Two Solid Shadows

Grzegorzy found himself violently cursing, albeit silently, the very moment he spotted the Stoor's interpreter. The first serious wrench in their plans, no doubt - and a serious choice which he would be responsible for. Regardless of whether or not the woman was a clone, he would do what he could in order to preserve her, but he could not allow her to stay in the way of their mission. In an effort to prolong her life, he gestured down the pathway, hoping that the Stoor aide would continue on their way as he spoke. Failing that, there was little he could do. 

"I can imagine it would be a tough job." He nodded, folding his hands together. "In my species' history, if a superior officer isn't worthy of their own position, they tend to get usurped." He chuckled under his breath. "I suppose, you could say that's what I'm here to do... To make things as they should be, on behalf of a benefactor." He shrugged, handing a thoroughly sealed pouch to the Stoor. "Although we humans might be less involved than your own kind, we do have our uses!" He laughed, smiling. "For example, your...Slave." He said, a sour taste evident in the tone of his voice. "You might not think it, based upon appearances, but I would be willing to pay a great sum to study her alive.  To... See how our biology adapts to the environment of Two Solid Shadows. Even a few hours with her would be quite an enlightening experience." He nodded, finally turning to face the Stoor. "If you don't mind telling me, though, what do you -really- think of Seven Pitted Wheels? Are you honestly so loyal to someone who abuses you like that? Not that you couldn't handle the aforementioned burdens and hardships, of course."

 

GCN Concordia, Sagittarius A*

Alexander sighed harshly, under his breath, clasping his hands together as he glared into the surface of the table. For a few moments, he breathed deeply, as if trying to calm himself, then turned his gaze back towards Seven Desert Streams. He was still glaring angrily, though his expression had certainly softened. "If our perceptions really mattered so little, what reason would you have to insult and threaten us? If you knew anything about our species, you'd know what threats and insults do. You can try abduct my wife, and all my children. You can call us as stupid and inferior as you want. I dare you. Tell me I'm ugly, a babbling idiot, call my wife a whore. Do you know what all of that will do?" He growled.

"It will only make us angrier. Trust me, other humans have tried the very same tactics of demoralization in the past, and it only ever resulted in their own failure. It won't work for you. One day, the galaxy is going to get tired of your shtick. And, you, I for one, can see through your façade. That hubris you have - the way you look down on others - I can see your insults for what they are. It's not because of some fact or truth - it's because you can't see reality for what it really is. It blinds you. Do you know what happens with beings that show hubris? They fall, and they fall hard. Maybe, just maybe, you think that oppressing the galaxy using their own fears is going to always work for you. What happens when they stop fearing you - once they fight back? You're afraid of that happening, aren't you?"