"Then, Lord Gorpious, could we entrust this matter to you?"
At the M'tok Union's border, aboard the Community, the flagship of Gorpious, leader of the Community Security Fleet.
The massive insectoid fleet leader lay on a bridge the size of a plaza, his antennae several meters long swaying back and forth. He was in a good mood.
A portable translator and an insectoid-specific smart device were attached beside his enormous mouthparts. He seemed to be speaking with someone remotely.
Listening to the voice coming from the other end, Gorpious curled his antennae, then leisurely unfurled them and replied:
"Hiss, hiss... Lord Perkin Asland, you understand that this mission involves venturing into an almost completely unknown alien empire, with no support. Do you see what I'm getting at?"
"Of course I do." The distinctive vibrating hum of the Stone People came through from the other end.
Perkin Asland laughed. "But you also know that all the Union's troops are stationed along the western and northern borders. Our two neighbors have been getting restless again lately."
"That's true." Gorpious spread his long antennae across the floor, hissing into his smart device. "The problem is, I'm just a mercenary. What good does talking about the Union do? I don't feel any particular attachment to it."
Perkin Asland's deep voice continued, "The Union's requirements are very simple: go in, protect our merchant ships, and get our people safely onto that colony planet."
"Hiss~ You make it sound so easy."
Gorpious tapped the alloy floor with his hard antennae. "According to my intelligence, that empire isn't exactly accommodating. Haven't you been negotiating with them lately? Something about banning military vessels from traveling between your territories."
"That is correct, Lord Gorpious," Perkin Asland explained. "But there is still some time before the treaty is officially signed.