The pair sat there for an hour, munching on their starchy fries while in wait. Aurelia found it fascinating when Isobel decided she very much did not like spicy food, throwing half joking statements of attempted murder. It wasn’t long until Addison announced the arrival of two Guul diplomats to the facility. They were guided into the garden dome by one of the AI’s many drones. The first was a short, stocky human woman, her dark skin contrasted with her bright silvery robes, her eyebrows adorned with golden piercings along the outer half of each. The second was a Raxth man. Despite the lizards usually being a few feet taller than humans on average, he was only half a foot taller than Aurelia, and about as thin. He too, was dressed in silvery robes, and several rings pierced his lower lip. His deep blue scales had a slight lustre in the sunlight.

“Ah Guul Diplomats. Are you here to join us for lunch? I’m afraid we have just eaten, but I’m sure Addison can arrange something. She's a rather talented cook” Aurelia said rigidly, a fake smile plastered on her face.

“I’d refuse to eat something created by an artificial intelligence.” The Raxth man said with disgust.

“That’s a shame. You are missing out.” Aurelia said smugly.

“I am Qoaz of the Raxth, and this is Natacha of the humans.” He introduced. The stocky woman then spoke up.

“We have come here with an offer on the behalf of the Eternal Empress. There-” The stocky woman started, before Aurelia held her hand up and shook her head.

“I’m not interested in helping that tyrant.”

The Raxth man licked his snout, a reflexive behaviour for his species. “At least hear us out. You are in danger.”

Aurelia glared at them with contempt, tapping her gnarled fingers on the table.

“Fine, but only after you eat with us. I am starving. Aren’t we starving?”

Isobel nodded. “I am so starving for nourishment. I crave sustenance.” She did her best to match Aurelia’s tone.

The two diplomats looked at each other warily, and nodded to each other.

The Raxth man spoke up. “Fine. I will… partake. We will eat, then we will talk.”

Addison soon had her drones bringing in a variety of foods on ornate plates, a variety of sandwiches, curries and salads, and a platter of raw meat from a Zullas beast for the lizard. The scientist stole curious glances at her guests curiously, waiting for a certain reaction she was hoping to get. She took in a mouthful of a blistering hot curry from a culture she wasn’t quite sure of, and made sure to maintain a straight face throughout the ordeal. Addison had really made it hot by her standards.

For a moment, they all mostly ate in silence, right up until the Raxth man becan sputtering, his scales shifting to a reddish hue.

“What in the god empress’ name did you do to this? I feel my insides attempting to immolate me from within!” He exclaimed, hurriedly drinking the water he was provided. Aurelia let off a subdued giggle at the reaction. Most species weren’t able to eat what humans would consider spicy, and the raxth had virtually no resistance to it.

“What do you mean? It's just some raw Zulla meat, with a bit of salt and pepper to taste?” Said the scientist, barely containing a tone of smugness.

“Pepper? Are you trying to kill me?” He sputtered out between coughing and drinking the provided water.

“Pepper is spicy?”

Both diplomates offered furious glares at the scientist, each seeming to have no effect on her.

“Well  I apologise, I hadn’t realised your pallet was so weak.”

The stocky woman leaned over to her colleague, whispering something in audible while stealing glances at the android. Aurelia could feel a twinge of nervousness knotting in her chest, as she did not want to reveal Isobel to the galaxy just yet but she knew these types. She would not put her in harm's way, for as long as she could. After the Raxth male had composed himself, he pushed the provided meat away from him. Eventually, the stocky woman spoke up.

“Who is this with you? You are not known to have much company.”

“I am Isobel, Aurelia’s cre-”

“Friend from the Tau sector.” Aurelia interjected. ” I met her a while back on my last trip, and we have since hit it off as friends. I paid for her trip to Rith, where she will be staying for the next year.”

The diplomats eyed her suspiciously. The lizzan licked the blood from scales around his mouth. “I see.” Qoaz turned to Aurelia. “May we present our offer?”

Aurelia rolled her eyes. “Fine, get on with it so I can say no and you can be on your way.”

The Natacha glared at the frail scientists. “The empress is trying to save your life, and you are only rude to us!” She snapped. Qoaz put her clawed hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Natacha nodded and turned back to Aurelia.

“I apologise for the outburst. The Nekt Federation has sent the most relentless and dangerous contractors in the galaxy to bring you to the Nekt president. His name is Steve Smith. In the political and underworld, he is feared even by his contractors.” His bulbous eyes carefully looking at the redhead, waiting for some reaction.”

“Oh no. Hear that Addison, we have another assassin after my life. Whatever shall I do?”

“Indeed miss. Shall I search the ashes piles from the other ninety-two for a possible solution?” Addison said cheerfully. The Raxth man curled his lip up, revealing several razor sharp teeth.

