Scanning the scenery of wary Garudan prisoners and the corpses of the guards, I judge that all threats have been eliminated. With this I turn to this irritant hostage, force him to his knees and begin the interrogation, striking him on the back of the neck I speak to him directly. "You seem important, would you mind explaining how such a large underground compound was built this quickly?" Truly this was quite a strange concept, I was aware that Demthesian technology was advanced so building a large compound sounds feasible. Yet having several underground levels and even a potential shipyard, something else was indeed going on.

The Wokan finally showed fear as the sight of his dead guards and the threatening manner of the gun pressed to his head seemed to loosen his words. "It... it was the ACB's the... Automated Construction Bots, they are advanced Demthesian technology our saviour Randax was able to provide us." His words are strange and contradictory, I had examined the manifest of all technology available aboard the Ruktan, there was no such technology.

Confused about his words I queried further demanding further explanations, after some time he spilled the information, I required. Apparently, the ACBs are advanced construction robots that can efficiently build any structure as long as they are provided with the correct schematics. They can apparently create others of their kind reproducing at a rapid rate. Randax apparently revealed the existence of these robotic workers to the Wokan militia and then proceeded to build this massive compound. Whilst pondering the significance I heard the sound of metal scraping on the ground, looking up I noticed a large burly Garudan picking up one of the laser rifles and levelling at me. Before I can react, he squeezed the trigger and accurately shot a hole in the Wokan's head splattering his blood and brains all over my suit.

Responding I quickly raised my weapon to meet the towering Garudan expertly aiming the weapon at me, silence descends and the Garudan speaks in his native language. "Who are you outsider?" It was a simple question in a boorish tone, his words were less refined than Itoa's yet I could hear a similarity.

I ponder a potential response, inspecting the other Garudan's carefully, watching several of them pick up the guards' weapons. I eventually think of something and reply in the Garudan language. "I am here on behalf of Hera Jan first spear and Itoa chief strategist of the southern Kilmak tribe, well met." The words were not perfect yet they should convey well enough, the entire room goes immediately silent. Not a single Garudan speaks nor move, they just look back at me with confused expressions.

The Garudan that so easily slew the Wokan guard lowered his weapon, stepped forward and fell to his knees before presenting the weapon in the Garudan manner. Realising his intent, I mirrored the action presenting the laser pistol, we both lower our heads as the ceremony is completed. After a short amount of time in silence, we both rise to greet one another as equals, once that transpires the Garudan turns around and raises the rifle in the air. He then roars at the top of his lungs. "Naliga taio na dato mak!" The volume of his voice is a tad concerning as the entire room follows along and chants "dato mak" over and over again.

Feeling helpless I walk forward greeting them all, I decided to keep my helmet on for the time being. The chanting eventually dies down, hopefully, no one heard that I walk over to what seemed to be the leader of this group, he introduced himself as Tova, I then move over to open the rest of the cells and request them to meet me at the doorway. I climb the stairs, reaching the exit I turn to observe the large group of prisoners, it looks to be over one hundred, not all of them but at least half. Seven of them are wielding the weapons pilfered from the dead guards, I am dubious whether or not they can use them effectively, but Tova seems experienced.

I glance over to the right and notice several Garudan's shivering as if under a heavy fever, faint groans of pain can be heard as each can barely walk, requiring assistance. They are likely the recipients of the vixorm serum, it is best I acquire the entire stock before any more Garudan's are injected. With these notions running through my head, I turn to the exit, moving forward I suddenly hear the magnetic lock of the door activate. Turning to the panel I use the head guard's datapad and try to activate the door panel; the panel remains blank with no reaction. Confused I try inspecting the datapad, activating its menu function I suddenly receive a message, the words are in Shahnese, my implant immediately translates revealing its true nature. The word's when translated is a greeting, "Commander Navarkos, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Reading the text, I immediately stand stock still, confused I try reading it again, not long after that the sound of a communication channel opening can be heard.

I turn to my interface, the channel comes from one of Gem's security officers, realising the nature of the situation I calmly open the channel. The appearance of Randax appears on the screen, his shoulder is slightly inclined and he appears to be raising the helmet with his right hand. His smile is plastered across his face, the smile was nearly a thin line barely considered a true smile in my opinion. We both stare at each other for a short time before Randax takes the initiative. "It truly is a pleasure to meet you Navarkos, my clutch father has spoken so much about you after I threatened to slice his men apart piece by piece." Despite commenting on such brutal and violent concepts, Randax still retains that false smile as if he is both trying to remain cold and yet jovial, strange expression indeed.

I try not to react to the provocation and remain calm before replying. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Randax supposed god of the Garudan people." I tried to keep my voice calm as possible, but a faint chuckle came out of my mouth at the mere mention of him as a god. Truly I find the concept baffling, of course, I had no proof pertaining to the existence of gods, but I am quite certain he is not one.

As if that little quip about the validity of his godhood was not enough to affect him, he continues speaking without a care in the world. "Am I not a god if those that worship me say so, but enough about my divinity, I'm far more curious about you, your species like the Garudan's are not in the Demthesian records and more interesting you managed to seize the ship from Zekton... would be impressive if Zekton wasn't an idiot." Well, it seems he was aware of how foolish Zekton was, I'm not surprised many would likely come to that conclusion the moment they got out from under his bootheel.

I remain quiet for a time, trying to come up with a new plan right before he speaks up eliminating the silence. "Not much of a talker are you, that's okay, this is clearly not the venue, I mean I have a blade to my clutch father's neck." He turns the video feed towards the kneeling Gem, tied and gagged with a plasma wreathed blade near his neck. Gem frantically rages against his restraints causing the Garudan behind him to pull his neck back forcefully. The video feed pan's back to Randax who continues his monologue. "Yes, it is not the time, we will have plenty of time once you and all those who serve you are brought to me aboard the Ruktan... so I guess it is goodbye for now." Randax then cuts the feed leaving only silence, this silence is immediately replaced with the sounds of various footsteps outside the door.

These sounds continue to pass through the door, reaching my sensory organ's clearly explaining the situation I am in. Naturally, this is a trap, the door is locked and there are likely many soldiers outside the door preparing to enter and take everyone captive. Observing the situation, I turn back to the Garudan's who are now frightened with only a few exceptions, Tova and those armed raise their weapons subtly providing their allegiance in the upcoming battle. With events coming together this way, I guess the alternate plan is now a necessity, turning to the communication channels I try to contact Pok. The interface immediately prompts a communication rejection, stating the communication's channel has been jammed as expected but still had to try.

With communications jammed, a bunch of half drugged, half battle maniac Garudan's behind me and heavily armed enemies incoming. I look down at the receptacle hidden in my suit's leg, patting it softly. I think of a plan I had come up with, yet loathed to do, but of course, as I'm learning, nothing goes entirely to plan.