Nako stood pacing in his officer’s quarters listening to the never-ending flood of reports on his terminal. He was currently stuck in his office, mitigating the shitstorm left in his wake caused by the Rajavan transport vessel and the supposed contents therein.

Commanders delivered sector reports, inquiries about ship maintenance, and thinly disguised requests for having a closer look at the Rajavan vessel as soon as it was available to do so.

Knight Commander Kotorn had explicitly grounded Nako for bringing this ‘interference’ to his quadrant, but the Knight Commander had also left almost immediately with his own massive fleet after the pirate armada thanks to Nako mapping the location of the incident.

It was during this commotion and the KC’s absence that Nako was able to slip away to secure Jasmine and the other lifeforms from Esaander. Disobeying his commanding officer’s orders was reckless, downright rogue if some questions were to be asked, but great reward was not without great risk.

Which was why burying all reports of his leaving was a prudent matter.

If he could cover the instances of his absence with enough mundanity, Kotorn may not even notice the blip of time he was gone. The Knight Commander had more important matters to focus his attention on than the 38 routine patrols under his command.

Tifera stood ever vigilant, screening the messages on Nako’s terminal for him to listen to.

C Uku’Tav: Salutations Lieutenant Commander. I, Commander Uku’Tav of the OCHRE 93633401, am requesting extra recreation time for my rangers, they have not engaged the enemy in nearly four patrols and are growing restless without combat. I fear they may be too eager to launch into a fight and resist my command. Awaiting your response.

Nako continued to pace as the message finished and his Captain, Tifera waited for her lord’s reply. He turned on his heel, a focus on the task on hand.

LC Nako: Commander Uku’tav your request for recreation is denied, have your ship’s patrol pulled out of rotation and apply for either patrol in sectors 130 or 156. Both routes have had an abundance of activity in the past few [weeks] and the extra presence may be needed to stamp out the pirate’s confidence.

“Very good sire,” Tifera nodded as she sent off Nako’s order. Her Lord continued to pace.

“Bring up the next report,” he demanded.

“Yes-” Tifera scrolled through the terminal list, but a notification blocked her path. “My lord, it appears the Knight Commander’s fleet has returned to the system.”

Nako stopped his pacing.

“How many reports have we finished?” he asked.

“[120] patrol reports [94] asset requests, [64] miscellaneous reports, in total, [278] orders have been actioned.”

Nako let his shoulders relax, if that wasn't enough audchive files to bury his absence then Kortorn was officially out for his reassignment.

His plan, providing it stayed intact, was to be as quiet and polite as possible. He didn't need any unwanted attention during this time.

“Is the fleet making an address?” he queried

“The channels are on standby, the fleet hasn't made an approach to Branch,” Tifera answered.

“Good, until the Knight Commander makes his address we still have work to do. Do you have the isolated copies of the Namegiver files?”

Tifera nodded and proudly presented Nako with a dataslate case.

“As you ordered, my Lord,” she replied staunchly.

Nako looked over the case and the eight dataslates nestled safely inside, containing all the reports of the human (previously unknown alien) technology and the Esaander files recorded by Dr Xant, and most importantly including all accounts of Jasmine’s physical and frequency prowess. For his own records of course, in case anything were to happen outside of his parameters, and to serve as a small piece of insurance to cover his loss, or to rally a cause.

“Sire, the Knight commander is making his address.”

“Broadcast it.”

Tifera closed the dataslate case and tapped the interface of the terminal. A holographic image of Kotorn stood proudly before them, his cape disheveled and dragged on the ground and his ceremonial sword drawn for dramatic effect.

KC Kotorn: Rangers of the Council, on this 56th [day] of 2nd quarter, year 306 of the Rejuvenation dynasty is a day to be remembered. The Pirate Armada of sector 138 has finally been wounded beyond repair, we chased them for [weeks] with only the faintest of ship trails to follow, but deserters and cowards are no match for the council’s might. No longer will our citizens fear to travel our routes, no longer will we lose ships to their ambush tactics. Together, we can declare this sector RECLAIMED!

Nako’s antennae twitched. That was a very bold statement for Kotorn to make, wonderful news to be sure, another sector of space safe and out of savagry’s hands, but the news also made the lieutenant uneasy. The pirates had given this sector’s military a combative challenge for [decades] and now, after only a month they fall to Kotorn and his mid-sized fleet? Two months after Nako found them picking the bones of a Rajavan Transport?

