My fingers traced over my softer stomach without thought. Minutes ago, my baby was inside. I wondered if I would have a permanent paunch. Then I decided there were more important things to think about.

“As we mentioned,” said one Sammen, “we did not create it for the Volardi. Why should we strengthen you at our expense?”

Matros spoke, “What’s stopping the Emperor from taking it?”

I closed my eyes and felt the tension shift back in the wrong direction.

“We also didn’t create this so somebody could easily take it. The oceans are filled with predators who die after being enticed to take something. We’ve learned this lesson very well. Must the Volardi discover this for themselves?”

I spoke to change the subject or as much as I could. “Matros… my love, Earth has a special standing because we… they help repopulate the species.” I wish I could’ve found a better word. I snuggled into our child and breathed in his wet scent. He was more than that. A symbol of our union and already precious. Still children like him, gave a backwater planet who could barely reach the moon political power.

I’m sure the other races knew what we got, but I still gave Sammen a breakdown of all the changes that happen on our planet. Overall things are better even if my Pa – and others – weren’t sure who really ruled the planet anymore. We had autonomy, but that’s because we had something they wanted.

To their credit, they were good friends to us. We got the Volardi hand instead of the boot as Matros would say.

I turned to Sammen. “If the Volardi Emperor were to give you his word, could you count on it? Has he ever publicly gone back on a deal?”

They both had tight-lipped expressions. I would say they spoke the words, although spat them out seemed more accurate. “Yes, we could… would believe him.”

“And them?” I pointed to the women as I faced Matros from my chair.

“They hide behind the promises,” he said as his voice rose. “They will say something, and yet leave out important information or go around it.”

“Then make it as specific as possible.” I wasn’t sure if they had space lawyers, but we could use one right now.

“Even if you didn’t trust them,” I said. “You would have the technology and that advantage. The Ryba would have no desire to ruin the agreement. They would keep the letter and spirit of the agreement.”