The sound of the door chime put Rúna and her team instantly on alert, though once their visitor’s identity was established, they stood back down. The Paygan observed this ritual with a practiced eye as he entered the suite, nodding in approval at their dedication as he approached Genvass.

“Greetings, Ambassador,” he said with a congenial bow. “How are you finding the conference thus far?”

“Draining,” he sighed, as the Ixian sat down across from him. “For two days I’ve done nothing but try to convince the other delegates we’re not a threat, only none of them appear to be listening.”

“They hear your words,” the Paygan disagreed, “they simply refuse to accept them.”

“Wonderful,” Genvass groaned. “I’m not sure why that’s worse, but it is.” He stared at the plate in front of him, before setting finally it aside. “The problem is they all want proof,” he continued, “which is the one thing I can’t give them. Ignoring for a moment the fact it’s impossible to prove a negative, they keep insisting on visiting New Terra and seeing for themselves. Which I can’t grant. Not because I don’t want to. I literally can’t grant them access, since Athena would blast their ship into dust.”

“It is quite the conundrum,” the Ixian agreed, “though I seriously doubt verification of your intentions is what they truly seek.”

“I know,” he said bitterly. “They want access in order to lay their hands on a few Precursor trinkets. Why search the cosmos when you can simply go straight to the source? Except, of course, that they can’t.” He gave the Paygan a plaintive look. “Surely there’s some way I can resolve this?”

“There is,” the Ixian agreed, “though I doubt you will relish it.”

“At this point, I’ll try almost anything,” Genvass said wearily. “What’s your idea?”

“As you say, they wish to secure examples of Precursor technology for their own governments and sovereigns,” the Paygan reminded him. “If you truly wish to placate them, that is your answer. Give them what they desire.”

The ambassador stared in horror. “You mean, just hand over Precursor tech willy-nilly? Do you have any idea what we’d be unleashing?” He shook his head vehemently. “Assuming my people would even allow it. They’d probably lock me up if I even considered it. Or worse.”

“I did not say it was a good solution,” the Ixian replied, “merely that it existed, though it would only be a short-term resolution. Even if you surrendered to their demands, they would quickly insist on more. No matter how many baubles you provided them, it would never be enough.”

“You’re right,” Genvass reluctantly agreed. “Obviously, that’s out of the question, so what does that leave?”

“Very little, I fear,” the Paygan replied. “Perhaps it would be best if you returned to your planet and allow the situation to deescalate of its own accord.”

“Assuming it ever will,” he said dubiously. “Even if we disappeared for a century by hiding out on New Terra, once we reemerged, it would just start all over again.”

The blue-skinned alien was suddenly silent, long enough for Genvass to grow concerned. “Are you all right, Paygan?” he asked.

“No,” he answered, “I am not.” He seemed to gather his resolve before squaring his shoulders and addressing him directly. “Ambassador, I fear this dilemma has no solution, save one. The same answer your distant ancestors found, if the legends are to be believed.”

“What are you talking about?” he said in confusion.

The Ixian had a faraway look in his eye as he spoke. “What little we know of the Precursors is shrouded in myth and folklore,” he explained, “but some accounts have survived. They, too, were surrounded by beings envious of the power they held. Beings who demanded they share their technology which had firmly established their dominion.”

Genvass leaned forward, drawn in by the tale. “And did they share their technology?”

“In a manner of speaking,” the Paygan said quietly, “though not in the way those other races had hoped.”

Somehow, he knew what was coming. It was a tale literally as old as time itself.

“Your ancestors sent their great fleets among the stars, seeking those other races,” he continued, “and when they came to those alien worlds, they rained down fire and ruin, burning them to ash. We do not even know the names of those ancient races, so thorough was their destruction.” The Ixian turned, facing him. “Such is the fate of those who anger the gods.”

“We are not them,” Genvass objected, vehemently shaking his head. “War is the last thing we want. All we want is to coexist peacefully with our neighbors. None of us wish to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.”

“Including those who have taken control of the Precursor ship?” the Paygan replied, holding up a hand. “Before you regale me with vows of innocence and honorable intent, I state with total certainty none of that will matter, once the vessel shows its existence.”

