"Ms. Arien, the rumours were true! Your beauty is almost a match of the Ta'Chumes of old!"

Leantre's eyebrow rose at the comment and turned to her aid, Joine. Joine murmured under his breath, "Now, she'll be insufferable."

Leantre didn't respond though his lips wore a smile that turned rueful as the Hapan Crown Prince handed Scipio a gift and spoke of his wife.

"When she heard of your inclusion as the Caprician ambassador, Andra could not resist. No galactic beauty is complete without them..."

Scipio's breath caught as her eyes took in the hairclasp, words failing her.

Leantre then responded in a voice only Joine could hear, "No. Now she'll be insufferable."

Joine suddenly had something to cough about, holding up a fist to contain it.

"On behalf of Capricia and the Commonwealth, I thank you, Lord Darksword." Scipio, finding her voice, responded regally bowing, holding a fist over her heart in the traditional Caprician greeting. After having first responded to he who presented the gift, she turned to the one from whom the gift originated, namely, the wife of the Crown Prince, standing to the side with her extended family. Bowing with equal deference, fist over heart, Scipio continued, "And please express my gratitude to your wife who's generosity of spirit is one to be imitated by all. I shall treasure her gift always."


And soon the entourage was escorted to the Royal Home of the Crown Prince and to their assigned quarters.

Hapes


“Come now Mr. Krauze, we are all friends here.”

Krauze was unfazed. In fact, Chopin wasn’t entirely sure he had not been expecting this type of answer. Krauze was a politician before a military man, Luis knew, and he knew how to flatter more than anything. From the expression on the prince’s face, he mused, the Chancellor had succeeded.

Glancing to his immediate left, he noticed that Daniels did not seem to be concerned much with the greetings. Instead, the scientist’s eyes were flicking all over the place so fast that for a moment Chopin feared they’d begin to bleed. The good doctor’s jaw was on the verge of unclenching and dropping to an open-mouthed expression, but luckily Daniels had enough control to keep from completely using it.

As Chopin glanced around, he couldn’t blame him. The scenery, which was at the same time beautiful and incredibly advanced, while awing to him, must look like a playground to Daniels, one of his wildest dreams come straight to life. Chopin smiled slightly, bitterly. It faded quickly.

Yes, this is all like a dream…a beautiful dream, Chopin thought to himself, But its not worth it. None of it is.

Nothing is worth seeing everything you held dear vaporized.

As his eyes scanned the group of Capricians, Vinda, and Darksword chatting merrily, exchanging greetings and, it seemed, gifts, he wondered if any of them truly understood that. He wondered if any of them could possibly fathom what each and every member of the newly created Helixian Commonwealth was going through.

Many had left Andoz proper in search of fame and fortune out in the newly opened galaxy, and the amount of survivors from any of the colonies were…not to mention the population of Andoz itself was far too great to…almost everyone had lost someone. Many were the last of their families. There were husbands no longer husbands, wives no longer wives…children no longer sons or daughters. Children…Luis wondered if any of them could understand that those as young as two years old had no one and nothing.

Nothing.

We need to get them off of Helix, Chopin thought, I don’t care what it takes to convince Krauze or the others. We need to move them to Andoz II. We need to give them something. Something to believe in again. Helix was not that thing. While it was a technological marvel, he doubted if it could ever be a home.

The people of Andoz needed something to hold on to. Something to keep them going. Something to give them hope…his thoughts faltered as once again Dakkon turned to them.

“Welcome to Hapes and for you, perhaps the most important gift of all...”

“Security.”

Daniels’ jaw lost control when he realized what the device in Darksword’s hand was. Chopin didn’t know what he had done next, for as the holo flared to life to reveal their “gift”, he too lost all sense of self control. If Hapes and the holo projector were Daniels’ wildest dreams come to life, the image of the Jewel of Hapes was Chopin’s. He had never seen anything quite so beautiful as the ship of war that stood before him, and he could only imagine what the real thing must be like.

Finally, Chopin regained his composure enough to actually understand what Darksword had been saying.

“… this will be the first capital class ship in your arsenal, I believe?”

Chopin flinched. He wanted to say something, but Samuel beat him to it.

