Diplomacy Two Brothers of Different Origin

[Katrina Yaroslava]

Vice Admiral Katrina Yaroslava and the remainder of the Kopperian fleet stood by as the Admiral left to meet with the leaders of the Republic. So she sat, quietly examining the monitor from her seat behind the Captain and the rest of the bridge crew, when the Captain turned to her, a look of concern present on his face. "Your Excellency. We have a new contact on radar." He stated.

Curious, the Vice Admiral stood up and marched over, bending forward to get a better look. Sure enough, there was indeed a new contact. Small, and closing fast. The nearby Republic ships either too far away or perhaps lacking the excellent sensor suite of the Krova Class.

Turning to him, she flattened her brows. "Captain Vadim. Order crews to battlestations and lock it." She ordered, the Captain saluting before giving the order over the intercom. At the same time Katrina marched to the communications console before opening the comm channel:

"Неизвестный контакт. Это вице-адмирал Катрина Михайлова Ярослава из Копперских Воздушно-космических сил. Немедленно представьтесь."
(Unknown contact. This is Vice Admiral Katrina Mikhailova Yaroslava of the Copper Aerospace Forces. Identify yourself immediately.)
@Anatoli Sidorov

 

[Anatoli Sidorov]

After managing to evade detection by the weird looking looking fleet, with the help of Yelena we managed to track the Republican fleet along with the ships that had the Cyrillic writings on their hulls. As we were traveling through the hyperspace, only one though was circulating in our mind. How would a fleet of just disengaged battle ships would react to an unknown contact that appeared right behind them. As we exited hyperspace we were lucky to hear on the VHF in our language.
"Неизвестный контакт. Это вице-адмирал Катрина Михайлова Ярослава из Копперских Воздушно-космических сил. Немедленно представьтесь."
(Unknown contact. This is Vice Admiral Katrina Mikhailova Yaroslava of the Copper Aerospace Forces. Identify yourself immediately.)
The relief we felt once we were given a chance to identify ourselves was overwhelming and Yelena sighed a breath of relief. Then I grabbed the mic and said back.
A- Это корвет Террарийского флота LEV-01. Мы здесь, чтобы предложить ту небольшую помощь, которую можем оказать вашему флоту.
(This is Terrarian Navy Corvette LEV-01 here to offer what little help we can offer to your fleet.)
I responded back while I slowed down the Ekranoplan and pointed it's nose away from any spaceships trying to seem as friendly as possible. After all we had no ammunition and we were surely outnumbered if anything was to go south. Our only defense would be to evade and get the hell out of there. With some luck nothing like that would happen.

 

[Katrina Yaroslava]

Это корвет Террарийского флота LEV-01. Мы здесь, чтобы предложить ту небольшую помощь, которую можем оказать вашему флоту.
(This is Terrarian Navy Corvette LEV-01 here to offer what little help we can offer to your fleet.)

Katrina leaned back in surprise as the masculine voice replied. His Ruskian clear and native. Yet he obviously wasn't Ruskian. His manner more casual then she would expect from them. Then there was the phrase "Terrarian." Again, clearly not of Ruskian origin. As for the offer of assistance, she nearly chuckled at the absurdity. A single corvette offering assistance to the core of the 9th fleet. Regardless, she shook her head. After all, this man clearly didn't belong to the Republic. And considering the difference in numbers, Katrina saw no reason to refuse.

"Very well. Please come aboard КИФ Урожу so we may discuss in person."

She replied over the comm before turning to the Captain. "Remain here. I'll meet them upstairs."

"Yes, Your Excellency." The Captain saluted as she exited the bridge, got on the elevator and reached the superstructure. Upon leaving, she sighed in relief as she realized it was still pressurized despite the enemy's unrelenting barrage.

Katrina used her wings to glide through the empty hallway leading to the "bridge," activating the airlock indicator on the side of the main tower before entering and sitting down. "And now to wait."

 

[Anatoli Sidorov]

Her reply caught us both by surprise. We weren't expecting an invitation to board but well since we were invited we should at least accept. Now wearing military fatigues to meet a Vice Admiral was not something that should be done, not to mention how fast and unprepared, at least from my side, this meeting was going on. I ordered Yelena to take us to КИФ Урожу while I tried to make myself the most presentable under the conditions we were found facing. Passing by all the Cruisers and Destroyers present it was obvious that our Leviathan was too small to put up a fight but after all this craft was not meant to fight fairly. Soon enough we approached the КИФ Урожу and requested permission to dock.
A- Yelena, unofficially you are the Admiral of the 4th Terrarian Expeditionary Fleet ok? I will make it official once we get back to Terraria but I wanted to let you know that before the meeting since now you are part of it.
Y- Yes Supreme Fleet Commander
A- You say that once more while we are alone and I am demoting you on the spot.
Y- Anatoli, you understand that you have to get used to it right?
A- Yes I do but the people I handpicked for their roles and befriended on the way I want them to see me as an equal and respect me for who I am and not for my rank.
Y- Anyways. Take control so I can go get ready myself.
With that as Yelena stood up, I started slowly making a fly by around the КИФ Урожу
Then I took the VHF's microphone and said
A- «Это LEV-01 для КИФ Урожу. Где нам следует подойти, чтобы состыковаться с вами?»
(This is LEV-01 for КИФ Урожу. Where should we approach you to dock with you?)

