With my words, Gem quickly flashes a pleased expression, he repeats the Samsiran salute and exits the office to complete my orders. Suddenly the room has become quiet with only I and Grisha left, of course, she immediately breaks the silence with her slightly irritating and smug voice. "So greater master of the Wokan fleet, Lord Navarkos how can this humble servant be of use to you?" She of course has mastered the art of sarcasm, a new concept I had only seen the Wokan perform. Specifically, Grisha as she preferred to emulate a strange culture. She had mentioned this concept of sarcasm once before as a cultural norm, which she heard of through a Traderian merchant, from some far-off civilisation.

I snort with derision and reply in a manner mirroring her own. "Oh, humble servant your lord and master are not worthy of such devotion." I decide to play along for some time, leading to another awkward silence followed by laughter from myself and the Wokan version of laughter in the form of loud cackling. Following our laughing session, I decided to correct her on a matter I pondered. "Well, Ma Grisha the name Navarkos is a tad long... You may call me Navar for short." The name indeed suited me and having such a long name spoken frequently might be problematic, shortening the name saves time.

She nods in agreement as the shorter name is cemented. The new method to identify me beyond my clone designation or simply by the title, they gave me. Now with that out of the way, it's time to talk business. I lean back onto my chair and focus my gaze upon Grisha, a means to gauge every facet of her, in response to the next conversation. "Now that we are alone, we can speak freely, what have you learned about the less trustworthy members of the crew?" I am indeed delving into the subtler aspect of this situation. Now that a large population is under my administration, it is time to separate those I can trust from those I cannot.

In response to my query, Grisha takes back her own datapad, taps a few buttons, appears to read something on the screen and then lifts her head to speak to me. "I have been observing them carefully and had a few associates of mine to keep an eye on them." She says with a calm expression and tone as she continues to navigate the controls of her datapad, with ease. Her words are curious as I was not aware she had her own allies within this ship.

This piece of news is quite interesting, so despite the fact she is not likely to tell me, I decided to ask regardless. "What associates do you speak of?" Indeed, my curiosity is peaking, I had not expected her to have agents within the crew. Associates she could rely on for such a discrete task.

She smiles as a result of my query; I knew almost immediately she wasn't going to give me a straight answer, yet I decided to listen anyway. "That is a secret, but my associates have whispered in my ears about a few members of the crew, that could be a threat." Hmm well despite her expected rejection, she appears to have some useful information. I shall see if said information is valuable enough to maintain this shaky alliance between species.

I gesture with my right hand outstretched towards her, signalling for her to continue her report. She does so almost immediately, with that cheeky smile of hers. "Well now, of course as expected Galitor is a problem. He has been trying to convince members of the Wokan militia to oppose you and Gem. He is not happy with you in charge, but still despises Zekton, so he is getting nowhere." She delivers her explanation of past events with refined efficiency as if she did not need to stop for a breath. She finishes and looks down at the datapad to continue. "Galitor will only become a problem if the Wokan start to lose faith in your ability to lead them and with Gem on your side you have the majority. Yet my associates have mentioned strange behaviour from members of the science and militia divisions." Now that is expected but still concerning, I initially had my eye on Galitor. He had been quite hostile to the Garudan's and likely did not like me being in charge, yet in truth, Gem kept him at bay.

Of course, there would be others, but exhibiting strange behaviour I wonder what she means by that. I decided to ask her to elaborate and she does so by replying in her cold professional voice, which I have come to enjoy. "My associates have been reporting some of the scientists and militia have been whispering to each other worried they may be caught by Gem. They had not heard why they were concerned only that they acted suspiciously and actively avoided my associates almost if they were aware of them." That is indeed concerning, I had only learned just now that Grisha had some sort of informant network on the ship. If they had been comprised already of enemies amongst the ranks of the science and militia division.

I would need to keep a close eye on these divisions, to root out potential threats, perhaps I could lure them out. I nod to myself and come up with a potential plan to lure out the threats aboard this ship. I turn my eyes downcast to my new desk, inspecting its craftsmanship. The craftsmanship is ironically simple, rectangular shape with small draws below.

I further downcast my gaze to my own, altered Demthesian officers' uniform. It is similar to the one worn by Zekton with the Demthesian insignia removed. Perhaps I will replace it with an insignia of my own. I observe my uniform, casting my eyes on the various pockets sewn into the apparel. Two inside pockets are located within my left and right breast pockets. Two other pockets are sewn into the sides of the jacket as well as two others on the right and left side of the pants.

The clothes were eerily similar to our Korvenin garb, specifically the military attire. I suppose since Korvenese and Demthesian both have similar body types, I have heard. I move my hand to the inside of my left breast pocket and withdraw the vial of Vixorm. Displaying it to Grisha and asking her a question. "Has any of your associates heard any of the crew mentioning the Vixorm serum, excluding the science division who are working on a cure for me?" I shake the serum in front of her, causing the bright blue liquid to slosh from side to side.

