Crossover The Greater Game (Babylon 5/BattleTech)

15

Geneva
Earth

"I think we can call it a success." Director Chapel was reserved but mostly pleased. "The trade deal is done, the non-aggression treaty signed, the borders are formalised, and we should have a direct secure commsline to New Avalon within the next couple of months."

"Sounds like we have everything we wanted." President Levy was also cautiously optimistic. "Are there any issues? Anything that might come back and bite us?"

"We don't think so, provided the Davions play fair and keep their end of the deal up, we should be fine." Chapel reassured her. "If they do prove trustworthy, we can look at expanding trade into other sectors."

"Senator Clark has been talking constantly about selling medical supplies to these new powers." Levy exhaled. "His voice, but William Edgar's words."

"There may be a demand for it soon." General Denisov joined. "News reports from the Federated Suns indicate a major battle shaping up at a planet called New Aragon."

"They're fighting the Capellans, the party we were going to try and contact next." Chapel stated. "But given the now heightened tensions, we're going to try the Draconis Combine."

"Draconis is considered one of the more militant factions, correct?"

"Yes Madam President, dealing with them will require a very different approach."

They wouldn't be the first aggressive nation the Earth Alliance had made terms with. Initial contact with the Narn was violent and sparked a minor border war, but ultimately things had stabilized rather well. It had required a balance of diplomacy and military posturing, perhaps something similar would be necessary here.

"Have we managed to schedule a meeting?"

"It's being brokered by Comstar, these are the guys who run the existing FTL communication system." Chapel explained. "But it turns out their influence extends well beyond keeping the commslines open. If they have the ability to set up meetings with senior leaders like this, they are definitely pulling on more strings than they want us to know."

"They wanted to re-establish a base on Tortuga too, didn't they?"

"Correct Madam President, they have a transmitter there, which they disabled. We had some people look over it, but all the key components were missing, so we have no real insight into how their comms works," Chapel said with clear disappointment. "Letting them back in could help us figure out what they are doing, but on the other hand, they refuse any oversight of their operations, which is a potential minefield."

"Like having a small unaccountable sovereign nation sitting right there, handling communications." Denisov winced. "I don't think its an optimal solution, even if they are only talking to stations back within the Inner Sphere."

"I'd be open to the idea if they submitted to the same oversight as any other corporation operating within our space." Levy allowed. "If they want to work with us, then they have to work within the rules."

"I can get that message out to them, but I wouldn't expect them to compromise on it."

"How about Ambassadors?" Levy asked. "Have we selected someone for New Avalon?"

"The Senate has narrowed it down, we just need your signature." Chapel nodded. "Nice safe bets. We're also building a diplomatic quarter on Tortuga in expectation of hosting other Ambassadors. It is the recommendation of the EIA that, at this time, we do not reveal the location or even the existence of Earth."

"The Joint Chiefs agree, Madam President. We should send everything through Tortuga instead." Denisov echoed. "And restrict any travel to KF equipped vessels."

"No jump gate, then?"

"Not at this time, Madam President. Best to keep some things secret until we are fully aware of the strategic situation."

"Which we won't know until we've assessed each major power." Levy realized. "That will be a while."

"We are recommending a second diplomatic mission." Chapel raised the suggestion. "While Secretary Sheridan does the rounds of the big houses, I'd suggest sending a second team to visit the periphery nations. The Taurians, Aurigans, and Canopus to start with."

"Any ideas on who to send?"

"Frederick Lantze, one of our Ambassadors at large, did a lot of good work with the League and Centauri." Chapel suggested. "Talented, but a safe bet."

"How do we get him there?"

"The first production batch of our new drives are ready to use." General Denisov informed. "We have Earth Force Two undergoing refit right now, and the first six of our restored scouts."

"The ELINT ships?" Chapel recalled.

"That's right, they are light explorer vessels by design, pressed into combat support roles. We've returned them to the Explorer Division and they are going to be used to survey planets around us. This whole region is apparently uncharted, with luck we'll find some useful resources."

"Like Quantium Forty?" Levy recognized the value of that.

"Yes Madam President, and other materials necessary for warship production."

"The Omega class."

"Correct, Madam President, and hopefully the Warlock class in the not too distant future."

"Will these ships give us what we need to fight the Minbari?"

"We believe so, though there are no guarantees." Denisov admitted. "We will begin mass production, devote as much of our resources as we can in preparation of returning and finishing the fight."

Which of course brought the obvious question. "Any progress on that? Reversing our position?"

