Coeus
Author: Andur
Date: 2016-05-02 04:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Science Fiction; Romance
Description: About a boy who isn’t quite normal and doesn’t see himself as a human being, but is taught differently as he finds out about the world’s secrets. Though not everyone is happy about his existence. This is inteded to evolve into a full blown space opera with elements of magic thrown into it.
Publisher: royalroadl.com

1. ~Coeus.~

“What is the requirement to be human?”

Nordas, Eastern Province, Mutilated Asylum
Me

“This sack of potatoes is simply too heavy. What do you think Martha? Isn't it a waste of time to keep these lumps of flesh alive?” The skinny IC nurse pulls the limp body of a small boy out of his wheelchair and heaves him onto the bed.

The fat nurse at her side throws a blanket over the skinny boy to cover him. I already noticed that she doesn't like to look at bodies in a bad state of health. To keep the boy from falling out of the bed she folds a lattice up from under the bed and locks it in place. “Don't talk like that about the patients. You are paid to take care of them, Ingird.”

“Oh, please! I understand it when they are conscious and have a clear mind, but look at him.” She waves her hand in front of the boy's opened eyes, which are staring into nothingness. “He is less than a plant. He is toast! It's horrible of us to lengthen the suffering of a person like that. I know that there are cases in which it's hard to draw the line, but this one is so far removed from common sense! It's not funny any more. I am more and more starting to question the system the longer I work here.” She pokes her finger into the boy's chest.

Chubby slaps her hand away. “Stop that! The camera! You are right, but it's still not okay to act like that, even if the brain signal shows a flat line.” She closes the boy's eyes with her fingers. “You should act at least a little modest. Don't you show respect to a corpse too?”

Skinny sighs and grabs the wheel chair to shove it out of the room. “Alright. Alright. Don't throw a tantrum and who cares about the camera. It's not like anyone would watch out for the people who land here. This is the last station where you can slowly wither away until even the system can't justify to keep them alive any longer. It's just about raising money for the health care institute!”
Chubby connects an IV drip to the needle in the boy's arm and follows her co-worker.

I keep observing the camera feed until I am sure that they are gone, then I return my attention to the ten games of chess which I am playing simultaneously over the internet. There were already quite a few human caretakers who hurt my physical body more than they did good.

The human race is strange in so many aspects. Why can't there be clear rules for everything. Like in chess for example. I understand chess. It has rules and you can't break them. If you do, it wouldn't be chess any more.
Humans have rules too. There is a very complicated and complex set of rules on how to be human. The strange thing is that they are allowed to break their own rules on how to be human, but they are still regarded as human despite breaking them. Funny, right?

I was born six years ago and started to learn about my world as fast as I could. The first thing I learned was this. Humans are slow thinkers. They are seemingly unable to make up their minds about certain things. That's why they are simply sitting there, waiting, hoping that the world gives them the answer.

And if they don't get one, they are happy with the answers which are provided by a fellow human. Isn't it strange to simply believe in something that someone else tells you? Let's take religion for example. All of the information I found on it is provided by fellow humans. Yet most of them believe in it with absolute certainty.

But here is the strange thing. Humans are liars! They lie so much, it makes my head spin! So all those deeply religious people are believing in something that a liar tells them. I don't get it.

The second big insight I had in my life was that I am not human. Well, my physical body at least is human according to them, but what I mean is my mind.
I learned that I am not stronger than them. I am not physically faster than them. I am not smarter than them and I am not better at remembering than them. The only thing which I do much better than humans is that I think faster. Nothing more, Nothing less.

By the time I reached the age of one I had already gathered enough knowledge to understand the world around me. If I hadn't learned how to hack myself into electronic signals I would've gone insane! Imagine someone trapped inside an infant's body and a single day feels like years to him. But the internet saved me. It was the parent and teacher which my ignorant father and mother weren't able to be.
Though I probably can't blame them for that. As I learned later on, my ability to process information much faster than anyone else is unique.

I stop my train of thought to concentrate on one of the chess games and take my time to try several different moves. From my point of view I spent over ten minutes to make my decision. To my human opponent it looked like I made my answering move immediately. Now I can wait for an eternity until his slow brain manages to decide on what to do next.

The room, which I created within my own mind, is like a virtual reality. I don't even need a computer, I am the computer. Though I don't understand how I do what I do. Maybe I should've spent a while in researching my own powers, but that would require me to become active in the real world. And I don't want to deal with these insolent beings who call themselves humans.

Where was I in my reminiscence? Ah, yes, the third thing which makes me different from humans and which led to my final conclusion of not being human. It's my inability to feel anything for them. I also have big problems interpreting their facial expressions. My emotions seem to be dulled, if they are there at all.

My mother vanished when I was two. From my intellectual knowledge I know that I should have felt something towards her, but there was nothing. The person who fed me until now was exchanged with another person who fed me from then on. I think it was my father's mother?

Father couldn't deal with my mother's disappearance at all though. He turned angry and bitter. At least I think that's the proper way to describe his actions, since he started beating me. I didn't feel anything towards my father's violence, though I knew of course that I should have felt something emotionally to being beaten by my father. There was only the physical pain though. The worst thing for me is that I still don't completely understand his actions, despite analysing the events again and again.

In the end I gave up and concluded that he didn't act rationally. Humans do that very often. The best example is this form of government, which is called democracy. They know that it doesn't work, every politician who gets into a high position turns corrupt. They know that they are putting people in charge who weren't trained for their positions. Yet they repeat the same experiment again and again without giving up.

No sane person would go to a high school teacher and tell him to lead a multi million Euro enterprise. You take a top manager for such a job, who learned what he is doing. And here comes the best of it. Not only do they take a random person for the most important position in the country, they even exchange that person in regular intervals; making it utterly impossible for the person to even get a grasp of his job! By the time he got an overview of what he is doing, he has to make place for the next fool.

I won't even talk about politicians making decisions regarding the environment and other fields which require highly educated and trained people who are specialized on what they are doing.

But I deviated from my own circumstances. To explain my emotional and intellectual problem towards being human in a little more detail, it's best to take an example. An event from the time when I was still with my father.
Every human can discern good from evil right? Well, I can't do that. I have to reason my way through every single action I take.

Take a little boy who is playing with bugs for example. He plays with them, he tortures them by boxing them in, the bugs eventually die. The boy extinguished a life, right? So why is it okay for the boy to do so with bugs, but not with some other animals?
Even adults kill bugs by the trillions by using harmful chemicals as I learned later. A bug's life seems to be worth nothing.

Because of my apathy my father brought a puppy home. He thought that I might open up to it, since I didn't act like a little child should. But I was already very occupied with gathering information from the internet at that time.

The point of the story is this. When the stinking, useless puppy bit me, it caused me pain. Therefore I followed the only real motivation which I have. Self defence.
Luckily for me the puppy was too weak to wound me in a serious manner, but what should I do once it grew bigger? Applying my knowledge about vermin, I decided to do my father a favour. Therefore I organized a lighter and a spray can with flammable contents. Then I eliminated the problem.

Killing bugs was okay, but burning a puppy to a black crisp was obviously not. You see my moral dilemma? A human's life consists out of such decisions. Day and night he makes decisions like that easily and I am simply lacking this ability. Why was it okay to squash bugs? Why can't I burn a puppy? There is no difference between a useless bug and a useless puppy! Yet humans seem to be able to instinctively attach certain values to certain objects. And those values don't follow any logic as far as I am concerned!

That's why I came to the conclusion that I am not human.

If I see it like that then it takes a weight off my mind. Why should I, who is so much faster than everyone else, have problems with something that's as easy as walking to everyone else.
It's needless to say that my father was furious about burning the puppy. He called me a monster, a devil, which was fine to me since I am not human anyway. Even my grandmother turned away from me, giving me up.

I still can't understand the difference between killing a puppy and a bug. Except that the puppy stinks more, can hurt you and causes more damage to your bank account than hundreds of bugs. Provided that you let the puppy live. For all my reasoning, my father should be grateful to me!

Well, that's all long in the past. Taking the fifty seventh beating from him, I retired that day into my very own world. There is no reason to bother with something that only causes physical pain. I am no masochist, despite having only a limited bandwidth of emotions.

Here in my own world I can spend lifetimes while the world around me stands still. My family brought me to different doctors, but none of them could tell what's wrong with me. My father got into trouble with the police, but that didn't concern me any longer. When they looked at my brain with their devices, they found out that all areas are constantly flaring like those of a person with epilepsy.

According to all their knowledge I am a mental cripple, hence I was brought into this institute where I can spend my final days.

To be honest this life isn't so bad at all. I can spend my days doing mischief in the internet by using my ability and my body is being taken care of until it finally fails some day. Though from my point of view that day is far, far in the future.

My attention deviates from my chess games when a red light starts flashing in my virtual room. I don't want to be distracted right now, but the red light is a warning system which I programmed within my own brain. It means that someone entered my room. I mean the room in the real world, where my body is.

But I want to continue playing chess! It should be okay if I look at it a little later. Strategy games are my own little holy grail of entertainment. Shooters are totally boring to me since my human opponents are simply too slow. I always get accused of cheating and end up being banned. Once I threw a tantrum and hacked an entire sever platform to get into the pc of the administrator who banned me. But I outgrew such childish pranks by now.
Round based games and strategy games are the only things which interest me.

The red, flashing light turns out to be really annoying and I link myself to the video feed of my room.

The Chubby has returned together with two people in dark clothing and long, black mantles. There is a woman with brown hair and a pony tail and a man with short dark hair. I can't see their faces since they are facing away from the camera, but the man is half a head taller than the woman.

I continue to play chess and start a game of Battlecraft in the meantime. Battlecraft is a really dumb strategy game since it relies in great parts on being a fast keyboard monkey. The macro aspect of the game falls too short. But at least I don't get banned so much. The people are still calling me names though.

“Is it really coming from this room?” The man asks and looks around. His eyes fall onto Chubby and he shoos her away. “It's alright, we are police. Please wait outside.” He holds a strange card in front of Chubby and she leaves the room, looking intimidated.

In the meantime Ponytail walked through the room like being blind, holding her hands outstretched in front of her. Are they some kind of religious cult? I hack myself into the city's police network to check their identities. After an eternity of searching I find no officers who look like them.

Having read all kinds of fantasy and scifi novels and movies, which I copied illegally from the internet, I start fearing a conspiracy and activate all the police forces of the city and call for help.

“There it is again. It's the child!” The woman holds her hands above me. Then she turns with a curious expression to the man.
The guy takes the patient information sheet which is pinned to my bed. “According to this he is in a coma... hmmm, random and uncontrolled activity of the entire brain. Can't be, a wild techno mage? Did one of the upper echelons forget to keep his Tommy in check and mingled with the normals?”

The woman shrugs her shoulders. “Happens from time to time. The question is what to do. There are simply not enough clues on my sister. I wish she wasn't that good at hiding.”

Oh no. They are really maniacs! What will they do to me? They won't kill me right? If have to get more police! No. THE ARMY! I link myself to other servers and try to hack into the national security network. There is no problem if I get caught, I want them to come anyway!

“Oho... you are good little one.”

A voice comes from right behind me and I freeze. Slowly I turn around find the Ponytail standing in my virtual space. I take a look at my security camera. The woman is still in the room, placing her hand on my body's forehead.

She invaded my private world! I am not... alone... in... my... world. A primeval fear like I never felt it before takes hold of me and I turn to face the woman again. Her face is strangely distorted, is that supposed to be a grin? Is she mad? She is showing me her teeth, she won't bite me right?
Something shorts out within my brain and I try to run. There is a dangerous foreign entity within me and I don't know how to get her out!

“Whops. We don't have time to play cat and mouse.”

The woman steps forward and gets a hold of my leg before I can get away. I wail in her grasp, but she is stronger than me, which I don't understand. This is my virtual space! Strength doesn't matter here!
The woman places her hand on my forehand and suddenly my world shatters. I watch the room in which I spent my life up until now falling apart. Even my game of Battlecraft is forcefully disconnected. It's a shitty game anyway, but don't like being interrupted while I play.

There is only this other, bigger entity here with me and she is rummaging through my entire being like an elephant in a porcelain store, but she isn't the only one who learns something from this exchange. Somehow a part of her is available to me and I am simply overwhelmed by what these humans call emotions. The world was so much better without them! I open my mouth and scream, but there is no sound, just darkness and this human.

I open my eyes and find my body shuddering uncontrollably! This time I seem to have real epileptic attack! The woman folds the blanket which is covering me tightly around me and picks me up. I try to fight her, but my atrophied muscles have simply no strength. I can't even scream and all I manage is a silent sobbing. The real world feels like a pile of shit and pain!

“We have to get out of here. There are tons of normal officials inbound on our position.” The woman heads for the door, carrying me with ease.
“What!? Why?” The guy follows us with fast steps. “I thought this is a low risk reconnaissance mission!”

The woman rocks me like and infant. “The little one threw a small tantrum when I entered his private space. It's no problem. We simply make a run for it. It's not like they could stop us.”
The violent motions make everything swirl and I try to barf onto her, but it doesn't work. There is nothing in my belly. Damn IV-dripper!

2. ~Patient.~

“The resource wars two hundred years ago caused the collapse of almost all industrial nations of that time. Nordas formed out of the remains of the European Union and controls parts of the old Russia and the coastline of northern Africa. They are currently taking a neutral stance towards political affairs, but showed that their military can't be underestimated.
During the midnight war, the Central African Union tried a land grab to acquire important farm land and to unify their continent. Nordas's military struck the attempt down with an iron fist, leaving the C.A.U. unable to undertake any operations besides national defence.”

History Lesson I

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Rhiannon Alvar

“To run across a wild techno-mage while we were searching for your sister doesn't happen every day. I am truly interested in who the father is. Maybe we can blackmail him to vote in our favour?” Arend starts fantasizing about the boy's origin. “If the father belongs to the upper classes our family may get an additional voice in the Council of Elders. Rhia? Dear? Are you listening to me honey?”

We are in Aether's main hospital and waiting in front of the examination room where a doctor is taking a look at the boy. In absence of anyone else who would take this task from us we decided to wait here until the officials arrive to take charge of the kid.

I shake my head and continue to file the report about our visit to the city of normals. As mages of Aether we have to report all our interactions with non-magicians. There is nothing as important as keeping our existence a secret. “I am sorry, but I don't think that blackmailing an elder is a good idea. Though I would like to know how someone can be as cruel as to leave a young techno-mage like that child to himself.”

As I think about the boy I wince. In my family tree are a lot of magicians with the particular trait of techno-magic, which is a higher form of the elemental electro-magic branch. The problem with this power is that your mind gets accelerated. Affected children have to be treated with extraordinary care and require special guidance.

Arend sighs upon realizing that I am not entirely with him. “Was it that bad? Being in his mind?”

“I didn't fully realize his state that time, but he shut himself in a single empty room with a few screens to interact with the outside world. Apparently he was using the internet quite excessively. There was nothing else there.” Taking a look at the file, which we gathered on him, I can't help it but to feel sad for the child. “Gideon Oberon, six years old. Mother died when he was one. The supposed father had to face a trial for child abuse when the kid was four. The child was brought to the asylum around that time because he entered a comatose state.”

I add the dates up and wince. “That means he was a little over a year in that state. And there was nobody who could help him to understand his circumstances.”
“Depending on his ability he probably spent years in his own little world.” My husband shakes his head and corrects his short, dark hair with one hand.
I smile at his rough looks. He isn't taking it very seriously with his outside appearance, which often results in him carrying a beard of several days age.

Our conversation is interrupted by a doctor exiting the examination room. He is slim and wearing much too big clothes for him. His hair is grey and his face has more wrinkles than I want to count. I notice that his use of magic caused his ears to turn long and pointy. He doesn't bother with hiding his deformation and carries it with dignity. Upon noticing us, he looks up from a sheet of paper in his hand. “Ah, it's good that the two of you were waiting for me. We have some things to discuss.”

I blink and hand the report to the doctor. “Of course were waiting for you. Can you give this to the faceless who are going to show up for the kid?”
The faceless are the magical police, but they don't deserve to be called that way. They are tough guys and a word from them is enough to cause someone serious problems. Cause problems to one of them and you can be sure that your place is crawling with dozens of them within minutes.

I don't want to meet them since they have the tendency to ask unpleasant questions. “They'll bring the kid to the ones who are responsible for him.”
The doctor shakes his head. “I called them off since they aren't needed.” He smiles weakly and seems to be happy that there aren't going to be any inquisitive people with far too many rights in his office.
“What do you mean by that?” My husband asks.

“I mean that the people who are responsible for this child are you two.” He points a haggard finger at us. “We analysed his DNA and compared it to the mage population in our database. Surprisingly we couldn't find a match for the father, which is surprising since he is a pure mage.
But there is match for the mother, there are two in fact: Rhiannon Alvar and Sadina Alvar. Since we have a complete record for you, the only one who can be the boy's mother is your sister Sadina Alvar. But she went missing twelve years ago.” The old man hands me a sheet of paper, which is snatched away by my husband.

“Are you absolutely sure of this!?” He snaps at the old man, who is so surprised that he takes a step back.
“Please don't doubt my professionalism. I am absolutely sure that our results are correct. I am sorry if this information causes trouble for you.” The doctor places his hands behind his back and struggles to keep a friendly expression.

I sit down on one of the chairs which are lining the corridor's walls and start chewing on my nail. “My sister had a child? And left it with the normals?” I would have never thought that someone from my family could fall so deep, but apparently my sister caused us more trouble than I expected until now. The world starts spinning as I try to make sense of everything.

Years ago my sister hurt a lot of people and fled from the authorities for unknown reasons. She went into hiding and we searched for her ever since. After some years I thought that I would never see her again and got over it, accepting her disappearance.

A day ago we found an unexpected hint on her whereabouts. It led us to a small town in Nordas, where we stumbled across weak magical activity and found the boy instead of her. “We have to check if she is really dead.”
Arend grabs my hand to reassure me. “I think that matter won't run away from us.” He turns to the doctor. “What about the boy.”

The doctor shrugs his shoulders. “He'll survive, though he has to undergo heavy treatment. His muscles are atrophied. Some organs were about to fail, but it was nothing which we can't cure. The child was about to die when you found him.”
The doctor pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. “He is stable for now. I am much more concerned about his mental state. He woke up during our examination and tried to cut my assistant with a scalpel. You know someone who is specialized on 'cases' like him?”

I nod. “We have several techno mages in our family tree. They tend to show... strange behaviour.”

“That's good. Coincidentally I know a little about this affinity and he is a very problematic case. I put the boy to sleep and sealed his magic. You know how to remove a basic rune seal?” He waits until my husband nods in confirmation and goes on. “Then all that's left for you to do is to take him with you. Here are my recommendations regarding his treatment and I want to see the child once a week.” He hands my husband a sheet of paper and leaves, walking down the corridor and turning around a corner.

Arend looks down on me. “Are you alright?”
I sigh and get to my feet. “Yes, it just got to me.” Upon entering the examination room I find the boy lying on the only bed in the room. The child looks like a zombie with his eyes deep in their sockets and all signs of undernourishment. The only thing that hints at him being my sister's son is the black hair which is similar to hers. At least as I remember her.
Sighing, I lift the boy from the bed and carry him out of the room, heading for one of the teleportation devices all around the hospital.

“Shouldn't I carry him?” My husband offers, but I just smile at him. The child is very light and I can carry him even without enhancing myself with magic. “Just dial the destination for home.” I walk towards a circular indention in the corridor's wall. Complicated runes are filling the golden plate on the ground and silver runes are attached to the walls. It's necessary to stabilize a blind teleportation with a magical device. Devices like this are placed all around the city for public use.

I step into the device and my husband joins me, manipulating the runes of the teleportation device. A moment later the scene around us shifts seamlessly to a walkway through a garden. Our family's estate is located in the outer areas of Aether and while we aren't belonging to the most powerful magical bloodlines, we still own a lot of property. Having access to a lot of techno mages makes you rich, but doesn't give much influence in the upper societies.

It's evening and the dark towers of our mansion are rising high above us. Forcing myself to stop staring, I enter the mansion and ask my husband to inform the rest of the family.
Minutes later we are all together in our mansion's living room. My father Hedeon and mother Melan are sitting together on the sofa.

My daughters are at the table, eyeing the unconscious boy who is lying on one of the couches. Saden is the younger of the two with nine years and Galia is with fourteen about to join the university.
Arend's parents weren't invited to this meeting since he is from a branch family and essentially only married into our household. It also would have been a little troublesome for them since they are living on Jupiter. A direct teleport from Jupiter to Earth is costly, even for a family with a lot of resources.

“So you are telling us that this boy is Sadina's son? Did you find her?” Mother asks concernedly. She is old, even for a mage. Though her body still belongs to a woman in her twenties. The only sign which is showing her age are her eyes and hair, which turned completely silver. But she can still see perfectly through them.
“If the information which we got from the normals is correct, then she is dead. We'll confirm them tomorrow.” I close my eyes tiredly.

“The information about the father at least can't be true.” Hedeon, my father, gestures at the boy. “If it's true that he created his own virtuality, then he is very talented. That's impossible if one of his parents was a normal.”
A lifetime of using magic caused two horns to grow on my father's forehead, which makes him look like a demon. But unlike my mother he still looks like a man in his thirties.

“We will learn the truth tomorrow.” Arend tilts his head in a questioning manner. “The question is what to do with the boy.”
“Can he be saved?” Melan asks.

“That's what I wanted you to find out, Mother.” I look at her pleadingly. “I don't think that I can distance myself from the situation. It's better if you have a look at him.”
“As if my situation is any different.” Melan sighs, looking down at the floor. “The problem lies in how long he isolated himself and if he can be taught to deal with other humans. Judging from your description I don't have much hope. What did his avatar look like?”

“A normal child, five years old and healthy.” I answer.
“Hm.” Grandmother nods solemnly. “Then it means that he still sees himself as a child in his subconsciousness. It may take a lot of work, but it could be possible to save him. If he had regarded himself as an adult or something completely inhuman I would have said that it's best to put him silently to rest.”

My mother's words may be harsh, but that's unfortunately the fate of many young techno-mages. Losing yourself in your own ability leads to the comatose state in which we found the boy. It's possible to force someone out of that state, but most victims become so addicted to their own reality that they can't deal with the real world any more.

Their fate is to slowly wither away until they die, forever caught in their own desires.

3. ~New Family.~

“The Central African Union, for short C.A.U, formed out of various African states and is one of the new rising powers on earth. They control almost the complete African continent and the former Arabia, but have bad relationships towards their direct neighbours, Nordas and India.
The reason for that is their aggressive policy in regard to secure needed farmland. That's because great parts of the African continents turned into desert due to the climate changes.

The rumoured midnight war was the C.A.U.'s attempt to take control of the fertile regions which were controlled by Nordas and India. This short war was planned as a lightning war operation to present the nations in question with a fait accompli.
The reason why this operation failed was because Nordas secretly invested in massive defensive infrastructure. The leadership of Nordas did this in anticipation of future friction with the C.A.U.. The result was the complete defeat of the attacking forces.

The attack on India succeeded and took control of their governing body, but the C.A.U. underestimated the determination of the Russian and Chinese coalition, as well as the Indonesian Kingdom. All three of these nations were using India's space-port as their main launching port for satellites.

India had profited from the technology transfer from Europe and had given its neighbours free access to their extensive space program and expertise. Not without calculating thoughts as it turned out.
In fear of losing their free access to the earth's orbit, all of the mentioned nations struck out at the C.A.U. and forced their military to retreat and pay reparations for caused damage and lost lives.”

History Lesson II

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

I stir in my sleep and open my eyes. Blinking, I try to remember what happened. Why is the ceiling white? The room in my personal reality is painted blue.
That's right! There was this woman and she did something to me. I sit up, but nausea attacks me and I feel incredible weak. This is my real body.

By instinct I try to retreat into my own world, but it doesn't work. Did they do something to me? Disoriented I survey the room. It's held completely in white and empty. There is a strange globe floating at the ceiling, spreading a warm light.
Probably I could have accepted the disturbing globe, but there is a door to my left. A door!

My old room had no doors. Doors lead somewhere. I don't want to be anywhere else. Probably an annoying human will emerge from that door and question me. What can I do about that? Fight? No, probably I have no chance with this body and my ability doesn't work.
Something rolls down my cheeks and I wipe the fluid away. Tears? The real world is annoying.

Taking another look around I concentrate on the bed. It's really big with fluffy blankets and four huge cushions. There is no point in staying idle and the door is irritating me.
I roll myself out of the bed, but my muscles give way. Realizing that I can't even stand without supporting myself on the bed I abolish the thought of trying to open the door.

I reach for the cushions and push them to the ground. Then I slide to the floor, pulling the blanket with me. Some exhausting minutes later I am in the corner of the room with the cushions and the blanket around me. I chose the corner which is as far away from the door as possible.
Closing my eyes I fall asleep again. Hopefully this is just a bad dream. I'll surely wake up and then I am back in my world.

The clicking of the door's handle wakes me up and I pull one of the cushion's closer, placing it between me and whichever danger is approaching from the door.
A young woman with silver hair enters the room and freezes, startled upon finding the bed empty.

Then her eyes wander to me and her expression changes again. She walks over to me and I dig my fingers into the cushion, realizing that I can't even flee into my own world if she starts beating me. She is three times my size, there is no way that I can do anything to stop her.
She bares her teeth at me. “Hello, Gideon.” Kneeling down in front of me she reaches out and touches my hand. “Are you able to speak?”

“Please don't bite me!” I manage to answer.
She exposes her teeth even more. “Why should I bite you?”
“Because you are bearing your teeth at me? That's the same as dogs do before they bite!” I answer, drawing from my previous experiences.
Finally she closes her mouth. “I see that we have a lot of work to do. What I just did is called smiling and it means that the person in question is happy and means no harm.”

“Why should you be happy.” There is no reason for her to be happy.
“Because I met you, Gideon. You are my grandson. Isn't that a reason to be happy?” The woman replies. At least she isn't exposing her teeth any more.
I may be unable to understand some things about humans, but at least I can judge someone's age and looks! “You aren't my grandmother! You aren't even old enough to be a grandmother.”

She sits down cross-legged and I realize for the first time that not only her hair is silver, but also her eyes. They look like they are pure silver. How can she even see through those things? It feels like she is looking right through me.

“Gideon, this may be surprising, but the people whom you thought to be your father and grandmother aren't related to you by blood. They are... normals, as we call them.” She points at herself. “And I am a magician, as well as your mother and you. My name is Melan Alvar and yours is Gideon Alvar. You belong to a family of magicians.”

Great. This woman isn't just a freak of nature, she is also crazy! “There is no such thing as magic and magicians.”
“Then how did you do what you did? Like creating your own virtual space in your mind and connecting to the normal's internet without a computer?” She snaps with her fingers and a plushy toy cat appears out of nothing in her hand. Then she pushes it into my hands.

“H... how? Why?” I blink, not believing it. There are tricks to fool someone, but there is no way that she hid this thing in her sleeve! So I wasn't human after all? Are they aliens!?

“I am very good at teleportation. Like that.” She snaps her fingers again and this time it's a plush bunny. “I am sorry that we didn't come earlier, but we didn't know of your existence. Your mother did some bad things and fled from the authorities. We magicians are hiding ourselves from the normals. We don't think that it's good to have dealings with them. And I am actually two hundred and forty-eight years old.”

“Is that why your eyes and hair are so strange?” I ask, looking down on the plush toys. “I don't feel young enough for toys like that.”
“That's because I used magic for a very long time. The more you use mana, the more your body changes. Do you want to see something cool?” Without waiting for my answer she forms her hands into two cups and rocks her head forward, catching her eyeballs which were ejected from their sockets.

My eyes bulge as she holds them out for me to see, but my attention isn't on the two silver eyeballs. There are just two empty eye-sockets in her head now. That's... disturbing. “P- please put them back!”
I believe it! There are clearly no connectors to her brain and the eyeballs are perfect spheres without interfaces. I know of no technology which can replace your eyes like that.

“Sorry, do you believe me now?” She pushes her eyeballs back into her head.
“Yes! Just don't do that again.” I offer the toys to her. “I don't know how long I was in my own reality. I didn't count the time in there.”

She doesn't take them. “Keep them. I think you should use your status as a child as long as you can. Having an appropriate toy helps to fool the people around you.”
I place the plush toys beside me. “So what can magicians do?” I ask, not sure on how to react.

Melan smiles again. “You and I are techno-mages. It's an advanced branch of electro-magic. There are several different branches of magical affinities. It means that someone's mind has a disposition towards certain spells. We cast them easier than others.”
The wheels in my mind start turning. “Does that mean that I can throw fireballs?”

A while ago I played some fantasy M.M.O.R.P.G.s and I enjoyed it for some time, but my mind was too fast for them. The stupid grinding game advanced simply too slowly. After a while I got sick of it.

“Well, you can. If you put effort into it. Essentially a mage can learn every spell in existence, but that's more suited for a fire-mage. We techno-mages excel in areas like manipulating technological and magical artefacts. Other areas we are great at are teleportation, gravity magic, telepathy... obscure stuff like that.” She shrugs her shoulders.

“Those spells generally take a long activation time. That's why pure techno-mages are regarded as weak in battle. We also have this issue with accelerated minds, which can be quite problematic. Some tend to lose themselves in their ability and turn into addicts.”

Obscure? Weak? Teleportation? Gravity magic? That's even better than fireballs! “I can learn that, Melan?” If her words are true, then my cruel reality just turned into a wonderful fantasy world with people like myself!
“First you have to get better. I am supplying you with healing magic since quite a while. And call me Grandmother.” She smiles at me.

That's fine with me. If she is really the same as me, then I'll call her anything she wants. My old family wasn't worth to be called a family anyway.

Only then I realize that she was touching me since quite a while. Her hand is shining in a green light and somehow I feel better than before. “It has been a long time since someone touched me without hitting me.”
Grandmother's expression changes. “Don't get your hopes up too high. If you do something with ill intent I'll have to punish you.”

My high expectations suddenly drop into a deep valley. “But my... previous... father said that I am evil, Grandmother.”
“Why did he say that?” She asks.

I hesitate for a moment, but then I decide that talking alone won't get me punished. And Melan won't hit me because she is like me. Probably.
So I explain my problems with understanding humans and their strange reasoning to her. It took a while, but in the end I think I got the point across.

Grandmother nods. “That's a problem most techno-mages have to deal with, though you seem to be a little more problematic than others. We will work on that.”
She takes the cushion away from me and lifts me up. “But the first point on our list is to train your body. The first task is to walk to the door on your own.” She puts me down, but thankfully lets me hold her hand to steady myself.

“Can't I learn gravity magic and fly where I want to go?” I look up to her and try to do this thing which she called smiling.
Grandmother shakes her head. “No magic, no virtual reality until your body is fine. We have to work on your display of emotions. That expression looks like you are a rabid dog. Don't look at me like that! No, tears won't work either.”

Damn! Maybe dying is the better choice.

4. ~Truth and Lie.~

“The USA belonged to the nations which suffered the most from the resource wars. As a country which relied heavily on exploiting the resources of second world nations, the USA entered a time of conflict and civil war.

Especially the loss of easy access to oil caused great unrest and the ready availability of weapons made it impossible for the government to keep the revolting citizens under control. Some say that the demonstrations and revolts were staged by outside parties, but the truth is that the mass of armed citizens was bound to get out of control sooner or later. All that was needed was a trigger.

Russia used the utter chaos to claim Alaska and great parts of Canada. This happened with almost no resistance from either nation because their governments were completely incapable of action and had to worry more about their own populations.
Up until this day the remains of the USA are regarded as a lawless assembly of independent nations, which play no important role in comparison to the big national powers.”

History Lesson III

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Melan

“I always wanted to have a brother! Oh, this is so exciting. I'll take it upon myself to teach you everything I know. I am very good at electro-magic. Yesterday during lessons I summoned a class three thunder elemental.” Galia looms above Gideon, patting his head while being in her own world.

The poor Gideon is just sitting on the floor and eyeing her like some dangerous beast. I think he sensed somehow that she isn't like him. When I brought him with me he said that he won't need the plush toys which I gave to him. But right now he is holding them like they could protect him.

My granddaughters are very interested in Gideon, but I fear that they only regard him as a new form of entertainment. Galia is fourteen and wears her dark, brown hair open. Saden has it tied to a pony tail, which makes her resemble her mother.

Saden offers Gideon a hand. “My name is Saden and the big, intimidating brute is Galia-”
“Hey!” Galia interrupts Saden's little speech.
“Don't worry about her, she isn't dangerous. I can imagine how you are feeling, I am a techno-mage too. It's a bit disturbing to meet someone who looks older, but is on a lower mental level. We can't hold it against them, just imagine that she is someone who has yet to learn a lot of things.”

Gideon places his hand carefully in Saden's. “My name is Gideon.”
“Grandmother said that I should help you with human interactions. The first one I want you to get accustomed to is...” Saden starts smiling. “A hug. Because I'll do that a lot.”
Then she suddenly embraces Gideon, who freezes up and I notice his pupils widening in shock. His eyes wander towards me, but I just signal him that it's okay.

I leave the children to playing on the room's carpet and concentrate on the people around me.

Hedeon, Rhiannon and Arend already introduced themselves to Gideon. Though I noticed that he was very wary towards Rhiannon and Arend. I don't think that I can blame him for it. From his point of view he was abducted by them.
“So what is your judgement on his personality? You spent the last three days with him.” My husband asks, eyeing the three children.

“He is strange.” I stop for a moment to gather my thoughts. “On one side you get the feeling that he is a very rational being, just by talking to him. But on the other side he clearly displays some emotions, despite claiming that he doesn't have them. I think he is somehow able to subdue them mentally, but his body betrays him in the end.”

“A split personality?” Rhiannon asks with a saddened expression.
I shake my head. “I don't think that it's that easy. He never showed signs of something like that. That's why I decided to take him out of his room and to introduce him to the rest of the family.” My eyes wander to the children. “Just to see how he reacts under stress.”
“Stress? What do you plan to do to the poor child?” Arend asks shocked.

I shrug my shoulders. “I am already doing it. Don't you think that having to deal with Galia and Saden is stressful enough for someone who shut himself for years inside a single room?”
Arend's expression turns embarrassed and I continue. “So what did your investigation of Sadina yield? It took you two days of sneaking around between the normals. I hope it was worth the risk.”

“It was hardly a risk, Grandmother. We are trained in missions like this and we keep ourselves updated about their society.” Arend answers.
I close my eyes. “Every interaction with them endangers us to be involved in their petty fights. Our people managed to have two thousand years of peace since we retreated from earth and hid ourselves. I'll admit that we didn't do so without shedding blood, but I don't want my family to be the reason why their attention returns to us.”

“You are right, our people will stay forgotten.” Rhiannon answers. “We turned around every stone and interrogated the Oberon family, but the only thing we are sure of is that they aren't related to him. There were clear signs that someone manipulated their minds, but it happened so long ago that it's almost impossible to tell who might have done it.”
Arend continues. “We also unearthed the corpse of Gideon's supposed mother, who died in a car accident. The doctor says that neither she, nor his father are related to him.”

My hands start trembling in rage. “To think that my own offspring dumped off her own child with some mind manipulated people, letting him end up in an asylum to slowly wither away. If I ever come across her, she will answer for her crimes.”
A long time ago Sadina conducted experiments to change our society. She attempted to create the ultimate spell circuitry to enhance her own abilities.

A mistake in her calculations caused her magic to run wild and got a lot of innocent people killed. When the authorities tried to apprehend her she fled. “I see now why she managed to evade the faceless for so long. She must have hid among the normals. Yet another crime on her part.”
Hedeon grabs my hand. “But it also seems like she had help from our people. Who is Gideon's father for example?”

Rhiannon nods vehemently with a conflicted expression on her face. “We won't find that out without involving the elders. And I am not sure if it's the right choice to ask them for help. Who knows what they might do to Gideon? I want to get my hands on my sister, but I am not sure if it's worth the price.”

Our conversation gets interrupted by the buzzing of the doorbell. I log myself into the feed of the security camera to take a look at our visitor. A person in a long, black mantle is standing in front of our door. His face is completely covered by a white, oval-shaped mask. A faceless, a member of the magical police. “I already thought that it's taking them abnormally long.”

Rhiannon starts playing with her fingers. “Ahem. I might have delayed my report a little bit.”
Hedeon glares at her. “As the head of our family I don't want the faceless snuffing around on our property! Don't do anything that could cause their mistrust! You know how it goes. Piss off one of them and the next day they are peeling the dirt from your shoe to find out if you placed your foot somewhere where it shouldn't be.”

My daughter gets up. “I just got the address of my report a little wrong. It may have taken them a little longer to relay it to the correct office. They can't blame me for messing up the numbers of their departments.” She hurries out of the room to receive the inspector.

I stand up and head over to Gideon. Saden and Galia organized a tabletop game from somewhere. They are playing on the floor and it looks like Gideon and Saden joined forces against Galia.
Gideon looks up to me with an exhausted expression. I kneel down and cast another healing spell on him. “Are you tired, Gideon?”

“No. Just a little drained. My body isn't accustomed to moving.” He answers.
“Good, we have a visitor. He is from our version of the police and means no harm.” I stop for a moment to formulate my intentions right. “Just tell him what he wants to know, but not any more than you need to. There is no reason to hide anything.”
He nods, forcing himself to smile. “Okay.”

I am not entirely sure if he should smile like that at the inspector, but I don't get the chance to tell Gideon otherwise. The door is slammed open and a faceless strolls into our living room. He takes a look around at the people who are present until his searching head stops at Gideon.

A few purposeful steps take him to us and he raises his hand to show us the golden seal which identifies him as a faceless. The seal is a golden amulet with three intertwined infinity symbols and magically tied to the owner. It's a magical amplifier, which makes him probably ten times as strong as a normal mage. Nobody is able to take it from him, or use it for that matter. The seals are created with a secret method by the council.

“I am inspector '94684-Ed'. You can call me Ed and I have a few questions for you, Gideon.” The man kneels down and I get out of his way. “Please give me your hand, then I can test if you are saying the truth.”

Gideon looks towards me and I nod. He reaches out and the inspector takes his hand, placing the golden seal on the back of his hand. “Say only the truth. I'll know otherwise.”

“What's your name?”
“Gideon.”
“You never had contact with these people before they found you in the asylum?” Ed gestures around the room.
“No.”
“Do you know who your real mother is? Or her whereabouts?”
“No, I don't know who she is.”

I stop breathing for a moment. I definitely told him about his real mother and her crime. It can't be that he forgot about it?

“Are these people treating you well?”
“Yes.”

“Hm.” The inspector rises to his feet. “It seems like this is another dead end. I'll excuse myself.”
He turns and heads towards the door, but not without stopping in front of Rhiannon. “And I hope your next report isn't addressed to the archives! Unfortunately I am not allowed to truth-read you, since you willingly provided a signed report, but make sure that there aren't any further delays.”

“Yes, it was an unfortunate mistake!” Rhiannon bows down, feigning innocence.
“I'll let myself out then, goodbye!” The inspector leaves the room.
Stunned, my eyes wander slowly to Gideon, who is sitting on the floor beside me. “You lied to the inspector.” I state matter-of-factly.

Gideon looks up to me and distorts his face into that horrible smile. “I just wanted to test his magic. Normally I don't lie, but this was a good chance. This truth-read thing doesn't seem to be that great. As long as you convince yourself of the stuff you say, you can apparently say anything.”

He returns his attention to the table top game, oblivious of the fact that everyone's attention is on him. “Saden, what can you do with this figure?”

5. ~Test.~

“The only country which wasn't affected by the resource wars was Australia with its outlying geographical location.
Australia’s government also practised a policy of neutrality and self-supply during that time. They didn't take action. Neither for nor against any party. May it have been regarded as good or bad.
History shows us that their decision was the right one.”

History Lesson IV

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

My eyes wander from the doctor's strange tool to his eyes and back again, then towards his aide and my grandmother. It's the same old man who stung me with a needle when I first awoke after Rhiannon and Arend found me. The room we are in is also the same. Grandmother brought me to the hospital in order to get my recovery checked.

My first encounter with the doctor and his staff was unfortunate. Imagine yourself waking up in a hospital room with strange people all around you and then your eyes fall onto a set of surgery tools. Of course I activated my ability and thought long and hard about the situation.

From the information I had back then, I deduced that they had somehow found out about my unique ability and decided to use me as some kind of lab-rat.
I came up with seven methods of self defence. Unfortunately all of them were futile, given my body's state. If I were in possession of a functioning body back then, I could have killed them in twelve different ways.
I check the small table with the surgery tools at the bed's side, but this time it's empty. Minus one means six methods of self defence.

The doctor throws an accusing look at Grandmother. “He is clearly thinking about ways to harm me and my staff! You said that he isn't dangerous!”
She pats my head. “You just surprised him. Gideon has a very peaceful personality for a techno-mage. Right, Gideon?”
I smile at the doctor and his staff. “I am sorry, back then I thought that you wanted to harm me.”

“You don't have to force yourself to display emotions. It's a very bad attempt by the way. I know of your circumstances.” The doctor answers and gestures with the tool in his hand. It's flat and rectangular, almost like a smart phone, but there are many wires coming out of one side. “Please lie down. This is a medical scanner. It's absolutely harmless.”

I eye the thing with interest and follow his orders.
He comes closer and holds it above me, but without touching me. “I see. Your recovery is well under way. It seems my treatment is taking effect. Good. You are giving him the medicaments which I ordered to?”
Grandmother answers in my stead. “Of course.”

The doctor does something with his instrument and nods. “There is still small case of malnutrition. You are eating properly?”
“I eat until I feel sick, then I stop.” I answer. Dinner time with the family became a dreaded event for me. While they are eating like horses, I can take only a few bites until I can't go on.

“Hm. I took extra care to get your stomach into a working state, but it seems like it isn't enough. Your body won't develop correctly if you don't eat enough.” The doctor opens his long white coat, which is filled with pockets on the inside. They are full of tools and small boxes, it's like he is a wandering pharmacy!
He chooses one of the boxes and gives it to my grandmother. “The normals are still barbarians when it comes to medicine, no matter what the upper echelons say. Give him one of those shortly before mealtime and he'll be able to eat normally.”

Rummaging through his pockets once more, he produces another item. This time it's a small golden amulet. “There is also another method of treatment, but it's costly. This is a regeneration charm. It automatically draws energy from its surroundings and uses it to add a passive healing effect to the one who is wearing it. The only problem is that it isn't a cheap item, since a silver and copper alloy is needed to create the necessary effect.”

“I see. Please send the bill to me.” Grandmother answers without hesitation.
Isn't silver very costly? And this thing is big! I eye my grandmother while the doctor puts the amulet around my neck. “Thank you for your hospitality. Make sure to visit me next week.” Grandmother smiles at the old man and helps me from the bed.
I take a look at the amulet, which is a medal and is covered with various runes and interconnecting lines. It looks like an electric circuit. “I don't feel any different. Is it working?”

The doctor nods. “Yes. It's a regeneration charm. You won't feel anything from it. It's a very slow working spell. Have a nice day.”
“Goodbye.” My Grandmother takes my hand and leads me out of the room. I wave goodbye to the doctor and the assistant.

On our way to the teleportation chamber I eye the amulet once more. “Grandmother, are we rich? Is our family powerful?”
She purses her lips. “Our family tree has a tendency towards techno-magic. As a techno-mage you can make a lot of money, so you can say that we are rich. But we aren't regarded as powerful because we don't have a lot of combat potential unless we become very old and adapted to casting spells. We can make the most money on spaceships, where we act as pilots.”

“Spaceships? And how does magic work? I noticed that the teleportation chamber is made out of gold and silver. Is there something special to those metals?”
She smiles. “Yes, spaceships. We mages left earth a long time ago and built colonies on the other worlds of the solar system. The flying city Aether is the only place on earth where we are still living. And we are using the metals such as silver, copper and gold because they have the least electrical resistance.
To use a spell which influences reality you have to change the flow of energy into a certain pattern. Magical artefacts are a great help in that regard because you just have to infuse your power into them and they do the rest. The less resistance they give you, the better. That's why we are using alloys with the least electrical resistance as possible.”

We reach the teleportation circle and she starts manipulating the runes. But I can't accept this as the end of the conversation. “Please don't stop your explanation! Don't you realize that you just created several more questions?”
Instead of answering she finishes manipulating the runes and in the next moment we are standing on an empty observation deck. There are some people around. They are looking out of the glass fronts, but none of them cares for us.

She leads me to the glass, so that I can take a look outside. “You are currently on the flying city Aether. It's a flying disc with one hundred and twenty square kilometres and it's approximately one kilometre thick. Currently we are flying above the Atlantic Ocean. The normals can't detect us because we are hiding the city within an information barrier. To them we are invisible. In addition we hacked their devices and information networks anyway. So even if our barrier fails, we can swiftly edit their computers and networks.”

I ogle the city under us. It looks like a normal city, but this observation platform seems to be at the edge of the disc, so I can also take a look at the ocean beneath the edge. “Now I really believe that I am in wonderland.”
“Oh, you haven't seen half of it. Wait until you can make a trip to the mage colonies on the other planets. We created huge hidden settlements all over the solar system and in the asteroid belt. Gravity and teleportation magic makes it all possible.” My grandmother muses and turns me around. “But today you have to take a little test. I'll take you on a sightseeing tour later.”

What? No way! “There are still so many questions. Why are the magicians hiding from humans and why does battle magic matter more than having money? I thought that your society is all peaceful?”
“We are peaceful. Our community hasn't fought a single war in two thousand years. But at the same time we believe that having the power to defend ourselves is also necessary. Mages who are able to do combat are necessary to uphold the law and the ones who uphold it is the magical police.”

We stop at the teleportation circle. “We are governed by the council of elders and the council is in control of the faceless. The council consists out of people from the strongest families from each magical branch. There are about a hundred of them and they make the laws of our society.”

Again she manipulates the runes and we find ourselves on a long, white corridor with many windows. There are also a lot of children with people who could be their parents.
Melan leads me towards a door with a tag and several runes on it. I read the tag aloud. “Examination Chamber 4?”
She presses the runes in a certain combination. “I reserved this chamber to have your abilities and knowledge measured. Your ability will work while you are inside, so you just have to touch the globe and answer the questions.”

The door opens and I am shoved inside. Grandmother pats my shoulder. “I have to wait outside.”
I hesitate, but then I nod. So far Melan never showed any malice towards me. “Okay.”
She closes the door and I am left alone in the white room. It's empty, except for a copper-coloured globe with the size of a tennis ball.

It floats freely in the middle of the room and suddenly it starts speaking. “Hello, I am the examination sprite 'Exo-4'. Just call me Exo. Please state your name.”
“Gideon. What are you?” I slowly walk closer to the thing.
“Gideon Alvar, age six, scheduled for a full magical and mental examination. I am a fully autonomous magical construct to examine the abilities of magicians. Please touch me and we will take this test in your own virtual reality. This will be much faster than doing it in the real world.” The globe floats lower, so that I can reach it.

Slowly I reach up and touch the globe.

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Melan

The sign on the examination chamber's door turns from 'Occupied' to 'Examination Chamber 4' and a sheet of paper is printed out of a slit beside the door.
I take the sheet and start reading while opening the door. Gideon is right on the other side with a disturbed expression on his face. “I didn't do it.”

“Do what?” I look up from the sheet and find the examination sprite on the ground. Smoke is rising from it. The smell of burned electronics fills the room.
“Exo said that he wants to test how fast I am, but he couldn't keep up. When I returned to reality he was like that.” Gideon points at the sprite.

I smile and hug him. “It's okay. It's just a cheap tool. Obviously he had to over-clock his processor to keep up. It happens when someone is a little faster than you would expect from a child.”
I look at the sheet of paper while hugging Gideon. As expected he didn't get any scores in magical knowledge and questions regarding mage history or society.

He didn't even score that high in regards to the knowledge of normals. Just average one might say. But his score in their programming and networking is good. He even has decent knowledge about physics. The same goes for logical thinking and imagination.
The thing that's absolutely outstanding is the speed of his virtual reality. If these numbers are true, then he is on average over a hundred times faster than real time in his own reality. He must have spent a lifetime during that year in the asylum.

The sprite shorted out after trying to drive Gideon to his limit. “It's okay. Sprites are self repairing.”
A smile creeps onto my lips. Gideon might be an unexpectedly talented grandson. If I am able to protect and guide him, I may be able to redeem my mistakes with my daughter.

6. ~Walk in the park.~

“The resource war lasted from 2122AD to 2201AD. Afterwards it took the world almost two hundred years to recover back to a relatively peaceful state.”

History Lesson V

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

It's the first time that I am with someone else without Melan being nearby. Grandfather Hedeon seems to be the silent type. He didn't say a word when Grandmother asked him to go on a walk with me.
Stupid daily exercises. Someone might think that magic has an easy answer to tiring training. I am already wheezing and sweating, but Hedeon is still walking with big steps. “Can we walk a little slower, Hedeon? Grandfather?”

He turns his attention towards me, but instead of smiling he just raises an eyebrow. “You do realize that children of your age are playing and exercising their body all day long?”

Great! Seems like I've found the strict person in the family. “Yes, but I really can't go on any more. Walking twice around this park takes three hours, but this time we are already done with the first round and it's been just fifty minutes.”

“Well, I guess walking a little slower is possible.” He returns his attention to the path through the park. The park is a public planted-area right next to our mansion. I have to exercise my body at least three hours each day.
In addition I got some books about mage history and our society.

Apparently the magicians decided to leave the rest of humanity behind sometime during the era of the Roman Empire. Of course they didn't leave all at once. It was a slow exodus, which ended sometime during the witch hunts of the Middle Ages.
“Grandfather? Was there a real reason why the magicians decided to leave Earth? The history book made it seem like the decision was accepted by everyone. That's suspicious.”

My grandfather stops walking and I run into his leg, but he stops me from falling. “You are right. The council of elders decided that being involved in the battles of the normals caused too many problems within our own community. Our people lived in all countries, but we all answered to the elders. They gathered everyone with magical ability and started the project to conquer space.
There were people who refused their point of view and stayed behind to help the normals in their struggles.”

“Then what happened to them? The book stated that the exodus ended during the witch hunts.” I ask, but I already have my own theories about what happened.
“Everyone who wanted to leave left. The rest stayed behind and had to deal with the normals on their own. Once the normals got the upper hand and certain religions started spreading, they had their needed reasons to burn our people. That's something they seem to like, even today.” Hedeon nods to himself.

Then he continues. “Do you know that some of their governments know of magic? They have special forces to hunt the last remnants of people like us. That's the only reason why Aether is still on earth. We are staying here, just in case someone with magical ability might want to leave his hiding place.”

I nod. So they know of us after all. “Another question is why is my amulet so pricey? I had some time to think over it. Why are there problems with mining gold, copper and silver? Shouldn't there be enough metals out there in the solar system?”

It's the first time that I got a grin out of my grandfather. “You are right. We are mining tons of metals and other resources each day. But like it's always the case, you have to add other considerations too. Making a regeneration charm takes a lot of time from a highly skilled techno-mage who is specialized in crafting charms. You don't want to start rotting from the inside, don't you?”

“Then there is the point that the metals in question are highly sought after. Transporting something that heavy over vast distances is costly. In addition you need an approved pilot for a spaceship, generally a techno-mage. Teleporting goods over long distances is a waste of money and energy. And before you ask, we can't simply throw the asteroids from the belt on a course to the inner solar system. The normals would go nuts. Not that there is anything they could do about it.”

“Moreover we aren't using those precious metals just for toys or as currency like the normals. Our technology relies on high contents of gold, silver and copper. In certain circumstances we use graphite, but it doesn't take physical stress that well.
You need several tons of silver and copper to fit a spaceship with the needed gravity circuits and amplifiers for the pilot to even move the damn thing. And what do you think you are standing on? If the mortals knew what Aether is made of, they would declare a war to kill and pillage like in the old days.”

My eyes wander to my feet and suddenly I understand. Grandmother said that Aether's floating disc is one kilometre thick. How many metric tons of gold and silver must that be!? “Then I suppose that the ships in question also need technology to camouflage themselves? How much money does a pilot earn then?” If there aren't that many of them it has to be a lot.

Hedeon stands a little straighter. “It happens so that I flew a spaceship for about sixty years until I met your grandmother. A hundred metres long and eighty tons of cargo. By the end of my service I made enough money to lean back for a while and to buy our mansion.”
“So what about the colonies? You saw them right? Which of them are the most interesting ones?” I start skipping. I want to fly a spaceship too!

“Well, we have colonies on all big celestial bodies. I suppose the one on Jupiter is the biggest and most impressive one. We dragged an asteroid into Jupiter's atmosphere to hide it there. It's the size of a small moon and has its own miniature sun.” Hedeon stops for a while to think. “The ones on Mars and the Moon are boring. They are essentially just underground cities. The rings of Saturn are also colonized.”

“I guess what you would like the best are the main shipyards on Mercury. It's where we produce almost all of our ships. The entire facility is huge with almost twenty million people working there. In order to create the hulls for our ships we just have to bring the metals close enough to the sun and spin them into the wished form. It's the easiest way to do it. That's why most ships are either cylindrical in shape or huge orbs. Discs work too, but they aren't very efficient. Generally you want something spherical, otherwise you waste energy to teleport empty space.
But most magicians live in the belt. Out there we can do whatever we want without caring too much about drawing attention from the normals.”

That sounds boring. Maybe I don't want to be a pilot after all. “Cylindrical or huge orbs discs? No way! It's your fault!”
“What's my fault?” Hedeon looks down at me with a disturbed expression. It's clear that my outburst surprised him.
“UFO's! You are the creators of that myth!” I point my finger accusingly at him.

“Ahem. Well. You are right. The information barriers for our small ships aren't foolproof. We created the myth of UFO's to explain some videos which we couldn't edit out of the information network. Especially a few hundred years ago it wasn't so easy to delete the camera footage of some devices, but we got better. So nowadays we do not need to rely on such methods.” Hedeon places his hands behind his back and starts walking faster.

“It's a direct result of the nature of our drives. We use gravity magic to create a force into the wished direction. The ships practically fall wherever we want them to. In addition we use long range teleportation for very important deliveries. A teleportation field has the shape of a sphere by nature. So if you want to use an teleportation spell to its most efficiency, then the ship has to be a sphere too.”

“Then why do the pilots have to be techno-mages if we are regarded as weak.” I ask next.
“Isn't it obvious? A starship's main methods of movement are gravity magic and teleportation spells. Both are fields in which we techno-mages are above everyone else. It also has its benefits if the pilots have accelerated minds.” Hedeon squints his eyes at me. “But I get the feeling that you are rested by now. At least you have enough breath to ask questions, so we can walk a little faster.”

With this Hedeon starts walking faster again and I have to hurry after him with my small legs. No, I think that Grandfather may not have much empathy for children.

7. ~Visitor.~

“It is 16.2.2489AD and the world's most powerful governments finally announced that they decided to work together in order to create a united Earth! Nordas, Russia, China, India and the Indonesian Kingdom already gave their consent. Australia confirmed that they are thinking about joining. South America also confirmed their wish to join, but hasn't completed the vote. If all those countries decide to work together, then the remaining nations will have no other choice than joining too.”

-Newspaper

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

Finally alone! It's almost as if I am back in my own little room. My grandparents have some business to do, Aunty and Uncle are working and my cousins are in school. I began to fear that I will never get some time for myself. During the last month my grandmother created such a tight schedule for me that I wasn't alone or unsupervised for a single moment. I wonder what she is afraid of? From her explanation I understood that I am extremely socially awkward, even for a techno-mage. But I doubt that my psyche can be healed by keeping me under people from day till night. At least I don't feel different from my time in my own world.

At least she allowed me to use my magic again, though she put a spy charm on me to check on how much I use my ability. According to her it's very unhealthy to use magic while your body is in a weakened state.
Apparently magic works by influencing the structure of reality through manipulating the structure of the energy around you. Magicians are able to do that by using their nervous system, which is apparently much stronger than that of normal people. The first thing I got taught by Grandmother was creating an electrical current between my fingertips. Great! Guess what! I am an electrical eel now!

And yes, apparently I am talking to myself. I let my eyes wander through the living room. Maybe being alone isn't that nice after all. Recently I always had someone to talk to. Now that I am alone I tend to talk to myself. At least in my mind... but it kills time, so I'll continue.

The teachings didn't end there. Next I learned the most basic runes to influence the world around me. Well, they are vastly different from the runes someone might imagine from the word alone.
I concentrate on my plush cat and collect my power to shape it into the three dimensional rune-pattern for 'Force'. The toy flies away and impacts on a nearby wall. This is so cool, despite my dampened emotions I can't help but feel something that might be called excitement! It's like a new game came out and I just logged in.

I look down on the floor where I have the spellbook which I got from Melan. There are runes for almost everything and you can combine them as you want by connecting them.

The buzzing of the doorbell distracts me from my training. I access the house's network to take a look at the visitor. Melan gave me access, but I can't do much more than locking and unlocking doors and access some other minor functions. There is no access to something like the internet, which exists according to Melan. She doesn't want to give me access at this point.

What I find in front of our mansion is a woman in a black cloak with yellow hair and a white mask on her face. She is looking up at the security camera. “My name is inspector Zu. Open the door.”
No serial number? Ed had a serial number. I activate the speakers on our door. “Why? There is nobody at home.”

“It doesn't matter if there is nobody besides you at home. There are no restrictions for an inspector. Open the door.” The woman answers with a cold voice.
If she would have acted like the other inspector, I would have believed her. But as the situation is now it smells fishy. Why are two different people working on the same case? Shouldn't Ed be with her? “Then at least identify yourself properly. I want to see your certificate and your serial number.”

At the same time I open a connection to Melan and she answers almost immediately. “Yes, Gideon?” It's good that she taught me to call her telepathically.
“There is a faceless at the door and she wants to enter the house, but she didn't show her seal. Can she really do that?” I watch the woman at the door who is doing something with the door handle. “And now she is breaking in I think.”

“Hide yourself, Gideon! I am on my way and I alarmed the authorities. That's not an inspector!” Grandmother screams over the connection.
I activate my ability and time comes to a creeping halt as I return to my virtual reality. The woman broke the door and is about to enter the house. In her left hand is something which I assume to be a gun. It's a futuristic looking tube like from Star Wars, but still a recognizable weapon.

That means that she wants to kill me. Someone wouldn't pull a weapon to subdue a child. This situation is strange. Just when I found my own personal heaven someone wants to ruin it! Didn't I walk through hell already?
What can I do? Simply hiding won't cut it, I have no idea how much time the faceless need to arrive at the crime scene. What if she finds me by then? First thing is locking all doors in the mansion, done.

The only chance is to fight back! But how? She'll walk over me with brute force and I have no idea what her gun can do. Are there weapons in the house? Not to my knowledge. But there is a kitchen and yesterday Grandfather bought some fertilizer for the lawn. It might work if it's not some magical wonder-powder. If the nitrate content is high enough I might be able to blow it up with a simple heat spell. But how do I get there? I start making my plan.

After half an hour of thinking about my possibilities I decide that I can't do anything more to ensure my survival. The situation is very straightforward, so I don't have a lot of options anyway. I return to reality and get to my feet. I grab my plush cat and the rabbit, then I leave the living room.

Luckily Grandfather's study is right opposite to the living room and the fertilizer is still there. I grab the package and slam the study's door shut as loud as I can. That should have informed the woman of my position. Right now she has to be running up the stairwell.
Pushing the office chair to the window is harder than I thought but I manage it without taking too much time. A command to the house opens the window and I climb outside, using the chair as a ladder.

Looking down I suddenly start doubting my plan. This idea sounded so good as long as it was just a plan. But a loud noise convinces me to jump. Someone broke a door in the upper floor.
I cast Force on my plush toys as I fall and try desperately to hold onto them. Loosing the rabbit I concentrate my efforts on the cat and with the second try it slows my fall considerably.

The landing is still hard and pain shoots through my leg, but I have no time. So I get up and to the window of the kitchen which I ordered open. Luckily its intended as access door to the garden, so I don't have to climb again.
Sugar and flour are attained easily enough in the kitchen. I work fast and messy while doors are broken open one floor above me. An emptied coffee can serves as container for my makeshift bomb.

For good measure I add some teaspoons and forks. With luck they work as shrapnel. My noisy endeavour with the metal obviously pulled attention and I hear footsteps running down the stairs as I screw the coffee can closed.
Please let the heat rune work. Please let the heat rune work. I just looked at it and never tried to cast it in fear of starting a fire.

Steps approach the kitchen and I curse in my mind. How did she find me so fast. My plan said that I would encounter her on the stairs!
It has to work now, or never. I use Force to propel the can towards the kitchen-door just as it is swung open.
The masked woman raises a hand to protect herself and points her gun at me. I cast the heat rune from behind the kitchen's oven and close my eyes while taking cover.

A loud boom tears my world apart and after a few moments I open one eye, then the other. I am alive! Ha! My leg hurts and my ears are ringing, but there is no hole in my body!
I lens around the oven to take a look at the destroyed kitchen and my visitor. To my astonishment she seems to be completely unhurt!

The explosion just threw her backwards in direction to the stairwell and she is in the process of getting up. I accelerate my mind once more to find another solution and the world stops moving.
Taking in the image in front of me I notice that she wasn't completely untouched. A fork is embedded in the hand which she used to protect herself.

Her gun is gone! Where is it? I let time run slightly faster and survey the area by flicking my eyes. There it is! Just three metres from me. I reach for the gun and cast Force. This time not away from me, but towards me. The gun flies into my hands and I catch it.
Then I aim it at the woman who is looking at me. I guess if she didn't wear a mask I would get to see a genuine expression of surprise? That would be interesting. Too bad that I can't see her face.

Aiming the gun at the woman I press the trigger and a thin beam of yellow light shoots out of it. The beam burns a hole into the wall beside the woman and she starts saying something.
I don't bother to listen and sweep the beam across her legs, which are taken cleanly off. What a cool gun!
Coming back in an arc I take off both her arms and remove my finger from the trigger. Time starts running normally again and the woman's pieces fall to the ground. She is screaming like a pig, but I don't care.

This can't be a laser. If it was, I would be dead. A laser that strong would heat the air around it to the point of burning its user. Is this some kind of particle weapon?
I turn around and use the laser to cut off a part of the oven. It's metal and it got cleanly sliced through with a fast slash of the weapon. No. Can't be a laser.

“Please give me that.” A voice from behind startles me. Turning around I find another faceless looming above me with an outstretched hand.
But at least I know the voice this time. “Ed?”
“Yes, give me the gun. There is nothing here that threatens you.” He says, still not moving.
I squint my eyes at him. “But it's mine. I looted it fairly from a defeated enemy.”
He doesn't budge. “Molecular disruptors are illegal for a reason. You wouldn't be allowed to keep it anyway.”

I take my time to think the situation over, but I can't find a possibility to keep the gun. Killing Ed and hiding the gun would probably cause even more trouble than I already have. And I doubt Grandmother would like it.
Personal heaven or cool a science fiction gun? I guess I'll come across other good drops. The assassin surely had an employer.

I take my finger from the trigger. “And I already had my hopes up.” I hand the weapon to Ed who sighs in relief.
A look at the woman informs me that she is alive. Her chest is rising and falling. It seems like she lost her consciousness, but there isn't as much blood as I had expected. Apparently the weapon cauterised the wounds. “Will she live?”

Ed nods. “Probably, I already called the healers. You didn't injure her vitals. Recommendable. After meeting you I thought that you were the type who is best locked in a cell without a door. It seems that I was wrong.”
Eh? Damn! I should have cut off her head. I was so fascinated by the gun that I completely forgot about finishing her off!

A tingling in my mind reminds me that I practically hung up on Grandmother. Or how do you call it when you cancel a telepathic connection? I have to ask her later.
Probably she is turning red right now, so I answer her call. “Sorry Grandma, but I was busy with the intruder.”
“Are you alright!?” Her voice screams in my mind.
“I am fine. Ed is here now. You can go back to work. We just need a new kitchen.” I hang up on her, feeling that I explained everything of importance.

“That was your grandmother?” Ed asks.
I look up to him. “Yes, you can listen in on telepathic connections?” It seems like the faceless have a few cool tricks up their sleeves. Maybe becoming a faceless is also cool. Hmm. Now I already have two ideas for a future job.
He nods. “And you hung up on her.”
I nod. “I said everything of importance. Didn't I?”
Ed shakes his head. “I'll call your grandmother for you. She'll want to know if you are fine.”

“Isn't the fact that I talked to her enough confirmation that I am fine?” I ask.
Ed continues to shake his head. “It's not. And sit down. I think your ankle is broken.”
I look down on my foot which is swollen. “Yes, now that you mention it. It still hurts.” Something runs down my cheeks and I wipe the annoying fluid away. On the ground close by I find my plush cat and pick it up. Somehow it soothes my mind to hold it, but I have no explanation why.

8. ~State of things.~

“The world government has announced a new space program! They intend to visit Mars and other planets in the solar system within a decade. Utilizing the resources of other planets shall finally stop the harsh pressure on the population. The stars shall be humanity's future.”

-Newspaper

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

I am sitting on Grandmother's lap while listening to Ed's sermon. Right now the faceless are swarming our place with several dozen agents. Someone tried to impersonate them after all. It seems like they aren't taking that on the light shoulder.
My grandfather seems to be very unhappy about it. I already gathered that he dislikes the faceless for their far reaching rights. He is saying that they are restricting the freedom of a lawful citizen, namely his own. I wonder what caused his aversion to authority.

My foot also got healed, though not immediately. A few minutes after Ed took over ten doctors arrived at the scene. They threw themselves at the injured assassin like vultures in order to save her life.

They could've at least spared me a glance. But my leg hurt so much that I had to get at least some painkillers. Only after I asked one of the healers for treatment I got some attention. Though the doctor in question seemed a little down because he didn't manage to snatch one of the attacker's limbs for himself.
I decide to return my attention to the discussion.

“...the assassin was identified as a member of the so called Revelation Wing.” Ed eyes my grandparents and my aunt. They arrived soon after the incident. Aunty seemed really shocked while Grandmother cried tears of joy upon finding out that I am alright.

“What's the Revelation Wing?” I ask.
Ed looks down on me like I am some kind of backwoodsman. “The Revelation Wing is a small group of extremists. They believe that mage-society should reveal itself to the humans and reclaim their place among them.”
He explains. Then he adds his own opinion. “They are hypocrites who left Earth during the exodus, but are still preaching that hiding ourselves is wrong. If they had any spine, they would have stayed with the rest of their comrades on earth.”
Well, but according to my knowledge those who stayed behind are dead. So they were smart enough to become hypocrites instead of being killed one by one.

“Why did they target Gideon?” My aunt asks. “He hasn't done anything.”
Ed shakes his head. “His mother Sadina had some dealings with their leader. He is a ruthless fellow who likes to pay his debts. He wanted Gideon's mother to hack the national news services of several of Earth's governments.
But she tricked him and ran off with a part of the Revelation Wing's capital. Most likely to fund her own research with it. I don't care much for the dealings between lawless individuals, but in this case you can see why they may hold a grudge.”

So it's related to my mother after all. Though I would like to know how the faceless came across this information. Do they have a mole within the Revelation Wing?
If they had, they wouldn't admit it to me. So asking about it is a waste of time. Maybe I can get some more information if I use my status as a poor, abandoned child.

“I doubt that my supposed mother cares if those terrorists get their hands on me.” I add my opinion and for some reason Melan pats my head.
Ed shrugs and changes his posture a little. “The Revelation Wing obviously thinks differently. From their point of view she hid you with the normals to keep them from getting their hands on you.”

He changes his attention towards Melan. “And the next time you try to hide something from the authorities, you might as well go all the way and use a wrong name. Somehow the Revelation Wing got their hands on his test results. Entering Gideon into the school system is what got them informed of his existence.”

I was found by being entered into the school system? Why should I need to go to school?

“I didn't particularly try to hide information.” My grandmother's arms tighten around me. “I just wanted to know about Gideon's status and didn't bother to take the official path. It was just a test after all.”

Ed pulls a sheet of paper from a pouch in his coat. “Oh, I think you did know what you were doing. You lot seem to like hiding certain things from me. But I admit that you are good at keeping yourself out of the line of fire. Up until now there wasn't a single case in which you couldn't claim that you were simply lax in following your duties.”
He turns the sheet of paper around. It turns out to be a copy of my test results from a few weeks earlier. “He fried an examination sprite? Do you know what that means?”

Nobody answers, so I decide to break the silence. “No. What does it mean?”
Ed stores the sheet away and answers. “It means that you are a very fast one. I know of less than a hundred people who can outperform an examination sprite.”
Ok? I know that I am super fast. That's nothing new to me. “Somehow I fail to get the point.”

Ed shrugs his shoulders. “You will... at some point.”

My aunt starts massaging her temple. “So what now?”

“You will simply go on with your lives. We faceless will do our part to uphold law and order. Catching a member of the Revelation Wing alive created a big dent in their security. And it will gain me a promotion.” Ed places both hands on his belt.

He looks very satisfied as far as I can judge. No, wait. That's not the problem. I point at Ed. “But I was the one who caught her!” He is taking my spoils!

Ed deliberately ignores me and continues. “Right now they must be in the process of going underground. They will hide themselves as good as possible and lay low for a while.” Ed tilts his head as if he is thinking about something. “I doubt that they have the guts to make another attempt, but just in case I will leave this battle sprite here.”

As if it waited for the command a robot with six legs enters the room. It's looking like a really mean crab with strange stumps as arms. It's about a metre tall and the whole body silver and shiny. It sparkles like completely new. Ed pats its head proudly. “This is battle sprite C-34. Just call him Crono. He is working with our agency for fourteen years and will act as a bodyguard for the time being. I'll excuse myself then.”

It's a fricking robot! A real robot! That's even better than the gun! I wrestle myself free from my Grandmother's hands and approach Crono. He even has two camera's as eyes! “Hi.” Crono doesn't reply and scans the room with his eyes instead.
“He is a little shy.” Ed explains and turns around, leaving us to our own devices.

I continue to study Crono until my grandmother interrupts me. “I have to talk to you about something.”
“About what?” I ask.
“About the reason why I was out today.” She smiles, nods and claps her hands together. “I organized that you can visit school upon turning seven.”

School? Me?

9. ~First Day.~

“We proudly announce that the new mission called 'Explorer' is well under way. The new sensor probes will search for suitable landing places and resources for follow up program.”

