“Okim, I don’t need to remind you, but this deal would change our lives forever."

"Didn't you say that for our last deal, Pixy?" I said as we walked down the stunning hallway, flanked by an escort of Empire soldiers. "You said that exact same line last time and now we're still going on business trips."

"This time is different, my friend. Besides, I'm sure the Empire would love to make use of your designs in their war fleets," they said, patting me on the back as we reached a massive, but beautifully decorated blast door.

“And what if they don’t?”

“They will.”

The blast doors slowly opened, revealing the grand interior. The great hall was filled with a vast variety of colours, shaming the dull grey halls of a Mega Station. Decorations and trophies occupied one wall, each shining brightly under a spotlight. The opposite wall was entirely made out of glass, showing off the view of Eos and the First Imperial Fleet, Emperor's Sword. Guards armed with Energy Khopeshes and Tesla Bardiches stood in single file, watching our every move as we made our way deeper into the grand hall. My eyes wandered down to the repeater pistols by the side of each guard, no doubt loaded and ready to be fired at a moment’s notice.

We continued to walk forward, slowly making our way to the end of the room. There, an endo sat atop their throne, watching us approach them from where they sat. Just before reaching the steps of the dias, we knelt before the one endo who rules the entirety of the Empire.

Their Imperial Majesty, Emperor Laurentius.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I bring to you a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Pixy said, looking up at the Emperor as if in disregard of their position. “My friend here has a revolutionary design that would change the position of the Empire drastically. I believe you will be interested in how it would help your cause.”

“I know of the design by Okim, Pixy,” their Majesty addressed to Pixy, looking unimpressed. “Indeed. Your modular design would allow the Imperial Armament Corps the ability to outfit our ships quickly when the situation arises. However, making the changes would set us back in both ship production and in upgrading expenses. So my question to you, Pixy, is what would you offer to convince me to upgrade the Corps.”

“If I may be so bold to say, I believe your vessels are based around looks instead of actual functionality as compared to the Kingdom’s vessels. Tasking the Imperial Engineer Corps to create a new line of ships with the modular designs would allow for the Empire to have the capability to better oppose the Kingdom on the battlefields.”

“And that involves making a new line of ships based on a never before tried invention. Even then, the cost associated with buying the rights to the design would likely not be cheap, given your… reputation. With that, we no longer have anything to talk about.”

“Your Majesty!” I interrupted, standing up. A very familiar cocking sound is heard echoing around the room as the guards stormed towards us with their weapons drawn, forming a wall between us and the Emperor. I paid no heed to the guards as I continued, “pardon me, but I believe rejecting this deal would be detrimental towards your military. Being frank, most of your ships are not meant for a prolonged war. The Centurio class is meant for force projection but is expensive to maintain on extended deployment. Should you adopt the modular design, you’d be able to drive cost down for every ship-”

“Guards,” their Majesty stood up from his seat, his voice echoing across the room. “Throw them out.”

“This is why I told you to let me handle this,” Pixy mumbled as the guards approached us, intending to forcibly remove us from the room. This stopped abruptly as Pixy yelled six words at their Majesty. Six words I don’t recognise.

“Third Republic Task Force, Endo's Will.”

The Emperor walked to the edge of the dias, crossing his arms as he stared at Pixy, their silence deafening. No one said a word as Pixy stood, patting me on the back as he usually does before walking straight to the bottom of the dias, “I know of the fleet’s location and its current state. I wouldn’t offer this again, your Imperial Majesty, for this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

“And I would offer you an opportunity to be shot by a bullet from this gun,” their Majesty replied, motioning for one of his guards to hand him their sidearm. “Ex-Senator Pixy. When you walked into my throne room, I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt, to think that your name is just a coincidence. But you revealing your knowledge of the very fleet that nearly obliterated the Imperial Navy is going to be your last mistake and I’m not intending to let you walk out alive.”

“Really, Emperor Laurentius? Because I know you’re in need of Coyote gunships in your fleets… or should I call them Lictor gunships? In any case, the Empire has overstretched its lines. Trying to uphold your bold ‘Shock and awe’ tactic isn’t going to work here. You aren’t facing the old Republic. You’re facing the Kingdom.”

“Ironic of you to say that about the Kingdom, considering you never held a candle to them.”

“I’ve learned from the shortcomings of the old Republic,” they shrugged, shaking their head. “Having both a rebellion and a war to fight at the same time gives you a new perspective about running a nation, something I’m sure you’ll never experience.”

“What’s your point?”

“My point, your Majesty,” they said, arms crossed, “is that this deal is something only I can offer you. Not a single endoskeleton in the Republic would reveal the mothballed remains of the Endo's Will. And that is if you’d accept my friend’s design for use in your fleet. In return, we’ll ask for… shall we say, the price of ten Centurios.”

“You’re not going to get even one, Pixy.”

“Eight then.”

A bullet hit the floor beside them, leaving a glowing bullet mark.

“Fine. Five Centurios and both the design and the Task Force is yours.”

“One.”

“Four’s my final offer. And don’t worry, the Endo's Will will be worth the price.”

A tense silence remained while I looked at both Pixy and their Majesty, not knowing what I’ve been subjected to for the past minutes. Even the guards weren’t sure what to do, with some already lowering their weapons. Finally, their Majesty grumbled, handing the gun back to his guard.

“You better uphold your end of the bargain, Pixy, because you know what would happen if you don’t.”

“And as for you, Emperor Laurentius, I better see Okim’s and my account filled with zeros. Good day.”

Pixy bowed informally to their Majesty before making his way to the exit. I made a quick bow before following suit, moving to their side. “What just happened, Pixy?” I asked, looking back at the now closing blast door.

“What just happened,” they laughed, jumping about as we reached the now guarded hangar, “is we got ourselves a deal.”

---

“Vector?”

“Yes, your Majesty?”

“Task your team. They have a mission.”

“You mean Ex-Senator Pixy, don’t you?”

“Something tells me he has something planned. He wouldn’t just offer both the Endo’s Will and Okim’s modular designs for money. Inform your team that they’re to use anything to investigate Pixy’s agenda.”

“And me, your Majesty?”

“Give our two Kingdom guests a warm welcome.”

---