In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 226):

"I am open to suggestions. If you can finish exploration quickly, then mapping these systems to allow patrols to keep them clear of pirates would be of great benefit. But it is a matter of timing. If you think you can complete it in a couple of months, then do so. Otherwise, you should make all haste to Sionnach in Thalassa, and from there head along the border of Vilani space, looking for another way into Vilani space as the Jaques Cartier was charged to do. So it is really your call. Both missions require a similar fitout, as you will need the survey equipment to chart your way through uncharted systems."

Indeed, although the Mining craft can probably be left here for another fighter. We have accomplished a lot, we'll finish the survey and report back here before heading out to find the Cartier. Are we cleared to join in with SURPRISE and Mirotvortzev?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 228):

"Of course. Since you did not get time to survey the system properly, you should conduct a long range survey in order to jump into the system. Whether you wish to accompany them into the system is up to you, but obviously let them handle the military side of things if possible. Especially since the Surprise is a lead vessel of a planned 4 strong class, and we are keen to evaluate her in combat."

Dastavka resupplies and departs with the other two ships.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 230):

The small fleet that set out for the hostile system consisted of the two warships, the Surprise and Mirotvortzev, a Crocket class ship Jeremiah Jones and the Dastavka. The Samson goes with them to 1738, the fledgling colony where Dastavka was shot down, where the fleet stops to resupply while Dastavka surveys 1836 to prepare for the jump.

Given the information from our last jump in, plus updates from 1738, Dastavka is able to create an accurate system chart.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 232):

Whilst not a permanent system map, which usually requires a week long in system survey, it is not hard to create something sufficient for the jump.

The jump proceeds as planned. Once again, the small system ship moves to challenge the arrivals, but quickly withdraws when it has had a chance to successfully evaluate the newcomers.

However, the withdrawal is temporary. It soon becomes apparent that the inhabited planet in this system is not the one around which the patrol vessel was found. Fighters of an unknown manufacturer, similar to Vilani but inferior in that they use batteries, swarm defensively around what must be the home planet even as they attempt to hail you.

"Identify yourselves!" they demand, in parely possible Low Vilani.

A signal from the warships asks you to handle negotiations.

We are Humans who seek trade not war, we withdrew rather than attack your guard vessel a few weeks ago. we come now with force enough to give pause, so we can talk. We mean no harm, have no desire to upset your government nor oppress your people. May we meet in Peace?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 234):

There is a pause, before the reply comes.

"You do not appear Vilani. You may land on the condition all of your ships land, and do not leave until we permit you."

The Surprise initiates a private conversation via a laser beam communicator.

"We are not about to surrender our ships and tech to unknown species."

[OOC: Diplomacy or influence rolls would be in order for any attempt to try to deviate from what they are asking, with appropriate penalties (-2 for language...Low Vilani is clearly not their native tongue, nor yours, though your best is pretty good. A big unknown penalty for cultural differences will apply as well. PO Svebodnoe has an effective Diplomacy of 8 in this situation, but I will allow any of you to roll on her behalf. But I will need guidance in what you are asking her to convince them to do/allow.]

We are not Vilani, our relations with them are very poor. All my ships will not land, but will hold here in place, I will bring my ship down to speak, but we will allow no one on or near our ship with out my permission and escort, we will afford you the same courtesy. If we can make a peace treaty, we can then relax our guards. PO Svebodne may also speak. What is your native Language?

Computer translator is on and recording.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 236):

Your attempts at diplomacy seem to upset them, and while Natalie's attempts to smooth things over do not succeed, she at least does not make the situation worse.

The discussion proceeds, but it soon becomes clear that if you delay until the fighters reach the fleet, all ships will be forced to land. You manage to count 120 fighters, which sensors indicate are all armed with a single beam weapon and a single missile launcher. A second wave is launching from the planet.

While they are fast, the distance between you indicates you have a few minutes to act. Surprise suggests that the warships make a micro jump to the other side of the system, and leave you to negotiate if you are comfortable with that, but they note that if negotiations go badly, it may require a major war to recover you.

Let's all micro jump, we will then negotiate from a distance.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 238):

The rest of the fleet do not take a lot of convincing. Setting the destination to be the most distant Gas Giant visible, you all activate the hyperspace drive. As always when you enter hyperspace, the trip is expected to take a week.