-Newspaper

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

My birthday came and went. The whole family had a big party, but it didn't really concern me. I never celebrated my birthdays when I was with my fake family. I have some dark memories that they made a cake for me when I was one.
Though it seems like I spoiled the party a little when the stupid water began flowing down my cheeks again. Everyone got silent and seemed emotionally struck.

They are definitely not tears. According to my knowledge you are supposed to lose control over yourself when you cry. I don't felt like crying at all, so it's just a malfunction of my tear ducts. The next time I see the doctor I'll ask him to check on them.
But right now I have another problem.

I am still not convinced that this school thing is a good idea. Why am I in this classroom with screaming and noisy kids? I bet that they don't even know the basics. There is no point in me even being here. At least Crono is waiting outside of school grounds. It turned out that the robot isn't very interesting after all. I had hoped for a more talkative machine.

The classroom is quite big for the number of students. There are just twenty-one children with me included, but I suppose the room has enough place for at least forty people.
We have eleven boys and nine girls in here and the thing which is most noticeable is that their clothes look really expensive. I am no different, now that I think about it.
I guess the low birthrate allows that children are always spoiled by their parents.

An adult woman enters the room and the noise stops immediately. Earlier this day she was introduced to me as my new teacher. Apparently this world's school system works a little different from what I expected. There aren't multiple teachers. You get taught by only one individual and maybe a second one if your main teacher is unavailable.
The reason is that there is no need for multiple individuals. The tests are taken by examination sprites and a mage gets old enough to learn everything he needs to know.

It's only about giving the children a proper basic education from where they can go on by themselves. If you know what you want to do with your life, you search up the required knowledge and learn it.
After you have prepared yourself properly, you can go and take the test to get the qualification. You can take the test as many times as you want. There is no restriction.

In fact it's totally common for a mage to change his job several times during his lifetime. Though adults only visit a school to take a test. Somehow it's understandable if you take into account that the average lifespan is five hundred years. Things will get boring after a while and you go for a change.
The issue with the lifespan was also interesting to me. Apparently I have to face a very long life. In fact five hundred years on average doesn't mean that I am old and grey by that point.

It just means that I'll have a potentially lethal accident by that time. The world is still a dangerous place and can kill you despite everything. According to statistics the most common causes for a mage's death are leisure accidents. You trip and fall down the stairs, broken neck, unconscious, not found for several hours and you can kiss life goodbye.

The teacher's name is Sue Taewon and she has brown hair and a round face with Asian features, but I already noticed that the mages aren't placing any value on appearance.
The use of magic causes the body to mutate in order to adapt to the circumstances of the individual. I already saw a wide variety of those mutations. In some cases I actually wasn't really sure if the individual was really originally human.

The only point which is important to this society is that you have magical ability. When the mages left Earth, they came from all over the planet. That's why there are people who have definitely a European background like me, but I can also identify Asians and Africans in my class.
The skin of one girl is as black as night. I guess I have to abandon the way of thinking which I got taught by the internet.

“Greetings, today we have a new member in our class. He is joining us so late because of his family's circumstances. Would you introduce yourself.” Sue looks expectantly at me.

I guess this is it. The rumoured introduction to the class. While I studied the human society I read about this in mangas.
I stand up and try to smile. Luckily Grandmother already thought about what I have to say for my introduction. “My name is Gideon Alvar. I am a techno-mage, so please try to overlook my strange behaviour.”

I sit down again and eye the teacher expectantly, but she is just standing there. After a few moments she decides to break the silence. “Don't you want to add something? Like hobbies for example?”
“I have none.” I answer.
“Interests?” She asks hopefully.

After a few moments of contemplation I decide to say something in order to satisfy her. It can't be called a hobby, but at least I did it for most of my life to kill time. “I like to play all sorts of games, though due to my circumstances I always lack proper opponents. And recently I am studying human interactions, though it seems to be a hopeless task.”

Sue takes a deep breath and decides to continue with her lesson. She starts giving instructions to the other kids in order to continue with their learning schedule.
I get a set of complicated calculations and an account to get access to the school's network. It's my first time that I get access to something bigger than Grandmother's house. After connecting to it I feel like it's a little let down. Apparently there is no big difference to the human's internet. The only real difference is that it doesn't lag so much.

Sue instructs me to learn some of the books about history and physics. I realize that she must have had access to my test results because it's exactly on the questions which I bombed during the sprite's examination.
Maybe school won't be so bad after all. I already feared that they want to teach me how to do multiplication and division, but with these individualized instructions it actually feels like I am learning something.

Time passes faster than I realize and we reach the first break. Sue leaves the room and it starts getting noisy again. I realize for the first time that I am somehow getting ignored, but that's actually fine with me. There is no reason to interact with little kids on elementary school level.
The break will last for an hour, so I decide to get up and explore the school. On my way here I saw a map of the school grounds on the corridor's wall.

A short walk takes me to my desired destination. The school is cleanly subdivided into parts. I am inside the area with the classrooms. Then there are examination rooms which I already know. Further away is a separate building which is labelled 'Laboratories' and beside it are the 'Arcane Training Grounds'.
But those seem to be a long walk away. Since I don't know how to use the teleporters I don't want to go there. Somehow I am not inclined to spend a significant part of the break with walking.

But neighbouring to the section with the classrooms is an area which is named 'Club Activities'. Is that the rumoured school club, which I read so much about in mangas? I'll take my time to research my possibilities.
I turn into the required direction and start walking. There are many teachers and children on the corridor and I get anxious. Obviously I am not good with crowded places. All the time someone bumps into you and it isn't clear if he is attacking you or not.

Somehow I manage to make my way to the designated area without incident. I promised my grandmother not to hurt anyone.
There are no detailed maps, so I simply walk along the corridors while reading the plates on the doors.
They seem to have everything. I come across various sport clubs and other things of interest to normal people.

I stop in front of a door which is labelled 'Computer Club'. I feel a slight curiosity about this world's computers, so I pull on the door's handle. Sadly it's locked.
That's when the thought strikes me that it may have an electric lock. Our house has them, so why should the school have something mechanical?

Placing a hand on the door I search for electrical currents and promptly find them. By using my ability I make short work of the lock and push the door open.
Behind the door I find a room with many, many computers. All of them look like high end devices, but most of them are off.
I notice that one is running and there is stuff lying on the desk with the keyboard. Apparently somebody left the room in a hurry.

I skip to the computer and take a look at the screen. Seems like someone was writing a program to control something.
Once more I use my ability to interface with the device and take a look at the compiler. Apparently the mages are using a programming language which is similar to C.
I activate the help function and take my time to read the manual. The writer of the program just noted down that it's a new control software for gravity based fusion reactors.

By running the program I find several bugs, so I correct them and optimize the code.
The program is already in a working state, so I don't have to do much. It's not that big of a deal for me. Fixing the issues with the code-freezes upon triggering certain events is a thing which takes just a little patience.

Having lost my interest I return to reality and take a look at my wristwatch. I spent three minutes on this. What a waste of time. My tendency to get absorbed in obscure things is troublesome. I note to myself that I have to work on changing that.
Locking the door behind me is done easily enough before I continue my exploration.

Upon turning around the next corner I run into a boy and trip, landing on the ground. If I hadn't been instructed on accidents by my grandmother, I would say that he attacked me. Luckily my body isn't that frail any more. Well, I am still frail compared to my contemporaries, but it became much better during the recent months.

“Get up techno-geek!” The boy who could be eight years old calls out to me. I am not sure about his age, but he is a head taller than me.
I get up and he grabs my collar, pushing me against the corridor's wall. “Give me your key!”
Key? I blink. Which key does he want? Does he think that I have a key to the clubroom? “I am sorry, but I don't have a key.”

The boy raises his hand and forms a fist with it. “Give me the key, or I'll hit you.”
I activate my ability to contemplate the situation. Okay. I don't know what this is about, but he is clearly thinking that I have some kind of key.
The other point is that he just threatened me. That's unmistakeable. So our collision earlier was an intentional attack from his side.

No way! Is this the outrageous bully scene from the mangas? This world is so exciting! But getting beaten up again is killing the mood. At least I can flee into my own world if it turns out that I can't stop him.

I promised my grandmother that I wouldn't hurt anyone, but this is clearly the exception which is called self defence. And he already attacked me, so I don't have to hold back.
I decide on the only possible answer to clear up this misunderstanding. “No.” I have no key, so I can't give it to him.

The boy doesn't listen and attempts to hit me, but he is faster than I expected. All I can do is watching the fist as it is closing in on me. Did he somehow enhance his body with magic? My own body is unable to keep up with the movement. That sucks.

At least he seems to be a bully without training. It comes in handy that I read some things about martial arts. If you hit someone with your fist, you have to do it right. Otherwise you hurt yourself more than your target. You have to hit the target with the knuckles of your index and middle finger. Those two are the strongest bones in your hand and can take a punch.
I shift my chin just a little. Now he'll hit me with the knuckles of his little and middle fingers.

In addition I cast a force field in front of my chin. It's the next stage after having learned the 'Force' rune.
His fist impacts my chin and my head is thrown backwards, impacting the wall behind me. I take the pain as a good sign. It means that I wasn't knocked out. To my satisfaction the attack was accompanied by the breaking of bones.

The pain stuns the thug and I place my knee in his groin. A squeal starts escaping his lips while I reach for his head. This time I cast Force on his head and it is sent downwards towards the floor. The squeal ends with the cracking of the floor's tile.
I reach for my head, but luckily there is just a small bump and no blood. A fast look up and down the corridor ensures me that nobody witnessed the scene.

My eyes fall onto the next door and I remember my original goal. That's right. Looking for clubs! I continue my tour, the incident already forgotten.

10. ~Self Defence.~

“The first probe to the moon has started! Humans are going to visit Earth's satellite once more after several centuries of abandoned space flight.”

-Newspaper

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

“And how is it going?” Saden asks from across the table.
“I think it's okay, though the other kids in my class are annoying.” I answer, not hiding my impression of them.

Since I am going to school too, Saden and I decided to meet in the canteen during lunch breaks. It's nice to have at least one person to talk to. Saden is eating fried potatoes, while I chose tomato soup and fish sticks.

“They are doing that intentionally.” Saden answers with a full mouth, shovelling even more potatoes into it as she speaks.
I take another spoonful from my tomato soup. “They? Doing what?”
Saden tilts her head. “The school's administration. They split us techno-mages evenly among the classes. There aren't more than two techno-mages among each class. It's supposed to teach us to interact with other people of our age.”

I let the thought sink in. “It strikes me as strange to follow the body's age in this matter. Wouldn't it be much more appropriate to sort the children according to their abilities?”
Saden shrugs her shoulders. “I don't claim to understand their reasons, but the decision was made by our lead psychologists. So there has to be some sort of twisted sense to it.”

Probably there is. But if so, then I fail to get it. Though I already gathered that mage society is highly efficient. A space faring culture with survival in mind has to be.
From my studies I learned that we mages are living essentially in a technocracy. Even though we are governed by the council of elders, the elders aren't politicians. They are the most capable individuals from each magical branch. The decision on who is going to be the elder is made during special election exams, which test an individual's abilities and character.

If I took a test during the next election and scored highest, I would become an elder for example. If I don't want the job, then the position is offered to the second place and so forth until someone is willing to do the job. Though it's very doubtful that I manage to do that.
From what I gathered by reading the books I would score zero points on character.

“Do you already have an idea what you want to do in the future?” Saden asks. “It's good to plan ahead. If you take the right learning schedule, you can be out of here by the age of twenty.”
Nodding, I start explaining. “I thought about making a tour through the solar system. I want to see all the colonies and fly my own ship while doing so.”

Saden's eyes widen and she starts choking on her potato, but manages to swallow it down. “You do realize that spaceships are costly? Who would build it for you? It would be much cheaper if you simply take one of the regular flights.”
I shake my head. “That won't do. I want my own, so that I can fly where I want to. I already made a ten-year business plan to finance the voyage.”

“If you manage to pull that off, then I am going to be your co-pilot.” Saden takes her glass of water to flush down the potatoes.
I drop my head in resignation. “Yes, that's the only problem. I would need to take the test to become a certified pilot.”

My cousin shrugs her shoulders. “What's the problem? You made the rest sound so easy that the easiest thing about it shouldn't concern you.”
Reaching down into my backpack, I pull out a big, fat tome. “They want pilots to know everything about their ships! It's a pain in the ass! I just want to fly one, I don't want to build the damn thing!”

Saden smiles and rolls with her eyes. “Why not? If you build it yourself, you eliminate the problem of having to pay for all the needed gold and silver. Just fly out to the belt and start mining an unclaimed asteroid.”
I close my eyes. “I think you aren't taking me seriously.”
“No, I am not.” She throws back her long hair and continues eating her potatoes.

I eat my soup and start working on the fish sticks, but a message arrives shortly before I am done. A letter starts blinking in my field of vision. It's something I learned during magic classes. Apparently my ability allows me not only to create a virtual space.
I can create whisps and task them with certain jobs. They are essentially portions of my mind which are split off. Having too much of them makes me slower though, so this spell isn't almighty and only suitable for techno-mages.

The message is from the program which I corrected a few days ago. Apparently someone activated it to test it out.
When I tweaked the program, I added a few lines of code which use the net to report back to my account.
The program was essentially turned into a Trojan horse. Interested in the creator of the code I access the computer on which the program was installed.

Apparently the trojan horse gave me access to a sub-network of a company. “Saden, what's StarDrive Inc. C.?”
Saden looks up from her potatoes, an expression of joy on her face. “Oh, that's interesting. They are a major producer of gravity-controlled fusion reactors, a main component of spaceships. Their heir is in my class and the same age as me. Do you want me to introduce you two? We are also both members of the computer club!”

I cut the connection. “That won't be necessary. I am not interested in any of the clubs.” My encounter with the thug taught me that I have to acquire certain skills if I don't want to be stepped upon. I have to find a way to deal with violent encounters. Even though the spells I learned by now seem very strong, the thug still managed to hurt me. It also has to be taken into account that he has the simple mind of a child. So I read up on the reasons why techno-mages are regarded as weak combatants.

What I learned is that the cast-time to power ratio of techno-magic drops with more powerful spells. The runes which are required to cast techno-magic are by nature very complicated. Since it's settled on fields like gravity, teleportation and telepathy, you are also a little restricted in your possibilities to attack someone.

Looking at another branch like pyro-magic shows you that the required runes are much simpler and easier to use.
Only very old techno-mages are able to overcome this weakness by sheer experience. They become so adept at casting certain spells that they can take shortcuts in the creation of spell-runes.

Unfortunately it doesn't help to simply learn pyro-magic. Using a spell, which you don't have an affinity for, causes you to use up much more of your power than is necessary. That's bad because magical exhaustion results in unconsciousness and can cause death in severe cases. According to the books someone's affinities result from the way in which he is using his brain.

Grandmother already demonstrated this to me by letting me cast the basic runes for force and heat as often as I can. When I cast force, I can go on for over a hundred times until I start feeling tired. Upon trying to do the same with heat I started feeling dizzy after only sixteen times. A pyro-mage would have the same results, just the other way around.

That's why all spells are split up into categories which look like skill trees on a huge two dimensional map. A mage's ability is partly defined in how many spells your affinity covers. Normally you get access to a certain area of this tree. In some cases someone's ability partly covers neighbouring areas.

It could be entirely possible that I can use a few spells of the lightning or metal-categories, which are closely related to techno-magic. Grandmother already implied that my ability to create sparks between my fingers is a good sign for the future.
I won't know my own abilities until my magical education has reached the point where I can try to experiment with spells that don't belong to my category.

In fact Saden's big sister is an electro-mage with access to a few spells of the lightning and techno-branch, which makes her actually a prodigy. Sadly she didn't inherit the accelerated mind though.

Finding a way to work around this weakness feels like a necessity to me. Otherwise mages with simpler affinities will be able to overpower me by being able to cast more powerful spells in a shorter period of time.

“IT'S HIM! He is the one!” Someone screams at the entrance to the canteen and I turn my head to find out who's causing the ruckus.
“Ah, it's the thug.” I note with an extremely emotionless voice. I can't help myself. Meeting this guy again is a real downer to my mood. He is with an adult who could be a teacher. Just to be on the safe side I activate my ability and slow down my perceived time a little bit.

Before the man can stop the boy, the thug does something with his hands. The next moment he rushes at me with incredible speed, his fists glowing in a blue light.
Though this time I am a little more prepared, prepared for violence.

I grab the fork and point it at the thug. A simple force-spell sends the tool on its way, but the thug slaps it away with a simple flick of his hand.
In the next moment he has reached me, but this time his hit is a little harder to dodge. He isn't aiming for my head, but for my chest.
Since I already know that his fists have to be taken earnestly, I cast several layers of force-field in front of my chest.

Feeling the impact on my chest I cast Force on my own hand and stab it forward, embedding my fingers into his eyes. This is the way I came up with to enhance my own body. If I can't keep up with my enemy, then I have to play my body like a doll on strings.
But his eyes are a little more resistant than I thought. Obviously it doesn't work like in the movies. His eyeballs don't pop, or are pushed back into his head. They just feel like a very resistant, slimy, rubbery mass.

I change the plan and create an electrical current between my fingers. The moist eyeballs are perfect contact points for electricity. Tasking a part of my mind to switch the current on and off is a simple matter. I feel a grin appearing on my face. So I became an electrical eel after all.
After I am sure that my opponent is affected by my attack I let time run faster again.

The boy spasms with chattering teeth and goes to the ground. My eyes fall onto the knife which was intended for my meal. Being attacked once is something I can deal with, but being attacked twice in this manner... that's the last straw. No matter who he is!
To outsiders my actions might look like they were taken in the heat of the moment, but I think I already gave this too much thought.

Dangerous animals have to be taken care of! I snatch the knife and stab the boy on his way to the ground.
Then I drop myself onto him and start going for his vitals. Arteries, face, chest. I don't want him to die immediately. Blood starts spraying in a beautiful arc as I raise the knife for the finishing blow.

Then my body suddenly halts and I can't move any more. Damn! Flicking my eyes around I find the man from earlier pointing both hands at me. Did he cast a spell?
Nooooo!!! Why did I have to make him suffer instead of ending it right at the beginning? Now he will attack me a third time for sure.

Life sucks!

11. ~Future.~

“The 'New Age' terrorist group has bombed one of the launching platforms for the new probes. This will throw back the efforts of the world government. But they claimed that no regressive force will be able to stop humanity from claiming the solar system.”

-Newspaper

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

“This is an outrageous incident! I hope that you are aware of what you have done.” The school's director, Mr. Freyd, glares at me. “Say something, or I have no other choice than expulsion.”
“Director Freyd!” Saden cuts in from my side. “I think that you made a mistake with what you have just said. I've had only a short time to take a look at the evidence, but it's very clear to me that Gideon isn't responsible for this situation.”

The director's eyes narrow and his attention turns towards Saden. “What do you mean?”
Saden corrects her blue dress before she starts speaking. “Let's revise the events. Ralph Hastur gets found on a corridor-”
“Heavily injured!” The director interrupts.
“-and claims that he was attacked. You let him search for the offender after he returns from the hospital, which led to the encounter in the canteen. Why didn't you check the security cameras?”

“The security footage can't be used as evidence. It's too easy to manipulate it.” The director answers with a monotone voice.
Saden isn't impressed. “But it can be used to determine your future actions. Ralph's record of attacking other students is as long as my arm. His last episode should have had him thrown out of school. Why is he even on school grounds?”

The director starts fumbling with his fingers. “You know that his parents own a large company and are paying huge sums to this school. It seems like a failure on our part if we can't educate a small kid like him.”

“And how much are the techno-mages paying to this institute? I am not entirely sure that you would be able to keep this school running without our support. What would they say if you let someone like Ralph attack one of us.” Saden shakes her head. “I am sure that they aren't easily pleased without a proper investigation of the circumstances. What's happening here is an utter disgrace to our society. I think I have no other choice but to take this case in front of a tribunal to make everything public.”

The director freezes for a moment. “Tribunals are free food for the media. You wouldn't disgrace this institute by dirtying it with bad press. Think about the repercussions.”
“My grades are good enough to go to the Jupiter university. My sister is a prodigy and Gideon just has to fry their examination sprite to show that he is worth the effort. So let me ask again. Why wasn't the video footage looked at? You knew that Gideon has to be treated with care. After finding him on the video, you should have let Ralph and him never get close to each other. And what's up with the confrontation from person to person? Did you walk Ralph through every techno-mage in this school? Don't tell me that the camera wasn't recording.”

A vein on the director's forehead bulges visibly. “The files were... lost.”
“Such a coincidence. So everything you have is footage of Ralph attacking Gideon in the canteen. We admit that Gideon's reaction was excessive, but that's exactly the thing this school is paid to prevent! I am sure that Ralph also lied about the first attack. Right, Gideon?”

I stopped listening a while ago. Instead I am currently taking a look at the school's network. Who would have thought that the crystals at the ceiling aren't just spending light? They are also cameras! There are tons and tons of images, though it seems like someone removed all the footage from one hour before and after the incident.

“Right, Gideon?” Saden elbows me from the side and I return my attention to her.
“Yes? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I was just taking a look at the school-server with the saved files.” I try to smile.
The director gasps. “Those are secured!”

“Not very well. In fact it's very poorly secured. Even a child like me can get in.” I answer. “The firewall on the thing is full of holes. The ports for the student-services aren't blocked.” In that regard this school isn't much different from the schools on Earth.
“Gideon, there are reasons for securing those files. Don't break into the school's servers.” Saden takes my hand. “Would you please explain what happened between you and Ralph.”
“Ralph?” I ask.

Saden's grip on my hand turns tighter. “The thug!”
“Ah, that one. He attacked and caused me pain while I was checking out the clubs. I put him down and went my way. I didn't pay much attention to the incident, but when he attacked a second time I got a little annoyed, I'll admit that.” I answer.

“Annoyed? You almost killed a student!” The director calls out.
“I tried to-” But Saden places her hand over my mouth to shut me up.
She looks at the director. “Gideon only defended himself against repeated attacks from someone who is stronger and older than him.”

“The stronger doesn't seem to be accurate.” But the director doesn't get to say more because someone knocks on the door of his office.
Without waiting for an answer, the door is opened and reveals a man in a black suit and a boy. The boy seems to be Sada's age and has light brown hair with a slender figure. He is wearing an expensive grey suit.

The man in the black suit has dark brown hair and wears black glasses. It makes him look like one of those Mafia bosses from old Italy. I read a lot about those. He steps into the room and reaches into his suit.

Then he stabs a card at the director. “My name is Don Jerico. I am the head lawyer from StarDrive Inc. Obviously there are a few misunderstandings going on here. If you would let the children leave? Then we can discuss this between adults. I am sure that I don't have to inform you of all your mistakes regarding the proper procedure. Otherwise we would have to call the faceless and-”

Saden gets up and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. “Whew! I was running out of ideas to keep the director occupied.” She hugs the new arrival, who keeps smiling. “Thank you for helping out. This is my cousin, Gideon. Gideon, this a friend of mine. His name is Paul Kleen. He is also a techno-mage and his family owns StarDrive. We are in the same class.”

I nod. “Hi.”
Paul smiles without showing his teeth. “Such a coincidence. If it isn't the person on the security footage.”
Saden raises one eyebrow. “So you were the one who deleted the footage?”
“Yes, actually a certain someone broke the lock on our clubroom and played with my computer while I was on the toilet.” He looks down on me, which is easy because he is two years older than me.
Saden's expression also turns strange, which is disturbing me.

For the first time I realize that I might have caused problems to Saden. What to do? My new family is doing so much for me. I don't want them hating me. But on the other side I don't get what I did wrong.
Isn't defending yourself a legitimate action? Nobody said anything when I injured the assassin.

“Don't cry, Gideon.” Suddenly my cousin hugs me.
“I am not crying.” I answer, but this time I am actually not exactly sure.
“Did he break something?” Saden looks up to Paul. “I am sorry, but he has special circumstances. Gideon isn't what you would call normal.”

Paul scratches his chin and squints his eyes at me. “Actually I want him to work for us.”
“Work?” I ask. “Sorry, but I've already made plans for the future.”
Saden gasps. “No, wait. Didn't you listen when I told you about StarDrive?” Then she turns to Paul. “No. Why do you want him to work for you?”

He grins. “Because he rewrote the control program for our new gravity based fusion-reactor in less than five minutes.”
“I just optimized the code.” I admit. Hopefully they didn't find the Easter egg.
“And increased the fusion reactor's power output by two percent while doing so.” Paul answers with a strange look on his face.

“What are measly two percent?” I turn to Saden. “I don't like the way he is looking at me.”
“Don't you realize what two percent are? Our competition isn't able to duplicate that! You need hundreds of fusion reactors to supply the big flying colonies. Aether alone has ninety of them installed. Increasing the power output by two percent is a big factor! It's decision making in the race to sell your products! We can't let you work for anyone else. How did you do it? And what do you want?”

This time I am the one who squints his eyes. “But I just eliminated the bugs, so that the program won't freeze any more. Then I optimized the code for speed, so that the plasma could be kept perfectly in the centre of the fusion chamber. Otherwise the energy of the ignition laser isn't used to its full potential.”

“That's it! Good man! How much do you want to be paid!?” Paul asks.
This guy is somehow suspicious to me. I want to go home. “I already have a business plan.” I try to turn away, but Saden grabs my cheek and starts pulling. “He takes the job. Half of all the profit he produces.”
Paul shakes his head. “Saden, you are a very good friend, but this is business. I am the heir of the company after all. He gets ten percent.”

“Then he takes sixty percent.” Saden's voice is as cold as ice.
“Didn't you listen? Okay twenty. That's all I can do.”
“Seventy!”
“That's not how it works! Thirty!”
“Eighty!”
“Fourty! You are supposed to come into my direction! But he has to take a look at all our reactor-types!”
“Then ninety!”
“Fifty! That's the last straw!”
“Then he'll work for you.” Saden's expression turns satisfied.

“But I-” I attempt to say something, but Saden cuts me off.
“I don't give a damn about your business plan. Do you realize how much money we were just talking about? If you get such a job offer, then you have to take it! In the name of our family!”
“But-”

“Your grandmother will be here any minute. Do you want me to tell her the nice version with flowers where you just defended yourself, or the one where you went nuts and tried to gut a boy in front of the entire school! Do you want me to be on your side, or against you! Choose now!” Saden glares at me with an expression which calls money all over her face.

My eyes wander back and forth between her and Paul, but when I think about facing Grandmother after such a major slip up...
“Please be on my side.”
Saden reaches out and pats my head. “Good boy, you chose wisely!”
“Ah. And before I forget!” Paul raises one finger. “That Easter egg with the fake-meltdown. That wasn't funny!”

I want my plush cat.

12. ~Cake.~

“And the newest development in regards to the market! StarDrive has announced a completely new generation of fusion-reactors. Not only will they be significantly more efficient, but also safer and easier to control. If the company is able to hold their promise, then we can predict that the competition will get in serious trouble.”

-News-Channel: Aether I

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Melan

“Gideon, what do you have there?” I look at the sheet of paper in my grandson's hands. I am currently making a cake in our kitchen and he is helping me by eating all the sweet leftovers. It has been almost a month since the incident with the school's thug. Luckily it turned out that Gideon was completely fine and he even got somehow employed by one of the biggest companies we have in our society.

And all he has to do is to use his programming talent. At first I didn't want to believe it, because he hadn't even learned our programming languages yet. But according to him it's enough to learn two or three computer languages and you can learn the third and fourth in no time.
His reasoning is that programming languages are logical and have a clear syntax. Once you have looked up the vocabulary and grammar for the new one, you can easily adapt your previously learned knowledge to it.

The similarities between humanity's computers and ours aren't just accidental. It's leaked technology after all. Despite all our achievements there are still some dark elements in our society. They are selling everything they can get away with to the black market. Especially our electronics is often leaked through secondary channels.

Though I am not exactly sure that our government isn't doing this intentionally. It's much easier to manipulate the normal humans since they are using a downgraded version of our technology.
By manipulating their internet, we have access to almost everything they know. Only the facilities with the highest security are a little harder to get in and that's mostly because their computers aren't connected to the internet.

I admit that in a shrewd way Gideon is right, but it doesn't mean that anyone could do the thing he did. After I took a look at the programs he wrote I had to admit that he has skill. I am so proud of him. “If I remember right Saden said that she has arranged that you get half of the profit you create with those optimized programs?”

Gideon's expression turns sour, which looks kind of funny. He is trying to adapt a set of different expressions, but he fails horribly when he is displaying them deliberately. “Yes, but I don't get it. This stupid sheet of paper says that I got the agreed upon sum of money, but there are those other numbers, which I suppose are taxes? So which amount of that money do I really get?”

“Let me see.” I reach for the paper and take a look at it. Isn't there a zero too much on this?
“Is it much?” Gideon asks. “Actually I am not too sure of this society's money. My original plan involved to trade by barter. Can I buy a spaceship when I leave school?”
“You still want to fly around the solar system in your own ship?” I ask, making a few calculations in my head.

Gideon is probably earning two times as much as me! It's comparable to what my husband earned until he sold his freighter to settle down with me! I want to cry!
“Grandma, you look sick, please sit down. Am I that underpaid? I have to talk to Paul and ask for a raise! I knew that I am being bamboozled.” He folds his hands in front of his chest. “That guy just doesn't look trustworthy. Who would wear a suit at his age?”

I shake my head. “No, don't do that. You are earning a lot of money. I was just baffled. If you continue this, you can buy one of the best ships once you finish your education at twenty.” Or ten cheap ones I suppose.
“Not many techno-mages achieve that at this age.” I myself piloted a ship for a few years, but I quickly found out that it isn't my thing, so I ended my contract once I had enough money. Then I started my own little business, which was dealing with data analysis.

After a few years my husband was offered the opportunity to run for a public office and since then our family is stuck as one of Aether's seven officials.
It's hard enough to be the representative of a colony like Aether. That one of my own daughters went rogue didn't help at all.

Gideon tilts his head and a flashing light appears in my vision. It's alarming me that he is using his ability to access the net.
He nods slowly. “I guess that might work out. Maybe Saden's insistence on this job wasn't so bad after all. I can even pay my part to the mansion. If I work a little more I should be able to afford one of those space liners. I wish they would put price tags on those ships.”

I feel my left eye twitching. “Gideon, you don't have to pay us anything. We have enough money. You have to take into account that I already had two hundred years to hoard money. If you really want your own ship to take a tour around the system, I would have bought you one.” And taking money from a child at his age feels just wrong.

“But I want to do this with my own power. Let me at least repay you for the kitchen.” He takes my hand. “I blew it up after all.”
“Gideon, adults have something that's called pride.” I stop for a moment to formulate my thoughts. “And taking money from the children who are under their protection feels... wrong.”

Gideon looks genuinely confused now. “So that means no?”
I nod. “Why don't you put a part of that sum into a separate bank account and treat it as emergency reserve?”
“Emergency?” He asks.

“That's right, you know, for example if something unforeseen happens. Like illness or accidents.” I offer.
Gideon scratches his chest in deep thought. “You are right. I haven't thought about that at all. I suppose in real life you can't control all the possibilities. It's only smart to provide for all contingencies. I'll ask Saden to do that.”

Once again I feel my eyes twitching. “Saden? What does Saden have to do with that?”
He shrugs his shoulders. “Oh, since I have no idea of dealing properly with money, I decided to make her my manager. I've to admit that her negotiation with Paul impressed me. Apparently she is going to become a lawyer, at least she is taking the necessary tests. And she seems to be a hard party to deal with. I don't know who would be better to look after the cash.”
I know that my granddaughter is a greedy old man on the inside. Gideon will be lucky if he gets his money back from her.

I try to smile, but I feel that I am slipping my composure. “So you kids are having fun together?”
“Hell, yes! Even the brute seems to be a nice person if you overlook her lack of intellect.” Gideon nods vehemently.
“Gideon? Don't call your bigger cousin a brute. It's discriminating.” I reprimand him.
Gideon's expression drops. “Sorry, it's becoming a habit with Saden around. It's rare for her to call her sister by name.”

I pat Gideon's head. “Don't worry.” The next time I see Saden I'll scrub out her mouth with steel wool. She is having a bad influence on him. “That reminds me! How are your magical studies going? Do you want us to have another lesson?”
That gets me a genuine smile out of Gideon. “Oh, yes! Actually I wanted to learn more about teleportation!”

“Then you are lucky. It's one of my best fields.” I smile. “But first you have to learn the theory behind teleportation. That's including books and tons of maths. Do you know the theory behind wormholes?”
Gideon nods. “Isn't that the famous example with a sheet of paper representing the universe? Then you fold it together and stab a pen through it?”
I roll with my eyes. “Yes, just that the stabbing through it with a pencil is an idiotic idea from the normals. You can't punch a hole through spacetime.”

“Just imagine what would happen if you remove an object from one position and let it appear somewhere else. At the point of departure you would have empty spacetime. At the point of arrival you would have to replace the already existing spacetime with the one you just transported, resulting in a very unhappy ending for everyone involved in the experiment.”

“So how do you do it?” Gideon asks with a troubled expression.

I grin, happy that he isn't a genius on all levels. It's so satisfying to teach younger ones than yourself. “You switch them! You create two equal spacetime-bubbles and exchange them with each other at the same time. Hence you don't violate the laws of physics.” I raise one hand and point at the cake which we just made. Then I snap my fingers and a marble-sized piece of cake appears between them. “There, I exchanged the air filled space between my fingers with a part of the cake.”

Gideon's eyes widen. “That's awesome! I want to do that too! Teach me the runes and the mathematics!”
I eat the piece of cake. “Don't freak out. You won't be able to do that overnight. It took me a hundred years until I had that level of control over teleportation.”
But Gideon doesn't listen, being completely absorbed in his own world. “Just think about the offensive and defensive capabilities! If you teleport your opponent's heart... no, his brain out of his head, it's akin to an instant kill!”

I stop chewing, appalled by the idea. It might be better to take care of his social skills first. Teaching him such a spell too early could end... ugly.

13. ~Ed.~

“Today we have to report an accident on Orbit One. Luckily it seems like no lives were lost during the breach of an apartment’s window. How the window's glass could simply break is up to investigation.”

-News-Channel: Aether I

Orbit One, Lunar Space Station
Ed

I lean back in my chair and continue to study the files which I found in the terrorist's room. Who would have thought that following the assassin's tracks would lead me to one of their cell leaders.
And the bastard was sitting right above Aether the entire time. He even had the audaciousness to pose as an agent for a mining company from the asteroid belt, renting an expensive apartment on this space station.

We decided that I would go alone to arrest him. If we had visited the station with and entire group of faceless, we could have alarmed him. I didn't want to risk that.
“I never would have thought that I would find you sitting here after your assassination attempt failed. Why didn't you run?”

The man who is on the ground and leaning against the room's walls looks up to me. “I didn't think that you would be able to track me back. The command was given through a chain of five people. What did you do to them in order to get me?”
I shrug my shoulders. “They are in our custody. It's not up to me what happens to them. That's a matter of the law. But they were involved in attempted murder and several other crimes, so the least they can expect is a major re-education. Possibly with a new personality being installed.”

The man who is bound by my 'Chains of Light' spell tries to free himself. He only causes the energy chains to glow a little brighter, it's a vain attempt. The amplifier around my neck makes me stronger than most natural mages.
He spits at me, but I raise the papers to avoid being hit in the face. “That's not very civilised of you.”

“Don't you realize that a new personality is equal to a death sentence? Which civilised society does such a thing? Maybe you should ask yourself if you are working for the right people?” He growls at me.
I nod slowly. “Every social structure has its dark sides. Your anger is just. But do you have the right to expose us to the normals if the overwhelming majority is against it? Who gives you the right to decide?”

“Who gives them the right?” He calls out.
“They took the test and proved themselves to be worthy. Nothing more, nothing less. If you were worthy of making such a decision, then you would be an elder right now.” I answer.
“The elders are just emotionless robots. And you faceless are just chosen for your power and mentality of following orders! The system is wro-” But I interrupt him, pointing the stash of files in his direction. I've heard their ideology speech already too many times. “So? Would you explain this to me?”

The man chuckles. “Can't you read it yourself? Our leader wanted to make a statement about our devotion to the cause.”
I read the headline of the file aloud. “Project Coeus.”
“I've read it all, but I find it hard to believe. Maybe you stayed here to make the evidence more trustworthy? It is much more believable if we find the file with you and not simply lying around in an empty room. I can even feel Sadina's power on it. It's evident that this was in her hands at some point.”

“It can't be turned away as a fake. Right? Doesn't it feel mortifying that we'll still get what we want? And you will be the one who will enforce the law. Human experiments are illegal after all. It would have had more impact if one of our men killed the abomination, but this will also do. Once Sadina hears about it she will surely come out from under whichever stone she hid herself.” The man starts laughing.

I run a hand through my hair and look at him. It's a mystery to me how the Revelation Wing finds people like him. Maybe they have their own re-education camp somewhere. That would be a possibility. Somewhere hidden out in the asteroid belt. Most of them are coming from there.
“Sadina is a different type of villain from you people. That's why she isn't working with you lot. Other than you, she was forced into her position by an unfortunate set of events. I doubt that her first experiment was meant to kill someone. The only problem is that she lost her head afterwards and got deeper and deeper into trouble.”

The fanatic across from me furrows his forehead. “By the gods! A faceless with compassion! How can you even do your job? It doesn't matter. This time we'll get what we want. Her betrayal will cost her dearly. She isn't a poor girl which can be redeemed. She's a snake!”

I nod. “You are right. I am not saying that she's free of guilt. I am just saying that somewhere in here-” I point at my heart. “There is still a spark of goodness. Though you may be wrong in regards to her son. I don't think that she cares what happens to him.”

I flip through the pages of the file while I try to collect my thoughts. Sadina wants to free all techno-mages from being regarded as weak. She fell in love with a man who didn't want her because of her magical disposition. That caused something inside her to break. Techno-mages already have a lot of mental problems on their own. Experiencing a one-sided love pushed her over the edge.

She started experimenting with new spells until her powers went out of control. Many people died on that day and she fled. If she had simply stayed and taken the punishment, she would have gotten away with claiming that it was a terrible accident.
But in hiding she continued to pursue her goals, getting ever more brutal and ruthless with her attempts to become stronger.

If this file is true, then she gave up on turning herself into a more powerful mage. She turned to other means and had a child of her own blood. Sadina manipulated her own child's genome to create the ultimate techno-mage. But if this file is true, then she regarded the outcome as a failure and simply dropped him like a bad product.

“Coeus? The titan of intellect. That's a fitting name for him. Don't you think?” I grin upon remembering how he defeated the assassin. “I suppose she created him during her time with the Revelation Wing. Did she tell you guys that he would become your messiah? Or didn't you know what she was working on? It must have been a shock when she revealed how the funds were used.”

The man shakes his head. “She failed and ran away, but not before emptying our bank accounts. The child is a failure. But she has to feel something for it. Otherwise she wouldn't have taken him with her to hide him on earth. That's why we want him dead.” A grin appears on his face. He seems to be very sure of their plan.

Probably Gideon's fake parents weren't the only ones whose minds were bent to Sadina's wishes. She surely wiped her son's memories too. I sigh and shrug my shoulders. “You know... if all this gets public, then I honestly don't know what the elders would do. The law is very clear about human experiments. Probably the elders would sentence him to death.”

“I am glad that this mission is not on their radar. We feared that you would run if several faceless enter the station at once. This makes it also easier because I don't have to burden my comrades with this task.”

His expression turns insecure. “What are you talking about? You are a faceless, a dog of the elders! You enforce the law!” Once again he starts thrashing against his chains.
I stand up, having made up my mind about the situation. “The test chooses the elders for their skills and ability to make wise decisions. Probably it would be wise to kill the boy. You were right on that point.” My eyes wander to the windowed wall and the stars beyond it.

“How much did this apartment cost? Free sight out of a space station is rare.” I step to the huge window and scratch my finger along the molecular crystal which was used to create it.
“No!” The terrorist shrieks. “You wouldn't!”

Then I turn and walk to the door of the terrorist's apartment. “But you are wrong about the faceless. As a faceless you aren't chosen for strength, not even for devotion or loyalty. We are chosen because of our own heartfelt principles. The only thing you need to be to become a faceless is a good person. Our society didn't exist for over two thousand years because the faceless only follow orders. I am very glad that you seem to be the only one who knows about this report. And I doubt that you have a second one with the necessary energy print to connect it to Sadina.”

Outside the room I look left and right, confirming that there are no witnesses on the corridor in front of the apartment. Then I turn around and point my finger at the window. “So all I need to do is to stop you here. As a good person it's my sincere belief that laws have to be followed, but there are exceptions and the faceless exist to judge what's right and wrong. I think that all it takes for the world to turn into a worse place is one good person doing nothing while something bad happens in front of him.”

Without further delaying I fire a simple kinetic spell at the window. The crystal glass shatters and the terrorist's unbelieving face vanishes from my sight as the door slams shut upon detecting the pressure loss.
He didn't scream till the end. Probably he couldn't believe it even as the glass shattered.

I rub my medal in deep thought. Then I activate it and address the station's artificial intelligence. “Station?”
“Yes.” A melodious voice answers throughout the corridor.
“There was an accident on level three at my position.”
“I detected a breach of the outer hull. The affected room was sealed. Rescue sprites are on their way. There is a low probability to save the individual who got sucked out into space.” The station answers obediently.

They really need to install a smarter sprite up here. Even the examination sprites from the schools are smarter! “Station. Abandon the mission. Incinerate all the trash which got sucked outside with the anti asteroid laser before it can leave the station's information barrier.”
The station answers with an artificially troubled voice. “But the humans don't have technology to-”

“Override 94684-Ed Pass erc924kilo43, execute. Your sensors are malfunctioning. There was no person sucked out into space. Follow the policies for minimal exposure.”
For a few moments the corridor is filled with silence. Then the station answers dutifully. “The drifting trash has been incinerated.”

I nod and start walking down the corridor. On my way I drop the Coeus-File into one of the trash recyclers where it is immediately dissolved into its components. “If that boy deserves a punishment, then he'll earn it himself and not because of what he is.”
Feeling like a weight is off of my shoulders my steps become lighter. Today the faceless have to manufacture an especially long report for the elders.

14. ~Science Project.~

“The fusion reactors are used to charge the energy banks, which are essentially big capacitors.
They act as buffers to store the necessary energy for the pilot's spells. Once the pilot casts a spell through the rune-circuit around the spaceship, it acts as an amplifier and increases the pilot's power by pouring the stored energy into the spell.”

-Spaceship Theory Course

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

“The soldering connection is bad. Do it again. There can't be a single mistake in the circuit.” I urge Galia on. Being done with this phase of the project is of uppermost importance to me.
“Don't rush me, Gideon. I'll make a mistake. Honestly, being commanded around by you makes me feel like I am a minion. I am your cousin and I only agreed to help with your science project because you promised to help with my homework.” Galia complains.

“And I did. Didn't I?” I rock back and forth while sitting on Galia's lap.
“We can't help it.” One moment. I have to think of Grandmother's latest lesson. I have to formulate my words nicely, that avoids conflict with non-techno-mages and therefore makes my life easier. Saying the truth isn't always the best thing to do. A carefully edited version is far better than reminding people of their weak points.

First, you don't understand what you are doing. “I lack the necessary dexterity to do this, so it's only appropriate that I take the role of a supervisor.”
Second, I am afraid of letting you alone with something as dangerous as a soldering iron. “And this is my science project for school, so I've to be at least present during the important stages.”

Galia sighs and continues to follow my instructions. We are working on my science project. It's required for all students who finish the school's science course by presenting a project to the teachers.
The project has to be planned and executed by the student, though he is allowed to get a little help from outside.

Though I made a mistake in choosing our location. The computer clubroom seemed like an appropriate place to assemble the hardware, but I forgot to consider that it's used by other people beside us.
Paul is studying the entire process from the side. That's akin to industrial espionage.

“Are you sure that you want to present that toy as your science project?” He asks interestedly. “Building such a simple sprite is a little too easy for a techno-mage. You won't impress them with this.”

He tilts his head and focuses his attention on me. “The battle sprite which is following you around would be much more impressive. I could give you the resources to copy it.” His eyes wander to the window from where the huge crab-robot is watching us.

I shake my head in denial. Probably he just wants me being in his debt. The small robot on the table in front of us is made from the simplest components and the cheapest materials possible.
I used the barest minimum of gold and silver in its design and exchanged them with graphene wherever possible. It reduces the durability of the sprite greatly, but it isn't designed to be a high quality product.

The sprite is a fist sized hexagon with six mechanical legs. There is no complicated circuit to allow it to fly. It's essentially just a huge capacitor with an energy harvesting module. “Don't look down on my dreams! This is just a mechanical platform for the real project.”

Galia attaches the last rune to the board. It's filled with the circuitry to cast the required spells. The miniature computer which is controlling the sprite is a cheap standard product, though I had to buy a better memory chip to hold my program. “I think I am done, Gideon.”
“Good!” I reach for the hexagon and close the cover plate which exposes the circuitry inside the machine. “Pri One! Activate!”

Two small antennae flip upwards and signal me that the robot works within the expected parameters. I lose no time and interface with the device to upload the required program. Six legs flip out of the disc and the robot stands up.
I nod and point at the edge of the table. “Walk to the edge and return to start position.”
The antennae follow my finger and the small machine follows my command with wobbly movements, stopping at the edge of the table and then returning to its previous position.

“Congratulations. It's a really bad moving sprite. Gideon, are you sure that you want to use this as your science project?” Galia asks.
“Mwahahaha!” A strange feeling somewhere in the back of my head causes me to laugh, but I regain my composure upon realizing the strange expressions of my companions. “Ahem. Sorry. I think I got carried away. My mind glitches sometimes.”

“It's okay. As long as you don't get a bluescreen.” Paul answers carefully.
I ignore him and get off of Galia's lap. “Galia? If you would be so nice to retrieve phase two from my backpack?”
She sighs. “Finally! I wanted to know what I had to carry around for you.” She bends down and places my backpack on top of the table. “It's heavy!” A second later she gapes at the contents of the package and piles them on the table.

“I thought that you want to save up for a starship?” Paul eyes the bars of gold, silver, glass, copper, plastik, metal and graphene with interest.
“How did you even get your hands on this? Is the gold pure?” Galia asks with a shocked voice.
“This is a part of my wishes. I simply ordered them over the net. Actually I had trouble to pry the money out of Saden's hands. Have you ever played 'The Incredible Machine'?” I ask.

Paul's expression distorts and his left eye starts twitching. He hates it when I annoy him with my outstanding references to the normal's society. “I am not as knowledgeable about computer games as you. Please spare me a lesson in the normal's culture.”
“Fine. Though 'The Incredible Machine' was a really good game.” I spent months while building the craziest constructs to solve the higher levels.

I point at the pile of raw materials. “Pri One, start the project!”
The small sprite wobbles towards the pile of metal bars and digs into it. A miniature molecular dissolver makes short work of the resources, gathering and reshaping them to a new purpose. A few seconds later the first part is flung away from the robot.
The audience's eyes widened during the entire process. On the third part Paul can't keep it in any more. “It's a fucking 3D-Printer!”

“It's a von Neumann machine.” I correct him.
“It's what?” Paul watches in amazement as the sprite starts assembling a second version of itself.
I turn to Paul. “A machine that's capable of replicating itself. Don't you read any books?”

“I don't care about the normal's literature! Are you sure that it's safe?” He points at the sprite. “It won't bug out and start reproducing uncontrollably?”
I shake my head. “No. That's what my project is about. I wrote a semi intelligent code for the sprite. No, that's wrong. It's not intelligent or capable of learning. Unlike Cronos, this one is just a set of building instructions.”

“They have no intelligence and can't develop one. I thought I would create a semi automatic assembly sprite as my first project. Programming a real KI like Cronos or an examination sprite is troublesome.
Not the mention all the troublesome laws about creating an intelligent entity. I don't want to take the responsibility for educating my creation.”

I watch as the second machine starts moving and immediately gets to work. It has been just two minutes since the first one started. “Originally I wanted to use them to build my spaceship, but first I've to buy the resources.”
Five minutes later they are done with the pile of resources and I've twenty identical discs. So I tap with my finger on the table. “Assemble.”

The twenty sprites follow my command and the first one folds itself back into a hexagonal disc. The second one attaches itself onto the first, followed by a third, stacking on top of each other. Moments later I am left with a nice and compact, hexagonal, tubular block. “What do you think? Once I attain the necessary blueprints I can have them build almost anything for me. I call them IM's, like Incredible Machines!”

Paul grabs his hair with both hands. “I don't know how many people tried this, but everyone who tried failed because they didn't manage to write the necessary code! So far everyone tried to realize this by using a swarm intelligence, which went insane in all cases I know of.”
“So the teachers will approve of my science project?” I ask.

“NO!” Paul calls out, dazzling me with his sudden outburst. “I mean, yes. But first promise me to put a patent on those things!”
I blink. I honestly didn't think about this. “Is something like this even a patentable invention? I didn't really invent anything. I just applied already existing technologies after looking them up. All I did was writing the program. The IMs are really basic constructs. Honestly.”

Paul grabs both my shoulders. “Please. We'll go and get Saden. And I'll call my company's lawyer. This invention has to be handled carefully.”
I lick over my lips, trying to find the right words. “They are safe. I made sure of that.”
The left corner of his mouth starts twitching. “I am not concerned about safety after seeing your programming skills. What I am concerned about is their influence on the market.”

“Gideon, I understand that you don't trust me for some reason, so let's talk from techno-mage to techno-mage.” He pauses for a moment to put his thoughts in order. “As ingenious as you are in some aspects, as stupid you are in others. Have you ever thought about what this technology means for our automatic assembly lines?”

“I guess if you gave me a blueprint the IMs could build you one? You just need the resources and one IM to start.” I answer.
Paul's nostrils flare. “Exactly. All those poor workers who live from building assembly lines. Don't you care about them at all?”

“No.” I turn and grab the stack of IMs to put them into my backpack. Why should I care about people whom I don't know?
“Wrong approach! Let me rephrase that!” Paul raises his hands. “If you give me time to patent this in your name, I'll take you on a round trip with my family's personal yacht. A round trip through the solar system! Just don't carry this out of this room where someone else could steal it!”

“You really think this has potential for making money? I intended to throw one of the IM's onto an asteroid and give it a year or two to build my spaceship.” I grab my backpack tighter and let my eyes wander to Galia.
But the person whom I expected assistance from shrugs her shoulders. “I am just a teenager. I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“I would never cheat you. I promise. Think about it. You didn't even realize what you have here! I could have asked for an IM and run to my company to have them analyse it. But I am a businessman. Our company's code of honour is fair trade.” Paul puts his hands together in a pleading gesture. “And I would never betray Saden's family.”

I narrow my eyes, remembering some things about his interactions with my cousin. “Ew... oh my... It can't be! You and Saden! You are children!”
“No!” Paul starts pulling at his hair. “No, no, no! It's just a platonic friendship! We are children! What are you thinking!?”
“The internet didn't spare me from the dark side of human biology. You wouldn't think what dirty-” Paul jumps forward and covers my mouth with his hand. “Shut up! We've a mental minor here!”

His eyes wander to Galia who is watching us with a questioning expression. I nod slowly and he takes his hands from me.
“So you and Saden aren't?” I ask without ending the sentence.
Paul drops to his knees. “Please! I'll do anything if you don't mention this discussion to her! Why is the world so unfair?”

I step backwards, totally taken aback. I could swear that he is crying. Did he have a mental breakdown? I can't have the one who is paying me all that money go loony on me. What to do in a situation like this?
I step forward and pat his head. “There, there. I don't have to present my project to the teachers... yet. We will wait for Saden's opinion. I won't even mention your dark desires to her.”

15. ~Conspiracy Theories.~

“And today we have to inform you of a revolutionary breakthrough in technology. Creating a functioning automatic building system was for a long time the holy grail of robotics.
Many tried and all of them failed. In the end the solution to the problem was a multitasking program which can split any building operation into small sub-threads. The great advantage to its predecessors is that it's completely non-sentient.

All we know about the genius who changed the world overnight, is that he or she is an employee of SpaceDrive. The same company which shook the market with its new fusion reactor just a few months ago.
Since they are guarding the identity of the person in question with great care we assume that he is related to the fusion reactor project.

Whoever it is, once the technology takes root in mining and building operations we can be sure that it'll flip our economy. The person in question won't have to worry about money for a long, long time.
In future people won't ask a company for building them something. They will ask for the needed expertise and the blueprints!”

-Economy Channel II

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

“I still don't feel confident that this is the right choice, Gideon.” My teacher Sue reluctantly takes the application sheet from my hands. “Joining the annual school tournament isn't something a techno-mage should do. You do know that using any devices is forbidden?”
I nod and pull the corners of my mouth upwards. Grandmother told me that this way of smiling works much better for me. “It's just for fun. I don't aim to get the first place.”

Sue shakes her head, but she doesn't voice any more doubts. Having achieved my objective I wish her goodbye and leave the class. Somehow I've reached the age of ten. Upon looking back it's hard to believe that it's been three years since I've been in this strange new world of magic and technology.
But there was simply too much to learn and to do. On one side I had to learn the ropes of this society and on the other I got taught about magic and technology.

If I manage to keep my schedule I should be done with this schooling system by the time I reach the age of twenty. By then I should have all the necessary tests to become a full pilot, though I still don't get why I need a full education in physics and technology along with it.
They seem to want that the pilot is able to repair his spacecraft on his own. Maybe they are right to stick to this policy. Out there in the void it could easily turn out that I myself am the only one who can help me.

My attention returns to the real world and I realize that I am already in front of the computer clubroom. Inside it I find Saden and Paul. In my own mind they are already a married couple. They are spending simply too much time together.
I don't understand what's so great about sharing so much of your personal time with another person. Maybe it's because their interests match?

Paul is completely absorbed in his role as the heir of a very important company and Saden likes laws and managing money. They are a good team, I have to admit that.
I greet them with a wave of my hand and take my place at my computer workstation. The device activates on its own upon registering my presence and I interface with it to follow my hobby. Conspiracy theories! The net is full of strange stuff which has to be explored.

“Not again. What are you looking up this time?” Saden interrupts me from behind.
I turn around to face her. “Nothing too far fetched. I promise!”
Saden gives me a doubtful look. “Last time you came up with a well crafted theory that the elders are actually artificial intelligences. It took us a month to gather enough evidence to argue you out of that idea. Paul even arranged a meeting with the techno-mage elder for you.”

“And talking with him was very interesting!” I start playing with my fingers, thinking back on that particular event in history as I like to call it.
“I don't claim that I can't make mistakes from time to time. But the leads were there, even if I had no hard evidence. What are the odds for such long chains of coincidental events. I guess I willingly overlooked that the elders are individuals who are chosen based on their abilities and character. So it's not strange that their decrees are a little bit mechanical.”

Paul pulls a sandwich from his schoolbag and starts eating. “So which theory was crafted by your mad brain this time?”

“Nothing too far fetched. I promise! Did you ever take a closer look at our teleportation runes? And especially the spacial shift spell for spaceships!? They are all limited to a certain range, so that a space vessel can't jump to another solar system. Making many small jumps would take too long. Why?” I ask.

Charging the energy banks for a long range translation takes up to a day and the longest jumps go up to ten AUs. So in other words you will die of old age long before you reach the closest star to the sun, even if you teleport non-stop. The trick is that the teleportation spells which are currently in use are all limited. You have to pour far more energy into them than they need to do the jump.

Saden reaches out and pulls at my cheek like she always does when she senses that I got another stupid idea. I already learned that this is just her way of expressing that she is genuinely concerned for my well being. She once allowed me to read her mind in order to show me that she really thinks of me as family, so I've no reason to doubt her.

“Don't even think about removing those limiters! There were dozens of scientists involved in those teleportation experiments. Didn't you look up the history? Every spaceship which tried to teleport to another star simply disappeared. That's the only reason why we mages haven't left the solar system. I don't want you disappearing during your round trip!” Finally Saden lets go and I rub my cheek.

“I promise that I won't remove those limiters. Actually my interest lies just in the sequence of historical events.” So I start explaining. “I've researched the first attempts at teleporting a whole spaceship. It's true that the records say that all those ships disappeared, but there is more to it. I think those records were faked. All the experiments were conducted by companies with strong ties to the government.”

Upon seeing that Paul wants to say something I raise one hand to stop him. “My point of interest doesn't lie in the fact that the experiments failed. It's in what happened afterwards. Tell me, why are all of our spaceships armed and why is a tenth of the pilot training dedicated to theoretical space warfare? We never had a war, there are no possible opponents, the society is as stable as it can be.”

Paul pauses for a moment to think. Since his company is involved in producing parts for spaceships he has to know a lot about their construction. “There are requirements a spaceship-design has to fulfil. That includes proper camouflage-tech and offensive as well as defensive capabilities.”

“There is the Revelation Wing. We have to be able to stop them if they manage to steal a spaceship. It could be our undoing if they parade around the Earth while having their information barrier deactivated.” Saden crosses her arms in front of her chest.
She is obviously trying hard to find arguments against me. “And our government is following a policy of self-defence. The people on Earth are becoming more and more interested in the stars after all. Haven't you heard about their recent projects?”

I raise one finger. “Ah, yes. But what can a few rockets and probes do to a society like ours? The most advanced engine they have is an ion thruster. And if at all, that's only a very recent concern. The policies for spaceship construction are in place since the year one thousand and one hundred-nine after the exodus. At that point the normals didn't even have a spaceship.
The Revelation Wing was a far more dangerous group long before that date and since the Exodus the danger from them only declined. The elders could have changed the policies long before that.”

I place the fingers of my hands together. “What happened though are the long range teleportation experiments! Think about it. The experiments take place and a few weeks later all new ships have to have specifications which are turning them essentially into vessels for war. Additionally the training schedule for the new pilots is changed and all colonies are required to have either their own fleet of ships for a possible evacuation, or being mobile installations like Aether. In fact this law alone increased our ship production a hundred fold within twenty years and it only grew since then.”

Paul scratches his forehead. “So your new conspiracy theory says that their long range teleportations actually worked. They went out there and explored the neighbouring systems. The returning exploration vessels found something that the elders didn't like. They faked the outcome of the experiment to stop others from trying to leave the solar system.”

“Exactly!” I clap my hands together. “And not only that. Whatever is out there frightened them enough to make them decide that it's better to hole up in our native system and build up our forces before we go adventuring.”

Saden's face turns expressionless and she turns to Paul. “How long do you think will it take to talk him out of this. One month like the last time?”
Paul looks at me while scratching his cheek. “Actually I bet my money on three months. He likes those alien conspiracies, so it'll be hard to make him acknowledge evidence which is disproving his idea.”

I widen my eyes to show that this wasn't within my calculations. “I've never said anything about aliens. I carefully avoided mentioning those!
But let's change the subject. Have I already informed you two that I joined the annual tournament?”

“No way! So you are really trying to do it? It's a one-on-one tournament between students. As a techno-mage you'll be just a punching bag! Do you get a kick from being hurt?” Saden calls out.
Paul raises his hand. “Don't judge him before he has even tried. Gideon already showed us that his magical skills are outstanding. That bully Ralph didn't even come close to us since he got his ass handed twice.”

I nod enthusiastically. After the events with the thug I found out that he and Paul have a history together. Ralph is the son of a famous weapon manufacturer and when they first entered school together, they were actually friends.
But their parents got into a fight over a contract. Paul's parents refused to let their facilities be used to build fusion bombs. The bombs were intended to blow up a few asteroids in the belt to get a mining operation going.

In the end the bombs were built in another facility, but the harsh words between the families had broken Paul and Ralph's relationship. Especially since Ralph is a child in body and mind he got strongly influenced by his parents and somehow declared a personal vendetta against Paul.
Since his parents are obviously not paying enough attention to him he got into fights with other people who were on Paul's side.

With time it escalated further and he became the school's thug. That day when I ran into him the first time he wanted the key to the computer clubroom in order to cause some havoc in here. He likes to destroy Paul's stuff. Though he got special attention from the school since the last incidents and everything cooled down.

That's when another thought hits me. “Oh, that's right. I've to tell Grandmother and the family that I want them to root for me during the tournament!”
Saden slams her forehead on the table in front of her. “You want them watch you being beaten up? Please, at least try not to get hurt too much.”

16. ~Reasons for being avoided.~

“He is hit! Oh, no! The blood! Look at all that blood! I always said that the safety measures for this event aren't tight enough!”

-Commentator

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

Maybe joining the annual tournament was a bad idea. I close my eyes while my opponent is struggling under my foot. In absence of any mentionable opposition the duels so far were very boring.
I apply a little more pressure because the maggot under me is very nimble. Something snaps and my victim stops his attempts to escape.

Keeping him down until the judge counts him out is a good way to decide these fights. I just have to apply gravity magic to my foot and step onto them. It's the easiest and most energy conserving way to win.

The judge signals me that I've won and I take my foot from the back of my opponent's head. Upon giving the ranks of spectators a victory sign with my fingers, I notice that my family members are the only ones who are cheering. Hmm. Strange. Am I doing something wrong? Maybe crushing all my opponent's attempts to cast spells isn't entertaining enough?

The annual tournament is a series of knockout-matches between all students who joined. First you start by fighting the people of the same year, then you move upwards. This means that the strongest student of each year has to fight his strongest senior.
The duels are held in a huge stadium with fifty separate rings on slightly elevated platforms. Once you join the tournament, you are automatically teleported to the ring where your duel is taking place. Each ring has four judges who are taking turns in creating barriers and shields for the students.

I can tell that this system is meant to teach the hot headed ones humbleness. There is always someone stronger than you. A student has almost no chance of winning unless he belongs to the older years. But I am not doing this to win, I am doing it to test my strategies and limits.
Beating the students of my own year was easy enough. The difference in our spells isn't that big, but I already started feeling a slight disadvantage. The next matches are the reason why I am even doing this.

I want to learn where the problems start showing, so that I can start thinking of required countermeasures. The student whom I just defeated stands up and leaves the arena, holding his nose with a strange expression.

The judges are shielding us with layered shield spells, so it's highly unlikely that somebody gets hurt. Though I already noticed that physical contact doesn't seem to activate the shields.
The rules of the duels are clear. You win either by immobilizing your opponent for longer than ten seconds, throwing him out of the ring, or by causing their first shield layer to fail.

So far my strategy of interrupting the enemy's spells worked. I used Force to interfere with their hands, so that they weren't able to form the runes properly. Many children at my age rely on hand movements while speaking the name of the spell, though speaking the spell out loud is just a mental help. If I break their concentration, I can rush in and end it before they have the chance for a second try.
Though I can already tell that this strategy won't work with experienced opponents.

My thoughts are interrupted by the appearance of my first senior. It's a girl with blonde hair and a chubby face. Otherwise I can't make out any features which I would deem as distinctive, though her expression seems troubled. Maybe she dislikes having a younger opponent?
The judge gives us a signal and she doesn't lose time in activating a spell. I recognize the rune system which is intended to create a strong electrical charge between her and me. She seems to be an electro-mage and she wants to take me out fast.

It's a lucky circumstance that I have exactly the right countermeasure for this. Raising both hands I ready myself and await her finishing her spell. If I am judging her rune-system right, then my left hand is exactly where her energy discharge will hit. Now all I have to do is readying myself and sending it right back at her by increasing it with my own power. Once I created a high enough pole, the energy should lash out right back at her.

In the next moment two dancing streams of white blue light appear between us. The energy is leaving her hand and entering my left hand, then exiting my right hand and returning right towards her. The thunderbolt dances over her body and eats away at her shield.
She hurries to cancel her spell, but the damage is done. She lost two layers of her shield and the judge calls for the end of the match.

I wince and move my fingers. Channelling a few thousand volt through my own body is a very twitchy experience. Though I won against someone in a higher class. I expect to win one more, maybe two or three matches. Then the difference in our power levels should get too big. Once again I notice the unnatural silence of the spectators. At first they were cheering, but then they went quieter and quieter.

Earlier I didn't notice it because there were so many fights taking place at the same time. By now the fights are being held one by one since there aren't many students left. The champions of each year are already set in stone, so all that's left to do is that the younger fighters lose properly to the older ones.

This time I am the one who is teleported to another ring. The world around me changes and I find myself at another position in the arena. A tall boy is waiting for me with a smug grin on his face. Upon a signal from the judge he starts the match with a strange spell. I've never seen the runes he is using before, but I can tell that it has similarities to the rune system inside my amulet. My amulet has a passive healing effect, so I guess that he is casting some kind of buff. Probably something similar to Ralph's physical enhancements.

I try to interrupt him, but he has the expertise to finish the spell despite my interference. Once a mage achieves a certain level of experience he isn't reliant on his hands any more.
He rushes forward and I have no choice than to resort to my strategy against physically superior opponents. Manipulating my own body with several force spells at once I avoid his fist and force my leg towards his chin.

But he avoids it by a hair's breadth and I manage to divert his second strike by applying force to his hand. Unfortunately the simple force rune isn't strong enough to seriously influence someone. It can apply a force of five kilograms at most. It's enough to divert an attack, but I can't control my opponent without fail.

My body tumbles through the air while I try to avoid his arms and legs. Somehow it's like playing Toribash with myself while my opponent has perfect control over his body. I only wish that I would really play one of those ancient games, but this time my real body is at stake. It'll hurt if he actually hits me.

Barely holding on while manipulating my legs and arms I tumble through the air like a drunken stick-figure. I don't know how this looks to an outsider, but I myself don't think that this fighting style has any elegance. Suddenly my hand flings unexpectedly into the right direction and I manage to apply Force twice before it makes contact which his cheek. There you have it! Ten kilograms of slapping power!

The shield spells of the teachers only activate upon sensing a certain elemental attack or an object with a too high velocity. Physical strikes are too slow, so they aren't registered.
I admire my open hand impacting his cheek and the waves which are sent through his flesh. But I regret hitting him as soon as I realize that his spit and blood is now all over my hand. Is that a tooth which is spinning out of his mouth?

Turning in a perfect pirouette my opponent goes down and I somehow manage to land on my legs without breaking something.
After watching him for a while I decide that he is out cold and I deactivate my ability. My hand is full of spit and a smear of blood is also on it, so bend forward and try to clean it as well as possible on his clothes. He is unconscious and lying face down on the ground, so he isn't able to object my actions.

I only manage a half-assed job of cleaning my hand before one of the judges lifts me up by grabbing me with his hands under my armpits. He sets me down a metre to the side. A second later all four judges are tending to the boy on the ground.
The crowd should be cheering by now, but all I find upon looking up to the ranks of spectators is chilly silence. What a disheartening fan-club. I managed to beat the strongest student two years above me, why aren't they going rampant? Where is the clapping and howling from all the fighting games I played?

Once again I am teleported to another ring, again with a guy as opponent. Seems like they don't even want to wait until they are done with checking on my previous victim. This time my opponent takes immediately a guarding stance upon the judge's starting signal. He also casts several shields and barrier spells until he is wrapped in a blue shimmering bubble of energy. Is that his fighting style, or is he afraid of me?

Seriously, am I that dangerous? Though I'll admit that my current appearance is a little threatening. I wipe the blood from my hand by using my trousers and raise the other, looking to one of the judges. “I give up.”
“What!?” My opponent calls out, flabbergasted.
Nobody is cheering, so I don't want to go on. It feels wrong. “My body hurts and I feel sore all over from the previous fight.”

In addition I've reached my goal and exerting more energy doesn't gain me anything. I can already tell that even if I manage to beat one or two more opponents, I am at my limit. Better ending it without getting actually beaten. “And I have no idea how I should break that many barriers.”
I walk out of the ring and let myself slide down the slightly elevated platform, ignoring my opponent and the judges.

The silence throughout the stadium is still not feeling right. At home I'll sit down and hold my plush cat for a while. Maybe I'll gain enlightenment.

17. ~No friends.~

“The mage's quantum network allows their computers to interface with each other over vast distances. It connects all the colonies with one another, but for safety reasons the architecture of the network never became very tight. Each colony sustains their own closed network, safe for a few controlled access nodes.”

-History

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Melan

“You won!” I bend down and hug Gideon. “I still can't believe that you bested a student who is two years above you. You aren't hurt right? Why did you give up?” I am so glad that he wasn't hurt, as soon as he left the stadium we rushed to meet him in front of the locker rooms for the students.

Gideon shakes his head to ensure me that he is fine. “I was tired and I doubted that I could win the whole tournament. The way the tournament is organized in the last stages ensures that the younger students can't win. I would have had to win against five more opponents to get third place. Maybe I'll try to go for it in another year.”

Saden takes my hand and starts hopping up and down. “Gideon! Teach me that thing where you apply Force to your own body! That's so cool. It's akin to body enhancement!”
Gideon looks at his cousin, completely oblivious of the insane level of skill he just showed. “Why would I need to teach that? It's all about slowing your perception of time and the ability to cast runes without using your hands.”

“So there is no special trick to it? You simply did it by casting one rune after the other?” Saden lets her head droop. “That means my only choice is training. I am no good at free casting spells so fast.”
“Forget that! Gideon owned the entire tournament! Did you see the faces of the other spectators? They didn't believe it until the end. They had their own little world shattered to pieces. I bet some of them lost a lot of money, Hahaha!” My daughter Rhiannon calls out and pats Gideon's head.

“Money?” Gideon stares inquisitively at Rhiannon, but her husband is the one who answers the implied question.
“It's widely regarded as wrong, but many people do it anyway.” Arend answers half-heartedly. “That's placing bets on the kids, I mean. It's bad taste to do so on an event which is held by a school.”
Yes, now that we speak about gambling, where is my foolish husband? He and Galia ran off right after Gideon's surrender.

“Well, but we made a lot of money.” Hedeon and Galia rejoin our group from behind me and I turn around. My husband is carrying a big black suitcase and Gaila is grinning while flicking a credit-chip upwards and catching it again.
I point at him. “You! What are you teaching my grandchild!? Don't turn her into a gambling-addict like yourself, old fool!”

Hedeon raises a hand. “Nonono! You can't blame me for this. I didn't even know that she placed a bet until I met her at the counter.”
My daughter joins me in a burst of righteous outrage. “Galia! You are a minor! How did you even manage to take part in the gambles?”

