"Let me look into it," Tamerlane finally said after a few moments of tense quiet. Beka had long since become accustomed to the way in which the young Nietzschean leader could go from smiling to scowling, happy to angry, approachable to inaccessible. He was moody and ruthless and his mind was always running in overdrive, evaluating all of his options, before making his decisions.

He came around the desk and leaned back against it. He crossed his long legs at the ankles and looked at her for a moment. She knew he was waiting for her to respond negatively to his procrastination, so she didn't.

"Give me," he looked from her to Tyr then around the room as he seemed to consider the course of action he must take and the time it would take him. Beak knew he had already made his decision. He was just drawing it out, making her stew, to give the illusion he was considering how long the decision would take him. "Three days. Then we will meet and discuss it once again."

"Give me your assurance that the World Barons will not move on the planet while you and I are … negotiating," Beka challenged him. She felt a small sense of triumph that it appeared that he might actually consider her request. She knew this entire time of consideration might just be a farce to appease her. However, he had not denied her request outright which was what she had been expecting.

"You have my assurance," Tamerlane agreed quickly. Beka allowed her skepticism to show on her face. She did not trust Tamerlane Anasazi's word any more than she did any other Nietzschean. For all she knew his agreement to consider her request was strictly to give him time to have his world barons descend on the planet like locusts.

"What?" Tamerlane raised his eyebrows at her expression. "You do not trust me, Rebecca Hawkins?"

"You're Nietzschean, Tamerlane," Beka replied as she leaned forward to pat his forearm. "I've learned to be … skeptical … that a Nietzschean's word means much. Unless of course, they get something out of it. You get nothing by forbidding their exploitation of the planet. Assure me that your fleet will not invade the system which encompasses Caela. Assure me that your Wrold Barons will not launch any offensives against a planet of unsuspecting, unadvanced beings for any reason. Assure me that all Nietzscheans stay away from the system and the planet while we … negotiate."

Tamerlane growled softly as his eyes narrowed on her. Beka saw Tyr stir out of the corner of her eye but he settled back in place. Tamerlane drew in a long breath as he stared at her.

"You and I have enjoyed a rather … comfortable … working relationship for years," Tamerlane shifted where he stood. He studied Beka intently as the moments seemed to pass slowly. "Few would ever come into my office and demand anything and then question me as you have."

"I am one of the few who were around to save your ass when you were just a baby," Beka pointed out. Tamerlane shrugged as he glanced over at his father.

"I do not believe you did anything to save … me … specifically," Tamerlane's gaze remained on Tyr for a long moment before turning back to Beka. "In fact, you did not even know I was alive when I was a child."

"If I had known you existed, I would have risked my life to save you just as I did your father on numerous occasions," Beka referred to his early childhood. Beka had not known Tamerlane when he was young. She had only met him about seven years ago when she began journeying to Arctos to meet with the young Nietzschean ruler at Tyr's behest. Tamerlane needed an ally within the Commonwealth business world and Tyr had encouraged their professional relationship from the beginning. "However, I have patched you up a few times when Tyr was kicking your ass around the gardens."

"I was an adolescent," Tamerlane protested strongly when Beka brought forward the memories of Tyr's ruthless pursuit of teaching Tamerlane to fight and kill during his teen years on the planet. Tamerlane and Tyr's training sessions had become more brutal and deadly the older Tamerlane became. There had been times in the past when passions ran high and both were fortunate to not be injured too badly.

"Precisely. You were a growing child," Beka pointed to him. "You are no longer a child. I am dealing with a full grown, full blooded, ambitious Nietzschean male. Don't treat me like some stupid kludge who hasn't the faintest idea who you are and what you are capable of."

"ASHAN," Tamerlane called into the air. A moment later the door opened. The aide from outside hurried into the room much quicker than Beka thought he might be able to move based on his appearance.

"Yes, my lord," Ashan said as he came to stand beside Beka's chair. Beka looked over at Tyr who gazed from Tamerlane to her with an unreadable expression.

"Send a message to …" Tamerlane turned to pick up the flexi off his desk. "Fleet Admiral Gulkov. Send duplicate transmissions to Archduke Bisantine," Tamerlane pondered for a moment. "Regent Yemal and King Saghine. Tell them there is to be no further action in the Chameaus sector, most especially the proposed first contact with Caela."

"Yes, my lord," Ashan said as he scribbled down the message.

"Make sure it is sent with express urgency," Tamerlane looked at Beka. "I want it there before the sun sets here today."

"Yes, Sir," Ashan jotted down that note.

