Three Minor Cycles later, Ruktan Class Frigate, Commanders Personal Office.

I had placed several events in motion aboard this ship. The prison cells are now bursting with captives, Gem's security officers are keeping the peace, for now. I am monitoring the situation from my datapad. It is now patched into the security cameras of the entire vessel. Yet a sense of uneasiness is starting to creep in. Who is this Randax character and what has he done to the Garudan population? So, with few answers and without precise information pertaining to the planet,

I am almost running blindly into a situation I can barely grasp and yet I must press on. But for what reason should I press on, I mean I have no loyalty, too well, anyone. No orders to obey, no country to swear loyalty to. I can easily abandon this entire situation, take one of the patrol ships, and escape into a wide galaxy, filled with possibilities. Still, I feel a strange tugging on the back of my mind, a desire or some sort of inkling towards a necessity to command. To be a commander, a responsibility, I don't know... Direction I think, I can't grasp it, the sensation is maddening.

I would continue this thought but alas the outside environment beckons my attention. Specifically, the visage of Grisha and Gem outside my office door, requesting entry. Pok and Elkra were standing guard outside. I let them in after I gave orders, via the datapad communication feature. The two Wokan's enter, myself gesturing the two to seat themselves, they both act immediately and now there are two denizens before me.

Once the two are seated, Grisha leans forward and places a datapad on my desk, nudging it towards me. I grasp it firmly within my left hand and begin browsing the contents. The screen displayed a map of the southern continent, there are around four major continents on the planet Garuda. The southern continent has the largest population. The continent itself is largely surrounded by a vast ocean with two islands to the southeast. To the north is a small land mass connecting the northern and southern regions.

In the south various tribes formed into some sort of union. This union of tribes was the community most of the Garudan's we have liberated are from. The southern region is under the control of the remnant of Zekton's loyalists that stayed behind. The datapad depicts several bases set up by Zekton's soldiers, three in the south controlling the three major tribes.

The most intriguing thing is only a single base is depicted in the northern region and a smaller base is located on the southeastern island. The rest of the planet seems to be free of Wokan control for now at least. I turn my gaze towards Grisha, she leans forward and places her finger on the map, specifically the northern base. "According to the information provided by the captives, the northern region is under control of..." She stops mid-sentence before turning to Gem, the eye contact between the two represented some palpable tension as she continues her words. "Under the control of Randax, it seems he was sent there by Zekton some time ago and managed to pacify the Garudan tribes quickly." It was clear she was trying to unsuccessfully avoid harming Gem's feelings, the subject of the Wokan fathers' children has become a sore subject, as of late.

I gesture to her to continue her report, before eyeing Gem, he calms down, prompted by my glare. "Randax had recently made a request for more Garudan workers from the southern region, over three hundred of them were sent to the northern mines to work." Well, that's concerning, she mentioned mines, are they mining for resources on the planet? I wonder what materials are worth using the Garudan's as a slave labour force. I gesture for her to continue her report, there must be more information. "According to what he said, Randax has only ten Wokan soldiers under his command, they have three Torkol ground vehicles each outfitted with armour plating and heavy-duty automatic laser cannons." Her fingers then trace down to the southern region, and she continues. "The southern bases are now sparsely populated with only around ten Wokan soldiers each, along with seven Torkol vehicles distributed between the three bases." With her final report on the opposition's capabilities, she sits back down and lets me peruse the datapad.

I look over the map judging the best locations where I should act, my eyes gaze to the northern region and then to the eastern island. I squint as if I can read the Shahnese writing, unfortunately, I cannot. Speaking a language is not the same as reading it. I lift my gaze back to Grisha before asking a question. "Ma Grisha, you stated there is a base on the eastern island, tell me about it." I glance down to inspect that tiny island depicting a small Wokan base, curious at what information we have on it.

She leans forward and glances at the eastern island, before nodding her head in affirmation. "Yes, that was curious, the captives had little information on that specific base." I squint my eyes to glare back at the map, gesturing for her to continue. "Apparently, they sent a vessel with a small crew complement to build a base there. The ship disappeared from the sensors and there hasn't been any response from the Wokan base." Now that is quite ominous, what could have happened on that small island that would cause an entire crew of Wokan, along with their ship to vanish?

More problems to deal with, but I will shelve that for later, for now, the northern territory is the most significant concern. A large portion of the Garudan slaves was sent there, along with potential Garudan's on the side of Randax, he would be the greatest threat. It's possible he possesses the Vixorm serum, I would need to infiltrate the northern base. Decisions must be made in regards to which region holds greater priority, the southern part will hold some significance to the Garudan's sworn to me. The northern region on the other hand poses the most threat, the eastern island holds little interest for now, so I'll keep that for later when the interest peaks.

I lift my gaze directly at the two, ready to deliver my orders for the upcoming campaign. "I suggest we build two teams to liberate the north and the south." I speak whilst gesturing my right hand to the southern and then northern regions, depicted on the map. "The northern team will be comprised of Gem and thirty security officers, your job is to negotiate with your son Randax, perhaps we can end this peacefully." Naturally, Gem's eyes light up at this prospect, something I immediately put a damper on with my next words. "I will accompany you secretly, since I am the only one trained in infiltration. I will infiltrate the base and locate the Garudan prisoners." I nod to him as a means to subtly convey this part of the plan is non-negotiable. He shrinks back slightly, yet still retains his convictions.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Gem straightens his posture, and grumbles a few words in the old Wokan language, before replying in Shahnese. "Fine, but you must let me talk to my son first, he will listen to me, I assure you." He gestures forward with two of his upper outstretched hands, a physical means to display the convictions of his words. I ponder his words for some time before agreeing with a nod.

