The bridge of the Imperial Diplomatic Ship Emperor Chutan was a flurry of reports and statuses. Having just dropped out of warp was always a busy time, moreso with this being the first diplomatic mission alongside the Sovereign Vessel Persephone.

Reports came flooding in

“All sensor frequencies clear or friendly Captain”

“Engineering reports all systems green Captain”

“Standard entry hails only, we’ve been assigned an intercept”

“Navigation put us on the intercept, comms forward the path to our escort, All other stations standard alert, we’re in neutral territory best not to spook anyone” Captain Aveli listed off the initial orders. Easy job today, show up eat some food, don’t start a war. The Etrani were warming up to the idea of a trade deal they just wanted a state visit from the royal house. This trip would also serve as a shakedown for the ship Lillian had bought.

Suddenly the sensors officer was talking over everyone “Captain the Persephone is launching sensor drones” “tac com shows them headed for a passive net pattern” Comms added

Shit shit shit, Lillian wasn’t a diplomat she didn’t know her paranoia was a major insult. “Are they at least stealth models? Maybe the Etrani won’t see them”

Comms responded “Even if they are, half of them are broadcasting on public sensor channels, she’s not even hiding it.”

“Get that dumbass on screen” The captain ordered while glancing at her hand, a cordite ring inscribed with all of her vital and personal details, Name, Rank, Next of Kin, Nanite Generation, all information that would be on dog tags, etched into the single most expensive material in the galaxy.

Quickly a video of Captain Lillian showed on screen, Long red hair, a grease stained jumpsuit, and was that the warp core behind her? “Captain Lillian of the Sovereign Vessel Persephone how can I help you… AVS! What’s up? Trying to make dinner plans already?”

“I wish, why are you launching sensor drones? If the Etrani see them they’ll think we don’t trust them to keep to diplomatic procedures.” Aveli asked barely holding back the urge the slap the human that hadn’t even bothered setting her wrench down before answering the comms request

“I don’t, that’s why I’m here isn’t it? Otherwise the Emperor never would have approved a foreign capital ship fleeting up with the crown heir’s personal flag ship” Lillian counted off while refilling what looked like a fire suppressant tank “Anyway it’s fine, they’ll complain I’ll pull the public channel drones back, I’ll have a network and they’ll get a diplomatic win.” Lillian put the now clearly fire suppressant tank back in the ceiling her arms and back flexing tight as she shoved it into the holding cage “everyone’s happy and I don’t have to worry about the pirates on that “empty” station swinging by unannounced. Besides even if they are insulted the Persephone is technically it’s own polity, I’ll just bribe them a fusion generator and call it a day”

Aveli knew that would technically work, but it was a cludgy and brutish means of diplomacy. The human had a tendency to swing exclusively between, you are one of mine and I will strip my hull plates to defend you, and I don’t trust you, no I won’t leave my sidearm on my ship even on a temple world.

“You know that’s going to put this meeting on a bad foot right?” Aveli asked the human that was now washing her face with… ETHANOL? Rocket fuel? Better not to question that decision

“Don’t care, if they didn’t want people being worried about backstabs they shouldn’t have let the pirates set up shop in system” Lillian responded slipping her own Cordite ring back on, Aveli had asked once why she never wore it while working on the ships only to be told to “google” the word degloving. Aveli stopped being offended after that search.

“Fine, just don’t pick a fight with the pirates” Aveli admonished

“As long as they aren’t slavers or hitting medical convoys, I know the rules” Lillian responded with a smirk

“Any way why were you refilling fire suppressant?” Aveli asked, despite knowing she shouldn’t

“Well you see…