As the week draws to an end, you prepare to exit hyperspace.

All, scoop fuel and start processing. we may yet need to jump out.

To the Locals -
We did not come to fight nor to be pushed around by hordes of ancient fighters, we said we chose not to fight, we could kill vast numbers of your primitive fighters, but choose not to. Now do we work toward Peace and trade, or will you again try force?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 240):

When you exit hyperspace, there are an array of 240 fighters in two groups, backed by three larger ships, waiting not far from where you exit.

After you exit hyperspace and make your transmission, they hold position.

"We have no problem with you if you are not Vilani, but we fear for our freedom if the Vilani hear about us. That is why we consider it imperative that no ships leave the system with information about us. We do not want to fight you, but we must do all we can to stop you leaving."

We are not Vilani, not Allied wither,in fact we have fought them multiple times.  We work for Andrew Kalishnakov, a very wealthy business man and are allied with the humans  of Chrysolite and other planets the Vilani would have to pass through to get here. Plainly we would be at war with them well before they were a threat to you.
If our ships do not return, expect a major battle fleet with power well beyond anything you posess. Then, the vilani will no longer be your concern. It seems obvious we would make much better allies than enemies. We are also a source of much more modern equipment. We will not be held against our will, it violates all we have fought for.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 242):

They take some time before answering, but the fighters do not move.

"The Vilani have always crushed all before them. We do not know of humans nor Chyrsolite, but our best defence has always been our remoteness from them and their lack of knowledge of our existence. If you are friends, what can you do to maintain that?"

Kalishnakov has a major shipyard in another system; he can build more advanced ships or teach you how ... I cannot speak for him, but friendly relations will go far to reassure him he does not arm a potential enemy.  Unless you know of systems we do not, the Vilani cannot get to your system without coming through us. Last heard, internal leadership friction had centered their attention away from conquests and their concern over Human expansion is also inclined to keep them preoccupied. Are they able to reach your system some other way than making 7 separate jumps from their outermost system 'Saris'?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 244):

There is another long delay, before a voice answers in clear Low Vilani.

"They are not able to reach us directly, as far as we know. But last we heard about them they were quite happy to go through a lot more than a civilization or two and a hand full of systems. Tell us more about the current Vilani political situation...it has been a few hundred years since we broke off contact with them."

Well they have had a major, 200 years long war with the expanding Terran Confederation which they did not win. Peace treaties have been made, but trust levels are low. Some Vilani Leaders want tor recover their position and honor by going back to war. Other saner heads argue hat the killing was not in either powers favor and that the Imperium needs to progress scientifically to restore it's position. A tenuous Peace exists last we knew. We left the Terran Confederation, went through Vilani space with some issues and arrived here to create a place where we could be free of the bureaucracy that invariably comes with peace and which creates taxes on taxes.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 246):

"You have defeated the Vilani Imperial fleet? I strongly doubt it! Send us some details of the battle...they have laid waste grea civilizations before, so the best defence against them is to be not known by them."

Laughing... No, WE did not defeat the Vilani Imperial Fleet, The Terran Confederation did, we fought as a very small part of that effort.  The Vilani have indeed laid waste to civilizations, but they were defeated in many battles by confederation forces, not just one and asked for Peace talks. They are very resentful, but also very wary of the confederations power.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 248):

"Of course YOU did not defeat them, but such a great battle must surely have footage. We are asking to see some evidence that you hae indeed defeated the Imperial fleet, not just a small provincial fleet."

The voice is a little annoyed.

Whilst your history archives do document battles where the Vilani lost, intelligence suggests that they were far from the Imperial Vilani battle fleet, but rather a relatively small provincial fleet.

We have some records of Skirmishes, but not the great battles you seek.  We are not a Library ship. I would not mislead you, the Vilani are still strong, but not as dominate as they once were.  I think it unlikely that they would expand this way, but if they do, it will be a fight; will you fight them with us or alone if we lose?

*WE ASK - Do any of the other ships happen to have better historical records than we do?*

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 250):

"Fighting them is futile. I mean, how many planets does your empire control should you become involved in a long drawn out war? Or do you have the means to capture and hold a couple of hundred planets? We do not want to exist in any war involving them. In fact, we do not want to exist in any records at all. That is the whole point of this standoff."