Turn 30 - There’s No Turning Back
HMS Defiant and Intrepid are warmed up and ready, in an elliptical orbit which would give them plenty of base velocity to build upon for the interception.
“This is Griffin’s Roost Imperial Aerospace Control. You have entered this system without prior permission. Identify yourself and state your reason for entering our space.” had been transmitted out a few minutes earlier. You weren’t wholly satisfied with it, as it was somewhat bellicose, but reviewing the briefing papers and historical data from Sarah it appeared to be a rather standard greeting.
”Vi är de fria. Gå inte utan tillstånd. Tänk inte att attackera. Bättre män än du har försökt. Bättre män än du har dött. Vad vill du.” came crackling over the speakers, the voice harsh with a slight mechanical undertone.
You glance over at a monitor as Sarah provides a translation, marking the language as 98% probability Swedish. “We are the Free. Do not approach without permission. Do not think to attack. Better men than you have tried. Better men than you have died. What do you want.” was the approximate translation. Sarah had once informed you that the code base for her translation software apparently originated as something called ‘Giggle Translate’, so you weren’t 100% certain you trusted this.
You purse your lips, this could go in several directions…
[] Friendly and conciliatory, they are obviously suspicious and defensive, let’s approach with a smile on our face.
[] Diplomatic and firm, this is your system and they are visitors here. Repeat the request for their intentions but do so in diplomatic language.
[] Aggressive but open to peaceful contact. You’d fought off the Dragon, a single souped up porcupine of a dropship doesn’t intimidate you, but they’ve not yet proven hostile.
[] Write-in
QM Note - I am experimenting a bit with smaller updates for something as interactive as this to give the players more control. Think about what image you want to portray here! I will start writing the next update when there are 8 votes total so long as the leading option is ahead by at least 2, and at 10 votes total even if the leading option is ahead by less than 2.