She seems to become almost entranced by the serum, while she moves her head from side to side, probably to get a better look at it. Her expression quickly changes, realising what I am carrying. She grumbles softly before casting her gaze and then back up to my eye level. She glares directly at me, before speaking a few words, commenting on the serum's significance. "Strangely my associates have not reported anyone whispering about that depraved serum. Seems very quiet on that front." Well, I honestly had expected that not many of the crew were aware of the use of Vixorm. Still nothing at all, perhaps they are keeping quiet intentionally.

I decide to return the vial back to my left inner breast pocket and ask her one final question. "Is there anything else to report?" Hopefully, she reports nothing more. I would prefer them to be fewer issues aboard this ship, keeping it under control is a hassle. But of course, I would prefer to know rather than remain ignorant. She ponders for a time, tapping on her datapad for a few moments. Eventually, she lifts her gaze and shakes her head from side to side, signalling a negative response.

With her confirmation of no further intelligence, I sigh softly before looking down at the desk drawer and tapping on the desk's ejection button. There is a touch screen located on the bottom right corner of the desk, it controls the desk's various functions. I tap the right draw ejection command causing the draw to open with a soft click.

Turning my gaze to the now open draw, I grasp the three metallic bottles placing each of them on the desk, ordered from left to right. The three bottles seem like some sort of beverage, I am indeed curious about their taste but would like to confirm them. "Ma Grisha do you know what these are?" I gesture to the three bottles before me and then cast my gaze back to Grisha, who looks back at me confused.

She continues that expression for a short amount of time, moving her eyes back and forth between me and the bottles. A beaming smile suddenly appears, just as she chuckles jovially and replies. "Haha, well those three are some good quality Demthesian alcohol, some strong stuff from memory. Us Wokan wouldn't dream of even touching such an exclusive beverage." She ends her words with a slight smirk, leaning forward to grasp the left side bottle. Shaking it slightly, above the desk causing the liquid to slosh around.

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Exclusive beverage, perhaps a luxury the Demthesian's enjoyed, there definitely was a class system and social structure. The Wokan were basically slaves and seen as lesser, so they would be treated as such. Yet this is a concept that can be rectified with the correct method. I lean back down to the open drawer and grab two metallic goblets, placing them on the desk.

I part them from each other, side by side and next to the three alcoholic beverages. The confusion on Grisha's face was quite enjoyable to see. I think I will enjoy Grisha's company. Perhaps this kind of person is the kind of person I most enjoy, very curious. I gesture with my right hand towards the three bottles before speaking directly to her with a calm voice. "Please have a drink with me, we can select from these three." I acted as some sort of bartender, I'm not sure why I decided to emulate a character from an entertainment video from my homeworld, it just sort of happened.

With my request, Grisha's eyes seem to light up with interest and perhaps confusion. It's really hard to read Wokan, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. She places her coffee container to the side, narrows her gaze upon the three bottles and nonchalantly points at the left-most bottle. I smile at her clearly aloof behaviour and then grasp the left bottle. I open the lid and pour the dark red liquid into one of the goblets. Once half full I push the goblet towards her with my free hand.

I then grab the middle bottle as it was the nearest to me. I open the lid and pour the bright blue liquid into the second goblet. Both of us raise our glasses into the air to drink, but before I can taste the liquid, she mouths a strange term. "Gia Dox." I am unfamiliar with the term, yet she seems to smile and down the drink in one go. In solidarity I down the liquid as well, which was a big mistake. The extremely bitter burning liquid was not tasteful at all, multiple times more bitter than delicious coffee. I suspect I am not going to be a taster of alcohol anytime soon; I cough out several times after foolishly draining the goblet.

Of course, Grisha has no such reaction instead she laughs jovially at my clearly humorous response to the burning beverage. I try to centre myself and place the empty goblet back on the desk, heaving slightly. I eventually reclaim my composure and glared at the still-smiling Grisha. With my lungs under control, I ask her a question curious about the term she used. "Gia Dox, tell me Grisha, what does that mean?" I ask as I believe it may be ancient Wokan, but I am still unsure, I have noticed many if not almost all don't speak the language of their ancestors.

She nods in affirmation of my query, beginning her explanation of the term. "Gia Dox... It's an ancient salute to the fallen Wokan who died in battle, to drink in their honour, it means for glory." After giving her an explanation, she gestures with her goblet for a refill. I decided to oblige and pour more alcohol into the goblet halfway. Upon my actions she glares at me for a time, taking the hint, I pour more into the beverage as she continues speaking. "It's an old saying mainly said before battle, the entire thing goes like this." She downs the entire drink expertly, then stands up to begin her loud speech. "Gia dox, gia ama, thelone na petha, as akolo ecthro!" Immediately after that loud declaration, she throws the goblet over her shoulder and beats her chest with her four upper arms.

