Page 14

QUINN

I push through the glass doors onto the rooftop terrace, desperate for fresh air. The negotiations have left me with a throbbing headache and a sour taste in my mouth. I tug at the high collar of my IEC uniform, finally popping it open and letting the cool evening breeze hit my skin.

Christmasville sprawls before me, a glittering tapestry of lights and motion. From this height, the city seems peaceful, orderly—everything our negotiations aren't. I grip the railing, my knuckles turning white.

Heavy footsteps approach from behind, but I don't turn. I know it's Var. His presence has become unmistakable to me, like recognizing a familiar scent or sound without having to look.

He settles beside me at the railing, his massive frame dwarfing mine. For a moment, we stand in silence, watching the city lights twinkle against the darkening sky.

"Your task is a difficult one," Var says finally, his voice surprisingly gentle.

I let out a humorless laugh. "That's putting it mildly.

" I run my fingers through my hair, loosening it from its tight diplomatic bun.

"Kallus has connections everywhere—the Alliance Council, IEC Trade Commission, even Space Fleet Command.

He's broken at least six interplanetary mining regulations, but I've been ordered to find a 'mutually amicable solution.

'" I make air quotes with my fingers, not bothering to hide my disgust.

"And Zantress isn't making it any easier," I continue. "She won't accept anything less than complete removal of the mining operation from Jwoon X. No compromise, no middle ground."

Var shifts his weight, his scales catching the city lights. "Kallus is the clear villain here. He set up operations without proper notification, his security killed three Solari, and now he's trying to manipulate the negotiations to his advantage."

"You're not wrong." I turn to face him. "But this isn't just about right and wrong anymore. The Alliance is using this incident to punish Zantress—and by extension, the entire Ataxian Coalition."

"Politics," Var spits the word like it's poison.

"Exactly. The Centuries War might be officially over, but the wounds are still fresh." I gaze back out at the city. "It's going to be a long time before the anger fades."

Var nods, his massive head bobbing in agreement. "The battlefield has changed, but the war continues in other forms."

His insight surprises me. For someone called "the Annihilator," Var understands the subtleties of post-war politics better than most career diplomats I've met.

"What will you do?" he asks.

I shrug, feeling the weight of responsibility press down on my shoulders. "Keep trying. Find some compromise that lets both sides save face. Though right now, I have no idea what that might look like."

Var shifts closer, and his arm—warm, solid, strong—settles around my shoulders. The gesture is so natural, so comforting, that I find myself leaning into him, resting my head against his chest.

I breathe in his scent—earthy and alien yet somehow familiar now. There's something calming about his presence, something that goes beyond his role as my protector. In these quiet moments, I glimpse the Varnok beneath the warrior facade—thoughtful, perceptive, even gentle in his own way.

"You'll find a solution," he says with such certainty that I almost believe him.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I've seen you in action now. On the dance floor, in negotiations—" his voice drops lower, "—in bed. You're formidable, Quinn Gellar."

I feel my face flush but don't pull away. "I'm glad you think so."

"I know so."

I sigh, letting myself enjoy this moment of connection.

Varnok is more than just alpha male impulses and destruction.

He sees the complexities of this situation as clearly as I do.

That makes me glad, because I feel justified in being attracted to him—not just to his physical strength or prowess, but to his mind as well.

The city continues to sparkle below us, oblivious to our momentary peace on this rooftop.

Tomorrow, we'll go back into that negotiation room and face Kallus's manipulations and Zantress's righteous inflexibility.

But for now, with Var's arm around me and the cool night air on my face, I allow myself to simply breathe.

I'm about to respond to Varnok when the glass doors behind us slide open. Prime Minister Serenity Garsdotter steps onto the terrace, her tall, elegant frame silhouetted against the light from inside. Even in the dim evening light, her lavender eyes seem to glow with an inner intensity.

"Ambassador Gellar," she says, her voice carrying a note of urgency. "I apologize for interrupting your moment of respite."

I straighten immediately, moving slightly away from Var's embrace. "Prime Minister. Is everything alright?"

