Rúna and her team were in the midst of packing up their gear when the Paygan burst into the suite. The Valkyries bridled at the intrusion even as she gestured for them to relax. “I hope you’ve got a good reason for just barging in like this,” she told him, while he quickly scanned the room.

“Where is the Ambassador?” he demanded. “I must speak to him at once.”

Her eyes narrowed. “He’s in the other room,” she told him. “If you give me just a second…”

“There’s no time,” the Ixian snapped, forcing his way past her as he made a beeline for the other door.

“... TANGO!”

The Paygan skid to a halt as every gun in the room was pointed at him, the safeties flicked off almost in unison. He froze in place, then carefully raised his arms while the security team tracked his every movement, their fingers resting on the triggers of their weapons.

“You’ve got two seconds to tell me what the hell is going on,” Rúna informed him, her words as cold as an arctic frost, “before I order them to fire.”

“My apologies,” he said contritely, careful to avoid provoking her further. “I allowed my sense of urgency to cloud my better judgment, and I humbly regret my actions.”

The pair eyed one another intently until Rúna finally jerked her head to the others. “Stand down,” she ordered, as the team slowly lowered their weapons. The tension in the room eased considerably as they did so.

He cautiously allowed his arms to fall back to his side. “I must speak to the Ambassador,” he reiterated, “for both he and you are in great danger.”

Searching his expression for any hint of deception, she found none. “Doc, get the Ambassador,” she instructed him. The Knight nodded, exiting the room, only to return a minute later with the diplomat in tow.

“Paygan, a pleasure to see you,” Genvass smiled, before noticing the agitation of those surrounding him. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

“Very much so,” the Ixian grimaced. “You and your party must leave. Immediately.”

He stared at the blue-skinned alien in confusion before wincing with sudden realization. “Peacemaker,” he swore under his breath, before asking, “Where?”

Instead of answering, he went to the monitor, removing a data rod from his clothing and plugging it in. “We just received these images over a secure net,” the Paygan explained, “and I am afraid they make for grim viewing.” Genvass and the others crowded in as the video footage came to life.

A planet appeared on screen, surrounded by numerous vessels and orbital platforms. It was obvious they had jumped into the middle of the action, recognizing that many of those ships were now little more than shattered hulks. Moments later, they spotted the cause. Peacemaker swam into view, its futuristic lines and advanced weapons making it impossible to overlook; a shark facing off against a school of minnows, and just as unimpressed. Additional forces rallied and surged to attack, only to be destroyed with contemptuous ease as the Terran ship jetted past their broken corpses.

“Where is this?” Rúna asked softly.

“The To’uuk homeworld,” the Paygan apprised them, “taken several hours ago.”

Genvass and his security chief stared at one another. “The To’uuk?” he said in disbelief. “I don’t get it. Granted, they’ve never been our biggest fans. In fact, they were one of the few races that refused Alliance membership, even at the end, but that doesn’t explain this. I would have expected them to go after one of the Troika races.”

“Goddamnit,” Rúna swore, shaking her head in disgust, “it’s a fucking dress rehearsal.”

“So we believe as well,” the Paygan nodded. “A test of their systems and capabilities… and a prelude of things to come.”

Even as they watched, Peacemaker swept the orbital space clear of threats, before turning its attention to the planet itself. It began belching projectiles toward the surface, each shell rocketing away from the craft at incredible speeds, before impacting onto the planet below in a red-orange bloom.

It was like shooting fish in a barrel. They watched in quiet horror as the planet began to burn.

The blue-skinned alien removed the data rod from the display and handed it over. “You may view this at your leisure,” he stated, “but you see now why you must depart. You are no longer safe.”

“I’ve never heard any race speak kindly of the To’uuk,” Genvass interjected. “In fact, other than the Troika, they’re probably one of the most despised species in the entire Perseus Arm. Is it possible we’re begging trouble here? Perhaps the other Alliance members won’t be so quick to renounce us for this.”

“It does not matter,” the Paygan argued. “This has long been their greatest fear. Had you produced this vessel in the final battle against the Yīqún, they may have accepted it, but now, after all the time that has passed?” He shook his head, disheartened by this turn of events. “The drones have long since departed. The Troika have been hobbled and brought to heel. No new threats loom on the horizon. The other races will therefore conclude there is only one reason for you to take such drastic action now.” His expression was stern and unyielding. “That you mean to take the Troika’s place in this galaxy as conquerors, and it is for that reason remaining here would be unwise.”

“So much for Ixian hospitality,” Rúna scowled, as their host bristled with indignation.