“The people of Andoz once boasted many a capital class ship in its fleet, Prince Darksword, even by your galaxy’s standards,” Krauze said, his tone bordering threateningly on harsh, “It was not enough to save…it was not enough to survive…I…”

Krauze broke off, his voice faltering. If Chopin had not been feeling the same thing the Chancellor was, he would have wondered if this too was a part of his little game of politics. No, that was no improvised crack in his voice. Those tears forming in the corners of his eyes were not faked. This was not rehearsed. Straightening noticeably, Samuel’s eyes dried, and he regained his almost regal posture.

“That is, if it had not been for the Hapes Consortium, and its most generous leader,” Krauze smiled, but it was not as genuine as it had been before, “The Helixian Commonwealth humbly and graciously accepts your gift with endless thanks. We shall name it Darksword, after the man…and after the people that follow the man…who saved us all.”

“Please, follow me into my home. The ushers will take you to each of your designated areas, where I believe we should rest up before we start anything serious.”

Nodding wordlessly almost in unison, the Helixian delegation followed their ushers into the Palace. Their stance was proud, and their stride was strong, but their faces…their faces were sad.


Hapan Space


Mere moments after ARC-170-R changed course toward the lone, tiny ship, everything stopped. Sensors, the recordings, everything. Not a system was online. For all intents and purposes, the ship was dead in space. And it looked it too. From the outside view, the ship appeared to be at least a decade old, maybe more. It also looked like it had been through one hell of a shitstorm, and had not come out on the winning side. Exactly as they wanted it.

Hopefully, the crew of the ARC-170-R would be convinced.


Transitory Mists


“They have been identified,” the voice interrupted the silence.

“You are certain?” Michael tensed, fearing the worst.

“…no. I am not,” the voice conceded, “But I am uncertain of any alternative scenario. They have stopped recording and shut down all systems. There are no other explanations to my knowledge that would explain such an action.”

“…true,” Michael nodded, sighing, “But there is hope yet. One last, faint energy spike from a long dead space ship would not be an completely unreasonable thing.”

“Completely unreasonable? No,” the voice said, “Enough to keep them from investigating further…”

“We can only wait…and hope.”

"Sir? Were you looking at the monitor the wrong way? " questioned Smit.

"No Smit. The computer registered a ship entering the system at these coordinates," answered the commander.

"This ship doesn't look like it's moved for at least a decade," said Smit.

"Bring us in for a closer look at its engines Smit," ordered Tine.

Lane brought the recon fighter into a tighter orbit around the derelict looking freighter.

"Those engines are cold, sirs. They haven't been used in ages," said Quih from the rear pod of the ARC-170-R. "I guess we won't be calling this in?"

Commander Tine pulled a pair of wire strippers out of flight vest, saying "you got it Quih. There's nothing to report."

"Yes s-," he'd been cut off.

Smit looked up at the Tine and smiled.

"I guess you're thinking the same thing I am?"

"And what is the Lane?"

Lane snickered and plotted a course back to the ship.

"Commonwealth pay is good but not that good. Are you sure we had to cut Quih out?"

"He's too green to understand some of the opportunities that lone recon offers."




"I can't believe the deck officer bought that sir. You're grandmother is sick? "

Commander Tine smiled, " I have a way with words. What can I say?"

Smit typed a reversed version of their homeward course from earlier in the day. It only took them a couple of seconds to reach the abandoned freighter.

"There she is! Our hazard-pay bonus..."

Smit expertly docked the shuttle against the freighter's airlock. He and Tine then put on the breathing masks.

The airlock opened.

The Gardens of Andra Ta'Chume, Fountain Palace.


"I believe we have much to discuss?"


Vinda’s smile grew wide, and he laughed heartily. His response immediate “ indeed we do Prince Dakkon, indeed we do. It is an honour , I must confess I feel it has been too long…” (the Corporate man stole a glance around the stunning grounds of the Palace before finishing his sentence) “…far too long”

As the two old friends chatted, Vinda was introduced to the Prince’s entourage and family, taking care to talk with each in turn, and to exchange gifts.

He could not have wished for a warmer welcome, and it did make a refreshing change from the dull routines of late.

The corporate leader always relished his visits to Hapes, and this was turning out to be no exception.

"Please, follow me into my home. The ushers will take you to each of your designated areas, where i believe we should rest up before we start anything serious."

As all parties made their way into the palace, Vinda took the opportunity to greet the additional visitors.

