We're humans from Earth, of the League of Sentient Races. We come in peace. How may we classify you, fellow sentient?

We. Are. The. Clairconctlar.

Good. That's a good start. Anything else you care to share?

I can see that getting a lot of information out of you is going to be difficult.

Tell us about your race.

We. Must. Regretfully. Leave. Now.

Hold on! We've got an offer. You can join the League of Sentient Races!

We. Must. Regretfully. Decline. We. Serve. The. Hegemonic. Crux.

Yeah, well, regretfully seems how you guys do just about everything.

We. Regret. That. It. Is. True.

Well knock it off.

Alas. We. Can. Not.

You are bringing down my whole day. Get lost.

What? No greeting? No friendly hello? No threat? No nothing?

What. Do. You. Want?

What a bad attitude.

You. Waste. Our. Time.

You won't win many friends with that attitude, sourpuss.

Goodbye.

OK. Later. Don't forget to write.

Tell me about the Hegemonic Crux.

We. Regret. That. We. Cannot. Reveal. Anything. About. The. Crux.

I suspect you have MUCH more in common with the ideals of the League than the cruelty of the Crux.

That. Is. Perhaps. True. But. Alas. It. Is. Not. Our. Lot. To. Decide. Such. Things.

Why not?

Well whose bloody lot is it?

We. May. Not. Say.

Oh, come on!

What else can you tell us about yourselves?

That. We. Wish. To. Leave.

Guess I walked right into that one.

We. Must. Leave.

Wait. We have so much to talk about.

Ok. Fine. Bye.

Fine. Leave. See if we care.

You guys are no more talkative than last time.

You would make valuable allies. We offer you membership in the League of sentient races.

If you tell us about your situation we can help you.

We. Are. Obligated. To. Fight. You. To. The. Death. But. Before. We. Do. We. Must. Impart. To. You. That. We. Have. Learned. Of. Spacial. Anomalies. In. the Eltanin. Star. System.

Anomalies? What do you mean?

Alas. We. Can. Say. No. More.

Wait! Let's talk about this!

We can be allies if you'd join us.

We don't need to be enemies! We have so much in common!

Now. We. Must. Engage. You. In. Ritual. Combat. To. The. Death.

Are you Clairconctlar being compelled to serve the Crux?

Correct.

Now we're getting somewhere! Why do you work for them?

Why don't you quit?

We. Must. Regretfully. Decline. To. Answer.

How are they forcing you to work for them?

We. Can. Not. Say.

Your ideals are very close to those of the League, and far from those of the Crux.

That. Is. Perhaps. True. But. We. Cannot. Join. You.

We can offer you protection from enemies.

We. Need. No. Protection. Enemies. Do. Not. Bother. Us. For. Long.

The Crux is bothering you! Why won't you consider them enemies?

I believe that. Look, the Crux just doesn't deserve you!

We. Regret. That. We. Can. Not. Discuss. This. Matter.

Come on. Tell.

I'm beginning to regret this whole conversation.

We. Must. Regretfully. Leave. Now.

OK, I got the goods on you. I know that you live under a debt of honor.

True.

I bet that now you are honor-bound to tell me why you are under a debt of honor.

Is that all you have to say?

Will you tell me why?

Alas. When. Ploxis. First. Arrived. In. Kessarri. Quadrant. We. Committed. An. Act. Of. Unbearable. Wickedness.

So?

That's all?

So. Now. We. Live with. Eternal. Shame. And. Debt. To. The. Ploxis.

Why does that mean that you must serve them?

Honor. Demands. Service.

What did you do?

What was the act?

We. Must. Regretfully. Decline. To. Answer.

Not that again! I know of the debt of honor, so you are required to tell me! By honor, right?

You. Are. Correct. Thus. Do. We. Compound. Our. Shame. By. Not. Saying.

That's not acceptable. You are required to tell me the source of your shame and debt to the Ploxis!

We. Can. Say. No. More. Because. We Know. No. More.

