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Empire care about your marketplace?” Koft said with the hint of a growl.
    “Not only are we prepared to freely trade with the Empire, but we are also willing to become tributaries of the Empire.”
    “And what do you deem worthy to offer the great Kemmar Empire as tribute?”
    “We are resource rich. We can provide the Empire with regular shipments of whatever resource the Empire desires.”
    “We are not interested in your resources,” said Koft, flashing his teeth at Stumpf like a shark stalking its dinner.
    “Surely there must be something we can pay you in tribute,” Stumpf said nervously. “We are determined to make this work.”
    “Is that why you have repeatedly attacked our forces, Mr. Stumpf? Because you want to pay tribute to the Empire?”
    “Attacked your forces?” Stumpf said in shocked disbelief. “Lord Koft, surely there must be some mistake.”
    “There is no mistake. A human warship has repeatedly violated Kemmar space, and engaged Kemmar warships.”
    “Lord Koft, I can assure you that this ship does not belong to any of our corporations. We would never dream of taking any aggressive actions against the Empire.”
    “And why should I believe you?”
    “Because, we are interested in profit, not conflict,” pleaded Stumpf. “Why would we seek to provoke the Kemmar Empire? How would we benefit?”
    “Perhaps you believe your propulsion technology gives you an advantage.” Koft smashed a fist onto the table. “Fools! Your technology will not save you. The Empire will lay waste to your planets. Your species will be eliminated.”
    Stumpf forced himself to remain seated and not try to run away. “Forgive me, Lord Koft, but what propulsion technology are you referring to?”
    “Do not insult me, Mr. Stumpf,” said Koft, pointing a long talon at Stumpf. “You know exactly what I am talking about.”
    “No, Sir, I do not,” Stumpf lied. In reality, he had heard about the strange warship and its ability to disappear from one location and reappear in another. He had seen the reports of how it had helped Sallas defeat the coup. Now the same warship had provoked the Kemmar. Something had to be done.
    Koft snarled, giving Stumpf a better look at his teeth. “Mr. Stumpf, I am not interested in playing games. This warship and its crew are criminals. We demand the warship, its crew, and the secret of its propulsion technology. Deliver them to the Empire and we can talk about payment of tribute.”
    A cold chill ran up Stumpf’s spine. “But Lord Koft, as I’ve already explained, we do not possess this warship, or its technology.”
    “That is not my concern. These are our demands. Comply, or face the full wrath of the Kemmar Empire.”
     
    ***
     
    The sinister looking ship engaged its engines and steadily accelerated, heading back across the border into the decimated remnant of what had once been Otan space. Franz Stumpf watched it leave from the console in his office, thankful that the encounter had ended. When the Kemmar had responded to his request for a meeting, he did not think he would have to personally travel to the edges of human space to meet them in person. When the Kemmar insisted, he was in no position to decline. Not if he wanted to maintain any hope of putting together some sort of treaty. What he thought would be a simple arrangement, had now turned into an ominous burden. Their only hope for survival lay in appeasement, and that meant the capture of the mysterious ship.
    A message flashed on his screen informing him that his conference was about to begin, and requesting his attendance. As he accepted the request, the Kemmar ship disappeared from his display, replaced by the stern faces of the other corporate CEOs.
    “Do we have an agreement?” said Linda Wilhelm, CEO of Rainer Corporation. Never one for formalities, she favored the direct approach.
    “In principle,” said Stumpf.
    “What does that mean?” said Jacob Weiss, CEO of Meisser Corporation.
    “It means that