"No, Madam President." Denisov spoke honestly. "Our scientific community hasn't worked out exactly what happened to drop us here in the first place. Trying to recreate the incident without understanding it is considered very unwise."

"So we might be here for a while then?"

"Which is why it is important to secure our position in this current reality." Chapel reinforced the idea. "Expanding our resource base, strengthening Earth Force, developing new technology. We wanted to buy some time to improve our chances against the Minbari, well, we got it."

"And now we have to use it." Denisov spoke confidently. "Rebuild our fleet, modernize it, be ready to retake our colonies."

"And if we can never go back?"

"Then I suppose, Madam President, we make the best of what we can here." Denisov reasoned. "Stake out some territory here, where nobody else cares about, and expand away from the big powers."

"Something for the Explorer division, which will be much faster thanks to our new drive systems." Chapel noted. "For now though, we can move forward with our trade deals, open up some embassies, and see how well the next round of diplomacy goes."

---

Cooperland
Fort Dayan

Michael Garibaldi didn't know exactly what to expect. He had reasoned it would be a little different to his previous deployments, but he wasn't ready to see a large barrel-like machine stomping across a field with a dozen white coated scientists chasing after it like baby ducks following their mother. The machine made it a few hundred yards until it reached a gentle hill, at which point it snagged its metal foot and promptly fell flat. Even from half a mile away, he could hear the groans and angry shouting, one scientist literally jumping up and down in anger.

"AI control version six, failure." A female voice remarked from a nearby vantage point. "Scrub the software and start again."

He angled over to the individual, scruffy with dark circles around her eyes, dictating into a data tablet. She looked mostly scientific, so he reasoned she might be able to set him on his path.

"Hi, hey, this a bad time?"

"No." In the distance, the tumbled mech burst into flame. "This is fine, everything is fine. Are you here about the budget?"

"No, it's my first day assigned here, mech division."

"Oh thank Einstein's restless ghost." The scientist exhaled, a massive weight leaving her. "I don't know why this isn't working. How hard is it to walk in a straight line?"

"He doesn't look like the most stable machine."

"Humpty is perfect in every way!" The scientist defended. "Apart from motive stability."

"Well I can see you're pretty busy here, with the fire extinguishing and cranes, so I just need to know where the pilot lab is."

"Pilot..." Recognition dawned. "You have to be Lieutenant Garibaldi then, right?"

"That's right, fresh and ready to get in over my head."

"Lot of that going around. You better follow me."

She backed away from the minor disaster, waving him after her.

"Come on, this way, I have a neuro helmet waiting for you."

"Right, is that good?"

"It is if you want your mech to stay upright." She replied. "Angela Ginelli by the way, I'm looking after the mech team until they let me play with hyperspace again."

"Who's they?"

"The entire scientific community, apparently I was becoming a danger to myself and others, so I'm here for a while to cool off. Nice in theory, lots of plants, fresh air, but it fails a bit when I have to handle walking machines that can't. Sometimes I just want to throw things down some stairs."

"I can get that." Garibaldi related. "So you're figuring out how they work?"

"Not exactly, people on Earth are doing that with another batch of machines. This team is seeing if we can integrate our technology with these mechs. So far, nope, we can't." She gritted her teeth. "Damn things do not want to stand up straight, work fine with a pilot but automated gyro stabilization is difficult."

The pair entered one of the plain concrete buildings and she led the newly minted officer through a maze of corridors.

"Good news is the helmet was easy to shrink down, just needed to use some smaller components." She cracked open the door to a lab. "Take a look at the originals we had to work with."

She pointed at a massive device that looked like it belonged in a medieval dungeon.

"Yours is here." She picked up a far more normal looking gunship pilot's helmet. "Still a little heavy but at least you can move your head. Come on, sit down, lets calibrate it."

Garibaldi did as told, Ginelli cramming the helmet onto his head before plugging in several wires and firing up a console to begin the process.

"I'm hoping we can make this wireless for the production models, but right now I have to plug you in. If at any time you smell burning, that's not normal. You need to tell me."

"Burning? Wait a sec..."

"And we're on." Ginelli set to work. "Now this device picks up your brain waves and helps translate that into a control signal for your machine. Basically uses your sense of balance and motion to stop it falling flat like Humpty."

"So it reads my mind?"

"A little bit, we're still working on specifics." Ginelli wiggled her hand. "It's an area of active study, so you need to tell us if you have visions, blackouts, swelling of the brain, or sudden death."

"You'll be the first to know."