This is getting ridiculous! Why can't you say?

WHY must you not say?

Because. We. Most. Shamefully. Do. Not. Know.

What? Why don't you know?

How could you not know?

What, did you just FORGET?

The. Answer. Is. Lost. To. Us.

How did you lose the answer?

Are you just stupid? How could you lose something as important as the source of your shame?

That. Answer. Is. ALSO. Lost. To. Us.

What? You're working for these evil, dishonorable creatures, and you don't even know WHY?

Yes.

AAAARGH!

Well then you're pretty damn dumb, then, aren't you?

We. must. leave. now.

OK. OK. I can play this. So. If you don't know why you are working for them, how do you know you are supposed to be working for them?

Come on! If you don't know why you are working for them, how do you know you are supposed to?

Our. Queen. Told. Us. So. Before. She. Disappeared. We. Believe. Her.

Queen? What queen?

The. Great. Rock. Mother. Of. All. Clairconctlar. The. Lodestone. From. Whom. We. Are. All. But. Shards.

You're pretty damn big for a shard.

Where did she go?

We. Do. Not. Know.

When did she disappear?

When did your queen disappear?

Wait! When did your queen disappear?

When was this disappearance?

What are the details of this mystery?

She. Disappeared. After. She. Ordered. Our. Servitude.

I could have guessed THAT. How long did she say your servitude would be?

When are you to be freed?

She. Disappeared. Before. She. Could. Specify. The. Length. Of. Servitude.

So how will you know when you are free?

What? Then you have no way out!

The. Crux. Are. To. Tell. Us. When. The. Day. Of. Expiation. Comes.

You guys are too dumb for words.

Enjoy your servitude. Bet you never get free.

Wait! How can you trust the Crux?

Why should they?

But why? Why trust them? How can you trust them?

We. Trust. The. Crux. Because. Honor. Demands. It.

You guys are too good for the Crux! The Crux is a bunch of disreputable, dishonorable thugs!

Honor. Demands. Our. Service.

Ha! You're trusting the Crux to tell you when you are free?

Yes.

Then you are in for a looooong servitude.

Yes. It. Has. Already. Been. Long.

What a rip off! We are going to get to the bottom of this whether you like it or not!

Please. Do. Not. It. Would, Bring. Us. More. Shame.

OK. Enjoy your shame.

You guys are so dumb I have to destroy you out of pity!

Sorry pal, but I'll free you from your shame even if I have to embarrass you to death!

We. Are. Obligated. To. Fight. You. To. The. Death.

Hey! Why are you attacking us? This is a dishonorable fight!

We. Know. Such. Is. Our. Sorrow.

Oh. No. Not. Again.

OK, that's not exactly the cheery greeting we were looking for, but it's better than nothing!

Wow. We get a greeting now!

We. Must. Go.

Fine. Go. But you won't hear what we have to say.

Yes, it's me again. And guess what? I know about... Ploozer Palavar!

You can't go now. I need to tell you something. I know about... Ploozer Palavar!

That. Is. The. Site. Of. Our. Secret. Shame.

Well, it's not so damn secret anymore. We know it.

It's not so damn secret anymore. We know it.

Oh. No.

I thought you didn't know about your shame.

We. Know. Where. It. Was. But. Not. What. It. Was.

Well. Guess what your secret shame was?

Do you want to know what your shame was?

You might already be free. You will only know after I tell you what the shame was.

Yep. Sure is. And guess what your secret shame was?

Well, I'll tell you your secret shame anyway.

Wait. I'll tell you what your shame was.

We. Shudder. To. Contemplate. It.

Well shudder no more! The shame was wiping out most of the Ploxis race that were aboard that station.

Oh. No.

Uh, is that bad?

Genocide. Is. The. Greatest. Shame. It. Could. Mean. As. Much. As. An. Eternity. Of. Servitude.

Gulp.

Uh oh. Guess that plan backfired on me.

Could be less than eternity, though. Right?

