***​

***​

It livvvvveeeesssssss.....“There will be a Russian representative with you and the prisoners at all times,” Thomas said to Savastan. “Anything said will be recorded and you’ll be required to make an accurate translation in English. The Russians will handle the rest.”“Understood. Have the Russians publicized their encounter?” Savastan asked.“No. I’m authorized to tell you that we’ve notified the leadership of our allied nations, and the Russian’s have likely done the same.”Thomas wasn’t privy to the high up thoughts on the matter, but not telling other nations would be a perfect way to get a beach head established on earth because the local nation didn’t know they had to worry about it. The Russian’s knew that as well.Thomas nodded at Savastan and took his position behind the saurian, the two MPs in the room coming to attention. The decision had been made that this would be Savastan’scontact with the Russians. The CIA hoped that if the Russian’s hadn’t seen Savastan before, they might make a mistake., Thomas thought. The Russian’s hadthe poker face.The door opened and the Russian representative came walking in, a Colonel in the Red Army, one that was probably also a high up in the GRU. Behind him, between a pair ofguards came the reptilian, looking much like he captain of the alien’s ship, with enough manacles to chain an elephant. They had been cooperative, but the Russian’s had no idea why they were chained up and nobody wanted to risk him going berserk.Savastan stared at the individual for a moment, then started speaking quickly in a different language.Thomas felt his eyes widen as the individual immediately responded to Savastan.“So you are Korva. From the Empire?” Savastan asked.“You are a master trader… I am Force Leader Naran.”“I am Savastan,” Savastan said, inclining his head. “I take it you had been taken captive?”“My unit had been tasked with attempting to secure a skyship. We failed. We were being returned to the mercies of the owners of the slaver when they made the determination to stop here to lay claim.”Savastan’s eyes narrowed. “Lay claim? This is important Force Leader— do you think they informed the others or was this an attempt to steal a march on their fellows?”“The latter— they could take any unfortunates that lived close to the exit point and then sell the information to the rest of the coalition…”“Well.” Savastan leaned back. “Fortune, it seems, smiles upon us. What do you think of the locals?”“Amazing,” Naran said. “They have no magic, not that I have seen, yet their tools…”“Yes. Their tools. Tools that can be churned out by the millions, that can equip someone who was a peasant only a few days ago. Tools that canmages.”“Oh, we saw that. Even when we thought we were going to die…” Naran gave a coughing chuckle. “It was worth the price.”“Yes,” Savastan made a gesture and a glass of water slid across the table to Naran. “You know that neither dominant power here likes slavery? I cannot tell you how pleasant the Russian’s are because they’re hostile to my hosts and well, I gain most of my information from my hosts, but even the most slanted source agrees that they consider slavery a decadent and evil system…”“Indeed…” Naran said. “I doubt they will find many friends at the far end of this silver lane.”“Oh, I don’t know. Themight become a very close friend,” Savastan said, eyes narrowed in amusement. “Especially since your enemies have done such ajob of leaving a…dramatic first impression with our hosts.”“I see…” Naran said. “I would not wish to exchange one ruler for another.”“That may be an issue,” Savastan agreed. “On the other hand, at the very least they will be hostile to your enemies, and that should occupy them for some time.”“And why would a Master Trader be interested in this? Your organization submitted to the slavers’ demands, after all.”“Not by choice, and certainly not bychoice,” Savastan said. “But free laborers pay more than slaves do, and it has always been in our interest to open as many markets as possible.”“Ah. I am a force leader, not the Emperor. I cannot bind the Empire to any agreement, and the… Ru-” Naran stumbled over the word. “Russians, did an excellent job in destroying our captors’ ship.”“I will see about getting information to your people through other routes…we may be able to arrange a Link to be brought.”Naran’s eyes widened. “You must consider this worldimportant.”“Perhaps the most important thing since the fall of the Saurian Empire,” Savastan agreed. “Now, our hosts no doubt wish to hear more of your story, so let us discuss that. Be advised that I will tell them what you inform me of, and I will also alert them if I believe you are lying.”“Ah, Traders. Always wanting to be clear where you stand,” Naran said with a fang-bearing smile.“Of course. Outright untruths do little for a long and profitable relationship,” Savastan returned his smile.“So you see, the Korva are currently facing a serious problem… the Empire is surrounded, largely cut off and suffering a lack of skyships which has made it difficult for them to respond to incursions. The coalition of slaver worlds surrounding them are not launching massive attacks— they are merely slowly wearing the Empire’s resources away.Colonel Aristov leaned forward, matched by Colonel Brennan. “So he claims that the slavers do not have certain information about our side of the silver lane?”“No. Of course, the prisoners could have been deceived, but one must ask why?”“And they cannot tell us the size of the terminus?”“No. Nor could I. Surveying a terminus is a fairly specialized field. However, termini larger than 100 or so of your miles in diameter are quite rare.”Aristov’s grunt was skeptical. Savastan had a feeling the Russian’s were going to assume he was off and focus on securing a somewhat larger zone.“Why doesn’t he speak Standard?” Thomas asked. “I thought you said it was, well standard.”“The Korva Empire is new, and to be honest, Standard is used mainly among galactic culture— most slave societies are…not encouraged to learn it.” Savastan shrugged. “I am certain many Korva know it, but this was a small unit of soldiers who were not expected to interact with a different society.”“Mgh. They sure could have come up with a better name. Korva, Korva Empire,” Thomas said.“Indeed, no doubt one of the most pressing issues facing a group of revolting slaves who are being attacked from all sides,” Savastan’s voice was dry. “But on the language issue, I would suggest that while he is here, I assist Force Leader Naran in learning English. I am fairly proficient in the language, and that should speed the process. Once he learns it, he could assist your people,” Savastan gestured at Aristov, “In learning his language while also allowing you to debrief him and his comrades…” Savastan paused. “Please do not take this the wrong way, but the Korva Empire will be your ally— unless they are given cause to not be.”Aristov’s glare was positively frosty, but he nodded as Naran stood up, and turned to one of the Russian guards and said some words in his language. A few moments later, Naran was standing, unchained.“We did not realize you were not associated with the attackers,” Aristov said. “The Workers of the Soviet Union hope that our association will be long and fruitful.”When Savastan translated, Naran nodded and replied.“Force Leader Naran asks, do you intend to kill those who would enslave them?”“Than he believes your association shall be fruitful indeed,” Savastan said as Naran favored all with an open-mouthed smile.