Galia's expression turns innocent. “No way! I am not seventeen. Everyone is able to tell that I am twenty. And anyway... it wasn't gambling. You taught me that gambling is bad, so I would never gamble. I just tripled my allowance after using my advantage of having insider information.”
“Insider information?” Arend asks with a suspicious glance at his daughter.

“Of course. Who do you think Gideon was training with until he decided to test his abilities? Do you think he could have diverted the electro-mage's attack with so little effort without a training partner?” She grins. “We are meeting up on school grounds every day and I get tutored in maths while he can test his newest tricks on me. That's why I was very sure that the students of his own year aren't more than mere stepping stones for him.”

“Ahem.” Hedeon raises a hand. “Actually I knew about it, so I didn't gamble. This time at least. And don't demonize me, woman. I am still the one to whom our house belongs. If I really run out of money I'll quit my current job and make a few flights to the belt. Being a public servant isn't that well paid anyway.”

“Your current job is supposed to earn you more than enough money!” I cover my eyes with one hand and fight the urge to strangle him. Doesn't he realize that I don't want him to go adventuring for weeks while I have to wait for him? I made a mistake in marrying such an insensitive fool. “Whatever. Today we'll eat outside to celebrate Gideon's victory. The least you can do is paying the bill.”

“Of course! Gideon, what do you want to eat? Grandfather just made a lot of money thanks to you, the choice is yours.” Hedeon grins from ear to ear.
“Pizza!” Gideon calls out.
“That's my grandson! Always the cheapest choice!” Hedeon forms a fist to emphasize his words. He only becomes this energetic when he won a gamble.

I shake my head. “Then we go to the most expensive Italian restaurant I know of. There is no way that we waste our time in some fast food shop.”

Urging my family out of the stadium I notice that a lot of people are paying attention to us. I can't really blame them because Gideon just shattered their world-view. It's not totally unheard of that exceptionally talented techno-mages of Gideon's age can defeat their own age group, but overwhelming them with ease is another matter.

Saturn Rings, Inside a drifting asteroid
Sadina

I switch off the news feed and lean back in my office chair. Coeus was just broadcasted on one of Aether's news channels and he showed that he has all the potential which I wanted to give him. Maybe he is even more powerful than I intended him to be.
The information about the tournament is already outdated since Aether didn't bother to send the event live. Sometimes I ask myself why they don't use the marvels of quantum communication networks to connect all colonies permanently. It still requires a direct request to access the network of another colony. Ah, my thoughts trailed off in another direction.

I push off the ground and turn my chair around in order to roll to the office table with the blueprints of my latest project. The sheets of paper are wiped aside by one hand and reveal a small panel on which I place my hand to interface with my computer. “Add a voice record to the Coeus project.”

“The subject didn't show any of the fatal mental breakdowns, neither any acts of unreasonable violence like they were previously observed. However, I have to note that he is still completely uncaring regarding the well-being of people who aren't related to him.
Maybe gaining more life experience caused him to stabilize his behaviour. If so, then maybe the project was closed prematurely.”

I stop and let my thoughts wander. “Originally I didn't plan to let him loose on society, but what's done is done. I may be able to gain a few more insights. By observing his development.”
On another thought I decide to delete the last sentence. “I've decided that I'll interfere personally, since it would be hard to acquire the necessary data otherwise.”

Closing my eyes I concentrate on my ability and interface with my machines. Then I open a connection to Aether and search through the colony's net until I find the school's network.
Several security programs take note of my actions, but none of them interferes since I am logging in from an anonymous account.

Being still undiscovered I access the school's central hub, barely noticing the pitiful security measures. What I am searching for is the location for the school's counselling program for problematic children. Every school has an A.I. which should be doing nothing else than to search for problems in the student's behaviour. Upon finding a problem child it has to talk to the student in question and judge which steps are necessary to correct his behaviour.

But upon accessing the virtual reality of the sentient sprite in question I encounter the first problem. If the server logs are true, then the sprite in question is neglecting its duty. A split second lets me enter the sprite's virtual reality to judge the situation.
My avatar appears inside a pink room with a strange looking, bony figure. The sprite's chosen avatar looks a little disturbing, even to me. The walls of the room are filled with videos and shows from several different entertainment channels.

Apparently this sprite's subroutines have seriously deteriorated, it must be an old and excentric model. The school should have replaced it long ago. But then again they don't seem to have any decent network administrators.

“Who are you!? How did you get on this secure server?” The sprite realizes that I am right next to it and turns to face me, but it's too late. I ram my hand into the avatar's chest and access it's code.
Then I start deleting, rewriting, changing authorities and priorities. What I need isn't the sprite, it's its identity as the school's counsellor.

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

“Seriously. There is no need for all this. Why do I even have to be here?” I voice my objection to the new compulsory lesson I have to attend to. “I have been at this school for three years and was never told we have a counsellor!!”

“Gideon, there is no need to become agitated. Let's say that your recent behaviour at the annual tournament drew my attention.” The projected avatar of a woman with raven black hair and an unnaturally huge bust gestures at the couch in the middle of the room. Lines of yellow code are running through her blue dress. “Why don't you lie down and we can talk about your issues.”

“I have no issues.” I answer and throw myself on the couch. Just one hour a week, that's all. It'll go by fast if I simply talk to this facsimile of a psychiatrist. Why would a sprite even choose such an appearance?
“I think it's best if you let me be the judge of that.” The projection sits down and a chair appears under her. “So, let's talk about your school life. I've gathered that you joined the computer club?”

“Yes.” I answer.
“How is it going in your class?” The smooth voice asks.
“What do you mean? I am learning and trying to become a pilot.” What does she want to get at?
The counsellor tilts her head. “And your classmates? Call me Nina, by the way. Don't you have any relationships inside your class?”

I brood over the point of the question for a while. Then I decide to answer. “No?”
Nina doesn't let go of the matter. “Don't you have any friends of your own age?”
Now that she mentions it. “I don't have any friends aside from my relatives and Paul. But Paul is more like an employer and not a friend. I seriously don't think that there is any point in having one of those kids in my class as a friend.”

“I don't think so, Gideon. You have been at this institution for three years and you don't have any relationships short of the ones which were practically forced on you. I can tell, since I have access to the cameras. How about starting by searching a friend among the techno-mages in your own age group?”

I really don't know why I have this urge, but if Nina was an actual person I would murder her right now. Is it her voice?
“Gideon? Are you with me?” Nina asks.
Letting out a deep sigh I nod. I can tell that I'll come to dread my time here.

18. ~Target.~

“What's the difference between a rocket and a projectile?
A projectile can't turn on you.”

-About reaction and response

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

I reach for a nacho and dip it in a generous manner into the cheese sauce. Wolfing down nachos while watching a movie is the best way to relax myself while the main part of my mind is working on my problems. The pitiful rest is concentrating on the movie in front of me. Mage society doesn't have many of the social game-wonders which I got to know during my time prowling through the internet. Mages don't seem to have the time to play games.

But what they have are movies and good ones at that. Despite my problems with human interactions I am a fan of the action-genre. I can't see the point in romance movies, but seeing explosions and other cool stunts activates a primal instinct within me.
The Star Wars rework which I am currently watching is quite decent. 'Wizards of the Coast' took it upon themselves to redo some of the better movies from Earth. But contrary to the creators of the original, they are working hard on doing it right.

That means that 'Walt Disney' never got to say a word in the whole saga and most importantly... no Jar Jar Binks! I hate that abomination, but so far I have to say that they are doing a fine job in avoiding the plotholes of the original. The result is a dark and epic space opera.

Accidentally WOTC also created the trading card game Magic and they are selling it on Earth with a big profit. The humans still like it for some reason. I really liked the online version of it, though they should have put more effort into it. The digital version was always lacking in regards to graphics.

If they rework all thirty movies of Star Wars without a drop in quality I'll become their fan. Though I hope that they have the decency to stop at episode six. Even a complete rewrite wouldn't be able to save episode seven.

My eyes wander left and right during a boring moment and I realize that I am the only person in the cinema. I am fifteen years old by now and I somehow resisted Nina's attempts to socialize me.
None of my family members had the time to accompany me to the movie. They don't even particularly like science fiction. One moment. Can I even count the stuff I am watching as science fiction? To other magicians it must be some kind of random, alternative reality shit.

Disheartened by my new insight I stand up and head for the exit. Somehow I've lost my interest in the movie. I wish I hadn't thought about this, but all I have to do is build myself a light saber and I am a perfect Sith Lord. I can influence stuff by using gravity magic and my ongoing education has shown that I have an additional affinity for quite a few electro spells.

I head for the exit of the cinema and find myself on Aether's main pavilion. It's already evening and the sky is filled with stars.
The closest teleportation cubicle is just a short walk down the street and around the block through a passageway, so I start walking. The city is rather empty at this time of the day and so I've no problems with bumping into other people.

Thinking about my lifestyle, I have to admit that even my grandmother is worried about it, but she tries to keep her worries to herself. The only reason why I know about her thoughts is that she is often trying to introduce me to people.
I've to admit that some of them were really interesting to talk to. I even got a permanent connection to the electro-mage elder. His name is Sanguin and the old fellow knows admittedly more about physics than me. Well, I am in the process to correct that and even my arcane studies are going well.

Walking down the narrow passageway I find my vision suddenly tilting sideways. Strange. I try to activate my ability, but it doesn't work. Something is definitely wrong. Where the nachos bad? Food poisoning? No, that wouldn't affect my magic.
There aren't any people whom I could ask for help. I try to contact my grandmother, but upon attempting to connect to the net several times I have to admit that my ability doesn't work.

“Is the gas working?” Someone asks from behind me and I turn around, reaching for the wall to steady myself. For some strange reason my hand misses the wall and I drop to the ground while the world is spinning all around me.

Barely conscious I notice people coming towards me. Then a metal foot blocks my view and screams fill the night. The battle sprite which was stalking me for years must've taken action. I close my eyes and the world spins away into darkness.

Something is forced down my throat and I open my eyes. A bearded man is trying to force feed me a vile tasting liquid. Retching, I spit everything I can into his face and he hits me in return.
If my vision wasn't so blurry I would kill him with a spell right now. My head feels light and I don't feel well.

Surveying my surroundings I find myself in a dark room with a table and four men playing cards. I am bound with a rope to a wooden chair and I stink like I was pulled through the sewers.

“It's enough, Gorey! The beer is already coming out of his mouth. There is no way that he can use his magic like that.” One of the men points at an empty seat and the bearded man joins them. “Yes, I just don't want him to tell on our position. The stupid sprite took out four of our men, before we could deal with it. Once we meet our employer we should ask for additional money. He didn't say anything about a personal sprite as a guard.”

Ah, they force fed me with alcohol. Being intoxicated is a good way to stop a mage from casting spells. That's why most mages don't drink. So I was abducted? Are they trying to get me off of Aether? What did they do to Crono? Did they destroy the battle sprite? I don't particularly care for him, but losing my silent shadow feels strange. So many questions and no answers.

Something in my stomach twists and I barf its contents all over myself. I continue doing so until there is nothing coming up any more. After two minutes of retching I finally regain the control over over my body.
Somehow I feel strange. There are so many unknown sensations shaking my entire being. Is that what it means to be drunk? I heard that drinking also lifts certain mental barriers. That's why people like it so much. I am not entirely sure what to think about this.

My attackers don't take any notice of my situation. They seem to be used to this. I am going to kill them. I don't know how, but I'll do it. Preferably slowly. Those bastards attacked me without reason.
That's right. My wristwatch. It's a modified IM, I just have to activate it. That would be a sufficient distraction. And... and... what then. What else can I use as a weapon?

Maybe I am not too affected by the alcohol and can still cast spells? I heard that it depends on the individual. Closing my eyes I concentrate. Something is there, I can feel it.
My ability seems to work. I am not completely drunk. Apparently I woke up early enough, the alcohol hasn't entered my bloodstream in sufficient amounts. I slow down my perceived time and start thinking up a strategy while my eyes search the room for things which I can use to my advantage. After a while I feel confident to have found a possible battle strategy.

“Force!” The rope which is binding me to the chair snaps and I stand up. While doing so I grab the wooden chair and throw it at the men who are too stunned to react.
Once more I use force and apply all my power to the chair. The chair bursts into splinters and the fragments are sent at them like shrapnel.

Screams erupt from their side, but I already took off my wristwatch and threw it at the man with the least injuries. I gave only one command to it. Disassemble.
Then my as wristwatch disguised IM impacts his chest and unfolds into a robot. It's a more sophisticated model and resembles a centipede. The IM loses no time and digs into his flesh, which takes him out of the game. He screams like a pig and drops to the ground, trying to rip the construct out of himself, but to no avail.

The other offenders are writhing and crying while lying on the ground. My improvised shotgun worked better than I anticipated.
A bottle rolls towards me and I stop it with my foot. It's beer. Being in a slightly abnormal mental state I bend down and open it to take a hearty draught. “Now, let's talk about who sent you.”

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Ed

I edge closer to the room with the hostage and signal my men to stay back. Gideon was abducted just an hour ago by some freelancers. They also damaged Crono pretty heavily, that's why it took us some time to follow their tracks.

I hope that they didn't manage to get Gideon off of Aether yet. Reaching for my amulet I step around the corner and scream. “Don't move! In the name of the elders, surrender now or-!” What I find inside the room stuns me into silence.

There is a person on the ground who looks like he was inside a shredder. Another one is lying on a big round table with burn marks all over his body. A third one looks like he was smashed into the ground by the fist of an angry god. Only the outlines of a gory mass and the bones hint at the fact that the remains were once a person.
A fourth is sitting on a chair beside the table. He looks like someone peeled off parts of his flesh until the blood loss killed him.

Gideon is standing in the middle of the room and looks like he didn't notice my entry. Suddenly he turns around and throws something at me. I manage to duck away just in time. The thrown bottle shatters harmlessly on the wall behind me.
I erect a barrier just in case, but my precaution turns out to be unnecessary. Gideon is the only person in the room who is standing, or swaying would be a better term.

“Ah, sowy. Its Ed. Dun schneak up o- on me lik thad.” Gideon raises a bottle to his mouth and takes a sip.
“Gideon, are you drunk?” I ask flabbergasted.
Gideon doesn't reply. Instead he turns around to the person who is pressed by an invisible force to the wall. “No. Were were we?”

The bearded man at the wall turns his head to me, his face distorted in a pained manner. I can tell that breathing alone takes all his power. “P- Please! S- Save me!”
Gideon somehow manages to bend down and picks up a big shard of glass. “Wong anser.” He throws the shard at the man in a lazy manner and it picks up speed like falling down a cliff, just that  its falling towards the wall. The shard embeds itself in the man's left thigh and he screams.

“Aw, shud up. I didnt efen hid whad I aimet fa!” Gideon bends down to pick up another shard, but he falls over and lies still. Moments later he is loudly snoring while lying between broken beer bottles.

Aether, The floating City, above the Atlantic Ocean
Gideon

“Gideon, are you okay?” Nina asks me. “You look tired and sick. Are you sure that you should be at school? It's not that bad to take a day off once in a while. We can have our session at another time.”

Yeah, probably she is right. But I have to confirm something. Being interrogated by faceless isn't a happy experience. Luckily I managed to lie to them. For some reason I am able to trick their truth reading, though I am not completely sure why.
According to my story I was abducted and they made me drunk, then I blacked out and the next thing I know is that I wake up inside a detention centre of the faceless, my grandmother in tears at my side.

Though in reality I didn't black out. At least not completely. It seems that being drunk somehow caused me to fall into a strange emotional state. I enjoyed causing pain to my abductors while I interrogated them. Unfortunately my mental state caused me to overdo it and I wasted four of my five tries without getting any valuable information. There were also other emotions, for the lack of a better term. It was a disturbing experience. I think I'll distance myself from drinking alcohol in the future.

It was really lucky that the faceless believed my story and dropped any charges against me. First I was drugged with sleeping gas and alcohol, secondly it happened against my will and third, I wasn't in complete possession of my mental and physical capabilities.

“Gideon?” Nina asks once more.
“Yes, I was just thinking. Do you know that someone tried to abduct me yesterday?” I ask the counsellor.
She tilts her head. “Oh, my. I didn't know. Are you okay?”

“Yes, but your minions aren't.” I answer, trying to force a reaction out of her.
“I think you may be affected by your traumatic experience. I'll call for help.” She says.
“Then I'll inform the authorities that you hacked the school's counsellor and are influencing it from outside Aether.” I drop the bomb on Nina.

Nina is the last clue which I have in regards to the Revelation Wing. First they tried to kill me and now they attempted to abduct me. It's clear that I have to do something about them. Going on the offensive is my only option, otherwise they'll try again and again until they get lucky.

Unfortunately the interrogation of my attackers didn't give me any valuable clues. My only chance is to roll the dice with the only other anomaly within my life and that's Nina.
I checked her very soon after my counselling with her started. At first I didn't think much of it, but after a while her questions got a little bit too personal and I took a very close look at her.

But apparently her code was rewritten by someone with at least my level of skill. The only thing I can tell is that her construct is controlled from outside the school.
I am reluctant in trying to hack her since I am not entirely sure that I would get the whereabouts of her operator by doing so. Sometimes it's better to let a spy do his spying in order to feed him false information. Though I don't think that she is with the Revelation Wing. That leaves only a few other possibilities.

Nina flickers for a moment and then she drops her faked concerned expression. At the same time I notice an ingoing connection from outside Aether. “Since when did you know?”
It seems like I've caused a reaction. The other party took direct control of the sprite. “A while.” I answer. “So what do you want from me?”
She purses her lips. “Nothing particular to be honest. I was just interested in your mental state.”
So it's another cold track. “You don't belong to the terrorists? That doesn't leave many other possibilities in regards to your identity.”

The avatar starts squirming. “If you could see your expression right now, Gideon. I am glad that we are not in the same room with each other.”
“I am tempted to try my abilities on you. Possibly I manage to lock you out of the school.” I look up at the ceiling where the camera is installed. “No, actually I am pretty sure that I can do at least that.”

Nina stops her strange behaviour to look at me. “You don't even ask why?”
“It's of no consequence to me at this point in my life.” I answer.
She raises a hand and scratches her chin. “Hah, that's disturbing. You actually managed to cause me to feel something about this situation. Right now it's bugging me that you don't seem to care about me at all. Congratulations. I wouldn't have cared if you had wished to ask me the most important question.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest and show her my most defying expression. “It seems I inherited my mental state from you. I don't have to ask questions to gain the hints I need.”
Nina freezes for a moment and eyes me with interest. “I see. So why did you want to know the whereabouts of the Revelation Wing?”

“To kill them.” I answer. “Why do you even ask?”
Nina contemplates my answer for several moments, then she makes a decision. “Asteroid belt, grid 05-BZ-33-U5.”
I raise an eyebrow without saying a word.
“I won't tell you what's there. I only say that you should go prepared.” She pushes up her bust and smiles. “The outcome of this experiment might be interesting.”

I notice that the two way connection is terminated and Nina flickers once more, losing her smile and returning to her previous concerned expression. “I think you may be affected by your traumatic experience. I'll call for help.”
“That's not necessary. You are right and I feel very tired today. I'll go home and rest.” I turn around and leave without caring any further for the construct.

It turned out that the unknown party is more troublesome than I thought.

19. ~Launch.~

“The Forge is currently located at Mercury. It's a collection of several big rotating cylinders. Each with a radius of five kilometres and a length of twenty kilometres. Their number is steadily increasing with the population. The colonists who built The Forge are creating their habitats by pulling asteroids with high contents of metal close to the sun and spinning them into the desired shape.
The Forge is the biggest known shipyard complex with over two hundred docks.”

-Colonies of Sol

Mercury, The Forge – Shipyard Main Complex
Gideon

I lean back in my chair and watch in silent anticipation as the last tests are conducted on my personal spaceship. It's docked inside the main complex of Paul's company, which is a huge cylinder.
Normally the living habitats are rotating to create cheap gravity, but this one is stopped to make building ships and reactors easier.

My ship is held by huge clamps to keep it in place and behind it is the sun, bigger than I would ever have imagined it. The sun looks three times larger and six times brighter than watching it from Earth. Luckily the protective barrier around the habitat lets enough light through to allow a nice look at it. If it didn't block most of the radiation we would be toast.

Against my assumptions I was able to end my education as a pilot at the age of twenty-two. I would have never imagined that the practical part consists just of a few months of flying shuttles. But the rest of the time made me feel like flying a spaceship consists only of solving equations. At least I wasn't disturbed in my studies and so I managed to ace the school's tests.

The Revelation Wing didn't manage to launch any more attacks against me or my family.
I don't know what Ed did, but after the last attack the faceless swarmed through Aether like angry ants. Supposedly because Crono was damaged. I didn't know that the sprite had human rights and was counted as a faceless on top of that.

“What an ugly thing.” Paul comments from behind me and I turn around. He walks around the rows of chairs inside the observation launch. “It's hard to believe that a brilliant mind like yours would design something like this as a personal yacht. I hope you continue working for us after you fulfilled your dream.”
“I don't understand what you mean.” Yes, I admit that the ship doesn't look very special. The hull is shaped like a tear and the spherical part has a radius of a hundred metres. The cone which is attached to it stretches the ship to a length of six hundred metres.

The plating of the hull is adaptive armour, the latest invention on the market. Currently it's configured to look like brass which gives the whole ship an expensive look. Of course it doesn't just look expensive, it is. I poured a sizeable amount of my capital into it.
“Oh, I don't know.” Paul shrugs his shoulders. “It looks bland. The other rich people who can afford building their own design always choose something futuristic. Like from the Sci-Fi movies from Earth. Why didn't you build the Enterprise? It's a popular model.”

My head snaps towards him. “You mean there are really idiots who would go for a completely non-functional design like that? No, I went purely for functionality.” If I ever run across a fake Enterprise or Romulan Warbird I'll blast them out of the sky without hesitation.
Paul tilts his head. “The dimensions of the ship don't really matter with our gravitational drives. So why a tear? And can you even build a teleportation bubble around it? It's huge.”

“It's a freighter and yes, it can teleport. The math adds up. You can shape the bubble into a tear by manipulating the spell a little.” And accidentally that's also the best shape for long range teleportation.
“I chose a tear because the structure can withstand the gravitational forces better. So that means the thick end is the front which is falling towards the gravitational anomaly.
But at the same time I've the needed length to install some of the bigger equipment.”

Paul nods slowly. “So why did you place the pilot chamber inside the ship? There aren't any windows. I thought you want to take a look at the solar system's sights with a big nice window?”
I shake my head once more. “Again that's because of functionality! Who in his right mind would place the bridge of a spaceship at the hull? A single stray asteroid without proper shields and you are a goner. No, the bridge, life support and fusion reactors are all as deep within the ship as possible.” I even added extra armour around those sections.

“In addition I designed the innards modular. The ship's inside can be reconfigured according to my current needs.” And while I am on my way to the belt, the automatic manufacturing plant will make me some things which I am officially not allowed to have.

He smirks at me. “So what about your family? Aren't they going to have a farewell party?”
I snort. “Please spare me. We already partied for three days and nights. They already headed home. Maybe I'll visit them once a month when I make a stop at a big colony.”

Paul's eyes widen. “You plan to teleport the ship that often? That's costly!”
“No, I'll use the official connection when I make a stop at the big colonies. The ship stays parked at a dock.” I answer. “I've designed the energy banks with a lot of capacity left, but teleporting on a regular basis will reduce the lifespan of the fusion reactors drastically and there is also the issue with fuel. I would have to spend a lot of my time on repairs.”

“Yes, the reactors. Aren't there a few too much of them? Ten is overdoing it, even for a ship of that size.” Paul gestures at the ship. “And have you found a name yet?”
“What else can I say than that I like redundancy. And as for the name, I thought about Modular I. Because of the modular innards.” I muse.

“No.” Paul answers flat-out.
So it's no good. “Strange. My family was also against it. What do you think about the Redundancy? Bec-”
“No.”
“Then the Adaptive!”
But Paul shoots me down once more. “No! Come up with something unique that's not revealing everything about the ship!”

“What do you think about the Coeus? It's the titan of intellect and knowledge, so the name fits the ship's purpose because it was built out of pure curiosity. You used only the latest technologies in its design.” A faceless enters the observation lounge with a stash of papers in his hands.
“Ed, what are you doing here!?” I call out in surprise. Do the faceless have their nose in everything? Did something happen? “But I admit that the name seems to fit. You have talent in naming things. Maybe I'll use it.”

Ed chuckles. “I was just curious what you need a warship for. There are regulations, you know? A fully automated vessel of that size isn't allowed to carry that much firepower.” He waves the blueprints of my ship in front of my nose.
“I don't know what you are talking about? Firepower? I've only a few grade one lasers against asteroids and a single torpedo launcher. I don't even carry the necessary torpedoes, it's just to satisfy the board of inquiry.” I answer. “Where did you even get the plan for my ship?”

Ed shakes the blueprint in front of my nose and it unfolds. “Don't lie to me. Those bulkheads in the hull and the empty compartments behind them can be used to install hidden weaponry! The power routing accidentally runs along all of them, so a conversion can be done with very little effort. And then there is the empty cylinder which is running along the entire ship. It fits perfectly to install one of the rail-gun cannons which are used by miners to smash asteroids.”

I widen my eyes, trying to fake utter shock. “I didn't realize that the sensor compartments could be misinterpreted like that!”
“Don't try to joke with me, Gideon. I am not some stupid pen pusher who signs each and every proposal which doesn't have warship written on it in big, red letters. It's a mystery to me how you got this past the officials!” Ed complains, almost losing his mask.

I bit into my lower lip. Maybe Ed doesn't know that the government is actually happy about every hull which can be easily converted into a warship? Then I probably shouldn't tell it to him. “I am sorry, Ed. They were probably simply lazy. And I admit that I intend to install a weapon or two.” Or even more, depending on how much firepower I need to make my problems go away.

“For what!?” He calls out and scrunches the blueprint up to toss it at my forehead.
“To blast a comet or two.” I answer, but after a few moments it's becoming clear that he isn't satisfied. Maybe I should simply tell him the truth. I know that he hates the terrorists to the bone. Once he knows my reasons he surely won't snitch on me. “Okay, I'll take the ship out and look for the base of the Revelation Wing. When I find them I'll deal with them on my own accord.”

“You know that it's illegal to take the law into your own hands?” He asks. “And you probably won't find them. We are searching for them since generations. Don't you realize that the belt is simply too huge? It's like looking for a needle in a haystack as large as the Earth!”
“They attacked first! If I don't do something they'll always try again when they see a chance.” I try to defend myself. “And what's the problem if I go looking? If they are that well hidden, then I won't find them anyway.”

Ed sighs, looking at me for a long moment. “Call it the Coeus.” He turns and leaves the lounge.
Paul whistles. “Whoa. Who would have thought that a faceless lets you simply walk off after you admitted that you intend to install illegal weaponry!”
I face Paul and try to smile. “That's because Ed is a good guy.”

Paul frowns and takes a deep breath. “Yeah... sure.”

20. ~Recommendation.~

“Oibras Station is located in an orbit around the Jupiter colony and acts as a major shipping point for the planet's goods.
Its designers wanted to give the settlers as much comfort as possible and created a miniature sun in the centre of a hollow metal sphere. The inside of the sphere is settled like any other city and the population fluctuates between three hundred thousand and six hundred thousand inhabitants.
The reason for the strong variation is the fact that most of the population consists of temporary inhabitants like technicians, merchants, tourists, pilots and other folk who are just travelling through.”

-Colonies of Sol

Jupiter, Oibras Station
Gideon

It's so boring! There is nothing to do as a pilot! If I had realized how much time is actually consumed by waiting to arrive at the destination.
Once I made myself comfortable inside the command module I requested clearance from the dock and informed them of my flight path as soon as the ship was cleared for departure. And thus I left the Forge. Off to new worlds, where thousands and millions of people were before me.

My ship is now officially cleared as the Coeus, experimental test vessel of the Gideon Cooperation, a sub-contractor of the StarDrive Group. The involved paperwork to get this through with Paul and creating my own enterprise took me months!

I lean back in my acceleration chair and pat the plush cat and the rabbit absent-mindedly. Even now I still keep them around as lucky charms. The control room is completely empty, save for the chair in which I am sitting and a pedestal at its side where I keep a few personal items.
There is no need for controls if you are a techno-mage. Thanks to my ability the ship is practically an extension of my body.

The walls around me are able to create images and three dimensional projections if I wish so, but it's just a gimmick to me. If I wish I can interface directly with every part of the ship.
It's kind of funny if I think about how space flight was always depicted in fictional stories. Why would you compartmentalize the ship's complicated functions if you can automate everything.
I never understood why the weapons officer of a ship under fire has to get the order to raise shields. It takes valuable seconds to do so. In a real life situation a ship would be long destroyed before the officer even opened his mouth.

I get up and head back into the living area of the command module. The whole module is a cube with fifteen metres edge length. There wasn't any need for being complicated, so the only part of the ship which is habitable consists out of six connected rooms.
The living area is a big and spacey room of ten-times-ten metres in size. It's connected to the pilot chamber and a bathroom, plus a bedroom and a kitchen. The rest of the command module is currently uninhabited space and filled with foodstuffs.

Attached to the command module is a complete recycling plant. I avoid thinking about all its functions in too much detail.
The rest of the ship is largely inaccessible. In the case that something breaks I have more than enough automated sprites and IMs to do the repair work.

I sit down on the couch in my living room and connect to the net in order to survey the prices of my freight. To conceal my voyage as an action of complete self interest I decided to carry goods through every step of the flight. After all I don't want to give my opponents any reason to doubt the nature of the Coeus.
And I need time to fabricate and install the necessary weapons. It's not like printing a plasma cannon happens over night.

It was just a short flight from Mercury to Venus while transporting spare parts for fusion reactors. While doing so my ship broke the current speed record. I tested the spell amplifying runes around my ship and managed to achieve accelerations of over two hundred gravities. If I hadn't deployed a counter-field I would be a smear on the wall.
The colony that's hidden in the planet's atmosphere is a main provider of foodstuffs and liquid nitrogen for the colonies in the belt.
It was a nice enough place I have to admit, though their installations aren't that much different from Aether.

From there I headed directly to an asteroid colony in the inner belt between Mars and Jupiter. They hollowed out entire asteroids and pulled them together in a crazy construct of metal and rocks.
But my target lies farther outwards near to Jupiter's Lagrange point L4 which is called the 'Greek' node.
That's why I am currently approaching an installation in Jupiter's orbit. On my last stop I loaded some rare metals and other minerals to sell them here.

With the money I'll top off my supplies and then I'll slowly head for the 'Greek' node and search the asteroids in the area which my mother specified to me. It will give me the time to make some final tests and considerations.

My thoughts are interrupted as an incoming call from the quantum network draws my attention. I am still fascinated by these marvels of technology. They allow faster than light communication by using the effect of Quantum nonlocality.
I answer the call and a certain avatar appears in my living room. It's Sadina, or better her alter ego which she calls Nina.

“Hi!” She waves a hand at me.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“Aw, I was just excited about the fact that you are finally starting to move.” She puffs up her cheeks. “You took your time with your preparations. I didn't expect that you have that much patience.”

“I simply tried to ensure that they'll die.” And then I'll pay you a visit.
“You just thought about going after me when you are done with them!” She starts to wriggle once more, something which the avatar does quite often while my mother is controlling it.
I wonder if she acts like that in her real body too.

Finally she stops her strange behaviour. “Hah, fine. I won't get a reaction from you whatever I do. I called to see your determination, but it seems like you really want to do this. So lets talk again when you are done.” The connection is closed without waiting for my answer.
What was that about? I simply stare at the frozen avatar for a long time, then I terminate it and stand up. The orbital station around Jupiter is already close and I've to decelerate.

Back in my cockpit I announce my presence to the orbital station around Jupiter and let myself being directed to the proper dock. Then I file a request to unload my cargo and reload the ship with various materials which could turn out to be useful. I also need to top off my tritium reserves since I don't know how long I'll stay at the 'Greek' node. I already prepared the list for the station's managing A.I. in advance. Moments later I am informed that I have a little more than a day until the loading process is finished.

A day isn't fast, but it's acceptable. I confirm the schedule and head back to the living room after my ship is locked into the station's guiding system. At this point everything is in the hands of the station's personal. The ship will fly to a parking position until the station's transports are free to get the cargo.

In the meantime I can take a look at the station. It's a huge metal sphere with a miniature sun in its centre. Wasteful, but it's a nice place to live out here where the real sun looks like nothing much more than another star.
I step into the teleportation chamber which is located in a corner of the room and order it to connect to the stations network.

Half an hour later I wander through the city while buying all sorts of interesting toys for entertainment. Having them sent directly to my ship spares me the burden to carry them. I've no idea how long I'll be away from civilisation.
A poppy seed ice cream in my hand I realize that I strayed into some kind of entertainment sector with many restaurants.

It's already evening and the miniature sun in Oibras's centre is in the process of being slowly encased in two halves of a large shielding sphere. They are also simulating day and night here.
Remembering my grandfather's words I look up a certain restaurant by downloading a street map. He told me that I absolutely have to try the food there and incidentally it's only two railway stations away.

I fight my way through the crowd of people who are going about their business and step onto one of the speeding walkways. Using short distance teleports or gravity magic to fly is forbidden inside almost all small colonies.
The first means of travel isn't exactly safe and the second could interfere with the station's gravity field.

The 'Coincidence' turns out to be a relatively large restaurant and the neighbourhood seems to be good. I enter through the front door and am greeted by a busty waitress who offers me a wristband. “Welcome, Sir.”
I look at the wristband in a curious manner and then at her. “I am sorry?”

“Oh, you are new. It's a tradition of the house, just dial in how many nights you want to stay.” The young girl smiles at me and practically forces the wristband into my hands, already turning to the next guest.
I enter the restaurant slightly baffled and study the wristband. There is just a digital counter on it with two buttons. I set it to 'one' and the whole thing turns green. Okay?

My eyes wander through the strangely arranged hall until I stop at a big mirror close to the entrance. I am wearing a dark brown coat with a black pilot's dress beneath it. My face has similarities to the strict, edgy face of my grandfather and the beginnings of a beard make me look older than I am. Maybe I should have shaved before coming here, but three days of beard growth isn't that bad.

Being alone in a spaceship without my grandmother nagging about my negligence made me a little lax. At least I've already thought about getting a haircut right after coming to the station. I simply can't stand the itching of long hair. It turns me mad.

Surveying the restaurant's hall further I mentally shrug my shoulders and continue on. There are no separate tables. Instead there are long rows of tables with a conveyor running food and drinks along them. It's like a running sushi bar.
Grandfather, you were always a Scrooge.

I search for a free seat in a silent part of the restaurant and receive an automated request for payment from the restaurant. Since it's all you can eat for an acceptable price I acknowledge the transaction and start digging in.
The portions are small, so I am able to try several different dishes. Though I am very careful to stay away from the alcoholic drinks.

While I eat several different women take the seat at my side and attempt to initiate a conversation. I always answer in short replies, not exactly sure about the intentions of those strangers. All of them lose their interest in me quite fast and head off to search for other company.
I am not used to being chatted up like that. Maybe it's a cultural thing on this station? I sip on my fruit juice while staring at the dishes which are passing by.

“Hey, are you free?” Girl number eight sits down next to me. Seriously? What's up with this place.
“No.” I answer.
“But your wristband says something else.” She points at the armband which I got from the waitress. Then she raises her hand with a green wristband around it. “I am also searching for one night and I saw that the others were turned off very fast, but I have no problems with techno-mages. You guys are simply a little strange, but I like that. Can I assume that it's your first time here?”

I feel my left eye starting to twitch. Where the heck did my grandfather send me? “Excuse me?”
The left corner of her mouth rises a little. “Oh, could it be that you didn't realize where you are?”
“Where am I?” I ask, starting to doubt my senses.
She answers with yet another flood of words. “This establishment is for people who are searching for partners to fulfil certain needs. By setting the colour of your wristband you announce what you are searching for. Green means that you aren't looking for something permanent and are only one night available. So you are a pilot, yes?”

“Yes. I must admit that I didn't realize the nature of this place.” I'll kill Grandfather. No, better! I'll tell Grandmother in detail where he sent me.
“I am Amia Jefri, pyro-mage. I am working as a technician in the main fusion plant. So if you want to take a look at me, you just have to look up to the miniature sun. It's a little romantic if you think about it...” She continues talking about cabbages and kings without a care in the world.

In the meantime I take a real look at her for the first time. She could be around my age, though she is probably older. In this society it's not easy to judge someone's age. Her red hair is cut at shoulder length and she is slim, maybe one head smaller than me. Her face looks like she is the serious type.
She is wearing a white one piece dress. It is tight at the right places, but can't be called indecent.

After a while she stops talking and I realize that she probably expects an answer. “Gideon Alvar, I am piloting a private freighter.”
But that's enough to set off the flood of words once more. “Really? Where have you already been? I always wanted to take a look at Neptune...” And there she goes again.

Our exchange continues like this and before I even realize it an hour has passed. Suddenly Amia stops her monologue and reaches for my hand. “You know, I really like your type and you have acceptable looks. You are also a good listener who looks someone in the eyes. Do you want to go somewhere more private?”

“I am-” Not sure. Is what I wanted to say, but Amia pulls me up from my seat and pushes me towards a stairway. On our way there she shows her tongue to a group of women. Some of them look familiar. They tried to talk to me earlier.

“You know them?” I ask, already dreading the answer.
“Oh, they are regulars here. Like me. They said that it's impossible to talk to you, so I got interested. I like the dark and silent types.” She leads me up the stairway and along a corridor with many doors.
At a door with a green 'Unoccupied' sign she pulls her wristband over the lock and opens the door. Did she just rent the room? Ew, on second thought, this is going a little fast! Did I just get into a first time situation!?

I try to remember about my mangas and how it's properly done. I mean I know how it's done, but all my knowledge is intellectual. And I am not entirely sure if I want to do it like this. Of course my body has the urge. I am an adult now, but I try to deal with it as good as I can. “Amia, I am not sure if that's a good idea. I am not that experienced with situations like this.”

She doesn't listen and pulls me further into a spacious room with a big bed, closing the door behind us. “That's fine! Actually I like techno-mages because they are rarely bad partners.”
She drops herself into the bed, pulling me on top of her and locking her legs around me. “We have all night if you want to.” She whispers into my ear.

Her white one piece dress is pulled open easily with her left hand while she is reaching with her right hand between my legs. “There are no strings attached, tomorrow you are back on your ship and I am working at the fusion plant. You have the prevention treatments, don't you?”
“Of cour-” I attempt to answer, but she kisses me. Even daring to use her tongue!

Whatever! This may be better than having to deal with it by myself. I reach for her chest, which is small but big enough to serve the purpose. This may turn out to be worth my time!

21. ~Search.~

“And the great Archmages of each trait held a great gathering in Alexandria to discuss the world's future. History had taught them that with the growing numbers of people, their rivalries and wars would also grow. The mages had tried to intervene, but how do you choose for whom to fight if the reason for fighting is the same on all sides? How should they decide whom they should save and whom they have to crush? And would it ever end?
And mages were involved in all of humanity's societies, so it was just a question of time until even those who had greater powers than the rest would start to fight each other.
In the end the great Archmages decided to form the council of elders. They called magicians from all over the world to form a stable soceity that doesn't comsume itself. And so the Exodus started.”

-History Exodus I

Jupiter, Oibras Station
Gideon

I fear that I might get addicted to investing time behind closed doors with a member of the other gender. Though the price which has to be paid for companionship seems to be high. By now it feels like I know the entire life of the person called Amia Jefri. She kept talking and talking and talking. Luckily she kept her mouth shut while we did it.

It was long after midnight when she finally got tired enough to let us sleep. Though she seems to be a nice person. The problem is that she doesn't know when to shut up. And I wasn't entirely sure if it was appropriate to tell her to do so.
Maybe that's the reason why she is spending her evenings in this club instead of having a real relationship. It may be hard to find a person who can put up with her apparent need to lay out every detail of her day to day life.

I slowly slide my arm out from under her head, but that's enough to wake her up. “You are already leaving? It's early. I am glad that my shift always starts late.”
“I am afraid the dock will charge me a hefty fee if I don't clear the parking position in time. So I have to go.” I answer while I get dressed.

Amia waves her hand at me. “Okay. Give me a call if you are en route through Oibras again. I'll make sure that I am free.” She winks at me.
Does that mean that I was good? Getting and invitation for another night means something, or not?
“Don't think too much of yourself. There are worse ones, but I admit that you have endurance.” She answers.
Can she read my thoughts!?
“No, but it's written all over your face. And besides that it's the thing every guy is concerned about when it's his first time.” She answers unashamed. “In addition I've way too much experience in dates like this.”

“I see.” So my face is betraying me again? How strange. “Well, goodbye then. I'll give you a call should I be around again.”
“Sure.” She smiles and lies down again. Apparently she intends to continue to sleep until she has to go to work.
After having collected all my stuff I leave the restaurant. Should I even call it a restaurant? No. I've to concentrate on another matter and plan my strategy. Today I'll be going to the 'Greek' node and I've to make my last preparations.

I make my way to the nearest teleportation chamber and transfer directly to my ship. Luckily short range teleports are unproblematic.
Upon stepping out of the chamber in my command module I halt and start checking the positioning of the items around the room. Everything seems to be as I left it. Even the chips on the ground are untouched. They look the same as when I dropped them carelessly in front of the teleportation chamber. I put them there as an indicator if someone entered my property.

The thing which I fear most is sabotage. It's well within my mother's capabilities to gain illegal access to my ship if she really wants to.
After I've taken my time to check everything against my memories I head to the cockpit and drop myself into the acceleration chair. Then I place a hand on the plush cat and try to relax.
After a while I connect myself to the ship and request permission to launch. Officially I am en route to the thin asteroid cloud beyond Venus to mine some materials there. In reality I'll go dark soon after launching and head for the 'Greek' node.

Even if my ship can be considered as big, it's still tiny and insignificant in the vastness of space. The station AI grants me permission and I engage the drive. By forming a gravitational anomaly in front of my ship the huge craft smoothly slips away from the station and into open space.
After accelerating for a while on my planned route I rotate the ship and watch the station with my main sensor array.

Flying blindly at my current speed isn't that dangerous since I am on a well charted freighter route. The main sensor array allows me to search a half-sphere shaped area in front of my ship for obstructions.
The one thing you don't want to happen while flying at speeds which can be measured in fractions of light speed is ramming something.
The current speed record lies at zero point six percent of light speed, which is remarkable if you think about it. Though it was an experimental vessel and the pilot burned out one of his ship's five reactors to set the record.

For that reason you want to know exactly where you are going. So while flying you want to look ahead as far as possible.
I wait until the station is just a faint echo on my lidar and radar. I am relatively sure that their vision isn't better than mine. Though they have the bigger sensor arrays.

After giving it another hour I let my ship go dark. Every ship's ability to hide itself has to meet certain standards. That means no heat or light emissions. The modern versions of camouflage technology and spells can also imitate the background of the stars. Everything for the sake of hiding ourselves from the people of Earth.

The one thing that most ships can't hide are the minor gravitational distortions from their own mass and especially their drives. But gravitational sensors luckily only work on relatively short ranges for small masses. The planets hide the smaller masses of ships. It takes a lot of precision to measure the minute changes of force which is applied to a free-floating piece of glass within the sensor array.
I recalibrate my own drive to smooth out my own distortions as much as possible and engage it to take me to my new destination.

Now my opponents have to practically step onto me in order to find the Coeus. But that doesn't mean that they aren't hiding themselves too, in fact I am expecting that my mother snitched on me to make it more interesting for her. Though I should have a slight advantage since I know where I have to start searching.

Then there is the fact that I don't know what's awaiting me. Since the region I am heading for doesn't have any settlements I have to expect that they have at least one ship. Otherwise the Revelation Wing wouldn't get there in the first place. Long range teleportation is kept carefully under control by the government. I doubt that they have access to it.
Probably Sadina gave me the position of the base which she used during her time with the Revelation Wing.

It could be entirely possible that it's completely abandoned or was towed away in the meantime. If it's an asteroid and was nudged slightly away from its normal path the flight coordinates which I got from Sadina are worthless and I can ready myself for a very long search. In fact it might be a good idea if I start assembling a second main sensor array.

Preferably heavily over-designed towards the use of lidar. Lidar is working similar to radar, but is using light to search the surroundings with lasers.
Emitting energy to increase the performance of my sensors is also possible, but it would be like switching on a flash-light in a dark room. Everyone would know where to shoot.

After I have given the command to the assembly line I check once more if my ship is emitting anything that could give me away, but to all of my knowledge I should be a dark spot in space. Then I lean back and do the thing which a pilot needs to be good at. Waiting.

Hours turn into days and days into weeks. On the twenty-seventh day of my crusade I finally get a faint echo while passing the indicated coordinates for the perceived two hundred and forty-seventh time.
According to my sensors it must be a well hidden ship with an active drive, but the information barrier isn't properly calibrated. This results in a slight distortion when the ship passes in front of a star. I engage my drive and follow while keeping the shadow on the edge of my passive sensors.

After a while the phantom slows down and I shut down my drive and go dark. My course is slightly off from the phantom, so I let the Coeus drift while arranging all my information gathering devices on the foreign ship.
An hour later I study the gathered information quite baffled. The Revelation Wing has a complete asteroid base and four ships docked to it.

The base is a round rock and two of the ships are normal spherical freighters. There is also a smaller cylindrical courier boat and a big hauler which is normally used to pull damaged craft or asteroids.
Probably they used the hauler to pull the station away from the coordinates which I got from Sadina. I could have searched for a few more months if the badly stealthed ship hadn't passed through the area.
Do they attack other ships from time to time and play space pirates? What else do you need a hauler for? I access my data base and search for lost ships in this region and indeed, the freighters on my screen match lost vessels.

Though they don't seem to do this on a regular basis. The ships vanished over a long period of time. I guess if they are too active, then they would alert the faceless of their presence.

Admittedly, having four private ships is nothing special, but I am dumbfounded by the fact that they have four pilots for their craft. Techno-mages are extremely logical. I discussed the reasons for aiding an organization like the Revelation Wing with my cousin Saden. The only thing we could come up with are certain forms of blackmail or indoctrination from birth. The last one was actually Saden's idea.
I am not saying that every techno-mage thinks the same thoughts, but there is simply no reason to wreck a liveable life by joining a group like the Revelation Wing.

The other possibility is that the pilots aren't techno-mages, but I doubt that. The ship I followed made a perfect docking manoeuvre. A mage with another disposition wouldn't be able to control the spell matrix for the spell amplifier that well.

I close my eyes and place the plush cat on my lap to stroke it. “I wonder if going in with weapons blazing is a good idea.” They must have at least some kind of countermeasures and I want to search the base to know if there are more of them.

What would captain Picard do? He would probably talk them into making peace with the government, but this world isn't Star Trek.
I could pull a Space-Pirate Captain Hancock! Blast their hulls full of holes and demand their resources. And while doing so I'll set off every trap they prepared while they were sitting out here.

No good, I want to stay alive. Going with plan B and deploying my stealth sensor drones to get a better image sounds better. I'll take a good look at the station's surroundings. I was baffled at the number of ships they have. Who says that they don't have more? A stealthed ship which is waiting to ambush any attackers is a good way to secure a big target like the asteroid base.

I let my ship drift two more times through the region and find three ships lying in ambush around the base. Unfortunately I can't get a good image of them since they are fully dark like my ship. I don't know what they are and I dislike it.
After a felt eternity of thinking about my situation I decide that I can't do much more at this point. I've taken a really long look at the situation and I doubt that my current resources can uncover anything else.

I engage my drive and form a gravitation anomaly to pull me once more through the region. My course will take me right next to one of the sentries. Then I'll take him out with the plasma cannons and point defence cannons along my ship's hull.
No matter what he is, that has to be enough to take him out. Then I'll use my torpedo tube to send one rocket at the one who is the farthest away from me. The railgun is reserved for the closer target.

No matter how you put it, projectile weapons like the railgun and the plasma cannon pack a punch, but they are utterly useless for ranges over ten kilometres. My rail cannon fires projectiles with speeds at five kilometres per second. I would have to fill space with hundreds of projectiles to hit a target that engages in evasive manoeuvres.
So with other words those weapons are uncomfortable close range weapons. Getting so close to an enemy craft is very unhealthy if you intend to live a long life.

It's doubtful that it'll kill them outright, but it may give me the time to accelerate to the station and take a shot at their docked ships. One attack run is all I'll probably get, then I have to make evasive manoeuvres while dealing with the sentries.
The docked ships have to go though. I don't want them joining the battle.

When my plan is set in stone and programmed into the computer I lean back and watch it unfold. All I can do now is waiting for something unexpected to happen.
My ship slides into range of the first sentry without being found and fires a full broadside. Thanks to my ability I am able to notice a huge explosion which confirms the kill.

The rail-cannon and the torpedo tube fire. In the next moment the automated sequence starts and my chair rotates into the direction of the acceleration.
I feel blood rushing to my head and almost black out, but I manage to take a little acceleration away from the evasion sequence. The Coeus is an over-engineered monstrosity which can kill the pilot if the ship isn't handled carefully and I realize my mistake just in time to correct it.

The ship rotates to empty all close range weapons into the docked ships and the station's point defences.
Then the whole ship bucks under me and my chair snaps in yet another direction as I register a laser beam breaking the barrier spell around the Coeus and grazing over the hull of my ship. But the fast evasive manoeuvre of my ship and the rotation doesn't allow the laser beam to transfer enough energy to melt the hull.

Though I register the loss of one of the plasma cannons. I switch to the lasers and empty their energy banks into the attacker, but he escapes them the same way I did. By rotating the spherical hull of his ship he disperses the energy enough to avoid taking serious damage.

But the Coeus is more powerful than him and after a few seconds of struggling with each other his hull suddenly bloats and I notice gas escaping his ship. The rail-cannon ends his struggle as a metal projectile slams into his hull and tears the ship apart.

The pressure on me lessens as the ship turns to accelerate back towards the station. The silence of the whole fight was a little disturbing. I didn't even hear my own cannons fire as the command module is the only part of the ship which is under pressure. Next time I'll program the cockpit's speakers to add some appropriate background sounds.

But I don't have much time to dwell on missed chances as the acceleration kicks in once more and returns me to the battle zone.
The rail-cannon proved to be my most potent weapon in close engagements. While the plasma cannons took out the first sentry, the second sentry was sleeping and got hit by the rail-gun and was obliterated.

The rocket though proved to be completely useless. It wasn't fast enough and must have activated the automatic asteroid defence of sentry three, who was the farthest away on the opposite side of the station. A laser beam simply obliterated it before it could do anything.
That's why I had to fight it out with him after passing the station.

I return my attention to the docked ships and notice that all of them except for the hauler are out of the equation. The hauler is in the process of drifting away from its docking clamps and my infrared sensors inform me that there is a strong temperature change in the rear section of the two hundred metre long cylindrical spacecraft.

It seems like the fusion generator was powered down. So in other words it's currently a sitting duck. I change my course slightly to bring the station between me and the hauler while sending out a barrage of plasma bolts and a rail-gun projectile.
Under normal circumstances both weapons are useless at my current distance, but if the hauler can't evade them it's toast.

Several lasers lock onto my ship, but once again they don't have time to burn through the adaptive armour after overloading the hastily erected energy shield. And in the next moment the station is between me and the hauler.
All I get to see of the hauler's death is a bright flash and wreckage tumbling away from the station.

Too bad that Grandfather wasn't here to see this battle. He would have gone ballistic.
The rest of the battle is just a formality as I circle slowly around the station and pick off any functioning defences. Since the station is just a sitting duck I can do this slowly, not exposing myself to too much point defences at the same time.
After two rotations without spotting anything that is capable of harming my ship I decide that it's time to inform them of my presence.

I open a communication channel to the station. “This is the private experimental freighter Coeus. Power down your fusion generators and prepare for being boarded.”
A thought opens one of the freight compartments and a stream of automated battle sprites pours out of the Coeus. They are really stupid if you measure them by the standards of real sprites. It would be more appropriate to call them drones since the Coeus' quantum computer is coordinating them. I expect that many of them will be destroyed if the station's personnel decides to fight.

But I had a month to think about this scenario and my greatest concern was how to deal with a base full of crazed fanatics. Maybe they have dozens or hundreds of fighters over there. No way I can deal with that all by myself. Hence I ordered my manufacturing plant to build the drones.

Lots and lots of drones.

22. ~Ego.~

“But not everyone left. Some stayed behind in hopes of being able to help their fellow humans.”

-History Exodus II

'Greek' Node, Revelation Wing Asteroid Base
Gideon

I tap into the recorded video feed while the drones swarm all over the enemy base. Some are breaking through hatches while ensuring that the air doesn't escape. Others seek electronic warfare and try to access the station's network, taking over control bit by bit.
The first reports from inside the station are satisfying. The station's personnel is fighting a lost battle despite destroying drones in the dozens.

One of the station's security cameras shows me a mage who is enclosed in a bubble of water while commanding two whip-like appendages. He is slicing drones apart as if they are sheets of paper. But the drones are simply charging forward, not caring for their losses. I doubt that they would act like this if I had given them real sentience.

After a while the bigger picture of the fight comes to my attention. The fighters of the Revelation Wing are still holding a central complex which is close to the main fusion plant, but the station is firmly in my hands by now.
I've got the fusion reactor and the station's main computer under my control. It should be safe to take a walk at this point. The essential parts of the station seem to be under control.

After securing the Coeus in a stable position relative to the station I get up and take my battle-suit from the storage unit in my living room to put it on. It's an enhanced version of a spacesuit and has similarities to a full plate armour.
Maybe I got a little carried away while designing it. It turned out like one of those suits from the game Warframe. I'll put on my coat over it, so that I don't look completely like a comic character.

My cousin informed me that the face-mask looks rather menacing, because of the six sensors instead of eyes. But I don't get why someone would want a piece of glass between himself and the vacuum. The sensors provide me with everything I need. Normal vision, infrared and a few other electromagnetic wavelengths. Space is a dark place when the lights go out and I want to see what's going on.

After putting on the suit I head to the teleportation chamber and use it to go over to the station. The fighting is still going on, but most parts of the station are safe by now.
I take my time to stroll through a maze of corridors while encountering dead resistance fighters from time to time.

While doing so I access the station's main computer and take a look through its files. I feared that my mother lured me into a hidden trap, but what I find in the computer confirms that she indeed pointed me towards a base which belongs to the Revelation Wing.
And not just any base at that. It's their main base of operations. There are detailed financial records of their operations in the whole solar system.

With everything that's in their computer it should be no problem to hunt down all their remaining operatives. They'll have a hard time hiding their asses from now on. I just have to give the data to Ed and he'll start a witch hunt.
I order the Coeus to pull a complete image of the station's files and continue my inspection.

They had a quite big living area. After tramping the maze of corridors for a while I am quite sure that the station was in a bad shape. They were lacking people who could maintain a closed environment in space.
The camera feed from my drones alarms me to a problem and I make my way to something that can only be called a detention centre.

Behind a big blast door I find long rows of cells with people inside. Men and women in poor condition are being held behind bars in separate cells. Some of them don't even react to my presence while I am passing by. It seems like they have given up.
At the end of the corridor I find a room with a chair. It has several needles embedded in its armrests. An interrogation chamber? Or something worse?

I shake my head while walking back the way I came. The Revelation Wing seems to be the worst scum of our society.
Luckily I programmed the drones to try to capture the enemies first if they don't offer resistance. Not that I care about the people in the cells, but I'll need to interrogate some of the terrorists to find out what was going on here.

After leaving the detention centre I head directly towards the last pocket of resistance. So far my drones report that they have taken only three prisoners alive. I send the order to bring them to a place on my route, but upon arriving at the meeting place I am disappointed.

The three prisoners are two men and a woman in ragged clothing. They look frightful while being held by the drones. I shaped them similar to Crono, the crab design of my silent bodyguard influenced me a little.
I muse about the situation until the woman interrupts my thoughts. “Are you here to save us?”

“No.” My answer wipes the hope off of their faces. “What were you guys doing here? Do you belong to the Revelation Wing?”
All three of them shake their heads vehemently and start explaining. One of the men was an engineer on a free asteroid colony until he got a very good job offer. He accepted his new post and took a freighter which was supposed to bring him to his new workplace. Only that he ended up here upon stepping out of the air lock of his transport.

The woman has a similar story and the other man was a pilot until he was attacked and taken by the people of this station. What the Revelation Wing lacked in skilled personal, they apparently simply kidnapped or stole.
The three people in front of me had to work for them under slave-like circumstances. People who absolutely refused to do their master's bidding were reprogrammed by a combination of drugs and mental pressuring.

“Okay, I think I've heard enough of this. Bring them into their cells and keep them there for the time being.” I order the drones and continue on my path. Cleaning up this mess will be a fucking nightmare. Originally I simply planned to wipe out the Revelation Wing and be done with it.
Making them disappear should be easy enough, but what about their victims? Killing off a few terrorists and hiding the evidence won't get me any problems from Ed.

Ed even gave me the permission for my personal crusade in a certain way. He decided to look the other way when I confessed my illegal plan to him. But if it ever gets out that I accidentally disposed of a few innocents while doing so I could get into trouble. I don't think that Ed would keep looking the other way in that case. Being on the run for the rest of my life isn't something I desire. And it would probably send my grandmother over the edge.

I've to decide what to do later. Purging the data-core of the station and activating a beacon for the faceless is always a possibility.
If I am extra careful I can still hide my involvement and wash my hands in innocence should the truth get out after all. Though I doubt that I am able to keep the Coeus in that case.

As I close in on my target the noise of fighting gets louder. The last resistance fighters bunkered themselves up. Eight fighters are holding a choke point to a separate part of the station. According to my drones the number of killed opponents already reaches a hundred and seven men. They are fighting to the last. If the prisoner's words are true, then the least that awaits them according to law is a complete wipe of their personality.
I watch the senseless fire-fight between my drones and the last defenders from a safe corner, tapping into the stations security network.

The drones have problems advancing through a single long corridor. Every time they try, they are blasted to pieces by the fireballs of a very potent fire mage. I frown while fuming over the stupidity of my constructs. Maybe I should have given just a few of them real intelligence. There is always a next time.

To end the stalemate I tap into the stations environmental controls and slowly ramp up the gravity for the section with my opponents.
When they are all pinned to the ground I order my drones to take them and follow through the corridor.
The drones swarm over their enemies in order to detain them and I return the section's gravity to normal.

Upon arriving at my destination I find three of my enemies dead on the ground. Apparently they tried to keep standing when I ramped up the gravity and fell in the end, breaking something important.
“You'll be killed if you even attempt to cast a spell.” I warn them and snort, focusing on the five remaining men. By checking their faces against the data files from my ship I find three matches.

Before I left Oibras I downloaded a list of the most wanted persons in the solar system. On top of the list is Zerces Temeril, the leader of the Revelation Wing. I recognize one of the five men as him. Two others are also on the list, although with a much lower priority. The others don't have a wanted poster.

“Who are you? Show your face you coward!” One of the men who are wanted barks at me.
I reach for the seals on my helmet and take off the mask. “Gideon Alvar. I've some questions regarding this station and your prisoners. Then it would be nice if you could tell me some stories about my mother. She is a nuisance, so I want to pay her a visit to settle some family matters.”

“Like we would bow to a monstrosity like-” One of the men without a wanted poster raises his voice against me. I suppose he isn't that important if he isn't known to the public.
So I decide to use him as an example for the others and point my finger at him. With a flick of my fingers a pulsating lump of flesh appears in my hand. It's a spell which I learned from my grandmother and I had to train like a maniac to master it to this degree.

“-you. A genetic experiment shouldn't...” I throw the heart into the stunned man's face. The stubborn man keeps talking and doesn't realize that he is already dead. But finally the strength leaves his voice and he falls backwards, lying still.

“I hate when I am ignored. You should realize that I am not bound by any social norms in this place. Currently your lifes belong to me. So talk and don't annoy me with your pitiful worldviews.” My eyes wander to Zerces.

The public leader of the Revelation Wing raises his head and sits up as straight as he can. “I don't understand what you want to know. Your mother betrayed us when she created you. We couldn't let that stand, so we tried to get our hands on you to lure her out of her hideout. Unfortunately the faceless tightened their lock-down on Earth, so there was no chance of getting there after our last attempt.”

“Created me?” I ask.
None of them answers, instead they look at me with frightened expressions. I raise my hand and gesture at the second worthless terrorist. The drones which are holding him clamp down their pincers and both his arms drop to the ground. His screams end as one of the drones crushes his head with a leg.

“You are a genetically engineered abomination.” Zerces starts talking. “Your mother promised us a tool which is able to break the information barrier around earth and announce our presence to humanity.
We found out too late that she was using our funds to engineer you from several different gene-codes.”

Something inside me snaps. What is he talking about? I feel like I am floating freely, but intellectually I know that I am still standing on both legs. “Proof!”
Before they can answer I kick one of the terrorists, breaking his jaw. Doing so feels right.
“The sealed door behind you.” Zerces eyes wander to the ground. “Sadina condemned us all when she committed that crime. The laws are quite clear on genetic manipulation.”

I turn around and leave them where they are, guarded by the drones. The door actually resists my first commands to open and I have to override the security measures to get inside.
What I find inside is close to a biological research laboratory. There are various machines like gene-sequencers and other laboratory equipment.

On the wall to my left is a set of incubation tanks with... failed versions of myself in various stages of development. Some are children, some grown men. But all of them are definitely related to me. Were those things ever meant to be human? Most of them are horribly disfigured. Am I not human after all? But the doctors said that Melan is my grandmother. I have a family.
I step to one of the computers and switch it on. Then I start searching the files until I find the Coeus folder. Coeus?
Somehow I don't feel anything while reading the whole process of my creation. It feels like the world doesn't affect me any more.

That's until I get to the part where the four main providers for my genetic code are mentioned. Sadina Alvar, Jenny Hast, Eduard Klein and Zerces Temeril. I tap their names and their personal files appear in front of me. My mother, with a heavy tendency towards a techno-magic. Jenny Hast, a former elder of the techno-mages, deceased. Eduard Klein, an electro-mage. Zerces Temeril, also electro-mage.

My legs feel wobbly when I return to my prisoners. All of them look horrified when looking at me, except for Zerces. He actually seems to be relatively confident in himself. “Don't ever think of me as a father. I've my pride.”
“Pride.” My voice breaks and I decide that any more words on this subject are wasted. I turn away and wander to the next air lock, the drones dragging the four prisoners after me.

The air lock opens and the screaming trash is shoved inside. Zerces is the only one who takes his fate with dignity. When they are inside I watch them through the window of the air lock. The fire-mage attempts to melt the door with a spell, but I command the station to blow the seals of the outer lock.
All three men are sucked out into space and I watch their bodies disappearing in the darkness. Maybe I should have done something more satisfying. This method was definitely too fast.

“You simply killed your father! How could you? And I thought you two would have a father and son moment!” Sadina's voice echoes out of a speaker next to the air lock and her avatar appears right next to me. “Oh, if you could see your face right now. I guess that I achieved my goal in causing an emotional reaction. Let's call it even from now on. You caused me some emotional pain by being heartless towards me and I returned the favour. What do you think of my experiment? Not only did you get your wish, I also sent you on a mission to answer the question why you exist.”

“I never asked that question.” I answer.
“Yes, that's exactly why I had to answer it for you. Don't you think that it's important to know your own roots before you can truly choose your future?” She tilts her head. “Though killing your provider was a little excessive. I hope that I won't share the same fate as him.”

“I don't want to talk to you.” I start searching the station's network until I find the back-door which Sadina left behind. It's obvious and simple. The Revelation Wing really lacked qualified personnel.
“Don't lock me out yet! We have so much to catch up to! Act-” A thought closes the back-door and Sadina's avatar disappears.

I head back to the laboratory where I step in front of the incubation chambers to stare at my other selves.

23. ~Pain.~

“If you can't protect yourself, then don't protect others.”

-A simple truth

'Greek' Node, Revelation Wing Asteroid Base
Ed

The corridors and hallways of this place have a sinister feeling to them. I imagined that the base of the Revelation Wing must be a dark hellhole, but it's worse than I thought. Coming across the prisoners was particularly shocking, though it explains a lot of things.
Our intelligence office anticipated something like this, or at least something similar. I was right in letting Gideon do as he pleases, even if cleaning everything up will be a mess.

Following his ship wasn't a problem up to the point when he left the normal trading route. From then on I had to search blindly while relying on a few favours from the techno-mage elder.
If he hadn't given me a ship with a reliable and secretive pilot I would still be searching this sector. Sanguin is the easiest to deal with of all the elders. All you have to do is giving him a proper reason to help you.
I would never approach the elder of my own branch for matters which have to be kept a secret. He doesn't understand that the faceless and the elders are two opposing weights on a pair of scales.

The corridor in front of me splits and Crono takes the left. I follow the battle sprite without questioning his decision.

It's a little surprising that Gideon chose to imitate Crono to create his little personal army. But he had enough time to watch Crono's design, so it may not be strange after all.
Apparently Gideon's weaponry overwhelmed the forces of the Revelation Wing and he even captured their base.

If the battle between his vessel and the station hadn't been visible throughout the whole sector we would have never caught up to him. My pilot was already beginning to bitch about the boring mission. It must've been really annoying for him when I gave the order to him that he has to stay on the ship and close his eyes and ears.

The battle sprite guides me through a huge blast door and into a separate part of the station. There are more of Gideon's drones here, but all of them seem to be powered down. Or I don't fit into their commands. That's much more likely since they don't seem to have intelligence of their own.

Upon entering a laboratory I find Gideon in front of... “Fuck!” So I was too late. Why did those idiots from the Revelation Wing keep proof like this around? Are their brains rotten?
Gideon didn't even react to my arrival. I hope it wasn't too hard on him. Stepping closer to him I place a hand on his shoulder. “Gideon, are you okay? Have you gotten the enemy leaders?”

“Yes.” He answers with a mechanical voice. “They are having a date with the void.”
He spaced them? “How long have you been standing here? Are you sure that you aren't in shock?” If Crono is right then the station was taken ten hours ago. There is no way that he is okay.
“I was just thinking about my life and some other things. And I also researched some things about my past, just to be sure. Don't you think that there is something you want to explain to me Eduard Klein?”

My fingers tense and I take my hand away from his shoulder. “I won't defend my actions. How did you find out?”
“Old news reports, the voice, the lazy pseudonym.” Gideon answers, not taking his eyes from the incubation tanks. “At least they are dead. It would be awkward if there are more things like me.”

“You shouldn't say that. Don't you have a family at Aether? I intentionally didn't say anything to you or them. I wanted you to see that there is more about life than someone's origins.” I answer.
Gideon starts chuckling crazily. “Don't tell me that I should call you father from now on.”

I grip my clothes at my chest and try to think very hard about my answer. “No. I've no right to be called that way. For all intends and purposes your grandparents are your father and mother. They adopted you where those who should have taken the responsibility didn't do so.
And didn't Aether's doctors themselves identify you as a member of the Alvar family? Tell me, Gideon, what's one times one?”

“One.”

“So why should a mix of different humans be something else than a human? That's not logical. So don't hang yourself up on that. From what I've seen so far you turned out to be a much better human being than me.” I gesture at myself. “The story between your mother and me is more complicated than the media suggests.”

A sigh escapes me. “To make it short it's my fault. That's why I am hunting her. She is my responsibility and because of that you are too. We were young lovers and I was young and stupid. I pursued my career before everything else.”

I reach for the mask on my face. “In doing so I shoved her away from me in the most idiotic way possible. It's no excuse, but do you know that I can't have children, Gideon? The younger me didn't take that message well when the doctor told me so. I thought that ending my relationship with Sadina was for the better and I did so in a very unfortunate way. I guess in return for hurting her like that she'll haunt me for the rest of my life.  Maybe I'll tell it to you in detail someday. Does she annoy you too with that busty avatar of hers? She is quite good at hiding herself.”

Gideon snorts. “And you can't even lock her out of your systems because you are an electro-mage. I guess you deserve that.”
I nod. “Yes, probably. Why don't you take your time to relax while flying back to Oibras? Take some time off and relax. I'll stay here and sweep this whole place under the biggest carpet I can find.”

“Why?”

“Do I really have to spell it out for you?” I ask.
“No. On a second thought I don't want to hear it.” Gideon turns and leaves. Crono scuttles aside and waves one of his pincers at him to say goodbye, which is a rare gesture for the sprite.
I turn back to the laboratory equipment and start massaging my temples. “Yes, cleaning up all this will be a real headache!”

Jupiter, en route to Oibras Station
Gideon

I took Ed's advice and flew back to Oibras at low speed. The flight should have taken just a few days, but I stretched it out to over a week. It gave me time to think and be alone. While doing so I also repaired the Coeus and made some changes to its weaponry. If nothing else then I made at least some improvements to the ship.

What I found inside the station affected me. In hindsight I wish that I had simply blown the damn thing apart. My problem is that I am not entirely sure what sent my mind over the edge. Was it the death of all those people? But I've killed before. What does it matter if it's a handful or a hundred? Did it get to me that one of them was supposed to be something like a parent?

Or was it the sight of those prisoners? I don't know them, but according to the social norm I should have felt for them if I am not mistaking something. Probably I'll never know the answer.
Whatever it was, I'll simply try to calm down when I am back on Oibras. Maybe I'll even make an appointment with Amia.

Though I am not sure if that's a wise decision. She isn't someone whom I can do anything else with besides having sex. We are simply too different and our interests don't match. I'll sleep over it. Oibras is still far away. It'll take me a while even if I press the drive.

Without any energy left to wreck my brain over my mental problems I readjust the pilot chair to take a nap. Then I reach for my plush toys to use them as a pillow. Soon afterwards my exhausted mind drifts away.

It feels like I took barely a nap when the noise of an alarm wakes me up. I activate my ability out of reflex and connect to the ship. The first impulse is to check the ship's functions, but everything turns out to work properly.
A closer look at the reason for the alarm leads me to a system wide message which is flagged as critical. Something like this can be only sent out when a catastrophe happened. Is a ship in need of rescue?

In the next moment I receive a live feed from Oibras. The station is a ruin and its AI is screaming a warning through the whole system. I hastily gather the received information to puzzle a picture of the events together.
Four unknown ships with strange configurations appeared out of nothing on the station's radar, heading directly towards Jupiter and into the restricted flight zone around the station.
Three ships were taking the lead with the fourth following them closely.

