Six weeks after returning from Portside, Elion was reviewing crop yield reports when the alarm bells rang. Three sharp peals—the signal for an approaching vessel flying Imperial colors.
He reached the harbor within minutes to find the settlement's leadership already gathering. A single Imperial ship sat at anchor just outside weapon range—larger than Commander Thane's scout vessel, but not a warship. A diplomatic ship.
"They're flying a parley flag," Kael reported through his spyglass. "White banner with the Imperial seal. That's supposed to guarantee safe passage for negotiations."
"Supposed to," Garrick muttered. "Doesn't mean we trust it."
A small boat launched from the Imperial ship, carrying four figures. As it approached, Elion could make out details—three soldiers in ceremonial armor and one civilian in expensive robes. The civilian stood at the bow with perfect posture, clearly someone accustomed to authority.
"Shadow soldiers, perimeter positions but weapons lowered," Elion commanded. "Show strength but not aggression. Let's see what they want."
The boat docked, and the civilian stepped onto Shadowhaven's pier with practiced grace. He was middle-aged, with salt-and-pepper hair and the kind of face that suggested decades of political maneuvering. His robes marked him as high nobility, possibly even Imperial court.
"Baron Elion Crestfall," he said formally. "I am Lord Castor Meridian, Special Envoy of His Imperial Majesty. I come under flag of truce to discuss matters of mutual concern."
"Lord Meridian," Elion replied with equal formality. "Welcome to Shadowhaven. Though I should note I no longer use the title Baron—that belongs to my former life."
"Titles aren't so easily discarded, Baron. But that's part of what we need to discuss." Meridian gestured at the settlement behind Elion. "Might we speak somewhere private? What I have to say is... sensitive."
Elion led them to the meeting hall, with Mira, Garrick, and Kael accompanying him. The Imperial guards remained outside under watch by shadow soldiers—a tense but stable arrangement.
Once seated, Meridian declined offered refreshments and got straight to business. "Let me be direct, Baron. The Empire finds itself in a difficult position regarding you and your settlement."
"Oh?"
"You abandoned Imperial territory with Imperial citizens. By law, that's treason punishable by death. You've established an independent settlement that could inspire others to defect. You've made alliances with non-human powers the Empire has complicated relationships with. And you're a System Bearer, which the Emperor views with... concern." Meridian spread his hands. "Legally and politically, you're a problem."
"And yet you're here talking rather than attacking," Mira observed.
"Because attacking would be costly, diplomatically complicated, and might fail." Meridian's tone was matter-of-fact. "Commander Thane's report made clear you have significant defensive capabilities. Your alliances with the Storm Sharks and Coral Court mean military action would upset regional balances. And frankly, the Empire is overextended dealing with internal unrest. A costly overseas campaign against a fortified position is unappealing."
"So you want to negotiate," Elion said.
"I want to offer you a deal. The Emperor sends two options—you choose which future you prefer."
Meridian produced a sealed document. "Option one: Return to Imperial authority. Acknowledge the Emperor's sovereignty, swear loyalty, pay taxes and tribute. In exchange, you receive official recognition as a colonial governor, military protection, and access to Imperial trade networks. Your people receive full citizenship rights and legal protection."
"Becoming a colony," Kael said flatly.
"Yes. With all benefits and obligations that entails."
"And option two?" Elion asked.
"Complete independence. The Empire formally recognizes Shadowhaven as a sovereign entity outside Imperial jurisdiction. No taxes, no tribute, no loyalty oath. You govern yourselves as you see fit." Meridian paused. "In exchange, you receive no Imperial protection, no access to Imperial markets, and the Empire will actively discourage further defection by portraying your settlement as struggling and isolated."
"Economic blockade without military action," Mira translated.
"Essentially. Though 'discouragement' is the preferred term."
Elion studied the envoy. "Why offer these choices? Why not just demand submission?"
