutes to land and disembark evacuation teams, maybe two max three hours to load in anyone who wants get away from this rock and max 15 minutes for return. I don't think it will be a problem, my Lord."
"Thank you Ra'volta. I guess we can start mooring Cion's ships into Dominator. You sure you can do this?"
"Yes, my Lord. I already checked their systems. It will be hard due to the primitivism of their computers if anything else. I'll get them in one by one."
"Agree then. Oh, we were still online with Cions. Admiral, we will start the mooring procedure soon. Please inform your people and prepare for disembarking from the ships. You will not need anything, atmosphere, gravity and food will be prepared to meet your need. I advise against taking weapons with you until we will meet King and Queen or I decide otherwise."
"As you order my Lord!"
The transmission was terminated but the connection was still on hold. Admiral started giving orders to everyone on the bridge. He saw how his Lord ship disappeared inside Dominator. After a few more heartbeats he heard a familiar voice coming from audio devices in the entire ship.
"Welcome people of Cion. I'm Ra'volta, Mashine Spirit in service of Lord Thuel."
Rumour arose on the bridge. Spirit was serving his Lord and he claim he is not God? Unbelievable.
"Welcome Great Ra'volta. We commit ourselves to your guidance."
"Affirmative. Prepare for turning off rotation rings in 10 minutes. Your ship is in bad condition and many systems are strained over their limits. When I turn off rotation rings you will lose all your artificial gravity for about 10 seconds. Dominator will take over gravity control the moment you will enter his hangar. We are already en route. Please refrain from using manual controls."
We were moving?! He didn't felt anything and saw his helm crew was in shock. Ra'volta was piloting his battleship with knowledge and grace beyond its own creators. He truly was a powerful spirit.