Five Minor Cycles Later, Ruktan Class Frigate, Ship Docking Bay Three.

The time is nearly at hand, the docking bay will soon expose itself to the vacuum of space, allowing our guests to arrive. After a long conversation with Gem I managed to convince them to go allowing with a less violent version of my plan. He is still planning to negotiate peacefully with his kin to join their side and release the Garudan prisoners. Though I admire his determination for peaceful discourse, I even admit it is quite admirable, I must state that there is an air of foolishness to it. Everything I have learned about the nature of sentient beings denotes that our violent tendencies tend to win out no matter the species. My own people committed mutual destruction over petty pride and playing the blame game with nuclear weapons. In the end, one would think a misanthropic perspective is not only apt but justified. Yet I still agreed to his plan as if you don't strive for peace then you will have endless war.

But out of respect to Gem's authority, his men are now neatly lined up in front of the entrance to the docking bay. The ships containing the captives are soon arriving, and my Garudan associates are placed on standby on the balcony above. Each of my loyal soldiers is wearing Demthesian armour making each imposing. We are now hiding behind the balcony's separation, each brandishing our modified laser rifles with scopes. I glance down to my own datapad and monitor the data streaming from the command centre.

The information displayed is concerning, the number of ships returning to the Ruktan is missing two vessels from the list of patrol ships. The order from our dear former commander was for all ships to return with the captives. Perhaps there is some discord in the chain of command and the militia on the planet have started their insubordination, I'm not surprised. Regardless the situation is problematic as I won't be able to liberate the planet if some of the Wokan militia dig into defensible locations with hostages. Very troublesome but for now the immediate task at hand.

I turn to my datapad and tap the communication channel to Gem. The sound of the connection establishing can be heard with a sharp sound of white noise before a gravelly voice replies. "Captain is that you?" He asks the question since I had yet to configure myself as part of the chain of command in the command system, there are still locks on the database.

I decide to reply to ensure a smooth conversation. "Yes, it is me, I have been informed that two ships are missing from the arriving vessels, when in contact with them please bring up that subject." He replies with a simple yes, he is becoming more receptive to commands lately, I hope such confidence in me does not waver too soon.

After some time, the alarm for vessels requesting to dock is heard and the ships easily pass through the shield and land gracefully. I continue to monitor the situation before turning to Elkra and Pok giving them shorthand signals I taught them. The signal is to hold and is expressed clenching my fist passing my right arm horizontal across my chest. All my Garudan soldiers repeat the gesture before returning to aiming their weapons at our visitors.

I turn back to monitor the situation I witness the ship's ramps descending to ferry out many chained Garudan. The prisoners of this brutal occupation look dejected, many of them have bruises on their bodies, yet each and every Garudan regardless of male, female, young or old hold themselves up with pride and defiance. Admirable spirit these Garudan's have, truly admirable, with my respect for the species swelling I quickly turn to my Garudan compatriots and notice their jaws tensing.

I repeat the hold signal and all of them control themselves and stiffen under my orders. Turning back, I continue to observe, to the right is Gem stepping forward, his impressive security officers holding rifles standing behind him readying for a firefight. Once the entirety of the Garudan prisoners exit, totalling around one hundred prisoners. A group of Wokan exits each ship each armed with rifles wearing combat armour of the Wokan militia. They emanate an imposing aura of violence as if they had just recently experienced a bloody conflict and are eager to advance to the next battle. Out of the group, three Wokan's step forward whilst the rest continue to scowl at their captives with some aiming their rifles at the more rambunctious members.

Their position is concerning as each of the Wokan soldiers is positioned right behind the Garudan captives as if ready to slaughter them at a moment's notice. Starting a firefight may lead to casualties amongst the prisoners, which would definitely hamper the morals I have already cultivated amongst the Garudan that follow me. I try to ponder a solution and notice that only their arms are chained leaving their feet free, with this in mind there may be an option here if this gets bloody. Just as my thoughts are immersed in planning my next move, I hear a familiar gravelly voice and focus my gaze upon the datapad revealing the events of below via the ship's security system.

The three Wokan step forward with the one in the middle taking the place of prominence, likely establishing himself quickly as the leader of this group. The Wokan was quite muscular, a head taller than the rest, his face is typical for most Wokan, the only difference has he only had three hands, with the left lower arm only a poorly healed stump. I eye the large Wokan carefully as Gem speaks up quickly and professionally. "Greetings, Balta how goes your time on the planet, productive it seems." Gem's gaze cast to the Garudan prisoner's crowding the docking bay and then back at Balta with a knowing glance, expecting a reply.

I turn my gaze back to Balta, the man doesn't seem fazed at all, besides a small snort and an incoherent grumble to himself he stays stock still. A few moments go by and the towering grizzled Wokan finally graces us with his high-pitched voice. "Gem, what are you doing here, I thought Commander Zekton kept a filthy collaborator like you on a short leash." His words were laced with scorn and derision, clearly, he had a low opinion of Gem, yet his high-pitched voice was similar to the sound of a faulty water processor exhaust valve after it's heated. Honestly, it was difficult to take the large Wokan man seriously with such a voice, yet every Wokan seem to avoid commenting on this clearly humorous vocal pitch. Back on Korvan, such a vocal pitch was met with mockery as a deep voice was considered more masculine, though not sure why.

Gem noticeable grumbles something incoherently as his eyes flicker over and over again, likely denoting some sort of emotional reaction, likely frustration or perhaps anger, I can't blame him. Yet Gem seems to centre himself and replies calmly. "The Demthesian's are dead Balta and I have no loyalty to the dead and buried, now can we get back to business?" His commanding tone comes out and I'll admit his vocalisation is intimidating, which would explain how he became the leader of the entire security division.

