I nod to Grisha who nods back in affirmation, she seems to be acquiring my mannerisms faster than the others. "Agreed Ma Grisha, Zekton's loyalists will be arriving soon and with many Garudan hostages aboard their ships." I nod to myself affirming my own statement, before turning to Quroken to ask him a question. "Quroken, how long until the fleet arrives to dock and remind me how many ships are planet side?" This was a severe need to know, I had set up these plans beforehand, but the situation keeps changing and adaptation is required.

Quroken pondered the question whilst dipping his head, I had seen a similar expression on the Garudan child, Mera when she is scolded by her mother. He then immediately changes to a stern and confident expression. I must investigate why he is doing that, perhaps an instinct to cower to others.

He finishes his mental calculations and answers my question, with his still confident face as if he is straining to maintain it. "There are eight battle vessels in total. Two patrol vessels including the Hellmak, there are five ships docked in the spaceport and five battle vessels currently planetside." He paused for a short time after conveying this information and then continued his report. "The bridge crew have informed me they are inbound within seven minor cycles." That is neither a short nor a long amount of time to prepare.

I place my chin on my right fist and ponder the current situation, my guests wait patiently. Five ships will dock, likely half-carrying Garudan prisoners and each ship containing a crew complement of fifteen. We have them beat in numbers but not all are willing to fire on their own kin. The Garudan's are certainly willing but lack the numbers and training for such combat. That leaves the element of surprise.

Gem's security force is outfitted with stun rifles, and most of the lethal weapons have been secured or given to trusted Garudan's. My troops are far too divided from one another and it's dubious whether I could trust them all. Unfortunately, these thoughts are getting me nowhere, I must work with what I have. I'll set up an ambush with Gem's forces, their initial aim is to subdue them peacefully if not Gem can at least restrain them.

My personal squad of Garudan's will be lying in wait just in case Gem requires reinforcements. Zekton's loyalists likely have their pick of Demthesian weaponry and will be well-armed. I should arm my own troops with laser rifles just in case they are needed, now to deal with the division. I lift my gaze back to everyone and detail my plan to all involved. "Gem, take thirty of your security troops to the docking bay, load up with laser rifles and await the arrival of our guests. Once they arrive try and convince them to lay down their arms and surrender." Gem acknowledges me with a crooked nod before I speak up again. "Also have around six of your own troops report to me, particularly the ones with attitude problems." I raise my tone right at the end of my statement, to emphasise my meaning, he nods in affirmation but still looks slightly confused.

His confusion persists for some time until he replies with an anticipated question. "What do you need them for if I may ask?" His three eyes squint ever so slightly, he leans forward intently. His upper pair of hands grip his chair subtly. He is concerned and wary over my intentions, transparency on this is acceptable and I think will aid in fostering better relations, across species lines. I turn my gaze to Itoa who remains impassive right before he notices me and perks up immediately. "I plan to merge the Garudan squad of six with a squad of six Wokan, has anyone got any objections?" I cast my gaze across everyone in the room as their eyes shimmer with realisation.

Grisha and Gem both place their upper palms on their forehead in the traditional Wokan sign of submission and agreement. Naturally, Galitor remains as still as a statue. He then starts grumbling to himself, like the sound of gravel being dug out of a mountain. The sound is quite unnerving but luckily, he decides to speak, freeing us from such a sound. "You must be crazy foreigner, the Wokan's would never stand side by side with savages, if we get to close, they might try to eat us." I was immediately let down by his words, it seems he has yet to learn his manners. But of course, he does have a point, there will be trouble if I put these volatile races together.

In the words of Imperator Moran Petovach, if two Degrodans won't mate. Put the two animals in the same room until they learn to love each other or kill each other, either way, the stalemate will end. Though my method is less crude, it still uses the same principles. If this division continues, we will either progress nowhere or it will lead to mutual destruction. Best to get it over and done with, place the two species together and find ways for them to get along.