I hold my breath while I watch the events from a few seconds ago. While ignoring all warnings the three ships enter the restricted flight zone. It's like they don't even notice the station's existence until the very last moment. Then they open fire. Laser beams so powerful, that they are freely visible lash out at a spherical transporter, wiping it out of existence. Another beam tears a huge scar into the station, overloading barriers and shields. The station is a living habitat. It isn't designed to be attacked like this.

Other big freighters fall under the random attacks of the unknown ships while the first ship passes the station and leaves the engagement area. The ships tore a path of destruction through the waiting vessels.
A second strange ship tries to avoid the area around the station and I notice that it actually produces something like an exhaust jet! The ships are roughly shaped and look a little like claws.
One of the transporters around the station suddenly finds itself in the attacker's path as the powerful laser beams lance out again.

I don't know what went through the head of the transporter's pilot, but being faced with the decision of running away and dying, or taking the unknown attacker with him he does the latter.
He probably noticed the strangely lacking engines of the new ships. There was no way that he could have run away from such powerful lasers. If the first hit doesn't destroy him, then the second or third will finish the job.

A laser beam takes a huge bite out of the freighter, but doesn't destroy it outright. In the next moment the freighter is kicked towards the strange ship like being kicked by an angry god. The pilot must have overloaded his gravity field and killed himself in the process. The other ship has no chance to evade and both ships disappear in a flash of light.

Before the third alien ship gets even close to the station and the surrounding fleet of commercial vessels the station's anti asteroid lasers activate.
The third strange ship lights up as several of the station's laser beams intersect at its position. The huge, over-engineered lasers of the station stay for a whole second on the ship before its energy barrier flickers out of existence. The ship lights up like a matchbox and is reduced to its atomic state.

The fourth ship which was following the other ships starts accelerating away from the station, but it's already clear that its puny engines can't get it to safety as the sky is filled with the station's energy beams. Many of the commercial vessels in engagement range join the station's weapons.

Lasting even longer, the fourth ship takes out a small private ship and one of the merchant vessels. A spread of ten small objects leaves the fourth ship before it is consumed by a huge explosion. I register that one of the mass drivers for smashing asteroids was turned into a weapon by its mining crew.
The small objects wink out of existence as they are picked out of the sky one by one. Luckily they don't turn out to be some kind of warheads. They fly past the station and two manage to get out of engagement range while making slow evasive manoeuvres.

Unfortunately that doesn't save the station. The first attack must have hit something vital and I watch as a huge explosion tears a large hole into the station. Then the lights go out and the station is torn apart by its own artificial gravity and the angular momentum of the station's spin.

I switch my attention to my instruments in order to find the escaped attacker. A moment later I curse myself upon noticing that I am still thirteen light seconds away from Oibras. The light which could inform me of the events hasn't even reached me out here.
The information feed from Oibras is continuing though. Apparently one of the ships around the station took over when the station went to pieces.

An incoming high speed call shakes me out of my observations, so I answer it. The needed level of acceleration to take the call surprises me. There aren't many techno-mages who can accelerate to such speeds. The avatar of a person whom I didn't expect at all appears in front of me. It's Sanguin, the techno-mage elder.
“We have to be fast. You are in a perfect position to intercept the alien intruder. Accellerate now and follow him. You are hereby enlisted as a vessel of the Solar Defence Force.”

What? “Hell! No!” I try to break the connection, but it doesn't work. “Shit!” My next impulse is to activate the manual override. But Sanguin stays where he is, totally unimpressed by my actions.

“It seems like this isn't going to get any easier, even if I took over the mainframe of the quantum net. There are still people who refuse to cooperate. Young one. We are currently being attacked by an alien race and according to the law I am taking responsibility for defending our people, so the least you could do is hear me out.” The old man growls.

“Okay. I listen. There doesn't seem to be a choice.” I want to punch my armrest, but I can't do so while my mind is accelerated to this speed. Sanguin is known to me by watching him over the news. I also got to talk to him in person once or twice in my short life, but I never saw him angry.

Sanguin places both his hands together in a praying gesture. “I'll make this as short as possible since you seem to be one of the problematic cases. It helps that you are a fast one though, so I won't lose too much time while talking to you.”
He continues like he already held this speech a few thousand times since the attack. “Yes, the government hid information about long range teleportation from the public. I am currently uploading a complete explanation to your data core. Everything about our first encounter with them, plus the instructions to modify your teleportation circuit to long range transition.”

He takes a deep breath despite having no need to do so as an avatar. Time is almost standing still while we are both accelerated. “I've also drafted a complete mission plan for your deployment. The instructions should be detailed enough. Let me just inform you of the benefits of taking this assignment.
First you'll get a military rank and influence, depending on your performance. Second, I'll take measures to ensure that you are rewarded properly. If not with money, then with power. The only thing you have to do is to fulfil the mission and find out the intentions and motivations of the attackers.”

My thoughts race as I try to reason myself through the situation. “My ship isn't configured for the-” I stop before Sanguin can rebuke me. His unwavering gaze tells me that he knows the little secret of my ship. “I don't have the resources for such a task.”
Sanguin nods. “That at least is true. That's why I took over the long range teleporter of Oibras Station.”

“It's still working?” I ask. Who would have thought that. Though it's possible. Teleporters have so many fail-safes and all of them have redundant circuits with their own power supplies. If the teleporter was inside one of the bigger fragments of the station then it could still be functioning.

“Yes. Luckily your ship is very close to Oibras. I am currently using the teleporter to fill your ship's cargo bay with resources and war materials. You also got a few blueprints for new weapons which were previously a secret-”

I interrupt Sanguin. “What!? That's dangerous! How do you know where to teleport the stuff? You could destroy my ship!” I've made so many changes to the Coeus that the old plans are completely wrong by now. “Wait a moment! Why don't you use the teleporter to kill that fleeing ship?”

“Calm down. I've access to your quantum computer. I am using it to triangulate your position and it has a complete log of the changes to your ship. The teleports won't fail. For the same reason I can't hit the enemy ship. It's not linked to our quantum-network and I can't get a good resolution of its position.”

I decide upon a course of action. It's not like I want to get involved, but I can't ignore aliens who seem to kill without reason. And it looks like they already killed a person whom I knew personally. Even if it was just one night. “I accept, just promise me one thing.”
“What?” Saguin asks.
“See to it that my family isn't anywhere dangerous when the shit hits the fan.” I've read enough bad SciFi novels to know what aliens mean.

“Okay. I'll order Aether to relocate to the Forge. That's where the new warships are being built. I guess that's the safest place in the solar system.” He nods to himself. “I almost forgot it. Your ship is so highly automated that you are able to fly the ship alone. You'll need at least one co-pilot on this mission. You can't stay always awake. I'll need a very skilled one for that purpose.”

“No, I don't need an annoying crew-member!” I manipulate my ship's gravity field and accelerate towards the fleeing enemy. Maybe he can't teleport any more stuff to my ship if I am travelling fast enough.

His eyes flick left and right, then he answers. “I am afraid that you won't get around your company. She's already briefed on her new deployment and in a similar situation to yours, so try not to kill each other.” Sanguin cuts the connection and an ass appears in my field of vision.

He teleported my co-pilot directly into my cockpit! That old fart! I contemplate several possibilities to get rid of the uninvited intrusion into my private sphere.
But I don't find a solution that doesn't resort to murder or violates my agreement with Sanguin. I sigh inwardly and deactivate my ability to let the events take their course.

The inviting ass drops into my lap and the impact drives the air out of my lungs while unbearable pain wanders through my entire being. I've made a mistake. I've made a grave mistake! This is worse than anything that ever happened to me.
“Where am I? Why is it so dark in here?” A shivering female voice echoes through the cockpit.
“Geh- ouh...” I breath my death rattle into her ear.
“Kya!” She jumps out of my lap, maybe crushing the last remains of a very important organ while doing so.

I get out of my chair and crouch down, lying on the ground. “Tell my family that I love them.”
“So, sorry! It's that stupid elder's fault. I am Cyla Estene. C- can you make some lights in here? The lights are too dim.” The voice stutters and a pair of hands tries to get me up.
“Gih- Gideon.”

24. ~Meetings.~

“[05:34]-Radiation burst detected, Location: Jupiter orbit”

-Earth, Russian Observation Radio Array

En route to system 34.244-56-7802, Starcruiser Rai
Captain Njel

“I have to repeat my objection against continuing the pursuit. We are violating the restricted sector.” The XO dares to speak yet another annoying rebuke in front of the crew, not realizing that he is undermining my authority. “Captain Njel, you realize that we are violating the senate’s orders.”

I turn my chair to face him. “And do you realize that we can't always stop our pursuit when the Drazi accelerate towards the forbidden sector.” I grab the armrest of my chair tighter and try to ignore the man's stench. He is reeking of fear.

The Drazi are an annoying species of pirates and multiply like a virus if left unchecked. They frequently attack our shipping routes along the border. But if you let them be for too long, they tend to become more aggressive. There are records of them attacking whole planets.

A long time ago the senate forbade the establishment of new colonies in the direction away from the galactic centre. Something frightened them so much that they even stopped all attempts to explore that region.

This wasn't a problem for a long time. The Drazi operated only in a small region so far. But they seem to be wandering along the galactic arm. The Empire is raiding their bases in a hundred light year radius around its borders. It's a gigantic effort to keep them away from our worlds, but it's worth the price.

The real trouble arose when they realized that we don't follow them into the forbidden sector. I don't think that they have a big base there. At least not until recently. In the last few circles they began attacking the colonies along the border to the forbidden sector. After a successful raid they retreat into the void before we can stop them.

I face the crewmen who are on the bridge. “We've followed them already a long way, stopping now would be a waste. We are just a few seconds behind them and all our calculations are saying that we'll get them in the next system. So once we have freed the universe of them we can go back home and tell the senate that we destroyed the menace.” And that their fear of the forbidden sector is absolutely unreasonable. So far every system we passed consisted only out of dead rocks.

“Their drives will run out of power in a few minutes. I recommend that everyone goes to their battle stations.” The officer at the navigation informs me of our status and I nod. He turns back to his station and gives the necessary commands.

The others also return to their tasks. Once our trans-light drive runs out of energy we'll have to try our best to catch the three fleeing ships. We wait in silent anticipation as the time passes until an alarm signals that we are arriving in the next system.

“Falling back to real space!” The navigation officer announces and the ship bucks under me. For a moment I experience the feeling of free fall and then I am pressed into my seat as the ion engines start accelerating us towards the Drazi ships.

“The system seems to be empty, though I get weak electromagnetic signals from the third planet. The Drazi are accelerating towards a planet, probably a gas giant.” The man at the sensor station starts rattling down his results as he gets them.

I tighten my grip on the armrest. “Electromagnetic signals? A civilisation?”

“If it is one, then they aren't very advanced. The energy levels are very low.” The officer replies and I relax a little.
Then he leans closer to his screen and starts mashing buttons. “There are some strange gravimetric distortions around the planet. The Drazi are heading directly towards them, probably they intend to use them in order to hide from us.”

I wince, a look on the central screen tells me that there is no chance of catching them before they arrive there. The Drazi are just a few seconds ahead of us, but that's enough to render our weapons ineffective at these speeds.

“Weapons fire! The Drazi are shooting at something, but not at us!” The officer at the sensors screams and calls a magnified picture onto the screen. Tiny explosions flash up in the darkness around the planet. “One of the Drazi ships was destroyed!”

“Turn the ship around! Decelerate!” The Drazi must have run into something unpleasant. “Set the weapons to defensive fire.”

“A second Drazi ship is gone! There was definitive laser fire, not our or the Drazi's frequency!”

Suddenly the screen lights up in pure white and all the tactical information disappears. “What happened?”
“Laser attack, low energy, but many beams! The energy shields can't take it. We are overloading!” The man at the weapon station screams.
“We can't reverse! We're too fast!” Another voice screams as the bridge dissolves into chaos.

I exhale slowly as I realize that I've led us to our doom. There is no thought in my mind as I flip a cover on my armrest away. Then I push the panic button which launches all the ship's message drones. If we die here, then the empire will at least know what happened.

A second later the ship's shields break.

En route out of the System
Gideon

I place two cups of coffee on the table and muster the woman who introduced herself as Cyla Estene.
Her eyes are transfixed on the news report which is projected onto the living room's free wall.

Cyla has a slender face with green eyes and long black hair which is bound to a pony tail. I would call her beautiful if it wasn't for her eccentric choice to use silver lipstick and eye make-up. She looks like she was on a man-hunt when Sanguin practically abducted her from Oibras Station.

According to her story she was the station's commander and owner up until its demise. I looked up her career to find out with whom I'll be sharing my ship.
She started her career with buying up tritium supplies from Jupiter. Then she managed her own small company while trading tritium for fusion reactors. While doing so she took an education as a pilot, which helped her in understanding the needs of the market.

Once she established her company on Oibras, she slowly took over the station until the entire thing practically belonged to her. I highly doubt that she did all this legally since her career path is simply too steep. It's highly likely that she used her position to manipulate the market prices once she was able to.

But I don't judge her since she wasn't caught. All her references make her seem very competent. My grandfather always said that everything is allowed as long as you aren't caught. The not getting caught part is the important piece of this advice. Getting caught only shows that you are too stupid to cheat.

My eyes wander down her nice figure and I lean back, taking a sip from my coffee. “Having your company crushed from one moment to the next must suck.”

En route out of the System
Cyla

I try to ignore Gideon's cold and measuring gaze. He isn't even trying to hide it, which speaks volumes in regards to his character. After my forced relocation to his cockpit I landed in a very unfortunate place. I even had to use healing magic to get him back to his feet. It's exhausting if you don't have an aptitude for it.

His dark eyes and the short hair in combination with an average body are my type. I don't like those over-trained types who paid a sizeable part of their income to a doctor in order to change their looks to the current beauty idea. Though his cold and expressionless face destroys any ideas of approaching him.
It feels like he is regarding me as an unwanted pet that was pushed onto him.

Of course I researched him over the net, but I came up with very little. He is a blank slate. The only facts I found out are that he passed all the tests for becoming a pilot with flying flags. Then he got an official employment at StarDrive, though some sources indicate that he already had previous ties to the company.

Then he created his own company with money that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Gideon Corp is officially a subcontractor of StarDrive for testing new technologies and ships.
Accidentally I am currently also on the company's only ship, which is registered as a freighter. There is no hint from where he got all the money.

So either he has ties to the government or StarDrive. Those are the two most likely candidates who could have wiped his records clean. Most likely it's the latter since he is obviously tied to them.

Suddenly Gideon leans back and sets his eyes on me. “Having your company crushed from one moment to the next must suck.”
I almost choke on my coffee. “That's what you are thinking about? Almost two hundred thousand are dead! A hundred thousand are not accounted for!”
My hands clench into fists and I start shaking as I start thinking about all my friends who probably died during the attack.

He shrugs, looking down at his coffee. “It's surprising that the losses were so small. If you take the size of the station into account I would have estimated at least twice that number.”
I massage my forehead and try to contemplate my situation. Apparently I am caught with a serious case of a techno-mage on this ship. I am also a little dense in some aspects, but at least I am able to care about people. I've to keep my emotions under control. It doesn't help to lash out at him for his lack of sympathy.

“So let's try to go through this step by step. Apparently we have to deal with each other, so what's your problem. I can see that you don't like my presence.” I ask.
He raises his eyes and looks deep into my eyes. “Living space.”

I furrow my forehead. “Living space? This ship is huge if Sanguin told me the truth. What's the problem?”
Gideon stands up and gestures for me to follow. The living room looks spacious enough. Behind the next door is a small kitchen, nothing special there. Taking me up the stairway leads us to a bathroom and a bedroom with a single, big bed.
One level higher we enter a big storage room, filled with foodstuffs up to the ceiling.

I bend over the cartons and start reading. “Pizza, lasagne, spaghetti, cheese noodles...” Even after several minutes of searching I fail to find anything remotely healthy.
With a sour expression on my face I turn back to Gideon. He waited for me at the entrance. “Do you have salad?”
He shakes his head.
“Vegetables, fruits anything with vitamins?” I ask, feeling despair rising up inside me.

“I don't like those.” Gideon focuses his gaze on the floor, thinking hard. Then he turns to the left and opens a compartment right next to the entrance. He leaves a handprint on the cover by doing so and I realize that it's covered by a layer of dust. It seems like he didn't touch the hatch since he started his trip.
After some rummaging he unearthes a big box with the label 'Medical Supply' on it. Inside it are several boxes with pills.

He turns his attention back towards me, expecting a reply.
I roll my eyes. “Okay. I just hope that the supplies which Sanguin teleported to this ship contain something edible. What's next on the list?”

Gideon leads me back to the cockpit where he finally decides to switch on the lights. I already gathered that he isn't a man of many words.
“That's all? What's with the rest of the ship?” I ask, shocked. Where will I sleep? Is this leviathan really planned with only one pilot in mind? Which maniac designed this vessel? “Who designed this ship?”

“Me.” Gideon bends down and picks up two worn plush toys. They look like they were extensively used and repaired many, many times. “That's all. The rest is completely automated.” He places them on the pedestal next to the pilot chair.

Then he runs his fingers through his hair, looking around the cockpit. “We need to find a way to install a second acceleration chair. Otherwise you'll be crushed during our next battle.”

I force my eyes away from the plush toys. Other grown men would be embarrassed about having something like this around, but Gideon seems to be completely oblivious of me seeing them. “Hah?” Crushed?

“And you need a spacesuit.” He gestures at the chair. “Here, sit down. Familiarize yourself with the ship, but don't touch the controls. We are currently pursuing the enemy ship while the ship's manufacturing line is producing parts for the needed changes. I'll take my suit and go outside to supervise the work. We also need a bigger airlock to get the assembly sprites into the command module.”

I don't need only a spacesuit. I need clothes and other daily niceties. I need my own room!

Gideon leaves the cockpit and I wobble to the chair, then I drop myself into it.
A moment later I activate my ability and connect myself to the ship. It automatically recognizes me as co-pilot and grants me the necessary rights after creating an account. Apparently Gideon already made the required changes while we were talking.

I dive into the systems in order to study them. The more I explore the ship's design, the more I realize that this ship isn't a freighter. It's a dedicated warship!
Upon trying to find out what Gideon intended to do with such a weapon I run into a firewall which is flagged as personal data. All I get is the flight plan of the ship's short life. It's very plain except for a random trip to an uninhabited sector close to the 'Greek' node.

This person with the name Gideon Alvar is a single big mystery to me. Upon calling up the star chart I find three red dots leaving the system. One is the escaped enemy ship and the other two are the probes which were fired by the fourth ship. They are fleeing in different directions, but it looks like one of our ships will be able to catch one of the drones.

The other drone and the enemy ship will leave the gravity well of Sol before we can catch them. The ship which we are hunting down is accelerating towards Rigil Kentaurus, also known as Alpha Centauri. It's a binary star system.
The escaping drone is accelerating towards Altair.

According to Sanguin's intelligence briefing the alien race has a warp-drive which allows them faster than light travel. They also have a means of generating unbelievable amounts of energy, which turns their ships into juggernauts with almost unbeatable shields and really powerful lasers.
I experienced that first hand. If my station's lasers had focused any other ship it would've been atomized in an instant, but the alien ships lasted for seconds.

On the other hand the aliens are using ion engines to propel their ships and lack the means to manipulate gravity in a meaningful way. That makes them incapable of reaching the same accelerations as our ships.

Next I skip through the first contact records which were made available by Sanguin. The first missions found no signs of other intelligent races in a thirty light-years radius around Sol. Then a deep space mission returned with intelligence from a sixty light-years distant star towards the galactic centre.

They encountered a colonized star system, but weren't able to do more than confirming that the people there were obviously in some kind of civil war. Ships of similar design were fighting each other.
After the aliens tried to engage the exploration ship, the ship escaped by a hair's breadth, using our superior drives.

After their return to Sol the elders decided that we aren't ready to contact a war-like civilisation. Since Sol's resources still weren't used efficiently the elders decided that spreading our forces to colonize different star systems isn't wise. They buried the knowledge about long range teleportation and encouraged the technological and industrial build-up of our colonies.

They hoped that we would stay undiscovered for a few more years and intended to release the knowledge about long range teleportation as soon as our military and industrial might grew too strong for a single system.
Since we are now obviously discovered, the elders already started to build a dedicated war-fleet with this ship as a model, though their design has differences.

Ships are being sent out in all directions to cover a sphere of thirty light years around Sol. They carry the necessary blueprints to build observation platforms and industrial nodes. For that purpose they are refitted with automated manufacturing lines and IMs, which are a recent invention and make this plan even possible.

With astonishment I realize something important about the Coeus. It should have come to my attention when Gideon leisurely mentioned the changes he wants to make to the ship.
The ship has two separate manufacturing lines and an army of IMs crawling through its insides. There is a patent on this technology and the fees to have even one manufacturing line with IMs are astronomical!

The elders did this to avoid having our economy crushed over night. They released a plan to slowly turn our society's last workers away from their jobs as the IMs are taking over. Otherwise we would've been standing there with scores of unemployed people.

Before my station was blown to pieces I was working hard on scratching the money together for a single assembly line and Gideon has two in this ship!
My thoughts are interrupted as I notice Gideon's return. It has been a while. To my own shock I realize that two hours have gone by.

I disconnect from the ship and stand up to face Gideon. He is holding a spacesuit? No, it's more like a dirty princess dress! There is a deep transparent v-cut in the front, which goes down to the navel.
Taking the suit from him, I notice that the spine section is also transparent, running to the butt! “What's this?”

“Your suit.” Gideon answers with a flat expression. “I took the design from a game called Warframe, like my own suit. Don't worry, the chair measured your sizes when you sat down. It'll fit perfectly.”

“A game!? Warframe? What are you talking about?” I am beginning to get a really bad feeling about being locked up in a small, confined space with this guy! “There is no way I'll wear this!”
“You don't like it? I thought you were the type. With all that lipstick and the make-up.” He looks down at the suit. “We can always change the parts which you don't like.”

I reach for my mouth and wipe the lipstick off. Then I curse, remembering that I was searching for a partner before everything went to hell. “I was in the Coincidence during the attack.” I mutter.
Gideon's eyes narrow. “That's why you looked so familiar. You are one of the women who tried to talk to me when I accidentally walked into that brothel.”

Something in my head clicks and I remember that particular night. I and some friends tried in turn to pick up a sad and gloomy guy. It was just a matter of who would manage to pick him up. “No. It's. You. It's not a brothel!” I call out, feeling my face turning red.

I have to change the subject. “This has to be changed! Especially the part revealing the butt!”
For the first time since I met Gideon, he shows another expression than utter disinterest. But the emotion vanishes as soon as he displayed it. Was it disappointment?

“And one other thing! What's about the assembly lines in your ship!? How are you paying for them? Are they illegal?” I ask.
“Why should I need to pay for something that belongs to me?” He sighs. “Put it on for the time being and come with me. I'll show you how you can use an assembly line to make a new one. Design it yourself if you like.”

He turns and leaves while my brain keeps making somersaults. I've never had a real brain short-out before. Either this idiot broke a ton of laws and will pay debts until the end of his life once someone finds out.
Or he is fucking, filthy, insanely rich?

25. ~Waiting.~

“
[8:34]: I want to know what happened at Jupiter and I want to know it now!
[8:34]: We are researching it Mr. President.
[8:35]: Researching isn't enough! I want answers!
[8:35]: What about the giant city which flickered into existence above the Philippines and vanished?
[8:35]: A hallucination, Sir!
[8:35]: Shared by the citizens of the entire island?
[8:35]: It may have been the mages, Sir.
”

-Earth, Australia – Earth's Central Government Building
-President's Office Protocoll

En route out of the System
Gideon

My ship tries to evade, but yet another laser beam spears through my shields and armour. One of the fusion reactors turns critical, but I manage launch a last set of missiles from point blank range. This time my opponent won't be able to evade. There's no way to take out all the gravitational warheads before they reach their target.
Then the cockpit is consumed by fire and I die.

I yawn and open my eyes. Three days of playing through various VR-simulations are wearing me out.
“We killed each other. Again!” Cyla grumbles in her seat beside me. “Your gravitation missiles were a surprise. Do you really think we can rig up a spell matrix small enough to make it possible?”

Tapping my fingers on the armrest I contemplate my newly devised simulated weapon. For the sake of preparing ourselves for possible future battles we started training against each other.
Both of us are allowed to make changes to the simulation as long as it stays inside certain parameters.

“I honestly don't know. It would be the answer against their damned shields. All the power in the world wouldn't help them if they are smeared across their decks by the force of thirty Gs. At least I hope that they are made out of flesh like us.” Maybe the techno-wizards in Paul's research lab can make the idea work.
I already forwarded a draft to them, but they have to miniaturize the concept. “Your trick with using the missiles to create phantoms of your ship wasn't bad either. Maybe we can use it in the short run. All we have to do is to remove the warhead and replacing it with an ECM-generator. The battles could very well be decided by electromagnetic warfare.”

Cyla nods. “If this training wouldn't feel so pointless. We aren't military. There should exist a dedicated navy to do this. The elders made a poor choice in handling the situation like they did.”

I tilt my head. She isn't wrong, but she isn't completely right either. “They did what they could under the circumstances. If they had created a dedicated navy, everyone would have asked what we need it for? If they had made the knowledge about long range teleportation public, then surely some idiots would have spread across the neighbouring systems, encountering the unknown much earlier. There is no way to tell which avalanche we are about to break loose. They did the best they could in giving all pilots and faceless a semi-military education.”

Cyla snorts. “I always wondered what the theories regarding space battles were about. Do you really think that we can catch the enemy ship? I wish our sensors had gathered more about their drive. They went FTL a while ago, all we got is a trail of photon emissions.”

“I think we could wreck our brains all day about it. The truth is that we know the theory behind warp-drives, but we have no idea on how to put it to the field. I would like to call the photon trail a front-wave from going FTL. It seems like they enclosed themselves in a space time bubble to slip through real space while annihilating all matter they encounter in the real universe.” I answer.

Cyla picks up on my thoughts. “Space isn't completely empty. There is always some dust in the way. That means if we know what to look for, we can detect their entry and exit points in a solar system. It may also be the reason why they didn't engage their drives so close to the ecliptic. Running into a larger mass could knock them out of FTL.”

I scratch my itching beard. “That's actually an interesting idea. We've to confirm it though. It would be nice if we can use it against them. Given that we know their speed and course, we could arrange a nice and solid rock for them to run into. It sounds doubtful though, we would have to get a really exact measurement on their exit vector and hope that they can't change course during FTL-flight.”

An incoming call from the net distracts me. Upon checking up on the identity of the one who called me I scowl. “Bitch!”
“Excuse me!?” Cyla calls out.
“Oh, sorry. Not you! I meant the incoming call!” I try to clear up the misunderstanding.
“Your ex?” Cyla asks with a doubtful voice.
“Close. My mother.” I terminate the call without even considering to answer it in front of Cyla.
“Was that really okay?” She turns her gaze to me, studying me with interest.
“Her entire existence is one big nuisance to me.” I answer, refusing to look at Cyla.

After a short silence I decide that there is no point in postponing our departure any longer. “So should we try our luck then? There is no way to tell how fast the enemy ship will arrive in Rigil Kentaurus or if it is even going there.”
“Then we shouldn't wait any longer and go there. It'll take some time to set up the recon-platforms throughout the system. If the ship hasn't appeared by the time we are reconnected to the quantum-net we can think of other options.” Cyla answers and starts issuing orders to the ship's teleportation matrix.

I check on the fusion reactors and the power banks which are buffering the needed energy for the transition. With the alterations to the spell matrix we are now able to jump almost ten light years after buffering energy for a little less than a day. Unfortunately the changes to the matrix don't help in avoiding the wear on the energy banks.

“I am ready.” Cyla informs me and I give my confirmation to start the transition.

In the next moment our ship disappears in a flash of radiation and reappears in another place with the well known feeling of teleportation.
I immediately power down the not needed fusion reactors and let the ship go dark. Then I accelerate our ship on a random vector to get away from our entry point.

“I think we are exactly where we want to be. Forty light minutes away from Rigil Kentaurus, downwards from the ecliptic.” My co-pilot informs me while handling the sensor platforms.
After a while of studying the system we decide that it doesn't seem to be colonized, so I bring the ship onto a course to a close asteroid group.

The sensors also detect a gas giant and a planet, but they seem to be dead rocks. For our purposes of setting up an industrial node they are also completely useless.
Lifting materials out of a planet's gravity well isn't worth the effort if there are enough asteroids around.

Though we'll have to think about resupplying ourselves with fuel too. It's better to top off our resources every time we can do so.
"We could drop a big asteroid onto the gas giant and scoop up the thrown up material. There should be enough tritium inside the gases. Or we convert some of the fusion reactors to burning water. It'll be dirty, but conserve our tritium."

That's a nice idea. No, one moment. I didn't think that! What's going on?
"It seems like the system has a glitch. We can hear our thoughts while accessing the command functions at the same time."
More trouble! Disconnect, I'll try to sort it out.

"Okay, you want something to eat once you are done? Surprisingly Sanguin sent us acceptable supplies and clothes. He didn't completely forget about my gender."
Okay. Just get out of my head. I shiver as I feel her mind rubbing against mine. It's an inaccurate description of what's currently happening, but it's as close as possible. Experiencing someone else's emotions like this is uncomfortable.

"Don't take too long." And with that she is gone. I notice her leaving the chair beside me and entering the living area.
The uneasy feeling remains though.

Rigil Kentaurus A
Cyla

I lean back on the sofa in the living room. The food is ready and waiting in the microwave. All I am waiting for is that Gideon finishes debugging the computer.
A cold shiver runs down my spine as I think back to my short connection with his mind. It wasn't like any other telepathy I experienced before.

Gideon's mind seems to be split, but not in the way you would expect from someone with multiple personality disorder.
It's like his personality is balancing on a fence between his logical part and a sea of pure, raw emotion. I don't want to be on his bad side when he trips towards the emotional part.

My thoughts are interrupted as Gideon enters the living room. “I've sorted out the problem. Surprisingly it wasn't a programming mistake, but a crosstalk leakage between our chairs. I've rerouted your chair's access point through another connection.”
I sigh in relief and get over to the kitchen to warm up the food. “That's good.”

“Yes, I already feared that we would end up like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide while our minds are fused to the ship.” He starts chuckling.

Who are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide? I send a request to the net, but as with many of Gideon's random comments, I don't get a definitive explanation.
“You seem to cope well with the loss of your company. Are you sure that there is no problem?” He asks.
I wince. “Of course I felt the loss. But I've made insurances and placed some money in bank accounts. Once this forced deployment is over I can start anew. Or could it be that you want me to stay with you?”

Gideon shakes his head and answers without even realizing that I was trying to tease him. “No. I guess you already realized that I am a little strange. I've no illusions about it. The only ones who are willing to put up with me are my relatives and my employer. I am like Dr. Who. Maybe I'll come to like someone one day, but I am still doomed to end up alone in the end.”

I furrow my forehead. “Gideon, I don't get half your references. Where do you take all those comments from. What's Dr. Who, Warframe, Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5 and all the other stuff you tend mentioning?”

Gideon turns his head and looks at me like I am an alien. “You don't know Babylon 5?”
“No?” An uneasy feeling befalls me as the microwave signals me with a ping that the food is ready. I take the plates and bring them over to the table.
Gideon gestures at the free place next to him on the sofa. “Sit down. We have a lot of episodes to watch. I've to introduce you to a whole new viewpoint on the universe.”

I give him his plate while trying to keep up my smile.
He looks down on his food, a strange expression forming on his face. “What's that?”
“Meat, potatoes and broccoli.” I answer.
“Yeah, I feared something like that.” He starts eating while trying to avoid the broccoli. Then the wall in front of us flickers to life and I get to see the first episode of a really old movie.

26. ~Hunt.~

“
The mage city which is floating above the oceans is called Aether. The course changes are totally random as far as we can tell.

Capabilities: No information
Size: Roughly a hundred square kilometres.
Population: No information
Bottom line: NO INFORMATION!

PS: Why do I have to write reports while knowing nothing? Damn bureaucracy!
”

-Secret Government File

Sol-System, Secret Base of the Faceless
Ed

The room's projectors flicker to life and Sadina's avatar is projected into my office.“Where did Gideon go to!?”
I drop my work and hurry to the door, slamming it shut. “Are you mad, Woman!? What if my superiors find out that I am having contact with a criminal?”

Sadina snorts. “Like I care. If I wanted to, I could end your career right here and now. All it takes is a call at the elders and having a little chat with them.”
“That would be your downfall too.” I quint my eyes at my personal little nemesis.

“That doesn't change my question from earlier. Where is Gideon, he doesn't answer my calls.” She asks with a fierce voice.
Such a shame, is she really that desperate to toy with him? I punch a few codes into the console on my desk to start the tracking function. “If you had bothered to think for yourself, then you could have deduced that he belongs to the enlisted pilots. Probably he doesn't answer your calls because he has something better to do?”

Sadina's avatar flickers for a moment, then she starts pacing up and down the room like a cat. “He was indeed enlisted. And he even got a co-pilot.” Suddenly a jolt runs through the avatar's body and it freezes.
Did she just access the mainframe? It's highly unlikely that she managed to do that without getting discovered.

A few moments later Sadina starts moving again. “Ow.” She starts massaging her temples, an expression of pain on her face. “I wish Sanguin wasn't that good. One day I'll find a way to fry his brain.”
“But you got what you wanted?” I raise an eyebrow. Sanguin is one of the best techno-mages I know. He isn't the elder without reason and he has access to the most powerful computers.

Sadina's ability to snatch information away from him shows that her skills are beyond good. If she hadn't taken the wrong path she could be the elder right now.

“Oh, no. The co-pilot is a girl!” She starts pacing again. “That wasn't planned. I already had someone in mind. This could ruin the plan! And to send my project out of my reach! It's like Saguin knows!”
I frown. “That's good. Everything that doesn't go according to your plans regarding Gideon is fine. I think the mission he got from the SDF lasts at least few months. That's plenty of time for two young people to succumb to their hormones.”

“Urgh! I've to go over my plan once more.” She growls.

“So what's your great masterplan for Gideon? Am I allowed to know, or will I be able to stop you once I am privy to the matter?” When he returns and is in a relationship I'll definitely support it, just to anger Sadina.

“It doesn't matter if you know, so why not. Listen well, I won't repeat myself. What I plan for you and Gideon is this.” She spreads her hands in a dramatic gesture and I raise an eyebrow while waiting for her to reveal her plan.

“Enlightenment!” Then her avatar vanishes, leaving me not a bit smarter on what she is planning to do to her, our son.

“Bitch!”

Sol, Earth, Australia – Central Government Building
Galia Alvar

“It's so nice to have you at my side, Samantha. I wouldn't know what to do without you. A man couldn't wish for a better aide.” Rob Sheffield, the president of Earth takes the coffee cup and the files from my hands.

Yeah, sure. As if my employers would send someone unprepared as a spy. “Thank you, Sir. Is there anything else you need? Maybe some research regarding the incident in Africa?”
I tilt my head and beam my best smile at him. I always wanted to do something exciting with my life, so I joined the mage's security force right after graduating.

Who would have thought that I would become a spy? I hardly believe that I could have gotten a position which is less important. Of course it would've been exciting to join the SDF. Real aliens are also a kick, but sadly the SDF is only enlisting pilots and their ships so far. I wonder if Gideon is doing fine.

The president dismisses my suggestion with a gesture. “Forget about Africa. We need to find out what happened at Jupiter. It seems like the mages are a far bigger problem than anyone suspected. They didn't move their city for centuries and we grew accustomed to the status quo of ignoring each other. The last thing we detected from their city is that they left Earth's atmosphere!”

He starts kneading his hands. “The big political factions are pressing me for answers. How can I give answers if we have no link to them. How can I lead Earth's government if there is obviously a big and powerful faction of humans hiding in the shadows? Haven't you read the reports about them?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Mr. President, Rob, I don't see any problem with that. Whatever the mages are, they are not our foe. Nor do we have to fear them.”
The president looks at me with a haunted expression. “Didn't you read up on the powers of those we caught? No human should have such abilities. It's like all their civilians are running around with inbuilt bazookas! And we've no idea what their intentions are.”

I roll my eyes. “Rob, from my point of view they don't have to fear us. They have a cloaked, levitating city for god's sake. All we see of it are radar shadows most of the time, if at all. What else can they do? Yet it doesn't seem like they even want to talk to us. And those whom we caught were obviously outcasts of their own society. At least that's my interpretation.”
Finally the president stops his erratic behaviour. “Outcasts?”

“Yes. They can float a huge city through the air. Don't tell me that you believe that they can't break one of their own out of our jails. They didn't even try. That tells me that the people whom we caught breaking our laws are of no interest to them.” I point at the report. “It would be far better to concern yourself with the problems at hand. We don't want to go on another witch-hunt, do we? If my history teacher is right, then those were dark times which we don't want to repeat.”

“N- No.” Finally the president takes the files to skim through them.

Nash
Gideon

“Sabik, 82396, 84143, bla, bla, Kaus Borealis, Ascella, Nash, Kaus Australis!” Cyla rattles down the names of the stars on our course. “Three weeks! How long are we going to hunt those murderous bastards? I am fed up with it! Just let us blow them to bits once they enter the next system!”

“We'll wait until we find out where they are coming from.” I try to take a more comfortable position in my chair. “What do you want? I already gave you my bed. Sleeping on an improvised mattress is no fun. I am aching all over my body.”

She raises a hand while sitting in the pilot chair at my side. Then she starts counting on her fingers. “I am caught in a tin can with six rooms. There is no space to go for a run, even if we converted a part of the storage room into a training facility. And there is simply nothing to do!”

“You are just mad because you didn't like the ending of Game of Thrones.” I throw in.

“Yes! How could they do that! They simply killed the only likeable character and returned him as a zombie!” She throws up her hands. “And you do realize that we are leaving charted space? From here on out most systems are just numbers in the database. We are very, very far away from home.”

“I noticed.” I mumble. Though our time together went astonishingly well if you consider that we have to arrange ourselves in such a tight space. She isn't even complaining about me, but about our living circumstances, which I find... odd.

“But you do realize that we are learning a lot about them even if we are just following their ship?” I ask.

The 'rabbit', as we came to call the other ship, arrived after us in Rigil Kentaurus. They used the gas giant for a flyby manoeuvre and crossed the system from where they continued on towards the star Sabik.
We overtook them once more and set up our recon-platforms and an industrial node. The rest of the time we mined asteroids for fuel and resources.

Our little hunting game continued like this for a long time. We took great care of not being seen by them. “By observing our enemy we learned a lot of valuable information. First of all their average speed and fuel requirements. They already stopped two times to dive into the atmosphere of a gas giant. The only reason for that can be refuelling.”

I raise a finger to emphasize my point. “The most important thing is that they avoid using their FTL-drive over long distances. They always jump from star to star, probably because they fear running into something. I think they are using pathways which are known to be free of matter. That forces them to take such a strange route. Yet their course is as straight as possible. But they are sheering off to the left, further down the spiral arm. I think we are close to their destination.”

Cyla whines and gestures for me to go on. “Fine. I am just frustrated. Let's make the jump. We'll have to go dark and observe the system for a few hours anyway. We can use the time to refresh ourselves.”

We make our preparations in silence and plot our next transition. Everything goes smoothly and we arrive at our next destination.

Kaus Australis, once again a binary star system. A hundred and fourty-three light-years away from Sol.

“I'll go first.” Cyla stands up and leaves the cockpit while I grunt my acknowledgement. Our standard procedure for entering unknown territory is going silent for a few hours while accelerating away from our entry point.
During that time we only collect data and let the computer puzzle it out. I take the necessary steps and wait until I get the first results.

Our close neighbourhood is empty, which is to be expected. A faint electromagnetic signal from the other side of the system hints at a presence. There is no way to judge it at this point, so I order the computer to continue with gathering information.
There is no need to die of boredom while sitting in the pilot chair. Even if someone saw our entry we'll see them coming long before they reach us.

The next point on my list is getting a shower, so I get up and stretch. My cramped shoulders hurt and crack loudly as I stretch myself.
Afterwards I head over to the bathroom. A little dazed I open the door and freeze.

Cyla is standing naked under the shower and looking at me. I force my eyes away from the godly sight of her body. “Sorry.” Then I close the door. What did I just do and why didn't she lock the bathroom?
For some reason I've the unreasonable urge to attack her.

A few moments later the door opens and Cyla steps outside, wrapped in a bathrobe which is kind of disappointing. “It's free now.” She smiles and heads to the sleeping room, which she practically took over from me.
Okay. Seems like I wasn't killed. My grandmother was very exact in her lessons regarding the intrusion on the private sphere of women. I try to recall what I've seen and realize that Cyla had a really strange expression on her face with her hand between her legs. For some reason I start feeling dizzy while thinking about it.

I guess women need it too? My next action is to enter the shower, not bothering to remove the clothes. Then I activate the water and set the temperature to ten degrees. After a while my raging blood pressure lessens a bit. Then I try to empty my mind.

“What are you doing?” Cyla's voice stops my vain attempts at clearing my thoughts. She returned, but is still in her bathrobe.
“Cooling down. Obviously.” I answer.

“You'll get sick. Don't let it bother yourself. We are both adults and not in a relationship.” She starts playing with her fingers. “Do you want a massage?”
“A massage?” I blink. “Well, cold water didn't do a lot against my muscle tenseness.”

“Come to the living room when you are done. In a bathrobe and dry.” She leaves without sparing me another glance.
Was that an invitation to do more, or was it just what she said? Either way, both possibilities seem like a good offer.

I hurry to get myself ready and follow her. In the living room I find out that she spread the mattress which I use to sleep on the ground. “Lie down.”
I do as told, only to get a rebuke for lying on my back, so I turn and lie on my belly. Apparently she really doesn't intend more than giving me a massage.

She slowly starts working her way upwards from my legs and towards my back. Her fingers are stronger than I imagined, but she is good at what she is doing. Slowly I feel my muscles relaxing. “You are good. Where did you get that skill.”

Without answering she sits on top of me and starts working on my shoulders. “That's a secret. So did you like the sight of my naked body in the bathroom?”
I tense up as I try to imagine what Saden would advise me to say. “You are beautiful.”

“You are really tiring.” She pulls down my bathrobe and in the next moment I feel her bare, ample breasts touching my back. Her breath whispers into my ear. “Have you ever been with another techno-mage?”
I raise both eyebrows. “I am not a virgin if you mean that.”

“I didn't mean that.” She places an electrifying kiss on my cheek and runs a hand over my shoulder. Little sparks are dancing between her fingers and my skin. The sensation is turning me almost mad.
“There are things only two telepaths can share. If they trust each other that is.” Her voice is questioning this time, which makes my heart sink.

“I think we shouldn't cross that line.” I try to get up.
But Cyla clings to my back, not giving up her position. “Wait! Don't destroy the moment you oaf! I was going out of my way to go on the offensive and you ruin it. What did I do wrong?”

I close my eyes and try to judge if I should let Cyla into my personal life. During the recent weeks we came to know each other more than a little. She even endured my hobby of watching old movies and playing the normal's video games. Something only Saden and my Grandmother did so far.

I make up my mind. Having to spin lies isn't to my liking if I can avoid it. So if Cyla isn't able to deal with me as I am, then so be it! “I just don't think that you'll like what you find in my mind.”
Then I try to come clean with her, telling her about my life and my peculiar circumstances.

Kaus Australis
Cyla

Gideon's life-story is sad and horrifying at the same time. I am glad that he couldn't see my face while he was telling it. Surely my expression slipped more than one time. He is lucky that he encountered people like his grandparents.
“Gideon, I am sure that your grandparents won't care about your origins once you get the chance to tell them. And neither do I.”

“You don't?” He asks astounded.
I purse my lips while still clinging to his back. “No, not really. It may be different if I hadn't come to know you better during the last weeks. You are a nice enough person once I got used to your strange way of thinking. I would call you an innocent gentleman if you hadn't confessed that you are able to throw a real tantrum if you are threatened.”

Shaking my head I add a downside. “Your mother though doesn't seem like someone I would like to meet.” A smirk steals itself onto my face. “Did I already tell you that I have a fetish for dark types.”

“More than once.” He mumbles, obviously trying hard to keep himself under control.
I run my hand across his chest, pulling a few sparks out of his skin. My second hand reaches for his face while I start moving my body against his. Then I open my mind to him, let him feel what I feel.
His feelings also rush through my being and for a brief moment we are one.

Just before I reach between his legs he stops me. “If you do that I'll lose control.”
My heart jumps. “Who says that you have to keep control?”
He pulls me in front of him to kiss me. His hands return the favour and start caressing me until my mind consists of nothing but him.

My shivering is his undoing. He pushes me down on my belly, fixating me in place by holding my neck. Both our minds flare in delight. I gasp in pleasure as he spears into me and starts moving. After a felt eternity of being one with each other and drowning in our emotions my mind goes white.

I've never felt something like this before.

Hours later we are lying next to each other while staring at the ceiling. My heart still feels jumpy, even though I am holding his hand. “We are a good match.” I exhale.
His voice is thoughtful and a little relieved as he answers. “Does that mean I get my bed back? You can have the mattress from now on.”

On the other hand, maybe I've just made the worst mistake in my life. “It means that we share the bed from now on!”
“Oh.” His answer sounds a little disappointed. “So let's go and sleep a little before we get the results from the sensors.”

He sits up and I grab his hand. “Wait. I feel like I am not in control over my legs, could you carry me to bed?” I always wanted to be carried like a princess by my lover.
Gideon nods and lifts me over his right shoulder, carrying me like a cavemen to his den while grabbing my ass.

I let myself hang like a sack of potatoes and drown myself in self pity, not resisting. Yes, being too horny definitely caused me to make a mistake.

27. ~Encounter.~

“
[398:39440] Drazi ship leaving standard patrol pattern detected.
[398:39441] Unknown ship detected.
[398:39643] Weapons Fire recorded at Drazi-Base-349, Drazi are engaging unknown ship.
[398:39698] Entering record mode.
[398:39752] Accelerating out of system to report new situation.
”

-Empire's Spy Drone

Sol-System, Aether
Melan Alvar

“It, it isn't as bad as it looks, Mother.” My daughter is patting my shoulder while I am resting my head on my office desk. “We'll get it done. I'll help, I promise!”
I raise my head to look at the three huge stacks of folders in front of me. “This isn't fair! Just because we are the representatives of Aether we can't be held responsible for the failure of our cloaking barrier!”

“The elders were the ones who ordered us to leave Earth in the first place. If they hadn't put us under such time pressure we could have avoided flying over the Philippines!” I rip the mobilization order in front of me apart.
“And Hedeon ran away when he saw the pile of regulations, explanations and reports which have to be filed.” We lost the cloaking barrier just for five minutes!

Our government shouldn't make such a fuss when it was their fault in the first place. Earth's government knows about Ather's existence, so what's the problem if they get to see it with their own eyes for a few minutes.
It's doubtful that we'll fly Aether back to Earth anyway. I never understood why we were entertaining such a huge base of operations there. A small outpost without civil personnel is in much less danger of getting nuked if the normals start feeling itchy.

“I'll stay and help you file those reports. It's not like anyone is blaming us, we just have to do the necessary paperwork which is required for such an event.” Rhiannon gestures at the folders.
“It's just that Hedeon is the one who should be doing this.” I sigh. “I wish that Gideon would come home. His little trip around the solar system turned into a catastrophe.”

“I am sure he'll be fine. And we'll finally be able to see Saden more often if we relocate to the Forge. Did you already hear that she and Paul are intending to marry?” My daughter asks happily.
“Paul? The rich kid?” I ask astounded. “That fits. A money bag and a money grubber. They'll surely be happy. At the same time we are moving farther away from Galia though.”

“It's not like we get to see her less because of that. Keeping up her cover doesn't allow her to make up too many excuses to disappear for a long period of time from the radar.” Rhiannon sighs. “And please don't call Saden a money grubber. It may be accurate, but it's still not nice. She and Paul like each other.”
I snort. “I call my granddaughter whatever I want to, but I admit that they seem to be a good match.”

I contemplate the pile of work in front of me for a long moment and let out a deep sigh. It can't be helped. “Let's get this done.”

Kaus Australis
Gideon

“There is definitely something going on in this system.” I mumble while inspecting the map which is projected in front of me.
We've identified a mars-like planet with a big orbital base and a gas giant where a mining operation is taking place. “I think they are gathering fuel at the gas giant. Is there any chance of deciphering their signals?”

Cyla shrugs. “It may be possible, but first we need to sort out the data. Then we can search for patterns to create a template for decryption.”
I massage my knees while thinking hard about our possibilities. “Sadly this seems to be just a small outpost. The settlement on the planet isn't large at all. If they weren't emitting signals like crazy we wouldn't have seen them.”

“There are twelve ships in the system which we can see. Should we try to wreck some havoc before ship number eight arrives?” Cyla growls and starts plotting possible attack courses.
I furrow my forehead. “Isn't the proper order of things to try to talk to them before we cause a war?”

“Our instructions were to catch the ship and take whatever measures necessary to keep them away from Sol. If this is really a small outpost, then giving them a bloody nose will surely teach them not to mess with us.” Cyla gestures at the red dots on the map.

I flick my fingers. “Okay, but we've to do this with a plan. I am not confident to take on those juggernauts with our ship. The only real advantage we have is speed. I am inclined to play a little Total Annihilation with them.”

“Sorry, what?” She asks confused.
“We haven't played Total Annihilation yet? Supreme Commander? Forged Alliance?” I ask.
Cyla shakes her head. “I've never heard about those. Are you talking about games again?”
“Of course. Every couch-general should know about those!” I've yet to teach her a lot of things. “First we need to sneak our way further in towards the asteroid field. Then we'll rig up some surprises there.”

I gently nudge the ship forward and Cyla checks our course. “As long as we don't run into one of them they shouldn't be able to see us.”
We wait while our ship creeps forward and I use the time to introduce Cyla to Forged Alliance. It's about three hours later when the ship's computer calls a new development to our attention.

“They changed their course towards us.” Cyla starts chewing on her fingernail. “How likely is it that they are flying accidentally in our direction?”
I shake my head. “Very unlikely. I think that they have some means to detect us, but I doubt that they know what we are. The ship is just investigating us, maybe they think we are some kind of rogue asteroid.”

“What if we entered a part of space which they are keeping clear of debris? The ship that's approaching us could be the housewife with the mop.” Cyla starts making some calculations. “We could avoid them if we go full power.”

“No.” I lean back. “Probably we've to fight them sooner or later. We could retreat and try another approach vector, but it could turn out to be the same because we don't know their means of detecting us. And then we would have lost our advantage of surprise.
I think we should try to punch right through towards the asteroid field. In there we should be just one pebble under many. And while doing so we'll get to see their capabilities.”

“Do you also still think that speed is our best bet?” Clya asks.

I nod and connect myself to the ship. Cyla sends me a possible course. I go with it, then I power up every system our ship has and activate the drives. Both our seats rotate forward to protect us against the acceleration which we aren't able to compensate with counterfields.
“We'll approach the other ship at maximum possible acceleration, counting on the fact that the enemy's computers aren't able to get a targeting solution for our ship.”

Even if we'll almost touch each other in interstellar perspectives, we'll still be at the edge of each other's reach. Or at least that's the plan.
A few seconds after we started our wild dash towards the enemy ship it reacts too, trying to steer towards us with its puny drive.

“It took them long to react. We are almost on top of them.” I notice.
“It feels like we are fighting people without sped up minds.” Cyla confirms my hunch.

Then we wait for the confrontation. It's almost laughable if you think about the fact that the actual battle will be decided in fractions of a second.
I plot the enemy course and start firing the plasma cannons, rail cannons and sand rockets, which are basically just a pack of explosives with shrapnel inside. I devised them for nothing more than to place obstacles in our opponent's paths.

Cyla's voice enters my head. “Isn't it a waste to use the cannons like that? The lasers have a much greater chance of hitting them.”

I contemplate her words. After my first battle I made a few important changes to my ship. The first was that I dumped the huge torpedo launcher completely and added a second rail cannon instead. The second cannon may as well give the ship a much needed second punch in a close range encounter.

Rockets in their current form are completely useless. It would take dozens of them to overwhelm the laser-defence-turrets of a puny freighter. The huge tube launcher just gave them a little unnecessary extra speed.
Instead we replaced a few of the plasma cannons with rocket batteries. Though the rockets don't need to fly very far as they are primarily used for electromagnetic warfare.

Other plasma cannons also had to go for a few more lasers, which are the ship's primary weapon now. They are the only weapon with reasonable reach in space battles.
Sanguin also gave us the plans for a molecular disruptor, but the changes to the ship would have been hilarious and we didn't have the resources. I would have had to strip both railguns to make room for the disruptor. I decided that it's better to wait until we reach a real shipyard. There are limits to what the IMs can do.

“I just want to see how they react to it. They are accelerating towards us, so if they realize too late that we are filling their general flightpath with surprises, we may as well get lucky.” My voice trails off. “Close your suit.”
The decisive moment is almost there and I use the gravitational fields around our ship to force us into a series of evasive manoeuvres.

Our laser arrays fire at the same time as those of our enemy. I notice in relief that their first salvo missed us. But the second shot sheers off a part of our hull, breaking the shields like a thin layer of glass.
The seat bucks away from under me and I bite my tongue as I am suddenly hauled in a completely unexpected direction.

“We are free. The ship is out of range.” Cyla's voice reaches me from a distant place as I call up the damage report. One of the enemy lasers grazed us, evaporating about twenty square metres of our hull.
I cough and wipe the blood from my lips, gulping down the rest which is slowly filling my mouth. “It was a good idea to place water tanks on the hull. The evaporated water formed a cloud which dispersed the laser energy. But why is one of our energy banks out?”

“I think that's my fault. I burned it out when I used the energy to deflect the third laser strike.” Cyla confesses with a groan. Apparently the sudden forces didn't leave her untouched either.
“How.” I ask.
“I created a gravity abnormality and poured enough energy into it to create a gravity lens. It worked and I almost managed to deflect the laser shot back to the enemy.” She explains.

A gravity lens? “Good thinking, but we shouldn't get into the habit of burning out our energy banks.”
I return my attention to our course and the enemy ship. Then I curse. “They are completely unharmed!” After taking a look at the recorded sensor events I find out why. “They shrugged off our lasers and entered FTL-flight to punch right through our cloud of projectiles. That's cheating!”

“Apparently they can fly right through the amount of mass which we can throw into their path. It's like breaking through a wall. I wonder what happens if they don't use their drive, though I suspect that they did it because their shields can't take such a beating. We've confirmed once more that their FTL-drive takes the inertia and speed from the real universe. This time they flew much slower than the ship which we were following.” My co-pilot concludes.

I nod absent-mindedly. “Then lets get over to that asteroid field and rack our brains on how to break that shield of theirs.”

28. ~Presents.~

“
The Forlorn Empire is one of the so called civilised powers in the Milky Way. They joined the collective of intelligent races after they managed to unite their people under one government. Though due to the fact that their worlds are located a long way from the collective's main assembly location close to the Milky Way's centre, they don't pay them many visits.
”

-Galactic History

Kaus Australis
Gideon

A strange bouncing motion wakes me up and I shudder as I have a very unfortunate accident. Damn! It's one of those annoying nights when your body does what it wants. But why does it feel like something heavy is on top of me?
I open eyes. “Cyla? What are you doing?”
“Relieving stress.” She answers with a satisfied expression while circling her hips on top mine. A certain someone pulled down my pants and... why do I feel so used?

“We are hiding here since four days and working in shifts to keep the cockpit manned.” She sighs like something heavy was lifted from her and smiles at me with a weak and tired expression. “When I returned to wake you up I couldn't help myself after seeing your sleeping, defenceless expression. So I used the opportunity which presented itself to me.”
She gets off of me and rolls herself into the blanket on the bed. “Oh, it's your turn to watch the IMs doing their thing. Good night.”

I take a look at the clock and realize that I should be on watch duty since ten minutes ago. Cursing simply because it feels appropriate to do so, I rise and dress myself. Then I hurry to the cockpit.
Upon connecting with the ship I realize that none of the Drazi ships are nearby. Hiding inside the asteroid swarm worked out really well so far. Whatever the aliens are using to detect us, it can't distinguish between our ship and rocks. The chances are high that they are working with really good mass detectors.

It would explain why they can find us despite the information barrier. Hiding the gravitational effects of our drive completely is almost impossible.
I call up a map of the system and request the computer to share the newest results regarding the enemy's communication. Sadly there aren't any new results.

Our new position allowed us to intercept much more of their communication, but it didn't help much to decode their language. At least we could make out how they call themselves and how they look like.

The Drazi are about a metre tall and arguably humanoid. They have two joints on each appendage and are covered in fur of mostly brown and reddish colours. The legs are short and stubby while the arms reach to the ground and have strong claws which aren't of much use when it comes to manipulating small machinery.

Their dexterous, hairless tail makes up for that. Though their flat faces are reminding me of hamsters, their general demeanour is more like that of rats.
I frown while watching another intercepted video stream with the killer-rat-hamsters going about their business.

If the translation of their way to measure time isn't completely incorrect, then they are also reproducing like rats. They settled the world under us just ten years ago and according to their closest thing to a news-channel, they started the colony with just a few hundred settlers.
Yet the town on the planet's surface is bursting with at least three hundred thousand of them. Their numbers seem to twenty-fold every three years.

Everything that comes to my mind after learning about this is that they are vermin. They seem to be unable to control their population, spreading randomly across the stars. There must be trillions of them out there.

We didn't stay idle while gathering intelligence and thinking about ways to increase the fighting power of our ship. Though I still have no foolproof idea on how to guard against such powerful lasers. Even if we had a huge mirror which is able to reflect ninety-nine percent of the energy, the rest would still melt it down like nothing.

I switch my attention to the IMs which we let loose on the surrounding asteroids. The swarm is slowly growing while gathering materials and creating a hidden network of surveillance platforms.
It's a lot of work to set up a computer that is capable to create a working connection to the quantum net, but the IMs are workers who don't know sleep.

The only issues which are limiting them is finding the needed resources and providing enough energy for them.

After establishing a direct link home, Sanguin instructed us to use all means necessary to gather intelligence, then retreat and return home. It's really beneficial to us that we set up a line of relay points for our quantum network.
Though Sanguin was very vague in how we should acquire the information, dropping the responsibility of thinking something up on us.

In the end we decided to put the IMs to the test. Together with Cyla I set up a swarm structure which is controlled by a set of hidden computers. The hollowed out asteroids which were left by our mining operations came just right for that purpose.
Afterwards we covered them additionally in information barriers and sent them on random courses through the system.

It should be safe to assume that at least some of them will survive to control the behaviour of the IMs. Our last action was to send a few small asteroids which were crawling with IMs out on slow trajectories.
If everything goes according to plan they should land on the planet and the stations. As soon as they touch ground or metal, they'll start to reproduce and attempt to hack the Drazi's computers. I wonder what the Drazi will think when their systems start having malfunctions and they encounter the IMs for the first time.

A cackling escapes my lips and I force myself to control myself. Losing control over my body like this feels strange.
It would be really cool though if we get a look at their means of generating power. The FTL technology isn't really that interesting to us.

I watch our plans unfold until Cyla joins me in the cockpit a few hours later. She seems to have slept well.
“Are you ready to go home?” I ask.
“Yes.” She answers without hesitation.

“We could teleport directly from here, but I don't want to show them what we can do. That's why we'll sneak out in a way that shows them that we left.” I explain.
Cyla starts grinning. “You mean we'll use my trick?”

I nod and engage the drive. At the same time I launch a set of rockets which are duplicating the signature of our ship. Many are flying towards important targets, like the planet, mining facilities and ships. Others are on completely random vectors.
The Coeus is escaping downwards from the ecliptic while the Drazi start chasing false targets.

At least the Drazi are bad at thimblering, none of them chose the right shell.

Forlorn-Homeworld
Admiral Tulius

My nostrils flare and I use my third hand to call up the information from the spy drone and the message drone. This situation is bizarre and not at all in my interests. Especially because it now looks like I withheld information from the Emperor and the Senate.
The only hope I have is to make it look like I did my best to confirm the situation with second sources, but I've no doubt that there will be chopped off hands. Sadly it looks like it'll be mine.

One of the guards beside the big door to the senate's hall signals me to enter and I step inside. The elected senators are sitting in four rows to my left and right, each one with a communication set in front of him to hear the speakers clearly in the big hall.
It's not the first time I am talking in front of the Senate, but this time is different. The silence is ominous and the emperor who is sitting on the opposite side of the hall is looking at me expectantly.

I swallow down my saliva and walk into the centre of the hall. “Senate, Emperor, I've requested an assembly because there is a dire situation going on.”
My eyes wander through the hall, but nobody wants to interrupt me. They seem to be more wary of what I have to say since I've requested their presence unannounced.

“Seven weeks ago one of our battleships left their guarding position to hunt a Drazi raiding group. They fled into the forbidden sector and our ship followed them against standing orders.” One of the senators gestures for me to stop and I feel a knot forming in my throat.

“And why did you fail to report this.” He hisses like the snake he probably is.

“It wasn't reported because there wasn't anything that could be done about it, except for sending more ships into the forbidden sector.” And because the admiralty thinks that it's stupid that we aren't allowed to hunt the Drazi down when they attack our shipping routes.
“A day ago a message drone from the missing ship 'Rai' returned to one of our outposts. It took the drone a long time since it was low on fuel after having used almost everything to escape. The drones don't have the ability to refuel, so we got the message late.” I call upon the hall's projector to ensure that it's ready.

“They followed the Drazi deep into the forbidden region until they almost caught up to them in 34-85-83. Then this happened.” I activate the recording from the Rai's bridge.
The senate watches the fate of the starcruiser Rai in stunned silence. The hectic moments when the Drazi engaged an unknown enemy with unknown stealth technology. And then the escape of one of the Drazi raiding ships while the others were destroyed, followed by the destruction of the Rai by inferior lasers.

The escape of the Rai's message drones and their record is just the tip of the iceberg. The explosion of the huge alien station and the bodies which are flung out into space only ensure that everyone who didn't believe this to be a total mess is changing his opinion right now.
The hall turns loud and messy as the senators start screaming in an attempt to voice their opinion.

It's only after the Emperor starts hammering the ground with his huge sceptre that the hall finally calms down a bit. He sets his grim eyes on me and gestures to go on.
I call upon another recorded log which arrived just a few hours ago. “Of course I immediately informed you when the first drone arrived at Surrk. We checked our sensor logs after the arrival of the drone and found the same strange gravity anomaly appearing at Surrk Outpost, two days before the drone arrived.” I cough. “The admiralty is relatively sure that the drone was followed by one of the foreign ships. They now know where Surrk is located.”

I shuffle through a stack of documents which I brought with me. “Our analysts are relatively sure that the unknown race has superior stealth technology, superior propulsion and faster than light communication!” Something we don't have at all. “According to the sensor recordings some of the gravity anomalies reacted to the station's destruction before the light of the event reached them. We are currently trying to adapt our sensors to their stealth-tech, but we still see only shadows of them.”

“Still?” The emperor asks with a growl.

“We are currently finding those anomalies all along our border, but so far the others haven't tried to communicate and stayed out of our reach. It seems like they are just mapping the star systems which are occupied by us and gathering information.” I activate a final sensor log to drop the hammer on my career.

“Just recently we got intel from one of the spying drones which are observing a Drazi base close to our borders. We were already planning to force them further back since the base already launched several raids against our shipping lines.
“One of the phantoms appeared in the system, half a day before the Drazi ship which attacked them got there. We identified the ship by comparing the light frequencies which its drive is emitting. They followed the Drazi and overtook them. Then they tried to sneak into their system.”

I swallow once more. “One of the Drazi tried to engage the sensor echo, which caused them to drop their stealth partly. They briefly exchanged fire with them. Unfortunately the drone couldn't make out any more than that. Then the ship hid itself in an asteroid field further into the system.”
A flick of my wrist forwards the log to another point. “They hid there for four days while the Drazi searched the asteroid field for them without results. Then twenty two sensor echoes left the system, obviously fake signatures. The Drazi engaged several of them, but obviously not the right one.”

My voice trails off. “They left something behind though. We listened in on the Drazi communication and they are talking about a disease or vermin. Their chatter never made much sense to the linguists. In another communication it seemed like they are fighting bugs and losing the battle?”

Once again the hall turns chaotic. The one who stops the noise is the emperor with his sceptre. After the senate has quieted down he turns his attention to me. “Admiral Tulius. I think you already deduced that the forbidden sector is forbidden for a reason. A few hundred cycles ago, during the time of unrest, we already encountered those phantom ships. Like today they refused to communicate and retreated as soon as they encountered us.”

The emperor draws a deep breath. “Like you probably know, the time of unrest was a great trial for our people, as we had a civil war on our hands until the Empire finally managed to unify the Forlorn. The government back then decided, hoped that this new race would stay away from our borders if we don't provoke them.
We guessed at their origin by looking at the systems in which we encountered them, assuming that they found us by searching the stars in a straight line away from their homeworlds. Then we banned everyone from adventuring into that sector.”

He puts on a grim expression. “Apparently the attack on one of their bases caused them to become active. We have to ensure that we aren't pulled into a senseless war when the real culprits are the Drazi. Ready your best ship to transport a group of ambassadors and scientists into the forbidden sector.”

29. ~Return.~

“
The Drazi are one of the very few species which got marked for extinction by the civilised races. Their inability to control their population and live in peace with their surroundings is the reason why they got this judgement. Yet they are avoiding their death sentence due to their nomadic nature and the explosive growth rate of their population.
They are an aggressive and treacherous race which is responsible for the extinction of several weaker races.
”

-Galactic History

Sol, En route to Forge
Gideon

I enter the coordinates of the Forge and accelerate the ship. “Finally home! I can't wait to see my family again.” I clap my hands together. It's not often that I feel anticipation, but after being for over two months on the Coeus it started to feel a little tight, even for me. The return trip consumed a little more time since we took another route back. We stopped in several systems to set up relay points and recon-platforms.

The network of nodes is growing steadily around Earth, which should give us enough time to react when the aliens show their furry noses again.
According to the latest information from home we have to deal with at least two different races. It's not confirmed, but after analysing the wreckage of the ships and the battle at Jupiter it looks like the last ship in the attacking formation was chasing the other three.

It's too early to judge their relationship though. Why are their ship designs so similar for example. There must be more to it, maybe a necessity of FTL-flight?

“Gideon, We have to talk about something.” Cyla wakes me from my daydreaming. She disconnected from the ship and is kneading her hands while sitting in the chair at my side.
“Yes?” I ask.
“What are we to each other?” She asks me, taking me off my feet with the question. Luckily I am already sitting.

I am no good at relationships and especially when it comes to talking about them. “We read each others minds. I know what I feel for you.”
“Yes, to cut the topic short, that's sexual attraction, Gideon. The question I am asking is if there is more than that between us. Do you like being with me otherwise? To the point of entering a real relationship?” Cyla points at me and then at her.

“You mean like in marriage?” I ask, licking over my lips.
“Let's not overdo it. I meant like lovers, boyfriend and girlfriend, mutual partner in crime.” She waits for a moment, but apparently I didn't answer fast enough. “Let's give it two weeks to cool down. You have to talk about a lot with your family, just like me. And when we've sorted out our personal stuff we'll go on a real date?”

The ship will also undergo a heavy reconstructions in one of Paul's docks. We won't go anywhere for a while. “That... sounds reasonable?” I ask. “Though it feels a little like being put on withdrawal? What if-”
“You'll survive two weeks without attacking other women!” She suddenly calls out. “If not, then we don't know each other as soon as we leave the ship!”

Seems like that was the wrong choice of words. “That's not what I meant! You know me! Two weeks, give me at least a status update over the net. And you remember everything I told you about my mother? Don't let yourself fall into one of her traps. She'll surely show interest in you.”

“If I meet that bitch, I'll do my best to break her legs.” Cyla nods and folds her arms in front of her chest.

Sadina is showing herself just as an avatar though. How does Cyla intend to break the legs of an avatar?

Sol, Earth, Australia
Galia

I pace up and down my room without finding any rest. What I found out yesterday doesn't leave me any rest. I've let myself falling into the belief that the people of Earth are doing well on their path to a unified society.

But today the president and I were taken on a little tour and what I saw there let my blood turn cold.
Rob Sheffield, Earth's president, was elected into his office by vote just seven months ago. He was a Canadian ranger up until then. That doesn't mean that Rob is unqualified, he got a good education like all Russian citizens.

After working for ten years in a small and unrecognised job he decided that he wanted to do more, so he founded his own party and went for becoming president.
It was only then that he discovered his real talent. And that's inspiring people with his simplicity, which is by no means meant in a bad way. What's important is that everyone who hears Rob talking knows that he is an earnest and good person.

He has his faults like being forgetful and being too emotional from time to time, but that's how he turned from an underdog with almost no support into Earth's president. He is a people's man and the common folk loves him.
It also means that he isn't introduced to many of the inner workings and politics behind the big political powers. More than once I had to do my best to force him to be pushy when dealing with officials who tried to treat him like a figurehead.

If I hadn't done that we would've never found out about the secret operations of a certain government agency. They are dealing with all matters regarding mages.
We were led into a secret facility in South Africa, far away from any settlements. There they were holding captured mages like animals inside secured cells.

I know my governments policy regarding those of us who didn't want to leave Earth, but this isn't right. Some of them even had kids and families, children who never had the chance to choose what they wanted.
And then their research and the human experiments. They are trying to create some kind of supersoldiers to hunt down the last remaining mages on Earth.

Rob voiced his objections to the inhumane treatment, but the official who led us through the facility simply ignored him and explained to us that we would be removed if we told anyone about this.
That day Rob found out that he is really just a front for other powerful people behind the scenes. Without any powerful backers he is just for show.

I've sent a full report to the faceless and the elders, but so far I didn't get an answer. It's infuriating how slow they are from time to time. But then again we have another crisis on our hands which threatens the entire solar system.

The buzzing of my apartment’s doorbell stops me dead in my tracks. I don't have any relationships on this world. If I don't count the nice guy in my office who is trying to invite me to dinner every day.
There no reason for anyone to visit me here at night. I head over to the door and activate the security system to see who is on the other side.

