A large panel appears before me, almost covering my entire sight, I tap a few buttons on my wrist pad, adjusting the panel to half its size and placing it in my upper left corner. Activating the video feed, I watch events unfolding elsewhere through the eyes of Gem's comrade in arms. The scene depicted is a wide valley with a forest in the distance, the terrain is suitable for a meeting, likely the area selected for contact. The screen pans to the side showing the visage of Gem who appears to be fidgeting with his security uniform, it is sparsely armoured and more formal for my tastes. Yet it holds the distinction of authority so can't fault that,

The screen pans towards the rear as the security officer inspects the offloading ship with several Wokan security officers departing to set up a welcoming committee. Time passes and a faint outline appears in the distance ahead, a large vehicle arrives, its appearance is bulky like all Demthesian vehicles. The entire vehicle has the dimensions of a long rectangular hunk of metal, granted movement by the chain tracks pulverising the ground underneath. On the front is a window screen with the faint outline of several driver seats with what looks to be Wokan's seated. On top of the giant vehicle is the amount for a large cannon, likely some sort of artillery, a Wokan soldier seems to be manning the weapon.

The war vehicle is not the only thing approaching, a large procession of armoured and armed Garudan's march in formation on each side of the vehicle, I must admit it is quite impressive. The size of this procession seems to be around one hundred Garudan soldiers. The most interesting facet of these soldiers is their weapons and armour, they look new, recently manufactured. The possibility this compound has a weapon manufacturing plant is concerning, yet an opportunity. I decide to watch carefully, taking every facet of the situation into my calculations.

The procession finally ceases its march with the soldiers stopping in tandem with the war vehicle. The vehicle then opens the front cabin which ascends to providing an opening for the drivers to exit. The two drivers are Wokan soldiers, yet the most prominent figure is the three behind them. The two drivers vacate their seats, descend the vehicle to the ground and wait patiently for the three figures. The two figures on the left and right side move forward, they seem to be a male and female Garudan respectively both wearing blue robes. One of them on the left is familiar, the self-titled grand priest, Unbaran is what he called himself. On the right is an unfamiliar female Garudan with similar garb, her expression has that same fanatical look like the one to the left.

Yet these two are dwarfed by the one in the centre, wearing the same fine robe as before except with a strange sceptre in his left hand. He follows his priests who make a path for him to descend the vehicle on the left side, stepping forward the two priests head first with the well-dressed Randax trailing behind. The Garudan soldiers then begin their march forward, turn to face the three in the centre and raise their weapons in the air, chanting I think a Wokan phrase.

The procession was rather glorious in my opinion, though simplistic, considering the lack of resources. I wonder how Randax was able to inspire such loyalty amongst the Garudan, perhaps this reverence is born from religious zealotry. Though I find this a very an odd sight it is not outside of the scope of possibility as my own people produced an entire nation of zealots. I decide to calm my mind and watch events unfold as I have the time, the noises from behind the door have yet to die down.

With the parting procession of zealot Garudan soldiers making way for Randax, Gem seems to be utterly shocked at the visage of his child. I can't imagine what he is thinking and likely never will since I lack the capacity to create offspring. Randax finally reaches his sire with his two priests standing behind him, both their faces showing pure reverence towards him. With clutch father and clutch child reunited, Gem abruptly steps forward to reduce the distance between them and as if by reflex the priestess steps forward in front of Randax and speaks in fluent Shahnese. "Step back from his holy eminence, heathen!" The priestess seems to each for her laser pistol hidden within her robe, now visible for all to see.

Gem had the looks of someone truly dumbfounded as he turns to his mean giving a silent signal to stand down, likely his loyal officers had thoughts of retaliating. A truly chilling silence then descends upon the situation, some time passes and finally, Randax pushes forward his hand grasping the left cheek of the priestess. From the looks of her expression, the touch of Randax must be enjoyable as her face lights up in joy. Yet the strangest thing is the gauntlet encasing his hand, it's of simple design, no unique features, I wonder its significance. Randax then removes his gauntlet hand from the priestess leaving a faint red mark on her cheek, is that blushing or some sort of skin reaction. Doesn't seem important ill set it aside for now as Randax finally speaks up with that calm almost detached tone of voice. "There is no need for violence, this one is no heathen, he is my creator, show him respect." After his words leave his mouth, it was as if the words commanded the whole procession causing them all to repeat, the word creator of the divine in Garudan.