Truly a fascinating custom of the species, I decided to show some solidarity by throwing my now empty goblet over my shoulder. Standing up and beating my chest, yet only with two arms. I am obviously limited in appendages. We both sit down quickly, leaving the goblets on the floor, I will clean them up later. I stare back at Grisha and then ask her a question. "What does that mean?" I grab the third bottle to inspect it, directing that question towards the Wokan opposite me.

She seems to shake her head, regaining her composure from the previous excitement. Once done so she turns around, grabs the goblet and presents the empty one to me. "It translates loosely to... For glory, for blood, if we are to die, let the enemy follow." Well, now that is a truly brutal string of words, the Wokan say before downing an alcoholic beverage.

It does give me the vision of inebriated and bloodthirsty Wokan marching off to war, likely to their deaths. I pull my thoughts away from such a scene, the visage of a Wokan covered in blood and surrounded by corpses. Strangely it resembles Grisha, such an intimidating sight. With my senses reclaimed, I pour another drink for Grisha and turn to retrieve my goblet. Placing it carefully on the desk, without pouring myself one.

I lift my gaze back up to the now judging glare of Grisha, the glare seems to insist, prompting me to succumb. I grab the blue alcohol and pour myself a drink, it's not too bad after a few drinks. The two of us start drinking in earnest and after a while, I start asking her some questions about her life. Normally she would be rather tight-lipped about such matters, yet for some reason, her past seemed to pour out like the flowing alcohol.

I had limited knowledge of this type of beverage, yet I sensed it was having some sort of dulling effect on Grisha. She seemed to relax more and information flowed from her more freely. Yet I experienced none of that, no matter how many goblets I drank, very curious. From our long conversation I learned much from Grisha, she learned the ancient language of the Wokan from her father who was a five hundredth and seventh Pralator.

Her father was low on the topple pole, yet they had a good life before Demthesian rule. Within Wokan culture I learned that Wokan families are communal and based around clutch kin birthing grounds. Yet with those lower in society, family is more condensed and the importance of direct lineages had greater precedence. Case in point, Gem has two sons whom he cherished, despite himself being born in a clutch breeding ground.

Now back to Grisha, her father was a Pralator stationed on the Wokan colony planet of Fer-Tan. It was a rural planet with a small Pralator division, to keep the colonists safe. Grisha's ancestors were once part of the main defence force during the times of Wokan independence. Once the Wokan Hierarchy fell to the Demthesian Legion, the colony planet of Fer-Tan, was last to be absorbed.

During the Demthesian occupation, Fer-Tan and several other colony planets attempted to resist. This rebel alliance was short-lived as the rebels had limited intelligence regarding the magnitude of the Demthesian threat. The Legion arrived and invaded the rebel planets one by one, slaughtering the rebels as an example. Despite the massacres performed from planet to planet, the spirit of the rebellion never broke.

Not until the Legion aimed their weapons towards the civilian colonists threatening to orbitally bombard the colony cities. The rebellion broke with their absolute surrender. The planets were secured and the Legion wanted someone to blame. Her father was one of the rebel leaders that were executed as an example. Since then, Grisha kept her head down, keeping her past to herself and focusing on her administrative job. This was all to ensure the Demthesian's never questioned her loyalty.

I don't know why she told me this, she had explained how she hid her past from even the Demthesian legion, claiming to be one of the many orphans of the rebellion. Perhaps it is the effect of this liquid known as alcohol, I may test its viability as a truth serum at some point. But I think there is a deeper reason, maybe I am simply the best person to confide in. I am not associated with the Demthesian Legion nor the Wokan people, in fact, I was a planetary native of an unknown world.

Her head is downcast as she stares deeply into the recesses of the now-empty goblet. She stared as if there is something important dwelling at the bottom. The atmosphere became somewhat heavy and gloomy; I personally am not a fan of this and decide to speak up. "That is quite the history and am deeply sorry for what happened to your father, it was unjust... But now you have new opportunities... A new life entirely for you decided by yourself." I try to cheer her up in the only way I know how, by stating the truth.

She lifts her gaze to look at me questioningly, pauses for a moment, and her eyes flutter with thought. Suddenly a beaming smile can be seen, it is pleasant and strangely warm. With her smile still gracing her face, she decides to reply to me with a calm tone. "Thank you for saying that, and in regards to my life, I'll let you know when I make a decision." To be honest, that is the answer I wanted, her loyalty to me is not absolute and I don't expect her to remain with me. Of course, I wouldn't mind if she does, her contributions to what I am trying to achieve here are quite large. It would be a waste to lose such a talented person, but I would respect her decision, either way, this is the benefit of free will.

We both smile at each other, shortly before the depressing atmosphere fades, I turn to the bottles gesturing for a continuance. She nods and holds out her goblet, expecting me to pour her another drink. I oblige and our pleasant conversation continues. Some time goes by and now I am alone in my office, the bottles have been returned to the desk drawer. Grisha has since left to perform the duties I require her after she rests for a time to reclaim her strength. This alcohol has quite an effect on Wokan's, in contrast, I have yet to experience any sensation from the beverage, beyond the bitter aftertaste.