Whilst admiring the scenery I noticed the various captives being ferried away from the battlefield. Watching the group leave, I start to think of a means to deal with these captives. Perhaps the prison we recently assaulted can be repurposed for such a need. I will have to ensure that the location is secured once communication is restored. Speaking of communication, I suddenly received a video feed request from Pok. Accepting the connection, a new video screen appears on my interface.

The scene depicted a view from above, several fleeing Garudan's trying to trek through the dense forest. Pok is clearly perched upon a tree, and the sight of several leaves clogging the view is self-explanatory. His whispering voice comes over the communication. "Commander, we have located the fleeing, enemies, ready to intercept." His video feed is trailing a small group lagging behind each other, clearly, they are exhausted. With Pok's report, the operation can commence.

I had spoken in detail to Pok and his revelation that he was once part of the Gabinak clan was interesting. More importantly, the practices of the clan were even more so. They themselves were for a lack of a better word, assassins. The Gabinaks had kept a certain level of anonymity for many cycles. Kept to themselves but one key feature was made aware to every surrounding tribe. When an enemy army tries to pass into Gabinak territory, they never leave, only scream escape.

Curious about these capabilities, I decided to observe their skill. I had told them to try and capture them alive but it was not a requirement. As cruel as killing fleeing enemies can be, increasing the population of our captives is too much of a burden. Giving the go-ahead, Pok and his associates began their operation. Suddenly the feed shakes from side to side, the ground comes crashing towards my vision.

Pok had clearly leapt down behind the group, with not a single sound from his landing. The swiftness of his movements is, I will admit quite impressive. Lunging forward towards a slow straggler. Pok grabs him from behind, wraps his arm around his neck, draws a dagger from his side and plunges it into his neck. The muffled death throws, release from his covered mouth, but they don't last long.

Turning his gaze from side to side the appearances of several other Gabinaks can be seen. Each of them is wearing a dark green suit covered in foliage. Each was silently approaching various fleeing enemies and swiftly killing them, with practised strokes of their sharpened weapons. After eliminating their enemies, they immediately launched towards the nearest tree and swiftly ascended. Observing I witness Pok withdrawing another blade before stabbing them deeply into the tree's bark and climbing silently.

Arriving at the top, he leaps across to another, grappling and swinging through the foliage. The situation repeats many times as the Gabinaks traverse the forest as if the entire location was their playground. Dispatching nearly all the fleeing enemies before they even realise, they are dead. After each kill, the Gabinaks make a whistling sound alerting each other, perhaps a tally of sorts.

The concept intrigues me and I lean back against the vehicle whilst observing the events unfolding. With many enemies slain by Pok, I witness a small group through Pok's perception. They seemed to have discerned the situation. The group of three survivors gathered with their weapons raised against the trees. It was as if the forest itself was their enemy. Their fear was obvious, along with their shaking weapons.

Pok is observing nearby, looking down at the three below like a predator from his perch. Curious at his strategy I observe intently and notice him making several sounds, echoing across the forest. Causing the three to turn their weapons in an opposite direction. With this chance, he leaps down and quickly dispatches the nearest enemy. Before the other two can turn around, he leaps forward and pushes one of them to the ground. Secures his rifle to the side and plunges his dagger into his heart, with precise movements.

Turning to the shaking enemy at his right, he quickly rolls over to dodge. The laser rifle fires wildly, long flashes of red arcing light. Grasping the dead Uhuran's rifle Pok rises, opening fire and piecing the enemy with several shots to the chest. The arcs of lasers pulverise the enemy leading to their final death throws. Letting off several shots into the air, before collapsing to the ground. Rolling over to the side all I can hear is Pok's loud gasping for breath, clearly exhausted from the exertion.

Concerned over his well-being I try to speak to him. "Squad leader Pok, are you injured?" I ask with a concealed degree of worry; I am indeed concerned about him but I have decided it is better to exude a calmer visage. He replies with a nod, something he has become accustomed to, and he learns quickly. Glad at his response I continue to observe for a time. He rises from his position and immediately lets out a gasp.

I was distracted at that time, I quickly cast my gaze back to the feed and witnessed the face of Jenateri, leaning down with a bemused expression. She had appeared almost instantaneously and without warning. She was sporting that wide grin, before speaking. "You lose, using the magic of the outsiders is a violation." Her words were not full of disdain nor warmness. Merely an amused jovial expression, I would say superiority.

Pok rises to his feet and retorts with an annoyed tone. "You and your rules Jenateri, a kill is a kill, doesn't matter if it is the noble blade or the weapons of the outsiders." Trying to reply and reinforce his position in what I can only assume is a friendly argument. Jenateri leans back, crosses her arms behind her head and snorts derisively.

Her face beams a smile right before she replies with her own retort. "The outsiders magic is bulky and noisy, unbefitting of the Gabinak. Blades are our true weapons, to slay without notice is mastery." Lowering her hands, she quickly whips out her blade. Presenting it in a thrusting manner as if trying to attack Pok but falling short. Pok chuckles jovially while she continues her speech. "Why do you follow the outsider and wield his magic. We cannot trust those beyond the tree line, even the Oghalan's no matter their honour." Fiddling with her blade she eyes Pok with a judgemental expression. If his actions had stained his honour or some custom.

Pok doesn't reply initially, merely turns to the scattered corpses and starts collecting the weapons into a leather sack. He rises once all weapons had been collected and reply to her provocative words. "The outsider can hear you Jenateri and this is not magic, it is technology." Pointing to the sack with his left index finger, gesturing to the sack filled with advanced weaponry.

Her expression morphs into one that is clearly expressing confusion. Likely related to Pok commenting on the concept of advanced technology. After her initial change in mannerisms, she begins to expose a short smile leading to a strange shift in the atmosphere. The two began chuckling, the atmosphere suddenly became rather joyful in a split nano cycle.

After the two finally calm down, she speaks up. "Whatever the outsiders want to call their magic, the Gabinak is where my loyalties lie, not to any outsider." The resoluteness in her voice was clear, leading to her steadfast gaze upon him and intern me before speaking again. "If you truly can hear me, outsider, you must know this. The Gabinak do not kneel to anyone beyond the tree line." Honestly, I hadn't expected her to catch on so quickly, but she indeed determined my presence through Pok.

So, I decide to return in kind, whispering a few words to Pok, for him to convey. He listens intently before repeating my words. "Commander Navarkos has no desire to make the people of Gabinak kneel or submit. He merely wishes to resolve this conflict and bring stability to this world." His repetition of my words was accurate and well-spoken. I am grateful to have such an intelligent if an odd individual under my command.

Jenateri smirks slightly before turning away and lunging towards a tree. She swiftly ascends into oblivion, vanishing from sight. With her gone, I then order Pok to return with the weapons. Relaying that I will have some others arrive to gather the rest. My orders are now fulfilled I return to the task at hand. With his video feed gone I cast my gaze to my surroundings. Zatrophos is still beside me, playing with his rifle, he truly enjoys the weapon. Casting my gaze to the rest of the environment. I notice the Uhuran captives have been ferried to the now destroyed refugee camp, under guard.

With that, the battle has ended. Soon the engineers shall arrive to extract the parts needed to repair the ship and we can return to the Ruktan. Now that has been dealt with, the rest must be tended to and like clockwork, the Oghalan council arrives from the eastern forest. This will truly be an interesting conversation between our two sides, I wonder how they will deal with this situation.