"It should be fine, its a very weak connection and there's no return signals. I think." The system beeped. "Okay, done, keep this helmet with you. All the mechs have a universal connector and the controls are neutral, so any pilot can use any of them. The General wanted it that way."

"So I'm done?"

"You are, mosey on down the corridor and your quarters are there. Look forward to seeing you out there, Mister Garibaldi!"

"Look forward to being out there."

---

Garibaldi barely had time to unload his gear before the work began, his link calling him to the small briefing room at the far side of the facility. Fort Dayan was huge, housing an entire division of forces, including an armoured brigade, artillery components, and air support, along with the expansive training areas needed for such forces. Space was at least something Cooperland had in supply.

The Mech contingent was tiny compared to the other units, but still a fairly large unit, mostly mechanics and technical staff working on the six battlemechs the unit shared with the science team. There were only five actual pilots, of which Garibaldi had been the last to arrive.

"Welcome." General Fraser took to the front of the briefing room, the other four pilots seating themselves in one of the dozen or so chairs. "As of today the First Independent Mechanized Cavalry Unit is hereby operational, congratulations to us."

There were a few brief cheers, the unit simply keen to make a start.

"Our task is to master the art of Mech warfare, to take this entirely new means of combat and create a doctrine for it. We will develop new tactics, study existing tactics, and we will work with the other units on the base to create a new combined arms force." Fraser outlined. "In so doing, we will determine if Battlemechs have a place in human warfare, and if they can be effectively deployed against known Minbari units."

"Sir." One of the other pilots raised a hand, a tough looking woman in army fatigues. "What if we never see another Minbari?"

"Then I guess we'll be fighting space knights and mercenaries." Fraser shrugged his shoulders. "Either way, what we learn here is important. Now as we are up here doing our job, there's another team on Earth at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds actually pulling these things apart to see how they work and if we can build them. They'll work out what the machines can physically do, while we work out how best to use them."

"And the mad science guys in the next block over?"

"They are seeing if our technology can be integrated with these mechs." Fraser replied. "Results so far are mixed."

"Yeah, if that dumpy mech falls on its face again it might not get back up." Another of the pilots laughed.

"Make fun all you like, wait until you see what they're doing to the other machine they have." Fraser grinned. "Quad linked pulse cannons and thermite missiles, last I saw."

"Nice." The female grinned widely. "When do we start, General?"

"Right now, you all have your neuro helmets?"

There was a chorus of affirmative answers.

"Any smell of burning when you used them?"

Happily not.

"Alright, we're hitting the simulators. The tech guys that set them up have been playing them like a VR game, they even have a score board." Fraser huffed. "I expect all of you to be at the top of that table by the end of the week, no egghead is beating us, clear?"

"Yes sir!"

"Get started then. Simulators this week, real steel next week. Dismiss and make it happen."

---

Planet Luthien
Draconis Combine
A month later

"You are most fortunate indeed, many petitioners wait their entire lives for just a few minutes with the Coordinator."

David Sheridan walked at a fairly brisk pace through the astonishing architecture of the Unity Palace sitting as a gem in the industrial greys and browns. The elegant design, high quality wood and conservative illumination added an almost mythic feel to this place, like the universe didn't deserve to host something so transcendent. Whoever had built it knew exactly how to awe visitors and supplicants.

"I trust you know the laws of the court, if you do not your education shall be swift and painful." The Attendant continued his lecture as he escorted them through the building, clearly not particularly pleased with their presence. "The Coordinator will speak, you will obey, that is all."

Sheridan had a slightly different team this time, to his right was Nigel Morrison again, the telepath blank faced and observant. Both he and David had dealt with officious sticklers before, so weren't overly intimidated, they just had to follow protocol, be unfailingly polite, and not push things. Draconis was highly militant and had thoroughly embraced a version of Japanese culture that borrowed from the harsher ends of the spectrum. He was confident, but there was always the possibility some passing noble might want to test his sword on them.

The third member of their party was new, he had remained on the ship during the meeting with the Davions before taking his place here today. Major Tetsuro Hamato gave no indication of concern, radiating pure confidence like he belonged here. He wore an eyepatch over the left side of his face and was in full dress uniform, with a number of gleaming decorations on his chest. Most notably at his side he carried a classic sword, a katana, fitted snugly in his waist belt.

The Major was a student of history and well versed in the culture of the Shogunate, something apparently emulated here. While Sheridan had studied the etiquette, Hamato had the greater knowledge and would offer pointers if needed.

