“So, how much do you have left to do to your body with the knowledge that you have right now?” Max asked as he admired the sight of Nico sprawled in his bed. Sure, he had seen the sight many times before, but somehow it was never quite like this.

“This is it for now. However, I’m still working on adapting the Hunters Biomechanical technology to my own cybernetics in a way that doesn’t inconvenience me. Their suits are impressively powerful, but they require quite a bit of upkeep. There are a few more features that weren’t relevant last night, though, like the flat space technology embedded into my arms, the modified power systems, and the micro replicator that I replaced my salivary gland with.”

That last one startled Max a little. What would she need modified saliva for?

Then her thoughts hit him. It could create toxins, nerve agents, and even a potent aphrodisiac if she wanted it to, but in small amounts.

“Of all the attacks that were available to you, you chose to add a kiss of death?” Max asked.

“It seemed somewhat fitting. Every demure young lady should have a way to defend herself.”

Max wasn’t sure how valid that self-description was, but he was having an amazing day, and he was not about to start arguing semantics with Nico this early.

“What’s on the schedule for the day?” He asked instead.

“We have meetings with the Border Nations to make the first of their Replicator orders, while the other Companies will be working on the rest of their requests. We also have to open a Portal back to Rae 5 since none of the other vessels here are large enough, and the Moon Base is busy.”

“That’s easy enough. I will make some time to circulate through the tourists as well since I know that running a tourist vessel is all about appearances.” Max agreed.

“Then you have a suit fitting with my mother and one final dinner party before the dignitaries depart.” She added just before he could leave the room.

“See, you left that for the very last because you know that she stresses me out.”

Nico laughed at his pouting face. “It’s only because she’s obsessed with grandchildren, and she forgets that I can’t give them to her. Just bear with it until she either manages to get some from my siblings or she steals genetic material from both of us and bioengineers herself one to keep her busy.”

“See, that seems like the most likely course. You two don’t know what the word overkill means.”

“But you love us for it. Now, we’ve killed all the things we get to kill this week, so let’s go get dressed up and have some cake.”

Max laughed and accompanied her out of the bedroom and across the ship to where the VIP guests were staying. Mary Tarith had an entire staff of tailors and seamstresses waiting for them and a huge smile on her face.

“Well, don’t you two look chipper this morning? Did something good happen? Perhaps a birthday present that was better than a planetary invasion?” She taunted.

“Oh, he’s blushing. You really did, didn’t you? That’s my girl.”

Max shook his head and looked at the rack where a number of clothing samples were waiting.

“So, what am I dressing up as today?” He asked.

“A proper nobleman. The Cygnus delegation has sent a number of higher Nobles, and we still have the Border Nations dignitaries here for one more night, so we are obliged to entertain them, and that means dressing up like real nobles and not Reavers for a night.” Mary informed him.

“So, you will be showing up without a gun?” Max asked.

“Now, who is the one who takes things too far? I will hide it under my dress.”

Max tried on a few styles of the available suits until he found one he liked, a simple suit with a vest and a flat cap worn with a wool coat, despite the fact that the ship was climate controlled.

The tailor insisted that it completed the look and it would be taken by the doorman when they entered the meeting room, so Max didn’t argue with him about it.

The custom-fitting machine made Max’s new gray suit exactly to his measurements, including an allowance for his sidearm, which was worn in a hidden pocket inside the vest and accessed from the top. Looking at him, it was impossible to tell that he was wearing it at all.

Of course, he had heavy weapons and an augmentic suit in his Flat Space storage, but that wasn’t the point. Reavers never went anywhere without a gun on them, and it would be strange to the others when they scanned him if he didn’t have a weapon on him.

As Mary Tarith said, it was all about appearances.

Nico was fitted with a cocktail dress in the same midnight blue as Max’s shirt, while her mother chose a silver ensemble in a similar cut to Nicos.

Looking at the two side by side, it was impossible to miss the fact that they were related, though Nico’s appearance was artificial.

“Shall we, Sir Keres Max?” Mary asked, extending her hand.

Max crooked his elbow for her to take, then the other for Nico, who wasn’t bothering to hide her mental jokes about the chances that he could bolt at any second, so he needed the double escort.

“What are we going to do about the production materials? We only have so much aboard Terminus, and we’ve been too busy to go asteroid mining. And the takeover of the Omwat homeworlds, how is that going?” Max asked as they began to walk.

“Worry about that later. We will ship you materials from the storage stations to make up for the orders that you have to fill, and the others are taking care of the negotiations for the new worlds now. It is going to take a while, though, since the two parties are so far apart.” Mary replied.

“Far apart on the negotiations? What are their positions now?”

Nico smiled up at him. “We want the whole cluster of systems, with payment to the Cygnus for their assistance. Their delegation requested exactly the same thing.”

“What do we need entire star systems for?” Max asked. There simply weren’t that many Reavers in one spot at any given time. Even keeping the star system that they had claimed fully staffed was a challenge.

“What don’t we need entire star systems for? Seriously, it’s a whole star system. If I were in charge, I would name it after myself and put statues of Shattered Pride in every city center.” Nico reminded him.

She would do it too, he was certain.