Intergalactic

A message appeared on the tablet in front of Amara. It said „Departure to Felindar meeting in 10 minutes.“

She gave it a quick glance, then turned her attention back to the holographic projection across the table. The antennae of the Qyrl ambassador were twitching very slightly, and indicator that he was controlling himself. The projection had been scaled up to be equal in size to the humans sitting at her side of the table and the projections of those unable to attend in person.

„A rogue faction?“, the projection of Ansom Tike, representative of Dephyr, inquired.

„As I said.“, the Qyrl ambassador repeated after almost one minute. The latency to the nearest Qyrl planet made a conversation almost impossible. The urgency of the situation required everyone to make the effort anyways. „Our government has no intention to endanger the continued validity of the peace treaty between our races. Elements not under the control of the central government have apparently acted of their own accord. We are currently investigating these events.“

„Multiple military ships and a coordinated boarding action?“, Tike continued to question.

The Qyrl remained expressionless, at least by human standards, even after the transmission time had certainly passed. Colors flickered across his insectoid eyes. Amara was aware that this was the Qyrl equivalent of human facial expressions, but needed her alien experts to interpret them.

„Indeed a worrying amount of independent force.“, the AI translation came from the Qyrl projection, „It even appears that this faction has established a base of operation somewhere at the edge of Qyrl-controlled space. We will be looking into the matter and prosecute any criminal activity in accordance with our laws.“

The thinly veiled reference wasn’t lost on Amara. She spoke up: „We are looking forward to hearing about any progress on this matter.“

Her thoughts wandered back to her diplomatic training for a moment. Ambassadors among humans usually lived on the planet or country they were sent to. But alien ambassadors rarely did so, as living on a human planet would have been isolating and difficult for someone used to different gravity and atmosphere. They would essentially live on a space station that just happened to sit on the ground, and would need special vehicles or space suits to leave their home. So the Qyrl ambassador was more of a contact person.

The meeting concluded with a few ritualistic formalities. The Qyrl ambassador disconnected. The human representatives from Dephyr and Dangorod remained online.

„Damn liar.“, Sibastyan remarked, to several nodding agreements. He had remained quiet during the diplomatic part of the meeting.

„Plausible deniability.“, the Dangorod representative stated plainly, „Same as us.“

They wrapped up the meeting with a quick round of opinions and summaries. The three planets were all in agreement that a war against the Qyrl should be avoided if possible. The short encounter had demonstrated that humans might have a better chance this time, but were still at a disadvantage.

Amara and her entourage hurried towards the waiting shuttles. Eleven Royal Felindar hours had almost passed, and the time to put the cards on the table had come. The last news they had received from the pirate outpost had been negative. Nobody seemed to know where that specific hyperdrive core was. The only thing they had was the names of two crews who had made heists during the time period in question, one of which must have been the Xylar freighter. With most computers of the pirates damaged or wiped by the EMP, there was no telling if these were even still on the station.

So, in short, they had nothing going into the second round of negotiations with the Felindar. Sure, they would talk about the other items on the list, but it was an open secret that none of them were why the aliens had sent a diplomatic delegation instead of a simple merchant. Besides, Amara had already traded most of it for the information she had received.

„Plausible deniability.“, Amara mumbled, „Seems to be in fashion.“

The three shuttles made their way from the government skyscraper to the spaceport. Traffic was light around noon, and their priority treatment opened a direct route. Just before touchdown a message from an assistant notified Amara that the Felindar delegation had left its ship and would be in the conference room in a few minutes.

The humans, again by numbers fitted to the alien diplomats, reached the room slightly before the Felindar, but waited before entering so that both delegations arrived seemingly at the right time. Small games. People in control don’t wait for others and all that.

With an exchange of formal greetings, the meeting began, the atmosphere immediately a bit more cordial than the first time.

„I understand that the first goods we agreed on the other day have already been delivered to you?“, Amara began the serious part of the conversation.

Karzt wiggled his wingtips: „Yes“, the translation came, „They have. We are very happy about this rapid progress in our relations and her majesty has asked me to convey her personal thanks and greetings, with hope for even more cooperation in the future.“

The alien specialists let Amara know through her earpiece, that this was a great honor, so she responded appropriately. Then she came to the main item, literally: „There is, unfortunately, one item on the list that we are unable to procure at this time. We are working on tracking it down, but I can not say how long it might take. It could be days, it could be weeks.“

She gave Gordon a signal and he transmitted the Felindar a copy of their list with all items marked as either already delivered, a delivery date, or an availability notice. All except one.

The bird-like aliens studied the list, then exchanged meaningful glances with each other. Finally, Karzt himself answered, a sign showing its importance: „This is an unfortunate circumstance. Can I conclude from your words that your promise from our discussion yesterday is still valid and that you are actively trying to acquire it?“

Amara answered without hesitation: „Yes on both of these questions.“

„We may be able to assist with these endeavors, if you will allow it.“, Karzt surprised them. And then even more with his next words: „And we will be happy to do it free of charge, provided that we can agree on the item in question being sold to us immediately after its acquisition.“

Amara kept her eyes on the Felindar diplomat, even though she could almost feel her ministers trying to exchange glances. She gave herself a few seconds to sort her thoughts before responding: „A counter-offer, if I may. We are curious just why everyone is so interested in this particular item. Give us three days to study it in one of our laboratories. I ensure you that it will be brought here and not leave the planet except on your ship.“

Karzt did the same as she had. He held her gaze and thought before answering. Or maybe he had an answer ready and was just waiting. Finally, he countered: „One day. Keep in mind that we will have to stay here, waiting.“

Amara controlled her facial expression. The comfort argument was clearly a front. She could only guess at his true motivation. „Two days“, she said, „counting from the moment the ship carrying it touches down on Erulas.“

A flutter that her alien experts would later inform her was the Felindar equivalent of a sly smile was followed by the ambassador agreeing: „On behalf of her majesty, I, Karzt Koptkek, agree to your proposition. Though you may find that your clock has already started ticking. The item has already arrived on your planet, recently.“

This time, even Amara could not hide her surprise.