Malleable Destiny
Posted on August 10th, 2011 by Venya Kashar and Ashexana

“The Federation is coming, whether you like it or not. You can’t possibly expect to defeat them.” Venya Kashar stared incredulously at her adversary, seated on the opposite couch.

“I expect to do exactly that. And why shouldn’t I? The Hinterlands are not theirs, they are mine. Their laws just don’t apply out here, and I’ll see that they never do.” Her dark eyes narrowed at the Orion woman as she paused to sip from her teacup before continuing, “The Federation just needs to remember that it can’t simply impose its will on the entire galaxy. Such arrogance must be punished! Wouldn’t you agree?”

“It’s too late; they already have a colony and a forward military base established. It’s inevitable that they’ll annex this space, and I plan to stay in business when they do by cooperating.”

“The military base – they call it Shangri-La! How positively quaint!” Hints of crow’s feet appeared at the corners of her eyes as she primly chuckled at the thoughts, both of such a horrid place bearing that name, and of the look on Renzik’s stupid Gorn ‘face’ when he found out about it. “That’s all your fault, from what I hear, but you really should thank me that Renzik never found out who betrayed him. You see, my dear, I do care.”

Venya’s eyes rolled to the ceiling in reply, but she continued, “As for their little colony, well, I hear it’s a historically significant find – evidence of a civilization twenty thousand years old. How positively boring! They had their chance, you know, but the audience watching this cosmic play of ours is of a fickle temperament, and they have little time for dead aliens when there are people doing exciting things right now. The only use I can think of for such a place is a source of valuable artifacts to sell to gullible collectors. Wouldn’t it be a pity if something were to happen to the people that have settled there? They’re certainly in the way of any salvage operations, don’t you think? A pity, yes indeed.”

“You’re mad.”

She placed her empty teacup on the table, and a concerned expression settled onto her pale countenance, framed picturesquely by her tumbling raven locks. “You’ve made your choice, Venya, and I must admit that I find it hurtful, after all I’ve done for you. I do hope, for your sake, that you do not come to regret your decision.”

“Get out.”