"Will that be all, Sire?" Ashan asked when Tamerlane moved from his place before Beka. Tamerlane nodded.

"Ashan," Tamerlane stopped the man before he got to the door. Tamerlane moved back before Beka, leaned against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze locked on Beka's.

"Add to the message," Tamerlane tilted his head as he looked her over. Beka could see the hard expression cloud his eyes. "Any person or persons not heeding my directive will be dealt with most severely. Each World Baron will be responsible for the actions of anyone under their jurisdiction. Bisantine, Yemal, and Saghine are responsible for everyone in the area. If anyone disobeys this directive, ask those three males to be so kind as to forward a written request for his replacement." Tamerlane glanced at Ashan. "That will be all."

"I knew there was a reason I liked you," Beka smiled when the door shut behind Ashan. "Authority suites you. You are open and direct and leave no room for question. Do as I say or die … ruthless to the point of extremity."

"Ahhh flattery," Tamerlane uncrossed his arms and placed his hands on the edge of the desk. "What else can I do for you Rebecca?"

"I need a little favor," Beka turned off her flexi and stuffed it back in her briefcase.

"The Commonwealth? The FTA? You? Or your freebooters' association?" Tamerlane asked with a soft sigh of exasperation.

"A little of each," Beka shrugged without further comment. She knew narrowing it down would influence his decision. He might help her. He might help her freebooters as he liked to call the independent shippers. She would be hard pressed to get him to do anything for the Commonwealth or FTA without some serious quid pro quo. "Field Marshall Culan is becoming a royal pain in my ass."

"Acheron," Tamerlane nodded with a deep sigh.

"All have been granted free movement through the system by the Nietzschean Empire," Beka stood and paced a few steps from Tamerlane. The intensity of his gaze at times unsettled her. It was comparable to Tyr's. The difference being Beka was fairly certain Tyr wouldn't kill her. With Tamerlane, Beka wasn't always sure when she had pushed him too far. "Culan has begun passively targeting ships with the missile battery's targeting arrays. The arrays are not active. No action has been taken as of today. However, I find it hostile and suspicious. I refuse to deal with him any longer. The Commonwealth couriers and all transporters I represent will either stop being harassed or find other routes."

"So now Culan is a pain in my ass as well," Tamerlane shook his head as he looked at the floor.

"We pay the required fees," Beka began to lay out her argument. Tamerlane looked up at her, his harsh gaze telling her to stop talking.

"Your courier fees are not in question," Tamerlane put up a hand when Beka tried to speak again. "If you bypass Acheron, you will venture into Kalderan space."

"Worried about me and my associates?" Beka asked glibly.

"I prefer the fees remain in the coffers of the Nietzschean Empire. Not those lizards," Tamerlane shook his head without responding to her baiting. He looked over at Tyr.

"Who is next in line?" Tamerlane asked his father. Beka looked over as Tyr seemed to think.

"Schuli," Tyr replied as he shook his head no. "However, he will fail if you put him in that position. His replacement Semerkhet is more amicable."

"Then we have Culan and Schuli replaced by Semerkhet," Tamerlane nodded as he looked back at Beka. "Done. I am sure you will find him more to your liking. What more do you have planned for me this trip Rebecca?"

"Every time I come here, you act as if I am twisting your arm in ways you think are unfair," Beka walked over and stood in front of him. "You asked for me, remember?"

"If memory serves," Tamerlane stood to his full height before Beka. She was forced to look up at him when he did so. "The Nietzschean Empire demanded you, Rebecca. You serve as liaison for the entire Nietzschean people to the Commonwealth and FTA. In a way, I did ask for you when my father sought you as my liaison when I was just beginning my independent rule. However, you often seem to push your own agenda, not just that which is official business."

"Of course I push my own agenda," Beka put up her hands and scoffed. "If I didn't, you'd think me weak or unenterprising."

"So Nietzschean," Tamerlane gave her an approving look as he replied after a long pause. "Are you certain you weren't adopted by your Human parents?"

"All Human," Beka pointed to her forearms as she returned to her seat.

"Is our business concluded?" Tamerlane asked as he sat back down at his desk. Beka nodded.

"How are Isabella and Katarina?" Beka asked about Tamerlane's twin wives. He had been married a little less than a year Beka believed. Beka had been rather shocked to find out Tamerlane had married two females at nearly the same time. Her surprise was furthered when she learned he had married twin sisters, some years older than Tamerlane, from a pride that Beka knew very little about.