“I don’t believe I have had the pleasure, Mr?…”

“Krauze, Samual Krauze…” Came the mans response…

Although Vinda did not know much about the Helixians, let alone the man in question he had heard they had been in need of help from the Hapan’s, with his curiosity piqued he extended his hand in greeting.

As the two men shook hands, they exchanged pleasantries, and first contact between both The Helixians and the Commonwealth had begun.

Synthium



The reception was not the best but as the crowded room observed the footage of the meeting of the Mr. Vinda's followers with the Crown Prince, a murmuring began to stir.


Gallenios knew what that meant and it saddened him.

Is this what we've come too? Sneaking into meetings halfway across the world?

Old "King" Gneut, of one of the outer Consortium Provinces in the far spaces between the Royal Cluster and the Killing Fields, snorted at the holographic transmission.

"So our Crown Prince has finally made a mistake worth his life." he whispered almost amused. It was no secret that the old man hated the Darksword family with a passion. Dakkon's brother had butchered the old man's family and the lack of reprisal his Crown Prince hesitantly followed through on soured the old man's taste for the current leadership.

The entire Cluster knew of the troubles surrounding the two brothers and how one ascended the throne to the envy of the other and how the one brother nursed that envy until it bubbled over into action.

Failed action but action nonetheless.

The Royal Family and the Hapes Military stopped the usurping of power by Lupercus Darksword but the old man Gneut felt it due to the prowess of the Hapan Military and less due to whatever passed as leadership these days.

"The Helixians will bleed our coffers dry!" spat Livia, clearly having no love for the galactic beggers who seemed to spill out into the Cluster from Queen-knew-where.

"And these Capricians? Do they expect to whore their woman out to Dakkon for favors?"

"Mr. Vinda is a smooth character and shrewd. He'll spin Dakkon around until the boy's flittered away our rights!"

The room at large growled out their agreement and Gallenios knew that the spark that would light the flame was coming.

A move on the homeworld while the government was preoccupied...

"I have six squadrons of Battledragons.." Gneut smiled through crooked teeth.

Livia's eyes lit up. Her family had fallen into disfavor with the Darksword family because of her support of Lupercus. When the brother fled to the Empire, he left her with the pieces of their broken rebellion.

She had scores to settle with the Darkswords.

"The government is in these diplomatic talks. The fleet will not be on alert... these are friends of the Crown. A strong, brute attack will shatter the defenses.."

"Control the Queen Mother and obtain an endorsement.." Gallenios added while Livia interrupted, "..to save her neck!."

Gallenios concluded, "The military would have no choice but to accept the endorsement and swear fealty."

"Then we kick these Helixians, these Vinda people, these Capricians.. off our world!"

"Hapes for Hapans!" some shouted and old Gneut's grin widened.

Control the Queen and you control the military. Control the military and you control Hapes. Control Hapes..


..and the Cluster falls into line.


Gallenios smiled to himself.

The outsiders would prove weak, he knew. Once the Cluster was back in the hands of Hapans.. true Hapans, then Mr. Vinda would get a visit from him.

Gallenios smile mirroed Gneut's.

It was time!

This was what it was like, life in the Ambassadors Corps. So far, life after the Ambassador Training Course, level six, was not very fun. Crystal ships were not really all that they are cracked up to be. The transparency of it all gave Mark the worst sense of vertigo. The new ambassador had lost his lunch as soon as the ship had entered hyperspace. Caprician food was very good, hearty family style cuisine, but Mark had been unable to keep anything down. Lucky for him (and the rest of crew… smells…), the voyage had been a brief one.

To make matters worse, Scipio had insisted that Mark shave off his beard.

“Beards give you that trustworthy look you are so crazy about Scipio,” whined Mark.

The teacher gave her former student a stern look “Shave your beard Mark, or I will have Leantre and Zier hold you down; and I will shave it off myself. And trust me Mark… I am a novice when it comes to shaving…”

Fearing a face covered in cuts and scrapes and any more of Scipio’s twisted wrath, Mark shaved that very hour.

The rest of the trip was very pleasant. Though the landing had Mark worried. The ship would surely hit the ground too hard. It had no repulserlifts. Or at least Mark had seen none. To his disbelief, the ship landed safely. The landing did not cause the ship to shatter into billions of pieces as Mark had vividly dreamed.

