I personally am not that familiar with the beverage of truth; genuine reality is a strange concept to a mentally programmed clone soldier. Most of my initial life was a lie in a sense. Images and sounds were embedded into my mind whilst I dwelled in a cloning vat. Whether or not they were the truth or lies is quite unknown to me. The past is a difficult thing to determine when all that remember it are dead. So, I had to comfort myself with the potential lies and truth, the AI-controlled computer fed the growing me.

Of course, I am over it, such events in my past have indeed influenced who I am. The core of a person is their memories, that much I know to be true. Yet I still find my mind lingering on a concept that makes me feel unsatisfied. I believe it is related to my newfound curiosity, the insatiable need to divine the truth out of this contradictive and chaotic universe. I think it's a normal realisation that most sentient life deals with at some point and I guess it's my turn. I still have this feeling that I may not like the answers. This nagging sensation at the back of my mind, I believe it may be called intuition, compelling me to ignore the path towards the answer.

Well, regardless I have never been one to sit still and let reality pass me by, as the moment I awoke without restraints, I knew my path ahead. I have no doubt that if my mind was shackled, the same as my brethren. I would be ignorant of reality, to the truth and would seek nothing more than the next action, ordered by another. But when the chains are broken and the mind is free, I find myself looking towards the future. That concept filled with uncertainty Is quite exciting in my opinion, the unknown ahead. This drive I feel pressing against my mind compels me forward, it gives me the strength to march against that uncertainty and demands the informative reality of any situation.

To expand my mind, to expand its knowledge, its past... It's direction. The excavation has begun and I have no desire to end such a path towards the enlightenment I seek. Yet I find myself thinking back to a simple quote, I had vaguely heard during the minuscule downtime I had within the bunker. At that time, I only had a small grasp on my curious nature, so I delved into historical records regardless of the topic.

I found a quote by a Potifian poet from many years ago. His works are varied but they had a simple theme, and the concept of the truth was one of them. One of his poems went something like this. "She is a daring temptress, forever elusive in her ways. I try not to accept how illustrious and alluring her gaze is. I try to seek her form yet she keeps much from me. She is a fine wine, bitter and then sweet, that much I agree." When I first heard this, I deemed it nonsense, yet after a time of growing my own personality, I strangely understand.

Though I crave the answer to many of my questions, my insatiable curiosity forever drives me to those answers. I still can't help but think back to that strange poem, understanding the artistry may be beyond me, yet the message seems quite clear. My journey to the answers and my many questions will be a long one, but I have no doubt I will be able to obtain the truth. What's left to consider is if we can accept that very truth, especially when it is thrust before us, can we truly enjoy the sweetness in contrast to the bitter?

A few minor Cycles Later, Hellmak Lead Patrol Vessel, Cockpit.

I am gazing down at the troubled Wokan security officer Gem, he easily turns the ship to idle. The two other vessels can be seen out of the screen display, in front of us. Two identical ships on the left and the other on the right. Behind them is the incredible visage of a green-hued planet, not too far off. This planet is obviously Garuda, the homeworld of the Garudan tribal civilisation and our target for landing.

With our small fleet idle, Gem turns to me with an expectant expression, prompting me to speak. "We will idle here for a time, while we discuss the plan in further detail." Gem nods in response to my straightforward statement and turns his gaze back to the control panel. I continue with a follow-up to my prior statement before vacating the central ship meeting room. "Oh, and send a message to Quroken, patch him to the central room communicator." With my head turned backwards I give him the final order; with his reply of acknowledgement, I vacate the cockpit.

Walking down the ship's hall, I reassure myself that my recently acquired Officer's Pistol is still secured to my waist. The weapon was strangely in very good condition despite its previous owner being a vicious Wokan brute who is now wallowing in the Ruktan's prison cell. My thoughts glance to Zekton's visage for a moment before he is quickly forgotten in favour of the coming conflict. I am now halfway down the ship's corridor before I stop in my tracks. Certain lingering private thoughts begin to surface centred around Gem's clutch child known as Randax.