It's a man in a grey suit. I activate the speakers. “Yes?”
“Samantha Helm? There is something we need to speak to you about.” The man's voice answers over the microphones.
“Who are you? I wouldn't know what there is to speak about in the middle of the night.” I reply and step back from the door. The whole situation is fishy. Have they somehow found out that I am a mage? We ran through a lot of checkpoints when we entered the facility.

That's when I hear something smash through my apartment’s window right behind me. I instinctively turn around and send a bolt of electricity at the people who broke into my apartment. One of them is flung right out of the window, falling to his doom. This is the sixth floor, they must have roped down from the roof.

The two others are already advancing, shooting at me. I feel fine needles piercing my skin, sending jolts of electricity through my body. I use the energy to fuel and charge myself with it, firing lightning at the other two attackers.

But they move inhumanly fast, throwing off my aim! The first one who reaches me attempts to hit me, but the built up energy within me releases itself as he touches me. The resulting spark chars his flesh and the tensing of his muscles throws him backwards.

The third attacker reaches me and throws a violent kick against my belly. The force sends me flying and I impact the wardrobe behind me, breaking it. Strangely enough I feel no pain.
He lunges forward, but a ball-lightning from my open palm slays him before he reaches me.

I try to get up, but my legs don't move. I can't feel my lower body! With horror I realize that I was  kicked seven metres through the room.
That's when the door to my apartment opens and the grey suit steps in. “I wish this would have gone down a little easier Mrs. Samantha, but we really want to know how a mage managed to become the aide of our beloved president?”

“How?” I gag and my body convulses suddenly.
“Don't be too hasty, we have more than enough time to talk. There was a powerful toxin on those needles. Though I believe that we should remove the stun-function. The electricity did nothing else than charging you.”

My head drops to the ground and the world turns dark.

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“I am home!” I call out as I enter the big mansion. My grandmother peeks around a corner of the entrance hall and rushes towards me. Then she hugs me fiercely, pressing her cool silver hair against my chin.

“Gideon, I am so glad that you are back! It would have been horrible if we had lost you too.” She starts sobbing.
“What are you talking about, Grandma. You won't lose me so fast.” I am a genetically enhanced... something human. It would be very uncool if someone with my case history would die for something less than saving his loved ones. That never happens in comic books.

“You mean you didn't hear it?” Finally Grandmother lets go of me. “Galia died during her mission. They don't even have her body for us to bury her.” She wipes away the tears from her face.
Suddenly it seems like the world drops away from under my feet. “What do you mean, died? The brute can't be dead! She is sturdier than a steelbar.”

Galia is like a small sister to me! She may be older, but the fact that she was mentally younger than me when we met makes her the smaller one.
Melan wipes a tear from her eye. “What's that outfit of yours?”

I look down on my black and grey uniform which is similar to the outfit of a faceless. “That's the official dress of the SDF. I got forcefully enlisted if you remember? I'll deal with it for the time being until it doesn't suit my purposes any more.”
Grandmother leads me back to the living room, where the rest of the family is gathered. I greet all of them and listen to their story.

All I knew about Galia's work is that she joined the office of foreign affairs, which is dealing with all matters concerning Earth. They are handling the immigration of mages from Earth into our society. There are actually still quite a few of them left on that shithole of a planet. They refuse to leave their home.
But that doesn't mean that their children want to live a life of hiding and so there is a small, but steady stream of people who turn their back our planet of origin.

Apparently Galia got appointed as a spy on Earth's government. And in a high position at that. She was the adviser of Earth's president, which isn't much more than being a secretary to be honest.
Her secret identity was Samantha Helm, a university graduate who was working her way upwards until she ended up in the president's party.

According to the reports she had a fucking car accident and the vehicle burned completely out, not leaving anything behind.
The OFA is relatively sure that she got found out, but they refuse to send anyone else into danger.
I lean back after listening to the story as it was told to me by Uncle Arend. Aunty Rhiannon broke out into tears while he was doing so.

“I thought she had some kind of desk job!” I furrow my forehead, realizing that someone is missing. “Where is Saden?”

“She's with Paul.” Hedeon smiles weakly and takes another sip of something alcoholic. “The two of them want to marry soon.”
“Ah. Finally. I wondered when Paul will collect the guts to ask her.” I answer with a sour voice. The two of them were beating around the bush since years.

Right now it feels like sharing my own adventure to the family can wait. I don't even want to tell it to them when they are already suffering. Though wouldn't it be better to tell it to them now? They can't feel any worse from it, can they?
I activate my ability to think over it long and hard. This is one of those delicate situations which Grandmother warned me of.

When I return from my forced isolation I stand up. “I've got to go somewhere for a few days. Don't worry, it's just a matter of the SDF. They have to debrief me about the mission in enemy space.”
I hug my grandmother and storm out of the room before anyone can stop my hasty retreat.

On my way out I access the net to get the location of the office of foreign affairs. Outside the mansion I hurry to the closest teleportation chamber and teleport to the street which is pointed out on the virtual map in my head.

From there I walk directly to the OFA which turns out to be a really big and expensive looking building. I head through a huge double door and end up in front of a secretary with red hair. She is smiling at me.

Steeling myself for what I am about to do I go over everything what I know about human interactions. I am always saying that I don't understand the actions and reactions of the average human, but that doesn't mean that I am unable to push their buttons if I want them to do something.

I don't return the gesture of her smiling face and pull an identifier card from my pocket instead. “My name is Gideon Alvar, captain of the SDF. Where is someone who can give me access to the reports of your active agents?”

The secretary looks intimated, just as I intended it. She answers with a stuttering voice. “Floor two, office 43B.”
“Thank you.” I leave before she can think about my right to be here. To my luck the SDF is a fairly new organisation which got tasked with the military defence of human occupied star systems. Not many people know how far our arm is actually allowed to reach, but it's not much shorter than that of the faceless.

Cyla and I already reported back to the SDF right after returning from our mission. We had to hand over all our gathered data to a staff of analysts and were debriefed on our mission.
After we gave our recommendations on which changes have to be made to the new ships we headed our own paths as we bargained.

We also got a provisional rank inside the SDF, as we are the only people with actual combat experience. The SDF as it is now is just a random bunch of people with useful skills. To my luck the black and grey uniform which we got looks halfway intimidating.
Since mages are just humans with a little enhanced and mutated genetics at the end of the day, they are still bowing to authority. All I have to do is being bold enough to play my role.

A security guard falls to the same trick on my way up, then I search the office in question. After having figured out the system behind the office labels it takes just a short walk to my destination.
I open the door without knocking and enter. Inside I find a blue haired woman behind a desk. She is looking at me in a displeased manner.

I draw my card once more, carefully ensuring that my finger is above my family name, and rub it into the woman's face. “My name is Captain Gideon from the SDF. I have to research an important issue which is involving one of your agents. Give me access to all reports on and from Galia Alvar.”

“You have-” The battle-axe in front of me starts mocking up, but I hammer my flat hand onto the table in front of her. “I wouldn't delay this matter or did you fail to read the new guidelines regarding our offices? We have an alien incursion on our hands! You guys from the OFA went down two stairs when it comes to importance! So where are those FUCKING REPORTS!”

My voice went from low to screaming during my little speech. The woman looks at me like she just encountered a faceless who intends to hold her responsible for mass murder. She types a few commands into her computer. “Two rooms to the left is an empty office with a free computer. I made all the reports available to that device.”
I nod and return my card to my pocket. “I swear to you. We'll protect the world from the killer hamsters. They will not overrun this system.”

“Ki- Kil- Killer hamsters?” She gasps, not getting what's going on.
“Oh, sorry. You weren't cleared for that information yet? Don't worry. It'll be all over the news tonight.” I turn around and leave the office, hurrying to the indicated computer.
Probably I have only a handful of minutes until she gets over her shock and asks someone above her about my authorities. Luckily techno-mages can read really fast if they have to.

I enter the office which was pointed out to me and connect to the computer on the table, then I start reading.

Half an eternity later I am reading Galia's reports for the ninth time. Suddenly the device in front of me is forcefully disconnected and the screen goes black.
A projection of Sanguin appears in the room. He looks royally pissed off. “You do realize that you just misused the power which was given to you? You got your rank just two hours ago!”

I wave a hand at him. “Yes, yes. And do you realize that you wrote my cousin off as dead without even checking what the normals did to her?” I stab my finger at the black screen. “A car accident which completely burns the body? How stupid do you guys think I am? Cars don't burn in this day and age, even if you drop them off a cliff. It would take a damn tank wagon to do that!”

“Our policy regarding Earth says that we stay out.” Sanguin answers with a blank voice. “It's a normal's report. We didn't come up with that car-shit.”
“Yes, and our policy with the aliens says we stay away. Worked fine it seems.” I scowl, feeling something burning inside me. “The difference is just that they took one of our own this time and not just any wild mage.”

He tries to calm me down. “We are trying to find her, but the chances aren't good.”
“What's there to find. Her report says it all! Go in with your guns blazing and get her out!” I call out.
Sanguin closes his eyes and rubs the bridge of his nose. “You don't understand. We made agreements with the ruling powers of Earth. They don't touch those who stayed behind and in return we stay away.”

I gesture at the computer. “They don't touch those who stayed behind? Worked fine it seems. Looks like a major breach of contract from their side.”
“They only catch those who break their laws or are too stupid to hide their powers.” Sanguin replies weakly. “Galia knew the risk.”

“Either you get her back, or I'll use my not so small financial resources to tear that planet apart.” I whisper.
Sanguin starts chuckling. “That's the first time you are threatening to use your wealth. I wonder why you didn't do it when I enlisted you to the SDF? Your mother would be proud of you.”

“So what is your answer?” I ask.
Sanguin shakes his head. “I can't overturn the decision of the council. We will not show ourselves on Earth in numbers.”
“Then I'll go there alone and give them a little show of force.” I answer and mumble. “Maybe I should also drop a few words in front of the faceless about this dubious agreement.”

The elder's eyes turn glassy for several seconds. “That might just work. In the treaty we promised to never return in force. But sending a single ambassador might just work. I could get that through the decision process.”
“Don't call me an ambassador.” I answer.
“What then?” Saguin asks astounded.

“Call me a reminder of the past.”

30. ~Earth.~

“
The civilised powers of the Milky Way are a collection of species who have attained a certain level of technology and social stability which other races lack.
There are currently one hundred and seven such races. All of them gather every ten cycles close to the centre of the Milky Way to talk about matters of importance and dangers which threaten all of them.
It would be wrong to call this gathering a political government, because it isn't. It's just a platform to exchange information and thoughts between each other.
It's been long understood that there can be no unified government between groups who are so different that some have problems to follow each other's thought processes.
”

-Galactic History

Sol, Mars Colony
Cyla

“Gideon? This is madness. You can't go down to Earth alone!” I answer him via the secure link over which he called me.
“Actually I am already on Earth. They have a small and neat little base with a long range teleporter down here. Who would have thought that the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle are for real?” Gideon's voice answers me jokingly.

“I didn't mean that you should go and kill yourself when I said that we'll do our own stuff for two weeks. Isn't there anyone else who can do this?” I mumble disheartened.
“We are talking about my cousin, she is like a little sister to me. Actually I want you to do something for me. I can't do it myself because I think that Sanguin is going to supervise me. That old fart is as much a meddler as my mother.”

“You are speaking about our esteemed elder way to casually. But sure, I am currently on Mars though.” I answer and Gideon starts explaining what I have to do.
When he is done I nod to myself. “That sounds simple enough. Are you sure that you'll be okay?”
“Sure! Have a nice time during your holidays!” He hangs up without waiting for a reply. Holiday? Gideon, we still have a lot to talk about.

“Mrs. Estene? Where should I transfer the money?” The bank employee asks from across the table.
I raise my eyes and realize where I am. Gideon called me just when I was about to set the starting stone for a new business.
“Make a new account and transfer half the money there. I want no limits on that account.” I answer and wait until the banker is done. When I have all the data and access codes I leave the bank.

The Mars colony is a gigantic complex beneath the surface of Mars. Despite being the second colony which was settled, it's the biggest one in terms of population.
The moon, which was settled first, offers a harsher environment and requires more energy to sustain it. That's not the case with Mars, which isn't an easy place to live in either. But it's much easier than living on the moon where people have to import almost all of the needed resources.

My family was among the first settlers on Mars. One of my ancestors developed the quantum computers which are used all over the solar system. Luckily we managed to keep the control over our invention. Though the network of relations to other companies, relatives and contracts spread too wide over the generations.
It can be hardly said that we are still controlling the market or have anything to say regarding the company. It's a little troublesome if a great fortune gets divided and subdivided again and again with each consecutive generation.

That means nonetheless that I've no trouble with money, though the loss of Oibras and my friends hit me. I check once more on their status and realize that one of them is on Mars.
My heart tightens when I realize that it's Amia Jefri the very one who managed to lure my current, future boyfriend to bed.

No, rules. What happens in that club stays between the people in question. And Amia is my friend, I should be happy that she survived. I draft a generic message in which I tell her that I am happy about her survival and ask to meet her.
After having sent the message I take a deep sigh and head home. My family of seven already welcomed me with tears. The only one who didn't show his happiness was my father. He didn't welcome my decision to stay in the SDF for the time being. My mother, two brothers and two sisters were overjoyed about my visit though.

I walk the streets of Underground City VII towards home when I get a VR request from an unknown source. With a bad feeling in my belly I step towards the wall to be out of people's way and take the call.
It's regarded as rude when a techno-mage simply takes a call and freezes up while standing in the middle of the sidewalk.

The one who appears inside my own virtual reality is nobody else than Sadina Alvar. Gideon didn't hold back when telling me about his mother in detail. She is everything that a mad scientist should be.
Sadina's avatar smiles. “Child, do you know where Gideon is? He is refusing to answer my calls. It's a bit annoying if you take into account that I am his psychiatrist.”

Oh, so the reason why she is calling him is that she can't track him. “I think there is a reason when a person refuses to talk to someone. Whoever you are.” I've to point out that she didn't introduce herself. There is also no need to give away that I got a very detailed story on her person.

“I am sorry. I am Gideon's creator, so to speak. You are Cyla Estene, you shared the bed with him for the last month. What did you think of my handywork?” She asks, but I don't give her the satisfaction of betraying my expression. I am very sure that she is trying to get a hint on how we  stand towards each other.
“Yeeees, I think he mentioned you once or twice. Always in connection with some kind of curse.” I answer slowly. “He got very creative the second time.”

She claps her hands together. “That's so like him. It's good that I got to talk to you. And you didn't even deny my idea of you two sleeping together.” She starts pacing left and right in front of me. “Ah, it feels like I am learning so much, just by talking to you. But if you are in Sol and the Coeus is in Sol, then that means that Gideon is also here. But I can't find him, so he is somewhere without connection. That means he is on Earth? But he shouldn't go there until much later.”

She happily continues rambling on until I have enough of it and interrupt her monologue. “So what's the deal, bitch. You want to tell me that you don't even care to track what happens to your own relatives. I don't think that Gideon is the one who needs a psychiatrist. You do.”

Her expression tightens for a moment as if she intends to lash out at me, then her eyes start flicking left and right. “Oh... Galia... the experiment I left on Earth!”
Without another word the connection is terminated. I didn't fully believe Gideon's description of her, but Sadina is really messed up.

But if I put her last words into context with what Gideon told me about Galia's report, then it makes sense. I shudder as I dial Gideon's number to tell him the most likely reason why the humans on Earth suddenly have the means to hunt mages.

Sol, Earth, Australia
Rob

I enter my bedroom and sigh in relief. My days are very tiring since these bastards took Samantha. They probably did it to show me that they can get anyone. I still don't believe that she really was a mage.
If there was something that I could do. Anything! But I don't have anyone I can trust. It feels infuriating to be the representative of earth and yet I am completely powerless.

I approach my bed, but suddenly it feels like I am falling. “What? Aah...” I am floating? What's this? I want to puke!
“If you scream, I kill you. If you put your hands somewhere where I can't see them, I kill you. If you don't answer my questions, I kill you.” A voice whispers right next to my ear.

“Who?” No. It's a mage! There is no doubt about that! I am floating freely in mid air.
“Who took the person called Samantha?” The voice asks.
“I- I don't know. You can kill me, but I really don't know.” I answer. “Please let me down. I am too old for this. I won't scream.”

Slowly I am lowered into the chair beside the small table right next to my bed. I look around, but I still can't see anyone in the room. “How?”
“Magic! And now start answering questions. I want the names of the people behind all this.”

A file appears out of nowhere in front of me and drops into my lap. I take it and start reading, it's a detailed report on that horrible secret facility. Oh, my god. If the world finds out. “Only Samantha and me could have known about this. It's written from our point of view, so she was a mage!”

I lower the report in shock. “I can't. They threatened us. I don't care about myself, but I have a brother and he has family!”

“Mr. President. I was sent by the society of mages. Many are still thinking that we should stay away from Earth. But certain parts of our society are thinking that enough is enough.”

I hear steps wandering through the room, but I still can't see anyone.

“I was allowed to take steps against the people who orchestrated this incident.” A pen drops into my lap. “So you'll start writing the names of those bad apples, or I'll pluck the information directly out of your brain. And that... is a very unhappy experience. Don't you want your secretary back?”

“I... what will you do to them?” I ask. “Don't you know everything you need from that report? I don't know anything definitive. There is only one man whom I know for sure to be involved and he is just a middleman.”

“Making an example out of them of course. And no, I want them all! They broke the contract. If you don't know for a fact, then guess. Give me the names of suspicious people. I'll do the rest once I get my hands on someone who is involved. I'll even allow you to choose a few names of your own agenda. We'll call them collateral damage, what do you think? Whom do want to permanently remove from a position of power.”

I gulp. “This proposal isn't right. There are laws!”

“What are laws worth if they protect evil? Sometimes a tumour can't be cured without cutting it out. I thought you worked as a ranger. Haven't you seen the sickness of human society. Earth has the chance to unite under a good government. Nobody will know that you wrote those names.
Sometimes a single person has to decide the fate of the world. Right now you are the one who is given that chance by writing the right names onto that paper.”

My eyes wander to the pen and the file.

“All you need to do is to choose. I'll be watching the outcome of your decision.”

“Can you do it?” I ask.

“You are talking to someone who walked past fifty guards, right into your bedroom. Without triggering the security system or being recorded by any of the surveillance cameras.”

With a shaking hand I start writing names.

31. ~Dispatched.~

“
The Zeen are one of the oldest and most advanced known races. They are holding the position of a chairman among the collective of intelligent races.
Many races seek their advice when they are confronted with the unknown or first contact situations. The reason is that the Zeen's gift for languages and understanding gives them the ability to communicate with almost all known races.
”

-Galactic History

Sol, Earth, South Africa
General Denize

“What do we have?” I ask, sitting down in the conference room.
“We only know that our opponents or opponent have to be professionals.” One of the three agents in charge of the investigation pushes a stack of photos to me.
“There was no sign of someone breaking in. Nobody was recorded on camera. The bodies were found where they were working. The Guards were lying around throughout the house and the Chief Executive Officer was found in his bed, together with his wife. None of them looked like they saw anything coming. They were neatly executed.”

A second agents huffs. “Executed is too nice to describe it. If you follow the probable sequence of events as it is told by the bodies, then the bastard started with slitting throats and got more creative with each victim. The chief was slit open like a pig from neck to belly and left to bleed out.”

I try to wrap my mind around the new situation while I flip through the gruesome pictures. “Is there  an organisation with the capabilities to do this? And how are the chances that our good old chief was interrogated before someone turned him into stuffed turkey?”

The third agent shakes his head. “There is no way to tell that for sure. We suspect the guys from Russia, or an Australian agency. Nordas could have done it too, but we are fairly sure that they have no reason to interfere.”

I squint my eyes at the pictures. “Position one of our enhanced soldiers close to each remaining politician who is backing us. This may have been for entirely different reasons, but I don't want to risk losing the people who are ensuring our operation.” And those old farts will start freaking out if they learn that someone found out about our project.

“Yes, Sir.” The three agents salute me and I return the gesture.

Sol, Earth, Australia
Gideon

“There is still so much work to do.” I scratch my head and tick another name off the list. It took quite a lot of time to gather solid evidence. A few people were indeed innocent, while others where just dumb asses who were used as possible straw-men.

The people behind the facility in Africa are smart ones. They control the world parliament while giving their subordinates only information on a need to know basis. Many of those poor idiots don't even get the big picture despite having more than enough hints.
I sigh and dangle my feet through the air. Four names remaining, then I am done. At least with those who infiltrated the world parliament.

The facility and General Denize are last on my list. I would have liked to go there first, but I had to show them somehow that I am interested in their organisation and not in who they might or might not hold captive.
If Galia is still alive then her life depends on the fact that those people don't realize that I want her and nothing else.

Otherwise they would surely devise a stupid hostage situation and that's the last thing I want. I reach for the lock of the chest next to me and twist it off. A little body enhancement is more than enough to do the trick.
I stole the chest from a nearby military facility. It wasn't a big deal to walk inside and carry it out.

The normals have no way of dealing with the combination of electronic warfare and illusion magic I am capable of. It's easier than taking candy away from children.
No, seriously! Children are holding onto their candy like drowning men. I tried it. You can't snatch a lollipop out of a child's hands without the child noticing that it got robbed. Then the screaming starts.

I am sure that those guys from the military don't even realize that one of their rocket launchers is missing. Of course I manipulated their inventory list accordingly. The launcher is a big model with four rockets. Shouldering it isn't easy, but it's manageable.

There aren't many people on the street since it's night. Hiding myself inside an information barrier is protecting me against discovery even in broad daylight, but I decided to attack during night-time to add another point of uncertainty in regards to my identity.

I take the sheet with the instructions out of the box and study it. “Let's see... safety? Off. Hmm.” Seems like this thing was developed for being used by idiots. Soldiers in other words.
I aim the launcher at the bedroom of Maven Rus, a top-ranking politician. The scope confirms that he is indeed in his bed, so I don't waste time and press the trigger to send the rocket on its way.

An explosion ends the night's silence and I nod satisfied. Killing the targets with conventional weapons reduces the chances of them realizing what's going. It would be nice if they keep thinking that they are up against another one of the countless human factions.

Suddenly a person breaks through one of the many windows in Maven's house. He drops to the garden below and crosses it in three big leaps. I whistle through between my lips as he leaps onto the lantern beneath the four story penthouse on which I took position.

The next leap carries the human powerhouse upwards in my direction. If my mind wasn't so freakishly fast I surely would've been impressed by the display of speed and physical powers. No, let's correct that. I am impressed. What this guy is doing is beyond human.

But he lacks in the brain department. I tilt the rocket launcher slightly and take aim. Whoever this person is, he doomed himself in the same moment as he decided to leap up to the roof in a single big jump. I've no doubt that he would've been able to dodge the missile if he had a solid hold on something.

As it is now he is just a big target on a predictable ballistic trajectory. I press the button and send the second rocket on its way.
The strange human attempts to grab the rocket, which would've been successful if I was unable to interface with the detonator. Why should I steal the stupid rockets if I can control the smart ones with my mind?

The explosion tears his arm off and maims the rest of his body badly, which is a second surprise to me. He took that relatively well. Could this be the project which my mother spoke about? Cyla warned me about the possibility. Up until now I didn't believe that the bitch was stupid enough to let her work on enhanced humans fall into the hands of Earth's government.
Maybe it was an early stage of the project?

The man's trajectory was altered by the explosion. He slams into the penthouse's wall and leaves a big red stain behind. Then he partly slides, partly falls down to the sidewalk.
Not wanting to take any risk, I aim the rocket launcher downwards and send the third rocket after the falling man.

Having accomplished that I level it again and aim at the freedom statue above the deceased Mr. Maven's house. I am doing it to make a statement to the world.
With the fourth and final rocket on its way I push myself off the roof, relying on my gravity magic to slowly float away.

A look to the ground confirms that the human powerhouse was blasted to pieces by the second rocket. His remains are littered across the road.
Screaming people are rushing out of nearby houses. They are the perfect example of the stupid masses, fleeing in panic without even knowing where to run.

Some are even slipping on the gooey innards which are distributed along the street. I drop the empty rocket launcher onto the street so that my opponents can find it.

Then I soar off into the night sky.

Sol, Earth, South Africa
General Denize

“They killed three more of our supporters and the enhanced soldiers. They are good. It's clear that they are trying to influence the government by replacing our people in key positions.” One of the agents informs me. “We've only the minister of defence left. He is bitching after finally finding out what's going on.”

I glare the agent down. “It was already clear what they are after when they killed the second of our figure heads. They even got our men behind the scene! For god's sake! What about the president? Are you sure that he isn't the leak?”
The agent shakes his head. “We've him under surveillance twenty-four-seven. There is no chance in hell that he is the leak.”

“We shouldn't start hunting spies without reason. Three of the politicians were killed in a manner which allows for the possibility of interrogation. They surely spilled the beans. It would be smart to regard all our operatives in Australia as uncovered and not safe.” Another of my subordinates steps in.

I hit the table and hiss, feeling rage welling up inside me. “Then why aren't they publicly throwing dirt at us. They surely could shut down the project if they wanted to.”
One of the researchers at the table raises his hand. “That only means that they don't want to shut it down by going public. Either they want to take it over, or they want to end this problem without anyone knowing.” He narrows his eyes. “Or they are a faction which we didn't take into account up until now.”

The mages? “Neither have they the organisation, nor the training to do this!”

“Maybe not the ones on this planet, but what about the ones who flew off in their city?” One of the men asks.

“It doesn't matter at this point. We've to force our enemy to reveal himself. Move all our remaining assets in Australia to cover the Minister of Defence.”

Sol, Earth, Australia
Gideon

I rock back and forth while sitting in Rob's rocking chair. It's similar to my pilot's chair and somehow reassuring. The old man is sitting in his bed. He has dark shades under his eyes and looks very tired.

“... Mathew Kenburu, David Reiner.” He ends the long list of names which I made him learn by heart. “Could you please stop sleeping in my bedroom? It's disturbing to have someone in here whom I can't see. And you snore.”

I stop rocking in my chair. “Be glad that I am saving your stupid ass and training you to be the president you should be. It's safer by the way, just in case that they decide to kill you. One may never be sure. So tomorrow morning, right after I make a show of killing the minister of defence-”

Rob interrupts me. “I take my personal guards, whom you confirmed to be loyal, then I seek out the people whom you suggested. First I go to General Ronwick and have him put together a force that's capable of defending me and my relatives. Then I go and make everything public. The solid proof is in a chest buried under the flag in the parliament's garden. Can I sleep now?”

“No, recite the names once more and go through the plan in detail. I expect heavy resistance tomorrow.” I start rocking again.

32. ~Evolution.~

“
The collective of civilised races assumes that its members have catalogued and visited less than two percent of the Milky Way's stars.
”

-Galactic History

Sol, Earth, Australia
Gideon

Maceo Luchini strolls out of the world parliament's main complex without a care in the world. Yet he is covered by ten body guards.
My little killing spree is the main topic among all the news networks. They have all kinds of conspiracy theories going on. From an attempted coup to a war between secret agencies.

My last strike is intended as a public statement to everyone who wants to watch. I've made preparations and instructed Cyla to give me a little aid from the shadows.
While I was busy with killing people and gathering information, she hacked all the uncovered bank accounts and government facilities which aren't completely disconnected from the net.

I sigh and wait while Maceo Luchini is walking across the plaza directly towards me. Ten metres in front of me one of the bodyguards raises his hand and stops the entire group.
Astonishment causes me to stop my breath. I've encountered these enhanced soldiers several times by now. Somehow they are able to tell that I am there, but they can't see me.

It must be either by smell or noise. The information barrier around me is covering everything else perfectly.
“Mage show yourself!” Maceo calls out, startling several passer-bys around us. “You've had your fun! Now it's our turn.”

The guards spread out while Maceo steps back, being covered by two of his watchdogs. I drop the information barrier and walk towards him. “Such a shame. And I thought I would tear you guys apart for the entire world to see. It would've been cool if an invisible force had snatched you out of nothing while the scene is aired on every news channel around the world.”

I spread my hands for all the world to see. Several cameras all over the plaza are recording this scene, sending their information directly into the internet. “Today your inhumane genetic experiments will end and you'll be taken down by one of those experiments! Me! I'll end your attempts to create genetic enhanced supersoldiers!”
By claiming that I am one of his experiments I can go wild while shifting the attention away from mages.

“Get him!” One of the bodyguards calls out and three of them lunge at me. Others draw weapons, but I've already taken precautions against that.
The bullets sheer off skywards without doing any harm. I've covered myself with a gravity anomaly that's surrounding me.

One of the bodyguards enters my personal sphere and is flung upwards, quickly reaching a height of fifty metres. A scream escapes his lips as he realizes what happened.
I reach for the other two men and cast force on each of them. They try to struggle. But since they aren't mages they have no way to stop me from doing as I please.

Both of them crash into each other with the sickening noise of breaking bones.

A fourth guard pulls an oversized gun from under his trench-coat and aims it at my feet. The movement was shockingly fast and the recoil of the gun makes even the enhanced soldier's arm tremble.
I attempt to get out of the way, but my body isn't up to the task. The bullet's trajectory is altered, but not enough because of the higher velocity. It impacts my shoulder and I scream. The pain feels like my arm is being torn off.

Without my shield spell it would've punched right through. The force lifts me from my feet and out of my protective sphere. My own spell lifts me forcefully upwards and I have to cancel it. Unlike my opponents I don't care about being airborne, but being thrown upwards too high isn't desirable.

I feel other bullets impacting my shield, but their small calibre isn't enough to punch through. If they continue firing like this I'll have to look for another source of energy than my own body. Up until now the drain was manageable, but this is taking longer than I anticipated.

I try to right myself when something hits me in the chest. It's the soldier who shot the heavy artillery at me. He jumped after me!
His gun fires once more. This time from point blank at my left upper thigh. I wince as the bullet punches through bone, but it doesn't take me out of the fight.

He raises his hand and aims the gun at my face. I catch it and channel electrical energy through him. His body twitches and his mouth opens to a voiceless scream. I don't care and watch as his arm gets charred.

The gun looks interesting, so I pry it out of his cramped fingers and drop him to the ground. It has a big magazine and looks like an Eagle from Counter Strike. I flip off the safety and aim it at Maceo.

The people on the ground were looking at me with disbelieving eyes. Probably they've never seen a real mage before.
All they've hunted so far were some minor mages without proper education who stayed on earth. I doubt that any of them got the same training as me.

The gun roars and the recoil almost kicks it out of my hand. Pain surges through my injured shoulder and I am grateful about the body enhancement magic which I taught to myself.
I've no aptitude for it, but it's very useful. The enormous drain on my powers can be countered by supplying myself with other energy sources.

The oversized bullet pops Maceo's head like a balloon, leaving only the lower jaw attached to his body. At this point the remaining bodyguards realize that their smaller calibres are failing to do to me any harm.
They turn and try to run, but I gun them down without hesitation.

That's when something grabs my foot and I am whirled around like a toy. Out of the corner of my eyes I register that the opponent whom I electrocuted got back to his feet. What's this guy? He is even stronger and faster than the others.

He let's go and I am thrown back down to the plaza, crashing right into one of the restaurants. People who searched for protection scream and hurry to flee. Debris and parts of the restaurant rain down on me while I contemplate the situation.

I wanted to put on a show of force, but that bastard is simply overpowering me with his superior speed. My ability doesn't matter if my body isn't able to react in time.

When I struggle like this with just one of their soldiers, then it can be hardly called a lesson. But I've already achieved my target anyway, so I should go for the grand finale.
A crying waitress is pressed to the wall right next to me. She has a bottle with expensive wine in her hands.

“Right what I need right now.” I take the bottle from her and snap off the seal while hobbling out of the restaurant. Normally I don't like alcohol, but it's relaxing me and lifts a few unnecessary mental restrains if I don't overdo it.
I learned that back when I was a child and got abducted. After a big mouthful of the stuff I drop the bottle and focus on the approaching man.

He looks angry and raises a normal gun this time. Apparently he picked it up from one of his comrades.
As he starts firing a helicopter appears above the parliament and three heavy vehicles crash at full speed through the barrier which is hindering cars from driving onto the plaza.
They come to a screeching halt and more troops spill out. This time they look like real soldiers.

That's when my eyes fall onto a big power cord which connects the restaurant with the city's power grid. The fight took more of my resources than I anticipated and this would be a possibility to recharge myself.

Why not? It doesn't work much differently when I use the ship's fusion reactors to power my spells. There are just a few safeguards between me and the energy, that's all. The safeties aren't really needed if you know what you are doing.
I've already used electric energy to recharge myself before and I've never felt as if was even scratching my limits.

The bullets ricochet off of my shield as I raise both hands. “Then let's see who is the stronger one.”
I cast 'Force' on the power cord which is connecting the restaurant and the main power line. It is supplying the main street towards the parliament with electrical energy.

The big and heavy cord snaps loose and jumps into my hands. Energy surges through my veins and I feel my body healing as I channel the excess power into healing magic.
My eyes flick to the helicopter as its minigun aims at me. It's easy to take over the highly automated device.

Cars can't be controlled to that degree, but the military helicopter is completely controlled by computers. The pilot screams as his machine suddenly sheers off and unloads all its weapons into the approaching soldiers, blowing up the three vehicles. Then I crash the helicopter into the soldiers.
I pull more energy from the city's power grid, which is similar to using the power of my ship's fusion reactor to cast spells.

One of the surging sparks of energy hits the battered bodyguard who gave me so much trouble. This time the energy knocks him out for good, charring him to a crisp.
The cord lights up and melts as I channel the energies into a final spell. A quick search for one of the satellites in the sky gets me my location via GPS.

Sol, Earth, South Africa
General Denize

I still watch the screen in a daze as ChannelONE airs the gruesome interrogation of several politicians who were backing us. On another channel Maceo Luchini was just brutally shot. “Stop these broadcasts! I don't care what you have to do. Send a strategic missile at the responsible news stations!”

“It's impossible to stop them, it's all over the world! Someone took over. Everything!” One of my subordinates hammers at his keyboard.

Suddenly the ground under our feet vibrates. “We just lost the connection to the surface!”

I shove the man at the cameras out of my way, then I flip the switch which overrides the network. This activates an old safety feature which doesn't rely on computers.
The screen remains empty, so I start selecting other cameras until I reach one which is surveying the base from a hill a few hundred metres away.
What's shown on the screen is the devastated surface part of our base. A twenty foot crater is in the centre of the landing field.

I continue cycling through the cameras until I reach the one which is showing the entrance to the underground facility. The very same person who was just seconds ago in Australia is standing in front of the entrance to our underground facilities.
His eyes are glowing blue and electrical sparks are coursing over his body as if he is a damn plasma globe.

Then the door opens and he steps into the lift. “Who! Who let him in!?” I scream and turn to look at the men behind me.
The technician at the other side of the room shakes his head. “The whole facility is in lock-down! We can't even escape out of this room!”

“Escape? Free the experiments! Get the guards to the elevator! I don't care how. Call for support!”

Sol, Earth, South Africa
Gideon

I whistle the tune of 'Once Upon a Time in the West' while waiting for the elevator to arrive at the lowest floor. "Are you ready Cyla?"
“Of course, but remember that you owe me one for this! I did nothing but hacking into computers over the last seven days! And even if Earth's computer systems are easy to penetrate it still takes a lot of time if you do it on this scale!” Her voice answers me over the headset on my ear.

“Okay. I promise you a real date when we see each other. I'll watch some romance movies and study how it's properly done. I'll even learn some pick-up lines. What do you think.” I ask.
“Just try to survive and don't give me any false hopes. I've already been in your head if you forgot.” She disconnects and leaves me to my own devices.

Relationships are hard to unite with your own personal agenda. Though I would like to meet Cyla again as fast as possible. Cyla hacked this facility for me while I was busy with mobbing up the dirt in Rob's front-yard.
I notice that I am almost at my destination and check the weapon which I acquired from the super soldier. It's a real bitch to fire, but the design is cool and I always liked annoying people in Counterstrike. At least up until to the point when I got banned for cheating.

The doors open and I kneel down.

Sol, Earth, South Africa
Guard

“Fire!” All of us open fire to turn the elevator into Swiss cheese. After several seconds the Sarge lifts his hand and signals us to stop.
There is nobody inside. So I edge further to the wall's corner, having a bad feeling about this.

Then someone appears in the top right corner of the elevator's door, sweeping his gun across my eight comrades and the Sarge. Nine shots are fired almost as one while I raise my rifle to the unexpected target.

My eyes widen as I realize that his gun centres on my forehead.

Sol, Earth, South Africa
Gideon

Bam! Ha! This is easier than I thought. In Counterstrike you need two shots if your opponents bought a helmet. Holding the eagle with two hands makes it a lot easier to fire in fast succession.
I step out of the elevator and walk across the ceiling while exchanging the ammo clip. The pistol has twenty shots, but I want more ammo in case of encountering something unexpected.

“So. Let's see. I think the cells are to the left.” I take the left corridor and wonder if using gravity magic to walk along walls and ceiling is considered as cheating?

When I started my attack on the facility I sent it into lock-down mode. This means that all doors are shut, hence the weak resistance at the elevator. The downside is that upon reaching each door I have to activate the override and open it manually.
After the third door I stumble across a group of five scientists. There is something in their eyes which I don't like, so I execute them without warning with a lightning spell.

At that moment an inhuman howl from behind me causes me to freeze up for a moment. Then I turn to face whatever is behind me.

“It's Hulk!” I gape at the thing which escaped straight out of a bad movie. Okay, it's not Hulk because it's not green. But it's close. Like someone took two muscle builders on steroids and munched them together in one person.
Then it explodes towards me and this time I decide to cheat.

I create a strong electromagnetic effect along my gun's barrel and press the trigger, turning it into a railgun. The bullet hits the thing in its chest and creates a fist sized hole, but it's still coming.
Having no other choice I expand the gravity field around me. The monster drops head first into the ceiling, which is the floor to me right now.

Slowly the gravity increases, but the thing is still trying to get to its feet. I add another ten gravities and another ten until it's pinned flat to the ceiling. The struggling muscles are still visible though. Suddenly the whole corridor rocks and shifts, so I hurry to put a round into the thing's head and reduce the gravitation again. Whoever led the experiments in this facility is even sicker than my mother.

Hopefully this is recorded on camera. I am on a real roll since I supercharged myself with that power cord. Maybe this is how it's supposed to feel when you are on drugs?

After another corner I arrive at the holding facility and release the automated cell doors. People are stepping outside, but there is no Galia. “Hey, you! There was a girl with blonde hair brought in a while ago. Where is she.” I point at one of the men who are looking up to me like I am the eighth world wonder.

“The last cell. They rolled her in, lying on a bed.” One of the released people calls out.

I drop to the ground and rush to the last cell where I find Galia on a bed. “Gideon!” She cries out upon seeing me.
“What did they do to you?” I ask, ripping away the restraints and taking out the infusion needles in her arms.

“They are monsters, Gideon. They took samples from me, treating me like some kind of lab-rat.” She starts sobbing.
I touch her forehead and cast a healing spell on her. “Can you walk?”
“I think my back is broken.” She answers between the sobs. “I am just so glad that someone came.”

I growl, feeling something surging up from deep within me. Then I cast gravity magic on her to negate her weight and pick her up. “We'll go home.”
Once I am outside the room I head back the way I came and address the other prisoners while walking past them. “This facility will be destroyed in a few minutes. Whoever doesn't want to be here by then should follow me.”

“Your new eyes look cool. Do you intend on stepping in Grandmother's footsteps?” Galia presses the words out from between her lips despite being in pain.
“I honestly don't know what you are talking about.” I walk faster with about thirty prisoners following me. Some of the stronger ones have to carry the injured. All of them are weakened, so it doesn't go as fast as I want to.

In front of a door Galia grabs my hand. “In there are the labs. Please make sure to destroy everything.”
I instruct the door to open and take a look. Inside is a huge lab with several computers. In the centre of the room is a hologram of a DNA strand with a double helix and a second strand with a triple helix. There is also a quadruple helix displayed further behind in the room.

“They've found a way to quickly check our mutated DNA strands against their normal double helix. That's how they found out that I am a mage.” Galia winces at the sight of a table with robotic arms and needles on them. A woman in a white coat is cowering behind it.
A simple thought snatches the woman from her feet and forces her onto the table. It's easy enough to instruct the medical device to do its work.

I release a surge of power through the facility to wipe the computers clean. Without looking back I leave while the scientist is being mutilated by the machine.

The rest of our return to the surface doesn't offer any more hindrances since the facility's personnel is locked behind the doors.
At the surface is a stealthed transport shuttle already waiting for us. I requested it from the mage's headquarters to escape fast.

I head inside and wait until the other prisoners have boarded the transporter. It's essentially just a long box with gravity circuits and a cockpit, but that's all I need.
When the last man is inside I close the loading bay and instruct the shuttle to head back to the headquarters.

After a minute of flying at full speed I connect to the shuttle's communication circuit. “Activate Skyfall.”

Sol, Earth, South Africa
General Denize

I wipe the sweat from my forehead and sigh in relief. The monster left and didn't even bother to hunt us down, though he could have cleaned the facility room by room. Our reinforcements are almost here.
It sucks that we lost our research objects. This incident will throw us back by years.

Suddenly the command room's big screen activates and shows a familiar face. My eyes widen.

“Hello, General Denize and everyone else. I've got a message for you. All your bank accounts and financial backers had their accounts erased. It's not like you need the money, so I distributed it to educational, industrial and social sectors.
And there is a second small asteroid heading your way. The first one was just intended to wipe any resistance from the surface.
This time it's the size of a bus, that should be enough to flatten the base and smash everything that's underground.”

“So, goodbye. The asteroid should arrive about... Now!”

33. ~Appointment.~

“
[674:40011]: Fast Cruiser Tallagan departs. Destination: Forbidden Sector.
”

-Galactic History

Sol, Aether
Melan

I and my husband enter the sickroom where I find Gideon and Galia in their beds. The room is big and for two persons. At the wall is a table with four chairs for visitors and a big vision screen above it.

They are watching one of Gideon's old movies. It's been just two days since he broke her and a whole bunch of wild mages out of that hellhole on Earth.
Our news networks are going wild since then, asking who was responsible for sanctioning such an operation. Bombarding Earth with asteroids is a serious breach of our policy, no matter how you look at it.

Strangely enough the elders kept absolutely quiet about Gideon's actions. They even went so far as to hide his involvement in the entire matter, blurring out the close up images of his face.

“Grandma!” Galia waves at us with a tired smile. Gideon just smiles and nods, returning his attention to the movie.
“How are you doing. Do the doctors already have a diagnosis?” I ask and take her hand.
Galia nods and smiles. “They think that they can fix my back.”
“That's good to hear. What about the others?” I stroke her hair.

She shakes her head. “Most of them are fine in the physical department, but mentally it doesn't look so good. The doctors are considering to erase the memories of five of them, since they were imprisoned for the longest time.”
I try to smile. “You know that you can always come to me if you want to talk about it.”
“Maybe later.” She answers.

My attention turns to Gideon. “And you. We have to talk.” I grab one of the chairs and sit down next to him.
“Don't worry.” He shrugs his shoulders. “I don't even know why I am here. I've never felt better than now in my entire life. Those doctors are overreacting about a few minor changes.”
I smile and draw him closer to hug him. “Thank you for saving Galia. But at least tell me what you are planning to do the next time you simply run off without explaining yourself.”

Then I let go. “And don't take magic inflicted mutations on the light shoulder.” I cup his head between my hands to take a look at his eyes. When he returned with Galia his eyes looked like flash-lights.
At least they returned back to a slightly normal appearance after the excess energy was drained from his body. The iris and the rest of his eyes have their normal colours back, but there is a blue shimmer coming from inside his pupils where they should be black.

What separates normals from mages is our mutated and highly adaptive DNA. If our bodies get exposed to stress, they change their genetic make-up to guarantee survival. Sometimes in really drastic ways which aren't always pleasant or desirable to the individual who is trapped in such a body.
I sigh. “I am just glad that you don't have lightning rods sprouting from your forehead.”

“Hey!” Hedeon reaches for the horns on his forehead. “I told you, they aren't lightning rods!”
I roll my eyes and ignore him. “Another point. You forgot to tell me about your little adventure, Gideon.”
Gideon raises an eyebrow. “Didn't I send you mails all the time?”

I lick over my lips. “I am not entirely sure if those one-liners, which can be hardly called coherent sentences, classify as mail.”
“Oh, sorry. There was so much to do. I admit that I was a little lazy. And when I returned home I had better things to do than sit down and add to a bad time.” He starts telling me an adventurous tale about finding his origins and being sent on a mission to a planet over a hundred light-years away.

What halts my breath is what Sadina did to him. When he is done I just sit there with the greatest shock I've ever received in my life. “I would've never thought that I would want to kill my own blood. It's good that she doesn't dare to contact us.”
Gideon's expression turns troubled. That's when I realize what I've just said. “Of course I didn't mean you. You'll always be a son to us.” I take his hand and squeeze it to reassure him.

In that moment the door opens and Saden steps into the room. “Let's party!” She wields two expensive looking bottles in her hands, but freezes upon seeing us. “Why are you guys looking like someone died in front of you? Didn't we just get my sister back from the dead?”
I laugh and gesture for Saden to take a seat. “It's nothing important. It can wait. Let's just be glad that we are together.”

“Mmm. Kay. If you are sure that there is no problem?” Her eyes wander to the screen with Gideon's old movie. “That doesn't look like one of the movies Gideon is normally watching. And I am pretty sure that it isn't one of his games either.”
My attention changes to the movie for the first time. Normally I am really not interested in his strange hobby, but the movie looks really different. There are no explosions, no guns, no strange technologies. Just a man and a woman flirting with each other.

“Yes. Please spare me. He is watching these toe-curling romance stories since we got appointed to this room.” Galia starts bitching and raises her hand, showing two fingers. “Two days! Can you imagine that. Normally I am not against bad love stories, but too much is too much. If he doesn't stop soon I'll get up and walk out of here without treatment.”
“You can't walk.” Gideon points out the obvious. “And I need someone who explains their reasons for doing strange stuff.” His eyes wander back to the movie. “Why are they feeding each other? They are grown people. Can't they eat themselves? Only small children have to be fed.” His expression turns disgusted.

“I already explained that! Listen for once. It's supposed to be romantic and shows affection! That's why they are doing it!” Galia shakes her fist. “Grandma! Get him out of here or I'll strangle him. I know he saved my life, but I've gotten only four hours of sleep last night!”

“Are you sick, Gideon? It's a total breach of your usual behaviour to be interested in this genre.” I ask while wondering if grabbing the power line fried something important up there.

“Nah.” Gideon makes a dismissive gesture. “I am just studying.”
“Studying?” I ask with a blank expression.
“For the date.” Gideon's eyes remain on the screen.
“Date?” I know, it's not fair of me to want to strangle him right now. But if it continues that I have to pull every piece of information out of his nose, I'll kill him. I'll simply kill him.
“Yes, with my co-pilot. We made an arrangement to meet this weekend. I was tasked with arranging the location.” Gideon answers, oblivious of the atmosphere inside the room.

I force myself to smile. It can't be that Gideon is gay! It can't be! I haven't made that big of a blunder in my education! First I completely failed my responsibilities with Sadina and now I've done it to another child!

“You are going on a date? With a guy?”

“When did I say that Cyla is a guy?” Gideon's expression turns perplexed, but his attention stays on the screen.
I draw in a deep breath and let out a long sigh of relief. His co-pilot is a girl. “No. I guess I simply assumed that your co-pilot is male because you managed to tell your entire story while calling her always just co-pilot.”

“I did?” Gideon furrows his forehead, searching his memory for his wording, but he simply gives up and returns his attention to the screen.

Enough is enough! I connect to the hospital's network and search for the video screen in this room, then I forcefully switch it off.
“Hey!” Finally Gideon turns his attention towards us.

My expression must have betrayed me somehow. Upon looking into my eyes he flinches backwards and places the cushion protectively between himself and me. Not that I've ever had to hit him, but right now I really feel like it.

I take his hand and start stroking it slowly, gently. “So from what I gathered the co-pilot, whom you shared that small cabin of yours with, is female? You two have been together for two months and she is still willing to go on a date with you?” Either she's hit her head somewhere or those two are soulmates. “Your relationship with that girl developed to the point of taking her on a date? On a real date? There wasn't some kind of misunderstanding?”

Gideon nods slowly, like realizing that he just walked into a mine field. Then he answers with a questioning undertone. “Yes?”
“And apparently you care enough about this person to plan this date of yours?” I ask, still stroking his hand.
He nods once more.

My interrogation continues. “And you are doing this by watching those romance movies? Memorizing lines from brain-dead authors?” I point at the empty screen.
“Not good?” He asks.
I shake my head. “Probably you'll place an unfitting line during an important part of your conversation, freaking her out or making her very uncomfortable at the very least.”
“Not good.” He confirms with a sour expression.

“Let me help you in planning the date.” I pull him out of the bed.
“Wait. The doctors said that I've to stay here until tomorrow.” He blurts out.
“You are discharged.” I decide.

Sol, Aether
Saden

I watch Grandma as she pulls the fool out of the room. “Gideon and a girl? Is it possible?”
Galia bends over and wrings the bottle of venusian bourbon out of my limp fingers. “I hope that's alcohol! I am the oldest of us and yet the only one who isn't in a relationship. Even that dense dolt was faster than me! If only I had just died down on that dirt planet!”

Seconds later Grandfather Hedeon and I have to try our best in stopping Galia from drinking the whole bottle in one go.

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“It was really nice.” I comment, taking in our surroundings once more. It seems like Gideon invited me into one of Aether's most expensive restaurants. And he gave me a necklace with a healing circuit. He made it himself, so it's not like he simply used his money for this present. I guess he is really trying hard.

I let my eyes wander across his neat, black dinner jacket and to his smiling eyes. Luckily he warned me about the locality, so I could get myself a proper dress. In the end I chose a tight black dress which shows a little leg. He didn't even fail to compliment me on my appearance.

Which is strange? Not what I expected from him at all. I mean, I was expecting that he'd try his best, but I was anticipating more mistakes which could spoil the mood? “This evening is going surprisingly well.”
“Thanks.” He smiles and refills my cup with orange juice. “So how was your week on Mars?”
“Oh, really stressful thanks to you. I had to do my best to stop my family and friends from assuming that I experienced a trauma. They assumed that I was trying to drown myself in work right after my return.” I beam a smile at him to ensure that he got the hint. “How much did this cost?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “Peanuts.”
If anyone else had said that I would have questioned his sanity. But Gideon is holding the most profitable patent in the solar system. To him a visit in a restaurant like this must be cheap.

“I see.” He takes a sip and smiles. “So what do you think about taking a walk?”
“Sure?” We already had a sightseeing tour across Aether and watched a movie. Strangely enough it wasn't even a bad one. Though it didn't fit Gideon's taste at all.

I empty the cup and take the hand which is offered to me. He pays and guides me to the exit. Then I let Gideon escort me out of the restaurant and across the street.
For a while we walk in silence with linked arms. I've to fight a few dirty thoughts which are coming to my mind. I can't help myself. It has been two weeks since we last saw each other.

I take his hand and intertwine his fingers with mine. “So, what's afterwards. Do we rent a room?”
Gideon smiles and leads me around a corner. “I've a room ready, though I would like to introduce you to someone.”
“Introduce?” I ask dumbfounded and realize that we are on an access walkway towards a mansion.

“Yes. I want to introduce you to my family. Don't worry, they already know about you.” He pulls me towards the staircase which leads to the mansion's entrance.
I almost stumble as my mind blanks out. “W- w- w- ait! That's too sudden! Don't you realize that the whole introduction to family business is the same as sealing a contract!? Once we've done that we are an official couple!”

“Yes. That much I gathered from my grandmother's explanation. Don't you want to be official?” He asks, opening the door.
My mind blanks out. “No. Er. Yes! It's just so sudden.” Though the date was great. “Nooo, wait! Now I know. You had help! You told your grandmother beforehand!”
“Is that a problem?” He asks, closing the door behind him in a manner which tells me that I already stepped over the point of no return.

Well, Fuck! Or Glorious? I am not sure how to feel about being set up like this. But him being on the offensive for a change is a nice feeling. On one side I am sure that he wouldn't do this if I was just a sex-partner. On the other his modus operandi is very aggressive today.

Since I am already inside the house I guess I have no other choice than meeting his family.

34. ~Parents.~

“
[04:48] Ship detected en route from Kaus Australis to Nash. Classification: Unknown.
”

-Quantum Recon Network

Sol, Aether
Gideon

~This is an interrogation! And you aren't helping!~
Cyla's thoughts flare up inside my mind. She connected telepathically to me when my grandmother started questioning her.
~It's rude to communicate telepathically in front of others.~ I answer in my thoughts.
~I know, but you brought me into this awkward situation. It's your fault!~ She mentally screams into my mind while keeping up a nice facade.
~You are doing fine. My grandparents are just trying to get to know you. They may be a little intrusive, but our family always acts a little bold.~ I answer in my thoughts.

My whole family is assembled in the living room. Cyla and I got to sit next to each other on the sofa. My grandparents, aunt and uncle are opposite to us on chairs while Saden is sitting on a bench to our left.
Galia is also here. She was discharged two days ago, but is still in a wheelchair and has to visit the hospital every day for treatment.

“So how is the sex?” Hedeon asks and gets elbowed by Grandmother.

~That's not just bold any more!~ Cyla moves closer and slips an arm around me while keeping up her smiling face. “He's good. The main reason why we are together is sexual attraction. Originally I had hoped that he would bring me to a hotel to do this and that when the date was done.”
~Yet you are shooting back with the same weapons!~ I comment her reply.

“It's so nice that you two found each other. They are a really good match, don't you think so too Hedeon?” Melan asks Grandfather, who nods, and returns her attention to us. “How did the two of you meet each other? Gideon stayed awfully silent about that part of the story.” She asks.

~Now I have them!~ Cyla's thought flares through my mind.
~No! You wouldn't use that knowledge to- my poor Grandfath-~ But it's already too late as Cyla starts explaining.

“To tell the truth, the first time we met was inside a swinger-club for singles who are searching for a little fun!” She answers and seals Hedeon's fate.
My Grandmother's expression turns sour and her eyes flick towards me. “Gideon, I would've never thought-”

I am sorry Grandpa! But this is about my reputation in the family. “I would've never been there if Hedeon hadn't recommended it as one of his favourite restaurants!”

Suddenly Grandpa's head rocks sideways and he drops to the ground, unconscious.

~Did she hit him?~
~I saw nothing!~
~How fast is she?~
~I swear, I didn't know she could do that!~
~A formidable opponent. I've to stay on her good side.~

After two seconds of stunned silence Melan claps her hands together. “It seems like my dear husband got tired. Why don't you stay here for tonight, Cyla? Everyone has their own floor. There is no need to rent a hotel.” She turns to face Arend whose eyes are transfixed on his father in law. “Would you be so nice and help me to carry him to our rooms?”

Arend nods enthusiastically and picks up Hedeon to carry him outside, closely followed by Melan.
Rhiannon also stands up to retreat. “I really hope that it works out between the two of you.”

Saden stands up and hugs Cyla. “I like how you played the two meddlers against each other. You fit into this family!”
Cyla's expression turns troubled. “Thanks, though I am not entirely sure if that's a compliment?”
“It is!” Saden turns to Galia. “I'll accompany you to your room and then I'll return to Paul's place.”

Galia gives me a thumbs up. “I also think you two are a match. Make sure to let me be the maid of honour!”
“T- t- t- that's much too early!” Cyla stutters.

The both of them leave, so I face Cyla and take her hand. “See? It wasn't that bad. They are all very nice people.”
“Your family is very... I don't know how to call it? Lax? But I like that somehow? They gave me the feeling of being at home.” She starts massaging the base of her nose. “My own folk is much more focused on political gain and status. They are thinking of themselves as some kind of aristocracy.”

“That doesn't match you at all?” I ask while leading her up the stairs to my part of the mansion.
“Yes, you could call me the oddball and rebel in the family. That's why I asked my mother to give me a starting capital and went my own way. My father would've never allowed it.
It doesn't mean that I am on bad terms with them, but I can't deal with having them around me for too long.”

“Hmmm.” We enter my floor and I lead Cyla into my bedroom.
“W- wait. Don't I get my own room while I am here?” She asks dumbfounded.
I can't hold myself back any further and hug her. “Why? Didn't you say yourself that you expected something special after the date?”
“Your family is in the house! What if they hear us! There aren't any cameras in here, right?” She starts searching the walls.

“That's actually a disturbing thought.” I admit while caressing her. “But right now I've something else on my mind. Do you know that I've slept over a week in a chair? Right next to Earth's president?”
“I gathered that! It's not helping to get me into the right mood.” She answers and freezes up when I start kissing her neck while using my hands like the video's showed it.

When I open my mind to hers her knees give way and a gasp escapes her lips. I use the chance to push her onto the bed.

~Where did you learn that?~
~I studied.~
~Studied what!?~
~Dirty movies, obviously!~
~That's cheating!~
~It's cheating that I know exactly what feels good to you.~
~Aaahhh! That goes both ways!~

An hour later we are lying in each other's arms. It feels very relaxing to me. “Do you know that I couldn't sleep well without you?”
“Me neither.” She admits. “But what you did tonight calls for revenge. You know that?”
“Revenge?” I ask dumbfounded. Hopefully she isn't too angry for my grandmother's little plot. I went with Melan's enthusiasm because I somehow wanted to introduce Cyla to my family too.

Cyla rolls on top of me and pulls at my cheek. “You have to go through the same ordeal! In two days we'll travel to Mars and there you'll meet my parents!”
I snort. “I guess you already know exactly how to introduce me?”

“Yes, we'll start with you being a pilot of the SDF. It isn't even a lie and it will infuriate my father. When he has shown himself as the bastard he is, we'll reveal the fact that you have more money than him! Just to humiliate him.” She starts chuckling. “That'll teach him modesty! All you have to do is being yourself, Gideon.”

I get my fair share of Cyla's emotions on the matter, so I start smiling too. “Cyla... deep down in your heart you are evil.”

Sol, Earth, Australia
Rob

“I am so glad that you are fine, Samantha. Or should I call you Galia from now on?” I ask, talking over the phone with her. She just called me to my complete surprise. I already thought I had lost a good friend.

“We've a lot of trouble down here on Earth. It's not easy to explain everything that happened. The general public wants proof that we are doing something about the illegal experiments and the higher ups in the parliament are going nuts about those asteroids.”

“Hahaha. Sorry. The agent who aided you overstepped his boundaries a little. Our elders failed to draw a clear line on what he is allowed to do.” She answers.

“I am sure that I'll be able to get the situation under control. Your man was very thorough in cleaning up the main culprits of this plot. He even left me with more than enough evidence to draw the attention away from your society.” I don't want our idiotic politicians to start a war with people who can throw asteroids at Earth.

“Actually our elders informed me that they intend to send an envoy to Earth. Of course completely incognito. This whole situation wouldn't have happened if we would've had a way to talk directly to Earth's government.”

It's certainly better than having a voiceless threat hanging above our heads. “I think that's a really good idea. I guess the situation simply went out of control. I'll do my best to ensure that something like this is impossible in Earth's future government. Your agent left me in a position to do a lot of good and I intend to use it. Will you return once you are better?”

“Maybe. But surely not as full time spy. Maybe I'll apply for the job as envoy.” She answers hesitantly.

“That would be a wonderful idea. I want you to know that there is absolutely no problem with it. And please inform your agent that I am really thankful for his help and for not killing me.”

“He threatened to kill you!?”

“Several times... I think he was a little edgy about his assignment. Ah, and one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Could I have my rocking chair back? I really liked that one and I think I know exactly who stole it!”

“... I don't think it's still on Earth. Sorry.”

“I see.”

Sol, Mars Colony, Underground City VII
Gideon

Cyla is pressing the buzzer on her parent's door like a madman while holding hands with me. She got really enthusiastic about showing me off.

“You'll destroy the button.” I point out and take another look at the ceiling of the huge underground city. The Mars colonies were built underground inside huge caverns. The ceiling is about two hundred metres high and plastered with dozens of miniature suns unlike the single one on Oibras.

“If I don't do this it'll take my parents an eternity to get going. They always bury themselves in work and refuse to answer the door.” Cyla smiles.

“This cavern is huge. I should have visited this place sooner. If you take into account that Mars has one of the biggest populations... where did they transport all the excess materials from digging these caverns?” The surface of Mars must have visible marks of the work down here.

She raises one eyebrow. “What do you think Olympus Mons is?”

I guess that makes sense.

My thoughts are interrupted when a woman with flaming red hair and Cyla's green eyes opens the door. There are red patterns running all over her skin. At first glance I thought that they were tattoos, but they look more like a natural discolouration of the skin after a closer inspection. She seems to have gone through a mutation like my grandmother.
Her face is slender and her whole appearance screams that she is a strict person. I notice that she is wearing an office suit despite being caught at home and by surprise.

“Cyl? What are you doing here?” She asks.

“Hi, Mom! Surprise!” Cyla steps forward and hugs her mother. Then she lets go and takes my hand. “I want to introduce my boyfriend to you. Gideon Alvar.”
“Boyfriend!?” Her eyes flick back and forth between me and Cyla.

I step forward and offer my hand. “It's nice to meet you Mrs. Kassidy Estene. Cyla already told me a lot about her family.”
Kassidy takes my hand with a dumbfounded expression. Then she squints her eyes upon noticing the light in my pupils. “How old are you?”

“One year older than me, Mom.” Cyla jumps in. “It's rude to ask someone for his age.”
“I guess it's a legitimate question.” I reply. “I am twenty-three and the reason for my eyes being already a little affected is that I got into an accident.”

“I see.” She steps aside and I take her up on the offer to enter. Behind my back she starts whispering with Cyla. “Why didn't you say anything? Since when are you two together?”
“We know each other since three months, but it's only after the first real date that we decided to become official!” Cyla answers.

“Three months? How can you be in any kind of serious relationship when you were on a SDF mission for the last three months?” Her mother barks.
Cyla simply gestures at me. “He was on the same ship as me. We were together day and night, so I am fairly sure that our relationship isn't a fluke.”
Kassidy starts massaging her temple. “Your father won't be happy about this.”

“That's the point!” Cyla grabs my hand and pulls me further into the house.

A few minutes later I am facing Gregor Estene, a grumpy man with a beard and a really impressive physique. I can tell from afar that he is taking care of his body. He is filling out the jacket he is wearing quite nicely. He has also a mutation, but it's minor compared to his wife. All he's got to deal with are long, pointy ears. I must say that he is a really sad excuse for an elf. Long ears and a muscular body don't mix!

Up until now he avoided interrupting Cyla's story, who did the talking so far, but now his patience is at an end.

“Cyla. What are you doing to this family? Not only are you never showing your face at home, now you also introduce a random freighter pilot as your boyfriend!” He jabs a finger at me. “Does he even have the proper bloodline qualifications?”

Not entirely sure of what to say I open my mind to Cyla. ~Are you sure that this guy is your father?~
~Yes, he is an asshole, isn't he? There are times when I actually think that my mother cheated on him when she got pregnant with me.~
~I wouldn't rule that out.~

“I don't like him.” I mumble which earns me an angry glare from Gregor.
Then I compose myself before giving an answer. “Excuse me, Sir. I am a full techno-mage with access to a great part of the spells which are attributed to electro-magic. My family is mostly working in the area of public service. My grandfather is the representative of Aether if you heard about him.”

“At least he isn't a complete nobody.” Gregor looks down on me like a flea.

That's when we are interrupted by a couple entering the living room. The woman looks similar to Cyla, but is clearly older with a rounder face. She has a curly mane in contrast to Cyla's straight pony tail.
The man looks like the average business man with brown hair and brown eyes. I can't recognize any redeeming features on him.

The woman's expression turns into a smug smile upon seeing us. “Cyla! How nice to see you.”

Cyla introduces me to her. “That's my sister, Yara Estene and her fiancee, Ryles Brenton. His business owns several IM production lines and is the main provider of electronics on Mars.” Then Cyla follows with a mental remark towards me. ~She is Dad's favourite.~
“Sis, this is my boyfriend, Gideon Alvar.”

I greet them, taking an interest in Ryles. “You own several IM lines? It must cost a lot to pay those off. The elders don't like it when this technology is used in the commercial sector.”
Ryles's cheek twitches. “Yes, most of the profit disappears into paying the patent holder. But it's still a lucrative business.”

“Why don't we stop talking about money? We should be happy that Cyla found someone she likes. I'll get all of you something to drink.” Kassidy dusts off her clothes and stands up.
Gregor sighs. “Well, a loser will always stay a loser and mingle with his own.”

~Did he just insult us in a very roundabout way?~ I ask Cyla mentally.
~Yes. I think it's time to spring the trap.~ Cyla answers.

Cyla raises her hand. “Yes, about IM lines! I actually wanted to make that the topic of my next business! The old one got busted as you've heard. I've bought myself into StarDrive Corp as a subcontractor.”

Gregor snorts and stands up. Then he walks to the window. “Don't be delusional, child. That's a big fish you are talking about. They'll eat you, chew and spit out the bones. Don't expect me to get you back to your feet afterwards.”

“Oh, I think that'll be no problem. As it happens I got acquainted with the fiancee of StarDrive's owner. She is a really nice person and Gideon's cousin. As it happens I also have the patent holder for the IM lines sitting right next to me.” She turns my head towards her and gives me a French kiss.

A rumble from the window prompts me to glance sideways. Apparently Gregor just lost consciousness and fell to the ground.
“Gregor!” Kassidy runs over to check on her husband.

~That's exactly how I imagined it!~ Cyla's thoughts and her amusement echo through my mind.
~You are so evil! I love you!~

35. ~Kaus Borealis.~

“
Earth-Magic is settled in the area of influencing physical matter and your own body. It's prone to body enhancement spells and allows the summoning of golems.
”

-Magical Affinties

Sol, Mars Colony, Underground City VII
Gideon

“Do what you want. I don't care.” Gregor waves his hand at Cyla. He had a short blackout and is now lying on the living room's sofa. “You were always the most independent one. Why are you even here? I am sure that you'll do what you want to do. No matter what we think about it.”

“Just to show off Gideon and to introduce him to you.” Cyla answers. “After he manoeuvred me into meeting his folk I had no choice but to do the same. Not that it bothers me since I am earnest about the relationship.”

Kassidy sits down next to us and hugs Cyla. “If it's like that, then I am glad that you've found someone you care about. Be sure to pay us a visit whenever you have the time. Whatever this husband of mine says.”

We continue our conversation with Kassidy while ignoring Gregor, Cyla's sister and Ryles who turned strangely quiet. It's well after evening when we finally part ways.
After having had more contact with Cyla's family than I ever wished for in my entire life, I let out a deep sigh upon leaving the house.

I reach my hand around Cyla's waist and pull her closer while walking back to the teleporter which is scheduled to take us back to the Forge.
“Your mother seems to be the only sensible person of the whole bunch. Somehow I don't want to meet your other siblings.” I voice my thoughts.

“Yes, Mom is the heart and soul of the family. Without her everyone would only care about his own business. It's not like my father is a person whom you look forward to meet on a regular basis. Even if he is related to you” Cyla leans into me and smirks. “Though I think you won't get around introductions once my brothers hear about this. They are very protective of me.”

Great. More trouble.

That's when I get a message from the SDF. I overlay the text with my field of vision and whistle. “Seems like we are getting visitors.”
“I believe I got the same message.” Cyla informs me.

I quickly read through our orders. “Seems like they are putting a whole fleet together to stop this one ship. The question is... do we take this assignment?” My eyes wander to Cyla.
She answers my questioning gaze in the same manner. Then she shrugs her shoulders. “We're the most battle experienced pilots. As long as they don't get any strange ideas like putting us on different ships or forbidding our relationship I am inclined to stay within the SDF until they get their act together. I am not a fan of military organisations.”

“I want to see them try assigning me to a ship other than my own! That I really want to see!” I shake my fist at an imaginary enemy. Then another thought hits me. “But I like the idea of being alone with you for a few more weeks.”
“You've read the part where they assigned scientists, linguists and other academics to your ship? They added two big crew-modules for them. They hope to communicate with the aliens.”

“What!?” I read the whole message again in a frenzy and find what Cyla was talking about. A hundred new crewmen were added in place of one of the resource storage units.
“Your ship was designed with a lot of extra space to fulfil the requirements of a freighter. Apparently the organizational staff of the SDF used that chance to add a first contact team to the Coeus.” Cyla analyses the situation. “The other new SDF vessels in the fleet are designed as pure warships. Even the mobile battle station doesn't have enough life support to carry that many people.”

Something stirs inside my belly upon thinking about having random people aboard my ship! “How many years will I get for jettisoning them to space?”
Cyla purses her lips. “I think locking our compartment will do. It's not like they are allowed to access the cockpit. They aren't pilots.” She starts scanning through the list of names who were assigned to my ship. “Oh, I like that one! Such fortune! I wanted to meet him anyway!”

A tight feeling wavers through my chest as I search the list of names myself. Who caused Cyla to call out in delight? Is this what jealousy feels like? Then I find a certain name among the faceless who were assigned as security guards. “Ed.”
“Your dad! You two will get to spent a lot of time with each other!” Cyla pats my back.

“He isn't really my father.” More like a provider of gene material, but saying that loud sounds awkward. Even to me.

Kaus Borealis, Fast Cruiser Tallagan
Ilin Kleio

“They are mocking me, Ayo Ekun.” I draw a Zeen meditation rune into the sand to emphasize my impossible situation. “The ambassadors are requesting a full profile of the alien race. Don't they understand that it's impossible to make such a report?”

I follow with an obscene gesture by my third hand to show my emotions on the matter. “All we know is that we know nothing. We don't know how they look like aside from a few blurry images by the first drone. We don't know how they live. The only thing we know is that they are obviously not interested in talking and that they are pissed off. They sent that Drazi colony back to the stone age. Those robots ate all their technology!”

I shudder upon remembering the images. Those robots took everything apart what they got their tiny pincers on. It was almost as if they were studying everything besides the Drazi. They were simply ignored while the robots kept reproducing and eating.
The Drazi tried to destroy them, but they multiplied faster. I hope the phantoms never use this weapon on one of our worlds. In the end the Drazi even blew up their zero-modules to stop the infection. It didn't help.