We. Must. Leave.

OK. Sorry. We tried.

Wait. What if your time of servitude is over and the Ploxis didn't tell you?

Wait. What if your time of servitude is over and the Ploxis don't tell you?

If. They. Lie. We. Are. Free. And. We. May. Destroy. All. The. Ploxis. Leaders.

How will you know if they are lying?

Great! Cool! Where can we get information on that?

The. Daktaklakpak. Said. They. Would. Tell. Us.

Isn't that like the fox guarding the henhouse?

The Daktaklakpak? Are you crazy? They're in the Crux!

Yes. But. It. Is. Better. Than. No. Safeguard.

Well listen, those Ploxis and Daktaklakpak are wily. Don't trust them.

Option 1: No safeguard. Option 2: Trust Daktaklakpak. Conclusion: No safeguard equals better!

You can't trust them!

We. Have. No. Choice.

Do you want a third option?

There. Is. No. Third. Option.

Yes there is! The League of Sentient Races!

You do have a choice! It's called the League of Sentient Races! Let me tell you all about it!

OK. Bye. But we'll get to the bottom of this. Something smells fishy. Or Ploxis-y.

What will you give me to tell you?

What will you give me to tell you what your secret shame was?

Nothing.

Nothing? Forget it then! I won't tell you.

We. Will. Leave. Now.

Good. Go.

Wait! I, Um, I know for a fact that your time of servitude is over. Yeah. That's the ticket.

Wait! I, Er, I know for a fact that your time of servitude is over. But I can't tell you how I know. So, ah, you can join us.

How. Do. You. Know. This??

Uh...I have my sources.

Only. The. Ploxis. The. Daktaklakpak. And. Our. Queen. Know. For. Sure.

I'm just kidding. I don't know.

Well, er... We talked to someone who knows. So, ah, you can leave the Crux now.

You. Are. Not. True. You. Are. Not. Honorable. Goodbye.

You. Are. Not. True.

Look, I'm sorry I lied. I just want to help you!

Hang in there! We're trying to get you out of your servitude!

Sorry to bother you. Goodbye.

Guess what? Your time of servitude really IS over this time!

We. Can. Not. Trust. You. You. Are. Not. True.

Aw c'mon! That's all in the past. I'm true blue now!

We. Can. Not. Be. Sure. Of. That.

Yes you can! We found out that your Queen was mind controlled into telling you to obey the Crux!

You're free! We found out that your Queen was mind controlled into telling you to obey the Crux!

How. Do. You. Know. This?

The K'tang told us. They also said the Clairconctlar Queen is being kept prisoner by the Crux on Warp Station: Klashkog! Wherever that is!

We. Have. No. Proof. Of. That.

Great! Let's go get proof! On Warp Station: Klashkog!

We can prove it. The Clairconctlar Queen is being kept prisoner by the Crux on Warp Station: Klashkog!

We. Must. Regretfully...

Yeah, yeah, I know. Regretfully decline. But why?

Do NOT turn us down on this.

We can save you if you let us.

We. Are. Forbidden. To. Go. To. Warp. Station. Klashkog..

By who?

Let me guess. By the damned Ploxis.

The. Ploxis. Chief. Executions. Officer.

What the flying flooey does he have to do with it?

So what?

He can't forbid you to get proof of his own deceit!

He. Controls. Where. We. May. Go. Until. The Day of Expiation.

There's this ancient earth expression. Do you know what a Catch-22 is?

No.

A Catch-22 is defined as not being allowed to see the evidence that frees you until your captor lets you go, and your captors won't let you go until you see the evidence that frees you!

You mean that you can't see the evidence that frees you until they let you go? But they won't let you go until you see the evidence?

Thus. Are. The. Fruits. Of. Dishonor.

I don't believe it! You guys have don't have to do any more penance!

Why are you so damn honorable?

Don't you make any exceptions? Ever?

Come on! Just hop on board my ship and let's go there!