“Should you request the Emperor for asylum,” he continued, through clenched teeth, “I assure you he will give it all due consideration. But doing so would place my cousin in treacherous political waters, so do not be surprised if you wind up as a guest in one of our more secure penal colonies, though with perhaps slightly better accommodations.”

“I think it best we spare the Emperor that indignity,” Genvass answered, shooting a look at his security chief. “I believe, instead, we should make a discreet exit off-world. How soon could we depart?” he asked Rúna.

“Right now,” she assured him, before glancing at her team. “Prep for immediate extraction,” she ordered, as they hurried to comply. Her second-in-command tossed her a rifle she caught with ease, checking the load before chambering a round. “Yendrick, tell Captain Taneka we’re inbound,” she continued, “and that the LZ is hot.”

“Aye aye, ma’am,” he acknowledged, before speaking hurriedly into his radio.

“I have a secure route prepared,” the Ixian assured them. “I will guide you to your ship, and once you are airborne, a squadron from our fleet will escort you to the system border.” He bowed awkwardly. “I only regret I cannot do more.”

“It’s more than generous under the circumstances,” Genvass said, returning the bow. “I thank you, Paygan.”

The Ixian moved toward the suite’s entrance. “Follow me,” he urged them, “time is of the essence. I do not know if the other delegates are aware of what transpired, but if not, they soon will.”

The security detail immediately formed a cordon around the ambassador, shielding him as they headed out. The corridor was deserted, with only a scattering of Ixian warriors at the junctions to keep the route clear as they made their way through the palace. Arriving at an exterior door, the Paygan nodded to the guard as they opened the portal, revealing a waiting vehicle.

“Get in,” the Ixian told them, as he scanned nearby. “It will take you to your ship.”

Rúna bustled him into the transport, seating herself beside him while the rest of the team took protective positions. The Paygan bundled in as well, issuing orders as they buttoned up prior to heading for the port.

“It will be several minutes at least before we arrive,” the Ixian informed them. “I have instructed the driver to take a less obvious route, in case the other delegates have learned what transpired. It should not significantly delay your departure, but I assure you, it is a much safer option.”

“Thank you, Paygan,” Genvass said sincerely. “I wish things had been different.”

“As do I, Ambassador,” he answered, his eyes flicking briefly to Rúna before returning his gaze. “I think it best you return to New Terra,” he said gravely, “for a time, at least. The political climate is likely to be hostile in the wake of this attack, and many will demand you be held accountable. That would be… awkward, for all involved,” he grimaced.

“They can demand all they want,” Rúna scowled, “since they’re not in a position to actually do anything about it.”

“I understand your resentment, but then you must understand theirs,” the Ixian responded, “for you cannot deny it is your fellow Terrans who are responsible for creating this predicament,” he reminded her. “To be perfectly blunt, you should have kept better control of them.”

“They blindsided us,” Genvass sighed. “Caught us completely off guard.”

“And now we reap in full measure the consequences of that lapse,” he said in distaste. “No world will be left untouched by the time it has run its course.”

“You’re right,” the ambassador reluctantly agreed. “At least we still have one friend left in the Perseus Arm,” he said with a melancholy smile.

The Paygan failed to respond. The silence became palpable, increasingly awkward, until Rúna finally swore, “Goddamn it all to fucking hell. You son of a bitch.”

Recognition as the cause of her anger came swiftly. “So. We have no friends then,” Genvass said quietly.

“It is not my choice,” the Ixian said evenly, “but we all must answer to someone. The Emperor has decided it would be ill-advised to stand against the entire galaxy at this time, and I, as his dutiful subject, must obey.”

“Well, if this isn’t goddamn familiar,” the Valkyrie snarled. “Terrans have resumed their rightful place as the galaxy’s red-headed stepchildren, with you and me standing once again on opposite sides of the battlefield.” Genvass attempted to intervene, but she brushed him aside. “Damn it, I trusted you. I thought we were…” Her jaw clenched hard as she bit off the rest, before angrily looking away.

“We are, Rúna,” the Paygan sighed, easily filling in the missing words for himself. “It is the reason I have told you this, and why I am escorting you off this planet, at the risk of my reputation, perhaps, my very life. Being Ixian, the second does not trouble me, though the first weighs heavily upon my shoulders. I have made it a point of honor to keep you both informed and protected… and not come to you like an assassin in the night, as some would have me do.” A dark and dangerous look came across his face. “And no, I will not tell you who it is that would have me betray you. We serve different masters, you and I, which means that occasionally, we will be at odds. Such is the nature of things,” he shrugged.