"Wait here." The Attendant pointed to a space beside a large wooden door. "You, give me your sword."

Hamato gave the man a look that would melt steel. "Do you address all warriors in such a way, servant?"

"I require your sword." The Attendant spoke with a little more respect. "No weapons may be carried into the throne room."

"Very well." Hamato withdrew the weapon and scabbard from his belt and carefully handed it over. "Treat it well, I will know if you have not."

The Court Attendant retreated leaving the small part alone.

"I'll say this, Tetsuro." Sheridan exhaled, releasing some tension. "You scared me."

"Sorry sir, I'm just playing it up." The officer broke into a grin. "Just watched a bunch of old Samurai movies before we headed down, I think I got it nailed."

"Most of the people here are fearful." Morrison offered his own thoughts. "If they screw up, they'll be punished harshly. Not much in the way of mercy here."

"So it seems." Sheridan accepted. "I don't like it much but we've got a job to do, even if these guys are monsters, we don't want a war. We'll play nice, get the ball rolling on a deal, then get out of here and go visit the Lyrans."

"Prince Davion seemed to be more comfortable talking about them, hopefully they'll be receptive to our efforts."

The wooden door clanked and began to open halting further conversation. They cleared their minds, fixed a neutral expression, and got ready for the show.

The room beyond was suitably ornate, the wooden floor beautifully polished while the walls hung with painted tapestries showing scenes from history. The roof was expansive, a gold speckled depiction of a starscape, and there at the end, upon a raised throne, waited Takashi Kurita, the Dragon made manifest.

"My Lord and Eminence." One of the Retainers announced them. "Ambassador David Sheridan of the Earth Alliance."

The trio of visitors bowed low as was the custom, remaining so for a few long moments before returning upright, Kurita watching them with a guarded expression. He did not speak for a while, and of course nobody else dared speak before the Coordinator, the lord of the realm taking his time assessing each guest in turn. When he was satisfied, only then did he stand.

"Trade deals do not concern me." Takashi finally spoke, his voice deliberate and modulated. "They are the province of lesser men."

He took some steps forward to observe the delegation more closely.

"The affairs of minor nations are also of little consequence, the Dragon must always observe the greater enemies." Takashi continued to walk closer. "You are here because I am curious. I wish to understand why Prince Davion welcomed you so warmly."

"I believe, my lord, it is because we did him a service." Sheridan took this as the time to reply. "We eliminated the Pirates at Tortuga, removing a threat to his far border."

"As I had heard." Takashi nodded. "With his far border secure, he may now move combat units from there to my borders. Perhaps use them to attack my worlds, my people."

Takashi revealed little, his face stony.

"It is the way of things, I do not expect you to be fully aware of this." Takashi turned aside. "You did not kill the Pirates for Davion, they were a threat to you, correct?"

"Correct, my lord."

"And you dealt with them decisively. I understand they are crushed entirely and their worlds are now yours?"

"That is so."

"I am also sure Prince Davion held such a ceremony for the benefit of his own image. He has been criticized for not doing enough to control his ministries at home, that he is neglecting his domestic duties. I have no doubt your visit was merely an excuse to show his worlds he takes his duties seriously." The Coordinator mused. "Still, did you offer him a similar deal to the one presented here?"

"Identical, Lord Kurita." Sheridan confirmed. "And we offered him something more, something not on the official list. We offer this to you also."

"Speak it."

"Point to point secure faster than light communications." Sheridan stated simply. "Fully secure, under your exclusive control, in exchange for the rare minerals and metals outlined in the proposal."

"I can understand the advantage of such a thing." Kurita maintained an even expression. "And why you did not mention it sooner. This meeting was arranged by Comstar, I expect they would be less amicable if they knew what you were really offering."

"Perhaps, my lord."

"They will find out eventually, they are surprisingly good at listening." Takashi gave the tiniest of warnings. "Such matters are for merchants, but I do not believe this has been unproductive."

He walked over to Tetsuro, staring with interest at the officer.

"You brought a sword to my palace. Guardsman, bring it!"

One of the black clad soldiers hastily departed to find the weapon.

"Your name?"

"Tetsuro Hamato, Major, Earth Force Marine Corps."

"You have the dress and style of a warrior, is this so?"

"It is."

"You know battle?"

"I do."

The guard returned with the sword in hand, holding it out to Takashi.

"Stop!"

The room froze, that was not the voice of Takashi Kurita. Everyone locked their eyes on Tetsuro, most of them in absolute horror as the Earth Force officer released fury on the guardsman.