I am just about to speak until I hear Itoa's broken Shahnese, his grasp of the language is crude, yet he can speak it. "Garudan do not eat Wokan, not good meat." Well, I never knew Itoa had a sense of humour or perhaps they are cannibals, I may have to investigate that later. I turn to the three Wokan to gauge their reaction. Galitor is clearly frightened and unnerved, Grisha barely acknowledged this and continues to sip her coffee, while Gem begins shivering. His shoulders move up and down as his mouth makes a loud clicking noise. He stretches back his head while his arms clutch his chest.

If I didn't know better, I think he was laughing, what an odd thing to laugh about. Well despite Itoa's funny anecdote we still have a meeting. "Galitor your concerns are noted but I will continue with the plan, Gem, Itoa, have those troops meet me in training room eleven." I shift my gaze between the two, Gem appears to have calmed down, while Itoa has since gained a slight smile. Both affirm my orders and I continue. "That's all, for now, is there anything you wish to discuss with me?" All of them respond with a clear no, except for Grisha who quickly requests a private meeting, I accept and the rest leave for their duties.

The room has since become quieter; the absence of the others leaves not but the sound of Ma Grisha sipping her coffee. Oddly, I feel the need to compete with this female and start sipping my coffee slightly louder. After she makes a satisfying gulping sound. She glares at me for a moment, places her coffee on her lap and speaks with a calm tone. "What do you plan to achieve by putting two volatile groups together?" Her words are always so calm, it's rather eerie, she takes another sip of her coffee.

I ponder her words, I do know if this action will provoke friction, but that is exactly what I want. Letting events simmer just beneath the surface is never a good idea. I wish my home world adhered to that logic, probably would have had fewer wars. Regarding these volatile elements forming a squad, Wokan and Garudan. This will serve to strengthen bonds. There is unity in military life and both species have war in their blood, seems a shame not to harness that and focus it towards a strategic end.

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"Indeed, there will be friction, but I believe I can manage that for now, until true bonds can be formed between the two sides." I turn my gaze to the desk spying on the intricate style in the desk cloth. Some sort of oval pattern surrounding three spheres arranged in a triangle. I lift my gaze back to her and continue. "The coming conflict is brewing just beneath the surface, for now, it will only be exasperated once more Wokan and Garudan's are taken aboard. We need a symbol of unity." Although I am paraphrasing a speech made by a Potifian politician it does have some relevance.

Grisha nods in agreement, sips her coffee and looks off into the distance. She lingers there for a time, before speaking up again. "I hope you succeed in your endeavour Captain, as for my part of the bargain, Galitor is going to be a problem. It's not official but the engineering division had a better relationship with the militants before the revolt." Her words hold considerable weight, I had expected her evaluation to be a warning about Galitor. This new information is even more concerning than Galitor's personal prejudice.

The engineering division is for sure a valuable and necessary asset for maintaining this fleet. Of course, the knowledge they wield about nuclear fission, plasma energy, advanced railguns and many other advanced Demthesian technology. I decided to not react and remained as expressionless as possible to this potentially adverse news.

I ponder for a time and replied the best way I could. "I see, well thank you for the information I will take that under advisement." She nods in acknowledgement, but I can clearly see she does not believe in my false expression. It is to be expected, I am still not used to hiding my true feelings from others. It is a skill not so easily mastered. I need to deal with the potential enemies lurking within the Wokan crew. I never truly trusted them but I still need their support.

So, I must gain their trust to be at ease. "Ma Grisha, I appreciate your input, I intend to bridge this gap between our species and foster better relations. I hope I can count on your support when needed?" Of course, Grisha would be a key player in the coming cycles. I would need her on my side as soon as possible, despite my misgiving over her conniving, coffee-thieving ways, she is a must.

Grisha seemed to be open to my words, like a horizon slowly rising to greet the planet with its' glow. I had only seen such an event from past footage, it's quite a sight. It was odd that I equate such a phenomenon to Grisha, the sight of her eyes widening just reminded me of such. She pauses for a moment, to gather herself before speaking. "Thank you it's nice to be appreciated." She places her upper two hands on her forehead, an action I return as a sign of respect.