The look in Gem's eyes tells me quite the story, he has been dodging questions about his clutch children every time I ask. Yet that look of hope grants me more information than any words. It is clear he sees this event through a certain lens, seeing Randax's actions as opposed to Zekton, perhaps even a heroic act. Though this thought is not unreasonable, I can fathom a plan where a Wokan officer could ferry Garudan prisoners to another location, sparing them from Zekton's wrath. But my mind does not tend to lean towards such scenarios, the worst-case scenario seems to be my forte.

The concept that Gem may refuse to accept is Randax may as well be acting on his own, yet likely not out of an altruistic interest. Perhaps even for his own gain, the Wokan people can be varied in morals, so I try not to cast judgement on the entire species. Yet I can still come up with a scenario painting Randax as a threat, that even his own clutch father cannot talk down. I don't think Gem will be able to endure the truth If my scenario proves correct, but I will still try and look for a peaceful solution. If no such solution is found, there is always Zatrophos and his rambunctious cohorts.

I ended up shaking my head to cast the pull of delving too much into my own thoughts. Lifting my gaze back to the corridor I quickly move forward, passing through the entryway and into the occupied central room. The sight before me Is familiar, the same room where I had killed several of the former Wokan crew. Luckily, they were all Zekton's soldiers so none here held it against me. To my left is Zatrophos admiring his REP Rifle as if it was some work of art.

He was leaning against the semi-circle couch with his squad seated behind him. To the right is Pok discussing something with the Garudan squad, which I had since named the Honour Squadron. My naming sense is a little obvious naming the two squads under my command Liberty and Honour, yet I think it is rather fitting. I had left Elkra aboard the Ruktan, she had very little desire to return to Garuda and I needed someone I trusted aboard the ship to act on my behalf.

Feeling assured about my decisions, I stepped forward, standing upright in a dignified position and spoke with a commanding voice, for all to hear. "Squad Honour, squad Liberty, to attention." I glanced from left to right casting my gaze upon both distinctly different groups, who reacted with even more distinction. Commander Pok stepped forward with his Garudan squad, they only had six members since Sok needed time to recover after he was wounded.

The Honour Squadron step forward lining themselves neatly in front of me before each performs a Samsiran salute. In stark contrast, the Liberty Squadron barely acknowledge my order with only a few casting indifferent glances towards me. The disrespect would have affected me if that mattered to me on a personal level, yet respect is a core necessity in the military.

The indifference of his soldiers will be something I must remedy, I wish I had more time, but I doubt life plays to my schedule. Yet I still have some options, I glare coldly at Zatrophos with clear intent in my gaze, communicating with him, absent words. He grunts in response, cracking his neck to the side, turns to his men and gives them a similar glare. The entire squad immediately ascends, quickly lining up next to the Honour Squadron.

I nod as thanks to Zatrophos who replies in a similar manner before stepping in front of his men ready to receive orders. "The plan is simple; we will land near the northern base and depart for the wilderness east of the compound, once vacated, Chief Gem and his security division will make contact with their leader for negotiation." Finishing my words abruptly, I wait silently for any words of ascent, and when none arrive, I decide to continue. Conveniently Chief Gem arrives with several of his security officers, following behind him.

Four of his officers are pushing small crates on gravity-modulated carts hovering slightly off the ground. They present the two crates before us, opening them by tapping a small button on the side. Nodding to Gem I step forward, reach my hand into one of the crates and grab a helmet from the several others neatly packed inside. The helmet is dark in colour, round like a dome with a vertical eye slit. I open the other crate and observe several sets of dark combat armour, grabbing one of them I inspect the armour carefully.

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The armour is the advanced tactical scout armour of the Demthesian Legion, this particular set was altered by the ship's engineers to have a second opening for the Wokan's extra arms. The armour is entirely layered with a thin yet durable versatile alloy the Demthesian's called Drateriun. The alloy was apparently mined on a planet called Drat-Mex a former Wokan colony planet. Drateriun is extremely durable, capable of enduring extreme pressure and can even endure laser fire. The metal is also very lightweight.

