James had floated close to the object, right up until it release the strange cloud. He was proponent of the idea of alien life, maybe this was Mech from an alien civilization he didn't know if the cloud was a weapon or a communications device but he didn't move, however he readied the after burners for a sudden jump if the strange purplish cloud. He decided he should reinforce the message, switching over to lie comms rather one message on repeat he hailed it once more. 

"Hello, this is James Rockefeller of the Xeon III. I am hailing you to warn of possible pirate activity in the area as such we ask that you respond, we must clear this sector encase of a hostile presence, if you do not respond to hails we must assume you mean us harm. I have no interest in fighting you, so please respond." As he spoke he engaged his Mech hacking systems, if it wouldn't talk he would see if Firefly could make it squeal.