The next day the squad got word they were pulling security duty again for another visitor to the Sonoitii homeworld, though the details were sparse. After gearing up and reporting to the pavilion, Captain Inaba pulled Kai and Rúna aside.

“It seems we’ve gotten our first response to the message the Oivu transmitted for us,” she informed them. “A representative from one of the nonaligned races has requested a meeting.”

“Really?” the corporal said barely contained excitement.

“Don’t get your hopes up just yet,” the captain cautioned. “The fact we’re only hearing from a single species isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.”

“At least it’s a start,” Kai pointed out.

“It is,” Inaba acknowledged, “and I hope others will follow, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still have a long way to go.”

So once again they found themselves at the landing pad as a shuttle touched down, standing at parade rest as the hatch opened. Colonel Holme and the captain stood ready to greet the visitor, alongside their old friend the Paygan, as a pale humanoid covered with a bony exoskeleton stepped out of the transport.

“Recognize him?” Kai asked.

“I think so,” Rúna nodded. “Pretty sure that a Tai-Okeeq. They control half a dozen worlds out near the Aggaaddub region of space. Third, or maybe second-tier power.”

“I see,” he said guardedly. “Anything else?”

“Hey, it’s a big galaxy,” she shrugged, “you’re lucky I know that much.”

The pair watched as the colonel stepped forward to greet their guest. “I’m Colonel Elias Holme,” he said with a slight bow, “and this is my second in command, Captain Valérie Inaba. Joining us is Paygan Kuosha Xeing of the Ixi Brigade. Welcome to Sonoitii Prime.”

The alien returned the bow. “I am Quogat Bouki; trader, merchant, and occasionally messenger and go-between.”

The trio shared a look. “I see,” Holme said carefully. “May I assume you are here in the latter capacity?”

“I am,” Quogat confirmed. “The broadcast by the Oivu has received a great deal of attention. Many wish to learn more yet are fearful of facing the Troika’s wrath. To that end, they have contracted me to speak on their behalf, and investigate your claims.”

The colonel grimaced. “I won’t lie, I was hoping for a more affirmative response.”

“These are precarious times, colonel,” the trader answered, “and you are asking them to risk a great deal. That they responded at all should be taken as a positive sign.”

The Paygan nodded in agreement. “He is correct, of course.”

The colonel conceded his point, before extending his hand towards the pavilion. “Shall we sit down and begin our discussions?”

“Lead the way,” Quogat agreed, as the four of them headed for the tented area, with the squad falling in behind them. It was unlikely they’d be needed to actually protect any of those involved since they currently controlled the planet, in fact their role was mostly ceremonial.

But their magazines were filled with live ammo regardless, since one never knew for certain.

As they all were seated, Kai and Rúna moved closer in, hovering nearby. Based on their previous encounters, it seemed like the smart move. Colonel Holme spoke up first, getting the ball rolling. “I’m certain those you speak for have many questions,” he began. “Perhaps we should start there.”

“As you wish,” the trader agreed. “You are correct, there is much about this arrangement they wish to learn about, but perhaps foremost is this: assuming for a moment we are successful and banish the Troika to history… what then?”

“I beg your pardon?” Inaba asked.

Quogat spread his hands. “Who replaces them? One cannot simply tear down an organization as powerful as the Troika and believe for a moment that something else will not assume the mantle of power it has shed. Someone will’. Are you already making plans to ensure that new power is you, colonel?” he asked point blank.

“No, absolutely not,” he answered, shaking his head. “While I’ll admit that we’re leading this fledgling Alliance, that has more an accident of circumstance than anything else. And besides, as small as our numbers are, no one would believe for a moment that we Terrans can assume power over anyone.”

The trader turned to the Ixian. “What say you, Paygan?”

“The Terrans have my support,” he shrugged, “as well as similar declarations from both the Legion and the Zaitai.”

“Indeed? And why is that Paygan? What prompted you and the others to throw in with the Terrans?”

The blue-skinned alien chuckled. “After they defeated all three of our bands in combat, we found ourselves with few options. This seemed the optimum alternative.”

