They waited a brief time, until a green light above the door lit.

Decinus went first, along with Logus. They went to flank the table, and then Kell walked in, his stance every bit like a military officer.

Brooks saw Ks’Kull’s entourage do the same. First his two guards – large, hulking Hev in ornate armor that glistened with gold and platinum, encrusted with strange gems from alien worlds.

Following them was some sort of aide; he was heavily augmented, much like Urle, long cables going directly into his skull, and his eyes replaced with large sensors. He moved slowly, stiffly, as if his augments were an onerous weight upon him. They likely were, Brooks thought. He had been altered to serve his function, with no care given to his quality of life.

Finally, Brooks entered at the same time as Ks’Kull.

His opposite was even more imposing in real life, a head taller than even his guards. His armor was likewise inscribed in incredibly fine details, inlaid with green and purple gems of tiny sizes within the patterns so that the lines themselves seem to sparkle. His eyes were flinty, but he moved slower than Brooks expected, with a slightly awkward gait that seemed peculiar.

His massive pair of combat arms had so many rings on their fingers, gaudy with large gemstones, that they didn’t look like they could even close, while his smaller, more functional arms were more lightly adorned, and folded across his stomach.

The thought of the surgeries he’d had to undergo to get an extra set of arms boggled Brooks’s mind. They were biological, which meant they’d been designed by master geneticists, cloned, then his entire physiology altered to fit and control them . . .

Brooks moved to his table, not sitting yet, and offered a bow. Ks’Kull replied with a nod.

The Hev aide stepped forward, his voice high and shrill.

“Presenting Supreme Overlord Ks’Kull, Ruler of the Keigos, Projok, Bild, and Mopu systems, Master of a Hundred Worlds, Father of Hordes, Bringer of Destruction to His Enemies, He Who is Worthy of All Praise, the Greatest and most Awe Inspiring of all Hev.”

Brooks had not actually planned an introduction anywhere near that, but Logus spoke up clearly.

“Presenting Captain Ian Brooks, he who has defeated pirates and traitors, bringer of hope to New Vitriol, the only mortal man to ever meet four Leviathans and leave with his mind intact.” He gestured to Brooks.

Who had to suppress a smile. Logus said nothing, keeping his face quite calm.

One of the Hev guards approached, carrying a long pole. Hanging from its end by leather thongs were six skulls – mostly Hev, but he also saw two from other species. Including a human skull.

Like Ks’Kull’s armor, they had intricate patterns in them, the lines filled with crushed gemstones. He could not read Hev writing, but he could recognize it, and from the imagery, he imagined that each skull had the story of its owner – or at least their demise – carved into it.

“Overlord Ks’Kull presents for his esteemed guest,” the small enhanced Hev said. “This token of victory. Carrying with it the heads of six great enemies of the P’G’Maig, their stories of failure, stupidity, treachery, and ultimate deaths forever marked into their bone. Carry it, and know a taste of Ks’Kull’s might.”

Decinus stepped forward to meet him, carrying their gift. He accepted the skull pole, and offered a slate-gray cube in return.

“Please accept this with Captain Brooks’s praise,” Decinus said. “It contains knowledge of humanity throughout all time, so that you may know us better and we may become friends. Our cultures, languages, art, music-“

“And wars?” Ks’Kull demanded.

Decinus did not miss a beat. “Yes, Overlord. It includes our history of wars.”

Ks’Kull seemed mollified. “Then I shall accept your gift. It may entertain me.”

The guard took the cube without even looking at Decinus.

Coming back, the old Ambassador refrained from showing his horror at the skulls that clanked on the pole, but the tension lines in his face made clear his disgust.

As Decinus took back up his position behind and to Brooks’s left, Kell reached over and took the pole. Decinus let him have it, and Kell studied it curiously.

Brooks moved to sit, followed by Ks’Kull, who was still moving more slowly and awkwardly than Brooks felt seemed right.

Something about this was off.

Ks’Kull was leaned forward, hungrily, but said nothing.

“Overlord,” Brooks began. “Might I begin by asking you a question; do you wish friendship or enmity with the Sapient Union?”