"You dare treat my sword in such a manner? You carry it like a stick! Like something you picked up from the gutter! You dishonor yourself in your ignorance!"

There was absolute silence, the guardsman unable to move, absolutely unprepared for this situation. Everyone waited for the next move, eyes darting to Takashi, then back to Tetsuro, most inwardly preparing for bloodshed.

"He is right." Takashi finally spoke, his acknowledgement taking most by surprise. "A katana is held in both hands horizontally when presented to a superior. This is common etiquette. You shame my court in front of guests."

"I...I..." The guardsman hastily corrected his stance, lowering his head and presenting Tetsuro's sword properly. Takashi took it from him, feeling the weight of the sword and examining the workmanship of the scabbard.

"Leave." He ordered, the guardsman vanishing as fast as dignity allowed. Takashi took more time to look at the weapon, treating it well. At last, he drew it a few inches to inspect the blade, his expert eye taking in the subtle details.

"This is an excellent weapon, Tetsuro Hamato." Takashi passed judgement. "Does it have much age to it?"

"Less than twenty years, my lord, it was forged for my father in honor of his victories."

"Your father then was a warrior?"

"He led the full strength of my world into a great war against a despicable enemy."

"Was he victorious?"

"Yes, my lord."

"And where is he now?"

"He was killed in the final battle of that war." Tetsuro related simply. "Both he and the enemy commander slew each other after exhausting all of their power."

"I see." Takashi continued to study the blade. "Then his death was a most honorable one. What of the enemies he faced?"

"None survived."

"As it should be."

He slid the sword back into its scabbard.

"The blade is marked with a kanji, do you understand its meaning?"

"It symbolizes duty. It was the center of my father's life, as it is now mine."

Takashi took a long moment to study the officer, weighing up his words and attitude before holding out the sword, in the correct horizontal position.

"Take your sword."

Tetsuro did as instructed, the half dozen palace guardsmen in the room instantly tensing.

"Wear it, Tetsuro Hamato. It is your weapon, the mark of your honour and your duty. Return it to your side."

Takashi smiled thinly as Tetsuro did as instructed.

"You see my retainers? Perhaps they think I have taken leave of my senses to arm a stranger in my very throne room. Perhaps they think me mad, or foolish?" He glanced around at the small assortment of guards and close nobles waiting on the lord. "But you will not harm me. Why is that?"

"I would dishonor myself if I struck a host in his own castle while he was unarmed."

"Spoken as a true Samurai." Takashi approved. "What if your lord ordered you to do so?"

"I would refuse his order, and then pay the price for that refusal."

"This then is where we differ, for I would expect you to carry out every dishonorable request I gave you, and then cleanse your honor after you had served me." Takashi related quietly. "You still have something to learn, but you are not of the Dragon, so I do not scorn you for this." He nodded slowly. "You also know what I would do to your home planet if you drew that blade, don't you?"

"I can make an educated guess, my lord."

"And duty to your people ensures you would not bring such a fate upon them." Takashi understood. "But, if your leaders were as devoted as you are to the path of the warrior, they would gladly sacrifice a planet to take the life of the Dragon, don't you think?"

"I do not know, my lord."

The Coordinator stepped back, issuing several orders in Japanese to his retainers who scurried off before returning his attention to his guests.

"Come with me." He instructed. "All three of you to the courtyard. There is something more I wish, you have awakened my curiosity."

They party followed as requested, indulging Lord Kurita in his distraction. If it made a good impression, that was sufficient. They arrived momentarily at a courtyard, fragrant flowers filling the air with perfume. Servants had set up some upright wooden poles wrapped in tatami mats, the traditional targets for testing swords.

"Tetsuro Hamato, you will cut these mats." Takashi wasn't asking. "You carry a noble weapon, you speak well, but I will judge if you are a warrior. Take your position."

The Major shared a quick look with Sheridan, acutely aware that the fate of this diplomatic mission rested on this rather archaic test. He stepped down into the courtyard and faced the first pole, settling his breathing, gripping his sword, and in a single move drawing the blade and neatly slicing the top from the target. He made a few more cuts, the sword as good as he had hoped it would be.

"Now the next." Takashi directed. "Wait."

The Coordinator stepped forward and gripped Tetsuro's arms like a teacher, adjusting them as they held out the sword.

"Do not lock your elbows, and ensure your angle is always matched to your target." Takashi retreated. "Begin."

Tetsuro did so, making four more cuts and demolishing the target.

"There, the angle grants you greater strength, a cleaner cut." Takashi approved. "Your sword is exquisite, the work of a master."

