The Meeting

"I can offer you much. Power, wealth, fame; these are things everyone desires." 

The woman's gaze did not waver, meeting Sorovo's eye to eye.

Both were searching for a vulnerability in the other, whether psychological or physical.

This was the beginning of negotiations, and the first to reveal a flaw would find themselves at a disadvantage.

Such a position is almost invariably irreversible, directly impacting the outcome and benefits of the negotiation.

Yet, until the commander spoke again, Sorovo found no such flaw.

The commander, veiled behind her mask, was like an ancient fortress, concealing all sensitive information behind the thick walls of her mask.

However, through those eyes as beautiful as glass beads, Sorovo could glean very limited information.

Extending the time might have allowed Sorovo to uncover something, but conversely, the likelihood of his vulnerabilities being exposed would also increase.