The rest of the voyage passed without incident. There were no further updates from New Terra about the renegade vessel Peacemaker, which was both a blessing and a curse. Obviously, they were determined to stay off everyone’s radar, but at least there were no reports of them attacking anyone either. Other than crossing their fingers and hoping for the best, there was little else they could do.

They arrived at Achxii, the Ixian homeworld, and were met by an honor guard of Imperial warships as they settled into orbit. As the first outside race to join the Terran Alliance, they had insisted on hosting the diplomatic conference. It was the sort of thing that could easily cause friction among the other members, but thankfully the Ixian’s code of integrity was both well-known and respected. The other races ultimately confirmed, despite a certain amount of grumbling, Achxii’s hosting of the conference.

As they boarded Mako’s shuttle for the trip down to the surface, Genvass couldn’t help but notice some nervousness from his chief bodyguard. Rúna fidgeted awkwardly in her seat, attempting to make herself comfortable, even as the other members of her unit pointedly refrained from comment.

“Something wrong?” he finally asked her.

She glared at him for a moment and then sighed. “Just dreading a reunion,” she said at last.

He raised his eyebrow as he took that in before something clicked. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with that sword of yours, would it?” Genvass theorized.

Rúna reluctantly nodded. “I just know he’s gonna be there, waiting for us,” she groaned.

“If it’s going to be a problem, I can request he be excluded from the ceremony,” he offered.

“No, don’t do that,” she said in a rush, emphatically shaking her head.

“I’m getting some mixed signals here, Rúna,” Genvass said, with no small amount of confusion. “Is he, or isn’t he, going to be a complication? This conference needs to go smoothly, for a lot of reasons, so if his presence is a disruptive element…”

“It’s not that,” she sighed, interrupting him. “In fact, he’s probably one of our most enthusiastic supporters. It’s just that… the Paygan is a lot. He’s one of those people with an overwhelming presence, and he doesn’t take ‘No’ for an answer. Just being in the same room with him is draining.” Rúna exhaled once more, looking away as a dark cloud seemed to settle in over her. “But mostly, he reminds me of a time I would really like to forget.”

“Sergeant Kai,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry, Rúna. I know how much he meant to you.”

“It’s not just him,” she demurred. “We lost a lot of good people on Sonoitii Prime, people that mattered to us. Family. It’s not the kind of thing you can just walk away from, or purge from your memory. There isn’t a man or woman who fought on that world that doesn’t still carry the scars.” Her fists clenched hard before she willed them to relax. She took a deep breath, and then let it back out, as she forced herself to calm down. Finally, she faced him once more.

“Paygan Kuosha Xeing isn’t the problem, Ambassador,” she said in a more normal tone. “In fact, you’ll probably like him. Most people do. He’s witty, charming, and personable, especially when you get to know him.” There was still a dark cast to her eyes, one that hadn’t disappeared, despite her efforts. “But when you have been to the places he and I have, seen one another at their worst, and their best, even the best relationship will be forever tainted by those experiences.”

Genvass slowly nodded in understanding. “Well, perhaps he won’t be there,” he said graciously.

Rúna barked out a laugh. “Oh, he’ll be there, all right,” she assured him. “He wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

The shuttle set down on the landing pad beside a massive structure. As the engines shut down, the hatch slid open, revealing a large crowd awaiting their arrival. Brightly colored pennants and banners fluttered in the breeze as their shuttle escort streaked overhead before peeling off in both directions. Two long rows of blue-skinned warriors lined the walkway leading inside, their swords unsheathed and held out before them, creating twin barricades of steel. Rúna and the rest of her honor guard were already in position and standing at the ready as Genvass swallowed hard. This reception was already far more grandiose than anything he’d expected.

“Man, how things have changed,” Rúna quietly observed. “Used to be they wouldn’t have bothered pissing on us even if we were on fire.”

Genvass nodded in agreement as a figure approached them, dressed in an ornate costume of burnished gold armor and flowing blue cloth, a long mantle billowing out behind. He wore a single curved scimitar low against the back, and as he approached Genvass heard a groan escape Rúna’s lips.