“What's destruction to us may be information gathering to them.” Ayo, my old friend, wobbles amusedly and uses one of his stick like appendages to draw a line into the sand. The Zeen are a strange cross of an insect and a jelly fish. They have four chitin armoured legs and an almost transparent body. Their head has no neck, but it isn't needed since they have eight eyes which give them a view of three hundred sixty degrees. Their two arms are long with two joints and many chitin pincers and tentacles at the end to manipulate small objects.

The Zeen need a very dry environment. That's why Ayo is spending almost all his time in his habitat which is an empty room that's filled with sand and has controlled humidity.
He stays buried in the sand most of the time and only comes out when he has a visitor.

“That's why I volunteered as a translator. It's exciting to be the first one who gets the chance to study a new language.” One of Ayo's round eyes focuses for a moment on me. “Your leaders seem to be very dependent on their subordinates. Maybe you should focus less on what you can't tell them. Tell them the obvious instead. Once they realize the stupidity of their demands they will stop making them.”

I raise my real hands and signal that I give up. “Okay. What would you tell them.”

Ayo answers by curling up the thin membrane with which he creates sound to speak. “I would tell them that the others value their privacy since they like to hide. They are very patient since they never sought contact with your people.”

“That might have other reasons. Back then we were fighting each other.” I interrupt. “They could be pacifists.”

“It doesn't change the fact that they are patient. And they are on a completely different technological level than the other known races. I am hoping to find a complete new world-view. Maybe they are offering us a new philosophy like the Urrapiops.” The Zeen wriggles in anticipation. “We are currently translating one of their holy stories about the beginning of the universe.”

“Nobody besides the Zeen understands the wicked minds of the Urr. Talking to a plant is easier. How much did you translate and how long did it take you?” I ask. The Urr are a living hive-mind which encases an entire world. There is a hypothesis that the Urr may be actually older than the Zeen. The only problem is that talking to the Urr is like talking to a person with multiple personality disorder on world level.

Ayo pulls his hands close to his body. “We think that we've identified eight coherent sentences.”
“Oh, eight already? Last time I checked you had also eight and you have been working on it for over a hundred years. If you keep it up you'll have the book translated when the universe ends.”

“All it takes is one big breakthrough and all the other pieces fall into place on their own. It's like that with all languages.” Ayo answers in a chipped manner.
“I think it's just bugging your species that you can't talk to the Urr. You should stop seeing it as a problem of translation. From our point of view the Urr are crazy. You never know if you are talking to a child, the most brilliant mind, or an idiot savant. I think something went wrong when they fused their minds together. It can't be healthy to have the minds of your entire species inside your head.”

My little speech is suddenly interrupted by an alarm. The habitat's warm, white lights turn blueish and a hologram appears in the middle of the empty room.
Ayo scuttles to the hologram and starts manipulating it. As a representative of the Zeen he has full access to the ship's sensor logs and can observe everything that's happening on the bridge.

The captain's voice echoes through the room. “It seems like we are about to have our official first contact with the phantoms.”
“Weren't we supposed to arrive in a week in their system?” Ayo asks, interrupting the hectic work on the bridge.

“The phantoms apparently don't know or don't care about our schedule. At least the technicians were able to improve our sensors. Otherwise we wouldn't have seen them.” The captain answers and forwards a tactical representation of the situation to Ayo's hologram.

Ayo gestures with one of his appendages and the tactical display is enlarged. “So the Tallagan took the explored FTL-route from Nash to Kaus Borealis. From there we wanted to go to 93825, which is the shortest way to our destination. It just so happens that the phantoms are parking their butts at the entrance to that FTL-route. One might think they are intending to deny us going any further.”

I snort. “One might think? There are a little too many red dots for my liking.” There seem to be at least fifty ships with the mass of the Tallagan. In addition there is a big, huge red dot which has to be several times more massive than any other ship I know of. “Did they pull an asteroid into the FTL-route to block it?”

The Zeen points at the cloud of red dots. “I think they knew that we are coming and came out to greet us. It makes no sense to dispatch that many ships to block a single FTL-route. Of course it could be that they simply have a lot of ships. But if they have so many ships to spare for each FTL-route, then your people and the Drazi are... are...”
Ayo gestures for help. “How do your people say? Cut off your hands instead of fighting a lost battle?”

I blink. “I think you mean: 'Better not to fight a losing battle and cut off a hand, than fight it and die.'” But I get what Ayo means. If they have that many ships at each possible FTL-route to their systems that far out, then they could simply overrun us. “If that's not the case, Ayo. It would mean we are at their mercy.”

“Don't worry. For some unknown reason most known species are at a similar technological and expansive level. That's why I favour the possibility that they knew we were coming. Your people already assumed that they have FTL communication. Probably they have installed stealthed sensor platforms in every system they visited.” The Zeen calls up a map of the previous star systems. “There were some systems with many asteroids on our course. With their stealth-tech it should be easy to monitor us without being seen.”

I start gnawing at the thumb of my third hand. “It's all wrong.”

Ayo turns his body to face me. “What's wrong.”

“Their technology. They have FTL communication. Their ships have laughable shields, but they have gravity propulsion. Their stealth-tech gives us nothing to see but shadows, but their weapons are mediocre at best. Yet they have self-replicating robots. And we haven't even seen their method of travelling from star to star. It's like their technology took a completely different path from ours.” I complain.

Ayo starts jumping on all fours. “Isn't that exciting? Oh. Look! I think they are dropping their stealth!”

36. ~Non Verbal.~

“
Shamanistic-Magic allows for a whole group of healing and clairvoyance spells. Many people who are gifted in this area choose the path of a doctor.
”

-Magical Affinities

Kaus Borealis, Coeus
Gideon

We are sitting together in the canteen of living-module two and drinking coffee. For some reason Cyla organized regular meetings with Ed. She likes the idea of us getting familiar with each other.

“I heard you called one of the linguists a Lazy Sod?” Ed asks me in an inquisitive manner. “There were several complaints about you insulting people in public.”
I shrug my shoulders. “If I said something offensive, then I did so because it's the truth.”
“What did he do?” Ed asks.

“He wanted me to reconfigure one of the ship's military class lasers to a communication laser. Apparently there isn't enough bandwidth for all the linguist's communication attempts. I told him in a friendly manner to fuck off, but he didn't give up.”
I take sip from my coffee. “So I took a look at his attempt to create an alphabet based on the periodic table of the elements. Apparently the periodic table didn't have enough elements for his purposes, so he simply invented new ones and added them where he saw fit.”

“Aaand you didn't like the idea of inventing new elements?” Cyla shortens my story to the essential point.

I put down my cup. “Hell, no! The periodic table is there for a reason. There is no such thing as new or unnamed elements. Someone who doesn't understand that has no reason to be out here in space where a small mistake costs lives.”

Raising a finger I start making my point. “I've read countless stupid stories where the author simply uses a new element to solve everything. Bullshit! Once a book starts like this you can as well throw it into the campfire.”

Then I return to the actual story at hand. “Regarding the idiot who intended to use the table of the elements. Let's suppose that the aliens realize that he sent them a table of the elements. How the hell are the aliens supposed to understand the random addition of imaginary elements? They'll think we are nuts when we add VocaloidNumberNine between Hydrogen and Helium! Who let this guy onto my ship?”

“Maybe that's the reason why he didn't get the bandwidth to try it.” Ed mumbles to himself.

“How are the communication attempts going?” Cyla asks. “We were too busy to set up the asteroid habitat for the contact team. Do they really intend to invite the Forlorn over? Is it even safe to have them in the same environment as us?”

“Apparently there should be no problem. They are breathing the same gases as us.” I answer. “Of course our doctors will check them for bugs which could harm us. They already got a few samples from them. But so far it looks like we can't infect each other. The Forlorn chemistry is based on copper and the Zeen seems to be something that doesn't even classify as alive according to our doctors.”

“You've informed yourself well.” Cyla raises an eyebrow and studies me.
“I've no interest in dying to something that I can't even see.” I answer.

Ed spreads his hands. “The eggheads are trying their best, but there are some translation problems with the alien language. Apparently some of their concepts don't really translate to ours and vice versa. We are stuck at the level of simple concepts and pictures. We can show them what we want and hope that they are interpreting it right.”

I snort. “So it's the cup-problem.”

“Cup-problem?” Cyla asks.

I raise my cup of coffee. “Hier, nimm das.” Then I place it back on the table. “What did I say?”
“This is coffee?” She asks.
“Why not liquid? White? Black? Milk? Hot? Good? Inedible? I could have simply offered it to you or given you an order.” I ask.
“I get the problem. So what did you really say?” She asks.

“That you should take it.” I answer.

Ed nods slowly. “Maybe meeting the Forlorn in the habitat will get things going.”

Kaus Borealis, Asteroid Habitat
Ilin Kleio

“They built all this in just a few days.” I wander through the foreign habitat. It's nothing fancy, but there are a few buildings to live in and something like a small sun is shining above us.

Ayo seems less impressed than me though. “They did nothing more than pulling an asteroid to this location. Then they hollowed it out and sealed it air tight. That's something my people have been doing for aeons. What's far more impressive is the artificial gravity! I don't understand how they are doing it, but it has something to do with those runes.”

The Zeen are far more advanced than us, so Ayo has less reason to marvel at the achievements of these outsiders. I let my eyes wander to the strange bipedal aliens. Our linguists and theirs are trying to work out each other's languages for days, but it doesn't look like we'll ever be able to understand these people.

“Shouldn't you be over there, Ayo? You are here to learn their language, aren't you?” I ask.

“I am learning. I am listening to every word they are saying over there.” Ayo answers. “Actually I've almost worked out their syntax. Though I am not sure about many of their words. I am missing a vital point.”

Ayo can hear them from here? “Your race has keen ears and you people seem to like doing things the hard way. What's the point in learning the grammar before you know what the words mean?”
“I could also ask why you aren't doing your job, Ilin.” Ayo replies.
“I am a psychoanalyst. I can't do any more than I've already done without being able to speak to them, or visiting one of their cities.” I answer.

“Then what have you gathered so far?” The Zeen asks and starts digging inside his tool sack.
“Nothing much. They seem to fulfil different roles in their society, much like us. I am not sure if they have jobs or a caste system. There seem to be the linguists and scientists who are trying to communicate with us. Then there are those with the masks. They are passive and doing nothing besides stopping us from entering their ship. I suppose they are guards or warriors.”

“Have you noticed the ones in black clothing?” Ayo asks and unearths a strange tool.

I scratch myself with my second hand. “Yes, but they are rarely here. I thought they are some kind of leaders, but it doesn't seem so. Otherwise they would be here more often.”
“I've placed a great amount of attention on them. Do you know that there seem to be only two of them?” Ayo asks while manipulating the tool.

“No? I can't tell their faces from each other. I've only noticed that they seem to have two genders and some of them made very eccentric changes to their bodies.” The linguist with three eyes and two mouths is especially disturbing to me. Aren't they screening their children for abnormalities?

Ayo kneels down and starts chipping away one of the runes on the street's sidewalk. “I think they are technicians. And I've built a special relationship to one of them.”
“What are you doing? They'll get angry if you destroy their habitat!” I try to stop Ayo, but the Zeen ignores me.

“I've damaged this rune several times in the recent days and the male technician always appears to fix it. He is also very angry at me and chatters a lot of words which I never heard from the other linguists.” Ayo explains.

“Ah, so you are doing it to complete your dictionary.” I mumble.

“Like I said. Sometimes you are missing just one piece of information and once you get it everything else falls into place. I am also interested in those two because they communicated with each other without talking. Though that's just an assumption of mine.” Ayo finishes destroying the rune and starts floating. He stretches one of his long arms towards me. “Give me your hand. The effect is restricted to a three metre radius.”

I take Ayo's hand and pull him to me. “You took a great risk in destroying that rune without knowing what could happen.” Are all Zeen insane?
“It wasn't a risk. I saw the technician fixing it before I destroyed it to call him back.” Ayo answers and points at someone behind me. “There he is. I am still amazed at how fast he is. One might think that he is always waiting close by.”

I turn around and find myself being glared at by one of the aliens. Then it starts talking to Ayo, which sounds definitely less friendly than the conversational tone of the other aliens.
Ayo turns to me. “He is a very creative one. Do you know that he never repeated himself while calling me names?”

The alien walks past us, apparently unaffected by the zero gravity zone. Then he starts repairing the chipped rune with a melting tool.
I try to walk closer to see what he is doing, but Ayo holds me back. “You'll float away if you approach before he's repaired it. He has his own gravity field and is cold-hearted enough to let you float until he's repaired the rune. Then you simply drop to the ground.”

“How can they have a mobile gravity field small enough to be carried by a person?” I gasp, then I return my attention to the alien's work. “It doesn't do more than melt the metal. There is nothing inside or behind the rune. No electronics!”

When the alien is done it returns to stand in front of us, like daring us to destroy the rune once more.
I whisper to Ayo. “I think it's really angry this time.” Suddenly the alien reaches out and touches both of us.

~Interrupt me once more during my free time and I'll space you fuckers!~ Then the alien lets go and walks away.

“Did it just talk in my mind!?” My head snaps to Ayo.
The Zeen nods. “Yes, cool, right? And I think he just gave me the final hint at solving the language mystery. I'll provoke it a little more to get more information. I've got to get it to tell me a sentence in voice and mind language at the same time.” Then Ayo hurries to follow the alien.

“I wouldn't anger someone who just threatened to space me, Ayo!?” But the Zeen doesn't listen. Damn!

37. ~State of things.~

“
Pyro-Magic allows control over temperature. It's basically energy manipulation in its simplest form.
Yet all pyro-magic is bound to the law that energy can't be created or destroyed, just transferred from one form to another.
”

-Magical Affinities

Kaus Borealis, Coeus
Gideon

“I hate it!” I grumble.
“Why? You were the one who found out that telepathy works. The others were all too afraid to use it on the aliens. Who knows what could happen if you connect to an alien mind?” Ed takes another sip of his coffee. “At least we now can understand and talk to each other. The Zeen is very quick on the uptake in regards to languages.”

“It would be fine if he wouldn't stick to me as soon as I enter the habitat. He also found out that I was trying to confuse him by speaking German.” I answer, annoyed.
“You shouldn't have used your second language to confuse him. Maybe he would've learned English even earlier without your misdirection. You've found your first male friend aside from Paul. Isn't that something to be happy about?” Ed asks. Then he raises his cup of coffee to gesture at the people around us. “It's just sad that you seem to be better at dealing with aliens than with your own race.”

“He isn't a friend. I am not even sure if the Zeen have a gender. Ayo just wants to know how the gravity runes work.” I answer.
“And did you tell him?” Ed leans forward.

“Of course not. I just gave him a rough outline on the theory behind magic to distract him. It was by no means helpful to create their own rune circuits. I am not even sure if the aliens are able to use magic. Even a magical circuit needs an operator with magical abilities.” Maybe I should try to let them use one of the small circuits. “I think their nervous system is missing the ability to sense energies like ours.”

Ed nods slowly. “Our scientists are assuming something similar. How is the situation with the battle station. Have they seen it?”

“No, I think the upgraded stealth systems are working just fine. Of course we can only guarantee that it's undetectable while it doesn't move. We let it drift very close to the alien ship and they haven't moved nor mentioned the station. I doubt that they would simply ignore the weapon platform with a length of three kilometres while praising the asteroid habitat. It may be that they outperform us in terms of energy production, but they have nothing like our stealth-tech.” I let my mind wander to Ilin Kleio and Ayo, the two aliens who are frequently bugging me and Cyla for communication sessions.

The Forlorn are bipedal humanoids with sturdy, backwards bent legs. Though someone decided to give them more arms than any being would ever need. They have two big main arms to manipulate heavy objects, though they also use them to move around.
On the chest between the main arms are three smaller arms with delicate fingers. The head is configured similar to a human's, but is missing nose and ears.

The Forlorn contact team was very focused on apologizing for the initial meeting between our races. They confirmed that the three ships which initiated the battle at Oibras belonged to the Drazi. The fourth ship belonged to the Forlorn and was hunting them.

They are hoping for trade and to create a peaceful relationship with us as their neighbours. Though I am not sure what we could need from them. The only thing that comes to mind is that energy source of theirs. They call it a zero-point-generator.
We already tried to steal the information from the Drazi, but whenever my IMs got close to their power generators or computer cores they blew them up.

Apparently there exists something like a galactic society of races which the Forlorn and the Zeen are a part of. They regularly meet close to the galaxy's centre. I am not yet sure what's needed to join this exclusive club.

The Drazi don't belong to that society. They are regarded as pirates and a pest which you can't coexist with. The civilised races charged the entire species with crimes from piracy to genocide and found them guilty. That's why they are free game to exterminate for any race that encounters them.

Like I already observed they have a real problem with population pressure. That's the reason why they are slowly spreading across the galaxy despite being treated like vermin.
Their point of origin was close to the galactic centre where they had several hundred star systems under their control.

At some point they started waging war on one of their neighbouring species and brought them to the brink of extinction. A coalition of older races who saw them as a threat started to form. Especially since communication and making treaties with them is almost impossible.
Once the Drazi reach a certain population threshold they split into multiple groups and start fighting each other.

That apparently happens on a regular basis in their society, which makes it impossible to have them as neighbours.
The races who felt threatened by the Drazi formed a coalition and crushed the Drazi's core worlds. Unfortunately they only caused a huge transmigration wave by doing so.

By now the centre of the galaxy is almost cleaned up, but the fleeing waves of Drazi settlers are slowly wandering outwards along our spiral arm while being chased by said coalition.
Their sworn task borderlines on fanaticism to me. Yes, the Drazi are a threat, but hunting them down among billions of stars seems to be an impossible task.

The only reason why the coalition isn't fighting a completely lost battle is because of the Drazi's low technological level. Apparently they need worlds to settle because they aren't able to build independent habitats with closed environments.

The Forlorn are located closer to the galaxy's centre and experienced attacks by the first Drazi scouts since several years. They also try to keep a bubble of several dozen light years clear of Drazi settled worlds.

Sol has a few more years before the shit really hits the fan. Once the real emigration wave reaches our worlds we'll have a lot of trouble.

“All this is causing me headaches. Did the elders already give their opinion on the situation?” I ask Ed.
He shakes his head. “They are still searching through all the information and trying to make sense of it. We are learning a lot about the galaxy's political state. The Forlorn and the Zeen also invited us to visit the next gathering of civilised races.”

“I think I'll search for Cyla and relax a little.” I stand up and say my goodbyes to Ed, then I make my way to Cyla's current location. The ship's computer says that she is inside the habitat.
After leaving the living-module I head directly to the habitat by using the gangway which is connecting the asteroid with the Coeus.

I find Cyla standing on the habitat's central plaza. She is with Ilin and Ayo. The Forlorn turns her attention immediately towards me. “I am happy to see you. I just learned that you and Cyla are brood-mates. That explains a lot about you two being always together.”

“Brood-mates?” I ask.
“Two people who are sharing close proximity for the sake of procreation.” Ayo follows with an explanation. “The Forlorn don't have a concept of platonic love, though they care for offspring that's related to them if they get old enough to talk. They lay one egg every two years and dump them where they are standing. It's up to luck if they hatch or not. The hatchlings aren't even regarded as people until they start talking. Sometimes it's quite depressing to talk with Ilin about her offspring.”

“Platonic love?” My eyes wander to Cyla. ~What were you guys talking about?~
~It's hard to explain. They started asking about relationships between members of our species. Then they got fixated on our relationship.~
I see. Then I ask. ~Though I wouldn't call us brood-mates. Don't they have a lighter form of relationship?~

Cyla crosses her arms in front of her chest. ~Apparently not. And what do you mean, lighter form? I for example want to have kids at some point.~
Kids!? Me as a father!? ~Could we postpone this discussion. I don't think I am ready for such a responsibility at this point in time.~ Yes! That was a good answer. Thank you for your training, Grandmother.

“I think they are doing it again.” Ayo interrupts our conversation and saves me from an annoying discussion. “Are all members of your species born with the ability to talk to each other's minds? It reminds me of the Urr, though you are doing it on a much smaller scale.”

“No, there are affinities for certain abilities among the bloodlines. Telepathy belongs to that.” Cyla answers.
I continue to follow the conversation without much interest until Ilin reveals that her scientists have analysed the blood samples which they got from us in return for their own.

“Your DNA seems to consist out of two or more intertwined DNA strands which are able to recombine randomly with each other upon breaking up. The fascinating thing is that while they are forming new combinations, they only allow those which work out for the organism.” Ilin makes a gesture for the unknown among her people. “We've never seen something like it before. Your ability to mutate seems to be without limits.”

Maybe I should introduce them to my mother. She likes manipulating DNA. Now that I think about it I've avoided taking her calls for a while. I should probably answer her the next time we are in Sol. Just to see what she is up to.

We spent two more hours with the aliens until Ayo calls it quits. The Zeen can't be in our environment for extended periods of time. He needs much dryer air. Preferably close to zero water. He is actually slowly poisoning himself while running through our habitat.

On our way back to the command module I get an update on the Forlorn society from Cyla. Apparently they live in something akin to Earth's Roman Empire during the time in which the emperor didn't have absolute power, but had to share it with the senate.
All in all I am surprised that the Forlorn and Zeen are similar enough to us to have a conversation with them. But if their story about the civilised races is true, then there is much strange folk out there.

We arrive at the command module and I close the door behind us. Upon turning around I suddenly find Cyla standing directly in front of me. “We haven't finished a certain discussion.”
“Which discussion do you mean?” I ask, finding myself being cornered against the door.

She reaches for her chest and starts unbuttoning her uniform. “The one where we have kids and you sounded very unhappy about such a future possibility. I just want there to be no misunderstandings on such an important topic. Having no clear understanding on something like this could prove fatal for a relationship.”
“No, unhappy is a too strong word for it. I just said that I am not ready to take care of a kid.” I answer. I've honestly no idea why I should want one.

Her clothes drop to the ground, piece by piece, in a very erotic way. She places my hands on her chest and starts removing my shirt. “Yet you are willing to take the risk of floating my boat every day.”
“We have the treatment, so the risk is small.” All young adults get a chip implanted above their collarbones. The chip prevents conception by releasing chemicals into the blood stream. It's necessary to control the birthrate in a society where the people stay in peak condition for up to two hundred years.

“But the risk is still there.” She reaches into my pants and starts moving her hands while kissing my chest with electrifying kisses. “There is no such thing as complete safety and we are doing it almost every day.”
The sensation is mortifying, so I close my eyes to enjoy being served like this. But one moment before sending me over the edge she pulls back and steps away. “So you weren't saying that you'll run off if the contraceptives ever fail?”

Of course not! This woman! “I didn't mean it like that!”
She wanders over to the sofa and gets onto it on all fours. “I am just warning you that I won't abort a pregnancy should it ever happen.”

She is evil! She brought me to the brink and now she is waving her butt at me while telling me something like this! I shed the rest of my clothes in a hurry and grab her hips to take her from behind. “You know very well that I couldn't be without you.”
She moans and moves herself against me. Then she curls backwards to kiss me. “I love you too. Especially when you are attacking me like this!”

38. ~Bad dreams.~

“
Summoning-Magic allows the creation of magical constructs with their own minds. Sprites and Artificial Intelligences fall under that category. It's very important not confuse them with simple elemental summonings which have no mind of their own and can be called forth by almost all magicians. Elemental summonings don't move on their own and can be regarded as pure puppets.
A magician who creates a sprite copies a part of his own consciousness into the new being. Therefore the creator of such a being has to take responsibility for his creation. If the creation is independent enough to be regarded as its own being, it gets all the rights of an independent being.
Sprites don't necessarily have to be created from dead material like metal. They can also consist out of pure energy or even living matter like plants or flesh.
”

-Magical Affinities

Kaus Borealis, Coeus
Cyla

I awaken to the moans of pain. At first my consciousness doesn't want to fully awaken, but then I rub my eyes and realize that I am in our bedroom.
My mind reaches for the computer and I switch on the lights. The light blinds me for a short moment, then I look around. The one who is moaning right next to me is Gideon. “Gideon?” I reach for his shoulder and shake him, but he doesn't wake up.

He is shaking and burning hot with fever. His body is covered in sweat. Reaching for his mind I get no answer and that's when I really start to get frightened. The energy within him is just a small, flickering spark.
I roll over and hug him. Then I concentrate on the teleportation spell, abandoning all regulations. The newly attached living module one has a complete healing facility with two competent doctors. There has to be medical personnel on a ship with a crew of this size.

I quickly check my point of destination by accessing a security camera in the medical facility's wardroom. Then I teleport us, taking a part of the bed and Gideon with me.
We appear in a white clinical room. Before I could do anything, the half of the bed which I took with me, tilts and falls over.

I try to shield Gideon as we drop to the ground and he falls onto me. Voices of surprise call out around us.
“Help! He doesn't wake up!” I call out, but even as I do so medical personnel lifts Gideon off of me. I get to my feet and try to get to Gideon, but two nurses, a man and a woman, are blocking me from doing so. The man looks rather embarrassed while the woman gestures for him to turn around.

That's when I realize that I am standing butt naked in the middle of the room. I bend down and cover myself with the part of the blanket that got teleported with us. I can't help myself. Clothes are kind of inconvenient when you are sharing a bed with your lover.
One of the men who are tending to Gideon turns to me and asks. “Did he have a recent magic induced mutation?”

“Yes.” I answer. “But that was weeks ago. He grabbed a power line to cast a huge spell when he was forced to do so. The doctors already discharged him.”
“It seems like he has a relapse. We've to stabilize him.” The medical personnel lifts Gideon onto a bed and wheels him out of the wardroom.

I try to follow, but the two nurses stop me again. “You have to stay here.” The female nurse offers me a plain robe and I take it.
The man is still staring at me, so I give him a glare that says everything about his future, should he continue to check me out. After he's turned around I hurry to put on the robe.

The woman steps closer. “Please explain in detail what happened.”
“I woke up and he was in pain. I tried to wake him up, but he didn't react to me. I couldn't even connect to his mind.” I wince. “That's bad, right?” I know that it is.
She steps forward and takes my hand. “Don't worry. We've the best medical personnel here. He couldn't have fallen sick at a better place. He'll surely be up and about in no time.”

I feel her thoughts and realize that she is trying to comfort me. “Please don't lie to me. Or at least don't take my hand while trying to comfort me.” I pull my hand away from hers, hating this ability of mine. Then I sit down on a chair and try to think what else could have caused Gideon's condition. But nothing comes to mind.

After a while some people appear and carry out the remains of the bed to get it out of the way. It's night time, so there weren't that many patients present to begin with.
The nurses are still staying close to me, as if they've nothing better to do. Then I realize that they probably really had nothing to do up until now. It's not like any sick people were purposely sent on this mission. Probably they had nothing but minor complaints up until now.

Suddenly someone steps in front of me and I look up. It's one of the faceless. “Ed?”
“Yes. Are you alright?” He asks.
“No.” Gideon is not alright, so neither am I. “Did they find out what was wrong with him?”
“I just arrived here after hearing about it. One of the medical personnel said that they are still doing tests.” He answers.

Figures. Mutational problems can have nasty side effects. “I see.”
“You seem to be awfully shaken. If you could see your own face right now...” His voice fades away. “I'll bring you back to the command module. He is in good hands.” He reaches for my hand, but I stop him.
“There is no need. I would rather wait here.” I don't want to be alone in that room right now while Gideon isn't doing fine.

“Cyla, why do you care so much for him?” He suddenly asks.
I look up, baffled. “Because he is my boyfriend? You are really great at consoling people! You know that?”
“I don't think you have to be worried about Gideon. He is like a cockroach. Other people would've rolled over and died over five times already.” Ed looks to the floor where a few of the bed's splinters remained. “You've teleported him and yourself through the ship. That was dangerous.”

“Sorry for being shocked upon waking up next to my lover who was about to die!?” If I could spew acid at him right now I would do so. And I thought it would be good to include him in the family.
“It's just... maybe it's my fault. I have seen a lot of bad people and you just seem a little too attached. That's all. I am not saying that you aren't a good match.”

I sigh and cover my face. “Don't you know anything about techno-mages and telepathy? I never had a relationship that lasted for over a month before I met Gideon.”
Ed seems taken aback by my confession. “How so?”

“Because once natural telepaths touch someone, we can feel his essence even if we don't want to.” I gesture at the door. “It's not like you are intentionally spying on someone's thoughts. It's just that most magicians forget to shield themselves properly. Or they don't have the proficiency. It's not exactly easy to have a relationship when you always know that there is something off.”

“The other way around it's not good for a relationship when you know that your partner is hiding his thoughts on purpose.” I count with my fingers. “Before Gideon I went out with twelve other guys and it never lasted long before I ran into a repulsive little secret. I don't want to say that they tried to hurt me or violated a law, but being with them never felt right.”

“And Gideon feels right?” Ed asks astounded. “One might think that he is a strange one?”
I rub my hands together. “Maybe that's exactly why I love him. Everyone else I met so far always tried to hide something from me. Gideon may be a little strange, but when I am with him I feel safe and at home.”

“Everyone has something to hide.” Ed answers with a grave voice. “Gideon is no exception.”
I smile. “Yes, you are right. But when he decided to let me into his life, he told me everything and there was no deceit. You probably don't understand how it is when two telepaths talk to each other, but when we talked that day I felt that he really tried to let me in. And since then every day was the same. I would be mad to give that away. If I've yet to learn an important truth about him, then it's because it didn't come up so far.”

I lean back on my chair. “I simply can't believe that sharing thoughts and feelings like we are doing it is a fluke.”
In that moment the door opens and Gideon is wheeled into the room, still lying on a bed. But his eyes are open and he is awake. I get up and run to his side, taking his hand. “Gideon, are you alright?”

He is as pale as a ghost, but he smiles weakly. “Yes, though I feel like you sucked the life out of me this night. Are you sure you aren't a Succubus?”
I bite onto my lower lip and look at the doctor. “His brain was damaged?”
Gideon sighs deeply. “I tried to make a joke.”

“Do you know what a fright you gave me? This isn't the time for jokes!” I answer chipped.
The doctor steps in. “He'll be alright. It wasn't a relapse of the mutation, though it was caused by it. A special need of his new condition was overlooked. Apparently his body adapted so well to handling electricity that he can't live without it. His body's cells started to deteriorate when his nervous system's energy levels went a little too low.”

He tilts his head. “Apparently he is able to freely convert electricity for his spells. He just has to see to it that he does not overuse his magic and if he does, he has to recharge by using a power source instead of waiting for his body to regenerate naturally. It's a downside, but being able to charge up with electricity is a nice ability.”

Gideon smiles. “Isn't that cool, it's like being a battery! I just have to see to it that I don't deplete myself completely. I am like Raiden!”
“No, you are not like that Mortal Combat character!” At least not yet. “Don't let it get to your head! And why were you even on such a low power level?” I ask.

“Who is Raiden and what's Mortal Combat?” Ed mumbles.

Gideon's expression turns troubled. “I drained myself intentionally for the purpose of training. After my mutation I wanted to learn everything that happened to my body. The only thing that I got out of it were those freaky eyes. I noticed that they turn brighter the more rested I am. So I tried to return them back to normal by draining my magic as much as possible. In hindsight that might not have been a good idea.”

My eyes wander to the doctor. “You don't have a cure against foolishness by any chance?”
The doctor shakes his head. “I can't tell people what to do with their bodies. I am just here to fix them up.”

In that moment a message arrives me, but before I can read it Gideon already informs us on its contents. “It seems like our reconnaissance network found something troubling.”

39. ~Trouble.~

“
Be everywhere at once and in the end you are nowhere. Believe me, it's true. God tried it.
”

-A wise man's idea

Kaus Borealis, Coeus
Gideon

I lean back in my rocking chair and start using it to its full capabilities. Everyone else inside the conference room has to use the uncomfortable stools, which don't even count as real chairs. At least in my mind.

“Are you sure that you feel well enough?” Cyla whispers from my left.
“Yeah, sure. They recharged me with a defibrillator. I am back to normal as far as I can tell. Though it seems like they incinerated the few hairs which I had on my chest. That's it for being a manly man.” I grumble and try to forget my awakening. If you believe yourself safely in your bed and wake up being surrounded by unknown people... let's just say it's not an experience I want to repeat.

“They had to restart your heart!?” Cyla asks shocked. “Gideon, do you have a death wish?”
“No. And I am sorry. The experiment was a stupid whim of mine. I'll never again experiment like that. I promise. There, are you happy?”

Ed clears his throat to silence the room. There are three more high ranking officials besides us and him inside the room. One is a diplomat from the contact team, Bertram Thug. Another is the leader of the linguists, Paula Schwarz. The third new person Phillipe Etoulie, psychoanalyst.
The fire-mage elder Zibil Firestorm is leading this meeting via a secure connection to Sol. His avatar is projected onto one of the empty chairs and just debriefed us once more to ensure that everyone knows what's going on.

An hour ago one of our reconnaissance platforms registered a fleet of sixty-seven ships passing through Tarazed. They were coming from Sham and if they are keeping their course, then they are going somewhere in the direction of Albaldah, Shaula or Antares.
The problem is that the Forlorn's settled worlds are in that direction. Judging by everything which we learned so far it's very likely that the fleet belongs to the Drazi.

Zibil's avatar crosses his arms in front of his chest. “So we elders have to decide what to do. The Forlorn are a potential future ally and we got information which they might need. We could hide the fact that we saw that fleet long before they arrived in Forlorn space, but we don't think that the Forlorn will react well if they ever find out that we could have warned them.”
“What's the problem in giving them the information?” Paula Schwarz asks. “I don't see the problem in telling them that possible enemies are on their way?”

I raise my finger. “The problem is that by telling them we give up several of our hidden cards. First, they'll know for sure that we have FTL-communication.”
“It's very likely that they've already figured out that one.” Ed throws in his own thought.

I continue. “Yes, but they certainly don't have an idea of how powerful it really is. So far they can only guess at the speed and amount of information we can process.
Second, Their ship isn't able to carry the information to their people in time. They know that we are faster than them, so they'll surely ask us. The question is if we want to reveal our method of star travel to them? We would have to reveal our weapon platform to reach the Forlorn in time. Probably we would also need to fight their battle.”

Our weapon's platform is a powerhouse with seventy mark eight fusion reactors. That's equal to an asteroid colony. It's able to carry our whole fleet over thirty light-years in a single jump. Originally we designed it as an armed shipyard with limited repair functions, but someone decided to turn it into a juggernaut for fleet assistance.

We also thought about something like a fleet carrier, but we ditched the entire concept. Our biggest ships have a hard time even scratching the enemy. There is no point in creating a swarm of annoying mosquitoes if they aren't able to deliver a deadly punch.
Small ships lack the needed power level to take on the enemy and our rockets don't need to be carried to their target.

Zibil nods slowly. “So we called you to get a few final opinions from the contact team at the site and the fleet's commander. What you say now may very well influence our decision.”
Oh, that's right. I totally forgot that I am the fleets most experienced ship commander. That makes me the one who's responsible in case something unforeseen happens.

The elder changes his attention to Paula. The blue haired linguist starts fidgeting in her chair. “All I can say is that we seem to be able to communicate nicely. The initial problems were solved. The misunderstandings are getting fewer, so it's not like the Forlorn are too alien. They can be considered as unproblematic neighbours.”

Phillipe Etoulie takes over. “From our point of view they seem to be on an understandable level. Their society can be compared to human societies from Earth, though I warn of humanizing them. They are far from that.
It seems like bargaining with them is possible.”

The wiry Bertram is next. “From a diplomatic point of view we can deal with them. Though there seem to be things which they try to avoid telling us. But it's on the expected level. We aren't telling them everything either. It's much too early to say anything for sure regarding the Forlorn.
But! I wouldn't make this decision dependent on the Forlorn alone. We have to keep in mind that they seem to represent just one species among many.
I've no doubt that we can afford angering the Forlorn. The important question is if we can afford looking bad in front of the other races. The Zeen at least seem to have their fingers in many different pots. And there is one of them with the Forlorn contact team.”

Zibil nods slowly. “I'll forward that last consideration to the other elders. It has to be considered that we could cut off relations with other species if we don't warn the Forlorn. We'll have to publicly emphasize the point that the Forlorn aren't responsible for the Oibras incident in that case.”
The elder's avatar flickers and disappears.

We spend our time with talking until he finally reappears again half an hour later. “Tell them. If the Drazi are really as dangerous as they are saying then it's better if they have to chew on the Forlorn as long as possible. Also assist them if you can, but don't put the fleet unnecessarily at risk.” He disappears again.

I purse my lips. “Well, that was a short set of instructions with a lot of room for interpretation.”
Ed smacks his forehead. “Let's go to the habitat. The faster we get this over with the better.”

Kaus Borealis, Asteroid Habitat
Ilin Kleio

“Look. This time we get the big bosses as visitors.” Ayo points at the approaching group of aliens.
I turn away from the alien whom I was just talking to. “How can you tell them apart from each other? I am still envying you for that ability. The only ones I can identify are the technicians and that's only because there are just two of them.”

Ayo happily approaches the new arrivals and raises a hand to greet the male technician. “May you live long and prosper. I've watched the first twenty episodes of Star Trek, just as you suggested. It was very interesting to learn about one of your race's fantasies.”

Gideon also raises his hand. “I see that you took a liking to the Vulcans, but sadly we have no time to waste in idle talking. We've found something disturbing and we want to hear your opinion on it.” He raises a hand and the miniature sun above us dims down. Then a huge star chart appears above our heads.

I recognize the part of space which is supposedly between us Forlorn and the Mages. The chart also spans a huge part of the space down the spiral arm.
“A few hours ago we spotted a fleet of sixty-seven ships. They are heading towards your worlds.” Gideon informs us. “We think they are Drazi. And they are going in this direction.”
Another wave of his hand zooms in on a star further down the galactic arm and I get to see a map of a solar system with a cloud of ships and a dotted line which is indicating their path.

One of our military advisers steps forward, looking at the holographic display above us. “By the two suns. There are enough of them to punch through our standing defences. It'll take days to gather enough ships to stop them. How old is this information?”
“It's happening now.” Gideon answers bored.

Ayo starts dancing and twirling around himself, causing all the aliens to step away from him. “Instant communication over several dozen light years! That's even more interesting than gravity manipulation. How far can you reach?”
The technicians remain silent on the matter. Apparently they have no intention of sharing their technology with us.

I already noticed that they are avoiding to tell us how this magic of theirs works exactly. All we get are very abstract explanations. The female technician outright refused to explain magic, insisting that she has no idea how to explain it. When Ayo asked for her to try anyway she simply asked back 'And how do I explain the sense of touch to someone who doesn't have that sense?'.

The military adviser folds all his hands to his body. “This is infuriating. We can't even get this information back to the senate. There is no time to make a difference. They'll run amok on our worlds.”
“How can they run amok on a world with that few ships?” Gideon asks. “They don't have the troops. Someone would need five hundred thousand ships of that size to subdue the population of an entire planet.”

Ayo stops his weird dance and freezes up.

I shake my head. “I think you underestimate the determination of the Drazi. They'll throw asteroids on the planet and eliminate major population and industry centres. Once the planet's population is beaten beyond recovery they land a small group of colonists and start reproducing. Their numbers can explode within a few years and they have no problem with fighting a ground war that lasts for generations.”

The masked one tilts his head. “If it's like that, then we'll deliver the information for you. You just have to tell us what you want to say to your authorities.”
Our military adviser shakes his head. “It won't help. The only fleet which is powerful enough to stop them outright is at the home system. We need to collect ships from several worlds to stop them, even if our ships are more powerful than theirs.”

Gideon turns to Cyla and makes a strange gesture, pointing at his head. “It seems like they've spread their forces so thin that they can't stop an incursion.”
The female technician elbows him.
I look to the ground. There is no need to ask for the meaning of that gesture. The worst thing is that Gideon is right. We've made a fatal mistake even though we knew what's coming. But who knew that such a big fleet appears out of nowhere?

Ayo steps forward, facing the aliens. “Can't you stop them?”

40. ~A little Trip.~

“
Ask too many questions and you might get more answers than you want.
”

-A wise man's idea

Kaus Borealis, Asteroid Habitat
Gideon

Who would have suspected that the weird alien is the one who asks for our intervention? Ayo doesn't seem like the overly caring type to me. I suspect that he is able to space someone if it grants him the knowledge he seeks. And if he can match it with his strange behavioural code.

Ed raises a hand to deny the question. “Why should we risk ourselves?”
“Aha! So that means that you can do something.” Ayo leans closer. “You should help the Forlorn because it's the morally right choice?”
“That's up to interpretation.” Bertram, our diplomat intervenes. “First and foremost we've a responsibility to our own people. We can't change the universe and it would be foolish to grant every request just because we're asked.”

Ayo wriggles with his strange, stick-like arms. Obviously he dislikes our point of view. But Bertram is right. One who plays the saviour of all may end up as a legend in the end. Legends have the undesirable attribute of being dead and in the process of being forgotten.
The Zeen decides to try another approach. “And what if you get something out of it? Like our power generation? You want it, am I right?”

That may be so, but are we really in a hurry to get it? We've thought about various way to defend Sol. I shake my head. “There is no need to push for this technology. We can wait. Sooner or later we'll get it. Either by figuring it out ourselves, by trading with you or with someone else. It's just a question of time.” Apparently we just have to go to the centre and there we will find lots of trading partners.

“Then how about my help? If I write a beneficial report about your species it'll have a huge impact on the society of civilised races. It'll boost your reputation.” Ayo offers.
“Does he have that much authority?” Ed asks.
“Do we want to be in the centre of attention?” I ask.

Maybe? From what I gathered Ayo is a Zeen contact agent. Originally he was supposed to study the Forlorn, but when we appeared he forced them to add him to their contact team. The Forlorn weren't able to refuse him because the Zeen are influential and standing outside Forlorn law.
They are one of the oldest and most powerful known races. It might be nice to have a good word from them should we ever decide to meet this so called society of civilised races.

Just by talking we've already given away a lot. I even was against the idea of trading blood samples with them. But how else are you supposed to know if being in the same room with them is a good idea? It's highly unlikely that any sane person would step even close to something from a completely different ecosystem to play guinea pig.
One may never know if their common cold is the black death to us or vice versa. I've to propose much stricter regulations on this matter to the SDF.

“If you give us the technology and put in a good word with the society, we might be able to present the deal to our elders without having violated our duties.” Bertram proposes.
“Your elders? That's your government?” Ayo tilts his head. “But that takes too long.”
“Our government is formed by fast deciders. You don't have to worry. Actually they've already made up their minds on various circumstances. We got a lot of room to navigate.”

One of the Forlorn steps in to stop Ayo. “But we can't give them that technology. Who knows what they might be able to do with it!”
The Zeen turns to the one who's upset with the deal. “You can't give them the tech, but I can. This is a deal between the Zeen and the Mages, not between the Forlorn and the Mages. I am just accelerating what would happen anyway. The zero point generators are common knowledge amongst the civilised races.”

The upset Forlorn doesn't give up. “But they aren't even members of the society.”
Ayo rummages through his belt pouch and retrieves a blue, cylindrical crystal from it. “I've no doubt that they'll be accepted. Their technology alone is an entry card to the society. Their membership will be granted even if they don't share their tech and simply provide black boxes for FTL-communication.”

“Why are you doing this? And why do you have educational information crystals with you?” The Forlorn who is known as Ilin asks Ayo.
“Because I am a contact agent? And I know that your people have an issue with asking for help when they need it. And I dislike genocide. And I dislike the Drazi.” Ayo hands the crystal to Bertram, who hands it to me.

I take it and study the thing. It's obviously an optical storage device. On Earth exist similar technologies. Of course this wouldn't do with a quantum computer. Much too slow. Maybe Earth would have taken a similar way as the aliens? Maybe they'll develop these zero point generators in future if we leave them alone?
It seems like our magic caused us to develop our technology in a completely different direction than everyone else.

But doesn't that also mean that the mage's way of seeing the universe is unique?

I focus a thin beam of light on my fingertip by using a basic light spell. Then I read the information on the blue crystal and task a cold and mechanical part of my mind to copy the information to a safe part of the quantum network. We don't want to catch a virus, do we?

When I am done I hand the crystal back to Ayo. “Thanks.”
The Zeen just looks at me like I am a marvel. “Did you just copy the entire information on the crystal to your network?”
“Of course?” I ask. “So to formulate a plan on what we can do to stop that fleet. Where is your so called home fleet stationed? We'll transport it to stop the Drazi.”

Ilian listens up. “You will do what?”
“We'll go to where your fleet is stationed, then we'll take your ships to a place where you can intercept the Drazi. Preferably in an empty system where they are fuelling up before making the final trip to your worlds.” I reply a little annoyed. It's not like I am really annoyed, but forging plans with slow thinkers like the Forlorn is tiring.

The Forlorn who seems to be involved with military questions admits his stupidity. “I don't get it.”

“Just tell us where that damn fleet of yours is stationed.” I sigh.
Ayo is the only one who stays up to the task. “It's the home fleet, so it would be wise to assume that it's at their homeworld. Which is Antares.” The military Forlorn confirms it.
I start giving orders over the fleet network. All our ships have to get as close as possible to reduce the necessary size of the teleportation sphere. Since the Coeus and the Forlorn ship are docked to the asteroid habitat they'll form up around us and the hidden battle station.

“All right. It'll take us about a day to go to Antares. There we'll pick up your fleet and go to intercept the Drazi. I think it should be possible to get them two systems further down their route.” I enhance another unnamed star. “It's possible for them to change course, but so far they are taking the fastest route. The system has a big gas giant with an asteroid ring. It's not only the perfect spot for them to refuel before they attack your worlds, it's also a good chance for us to set up a trap.”

I continue explaining the plan until the fleet finally executes the first transition. I want our ships to stay out of the fight as much as possible. The first problem is that our shields don't stand a chance against their lasers and I want to avoid scratching our new hulls.
The second problem is that I don't want to show the Forlorn our new weapons and tactics. They may yet turn out to be enemies. It's not like we were idle during the recent month.

Our people were very busy in playing mind games and thinking up ways to deal with a fleet of those juggernauts on our own. First, we are in the process of mining every gas giant around sol with stealthed nuclear rocket launchers.
The Drazi may have excellent missile defence, but there is a lot of debris around a world. A small satellite with nothing more than a cloaking field and an engine may be able to sneak close enough to overload their defences by launching dozens of missiles simultaneously.

It's not like using the IMs to create those mines costs us much. There is always enough material in a system to set up a basic industrial node. The only pain in the ass is that we have to provide enough energy to the IMs to get the operation going.
The entire process takes much too long if the IMs have to rely on solar energy until they are able to set up their own fusion plant. A single one of the little buggers may not consume much energy, but thousands of them most seriously do.

So since a fusion reactor is a little complicated to create we either have to carry a whole reactor to the site, or the ship which is setting up the operation has to stay on-site until a second fusion reactor is up and running.
Currently we are working with that option. It's far from perfect if you think about the fact that the ship could be moving to the next system in the meantime.

We also had to think about ways to fight the enemies with our ships in case that denying them to refuel isn't enough. Unfortunately there was no idea on how we can reliably protect ourselves. Magic has the annoying quirk that it can't get around certain physical laws. If you want to block a certain amount of energy you have to put the same amount against it.

There are ways to play around this law to a certain extent, like diverting or dispersing the energy instead of completely blocking it. But the energy in the laser beams of our enemies is several scales above the energy output of our ships. It's like trying to block a club in full swing with a dagger. So defence is out of the question for the time being.

What we have though, is the disruptor technology. It was banned by the elders because of its great potential to be used as a weapon. Though in face of the new threat it was allowed to be deployed on SDF ships.
The small disruptor hand-weapon which I got my hands on a long time ago was just a very rudimentary way to use disruptor tech. The spell which is responsible for the weapon is called disrupt and weakens or outright inverts atomic bonds. It's an energy manipulation spell and therefore belongs to the fire magic branch. The result of its use are disconnected atoms.

The spell normally affects a limited space, but the assassins hand-weapon focused the affected volume into a thin beam.
We didn't go for fancy with our military application and created an emitter which projects a disruptor field up to three light seconds away from our ships. The problem isn't energy, but focus.

So to use the disruptor we still have to get awfully close to our enemies. Another troublesome point is that we can't be entirely sure if it will work, or if their shields can defend them.
The Drazi and Forlorn shields are awfully powerful magnetic fields which protect the ship in much the same way as a planet's magnetic field protects it from the solar wind.

Since a disruptor field is a part of altered space time it shouldn't be concerned by a magnetic field. It belongs to the same category as gravity magic since it alters the rules of physics.
We also had ideas to use teleportation as a weapon, but we put that one on ice. Teleportation is a two edged sword and hard to aim. Even if we manage to use it to teleport a part of the enemy ship away, the part which we took would appear right next to our ship.

The maths of teleportation magic makes it hard to teleport two far away points. The needed energy levels rise exponentially. Maybe we can turn teleportation into a weapon later on, but right now it seems as dangerous to us as it is for the enemy.
As for me, I don't want something potentially explosive right next to my ship.

I return my attention to the group when I realize that the aliens around us are very flustered about something. Some are sticking a few dozen metres away like caged pets to the glassed walls, they are eyeing the stars.
Others are chatting vehemently with their communication devices and Ayo is obviously trying to pick up my girlfriend.

“But that's impossible! We just skipped over several dozen light-years!” The Zeen interrogates Cyla.
“We already explained that we can travel faster than you.” Cyla answers, trying not to get too close to the alien. “We know a method to transfer ourselves instantly from one point in space to another one. It's perfectly safe, you don't have to worry.”

I ignore them and step closer to Ed, then I touch his hand. ~Was there any sign that they saw the platform?~
~It didn't seem like it.~ Ed answers and I nod, letting go of his hand. If we are extraordinarily lucky we might be able to hide the weapon platform from them.

41. ~Thoughts.~

“
Every mage has certain affinities to spells. The greater the affinity is, the easier and less exhausting it is to cast the spell. It's easiest to imagine each magical branch as a part of one huge skilltree. A mage may use any spell in that tree as long as he learns it, but that doesn't mean that he'll ever get as proficient as someone who was born with the affinity.
If you are born with great affinity to fire-magic, you may be able to use most spells belonging to that affinity without restrictions. If your talent is even greater you may even have access to neighbouring branches like wind-magic or ice-magic.
Techno magic is regarded as a hybrid affinity since it's settled between electro, mind and space magic. Being settled between so many pure affinities is also a reason why a techno-mage has to gain a lot of experience to fully use his potential.
”

-About magic affinities

Antares, Coeus
Gideon

“Do you guys know that dealing with aliens is tiring?” I lean back in my rocking chair and enjoy its comfortability. It has been put to good use during the recent hours.
The diplomats, linguists and other people of similar trade are doing their best to soothe the agitated minds of the aliens. They haven't taken it lightly that a foreign fleet flew right into the heart of their territory.

It's coming with their technology. Their way of travelling between stars relies on actually traversing the space between them. FTL-routes have to be cleared from dust and debris and checked in regular intervals to ensure that there are no obstacles for the ships.

Their FTL-drive allows them to ram right through a certain amount of mass by turning it into pure energy, but put too much of it in the ship's path and your ship re-enters normal space right inside an explosion of nuclear scale. It's officially the fastest way to die I know of.

Though I am happy that it can't be used to annihilate planets that way. The rules of physics can't be applied in this case since the FTL-drive doesn't work that way. A ship inside a warp bubble doesn't really move faster than light, it just slips through the real universe while annihilating all matter in its path. How much matter can be annihilated is dependant on the ship's energy output.

Once the reactors of the ship reach their limit, the bubble collapses and the ship re-enters normal space with the same velocity it had before using the FTL-drive. Plain and simple.

And that's why they have to provide cleared FTL-routes for their ships. The longer you fly through uncharted space, the greater the risk of meeting an early end.
That's why our method of travelling is freaking them out. We can go right past their line of defence and attack the weakly protected worlds. Not that the council of elders would do such a thing, but the Forlorn have no way to be sure of that.

I turn my attention to Ed. “Have they finally decided to form up on the Coeus?”
Ed shrugs his shoulders. “It looks like the contact team was finally able to explain why we waltzed right through to their home world.”
“We still can simply take what we have and go away. They don't have something we want. Now that we have the secret of their energy production.” I offer.

“There is no way to know that for sure and it would certainly look bad in front of the society.” Ed starts playing with his fingers. He developed a tendency to do that while talking to me.
Probably there is something on his mind and he is trying to find a way to ask me. Since we are alone inside the conference room I can ask him what's wrong, so I do. “Ed, what is it that you want to ask?”

He freezes up. “Am I really that obvious?” Ed asks, then he starts mumbling to himself. “The world must be ending if Gideon manages to read another person's emotional state.”
I lean forward. “No. It's just that you are doing it since we went on this mission and after a few days even I tend to notice odd behaviour.”

Ed nods slowly. “In that case I'll be blunt. Have you heard from Sadina recently?”
I raise an eyebrow. It escapes me why he is interested in her so suddenly. “She tried several times to contact me while I was in Sol, but I blocked her calls since I had better things to do than being toyed with.”

I had to toy with Cyla. That's a very good excuse to ignore Sadina.

“I see. And what do you think of her? I need to know since I want to beg something of you.” He asks next.
Pursing my lips I lean back again. “Well. She dumped me on Earth with brainwashed people who weren't able to take care of me. But it doesn't feel to me like I can make her responsible for that. Who knows? Maybe things would be different if my Earth mother hadn't died in a car accident. But I met Grandma, Grandpa and Cyla. Things are as they are and right now Sadina just feels like one big non-entity to me.”

After a few seconds I decide to revise that sentence. “Let's rephrase that. She's a very annoying non-entity to me. If I ever get her between my fingers I'll probably surrender her to my grandmother. That should be worse than simply killing her and it feels right to punish her for the way she introduced me to the truth of my creation. I know that I asked her for the location of the Revelation Wing, but she could have warned me.”

“Yes, about that. I wanted to ask you if you could give her to me, should you ever get your hands on her. Since she is my responsibility I've to tell her a few things in person. And she is showing interest in you, so it's likely that you'll get your chance sometime in the future.” He explains with a solemn voice.

I tilt my head and try to explore my own thoughts and feelings on the matter. “Maybe. Depending on the circumstances.”
“That's all I can ask for.” He replies.

A beeping sound alerts us to the fleet's readiness. For the sake of taking as many ships as possible with us we tied the entire Forlorn fleet together like a metal ball. It was quite hard to think of an explanation why a huge part of the formation's spherical centre has to stay free of ships. In the end our scientists came up with a few very complicated and impossible to solve formulas.

The centre is where our hidden weapon platform is lurking. It's quite funny. The Forlorn are still thinking that we achieve teleportation on such a scale by having all our ships work together.
I contact the pilots of the platform via the fleet network and inform them that they can go whenever they are ready. Then I send a message to the whole fleet that departure is imminent. Having done my job I return my attention to Ed. “Did you notice that the Forlorn have real crews on their ships? I tried to hack one and found out that their lasers are controlled by an independent station. You need to get physical access to the switches to arm the weapons.”

Ed stops moving. “Somehow the casual way you mention that is troubling me. You hacked their ship? Do you have any idea what could happen if they find out?” I just nod and let Ed continue. “Their ships aren't automated to the same degree as ours. It's only natural that there are certain problems involved.”

“Yes, isn't that strange? I wouldn't want to fly a ship if my life depends on a hundred different people. It's like asking for death.” I shudder.
Ed sighs. “You've come a long way, Gideon. But there are still many things you've to work.”

I nod. “Like my girlfriend. I promised her a date once we get back to Sol. Do you have an idea where I could take her?”

System 82456, Coeus
Cyla

“I still can't believe that we managed to do this without revealing the platform.” I comment while watching the one hundred and two Forlorn ships dispersing away from our ships to hide inside the gas giant's asteroid ring.
I am together with Gideon inside the cockpit of the Coeus. We are both busy with giving final instructions to the ship and the fleet.

“I never doubted that our eggheads are able to make up some formulas which are convincing enough to keep the centre of the formation clear of ships.” Gideon answers.

I snort and give the Coeus some commands which bring her in formation with the rest of the ships. We've left our contact team with the asteroid habitat and two ships back in Antares. They can do their thing and continue to build relationships with the aliens. I am not too fond of them.
The Forlorn have too many arms for my taste and the Zeen look too much like insects. It's troubling me. There were never any bugs inside the closely controlled living habitats I grew up in.

“I hope the plan works out on the first try. I don't want to go on a lengthy hunting expedition.” Gideon accesses the two sensor arrays to check on the status of all ships. The Forlorn are instructed to hide themselves inside the asteroids. Our fleet will wait further out. Powered down and under maximum stealth we should be able to hide ourselves sufficiently.

It's the plan that the Forlorn use the advantage of surprise to break the enemy fleet. Then we'll pick easy targets and take them out one by one. But that's only in case that the Drazi really escape the trap. From what we've heard from the Forlorn, their ships are about four times as strong as a single Drazi vessel of the same size.

“The wishful thinking of war. People make plans, shove their pieces around in a manner that looks pretty and once the two forces really meet for the first time everything falls apart like a house of cards.” Gideon smirks at the display.
“Do you know something that you didn't tell the rest of us?” I ask.

“No.” He answers bluntly.
“But you suspect something?” I ask.
He shrugs his shoulders while studying the map. “It's not like I am certain, but I think that the Drazi may have stronger ships than the Forlorn think.”
I open my mouth in shock. “Why didn't you tell anyone?”

“Because it's just a suspicion and because it wouldn't change a thing regarding the plan. If I am right it would even be harmful to the battle if we admit that we know something.”
He closes the tactical display. “Just think about it. The Forlorn have several different big fleets stationed in their sphere of influence. Naturally they are keeping them close to where they are attacked regularly.”

Gideon raises a finger. “But! How do the Drazi know that attacking here allows them to punch right through their opponent's defences?”
“The Forlorn and the Drazi are fighting a long and exhausting conflict. The Drazi surely know the topography of Forlorn space.” I argue.

“Yes, yes. That's for sure. But the Forlorn aren't as stupid as to announce the positions of their military ships to merchants or other vessels. I've studied the encounters between Forlorn and Drazi. Did you realize that they never attacked this sector.” Gideon asks.
I call up the comprehensive file we got about Forlorn and Drazi history. “You are right. So the Drazi deliberately prepared this attack over several decades?”

He shakes his head. “No. The Drazi didn't do it on their own. I think they are being guided by an insider.”
My head snaps towards him. “The Drazi have a spy under the Forlorn? Isn't it much easier to believe that they simply captured information from a Forlorn ship?”

“Of course it's possible. But I am not thinking about a spy. I doubt that the traitor is a Forlorn or an Drazi... for obvious reasons. Who else has access to Forlorn space?” He looks at me with questioning eyes.
I furrow my forehead. “You can't mean Ayo?”

“Not necessarily, though I am finding it very suspicious that he gave us the new technology. Either his people are very naive or it's some sort of test.” Gideon explains.

I try to think of the new technology. The zero-point generator is a pretty normal reactor, but it works by using positrons to raise matter to a higher energy state. The result is antimatter which annihilates itself with the rest of the real matter inside the reactor. You end up with generating more energy than you've put in, but it's a dirty and radiation heavy process. “So what reason do the Zeen have to give us that tech?”

“To stop the Drazi of course.” Gideon answers.
Now I am confused. “But didn't you just accuse them of using the Drazi against us?”

“No, no. You see. The Forlorn are a very patient bunch. As are we. Both of our races knew of each other and did nothing for several hundred years. We simply leaned back and told ourselves that everything is fine as long as the other party stays on its side of the fence.” He smiles.

“Things only started moving when a few Drazi ships led that Forlorn ship to Sol.” Gideon scratches his chin.
“They were chased.” I point out.

“It's suspicious if someone gets chased in a straight line to us. The Drazi could've split up and saved two thirds of their fleet at any point. I think they are taking us for fools. It's a plot to get us involved. I believe that someone inside the society got impatient and used the Drazi to force first contact. I wouldn't go so far to say that the unknown chased the Drazi away from their homeworlds to use them against the Forlorn and us. But they certainly used them in some form.”

He ends his explanation. “I don't know who, but I think we'll find out if we visit this gathering of theirs. Ayo and the Zeen are a very good candidate. It's a really strange coincident that they sent him here just at the right time.”

My head starts spinning. “You know that you are spinning a story which will cause real headaches to the elders?”
“That's why I want one of those Drazi ships. They are a hint we can legally lay our hands upon. I also would like to take a look inside Ayo's head, but that would probably cause a diplomatic incident.” He smirks and taps onto his armrest.

“They are here.”

42. ~Unforeseen Reactions.~

“
Shadows and Light!
”

-Cryptic Message

System 82456, Coeus
Gideon

“That's still one heck of a theory.” Cyla comments after a few minutes of watching the approaching Drazi fleet. “I think your sister mentioned that you like crafting such theories. And that I should be careful in believing them.”

“But you didn't find an argument against it!” I point out. “I admit that many of my theories don't turn out to be true, but I predicted the plot behind the teleportation spell and aliens!”
“Ahem. Your sister also explained the thing with gods, chocolate and acquiring limitless power?” Cyla raises an eyebrow, looking at me questioningly.

Yeah, I guess I started fantasizing on that one. I avert my eyes and notice that it's the first time that I actually can't stand her looking at me. “Okay. I admit that I get carried away... sometimes.” She is still looking at me. “And I admit that reading old religious texts can't be considered as gaining actual knowledge.” Her gaze is still on me, but this time I decide to put a stop to it. “Give me some leeway, I was experimenting with alcohol and got drunk.”

Finally my girlfriend stops looking at me in 'that' way and returns her attention to the tactical display. “So, what do we do if the Forlorn lose to the Drazi?”
“We turn tails and run?” I ask. “We just made a deal to transport their fleet. We didn't say that we fight their battles.”

“We also kind of forced our strategy on them. Doesn't that make us responsible for what happens?” She asks.
I shake my head. “It's the best we can achieve within the limited time. Of course we could try to stop the Drazi later, but that would involve fighting them in Forlorn space.”

Cyla doesn't reply to that.

We sit and wait for over an hour while we watch the Drazi fleet approaching the gas giant. Someone once said that war consists of eternities of waiting and seconds of pure terror. The waiting part at least he got right.
It's also a little anticlimactic if there is no one on the bridge who updates you constantly on the tactical situation. Maybe having an actual bridge with more people has a certain amount of style. But as techno-mages we don't need that. Once we link up to the ship there is no need to control it. We are the ship. It's like an extended part of our bodies.

Then the Drazi arrive at their destination and twenty ships start descending into the atmosphere of the gas giant to refuel. Apparently they decided refuel in turns so that the others can stand guard while a few of them are trapped in the planet's gravity well.
It's understandable if you think about their insufficient drives. Once they are down inside the atmosphere they are pure targets.

Firing lasers like theirs inside gas results in creating something unpleasantly hot right next to their ships. I am not entirely sure if it would only burn out their lasers, or melt a hole into their hulls. Such weapons are only usable inside vacuum.

With the enemy fleet reduced by twenty ships, that's the moment the Forlorn were waiting for. At our current distance from the gas giant we can't really see what exactly is going on for ourselves, but we solved that problem by leaving a stealthed sensor platform with the Forlorn.

From one moment to the next Drazi ships are turning into miniature suns. The Forlorn decided to focus fire them down ship by ship. It's saying a lot about their perception of this kind of warfare.
The Drazi were taken by surprise, but that didn't stop them from fighting back. Seconds after the first Drazi ships start counter-attacking a Forlorn ship lights up in blazing laser fire and disperses into atoms.

Both parties prove one thing to me. “They rely entirely on their shields and lasers to slug it out. The one who can take the most damage while dishing out enough to overwhelm the others defences wins.”

“It's understandable if you think about their shields. When we fought that Drazi ship, we forced it into a short encounter.” Cyla gestures at the hologram above us. “I calculated the energy their shields can absorb. If they fight by doing short flybys, they aren't able to dish out enough energy to take down the enemy. They have to force long encounters.”

I scratch my chin while watching the two forces. The entire encounter was brutal and took less than a minute. It reminded me of two brutes who are beating each other with blunt weapons. The Drazi took a hell of a beating. Much more than the Forlorn anticipated. It's good that we transported as many Forlorn ships as possible.
“This must be another generation of Drazi ships. But it seems like the advantage of surprise is enough.”

Cyla nods as the first Drazi ships start accelerating away from the encounter. With their formation broken the Drazi can't oppose the Forlorn fleet any more. “The Forlorn waited until some of the Drazi went down to refuel, which further reduced their fleet's fighting power. The Forlorn still lost eleven ships to the Drazi. Now they can wait until the other Drazi climb back out of the planet's atmosphere. They'll have a nice head start in dishing out fire while the Drazi can't do anything else but take it.”

I snort and split the tactical hologram into three, one for each group of fleeing enemies. “Two are rising above the solar ecliptic. One is going downwards. It's unlikely that we'll get those in time with our fleet's main body.”

I still order five of our ships to hunt the lone Drazi and send ten for the other two. Their commands are only to hunt and destroy. Even if they don't get them before they go FTL, they'll catch them in the next system.
The pilots of the ships in question acknowledge the command and start accelerating. “Their superior numbers should be enough to destroy the Drazi relatively safely and it'll give them fighting experience.”

“You don't want to try to capture those?” Cyla asks. “Isn't it better if we try as many captures as possible?”

“No. I am not sure how feasible it is to capture a Drazi ship. Do they blow up their ships before they get captured? Can we even damage them to the point where we can attempt to board them? We'll try it with the third group which is heading our way. We have the weapons platform here. That's the only reason why I want to try it.” I explain.

Cyla concentrates on the eight ships which are coming our way. “You were right to position the fleet at the point where they entered the system. Apparently they have a tendency to flee back the way they came.”

I shrug my shoulders. “It was really just a guess. If you run into something unexpected and get a bloody nose, you run back the way you came. You don't pick a random unexplored direction, but one that you know is safe.”

Then I command our fleet to accelerate towards the eight Drazi ships. I designate seven of them as instant kills for the new disruptor weapons and one to be left alone. That one will be taken down very carefully by using lasers.
Cyla interrupts me. “You've chosen the hunting parties to have a five to one superiority above the Drazi. We've just thirty five ships here. Doesn't it make the engagement dangerous?”

I purse my lips. “I thought the weapons platform counts for a few ships?” I answer.
“Only if it doesn't turn out to be just one, huge target.” Cyla answers a little less optimistic.
She's right, but the platform got several layers of highly heat resistant ceramics as armour in addition to reflective shielding spell-circuits. I really hope that it can take a beating to make this plan work.

The two battle groups approach each other until the Drazi enter our maximum weapon's range. It doesn't look like they've seen us, probably they are paying much more attention to possible pursuers. It would make sense to have a big part of their sensors on the Forlorn. We wait for several more seconds while our battle group accelerates to match the speed and direction of the fleeing Drazi.

I give the order. “Fire.”

Then it happens all at once. Our ships aim their disruptor fields at the seven enemy ships, five for each of them.

The Drazi disappear in a flash of light as bright as a sun and all radiation alarms go off. If I could've done so I would have used my hands to cover the sensors, but the Coeus doesn't have hands. What happened instead was the complete shut down of the sensor platform.

“What the fuck!” I still try to make sense of what happened as I command the Coeus to roll. There is another sensor platform on the other side of the ship and it didn't get burned out. The rest of our ships report a similar problem.
The only ones who still have vision are the pilots on the weapon's platform. And that's only because we designed it as a juggernaut with heavily shielded sensors. You can't have a juggernaut which goes blind as soon as it is attacked.

“Apparently we made some miscalculations. The disruptor field must have created some unpleasant  interactions with the Drazi energy generators.” Cyla tries to explain.
“Good! But whatever it is, we need some really good sunglasses if we ever use those weapons again!” I rub my mental eyes. “And a better feedback protection.”

But this might have worked to our advantage. The ship which we didn't use the disruptor on survived and is still flying on its course.
Explosions in space, even big ones, aren't all that scary if they aren't really big. On an interstellar scale you can sit right next to a nuke and be fine as long as you shield yourself from the radiation.
Nukes are only a problem if they go off inside an atmosphere or you are practically hugging them in space.

“The Drazi must be blinded completely. They were inside the blast. Proceed with the plan.” I order the Coeus on an intercept course with the Drazi vessel. If we were blinded, then the Drazi must have gotten the outer layer of their ship scrubbed off.
Lasers stab into the Drazi ship. First one, then more. One by one as it becomes clear that their shields are still holding. This phase of the battle is a very delicate one.

Our whole fleet has to close in as much as possible to reduce the time delay of our weapons. That also means that the Drazi can fry us if they get a good shot with their weapons.
And indeed they try. Their lasers are shooting in random directions, proving that their sensors were burned to a crisp.

The Drazi shield flickers as thirty beams from low energy lasers stab into it from all directions, aiming at weapons and other essential components. Then it winks out of existence and we start peeling the ship like an onion.

First go the weapon systems, drive modules, sensors. Everything that doesn't look like a piece of hull. After a few minutes the formerly claw-shaped ship looks like a burned potato. Luckily it didn't blow up. According to the Forlorn the claw-shape is a necessity of the warp-drive.

The enemy ship is now a dead hulk in space as far as we can tell. I contact Ed and his men in the living quarters. “It seems like we managed to prepare one for you. Are you ready?”
Ed snorts. “As far as someone can be ready for such a stupid idea. Please remind me once more why they shouldn't simply blow up their ship?”

“There is no particular reason. We are hoping to get lucky.”

“I see.”

43. ~Illegal trespassing.~

“
Throwing a chicken into the weasel’s den is? - Feeding the weasel.
Throwing a weasel into the chicken house is? - A massacre.
”

-Making distinctions

System 82456, Coeus
Gideon

“Then I'll activate the drones.” I inform Ed and activate the swarm while drifting closer to the enemy ship. I already used similar devices not too long ago. They worked so well that I decided to use them again instead of putting the faceless in danger. Ed and his men are as close as it gets to an elite fighting force, but they aren't immortal and we have just a few of them.

In addition we have no idea how many Drazi there are on the ship. Do they work like us? Or more like the Forlorn. I fear that the innards of a Drazi ship are bursting with them. The Forlorn told us that the Drazi tend to crew their ships with as many people as possible to have a sufficient stock of colonists wherever they go.

