It had been a tense few days for Senator Lyra Senari. Her journey from the core had been quiet, to a supposedly neutral world to negotiate refuling rights for republic warships. The governor’s staff greeted her warmly, guiding her through vaulted halls toward a private dining chamber where negotiations were to begin after having dinner with him.

The heavy doors opened, and Lyra paused only a fraction of a second when her gaze fell ona CIS senator already seated at the table. The governor remained seated, smiling with polite eagerness, and gestured her to the chair at his right hand, directly across from the separatist who was seated at his left.

Lyra inclined her head, moving with calm grace as she took her place, the silken half-cape sliding against the carved armrest. She laid her hands neatly in her lap, her molten-orange eyes fixed across the table.

"I wasn't informed we would have company."

She said, with diplomatic nonchallance, before starting to eat slowly, casting a glance at the separatist senator.