Arkhan and Asharia sat side by side in two large and ornate thrones. Behind them hung Arcadia’s flag and they themselves wore the best clothing they had access to. Arkhan was still shorter than Asharia, but due to the positioning of the throne he was seated in he seemed to tower over the UGN ambassadors just as much as Asharia did. The ambassadors had hoped that Arkhan had not known about their previous actions and attempted actions from the first encounter, but their hopes were in vain. Asharia had long since told Arkhan the full extent of the attempted deal that they had proposed, and she even had the foresight to preserve a copy of the document, just so Arkhan could see it himself.

The ambassadors were counting on Arkhan being similar to them and being willing to look the other way if offered a good enough deal. They were sorely mistaken. Arkhan had no time for their bullshit and their ‘gifts’ were not as appealing as they had thought. Arkhan did not want precious metals and gems, nor did he want wealth or women (or men). They had brought so much and had so much faith in their ability to get him on their side, but instead they were kneeling before him as he sent a gaze filled with animosity towards them.

“So, why have you come here? What is it that you seek from my nation, the one you tried to exploit so thoroughly and cruelly? Do tell me what it is that has brought you to my Commonwealth, and why you think it is a good idea to test my patience after what you attempted to do to my people. I can only guess what reasoning has spurred this action; perhaps it is due to my nation being singlehandedly responsible for saving yours from utter erasure at the hands of the Angels? Or perhaps it is due to my nation following your own rules and taking that which was not in anyone’s hands? I do wish to know what exactly you have come here for, and why I should spend my valuable time meeting with you.”

Arkhan’s harsh words should have been enough to tell them that their gambit had failed, and yet they did not seem to notice it at all. Maybe this was due to overconfidence in their abilities, or possibly due to their steadfast belief that no one was beyond the allure of wealth and sex, but they did not seem to be aware that Arkhan was not inclined to be on their side. Perhaps they simply thought that he was playing a part and that after the scene had been made and the cameras were gone, he would open up, but such optimism was beyond naïve.

“Your eminence, we wish to apologize for our previous actions. They were not our true intent. We have since let go of those who were responsible and wish to offer you our sincerest regrets for their behavior. I, and all of the United Galactic Nations and their member nations wish only for a mutual coexistence and cooperation.”

Arkhan’s and Asharia’s gaze burrowed into them.

“Is this so? Then, correct me if I am wrong, but you do know of the group calling themselves the ‘Omniconpro Corporate Sector’, yes?”

The female reptilian ambassador, in a clear attempt to try and tempt Arkhan due to his marriage with a reptilian, shifted her posture and flung out a large amount of arousal pheromones before speaking.

“Yes, your grace, we know of them. I understand they have been in conflict with your nation due to a dispute over territory. If you wish it, I would be glad to discuss this with you in a more, private setting.”

Arkhan was unaffected by her attempts at arousing him. Being human he lacked the abilities that the Beastmen, Dwarves and Elves had to sense that she had even tried to arouse him. Unfortunately for the ambassador, he only got the ghostly faint scent of what smelled like a mix of ‘Doe in Heat’ bait and peanut oil, which was not at all attractive to him.

“That is unnecessary. What I wish to know is why the UGN is harboring them and preventing my forces from fighting them. They have repeatedly struck into my lands and have always fled back into your space. They have tried in vain to board our transports and have even gone so far as to attempt to target civilian vessels. They are pirates and criminals who are enemies of the state, and yet you forbid us from pursuing them and give them shelter. Your drydocks repair their ships when they limp back to safety, and you allow them to recruit from your own populace and gather resources to perpetuate their war with us. Is this not true?”

The reptilian female was now beginning to realize that maybe Arkhan wasn’t playing a part. She stole glances at his and his queen’s faces between keeping her face towards the floor, and from what she could see Arkhan looked livid and Asharia looked both smug and angry that the ambassador was trying to tempt her king and failing so miserably.

“They are a legitimate business that has been instrumental in helping us rebuild. Even I was not aware of their slip into piracy. I will most assuredly bring this issue up with…”

“No. You won’t.”

“Pardon?”

Arkhan leaned forward in his seat.

“I have it on good authority that they are not only being given refuge and support, but the very leadership of the UGN is claiming that they are the rightful owners of the territory we occupy. To make things worse, my eyes and ears tell me that not only is the UGN supporting them, but the member nations of the UGN are doing so as well. Of course, I am aware that all of this is being done behind closed doors, but you should not underestimate my intel gathering capabilities. Unless you have the power to change the entire whole of the UGN and its members with only your own power, nothing will be done.”

The ambassador was now feeling quite unsafe.

“You must understand, I am but one person. I will be sure to bring up…”

“Enough!”

Arkhan’s voice seemed to boom out from not only himself but from the MSGs that stood guard over the meeting in the throne room.

“Enough. Instead of this pointlessness, I propose something else. Something different. Tomorrow I will set off with my forces to begin the final set of battles of this war. After which we will deal one last final blow to the Angelus Holy Union, sealing their fate and the fate of their people. You came here to bargain, and you brought your media teams with you. Thus, I will give all of you a chance to not only see the full might of Arcadia on display, but also the final nail being driven into the coffin that houses the Holy Union. We will be leaving tomorrow at 0800 Arcadian Standard Time. You had best prepare, for I and my nation will give you a show unlike any other. Now, leave!”

Stammering, the ambassadors were led out of the throne room until only Arkhan, Asharia and a couple dozen MSGs remained behind.

“You wanted this, right?”

Arkhan spoke aloud to seemingly no one. Unsurprisingly, those he was talking to responded, despite Arkhan being unable to hear them.

“Tomorrow we begin the final push. For too long have they threatened us and for too long have the other galactic powers viewed us as upstart brats that have bark but no bite. Tomorrow, the final stage begins. Tomorrow, we take the final few steps to the position we are owed. And from there, there are no limits. Remember what sacrifices we have made to reach this point and remember the nobility of the fallen. Soon we will have our justice, our vengeance and our final victory. Will you, my people, support me just this little bit longer? What say you, citizens of a nation that has rebelled against the fate forced upon it? Will you follow me into the breach? Let the world, the system, the galaxy and the universe hear your answer!”

There was nothing for Arkhan to hear, but he already knew what was being chanted across his nation. The only thing he could actually hear was not ringing in his ears, but in his and his creations’ shared consciousness. It was the same chant that he figured was being shouted out across his nation.

Arkhan let himself have one private thought amidst the chanting that filled his mind.

“It’s just as Ash said; It is horrifyingly easy for me to control these people. I did not want to be a god or cult leader, but damn if I didn’t become one…”