Page 17 of Seeded By Two

How the creature could say that with a serious face and not burst into laughter, I had no idea.

“We will have to… disagree on that point,” I said in my very best imitation of my father. “I can give you my word that we will not attack you unless provoked. Just as we did last time. Now, if you could please sign the document—”

The chief negotiator turned to his cohorts and together, they buzzed, mandibles flapping, making that hideous noise that sent a shiver up my spine.

Once more, my Steyatt begged me to give in, to promise them anything they wished just so long as I could leave right at that moment, find a female, and have my way with her.

I was about to slam my fist on the table when the creatures straightened up.

“We kindly request another few weeks to discuss the peace agreement,” the Ukmat negotiator announced.

“No!” I snapped before collecting myself.

But it was too late.

It was already out of my mouth and even they could hear the frustration in my voice.

I reined in as much of my anger as I could but I’d just about had it with these creatures. “You have already delayed the signing of this document several times. You have asked for assurances and we have given them. You have asked for promises and we made them. Now, our patience has worn thin.”

As has my Steyatt.

I got to my feet to show them I was serious. “If you do not sign this peace agreement within the next minute—” My Steyatt screamed that I would dare to make it wait that long. “—then I will assume you are not serious about peace between our species. The war will continue and this time, I will take your colonies, resources, and anything else I wish.”

The creatures just stared — I think — at me.

When I turned to march away, I heard their chairs pushing back beneath their heavy weight.

The chief negotiator said:

“Very well. We shall sign.”

Then the creature reached down, seized the pen, and scribbled its signature.

It did the same on each of the other pages.

Startled that we had actually reached the end of negotiations and sensing a trap, I had my people check each page was signed — and then had their assistants check them again — to make sure these creatures could not use it as an excuse later.

Suddenly it dawned on me that these creatures had been waiting for me to give in and declare the negotiations were over.

It was their way of ensuring they got as much out of me and the deal as possible.

I shook my head at myself for being so naïve.

And stupid.

I made a mental note to remember it for next time — and I knew in my gut there would be a next time.

I would put the deal on the table, make the same threat with the one-minute deadline, and then get up and leave.

The hardest part of the entire process was when the creature reached out with its disgusting hard shell arm, which it morphed into that of a Krev arm.

It wished to shake in the traditional Krev manner as a sign of respect between the two of us.

I just stared at that arm, at how alien it looked attached to this alien.

I did not respect these creatures.

I expected them to break the treaty the moment they left the room and attempt to carry on with their pillaging and profiteering at the expense of our people.

---