[Open] Meanwhile, in a Certain Acruani System...

[Archene]

Andromeda


Nondisclosed Location


Acruani System, QT-314


While a variety of things happened through the galaxies, whether it sounded quiet or not to people relevant to such events, the Acruani System QT-314, had no such special things happening. There were small mining ships no bigger than small cargo ships going through a considerable asteroid field that dotted the outer edges of the system. Beyond them, only a strings of satellites absorbing solar energy for the system. Their sheer number quite noticeable specially with sensors.


In fact, given extensive use of sensors one would quite easily notice quite a lot of things in the systems, but before anything they would notice a very important thing, a message that ran in several languages from Colonial standard to the obscure Zz'trit language. It was a simple message a mere and simple, "This is an Acruani System, please refrain from unrestricted scanning and the use of weapons."


Regardless, even visual sensors could see that the system had half a dozen planets planets having a varied number of moons, and at least one of the planets needing nearly no terra-forming for proper habitation to be done.


@Lordvader59

 

[Lordvader59]

Suddenly, on the edge of the system, 8 ships left hyperspace. It was the First Grand Vadian Exploration Task Force. These ships had been sent out to make first contact with the outside world, and had jumped into the system detecting faint signal pulses. The squadron consisted of 5 Exquisite class science vessels, and a military escort of 1 Koran class escort carrier and 2 Hallings class heavy frigates. Aboard Exquisite, the lead science ship, the bridge crew was watching anxiously.


   "Captain, we've dropped out of hyperspace, shall I begin scanning for signals?" Darenia Rhodes, the chief signal officer began. 


   "Yes, immediately." The Captain, Leran Hitt, replied, and the scan began. The message was quickly intercepted and understood by all on the bridge in several different languages. "Lieutenant Rhodes, open a comms channel, system broadcast."


   "Yes, sir." Darenia pressed a button, and Leran began.


    "Hello, anyone who gets this message, I am Captain Leran Hitt of the Vadian Imperial Navy. If you here this, it means you are the first form of intelligent life we have encountered, please respond so proper first contact can be made." 


With that, Darenia hit a button which broadcast the message on all know frequencies throughout the system to any receiving transmitters. @Archene

 

[Archene]

On a particular frequency, similar to the one the system wide message had been repeated on loop, a response came after a small period of time.


"This is Overseer Valera of the Acruani Collective. This is system QT-314 of the Acruani Collective. We peacefully greet you, you are free to conduct non-harmful first contact procedures."


General scanning would reveal that the system is quite full of ships of small size, specially at its outer asteroid field. While no planet seems to be considerably colonized, there is a moon covered in metallic white structures within range of the scan orbiting the outermost planet. The planet itself is just a gas giant with several moons and a thin rings. @Lordvader59

 

[Lordvader59]

On a particular frequency, similar to the one the system wide message had been repeated on loop, a response came after a small period of time.


"This is Overseer Valera of the Acruani Collective. This is system QT-314 of the Acruani Collective. We peacefully greet you, you are free to conduct non-harmful first contact procedures."


General scanning would reveal that the system is quite full of ships of small size, specially at its outer asteroid field. While no planet seems to be considerably colonized, there is a moon covered in metallic white structures within range of the scan orbiting the outermost planet. The planet itself is just a gas giant with several moons and a thin rings. @Lordvader59

"Greetings, Overseer. Do you have any ports at which our vessel can dock? We'd like to meet you face to face on behalf of our Empire." 


@Archene

 

[Archene]

"The Acruani are a cybernetic race, however, we can meet at one of our stations where we may meet personally. Please, wait momentarily at your current location." If their sensors were capable of noticing anything, they'd be able to feel an energy fluctuation from nearby that one metallic moon followed by the a what seems to be an egg shaped silverish structure of nearly 14 kilometers long from the most distant edge to the other.


"A section of the station has been prepared for our meeting to occur. You may dock any ships you wish at the designated location." A location was transmitted, it just looked like a standard external dock, with some duct that'd let them walk into the station. All they had to do was dock, and walk in. Possibly check the conditions of the air in the duct connecting to the station, which would show them a healthy combination gases. At least, for humans and most races. The temperature was at a cool 20 Degrees Celsius (68F).


