Eirik was happy. Things were going a lot smoother than he had expected, but then again, he had just started. Who knew how far the trail of bread crumbs snaked its way back?? When he returned to the ship with David and Jesper, he was immediately greeted by Trasti that had several priority messages waiting for him.

Terra had sent a petition, asking for more of his fleet to help with the war, but Eirik put that one in the back. The next was from Tina, informing of the current contracts that were underway, and of those that had been completed. She also reported several more pirate attacks that had all been beaten, except for one. The small pirate fleet had evaded capture several times but had fallen into a trap when the patience of Lasse ran out. He had sent a total of 4 ships to catch them and had succeeded beyond all expectations. A total of 23 pirate ships were captured, the rest of them blown to pieces, alongside their crew.

These attacks did have one unforeseen boon for them. They attracted salvage runners. A hardy, quiet group of spacers that spent their time salvaging wrecks in space and selling the junk. Lasse informed Eirik that he had offered them increases in junk prices if they sold their salvage exclusively to Libertalia and the offer had been received with joy. Used to be treated as tolerated pests, the change in reception had been welcome amongst the salvage runners and the story was spreading like wildfire amongst their numbers, prompting a rapid rise in available salvage, making the newly constructed reclamation foundry run overtime.

As a result, the economy was booming, for the moment, but Eirik asked Trasti to send a reply detailing the need to put a minimum of 50% of the earnings into savings, for a rainy day. All in all, things were looking up for Eirik's little empire and the increased attention from salvage runners would help keep the trade lanes clear of debris.

He also told him to message Terra back that he would not increase the number of ships that left his empire, citing the need for self-defense in light of the declaration of war from the Kloxna, adding that Terra should remember that he could have kept his empire neutral and refused alliance, but instead he had shown his good will and immediately offered whatever assistance his empire was capable of providing.

"They won't be happy with that, Captain," Trasti said and looked up at Eirik.

"As if I care. They should already know that. Why else would I have seceded to begin with?" Eirik responded which make Trasti hiss in amusement.

"Anything else, Captain?" He asked Eirik.

"Yeah, Tell Tina to pick out candidates for planetary governor positions. Running the Empire like a semi-feudal empire will serve us best, I think." Eirik thought about it for a moment before adding, "Their power will not be absolute. Garrison and military forces may not be trained on the planets without express permission from me, personally. Garrison forces will not rely on the individual planets for their keep. All military forces in my empire will be paid directly by the empire's coffers. That will ensure loyalty to the empire over the planet."

Trasti wrote notes for everything and went to make it happen. On the way out, he pointed to a screen and said "You should check on the prisoner, Captain."

Eirik looked at the screen and saw Bjørn in the cell with the prisoner and it took his brain a few moments to realize they were playing cards. Go fish, from the looks of it, and it dawned on Eirik he had not left any form of entertainment suited for that technology level in the cell. The poor thing was probably going mad with boredom. He would have to commend Bjørn. Card games were easy to replicate, even if you used a different material like clay or wood.

Eirik doubted the law had crossed Bjørn's mind, but he hoped he was wrong about that. He decided to check up on the prisoner after getting them underway, towards Tetrachyon 3.

_______________

Narvik was having a good time, playing and laughing. There was seldom time for play such as this back home, only on celebration days where work was forbidden by law, could they play games and relax. Bjørn had offered him some almonds while they played and Narvik had been overjoyed when he discovered the healthy fats the nut carried.

"Where does this grow?" He asked excitedly. "Is it from the homeworld of the prophets`"

"Almonds do indeed originate from Terra," Bjørn said. "I am happy you enjoy them. And you are picking up on this game quick."

"Terra." Narvik tasted the word, examining it like one would a precious gem. "The home of the prophets. Terra."

"We are not prophets, Narvik, I keep telling you that!" Bjørn said.

"Good, because otherwise, you would lose your tongue" Came Eirik's voice from outside the cell, and both Narvik and Bjørn snapped their heads toward the noise. "Nice to see you taking care of our guest's mental health while still obeying my order. Good job, Bjørn." Eirik continued and signaled for Bjørn to come and unlock the door.

"Thank you, Captain. And that's a good joke, about my tongue." Bjørn said with a half-smile, but a look at Eirik's deadpan look told him more than the words that followed.

"I wasn't joking." Eirik clarified. "Now, go do your job. I wish to speak with our guest."

To Narvik's amazement, Bjørn scrambled to leave the cell, but when he closed the cell door and fumbled for the key, Eirik stopped him, "Don't. Leave the key on the floor outside the cell."

Bjørn did as instructed and Eirik sat down and picked up Bjørn's cards. "Pardon me for interrupting what seemed to be a very enjoyable time. I hope I can make it up to you as a replacement." He said and waited for Narvik to start the game again.

"Do I get a say in it?" Narvik said and tilted his head in a manner Eirik instinctually thought of as humor.

"Not until I have said what I came to say. I apologize for not thinking of some way to provide entertainment for you, but you must understand, that the situation I have been put in is difficult and annoying."

"I can sense that from your actions, Eirik. But I also have something to say. I wish to learn. To experience and see and discover. Will you allow me to do that?" Narvik asked. He had been offered it before and had been told to think about it. Time to see if this Eirik was honorable.

Eirik looked to the floor for a long moment. "Narvik. First, let me ask you a question. Do you have ancestors that did not know of working with bronze?"

"Yes, we have stories of the time before the metal," Narvik confirmed.

"Alright." Eirik took a deep breath". "Imagine the following: One of those ancestors is brought to your time. You have the same options I did. BUT. If he is allowed to live among you, learn your way of life and get used to it. How would he feel if he was ever returned to his own time? What sense of loss would he feel, not just for himself, but for his people as well??

He has seen a better way of life and will of course wish that for his people. But it will be outside of his reach to provide it alone. And SHOULD he manage it, he would forever change the future of his people, by not allowing natural progress to take place.

Now, here is my question: Would you want for him to experience such a feeling of loss? Even if you would hurt him by denying him life among you?" When Eirik finished, he had put his cards down and was looking at Narvik's large compound eyes. He was getting better at eye contact with them.

Narvik was silent for several minutes as he sat motionlessly. Then he finally spoke. "I would not allow it. That would be a very cruel thing to expose him to... I understand if you wish for me to stay here." Narvik bowed his head in submission, but Eirik put a hand on his shoulder.

"What I want, Narvik." Eirik gave his shoulder a small squeeze. Not painful, just firm."Is for you to make your own choice. I will not stop you from leaving this cell and learning our way of life. I just needed to make sure you understood the consequences of your choice, for my own sake. I would never deprive you of the right to choose for yourself. But I do reserve the right to have an opinion on your choice."

Narvik lifted his head as Eirik spoke and when he was finished, immediately asked, "So I can leave the cell?"

With a heavy sigh, Eirik responded, "Yes, Narvik, you can leave the cell though I doubt it is the good choice here... Come, we need to set you up with a room and some proper clothes. Tomorrow, your education begins. Jeanette and Signe will teach you." Eirik stood up and walked out of the cell, picking up the key on the way. Then he noticed Narvik had not moved.

"Are you coming or do I need to lock this again?" Eirik wiggled the cell door a little and this woke up Narvik who shot out of the cell and ran a few laps along the ceiling in joy.