"Come with me, inferiors," is what the translator said when the Kristang gestured for us to follow him. His expression told me the translation was accurate. Sullenly, he lead us winding our way through the station, an observation deck that was fairly deserted. It had chairs, a couple tables, and big windows with a great view of Paradise. It was difficult for me to resist shouting out 'I can see my house!' because I thought I recognized the big bend in the river that was just to the south of Teskor. The Kristang dismissively gestured for us to sit, while he went over to what appeared to be a bar in the corner. It was a bar. He got out a glass, poured himself a generous serving of a golden liquid, added two cubes of ice, and angrily slumped into a seat across from us. "I am supposed to congratulate you on your achievements as warriors, and welcome you to our glorious coalition. Pththth." He stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry at us.

I looked at him more closely as he took a big gulp of the liquid. Whatever it was, it smelled like alcohol, sort of reminded me of tequila. His eyes were slightly unfocused and glassy.

Crap. He was already drunk. He'd come to the ceremony drunk. He was drinking more. This wasn't going to be good. Chang caught my eye as the Kristang stared out the window. I shook my head. Whatever happened, we were both going to be on our best behavior as guests of our allies.

"Ahhhhhh." The Kristang sighed and settled deeper into the chair, closing his eyes. Inside, I was hoping he'd fall asleep, and I could sit and watch the view quietly until someone came to fetch us. "My leader hates me. Why else would he punish me so, to make me breathe in the foul stench of inferiors?"

Assuming he didn't expect an answer to that question, I kept my mouth shut. Chang did the same.

The Kristang shook his head and gestured at us with his zPhone. "I'm told you scum need to use these to talk to each other. Shameful. Your species should not be speaking multiple languages, it is a sign of weakness! The dominant group on our disgusting planet should have conquered the others by now. You," he pointed at me, “are from uh-mare-ee-ca?"

"America, yes, sir," I answered. "I serve in the American Army."