@Lordvader59

 

[Lordvader59]

    On the bridge, Leran turned to Darenia. "Start transmitting our coordinates. If something happens to us, I want the Empire to know." With that, the signal began to transmit. The Exquisite docked with the station, and, as the airlock filled, the doors opened and Captain Leran Hitt of the Imperial Navy became the first Vadian to set foot on the territory of another intergalactic power. He crossed with a few science officers and an armed contingent of guards. "Greetings." The captain spoke as he entered the station. " I come in peace on behalf of the Vadian Empire, who is the commandant of this station?" @Archene

 

[Archene]

Inside the station at the end of the duct there were only three silverish beings. The three looked at most like female humans covered by some mirror-like substance. Though human-like, their proportions were similar enough to even say they may have come from the same mold. The one in the middle stepped forward before saying, "Again, this is Overseer Valera, responsible for all interactions with the current Acruani system. I am responsible for all within this system. Are you Captain Leran Hitt? If so, or a valid representative of your flotilla, would you prefer a conversation in this hall, or in an proper room within the station?"


@Lordvader59

 

[Lordvader59]

Leran looked around. "This room is fine I'd suppose. The most important question I must ask is, is this your first contact with life outside your own empire? Are there others?" @Archene
Back on the ship, Darenia opened up a new comms channel to begin transmitting information gained from the discussion back to the Empire. 

 

[Archene]

Leran looked around. "This room is fine I'd suppose. The most important question I must ask is, is this your first contact with life outside your own empire? Are there others?" @Archene
Back on the ship, Darenia opened up a new comms channel to begin transmitting information gained from the discussion back to the Empire. 

"There is a classified number of nonspacefaring sentients and an also classified number of spacefaring national entities beyond the Acruani Collective." The Acruani promptly said, "Proeminent mentions in this galaxy currently available free of charge are only the Drathian Fylkirate, the Loroi Empire and the Humans in Andromeda. Though currently, the later two are members of the Acruani Collective. However, I must mention that, the Acruani Collective is not classified as an Empire currently."


There is a brief pause even as the Acruani across the hall remain still, almost as if staring at the visitors, "If you require more information, we require that you volunteer more data to the Collective. We have simplied galactic maps and basic technologies to offer given that exchange is equal."

 

[Nyq]

Location:Somewhere near the northern Han borders
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A small Resistance fleet was seen fleeing from their pursuers:a massive Han fleet composed of a dreadnought,three battlecruisers, five cruisers,ten destroyers, thirty frigates,fifty corvettes,and hundreds of fighters.The green ray of the enemy's fusion lances tore through the Resistance ships with relative ease,since their shielding has long gone offline. Staring at the massive Han dreadnought,the Resistance Commander sighed in despair as he knew that his fleet would end here,but he wasn't going to go down like that. Every ship is a valuable asset towards the Resistance,even if it's just an long outdated Han ship. To save the remaining ships of the fleet,the Commander ordered the ships to commence a random slipspace jump. A jump that would still not change the fate of the small fleet,but would mean the New Han Empire's first contact with one,or more advanced alien species.
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Location:Unknown
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The Resistance fleet exited slipspace,only to find a few small mining ships floating around in a system,and satellites orbiting the system's star. Initially,the Commander thought that this was a previously unknown Han system,until they received a broadcast in several different languages that they didn't understand. The freedom fighter was confused,and immediately assumed that this is a new spacefaring civilization that has barely reached anywhere beyond their home system,since every single Han system was guarded by military ships,and has hundreds,if not thousands of orbital defence satellites.The Commander's thoughts were disrupted,as the enemy exited slipspace right in front of them,with their fusion lances more than ready to rip the Resistance fleet into shreds. The Commander shouted in a mix of anger and despair:"  幹! (Fuck!)" as he prepares to embrace the fate lying ahead of them. The green death rays of the Han fusion lances hit their targets as presumed,vaporizing the remainders of the pesky Resistance fleet. Just as the fleet prepares to return to report the victory against the Resistance and also the sighting of another primitive civilization(The Han had the exact same views about the system as the now dead Resistance Commander), a broadcast of several different languages was detected by the computers on board of the ships.
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"操他媽的！ (Shit!)" cursed Commander Zhang as he knew that this would be a first contact with an advanced alien species.
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@Archene
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[Death Korps of Krieg]

Just as the Han warships destroyed their targets, another newcomer has arrived. Or, to be more, will be arriving shortly. The 127th Explorator Fleet of the Altaran Protectorate, made up of 40 Star Seekers, 5 Purifier Star Cruisers, 4 Elthras Destroyers, and a single Adunir Star Crusader. Their arrival was like the thief in the night. Blue mists lit up a small area of space around 3 space kilometers from the system's edge, right before a group of gold, blue, and grey starships warped in. 


