The Saiyaran solar system—known across star charts as Meshkoff—comprised five planets. The innermost was scorched and uninhabitable. The second, Saiyara, was classified as a Class Three New World. Banyar and Akhound were also advanced, though their support never matched Saiyara's.
As everywhere, the economy shaped destinies here. Khatoora suffered most from poverty. Saiyara aided them whenever possible. Banyar and Akhound also helped—but less.
Banyar especially viewed itself as Saiyara's rival. With all Meshkoff's planets predominantly human and aliens in the minority, competition—and greed—made sense.
Akhound remained neutral but often got pulled into political conflicts. It differed from the rest—notably, aliens made up nearly 60% of its population.
Eve and Mira sat in a tourist orbital station circling Banyar's moon. A fine-dining capsule hung beneath the station, held by gravity stabilizers. Through crystal floor panels, the moon's rugged landscape stretched below. Wide windows framed distant diners—or the cold edge of space.
"How many times do I have to say this? Accepting the crown doesn't change who you are. It'll only help people see you as one of their own."
"I'm a warrior. I belong in the field—slaying monsters, not sitting on a throne looking like a doll. I've been here twelve years. I know the system. I love this place. Monarchy in Saiyara? Can you imagine that!?"
"It would be the first in centuries—but also a revolution."
"I don't want this. Not for me. Not for Saiyara."
"Don't you see? The royal families and the president have been working hard to make this happen."
"Mira…" she sighed, gazing at the moon's gray-brown surface textured by mountain shadows. She sipped her wine and looked back. "How long are they going to keep us waiting?"
"They'll arrive soon. Be patient," Mira tapped her bracelet interface. A hologram hovered above, showing time and details.
"Diplomacy sucks!"
"I know. I suck at it too," Mira laughed softly.
Eve had escorted Mira to a secret diplomatic meeting. Soldiers and an escort-carrier stood by at the embassy. They were to meet Banyaran corporate and government officials.
Three men finally joined them at the table. The debate was quiet but heated.
"Your mining operations are withholding fair compensation from Khatooran workers," Eve said. "And your government does nothing."
"Do you know how many Khatoorans we employ?" the company rep shot back.
"And they still struggle to feed their families, working far from home. Khatoora's researchers discovered the asteroid..."
He interrupted. "We invested billions. Laser bridges, factories, safety suits, transport—it all adds up. We could hire Banyarans or Akhoundans and save millions, but we chose not to. And Saiyara never acknowledges that."
Eve's eyes narrowed. A piece of the table creaked and snapped; Mira caught her hand, steadying her.
Mira continued, but neither side showed genuine interest in Khatooran welfare.
Eve couldn't take it. She stood and moved toward the glass capsule balcony, where tourists gazed at the galaxy through a 200-degree panoramic view.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Mira said, standing.
Eve turned.
"I can't believe this. They steal what belongs to Khatoora... ignite faction wars I've endured for years."
"I know…but going public risks political collapse. That's why I'm here—to handle this quietly."
"Let me just break their legs. No one will even notice."
"This isn't how it works, Eve. Bureaucracy is full of dead ends."
"So what do we do? Let them keep doing this to the workers?"
"Orders are clear: deal—or no deal—we leave. The rest is up to the president."
"Why not deploy forces?"
"Military is off the table. Saiyara and Banyar are too delicate. War isn't an option."
"And Akhound?"
"If we pressure Banyar, they push back, and Akhound becomes a battlefield. Saiyara needs Akhound stable. Instability there could be disastrous—like Khatoora."
Eve clenched her fist. "I hate this." She paced as Mira watched, worried. Every time Eve reached this point, she found a way.
"Saiyara has the resources."
"Then why haven't they acted?"
"It takes more than a president—opposition, public, royals. You need unity."
Eve stopped and stared at the void. Mira gently held her hands.
"I know how hard this is, Eve. But it's my job. I shouldn't have dragged you into it."
"Actually, you did the right thing," Eve said, placing a hand on Mira's shoulder. Her resolve was palpable. "I know how to make your path easier."
The representatives were still discussing when men in suits arrived.
"Sir, time to go," one said.
"But we're still—"
"Delegates already left."
The company rep snapped, "They just left?"
His colleague's earpiece beeped. His expression shifted.
"Well?" he asked.
"We have to go. Meeting's over."
"What's going on?"
"Saiyara bought it. We lost the asteroid."
The rep stared. "They bought the asteroid?"
"They bought the entire asteroid belt."