If. You. Understood. The. Clairconctlar. You. Would. Know. Better. Than. To. Say. That. We. Must. Leave. Now.

Wait! At least tell me where I can find Warp Station: Klashkog!

It. Is. A. K'tang. Base. On. Enkidu. Four.

Thanks!

Yippee!

Oh. No. Not. Again.

Hey! We saw your Queen! She's OK! We can rescue her!

Can. It. Be. True?

True Blue. Check out this blue rock thing.

You. Are. Not. True.

Will you get over it? I'm true now! True blue as the queen!

How. Can. We. Believe. You?

Look at this blue rock thing.

I can prove it. Check out this blue rock thing.

The. Conc. Rock! We. Must. Have. It!

OK. Here.

What's so important about this old rock?

The. Conc. Rock. Comes. Directly. From. The. Queen! It. Is. The. Source. Of. All. New. Clairconctlar!

We. Can. Not. Continue. Our. Species. Without. The. Conc. Rocks. Only. The. Crux. Have. Been. Able. To. Find. Conc. Rocks. In. This. Quadrant. We. Must. Have. That. Conc. Rock.

I'll give it to you if you leave the Crux.

Are you kidding? I'll give it to you only if you leave the Crux.

We. Can. Not. Leave. Even. For. The. Conc. Rock.

How about becoming a spy for us inside the Crux?

We. Can. Not. Do. That. It. Is. Not. Honorable.

You're impossible. Isn't there anything you can do for us?

Oh. No. Not. Again.

I sure wish you would join us in return for this conc rock.

You. Know. We. Cannot.

I guess I will have to keep the Conc rock, then. Till I can use it to free you.

I guess I'll have to keep the Conc rock, then. Till I can use it to free you.

Remind me again about what's so important about this old rock.

The. Conc. Rock. Comes. Directly. From. The. Queen! It. Is. The. Source. Of. All. New. Clairconctlar!

We. Can. Not. Continue. Our. Species. Without. The. Conc. Rocks. Only. The. Crux. Have. Been. Able. To. Find. Conc. Rocks. In. This. Quadrant. We. Must. Have. That. Conc. Rock.

Wow. That's the most I've ever heard you say at one time. That's worth a Conc Rock. Here you go.

Here. You can have the Conc Rock anyway.

Well, you can have the Conc Rock anyway.

Oh. Here. Take the damn thing.

Here take a the rock.

The. Clairconctlar. Thank. You. Human.

Here. Have another Conc rock.

Thank. You. Human.

Don't mention it. But can't you do something for us now? On account of how honorable we just were?

We gave you a Conc Rock. Can't you join us?

See you later.

Oh. No. Not. Again.

Oh yes! Again. Guess what? Your time of servitude is really over this time. See this Conc Rock I'm holding?

The. Conc. Rock! We. Must. Have. It!

What would happen if someone were to, say, break a Conc Rock.

We. Would. Have. To. Hunt. Down. The. Destroyer. In. A. Vengeance. Hunt. That. Surpasses. All. Other. Duties. And. Obligations. Except. Protecting. The. Queen.

All. Other. Restrictions. On. The. Clairconctlar. Are. Suspended. Until. The. Destroyer. And. All. His. Allies. Are. Dead.

So you could conceivably even go to, say, an area that the Crux said is off-limits to you.

Yes. All. Other. Restrictions. Are. Lifted.

Thanks for the scoop. Guess I'll leave now.

And what happens if we help you find your queen?

Then. We. Owe. You. The. Greatest. Of. Boons.

Cool. Well, guess what I'm gonna do to this Conc Rock?

Cool. Well, guess what I'm gonna do?

You. Will. Give. Us. The. Conc. Rock.

Nope. I'm going to leave. Bye.

What. About. The. Conc. Rock?

I'll do as I like with it.

Who knows? Maybe I'll come back soon and talk some more.

What. Have. You. Done. With. The. Conc. Rock?

Nothing. I'm leaving now.

I'm busting it right now.