The ambassador touched her shoulder. “He’s right,” Genvass said, earning him a sullen glare. “He has done nothing but aid our efforts every step of the way, even though the smart move would have been to abandon ship long before now. And yet he stuck by us, despite what it was costing him.” The Ixian squirmed in his seat, uncomfortable at his praise. “And even though we have only just met, I feel I know him, at least a little, and the more we have spoken, the more convinced I am of his motives.”

“Oh? And what are those?” Rúna scoffed.

“Loyalty,” he said simply, “though not loyalty to me, or to our mission, or even to the greater good,” he explained, as she slowly turned back around to face him. “The sole reason he’s supported us as earnestly as he has is because of his loyalty to you,” Genvass said pointedly.

Her eyes went wide as she slowly faced him. “Is this true?” she asked, now flustered by the ambassador’s revelation.

The Paygan had difficulty meeting her gaze. “That is, of course, for you to decide,” he said at last, “but know this; I would sooner fall on my blade than betray you. We have fought side by side, against incredible odds, and through it all, your honor remained untarnished.” He graced her with a sad smile. “There are few enough in this galaxy that can make the same claim. I am your friend, Rúna, and should you ever call for my aid, I shall move the very heavens themselves to do so.” Shrugging helplessly, he added, “I simply cannot be your ally. Not now.”

The Valkyrie reddened in shame as she bowed her head. “Life was so much simpler when I was just a lowly corporal, and we were nothing more than honored enemies,” she said at last.

“Simpler, perhaps, but so much less rewarding,” the Paygan chuckled, earning him a wan smile from Rúna in return. “This situation we find ourselves in, it will pass in time. Such is the nature of politics on the grand scale. I have seen many such turnings in my life; from enemy to ally, and back again. Always changing, yet always the same.”

“I suspect there’s a lesson in that somewhere,” Genvass observed, only to have his attention abruptly pulled away when one of the security team suddenly cupped their ear as a message came in over comms.

“Ma’am, we got trouble,” Becca blurted out. “Captain Taneka is reporting a mob gathering at the spaceport, and they are not in a good mood. No sign of weapons yet, but she’s worried it’s only a matter of time.”

“Guess they heard,” Rúna said, somewhat fatalistically.

“Our forces will deal with the mob,” the Ixian said grimly, as he made a quick call of his own. “We will circle around to a secure entrance. We should avoid the worst of it, but I suggest you ready yourselves in case I am wrong.”

“You heard the man,” the Valkyrie growled, “Guns up.” The team was instantly on full alert, scanning the surrounding area for any sign of threats.

As they neared the entrance, they saw that the roadway was lined on either side with angry protestors from multiple races, shouting and gesturing angrily at the small convoy as they roared past. Genvass flinched as something thrown impacted against the vehicle, looking nervously about as others followed it in rapid succession.

“This vehicle is well armored, I assure you,” the Paygan vowed. “You are quite safe.”

The ambassador nodded gratefully as they sped through the gate before watching it close behind them. They spotted the familiar lines of Mako up ahead, the ramp already lowered and the engines idling as they finally came to a halt. As the door opened, the security team quickly piled out, their weapons at the ready as Genvass moved to follow… only to feel a restraining hand on his shoulder.

“Do not give up hope,” the Paygan implored him, “no matter how dire the situation now appears, for if this galaxy is to ever know peace, it will be through the efforts of those like you. Your people will need you now, more than ever, to speak on their behalf. Do not let those who seek to destroy all we have built together prevail, no matter who they are, lest we find ourselves in darkness once more.”

“You have my word,” Genvass vowed, grasping his hand. “Until we meet again, Paygan.”

“Come on,” Rúna urged, as the ambassador clambered out of the transport, hesitating when the wind carried the noise of the crowd to his ears. It was a raw, hungry sound, and despite the warm air, he shivered in response. Grabbing his arm the Valkyrie pulled him away, all but dragging him up the ramp as they bustled him inside, out of harm’s way.

She paused for a moment at the top of the ramp, before turning back to face the Paygan. The engines were spinning up, starting to whine, eliminating any chance for a last farewell. He stood beside the transport, wearing the same serene smile she had seen so many times before, as if the entire universe were one colossal joke that only he was privy to. Inclining her head in respect, one warrior to another, she smiled as he returned the gesture… before disappearing within the ship.

Turning away, the Ixian reentered the transport and ordered the driver to return to the palace, already intent on tackling the crisis before him as Mako lifted for high orbit.