I am truly baffled by this Wokan, perhaps further observation will reveal his true nature. Gem finally emerges from his dumbstruck state and frantically speaks to his wayward clutch child. "Randax what is going on, what are you saying, where is Lotha? You must tell me what is happening." His rapid-fire questions blurt out like a tidal wave of desperation and need, his desires are laid bare, with very little hidden. Is this the true nature of fatherhood, the nature of siring offspring where you will take leave of your senses to ensure they are safe?

The situation once again turned quiet, neither the security officers nor the Garudan zealots speak up until randax finally replies. "Creator do not speak above your station, though you granted me life, I have risen above you and yet you come to me and make demands of your child." The strangeness of his words came across much more noticeably now, I don't think the others saw this yet I can detect a note of insincerity as if this is all play-acting. He continues with his monologue whilst his clutch father is shocked beyond belief. "In regards to my wayward clutch kin, the traitor Lotha is no more, I took his life in a contest of the God's to secure my right as God-King." He raises his upper arms clearly displaying the sceptre in his left hand and the gauntlet in his right, the awe and exuberant theatrically were obvious. The Garudan's all clamoured loudly chanting Randax's name as loud as they can, silenced only by the flick of his gauntlet.

Gem exhales loudly, now he has taken leave of his senses he struts forward furiously, uninterested in the Garudan army before him. Arriving in front of his son he stumbles forward grabbing onto his clutch child and begins frantically speaking with pure emotional intensity. "That can't be true... what are you saying?" Clenching his clutch child's shoulders as if attempting to shake the insanity away, they act in contrast to the now hostile Garudan's and Wokan's ready to fire on each other. Randax raises his hand causing the Garudan's including the priests to stand down while Gem continues. "Lotha is you clutch kin; you could never do such a thing... I know I failed you, the Demthesian's took you from me, that vile General ordered me to choose which child he was to take, but I refused and he took you anyway." His voice begins to crack in emotion while his clutch child Randax remains impassive listening without a reaction. "I... I know I failed, I failed as a clutch father, but when we were reunited aboard the Ruktan, we have a chance to be a clutch again... can't we start over?" I have to admit I was moved by his words; the voracity of his emotional outburst was something even I could not ignore or remain indifferent to. So that's what he was keeping inside, this is his truth, this is his past, I had not expected this.

Randax remained expressionless, whilst his clutch father descended into a mess of a Wokan, I may have miscalculated and Gem may be in danger. As I am about to open a channel to issue orders to the Wokan I am observing events through, Randax speaks in a cold tone in old Wokan I believe. "Oi theo den synchrounan, krinouma." With those unfamiliar words spoken wiring, the sound is heard along a flash of blue purplish light can be seen. The centre of the light appears in the form of a sword wreathed in plasma drawn from Randax's robe and now placed near Gem's throat. The sword is vibrating plasma energy, surrounding the blade in a similar fashion to the plasma combat knife. Gem steps back as Randax point the blade towards his chest threateningly. The sword is a long straight blade with a triangular tip, the handle looks to have a cylindrical grip on the top and hilt., the blade is raised aggressively towards Gem.

The situation has clearly gone out of hand, I quickly activate hyper-accelerated thoughts, slowing down the world around me to a standstill. With the extra time, I can better analyse the situation, as it seems Gem's clutch child has truly gone mad leaving Gem's fate uncertain. If Randax slays his clutch father and ceases the vessel he may be able to return to the Ruktan assuming he can convince the crew to allow them to return. The other major issue is whether or not this situation changes my overall goal, should I abandon the mission to return. No... I have options and allies who can assist me whilst I complete the mission, I must inform my allies and complete a counterattack.

Returning back to real-time I turn to my communication channels and open a connection to Quroken, a short time later the sound of a familiar ally arrives." Commander Navarkos what are your orders, we are about to launch an attack on the second base." The level of professionalism is truly impressive, I quite enjoy Quroken's support.

