The talks were… interesting to say the least. While the United Galactic Nations had offered support, they had also effectively acknowledged that if the Angelus Holy Union ever attacked Arcadia with overwhelming force then they would not get involved. All that the UGN swore to do on the behalf of Arcadia was to make a few speeches and threats; they would not come to Arcadia’s aid and would leave them to fend for themselves. And yet, they had the gall to demand resources and technology from Arcadia in exchange for their empty threats and saber rattling.

“Impotent threats and pointless sanctions… What do they believe will come of such empty words? Are they honestly so naïve that they think that such hollow intimidations will amount to anything, or are they too terrified of the AHU to even try and stand up for themselves? Their UGN is a flimsy wall of strongly worded letters and speeches without a reinforcing structure of action. They will not protect us, yet they ask us for our aid; are they that foolish and that arrogant?”

Asharia leaned back in her chair and sighed as she tilted her head backwards to face the ceiling.

“They want us to become a member but are unwilling to support us as to do so would risk the Angels attacking them. To become a member, we would give up our secrets and have to fork over large amounts of wealth and resources, but we would get little to nothing in exchange. If we go alone, then we keep what we have and can concentrate on the true issue at hand; the defeating of the Angels. I see absolutely no reason to join them whatsoever. They would not even give us the privilege of having our ships and people enter their space but would demand that we let them into ours! They also demanded ‘special privileges’ for their businesses and people. The exemption from all taxes, near complete legal immunity and giving them control of our nation in all matters are just a handful of their outrageous demands.”

Asharia closed her eyes and let a smirk slip across her face.

“Do they take us for fools?”

She had an idea. It was an idea that would cement her place as Queen of Arcadia and help raise her image. This role was transitory, but she had come to enjoy it. She was immortal, and would long outlive Arcadia, but she did find enjoyment in this role she was playing. To make things even more enjoyable, she intended to use the talks to her advantage. All it would take to tip the public in her favor and buy more time for Arkhan to heal would be a few carefully placed bugs. The UGN wanted their dealings to be under the table, but Asharia was not about to sign over her amusement so easily.

“Heheh, this is going to be good. To see the looks on their faces; those self-righteous pricks learning that we won’t simply bow our heads in submission. Our scouts already know what we will be facing, and we are preparing for it. They may not be able to deal with the Angels, but we certainly can. This moment to come will be a prized memory for quite a long time…”

…

“…so, what say you? This is the second time we have made our generous offer, and we expect an acceptable response from you. Don’t you realize how much this offer would benefit you?”

Asharia let her gaze sweep across the room, her eyes falling on each of the nine ambassadors in succession. These were the nine ambassadors from the member nations of the UGN, not including the Angelus Holy Union, of course. There were good number of other people there too, all from different groups and organizations that had a stake in the United Galactic Nations.

The horned tanuki was from the “Phlufl-muphyn Merchant Republic” and had apparently gotten this gig due to his ability to charm misers out of their last credit, which made him a valued member of the leading body of his nation, the ‘Lawy-pawp Guild’. He was the one trying to charm Asharia into signing over Arcadia to the UGN, or rather, signing it over to the special interest groups that ran the UGN.

“We are offering you a chance to live a life far more exciting and wonderful than the life you currently have. You would also be out of the crosshairs of the Angelus Holy Union, so even when they eventually destroy this place you at least will be safe. It is a deal you cannot pass up, so what do you say? Just sign here and everything will turn out fine!”

Asharia smiled as she looked over the document in front of her and then with a quick flick of the wrist, she tossed the data pad to the side. As it flew, the UGN delegation watched it with a look of shock and confusion, but this look was quickly injected with fear as the pad exploded into a plume of sparks and flame as Asharia flexed her magical muscles.

“Why?! We offered you as much as we could! You-!”

“You offered me as much as you could, but you offered my people only despair and misery. No sane ruler with even a modicum of morality would accept such a deal. Your ‘Greater Galactic Community’ seems to be more interested in exploiting a ‘primitive race’ than helping them, so we will decline your offer.”

Ambassador Cuddli tried to look more intimidating, but ultimately just looked slightly less cute.

“You can expect us to get what we want, even without your approval. If you will not let us extract what we can from your doomed nation, then we will make deals with those who will. The UGN will get what it wants, it always does.”

The wall behind Asharia opened up to reveal a television screen. The screen shifted views between various places, all of them watching a live feed of what was going on in the meeting. The audio from the groups of Arcadians was a stream of obscenities and angry outbursts, which painted the picture that they had been listening in for a good long while.

“You need merely look at the populace for your answer as to whom would sign over everyone and everything for such a short-term gain. You will find no one in this nation willing to deal with you. This should be all you need to know that we will not be signing up for such a deal. We will not be a part of the United Galactic Nations, and we will deal with the Angelus Holy Union on our own. You and your nations and companies and faiths have no power here, and we will fight for our right to exist.”

Asharia rose from her seat and walked over to the door.

“I highly suggest you leave this system as soon as possible. It would be a terrible shame if you were to be killed by an angry mob or an out of control military. I will hold back their rage for 4 hours, and after that your fate will be in their hands.”

One of the ambassadors rose and yelled at Asharia’s back.

“To kill us would mean war!”

“We have the ability to defeat a force your entire federation can’t beat. The only issue we would have with such a war would be occupying all of the captured territory. Think on that, if you will.”

As she walked out the door, the window opened and revealed every single space-bound MSG and MAG (Mobile Armor Golem) as well as every single ship in the Arcadian military. The ambassadors stared at the wall of death that was right outside the window and let the weight of the situation sit. Arcadia was not some third-world nation to be exploited; it had power behind it, and more than enough of a capability to deal with both the Angelus Holy Union and the United Galactic Nations.

Ambassador Cuddli sank into his seat as he realized that he had just stepped on a lion’s tail. He had intended to make a quick gain and earn a massive commission for his actions, but instead had simply made an enemy that could be seen as far, far more dangerous than the AHU.

“By the Almighty Credit, what have I gotten us into?”