A magnificent vehicle is cruising through the vast empty space. A spaceship, equipped with an experimental drive. It's a miracle that the ship didn't explode already. Though, it's better that it doesn't explode at all.

A spaceship fresh out of the production line. The TSS Explorer. An Explorer class, armored intergalactic science ship. Equipped with the newly developed Galactic Travel Drive, which allows for faster FTL travel, almost passing 89 parsecs/hour. This allows ships to travel between galaxies. It's still experimental, and expensive, and also unproven.

Which is why the TSS Explorer is on her maiden journey onto new galaxies. And the one commanding this precious ship is none other than Captain John C. Gonzales, and by his side is Lieutenant Max.

They were reassigned and given command of the ship after their discovery of the transmission. They are now heading towards a new and unknown galaxy, filled with uncontacted species, and untapped natural resources, probably.

"Y'know, Max. If we're doing something stupid as this during the war, we're all ready fucked" Said Captain Gonzales as he looks outside the bridge Windows. "I never got the Chance to ask you this, but, what were you doing during the war?"

"I was an officer at the TSS Milkyway, took part in many battles, and eventually got transferred to a patrol ship after the war." Max Answered.

"TSS Milkyway… I Heard that ship took part in exterminating several pirate colonies."

"Yeah.. The skull of the pirate lords was still hanging on the bridge when I got transferred."

The two were now discussing their plans after retirement, and talking about life in general. Captain Gonzales also found out that Max is a son of a wealthy CEO of a relatively well-known company. Suddenly, an officer came rushing to them and told them about the ambassador's situation.

"Captain, the Ambassador has returned to his professional side after 2 hours of being a caring father figure." The officer told the captain.

"That's good news. It'll take a burden off his secretary." The captain replied.

"The technicians and engineers on board also requested that we slow down to make maintenance on the drive and the engines."

"It's that time again huh? Very well. We're not that far from galaxia incognito now."

After that, the officer excused himself and went away.

"Well Max, I'll be excusing myself too." The captain said as he walked out of the busy bridge.

He was walking through the hallway when suddenly, a door to his right opened. And a red haired woman who has small black dragon horns and a huge bosom came outside. This is ambassador Hawkes's secretary, Madelyn J. Mandela.

"Fancy seeing you here Ms. Mandela" Said the captain, "why were you in the infirmary?“ asked the captain as he looked at the sign above the door.

"Ah, captain. I just went to grab my phone when I noticed that it was missing from my pocket." Madelyn answered.

"Are you going to the ambassador's office now? I'll accompany you" offered the captain as he tipped his peaked commanders cap.

"No, I'm going to my quarters. I'm tired"

"Then I shall accompany you there"

The two of them began walking towards Madelyn's private quarters while making small talk, with the captain occasionally flirting with her.

Eventually they both were in front of Madelyn's room.

"Ah right, I forgot to ask you this. When you have free time, can we get lunch together?" Asked Gonzales.

"Hee~ is it a date in the cafeteria?“ Madelyn teased.

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"Well, I wanted to get to know you better and have lunch with you"

"Fufu~ so you wanted to know me better huh?“ said Madelyn with a mischievous smile. She grabbed the captain's arm and pulled him inside her room.

"Wait! You're tearing my arms apart!" Protested the captain as he is being dragged in.

Afterwards, Max couldn't find the captain anywhere, not even in the captain quarters. Looks like he'll need to represent the captain during the first contact protocol briefing. It's been a while since he took part in a first contact mission. Back then, many species were, depending on their stance, wiped out after first contact.

It's for purely strategic reasons. No one wanted a species who would most probably align themselves to an enemy state, supplying said state with materials and military installations. So, the only logical thing to do is to wipe them out before they could pose a real threat.

Lieutenant Max sighs as he remembers his first time taking part in a first contact mission. He was ordered to blow up their planet after negotiations broke down. The planet was destroyed, and the universe moved on. No one questioned why the planet was destroyed. After all, in this galaxy, the strong will always prevail. And will always rule the weak.

He eventually found the meeting room and proceeded to enter. Inside, there were ambassador Hawkes, several officers, and some engineers. All of them are sitting at a round table, where a hologram of the president will appear.

"Good evening, ambassador" Greeted Max as he sat next to the ambassador.

"Ah, Lieutenant. Did you by any chance see where my secretary is?" Asked the ambassador when he noticed the lieutenant.

"No I didn't sir, on the contrary, did you see the captain anywhere?" Max replied, and asked a question of his own.

"No I have not, lieutenant. Also, just call me Hawk, like everybody does"

"Very well, Hawk," Max nodded.

"But seriously, why did she just disappear in a moment like this? She's supposed to know about this stuff" The ambassador said whilst fidgeting. He must be very nervous because of his secretary's absence.

"Yeah," He sighed. "The captain said he was going to be in his room. But I couldn't find anyone there"

As the two were conversing with each other, a small hologram appeared in the middle of the roundtable. It was the president. And the last briefing for this first contact mission has started.

After the greetings and introductions once again, the president recites the special first contact procedure, only for this mission.

Max was familiar with the first contact procedures, and the 'special' procedures were just the normal procedures with some parts changed and rewritten. Terra is also switching from a wartime first contact procedure, to a peacetime first contact procedure. So, it was understandable as to why everyone is a little bit nervous and having 7 different discussions about this.

The 'special first contact procedure' are as following:

Communication. Communicating with the leadership of the contacted species to negotiate for a meeting and to search for a possible ally.

Technology exchange. Depending on the contacted species's technology level, technologies exchanged from Terra will be limited and/or outdated.

Cultural exchange. Understanding each other's culture and touring the species's homeworld (optional).

Announcement (optional) . Announcing the population of the contacted species and informing them of a successful first contact.

That's pretty much it. Max prefers the wartime procedures, as it was more simple and straightforward, roll up with warships and make demands from the contacted species. If they refuse, their home world gets obliterated. Simple.

"That would be it, gentlemen." The president said, looking around the room. "Any questions?“

"Here, madam" An officer raised his arm, "what do they look like?" He asked.

"They called themselves….Elves. Which is also a nickname for one of humanity's subspecies." the president replied.

"That's interesting, we found a humanoid species." An officer with long ears, an 'elve' spoke up. "Under the Declaration of Human Rights, any humanoid species that has two eyes, two arms, and two legs are considered human. And the government is obligated to protect and provide welfare for them" He added as he laid back in his chair, hands crossed, ".. And by protection, I meant annexation of their homeworld."

Everyone in the room went quiet, some were looking at the officer who said that. While some are looking at the president's hologram, waiting for her response.

The declaration of human rights was old, very old. It was rewritten multiple times, back when humanity genetically engineered a subspecies of their own. To their first contact with extraterrestrials.

"Well.. We'll see." the president finally spoke. The officer nodded.

"Well, then. Any other questions about this first contact?"

Many people raised their hands, making a big fuss.

Hours passed, and the meeting soon ended.

Max was heading to his room. Before going there however, he took a small detour to the captain's office, just to see if the captain reappeared. He did not.

So Max just gives up looking for him. He'll return by himself eventually, this isn't a planet, but a spaceship with limited space. Although the ship is huge, it also has a full security system. These CCTVs were installed just.. Last week. So Gonzales should have been seen in the cameras.

Max judges that the captain being missing is a huge problem. And seeing as he is the second in command of the vessel, he took control temporarily.

He got into his room, changed into casual navy uniforms and jumped into the soft bed. Every Time he sits on this bed, he has a feeling of instant drowsiness, and this time is no different. The lieutenant fell asleep, just like that.