Interstellar Age

S'varin was taken aback by Erich's suggestion. S'aleth? His good for nothing daughter? Why on earth would this man ask for her to be the ambassador between the Dvrakian Consortium and the Germanic Star-Empire? Unless perhaps he had some kind of ulterior motives towards the girl?

No, that was entirely unlikely. The Germanic Star-Empire was even more harsh on those members of their race who had such thoughts towards other species. Still, S'varin could not grasp why Erich had suggested this, and was quick to ask for an explanation.

"I'm sorry, when you say S'aleth, do you mean my daughter?"

Erich wore a kind smile on his face as he nodded his head before confirming this was exactly what he meant.

"That is correct..."

S'varin still struggled to understand Erich's thinking and was quick to ask for it.

"I don't understand... As far as I'm concerned, S'aleth is the least qualified candidate in my household to be appointed as an ambassador. I mean sure, I can make it happen, but I fear she might cause some diplomatic issues...."

Erich however was the one most perplexed by this statement as he raised his brow while sipping on some tea that was provided to him by his host, before asking one simple question.

"You think so? I have the exact opposite impression of your daughter...."

This only further confused S'varin who asked outright why Erich wanted his daughter as the Dvrakian ambassador.

"I'm lost... Why would you say such a thing?"

Erich was not willing to beat around the bush any further, and outright said what he was thinking even if it might offend the Dvrakian Governor.

"Because your daughter is the only member of your species who hasn't looked at me as if I was some kind of filthy barbarian since I first stepped foot on this world..."

S'varin immeidately stumbled over his words as he tried to deny this was the reality they were living in.

"That's not... I mean there's no way... Surely someone else!"

But before he could finish his thought Erich sighed before forcing the man to be honest with him.

"Let's not pretend to be delusional here Mr. Tavarian. Your people are heavily biased towards my own, as are mine towards yours. However, your daughter seems to be at the very least less biased towards my people.

After one day with her, we got along surprisingly well. Any bias either of us may have had is now gone. In fact, I'd say she has a newfound appreciation of Germanic culture, as I now do Dvrakian culture. If our two civilizations are to form any long-

term alliance, even it is something a simple as a century long trade agreement. We must be able to see through our own biased perspectives towards one another.

As an ambassador to our people, whoever the Consortium selects must be able to look at our perspective without the lense of bias and prejudice, as we must do towards your civilization. I won't lie to you. The current Supreme Leader is about as xenophobic as one gets. As were his predecessors.

But in five years after the Terminus war is over, and I have proven myself a capable leader, he will be stepping down, and I will become the next supreme leader. I am of a far more shall we say "open-minded" perspective. Though I do hate to use that term...

When I come to power, there will be many changes in the Empire, and I will need an ambassador from the consortium who is less prone to view every action I take as one that is potentially hostile. But most importantly I need an ambassador to my people who while cooperative will still look out for the consortiums best interests, because I guarantee you when I assume power there will be those beneath me who will have a far more hawkish agenda towards our neighbors.

Aside from her lack of bias, S'aleth was also a gracious host to me, and we both have a good working relationship. I have no doubt that as an ambassador to me when I become the next Supreme Leader, we will be able to get along and negotiate with one another quite well."

S'varin paused for a moment and thought about everything Erich had said, before asking the most critical question on his mind.

"And you have the power to approve my daughter's entry into the Empire as a foreign diplomat?"

Erich silently nodded his head, confirming this was true. This caused S'varin to sigh in relief as he explained what difficulties lied on the path of appointing his daughter as an ambassador.

"It will be difficult for the Assembly to approve this... S'aleth has no formal training as a diplomat. Sure she was raised in a politician's household, and obviously knows how to properly act in the presence of alien dignitaries. But... That won't be enough to convince the assembly...."

Erich however shook his head at this sentiment, before assuring S'varin that it would be taken care of.

"You can relax, Mr. Tavarian... Once the Assembly learns that S'aleth has been pre-approved with a diplomatic visa. They will have no choice but to accept her as the Consortium's ambassador to the Empire.

After all, the Empire does not issue diplomatic visas lightly. And if we have already issued one to a member of your species, it is virtually impossible that we will decide to issue another. At least not one that recognizes your diplomat as an ambassador.

Once it is in our records, it doesn't matter if the assembly agrees or not. As far as the Empire is concerned, S'aleth will be the only ambassador from the Dvrakian Consortium that is approved to enter our borders."

S'varin stared at Erich once more at a loss for words. He could not believe that Erich had already thought this through so much. He was just about to ask if this was at all possible when Erich reached into his pocket and pulled out an electronic device, which he handed to the Dvrakian Governor.

"Have your daughter use this device. Once it processes and scans her DNA sample, S'aleth will be considered the official ambassador from the Dvrakian Consortium. She will have no problems getting into our borders after that. Even if the assembly rejects the notion of her being the ambassador, the Empire will reject any other application for such a position."

S'varin stared at the device which was designed to scan a living being with all biological information of the being with an intense look on his face. He then sighed heavily after several seconds passed before resting his forehead on the palm of his hand.

"I know I have said it before, but your people are far more cunning than we have ever thought..."