Eirik was sitting by the table in his room, enjoying dinner with Freja when there was a knock on the door. "Come on in, Knud!" Eirik called out and the door opened. Knud entered the room hesitantly and took a seat across from Eirik and Freja. There was already a plate of food on the table and after exchanging the usual pleasantries, Eirik got down to business.

"Knud, do you know why I asked you to come here to talk?" Eirik opened the conversation.

"To be honest, no. But I am quite curios. Are you hoping to make me a double agent and spy on your grandfather?? Maybe feed him false information?" Knud had decided that honesty was the best approach. Eirik didn't like to mince words.

"Not quite. I have other plans. You will continue to feed him information, But I am restricting your computer access. Anything outside your immediate work will, for a time at least, require you to get approval from a different member of the command staff. You will also limit the information you send my grandfather's way. Nothing beyond basic information is to be passed on to him.

Furthermore, you will tell him this yourself, and you will use our little disagreement as an excuse. He will get angry, he will rage, he will try to convince you to take more risks, and finally, he will ask you to try and recruit someone else with full access to the system. When all this fails, he will cut you off, for a short while. Once he realizes that it does not help, he will contact you again. What you do from that point is entirely up to you, as long as it stays within the confines of the agreement I am dictating now.

There is also the rest of the crew to think about. Now, I kept things vague in the cantina for the sake of your reputation. But you mind me now, Knud." Eirik put down his fork and pointed his knife at Knud. "If you ever come at me like that again, I am putting every single little dirty secret of yours out in the open. And I will do it before we hit port, leaving you to face the consequences of your actions, along with the crew. And I will not save you if we reach that point." Having said what he wanted, Eirik continued eating while waiting for a response.

Knud thought over Eirik's word for a moment before he answered. "That is fair. I deserve that. But how do you want me to deal with your grandfather?"

Eirik shrugged. "I truly don't care. Lie to him, tell him the truth, lead him on a wild goose chase. He is no longer a factor in any other part of my life than the family area. He is not important enough to warrant that I deal with him regarding Terran military matters, and he is too important to send as a liaison. The only way he can come see me is as a civilian. And as a civilian, he has no power and no special privileges which would otherwise be afforded to a foreign dignitary.

So you can tell him what you want, even if is to put yourself in a better light at my expense. So long as you do not bring his schemes on board my ship or into my empire again."

"I can agree to that. And if you will allow me to say it, I am happy you chose to keep me on the ship. I have grown...accustomed, to life here, over the last few years. And the way you live, you are going to need my services again sooner rather than later." Knud smiled as he finished speaking, the dry humor of the old doctor shining through.

The rest of the meal took place in a jovial and happy atmosphere.

_______________________________

Narvik had just finished eating in the cantina and was happily making his way toward Eirik's room. He had so many questions and Eirik had said he would give answers!

When he was about to knock on the door, it opened and Knud stepped out, looking... well, not happy, but at peace. They exchanged greetings and Eirik, who heard them talking, called Narvik inside.

"Welcome Narvik. I trust you have already eaten?" Eirik said as he closed the door behind them.

"Yes, Captain. Your cook makes amazing food!" Narvik answered.

"Best tell him that. I know he will appreciate it. So, Narvik. First, a question. Did you seek out Las'Tai and ask her about my story?" Eirik sat down and made himself comfortable.

"I did, though I have a hard time following a lot of things. But I understand you were betrayed by the one you are on the hunt for now, and the being in the prison worked with the one you are hunting. Have I understood correctly?" Narvik took a seat across from Eirik as he spoke and folded his legs under him.

"More or less," Eirik agreed, "But the being in the prison did not just betray me. He betrayed all on board this ship, along with everyone in my Empire. He had plans to have me killed like an insect, something that I am very opposed to. Not the dying part, but being unable to defend myself part. The one I am hunting has been in my sights for close to 10 years now. And I am finally on the right track. Ironically, because of the being, I have in the prison." Eirik explained. Talking about the past still hurt, but having saved his brothers took a lot of the worst pain away.

"That reminds me, why is it you are not opposed to dying? It is a fear most sentient beings share." Narvik had wondered about this for a long time. Here was his chance to get a straight answer.

"Because, Narvik, death is the only true certainty in life. From the moment you are born, the only thing in your life that is set in stone and cannot be changed is the fact that you are going to die someday. Because of my faith, I embrace the thought of death, rather than shun it. It is the final journey, the last great adventure that awaits us, at the end of a long road to prepare yourself for it. It is life's ultimate climax. " Eirik's excitement shone through when he spoke of his faith and he became animated as he explained.

"So why didn't you kill your prisoner, if he truly deserves it?" Narvik changed the subject, satisfied with the answer he had been given.

"I told you. I have my reputation as emperor to think of. Sure, it would send a great message to execute the first real criminal in my empire. but it would also set a very bad precedent. That's why I am showing mercy. In the long run, it is better to be loved and respected, than to be feared and loathed. I do not wish to start my legacy as an emperor with an execution. Besides... I still owe him for other things. Things that need repaying in order to secure my honor and integrity." Eirik said.

Narvik looked at Eirik, captivated by the enthusiasm he displayed as he spoke, and asked another question. "What other things? What could you owe him anything for, if he deserves punishment?"

"He used to fight next to me, Narvik. He was a fellow battle brother, a soldier just like myself. And the challenges you face together in battle will bind you together, whether you want it to or not. That is what I owe him. And I always pay my debts." Eirik said with a melancholic smile.

They changed subjects after this, spending the rest of the night speaking of many aspects of modern life that Narvik had a hard time grasping.