I apologise for the short chapter but i needed a sort of transitionary scene for this end of things so that I could introduce the tau commander as well as make sure both sides are set for 'negotiations'.

Kirap dragged his arms behind him as he walked down another long corridor, he'd just completed several cycles of continues work and was ready to get some sleep, he was too tired to even think about getting some nourishment for his aching muscles.

As he entered the methane filed room that was his barracks, he pulled off his rebreather and breathed in a lung full of fresh methane, or at least methane that hadn't been recycled as much as what his personal tank had been filled with. Kirap was about to sit down when he heard someone behind him.

He jumped as it shouted, "Oy you, you still owe me, you lost the bet, now pay up."

Kirap groaned, the annoying Ungoy had been trying to collect off him for many cycles, since before their last battle, despite his insistence that the bet had been fixed. Kirap dismissed the ranting disturbance and tried to settle to sleep before he was grabbed by the shoulder and yanked around.

"Hey, I'm talkin' to you," the Ungoy said, though it all seemed rather humorous.

"You don't expect me to pay now, I just been run ragged by our masters, I want some sleep," Kirap said.

"I don't care, you ow me," the angry Ungoy said.

Kirap shrugged off the grip and sat himself down again, hoping that this would be taken as a sign that he wasn't going to pay up now, and he'd finally be able to get some sleep.

"Ethereal Auth'Rel, is it really wise to allow this aliens to see our most guarded planet of T'au? We have no idea where they're real allegiances lie," Commander Fairmoon said.

"Indeed, your caution is well warranted pure one, however I do not believe they shall turn on us. I know about your distrust for aliens, you even are distanced from out kroot and vespid allies, refusing their services in your cadre despite the insistence of your superiors," Ethereal Auth'Rel said, "However, you must trust that what I do, is for the Greater Good.

"Yes of course Ethereal, for the Greater Good …" before Commander Fairmoon could continue though, a member of the water caste who was being escorted by the fleet entered.

"Ethereal Auth'Rel, Commander Fairmoon, forgive my disturbing you, but the aliens have requested and audience with you Ethereal," the water caste member said, "I tried to explain that I was a diplomat, but they insisted Ethereal."

"Very well, inform them I shall be there momentarily," Ethereal Auth'Rel said.

"Noble prophet of Faith, we are receiving a response," said Farnee Mukaromee.

"Excellent, ship master, please continue," the prophet of Faith said.

"Greeting prophet, you wished to speak to me?" Ethereal Auth'Rel said, appearing on a view screen.

The prophet motioned to calm the ship master despite the breach of protocol in not addressing the prophet by its full honorific, "Ethereal, I wish to know more about our destination and what we will be required to do once we reach it."

"Very well," the Ethereal said, "We are taking you to our home planet of T'au, where we wish to … exchange, information."

"I see," the prophet of Faith said, "And is this exchange … one way?"

"Not at all, there shall be a; how shall I say, give and take. When you give us some information of your own, you may take some information of out own," the Ethereal said.

The prophet though about this for a moment, "Very well, how much longer till we reach our destination?"