Decinus’s eyes were on him, because it was a loaded question. But in truth, Brooks did not care about Ks’Kull’s answer. He just needed Ks’Kull to answer.

It didn’t matter what he said; it mattered how long he took to say it.

It was nearly seven seconds before Ks’Kull spoke.

“I am not a cruel lord. I seek friendship with worthies, and seek only to destroy those who raise my ire, or are too weak to be of use. This is reasonable, yes?”

Brooks checked his system. The Craton was two and a half light-seconds out from their meeting place. Ks’Kull’s flagship had agreed to stay at the same range, which meant . . .

He stood up. “Overlord, why do you insult me?”

Ks’Kull’s shock was immediate, but he didn’t answer; again, for nearly seven seconds.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Insult? How dare you imply that Ks’Kull would ever-“

“You are not Ks’Kull,” Brooks said. He heard a gasp from Decinus. “You are a stand-in. Being fed instructions, perhaps even puppeteered by the Overlord. If you wish respect, Ks’Kull, you will not deal such an insult to me as failing to show up.”

The ersatz Ks’Kull in front of them was acutely uncomfortable; the entire room was tense, the Hev guards with eyes wide. Only the assistant was unreadable.

In his own party, he could see in his peripheral vision, that Logus and Decinus were likewise tense. Only Kell seemed calm; if anything, he had simply a detached curiosity about the whole ordeal.

Then Ks’Kull laughed.

“Truly, you are worthy of respect, Captain Ian Brooks. Boldness is a trait I have heard you possessed, and it is true.”

His face turned savage, serious. “This is a stand-in. I communicate with him, and He speaks with My voice. He will be sufficient for this meeting.”

“I can understand that you may not be able to attend,” Brooks said. “But I cannot accept that you will not give this matter your full attention. Therefore, I will accept this presence so long as you concede to give that to me.”

Brooks leaned forward slightly. “Which means you will declare a cease-fire with the Tul for the duration of our discussions.”

Ks’Kull’s hands flexed involuntarily, gouging into his chair. “You dare make such demands . . . ?”

“You accept our presence because you respect the power we represent. Do not dare pretend otherwise, Overlord. If war came between our peoples, no matter if one of your espatiers was worth a thousand of ours – and they are not – you would still lose. You would be ground into dust and forgotten. The rest of your people would not come to your aid – indeed, they could be carving up the corpse of your empire before you were even dead.”

Brooks tilted his head back. Among Hev it was as bold a move as turning your back, showing absolute dominance and lack of fear of your opponent.

Ks’Kull rose immediately, snarling, and Brooks felt a drop of sweat run down his brow, wondering if he had overplayed his hand.

But then, after a few seconds, Ks’Kull sat.

“My forces are not currently engaged with the traitorous, disgusting T’H’Tul. We prepare for the final invasion, but what skirmishing ships I have – I will deign to withdraw them.” He sneered. “Though why you care so much for these pathetic beings I do not even wish to understand.”

Brooks nodded, and sat back down.

“But now that we have made ourselves clear,” Ks’Kull said. “I impose my own special condition. We shall have a third-party as guest observers. The Friends to Maig, Fesha Captain Tii Keh Sheh.”

Ks’Kull gestured, and between the two tables, off to the side, a projection of the Fesha Captain appeared.

Brooks felt his breath catch in his throat. He had not expected the Fesha to be so deeply involved with the Maig that they’d show up on his behalf.

The crystalline being’s body was hidden largely behind ceremonial robes, but what was visible of him was as realistic as if the being was actually standing there.

He studied Keh with open curiosity. It was extremely rare to see a Fesha in person – they studiously avoided face-to-face meetings with other species. And seeing them in three-dimensions made their biology even more alien to him.

“We are honored to be included in such a great meeting, Overlord. May perpetual peace and friendship reign at this meeting, unless broken by those whose trustworthiness we cannot attest.” His eyes swiveled to look at Brooks.

“Excuse our presence, Captain Ian Brooks. Pretend even that we are not present if it pleases you. We will not be in the slightest a difficulty.”

“Of course,” Brooks said, keeping his tone even.

