Eirik did not have to wait long for a response. Within the hour his grandfather and a dozen other officials from Terra were trying to reach him, but he had told them he would expect a diplomatic envoy. They could stew in uncertainty. He sent out the signal that would put all troops currently not on the smuggler station, into full alert mode. All his ships and all his garrisons would now be ready to attack at the first hint of danger or uninvited guests.

For the first 24 hours, nothing happened.

On the second day after seceding, Eirik had 3 reports of attempted pirate attacks during the day. All of them were reported to have been repelled with ease.

The third day saw a small Terran fleet leaving FTL near the station. Eirik had moved 13 of his better warships into an ambush position in the nearby system, ready to jump into any battle that might occur. For now, he was happy having 25 ships stationed in a protective sphere around the station.

The small fleet approached at a slow and steady pace, shields up but weapons powered down. Standard diplomatic approach. Andreas, the young diplomat Eirik had met before losing his arm, had become his full-time diplomat with the rank of counselor. While there was still a bit of resentment between the two, their mutual respect for one another, as a master-in-the-making of their chosen craft had helped plant the seeds of a possible friendship. At the very least, a jovial and informal work environment.

The fact that Andreas could pursue a career as a diplomat instead of becoming a stationed permanent envoy was not a bad thing either. The more hands-on experience you had as a diplomat, the better for your career, And as a career diplomat at the head of a new empire, you could not get much more hands-on work as a diplomat. The opportunity was undeniable. He had asked Eirik why he wanted him, and not someone more experienced.

Eirik had told him it was because he was young and hungry. The perfect candidate for his plans. And he had been kept busy. between setting up the plans to secede with all the various planets and colonies on said planets, and preparing for the inevitable great meeting with all the Terran representatives, he had been so busy he barely had time to sleep, let alone do anything other than prepare. But he was promised vacation after the initial fuzz died down. He was already training his temporary replacement. If the young man did a good job, he would ask to get him as either an assistant or as a junior diplomat. He was not a bad-looking man either, so there was also that.

Andreas knew that his frustration with Eirik came from the attraction he felt for the man. Come on, who WOULDN'T be attracted to the man if their first memory of him is him sitting on a tree stump, covered in the blood of the skinned animal that tried killing him a short while earlier. He had always had a thing for the rural type of man.

Standard greetings were exchanged between the smuggler station and the Terran fleet, and it was agreed that the diplomatic envoy and a single escort ship would dock on the station.

Eirik, his command staff, and Andreas stood ready to receive the diplomatic envoy from Terra as they left their craft. The diplomat moved straight for Eirik and after the shortest of formal greetings where the envoy presented himself as Diplomat Smith, suggested that they get the meeting started. Eirik had other plans though.

"Join me for a feast tonight, Diplomat Smith. Until then, feel free to utilize the facilities of my humble station. My security advisor will escort you around wherever you wish to go." Eirik said as he made a grand towards the open station. The past months had seen significant expansion in everything from living quarters, to docking areas, to a dedicated entertainment promenade, complete with a small restaurant district.

"I would much prefer to have our meeting as soon as possible." Smith pressed with urgency and the slightest hint of impatience.

"Which is already being accommodated, Diplomat Smith. As unbelievable as it may sound, the creation of a new empire does require my immediate and full attention at the strangest of hours. I have scheduled our meeting at the earliest convenience, I assure you. Now, if you will excuse me." With that, Eirik turned and left, leaving Jesper to stay, ready to lead the diplomat wherever he wanted to go.

_____________________

In the evening as the diplomat was waiting impatiently in the restaurant that Eirik had chosen, decorated more like a medieval Inn than a modern restaurant. The food was plain but plentiful and the beer was cheap and good. When Eirik finally showed up, fashionably late, of course, Freja in her evening dress managed to drown out any complaints about the waiting that might otherwise have been voiced. Eirik sat down and after presentations had been made, the diplomat had brought 2 guests who were without a doubt disguised military bodyguards. Despite this, they were very polite and stayed in the background of the conversation.

"So, Smith. What does Terra have to say, to little old me?" Eirik said as drinks arrived. Freja enjoyed her glass of white wine, watching the negotiations about to take place. Both the bodyguards had soda, and Eirik, ever the troublemaker had settled on a large mug of beer. Smith had asked for champagne but had been disappointed to learn that the best the establishment could manage was a proper brandy or a mediocre, in his eyes, wine.

"It is not what Terra can do for you, but what you will do to avoid the consequences of your little stunt earlier." Smith's voice was as hard as diamond and the way he looked at Eirik spoke of a man used to wielding his voice as a weapon, expecting to win.

"Besides repeating the statement I broadcasted?? Nothing. You see, Smith. I don't think you fully understand-" Eirik was cut off by smith who snapped at him, "I am well aware of your achievements and your reputation, thank you! You will not intimidate me, Eirik!, nor will you attempt to do so again! Now, enough with this farce-"The color drained from Smith's face, and his bodyguards jumped from their seats as Freja produced a small gun from her purse which she handed to Eirik who promptly aimed it at the Smith.

"You will not interrupt me again, Smith. I have enough ships in orbit around this station to turn your escort fleet into dust 3 times over. I have enough soldiers on this station to make it so costly for anyone stupid enough to invade, that it would be the better option to simply blow it up, which no one will do because of the growth potential and strategic location of the station.

Furthermore, Terra is heavily involved in a war with an enemy that does not care for its citizens. I don't think I have to stress just how unfortunate it would be for the Terran empire to face a 2 front war, no matter the size of the enemy. Forcing even 1/10 of the Terran Navy away from the current frontlines will collapse the entire strategy." Eirik handed the gun back to Freja and lifted his glass towards smith and his 2 standing guests.

"Sit down guys, you would never have reached me." Eirik nodded towards the bar where the bartender and 3 servers were holding shotguns in a casual grip that spoke of experience in handling the weapons.

"So let us not bullshit each other any more than we have to. Let's have a toast, and start over. You may know me, but you forget how intimately I know Terra. and its inner workings. And you cannot afford to be my enemy at the moment. Besides, being my friend tends to be much more rewarding. For both you and for the entirety of the Terran ground forces. but that comes later. First, we are going to hammer out this military alliance."

The food arrived, sliced roast pork and potatoes in parsley sauce. "Eat up, we can always get more," Eirik said as he and Freja dug into the food with gusto.

Smith sighed deeply. Being called out by this upstart grandson of a military genius was demeaning in so many ways he lacked the words to properly describe it. "Might as well get the best of this." He thought to himself as he tasted the food.