Gathering my thoughts, I began to explain the situation, revealing the confluence of events as they occur and the potential threat. Before I can continue, I glance back at the video feed watching Randax as he forces his clutch father to his knee's placing the sparking blade at his neck. "It is better for you to kneel creator; you shall herald me as the true god-king." The wannabe god then turns to directly glare at me, no he is glaring at the security officer I am viewing events through. "Kill those two, the rest take them captive!" A booming order comes forth from Randax compelling several of his soldiers to level their weapons towards Gem's officers. The last thing I hear is Gem screaming before the video feed displays a flash and is instantly cut, with only the Shahnese word for connection failing.

I access the interface and discover that two of Gem's officers had vanished from my list of communication channels. Realising they are likely at least disabled or more likely dead from what appeared to be laser fire. I clench my fist in anger, the death of those under my command or at least by deference from Gem still stings quite a bit. Closing my eyes I calm my mind, I am immediately woken up from this state by Quroken asking me what has happened, I reply instantly. "Gem has been captured by Randax, he is an enemy, he likely has seized Gem's ship... possibly going to return to the Ruktan or take Gem and his officers' hostage." I frantically try to explain everything within such a limited time scope whilst arising to my feet and moving towards the storage door.

Quroken can be heard humming to himself, mumbling various things before replying. "I can cancel the attack and head towards Gem's location?" He asks a question I had already considered, Quroken's attack on the second base is not as important and can be left for another time.

Collating all my thoughts into a new plan, I open the storage room door by using the datapad, the door slides open while I lean towards the side and peak out into the corridor. Luckily it is empty, I lean back into the storage room, pause and begin to explain my plan to Quroken. "Inform Itoa and Hera to continue the attack and seize control of the main southern base... yourself will head towards Gem's last known location if they have already left head towards the Ruktan." Quroken nods in agreement without a single voice of complaint, I close the communication channel and focus on the task at hand.

According to the stolen datapad, the compound has various facilities from resource storage, they seem to be harvesting a durable ore with plans for refining it into an alloy they dub corandium. The alloy seems to be a viable substitute for a vehicle and perhaps ships which would explain the large part of the compound labelled as a shipyard. Randax seems to be either repairing or building ships, quite the ambitious little god isn't he. But the part of the compound I am eyeing is the prisoner's block, a large subdivision, not too far from where I am.

With my goal in sight, I make my way down the winding corridors dodging every patrol I can, luckily there are many rooms for me to conceal myself in. After weaving through the compound for some time I come upon a left turn, peaking around the side I note the presence of two Garudan guards. They are both heavily armed with standard-issue laser rifles, they are guarding a large doorway leading to the prison cells. Normally I would deal with them stealthily, but time is of the essence, I crouch down, draw my rifle and aim down the sights. Pulling the trigger in quick succession, the laser arc crosses the corridor eliminating the two guards. They both descend to the ground with two loud thuds, dead with two smoking holes in the sides of their heads.

I quickly move towards the corpses, navigate around their corpses until a datapad reveals itself, activating the pad I notice only simplistic features are active. Realising this datapad is programmed just to be a key to the prison doors, I quickly move the pad towards the door panel. With a soft beeping sound, the doors slide open to the sides revealing the prison, raising my weapon to inspect the inside, I sigh as no immediate enemies are seen.

Turning around I drag in the corpses, piling them into a corner and closing the prison doors. I then turn to inspect further inside the prison, all I can see is a large dimly lit room with rows upon rows of occupied prison cells. The faint moans of the prisoners can be heard, painful gasps as the prisoners shiver as if feverish. It's likely these individuals may be under the effects of Vixorm, realising the situation is quite dire I move forward and reach a railing, looking over I witness several levels of prison cells.

Several Garudan guards can be seen patrolling the levels layered in filled to the brim prison cells, I then quickly shrink back as not to be seen. Crouching once more I assess the situation, there seems to be a stairwell to the left leading down to the two lower levels. I contemplate the best method as there are over seven guards patrolling at least the ones I can see, each fully armed. I decide that a fast attack is best to eliminate as many as I can before releasing all prisoners.