“The Paygan, I assume?” he murmured.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “Here we go…”

The Ixian came to a halt and then bowed deeply before them. “Greetings, Ambassador,” he said formally. “I am Paygan Kuosha Xeing, and on behalf of his Imperial Majesty, Yuubazh the Munificent, it is both my honor and privilege to welcome you to Achxii.”

Genvass returned the bow, though he really couldn’t do it justice. He’d need to work on that. “It is an honor to be here,” he smiled. “We are in your Majesty’s debt for hosting this conference.”

“It is nothing, a mere trifle,” the Paygan smiled in return, before turning his attention to the woman standing beside him. “It would seem we have both risen in stature since last we met… Captain Aukes.” He chuckled as she winced in discomfort before his eyes traveled down to the sword on her hip. “You have blooded it yet again, haven’t you,” he observed.

“I have,” she quietly confirmed, “at the Battle of New Terra.”

“Mmmm, yes… a day both great and terrible,” the Paygan nodded, “though that is a discussion for another time.” He returned his gaze to Genvass, and for a second he thought he spotted something in those alien eyes. It only lasted for an instant, but in that moment, the Ixian had revealed something, perhaps more than he’d intended. He was sizing him up, of course, which was to be expected, but that wasn’t all.

Unless he was very much mistaken, the Paygan was carrying a great weight laden upon his shoulders, one that left him deeply troubled.

But it was there and gone in an instant, leaving nothing but the cheerful mask in its place. “If you will follow me, Ambassador, I will escort you to the Great Hall, where the other dignitaries await to greet you.” He whispered in an aside, with a wry grin, “I regret to say it is a long receiving line.”

“The things we suffer in the name of diplomacy,” Genvass sighed, earning him a chuckle from their Ixian escort. He attempted another bow, doing somewhat better this time, as he swept his arm forward. “After you, Paygan.”

With a bow and flourish of his own, the Paygan turned on his heel and retraced his steps, ushering the Terrans forward, towards… well, the only word that truly did it justice was palace. It looked nothing like the ancient human versions back on old Earth, yet still conveyed the same sense of magnificence and nobility. The Ixian guards lining the promenade stood straight and proud, as unyielding as statues as they approached the château. Beyond them milled an enormous crowd of onlookers, members of a hundred different species, all of them craning to get a glimpse of the new arrivals. Rúna and her team were on high alert, scanning the throng for potential danger before they finally filed inside the building.

“You weren’t kidding about the receiving line,” Genvass said in dismay, even as he gaped at the Great Hall itself. It was huge, easily holding a thousand or more, the walls covered with paintings and baroque decorations, while magnificent chandeliers lit their way. The room was filled with the buzz of conversation, all of it coming to a crashing halt as they entered, an awkward silence filling the space instead. The aforementioned receiving line snaked around the walls of the great hall as hundreds of dignitaries jostled one another for position as they waited for their chance to greet him.

With a sigh, he plastered on his best diplomatic smile before approaching the first VIP.

“Holy Mother Terra, please tell me there’s food,” Genvass whined as they approached the suite.

“A suitable feast has been prepared, as well as anything else you may require,” the Paygan assured him. He’d welded himself to their side throughout the entire ordeal of the never-ending reception. “You need only to ask.”

Rúna came to an abrupt halt as they reached the entrance. “If you’ll wait here for a moment, while my team sweeps the apartment for potential security threats, Ambassador?”

“I assure you, it is quite safe,” the Paygan replied.

“I’m sure it is,” she answered, “but I still need to check. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t see for myself.”

The Ixian bristled. “When we first met, I promised you safe passage. You accepted my word then, so why do you question it now?”

“It’s not that simple, Paygan,” Rúna sighed. “There’s too much at stake for me to take anyone’s word with the Ambassador’s safety… even yours.”

The blue-skinned warrior suddenly went still. “You and I have tested our blades in combat, both as adversaries and boon companions, with ties forged in fire and blood. I consider you to be a trusted comrade and even a friend, and with that in mind, I give you this warning. You come dangerously close to questioning my honor, Captain Aukes. Were I you, I would choose my next words with great care.“

The Terran security team froze in place as Rúna closed her eyes, bowing her head. “Don’t do this, Paygan,” she whispered. “Please.”

“You have given me little option,” he told her. “Honor is everything to my people. You know this. I respect your diligence in this matter, your devotion to duty, but I have personally inspected the Ambassador’s suite, and I assure you… upon my honor… that it is safe.”