"Praetor, this system appears to be of Acruani possession, judging from the message that constantly runs here. It appears that this is one their more underdeveloped systems. And... wait... We are detecting something. Two non-Acruani fleets are here. Both of unknown origin. Orders?"


"If this is an Acruani system, then we might as well assume that the Acruani here have more or less established contact with them. For now, tell the fleet to stand by."


Just as ordered, the fleet just stood there and did nothing.

 

[Archene]

A fleet of hundreds of ships, even if most of them were fights, was still a fleet acting hostile in an Acruani system. Hostile to the point that it, not only fired inside their system, and even destroyed another fleet! Their messages continued to cycle through the languages, surely it'd eventually get to theirs, or something close enough. The message, however, changed slightly, and this specific message was directed to the Han fleet, "This is an Acruani System QT-314. Further combat taken within will be considered an affront to Acruani sovereignty. Power down your weapons and identify yourselves."


At the same time, a flotilla of thirteen ships jumped not to far ahead from where the Han resistance was shot down at. Though it'd be hard if not impossible to identify them anywhere beyond simply capital ships due to their outwardly simple, egg-like structure, the thirteen ships all have over half a kilometer long from their most distant edges, with one of them reaching just slightly over two kilometers. All of them have some shiny silver platting that would give on most systems distinctively energetic signatures. However, beyond that and the shields the ships had on themselves, there were no energetic signatures so it was plausible to assume that their weapons were down. Unless the whole surface of the ships were a single big weapon, which would be a ludicrous idea even by Acruani standards.


@Nyq


Having signatures that the Acruani were more or less familiar with to a certain extent, the Altarani were considered non-hostiles, in general at least. Thus they were properly and formally greeted, "While we would like to give a more appropriate greeting, we are currently dealing with an unknown warfleet. Please refrain from interfering with use of weaponry. If you wish to trade resources or information, please direct yourself towards the nearest station."


@Death Korps of Krieg

 

[Nyq]

Location:Still unknown
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​

Commander Zhang watched as several egg-like ships jumped into view,with their messages still being broadcasted to the Han fleet. According to the ship's sensors,the unknown ships are only as large as 1 to 2 kilometers and their weapons are offline. The commander grinned as this would mean that the new race encountered are primitives.
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"前方艦隊為落後民族所屬，可別失了禮數。(The unknown fleet belongs to a primitive race,please don't forget you manners)" ordered the commander just moments before they finally received a message in their language.
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"此行星係為雅庫蘭尼所屬之QT-134行星系。在此行星系內進行進一步戰鬥將被視為蔑視雅庫蘭尼主權。請立即關閉你們的武器系統，並表明身份。( This is an Acruani System QT-314. Further combat taken within will be considered an affront to Acruani sovereignty. Power down your weapons and identify yourselves )"
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"別傷了他們的尊嚴，照著他們說的話做吧。(Don't hurt their ego,just do what they say.)"ordered the commander,seeing an opportunity to integrate another new race into the empire."還有，跟他們說我們要跟他們對話。(By the way,tell them we would want to have a small talk with them)"
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Soon enough,the Han fleet sent out a response:"這是後漢帝國第八十二艦隊，我們希望能與貴艦隊指揮官對話。作為吾國友好的象徵，我們將派出一艘護衛艦來迎接貴國使者前往吾國黃河號無畏艦談判。 (This is the 82nd Fleet of the New Han Empire,we would like to communicate with the commander of your fleet. As a symbol of our friendliness towards other races,we would send a corvette to escort your envoy to our dreadnought:the HSV Huang He in order for both of us to negotiate.)
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@Archene
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[Death Korps of Krieg]

The Altaran flagship, the Nordr, recieved the message first before the rest of the fleet. The Praetor nodded to the message of the Acruani before sending back a reply:


"Understood. For now, we will only stand by until our warp engines have recharged."... 