Serenity's expression is grave as she approaches us. "I've just received troubling news. Kallus is petitioning the Alliance for a Writ of Industrial Conscription."

My stomach drops. "He wouldn't dare."

Var looks between us, his brow furrowed. "What the hell is that?"

I turn to him, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.

"It's a legal maneuver that would essentially place Kallus above laws and regulations as they pertain to his mining operation on Jwoon X.

" I pause, my face twisting with distaste.

"The Writ of Industrial Conscription is a holdover from the Centuries War.

It was designed to allow rapid resource extraction for military purposes during times of crisis. "

"But we're not at war anymore," Var growls, his scales darkening with anger.

"Technically, we're in a ceasefire, not peace," I explain. "The distinction matters legally. As long as the final peace treaty hasn't been ratified, these emergency powers can still be invoked."

Serenity nods. "Kallus is arguing that the minerals on Jwoon X are vital to Alliance security interests. If the Alliance Council grants his petition..."

"They wouldn't," I say, but even I don't believe my words.

Var slams his fist against the railing, making the metal vibrate.

"This is outrageous! If this Writ is granted, it will destroy Jwoon X completely.

The Solari will have no choice but to relocate.

" His voice drops to a dangerous rumble.

"This isn't business anymore. This is an act of aggression against a peaceful people. "

I've never seen him this angry outside of combat. His rage isn't the berserker fury I witnessed when he fought Reku, but something colder and more focused.

"I need to contact Dowron," Var says suddenly. "The Supreme General might be able to block this Writ before it's granted. He has enough influence with the Alliance Council to at least delay the decision."

I nod, grateful for his quick thinking. "That's a good idea. If we can buy some time, I might be able to find another solution."

Var's eyes meet mine, and I see a fierce determination there that matches my own. "I'll return as soon as I can." He hesitates, then reaches out to briefly touch my face, his scaled fingers surprisingly gentle against my cheek. Then he's gone, striding purposefully back through the doors.

I watch him leave, my mind already racing with potential strategies and counter-arguments. I'm so lost in thought that I almost forget Serenity is still standing beside me.

"You've grown rather close to your bodyguard," she observes, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

I feel heat rise to my cheeks. "I... we've been through a lot together in a short time."

"Clearly." Her smile widens slightly.

I sigh, turning back to look out over the city.

"He's more than meets the eye, you know.

Behind all that 'Annihilator' bravado, there's intelligence, honor, even compassion.

" I pause, my fingers tracing patterns on the cold metal railing.

"But his job is destruction, and mine is building peace. How can we ever make that work?"

Serenity moves closer, placing her hand on my shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. "From where I'm sitting, it looks like you make it work just fine."

I glance up at her, surprised by her directness.

"Life is complicated, Quinn," she continues. "Especially after centuries of war. We're all trying to find our place in this new reality." Her lavender eyes hold mine. "Sometimes the most unlikely combinations create the strongest bonds."

She gives my shoulder one final squeeze before stepping back. "I should return to the reception. Don't stay out here too long—it gets cold quickly once the sun sets completely."

As Serenity leaves, I'm left alone with my thoughts and the glittering expanse of Christmasville below. The city seems different now, its beauty marred by the knowledge of what Kallus is attempting. If he succeeds, the fragile peace we've all been working toward could unravel completely.

I think about Var, rushing to contact Dowron, fighting this battle in his own way. We're so different—a diplomat and a warrior, a human and a Vakutan—yet somehow, when we're together, those differences seem to complement rather than divide us.

The night air grows colder, but I don't move. Not yet. I need this moment to gather my strength, to prepare for what comes next. Because tomorrow, I'll need to find a way to outmaneuver Kallus and protect the Solari—or watch as everything I've worked for crumbles into dust.

And as I stand there, I realize something else: I don't want to face this challenge alone. I want Var beside me—not just as my protector, but as my partner. The thought should terrify me, but instead, it fills me with a strange, quiet certainty.

Whatever happens next, we'll face it together.