I turn to the stairwell and quietly decide to the lower levels, turning a corner I notice the backs of two patrolling guards moving away from me. On the other side of the courtyard is two more guards circling around the rectangular prison block. I gaze down the lower level and notice the three other guards, who are in fact composed of two Garudan's and one Wokan. Disregarding them for now, I try to work up a plan, with my thoughts mapping a strategy I turn to the side and notice a panel on the wall, it seems to be the mechanism that controls the cells.

With an idea striking, I withdraw the guard's datapad, access one of its unlocking functions and tap the panel, the panel shows a bright light with several rows for selection. The neatly packed rows depicted on the panel are immediately identified as each of the cells, curious I tap the cells nearest to the four guards. Over eight prison cells abruptly open, spying on the now dumbfounded guards and prisoners. I split nano cycle goes by and loud roars reverberate from several of the cells. The guards frantically reach for their weapons before the lumbering muscles of ferocious Garudan's charge out and barrel into the guards.

The four guards are taken completely off guard as I then proceed to release the rest of the Garudan prisoners as it seems this level is composed entirely of large well-muscled Garudan males and females. I hang back watching the carnage, spying the actions of the guards from afar, I notice one of the guards drawing a datapad from his side pocket while his comrade holds back to large prisoners. It is clear that he is calling for aid, so I level my rifle and quickly dispatch him with a few shots. The splattering of blood causes the guards and prisoners to descend into a panic before I fire a few more shots killing another guard.

The guards are quickly overwhelmed by the prisoners as I release the entire level, who then proceed to batter the guards to death with their fists. Observing the carnage, I quickly spot the Wokan and two Garudan guards ascend the stairs and with a single order in Shahnese the two guards begin firing in the air causing the prisoners to scatter. The Wokan who looks like a leader moves forward a laser pistol grasped in his right hand and bellows. "What is happening here, why are all these prisoners out of their cells?" He bellows even more in rage before continuing his rant in a language likely only few can understand. "You two get these savages back in their cells and figure out what is going on!" He orders the two Garudan's beside him to march forward with their guns raised threatening the released prisoners.

I move out of sight, ascending the stairs as one of the guards runs over to the panel inspecting it. Skulking away I ascend to the higher floor and move around the railing secretly until I am on the other side of the room. I look down and witness the back of the Wokan still barking orders aiming his pistol at a downed Garudan prisoner, levelling his weapon threateningly. I move closer to the railing and without hesitation, I leap over with impressive dexterity afforded to me by the suit. Landing with a loud thud behind what is likely the prison commander. I quickly grab him by the neck, disarm him and press his own pistol to his forehead, the guards immediately turn away from the prisoners and aim their rifles at me.

With my hostage violence has been halted, I look down at the confused Wokan, I can now clearly see his appearance, he is similar to most Wokan's except he only has three arms, one appears to have been severed with only a small stump. His face is clearly scarred from what looks to be several battles, he is likely the type to not back down, so keeping him as a hostage will likely not last.

The Wokan bellows again even more loudly. "What in the name of Randax is going on, who are you, are you a filthy heathen come to defile this holy place!" Again, with that strange religious zealotry and from a Wokan no less, yet I can still hear that strange tinge of insincerity, calling the voracity for his words into question.

But regardless, his words had an immediate effect on the three remaining Garudan guards who begin spouting insults in Garudan. I think the one on the right called me a water beast that drink's its own urine, the one in the middle said something about my sire, something along the lines of having no Tokron but still mating. Finally, the one on the left stated that the almighty God Randax will smite me, tired of this I command this Wokan to obey whilst pressing the pistol to his temple. "I do not care for what religion you worship; you will make these foolish fellows stand down." I state coldly and with a clear threatening manner, he can clearly take the hint and quickly tense's up before shouting in Garudan.

I suspect he believed I had no grasp on the language, but unfortunately, it was translated to. "Kill him!" I am truly disappointed at this turn of events and quickly turn my pistol towards the Garudan's with deadly intent. I fired with quick succession, dispatching two of the Garudan guards, whilst the last one manages to get off a shot. The laser shot bounces off my helmet with a loud bang causing my auditory sensors to ring. I turn my pistol and easily dispatch him with several shots to his chest, searing red hot holes into his now collapsed body.