In 2503, the Combine discovered a xel'naga artifact nearby, and the Dominion wished to purchase it before the Combine could sell it to the black market. Constant replacing of the diplomats prevented real progress from being made. The Kel-Morian station owners refused to cooperate with their diplomats, who had been sent there from outside, as they wished to act as the middlemen with the Dominion. Furthermore, they artificially raised the price of the artifact so they could skim that profit.