-Why does it look like you already knew I was on this ship?
She asked with a pout.
Tibrana wanted to surprise him, but it didn't work, and she had no idea why.
If you want to surprise anyone, I suggest changing your transponder signal to omit your presence on board.
Andrew smiled, seeing that she didn't change too much.
-How can you decipher our transponder signals anyway?
Darge asked, surprised at this revelation.
As much as he hated this human, who managed to foil his plans more than once already.
The Minister had to admit that he was starting to respect him as an opponent.
-Considering that Runir is my Admiral now, I don't think I need to answer that question.
Andrew smiled with amusement, seeing the shock on the minister's face.
-You made an exiled cadet into an admiral?
The alien said having difficulty believing this information.
-I did, and it was a great decision on my part, even if I say so myself.
I'm surprised you didn't know, considering that Tenri Zeir has met her when she was here.
Andrew said with surprise in his voice, but a moment later, he started to suspect that the federation might not be as united as he was led to believe.
-Additionally, both she and Tarina are my empresses, so if you came here to take them back, then you can turn around, as this won't happen.
The human added, making both of them speechless once again.
-That was a part of the reason for our visit, since I finally managed to convince the council to allow them to return as my servants.
Tibrana was the first one to regain her voice.
-But since that's the case, I'm glad they are happy with their new lives.
She smiled, but it was evident she was not too happy about the situation.
-While we are on this subject, what are the other reasons for you to come here?
The emperor asked, curious about the reason that the minister would risk his skin to return after what he had done the last time.
-We did bring the diplomat from the Federation, but the reason I'm here is that I need your help.
Tibrana admitted with a hint of desperation in her voice.
-Well, the diplomat should go and see Tarina, since the diplomatic relations are her responsibility.
As for helping you, I would need to know more before deciding whether to help you or if I even can.
Andrew answered, a bit surprised that she might need his help with anything.
As far as he knew, she should be the Empress of the Jiar by now and not lack anything.
-I would like to discuss this face-to-face if you don't mind.
She said, visibly uncomfortable about whatever it was that she had a problem with.
-I see no problem with that, but like I said before, if you wish to come here, you need to use a shuttle.
He agreed but didn't change his mind.
-Alright, send a shuttle for me and the diplomat.
The priestess agreed, with no other choice.
She still remembered that arguing with him was not the wisest idea.
Minister Darge was not happy with this conclusion, but since she accepted the human's terms, he could do nothing about it.
The shuttle was already waiting, and as soon as it got the orders, it launched.
There was no captain as the droid crew was more than enough to operate it, and the shuttle was not used frequently, so it made no sense to place an organic on board.
Within three hours, both the Diplomat and Tibrana were brought back to the station.
To Andrew's surprise, Darge didn't accompany them, but that was of no consequence.
The diplomat, on the other hand, turned out to be none other than Tarina's mother, who, by the way, held the title of a supreme diplomat, which was the highest rank of the Five Reces Federation's diplomatic core, and only a few people could wield this title.
After the greeting at the hangar, the diplomat was brought to Tarina, who was waiting for her in a second conference room.
The station now had six conference rooms, which turned out to be a necessity with all the territories applying to be annexed.
Tibrana, on the other hand, was brought to see Andrew.
-Since you're here, then tell me what I can help you with?
Andrew asked, without any small talk.
-Well, when I returned to the federation, I looked into some things and discovered that you were right.
I'm a clone.
She said, right after sitting across from him.
-The problem is that the cloning process is not perfect, and I'm dying, thanks to some genetic defects.
Worst of all, I can't produce an heir for the Emperor, which effectively eliminates me as an empress.
The medical staff that we have at the moment is helpless in both cases.
The same goes for any of our allies, so as a last resort, I came here to ask for help.
Tibrana explained her situation.
-If that's the case, then the one you should be seeing is Iliana, not me.
Andrew understood the situation, but he was no doctor.
-That's the idea, but I doubt she would even consider seeing me without your approval.
Also, I have another favor to ask of you.
-You can ask, but I can't promise that I will be able to grant it.
-If there is no way to heal me, then I wish to go to Earth.
She surprised him.
-I wanted to see the world my original was from, and with your approval, I wish to be put to rest there when I die.
-I can agree to your wishes, but won't the Jiar emperor and his people have something to say about it?
It was not that hard to grant her wishes since Earth was a part of the empire.
But he didn't want to start a war because of her wishes.
-There won't be any repercussions for the empire.
My fiancé, already agreed that if I cannot be fixed, then I won't be his fiancée anymore, and I will also lose my status as head priestess.
More or less, I will be exiled.
They would kill or exile me right away, but they don't have another source of DNA to clone another priestess, and my genetic material is too degraded to even attempt another cloning.
She explained, not wanting to cause any misunderstandings.
-Why didn't they simply buy another human?
There are millions of our people on the market.
Andrew asked.
-They can't, the whole federation was blacklisted from the merchants' guild, with no possibility of ever regaining the trading privileges.
She said, surprising him even more.
Andrew knew that they would be banned, after what they tried to pull, but not to this extent.
-Alright, since that's the case, I will grant your request.
If there is no way to heal you, I will arrange for you to be sent to Earth for the remainder of your life.
He agreed.
In the end, it didn't cost him anything to allow her to spend her remaining time on their home world.
-But before that, go see Ilia.
The human said, before calling for medical droids to escort her to the med bay.