My eyes dart to the displayed map, I scan the depicted terrain and try to look for the best avenue to deal with the southern territory. Whilst I am deep in thought Grisha speaks up with her usual tone of voice, professional yet a tad disrespectful. "What about the southern region?" I was getting to that very topic before she interrupted me, but I suppose I was taking a while to speak.

I nod a few times in quick succession, to show my acknowledgement of her words before I reply with some of my own. "Indeed, the southern region is a concern, I plan to utilise one of the three new ships we have gained." I raise my fist to my chin as I ponder further developments of my plan, with a few people in mind. "I plan to send Quroken aboard one of the patrol ships. He will retake at least one of the southern bases, I'll send Itoa and Hera to assist him with Garudan forces." After explaining my secondary plan, I place the datapad onto the office desk and push it forward slightly. I wait for some time as the various facets of my plan sink into the minds of the two.

Time flows by and shortly after, Grisha reclaims the datapad to inspect the contents one last time. She nods before making her statement. "Well, if everything is in order, is there anything else you wish to ask of me?" I narrow my eyes slightly before attempting to gauge her meaning, my thoughts race a bit and I come up with something.

I turn to Gem, and pause for a moment to study him, he seems rather satisfied with current events, likely looking forward to seeing one of his sons. "Gem, would you please convey these orders to Quroken and ready your soldiers for departure, I will be along soon after I deal with a few matters." I had ulterior motives as conveying my orders he will act quickly and thus my conversation with Grisha can be a private one.

The Wokan finally rises from his chair with a dignified posture. His back was ramrod straight, and the reverence in his eyes was palpable. I had not anticipated that look, but I suppose it's logical, I am a means to get in contact with his cherished son. He then steps forward still ramrod straight and perfectly enacts a Samsiran salute before resounding with a booming, yet raspy voice. "Orkizai sota Navarkos!" The furvert in his words is astronomically different from any statement he has uttered. Yet the most interesting aspect is not how he spoke or the reverence shown to me. It is the unfamiliar language he spoke, neither Shahnese nor Garudan.

I turn to Grisha for an explanation only to see your insectoid eyes fluttering like crazy, she opens and closes her mouth, likely speechless. I glare at her for a short while as Gem continues maintaining his salute and silence which has become somewhat eery. Finally, Grisha speaks up with a hushed tone, Gem closes his eyes as if praying. "That's very rare, you must have really impressed this old Wokan." She turns his head back and forth from me to the still statuesque Gem.

I glare at her accurately conveying my confusion, she notices and continues her explanation. "Gem has acknowledged you as a leader in the ancient language of Woka. He is performing the basic rites of saluting to the leader, silence in reverence and then performing the naming rights, granting you a Wokan name. Though I am not familiar with it." Lowering her gaze to the floor, she tries to wrap her mind around the unfamiliar, yet likely familiar words this strange Wokan has just uttered.

Granting me a name, Wokan ancient rites, such a strange culture. I had never heard of such a concept even in my own species' history. I would refuse this strange naming rite, yet the veracity of his pledge is admirable. I had seen very little honour amongst the Wokan people, many of them were brutal, war-like with a few exceptions. I had to tread carefully with this species, but of course, it's truly impossible for a species to be entirely without some virtue. Perhaps this ancient part of their culture can depict said virtue. To honour one's culture is to honour one's people, a phrase I heard mentioned, in a few of my historical data.

Before I can reply to his flattering use of ancient culture to honour me. Gem lowers his arms to his sides whilst letting out a sigh of relief and speaks. "Navarkos is the name I have chosen. Please accept it as a token of my appreciation for all that you have done for us." He bows his head slightly, before gesturing his upper arms forward in a friendly manner, almost as if requesting me to embrace him, but stopping halfway.

Honestly, I am quite touched by his gesture and quickly stand up. I ponder for a moment before repeating the name out loud. "Navarkos... Navar, kos, it is an interesting name, what does it mean?" It was the obvious thing to ask, I had not heard the ancient language of the Wokan as most Wokan spoke Shahnese. It seems the language of their people had grown out of use, possibly by the actions of the Demthesian's or the Shah Star Empire.

After I spoke, the atmosphere strangely changed somehow becoming more relaxed, this was depicted by Grisha leaning back in her chair. She took out some sort of cylindrical contraption I had not seen before, opening the top and allowing the familiar bitter fragrance to waft outwards. I clench my face a little, clearly a provocation as I have no beverage of the delicious coffee available, she truly enjoys taunting me.

I try to ignore it and focus on Gem, he begins to speak with an abnormally soft tone. "Navarkos, it means master of ships, leader of the Wokan armada. It was the name of the first fleet commander of the first Wokan fleet to ever journey to the stars, an honour I gift to you, please accept." The Wokan gestures forth his upper arms as if trying to present the artificial air the ship produces as a gift, likely a symbolic gesture and the name is the true gift.

I decided to ponder this for a short time, he naturally awaits my response. Of course, this pondering session doesn't last long as I have no reason to refuse and my own clone designation is a bit difficult for others to understand. I firm my resolve and decide to accept the name with gratitude. "I thank you for such an honour and graciously accept the name Navarkos." This decision is the right one, it will endear me with Chief Gem. This will spread amongst the Wokan ranks under him, he could very well become my greatest supporter.