Perhaps he needed to move his plans forward to compensate.

“Sire,” Tifera said to him, “shall we send your congratulatory address?”

Nako puffed out his chest and folded his hands behind his back.

“Yes, begin recording.”

LC Nako: Congratulations Knight Commander, this is a victory for the council and all civilised beings. I await a formal address so that I might compliment your victory in person.

Civil and punctual, and with any luck Kotorn would be in good enough of a mood to contact him last, or not at all. The usually brooding commander certainly seemed to revel in his victory-

“Sire, you are being hailed by the KC,” Tifera interrupted him.

That caught Nako off guard, his stance shifting so his cloak covered his body and he lowered his head for the holographer to capture.

“Answer it,” he ordered.

The holographic image of Kotorn appeared before them, his attendants scuttered around refolding and pinning his cape and emblems.

KC Kotorn: Lieutenant Commander, thank you for your message, although it was a little curt for a reclamation announcement.

LC Nako: I suspected you might receive so many messengers that one more lengthy address, especially from me, was the last thing you may have wanted.

KC Kotorn: Huh, I suppose you're right lieutenant, you're finally beginning to think about others for a change. Since your address was so short, I hope you were busy while I was gone?

LC Nako: I have put all my affairs in order, no notable conflicts or occurrences have happened in your absence.

KC Kotorn: Hmmm good good, it seems that grounding you was a wise decision on my part. Lastly, did you find a buyer for the Rajavan hull?

LC Nako: … it is currently in evaluation, I am waiting to hear back from Viitoic before i can properly auction it off.

KC Kotorn: It doesn't need an evaluation, it needs to be handed off to a corporation. Sell it, get the contribution credits and return to active duty protecting our citizens. You're a Ranger, not an info-broker.

LC Nako: May I humbly offer an opposing opinion? The amount of unusual findings could help us-

KC Kotorn: I never accepted the offer of your opinion, give the damned vessel to the scientists and the companies. We need to focus on being out there protecting the people and you filling the Engine lord's time with unrelated work is taking him away from what he’s supposed to be doing!

Our ships need to be maintained, above all else.

LC Nako: Even at the cost of the Rajava consuming another creator species?

KC Kotorn: That is none of your concern. I have given you an order lieutenant, we protect the citizens of the council and you are close to losing sight of that goal.

LC Nako: I have not lost my sight, I protect all civilized beings, even those the council has not yet recognised.

KC Kotorn: What have you been up to Nako?!

LC Nako: I am acting benefactor of the ambassador ‘Namegiver’ until the correct council members can be contacted-

KC Kotorn: WHY ARE YOU BOTHERING WITH THIS?! SHIP HER OFF TO THE CLOSEST COMPANY, WE ARE SOLDIERS NOT DIPLOMATS! DO THE JOB YOU WERE BRED AND PAID FOR TO DO!! I WILL NOT HEAR ANOTHER STUPID OPINION FROM THAT SWOLLEN HEAD OF YOURS, THAT IS AN ORDER!!”

LC Nako: … Acknowledged Knight Commander,

KC Kotorn: IF YOU CONTINUE LIKE THIS YOUR AMBITIONS WILL BURN YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT, AND I WILL BE GLAD TO SEE YOU REDUCED TO ASHES!

Link terminated

Nako lifted his head and turned his back to the terminal’s holo-display, grinding his mandibles with distaste.

“Captain, make a copy of that conversation and share it with the Namegiver ”

“Yes sire…”

Nako watched as Tifera slid the dataslate marked for Kotorn’s conversation into the terminal slot. He glared as the computer imprinted the device with the memory of the conversation. It was pushed out with a small gasp of air and Nako snatched it up, tucking it underneath his cloak for later viewing. The terminal’s notification went off again, and Nako was about ready to ignore the machine entirely but Tifera spoke upbefore he could give the order.

“It is the Engine lord, shall i let it through?”

“Only for him,” Nako sighed.

EL Viitoic: Salutations Lieutenant.

LC Nako: Salutations Engine Lord, to what do I owe the pleasure?

EL Viitoic: I think we can push formality aside Lieutenant, just this once.