Too late, Genvass realized what was happening. Of course, the Ixian would do everything in his power to ensure their safety, given everything that was riding on this conference. But by the same token, he understood Rúna’s position as well. There was still a great deal he didn’t know about their hosts, but if their sense of honor was as unyielding as it appeared to be, the two of them were on a collision course, one that could only end in violence.

He couldn’t let that happen.

With two quick strides, he stepped between them, holding out his hands outstretched. “Paygan, please, Captain Aukes did not mean to impugn your honor. She respects you greatly, something she made quite clear to me prior to our arrival.” An hour prior, granted, but he wasn’t about to quibble over the details. “Perhaps,” he continued, grasping at straws, “you could give the good captain and her team a guided tour of the suite?” he suggested. “Show her its amenities and the care you took in ensuring our security? I know she would find your instruction and guidance in this matter to be both illuminating and reassuring.”

The room held its collective breath, as the Paygan considered his words. Finally, he inclined his head. “I would, of course, be delighted to show my dear friend the care we have taken to honor you, Ambassador,” he said at last, as the team breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you for your understanding, Paygan,” Genvass said gratefully. “Captain, why don’t you and your people take our host up on his most generous offer while I wait out here. I need to check in with Captain Taneka anyway,” doing his damnedest to allow him to save face.

Rúna nodded, a palpable sense of relief on her face. “Arthur… keep the Ambassador company,” she ordered, before turning to the Ixian. “After you, Paygan,” she said, as they entered the apartments.

A dark-haired young man detached himself from the others and joined him at his side. “Thank you, sir,” he said sincerely. “You have no idea how bad that could have gone.”

“You’re right… I don’t,” he admitted. “I’m surprised, though. I thought they liked each other.” Genvass looked at the Valkyrie in confusion.

“They do, sir,” the young man… Arthur… agreed. “More importantly, they respect one another.”

“Then why..?” he asked, gesturing helplessly.

“It’s… complicated,” he told him. “We started off as enemies, us and the Ixians, and they only came over to our side, at least at first, because we put a gun to their heads.” He shrugged. “Besides, they’d kind of prickly about their honor. You might have picked up on that.”

“I did,” Genvass agreed. “I thought he was going to draw his sword and behead her or something.”

“... he was,” Arthur said quietly. The ambassador’s head whipped around in shock. “If you hadn’t intervened, Rúna would be dead now. We all probably would. That’s how close it was.”

He sagged at the news, his knees going weak as he stumbled against a nearby wall. “Holy Terra, I am not cut out for this,” Genvass said in horror.

A quiet chuckle yanked him out of his reverie. He stared at the Valkyrie, who had a look of pure amusement about him. “Believe me, Ambassador… I know exactly how you feel,” he grinned.

Genvass was struggling to come up with a response to that when the doors opened once more. “It’s clear,” Rúna said, motioning them both inside. As they entered, the powerful aroma of food entered his nostrils, and he promptly forgot about everything else. The reception had taken hours, and thanks to protocol, he couldn’t take a break to eat. They had piled the center table high with a variety of dishes, as he grabbed a plate and started helping himself.

Both the Paygan and Rúna were far more relaxed than when they’d entered, so much so, in fact, the Ixian had located a decanter of red-colored liquid and was pouring for both of them. As he made himself comfortable, in between bites, Genvass addressed their host.

“Now that we’re on friendlier ground,” he said, “perhaps you can tell me what’s on your mind.” Rúna raised an eyebrow at that, looking at him with frank curiosity as he continued. “You haven’t been more than two meters from my side since we landed, and it doesn’t take a genius to realize there must be a reason. I’m certain in part it’s to ensure my safety… but something tells me there’s more.”

The Paygan took a sip from his glass, before inclining his head once more. “You are indeed correct,” he conceded. “The emperor himself ordered me to remain in proximity so that we might speak.”

“Somehow, I had a feeling,” he sighed. “Well, I’d say now is as good a time as any. What’s on your mind, Paygan?”

With a single movement, he threw back his drink, downing it in a single shot, before setting the glass aside. “Ambassador, you are in grave danger,” he warned. “We all are… every living being living in the Perseus Arm.”