Still oozing an air of contempt, Lonacia sarcastically replied, Good Sentar? Good Sentar? Dad, I wish you would quit polishing apples. This guy is from the Empire and we all know what we can expect from him. When have we ever had dealings with anyone from the precious Empire where we could call the garbage good?
Topec quickly interrupted. Excuse me, Allegiant. Did I hear her call you Dad?
Yes, sighed Arion, She is my daughter.
Surprised by this revelation, Topec laughingly retorted, That explains a lot. No wonder you tolerate her. You dont have much of a choice in the matter. Now I know why you disguise yourself and leave this place for extended excursions through beast infested forests.
Arion shrugged his shoulders. She is a little feisty, but she is very valuable when it comes to assisting me, a fact you will soon see for yourself.
Topec shook his head. Things on this planet just keep getting more and more strange. I understand you believe your faith in her is well founded, I, however, have some grave doubts.
Lonacia entered the room guiding a levitated server that was artfully arranged with a wide selection of fresh foods. As he was used to the bland looking synthetic foods that were approved by the labs back home, Topec didnt recognize most of what was on the plates. There were reds and greens and yellows and a multitude of other colors that were quite different from the standard greys of the syn-food. The items he did recognize were more of the same he had tasted while on his journey through the mountains with Zedarius, or more correctly, Arion.
He wasnt quite as leery about the food now as he had been when he first saw it in the stalls at the market after he had arrived on the planet surface. Then it had looked completely foreign and repugnant. After having been forced to sample some of it the past few days due to the lack of availability of any other food, he was almost looking forward to exploring these new taste sensations even further. The thing he liked most about it was the way it filled his stomach. Syn-foods always filled him, but didnt particularly leave any sort of satisfaction. He had discovered the organic foods they ate on this planet were enjoyably filling, and left him with a certain sensation of contentedness. And there was a lot of it on those plates.
The three of them filled their personal plates and sat down at the table. Topec, though grateful for the food and hospitality, resolved that he was not going to let any extemporaneous distractions unduly influence his stance on the negotiations which were at hand. He had been involved in far too many others to let the comradery he had developed with Arion, disguised as Zedarius, or the ample array of food sway his judgement or lessen his intentions in one way or another. He was on a mission for the Emperor and his representation of the Emperor was all that mattered to him at this time. He did find Lonacias physical charms to be distracting, but at least her personality negated that distraction and wouldnt hinder the intense debate which he knew was about to take place.
The conversation, as they ate the food which had been prepared, was polite and nondescript between Arion and Topec. Lonacia, on the other hand, continued to coldly glare across the table at the contemptible representative of the Empire. Everything she loathed in life was embodied in the person with whom she was now face to face.
The ruthless way the Imperial Forces had treated the people of Ariondach, and had coerced all authoritative leaders of Ariondach to seek admittance into one of the most despicable entities she had ever encountered, continued to gall her. If her father hadnt pointedly requested her restraint, she would now be off supporting the resistance movement instead of sitting across from this reprobate.
Why this Sentar was meeting with her father instead of the Planet Council was still a mystery to her, since the Allegiant had no official authority to speak on behalf of the government. The Planet Council didnt even know this vile slime was on the planet, as far as she knew. What was it the Emperor was trying to do, given his reputation for deceit and double talk? This Topec was either as smooth as the Emperor or just plain stupid. All this talk of negotiating a treaty and entrance into the Empire was nothing more than a sham. It was evident from the troop placement around the country that Ariondach was either going to join the Empire, or be subjected to complete submission by way of invasion.
Lonacia was so deep in her angry thoughts concerning the Empire that she was not hearing a word that was being said by either of the men until she was brought back to reality by reference to her in the conversation.
Allegiant, how is it that a person of your candor and poise is able to have a daughter of such questionable social etiquette? Topec was asking.
Please, call me Arion. Allegiant is much too formal for what we have to discuss. As to my daughter, I dont always approve of some of the things she does, but as she was growing up, I taught her to be independent and truthful. There are times she is too truthful and far too independent. And unfortunately, it has proven to be a source of embarrassment at inopportune times. I didnt emphasize enough the art of being diplomatic and subtle, I guess, Arion replied.
Arion studied Topec for several minutes before venturing, Sentar, what I have to discuss with you has nothing to do with the relationship between the people of Ariondach and the Empire. The information which Im about to divulge at this time may or may not alter the very course of your life, depending on how you embrace the things I am about to reveal to you.
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