by Aer-ki Jyr
The Shanplenix raised his hands in a dismissive gesture. “We only ask this in good faith, and do not wish any ill will between us. If we do not earn our keep them we deserve none, and cemented accords are rarely honored after the fact. I have observed that the Voku value honesty, and so too is your reputation. We are satisfied with leaving the details in your hands, to be determined after the fact with regards to our allotments beyond what we have already been guaranteed. To gain the allegiance of others will require more than that, for as it is they can simply sit by and wait for you to win the war without their assistance…though that presumes much.”
Paul looked at Cal-com. “How have they been doing so far?” he asked, already knowing the answer from the mission briefs the Voku had passed along to him.
“They have sloppy tactics, but decent tech and are effective against small to mid-level targets. I would not make any claims beyond that. They have yet to engage in an even fight.”
“Nor do we wish to,” the Shanplenix admitted. “But we can take the burden of the smaller fights off your hands so you can concentrate on the larger ones…or perhaps elements of the larger ones in order to bolster your strength. We do not wish to lead this conquest, only to aid in it and have a hand in the aftermath if you deem us to have earned it.”
“How many of these others are there?”
“We have spoken with 19 others, though there are more known and rumored to be located in regions of space we have not had contact with before. I can vouch for 3 of them that are ready to fight now, if the occasion arrived, without compensation. Their hatred of the Li’vorkrachnika goes deep and they are eager to strike back. The others are more pragmatic and hesitant to latch onto claims of distant hope. We have fought beside the Voku and seen what they are capable of, as well as have seen through records the same of the Preema and you. The others do not have this knowledge yet, but when they do more will join. Others will require incentive.”
“And if we can do this without any of them?” Paul floated.
“There will still be a great deal of territory for you to patrol and secure, against Li’vorkrachnika incursion attempts and other threats. If you allow us, we can take a small portion of that burden off of you and further our own aspirations at the same time. I believe you have made a similar agreement with the H’kar already. We request something similar, on behalf of ourselves and this potential coalition.”
“Who are the strongest and how strong are they?”
“That we know of, the Neeyvir and the Trinx are the most technologically advanced and far beyond our means. The Neeyvir have far greater numbers than us, while the Trinx are isolationist and we have little data on them.”
“And the weakest?”
“Similar to your Hycre allies. They are called the Oosvah and maintain a naval advantage that keeps their systems secure, though only barely. They would assist merely out of self-preservation.”
Paul reached out to the Shanplenix’s mind to try and gage his sincerity, for the words he were speaking held some wisdom in them if a certain course of events took place, but by the same token they were also a setup for disaster and Paul did not want to relinquish territory to would be enemies or frenimies that he’d have to invade because they wouldn’t hold to a code of conduct.
That code of conduct was about to become the next discussion point when he realized the mind was too easily accessible for a race new to him. He looked at Cal-com and spoke directly to his mind.
Have you seen the Shanplenix without their armor?
I have not, he answered back, thinking the words as Paul had taught him in lieu of the telepathy he did not have. Their contributions thus far have been naval only and all their personnel have been fully covered in every interaction. We have no knowledge of their biology.
I do, Paul countered as he looked back at Demmcha. “I have a request to make.”
“State it.”
Paul mentally hit his own helmet release, with it pulling back from his face and transforming into a small lump behind his neck. “Let me see what you look like.”
“The translation software will not work without my helmet.”
“Just for a moment,” Paul insisted.
“Very well,” the Shanplenix said, reaching up and hitting the external releases on the triangular helmet. He pulled it straight up off the rods in the neck, revealing a narrow, round head that did not match the helmet’s dimensions.
Cal-com took a half step back in shock, only now realizing who it was he had been dealing with.
Demmcha stood there casually, looking at Paul with his glowing yellow eyes and likewise bioluminescent yellow/green skin.
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