Time flies by slowly and Balta still remains stock still, he then turns his gazes back to his two allies next to him, they whisper something to him, prompting him to turn back and reply. "First things first Gem, where is Commander Zekton? I only take orders from him, not some collaborator scum who should have been thrown out of the airlock." The tone was aggressive, his eyes flickering wide and then thin, Balta steps forward further exerting his aggression.

Gem is flustered for a moment but is able to retain his calm, he is about to speak up right before I communicate to him through his datapad, the earpiece in his ear is tied to the communicator and allows me to speak to him. My Garudan soldiers beside me all of such communicators attached and can be spoken to at a moment's notice, though hand signals are still efficient and far more subtle. "Gem... tell him you would prefer if the filthy Garudan savages were removed from sight, tell him to send them over to the adjacent docking bay, near the storage containers," I speak with no animosity in my voice, the words are distasteful to say but need to be said for my plan to be a success.

Naturally, he is reticent to speak such words, but I was able to convince him easily as it's for the sake of the greater good. Gem pauses for a moment, takes a deep breath and speaks with a much louder tone than normal. "First things first If I may add, get these filthy wretched savages out of my sight." He pauses and casts his gaze to the right towards the storage containers and points them out before continuing. "Put the savages over there, their accommodations are ready and suitable for them." To be honest I am quite impressed at his ability to act the part of a xenophobic slaver, a bit too convincing but I admire the energy he puts in.

I turn back to study the burly lump of muscle that his Balta, the Wokan's eyes widen, jaw clenches and I spot him reaching for his pistol at his waist. He hesitates for a moment as if pondering whether he should gun down Gem where he stands and damn the consequences, luckily saner heads prevailed. He grumbles to himself, perhaps a verbal tick or just his way of expressing his anger without murder or grievous bodily harm. Balta lifts his head and narrows his gaze at Gem before replying. "You think you can order me around; I should beat you to death right here right now, I would if it wasn't for you son being Zekton's favourite." Hmm now that's interesting, being his favourite, perhaps I misjudged the relationship and should look into this young Wokan more intently.

Gem seems to grumble in a similar fashion, pauses for a moment but replies with equal intensity with his hand nearing the pistol on his heap causing his men to tense their rifles. The atmosphere grows heavy as my own Garudan's tense as well, I give them the hand signal to hold keeping them as calm as a Garudan can ever be. The situation can easily explode at any moment, yet an option is available, I whisper through the communicator to Gem and he relays my words. "You may despise me Balta, but I take order from Commander Zekton as well, and if he wants those savages in their quarters that he graciously granted them, by the old gods his will shall be done." He pauses for dramatic effect, stepping forward matching the aggressive atmosphere with his own. "Will you oppose Commander Zekton's authority Balta?" Gem steps even closer invading Balta's personal space, he waits for a response as Balta wavers in his resolve as likely the fear of Zekton is palpable.

His eyes flicker with rage, If I didn't have confidence in the plan, I would suspect Balta for cracking right now and starting a full-on firefight. Yet I am proven correct and Balta orders his men to move the Garudan prisoners over to the open storage containers and force them inside. After some time, every single Garudan is placed within all except one, a young male Garudan chained by a leash is pulled forward to Balta and forced to the ground. I don't like where this is going, the Garudan seems to be a young man, barely reached manhood by Garudan tribal law, his bruises seem far more extensive with many cuts. Gem immediately acts without orders and speaks up. "What is this Balta, I said all the prisoners go to the storage containers, are you defying Commander Zekton?" His chastising words are provocative, clearly spoken out of emotion, not what this situation needs.

Balta sneers as expected and replies with his high-pitched voice, a strange contrast to his words. "This one is my pet; he is a good boy and was granted to me by our illustrious Commander as spoils of war." He pulls the Garudan in front of him and kicks him to the ground, the young Garudan lets out a painful yelp, yet he still rises to his feet despite the rough treatment. The Garudan's beside begin to breathe heavily, rage clearly exuded from every breath, I calm them with another signal to hold, followed by the signal to aim their rifles at every Wokan enemy insight, a simple clenched fist pushed forward.

Gem's rage exceeds even my expectations of the man's sensibilities and he moves forward aggressively. "The orders were clear Balta, give him up... now!" Gem orders Balta to obey with a cruel commanding tone denoting the degree to which he is holding back the violence within.

Balta sneers once more resting his right upper arm on the pistol on his hip, he smiles before speaking up. "You know, we haven't heard from Commander Zekton in a while, that makes me nervous." He turns to the right, eyes his men carefully and paces from right to left talking as he walks. "That makes me nervous indeed." He turns to Gem and the eye's him with a derisive gaze trying to pierce the fabric of Gem's intentions. His eyes light up as if he noticed something before speaking with an accusatory tone. "Perhaps this little collaborator scum is showing his true colours and wishes to undermine the Commander!" He screams his last word as loud as possible before drawing his pistol to level the deadly weapon at Gem, witnessing the threat, I fire my rifle already aimed at his upper shoulder.

The crackling laser beam bursts forth faster than one could clearly see, the beam pierces accurately through Balta's shoulder causing the raging Wokan to stumble and drop his weapon. The searing wound emits smoke for a short time before Balta covers the damage with his other hand. While he is distracted and his men shocked at the sudden action hesitate for a moment, Gem rushes forward kicks Balta onto his back and shields the young Garudan. Everyone then draws their weapons and opens fire on each other, laser beams arc across the brutal standoff and several Wokan on each side drop to the ground dead or reach cover behind storage containers. Balta manages to ascend to his feet looking warily towards the balcony, our eyes meet just as a smile passes across my lips.