 

[Katrina Yaroslava]

The Captain of KIF Urozhu was still at his post when the unexpected follow up message came through:

«Это LEV-01 для КИФ Урожу. Где нам следует подойти, чтобы состыковаться с вами?»
(This is LEV-01 for КИФ Урожу. Where should we approach you to dock with you?)

The Captain blinked and swiftly turned to the screen showing the ship's status. The docking port on the right side was lit up. "The right docking port is ready. Rely the message." The Captain ordered to the communications officer. Who saluted before responding to Anatoli.

"This is Communications Officer, Senior Lieutenant Boris Ivanovich Yaroslavov. Her Excellency is currently waiting for you in her office. Once you get close enough, we'll activate the bridge. Once you enter Urozhu, turn right and walk straight. Welcome Aboard. Glory to Kopperia."
—
As Katrina waited for their arrival, she opted to get herself a mug of oil. After all, if this was to be her first meeting with foreigners. She wanted to make sure she was nice and cool when she did. After retrieving her mug and filling it, she returned to her seat to await her guests, sipping from the cup while she did.
@Anatoli Sidorov

 

[Anatoli Sidorov]

The reply came by swiftly

"This is Communications Officer, Senior Lieutenant Boris Ivanovich Yaroslavov. Her Excellency is currently waiting for you in her office. Once you get close enough, we'll activate the bridge. Once you enter Urozhu, turn right and walk straight. Welcome Aboard. Glory to Kopperia."

A- "Thank you for the help we will commence our approach pattern and dock shortly"
A- Yelena you ready? I don't think that I can stall to much more.
Y- Yes I am ready.
She said and I could hear her leaning on the bulkhead.
A- Ok we are about to dock with them.
Y- Great. This is the best I could do with what I had onboard.
A- Don't worry each of you you will be assigned one and you can equip the living quarters as you like once you get yours.

After we docked and secured the engines I stood up to exit the cockpit when I noticed Yelena



A- Damn Yelena. You're gonna give me a heart attack. You're beautiful.
Y- Oh who's getting romantic now.
A- Knock it off and get serious. We are about to meet a Vice Admiral.
Y- Whatever you say.
She said with a smirk as we waited for the door to be secured with the jet bridge and for it to be pressurized for us to walk through it.
Once the door was ready to opened and we made our way to the ship we had just docked onto.

 

[Katrina Yaroslava]

Once inside Urozhu, they met with an empty paneled hallway lit by lamps above their heads. Proceeding through, they followed the instructions presented by the Lieutenant and arrived at their intended destination. There, the Vice Admiral, in all her glory, quietly examined them after putting down her cup of cold crude. To her surprise, neither the man nor woman was dressed for the occasion. Both wearing what seemed to be ground forces fatigues, and neither wore officer shoulder boards (though in the woman's case, her hair covered her shoulders) Regardless, the Vice Admiral would not allow her Yaroslavov upbringing to interfere with the meeting. She might have been a drone of high standards, though not everyone could afford to wear officer dress at all times like she and her kin could. So, she gracefully stood up before gesturing to the seats prepared for them. There were six in total, though it seemed only two were needed. "Please, have a seat." Katrina said before they sat down with her following suit, her tall figure sitting back as she steepled her fingers. "Now, for the introductions: I am Vice Admiral, Countess Katrina Mikhailova Yaroslava." She stated politely, despite her serious expression. (And the smudge of oil dripping from the edge of her mouth) Then she gestured to them. "It is your turn. If you have any questions, which you no doubt do, I would ask that you refrain until after."

 

[Anatoli Sidorov]

As we were greeted by the Vice Admiral both me and Yelena saluted and I said:
"Greetings Vice Admiral. Please excuse our fatigues but we were on a space trial mission because the spaceship you saw us arrive has just completed it's first galactic trip and we did not expect nor to stumble upon your fight neither to be invited to a meeting with anyone. I am Anatoli Sidorov, Supreme Fleet Commander of the Space Forces of Terraria and this is Yelena Volkova, Admiral of the 4th Terrarian Expeditionary Fleet."
The room was plain with colored windows to a view to space. In the middle of the room a wooden oak polished table with a total of 6 black leather chairs. While it was disappointing that we were not escorted to the room where the Vice Admiral was waiting us, we couldn't complain about it since they had just gotten away from a huge battle and it was expected to be busy time after it doing battle damage assessment and completing after action reports. After a pause I continued:
"I find only logical that since we are onboard your ship that you may proceed with the first question Vice Admiral."

