The table fell silent for a moment while everyone's thoughts turned to the miracle that was coffee. It had a mental stimulant effect on them, though not as significant as it did on the Innu.

For that reason, procuring the data to replicate it was near the top of their task list, bumped down only due to the persistent presence of life-threatening situations.

After a few minutes of silence, as the coffee worked to bring everyone back to functional status, Max decided to address the elephant in the room.

"So, are we starting with your Klem issue, our weapons development, or the tour of Absolution?"

None of their minds seemed to have a clear answer for that, but one of the Giant's assistants had just come in, freshly rested and replacing one who had been on duty all night, and they were ready to provide the essential answers, based on Alliance Regulations.

"As it threatens a large number of Alliance lives, we should address the matter of the foreign invasive species first. We don't need to look into how they got there. Many other teams are searching for warp signatures, portal signs and any other clues that they can get. We just need to discuss how to deal with them." The assistant reminded his superior, who looked ready to pass out again.

"Understood. What is your standard negotiation tactic for making a deal with the invasive species known as Klem?" The Envoy asked, reading the line from a data tablet.

"You're looking at it down below us. That is as civil as they get. All attempts to communicate with them have been futile, and though some researchers suspected that they had discovered a Klem language, their efforts never led to any form of dialogue." Max replied.

There was a long pause as the Envoy nearly dozed off again while Max was answering, and the assistant sighed. "In the name of health and wellness, I request that this process continues without our envoy for the time being."

"Go ahead and take him to bed. Is there anyone here who is awake enough for a discussion? The rest can go to bed, and we will inform anyone who questions the matter that the negotiations and research are ongoing." Max suggested.

"In that case, I will record it as a six-hour data discovery break. Everyone, please report back before additional absence paperwork needs to be filed." The assistant informed the Envoys, who glared at him so hard that he hid behind his sleeping Envoy.

It was regulation, and the Envoys were very much like overworked civil servants in this case, but six hours would hardly put a dent in the sleep they needed after being kept awake the entire time since the battle started.

That was one problem solved, and he had bought himself six hours to take care of matters on the planet before he had to start with the meetings again, or so he thought.

As soon as the envoys were gone, the Alliance bureaucrats who were concerned about the matters involving the newly discovered Klem presence within their borders were right there to bombard him with questions.

"I am quite sorry, but until the matter is settled with the Envoys, I can't give you a definitive answer on what is or is not proper procedure under Alliance laws. While our laws are fairly compatible, when it comes to the Klem, Human law is quite clear, while Alliance law is not." Max was explaining.

"But my planet is right next to the most recently invaded one. We are in the same star system. Can't you at least sell me some of those anti-Klem missiles that you used against their fleet?" One of the Myceloid bureaucrats was begging.

"The use of Antimatter weapons against inhabited planets is strictly prohibited, and the dissemination of military technology is heavily restricted. But rest assured. They can be dealt with using conventional weapons in higher volumes." Max informed him.

"Fat lot of good that does us after they land." The Myceloid complained.historical

"If you don't want them to land, just get a World Ship to intercept the wave and deflect it off course with their shields. Most Klem expansions are a simple wave of pods, with their entire cargo in an embryonic stage. They can't react to outside stimulus, so you can just deflect them into a star and forget about them."

"Under section 216, part 420, subsection 9 paragraph 3, that might be a violation of the rights of the unborn, should the Klem be declared a sentient or endangered species." A Giant in the crowd informed them.

It was clear that the Alliance was in the middle of a legal crisis, where their convoluted laws had them stuck at a standstill while they were being invaded. Again, Max was reminded that most Alliance species weren't part of what was called the "Curious Species," so they likely had no preparatory measures against such an unlikely event at all.

"That is why the Envoys are here to take care of the matter. Unfortunately, your constant inquiries put them behind schedule, and they are off to research answers for the next six hours."

That seemed to be the magic word for dealing with bureaucrats. Accusing them of holding up the process was enough to horrify most of them, and Max could sense that most of their minds were already working on the way to help the Envoys with the process so that they weren't accused of being a hindrance to finding a solution once the matter was solved.

Max raised his voice to address the crowd. "If you would like to do your own analysis and bring it to me in five hours, I will present a limited number of opinions to the Envoys on your behalf. Priority will be given to planets most affected and groups with direct specialization in similar situations."

The fact was that most of these people were from environmental and animal rights groups, here to pressure for a particular outcome, so that meant that the very few who were from the small organizations who did specialize in interplanetary invasive species and the handful of representatives from nearby planets were quickly swarmed by activists as soon as Max told the crowd whose opinion he would be considering.

"You know, it's rude to lie to them." A soft voice from behind him whispered.

Max turned around to face the assistant to the Innu Envoy with a smile on his face. "I only said that I would present the opinions, not that we would actually consider them. I have already seen in their minds what most of them are thinking, so I have a pretty good idea what the presentations are going to say, and it's a whole lot of platitudes and no solutions."

The Innu considered that for a moment before a matching smile lit her face. "I have heard of this situation. What was the saying? Technically correct is the best sort of correct? No, not that one. A half-truth is still a truth. That's it."

"Not a bad saying. I like this one, though. There are three levels to every conversation. What you thought you said. What they heard you say, and what you actually said."

That one made the coffee shop operator laugh as he brought the assistant her order. An extra large raspberry latte, the bane of Max's mental health now that the Innu had discovered them.