Wrong! I'm gonna bust this Conc Rock! Here goes...There! It's destroyed!

Great. Well, gentlemen, start your engines! Cuz I'm busting this Conc Rock!

Nooooooo! We. Will. Destroy. You! We. Swear. A. Vengeance. Hunt. As. Vicious. As. Has. Ever. Been. Sworn!

Catch me if you can!

Fly me to the moon!

NOW. WE. WILL. DESTROY. YOU.

Not so fast, blue boy. Check your readings from the moon.

You Can. Not. Distract. The. Clairconctlar. From. Our. Deadly. Task. We. Are. Remorseless! We. Are. Relentless! We. Are... Uh...

Speechless? That's your Queen.

UR.. WE. MUST. DESTROY. YOU. NO. WE. MUST. GRANT. YOU. A. BOON. KILL. BOON. KILL. BOON.

OK. Here's the boon. Please don't kill me.

WE. Ur... YES! IT. IS. DONE! To. Honor. Your. Service. We. Rescind. The. Vengeance. Hunt. That. Is. Upon. Your. Head.

Thanks. Dashed decent of you.

Hey. You guys have your queen back.

The. Queen! Our. Queen. Is. Back! Our. Time. Of. Servitude. Is. Over! We. Are. Free. From. The. Honorless. Crux!

We. Swear. The. Most. Relentless. Vengeance. Hunt. In. History. Against. The. K'tang. The. Daktaklakpak. And. The. Vile. Ploxis.

We. Will. Not. Rest. Until. Their. Leaders. Have. Paid. In. Full. For. Their. Crimes. Against. Sentience!

Oh yeah! Testify! Tell it how it is Friend Clairconctlar!

We'll be glad to help you exact justice.

Friend. Human. You. Have. Delivered. Us. From. Our. Ignominious. Servitude. Though. We. No. Longer. Owe. You. A. Boon. We. Still. Wish. To. Express. Our. Gratitude.

Well, there's this League of Sentient Races that would like to make a home for you.

Join the League!

We. Shall. Join. Your. League. Though. The. Clairconctlar. Are. Solitary. Beings. You. Have. Proven. Your. Worth.

If. Your. League. Is. Like. You. It. Too. Is. Honorable. But. Remember. That. We. Can. Only. Remain. So. Long. As. The. League. Is. Honorable.

Fine with me.

I can't WAIT to get my hands on some of them Clairconctlar Pinnacles.

We. Shall. Send. Ships. Goodbye. For. Now.

Bye.

Greetings. Noble. Leader. Of. The. League. Of. Sentient. Races!

Just checking in. Goodbye.

Tell me the secrets of the Crux!

The. Crux. Told. Us. Few. Secrets. But. We. Know. The. Daktaklakpak. Lied. To. You. About. The. Chenjesu. Being. Related. To. The. Eternal. Ones.

The. Mmrnmhrm. Are. Not. An. Eternal. One. Summoning. Device. The. Daktaklakpak. Wanted. To. Get. Rid. Of. The. Chmmr. Because. The. Chmmr. Ships. Are. So. Powerful. And. So. Effective. Against. Them.

The. Daktaklakpak. Wanted. To. Make. The. Mmrnmhrm. Into. Slaves. But. The. Mmrnmhrm. Were. Inoperative. After. The. Bifurcation.

So. The. Daktaklakpak. Dumped. Them. Somewhere. We. Do. Not. Know. Where. But. They. Said. They. Dumped. Them. Somewhere. You. Could. Never. Reach. Them.

Thanks. Anything else?

That's. All. We. Know.

We need a small donation of sentience from your noble race, Clairconctlar. It may save all our lives.

Friend. Human. You. Have. Delivered. Us. From. Our. Ignominious. Servitude. Though. We. No. Longer. Owe. You. A. Boon. We. Still. Wish. To. Express. Our. Gratitude.

We will be forever grateful.

OK. So long.

Yeah. It's us.

OK. Go.