Hapes was as beautiful as someone had described to Mark, like a beautiful rose bush surrounded by the danger and turmoil of the rest of the proverbial forest that was the galaxy.

This would be Mark’s first assignment. He had no official duties other than assisting Ms. Arien should the need arise. These things aside, Mark was still on a probationary commission. If he slipped up, it was career suicide. A rotten backwater post for the rest of his Commonwealth career. Needless to say, Mark was on his toes.

Though one thing did trouble him. If the Crystal Ship was a gift to the Royal Family, how would he be returning home?

Hapan Space


It would be incredibly difficult to determine, upon the arrival of Smit and Tine into the disguised reconnaissance ship, which side was more surprised at what they saw. Time seemed to stop for both groups, staring back at each other. No one moved. No one spoke. The only interruption in the void that had been created were the noisy breathing sounds Smit and Tine’s breathing masks made.

On one hand, Lane and his colleague had doubtfully been expecting to come face to face with inhabitants, still on board and moving about, especially these inhabitants. They had expected to come upon a dead and abandoned shuttle interior, maybe with a couple long rotted corpses and, quite possibly, some long forgotten treasure they could conveniently ‘forget’ to report to their superiors…but instead…

The occupants of the ‘shuttle’ probably should have reacted much faster than they did, considering what they were, but even they cannot be totally held responsible. They had been given their orders, told in advance how things were supposed to happen, and this had certainly not been in the briefing. While their reaction times should have been lightning fast, they quite simply were not programmed to handle such a situation…

So who was more taken aback by the sudden intrusion into a shuttle that was not as dead as it appeared to be? Lane Smit and Commander Tine or the five robots caught in the very act of spying on the delegations planet-side? Well, considering the outcome, lets assume it was Smit.

With a resounding siren, the robot closest to the two intruder’s position ended the silence. It had slammed down on a button, and before the two humans could recover, the airlock behind them forcibly sealed itself. There was an instant of suction as the airlock doors broke the seals which connected the humans’ ARC-170-R to the recon ship, and both Smit and Tine were sucked backwards, slamming into the sealed airlock behind them.

The force of the blow was not very hard, but enough to daze both of them for a few moments. By the time they had recovered, all five robots were holding particularly nasty looking firearms, and each one was pointed straight at them…


Hapes


“They don’t understand, do they?” Chopin sighed.

“I wouldn’t be so judgmental right off the bat like that, Lou,” Krauze grinned.

The two men were standing upon the balcony that linked their private suites to each other. Behind them, within the two distinctive rooms, were just about every convenience and pleasure a single man could possibly ask for, and much more. Krauze could only fathom at the amount of currency it must have taken to purchase half the luxuries in both suites, and Chopin could only scoff at it.

Samuel had taken up a casual pose near at the corner of the balcony, his right leg crossed over his left and his right hip leaning into the horizontal rail of the balcony. His right hand loosely gripped the rail behind his hip, and his left hand tightly gripped one of the cigars he had found in his suite.

Chopin, on the other hand, was in no mood for any such stoic poses. He was forced to remain in one constantly on board any ship he found himself in command of (these days, that was most of them), and was glad to relax his posture whenever possible. He might have forced himself into one if Daniels had been around, but he was off somewhere frolicking in a library or a museum or a million other places in which only he could find any amount of joy. It was only Krauze, and it seemed not to matter how he carried himself around the Chancellor, the man had absolutely no respect for him.

So instead, he was bent over, his forearms resting upon the balcony railing. The smoking remains of a cigarette were held in one hand, a small glass with nothing left in it but ice, ice dripping with particularly strong liquor, in the other. Luis had given up both smoking and drinking on Andoz three years ago. The use of patches, pills group counseling, and intervention upon intervention had been necessary to get him clean, and here he was again.

The End had done that to a lot of people. What had mattered before didn’t matter now. What hadn’t mattered before mattered now. Andozians who before the Vong had arrived were concerned with getting that raise, that new car, fixing that leak, catching that game…and now? Andozians today were concerned about where the next meal would come from, how much longer they’d have to sleep in tents, when they’d be able to rebuild their shattered lives, if they’d be able to rebuild their shattered lives, and coping. Always coping.

