The word 'Empire' gets his attention, but it's only polite to answer Shade-Seeker's question first. Besides, he can be subtle when he wants to be, and wait to perhaps gather more intel before drawing conclusions. And if his lizardy acquaintance here hasn't showed any signs of recognition of the Starfleet insignia on his uniform, it's hardly likely that Shade-Seeker is part of the Romulan or Klingon Empires.

"Yeah, four. Chans, thaans, zhens, and shens, if I remember right. I'm not a xenobiologist or a doctor so my experience has been more hands-on," he adds, waggling his eyebrows a little.