“You would do best to heed our warnings. Others may have been skilled, yes, but this one is different. He is considered nigh invincible. Four hundred and either two contracts, all successes.” Aurelia noted he seemed to be shifting slightly in colour, indicating some satisfaction.

“Fine, assuming you are here to help me out of the goodness of your oh so pure heart, I assume you wish something from me?” Aurelia tapped on the table, staring at them blankly.

“We are largely here to warn you, as goodwill from the Empress. His face is often changing, and we do not know when he will be here. In fact, we only know of him due to… an informant's sacrifice.”

“And the part you are waiting to tell me?” Aurelia was clearly getting impatient.

“We wish to commission you for-” The human woman started, Alurelia let out a loud sigh to interrupt.

“No. Not again. Not after last time. I have fended off many contractors before, and this one will not be the last. I don’t need your help, and I will NOT be offering my services to the oh so benevolent tyrant. The only reason you're even in this facility is purely because I allowed it. It would be very easy to remove you as well, so perhaps avoid asking me for anything.”

The Guul diplomats stared at her in stunned silence. Both stared daggers at her, the human woman looking ready to pounce, and the Raxth man's quills rising up. They both sat back down, maintaining their threatening glares.

Natacha cleared her throat. “Against most, we would believe you, but this man is different.” She spoke, her voice laden with venom. “Do you know about the assassination of the last Nekt president twenty years ago? The first human president? He was at his most secure when he was killed. There were guards everywhere, the audience all had to be ID checked with the galactic registry and he still made it in and out of that speech hall. The man never finished his speech.”

Aurelia slumped down on the table, banging her head against the metal surface, a metallic sound ringing out. 

“And yadda yadda you want me to come work for your empress to create yet another monstrosity while under the guise of being ‘Protected’, correct?” She said, making air quotes.

Qoaz spoke up.  “The current Nekt president is far more ruthless than most. The Empress said you will not be made to do anything while under our protection. She thinks you are too valuable for the galaxy to lose.”

“No. I’m too valuable for the Guul to lose me to the Nekt. I came out here to avoid politics. So please leave. I am sure I can fend off yet another contractor.”

Qoaz and Natacha gave each other knowing looks. “Fine, then we do this the hard way.” They reached into the robes to pull something out, but they were stopped by a deafening crack ringing throughout the dome. Isobel had been quiet almost the entire time, but her fish was now indented deeply in the garden table. Her face twisted in rage, radiating pure menace.

“I believe she asked you to leave.” Isobels violet eyes glowed with rage.

The air was static with tension. Aurelia looked up at Isobel in surprise, before grinning in satisfaction.

“You heard the lady. I said I could have you easily removed, yes? So perhaps keep your hands off those Plasspikes you think I didn’t know about, and be on your merry way.”

The diplomats hesitated before pulling their empty hands out from their robes..The Raxth man stood up from the bench. “Fine, we will leave out contact address should you change your mind.”

“Addison, how many bugs have they placed.” Aurelia said plainly.

“We didn’t-” Started the Lizzan before being interrupted by Addison.

“Twelve in total, miss. Two at the entrance, nine throughout the corridors, and one under the garden table.”

Aurelia bent down with a groan and looked under the table, grabbing the small, black object. She sat back up and tossed it to the flustered lizzan, both diplomats flustered.

“You will regret this if you don’t come with us. The Nekt will not be as lenient as us.” Natacha spoke coolly.

“I’m so sorry, I just have sooo  much science to do. Addison, what's my schedule for the next week?” Aurelia smirked.

“Well, for next week, you have science day on monday. On tuesday, you have some more science to do from the previous day's science time. On wednesday you have to catch up on reality TV, then thursday you resume with more science. Just so much science. All day.” Addison spoke cheerfully.

Aurelia scratched the back of her head apologetically. “Eesh sorry. As you can see, my schedule is full, and I need to get back to doing some science.”

Qoaz almost looked like he was about to lose his temper, his scales shifting to a deep red, but he took a deep breath and spoke coolly.

“We understand. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

The Raxth slipped his claw into his robes and pulled out a card, placing it gently on the table. The diplomats then walked out the way they came, and as soon as they were out of earshot, Aurelia let out a loud sigh and slumped back down to the table.

“I am so glad they finally left. I hate dealing with silver tongued assholes.”

Isobela looked at the chuck of wood in her hand. “I’m sorry about your table. They had no right to treat you so rudely. I think they were going to attack you. Why do they want you so badly?”

Aurelia groaned without looking up. “Something something make me a weapon something something. I did it a few times. Never again. Not to mention many of my creations have made me so rich, I personally fund about fifteen hundred charities in the galaxy out of pocket. Money or power won’t sway me, and I will not do favours for any nation again.”

“Again?” Isobel asked, watching as the ripped silicone on her hand stitch itself back together

Aurelia stood up, a grim look on her face. “Sorry, I think I need a nap after dealing with those twats. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Isobel stood there, unsure of what to say or do other than watch her leave.