Chapter 2 – First Contact


--The Ecaz.--

"Sir! Sensors have detected a large artificial structure around the fourth planet!" An officer shouted.

Admiral Brian sprinted over to the sensor station with Micheal following behind closely.

"Show me."

"Aye sir."

The screen flashed once and a station appeared with several smaller stations near it came into view.

"Does it match anything in our database?"

"Negative, sir." The officer replied, "Wait a second sir." The image on the screen disappeared and was replaced by the image of a small probe. "Sensors have detected a small object heading towards us. It is broadcasting a repeating signal. Putting it on speakers now."

"This is the United Nations Space Command Station Fryberg to alien ships, you have entered UNSC space. Please identify yourselves. We will not attack you. Please respond. This is the United Natio..."

"I think it's a greeting message sir." Suggested Micheal.

"Send the message down to the communications lab." Brian ordered, turning around he addressed Micheal. "Do you know what that was?"

"I could only understand a few words sir. If I was to guess, it would be an offshoot of Galach. All I could pick up was identify and attack. Sir, I think we have encountered a lost colony of humans that has a form of Galach. I suggest we remain at battle stations until we figure out what they want."

--Bene Gesserit Command Ship--

Reverend Mother Kethve stayed absolutely still while the message she had just heard played itself in her mind again. She knew exactly what it said, but her other memories could not confirm that this ever happened in history. Humans never built any structures like that station, and there never was a group called the UNSC. Something had happened beyond any comprehension.

"Captain Setros. Inform the fleet it is to jump to the suspected co-ordinates of Chapterhouse. And have a ship scout the area of Rakis."

"Yes mam." He said. "Comms! Relay the message now. We jump in the hour."

--On board The Ecaz--

"Admiral, the communications lab has found a match for this language in the archives. It is called English. The problem is that the data is not complete." An ensign informed the Admiral.

"Were they able to translate the message?" Admiral Brian asked.

"The translation is incomplete, but it seems as though we have entered into the territory of the United Nations Space Command. They say they will not attack us and ask us to respond."

"Can we?"

"In a way sir. The response won't be perfect."

"Taken into account ensign. Tell the communications lab to send a copy of the translation protocols to each communications server in the fleet. And inform me when they're ready." Ordered the Admiral.

"Aye, sir" The ensign moved over to his station to begin the transfer.

A few minutes later the Admiral's display flashed. Tapping the flashing icon the ensign he had just spoken to said, "The server is ready sir. If you would like to dictate your reply we will try and make sure the translation is correct."

"Well done ensign Begin recording. 'This is the Leader of House Ecaz. We have no intention of attacking you. We would like to have a meeting to establish relations with your House or group within the next two weeks. Please respond on this frequency In your language. We are transmitting a basic dictionary on another frequency. Please respond if you can find it.' Send it by me for approval.

"Aye, sir" was the response.

A few minutes later the icon began flashing. Touching it the ensign spoke. "Sir, here is the finished copy. Changes were necessary. We believe we do have the closest replacement words."

"Fine work ensign" encouraged the Admiral as he looked over the script. "Comms, open a channel over all frequencies."

"Channels opened sir."

"Affirmative" replied the Admiral standing up. "This is the Leader of House Ecaz to the United Nations Space Command. We have no intention of assaulting you. We would like to have a meeting to start relations with your House or group within two standard weeks. Thank you respond on this frequency in your language or ours if you can translate it. We are transmitting a basic dictionary of our language on another frequency. Thank you respond if you can find it."

--UNSC Fyberg--

"SIR! We have an incoming transmission through the probe, putting on speakers now!" An officer shouted.

A male voice filtered through the speakers. "...der of House Ecaz to the United Nations Space Command. We have no intention of assaulting you. We would like to have a meeting to start relations with your House or group within two standard weeks. Thank you respond on this frequency in your language or ours if you can translate it. We are transmitting a basic dictionary of our language on another frequency. Thank you respond if you can find it."

Commander Johann looked at the speakers quizzically. "Joan, did you understand more of that than I did."

Smirking Joan replied, "Yes sir. I have picked up their transmission for the dictionary and have started preparing new translation protocols. If you wish I can give you a proper translation now."

"Thank you Joan. Put the translation on my console." Said Johann.

"Aye sir. Here it is."

Looking at his console Johann read the new translation. It said.

TRANSLATION

"This is the Leader of House Ecaz to the United Nations Space Command. We have no intention of attacking you. We would like to have a meeting to begin relations with your House or group within three weeks. Please respond on this frequency in your language or ours if you can translate it. We are transmitting a basic dictionary of our language on another frequency. Please respond if you can find it."

END TRANSLATION

"Any response from Fleet Command?"

"Yes sir, the reply was just received. You are ordered to do what you deem necessary and a diplomatic first contact team has been dispatched." Said the Communications officer.

"Tell Fleet Command that their message has been received." Said the Commander, "Joan, I need to reply to the aliens. How far are the new translation protocols to completion?"

"Nearly done sir. I should be able to translate a message to them now if you want to. Their language is surprisingly close to modern English." replied Joan.

"Understood. Comms open a channel on the frequency used by the aliens."

"Channel open sir."

"Joan, I'll need you to translate on the fly. You have my authority to translate and adjust my voice to sound like me."

"Understood sir."

Standing, Johann approached the edge of the dais and started speaking. "To the leader of House Ecaz. This is Commander Samuel Johann of the United Nations Space Command. We accept your offer for a meeting within three weeks. We have also detected to dictionary you have been transmitting. In response will will send ours on a frequency slightly higher than this one. As the ranking officer in this area of United Nations space. I welcome you to our territory." Finishing his speech, Johann told Joan to send their dictionary to the aliens.

--In orbit of Rakis--

The Bene Gesserit ship Srhesta exited foldspace after an uneventful journey. The commanding officer quickly ordered all power to be sent to the scanners to search for worms. Two hours later he had found what he was looking for. He quickly ordered his ship back to the command ship.