"Herr Oberst, welcome to the White Orchid. I thank you for taking the time to speak with me."

"I trust you will make it worth my time," the officer said.

"Please, Herr Oberst."

"This wine was served at the reception last month, am I right?" the officer said.

"A man with a discerning tongue," Don Francisco said appreciatively. "La Doña prefers the Villareyes, I am sad to say, but at least she reliably places orders from our vineyards for official functions."

"And are you here on La Doña's business?" the officer asked.

"If I were not, my loyalty would be suspect, Herr Oberst," Don Francisco replied. "One of the advantages of being a minister without portfolio is that I can move more freely than my colleagues. I am not bound by the jurisdiction of any one ministry and so I can negotiate on multiple levels. It makes me a useful tool in the service of the motherland."

"With you doing the negotiating rather than La Doña, she can maintain a measure of plausible deniability should anything pose a risk of causing embarrassment to her administration," the officer noted.

"I see you are called political officers for good reason, Herr Oberst. Now that we have an understanding, allow me to get right to business. Your Empire has made its demands quite clear and despite the vote in the Grand League, the world's response has not been united. We are embroiled in a rather unfortunate conflict and not all of us wag our tails so easily for the new master. Some of the dogs who are more eager to please will be arriving here soon, quite shamelessly coming to us after gallivanting with our old foes in the North. It truly is remarkable. Before your people graced us with your presence, no diplomat in his right mind would flit between us like some whorish honeybee."

"A 'whorish honeybee'? What an expression."

"Can you believe it?" Don Francisco said. "With the Saloma border skirmish of '57 not so long ago, still they go to the North first."

"Have you considered that it was simply a matter of geography?" the officer suggested. "They were coming from Gandoh, after all, and after this it appears they will be going to Kasshu, Barsouk and Marsouk."

"Geography is no excuse for diplomatic discourtesy, Herr Oberst," Don Francisco insisted. "Unlike the North, we have never crossed swords with Byrandia and have been nothing but a friend to her and look how we have been treated."

"If you are such good friends, perhaps the Byrandians expect your understanding."

"Everything, Herr Oberst," Don Francisco replied. "No doubt you would tell us that the simplest course is to agree to their little alliance—even if it would mean standing alongside our enemies in the North—and subdue our misguided brethren to bring an end to this unfortunate and meaningless conflict."

"That would indeed be the simplest and most sensible course," the officer said.

"When you want to kill a man, Herr Oberst, which is easier: to strike at a distance or to get in close an slip the knife into his heart?"

"We can wipe out our enemies from the other end of the galaxy with the press of a button, Don Francisco," the officer said blithely, "but I understand what you are trying to say. What do you propose?"

"I would ask you to speak on our behalf to your superiors that we may be granted a measure of indulgence."

"Indulgence to do what?"

"We wish to uncover and uproot those who would oppose you. To do this, we want to get into their confidence, that they might open themselves to us. In other words, we wish to play the double agent."

"The entire nation of South Malvina?" the officer asked incredulously.

"If it were merely a splinter faction, they would be kept at a distance. The stakes must be high enough to lure out the head of the serpent. To that end, the stakes need to be real."

"And how do you intend to make the stakes real, Don Francisco?"

"There must be sacrifice, Herr Oberst."

"There was an incident in Gandoh, you know. It had consequences. Fortunately for the Gandohese, they were able to take swift action to amend the situation."

"We will exercise the utmost caution with regard to your people," Don Francisco assured the officer, "but if you intervene, there is no way the scenario can plausibly continue."

"Not intervening would be even more implausible."

"Surely you can manufacture an excuse."

"Why should I endorse this farce?"

"If nothing else, it will provide some entertainment for the Lord Admiral."

"Do you have a detailed plan of action?" the officer asked.

"We have a general outline. If we are too specific, it would render us inflexible in the face of unexpected developments."

"If any harm comes to our personnel, it will cost you dearly."

"I understand."

"I will speak with my superiors and contact you if they approve. If they do not approve and you go forward with your plan, it will be seen as an act of rebellion and dealt with accordingly. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly."