With these strange thoughts crossing my mind, I witnessed his smirk fade to a slight scowl. It is the first time I have seen him displeased, a fascinating sight. "Well, we shall see how it all turns out in the end, who shall claim victory and who shall wallow in defeat." With my words, an awkward silence descends upon the room. It is strangely uncomfortable to endure, I am not sure why, yet there is still one thing I am curious about.

So, intending to eliminate the silence I smile and make an inquiry. "Perhaps it is best we change the subject. For instance, if that weapon is a ceremonial artifact... How did you, a Wokan obtain it?" The question was straightforward and I suppose a little off-topic. Yet I am intensely curious about the past of such an individual, who would claim himself a God to a native populace.

He smiled at that, not a wide, brim or joyful smile. The expression crossing his face is more akin to amusement, perhaps he didn't expect the question. More likely the question triggered an amusing memory, regardless I intended to delve further. He cracks his neck to the side, disables the blade's plasma effect and placed it on the table. Staring back at me he speaks plainly and with a soft tone. "That is indeed a long story, are you sure you have such time to hear it?" The question was a decent ask, he likely believes that time is a factor. Of course, I know a lot more than what is made initially obvious and so exudes confidence.

Nodding in affirmation to his inquiry I meet his gaze confidently, before replying. "Oh, we have time, your men have yet to penetrate the bridge." Throwing out this statement, potentially puts him off balance. Alas, not a single reaction is shown, to indicate so. Instead, he snorts softly as if the words were meaningless. His smile widens a fraction before his shoulders rise and fall quickly.

Shaking his head from side to side, he glares back at me before speaking. "Very well then." Gesturing his lower arms outwards and to the side, he begins explaining his past. "I am assuming you are aware of the siege of Ter-Masa?" His gaze became cold, his smile faded to a horizontal slit. I nodded in affirmation of his query, prompting him to continue. "Hmm... A nasty bit of business that was." His eye is now downcast upon the blade, he caresses it with his right hand. "But it is to be expected, for military commanders, the frustration of consecutive defeats sometimes blurs the lines of fair warfare." Still caressing the blade, he lifts his gaze to meet mine. "If you are aware of the battle, I would assume you know of Surena Kal, Admiral of the flagship Tolzena?" Randax asks with a curious gaze set upon me as if anticipating my positive response.

I turned my gaze to the table downcast; I rack my brain around the name. Coming up empty I decided to return his gaze and reply. "No, I have not heard of this Admiral, nor of the ship you speak of." Answering plainly and concisely I gauge his reaction. Mild surprise followed by a quick adjustment in his seat.

His eyes widen slightly and his breathing grows heavier, he exhales a deep breath. Staring at me for a moment, his three eyes flutter and his mouth opens to speak. "Well then, I guess I should introduce you two." He pauses shortly as if the Demthesian admiral were about to appear out of nowhere. Alas, that situation didn't come to pass, instead, he continues speaking. "Surena Kal was a politically connected and ambitious naval officer of the Legion; I wouldn't call her power-hungry and yet I wouldn't refute that description either." Gesturing the sword to the side, narrowly passing my field of vision, he stares off into the distance. "Her ambition led her to be involved in several military campaigns from the Pintonian revolt to the war with the Republic." He nods and then smiles strangely. "She made a name for herself and managed to obtain the rank of Admiral, her own flagship and a modest fleet." Leaving off the end of that statement, he chuckles softly as if finding her achievements amusing.

He still continues his amused expression, some form of an inside joke perhaps. Over time he seems to calm down and continues. "After clawing her way to her position, she finally had a chance to shine in the Wokan War of Subjugation." Pausing on those final words, he turns his gaze to the side and continues. "Her first mission was to bring Ter-Masa to heel. She was apparently secretly offered the planets governorship if she succeeded... In the end, she failed several sieges wasting a lot of resources and time." Nodding a few times, he adjusts his gaze to me. "With the stubborn planet, she decided to use a chemical weapon to eradicate the remaining resistants." I heard this story already but never from one so calm, and curious, I continue to listen. "After she was finished, naturally she was not awarded the planet, instead she was granted a Xarosian blade." Smiling slyly, he chuckles once more. "I wish I could have seen her face when she was given such an honour." His smile widens and laughter slowly grows in pitch. "She was not pleased, so much so during the rounding up of the survivors of Ter-Masa she couldn't help herself." His smile dims ever slightly if the memories are no longer as humorous as the prior ones.

With the familiarity of his story, I decided to cut in and express said familiarity. "You were taken by her, from your father that day." Not giving too much detail I leave my statement slightly vague, to coax more information.