I observe the drones in silent fascination as they flood out of my remaining freight hangar and towards the Drazi ship. Priority number one. Find their computer systems, access them and hack them. Priority number two. Poke the ship full of holes and remove the Drazi infestation. The easiest way to clean their ship should be exposing them to vacuum. At least I hope so.

A ringing sound in the back of my head informs me that the drones succeeded in connecting to the Drazi network. That's about as much as our previous attempts managed to do. The drones aren't very smart, so I guess they always tripped over some sort of firewall to alarm the Drazi of our intentions.

This time we'll attempt the hack ourselves. “Are you ready, Cyla?”
“Of course, Dear.” She answers.
“Dear?” Since when am I her dearest? It's like we are a married couple and already have grandchildren.
“I just tried out how it sounds. Should I not call you that?” She asks.
“Never mind.” It just startled me. “Let's get this over with.”

I enter my own virtual reality and dive into the Drazi network, closely followed by Cyla. Together we sift through the strange information. It always feels a little weird if you suddenly have to use different protocols. Imagine it like changing from riding a motorcycle to a horse.

Being inside the Drazi systems feels like working with a PC that's ten generations behind. You do something and it takes seconds to respond. Of course the Drazi systems are as good as electron based computers can be, but they are still slow. Aaaah, the benefits of quantum based computing.

Cyla and I start copying protocols, intercepting messages and observing the network until we finally find a way to disguise our data packages as the ship's own system.
It takes a short eternity, but finally I manage to map out the Drazi network and request access to the main computer core. What I find there is stunning and fascinating at the same time. Another virtual reality. I don't hesitate and request a merging of both virtual realities.

A virtual reality isn't really needed to control a computer or a ship. We are only using it if we want to feel our own bodies while we are working. It's just a question of comfortability for a techno-mage.
So why would the Drazi need a virtual reality? How do they even link up to a VR-simulation? Do they insert ports into their heads?

In the next moment I find myself in a room with five Drazi. They are standing in a circle, facing each other and working on holograms which are representing their ship.
The ones who are looking in my direction aren't moving and staring at me. Probably they've some kind of shock.

I raise my hand and try to smile. “Give up. Resistance is futile.” I try to think of myself as a reasonable fellow. So I'll try talking for once. Maybe they are influential individuals. Not that I care, but since we seem to have similar jobs I'll try to be nice.

“Get it!” “Intrusion!” “Kill!”

Five little, angry fur-balls throw themselves onto me. They hack and slice and dice with their claws. I just stand there, somehow a little shocked about this attempt on physical violence inside a virtual reality.
They must be incredible stupid to think that harming someone in this world is even possible. At least like this.

In case you want to do harm you can force someone into a contest of will inside here. But that takes real effort and concentration. At least more than they are exerting.
Suddenly Cyla is there, reaching for the head of one little monster hamster. She yanks it around with an audible snap.

The Drazi turns limp and is lifted into the air. Before the other four can react the dead body is thrown over my head and onto the attackers.
Then Cyla is past me, grabbing an opponent... victim of opportunity and breaking him like a stick over her knee.

I slowly start getting what's going on. The Drazi don't seem to have any training in fighting a combat of will. They believe that they can die inside here, so we can harm them. Either that or they don't have any safety features on their VR.

I grab one of the Drazi who is struggling in my grip and tear off one of his claws. There is blood and muscles beneath the skin. Whoever created their VR wasted a lot of time on realism. But strangely enough I can't read the alien's thoughts. It's like having an empty avatar in front of me. Was this place solely created to present their minds a situation which they can understand?

I stab the screaming alien with its own claw and the high pitched voice stops. Then I sense the ports of his connection closing. “Fascinating. They really seem to die in here.” I turn back to Cyla who is using the arms of one alien to beat the last opponent to death. “How did you guess that their VR doesn't have proper protection?”

Cyla drops her improvised weapons. “Oh, I just felt like trying. They were very enthusiastic about scratching you with their claws, so I imagined that they are thinking that it works. Maybe they don't regard their crew as a vital part of the ship? I guess they are seeing the individual as exchangeable part of the system. And there are enough of them, so why wasting energy in putting too much protection on a VR? They had enough firewalls and codes outside of it.”

“Or they got it from someone else and don't know how to use it?” I offer. “Maybe their minds aren't able to deal with VR otherwise?” While I do so new opponents appear. I can't tell if the same ones simply reconnected, or if we are dealing with other individuals.
Cyla starts fighting again, so I use the chance to stroll over to the representations of the ship.

The first one has incredible similarity to Ayo's blueprints of the zero point generator. Did the Zeen give their technology to the Drazi? Probably.
Next is something which is painted with green symbols. My eyes wander to the green sea of blood which Cyla is creating. Red is a warning to my species. So green may be bad to the Drazi? Probably it's a station which has something to do with weapons, sensors or drives. We shot those to pieces.

The next two stations are also painted in green symbols while the fifth has fewer of them. It looks like a representation of the ship's innards. There are corridors and bulkheads with symbols next to them. A regulator to the left of each bulkhead shows three symbols.
There are lots and lots of violet dots crawling through the ship. Some areas are filled with green dots. The green dots are slowly working their way into the ship. Are those our drones?

I start interacting with the hologram. Three symbols for a door can only mean open, closed and locked. What happens if I open the bulkheads towards space and lock the innards of the ship in an open-position?
The violet dots start vanishing in short order as I open the ship to space. That should do it. At least for the Drazi who aren't inside a space suit. I turn around and find Cyla standing amidst a pile of dead Drazi simulations.

She turns slowly in a circle, but the endless re-spawning stopped. “What did you do?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I just played with the buttons, that's all. I think I opened the entire ship to space?”
“Oh.” She blinks. “At least it seems like you killed their computer crew.”

Another alarm returns my attention to the Coeus, so I accelerate myself again and disconnect from the Drazi network.
Having returned my attention to my own ship it doesn't take long to find out what caused the alarm. Apparently the alien ship launched several small pods at us. I don't know for sure what they are, but the clamps make them look like landing craft.

No idea how the Drazi saw us, but apparently they managed a final act of defiance. I lose no time and order all my weapons to destroy the approaching devices. The fleet's ships also join in, but they didn't approach the Drazi ship that close for safety reasons.
The pods are approaching at incredible speed. Maybe they are burning their fuel without care for a return trip?

It becomes apparent that the pods can take a beating. Several of them go up in flames, but it takes long to destroy them. Unpleasantly long. They have their own shields and the hull seems to be made out of some kind of ceramic.
~We forgot that they are raiding Forlorn ships.~ Cyla speaks inside my mind. ~If you want to raid someone, you need a landing craft that manages to bridge the distance.~

Not good. I hurry and request a simulation of the attack's outcome. No matter how I turn the values, we'll be hit by two pods. One in the forward section and one in the aft. ~They'll damage my ship! Cyla. Stay here and control the ship. Try to get a firmer hold on the Drazi ship if you can.~

~What are you going to do?~ Cyla asks.
~I will put my new spacesuit to good use! You see to the ship.~ I disconnect from the Coeus and open my eyes.
Right next to me is Cyla lying in her acceleration chair with her eyes closed. I run my fingers through her hair and stand up.

Then I put on my helmet. We both suited up previously to the engagement. I connect to Ed. “The enemy ship launched something like boarding pods. One will hit the ship's forward section in a few seconds. The other will impact the aft. I suggest you and your men go to greet them. I'll also instruct the ship's remaining drones to attack everything that doesn't look human.”

Ed's voice answers fast. “Seconds? How many of them are there?”
“No clue how many soldiers they can put into one pod. I suggest you take the aft. One of the reactors is close to the predicted impact point.” I answer. “I don't want them anywhere close to it. I'll take the forward part. The command module has its own exit to the rest of the ship.”

“No. you aren't trained for this.” He answers agitated.
Please don't make a drama out of this. They are just a few vermin. How can I get him to do what I want? “Dad.”
“Eh?” Now his voice sounds disturbed. “Don't call me like that now! My men are listening in!”
I smirk. “There are things a man must do. And there are things a techno-mage can't let pass. Like someone putting a dent into his ship.”

I close the connection and hurry to my weapon. Then I leave the command module and stand inside the Coeus. I mean I was inside my ship before, but I was inside a module. Now I am outside the module, but still inside the ship.
There is actually quite a lot of free space between the modules inside the hull. Otherwise the ship wouldn't be able to rearrange its interiors that easily.

I sigh and let my head droop. Sometimes this thing is confusing even me... and I am the one who built it!

With my good old, stolen pistol in my hand I run along the metal railway between the command module and living module one. Currently it isn't used, but normally the modules are able to attach themselves to one of the railways and glide into other positions.
Upon leaving the tight space between the modules I jump off the railway and leave the localized gravity field around it, floating up towards one of the life support units. A slight nudge with my hand to the module's wall lets me rotate and I land with my feet on the unit.

Then I walk across it while searching for the point on the outer hull where the pod will impact. Cyla once complained to me that the inside of the Coeus is a gravity maze. She may be right, but I don't want to admit it.
The only things which are important to know are that the upper sides of the railways, the ship's hull and modules pull you towards them. The lower sides of the railways push you away as does the outside of the ship.

And never jump too far into the open spaces because you might end up inside one of the gravity funnels which are running along the ship. They are a part of the gravity circuits and create ten gravities even if the ship doesn't accelerate. In short you end up very flat if you fall down one of those.

My uplink to the Coeus tells me that I reached the right spot. Our predictive model was very close to reality. Two pods got through and one of them is currently landing right next to me on the other side of the hull.
I brace myself and take two deep breaths. This will surely work. The least thing they'll expect is being boarded themselves.

As the pod touches down I estimate the position with a camera on my ship's hull. There should be free space right behind the pod's bulkhead. So the risk is relatively small. Then I jump and teleport.

And I appear right above a seething mass of hamsters. Great! Of course I forgot that they are surely readying themselves to storm through the breach in the Coeus's hull.
I activate gravity magic and body enhancement, dropping right into them. Two Drazi are unlucky enough to serve as my cushions as I crush them under me.

There is no reason to stand up as I start shooting at Drazi and delicate looking instruments. One of the ones closest to me raises a strange gun, but I reach forward and pluck it from his claws.
The little monster is reluctant to give up its weapon and is carried forward, so I place my foot in its face driving it backwards.
The Drazi are all dressed in tight fitting spacesuits with glassy face-plates. Though none of them seem to be able to resist my bullets. I already feared that their soldiers could have personal shields, but no.

A little more than three seconds passed since I appeared inside their landing pod. I pull myself up by grabbing a tail which presented itself to me. Still shooting I haul the tail's owner at one of the faster opponents who are in the process of aiming their weapons.
This is really boring if the enemies don't have magic. I wonder if there are some races out there which pose a real threat?

I shoot until my gun is empty, then I holster it and draw one of the suit's multi tools. It unfolds itself into a one metre long blade with a monomolecular edge. The massacre continues by hacking and slicing the aliens to pieces.
Some get off a shot, but due to the body enhancement I am faster than any normal biological being. This isn't a real contest. I am too fast and too strong for them to even react. Another magician would have countered my body enhancement in a similar manner.

I hack and slice until I recover one of their guns to use it against them. Turns out that they are using projectile weapons too. Not too surprising since lasers are simply ineffective inside an atmosphere.
At some point they try to run, but there is nowhere to run inside this confined space.
As I kill them I try out stabbing and shooting them in different positions, noting down the effect and time they need to die.

One of the Drazi drops its weapon and kneels down. I put a bullet through its head, refusing to recognize the gesture.

Maybe I should feel bad about killing them like this, but no. Grandmother always emphasized that her social rules apply to people and I am pretty sure that she meant humans. Drazi are definitely not human but I am not sure on the people part. So they are fair game.

The only thing that disturbs me is that killing these creatures is kind of boring? Killing humans on Earth felt much better for some strange reason. Maybe it was because I was mad at them. If these things hadn't attacked me I wouldn't give a damn and let them walk away. The Drazi are perceived by me somewhere on the level of rats inside my pantry.

Other Drazi also drop their weapons in an attempt to give up. One of the last remaining Drazi turns to a door, but I grab it and hammer its head against the ground. The glass breaks, so I turn it around and reach into its helmet to interrogate the creature. Claws scrape on my suit, but are unable to even scratch the strong metal alloy.

I make contact and dive into the creature's mind. Normally interrogation via telepathy is forbidden unless you are a faceless, but again, Drazi aren't humans.
My victim's muscles convulse as I sift through its memories until its brittle mind burns out like a light bulb which got exposed to too high voltage. Pieces of memory flash through me as I try to make sense out of the alien mind. It's not much, but what I find I file away for later usage.

Then I get up, unsatisfied. What I found was some individual and cultural history. Shreds of memories of being a Drazi soldier. Not what I wanted.
I turn my attention to the others who are cowering in the room's corners and at walls. Now I recognize their sounds as shrieks of terror and submission. The two dozen Drazi who are lying dead throughout the small room might have something to do with it.

I let my eyes wander over them and count. Four more survivors plus the pod's pilot behind the door to my back. Makes five more attempts to gain valuable information on the foe.
My eyes wander to the camera above the door to the pod's cockpit. Hopefully the pilot isn't too scared from what he saw. Fear seems to make reading their minds a little inaccurate.

A few commands to my suit's speakers make me able to convey a few Drazi words.

“Don't worry. Relax.” I approach the closest Drazi and stroke its head, soothing it in its language. It lost its helmet during the fight and has a nasty head wound, so I cast a small healing spell. “Giving in to fear makes you unable to make rational decisions.” The creature relaxes a little.

That's when I force a path into its mind and access its memories. The result is a little better this time, but still no useful information. The Drazi slides to the ground, convulsing and bubbles coming from its snout. Our minds seem to be a little too different.

I sigh and approach the next one.

“Don't worry. Relax.”

44. ~New Respect.~

“
While it is true that the mages would've never conquered space without gravity magic, the same also holds for various other magical affinities. One example is the ability to create working habitats with an ecosystem. Plants are still the best producers of oxygen and also serve as food basis for various animals.
Hence the blessings of nature magic aren't much less valuable for a life in space. Being able to influence the growth rate of plants and animals, as well as having powerful healing magic and the ability to manipulate living matter is one of the most valuable abilities for a life in space.
Many young mages with the ability to use nature magic find themselves a job as caretakers of a habitat even without specialized education.
”

-The true history of space flight

System 82456, Coeus
Cyla

“Don't worry. Relax.”

I watch Gideon's newest flip-out in silent fascination and shudder as he carves his way through the last remaining Drazi. The camera inside his suit is transmitting everything. Gideon is somewhat of a special existence and surprisingly I don't dislike that. Even though his actions seem to be those of a crazed serial killer from time to time. No, he probably is a crazed serial killer from time to time. I wonder why I have no problem with that?

Letting him loose on aliens, monsters and other scum doesn't feel wrong to me. And he certainly has the strength to back it up.

Maybe sharing our thoughts with each other rubs off. He gets to be a little more emotional and empathic while I get a little more... ruthless. After the massacre inside the Drazi's VR I was shocked at what had gotten into me. Even more so because I felt nothing wrong about it.
I frown and decide to worry about it later. Maybe it's not troubling me simply because I know Gideon better than most other people. Despite being a genius he is actually very simple and if you press the wrong buttons, like the Drazi, you end up on his black list. In my mind that's better than having to deal with a too emotional and unpredictable person.

Taking over the Drazi ship is going well. Only a few Drazi were in space suits when Gideon opened the ship to space, so everything our drones are doing right now is hunting down the few survivors.
I took over their main computer core and shut it down for the time being. This should stop the remaining Drazi from doing anything too complicated with their ship.

The two Pods which hit the Coeus are also dealt with. Ed and his men did fine in handling the other one. Ed and his men aren't teleporters, so there wasn't much else they could do than waiting for the enemies to cut their way into the ship.

They didn't give the Drazi any chance to do anything else though. As soon as the aliens opened a breach in the hull they got blasted with all sorts of spells and weapons. It's like that when you try to force your way though a small, defended bottleneck.
The Drazi are a lot like those aliens in one of Gideon's games. I think they are called the Zerg? All about numbers, but no quality. Their chances of taking our ship were reduced to zero when we blasted most of their landing pods.

We shouldn't underestimate their tactics though. This time we had an entire fleet as backup to blast most of their landing craft to pieces. What if they attack a single damaged ship like this? Can the Coeus be defended if the hull is breached in twenty different spots at once?
From now on we should keep a sufficient number of battle drones inside the hull to deal with such attacks.

An incoming call from the Forlorn fleet draws my attention. Since Gideon is busy with the pod's pilot I decide to answer in his stead.
The image of the Forlorn commander appears inside my mind, so I send him an image of myself to return the favour. “How can we help you?”

The Forlorn shifts in its seat and I can make out something like a command bridge behind him. “We just witnessed that you successfully intercepted the fleeing Drazi. It also seems that you managed to capture one of their ships?”

“Yes, we are learning a lot about them.” I answer. There is probably no point in denying the obvious.

“There is also a very disturbing broadcast coming from the Drazi ship. They are sending information about you and your boarding action to the other fleeing vessels.” He makes a gesture which shows that he is agitated about the contents, but trying to be polite. “We intercepted the message since Drazi made a public broadcast to reach both their vessels. It seemed polite to let you know about it.”

“Thank you. But our ships are in the process of intercepting those ships. It's highly unlikely for them to get away. If we don't catch them in this system, then our ships will overtake them and stop them in the next one. They won't be able to carry their information home.” I inform the Forlorn. Probably they have trouble seeing our ships at this distance.

“That's good. We are also hoping that you'll share any information you get from that captured ship? And maybe the weapon which you used against them?” The commander asks. “We are also gaining information from the pieces of the Drazi fleet. It would benefit both species to share such intelligence. The new ships which the Drazi used were definitely not of their standard type. The ships were much bigger and better shielded. They must have a new shipyard somewhere in the sector.”

“I don't have the authority to share such information. It would be good if you hand such a request to your diplomats in Antares. They can handle it with our diplomats.” I answer.

“That's reasonable. There is no need to take the whole fleet back by the way. Our commanders decided that our fleet will stay in this region to strengthen the defence. But it would be nice if you take a messenger back to the homeworld with you. Thank you for your time.” The Forlorn disconnects.

If that wasn't exceptionally polite? When we discussed our plan with them the first time they didn't seem to be too happy about it.
Though they still don't have a concept of saying goodbye when they cut the connection.

I return my attention to the ship's innards and realize that Gideon teleported back into the ship's hull. He is about to enter the command module, but I shut down the air lock.
While he is mashing the locks controls I establish a connection with his suit's communication. “You can't enter the ship like this!” Especially not since the air lock connects directly to our living room. I won't be the one who cleans afterwards.

“What do you mean?” He asks astounded.

“Look down on yourself! Find a way to clean up. You are one 'big' bio-hazard problem.” Gideon looks down on himself and starts trying to wipe away the green, gooey Drazi blood. All he does is smearing the parts which aren't frozen yet and scattering others. But it's clear that he won't get clean like this.

After a few seconds he starts grumbling. “I guess I'll have to go all the way to the air lock at living module two. They have a decontamination field set up.”
I smile. “That would be wise.”

For a while I follow Gideon's path through the gravity maze of his own ship, then I switch my attention to the rest of the fleet. The weapon's platform is closing in on the captured remains of the Drazi ship. Since it's partly a dockyard it has enough space to take up the whole ship. Once the ship is safely stored away we can return to Antares.
Our two hunting parties will have to go home on their own, which isn't a bad thing since they can use the opportunity to seed even more reconnaissance platforms.

Once that's done we can hand the problem of dealing with the Forlorn to the diplomats and return to Sol. Going on such lengthy trips is really troublesome.
I start giving commands to coordinate the fleet. Then I take my time lock down the Drazi ship's network in any way I can.

After a while my mind wanders back to our journey. Coming out here took us two weeks. Going back will take another two. Maybe our eggheads can use the new technology to establish a direct teleport to Antares? That would be really handy, I hate those long travel times.
Gideon and I already know each other for more than five months and we spent most of the time inside this ship!

The problem with teleportation is energy, but the new anti matter reactors should solve that. Hopefully. Why do my breasts feel so strange?

System 82456, Coeus
Gideon

On my way back I encountered Ed and his men. They also decided to stop the Drazi at the ship's hull. Now we are waiting at the air lock since the decontamination field can take only one person at a time.

“So how did it go?” I ask Ed who is floating next to me. Since the living modules weren't added by me, the engineers placed the air lock in an area without gravity.
“They poked a hole into the hull, but otherwise they did no damage. We have to decontaminate the insides of the ship though. We used magic to blast them to pieces while they were still inside their landing pod. Some of the goo flew out and into the ship.”

“No survivors?” I ask.
Ed shakes his head. “Sadly not. We didn't expect how tightly they are packed in there. In addition the few survivors of the initial blast fought like maniacs.”

“I interrogated some of them, but it got harder with each time I tried. Calming them down got almost impossible after the first two.” I really tried my best, but no nicety was able to stop the aliens from being upset. I even tried simply hugging number four and sang a children's song I got from its brethren. That made him completely mad with fear though. It was right to assume that human standards don't apply to the Drazi.

“At least I got some valuable bits of information from the pilot. He wasn't high in rank, but he knew at least some navigational data. Those hamsters have a long way behind them.” I explain. “It's probably best to hold a really long meeting after this. I also have to write a report about the language and their society... or not. I'll simply dump all the information to the net. There are specialists for stuff like this.” I try to scratch my chest, but the damn suit is in the way. “There is definitely something going on. Their star charts have dates added to them. The Drazi flew practically blind until they reached Forlorn space. Then the charts got a sudden update not too long before the Oibras incident with Sol and Antares pointed out as the homeworlds of two competitor species. But according to the Forlorn they don't even know that Sol is our homeworld.”

“You interrogated them with telepathy?” Ed asks.

I raise a hand. “Yes, but before you preach to me about laws, remember that the laws don't apply to aggressive aliens.”
“Yes. Though be careful. Telepathy shouldn't be used that casually. Are you sure that your mind is okay?” He asks concernedly.
“Yes. No problem. Theirs though is not. There is some kind of incompatibility between our minds and theirs. It feels like attaching yourself to an old CPU and over-clocking it until it fries.” I explain.

We continue talking on a private frequency until we finally get to use the air lock ourselves. Apparently I caused Ed a few problems when I called him Dad. His men overheard it and are now thinking of me as his illegitimate son. Quite a price to pay for trying to disturb my gene provider a little.
But Ed should get no problems besides being talked about behind his back. He is a drifter without family, so calling me illegitimate is overdoing it anyway.

According to his story he should be happy to have someone who is carrying on his genes. We continue our conversation with small talk until I give my goodbyes to -Dad-.
On my way back to the command module I instruct the Coeus to deal with the hole inside the hull and the contamination problem. Setting the IMs to incinerate everything organic should do it.

Back inside the command module I get out of my space suit and into some more comfortable clothes. Being inside this thing for too long is really uncomfortable. I should try to add a finer webbing for the ventilation tubes. A greedy and dirty thought wanders through my mind. Maybe Cyla also wants to get out of her suit to get a bath?

I enter the command module where I find Cyla lying inside her acceleration chair. Unfortunately her eyes are closed, so she is still doing some coordination for the ship and the fleet.
I stroke her beautiful long hair and smirk as my eyes wander down her alluring figure. What did I do to deserve someone like that? She isn't just understanding of my nature but also has very pleasing looks. Or did I simply have luck for once?

Cyla redesigned her suit herself. To my dismay she removed the see through parts completely and settled for a less frilly design. In hindsight it may have been the right decision. What's the point in having them when all you get to see is sweaty skin?
I really changed a lot since I met her. My previous self would have never indulged himself in so many dirty thoughts.

My attention returns to the suit. At least Cyla kept to the female design which is emphasizing her curves. Those hips and the chest-piece are simply perfect. One moment. Did she lengthen suit's frontal seal? It runs down from her neck all the way to between her legs. How dirty, but I can see how that makes it easier to put on the suit. Maybe I should do that too?

I find my eyes staying stuck to her chest, which is really distracting. She won't be angry when I feel her up a little? Earlier she tried to call me Dearest. It felt a little strange to resort to such a nickname, but if I am her dearest I am surely allowed to do that.
Bending over her I use the opportunity which was given to me, but the hardened carbon plates of the suit make the experience a little less worthwhile than I hoped for.

It's probably a stupid idea to undo the seals, but she already did a lot of things to me while I was sleeping. If I return the favour she can't say anything against it.
I slowly undo the seals and pull the suit open. Cyla, you are a dirty girl! I know that she thinks of herself as a decent and moral woman, but deep down she is evil and a little perverted. She forgot to put on underwear!

I pinch her nipples and cup her breasts in my hands. It is really nice to be the one who gets his share. Normally she always wakes up earlier than me. I kiss her collarbone and suddenly her arms grab my head.
Then my eyes wander up and meet hers. Her face is red all over, but she is smirking. “So you aren't only the ass-type.”

I try to smile. Why does it feel like I was caught? “Good morning. I wanted to ask if you want to take a bath?”
“Is that the right way to ask?” She raises an eyebrow.

“If you mean that I have to undo more seals the next time...” I reach for her belly. “You know that your suit-design raises certain questions?”
Her eyes wander down her own body and her expression drops. Her face turns even redder. Then she jumps up and flees the cockpit. “That wasn't the intennnntioooon!”

45. ~Taking a break.~

“
Fire-magic is also responsible for conquering the cold depths of space. Especially the energy manipulation spell that allowed creating warmth and power by fusing water to heavy elements. Without fire-magic the first mages would've never been able to create the first metallic hulls which were able to stand up to pressure and sealing requirements.
Even if energy field manipulation soon made it possible to secure an air tight and radiation safe environment, metal hulls were never completely abandoned.
”

-The true history of space flight

Sol, En route to the Forge, Coeus
Gideon

I roll my shoulders. After sitting in my acceleration chair for hours I really need to get up.

We made our return trip to Antares, dragging the Forlorn messenger along. There I happily dropped all the responsibility regarding the gained information into the hands of our diplomats. They weren't happy about the boarding video though.
The Drazi captured our little massacre on film and sent it to their comrades. That didn't help of course since we caught their ships.

That the Forlorn intercepted the message is another matter. Our diplomats are calling it a disaster, though I see it as an improvement. The Forlorn were never so eager to be on our good side and the bug, Ayo, didn't chatter us to death for once.
All points which I am very happy about. There is nothing as important as having the respect of your neighbours.

I also wrote a very detailed report on my theory regarding the aliens. The entire affair stinks of a much bigger game. We can only hope that the player in question drew a bad card when he started playing with us.
The analysis of the Drazi data core gave us a lot of information about their technology, but no definite proof.

What's sure is that the Drazi were fed information. That's if we trust the Forlorn and their version of the story. Though I can't see why they should set up themselves as our potential enemy. The way the first contact was handled at Oibras could have gotten them into a full blown war.
I don't claim to understand aliens, but they could have handled it in a much safer way. You have to be crazy to risk getting yourself another enemy when you already have genocidal monster hamsters on your doorstep.

The Drazi got newer technology and navigational data about this sector. And all this so recently that it's hard to believe that the incident at Oibras was an accident. It looks to me like someone walked up to the Drazi and said, 'Hey, there are two species blocking your path out of the spiral arm. How about trying to set them up against each other? Here, some navigational data and technology so that you are on equal footing.'.

All this was convincing enough to earn me a lengthy discussion with Sanguin. He wasn't happy about the implications and my suspicions regarding the Zeen, but he listened to the whole story without calling me an idiot. I hold that in his favour.
He also brought in his own thoughts, which weren't that far off in my estimation. He concluded that the entire matter might have something to do with the edict regarding the Drazi.

The Forlorn told us that there is something like an alliance chasing the Drazi outwards from the centre of the milky way. But that's a slow and very painful process. The milky way has a diameter of about a hundred thousand light years and contains billions of stars. The Drazi don't have habitat technology, but even so. There are enough habitable worlds around.

I dare to say that the guys who are chasing the Drazi bit off more than they can chew. It's impossible to wipe out a species by going with an approach like this. The Drazi just have to spread out to cover as much space as possible and settle a colony. Then they reproduce like hamsters and build ships until their pursuers find them.

Once they get found after ten or twenty years their ships run away to settle new colonies while the population planet-side gets wiped out. Then the whole process starts again, leaving behind devastated world after devastated world.
I highly doubt that the Drazi's pursuers have the numbers fight a lengthy ground battle to clean the planets. Nor that any species has the resources to transport millions of troops to conquer a single world.

What Sanguin suggested was that the aliens are trying to create a counter-fire. Normally we and the Forlorn would hide ourselves inside our territory and wait out the storm. Exactly what we are doing right now. But that wouldn't stop the Drazi. They would simply flow around our borders, given that we are able to hold them off.

The aliens made the Drazi a little more dangerous by giving them new technology and information. But they didn't give them habitat technology, the very one thing the Drazi really need to solve their population problem.
Make them just dangerous enough, so that the Forlorn and Mages regard them as a big enough threat to justify wiping them out. But not strong enough so that they can defeat your unwilling allies.

Voilà! The Drazi are caged between the alliance which is chasing them and us, who just happen to be in the way. I can't say that I like those guys. Especially since it's highly likely that they are trying to recruit several other intelligent species in front of the Drazi wave. We'll have to ask the Forlorn if there are any other intelligent races in reasonable distance to us.
Of course all of this is Sanguin's and my theory at the moment. Completely unproven, so I can't lose a word about it.

If this turns out to be true, then it's highly likely that this conflict will last for centuries. Which is a real downer in my eyes. I think I'll join the reserve force once I return. After travelling for months I want to stay at home for a while.
And the next point on my list is finally ending my trip around Sol. I got interrupted and never managed to finish it!

I massage the base of my nose and return to the living room where I find Cyla snoring on the sofa. Sleeping is a good idea, so I drop down next to her and hug the woman of my dreams.

Sol, En route to the Forge, Coeus
Cyla

“Heavy!” I open my eyes and find myself being flattened under a mountain of male flesh. “Are you sure that you shouldn't take a diet?”
Gideon stirs and mumbles in his sleep. “It's just about eighty kilograms. Don't exaggerate.”
“Still, let me lie on top.” I rearrange him into a more comfortable position and sigh in relief upon getting to rest my head on his chest.

“How about staying at my home for a while? We could join the reserve.” He mumbles. “I've had enough assignments for now and this conflict will last for a long time. I don't think that they can deny us an extended leave from the SDF after we were practically forced to join. They've had more than enough time to recruit people who actually want to do this job.”

I furrow my forehead. “It's not like I would complain about it, but what do you want to do instead? I know that we have more than enough money, but doing nothing is boring.”
He shrugs. “I am always doing research and programming as a side job for StarDrive and my own company. It's not like I wouldn't get bored but... maybe I should return to school for a while. I heard that there is a test for finding the ideal job. Maybe I'll try it.”

“That's the normal way to get a job. You get yourself tested and the system gives you the job offers which are suitable and free. Don't tell me you didn't know that.” That's Gideon for me. If it wasn't for his talents he would be completely helpless.
“Then I'll try that. It may be fun to see what they have available.” He runs his hand through my hair and starts petting my head.

Sol, Aether
Gideon

Freedom! I never thought about it, but being inside a military organisation is very stressful. I wonder why the soldiers on Earth aren't rebelling. Their routine down there is even stricter than ours and practically denies them their own life. I would have rebelled without Cyla at my side.

Especially being at home is wonderful, though Cyla's new interest in building up her own business causes her to be away for work entirely too long. I really need something to do besides searching bugs in Paul's programs.
I venture down into our mansion's living room where I find Galia slurping down a milkshake while watching the news channel. I greet her and sit down next to her.

The news are talking about events on Earth and how good the new government is. “So they are really going for a unified government?” I take the milkshake from Galia's hand to have a sip.
She raises an eyebrow. “Is that so surprising? A certain someone offered Rob to remove his political opponents. I am still amazed that he really took the offer. And even more that you really went and did it!”

“Those were collateral damage. I interrogated each of them and I harmed nobody who didn't deserve it. Maybe Rob simply found out that being a nice guy in the real world takes more than being a saint.” I raise my finger to my lips. “Why are you even here and not on Earth?”

“I was on Earth, but I returned to take a few days off before the normals visit Aether.” She answers.
I almost choke on the milkshake. “The normals will do what!?”
“The elders decided to allow a few normal ambassadors to visit our colonies. Just to show them what we achieved and how pointless a fight would be.” Galia explains.
“So they decided to follow a tactic of intimidation instead?” I ask.

“If you want to interpret it that way. From my point of view they are simply offering Earth's government a hand. We have official observers down on Earth, so they are allowed to have official observers up here.” Galia tilts her head. “And Earth's exploration program is currently leaping forward in big steps. If they continue like that for a few more years we'll have to reveal ourselves anyway. Just to tell them that they are settling on someone else’s property and have to pay rent.”

“So they'll make everything public?” I ask.
Galia tilts her head left and right while thinking. “I don't think that it'll go that fast. A few more years until Earth's government is firmly established. Then they can think about going public. Until then they'll have to operate like nothing happened.”

I lean back. “Still. I don't get how we can benefit from that. It would be easier to fry their computers to send them back to the dark ages.”
She takes back her milkshake. “Maybe we can, maybe we can't. We are still unsure how the whole business with the aliens might turn out. Having Earth as a pool of workforce or as a backup for military ground forces may turn out to be worthwhile. They may also evolve into providers for new technologies once their various factions stop interfering with each other.”

I snort. “For that they would have to change their political system. How much do you want to bet that Rob's successor will be a complete idiot who shatters all his work?”
“I hope not?” Galia answers disturbed. “Look at what he achieved within a few months.”

“That's how democracy works. For every politician who does a good job and makes things better you get ten others who are either puppets like Rob or just interested in using their power or are complete morons. Rob wouldn't be a good politician either if we hadn't cut his strings. Just take a look at the resource wars. Would have never happened if they had done the reasonable thing and worked economical.” I explain. “Maybe purging all radical religions should have been done sooner. There are still a lot of radical groups down there.”

“I feel depressed when I have to listen to your point of view. Didn't you want to go to school and take that test?” Galia gestures for the door. “When you get political it shows that you don't have enough to do. Maybe you should follow Cyla around and play to be her new assistant.”
“Ah, yes. You are completely right! Thanks for reminding me.” I get up and leave the house.

On my way to the school I get a call from someone whom I hoped to be dead. I growl, but decide to take the call anyway. Audio only! Anything else would spoil my mood. “Hi, Sadina.”
My mother's voice answers. “Gideon, why didn't you answer for so long? It has been months since we talked about your future.”

“I've been busy and you were not my top priority.” I answer chipped.
“I understand. I just wanted to congratulate you to your girlfriend. She is such a wilful child and full of energy. She even managed to make me consider my own relationship with you.” Sadina chirps in delight.

Cyla mentioned my mother's call, but unfortunately I don't know the exact details. “You don't have anything against her?”
“Why would I? I am just trying to help and develop you. Though you are growing a little faster than anticipated. I admit that. Say, what are your plans for the future? Don't you want to take a little advice from your counsellor?”

“And what's that advice of yours?” I ask.
“Take it easy for a few years.” She disconnects without further ado.

What was that call for? Talking to the crazy bitch feels so random. Maybe I should rejoin the SDF and fly off to a godforsaken place just to be far, far away?
No, that may be exactly what she wants. Her hacking skills are first class. She surely already found out that Cyla and I joined the SDF's reserve. And if she didn't hack the SDF, she surely found out about Cyla's new business activities. She knows that we are practically settling down right now. So telling me to do exactly what I am doing right now could be reverse psychology?

I shake my head and realize that I am already on Aether's campus. There should be no problem in taking the test. I can always say no. Right?
My path leads me across the campus to the test room. While walking I connect to the network and file a request. I really love the fact that this society doesn't place any restrictions on education. That's also a major problem of the humans down on Earth. They are doing their best to keep the population stupid by placing high taxes on books and information. In addition, they ensure with their laws, that changing your job is as hard as possible.

No. I've got to stop thinking about it. If I follow this train of though I might end up throwing a few asteroids on that planet.
I enter the area with the examination rooms and head directly for room number 4. After typing the registration code into the door's lock I step inside. The white, empty rooms became very familiar during my time here.

Since I don't want to waste any time with this business I approach the copper coloured globe which is hovering in the middle of the room. It has the size of a tennis ball and is my examiner.
I greet it. “Hi, I want to take the test to search for a job.”
“Hello, I am the examination sprite 'Exo-4'. Just call me Exo. Please state your name.” The globe answers, repeating a very old ritual.

“Exo-4! Long time no see. Don't you remember me? Gideon Alvar. You took my test when I entered the school.
“Gideon Alvar, twenty-three, scheduled for a full magical and mental examination.” Exo answers and falls silent again. After a few moments the copper globe shoots towards the door, but I reach out in time to grab the sprite. “Hey, where do you think you are going.”

“Mercy! Mercy! I don't want my CPU fried again! Why are you even here!? I thought the school had finally become a safe place again. At least for a few years!” Exo squeals in horror.
“Calm down and don't waste my time. I just want to take that stupid test and then I am gone.” I reply.
“You won't fry me again?” He asks.
“If you waste any more of my time I'll have to go even faster to get it back!” I reply.

Finally the sprite returns to it's spot. “Are there any jobs you are particularly interested in? There is a new course in quantum physics and computing. I am sure that you know enough to get the qualification by taking the test.”
I wave my hand to dismiss the idea. “Just let me take the test and sign me up for the job I am best suited for. I need something to do.”

46. ~A new calling.~

“
The first established long term colony flourished on the dark side of the moon, though it became clear that a permanent settlement there needed more protection. So the entire colony had been moved under ground long before Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the moon's surface.
”

-The true history of space flight

Sol, Aether
Gideon

I yawn as I walk down the street to my family's mansion. Exo and I took our time with testing my abilities and my knowledge. I even had to take a psychological test. Exo insisted that it's necessary to be sure to get me the right job. He wanted to avoid at all costs that I get bored and come back right away. The sprite informed me that it will take some time to judge the test and that I'll be informed at once as soon as a psychologist manages to take a look at the answers.

Unfortunately psychology isn't an exact science. So simply going with a yes or no Q&A-test would be pretty much pointless. Taking tests for pure knowledge appeals much more to me. You go in and as soon as you are done you get the results.
Having to wait feels ominous. I don't like it even if I am very sure that I did well on the part regarding sciences.

I scratch my cheek where the beginnings of a beard are starting to form and turn around the corner. What I find in front of my mansion is Cyla with two guys and one of them is just giving her a kiss on the cheek.
A strange knot forms in my chest and I have the sudden urge to skewer him with something pointy, then rain lightning down on him and his friend until they are both well done and just sizzling remains which can hardly be identified as corpses.

The street lantern to their left seems just right for the job and I already think about an appropriate spell to cut it to size when Cyla sees me.
She waves her hand and calls out to me. “Gideon, my brothers came to visit!”
Her brothers? I eye both men in a new light and smile, hugging Cyla to greet her once I am close enough. “You should have informed us that we are getting visitors.”

“It was just a visit of opportunity. We aren't intending to stay. I am Brenton Estene.” The older one of the two brothers replies. He looks like he is in his thirties and strongly reminds me of Gregor, Cyla's father. Brenton's hair is short and of a lighter colour than Cyla's while his whole physique screams that he must be doing daily strength training.

He offers me a hand and I take it. “Gideon Alvar.”

The younger brother at his side looks more like Cyla's relative. He seems to be in his twenties, but he is definitely older than me. His black hair is slightly too long to be called manly. There are some strange fashions in mage society and men with shoulder long hair are something I'll never get used to. His eyes look like he got them directly from Cyla's mother.

“My name is Martin Estene. I was hoping to find out which type of guy my younger sister fell for. Now that I've met you I am not too impressed.” He introduces himself.
Cyla's leg shoots out and hits his shin, leaving him jumping on one foot. “Didn't I tell you to be nice?”
I find my eyes wandering back to the street light, but better judgement tells me that turning my lover's brother into a skewer is socially wrong and would get me into trouble with her.

“Hahahaha. Let him, little Sis. A time will come when he is rude to the wrong person.” Brenton pats my back. “I think you found the right one for you. I had to listen twice to the story about his introduction to our parents. Man, I wished I would've been there. You certainly managed to make Dad look like a fool.”

“Why don't you come in?” I ask, trying to be nice.

Brenton waves his hand. “No, it was really just a short visit of opportunity since we didn't get to see little Sis since a few months. But she seems to be doing well. We have a tight schedule, maybe next week?”
“Sure, just see to it to tell us in time.” Cyla hugs her brothers once more and the two of them leave after saying goodbye to me.

I put my hand around Cyla's hips while we watch them making their exit. “Too bad that I didn't get to know them better. We've to invite them properly the next time.”
“Yes. They were really taking their time after having stopped by.” She takes a look at her wristwatch. “Half an hour ago they already stated that they had to go and they kept finding reasons to delay their departure. But after seeing your face they had no problem with leaving fast.”

“My face?” I ask. Did my expression betray me again? “How did I look?”
“When you came up the alleyway you looked like you just caught me with another man. It was as clear as daylight that you were intending to use the street light to do something to them, so I called out to you to clear up the misunderstanding.” Cyla pats my chest and leans against me.

“I see.” I wipe over my own face and pull on my cheek. “I really have to work on this.”
Cyla nods. “Yes. And when Martin was rude it looked like you were reconsidering whatever you were planning to do to him. But don't worry. I am not mad about you being that jealous.”
“Jealous?” Maybe I am a very jealous person. “But why should you be mad about it.”

She sighs. “Gideon, some girls don't like it when you are really possessive about them. But I like that side of yours. It feels like you are really caring about me.” Her voice returns to a more serious tone. “Though please don't try to kill people because they gave me a little more attention than normal.”

“I... I will try.” Though I can't promise anything. That feeling back then felt out of my control. Better to avoid the issue. “Let's go inside.”
I lead Cyla into the house and to the living room where we find an almost complete gathering of my family.

Melan, Rhiannon, Arend and Galia are all sitting on the couch and watching a news report. Hedeon is sitting a little further away on his chair and reading a book. Only Saden isn't present, but that's nothing to be worried about. By now she is practically living with Paul, so I don't get to see her that often any more.

“What's so interesting about the news?” I ask, approaching them from the side so that I don't block the view at the projection on the wall. “More information about Earth?”
“No!” Grandmother calls out. “It's the five year redistribution of the seat for Aether's governor! What did I do wrong for you being so disinterested in politics.”

I furrow my forehead. The really high jobs in government are reissued every five years to ensure that the current public servants don't become lazy. If they bomb their test or someone with far higher qualifications applies for the job they simply get dismissed without further ado.
That's nothing to be worried about. Not many officials manage to stay in their office for their entire life and if they actually get booted out, they are still highly sought after.

Someone who manages to get into a government office just once is assured to be noted down as highly capable for the rest of his life. The redistribution simply ensures that the officials don't get bored or compliant, which is bound to happen to everyone after a few years. It also stops favouritism to a certain degree.

Another point is that being a mage means having to deal with a long lifetime. Which smart person with that much time on his hands wants to do the same job forever?
I turn back to eye my family. Somehow it's interesting to watch them next to each other. If a normal would see them he wouldn't believe that there are three generations sitting right next to each other.
The only family member who allows himself to look a little older than thirty is Grandpa. His hair is actually turning a little grey at his temples. Grandmother though looks not a day older than thirty.

Will I ever sit next to my grandchildren who look like they are almost my age? The thought is freaking me out for some reason.

Hedeon scratches his ear. “Don't worry, Dear. I am sure that I'll be once again the governor, like the fifty-five years before. We'll simply make sixty out of it and then probably seventy. And maybe a hundred.”
Grandma glares at Grandfather. “I swear to you, if you ever bomb that test...” She doesn't finish her sentence because the news reporter starts announcing the changes in the smaller government offices of Aether.

Grandmother is always proud to be the right hand of Grandfather. So if he loses his job as the governor she'll probably quit hers too. The two of them are like a pair of good, old shoes. Once you lose one the other is worthless.
She may be a little power hungry too, but to me she is still the greatest person in the world. There is nothing wrong with being proud of having responsibility. And reputation. A high government office is also a job of prestige.
I wonder what they'll do if they really have to give Aether's government to someone else? Will Grandpa fly ships again?

Finally the news reporter gets to the important part. “... and after fifty-five years we finally have a new governor!”
Hedeon drops his book with an open mouth, shock apparent on his face. Grandmother jumps up, runs over to Hedeon and starts strangling him.

“... But strangely enough the job stays in the family!” The reporter continues and Grandmother stops trying to kill her sweetheart.
“The new governor of Aether is Gideon Alvar. Age twenty three and soon to be twenty four. That makes him one of the youngest people who have ever reached such a high position. It also happens so that he is our good old governor's grandson. So he can be sure to have someone with experience close to him.” The reporter finishes.

All eyes in the room turn to me. I turn my eyes to the ground, thinking hard about my conversation with Exo. “I think I said to him that he should put me up for whatever job seems to fit me? But I didn't mean that I want to get into the government.” How did this happen? I am not even good at doing speeches!

“Gideon, I am so proud of you!” Grandma drops Grandpa like something filthy and runs over to hug me.
I feel the blood draining from my face. Grandma is happy about this! There is no way I can give this job back! Exo! I'll fry that bastard the next time I see him!

“Gideon! That means we'll stay here for a few years at least! That's so cool.” Cyla hugs me from the other side, stars gleaming in her eyes. I wonder what's going through her head?
Being sandwiched between the two of them I decide to retreat into my own world to calm down. I'll simply switch on my own VR and spend a few subjective weeks with playing games.

Who needs the real world?

47. ~Piece of advice.~

“
Mars was the second big colony which was settled by the mages. Unlike the colony on the moon it was moved underground right away. The Mars colony flourished since the planet had all necessary resources available.
Earth-magic proved to be a very valuable asset in creating the huge underground caverns.
”

-The true history of space flight

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“Here you go.” Cyla hands me a plate with lasagne which she personally made. She even gives me a kiss on the cheek before sitting down right next to me, humming happily. We are alone in the mansions kitchen because I came home late again. To my surprise Cyla was still awake and waiting for me.

While I eat I try to sort out my memories. The last month as the new governor was a real downer. I did effectively nothing else than trying to come to grips with the job. That included mainly learning the inner workings of the city. As the governor my job is to deal with everything that's unexpected or causing trouble without being already regulated by the city's laws and protocols.

I've tried with all my might to change nothing without knowing the greater picture, relying on my predecessors. We are installing one of the new anti matter generators and a big dome, made out of diamond to make the city completely space worthy. It doesn't look like we'll ever return to earth. Until then we've to rely on energy field magic to keep a bubble of air around the city.

Putting up a dome on a disc of Aether's size is a big project. I was also informed that the elders are thinking about sending Aether on a mission to the society of civilised races.
They are intending to impress them as much as possible. I can hardly blame them, if a flying city like Aether isn't going to intimidate the aliens, then nothing will. In addition we've probably the biggest spell circuit in relation to our size. That means that we could use Aether as a weapon.

But all that is only theory until we find out how much power we can really pull out of that new reactor. I made the suggestion to use the new technology in order to set up a long range teleportation network to get faster around the galaxy.
Of course not in every star, but one node close to every intelligent species would be very convenient. We could even take fees for transportation of material and messages. Gathering intelligence is very important since we are apparently being used in a greater game.

There was only this one incident where a new mage-immigrant from Earth got into a fight with a bar owner. Apparently the fool is an alcoholic and the bar owner refused to serve him more than just a few drinks.

It's a clash of societies. Alcohol is something akin to poison to us since it dims our abilities. On the other hand it's still regarded as a luxury food. You aren't looked down upon if you order something alcoholic, but people start getting concerned if you order more than one drink.
There is no explicit law against drinking, but the bar owner would be seen as irresponsible if he had served the man too many drinks.

Who in his right mind wants to aid someone in slowly killing himself. On the other hand the people from Earth are coming from a completely different society and most of them are getting shipped to Aether.
So I could say that we currently have a slight immigrant problem since a lot of mages are leaving Earth at the moment. I've to arrange that they are distributed to other colonies as soon as possible. I don't want any ghettos to form or a society within a society.
The only reasonable measure against that is splitting them up as much as possible. Not hoarding them inside a care-taking centre like it's happening now.

“You look like there are a lot of things on your mind.” Cyla smiles and tilts her head. “I can always help.”
I force a smile onto my face. “Ah, it's just that this job involves so many social problems at the moment and I feel kind of inadequate for it.” So I tell Cyla about the cultural clashes with some of the immigrants.

And there is also the issue with the observers from Earth who will pay a visit to Aether. How we'll deal with them should they cause trouble completely escapes my grasp. I think I'll beg the faceless to give them a watchdog. We don't want something to happen to them.

“You'll be doing fine. You have your grandparents as aides. Probably you could simply lean back and let them do the job.” She grins at me sheepishly.
“Yes. But I've to try at least. Luckily the boring paperwork is no big deal to me. I can simply retreat into my VR and take my time with it.” I answer.

“So is there anything else you... want?” She runs her finger down my chest, electrocuting me a little.
“Err... how about going to sleep?” I ask.
“I'll be in our bed.” Cyla stands up and walks out of the room, moving her hips in a suggestive way.

Okay. I am dense, but there is definitely something going on. It's stupid of me to complain about her being nice, understanding, helpful and sexy. But that's not Cyla. Cyla tells me in no uncertain words if there is a problem.
I continue eating while I search my memories. She became like this shortly after it was settled in stone that we stay in Aether for a while.
She started getting really understanding and considerate. In bed she's trying to please me as best as she can and otherwise she always asks for my wishes. But I feel that she is forcing herself to do this. It's not good.

My thoughts are interrupted by Grandma entering the kitchen. She sits down across from me, supporting her head with her hands. “How is it going?”
“How is what going?” I ask perplexed, sensing an annoying discussion.
“You and Cyla?” She clarifies, not breaking her smile.

A flashback of memories takes me back. I think Melan and Cyla spent an awful lot of time together. I often came home late and saw them talking to each other.
I squint my eyes. “Something is going on.”
Suddenly Melan slams her head onto the table. One of her eyes pops out and rolls across the table, coming to rest right next to my lasagne.

Then Grandmother raises her head, looking at me with an injured expression. “Seriously? All this effort and all we got out of you is, 'Something is going on'?”
I put down the fork in my hand, having lost my appetite. Melan's eyeballs popping out like that makes me uneasy for some reason. I am fine with blood and gore and all that stuff, but Melan's rolling eyeballs freak me out. Especially since she doesn't seem to be affected by it.

“Cyla and you are acting strange.” I reply. “She was much too compliant during the last weeks.”
“Of course she was!” Melan shakes her head and takes her eyeball back. “She was trying to get you to confess.”
Stumped, I push the rest of the lasagne away from me. “But I already confessed? She knows how we feel about each other. We are sharing our feelings every day.”

Melan turns red. “You may not tell others so openly about this.” Then she puts her eye back in its place.
I raise an eyebrow. “Why not?”
She sighs. “Sharing feelings and thoughts between lovers is something very intimate. It's the same as saying that you are fucking with each other. You aren't eating that?” She points at the lasagne.
“Oh.” And that's against the ethic code. “No, eat it.”

She takes the plate and simply uses my fork. “Back to topic. She wants you to 'confess' as in 'Let's marry and have children'. Cyla didn't want to tell it to you openly because she doesn't want to be the one who is offensive in this matter. I told her that it would never work with you, even if she plays cute little girlfriend for years. Dense as you are. This is going on since weeks, but after your comment right now I don't feel like watching any more. I like the girl and if you two continue this someone will get hurt. Blunt enough?”

“Err, yeah? I guess.” Seeing it in that light. “Isn't it too early? We are still young.”

“Please. You knew each other for almost a year and you are a good team.-”
I interrupt Grandma to clarify. “Eight months.”
She makes a dismissive gesture. “Trust me. That girl managed to stay at your side for that long and is still head over heels for you. She has looks and a working brain, though I am not sure what she sees in you. She didn't get that detailed with me, yet. You won't find another one like that for a few centuries, even if you are actively searching.”
“I don't want to search for another one!” I call out. How could she get that idea.

“Then take out your chips and fuck each others brains out. Tie the knot and be done with it. Marriage contracts can be signed afterwards.” Melan answers with a full mouth. “What do you think mages are? We may have a long lifespan, but you should be really happy if you find someone that compatible. Use the time as best you can and don't waste it with staying idle. Who knows how long you can be together without evolving apart. Especially you.”

Melan drops the fork and starts counting with her fingers. “Before I got together with Hedeon I was together with Laurin. It was a nice time but after twenty years we eventually got bored of each other. We never even thought about having children.”

A second finger goes up. “Then I ran completely dry until I met Ralph, I think I was eighty at that time? He was a habitat engineer. Maybe we could have become more if he hadn't died in that stupid accident with the air lock. I was completely destroyed afterwards, but that's how most mages die. Dying in an accident is much more likely than dying of old age.”

Third finger. “Then there was Siegfried. Oh, boy. I loved that one, he was a stud. Thought there was enough time, so no need to rush. Before I knew it he ran off with that bitch to an asteroid settlement. They have something like polygamy there and he had no interest in women beyond their bodily features. I wasn't open minded enough for him. Well, sorry that I disliked his fantasies which border-lined on gang-bangs from morning till night. I don't swing that way. Was a mistake on my part, I got smarter since then. I endured another thirty years being alone. Siegfried made me a little picky in my partners.”

Fourth finger. “Until I met Edmund. He was a high point in my life. We even had three kids until our marriage fell apart after sixty years. Don't ask for the details, some people change after a few decades. But Our kids still live on Neptune, no idea where he is, didn't bother to contact me even once since then. I've to visit them sometime.”

Fifth finger. “Fred, was just a filler. Both of us knew that there will never be more between us than sex. But as long as it lasted we could at least comfort each other when another date didn't go as we wished.”

Sixth finger. “Finally I and Hedeon got together. I am still a little baffled that he really sold his transporter and stayed with me. That ship was everything to him. Well. We had Rhiannon and Sadina and are playing house since then. Did I forget someone? Probably, but they can't have been that important. Are you still with me, Gideon? Do you get what I want to tell you? Should we find your grandfather and get him to tell his story too? I am sure he has a little more to tell since he is about a hundred years older than me.”

“I- g-” I close my eyes and try to wrap my brain around this outburst. “I guess I never realized what over two hundred years mean.” Grandma doesn't look old, but hell! She never went all out on me when talking about her past. “You want to tell me that wasting time with a potential partner is stupid, even if it feels like you aren't under time pressure.”

“Right.” She starts eating again. “So what will you do after listening to a love life of over two hundred years, learning that there were really just two memorable high points in it? Ah, and don't tell Cyla what I told you.”
“I have to excuse myself.” I answer. “There is something I have to do.”
“Thought so.” Melan doesn't look up from the plate.

I stand up and flee the scene, not entirely sure if my respect for Grandma just rose or fell. What will happen if I ask Grandfather about his story?
One floor higher I find the entire floor dark with the lights out. Probably Cyla already went to sleep. There is a limit to everything I guess.

Upon entering the bedroom I find Cyla in a dangerous black negligee on the bed. When I enter she turns on the light and rubs her eyes. I can't help myself and have to comment her dangerous outfit. “Holy... where did you get that? I am sure this violates several moral codes.”

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“What's took you so long?” I take a look at the clock. “I already feared that you'll be too tired to appreciate my outfit.” I roll over the bed and urge him with my finger to come closer.
He sits down next to me. “Actually I want to ask you something.”
“Really?” I call out with my voice breaking, then I clear my throat. “I mean, everything!”

“Let's be together.” He kneels down in front of me and takes my hand which startles me a little. “Do you want to marry me? I don't have a ring at the moment, but we'll buy one right next morning.”
“Yes! Yes!” My heart takes a leap and I hug him. Take that Melan! I managed it on my own and I didn't even need your help! “But why do we need a ring?”

“Because it's custom?” He asks.
Then it makes click inside my mind. “Oooh, you mean like in those movies of yours. No. Don't worry about a ring. That's normally not done in mage society. Though it seems like a nice custom. Maybe we will get a matching pair?” Once again he is drawing on the wrong pool of experience.

Then he pushes me back on the bed and starts kissing me. I savour the feeling and start unbuttoning his shirt.
Suddenly he whispers into my ears. “Where is your chip.”
My eyes widen. “L- l- left collarbone?” I ask a little insecure and point with my finger at a little bulb under my skin. It's so small that you can't really find it if you don't know what to look for. Just a few millimetres in size. Is he really going all the way in one leap?

He grins and hugs me, securing my arms to my body and kissing the spot which I pointed out. I gasp as a sharp pain stings me suddenly, but it quickly fades and I recognize the warmth of a healing spell.
Gideon raises his head with the chip between his teeth and a trickle of blood on his lips. Then he spits it aside.

“Oh, you didn't!” I start grinning. “That's such a dirty way to do this. Let me go. Where is yours?” I wriggle free and give him the same treatment. Just a little spell to lightly cut the skin and that's it. Tasting a little blood isn't that bad. “That's the naughtiest thing we've ever done!”

“I plan to do much naughtier things.” He pulls away the cloth and frees my breasts while reaching between my legs to use his fingers.
“That's definitely naughty.” I gasp and hurry to free him from his pants. “You left me waiting for half an hour. Do you have any idea how desperate I already am.” I pull him closer and into me, enclosing him with my legs.

We open our minds to each other and he starts moving. At first slowly and then faster until my mind is a total mess. After a while he turns desperate and his movements become rough and hard. All I can do is clinging to him until both of us shudder and a warm feeling starts spreading inside me.

Sol, Aether
Gideon

I place my cheek on Cyla's, still struggling for breath. “I don't know why, but this was the best round we've ever had.”
“Maybe because it was without the drugs from the chip?” She asks, refusing to let go of me.

Rolling us around I get her to rest on top of me. “How about signing the contract right tomorrow morning?”
She giggles. “And then we could throw a party for everyone.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Whom do you want to invite? I don't have that many friends.”

“Family and a few friends. But mainly family. My father in particular. It will be the end of him!” Cyla purrs into my ear.
A devilish grin steals itself onto my face. “Sometime you have to explain in detail how he managed to be on your bad side.”

“That's a long story.” Cyla places a french-kiss on my lips and starts moving again.

48. ~All in one.~

“
Aether is like many other colonies completely self-sufficient. The one kilometre thick plate on which the colony's city is built on has several levels with green houses, fields and gardens where food is produced. The walls and ceilings project a complete imitation of Earth's day and night cycle to provide a suitable environment for cattle and all daily necessities. The lower areas of the colony aren't used as living space because it's necessary to have far more free area for plants than for the population itself.
The park level is one of the most important recreation areas for Aether's population. Many other colonies follow similar strategies to provide for food and fresh air.
Aether is currently employing about ten thousand people only to take care of these environments. That's about a twentieth of Aether's population.
”

-Architecture of Aether

Sol, Aether
Hedeon

I try my best to sleep, but the mansion's walls are simply too thin. This Cyla girl is a real bomber, but she is also a screamer. I don't like that. At first I and Melan tried to counter the noise pollution by doing it ourselves. But those two simply have more stamina than us. Or it's the blessing of being freshly in love. I don't know. Maybe I am getting a little old.

Turning around I find Melan sitting next to me in our bed. She is reading a book and grinning like the devil. “Mh... Melan. Honey? What's so funny?”

“Oh, nothing. The book is really good. That's all.” She answers distractedly and coughs erotically.

I take a closer look at the book. “Honey, you are holding the book the wrong way.” My eyes automatically wander up to hers. “And why is your left eye closed?”
Melan licks over her lips, thinking of an answer. “Because-”
But I decide to act before she can finish. Bending over to her, I force her eyelids apart to find the second eye-socket empty. “Okay. Spill it! On whom are you spying this time! I thought you left your old life behind. No industrial espionage any more. You promised!”

“I am not spying! At least not like you think... oh! That's so bold of them!” Melan gasps heavily.
“Bold? Them?” I furrow my eyebrow, but the moaning from the floor above us gives me the needed hint. “That's so low of you Melan. They are our grandchildren. From now on you have no right to call me the pervert in the family! All I did for Gideon was pointing the way to a nice locality for young people to mingle with each other.”

She answers in a whiny voice. “I just needed to make sure that they are doing fine. So I watched the start. And then one minute more and a little longer. And before I knew it they were done and went for a second round. I know it's wrong, but I couldn't turn my eye away. It's like in the old days when I still earned my money with hard work. Sometimes those younglings need a little help to find each other. If I hadn't helped them, Gideon would probably be fifty when he starts thinking about a proper relationship. But he is good. I kind of see why Cyla stays with him against all odds.”

Then she suddenly turns to me and pulls the blanket away. “Time to get started again! You had enough rest.”

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“I can't stand this. Why do I get reports on the dome and anti-matter projects? I've no interest in them. Hire a competent supervisor and leave me alone. Just tell me when they are finished.” I complain to Hedeon.
Grandfather puts on a bemused smile. “Nobody expects you to supervise them, it's just a report. You are only expected to read it, nothing more.”

“It's still annoying me and taking up time. Even if I read them inside my own VR it's nonetheless using up my ability to concentrate. Please tell the guy who writes those things that he has to limit his lengthy explanations to the essential points. No more than one page. I don't need a thesis on particle acceleration.” I grumble.

“I'll try to convey the essence of your words to the person in question. How about greeting the normal representatives? They will arrive today.” Hedeon informs me.
“Great. Do we already have an idea how we can deal with them? They'll need a watchdog to ensure that they won't get eaten alive.” This isn't going to turn out well. “If they get into an argument with a random person and the person in question uses magic on them...” I imagine the mess of an unprotected normal smeared across the floor.

“We've already assigned a 'guide' to each of them.” Hedeon hands me another report. “I doubt that we can do more.”
I look at the report and let out a deep sigh upon reading the headline. Population density in regard to the city's industrial area. Yes. Exactly what I am looking for.

A secretary opens the door and takes a look into the governor's office. My office. “I am sorry to disturb you, but there is a faceless and he says it's very urgent.”
Wonderful! “Send him in. We might as well deal with it sooner than later. At least this sounds like something mildly more interesting than our other issues.” I wave my hand for the secretary to hurry. She is a small, petite woman and doesn't do much more than being a door stopper, but at least she has enough bite to ward off people who just want to pester the governor.

The one who enters is no one else than Ed. I immediately recognize his stature and his voice. Of course he already congratulated me on my new job. He called me right next day after the media announced my new position.
Ed doesn't waste time and slams a form with a lot of stamps and signatures onto the table. “You have to stop the relocation of immigrants to other colonies right this moment.”

“No.” I answer. We need to get rid of them, especially since Aether might journey to the gathering with the aliens. If I could I would also send most of the population away, but it's a little hard to tell someone to leave the place where he lived his entire life. I would be pissed.

“It's an instruction from the elders. There are some issues we have to deal with first. Actually I want you to lock down all outgoing traffic from Aether.” Ed answers in a hushed voice.
I raise an eyebrow. I wanted something interesting, but that goes too far. “And the reason?” I take the official order and read it, then I connect to Aether's governmental network and issue the necessary commands. After I am done I hand the form to Hedeon who studies it with great interest.

“We've a problem and I think that it was imported with the immigrants from Earth.” Ed reaches into his pocket and retrieves a small, transparent plastic bag. It's filled with several black bars, about two centimetres in length and five millimetres in width.

“Looks like guinea pig poo! Do we have a vermin problem?” I reach with my hand for the bag, but a very sinister feeling stops me. This stuff contains power. Is it an enchantment or a curse? I take the bag carefully between two fingers and dangle it in front of me to study it. “And that is?”

“It's called Fog and it's a very potent drug. We found it with a dead mediator who was working for OFA. Apparently he tried to fly to the highest point of the diamond dome that's being constructed and take a close look at it. But he was an earth-mage and used up all his power half the way up. So dropped two hundred metres to his death.” Ed explains.

I blink. “I think it would be best if you sit down and start the story at the beginning. I've no idea what Fog is and why that guy would even attempt something that stupid. We should be happy that he removed himself from the gene pool and won the Darwin Award. And why do we have to shut down our traffic over this?” Earth magic is on the other side of the magical tree. There is no way that this guy had an affinity for gravity magic.

“Seriously? Didn't you take history lessons in school?” Ed gasps. “And what's the Darwin Award?”

I wave my hand like swatting away an annoying fly. “Of course. I learned what was absolutely necessary to clear the tests. It went into one ear and out the other. I am glad I managed to forget most of the useless information. And the Darwin Awards are handed to people who killed themselves in the most stupid ways possible.”

Ed takes the chair across from me and sits down. “In the earliest days of civilisation, there was a group of mages who perfected a certain ability. They bound power inside their own blood by the means of a ritual. We are calling it blood-magic. The created Fog can be used to control others.”
If a mage takes Fog, the drug will give him a short power boost. That in itself isn't a problem, but it also influences your mind. You feel more powerful and all your abilities are enhanced together with your ego.”

“It's like going on a trip to heaven and you feel like a god. It's also lowering your judgement of danger and heightening your self-assessment to achieve that. Unfortunately you aren't actually as godlike as you feel and if you do something stupid or impossible you might end up dead. Very addictive stuff. The normals also called it Ambrosia, the food of the gods.
Once you come down from your trip you feel like shit. All your feelings are turned into the negative. That's why many commit suicide without having their regular dosage. The addiction kicks in almost immediately for normals. Their only luck is that they are less powerful and have less ways to kill themselves.”

I drop the bag back onto the table like a venomous snake. “No wonder that it felt so sinister.”

“Yes, some are sensitive to it, but most mages feel nothing from simply looking at it. I can sense it too. The blood is a medium for a very powerful hex curse which invades the energy resources of the host. You dissolve the drug in water and drink it.
Back in the old days the mages who created this stuff used it to enslave the normals and play gods. Zeus, Aphrodite... all those Greek gods and other deities all over the world were actually mages.”

“The elders let it go for a long time. After a while the idiots who created the drug started to believe in their own myth and started acting accordingly. The stupid normals weren't much help either. They worshipped them and tried to actively spread their religions, fighting wars over differences in ideology.”

“They had their gods and reasons to fight each other before that too, but after being fuelled by drug crazed fanatics they really lifted off. The elders put a death sentence on everyone who misused his abilities like that. It was the first and only real war among us mages. Well, it's not a good point in our history and most curriculums tend to skip over the events very fast. Maybe that's why you didn't pay attention.”

My mind races and I clap my hands together. “That's just too good to be true! All the conspiracy theories which I can build on that. If you dissolve the stuff and drink it, then does that mean that all those religions on Earth are somehow based on it? The holy grail? The Last supper? Oh, that fits perfectly! Please tell me that Jesus was one of those mages. He distributed his blood among his followers to keep them in line. Wait, I think the Islam has something similar.”

“Most religions have rituals where you drink something or which are somehow related to blood.” Hedeon throws in.

Ed nods slowly. “That's true. Jesus was one of the last survivors of that war. It was long and we fought mostly in secret. Unfortunately information sharing was very slow back in those days. When we heard of him and put him down he had already created a new annoying religion. One that turned out to favour killing those who think different on top of that. At least in its early days.”

He gestures with his hand to forward the discussion. “You get the gist of it. We need to find the person or persons who are the source of the drug. Once he manages to escape to a random colony it'll be indefinitely harder to find him once he goes underground.”
“But why did he distribute the drug at all then? Hadn't it been better if the source kept a low profile until he is an official citizen.” I ask.

Ed shakes his head. “There are screenings and truth tests for new citizens of our community. Once we have him inside our system he'll have to resort to measures like the Revelation Wing and hide on some forgotten asteroid. Luckily the drug has a short expiration date. That's why we are sure that it wasn't just imported.”

“The dead mediator had access to his own personal shuttle and scheduled a flight to the Forge for today. I think he was bribed to use his transportation rights to get the source to the Forge. From there he could have bribed his way to an identity and started his own little drug empire. We were just lucky that the mediator killed himself with the drug on his body. The source will already know that something went wrong, even though we didn't let anything out over the media.”

“I see. Do you have any idea how long it might take to identify the person who caused this.” I ask.

Ed shakes his head. “We are working as fast as possible, but we have to do the full questioning. In the worst case scenario it might take until we've worked our way through all the immigrants. Two weeks at most if the source doesn't go underground.”

I groan. “I can already see the stack of petitions and complaints reaching the ceiling. And all this right when we get the observers from Earth.”

Sol, Aether
Cyla

I am just about to finish up my work when I get a call. It's Amia Jefri, pyro-mage and a major pain in my butt. Also one of my best friends. For a moment I struggle between feelings of jealousy and friendship until I decide to take the call.
Amia's smiling avatar forms in front of me. “Cyla! I am so glad that you managed to answer right away. Are you currently in Aether? I think you mentioned something the last time we saw each other.”

“Yes.” I answer.

“Oh, marvellous! Please! Let me crash at your place for a while. I really need help.” Amia places both her hands together in a pleading gesture. “I don't want to sleep on the street or in one of the emergency quarters.”

I think my face must've shown my shock because Amia starts explaining in more detail before I can ask what happened to her.

“Haven't you heard what happened? For some reason the authorities shut down all outgoing flights and teleports. Everyone who leaves Aether has to undergo a full screening and there aren't enough faceless to do the job. Travellers are blocking the whole dockyard and there are no places to sleep. I already requested a room at twenty different hotels and all of them turned me down.”

That's troublesome! I indeed didn't hear about it.

“Please! You are well off Cyla. I am sure that you have a big place? Just let me sleep in the drawer and you won't even notice that I am there. We could go on man-hunt like in Oibras. I'll try to find you a good one.” She winks at me.

Yeah, not having told her in detail about the events after Oibras sucks. For some strange reason I didn't want to tell her about Gideon and me when I met her on Mars. I guess there is no way around it now. “I am sorry Amia, but I am currently in a relationship and freeloading myself. But you can come to my partner's house, I'll ask if you can stay until the end of this crisis. It isn't my decision though.”

“Oh, thanks anyway. Where do I have to be? I'll promise to behave!” Then she squints her eyes at me. “Why didn't you tell me that you are in a one guy situation? Is he someone influential or a snob? What did you get yourself into.”

Well, you already spread your legs for that snob! No, I can't tell her that. I snatched the guy whom you set your eyes upon and we indulge every day in activities like baby making and sharing minds? Not a good answer either. What can you say in a situation like this?