Luis had found his way of coping. He had found it after losing it for three years. The booze and the cigs. He hated himself for it, but then again he hated himself for a lot of things. But that didn’t matter much anymore. Not a hell of a lot did. Luis Chopin was not concerned with very much. And only one thing was keeping him going.

All I want is to keep us alive, Luis pleaded with himself, All I want is that the kids we got left can rebuild, even if we can’t. And if talking to these Hapans…these Vinda Corp. fucks helps…well then I’ll put on the biggest fucking grin I got and shake every damn hand I see. I’ll sit there and watch them laugh and nod and pat themselves on the back for being oh so fucking rich and being oh so well off. And I’ll put on my biggest ‘oh look at me, oh poor me’ routine so they can pat themselves on the back for being oh so fucking charitable to those not so fucking rich or so fucking well off.

“No…they don’t understand,” Luis affirmed, drawing Sam from his thoughts once more, “And I don’t think they ever will.”

“Listen, Lou, if this was about the thing Dakkon said earlier,” Sam sighed, “It wasn’t that big of a deal. I kind of overreacted a bit to it. I think we’re just being a bit touchy.”

“I’m not mad about what Dakkon said,” Luis growled, “I frankly don’t give two fucks what Dakkon thinks. I’m mad about what you said.”

“Alright, alright!” Sam grinned unsurely, “So I did overreact-”

“That’s not it either,” he sighed, “There’s one thing that’s been on my mind nonstop since we entered that fucking wormhole. One thing that’s been on my mind nonstop that I’m fucking terrified hasn’t been on anyone else’s…”

“Lou…Luis,” Sam frowned, the first time Louis had ever seen him frown, “As your Chancellor and as your friend it is my duty to you to ask you what the hell is up?”

“You were right back there, Sam!” Luis barked, pushing off the balcony with his hands forcefully. He dropped what was left of his cigarette onto the floor and crushed it with his foot, “The might fucking people of Andoz once upon a time blah blah blah flotilla of fucking capital ships in its Maker damned fleet of fucking awesomeness!”

Winding up, Luis hurled the glass in his remaining hand against the duraglass door that separated the balcony from the suite. It shattered against the door, causing not even the faintest scratch.

“Once upon a time, Sam,” Luis repeated, no longer yelling but trembling as he as almost whispered, “And what are we now? Galactic beggars, struggling to stay on our knees… We’re running around fucking Helix trying to save our people from the unknown threats of a new and terrifying universe, and behind us our people are ready to lay down and die. But none of us turn around. None of us notice.

These Hapans give us ships. Ships to protect us from invaders. They don’t understand. They don’t understand that the real invaders have already come and gone. They don’t understand that the real invaders took everything we’ve ever known and loved. They don’t understand that the real invaders left us without the will to fight, to survive, to keep going, and that the only reason we keep going is because we don’t know anything else.

What are we Sam? We’re nothing. We’re not even dirt. And here we are, parading around like we’re the kings of the fucking galaxy. Prancing around with these bastards!”

As Chopin gestured around wildly at Hapes, he stumbled. Krauze moved to catch him. Louis pushed him away, stumbling even farther, and went crashing to the ground. He lay there, still, drifting into the realm of drunken sleep.

“I think you’ve had a little bit too much to drink, Lou,” Krauze said.

Celebration was the operative word for the occassion. Nothing had been discussed, nothing had been brought up regarding polticial issues, land issues and/or fealty issues.

The simple comradre and association of people who mutually respected each other (at least on the surface) was enjoyed. Even the usually dour Helixians took part albeit under a cloud of perpetual reservation.

It was as if the Hapans were looking for something to happen and their Crown Prince was not disappointing.


However, a man named Gallenios was also intent on not disappointing. The Queen Mother was to make an appearance. The newest of Dakkon's wife, Andra, who had replaced Vessana seemingly abruptly according to Gallenios' thinking.

Dakkon wore the power of the Ta'Chumes well, the traditional Hapan thought with disgust. After all the cultural revolutions the Darksword family had wrought on Hapes, the time to halt this downward spiral was closing. If the Traditionalists did not act soon, they would never have a chance to reverse this corruption of honest Hapan principles that were ever so fundamental to their society.

The people would not have forgotten their Ta'Chume! All they need to do is be reminded of the power her position entailed.

But such thoughts needed finesse.