I ponder her words for a time and come to an odd thought. The hidden message behind her reply, I collate my thoughts coming to a potential conclusion. "Is it such an odd event for me to appreciate your contributions?" Though my words seem direct and perhaps harsh, it is a curiosity I cannot simply let go of.

Her eyes darken slightly, and an air of confusion seems to break through. Confusion on a Wokan is an odd expression, they convey much with their eyes. The eyes seem to dart from side to side, I have seen such expressions where a single eye twitches, usually indicative of anger or frustration. Her eyes immediately cease moving from side to side, and she gazes at me curiously, before speaking up. "Yes, it is much appreciated, since such words are rarely said." Now that is odd, Ma Grisha is a capable officer, surely anyone would appreciate her skills.

Perhaps they were prejudiced against her specifically, my curiosity peaked so I decide to ask her. "Why would these words be rare, you seem quite capable and talented to me, do the Wokan not value skill?" To not value skilled individuals within one's society is a baffling concept, it was a rarity in the Samsiran Empire but then again, they did suppress the lower class. Perhaps there is similar classism among the Wokan. It has already been established they harbour prejudice based on birth, perhaps that extends to dismissing the contributions of skilled individuals.

She sighs at least I think it is a sigh, before answering my query. Her expression does not waver, barely a single jostle with her eyes as she responds. "The Wokan value skill most of the time, the military arts are highly praised even as slaves. The war slaves are treated better by the Legion." I would have expected they would have higher positions in slave society since the Demthesian's seemed to keep the Wokan around as disposable soldiers or a cheap workforce.

But I suspect she was leading me to a different point, so I decide to listen more closely, leaning forward. "It seems you are unfamiliar with the phenomenon, in Wokan culture, clutch bearers rarely have many opportunities to obtain employment other than bearing the clutch, for their clutch masters." Now that is odd, why would they limit the females of their species to a single role? Would not that cut their military in half, if it were composed primarily of males?

I try to comprehend such misuse of resources but must consider that aliens truly have odd ways of dealing with their populace, the culture is truly strange. With my own people, there was indeed classism and a social hierarchy, but gender was never considered in such areas, there were equal rights. The main issue was the abuse of power. Specifically, by the higher officials of the imperial social hierarchy.

Citizens were discriminated against regarding their social status, wealth and even birth, but gender was never taken into consideration. I turn my gaze to Grisha prompting her to continue detailing everything. This aspect of their species' culture is unnerving, best to educate myself on their ways, to counter such threats. "Despite the ruthless nature of the Demthesian Legion. They didn't discriminate the same way my own people did, even though I was a slave in their eyes. I could still work in a field where my talents could be put to use." Well, that is one way of looking at it, finding some benefit in a difficult situation is a commendable achievement. Probably explains how she made the logical choice of siding with me, quite the pragmatist.

Still, a rather odd perspective to discriminate based on biological differences, but I suppose it's not much different to discrimination based on social and economic class. Different attributes same prejudice, I wonder how a society would function with a pervasive system like that, thoughts for another time. "Well rest assured I will not tolerate discrimination aboard this ship and anywhere I hold sway." I tilt my head to the side and gaze intently towards Grisha, showing the sincerity of my words, hopefully, she believes me.

She performs the Wokan gesture of agreement which I return sealing this unspoken pact between the two of us. I cast my gaze to the desk, turning to my personal datapad. The screen lights up after I tap a few buttons revealing the menu, various features such as core database, communications, logs, and various other functions are displayed in Shahnese.

I then turn back to Grisha speaking up in a monotone voice. "Our data pads should be linked now, if you need to contact me in regard to your duties or anything you wish to report, don't hesitate." Lifting her datapad and gesturing it forward it's clear she understands the situation. With her as my eyes and ears amongst the Wokan, I should be able to keep control for now. "You may go about your duties, dismissed." She ascends from her seat, leisurely and gives a poor Samsiran salute, I do not mind though, I do recall some Samsiran Admirals of old would nearly kill a sailor if they saluted poorly.