Glaring back at me with an intense stare, his eyes flicker for a moment. His calm wavers but he quickly reclaimed it with minimal effort. "Correct, I see you have been speaking to my father." We both give each other a short nod, before his next words. "I was taken and placed into a newly established training program." Lifting his sword once more he again caresses the edges of the blade, with his two fingers. "To mould us into proper soldiers of the Legion. So, our worth could measure up to their high standards. In truth, it was a means to create disposable cannon fodder. Yet what I learnt was not without merit." Unveiling a bemused grin, he glares back at me, as if expecting some sort of reaction.

Pondering the information, I decided on a response. "It is not uncommon for the conquered to be conscripted. Yet I suspect your training regime may have been different in comparison to the average slave ranks?" Attempting to elicit more information I make this very point. Taking into consideration the planning that had to be implemented by this Wokan. I'd say he must have been trained very well.

He grumbles softly before leaning his blade onto his right shoulder. "You are correct again alien, my training was indeed not average. Unfortunately, I have been trained not to reveal too much to an enemy." His reply seems colder than usual, it seems this amicable conversation will soon see its end. "But I suppose you did ask a question and I shall answer." He nods to himself as if recalling something. Pondering before lifting his gaze. "This sword was given to me as a gift for service under Admiral Kal. Of course, that was the official story. In truth, she wanted to humiliate the Demthesian with this petty move and it worked very well." Smiling mischievously, I get a sense he enjoyed the result of her actions. Perhaps their relationship is closer than appears.

Placing his sword back into his sheath he turns to me, glaring coldly and speaks plainly. "Now that the get to know me part is done, I believe it is time we got down to business." Taking on a serious expression he leans forward, rising from his seat and planting his front fists onto the table. "You will accompany me to the bridge and you will compel the last of this petty resistance of yours, to give in to my demands." His stern gaze locks on me, and his voice raises in pitch leading to the recognition of his anger, being an obvious assessment.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

With his words resounding I quickly comprehend all the variables and information he has afforded me. Coming to a conclusion in a fraction of a nano cycle I conclude there is still a chance. "It seems the crew are not amicable to your captainship?" I replied in a calm tone, knowing my words may spark an emotional response. He snorted derisively, followed by a hearty chuckle. It's clearly an emotional response.

Getting himself back under control he leans down and grabs his cup of coffee, I mirror his action. We both take a swig of the warm liquid. He then rises from his chair and walks around to my left side. "Enough of this." With that statement exuding finality, he grabs me from my chair and slams me against the wall. The pain was brief, causing a minor shock that quickly fades. Glaring back at him I gauge his reaction. The sound of course alerted that outside, several heavily armed Wokan's entered in a panic. Aiming their weapons, ready and willing to fire. Randax ceases their movements with a mere glance, before returning to me.

Grasping my sides with his upper arms, his lower left arm traces my left breast pocket. Without a moment of hesitation, he slips his hand down into the pocket. His hand manoeuvres around as if expecting to find something. Prompting a confused expression to cross his face. Glaring back at me, he proceeds to search my person, before finding what he seeks. Grasping the vial of serum from my side pocket, he dangles it before my eyes. "Bring me the glove!" Still gazing at me he roars his command. As expected, it was not aimed at me. One of his lackeys left the room, only for a short time before appearing once more.

Approaching us he can be seen holding a small metallic glove in his two hands. Cupping the strange artefact as if it was a treasure. Handing over the glove to Randax, he carefully slips it onto his right lower hand. Once secured he raises the glove, giving me a good look. The glove was purely black with a metallic sheen. Several groves can be seen tracing the top of the fingers, branching out from the wrist. The sight was akin to a web of glowing and faded lights tracing the ominous gauntlet. Noticing his actions, he places the vial into a small circular repository on the back. Securing with a slight click, the glove comes alive with a soft draining sound, and the entire vial is emptied.

Throwing away the empty vial, he glares back at me with an intense stare before speaking in a harsh tone. "You see this here; this was her favourite tool. Admiral Kal or Surena, she liked to get her hands dirty so to speak, when she disciplined us." The glowing glove shimmers before me as a morbid fascination with the device takes hold. Aligning the tips of his fingers he plunges the glove into my neck. The sensation of several needle-like spikes penetrates my skin. Followed by the sound of quickly diminishing vacutainers. "You see, the serum was meant to keep the populace dependant and subservient. Me and my men, well we began to love it." My eyes dull for a short time, and I gaze back at him with intensity. The wide-brim smile could be seen plastering his face if such events were pleasing to the eye.