The tactics of the brutes elsewhere in the galaxy were not for Hapans. No. He was not out to destroy Hapes. Just cut out the cancer that had been eating her away.


Andra was the key!


He walked up to a laughing Dakkon, "My Lord, ten squadrons of Battle Dragons have achieved orbit for the festivities. The light show prepared, I am told, will be one to take your breath away."

"Not until after the Queen Mother has arrived, Gallenios." Dakkon responded absently.

"We are sending a delegation to the Commonwealth Watch outside our system. We wouldn't want them to get lonely.." Gallenios grinned slightly and Dakkon clapped his Chief of Staff's shoulder.

"Excellent thinking, Gallenios. Excellent thinking, indeed!" a look of distress overcame the Hapan ruler and Gallenios heard him whisper to himself, "Are we running out of wine?"

Such attention to such innane details drove him mad!

So intent Gallenios was in keeping his anger off his face he nearly tripped over a drunk Helixian.

"Watch where you're..bloooody walking.." the man murmured in his stupor. "...kick your ass.."


Soon! Gallenios fumed.


Not bloody soon enough!


He bumped into a serving girl on his way outside the main Palace establishment.

As Vinda was shown to his place at the vast , and ornate dining table, in the equally vast and ornate dining hall, he took a seat only when his host invited him to do so.

(The old habits of many years of diplomacy, still ingrained).

During the course of the evening, the food was served and eaten, and the drinks poured freely, all in good company.

A seemingly rare occurrence these days.

Tomorrow , the serious business of politics would begin, right now, it was a celebration, of a partnership that had lasted through many ups and downs, and more upheavals than even the old man himself cared to remember.

The Corporate mogul found himself sat next to the Prince as a guest of honour, and another member of the royal household. A charming woman who like most people of Hapes, was very beautiful, but whose name he was now struggling to remember…

As she talked, he stole a glance at the contents of the wine glass he was holding…

…this Hapan wine’s got a kick!…

With the meal drawing to a close, conversation had turned more informal and (one might say predictably) to gossip.

Sure enough the focus of conversation turned to the guest…

“…and what of you Mr Vinda…why is it you have not married?” Andra asked …

Causing the Crowned Prince himself to throw his wife a surprised, if not slightly worried glance at her forward , and potentially very personal question...

"Andra..." He started, but she silenced him with a gesture of her hand...

"Hush dear, it is regrettably very rare we are in the company of Mr Vinda, ...I may not get the chance to ask again...indulge me"

Vinda raised an eyebrow, realising the room had suddenly become a lot quieter…

“Well...I am afraid, because of what I do, I do not have the time…it would not be fair to expect someone to put up with that…besides I don’t think marriage is for me…”

“Oh?…you are against marriage?” Andra asked in response, genuinely curious…

Vinda leant back into his chair, and smiled wryly as he considered his reply carefully…

“No, not at all…on the contrary , I think marriage is a wonderful institution-- (to which a general murmur of consensus began to spread around the table )
“but who wants to live in an institution?…” He continued , prompting another murmur , one of laughter this time..

Andra laughed, but was not distracted from her probing…

“Come now, surely a man of your standing can find someone suitable…I find it hard to believe that you have not…surely fame has its …advantages…”

Another round of gentle murmuring rippled across the dining hall…
The old man , laughed and looked at the Prince in mock indignation…

“What have you been telling your wife , Dakkon…”

The Prince clearly amused , simply held his hands up and shook his head in response…

Laughing Andra continued…

“I find it sad…you should find a wife Mr Vinda, we could find you one, there are many beautiful women on Hapes , we could arrange one for you…”

Before Vinda could respond, Dakkon stepped in, bemused…

“My dear, stop badgering the poor man , he’ll get married when he’s good and ready” Much to the amusement of the seated congregation

“I must apologise for my wife Seth, what is it with women and match making…”

Vinda laughed , and smiled warmly, and directed his reply towards Andra “Not at all… I wasn’t aware my batchelor-hood was such a cause for concern…I shall endeavour to change the current situation, and of course should anything happen, you shall be the first invited to the wedding…”

"I'll hold you to that!" The Prince said with a smile, and raised his glass to salute the promise...

Long into the night the celebrations continued, until one by one each party found its way to bed…

To a day which promised to look bright.

The next day…

Prince Darksword’s private study…





“Some refreshment Seth? A drink perhaps?”

