"They're more technologically advanced than we are, so there is a certain amount of deference given," she began slowly. Working as a diplomat required her to be more thoroughly educated on the history between the human race and other intelligent species in the galaxy than other citizens. There was a plethora of information on the Syshin, as they had been absorbed into the empire due to their subjective inferiority, but when it came to the Kalderi the foot was on the other figurative foot. There was an implicit understanding that the Kalderi, if they were so inclined, could obliterate humanity as handily as they had prior to The Collapse. Even the most pompous noble did not dare to negotiate the sale of precious pieces of art with a hint of arrogance or aggression. They feared the strength of the Kalderi just as they had made the Syshin fear them.

"That being said, while they are distrusting, they are not unreasonable," Solae asserted. "Officially we believe the Jeweled Armada could have continued on its path of destruction but elected not to do so. Merchants report that contact with them is cordial so long as they are fair with their exchanges. I'm confident they will not shoot us down on our approach," she elaborated as that was perhaps the most important point to make, "since they respond to aggression but do not themselves seem to incite it when they have ample opportunity." The buffer zone was maintained by the Kalderi but, when the odd ship drifted too close due to a navigational error or due a malfunction that culminated in loss of piloting functions, they were merely escorted out. Gaining an audience would be trickier, but they were significantly less dangerous to approach for a parley than the coup's forces.

"My theory is that in their eyes humans are an invasive pest that, unprovoked, murdered their colonists. Whatever empress or emperor was on the throne at the time would have swiftly retaliated had the Stellar Empire been the victim instead. There is no incentive for them to bridge an alliance, either. Humanity enslaved the other aliens they came across, which paints a callous picture, one of us as warmongers," the duchess explained. "If we can show them otherwise they might be persuaded to assist. They consume our great works, so they have interest in some of our endeavors, just not all. If we show humility and empathy it will be a side of ourselves that is more palatable. Having two Syshin guards will help prove we're not cut from the same cloth as Duke Tan."

"More selfishly, though, I want to be the one to bridge the gap," she admitted as she closed her eyes and let herself rest a moment. Her mind was still whirling through the images of her studies on the pre-Collapse expansion, but her body was relaxed, and the mattress felt heavenly beneath her back. "No one really tries. We're so self-focused we forget about all the wonders still out there," she added more wistfully, a quiet yearning in her voice. "I want to see what their cities are like, what animals are in their forests, hear their language, talk about what stories they pass down to their children, hear about the traditions of their ancestors, or what common ailments we have. I'd be happy just to have a tour, to shake their hands with a smile, and then leave to do battle against Duke Tan by ourselves. Wouldn't it be amazing to just say we've met them?"

The duchess fell silent but a moment and then gave an impish grin. "Do you think if the Kalderi married us that the empress would be forced to recognize it through any new treaties? We could make it an absolute necessity," she laughed lightly, ever-focused on cementing this union with her fiance. There were worse fixations a woman could have about the most important person in her life. Giving a sigh of resignation she curled up and looked at him more seriously.

"You're not well enough to take on a mission right now, so if we're going to recruit bodyguards before we're forced to leave Zatis, I may have to do this without you," she told him softly. "Rosaria and I won't be able to handle a shoot out no matter what weapons Ten can provide. I might have to... purchase them, or compel someone to let me buy them, as much as I would prefer not to support the business. If we're cheated then we can have a firefight," she suggested, "but not before." Rene would not be pleased with this plan. The duchess and the teenager were not soldiers and having them out of view for any length of time, while engaging in a high risk situation, was bound to make him exceedingly uncomfortable.

"Do you have any criteria for what we should be looking for? Traits that would be more beneficial than others? I trust your judgment more than Rosaria's in selecting someone with the right aptitude. I can gauge their general disposition but I'm less adept at analyzing physical and mental qualities that translate into the best marine material."