It also has a unique characteristic that when an electric current is applied with different intensities, the texture of the material can change. Allowing the armour to change colour, even blending into the environment, this of course had incredible applications for stealth. The armour was discovered in the off-limits vault we recently managed to pry away from the computer locking mechanisms. Seeing the potential, we had the armour altered for both the Wokan's and the Garudan's, presenting the armour to the group, I instruct them all to suit up.

After some time and assisting a few Wokan's with the armour, both myself, squad Liberty and Honour are all wearing the scout armour. The imposing presence of the two fully armoured and equipped squads is quite the sight. Each of them has yet to place their helmet on, I am explaining the armour's functions. "The helmets have basic tactical heads-up displays, with a communication channel to your squad mates and me. The data pad embedded into your wrists controls the suit's stealth functions." I turn down to my own wrist, tapping the screen I select a green colour and engage the colour shift. The armour changes from black to dark green and then back to the default black.

The crowd before me is surprisingly not shocked, I expected this of course. This Is nothing new to the Wokan and the Garudan's have since adapted. I turn to Pok and begin some further explanation. "Pok, thank you for your assistance with the Garudan runic language, I was able to with Zerg's help embed a translation algorithm into your suits, if there are any functions you don't understand please come to me." Pok nodded in response before placing the helmet on his head, causing the vertical slit to emanate a red light. This action prompts my datapad to react signalling that squad leader Pok is online, I also had the entire squad programmed into the database,

After Pok acted both squads all put their helmets on, myself being the final participant. With my helmet secured firmly, a heads-up display appears before my eyes. To the side is a list of all my squad members' life signs and designations one through eleven. To test the new equipment, I tap on my datapad and the communication channel opens up, connecting me to Zatrophos and Pok. "Squads Liberty and Honour... Check?" Zatrophos and Pok both repeat my words granting me some secure knowledge that I can contact them.

I then activate another function of the interface, two screens appear before my sight, both videos' feeds from Pok and Zatrophos's helmets allowing me to observe what they see. Pok's feed is gazing directly at me, whilst Zatrophos is gazing down at his rifle, caressing the weapon as if it was his clutch child. I will try not to judge his strange behaviour, but then again, we are all aliens here, perhaps I should not cast judgement, well I'm a clone.

Satisfied with the new technology I turn to the right, grab my laser rifle and place it upon the magnetised holster on the suit's back. I turn around, take off my helmet and speak softly to the still-standing Gem. "It's time, send the communication." Gem's expression changes quickly, he immediately exudes a hesitant air. Clearly nervous towards coming events. The squad moves to the side allowing Gem and his security officers to seat themselves on the couch, with the two squads positioning themselves behind me.

Gem sighs dejectedly and places a communicator device on the centre table, the device is a standard-issue Shah communicator. The device is like a smaller datapad, with a simple rectangular screen and several buttons, neatly packed together. The design was sleek with round edges, who would have known this device can communicate across vast distances of space? The Shah used them to communicate planet to planet via a vast signal network setup, throughout the Empire's territory. Gem started entering several commands into the communicator, setting the device to only cast the video feed within a narrow view towards himself.

Some time goes by before the communicator makes a beeping sound, I notice Gem swallowing his saliva, his eyes widen in expectation. But the moment the device emits a three-sixty-degree hologram depicting a well-dressed Garudan, Gem's expression plummets. The Garudan is the same one that appeared in the message sent for Zekton, the self-titled Grand Priest who called himself Unbaran.

The zealot frowns before speaking in that annoying tone of grandeur. "I thought I made his holy eminence's desires clear to the heathens above. Do not contact us and stain us with your heretical ways." The self-important fanatical priest attempted to exude a superior station. Looking down on Gem was difficult since Gem was faced with him directly.

I cast my gaze on Gem who despite only speaking to the fanatic for a short time was clearly done with him. "I want to speak to my clutch child; I want to talk to Randax!" His voice was strangely calm yet the undertone was laced with frustration and anger. The once confident priest flinched slightly under Gem's oppressive glare.

