The compromise was simple:
The Iriani would leave the system and move on to the system that the Terran council had proposed for them and in exchange Terrans would cover the cost of the fuel for the Iriani fleet.
That way they both got what they wanted and avoided a war.
The Iriani Emperor was also happy,finding someone who could match him in diplomacy and he turned out to be the kind of alien that loved a challenge so he declared that he would send an ambassador to the Terran council as soon as they were ready to receive one.
-Thank you Simon,for delegating this matter to us,I didn't have so much fun with diplomacy for years.
The Chairman said with a smile.
-I don't get how this is fun but to each their own.
Simon said.
-You see Simon, we diplomats love a challenge and the higher the stake is the more exciting it gets.
It's like gambling but the stakes are higher.
-We got new friends and avoided a war so i say that you did a great job.
Simon had to admit that diplomats were useful sometimes.
-Thank you,and thanks to you I decided to stay in my position for as long as I can.
I'm sure that there will be more exciting negotiations in the future and I don't want to miss the fun.
The chairman said with a smile.
-Then if i find myself in a similar situation then you're the one i'm calling.
They both laughed at this.
After the situation was settled both fleets left without any incident and Simon and Mikael went back to their R&R.
A few days later Steuner arrived with his people and it caused one hell of a cultural shock.
He brought fifty of his people and most of them were female, young and some warriors who lost limbs or were even paralyzed.
In normal situations they would die but on earth it was possible to heal them so they were chosen to go as they didn't have any use in their tribe.
The young were mostly orphans and the females were from dead clans which lost their male members.
Now they were a part of Steuner clan as he found out that his tribe was destroyed a few years ago and as a last male he was now not only a war chief but also a chieftain and as such he had the right to establish a harem.
There were some who opposed but they ended in pieces when they challenged him.
Now he was a leader among his people and he even adopted the orphans which was unprecedented on his planet.
When they arrived and saw that all humans had armor similar to Steuner,s armor.
Everything was new to them and they were a bit disoriented at first but soon they got used to it all.
The females knelt before Simon and Mikael when steuner introduced them as his blood brothers.
-Sisters in law you don't need to kneel before us,in our world you are equal to everyone and you don't need to kneel to anyone.
Simon tried to explain to them.
-But we are concubines to your blood brother my lord and that places us beneath you.
The oldest of them said, trying to explain the custom.
That was in your world,here there is no such law and our females don't bow to the men we are equal to one another.
So get up and never kneel before us again.
All the females looked at Steuner and he nodded.
-I told you that this place is different and you didn't believe me,also you are not my concubines but my wives.
There will never be a concubine in my clan and also I will never allow any of our daughters to become a concubine whether she is of my blood or not.
Steuner said with authority and the females, especially the young ones he adopted were grateful.
As a chieftain his word was the law to them and if he said that then it was set in stone.
On their planet being a concubine was not much better than being a slave.
-You try making them into concubines and I'll turn you into a purse.
Said Sanders walking in just in time to hear his words.
The females were shocked, they didn't understand how a female human could chal;ange their chieftain and husband.
But he only laughed and hugged her in a greeting.
-Well Monica you would be a good snack if you were not so hard to bite.
They both laughed.
Over the time they became close friends and this was the norm of their interactions.
All of the lizard people were dumbfounded.
How could their leader be so close with a human female?
-Chieftain who is this female and why do you treat her as your equal.
The old lizard man asked.
-Shaman I tried to explain that here everyone is equal and this Woman is more like a sister to me than anyone else.
Steuner tried to explain the situation.
-This is a strange concept to me so forgive me for not understanding.
Simon and Mikael Slammed their fists into their chests.
-Welcome Shaman.
They both said and after that all the soldiers behind them did the same.
Steuner taught them this custom as a shaman was only below a chieftain in the status for lizard men.
The Shaman was surprised but soon he struck his staff into the ground as a signal that he accepted the greeting.
-Thank you for greeting me like my own people.
The shaman said.
-Our brother taught us how to greet you shaman and it's a great honor to welcome you.
Simon said.
The Shaman was pleased to see that these humans respected him and the customs of his people.
He was the last member of a destroyed tribe just like Steuner but no tribe could accept him as a shaman and he was too old to be a warrior.
So when this young chieftain asked him to be the shaman of his clan he agreed.
-Shaman, you are not here to just learn but also to teach.
Humans want to know our ways and you can teach them better than me who was taken from our world as a youngling.
Steuner said.
-Chieftain if they wish to listen then I will teach all I know,such is my duty as a shaman.
-Then you will find many students on our planet.
Mikael assured him.
They chatted for some more time and then all the lizard people were moved to the sick bay to get them treated and checked for any diseases they might carry.
They were all in good health aside from the warriors and a shaman who was sick but one day in a tank took care of that.
When he came out of the tank he was standing straight and did not lean on his staff like before,he also looked younger than before.
When Steuner asked the doctors they explained that their physique allowed for a partial rejuvenation by just spending some time in the tank.
Also it didn't affect him as he was in his prime.
Steuner was over the moon when he heard that,as most of the wounded warriors were way past their prime and now they could be healed and rejuvenated.
They could get back their pride as warriors and protect his clan fighting for honor and glory.