"To friendship and cooperation!"
"May the friendship between the Interstellar Human Military Junta and the Community Security Fleet last forever!"
Xi Yan happily raised his glass, while Gorpious wrapped a feeler around a larger one. The human and the Insectoid gently clinked glasses and drank a glass of Plant People biomass beverage together.
"Marshal Xi Yan, your appointment as Marshal was truly a blessing for both this Empire and me. Your foresight and trust in me will surely earn you the finest returns!"
Gorpious lavished praise on Xi Yan without stopping. "I can hardly believe this outcome: you were willing to forgive our offense and even cooperate with me. I will repay your generosity with the very best service!"
Ning Zhiyuan stood nearby, also holding a glass of Plant People biomass beverage. His expression was nine parts bewilderment and one part shock.
Why had they been fighting to the death just a moment ago, only to suddenly sit down, chat, and become good friends?
To explain that, they had to go back a little.
The battle ended. Xi Yan's fleet forced all the M'tok Criminal Enterprise branch's transports to stop, captured them, and began clearing the battlefield.
The attacking fleet faced off against the equally battered Community Security Fleet, with a planet between them.
Thousands of years had proven the wisdom of not pursuing a desperate enemy too far. Enemies like these could not be chased relentlessly; once cornered, they would fight to the death.
The right approach was to crush them, then sit down and talk. There might even be something to gain.
Let the negotiations begin!
Still, he owed an apology to the crew members who had died for him. Xi Yan promised their families the best possible treatment in recognition of their sacrifice for the Empire.