"They are both doing quite well," he gestured toward his father. "In fact, since your last visit, they have made Tyr a grandfather."

"Grandpa?" Beka looked at Tyr and smiled. "You're pleased, I'm sure."

"One day I have no grandchildren," Tyr rose from his place on the sofa. "In less than a day, I have four. I am pleased."

"Four?" Beka looked at Tamerlane with a surprised expression.

"Twins runs in their familial line," Tamerlane leaned forward to shift some flexis on his desk.

"Each gave birth to twins – one son and one daughter," Tyr informed Beka when Tamerlane failed to elaborate on Tyr's grandchildren.

"How are you?" Tyr asked as he moved over and sat in the chair beside Beka. Now that business was concluded, Tyr felt he and Beka could chat a few moments before she left.

"Busy as hell," Beka pointed toward her bulging briefcase. "Other than that, I am fine. You?"

"I am doing well," Tyr said as he looked at her for a long moment. Beka's gaze remained on him as she felt herself get lost in his warm brown eyes. Over the years, while coming to Arktos on business, Beka and Tyr caught up on the general going ons in their lives. There conversations were always brief because Beka was there on business. However, the energy that flowed between them whenever they were together was the same as it had been all those years ago.

Tamerlane watched the interaction between the two as they spoke with one another. He wondered what was communicated when they looked at each other like that. They seemed oblivious to the outside world at times when Rebecca could visit and she and his father would talk. Quite often, Tamerlane would have to interrupt to get Beka back on track of their business meetings or to get her out of the office when he had other meetings. Tamerlane was unaware of his father and Beka spending any time alone in private while she visited. He had only known them to spend time together, talking, when at some meeting or function on Arktos.

"Your suite has been readied for your visit," Tamerlane spoke up a few minutes later. He had been reviewing some of the limited information Beka had provided for him concerning Caela while they chatted. Beka and Tyr were quietly chatting and acting as if he were not there.

"My suite?" Beka asked without looking away from Tyr.

"Your demands and negotiations take days, recently. I have arranged for something a little larger and more private," Tamerlane replied as he looked between the two. Years ago, she had been assigned quarters in the visitors' portion of the palace. For this visit, he had moved Beka's quarters to a larger suite of rooms that were normally used to house visiting dignitaries or other people important within the Empire. Those suites were rarely used once Tamerlane found out that housing one world baron in the visitors' quarters and another in the dignitaries' suites had resulted in some believing they were more important than the others. Usually, the visitors to Arktos were assigned quarters based on first come first serve. Consideration was given to those who brought wives or children with them on their trip. Now, all visitors were relegated to the visitors' portion of the palace where the rooms were smaller and less opulent. Beka was going to basically be alone in the area she would be staying. "I assumed this time would be no different. You are welcome to stay at the palace unless you have arranged other accommodations."

"I was going to just stay on my ship," Beka replied as her eyes left Tyr and moved over to Tamerlane. Normally, her trips to Arktos were short. At times, she had stayed in a small visitor room on the far side of the palace. "Since I will be here at least three more days, I think I will take you up on your offer. Thank you."

She stood up and gathered her things.

"Ashan will arrange for someone to escort you to your suite and have your belongings retrieved from your ship," Tamerlane offered as he tapped on the console to send the man outside the door an alert.

"I'll leave you now," Beka pointed to his desk before she started toward the door. "I'm sure you have more pressing matters than listening to your father and I reminisce."

"Rebecca," Tamerlane's voice stopped her just as she got to the door. She turned and looked back at him. He got up and walked over to her. In a lower voice he asked, "Join me for dinner tonight?"

"Dinner?" Beka was surprised by his invitation. She had attended dinners at the palace before but they were usually for all visitors to the palace and were business related. An invitation to a private dinner with Tamerlane was unheard of within Nietzschean circles. She studied him intently for a moment, wondering just what he was up to. After a brief consideration, curiosity won out and she nodded. "Dinner would be nice."

"Eight?" He asked. Beka nodded. "I will have something sent up for you to wear. We will dine on the southern portico."

"Sounds nice," Beka looked passed Tamerlane.

"Bye Tyr," Beka called over to him. He looked over his shoulder at her.

"Goodbye Beka," he said before picking up a flexi and starting to read it.

Tamerlane waited until the door closed behind Beka. He walked back over and leaned on his desk once again. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Tyr. A few moments of his heavy gaze and Tyr looked up from the flexi.

"May I ask you a question?" Tamerlane finally said. Tyr nodded.

"Why have you never taken that woman into your bed?"