The ambassador winced. “There are those who disagree, of course. There always are. But the actions of a handful of troublemakers shouldn’t condemn us.”

The blue-skinned alien looked at his counterpart with resignation. “Ambassador, none of that matters. When that vessel shows itself, you can claim all you like they are a fringe minority that does not speak for your race. But by now, even you should realize they will not believe you. All they will see are Terrans, wielding Precursor technology. When that happens, it will drive a spear through the very heart of the Alliance. Anything you have done, no matter how noble or well-intentioned, will be forever tainted by that one inescapable truth… and nothing you say can change that.”

His face crumbled as the Ixian’s words sank in. “Then what the hell am I doing here?” he asked bitterly.

The Paygan smiled. “The very best you can, under impossible circumstances.” He shrugged and then shook his head. “But reminding you of that which you already know is not the reason I am here.”

“All right, I’ll bite,” Genvass said, “why are you here?”

“I am here because there is a group of delegates who urgently wish to speak with you,” he informed him. “They arrived late last night, which is why you have not heard their request for an audience until now.”

“Certainly,” the ambassador nodded. “I will gladly speak with them.” He paused for a moment, looking at the Ixian curiously. “Do we know who they represent?”

“Oh, yes,” the Paygan said cryptically, “we know exactly who sent them here.”

“... you have got to be kidding me.”

Rúna instinctively reached for her sidearm while Genvass stared in shock at the three individuals awaiting his arrival. He turned and glared at the Paygan. “You couldn’t have warned me?”

“If I had, I doubt you would have agreed to meet them,” the Ixian shrugged.

“You should have at least warned me,” Rúna snapped, “especially after what we went through on Sonoitii Prime.”

The Paygan bowed his head. “That is why I did not,” he said quietly. “In my position, there are times when I am forced to act against my personal wishes.” He lifted his head and regarded her. “As you yourself have witnessed.”

The trio stood waiting, as Genvass glanced at the blue-skinned alien. “This is the emperor’s doing, then?” he asked.

“These are dangerous times, Ambassador,” the Paygan answered, “and there are certain… realities we are forced to recognize.”

Rúna snorted. “I’ve heard that speech before,” she growled. “You said the same thing to Colonel Holme.” She glanced over at the envoys, who had yet to speak. “Regarding the same damn species, no less.”

The Ixian flushed a deeper blue, while Genvass observed the waiting aliens as dispassionately as he could manage. A reptilian Aggaaddub, an insectoid Eleexx, and a mammalian Chell stared back at him, still waiting.

“They still wield power,” he said at last. “Maybe not so much as they once did, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Hence the emperor’s concern, I imagine.”

“As I said…. dangerous times,” the Paygan repeated, neither confirming nor denying his suspicions.

“I thought we were past this shit,” Rúna said in disgust.

“Not while we’re still breathing,” Genvass sighed. “Come on, let’s hear what they have to say.” He entered the room and approached, coming to a halt a couple of meters away. “I am Genvass Shaafvaazif, ambassador for the Provisional Government of New Terra,” he said in introduction. “What do you say we skip the pleasantries and cut right to the chase? Why are you here?”

The Chell servitor stepped forward. “Greetings, Ambassador,” they bowed. “I am Ksizan, consul for the Tu’udh’hizh’ak. My fellow emissaries and I,” they continued, indicating the others, “are grateful for this opportunity to speak.”

“What is it you wish to discuss?” he asked the Chell.

“We understand your reluctance to this meeting,” they continued, “but we believe there is much we can offer one another. Now that you have claimed the Precursor homeworld, the political situation in this region of space has been drastically altered. While your position may be secure on ‘New Terra’, you remain vulnerable elsewhere.” The Chell representative shrugged with feigned embarrassment. “As I am certain you have already discovered, many of your former allies now have grave concerns regarding your species, and should they choose to move against you, your ships are at risk. You would not fare well against many of the Alliance races, should they decide to move against you.”

“Our ships were good enough to smash your fleet,” Rúna fired back, before shooting Genvass a look. “Are we actually going to sit and listen to these assholes?” she said in disgust.