Cocking his head, Quogat viewed him with suspicion. “Which is something else that has raised questions, Paygan. How is it possible that a small band of Terrans defeated a force five times its size? It seems impossible on its face, unless they used some type of biological weapon, yet I see no evidence of that. Which leads me to my second conclusion; that a deal was struck, prior to your surrender.” The Ixi commander bristled at his words, but he wasn’t finished yet. “There are many that believe you to be simply waiting in the wings for the proper moment to strike, assuming power for yourselves.”

An icy calm settled in the Paygan’s flesh. “You tread on dangerous soil with those words, merchant,” he said coolly. “Only a fool would speak to me thus… that, or someone who is more than they seem.” The Ixian smiled, while Quogat remained silent. “You ask how they defeated us,” he continued. “The answer is simple; with courage, with fortitude, and with guile.”

“I think that’s a compliment,” Inaba ventured, with the colonel shrugging in response.

“Perhaps you could expand on that, Paygan,” the trader continued. “You must admit, it is a difficult thing to accept merely at your word.”

“If you wish to interview my comrades for verification, I will make them available to you,” he informed him. “Also, I am certain there are visual records that can be produced, both here and in orbit, that will confirm what I tell you, but… I believe there is a simpler way.” The alien mercenary turned in Rúna’s direction. “Sergeant, corporal, will you join us, please?”

Shaking her head in exasperation, she and Kai did as he requested, coming to a halt at the end of the table. “Corporal Aukes,” he said, an ironic expression on his face, “that sword you wear at your waist. How did you come by it?”

“I got it from you,” she answered, more confused than ever. “You know that.”

“I do,” he agreed, “but this is for our guest’s edification, not my own. Why did I give it to you, and under what circumstances?”

She looked to the colonel who nodded his assent. “Well, we were trying like hell to make it back to friendly lines, after a recon mission went south on us. We were getting close, when all of a sudden you and your team just appeared out of nowhere. I’m telling you, I thought for sure we were dead meat.”

That earned her a chuckle as he motioned for her to continue. “Instead of just killing us outright, you offered me a chance to face you in single combat. If I won, we went free.”

“And if you lost?” he prompted.

“Then we were dead,” she grimaced. “I mean, we were dead anyway. Not like we had anything to lose.”

The trader watched the exchange with interest as the Ixian waved his hand. “Obviously, you were victorious. How was it you defeated me? After all, I have trained with a blade since childhood, whereas you…”

“Yeah, us Valkyries don’t do a lot of sword fighting,” she admitted, “not like the Knights do. I knew I was in trouble right from the start, so I had to get creative.”

“... creative.” The Paygan chuckled at that. “Yes, that is indeed an excellent manner of phrasing. And just how did you accomplish this?”

She glanced over at Kai, who simply shrugged. “Show him,” he suggested.

Glancing around, she spotted a nearby crate. In a single fluid movement she pulled her knife from the opposite hip, flipping it end-for-end to grip its blade before drawing back and hurling it with all her might. A heartbeat later it slammed into the rigid plastic with a meaty thunk, quivering with spent energy.

“That’s how,” she said simply.

Quogat eyed her curiously. “Most impressive,” he allowed, “yet nothing I have not seen elsewhere. I fail to grasp how this display answers my question.”

“I was partially responsible for the corporal’s victory,” the Ixian confessed. “By allowing the match in the first place, and limiting the contest to drawing first blood, I created an artificial environment that would not exist under normal conditions. Still, I am quite certain I would have still prevailed, had I not been so... so...” He paused, grasping for the proper word.

“... cocky?” Rúna supplied with a wry grin.

“I was going to say ‘arrogant’,” he chuckled. “I was intentionally drawing out the duel, enjoying the fresh challenge, when the corporal took advantage of my many lapses in judgment, tossing the sword from one hand to the other while simultaneously throwing her dagger at me, drawing first blood. As is our custom, I presented her the sword with which she bested me, just as I had received it years before.”

“And he’s been threatening to take it back ever since,” she revealed. “I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to survive the experience.”

“The sword is yours, corporal,” he said with a deep bow. “You have earned it fairly and worn it with honor.” He paused, suddenly curious. “Tell me, have you blooded it yet?”

“I have,” she said quietly. “On Cemetery Ridge.”

“There is a topographical feature on this world by that name?” the trader said in surprise.

“That’s what we named it,” Kai interjected. “After we fought there.”

“An apt name indeed,” the Paygan agreed solemnly.

