"I ex s.. s.. pect you think I am some kind of demon from your Enclaves", the creature continued in a tone that still sounded patronising even filtered through an alien accent and a translation device. It moved closer to the glass, menacing its new captive. "Actually I don't", Klane interrupted boldly. "I think you've come from the Galactic Compact". It was just a guess based on the few shreds of story and history Crinomu had told him and his theory about the spaceship behind him, but clearly this beast did not come from Earth. His answer seemed to disconcert the creature and for a moment it was silent. "Where have you heard about the Galactic Compact? You are a m... m.. os ss.. s... t interes s...s... ting specimen! No matter! I shall find out in time. But no. Since you are so pers... s... spicacious I will tell you. I am not from the Galactic Compact. The Galactic Compact is not s... so interested in Earth these days. It has other much more important concerns. Your Guardians of Earth left long ago and these so called Enclaves are degenerate and too wrapped up in their own politics to notice me. You s... s.. ee I am something of a free lance scientist and an entrepreneur and I am here for professional curiosity and personal profit. This is a quiet, private world with a lot of potential. It could have many products of interest in my particular specialist markets and you have just volunteered to help me with my research." "You've already spoken to my other two lovely assistants? I find the females in your species to be more tractable than the males. The warriors are not so easy to tame and I had to scare them all away. You are different. You were foolish enough to invite yourself into my crater and I am happy to add you to my collection!" "You can start by telling me all about this very interesting instrument you carry." The creature indicated the klane with a dip of its giant head. "What is it and how did you come by it?"