Clutching me with his arms he begins to push me towards the exit, my knees buckle, nearly fall over. Quickly he picks me up and we continue on our journey. Weaving through the hallways, it became clear where I and his retinue were heading. Suddenly a faint noise could be heard at the back of my mind. Quiet chatter that could not be heard by the others. Realising the words were within my own mind I turn to my implant's interface. A communication request from an unknown signal appeared in the queue. Silently activating it, I witness several words cross my vision in Shahnese. Reading it quickly I determined the origin to be from Zerg outlining his situation. After finishing reading the information, a short smile crosses my face, upon realisation.

Randax peers down at me whilst pushing me forward, his face moving to my left ear. "I honestly don't care much of who you are or where you come from. I just need you to order your foolish people to stand down and give up the bridge." His pitch rises heavily upon his last words. He is indeed becoming ever more emotional. Soon we arrive at the outer bridge, standing just in front of the entrance.

With little choice in the matter, I reply with affirmation. "If that's what you require, then let us end this." A smug expression peers across his face before he leans towards the bridge doors. Glancing at the obviously locked blast doors, I can see what transpired. Quickly almost before I can react, Randax plants the barrel of a pistol into my temple. Looking up I can see the barrel of the gun ready to splatter my brain matter all over the walls.

Randax begins to bellow loudly. "Grisha there is no need for unnecessary death, open the blast doors and surrender!" No response can be heard, only a sullen silence. I can see him getting annoyed, the sound of a grumbling snort is a dead giveaway. "Grisha... We have known each other for a long time, there is no need for this. Open the doors or I shoot the alien in the head and you know I will." Giving his ultimatum he still receives no reply, making the silence even more noticeable.

Concerned I may actually die, the distinct sound of the blast door's opening can be heard. Sliding to the sides reveals Grisha standing on the other side wielding a laser rifle. She is accompanied by a few familiar Garudan such as Sok and Elkra both armed. The others were a collection of the Wokan bridge crew only a few of them wielding weapons. Grisha spoke first. "Good to see you again Randax, how's life on solid ground?" She speaks with a monotone voice, a stark contrast to how she speaks to me.

The standoff between the two sides grew more intense as Randax and his group entered the bridge. Both sides keep their weapons trained on each other. I am pushed inside and placed on my knee's showcasing my captivity. Both Sok and Elkra visibly flinch, yet still hold themselves firm. Randax reaffirms his grip on the pistol aimed at my head and speaks plainly. "Here is the situation Grisha, you tell them to stand down and I won't kill him and then everybody here." A fair offer in my opinion, yet I doubt he plans to leave us all alive.

Grisha's expression wavers slightly but quickly returns to her control. It is quite clear she won't budge; I didn't expect any less from her. She glares back at Randax, with a certain intensity before speaking up in a smug tone. "Hey ra ra, how have you been, had fun playing with your toys?" The derision in her voice was obvious, teasing Randax with a jovial nonchalant.

I turn to my captor, witnessing the fingers clutching the pistol tightened on the grip. He grumbles something inaudible, before pressing the issue. "Do not think our past will afford you any mercy, for siding with the alien." His stern voice left little doubt of his voracity. He does indeed mean what he say's and will likely carry out any repercussions.

Grisha looks back at him with a serious expression, she grips her rifle before glancing back. Her gaze passes across her little defence militia cautiously. Time ticks by slowly before the sight of Randax waving his left upper hand. This sparks the emergence of a new figure from behind, a figure all too familiar. The sight of a bound Gem arrives pushed from behind, by another Wokan soldier. Taken to his knees he glares at his own son with a mixture of emotions. Turning his pistol away from my head, he plants it firmly upon his own fathers. Gem's eye's shone with confusion and likely a deep-seated pain before speaking out. "Randax my son, please don't do this, we can still fix this." His words were pleading, to the point of begging.

Still keeping the weapon firmly placed in position, Randax replies with an indifferent tone. "I stopped being your son long ago, the Legion took care of that... All that matters now is the next mission." He turns his face back from his father, towards Grisha and reaffirms his threat. "Disarm immediately or I will be forced to kill him." The threat was indeed obvious and effective if Grisha's expression was any indication. Sometimes flows by, before Grisha drops her weapon and surrenders, followed by the rest of the Wokan crew. The remaining Garudans do not budge and remain aiming their weapons with deadly intent. I decide to nod to them, a gesture easily recognised and they all follow suit. Surrendering along with the rest.