Interstellar Age

Yumi kept staring at Erich throughout the night... It was abundantly clear to everyone at the table that something was going on between the two of them. In this life, Erich had been exceptionally careful to disguise his intentions towards alien women. That was a reputation that followed him until the end of his past life. One that had many negative consequences.

Having learned this lesson, Erich had taken things exceptionally slowly with S'aleth, and had gone out of his way to bury any evidence that might have existed about his one-night stand with Yumi. But Yumi never forgot about Erich. In fact, she had become even more obsessed with the man in this life.

After all, his accomplishments were far superior in this new lease on life, or at least what he had officially achieved during the few years he had been able to live since returning to his 18th year. Thus, Yumi was quite flirtatious with Erich, coming on stronger than made him feel comfortable.

It was precisely because of this that she indulged a bit too much in drink, and stated something that was not supposed to be said in the open.

"So... Supreme Leader Epp... When will you be finally be stepping down? After all, don't you think it's about time that your handsome young successor finally gets a chance to take the reins?"

This comment nearly caused the Supreme Leader to choke on his wine, While Erich facepalmed at Yumi's boldness. The Germanic were not ones who appreciate such boldness when said boldness revealed in a public setting a secret that was of dire importance, especially one that would be important to the future of their race.

But Yumi had so boldly announced this in the open, luckily for them there were no reporters around and thus when she saw her host's mortified expression she sighed and rolled her eyes before begging him not to behave as if this secret wasn't already something that everyone of importance in the region was already aware of.

"Oh, come on now, Hans. Do you really want me to keep quiet about the most well-known secret in this sector of space?"

The Supreme leader was visibly upset, but chose to roll his eyes and ignore Yumi's lack of decorum. She had always been like this, ever since he first assumed the position of Supreme Leader. Despite her playful personality, the woman was quite fearsome. She was both a valuable ally to have, and a dreaded enemy.

It was better to get along with her and her kind, especially since they shared many of the same beliefs as the Empire, and in a galaxy full of enemies, allies were a welcome sight. Thus, he responded to her question, albeit with a slightly irritated tone in his gruff voice.

"I will step down in a few years when Erich here has demonstrated his ability to properly lead the nation. And not a second before!"

This, of course, caused Yumi to come to an understanding where she once more bluntly stated the hidden meaning behind Hans's words.

"So what you mean to say is that after the Empire has secured its survival against the Terminus invasion, you will hand over the ropes to Erich? A wise plan, one I expected to hear, but must admit I am anything but patient to wait for!

Hans, you need to let my people in on this military alliance of yours! You know as well as I do that my people are capable warriors, and will be a greater asset than the Dvrakians will in the fight that is to come! Besides, if your people were to fall we would be next in line for those dreadful bugs, and I would prefer not to fight them on our home turf...."

The way Yumi said this last part was so deliberate and emphasized that it was a not-so-subtle hint that she knew exactly why the Germanic Star-Empire approached the Dvrakian Consortium with the prospect of a military alliance.

This caused Erich and Hans to look at each other before both of them sighed heavily. They decided that since the cat was out of the bag, they might as well reveal it to Yumi. With Erich taking the prominent position in these negotiations.

"Are you sure you wish to do this? Sending your forces into the front lines in the hopes that we will succeed is a dangerous risk... One that I feel as if you are vastly underestimating..."

Yumi was far more intelligent and cunning than Erich liked to give her credit for, perhaps because she masterfully wielded a playful and non serious facade. But she narrowed her eyes at the man and was quick to assure him that she had properly thought this course of action through.

"If you both weren't confident in an victory against Terminus, then by now Hans and his entire regime would have fled the Empire, leaving it open for a coup from a despot, who would refuse to relinquish his power when the time came for the true heir to ascend...

If Hans is that confident of his chances of survival that he would choose to stay and fight. Then it means that everyone is underestimating you guys. What exactly are the two of you hiding that would allow you to defeat a Naraku Hive Fleet?

Even if it is a splinter fleet, it still managed to destroy an Alfheim Fleet along with the entirety of the Rylonian Imperium minus a few million refugees. So if you have a plan to defeat them, I would love to hear it..."

Erich shook his head silently towards Hans revealing that he did not want to reveal the latest extent of the rapid technological development the Germanic Star-Empire had achieved over the last three and a half years. And Hans was in agreement.

Nothing good could come from revealing the existence of Tia besides to the few chosen trusted individuals who already knew about her existence. And thus, Erich left Yumi pouting as he denied giving her an answer.

"I'm sorry, but that's classified.... If you wish to join this alliance, you will have to do so under the same ignorance of our current military capabilities that the Dvrakian Consortium currently operates under..."

Yumi did not say another word after hearing this, and simply pouted in silence as she watched Erich return his attention towards S'aleth. A relationship that the mature Oni Queen was desperate to interrupt.