615 Twenty

Khan brought the container to his mouth while Onp processed that absurd request. The slimy dark liquid ran down his throat, but his gaze at Onp never wavered, and the Thilku stared back at him.

"[In the Empire's long history]," Onp announced, doing his best to remain calm, "[No one has ever dared to request our capes]."

Khan was aware of that detail. The Thilku's capes weren't something different species could ask. The Empire itself had to offer them when it found a deserving ally.

Nevertheless, that wasn't exactly a rule, and Khan was in no mood for compromises. He wanted the Thilku's capes for personal reasons, so he just asked for one.

"[I know]," Khan said once he lowered the container, "[But I just did]."

Onp was struggling to keep track of the situation. Khan's behavior was unacceptable, but the reports that had arrived forced him to stay calm. Onp didn't even read all of them, but that was enough to make him hesitate.