P R O L O G U E
"It is revealed by a suspicious article from a suspicious anonymous source that nine out of ten suspicious figures are in some sort of suspicious secret alliance with another suspicious figure."
-- The Intergalactic Inquirer, Issue# 12,345,678,987,654,321

They met at the ship's deck, and they sat at the table set for them beforehand. There was no one else near their meeting area as the Grand Commander had ordered. No surveillance cameras were in sight, no microphones were hidden in the walls. The most loyal guards of the imperial army were posted outside, and were ordered to shoot anyone who attempted to enter the room by force. This was a top-secret meeting, and only a few lucky ones knew about it.

The Grand Commander sat across from the Ambassador, as his kind liked to call him, and watched as he ate one of the many fruits laid out on the table for mere decoration and form. The Grand Commander hissed in irritation. "You have not answered my question," he snarled.

The Ambassador looked up at the Grand Commander, as he was a great deal shorter than him, and said, "Well, if you insist, old friend. Progress on the war has been wonderful, of course. I kept my end of the bargain and got what you wanted me to. It should be delivered to you soon enough by a trusted officer of mine."

The Grand Commander leaned back in his chair, glaring at the Ambassador who was calmly popping some more fruits into his mouth. "Who?" he demanded.

The Ambassador shrugged, his mouth full. He chewed slowly, and then swallowed. "I can't tell you," he said after a moment's pause. "Security reasons, you understand. I can't have you take the item by force and leave me with the bad end of the deal."

"I need to know if I can trust him."

"Well, you can. If you don't, you can shoot him and then take the item. Either way is fine."

The Grand Commander paused, considering the offer. "I see. And where will I meet him?"

"I'll let you know when I work out the details." The Ambassador gave a satisfied sigh. "Where did you get these fruits, Commander? They're simply sublime."

"Has there been any trouble?" the Grand Commander said, ignoring the question.

The Ambassador paused. "Maybe," he said slowly. "But rest assured, if it does come up, I know how to deal with it. The fear of death is a great motivator at times." He got off his chair and walked over to the deck's giant window, and stared down at the blue planet beneath him. "Hmm, I trust that your work with the Pekopanjins are going well?"

The Grand Commander scowled. "It's coming along slowly. They are a surprisingly hardy race."

"I see," said the Ambassador. "Well, I'll be going now. Take care of yourself, old friend."

The Grand Commander watched as the small alien took his leave and scoffed to himself. He was a pompous fool, that one, but he was dangerous as well. He tapped his long fingers on the table, and murmured to himself, "You always have to cut the loose ends sooner or later."

The Grand Commander tapped on the radio on his wrist and said, "General?"

A crackle of static. Then: "Yes, sir?"

"When the Ambassador's man hands over the item, kill him. Then schedule another meeting with the Ambassador. When he comes, kill him as well."

"Understood sir."

The Grand Commander switched off his radio and leaned forward, hands folded together as he glared at the door, his mind whirring with a new plan...