Targan Rell quickly understood that he had no bargaining power left.
After signing the surrender order, he tried to act as if he were still a useful noble who could be negotiated with, but the illusion did not last long.
The March already controlled Nhalis orbit, the starport, the two mining systems, and the sealed routes out of the Serrow Belt.
His hidden fleet was gone, his officers were being questioned, and the Vaelari workers he had once treated as property were beginning to speak with March officials instead of lowering their heads.
By the next morning, Targan had changed his approach.
He became helpful.
Not out of remorse.
Aurelian doubted the man even understood the word in a useful sense. Targan simply realized that a living prisoner with information had better prospects than a proud prisoner who had nothing left to trade.
