“I think they would have real problems speaking English understandably, given the shape of their mouths,” Steenblik admitted.  “But they would probably have no difficulty constructing a voder that would allow them to speak to us.  We’re currently working on producing something similar, although – as we have no samples of the alien language – it’s all mainly guesswork.”

“There was an attempt to use the First Contact package at New Russia,” the First Space Lord said.  “The aliens didn't respond.”

Ted frowned.  The First Contact package had been dreamed up in the days when humanity expected to discover a new intelligent race at every new star.  It was, in theory, simple to understand, at least for a race that understood enough scientific laws to make it into space.  By law, every starship carried a copy, just in case they encountered an alien starship, but it had never really been tested.  No one knew just how well it would work when aliens were encountered for the first time.

Not well, he decided.  For all he knew, the aliens had interpreted the package as a challenge to do battle.  Or maybe they just couldn't understand what they were hearing.

“We have also learned a great deal about alien technology from the battle,” Steenblik said, tapping a switch.  The image of the alien vanished.  “Their stealth systems, as we believed, are incredibly power-intensive, to the point that the aliens seem unable to use them and fire at the same time.  They may also be unable to switch them on and off at will, which is fortunate.  If they could, we would be in real trouble.”

Ted snorted.  “You mean we’re not now?”

“Worse trouble, then,” Steenblik amended.  “It’s possible – although we don’t know for sure – that their stealth systems actually impede their sensors and drives.  We’ve been looking closely at the records of the battle and it’s clear that the aliens were slightly out of place when they dropped their stealth and attacked.  They may well be unable to see where they’re going while under stealth.  We also picked up faint hints that their drives are detectable at very close range; we’re currently programming drones to provide targeting, allowing the alien fighters to be wiped out before they can drop their stealth systems and attack.”

“That would be useful,” Ted agreed.  He leaned forward.  “Is there anything unusual about the alien hulls?”

“Their composites are not much different from our own,” Steenblik admitted.  “There are some unusual points – the aliens seem to have turned their outer hulls into giant superconductors – but that would be well within our capabilities, if we had the need to duplicate it.  We’re not sure why ...”

“I bet I know,” Fitzwilliam said.  “It’s part of their point defence system.”