He waved over a servant carrying another sword.

"Now watch a master, Tetsuro Hamato."

Kurita walked into the courtyard sword in hand, he went straight past the mats and stood in the sunlight, the blade shining silver. As he waited two guardsmen arrived, dragging between them a beaten prisoner. Sheridan immediately stiffened, he had a very bad instinct about where this was going.

"A traitor." Takashi announced for the benefit of anyone who could hear. "A man who owes his service to the Dragon, yet you seek to steal away worlds from my wise rule. A Rasalhague separatist, constant thorns in my side."

The prisoner stood straight and tall, he was beyond fear now, he was ready.

"Do you have any words traitor?"

The broad man smiled slightly, bloodied but unbroken. "Lo, there do I see my father. Lo, there do I see my mother and my sisters and my brothers."

Takashi rolled up his sleeves as the Norseman made his peace, the Coordinator granting him the few seconds necessary to finish his death prayer in recognition of his courage.

"They bid me take my place among them, in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live forever."

"Remind them their children still serve the Dragon."

The cut was quick, a flash of silver and done. Takashi was walking away before the head even hit the ground, holding up his sword.

"Look Tetsuro, there is not a drop of blood on it. The blade is so sharp and smooth, and my cut so perfect, it has not even been stained. This is the level you must aspire to."

"As you say, my lord." Tetsuro kept a very calm demeanor as the body was dragged away and buckets of water poured to wash away the blood.

"You have seen battle, have you not?" Takashi asked plainly. "You have taken lives?"

"I have."

"With this sword of yours?"

"Once."

"Speak of it."

"It was two years ago, I was deployed with my unit to a small outpost that was struck by overwhelming enemy force." Tetsuro told the tale, working hard to keep his voice even. "As a soldier, my weapon is the plasma rifle, the hand grenade, the bayonet. But on that day, I knew I would not survive, so I took up this sword. I decided if I died, I would do so with my father's blade at my side."

He cleared his throat.

"We were rapidly overwhelmed, I fought until my rifle ran dry, and my sidearm. I expended my grenades, tried to consolidate my position, keep my men alive and fighting as long as possible. We had no hope for survival, our goal was simply to kill as many of our enemies before we fell.

"I found myself face to face with one of their warriors. I had no other weapons save this sword, so I drew it and made my peace. The warrior though, he did not shoot me, he saw my blade and deemed it a challenge. He threw away his rifle and drew his own sword. He was bigger than me, far stronger with greater reach, but he made a mistake. He underestimated my readiness to sacrifice.

He attacked, expecting me to dodge or parry. I did not, I was ready to die to that blade if, in return, I could strike him down in the same instant. He must have miscalculated. He missed the killing blow but still took my eye and left me this scar."

"And your opponent?"

"I took his head." Tetsuro remembered the surprised expression on the Minbari warrior as it fell to the ground. "That is when the airstrikes began, reinforcements arrived. We did not die that day."

Takashi Kurita gave a single nod.

"You will have your deal, Mr Sheridan. I do not need your farm equipment, my people eat what they need. More is a waste, it will make them indolent. I will take your water purification plants and your communication technology, you will have a proportionate amount of metals in return."

"Thank you, Lord Kurita." Sheridan bowed.

"I will sign no treaty of non aggression. One day your nation will join mine and such treaties will be pointless." Takashi dismissed. "A Dragon is often called greedy. It gathers all precious things toward its horde. This is not an insult. I will gather all of value, all the worlds of mankind near and far. All will serve the Dragon, and in turn the Dragon will serve them."

He turned back to Tetsuro.

"When the day comes, will you serve me?"

"I regret I may serve only one master, and that is Elizabeth Levy."

"And if she surrenders to the Dragon as she must, then there will be no contradiction."

"I do not believe she will surrender without a fight."

"So be it." Takashi half smiled. "I value honorable warriors as servants, but I also value them as enemies. If your leader is foolish, then I look forward to meeting you in battle. I promise that if you gather all warriors with Samurai spirit, I will send my finest to battle you. They will give you an honorable death."

"Perhaps it is they who will die well."

"Spoken well." Takashi allowed. "If it is so, there is no shame in such a death. One way or another though, your worlds will one day be mine, and the Dragon will embrace all that you have and welcome you in service."

He nodded to his retainers, a sign the matter was concluded.

"Go in peace, the details of this trade can be determined by my ministers. Give my regards to Katrina Steiner." He chuckled coldly. "If she still lives."