Today was the day that the human diplomats were supposed to arrive.
Idris personally made sure all of the preparations were underway, leaving Erlyn to pick up any slack and check on the finer details.
All of the starbase’s occupants were briefed about the importance of the upcoming meeting. They needed a peace treaty with the humans, soon, because their forces were dwindling as they struggled to fight two fronts. The Cosmic Trinity Alliance would be a good ally when it came to sharing resources and technology. However, the talks to settle the differences between them concerned him.
“Can you stop pacing and sit down? I don’t understand why you are working yourself up before they arrive,” Erlyn advised, looking up from his tablet. The purple-scaled male sat on a couch in the middle of Idris’ office, his tail flicking in annoyance. “Everything is ready, and there is nothing else for you to do.”
Idris paused his pacing and watched his assistant. “Do you think I can convince them to join us against the Vresqoxk?”
“I believe it would be foolish to trust them,” Erlyn sighed. “They turned on us once, who knows if they will do it again. Do you want to risk another betrayal? Imagine being crushed between two forces on a battlefield. We would be eliminated.”
“Perhaps you are right.” Idris fell into his desk chair and leaned back as he stared at the metallic ceiling. “I don’t want to fail. Ushyaz is depending on me to do this for her. The Sovereign and Overseer need to give our people good news and boost their morale.”
“You will do well.”
Idris sat up and glared at Erlyn. “You are just saying that because you are bound to me.”
Erlyn shrugged and returned his attention to his tablet. “If anything, you could return to the palace and take comfort in the attention of hundreds of lovesick females.”
“Take that back!”
“I know you miss them,” Erlyn smirked. “Can you imagine how many more will clamor for a chance to become your mate once they find out you brokered the peace treaty?”
“Don’t remind me,” Idris grumbled. “Perhaps I should stay away and never return.”
“You know that isn’t an option.”
“I know what the issue is. You want some female attention for yourself,” Idris chuckled.
Erlyn glanced up toward his liege. “I am sworn to you first.”
Idris knew Erlyn wouldn’t leave his side. He worked too hard to earn this rank, and he wanted to remain there. But Idris didn’t want Erlyn to feel discouraged—or worse, jealous—if he ever settled with a female. His focus had been on the war alone. Something about the concept of seeking pleasure or settling down while the future of their species was unknown bothered him. It prevented him from even toying with the idea of finding a mate.
“But don’t you want a female to call your own?”
Something flashed before Erlyn’s pale green eyes before they hardened. “Like everyone else, I would love to have a mate someday, but as I said, I dedicated my life to yours first. Any female would have to understand that.”
“Are you saying that I am a difficult person to work for?” Idris challenged playfully.
“No, quite the opposite, really. But I am waiting for a female to put you in your place.”
“As if that would happen.”
Something flashed on Erlyn’s tablet, pulling his attention away from their conversation. He tapped the screen a few times. “It looks like the human’s first ship has warped into the star system.”
“Only one?” Idris asked, standing up from his chair.
He walked to his office’s wall displays and stared at their readings. On multiple screens, it showed a single fighter from various angles.
“That is what the reports are saying.”
Idris tapped on the main display and zoomed in on the lone vessel.
There was one pilot within the double-seated craft; exactly how humans were positioned in the battles. He always wondered why only a select few flew double whenever they fought. He assumed that they, too, were running low on capable pilots.
Crossing his arms, he studied the craft, waiting for any display of hostility.
“Do you think this is a trap?”
