#kdra

It was written, in the Dialogues that accompany the Words of the Great One and the Great Saga of Freedom, that the Great One accepted all who heeded his call...

"Great One!" Djo Met and Thakalak, as they introduced themselves through the scarabs' communication system, flew near the moon. "Thank you for listening to my call and meeting with me. I am honored!" They made a motion with their various appendages that Jaime was informed was incredibly respectful, even worshipful.

It looked like a flailing of limbs, but Jaime was raised to be respectful even if he did not understand the intricacies and nuances.

"I must offer our apologies, as we failed as members of your Revolutionary Army, and can offer nothing but ourselves and service to make up for the mistake."

"And what mistake is that?" Khaji Da was pulling up information on the species Thakalak was from, the homeworld, and any intergalactic news. Unfortunately, Earth was too backwater for Khaji Da to have the best access on the last point.

"My homeworld decided to remain part of the Reach Empire, even freed of the drugs and the army. They chose to remain," Thakalak said sadly.

[[This is not too surprising,]] Khaji Da said privately. [[The world of Themesten has been with the Reach Empire for a long time, to the point where it is half absorbed into the hierarchy so members of that planet can serve in higher castes. Any native culture they had is either wiped out or warped beyond recognition by Reach culture.]]

"Part of allowing people the ability to chose is accepting that they might make a choice you do not agree with," Jaime said out loud. "Tell me Thakalak, Djo Met, why did you reject the Reach?"

"Well..." Thakalak fidgeted. "I volunteered for the scarab in part because I wanted to see other worlds. I never said it, but Djo Met understood."

[[And <I> was also curious. When the message came, I studied the transmissions from other worlds and scarabs breaking free. I have been a warrior for millenia, but have done little interesting. I wanted to experience being more than a warrior.]]

Jaime smiled. "Well then, Themesten may not welcome you, but I will. Now let's find you a home."