The Tai-Okeeq regarded the others for a moment, before finally shaking his head. “This has all been quite revealing, yet I still do not see what guarantees you offer those I represent you can even defeat the Troika or will not simply step into their shoes and replace them if you do.”

“Alone? We don’t have that ability,” Holme answered, “which is why we are trying to build this Alliance. As to your second question…” He glanced over towards the Ixian. “I believe I will let the Paygan answer that as well.”

“Ah…” the blue-skinned alien smiled. “The answer you seek is simple enough. When we were defeated, the Terrans could have easily slaughtered us out of hand, their surprise was so total.” The trader managed a surprised look at that admission. “Instead, they offered us peace, and a place at their side.” A somewhat mocking chuckle escaped his lips. “Granted, they did so with no small amount of applied force… but far less than we might have used, had our positions been reversed. Assuming, of course, that we would have allowed them the chance at all.”

Quogat glanced at the humans. “You almost sound as if you admire them, Paygan.”

“Do I?” A twinkle seemed to appear in his eyes. “Perhaps I do. By every metric known they were doomed, both outnumbered and outgunned… and yet they prevailed. I am still not entirely certain how. We defeated them at every turn. For every brief victory they attained, we stole it back from them with interest, driving them before us as we marched towards the sea. Again and again we hammered them, shattering their defenses, destroying their vehicles and weapons, until they had nothing left.” His eyes lost focus as he spoke, envisioning something that only he could see, reliving those same battles once more.

“And yet, they prevailed,” the trader repeated.

The Ixian turned back to him. “Indeed,” as he returned to the present. “They could have destroyed us. They should have, to prevent us from doing likewise. And yet, they did not.”

“In War: Resolution,” Colonel Holme quoted, “in Defeat: Defiance, in Victory: Magnanimity, in Peace: Good Will.” The aliens looked at him strangely. “One of our ancient leaders said that, long ago,” he revealed, reciting the old words with reverence. “Those sentiments are just as pertinent now as they were then, gentlemen. It’s the only way to break the endless cycle of war. Of one cartel ruling over all others for millennia, with no chance of ever balancing the scales.”

“Bold words,” the trader answered, “bold words indeed. But can you uphold them when faced with adversity?”

“Seriously?” Rúna stared at the alien, outraged at his words. “You think us Terrans don’t know the meaning of adversity?”

“... crap...,” Kai sighed in resignation, not even bothering trying to restrain her. “Here we go again.”

She stormed over and yanked her dagger free from the crate, before spinning on her heel and advancing on the trader. “Do you have a homeworld?” she demanded, gesturing wildly with the knife. “Do you? Cause we sure as hell don’t. We lost everything to the Yīqún two hundred years ago, and it damn near destroyed us. But we’re still here, still fighting, still surviving,” she snarled, waving the blade around as she gestured, missing the envoy by mere centimeters.

Inaba undid the flap of her holster, easing her sidearm loose in case it was needed, but Rúna failed to notice the gesture. “So when you’ve lost as much as we have, then you can question our resilience. Not before.” She glared at him, daring him to say something… to say anything… but wisely, he declined, deciding instead to sit quietly, carefully avoiding all sudden movement. She fired one last dirty look in his direction before shoving the knife back into its sheath, storming off to rejoin Kai.

Quogat waited until she was safely out of range, before looking to the colonel. “Is she always quite so… vehement?”

“... oh, I’ll show you vehement…” she muttered under her breath, her eyes shooting daggers in his direction, while Kai covered his face.

“Sadly, yes,” Holme sighed. “In fact, we just had a discussion on this topic yesterday, which unfortunately doesn’t appear to have taken root.” He gave the corporal a hard look of his own. “Trust me, we will revisit the subject,” though his efforts bounced off her as if she were wearing armor.

There was a long silence as they waited for the trader to respond. Finally, he looked at the colonel. “With your permission, I would like to investigate this matter further. Perhaps speak to those that have fought here.” He glanced once again at the Paygan. “On both sides.”

“I will insist on an escort, but other than that? You are welcome to stay as long as you wish,” Holme said in surprise. “We’ll show you whatever you like.”

“Thank you,” he answered, rising to his feet. “Perhaps we could resume our discussion tomorrow?” he suggested.

“Tonight… I believe I have some unexpected findings to report to my clients.”