She glares back at us with a cold gaze, quite different from the former air about her, when we first met. Is she putting up a front or perhaps the prior, almost naive personality was merely a façade? I step forward with Pok trailing behind me, I begin to sit down and halfway through my descent I hear an icy female voice. Soft yet threatening, a truly odd pairing. "You drank my coffee?" Hmm, now I will admit I did not anticipate that being her first question. I cannot be sure, with her expression, yet it was clearly accusatory.

I settle down on the chair exuding comfort so as to not seem rattled to my new opponent. I cast a short glance before pulling out a secondary datapad. Initialising it and replying to her, without granting her a secondary glance. "Indeed, I did, I must thank you for the beverage. It is an extraordinary liquid; my only regret is the short supply." It was true there was very little stock of coffee beans, located within the food storeroom. I almost feared the drink was some sort of luxury and was immediately validated by the sparseness of the beans.

Apparently, she was not amused by my words as a slight glance revealed to me her displeasure. Perhaps she, like me valued such a beverage. "It is indeed a luxury; I was lucky to get a sufficient ration from Commander Zekton. He valued my skills enough to afford such luxury." The curious situation indeed, coffee has been defined as a luxury item and thus is highly likely to be unattainable after it runs out. Secondly, the former Commander Zekton apparently values her skills, quite curious.

I decided to adjust my method in dealing with this female and immediately began examining her visage, for any potential openings. Her appearance is calm and collected, her upper arms are crossed over her chest. Her lower arms resting on the table, quite the contradictive posture, only a Wokan can perform. The combination of a restrictive presence and a carefree one. It would confuse many who tried to gage her, perhaps an additional adjustment is necessary. "You have skills that the former Commander Zekton values, please elaborate?" It was best to be straightforward, Wokan did have varied personalities but they tended to value being upfront and not dancing around the issue. Perhaps that is the way of most warrior cultures, fewer politics more direct confrontation.

Her three beady eyes flutter for a split nano cycle. I almost did not spot it, that seemed to affect her at least to a small degree. Perhaps I can get somewhere. "Former commander?" She tilts her head forward and crosses her middle pair of arms. With only her lowest hands still resting on the table, further restricting her posture. The scepticism in her voice is quite palpable and obvious she is not even trying to hide it.

I am almost offended that she refutes the veracity of my claim upon this vessel. Considering I had easily subdued the entire crew's, own gravity network. I do doubt the method is wholly original, but it was effective and allowed me to obtain the result I desired. Ultimately leading me to precisely this very moment. So, I replied to her provocation. "Yes, former commander, since I am in temporary command of this vessel until further notice. Thus, relieving Zekton of his duties." It was the truth, no need to mince words when such subterfuge was unnecessary. Some transparency is best.

She frowns at least I think that is a frown. Her facial features tighten slightly, and her lower arms constrict and become taught muscle. Is she uncomfortable? Well, regardless it's expected of most of the Wokan. I am an invading foreign force that just seized control of this vessel forcibly. She continues to remain in that state, before opening her mouth several times as if she is hesitant to speak.

Finally, she works up the courage or perhaps found the right words. "So now that you have control of us, what do you plan to do, punish us for our transgressions?" I... Am mildly surprised, our prior conversation gave me the impression she was woefully unaware of the situation. Did I mishear her or was she purposefully concealing her knowledge and pleading ignorance for some reason?

The situation was somewhat baffling but as the cycles pass and a clearer picture emerges. "Ah Ma Grisha you impress me; I genuinely believed you when you spoke with such fervour about the righteousness of this little revolt... You know the truth of the matter, don't you?" The term "Ma" seems to identify someone as a respectable female at least that is how it is in Wokan culture. I believe it is fitting as I can respect someone that can act so convincingly, that even I can be duped, impressive Ma Grisha is most impressive.

I cannot be sure, but I think she just flashed a coy smirk at me. She seems to be subtly enjoying herself, with the knowledge she bested me in a game of wits. It was well earned. She then crosses all six of her arms, leans back on her chair and speaks in a sharp tone. "Of course, I knew, I am not foolish like the rest of this ship's crew. Zekton is a mad authoritarian, stepping on the necks of the Garudan's is a simple matter for him." She pauses shortly after her proclamation and then leans forward to give an accusatory gaze. Continuing her sharp tone of voice. "So, I ask again, will you punish us for our transgressions against the Garudan's?" Her cold gaze is, and I will admit somewhat intimidating. Strange how a person from the administration division can evoke more fear. Then anyone else from even the security and military divisions.

I ponder her words carefully; this was something I had been thinking about for some time. How should I deal with the transgressions these Wokan have committed against the Garudan people? Well, there were various opinions applied to this very concept back in my homeworld, from various nations. The Samsiran Empire made their perspective on slavery very clear. The punishment for such acts was death by firing squad and they administered this judgement even if the subject of such slavery was not of their country.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The Followers of Meraxis had a different view on how to punish They believed crimes were inherited by their entire clan, if a person from a family were to go against divine law their immediate family were to commit ritual suicide as penance. The one responsible for the crime is excommunicated and imprisoned with the corpses of their deceased relatives. Those practices were outlawed several major cycles before the great war began.

