Eirik heard the sound of grunting and a short scuffle behind him as he got out of the chair, but by the time he turned around, it was already over. Jesper was kneeling on top of a Kloxna soldier that was doing her best to get free, but having Jesper's gun pressed against the back of her head made her halt her efforts.

"Get her back to the ship, quickly, before anyone starts asking questions!" Eirik hissed to Jesper who immediately got the soldier up and walked her away flanked by 2 of his soldiers who had given up on their disguises when Jesper sprang into action.

Turning back to the table, Eirik saw the shocked faces of the rest of the Kloxna group and concluded that his would-be assassin had been working alone. The shock wore off quickly, however, as the Kloxna soldiers started walking after Jesper, most likely in an attempt to rescue their comrade. They never got even got close. Before they could close the distance, they were surrounded by a group of Terrans that brandished their knives before putting them back in their sheaths.

"She will be questioned and eventually turned over to the Terran government to spend the duration of the war between our people as a prisoner." Eirik stated as they turned back to look at him. "You didn't think I would come here alone, did you?"

"This is unacceptable!!" one of the Kloxna spat at him, "You cannot steal a Kloxna soldier away like that!! This was supposed to be a peaceful meeting!!"

"Indeed. And it was peaceful until my new prisoner attempted to end my life through cowardly means. So now, her freedom is forfeit until the Terran government sees fit to judge otherwise!" Eirik countered. "You 5 will not do anything other than sitting back down and let this meeting finish."

"That's where you are wrong, Terran. We are going to claw you to shreds, then we are going to get our combat sister back!" another Kloxna said as the 5 of them resumed combat stances.

Eirik sighed in frustration, "If that is what you want, so be it. NOW!"

It didn't take 5 seconds for the rest of his people to subdue the Kloxna soldiers. As the last one was grappled and thrown to the floor Eirik walked over to Trasti who had been sitting in his seat throughout the whole ordeal. "You are coming with me, Trasti. This meeting is not finished and I do not feel like having to explain myself to the station security, which should be here any minute. So, are you going to come along or do I have to convince you first?"

"Please do not hurt me" Trasti managed to squeak out as he slowly rose from his seat, seeing no other option available to him.

"Hurt you?? that's the last thing on my mind. I'm serious, I want to finish this conversation, and the inside of my ship is one of the safest, if not THE safest place on this station. But how about this. If you come with me to finish this meeting, I have access to an artificial hot spring that you might be interested in enjoying for a few hours afterward?"

"...I have never been in a hot spring. Those are reserved for the high caste" Trasti said, a little less timid, but still fearing for his life and safety.

"those rules do not apply to Terran's. You have my word that it will be made available to you as soon as you and I finish talking. Of course, you might have to share it with Las'Tai, though she is becoming more fond of the sauna.

Trasti had no idea what the Terran was talking about, but he had kept his word so far, and the thought of being in a hot spring was as enticing as it would have been forbidden back home amongst his people.

"If you can guarantee my safety, I am willing to come along. And you are serious about the hot spring??" Trasti's voice had become hopeful at his last words.

"Completely serious. Las'Tai has certainly been enjoying it."

"It's true, it is tremendously wonderful, Trasti," Las'Tai interjected.

With that, the 3 of them headed to Eirik's ship, the 5 Kloxna soldiers that were to guard Trasti was brought along as well.

"What is going to happen to them?" Trasti asked nervously as he saw the Terrans leading the 5 Kloxna to a different section of the ship.

"They are going to get a full meal, some time in the brig to cool off, and then I shall release them back on the station. They did not do anything to violate our agreement, and so, I just want them out of the way while we talk. The soldiers seem quite a bit more hot-headed than you or Las'Tai." Eirik said merrily.

"I will admit, for a warrior, you seem quite level-headed yourself, Captain Eirik," Trasti replied, surprised at the ease with which the conversation went.

They entered the Cantina and Trasti stiffened at the smell of food, reminding him that he was quite hungry. The Kloxna soldiers might have been there for his protection, but they also saw it as imperative that they eat until they were full so they could *keep their strength up*. A load of good that had done them. Taken down in less time than one would use to swallow chew a bite of food.

Eirik noticed Trasti stopping and turned around. "Is something wrong, Trasti?"

"It's nothing Captain Eirik, the smell of food just reminded me it's been a while since I had something to eat." He replied

"Well, would you look at that? Waiting in a food court and not getting enough to eat. That is irony right there. Las'Tai, could you take Trasti to Old Pan and get him something to eat?? I don't want him distracted by hunger as we speak." Eirik turned and headed for a table at the other end of the room as Las'Tai took Trasti to the kitchen area. After a quick talk with Old pan, The old man had a soft spot for Las'Tai, When he saw Trasti, he insisted that the young Kloxna pick out the meat he wanted.

Trasti was afraid of offending the Terran by picking the wrong thing and chose the diplomatic path of claiming ignorance as to what he was selecting and left the choice in the hands of *an expert*, the words seeming to delight Old pan who promised to whip up something special.

Eirik was busy with his datapad when they sat down at his table and so the 2 Kloxna started talking. In the beginning, Trasti was still acting like he was back home, speaking to a high caste member, but little by little Las'Tai managed to break through the barrier of indoctrinated behavior and got him to speak to her like an equal. After a little while, no more than 15 minutes, Old Pan came out of the kitchen, carrying a plate with smells that had everyone turning their head towards it when he passed them.

Setting the plate down in front of the mesmerized Trasti, he explained that it was a plate with small pieces of every kind of meat they had in the kitchen, including the smoked moose Eirik had hunted and made before the war broke out. When Trasti did not immediately start eating, Old pan assured him that it was all for him and ONLY him.

"He is quite right about that, Trasti. If old Pan says something is reserved for someone, no one touches it besides that person. And now he has said that the plate on the table is for you and you alone. Not even I would dare touch it. I value my fingers too much to attempt it." With a glance towards the cleaver hanging on the belt of Old Pan, he shivered a little at the thought. The old cook would not hesitate to use that cleaver if he had to. Eirik had seen it on several occasions when they had been boarded.

How a frail old man could ever cause so much damage to armored boarding troops with nothing but his meat cleaver would forever be a mystery to Eirik.

"Now, take your time, eat and relax. The temperature is hopefully at a level you are comfortable with. I had Las'Tai adjust it slightly. I will finish some paperwork while you eat, so you do not have to hurry on my account."

Only now did Trasti notice that he was not feeling cold. He was so used to feeling cold both back home, but also on Kloxna ships, as the communications room was usually located near the outer hull as they were not technically combat essential. Allowing himself to enjoy the feeling of being warm, he slowly began to sample the different cuts of meat on the plate.