The Praetor stood over the holographic control panel before he was called upon by a technician... The fleet are having some problems...


"Praetor, one of the Star Cruisers have cut off communications with us. 6 of the Star Seekers and two of the Elthras destroyers have also done likewise... Wait, they are opening fire at us!"


In case one was wondering why this was happening, this fleet has just come from a nasty cybernetic attack from one of the ancient Altaran imperial space stations, causing corruptions in the AI's of a few ships. With a few exceptions, all Altaran warships are AI controlled. No wonder they always have to deal with rogue AI's each time they find the technological vestiges of the dead empire. These AI's have been frequently corrupted by the sheer passage of time, and while many are ecstatic to meet their organic comrades after nearly 20 millenia, others are corrupted and are psychotic destroyers that have to be purged before they cause any havoc.


"I knew it... after such a terrible cyber attack from another of our ancient rogue stations, its no wonder that some of our AI's have been corrupted. The ancient technology of our ancestors have always worked out wonders, both good and bad. Our scans initially showed that they were alright... damn it. Destroy them before they cause any more damage!"


"As you command! Fire main batteries, destroy the rogue ships!"


The Explorator Fleet starships trained their laser batteries towards their former comrades, and tried to tear them apart. Blue and orange beams lit up the rogue starships, before they returned fire and began to delicately evade each attack, borne from being amongst the ablest combat AI's in existence.
 


While doing so, they sent a message to the Acruani - 


"We apologize for this ruckus, but it appears some of our own ships have gone rogue..."

 

[Archene]

As soon as their response came, the Acruani replied, "We will be sending a shuttle with our envoy to meet with the commander of your fleet." True to their words, a relatively small shuttle left their ship, only slightly bigger than what a heavy fighter of another race may be, but clearly lacking any weaponry. Just shields and propulsion. Yes, shields. If escorted, the shuttle would surely arrive at the Dreadnought. Inside the ship, there was only a single silvery human-shaped synthetic. Much like the ones discussing with the Vadians at the Hive Queen/space station. Synthetic that would exit as soon as it arrived at the Dreadnought for proper diplomatic interactions.


@Nyq


"May your engines properly recharge soon." The Acruani replied initially.


Though there was no change in the system's activity once the Alteran ships began fighting each other, the Acruani soon replied to their later message, "That is understandable. If the ships are unmanned and expendable, allow us assist you."


@Death Korps of Krieg

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"That will be highly appreciated...", replied the Praetor as he watched the Star Crusader try to catch the swift rogue Star Seekers with its anti-ship lasers while the rest of the fleet pursued the rogue Star Cruiser and Elthras Destroyer. "We are having a hard time chasing them, with our engines still exhausted and all..."


Outside, the fleet struggled to score a hit against the rogue ships due to their engines still recovering from their jump.

 

[Nyq]

Commander Zhang watched as a shuttle the size of a fighter drone approached the Han fleet. A corvette was sent to escort the small ship to the HSV Huang He,which the commander is located in. The alien envoy shuttle reached the dreadnought with no problems,and soldiers were sent to the docking bay of the ship to greet the guests.
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The airlock opened to reveal a female,except that her skin looked like glass. The commander extended his hand for a handshake:" 你好，我是後漢帝國第八十二艦隊指揮官，張望國。(Nice to meet you,I am the commander of the 82nd Fleet of the New Han Empire, Zhang Wang Guo.) "
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@Archene
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[Archene]

Understanding the gesture, the Acruani extended its hand to shake the commanders. If ungloved, or wearing gloves thin enough, it wouldn't be hard to notice the coldness of the Acruani's hand. It didn't just look metallic, it even felt like metal. "Greetings, Commander Zhang Wang Guo of the New Han Empire. I am Overseer Valera, responsible for the system QT-314 of the Acruani Collective." Even though its voice mimicked humans in many ways, from its pitch to its tempo, there was still something uncanny in its voice, "We currently lack data on the New Han Empire, so forgive us for any misunderstanding. However, we must ask you for the reason to fire weapons in Acruani space without due warning, and if possible, the ones that were shot down." Not that they wouldn't recover the remains of the fleet that was destroyed, unless it was collected.