He would ignore the Fesha, even if they hadn’t said that. They had no standing here, as far as he was concerned.

This explained why Ks’Kull was willing to give in to his condition; he had clearly planned to bring the Fesha in after initial communications, after clearly flaunting his insult of not being present.

He could only roll with it for now. Making an issue of this would not benefit him, and he had a feeling that if Decinus had been in control here, he might have forseen the trap.

Granted, Brooks did think that the ambassador would have known that pressing for advantage like this was expected among Hev, and being too polite was a sign of weakness.

Not that it wasn’t a risk to be bold . . .

He cleared his throat. “Conflict and confrontation are not in anyone’s interest,” he began, gesturing between them all. “Peace and security are what the interplanetary community should treasure the most.

“This is why the Sapient Union has become involved. A war of one faction for the extermination of another is a concern to all species, all civilizations. It is not something that can be ignored. After all, a society that may exterminate others of their kind may one day seek to exterminate other species.”

He met Ks’Kull’s eyes. “Which is why it is imperative for a group engaged in such activities to assure the interstellar community of their intentions and reasoning – and to show that they are open to both mercy and discourse.

“You have shown the latter, Overlord. It was a most gracious move. Now, I must ask if you can show the former?”

Ks’Kull contemplated – for longer than seven seconds this time. The Fesha remained silent, having watched Brooks evenly, and now looking at the Overlord.

“Yes, your words are wise, Captain Ian Brooks. There is but a problem, however; the T’H’Tul have raised my anger. I have declared them to be H’, and this matter is simply no longer negotiable. Your people may not understand the seriousness of the issue – our ways are not yours. But to Hev, once declared H’, they must be destroyed. It does not matter if they are old, young, a child who does not yet speak or their most wisened and respected councilor. All of them will die, and I will deliver those deaths. For you see, to be declared H’ does not simply mean to die; it means to have no future. The Tul do not deserve one, and I will not allow them to have one. If I do not do this, then my honor will not survive.”

He gestured. “So you see, my options are limited. The Tul must die, and by my hand. Though perhaps this last point is negotiable? We could, perhaps, allow some of your forces to engage in the extermination – under my command – if this would allay your concerns.

“And why not? After all, this would be a great boon for us both. I am not ignorant of recent events, Captain Ian Brooks. Your own people are at odds with a hostile faction that you have yet to destroy. Should we cooperate on this matter, perhaps future military alliances against these disgusting upstarts could be considered.”

It took Brooks effort to not burst out in anger at what Ks’Kull had suggested, his fists clenching at his side.

But he managed. Decinus kept a calm face, and Kell reacted as much as he ever reacted to human matters – indifferent.

Logus, however, was another story. His face betrayed the disgust and anger under the surface – though, fortunately, he said nothing.

“Your offer is most . . . novel,” Brooks said, struggling to find words. “I believe that a recess may be in order – we both have much to consider. Us to contemplate the use of our forces,” he kept the wording vague enough to be allowed it to be construed as the potential threat it was, “and for you to consider how you might keep your honor intact while sparing your enemies. If you should find a way, it would not speak only to your generosity, but also your cleverness.”

Ks’Kull took the words in, but said nothing, reacted in no way at all.

“Before we recess, however,” Brooks added. “I would like to understand one thing – what is it that the T’H’Tul did that caused you to declare them H’?”

Ks’Kull chuckled, standing and stretching languorously.

“The Mopu system is mine,” he said, in a tone that brooked no argument. “And thus, by occupying my territory, the Tul have done me outstanding insult. They offer no apology – and indeed, I would not accept any.” He held up one of his large hands. “I understand you may argue that they have been here longer. But this is a lie – and it does not matter. I have said it, and it so. For beyond being known for my generosity, strength, and cleverness, I am also known for my honesty. None who wish to live would ever question it.”

Captain Keh nodded, looking to Brooks. “My people can truly attest, Captain, to Overlord Ks’Kull’s deep and unquestionable honesty.”

Brooks felt his heart pounding in his chest, as anger and disgust ate away at his resolve.

But he fought them down; a man was an animal, but one that practiced self-control.

“I understand,” he said.