The ambassador sighed. “Listening doesn’t cost us anything,” he pointed out, “and we may just learn something valuable in return.” His words didn’t mollify the Valkyrie, though she refrained from further comment. He turned his attention back to the envoys. “Despite my companion’s obvious distrust, she raises a valid point. Your forces were soundly defeated during the battle for New Terra.”

“That battle represented a unique set of circumstances,” the Chell argued, “unlikely to be repeated. Besides your own forces, we also faced the Alliance and the Yīqún, not to mention the devastating beam weapon fired from the planet itself. With the drones no longer a threat, and given the potential discord amongst the Alliance forces, the strategic calculus has been considerably altered.”

That was actually a valid point, though Genvass was loath to admit it. Better to play along and see where it led. “Assuming I agree with your assessment,” he continued, “what exactly are you offering us?” He held up his hand. “I feel I should warn you that given our mutual history, an agreement between your people and mine would be extremely difficult to sell to my government.”

“We recognize this,” the Chell nodded, “which is why we are not seeking any sort of formal treaty at this time. We understand there is much distrust between our peoples, and that it will take a great deal of time to overcome. Hence the reason we are merely offering an entente, an informal understanding, if you will. Should your vessels venture out past the safety of your system, we will gladly provide them protection while asking nothing in return.”

“Nothing?” the ambassador said with a raised eyebrow. “That is uncharacteristically generous of you. You will forgive me if I am skeptical.”

“Nothing at this time,” the Chell clarified. “Should you agree to this arrangement, and if both parties found it to be mutually beneficial, then we would be interested in discussing further options. Keeping your ships from harm is not the only benefit we can offer.”

“... and here it comes,” Rúna muttered under her breath.

“What else could you offer us?” Genvass inquired, ignoring the Valkyrie’s comment.

The Chell glanced at the others. “Our respective races have scoured the galaxy for eons, searching for artifacts left behind by the Precursors,” they explained. “We have studied them at length and have more experience than anyone in coaxing them to unlock their secrets.” He managed a stiff bow. “Expertise, we would gladly share with you.”

He heard Rúna sputtering behind him at the envoy’s comment, not that he blamed her, though they really needed to have a talk about keeping one’s thoughts a bit more guarded.

“No offense, but thanks to the Troika’s efforts in that regard, we found ourselves once again at the mercy of the Yīqún,” he reminded them. “Considering we lost our original homeworld to the drones, that act may well prove unforgivable in our eyes.” There. Let them chew on that one for a while.

“In fact, a group of terrorists were responsible for the Yīqún’s reappearance, not the Troika,” the envoy said awkwardly, apparently sensitive on the subject, given that said faction was composed entirely of Chell.

“It may have been the Brotherhood who pulled the trigger,” Genvass agreed, “but it was the Eleexx who made it possible by incorporating Yīqún code into their security software.” He glanced over at the insectoid alien, who squirmed at the unwanted attention. “It was one of our operatives who uncovered the truth about the invasion’s origins.”

“That was indeed a grave error,” the Eleexx spoke up for the first time, “and we have worked tirelessly to correct our mistake.”

“Well, luckily, the Yīqún are no longer a concern,” he continued, “thanks to our own efforts.” Actually, it was thanks to the Caretaker’s efforts, the last remaining Precursor, who had stayed behind after their brethren departed, but why confuse the issue? “While I appreciate your offer, and will convey your message to my government, at the moment, I am all but certain they will refuse. While that could change in the future, I caution you not to get your hopes up.”

“I see.” The Chell spared another glance at the others, as an unreadable look passed between them. “We will remain here for the next several days, should you choose to speak with us again. By your leave, Ambassador.” The three envoys bowed before filing out another door and leaving them to their own devices.

“Those bastards must be out of their goddamn minds if they think we’d ever partner up with them,” Rúna snarled. “Seriously, we’re just supposed to forget everything they did to us?”

“I suspect they felt they had little to lose by making the attempt,” the Paygan shrugged. “I also believe they expected this outcome and have already made plans taking your likely decision into account.” His eyes bore deep into the Terran ambassadors. “Guard yourself well, for I assure you, they will not give up so easily.”

“Yeah,” Genvass said unhappily, “... I figured as much.”