@Nyq


"Please wait as a flotilla is recalled here." It took nearly three minutes for a small flotilla to appear, 13 ships as usual, though this time all of them had at most half a kilometer. While 2 of them seemed to be the basic Acruani communication ship, the other 11 seemed to be the equivalent to cruisers and the like as they began firing their ionic cannons at the rogue ships.. If not able to fry their systems, or at least shields, the least they could do is to take away attention from the Alteran fleet.


@Death Korps of Krieg

 

[Nyq]

'It's voice sounded off......sounds like a machine.' thought the commander as he listened to the words of the being in front of him,before deciding to reply:"哦，你是在說那個嗎？我們只是在剿滅一些叛徒而已，不用擔心。(Oh,you mean that? We are just hunting down some traitors,no need to worry about that.)"
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The commander smiled to hide his doubts,as he continued to question himself:'Could it be a machine? No,any race that has the capabilities to create synthetics are definitely advanced races. Judging from the size of their ships,they couldn't. My judgement must be right.'
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@Archene
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[Death Korps of Krieg]

The Acruani ships had a degree of success against the rogue ships, but some of the shots were evaded by the swift Star Seekers and Elthras Destroyer, but the Star Cruiser caught more hits than the rest. The rogue ships then turned away from their former comrades and then faced the Acruani starships. With that, they charged forth and spewed out laser fire. Behind them, the Altaran explorators stopped their pursuit and instead began to lock their aim at the rogue ships, seeing that the attention has been drawn way from them by the Acruani ships.


"Thank you for your assistance... We would like to give something in return after this fight is over..."

 

[Lordvader59]

"There is a classified number of nonspacefaring sentients and an also classified number of spacefaring national entities beyond the Acruani Collective." The Acruani promptly said, "Proeminent mentions in this galaxy currently available free of charge are only the Drathian Fylkirate, the Loroi Empire and the Humans in Andromeda. Though currently, the later two are members of the Acruani Collective. However, I must mention that, the Acruani Collective is not classified as an Empire currently."


There is a brief pause even as the Acruani across the hall remain still, almost as if staring at the visitors, "If you require more information, we require that you volunteer more data to the Collective. We have simplied galactic maps and basic technologies to offer given that exchange is equal."

"If you would like, we have a detailed map of our local Cluster we are more than willing to exchange for a galactic map. I do not have the authority to transfer Vadian technology to you however I can contact my higher ups about a possible technology trade." At this point Leran stopped, pulled a holocommunicator, which was buzzing, out of his pocket and pressed a button. A small image of Darenia flashed to life. "Captain, we're picking up multiple fleets exiting hyperspace in the system, what's going on?" Leran looked up to the overseer "Are you aware of the unknown fleets currently engaged in this system? If you are under attack, I'm sure our fotilla escort, though small, could be of some use."

 

[Archene]

"We find an exchange of maps the most pleasant. A general galactic map of Andromeda for a detailed map of your local cluster. In regards to technological exchanges, we understand that it may be a slow process that requires mutual trust, we have time." The silvery figure in the center seemed to smile brief before answering the following question, "One of them was a fleet chasing down traitors to their nation, who fired in the system despite our warnings. Their traitor's fleet has already been exterminated, however. The later is a wandering fleet dealing with rogue AIs, due to the later's lack of care in regards to radiation before entering our system. We are currently helping them to deal with the rogues. There is no need to worry. Their organics are currently safe. However, we are thankful for your offer." @Lordvader59


Only a rogue AI would attempt to use lasers upon Acruani ships. Not only the the Acruani ships refrained from doing evasion maneuvers, the three ships in the vanguard of their formation clearly attempted to take hits for the ships behind them. The lasers, however, seemed to not be very effective against their shields as even after all the shots, the shields remained nearly as well as they had been ever since they were brought online.


Given that the Star Cruiser had taken more hits than others, its shields should be down by now. The wonders of ionic blasters. With that, the Acruani ships, to be more precise, the two Acruani communication ships in the back began attempts of cyber attacks on the Star Cruiser, and later on the Elthras Destroyer. If not to take control of the ships, to in the least damage their system enough so that they would not be able to properly defend.