"Because the Emperor is pragmatic. You've demonstrated competence and strength. Destroying you would be costly and pointless if you can be managed instead. Option one brings you back into the fold. Option two neutralizes you as a threat by isolating you economically. Either outcome serves Imperial interests."
"And if we choose neither?"
"Then the Empire's patience expires and we discuss less pleasant options." Meridian's expression remained neutral. "But I'm authorized to give you sixty days to decide. Think carefully, Baron. Consider what's best for your people."
╔════════════════════════════════╗
║ CRITICAL DECISION POINT ║
╚════════════════════════════════╝
Imperial Ultimatum Received
Option 1: Submit to Empire (become colony)
Option 2: Complete independence (economic isolation)
Option 3: Refuse both (military confrontation)
Time to decide: 60 days
Decision will permanently affect settlement path
After Lord Meridian departed, Elion called an emergency session with extended leadership—not just his inner circle, but representatives from all settlement areas and community factions.
"The choice seems obvious," Thomas said immediately. "Independence. We didn't flee the Empire to crawl back under their control."
"Independence with economic blockade means no access to Imperial goods—metals, medicines, luxury items," another leader countered. "We'd be completely self-sufficient or rely on smugglers."
"We already rely on independent traders like Zara," Lyssa pointed out. "The Empire doesn't control all trade."
"But they control enough to make life difficult," Magnus said. "An active discouragement campaign could convince neutral traders to avoid us. Risk isn't worth the profit if the Empire's watching."
"What about the third option?" Senna asked. "Refuse both and prepare for war?"
"Against the Empire?" Garrick shook his head. "We're five hundred people across four settlements. They're millions with professional armies. It would be suicide."
"Not if we're not alone," Kael said quietly. "The other System Bearers—Kira, Rashid. If we coordinate defense..."
"We can't ask them to go to war for us," Elion said firmly. "That cooperation agreement was information sharing, not mutual defense."
The debate continued for hours, voices rising and falling as people argued every angle. Finally, Elion called for order.
"We don't decide today. Lord Meridian gave us sixty days—we'll use them. I want detailed analysis of both options. Thomas, calculate the economic impact of isolation. Magnus, review the legal implications of colonial status. Kael, assess our defensive capabilities if we refuse both options. And someone get messages to Kira and Rashid—I want their input on how this affects our cooperation."
Over the next week, the reports came in:
Thomas's economic analysis showed isolation would be painful but survivable. They'd lose access to Imperial metals and specialized goods, but independent trade could fill most gaps. Living standards would drop, but not catastrophically.
Magnus's legal review revealed that colonial status would give the Empire authority over Shadowhaven's governance, laws, and resource allocation. They'd have representation but little real autonomy.
Kael's military assessment was grim. If the Empire attacked in force, Shadowhaven could resist for maybe two weeks before being overwhelmed. Longer if they retreated into the jungle, but that meant abandoning everything they'd built.
The responses from Kira and Rashid arrived via Zara's ship:
From Kira: The Empire offered me similar choices a year ago. I chose independence. The economic isolation is real but manageable. They'll try to make examples of System Bearers who resist. Stand firm if you can.
From Rashid: I accepted a modified version of colonial status to protect my position in the Emirates. It's... complicated. Not as autonomous as I'd like, but better than war. No shame in pragmatic choices.
Two different paths, both valid. Elion appreciated the honesty—neither System Bearer was pushing their choice as the only option.
As the deadline approached, Elion spent his evenings walking through Shadowhaven, talking to residents about what they wanted. The responses varied wildly:
"We fled the Empire once. Why would we go back?"
"My children need stability. If colonial status provides that, it's worth considering."
"We've built something here. Something ours. Giving that up would betray everything we've accomplished."
"I just want to stop running. Stop fighting. If submission brings peace..."
There was no consensus. The community was divided, which meant whatever Elion decided, roughly half the population would disagree.
On the fiftieth day, he made his choice.