The Martop Imperium for instance participated in legal slavery and their justice system was quite flawed. It was unfair as different laws applied to the different social classes. If someone of low birth were to attack someone of higher birth, the low-class citizen was executed by beheading. If a high class were to commit such acts, they would not be punished but would likely have to compensate the local governor for the death.

Then it comes to the Potif Kingdom, I will admit their justice system was far more advanced given their rather primitive government system. They had a simple monarchy with a king and queen. Though what deviated was they did not have an established class system or aristocracy, everyone had equal rights. Justice was dispensed by the various elected law enforcers, regarding the crime of forced slavery that went against the equality of choice.

They were then made slaves to the state, an ironic form of punishment. Some may say it was hypocritical, but the Kingdom cared little for the opinion of the other nations and were staunch advocates for their royal family and their ideals. With these various perspectives in mind, I decided it was better to form my own opinion and morality. Those past ways should be regarded but understood that they could not remedy the conflict that led to mutual destruction.

These various perspectives gave unique points of view and some useful ideas on how to proceed. I turn back to Grisha and reply honestly. "I have no intention of punishing those who are not responsible. It is the height of foolishness to visit harm on those who are unworthy of it." It was an honest answer and in line with my goals. It appears to have some level of effect on Grisha, if I did not know better, I would say she is surprised. I decided to continue, this tangent is truly the best direction to travel in. "In fact, if I desire to see an end to this conflict. Would you be interested in assisting me with that very endeavour." My words seem to have an effect as she did not immediately reject them. Seems to be that she is pondering the request, I hope she can see the reason.

Her posture loosens ever so slightly, her gaze is pressed to the table, only rising a few times to gaze at me. She slowly opens her mouth and crosses her arms. "How would you go about that, precisely and of course, how can I help?" That right there is precisely what I wanted to hear. Her words are music to my ears, and a sense of pride seems to well up in my chest. I seem to enjoy dealing with those who are reasonable.

I ponder her sudden receptiveness to me; it is somewhat suspicious but then again, she is one of the few I can use in this endeavour. "You can help by assisting me with ending this foolish occupation of Garuda and of course deal with Zekton." My tone is as calm as I can make it. My attempt at being diplomatic seems to be working for some time now, let's see if it will work with her.

She examines me for a time, with that piercing gaze of hers. Barely a facial twitch of emotion, her face as stiff as a board. Several unbearable nano cycles go by, she begins to speak. "Alright, I will assist you, under a few conditions." Of course, she would require conditions. It is only natural for a person in their situation to expect such consolations when negotiations occur. Especially when they have something the other party wants.

I gesture with my right-hand thrust forward to agree and urge her to continue. She blinks in confusion before realising my intent. "First I would like my position as Administrative Officer to remain intact. Such authority I wielded was greatly diminished by Zekton's militaristic regime. I want that authority back." She surprises me again, quite the ambitious denizen of this little ship, despite being a prisoner.

I think carefully, pondering the benefits and detriments of giving back her position and authority over the Wokan's. She would be an asset in keeping the Wokan in line, during this transition period. "I can agree to that, what else do you require?" It was a non-issue now that I think about it. I would need to foster some loyalty amongst the more capable Wokan and she seems the most reasonable of them all.

She smiles in a very Korvenin way, that is some nostalgia right there. It is a pity I never met any Korvenin's in person, but I suppose it's for the best. Clones were not treated as true citizens of the Empire. She uncrosses all six of her arms and begins turning her hands from side to side whilst pondering her next demand. Some time goes by and she speaks up. "Also, I want a share of the coffee beans, I will be reasonable, seventy percent is mine, thirty percent is yours... Agreed?" I retract my statement the female must be insane and utterly unreasonable to claim seventy percent of the stock.

I clench my right fist, dig in my heels, and stand strong in my resolve to give my counteroffer. "Seventy percent is far too steep, forty percent for you, sixty percent to me." I gesture my right finger towards her and then back to me. I must be firm, lest I get swindled.

She does not look that impressed and snorts derisively at my completely reasonable proposal. Tilting her head forward and slamming her six hands on the table, she leans forward and makes a counteroffer. "No, sixty percent to me, forty percent for you." That is not going to fly, that impressive marvel of a beverage is an extraordinary drink, that I will not part with unfairly.

I ponder for a time and begrudgery coming to a consensus I did not want to play, but now I feel it is a must. "Fifty percent each, does that sound fair?" I wait for a near eternity of cycles. The heat death of the universe could have occurred, and I would have barely registered it, all that mattered was her response. Ma Grisha a formidable opponent and a truly ruthless female of the Wokan species, to dare to claim my personal spoils of war.

Her eyes flicker many times before she crosses all six of her arms. She sways back and forth mumbling to herself, and gazing at the ceiling before responding. "Fine, agreed." We both then form a pact in the way of the Wokan people, placing two hands on our foreheads horizontally and nodding near submissively but equally.

With this pact now cemented between us, she continues speaking, now in a relaxed posture. "Well now we have a pact, my first request is a cup of fresh coffee and then we can discuss Commander Zekton." The woman truly knows how to rub it in, but I must concede as she is necessary for my plans.