by Max Barry

Latest Forum Topics

Advertisement

Post

Region: The North Pacific

Aningem atron

The syca wrote:

The sleek, narrow hull of the destroyer efficiently pierced the calm sea as the ship executed it's 86° turn to starboard, setting a course directly towards Aningem Atron. "Alright, keep it at cruising speed, we don't want to seem too threatening to our new friends" commander Karen softly commanded, clarifying her wish to maintain their 18 knot cruise as she waited for the response from the nation they were heading towards, "Let's just hope they accept our requests" she thought to herself, leaning slightly to the side on her left leg. It took them a few minutes of waiting, but finally Karen's headset came to life again, and the sound of the Aningem Atron Private chimed through. Karen allowed herself to smile as he began to speak, but her expression soon changed to one of confusion as the man asked for confirmation that she was not lying. She kept listening, wanting to hear him out completely before making her statement on the matter. After the man had finished his breach of his own protocol, an act which she disliked, but decided to ignore completely, Karen finally spoke up, "Greetings once more, Private. I can assure you that I, my crew, and our ship serve the Imperial Navy of the Syca Empire, however if you do not take my word for it, the fact will be made obvious once your patrol vessel reaches visual range for confirmation." Karen decided not to indulge the private's personal inquiry, as it was a self proclaimed breach of protocol. Instead, she turned of the transmit and addressed her bridge crew, "Alright, increase power and accelerate to 37 knots, same heading. We will be met by a small patrol vessel from the natives, and I believe it best to reach them as soon as possible. Thank you" she gave her orders in her usual respectful, calm and polite manner, and after receiving the usual round of confirmations, Karen went back to her communication with the Private. "Private. If it is possible, I would kindly like to request to speak with your local commanding officer. If not, then we will continue our course until we make contact with your vessel. Please inform me of any developments. Good day, Private." Karen ended the transmission, waiting for a response from the private or his superiors.

"Think they'll want to meet us?" Lia suddenly asked, breaking the moment of silence, "I do hope so, dear, I do hope so" Karen kindly replied, waiting for what was to come.

"Copy that, I will arrange for Corporal Pritu Bohuli to take over communications. She should be back soon." Marco sighed deeply.
"Really awesome, Pritu. What a first impression.", He mumbled to himself, as the phone in the room sprang to life.
The Corporal returned to the station soon after. "I trust you did nothing stupid, Private?"
"Actually... Well, we got a call. Our fellows at the station fifteen miles to the south spotted that destroyer, too. They were kinda mad we did not call the Bureau right after initial contact and did so thenselves. Also, the ship's commander wants to talk to you."
"Do they now, huh? Give me the headset." With that, she quite forcefully took Marco's headset, pushed him away and started transmitting, audibly annoyed.

"Corporal Pritu Bohuli talking. The young Private said you wanted to talk to me. Probably, the Bureau of International Affairs will take over communications soon, though. Anyways. Looking at the radar, your vessel is approaching a field of sea mines. I advise you to halt your course and await the Atronian patrole boat currently on your way."

Meanwhile, in Atronia City...

"Yes. ...yes, I will come. Get me the fastest plane available and gather what you can about that 'Syca Empire'. ... Yes. Thank you. See you in Ap'Karmom."
Jahi'la Ihihe hung up her phone and put on the cap on her fountain pen. She shut her laptop and stuffed it into her sling bag.
She stood up and approached the sink in her office, washed her furrowed hands clean of leaked ink and adjusted her greying hair.
She pulled her smartphone out of her pocket and started a call: "Hey honey, it's me. ... No. I am at work and need to travel to the coast. ...yes, you know what I am about to ask. ... Yes, that pair. You are the best. ... Love you, and don't forget that Mick has a doctor appointnent today. ... I'll miss you. Bye!"
With that, she stepped out of her office.

Territorio di Nessuno, Great solordia, The syca, Western Vapia, and 1 otherLorigia

ContextReport