LC Nako: Oh? You don't want to camouflage your intentions? Should I be worried Engine Lord?

EL Viitoic: Very much so, when you advised you had the creator species responsible for the trinkets, I wasn't expecting the literal command bomb you let walk into my facility. I would have prepared a more welcoming visit.

LC Nako: I did say she was a creator species, as long as you treat her with the same respect you do me you shouldn't have run into any problems. She’s a civilised being, rather polite considering, what did you do to cause her offense?

EL Viitoic: Slander. I did nothing. She was intimidated by my very presence at first but I did nothing to warrant being commanded in such a manner.

LC Nako: Oh? She commanded you did she? Since when did you fall prey to such Frequencies?

EL Viitoic: My strength of will is not the discussion at hand. Lieutenant, how many more of these namegivers exist?

LC Nako: Currently? One.

EL Viitoic: One? How do you justify such a ludicrous assumption?

LC Nako: Engine lord, when I approached the Rajavan vessel, pirates had gutted the entire thing, and we only managed to gather the few stasis pods that were not torn from their holdings. She is the only creator found among a mass of animals. If her planet has not been consumed and converted it is still behind enemy lines into the unknown.

EL Viitoic: Animals? There were other genetic resources aboard the transport found intact?!

LC Nako: Yes, but the Namegiver is currently their legal benefactor, if you want your hands on any genetic material you have to negotiate with her. I suggest apologising for a start.

EL Viitoic: ….

LC Nako: Engine lord?

EL Viitoic: … Lieutenant, you are putting the fate of the council in a very dangerous position. If the Rajava are able to re-emerge with amalgamations created from her entire species then we may be once again fighting for our lives.

LC Nako: Engine lord, from what I’ve observed, the Human needs a consciousness intact to be of any use. The Rajava may not have been able to work out how to deconstruct them.

EL Viitoic: Even without their Clentessia hive mind the Rajava are still dangerous Lieutenant. Start negotiations for her genetic library, we do not want to be left behind in this arms race.

Link terminated.

Nako was becoming frustratingly disappointed with how the upper echelons were handling this.

While he didnt expect a celebratory promenade every time he entered a room, he would have thought they would have been more excited to meet another creator race. Another friend to fight alongside them in the battle for peace and prosperity was always welcome, and the potential benefits from this particular creator species was as yet incalculable.

“Captain, go down to engineering and ensure the Namegiver is not under any duress.”

“Immediately Sire.” Tifera bowed deeply and practically ran out of his office.

Nako lingered, there was something he wanted to do before he faced Jasmine in the flesh again.

Approaching the west side wall, he waved his hand across the sensor and opened his private training room. It was large enough for him to practice flying drills, with weapons and training dummies all stacked neatly to one side, but they remained in their cases for now. A small glass case filled with medical treatments for minor injuries was his priority, taking out two vials of depressor chems and keeping them on hand.

The Freq amplifier stood awaiting his approach.

The device broadcast warcry level frequencies, so he could train under combat conditions, he had slates and slates of previously recorded battles at his disposal.

But his current training file was unique.

It wasn't a slate at all, but a Freqband.

He waved his hand over the sensor.

“Deploy at full power, two minute duration,” he ordered the device.

“File ready to deploy in 10, 9, 8…”

Nako removed his cape and widened his stance, bracing his nerves for the onslaught he was about to endure.

“...3, 2, 1.”

He closed his eyes and waited for the pain.

The silence was deafening.

The room grew heavy and dark, the knowledge of other soldiers just outside the walls vanished.

He was completely and utterly alone.

Then the cries of pure anguish lashed his very being.

“ARHHHHHHHHH! MUM DAD NO, NO, NO,-”

Jasmine’s howls were ones he was growing very familiar with. His heart felt like it was torn from his body as his fingers and face boiled. Crashing noises accompanied the wails, and he felt the emotions tearing him down. Anger, despair, hopelessness and loneliness smashed into him like a hammer.

Then, it stopped. Nako wrestled with his hands for the first aid chems, slamming the vials into his armour. The suit automatically administered it throughout his nervous system, calming the burning sensation that pained him.

“Two minute duration complete, would you like to continue?” the amplifier asked him cheerfully.

“No,” he answered, smiling.

He stood his ground this time. Little by little, he would learn to withstand the onslaught, then not even Kortorn would be able to command him.