The cruiser Twilight, her Galactic Defence Initiative banners displayed proudly as she sailed, appeared on the fringe of the Tetan Confederacy's captiol system, alert and wary of over-eager defenders that would see the cruiser as a threat.

As the ship settled towards a high orbit, a message was beamed to the surface, where hopefully a represnetitive of the Confederacy would be waiting to recieve it and discuss the possible contract that the Galactic Defence Initiative would put forth.

Hiram Drayson knew as he waited in his chambers that this matter was of vital importance to the GDI, and could very well further their cause greatly in the years to come.

He had been on an orbital battle station at the moment he recieved the message. Galactic Defense Initaitive cruiser. Fringe zone. It was simple and he--Telbrin Miren-- knew what had to be done. The Admiral was already about the Imperator class Star destroyer the Confederacy had aqquired.

Dubbed the Tetan, after the system from which it came forth from, she was sixteen hundred meters long, carried seventy-two fighters, and had over a hundred weapon emplacements. Truly a awesome power. Best of all, she was fresh out the docks with a well trained tactical crew.

"Commander, have the shields raised and weapons placed on standby. We don't want to take any chances." Telbrin ordered and gave reason to his first officer, Commander Entz; "Communications, when we are within firing range, ask them their intentions."

(My congratluations on the proper designation of the Imperator class. There are few who call her by her proper name.)

"Admiral, sir. Vessel approaching, Imperator-class." Drayson nodded, turning towards the viewport that showed the awesome vessel that had come to meet them.

"Broadcast our diplomatic credentials and leave all weapons powered down. We don't want to frighten the good people into something they may regret." A moment passed in silence.

"Done, sir. Communications line is open."

Drayson nodded again.

"Thank you, ensign... Tetan Confederacy vessel, this is the Galactic Defence Initiative Diplomatic Vessel Twilight. I wish to open negotiations with your government concerning a certain element that I understand the Empress Teta system is famous for, and that the Confederacy has rights to. I speak, naturally, of carbonite..."

Telbrin listened to his words intently and assumed what he meant when he spoke about a certain element. The Admiral was weary of this. He felt the Confederacy was to young to begin to negotiate with interstellar factions.

"To whom am I talking to?" Telbrin asked before he said anything else.

Drayson smiled.

"Forgive me. Admiral Hiram Drayson, GDI Fleet Intelligence and Operations."

"Well Mister Drayson, you are interested in my Carbonite, yes?" Telbrin didn't bother to wait for a reply and continued, "What do you have for trade?"

A smile crept to the Admiral's features.

"Have you heard, Mr. Miren, of the Gallinore Rainbow Gem? A single jewel that can buy, if one knows where to look, a Mon Calamari battlecruiser?

"That is what we have to trade."

Telbrin paused for a moment, thinking his next choice of words over wisely. His face became quite grim and filled with a bitter hate.

"Mr. Drayson, you have come for years and taken the Carbonite without our permission. You took it from us with out contributing any form of collateral. Now, all the sudden you come here. Asking for some politely like it will be okay. We are not interesting in monetary gains nor interested in business with you!" He paused briefly, "Now if you will leave the system immeadiatly, that would be much appriciated."

Drayson stopped, his eyes flashing with anger for a moment.

"Mr Telbrin, with all due respect Galactic Defence Initiative ships have never entered the Empress Teta system without permission.

"We came here with hopes of opening trade between our respective governments. But I know see that the Tetan Confederacy does not care for business. And so we shall have to aquire our much-needed shipments of carbonite through other means.

"Good day, Mr. Telbrin. I am afraid that your false accusations may become truth in future. Your loss, not ours, though."

The communications line was cut out, and the cruiser spun around and made the jump to hyperspace.