"We will be glad to accept rewards for our efforts once the fight has ended." @Death Korps of Krieg


"We understand, however we request that in the future, your nation refrains from making use of weaponry or excessive scanning in our systems as they may be considerably disruptive to our standard data collection procedures, and our policies of peace and asylum." the Acruani replied, "Do you have enough clearance to do proper contact procedures with us? Given our lack of data on you, we would be glad to obtain basic historical and social data so that we may properly interact in the future." @Nyq

 

[Nyq]

"後漢帝國所有艦隊指揮官皆有與外星民族進行外交活動的許可。(All commanders of the Han fleets have the clearance to engage in diplomacy with alien races)" The commander cleared his throat before continuing. "至於有關於我們的歷史及民生的資料，我現在就傳過去。(As for the information regarding our history and social structure,I'll send it to you now.)"
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As soon as he finished the speech,the commander typed a few commands into his portable computer,while waiting a few moments for both systems to synchronize with each other,and sent the data to the alien being. The data contains the history of the NHE from it's humble beginnings as the Yihetuan,the genocidal war with the Jugsar,the SMTC fleet's arrival at Andromeda,the uplifting of the Guins and various other species,until the Gorstak uprising.It also had details about Han mannerisms,culture and norms.
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@Archene
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[Death Korps of Krieg]

The Star Cruiser's attacks slowly became more and more pathetic as the Acruani comm ships cyberattacked it, but this time, it used its rocket launchers to attack. It fired its solaris rockets unceasingly until its systems finally faltered, having succumbed to the cybernetic doom it faced.


The Elthras Destroyer, in the other hand proved to be more resilient. As Elthras Destroyers are more modern than Star Cruisers, they have been hardened better against cybernetic attacks. The Destroyer, accompanied by the rogue Star Seekers, began to charge towards the largest Acruani ship, clearly attempting to ram it while the Star Seekers provided it cover. In the meanwhile, the Explorator Star Crusader behind launched its own cyberattack on the Elthras Destroyer, hoping to help stop it in its tracks.

 

[Archene]

Almost half of the rockets managed to hit the shields, the other half being shot down by some sort of point defense laser system, though it may be a tad bit too strong for point defense against projectiles like those. The shields that were brimming with power before, were clearly weakened, though they remained active.

The good part about having a ship ramming towards another, for the one being rammed at, is that it'd be less likely to properly attempt to evade. The bad part is that even then it was likely that the ship would not be stopped and that it'd get a whole ship rammed into it. With the possibility of decreased evasion rates, all of the Acruani ships suddenly focused laser fire upon the destroyer, rather than shooting haphazardly all over it, all the shots were focused at nearly the same point in the front with incredible precision. Hopefully that'd would help them break through the shields, and destroy the ship in time.

Death Korps of Krieg

* * * * *​

"So you are truly a power originated from Milky Way's Earth." The silvery said briefly after the data had been transferred to it, "And your people's culture is also quite interesting. We are also thankful for your past attempts of bringing less advanced races into a new level of technology." To think that a race would disclose so much information about themselves this easily to a newfound race. Maybe the Acruani merely met certain nations that made them think that such event was unlikely.

"For the information given, we will be giving relative similar data." And thus, a transmission began from the Acruani ship to the Han ship. It contained Acruani 'recent' history. Everything that was considered 'common' knowledge from their epitomious meeting with the Keltaken Emperor and the formation of the IIA to its more recent fall after the war against the invaders. Even if the data only contained events of galactic and intergalactic importance, it was still quite full of information. Specially, it noted the 'public' systems of the Acruani collective, them being some systems scattered along Triangulum and Andromeda (and some locations that are probably somewhere along the Magellanic Clouds) as well as a far larger number of systems being called the 'Humans of Andromeda' and the 'Loroi Empire' even while both were numerous times denoted to be a part of the Acruani Collective.

In regards to mannerisms, cultures and norms, it was noted that Acruani were in general glad to help organics, glad to incorporate synthetics and glad to maintain peace in all of their systems. They usually just adopted the cultural norms of the people they were interacting with.

Nyq