Vinda smiled and nodded ,”Just some water would be fine, thank you Dakkon..”

The two had been discussing the affairs of the Hapes cluster for what seemed like hours…plus catching up , as two old friends, do…

Vinda watched as the Prince asked the aide to fetch some water, and return to his chair…

Although The Hapan leader looked comfortable he also appeared different, more mature, more…(the corporate mogul struggled to find an appropriate word for it…)



…serious…



It appeared, the Prince had many affairs on his mind,

....most of them affairs of state I should wager...... (Vinda guessed to himself)



“Tell me about this Commonwealth” Dakkon said, bringing the old man out of his reverie...

Vinda looked up, raising an eyebrow…

“What is it you wish to know?” He answered in reply…

”What does it stand for?”

The Hapan’s eyes settled on Vinda with great interest…

“The Commonwealth is exactly that, a way the people can have a say in their own affairs…it was time…” Vinda said …

“With all the wars and turmoil this galaxy has seen, it is my, our effort to try to create something which could last, to make sure the people in this galaxy have a fair existence….”

“Fairness.” The Hapan repeated , nodding in what seemed like approval…

“Its about real and straight forward solutions to real problems, the kind that do not need to be solved with war as the answer to everything…the foundation of the Commonwealth is trade and commerce something which every race can relate to in some shape or form…”

“All this sounds very …republican…” Dakkon smiled a feral grin…

The Corporate leader seemed to shift uncomfortably at the mention of this word…

“I leave that for others to judge, my focus is not on the ideology of it all but rather how it works in practice, that in my mind is the difference…”

“oh?”

Vinda paused for a moment as if to consider his words…

“Actions speak louder than words , as you well know Dakkon, and so far the Commonwealth has done exactly that, it is prosperous , safe , and recognized as being so…We won’t be going on any foolhardy crusades , but we will defend our own, and stand up for what we believe in…”

The Hapan leader narrowed his eyes…

“Which is?”

Vinda laughed…

He eyed the Prince with a suspicious glance…

“Why the sudden curiosity…?” He asked realizing the Prince appeared to be heading in a specific direction…


It was the Hapan’s turn to smile…

“You know about our reforms, Hapes has grown because of it, but the cluster has been closed for so long I think its about time for us to become part of the galaxy outside”

“Go on…” Vinda said, sitting forward in his chair intrigued…

“Thanks to our mutual trade and commerce we have both prospered…and I have to admit I like the sound of this Commonwealth…”

Vinda nodded slowly , understanding…

“you wish to strengthen our ties further…” He ventured, causing the Hapan to smile once again…

“Actually, I was thinking of something more solid…”

“I see…” The Vinda-Corp figurehead looked at Dakkon strangely…

“I was thinking more along the lines of a union between the Cluster and the Commonwealth, what would happen if Hapes were to join…”

Vinda gauged the Prince’s manner…

“you are serious?” he asked, cautiously

“Very…” Dakkon replied…

“it would be a very natural progression between our respective governments, we have been working in tandem for many years…and I believe we share mutual interests…”

Vinda appeared surprised by this, he had championed stronger ties with Hapes , and even suggested the meeting himself, but did not expect the Prince to look for full and complete membership...

“I would surely welcome it…”

The Prince seemed happy at this…

“Then , we have much to sort out…”

“What about the people? What would they think…” Vinda asked thoughtfully

“You are a trusted commodity Seth, and as long as you are involved , convincing the cluster should be the easy part…”


It was at this moment , the aide returned with the water, and as she brought it over to Vinda he smiled warmly and thanked her…

Bringing the glass to his lips , he felt a sensation of relief as he drank the cool sparkling water…

Placing it on the side carefully, he reflected upon Dakkon's words with great interest...

....To have the Consortium join the Commonwealth!....

Vinda wondered breifly what it would take to pull it off...


Was it achievable?...


Slowly , as the idea began to take root, Vinda realised it was a very real and sensible prospect, it made perfect sense, they had been partners for so long, it seemed like a perfect progression...

The old businessman reached for his cigarra pouch and hand selected one with great deliberation, carefully cut the end off with his cutter and lit it with his chrome lighter...


The ideas that followed, drifted as high as the unfurling smoke itself...


…and with that the two men discussed their plans and thoughts further, long into the night…