Unbaran was about to launch into another crazed fanatical speech. I am starting to spot his expressions signalling a future religious rant. As the Garudan is about to enter his tirade, a calm voice is spoken from the side. "Grand Priest, it is fine I will speak to him." The voice was smooth, calm and enigmatic, I couldn't put my finger on it, yet the voice sounded familiar, was it the tone? Immediately the priest's glare changed to zealot adoration, directed to whoever was next to him. The priest rose from his seat and was soon replaced by a young Wokan male. The Wokan bore a striking resemblance to Gem, a younger version of him. Yet his left eye was heavily scarred, and his body was vastly more muscular than Gem's. He was wearing a strange dark blue robe embroidered with a strange symbol of a sword penetrating a planet.

The appearance of Randax was striking, his gaze was calm and his eye's radiated intelligence, just how intelligent remains to be seen. I can clearly see he is grasping his own father's visage with cold indifference, causing a frown to appear on Gem's face. "Hello father, what can I do for you, if you are here for Zekton, I will repeat... The northern territory is mine." He speaks with a firm resolve; his tone never exceeds that still volume, yet Gem's reaction is the complete opposite.

Gem inhales a breath, calms his nerves and replies to his clutch child with a warm fatherly approach. "My clutch child, my Randax, there is no need for this, Zekton has lost his position and you can return to the Ruktan." There is hope in Gem's expression, it was clear he coveted his clutch child's safety, yet I could see that Randax is not in danger.

Despite the news clearly being a shocking revelation, Randax remained calm, his expression barely changed and only narrowed. He drops his face slightly, casting his gaze to the floor likely in contemplation. Some time passes and he raises his gaze back to the one who sired him and replies, still with a cold tone. "Is that true father?" The query was expected, yet I noticed that he still had not even changed expression as if this was all expected.

Gem nodded furiously in affirmation before speaking. "Yes, my clutch child it is true, Orikzai stotheo." Now that's curious he finished his reply with an unfamiliar term, it sounds like the old Wokan language. After speaking the strange term, he placed all four of his hands one by one over his chest. Perhaps some sort of ritual I am not aware of, I will ask him about this later.

Randax finally has a change in expression, leaning back slightly on his chair, narrowing his gaze and replying with a dubious tone. "Well, if you are swearing on the old Gods, it must be the truth... Very well, your ships have been spotted in the outer atmosphere, please come father... We have much to discuss." Randax replies to his father with mild surprise, before cancelling the communication abruptly. Despite the abrupt cancellation Gem seems satisfied, the fact that at least one of his clutch children is alive seems to have brightened up his mood.

With the communication ended, I step forward with an extra tactical helmet, placing one of them on the table, I speak to Gem directly. "I am happy your clutch child is safe, but we must be cautious, have two of your men suit up in advanced tactical armour, so I have a direct line to you during the negotiation." Gem still in bliss nods half-heartedly, directing two of his close officers to change into the armour.

My gaze narrows towards him, still with many questions that needed to be said, collating those questions I begin to ask. "Is there anything you need to tell me about your clutch children?" These words manage to shake Gem out of his daze, he looks back at me, now with an afterglow.

His face drops into a slight depression, I notice it and narrow my gaze trying to interpret anything. This brief flicker of sadness fades and he replies to my question. "There is nothing... Nothing that matters anymore, I will convince my clutch child to assist us and together we can find Lotha." The vibrance in his words was palpable, I could sense his conviction and belief. I almost felt he was completely convinced, yet I was not. But I had nothing but speculation and theories, time is of the essence and we have a job to do.

After the security officers suit up, two more communication channels and video feeds appeared on my interface. I labelled them under the security squad a separate division under Chief Gem. After the preparations were finalised, we contacted Quroken, Itoa and Hera, giving them their orders. Since we had limited tactical combat armours available, only Itoa and Hera were outfitted along with two other Garudan's on Quroken ships.

They activated their communication channels tethering their presence to my interface. The sight of all these communication channels granted me a sense of security. Eventually, the ships split up with Quroken, Itoa and Hera's ships heading for the southern region of the main continent. Whilst our ship headed straight for the northern region.