December 7th, 68103482, 08:27 GST

Of course, Robert and his subordinates had been trained in all kinds of (maybe) useful things. A small guide on how to behave on first contact included.

Actually a big guide.

But no one can train you for the actual thing. No matter how good you are at preparing phrases like "We come in peace." or "It is us, humanity. Welcome to our humble solar system.", in the face of the events that just took place, it is easy to loose your head for a moment.

Also, the other side initiated verbal contact. So from the start, Robert was pressed into the defense and had to wait till the ball was passed to him.

Actually hearing someone who spoke the ancient language natively had freaked him out, because it meant all the shit he was briefed on was true. No use in denial anymore. Humans are not at the top of the food chain. Never were. One could argue the makers of this station were mankind's gods, made flesh (or well, made whatever they were made of).

How the fuck do you talk to your gods?

Well it's out of my hands anyway now, he justified himself.

He managed to calm himself down pretty quickly after responding, only a medium amount of anxiety still haunting his thoughts. Kind of like an animal, at the mercy of its owner.

Just as he was about to repeat his verbal confirmation, the inter-com crackled once more.

"I knew it! Congratulations! You are the first to come back, like, ever!"

Wait, what? The voice was that of a grown male, but it somehow sounded like an innocent child. Also, 'come back'??

Robert was at a loss once again. He leaned over to Ryo Taku.

"Maybe you should talk from now on. It is your alleged specialty, isn't it? Like, the reason you are here?"

Taku nodded slowly, took a few breaths to steady himself and spoke calmly into the inter-com.

"Thank you. We do not mean to be rude, but this situation is unique in our history. So, my name is Taku, may i ask yours?" Everyone expectantly listened.

"Ha, so polite! Of course, it's Gai Two-Sixteen."

Weird name.

"It is an honor to meet you, Gai? Two-Sixteen? Gai Two-Sixteen?"

"Gai is sufficient, as my siblings are not near."

Siblings?

"Can i ask why you forcefully landed us on this.. eh.. vessel?"

Robert gave Taku a silent thumbs up. Miller's mind crept back into consciousness. He looked around perplexed. "What ha.." "Shhhhh!" Blackwood knocked him slightly on the head.

"We have regulations for situations like this. And i was curious after i analysed your drone, it was clear to me you are members of the '$%&§ race. I just had to meet you."

Miller almost fainted again. "Wh..?" "Not now, Miller!" He shut up, the anger of being reprimanded twice in a row won momentarily against his desire to black out again.

"Excuse an ignorant one like me, but who are the '$%&§?" Taku tried to pronounce the word that was not part of the dictionary he had learned from.

"You, of course! But that can be explained later. I am sure you have many questions. Would you like to leave your ship and come over to me?"

Takue shot a glance towards Robert. Robert signaled 'We need time to discuss this' back (He pointed to his watch, basically).

"That sounds promising. However, might we request a small amount of time to discuss this amongst ourselves?" Ryo paled a bit. Hopefully Gai understood. Offending him would be bad.

"Sure. Just tell me once you reach a verdict." Gai sounded.. disappointed? Maybe. Whatever.

Robert shut down the inter-com. "Let's go down to the living hall. I will go to life support and engineering bay to collect the rest of our team."

A minute later, they sat around one of the tables.

"So, what the fuck?" Frank Miller almost shouted.

"Ah, you passed out when the evil aliens captured us." Blackwood replied, grinning. Miller went silent, his expression switching between shame and fear.

"We absolutely MUST go over to that station!" Katarina could already picture the technological wonderland that awaited them.

"Calm down, Trutheim! .. Of course we need to go." Katarina's head perked up "..No, not to salvage their technology. At least not without their consent." Robert intervened.

"What is important is that we present a united front. It is no longer humans vs other humans. It's humans vs aliens now." He explained further. Everyone looked more serious than ever before on this mission.

"Some interesting things popped up. Like the fact they have a name for our race in their language. Or that we 'came back'. Or the fact we only spoke to one guy so far, who seems to be alone. The fuck does it mean 'my siblings are not near'. It is creepy. Very interesting, but creepy." Alina concluded.

"Well, he did seem friendly. And we can not leave anway. So, let's just get this over with and board their station. Talk to Gai. Hope for the best." Taku said, sounding tired.

"Agreed. All crew, meet at engineering bay. We will use the airlock there, if possible. Equip your light space-suits. I do not think the station is under vacuum, but we don't know if the air they have is breathable for us. Trutheim will check on you once you got in gear. Taku, ask over inter-com how the boarding will be done. Then also change into suit."

"Aye, Sir!" resounded in a small chorus.

Before Blackwood could leave, Robert pulled him aside. "No guns, you understand?"

Blackwood hesitated. "But Sir, if they attack.." "Then we are dead anyway. So just leave it, being seen as stupid and aggressive would not be good now."

"..I understand, Sir."

Do you really? Robert sighed. Well as long as he follows orders it will be okay.. hopefully.