"Very well," Runacres answered thickly. "Let's hear what our.. .hosts have to say." He looked over to Quinn. She nodded back, her jaw firm. He selected the command frequency, and a deep, rumbling accent could be heard speaking.
"...urgent that-ah I talk-ah your leader. Please connect-ah me with your commanding general." Silence cut with static.
Runacres looked around the flag bridge and inhaled deeply.
"Fleet Admiral Runacres of the Tellurian Legion Space Force," Runacres broadcast. "Identify yourself and by whose authority you speak." The circuit was silent for long seconds as the radio signals flew across the wide distances.
"Fleee Ad-ah...miral Run...aakerrs," the voice returned, hesitantly. "I am Mistress Kateos, speaking for Et Avian, Prince of House Ollant, and-ah the konish people." More silence, as if the speaker was intimidated by her own responsibility.
"We have come in peace," Runacres said, initiating the conversation. "Why have you made unprovoked attacks upon us? Over." Seconds dragged by.
"The answer to your question is not-ah simple. It-ah take time to explain, and-ah the explanation can be saved for a more better time," replied Kateos, her voice firmer. "We have stopped our attack. Do not-ah continue your attack on us. Please respond-ah."
"We have not attacked you. We are defending ourselves. Over."
"Over? Ah, yes. That means it-ah is my turn to speak. It-ah is sometime difficult to tell the difference between attacking and defending, Ad-ah...miral. I ask that-ah you demonstrate your peaceful intent-ah by halting forward progress. Not-ah all of my people are convinced you come in peace. Cooperation will serve to illustrate your peaceful intent. Please respond-ah, ah . . . over."
Everyone on the bridge looked about with amazement.
"We will cooperate, but you must have your ships turn back immediately, or we will be forced to open fire. Over," Runacres replied.
"The recall command has been sent-ah to the interceptors. You will see them terminating attack momentarily," Kateos replied. "...over."
Runacres looked at Wells, certain that it was a trick—a trick to hold the fleet in subspace long enough for their interceptors to close.
"Tracks show a slight deflection, Admiral," responded the harried tactical officer.
Runacres stared bullets at the situation plot.
"Course changes are increasing, Admiral. They are reducing forward speed and swinging away!" the tactical officer reported.
Runacres watched hypnotically. He could detect the course changes, evident even on the larger-scale situation plot. Runacres forced out a lungful of metallic-tasting air.
"How do we know this is not a trick, and how did you learn our language?" he asked. "Over." More time than usual passed.
"We do not-ah deserve your trust-ah, Ad-ah.. .miral," Kateos finally replied. "I hope that-ah we will demonstrate a more peaceful behavior in the future...so that-ah you will grow to trust-ah us. You are wise to be cautious. The leadership of my planet is experiencing grave challenge. It-ah is our intention to conduct-ah diplomatic communications with you as soon as we stabilize our governmentah. It-ah will take many days. I have been told to inform you that-ah you should not-ah perceive our apparent confusion as a weakness. More interceptors are being prepared. That-ah is what I was told to tell you.
"As far as learning your language," the alien's voice became enthusiastic, "I have had-ah excellent teachers, Nashooa Hudsawn and Sharl B-Bru...B-Buu...shar...B-Bruusharry. It is difficult for us to say. Lieutenant Sharl is the leader of humans on this planet.. .Over."
Runacres recognized the names of the corvette officers and looked worriedly at Cassy Quinn. Buccari in command meant in all likelihood that Jack Quinn was dead. The distraught officer stared at her feet, a constellation of tears floating about her face. She straightened and dispersed the water globules with the back of her hand. She looked at Runacres and smiled bravely.
"Those names are important to us," Runacres continued. "We are anxious to recover our missing crew. What can you tell us of their condition? Are they safe? Over."
"Their condition is unknown, although we have reason to be concerned-ah." The alien's voice became serious. "A military party is attempting to capture them. That party is led by an officer swearing allegiance to the same leaders that-ah conducted the attacks against-ah your fleet. It-ah is likely they are in danger. Over."
"What can be done to help them? Over."
"Very little," Kateos responded. "We are sending numerous messages to the soldiers, but they refuse to acknowledge receipt of orders."