>>6019924“Pahan, return to your room. Too dang-erous.” The young warrior briefly puffs his chest in defiance but, perhaps glimpsing an old lesson, chooses to follow your wisdom without question. “And you, Silas, go fetch something good from what ever you still have in your sellar.” Finally, it's Salzar's turn, “Sal-a-zar, can you guide our guest to the bridge? I will be waiting there.” He acknowledges your order with a surprisingly clear monosyllable before bolting off.
Over an hour later, on the bridge, six eyes, yours, Tim's, and Silas', scan every inch of the airlock door, patiently waiting for any movement. The last bottle of Furriskey bog-champagne rests on a trolley, its own separate island away from sensitive electronics. Salzar annoyingly paces back and forth across the screen several times. You are tempted to tell him off with the PA system, but the shuttle has already docked with your ship and pressurisation will finish any moment now.
Finally, the steel bolts retract and pull back each quarter of the gate with them. “Quite young, isn't he? Too young even.” Tim whispers in a low voice, his anxiety yet to dissipate, “Just wait.” The slender young man in yellow camo fatigues, in clear violation of regulation, curtseys to Salzar before piping up in clear, unaccented English, “Honour to you, my friend.”
He turns towards the camera with prescient precision and motions another curtsey. “And to you, Commander. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lieutenant Wachirawit Thanaret, executive officer of the Ban Rachan. My father, His Excellency Captain Thomas Loetchai Thanaret, Luang Klahannaisongkhram, begs your pardon for the crude test. He will be arriving shortly on another shuttle." No, the seeming lack of accent is an accent in itself, Aristian English, as spoken by the Commonwealth's leading caste.
Right on cue, Moynihan reports another contact, “Another shuttle from the Ayutthaya requesting permission to dock. Approve?” Silas grumbles his assent before turning to you, “Won't be another half hour before the old man shows up. Should bring junior here to wait.” You nod before gluing your eyes to the dozens of pixels representing the lieutenant again. If this is the son, what kind of person would the father be?