 

[Katrina Yaroslava]

Katrina was unimpressed to say the least. A so-called "Supreme Fleet Commander" and a damn Admiral traveling anywhere without dress uniform was bad enough. Yet her irritation only grew when and the woman with him dared salute her without wearing proper headdress. The phrase: Пустая голова не заслуживает уважения. Ringing through her mind like cannon fire. Yet, she dared not say anything. At least until he had the gull to present her the first question. So, she rose to her feet, her expression openly displayed her disdain for the humans lack of professionalism and etiquette. Uncaring of the oil smear in the corner of her mouth.
"You dare come aboard my ship, after I so graciously invited you aboard. Only to insult me with your dress and manner, and rather than simply carrying on you give me excuses? What are you? Some errand boy or office clerk who got themselves to such an esteemed position without a day of understanding the realities of discipline?" She ranted before heaving an angry sigh and sitting down. "Now, before you continue to waste my time. Why don't you explain exactly who you are, what you want, and then maybe we can discuss further."

 

[Anatoli Sidorov]

Her angry look was visible on her face or maybe no. It wasn't a face. It was a screen. Then it dawned on me that the person, or to be correct thing, in front of me was not human but a droid. And that droid not only had the audacity to question our legitimacy and our care for them by following them and offering help. And if it wamted to play the game of etiquette well she hadn't even cared to have an escort to bring us to her and we had to walk into a foreign ship on our own but she also herself wasn't presentable. Having a stipe of coffee, or at least that's what it looked like, dripping from her lips probably to somewhere on her uniform. And the hell with it. It wasn't like we were planning to make contact with an alien civilisation. We were only taking our new ships for a test drive and stumbled upon them. And ofcourse if we were to make contact with an alien civilisation HMS Queen Elizabeth would be present and not LEV-01. As we lowered our salute I could feel Yelena tensing given that an inferior in rank to her was being disrespectful to her so I placed my hand over hers and gently squeezed it to calm her down. Then after taking a deep breath I responded:
"Vice admiral it was not our intention to insult you with our dress but this is how we were dressed for the mission we originally setted out for today. And let me make you known that I ammore knowledgeable about responsibility and discipline than you but this is not something we should argue about. Now we can leave your ship the same way we came and go offer our assistance to the Republican ships which we already recognise. And as we have mentioned earlier, I am the Supreme Fleet Commander of Terraria Anatoli Sidorov and next to me is the Admiral of the 4th Terrarian Expeditionary Fleet."
I replied back my voice calm but more serious than before.
"And let there be known that your welcoming will be reported to your superiors republicans or whoever is in control of the Coperian fleet. Let there also be known that for political reasons this conversation is being recorded."
It took all the strength in me not to be more agitated than I was from the way she verbally attacked us but unfortunatelly for us either we should find a way to defuse the sitution or we would end up dead or captured and that woudn't go too well for any side.

 

[Katrina Yaroslava]

Katrina was still unimpressed, even if the human did have a point concerning the Fleet Admiral being informed of this meeting. Yet, at the same time, the unpreparedness was almost unforgivable, and what was that about knowing discipline and etiquette better than her? She, a Yaroslavov, born and raised in a strict household with strict rules, trained from the moment she could walk to march, fight, lead, sing, and dance. A Countess who bore all the moral responsibility of that title. Furthermore, the fact that they, without announcing themselves by rank when she had given them that respect, now stood in a predicament where while technically outranked, they held no authority over her or her ship. They weren't Ruskian, after all.

But, despite her frustration, she sat down, her glare maintained. "Be that as it may. This is still my ship. So I would ask you have the decency to carry yourself like a gentleman. I was expecting a Lieutenant. Not an Admiral, let alone a Supreme Fleet Commander. So pardon me for being unprepared when you refused to announce yourself as such. Had you done so before landing, I might have been more forgiving." She began before heaving a deep sigh. "We Kopperians are a proud and noble people. As such, I will relent." She concluded before smirking in amusement at the absurdity.

Here was presumably the highest ranking officer in his nation's fleet, yet he carried himself like a scolded private. His companion being little better as she attempted to burn a hole through Katrina's skull. If she wanted, she could kill them, easily. Her tail flicking beneath her seat at the thought. But, as always, she maintained her composure as she spoke once again. "But I would highly recommend keeping an appropriate uniform, announcing yourself when someone gives you the courtesy, and not saluting with an empty head. It works wonders for showing respect."

 

[Anatoli Sidorov]

It was getting progressivelly hard not to roll my eyes with how this meeting was going. Yet I managed to only respond with:
"Will be noted. Now shall we proceed with the questions you have?"
Yelena was getting tenser by the minute and I had once again to squeeze her hand to signal her to calm down once again. I owed that woman a drink for not going on the offensive to defend me as she had done many times before. Yet she had to learn to conceal her irritation better. That was something though for when we would get out of here. Now we had to see how the hell we could descalate the situation.