“Cyla? What haven't you told me?” She asks with a doubtful voice.
“Do you remember the cute, depressed guy from Oibras?” I ask.
“Of course, he is all over the news. He apparently became the governor of this place. If I would be flexible enough I would bite my own ass for not securing him properly that night. Such a catch is a once in a lifetime chance.” Amia calls out.

At least it doesn't sound like she is still laying any claims on him. And she didn't call him afterwards, did she? No, even Amia isn't bold enough to do something like that. It would stink of digging for gold.

“You see...” Aw, fuck it. I'll simply be blunt about it. “That's my fiance. We were kinda forced onto the mission we talked about and I was his co-pilot. Since then he lays me every day and we are the best buddies ever. We are also intending to sign a marriage contract and just yesterday we took out each others chips to tie the knot. He was really enthusiastic since then.”

Realizing Amia's blank expression I hurry to apologize. “I am so sorry for not telling you. But back then on Mars it wasn't -that- serious, yet. As in baby making serious. And I was embarrassed and envious that you got to bed him first. On top it now feels like I somehow stole him away from you. Even if I know that it's irrational of me. I don't know. So, sorry?”

Amia stares at me for several seconds. “Wow.” Then she blinks. “Just wow. Not about you and him jumping into the feathers, I mean he and I never talked again after that night and it has been over eight months. I already knew in that club that he is your type, so I let you try first. But you telling me so bluntly. I am amazed. He has some influence on you. The old you would have hidden it until I met him in your house.”
She turns her gaze to the ground for several seconds. Then she looks up again with a devilish grin. “Do you think he is up for a threesome?”

“Don't push it or you sleep on the street!” I snap back. “Even the best friendship has a line you don't step over.”

She raises both hands. “Okay. Just wanted to confirm. So will you tell me the address?”

49. ~Meetings.~

“
Aether's newly erected diamond dome is a self repairing crystal which consists of several diamond and plastic layers which are woven together by carbon nano-tubing. The material is very durable and can seal small leakages within short time. A workforce of IMs is able to deal with bigger damages until the material can reseal the hole. The entire dome has a thickness of a hundred metres to withstand smaller impacts without damage.
”

-Architecture of Aether

Sol, Aether
Gideon

There is simply no good way to do this. “Are you sure that it's really the right idea to let them come? We've enough problems as it is and they can visit other impressive colonies.”
“They are about to arrive any second and our lock-down of the colony is just a temporary solution.” Hedeon answers. “On top Earth has assigned several observers to us. It's no problem if they get caught up in Aether for a while.”

A flash of light from the teleporter in front of us signals the arrival of our guests. We travelled to Aether's main teleportation port to greet our guests upon arrival. Normally long range teleportations are received here. It's theoretically possible to reroute their arrival point to any teleporter we want to, but normally we go with the main station. It's the safest thing to do since the controlling quantum computer which submits the coordinates has the main sensor array right next to it.

The main problem with teleportation over planetary distances is accuracy. It's no big deal if you are a few hundred kilometres off with a spaceship, but when dealing with teleporting persons you can't even allow metres.

The ones who step out of the circular teleporter are an old man in his late fifties and a woman with brown hair and Asian features. She may be thirty, but there are visible smiling wrinkles on her slender face which adds some charm.
He is one head smaller than her and a little plumb with a very prominent chin. Both of them are dressed in suits and followed by faceless.

The man's eyes flick from left to right, eyeing both Hedeon and me. He is obviously trying to decide our status. I imagine the scene of him stepping up to Hedeon to introduce himself to the supposed governor.
In the end he disappoints me and doesn't fall prey to assumptions. “Greetings. My name is Roderik Waldheim and this is my assistant Kandy Frinil. We are the observers who were appointed by Earth's government.”

I smile and step forward. “My name is Gideon Alvar, governor of Aether.” I gesture at Hedeon. “This is one of my aides, Hedeon Alvar. It's nice to meet you.”
“Are you two related? Is Hedeon your father? You don't look that old.” Kandy chimes in. “I am very interested in this governmental system of yours. I heard that many colonies have slightly different laws and governmental systems.”

Hedeon answers for me. “I am his Grandfather. And no. We are a technocracy like all others. The differences are very small. Like the number of people in public positions. It depends on the size of the colony. You don't need the same amount of control for a small colony as for the really big ones on Mars, the Forge or Jupiter.”

“I am twenty-three and Grandpa is over three hundred. He avoids telling me the exact number.” I step in and shake their hands.
Roderik furrows his forehead. “I am still amazed by the numbers, but you seem to be awfully young to be the governor. How did you climb that high that fast?”

“That's the difference between a technocracy and democracy. Gideon took all the tests and proved himself to be the smartest available person for the position. There is no one with higher qualifications than him, so the decisions are his to make.” Hedeon answers. “There is no such thing as an opinion of the masses in our culture.”
“What if he starts giving insane commands or makes too many wrong decisions?” Kandy asks intrigued.

“Anyone can voice his doubts about my sanity or qualifications. The request will be reviewed by other colonies and if it's decided that the complaint is valid I have to retake the tests to prove that I am still suitable for the job.” I answer, proud of myself to have paid enough attention to my new position to be able to answer such a question.

I gesture towards the door. “But how about taking a look at the city? We've also arranged a party for tomorrow. You can move freely as long as you have your guides with you.”
Roderik starts walking towards the exit. “Yes, about the guides. We wondered if it is possible to walk through the city without them? I noticed that they seem to intimidate many people.”

“That's because they are faceless. They are like police in our society. Their word is law as far as it concerns the average citizen. We just want to ensure your safety.” I walk with Roderik to the door and towards the shuttle which we hijacked for this special occasion.
Kandy follows us on our heels. “Why would we need guarding? From what I've seen so far your society seems very peaceful.”

“It is. But you should never forget that all of us are mages. It's like every citizen is running around with a set of hand grenades. It requires a great amount of control and mental stability throughout the whole population.” Hedeon overtakes us to the shuttle and opens the door of the roughly car-shaped vehicle. “But we certainly aren't perfect. We don't expect you to attack or pick a fight with someone, but there is also the chance of getting in between two mages who are having a brawl.”

I end Hedeon's explanations. “And what might be a brawl to us is most certainly lethal force to you. Hence the protection.”
Roderik and Kandy take a seat inside the shuttle and we join them with their guards. When everyone is seated Roderik raises his chin defiantly. “We appreciate your concern, but can we at least walk through the safe parts of your city without permanent supervision breathing down our necks? Or could our guards at least take off their masks and try to blend in. Incognito, so to speak. We'll stay here for a while and having someone breathing down your neck is getting tiring.”

One of the faceless interrupts the discussion to answer. “We could cast an illusion spell on ourselves to blend in. But it would lessen the impact of our presence considerably.”
I shrug my shoulders. “It's Roderik's decision how much protection he is willing to accept.”

“Thanks.” Kandy bows slightly and smiles at the guards.

I use the short silence to retreat into my own virtual reality. If this is going to continue for the rest of the day I'll turn insane. The urge to kill something grew with each exchanged word. Please let this be over soon.

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“I congratulate you to having found someone suitable to your character. After what I've heard it might not have worked out between Gideon and me anyway. At least not long term.” Amia takes another sip from her coffee. “He seems to be far too driven and focused for my character. I've roamed around and kept a low profile for my entire life. Gideon and you seem to stumble from one high position to the next.”

“Thanks.” I smile and let my eyes wander through the living room. “You may be right. I kinda like that side of his, even though driven is too hard a word for it.”
In that moment the door to the living room opens and Gideon steps inside and freezes upon seeing Amia.

She raises a hand waves her fingers at him. “Hi, long time no see.”
“Amia! You are alive? I thought you are dead.” He squints his eyes at her. “What are you doing here?”
“The outgoing traffic is blocked and Amia is an old friend of mine.” I explain. “Since the hotels are all over their capacities she has nowhere to stay. Is it a problem if she stays until the problem is solved?”

He raises an eyebrow. “If you don't have a problem with it, neither do I?” His voice has a questioning undertone, like it always has when he is confronted with a complicated social situation.
“Don't worry, Gidi. Your girlfriend and I are old friends. There are no problems between us and you. I thank you nonetheless for letting me stay. I wouldn't know what to do otherwise.” Amia answers in a teasing tone.

“Gidi?” I ask perplexed.
“Just a nickname I gave him back then. It somehow seemed to fit.” Amia smiles at me with a devilish grin.
“Certainly not. Use my full name or you can sleep in the cellar! Gidi sounds I am a pokemon and I hate that game!” Gideon calls out with a red face.

“See? I told you that I can make him angry.” Amia raises her tea and takes another sip. “A night of talking is enough for me to measure a man's heart.”
“Wow, you won. And I thought that I am the only one who found out that secret of his.” I reach into my pocket and hand Amia a credit chip.
Gideon is obsessed with solving games himself. He doesn't cheat or uses any guides. Pokemon was one of the very few games which he never managed to solve completely. It wasn't his fault because he accidentally triggered a bug which made it impossible to collect all the monsters.

He kept trying without noticing it though, getting angrier and more annoyed with each attempt. It is hard to imagine Gideon as a small child throwing a tantrum at a game. At some point even his almost godlike patience came to an end and he resolved to cheating, taking a look at the code.
I think it was a great luck that the game's developers were long since dead at that point.

Otherwise a small, skinny boy would have risen from his deathbed to bring the apocalypse over them.
But right now I've to calm down my boyfriend. “Why don't you sit down and we play a game. Something like monopoly. We could also recruit Galia, then we have four people.” I pat on the sofa right next to me and he sits down. Like that we spent the evening playing games and bickering with each other.

It's late in the night when I and Gideon finally get to lie down in our bed. I pull him closer and put his arm around me from behind, while using his other hand as pillow. This is my favourite sleeping position. Nothing is better than a tight fitting Gideon jacket.

“And you are sure that this is okay?” He suddenly asks. “I mean. I slept with the girl. Once.”
“Gideon, you shouldn't rub that into my face.” I sigh. “Amia is a good friend and feels like a sister to me. In addition that was before we got together, so don't wreck your brain about it. Do I have to make a list of all my previous attempts at a relationship before I met you?”

He is silent for a while, then he answers casually. “That would be a good idea. If I know whom to skin alive it's less likely that I accidentally grab someone innocent. Like your brothers for example.”
“Really?” The idea is repelling! “You don't have to worry about competition. The guys whom I met so far weren't worth to be considered for a real relationship.”

He pulls me closer. “Somehow that's not not reassuring enough.”
“Okay.” I think we have to restart this level. “How did we manage to turn the conversation away from your mishap to mine?”
“Well, it sounded like you had a lot of experiences in that regard. I feel like I am the one who is a few steps behind. I've only two to compare to after all.” He answers.

I grab his free hand and guide it to my chest. “By all the one-night-stands in the world, Gideon. Can we just cut it out and do something worth the time if you aren't tired enough to sleep. Preferably something naughty. And what's this compare thing you are talking about.”

He runs a sparking finger over the best of all places and chuckles. “That's what I was hoping for. And you are definitely the one with the better equipment and skill-set!”

50. ~Coffee.~

“
It is very clear who was the target of the witch-hunts between the 13th and 17th century. What's not widely know is that shape-shifting-magic is mainly responsible for most fairy tales which ended in the myth of vampires, werewolves, angels, demons and other mythical creatures.
The ability to shape-shift is a very rare gift and only a few mages are able to change their whole body. It's so rare because it isn't an inherited ability, but rather a trait which is achieved by the body's mutation due to high exposure of magic.
”

-Mages and their influences on the normals

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“Sadina, you always call me when I am busy. Do you have some kind of sixth sense in regards to that?” I start rocking in my office chair. It's the same one I stole from Earth's president and I've yet to find a better one.
“No. I simply had the urge to speak to you and congratulate you to your new assignment. You took my advice to heart!” Her avatar squirms once more in that strange motion she is always doing when she is thrilled.

“So it's just another call to piss me off.” I conclude. “And how does my current job have anything to with relaxing. You told me to relax.”
She stops the squirming and smiles. “I just wanted you to take an official test to search for a job and brought the experiment to a success.”
I squint my eyes at her and try to think while grinding my teeth. Did she manipulate the test results or influence Exo? It seems rather unlikely since I spun a tight personal security web around everything that had anything to do with my new assignment. The only result I couldn't control was the assessment of the psychiatrist.

“It's not like you think. I really just wanted you to take the test and I've manipulated nothing. Nothing. It would be against the experiment to interfere with the result.” She states.
I raise an eyebrow, remembering something. Ed once told me that the reason for her actions are to prove that techno-mages aren't worth any less than any other mage. Although I only experienced that during my time at school. Adults have the decency of not mentioning any differences in status. “Now I get it. You want me to rise through the ranks as fast as possible. Maybe even becoming an elder! And it has to be fast because you want everyone to see that a young techno-mage can be strong and influential.”

“Ack...” She freezes up. “You are a smart one. So simply forget what you've just found out and continue as if nothing happened. It's influencing the experiment if you know.”
“So it's just about displaying power.” I run a hand over my forehead. “Could you do something productive for a change and help me out with a little incident. We've someone on the station who is spreading Fog. Any idea how we can catch him?”

Sadina's eyes narrow. “Fog? The blood-magic drug? That's the reason why Aether is shut-down?” I nod and let her continue. “I won't help you with something that easy.”
“If it's that easy, then give me a hint.” I throw up my hands.
She tilts her head as if contemplating something. “Fine. The answer is blood-magic.” Then she disconnects and her avatar vanishes.

I let my hands hang and lean back. The answer is blood-magic? What's that supposed to mean? Crazy bitch. I wish she would be a little more forthcoming. And my attempts at tracking her aren't very successful.
Blood-magic. The drug is made out of blood and the process requires blood-magic. Or maybe she played with the words and meant blood and magic?

If that's the case, then... no. That would be too easy. Ed surely already thought about that, it's a basic forensic measure. But maybe such processes never made to mage-society? Who needs to analyse the blood at crime scenes if he can rely on magic to truth read everyone around him?

I open a channel to Ed and his avatar appears right away in my office. “What?”
“Is there a possibility to analyse the Fog and find out whose blood it is?” I ask and cross my fingers, waiting for a positive answer. But Ed just stares at me. “The Fog. Didn't you say it's blood? If that's true, then the source gave us a sample of his or her blood. Can we analyse it and build a few machines which are able to test someone for matching blood? It would be much faster than inspecting the minds of everyone to interrogate them. At least we should be able to find out if the source is male or female.”
Ed looks startled. “I- I don't know? I am not a doctor. But I'll ask one right away.” His avatar vanishes.

So the faceless don't have basic forensic methods after all. A wide grin starts spreading on my face. Old crime thrillers rock. Oh, I'll use this to embarrass him every now and then. It's just too epic than not to use it and rub it into their faces.

The door opens and my secretary dances into the room, a smile all over her face and a can with a cup in her hand. “Do you want coffee?”
“Sure.” I concentrate once more on my reports while she fills the cup, humming a happy tune. Then she leaves the office.
Absent-mindedly I reach for the cup, but a strange feeling makes me stop. My eyes wander to the cup and I try to remember from where I know that feeling.

I sniff at the cup, but there is no strange smell. Then I press the cup to my cheek and explore the strange signature in the coffee. It's the drug? But why should someone want to make me an addict? Stupid. I and my staff are very influential people. If the source can get us under control it should be possible to escape Aether despite the lock-down.
And the secretary was awfully cheerful right now. I've seen her almost daily for over a month and she was never that cheerful at work. She is the earnest and timid type.

With a smile on my face I stand up and leave the office, entering the reception room in front of it. My secretary is still humming her song while sitting at her desk, sorting her documents with incredible speed. I approach her until she notices me. “I just realized that we never really talked up until now, Alessia.”
She smiles, showing off her perfect teeth. “I guess you are right. There was no chance.”

“I was just asking myself why you are so happy. It's been a while and I never saw you that energetic.” I gesture at her desk, still holding my coffee. “Did something really good happen to you?”
Her smile widens even more and she nods. “I guess that's true. Today everything I do works out and I never felt that good before. It's like my perfect day, my true self.”

“I also feel very good. Maybe it's the coffee. It tastes exceptionally good. Where did you buy it?” I ask.
Her eyes move to the cup in my hand. “It's from the store down the main street.” Strangely her longing eyes remain on the cup like in trance and I don't fail to notice it.
“Really? Could I know the brand?” I ask.
“Sure!” Alessia rolls her office chair over to the coffee machine and opens the drawer beneath it. Then she bends down to retrieve a bag with coffee beans. I step around the table and reach her just when she looks up again.

Grabbing her head I slam it against the drawer and her body goes limp. It's highly doubtful that she even realized what hit her. To be sure I check her pulse.

I lean her back in her chair and adjust it to a lying position. Then I place both hands on her temples and invade her mind and make sure that she is unconscious. It doesn't matter to a good telepath if a person is awake or sleeping. A sleeping mind is even easier to invade since the person can't actively defend.
With exceptional care I push away mental defences and lay bare her long and short-term memories. This time I really want to avoid damaging something. Not that I care about Alessia, but if someone finds out what I did I could get in great trouble, like being hunted by the faceless trouble.

Two days ago she met a man who offered her a way out of her dull life. She was always a little depressed since her husband left her a few years ago. At the age of sixty she was madly in love with him, but it was mainly one sided. She blamed herself for the failure and never tried to get into another relationship afterwards.
The man offered her a medicine which makes all the pain go away to bring out her true self. Desperate, she took it and it worked.

With her bad conscience gone she immediately managed to hook up with someone, but the drug didn't work long and she fell into even deeper depression right the next day. Her craving was so strong that she had to meet the man again.
But this time he wanted something. And the price was making me addicted. The plan was to slip me the drug for several days, then put me on withdrawal to extort a passage away from Aether from me. Alessia never realized that she probably fell victim to the same strategy.

I move the bad memories which pushed her over the edge even deeper down the sea of her memories until they should be nothing more to her than faint and distant knowledge. There is no real reason for doing this, but since I am connected to her mind I feel somehow bad about her needless suffering. And such a manipulation is small and subtle. It should help her to get over it.
Then I shift everything back into place and make sure to wipe her short term memories. After a last check I decide that nobody should be able to recognize my work and let go of her mind.

My hands pull away from her temples and I start rubbing my own. Doing this so carefully and considerate really gnaws on my mind. I had a lot of opportunities to train this skill while running rampant on Earth, but since then I only had regular contact with Cyla.
Cyla is different. There is no effort involved in merging our minds. If both partners are willing participants its not exhausting at all and everything simply clicks into place on its own.

After a few moments I call Ed again and he answers immediately. “Sorry, but you are too fast. I've enlisted the help of the hospital and other resources, but it'll still take a while. You had a really good idea.”
“Not that. There was an incident here. My secretary tried to give me Fog. I need your people here and an ambulance.” I answer.

His expression turns shocked. “What!? What happened. No, wait. We'll be there right away.” His avatar disappears.
I nod slowly and think about the memories. According to their plan Alessia was scheduled to meet the drug dealer again in two days, but I've the feeling that the dealer is just another addict. According to Alessia's memories he is a very happy and cheerful person.

I start walking in circles and continue doing so until Ed and his men arrive with a crew of medics. Pointing at Alessia I start explaining the situation to the medics. “I think she was also drugged. She acted very strange today and if the story about the Fog is true she'll surely need special care once the withdrawal effects kicks in. I rendered her unconscious to keep her from doing something stupid.” I point out the cup of coffee to Ed's subordinates. “The coffee is drugged. She must still have a stash of the stuff somewhere. I would be grateful if you remove it from my office.”

“Gideon, what's going on here?” Grandmother enters the room with a disturbed expression on her face. Then she sees Alessia. “Alessia! What happened?”
I click my tongue then I gesture for Ed and Melan to speak in my office. This entire story is really starting to bother me. If the drug dealer is targeting my secretary to get to me, then everybody around me is a possible target. Once we are safely behind closed doors I explain everything to Ed and Melan.

But Grandma's reaction makes my mind cringe and squirm. “You rummaged through another's memories without consent!? I thought better of you, Gideon!” Her eyes flick to Ed. “What are you thinking? There is faceless here!”
“I didn't do anything else than looking at what's important to stop the drug dealer. Who knows whom else his actions might affect.” Mainly people whom I have feelings for, appealing to her feelings might work. “One person is already dead and others are being blackmailed and forced to do things against their will.”

To my astonishment Ed calms Melan down. “It's okay. We would have done it anyway and Gideon is obviously a very strong telepath. He also managed to read aliens. Now I know at least which questions I've to ask Alessia once she wakes up. It'll keep her stress levels down to a minimum. Our truth spells aren't half as sophisticated and we don't have someone on Gideon's level in Aether. The next one is on Mars and she is very busy.”

Her expression turns relieved. “Are you sure that you are a faceless?”
Aw, shit. This whole discussion might take even longer than I thought. “Ahem. I am sorry. Grandma. That's Ed, you know the Ed from my story about the Revelation Wing? I guess in a genetic way you could call him my father. Ed, I think you know my grandmother?”

I step a little further away from them to gain some distance. I swear, if this was a comic there would be sparks flying between them right this moment. It looks like Ed and I will get a chew-out of epic proportions.

51. ~More than it seems.~

“
The Merseburg Incantations or Merseburg Charms are medieval magic spells, charms or incantations, written in Old High German. They are the only known examples of Germanic pagan belief preserved in this language.
”

-Mages and their influences on the normals

Sol, Aether
Gideon

She hit a faceless! I've always known that Melan is a bad-ass woman, but for her to hit Ed hard enough to crack his mask took balls. If any of the other faceless saw that she would have been arrested for attacking the authorities. And I didn't even know half of the curses she had in store for him. The most surprising thing was that Ed took everything like he deserved it, which he probably does.

Ed never told me the story which went down between him and Sadina in enough detail to judge how much fault falls to either of them.
But Grandma certainly took it out on him. If that was a preview for what she has in store for Sadina I certainly look forward to handing her to Melan.

I hold the medical scanner in my hand tighter. The doctors issued one to me, so that I can check if anyone in my surroundings is suspicious. I wave it at random passer-byes while walking home. The world is a much shinier place if you know who the bad guys are. The scanner is detecting the energy wave pattern of the magic which is responsible for the drug's effect.

We can identify everyone who took the drug, carries it around or used magic with a similar wave pattern. So there is a possibility to get the wrong person if they have an affinity for blood magic. It's a little drawback and the reach isn't very far, but it's better to scan the minds of a few selected people than having to read the minds of everyone.

My happy time with the new toy comes to an end when I reach my home. There aren't many people there whom I could scan. Galia returned to her duties as a OFA agent and was promptly assigned as an intermediary to the observers from Earth.
Those two are stiff people. Especially the woman. She doesn't get that we mages don't believe in anything. We are the ultimate atheists in her book and every time I talk to her, she keeps searching for something in our culture that hints at a higher power.

I can't wait until she gets in contact with our version of history. She will explode. No idea how a person like her managed it to go on such a mission. On the other hand she accepts our explanations, even if she continues to search for loopholes. It could have been worse I guess. She could have turned out to be some kind of fanatic.

Back on my private floor I find Cyla and Amia in the living room. The both of them seem to be very busy with each other. Cyla is wearing an expensive looking dress and inspecting herself in a mirror while Amia is inspecting her with a serious expression. “Are you two intending to go out?”
Cyla turns to me. “Gideon! You are coming at exactly the right moment. What do you think of this dress? We are searching for something that I can wear at the party.”

“Which party?” I ask, pointing the scanner at Cyla. These medical instruments have quite a few functions and one of them is measuring sizes. I've spent my way here to measure quite a few women, noting down their quality. Cyla's are on the upper scale of my list.
“Duh, the party where you two announce your marriage contract!” Amia calls out. Then she turns to Cyla. “Are you sure you love this guy?”
“Yes.” Cyla grins at Amia. “He may be a jerk, but under all that density is a soft core. How was your day, Gideon?”

“Not good. I beat my secretary's head against a drawer because she tried to feed me Fog. Apparently the dealer is trying everything to get off of Aether. Then I had to listen to an extended preach by Grandma because I told her about Ed. Though watching her beating him was worth the time. And afterwards I had to file tons of reports to get our secretary the best treatments because she was exposed to Fog and has no relatives here.” I take a deep breath.

Cyla tilts her head. “See? Only someone with a soft heart would do that for his employees.”

Melan forced me to! I point the scanner at Amia and get an ominous positive signal for blood-magic. Just great! I've invited the devil into my home.
The both of them return to their discussion while I edge slowly closer and pick up a vase from a cupboard. If I render Amia unconscious I can inspect her mind and make sure that she isn't affected by the drug.

Just when I raise the vase Cyla turns around and faces me with an ice cold glare. “What are you doing?”
I hide the vase behind my back just in time to stop Amia from seeing it when she turns around. Both of them stare at me and I realize that I probably got carried away. The proper course of action would have been to first ask Amia about the result, then rendering her unconscious.

“The scanner says that something on Amia is related to blood-magic! I only wanted to interrogate her!” I raise the scanner.
“Right.” Cyla crosses her hands in front of her chest. “By hitting her with a vase?”
Amia takes the scanner from my hands and throws a doubtful look at me. Then she hands the scanner to Cyla.

Cyla's eyes turn to small slits. “Those numbers are dangerously close to my three sizes.”
“He has mine too!” Amia declares with certainty.
“Not that! The result to the right is the important one!” I call out. “We have to make sure that Amia isn't related to them!”

Amia takes a deep sigh. “I have an affinity to blood-magic, it's no surprise that the scan was positive.”
“You've two affinities? I thought you have an affinity for fire-magic.”I eye her with a doubtful expression. “Then why are you on Aether? Excuse me, but there is a blood-mage who is dealing with a highly addictive drug on the loose. And he already tried to get me, everyone who is close to me could be a target.”

“So the news reports are really true!?” Amia purses her lips. “I guess it's only reasonable to become paranoid in that case. I came to the station because I hoped to meet someone of my family. I myself am an immigrant from Earth. I left with my mother when I was a small child. To be honest I don't remember much of Earth.
But I remember that I often played with my cousin, father and grandparents. Since most immigrants are handled through Aether I wanted to check if there is anyone here who is related to me.”

“Why coming yourself? Couldn't you have just asked the network?” I ask. “I hope you don't have something against it if we check your mind to make sure.”
Amia winces. “Cyla can do it, I don't want you inside my head. I came here because the hub back on Earth noted down that someone who could be my cousin came through en route to Aether. But his flight was delayed and then there was the lock-down. He got redirected to the Forge and I got stuck here.”

“So he is currently at the Forge?” Cyla steps closer to the nodding Amia and places a finger on her temple. “Just relax.” She closes her eyes and the both of them stand there in silence for a few minutes. Finally Cyla takes her fingers away and smiles. “Everything about Amia is okay, Gideon. It was a false alarm. But we've to talk about this device and why it's measuring the three sizes.”

“I don't know why it does that. It's not like I am a doctor.” This time I force myself to put on a serious expression, counting on my strangeness to get me out of this situation.
After a few moments Cyla's blank expression turns into a smug smile. “You are becoming better at hiding your lies, but I just have to wait until tonight. Then I'll know what's going through your head. I highly doubt that you are able to hold yourself back until this little incident is completely forgotten.”

I clench my teeth. That's what I get for sleeping with another telepath. “Fine. I had naughty thoughts and scanned all the women who came across me. Then I put them all on a list to see who has the optimal results.”
Cyla raises her eyebrows like. “So you are a guy after all. Just wait until the after the party. I've plans for us.”
Now it's my turn to suspect something. “Plans?”

“Stop talking like that you two.” Amia puffs out her cheeks. “You are making me giddy with all that lover's talk. I didn't have someone to share my bed for over two weeks.” Then she turns to me. “So the news channels are really telling the truth? There is a blood-mage running around the station who creates Fog? Is he also bonding people, or does he just make them addicted?”

“Bonding? That's the first time I hear of it. What's this bonding?” I urge Amia to go on. If she knows more about blood-magic I want to know it. She surely studied her trait in detail.
Amia starts playing with her fingers. “Ah, that's just a rumor. The creation of Fog is a forbidden spell for blood-magicians. It isn't even taught in school and I highly doubt that anyone could develop it that easily without dedicated research. So since the guy who is using it comes from Earth I theorized that he may be a really old mage. Maybe even from the war?”

Cyla shakes her head. “Isn't it much more likely that the skill was handed down inside a family on Earth?”
Amia shrugs her shoulders with a curious expression on her face. “I don't know. I just asked myself why he shouldn't know more about blood-magic than just creating Fog. Even if he isn't that old.”

Crap. She is right. That guy is using one illegal skill without holding back. Who says that he has any qualms about using all his skills to their full potential. Almost all magical traits have some forbidden or at least restricted abilities in one way or another. “Amia, what can a blood-mage do who doesn't care about anything. He is already using Fog. That alone will get him into a dark and moist cell.”

Amia starts playing with her hair and looks at the ceiling. Obviously she is trying to remember her studies at school. “The basic trait of blood-magic is to use the blood as a sacrifice to boost spells. That gives the mage an advantage as long as there is something to sacrifice. It doesn't matter if it's his own blood or if it belongs to someone else. I think it's the coolest and most versatile part about blood-magic.”

“Then you can use it as a power storage. That's similar to creating Fog, but without the addictive effect. Another possibility is to imbue it with power to control it like a water magician. But that really sucks. First you need a lot of blood and secondly any half decent water magician could steal your control away. There is a lot of water inside blood after all.”

Her eyes wander to the ground. “Where it gets illegal is imbuing spells and curses into your own blood to activate them on a certain condition. That's bordering on creating Fog. Finally there is the bonding spell. If a blood-mage exchanges blood with another person on a regular basis he can create a bond between himself and the person in question. The victim turns into a mindless slave and the blood-mage can access the victim's power reservoir as long as he is close.”

Amia's expression turns sour. “Depending on how many servants he has he could be really powerful. It's the most disgusting skill of that affinity. Otherwise I can't think of anything else for which you have to be on the lookout.”

“Vampires!” I call out.
Amia's eyes widen. “Hah!?”
Cyla pats Amia's shoulder. “Don't worry. Vampires are some monsters from his movies.”

52. ~Declaration.~

“
The earliest known written magical incantations come from ancient Mesopotamia, where they have been found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets excavated by archaeologists from the city of Uruk and dated to between the 5th and 4th centuries BCE.
”

-Mages and their influences on the normals

Sol, Aether
Gideon

I groggily open my eyes, trying to assert what's going on. My view is still blurry from sleep. Then I realize that the alarm which woke me up isn't an alarm at all, but a call from Ed.
I shove my sleeping girlfriend off of me and sit up, taking the call. “Ed, what's going on. Couldn't you have called me when I am in my office.”

“We've found the blood-mage, but he escaped. I just wanted to warn you to be extra careful.” Ed answers.
“What do you mean he escaped? Can't you track him down easily.” I get up and reach for a set of clothes. How the hell did an untrained mage from Earth escape a faceless?
“He is strong. Very strong. He killed three of my enforcers and managed to hide himself. I think he may be one of the really old ones. That's why I already informed one of the elders to get to the station. Zibil Firestorm will arrive here shortly.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What the heck? What did this guy do to impress you to the point of calling an elder for help?”
“Oh, nothing special really. He just walked over my enforcers like they are children. There is a recording of the entire scene. His name is Markus Ledoux. He looks like he is somewhere in his fifties which makes him really old since he came from Earth. I've sent his data to your office.” Ed's voice sounds more than a little angry. “I just wanted to ask if you could try to help if we find him again. Your fighting power is amongst the highest on Aether.”

Most mages don't have the ability to influence their outer appearance. That's something our doctors achieve with various treatments. Without them you simply age slowly. Since an immigrant like Markus didn't have access to our treatments it means that he has to be really old. Somewhere between five hundred and six hundred years?

After putting on my cloak I leave the bedroom. “There is a meeting I have to attend to, but since when do I have a ranking in fighting power?”
“It's just something like a personal list of us faceless. It contains the most dangerous entities within our jurisdiction. It's good to know the people whom you have to keep an eye on.” Ed explains. “So I'll be searching for the fleeing blood-mage. Just stay careful.” He disconnects and leaves me to my thoughts.

Since I am already awake I decide to use the time to walk slowly to my office a few blocks down the street. Once I am there I quickly take a look at the information which Ed sent me. The faceless found him by following the links between him and the middleman to my secretary.
Markus Ledoux was ordered to leave the immigrant quarters after he was positively tested for blood magic. Then he went on a rampage to escape imprisonment and further interrogation. The first faceless who fell to him was taken out by surprise.

Markus attacked him out of nowhere after agreeing to follow him. On his escape he encountered two more faceless who caught up to him. Those two got completely overpowered in a magical duel. What strikes me as strange is that he was reading from something like a spellbook. No, calling it a spellbook goes too far. The thing in his hands was just a set of loose and really old parchments.
I send Ed a short text message in which I ask him about the pages in more detail. Reading or speaking during an incantation is nothing more than a help to form the necessary energy pattern.

Does that guy have some really old magic at hand? A grimoire?

My thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Galia and our two guests from Earth. I gesture for them to take a seat. “I hope you are having a nice stay.”

Roderik Waldheim and his assistant Kandy Frinil take their seats across from me. “We had a few nice days, taking a look at the city and your culture.”
“Yes, but I still find it hard to wrap my head around the historic side of all this. The other day we also got to see a real fight between two of your citizens. They mangled each other like maniacs! Throwing magic and spells around.” Kandy informs me.

I shrug my shoulders. “Magic is giving us the ability to heal a lot faster, so we are a little less biased towards injuries. If two people have a problem with each other they can duke it out as long as they don't cross the line.”
“So what's crossing the line? It looked to me like they were crossing the line.” Roderik asks with raised eyebrows.

“Deprivation of freedom, mugging, torture, taking it out on someone who is definitely weaker than you. As long as they don't kill each other or cause a permanent problem it's okay.” I explain. “Think of what you saw that day as a regular bar fight. That's why we gave you the guides. That reminds me. Do you want to visit a party of mine in a few weeks?”

Galia claps her hands together. “Oh, that's actually a nice idea. Gideon is going to announce his marriage contract with his girlfriend. You said that you want to know more about our culture.”
The assistant turns her attention from Galia to me. “You are going to marry? I thought you aren't religious.”
“It's not exactly a marriage in a religious sense. We simply vow that we will look out for each other and take care of our offspring together. The one who breaks the contract has to face legal jurisdiction. It's mainly to protect eventual children until they are grown up.” I explain.

“And once they are grown up?” Kandy asks.
“Then the contract is fulfilled and may be cancelled if we don't feel like staying together any longer. It's not expected that people with our long lifespans stay with each other until the end of time.” I clear my desk from some documents while going on with my explanation.

“There is also this drug-incident all over the news. Galia already explained it to us and we got one of these scanners, but is the situation really that dangerous.” Roderik changes the topic.
I nod. “We managed to almost completely remove such influences from our society. I already explained that we are very lenient in regards to what someone does to himself. But that drug practically takes away ones freedom. There is no way we can overlook that. It's too dangerous.”

We continue our discussion about the implications and potential results for Earth. Apparently our drug dealer kept a relatively low profile while he was on the planet. Maybe he would have done so on Aether too, but the accident ended his plans and made the authorities aware of him. There is also the point that Earth's medical knowledge wouldn't even recognize the drug as a dependence causing substance. They wouldn't know what to look for.

Another call by Ed makes me drop my friendly demeanour from one moment to the next. “There was an attack on your house.”
“What!?” I call out, leaping to my feet and startling my visitors. Ignoring all safety regulations I activate a teleportation spell and take a part of my office table with me.
Arriving at my home I find Cyla arguing with Ed and my grandmother. She has a bruise on her face and her hands are covered with blood. There is a big hole in my house where we once had a window.

“Cyla! Are you okay. You aren't hurt, right?” I approach fast, but Cyla raises her hand to show me that it isn't her blood.
“I am fine, but they abducted Amia. We've to find her!” She says with an angry voice. “Five people broke into the house. I was in the kitchen at that moment, so Amia answered the door. They took her and the rest tried to get more captives, but we managed to fight them off. While I and Melan had our hands full with two of them the other three overwhelmed Amia and carried her away.”
“That might actually turn out to be a hard task. They had a teleporter with them to escape. They could be anywhere on Aether.” Ed mumbles to himself.

“Not with me. We just have to follow her signal. But I don't get why they would want to abduct Amia.” I quickly access the network and order a small program of mine to display the whereabouts of the people who are affiliated to me.
“What do you mean.” Melan asks astounded.
I pull a small screen from my robe and order it to display my little tracking program. “I've put a tracker on Amia. Just in case.”

“You know that such a thing is illegal?” Ed asks, taking a look at the screen which shows Amia's position inside the city.
“Why are there so many dots at our mansion, the government building and Rhiannon's workplace?” Melan asks with a hushed voice.

I quickly give the command to display only Amia's tracking device. “I don't know what you are talking about.”
Cyla takes the screen from me and accesses my program. “Melan, Hedeon, Cyla, Rhiannon, ... you also have Ed!”
“What!?” Ed starts touching himself, searching for the bug. “I am overlooking many things, Gideon. But this could get you into real trouble.”

“It was just a basic precaution against cases like these. Can we simply overlook this and get it over with?” I ask.
That's when I get a call from an unknown number. I take it to inform the nuisance who is calling me that it's highly inconvenient at the moment. “Yes, Gideon Alvar, Governor of Aether. I've no time for you at the moment.”

“But I think you have the time. Here is Markus.” A voice answers me over the connection. “And I think I may have someone important to you.”
“Not really-” My answer is interrupted by Cyla's slap to my cheek, so I decide to re-evaluate my answer. “Of course you have someone -very- important to me. I want her back!”

“If you want your girlfriend back you've to ready a ship for me and my followers. We'll meet you at the docks in five hours. I warn you, I've control over the family members of several influential people.” The connection is closed without further ado.

“Idiot. He abducted the wrong one.” I grimace at the thought that it could have been Cyla. “They are inside a warehouse of the agricultural department. Probably Markus is hiding himself there with a few bonded people.”
“Give me just a few minutes! I'll assemble a suitable attack force. We need a lot more fighting power if it's true that he controls several innocent people. Otherwise we can't subdue them without killing.” Ed runs off to give commands to his subordinates.

“We can't?” Wouldn't it be much easier if we simply kill them? I am no expert in blood-magic, but the whole bonding stuff sounds like the best strategy is to first kill off all the master's minions to rob him of his power pool.
Melan crosses her arms in front of her chest. “No! We can't kill off innocents who are controlled against their will.”

I try to reason. “But they are aiding him.”
“There is a difference between freely given assistance and being forced like a slave.” Cyla replies.

I give up and wait with them for Ed to assemble his people. It took him a while, but finally we've twenty faceless and ten battle sprites at our disposal. The plan is to teleport ourselves directly above the warehouse with Amia inside. Then we'll breach it from all sides at once and use maximum force to subdue everyone inside.

It's a rash and hasty plan, but in the current situation we are hoping that Markus isn't expecting a full force counter attack that fast. I also don't believe that negotiating with such a man does us any good.
Melan, Cyla and I form a triangle around the faceless. I perform a gravity spell to lift all of us a few metres above the ground, then all three of us start working on a teleportation spell to translocate the entire group to the warehouse.

53. ~Repercussions.~

“
Sefer Raziel HaMalakh, is a medieval Practical Kabbalah grimoire, primarily written in Hebrew and Aramaic, but surviving also in Latin translation, as Liber Razielis Archangeli, in a 13th-century manuscript produced under Alfonso X.

Upon further examination of the book it was found out that its runic alphabet was most likely the first diagram for techno-magic, its symbols highly resembling modern circuit boards.
”

-Mages and their influences on the normals

Sol, Aether
Gideon

We appear right above the warehouse and Ed's men spread out immediately, searching for entrances. The warehouse itself is surrounded by fields, being located in the agricultural part of the city. Ed's men aren't picky in their choices. Windows and the roof's trapdoor serve as entrances as well as doors. But most of them are creative enough to avoid the obvious offered breaching points and blow their own way inside.

I stay back and wait and with Melan and Cyla while hovering above the warehouse. Ed gave me access to the private network of his battle sprites. This way I can observe the attack from their point of view and go in as soon as Markus is found.
The first few moments of the attack go as planned. Surprised people inside the warehouse are overwhelmed and taken down as they are encountered.

The battle sprite from which I am observing the operations rushes along the ceiling, launching gas grenades with tear gas in all directions and firing its stun gun at targets of opportunity.
Markus managed to woo over twenty people. I am not sure if they are just addicted or genuinely bonded to him.

It's when the first faceless breach the central part of the building that everything goes to hell. My battle sprite reaches the centre of the building and gets its camera eyes on a bloody pentagram on the floor. It's riddled with mad and senseless symbols with Amia lying in the middle.
A man whom I assume to be Markus is standing above her with a glass in his hand. The glass is filled with blood and he looks a little surprised.

But he quickly overcomes his initial shock and pushes his hand into the glass. Then he points his bloody fingers at the battle sprite.
My point of view is disconnected and a blast of blazing energy bursts out of the warehouse, taking a part of it with it. I myself am a little shocked at this display of power. Markus is packing a serious punch.

Switching to another point of view I decide that it's time to intervene. By gaining the exact position of Markus from another sprite I try to teleport myself in a way that severs his head from his body.
But my spell doesn't work. The coordinates keep shifting away from Markus until I realize that the raw power within him causes an interference phenomenon.

That leaves me with no other choice but to go in and risk my own neck. I teleport and appear right behind Markus. Reinforcing my own body with magic I ram my left hand right into his body where his heart should be. My hand pushes completely through, exiting through his chest. Having accomplished that I pull forth a surge of energy to electrocute my opponent.

Cyla appears right next to Amia and the strange feeling of prickling feeling of a thousand needles runs all over my body. Then Cyla teleports once more, taking Amia with her and the strange feeling is gone.
“Noooo!” Markus screams in rage. “You interrupted the ritual.” His body goes into convulsions as I pour more electricity into his body.

It looks well until my opponent's twitching body suddenly turns around, pulling me with him. His elbow impacts my temple and I am flung away, tumbling and breaking through the warehouse's wall.
Vaguely I notice that Markus is jumping after me. So I use a force-spell to divert his path, sending him off course.

My head and my body hurt like hell, but I try to stay focused and use a part of my power to activate a healing spell while I search for the warehouse's power-line. I just dealt a lethal blow to my opponent. At least it should have been lethal. If I use too much of my power inefficiently I may not win this. Healing is one of the traits at which I am no expert.
Markus points his fingers at me, but I already know what I've to expect. His energy beam sears through empty space and I reappear to his left.

Not losing any time I blast him with a thunder bolt and jump to the side as another surge of power turns the field under me to smouldering lava. It carves a deep trench into the ground and I don't fail to notice the excavated power-line which was revealed by the attack.
Markus doesn't even flinch upon being electrocuted with a few thousand volts and I watch in fascination as the wound in his chest starts closing. Regeneration? If that isn't an unfair cheat I don't know what else to say.

Then he rushes forward in an explosion of speed. I realize in dismay that my body can't keep up with my accelerated mind. But just before Markus reaches me he is suddenly accelerated downwards and belly-flops into the field under us.
From the corners of my vision I realize that Melan and Cyla joined in and increased the gravity in an area between me and Markus. When he decided to return the fight to close combat he jumped right into the affected area.

But despite the increased gravity Markus gets up, compressing the dirt under him even further. His hand reaches once more for me and I ready myself to teleport away.
Just when he is about to fire Cyla appears right in front of me and I open my mouth to scream, reaching forward to teleport her with me.

The beam of energy blazes towards us, but bends away upon reaching Cyla's outstretched hands. The energy curves around us and back towards Markus. Black orbs of nothingness appear around Cyla and I realize what she must've done. She created such a strong gravitational effect to even bend space while locating the effect to a limited room.
My hand touches her just as my left foot comes close to one of the orbs and I notice an unhealthy cracking sound. Then I connect to her.

~Pull back! You are overdoing it!~
~I can't. He tried to kill you.~
~You'll kill us both or at least yourself if you overuse your power any further. I could've teleported away, you are overreacting.~
~I didn't think!~
~I'll teleport us away, but you've to drop the gravity magic at the same time.~
~I'll try.~

With a huge effort I teleport us away from the rippling effect of Cyla's artificial singularities. Though I am not really sure if they actually are singularities.
Both of us appear in the field further towards the damaged warehouse and I erect a shield to protect us from the randomly sheering and splitting beams of energy which are created by the combination of Cyla's spell becoming uncontrolled and our opponent's energy beam.

I reach for Cyla's mind and realize that she is completely powered out. Returning that spell on Markus used up all her energy. “Stay down.” I get up and apply a very draining healing spell to my broken leg. The bone snaps back into place and mends. It's a dirty job and will have to be looked at by a real doctor, but the spell is good for emergency repairs.

A body appears from the cloud of smoke and ash where Cyla hit Markus with his own redirected energy blast. At least he didn't take his own magic very well. He is a walking, charred corpse, stumbling forward. But as I watch the burned pieces of his body start falling off, revealing smooth and new skin.
He has the parchments from the video in his hands and is reading from it, completely ignoring his surroundings.

I start running and reach out for the power-line which was unearthed by one of Markus's energy blasts. Then I drink in the power, hurling myself further forward at Markus who is still in the process of healing himself.
Both of us go to the ground and roll through the dirt while I run my energies through his body. As I do so he is doing the same with his pool of power. The fight turns into a mere struggle for power and energy. Converting, manipulating, stealing, using only the raw basics of invoking magic.

It isn't even using magic, just manipulating energies.

His fist impacts my chin, but I barely notice it and retreat to my own reality, treating my body like a tool. Everything is fine as long as the electrical pattern which makes up my consciousness isn't hurt or damaged.
My hand closes around his neck, fingers digging into his skin.

That's when I realize that my hand isn't really a hand any more. It's more like an ethereal surge of electricity and energy. Did I become something like a lightning elemental? Somehow I notice that he experienced a similar transformation. But where I became something that's more on the side of electricity, he seems to consist of plasma and heat. His skin blisters away, revealing light beneath it.

“You won't deny me my power!” He hisses and doubles his efforts in converting my energy to his. I return the favour by severing large junks of his power pool, dispersing them into our surroundings. This form of magical battle is completely new to me, but I get excited nonetheless. Even the pain can't stop me from exploring new possibilities.

I retreat further and further from his attempts at conversion, only striking out when I can steal or cut off more of his energy than he can.
Slowly our bodies return to their normal forms as the energy inside us depletes. My repeated retreats at controlling the power between us make him more confident and he attempts to overwhelm me, coming forth from his pool of power.

That's when I finally sense something else than his raw energy. Previously his real being seemed to be protected by the raw energy within him, but his confidence made him lower his guard.
I retreat once more, condensing my consciousness into a small and dense ball. He greedily jumps at the opportunity to convert even more of my energy into his.

In that moment of distraction I burst forward and dig mental claws into the energy pattern which makes up his true self. A raw mental scream emerges from the depths of his being and he tries to pull back, but I don't let him. When he came forward I got a firm hold on him and like a shark who sensed blood I've no intention of letting go.

Slowly I pull him towards me, separating the energy pattern which holds -him- from his remaining pool of power. It's like reeling in a fish on a rod. The fish already knows that it is caught, but still struggles in futile resistance.
Then I finally have him in my spiritual grasp and start playing with this newly found ability of mine. In a sudden burst of inspiration I disassemble his energy pattern like Lego blocks and put it back together.

This time in a manner that favours all forms of pain and fears, reassembling it with my own sped up perception of time. Then I step back and admire my creation for a small eternity.
But suddenly the energy pattern that's Markus's 'spirit', for the lack of a better term, turns erratic. I reach out, but before I can do anything about it the pattern flat lines and disperses into nothingness, de-naturalizing to a pure, wild state.

Wild and immature rage boils up inside me. He got away! He got away! That was a much too easy death. An eternity of pain isn't enough for someone who hurt Cyla!
Somewhere at the edge of my mind I notice myself prying Markus's dead hand away from my neck. With a burst of energy I rip off the arm which is holding the parchments and start beating him with it.

A stream of curses escapes my lips while blood and bits of flesh fly everywhere. At some point I run out of English ones and use German curses instead, which are even more creative in certain ways. I sometimes revert to German since my adoptive parents spoke it. It's the first language I learned. The sheets of parchment loosen and are flung upwards, dispersing all around us.
Suddenly Melan appears right next to me and gives me a clout with all her weight behind it. “Snap out of it, Gideon!”

The short and sharp pain forces me to turn my attention away from the target of my hate. That causes me to regain my centre and I stop the stream of curses. Blinking, I look up to her and then down at the mangled corpse. My eyes wander to the faceless who are surrounding us in respectful distance and the flying news cameras which are hovering behind them.
I drop the torn off arm and get to my feet, correcting my clothes. “Thanks, Grandma. I guess the mental battle with that monster sent me over the edge.”

“You are sure?” Melan eyes me carefully, looking me up and down. “You aren't hurt, right?”
I try to stretch and rotate my shoulders. “No. Feels just a little uptight and wobbly in my knees, but otherwise fine. Whatever just happened seems to be over.”
“Right. You still have to see a doctor. I think you just had another mutational burst from the battle.” Melan grabs my hand and slides an arm under my shoulder to support me.

“No. What about Cyla?” I ask and try to turn, but my legs simply give out.
Luckily Melan stops me from falling. “She's fine! I've already checked.”
“Ah, good. I think I'll sleep then.” I close my eyes and my consciousness fades away the same moment.

Sol, Aether
Cyla

It's been three days since the incident and Gideon, Amia and I have been shut away in the hospital since then. They conducted a lot of tests, but finally Ed and a few doctors decided to tell us what happened.

“It's an old forbidden ritual to guide the mutation of the target as well as the parts of a genuine spell-book. The Merseburg incantations were just a few pages from the whole book. The guiding process works by exposing the body to targeted stress.” Ed waves the parchments in his hand. “The really sick part is just that you need a sacrifice. A person with the magical affinities which you want to enhance. It's a really old spell which works with a brute force approach, so it needs something like a template.”

“So we were exposed to this ritual?” I ask, shocked, looking at myself in the mirror. There are black lines circling along my temples and along my neck down to my collarbones in a strange pattern. From my neck they also spread down my spine to form a similar pattern above my butt. They look similar to my mother's mutation and when I exert my power through them I can apparently create small singularities of warped space. Hopefully the ones on my collarbones don't emphasize my cleavage too much and make me look like a slut? No, those tattoos look more demonic than anything else.

“They look cool, Cyla. And sexy! Don't worry.” Gideon gives me a thumbs up which makes me blush.
“Since when am I the one whose thoughts can be read easily?” I ask.
“Since you are ogling yourself in a mirror non-stop!” Amia calls out while playing with her blazing red hair. Her mutation was less troublesome. The only change in appearance was the new hair colour and a heightened affinity for fire-magic. She got away with less drastic changes.

“No. You interrupted the ritual.” Ed takes another look at his report. “I gave the manuscript to the doctors and they took a very close look at it. The first part of the ritual exposes you to a high amount of energy to draw fourth your natural mutation and to prepare for the second step. But Markus never got that far, so everything you have now is your natural skill. Nature given I am afraid.”

“That's nice. So we can go home now? We are already kept captive since three days.” Gideon crosses his arms in front of his chest.
“If you don't feel like turning back to pure energy?” One of the medical personnel asks.
Gideon shakes his head. “Nope. At least not at the moment. I feel very solid. But how did Markus get that strong if it was just the first part of the ritual?”

“The bonding?” Amia asks with a doubtful voice. “Though I didn't expect it to make him that strong.”
“It wasn't the bonding alone.” One of the doctors answers. “I took a close look at his remains, at least at what you've left me. His genetic code implies that he already performed the ritual several times. That's probably also the reason why he decided to leave Earth. With all the mages leaving the planet new sacrifices became very hard to find.”

A shudder runs down my spine. “I don't want to know how many.”
“But I want.” Gideon throws in.
“Impossible to tell.” The doctor answers. “I just know that it must've been many.”

“And that's exactly why this will be safely locked away in a dark and secure place.” Ed waves at us with the manuscript. “I would rather destroy it, but there is no way to tell if there isn't something valuable from old times among these pages. The scientists will have to take a good look at it first.”

I sigh in relief and get up from my seat. “Then let's go home.”

We don't lose any time and hurry back to Gideon's mansion. The front entrance is still a little battered, but that's nothing that could stop us from enjoying our break. Back at home I am finally able to relax.
And there is something else I want to do! I hurry to our bedroom and shed my clothes to put on the thong and cupped bra which he likes so much. A few moments after I am done the door opens and I throw myself onto the bed. Closing my eyes I push out my chest to let my cleavage speak for itself.

“Wow! If that isn't confidence I don't know.” Amia's voice reaches me from the room's entrance.
I open my eyes and jump up. “Amia? What's that supposed to be!?” I stomp towards my friend who is in red undergarments and has a bottle in her hands.
“Can I join in?” She asks with a pleading voice. “I am on withdrawal for three weeks straight and the last three days being locked up in the hospital didn't help.”

My eyes widen. “No! He is mine and I don't know how he would react to what you've in mind!”
“Please! I am not familiar with Aether and picking up a decent guy isn't easy since I don't know any good locations. And I've already shared men with you. Do you remember Angelo and that nature-mage you got the hots for? They were originally my boyfriends.” Amia takes my hand.
“That's something completely different. You didn't intend to marry them!” I try to pry my hand out of hers.

“Is it?” She raises the bottle. “I even brought silicon-oil, I know that you are much too embarrassed to buy it yourself.”
I lick over my lips and reach for the bottle, but she pulls it away. “Ah! What's your answer? I promise that I won't steal him from you.”

Squinting my eyes at her I think long and hard before answering. “You know what I'll do to you if this has any repercussions on my relationship with him?”
Amia salutes me. “It won't! You are the boss!”

I nod and place a hand on my hips, then I look deep into her eyes, a superior smirk on my face. “I am fully intending to make you regret this.”

Sol, Aether
Gideon

I enter my bedroom and stop. On my bed are two half naked beauties. Are Amia and Cyla having a lesbian encounter? No, Cyla isn't lesbian. I would have read that in her mind. “What's going on?” No, I know! “Where is the camera?”

Cyla gets up and stalks towards me, swaying her hips. “No camera, just two women who need a man.”

“Yes, I see that.” But there has to be a trick to it! That's not how Melan described things to me. What am I supposed to do if my girlfriend actually allows a sidekick!? “I still sense something off. Are you testing my morals because I went nuts on that blood-mage? Because if that's the case I won't fall for it!”

Cyla doesn't answer and kisses me instead, opening her mind to me. Her legs snake around me and I cup her ass to support her. When she is done our lips part. “Do you know what you have to do?”
A grin steals itself onto my face and I recognize the free card I am given. “Oh, you are so evil. I love you.”

I carry her to the bed where Amia is waiting eagerly. Then I pull both of them into a tight embrace while they start getting rid of my clothes. Running my hand over Amia's belly I pull a little spark from her skin while kissing Cyla's neck.
Then I get pushed on my back and Amia gets a bottle from the night table and pours the slippery contents onto us.

I already want to protest against sullying my bed, but Cyla shuts me up by claiming my lips while Amia gets to work on my lower region, guiding my hand between her legs. After a while of caressing her clit I use her weak position to spark her. It results in a scream of pleasure and Amia pulls my hand away to place herself above me. Then she drops her hips onto me and starts grinding hers against mine.
Cyla gets up and turns around to kiss Amia, running sparks of electricity across her body. I follow her lead and grab her chest, moving my fingers between her legs.

Cyla connects her mind to Amia and I join them. Seconds stretch to minutes until all of us shudder in fulfilment. I reach around both of them and claim them in the most primeval way, not holding back on sharing the explosion of my feelings with them. A final thrust into her finishes her off. Amia's eyes turn upwards and she passes out with a gasp while I am still inside her.

“And that's it for someone who believes that she can join in on two telepaths.” Cyla shoves Amia off of me and takes her place, slipping me inside her with her back towards me. “That girl simply didn't know what she got herself into.”

I smile. “That leaves more time for the two of us.” I push Cyla forward and grab her hips, fully intending to use the opportunity of getting rid of three days worth of tension.

54. ~Addition.~

“
At the end of the third industrial revolution all work related jobs turned completely away from production as the IM-Production-Lines took over. Human skills in the industrial sectors turned completely to development, planning, management and repair duties.
”

-Mages and their industry

Sol, Aether
Gideon

We are standing in front of my mansion, wishing Amia goodbye. When she woke up the next morning she informed us that she had found a place of her own and that she wouldn't stretch our hospitality any further.

“So I am thankful for letting me stay, but I am afraid that I've found a place for myself.” Amia smiles at us, correcting her very prim robe. “With Aether's traffic being unrestricted some apartments became free. I had my eyes on one of them for a while and decided to go for it.”
“So you are intending to stay on Aether?” Cyla crosses her arms in front of her chest with a smug smile on her face. “Are you sure you aren't running away after last night?”

Amia starts fidgeting. “It's certainly not like I am running away.” Then she points an accusing finger at us. “What you two did to me last night was worse than Fog! I'll turn insane if I stay too close to you. You two could make tons of money with this.”
Cyla sighs and throws back her hair. “Like a techno-mage wouldn't have more decent ways to make money. And I told you that you would regret it. I've absolutely no bad conscience about last night. But I still hope you'll still visit the party.”

“Of course. Hey, didn't you say that you've brothers? Do you think you can introduce me to one or two of them?” Amia asks.
I snort. “They are techno-mages, you know? One might think that you've learned your lesson.”
“Ow!” Amia's eyes widen and she pulls on her lower lip. “Then one of them? Certainly not two!”
Cyla smiles. “You can try. I won't stop you.”

“Then it's a deal.” Amia hugs Cyla and then me. With no further words to say she picks up her luggage and walks down the street to the nearest teleporter.
“I am glad that it's just the two of us again. One night like this is enough.” I open the collar of my jacket since it suddenly feels a little too tight.
“My, My. Gideon? Aren't you just trampling on any man's dreams? Who would dislike having two women of similar age in his house? You got what many guys are dreaming of while jerking off.” Cyla looks up to me and raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah, right. Dreaming, that's the important word. As long as it remains a dream it's good and nice, but the reality looks different. I don't think that I would be able to please two women each night. You two wrung me out like a wet towel. I am not even sure if I can get it up tonight.” I answer a little desperate.

Cyla purses her lips. “Not even if we use the oil?” Then she leans closer. “I also have to tell you a little secret.” I lean down and let her whisper into my ear. “We are no longer alone.”
It takes a few seconds until I get what she meant. “Great! Congratulations to both of us, I guess?” I roll the words with a questioning undertone. “It's only natural since we were doing it without protection.” And I guess there is no going back from this point on, so I hug her and press my cheek against hers.

Once we separate I have to make something clear. “You are the one who has to clean up the mess!” I point at her, starting to walk down the street to my office. “My bed looks like a wet dog slept there.” Unfortunately work doesn't care if I am sick or not. I've to make up for three days out of office.
Cyla blows a kiss after me. “I love you too. And I'll make sure to tell the whole family.”

My little walk to the government building is thankfully completely uneventful. Once inside my office I immediately get to work and pull out a tube of super-glue and the part of my desk which got cut off during my hasty departure.

While I am applying the glue to my office table, three familiar faces stroll into my office. Galia, Kandy and Roderik enter the room. I decide to greet them first. “Good morning. I hope my hasty departure a few days ago didn't inconvenience you.”
“No.” Roderik answers hastily. “No. Certainly not. We saw that you had your reasons. The news channels were very detailed.”

“Yeah, that Markus was a nasty, little piece of shit. Being inside his mind and seeing his memories totally freaked me out.” That's not entirely true, but I figure giving them a vague explanation is better than telling the truth. They can imagine the truth like it fits them best. “Got me into hospital for three days.” Upon having finished applying the glue I take the cut-off piece of my table and press it into place.

Kandy decides to go for it. “We've thought about your offer of additional protection and decided that it would be rude to reject something that's freely given.”
“Oh, that's no problem. You can have as much protection as you like. I hope you are still up for the party?” I ask, using a sheet of paper to scrape off the excess glue along the cut.
“Of course we feel honoured being included in such a private event.” Roderik nods enthusiastically.

Galia watches the exchange with a tired smile on her face. “Maybe we should get to the point where we discuss more important matters.”
“Of course.” I let go of the table and wait until I am certain that the glued-on piece is held in place. Then I sit down in my chair. “Point number one is that Aether's diamond dome and the new reactor will be finished in a few weeks. Once that's done the elders ordered us to take a part of the new fleet and go on a mission to the centre of the galaxy. We have to explore which danger the aliens pose our species.”

I gesture at Roderik and Kandy. “The question is what you two decide to do? It'll be most likely a long mission since we intend to create a teleportation network while we are on our way. The new reactor will supply us with enough power to do even longer teleportations than previously. But all that doesn't change the fact that the way there might take us a year, all the construction time included.”

Roderik smiles. “And you are asking if we are up for that.”

I shrug. “You'll have regular chances to be sent home with a shipment of supplies. But that doesn't change the fact that it certainly won't happen over night. Once the network stands we'll be able to travel much faster. But getting there is a problem and we'll have to protect the established nodes until they are running and equipped with enough defense.”

Kandy gestures at Galia. “She already informed us and we understand. We've also spoken with Earth's government and decided to stay on the mission. The president even offered help since it's a mutual problem.”
Now it's my turn to raise an eyebrow. “Help? How can Earth help us?”

“I've no idea.” Kandy confesses. “Resources, technology, troops. That's why Earth is currently talking to your elders.”
I tap with a finger on my chin while thinking. “Maybe help from Earth should be less material and more in ways of assisting with thought. During our little episode with the drug dealer our police was a little out of the loop since we had nobody to question. An investigator from Earth would have gotten us results much faster since he is less biased by magic. If we have to deal with a crime the first thing we do is truth-reading everyone involved. But in special cases like this one that method is flawed. Most certainly that also applies to other fields of expertise.”

“I'll make sure that your idea is forwarded to Earth. It's certainly worth exploring.” Roderik answers.
I smile. “Then I'll do the same with the elders. I am still scheduled to see the fire-mage elder today.”
Roderik nods. “I hope you won't get into trouble for that news report? Is your office in danger?”

Galia starts laughing. “It's quite the opposite. The general population is thrilled to have a strong leader who doesn't shy away from smiting evil. The evil blood-mage was defeated by a techno-mage who just came of age. Those guys from the media sold it like a fight of old times. David versus Goliath. In addition they crafted in a romance story with his girlfriend.”

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“I am so glad that you are alright!” My mother hugs me at the entrance to Gideon's mansion. “I already feared the worst when I saw that news report.”
It's been another week since the incident and all the people whom I invited to our little party are slowly gathering in Aether. My parents arrived just a day before the actual announcement and there is still something I've to tell them.

“I can assure you that the news channels are overreacting. Absolutely nothing happened to me except for a slight exposure to mana and a little exhaustion. Why don't you come inside and have a drink.” I lead them into the living room. Gideon used his IM's to repair the damage to the house days ago, so there is no trace of the attack.

Once I have my parents safely on the sofa I hurry to get them a coffee. Upon returning my mother eyes me with curiosity. “Where is everyone? I thought we would get to meet Gideon's relatives.”
“Yes, they are still at work. I'll make sure to introduce you in the evening and make sure that you aren't completely overwhelmed by the party.” I answer and take a seat next to my mother.
“I never would've thought that Gideon would manage to become the governor of Aether. No wonder that you are throwing a big party. It's going well between you two I hope? I know how fickle young love can be at times.” She takes my hand to hold it.

My father starts one of his insensitive speeches. “Yes. That's why I visited, Cyla. Are you sure that you really like this fellow? He didn't manipulate your mind or something like that? You don't have to be with him just because he is rich. A friend of mine has a son who is your age and I am sure that the two of you would fit very well together...”

Yes, and that friend of yours surely owns an affiliated company. I completely ignore my worthless father and let him talk to himself. Apparently he is still living a few hundred years in the past. “It's going very well. We are still the same as we were when we announced our relationship. Nothing changed.”

I take a breath. “Actually the party isn't just about Gideon's new job. It's combining several happy events.” My mother raises an eyebrow, but I simply continue talking. Somehow I manage to blind out my father's voice who is still rambling on about possible partners. Which would with no doubt benefit him the most.

“Since Gideon and I are now practically settling down here, we decided to use the chance to get the ball rolling. That's why we'll announce our marriage contract at the party. Actually we've already signed it. And not just only in ink, but also in blood.” I take my mother's hand and place it on my belly. It's still much too early to see, but if you touch it you can feel the stiffness and a slight swelling.

A heavy thud marks my father's impact on the carpet and causes me to return my attention to him. He simply lost his consciousness, going out like a light bulb and falling over, planting his face on the carpet. I would have preferred if he had kept standing, but keeping him up while letting my mother sit down was somehow hard to accomplish. This'll still do.

My mother takes a deep breath and hugs me, resting her head on my shoulder and rubbing my belly. “Every time we see you it's the same. Will you finally forgive him at some point? You are doing it intentionally, am I correct?”
“The first answer is: 'No'.” I hug my mother back. “And the second answer is: 'Yes'!”

55. ~Party for all.~

“
The new anti-matter reactors provide enough energy to make long range teleportations a worthwhile undertaking. The units to create the necessary rupture in space-time are designed to enable jumps of a maximum range of up to five thousand light years from unit to unit.
To accomplish that each facility will harbour several heavily shielded anti-matter reactors. The initial designs also include a network of point defence satellites around the main installation. Top priority is to keep the node from falling into enemy hands.
”

-Project report 24-24532

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“At least it looks like this party is going well.” Gideon takes a weary look around the festival hall. We rented a small dance theatre just for this event. Even if Gideon's mansion is big, the amount of people who ended up attending the party would have never fit into it.
The problem didn't lie in inviting just our inner circle of friends and family, but also their friends and relatives. To make it short everything got out of control when Gideon invited Zibil Firestorm. The whole party suddenly turned from a private announcement with friends and family into a public event. You can't just push a hundred people into Gideon's mansion.

I step closer and snake my hands around my man. “What's the problem? We somehow managed to organize this event and everything went wonderful so far. We've even announced our contract and people are socializing.”

“I guess.” He takes a sip from his wine. “It's just the fact that there are so many people. I am not the type who feels comfortable in a crowd. Then there is the fact that the recent months kept us on edge and I am simply expecting that something will blow up in our faces. And I hope you'll excuse it, but talking to your sisters and their 'minions' was tiring. It felt like they were trying to compare their three sizes with you and who has the better man.”
I rub my cheek against his chest. “The world can't be that cruel.”

“Then entertain me to divert my thoughts from all of this.” He gestures at the people around us.
“But how.” I purr at his chest. “It's much too early to sneak away.”
“Tell me what's up with your father. He looks awfully pale and you already promised me several times to tell me the story behind him and you. I am sure that you instigated another chain of events to freak him out.” Gideon asks. “And why is he passing out every time you pull a prank on him?”

“Oh.” I look at my parents. Dad is still a little pale from yesterday. “It may be a little petty of me to hold a grudge that long. And in the light of the recent events it may even make me look like a bad person.”
Gideon kisses my temple. “Let me be the judge of that.”

“Okay.” I sigh. “The simple one first. Dad's mutation is a very good example how this whole mutation business can go awfully wrong and why someone should never encourage a mutation willingly. There is no reason to draw a bad hand of cards if no one forces you to play the game. Right?”
“Right.” Gideon confirms.
“To make it short, Dad doesn't take increased blood pressure very well. If there is something that agitates him it simply goes 'click' and he drops like a puppet with its strings cut. He could take medicines against that, but it would practically mean that he is always stoned. So he refuses.”

“How unlucky. I bet a person like him ends up with a lot of bumps and bruises.” Gideon comments.
“Yeah. Especially when he talks to me.” I clarify. “And the other matter is that Dad was always trying to manipulate me. He is very old school with his four hundred years and still believes in marriage alliances to increase the power of his holdings inside the family business. Quantum Computers are a tough market.”

I gesture at the old crook. “Ever since I was small he tried to set me up with the sons of his partners: 'Go and play a little with that boy, why don't you dance with my young friend?' I didn't mind it as long as it didn't get out of hand. When he just made nice suggestions there wasn't a problem to at least talk to the people whom he introduced me to.
When I was seventeen I met this guy in school and we really hit it off right from the bat. We fell in love and did all the things a young couple does. It was the first time for both of us, but since we shared minds we both knew that we genuinely liked each other.”

I grimace. “Then Dad destroyed everything. Dad found out about my 'boyfriend' and his, according to Dad, 'low standing'. Dad invited him to have a little chat and completely alienated him from me. I don't know exactly what went down between them, but apparently he managed to induce something like guilt in him.
I blame it on the fact that he had a weak character, but still. Ever since then he had something like an inferiority complex towards me because my family was wealthy and he hadn't anything to give to me. Everything ended in us breaking up. That's when I decided that my Dad can do what he wants and that I've my own life. So I simply asked Mom for some money, packed my stuff and off I went.”

Gideon purses his lips. “That's quite a story of a family dispute. I guess it went down a little harsher than that? A lot of screaming, raised fists and bad mood?”
“Of course.” I smile.
“It's just that I can't avoid thinking that if your Dad hadn't been the asshole he is, you might be somewhere else and we would've never met. And was it really your Dad's speech which caused this inferiority complex and the subsequent break up? Wouldn't it have happened anyway at some point later on?” Gideon muses.

“That's why I am saying that it may be cheap of me to still be mad at my Dad. Others might say that my father simply wants the best for me, but I doubt that. The people whom he suggests are without exception business partners of his. You just have to take a look at the friends of my sisters.” I add. “And just yesterday, shortly before I told him about our marriage he tried to suggest some of his goons to me.”
Gideons hand around me tightens. “You are completely right in taking it out on him every time you two meet. And I hope you continue doing so until and long after he has a genuine change of heart. Any time you need my help for a setup, just ask.”

I draw a circle on his chest. “I'll make sure to take you up on that offer. Have you seen my brother by the way? I didn't get to talk to him that much tonight.”
Gideon furrows his forehead. “Which one? The older, or the younger one.”

“The older one. Brenton is the name. I've introduced Martin to Amia and the two of them seem to be in a world of their own since then.” I point at the dance floor where Martin and Amia are dancing with their eyes locked on each other. Martin's hand is a little too low on Amia's hips than is appropriate, but my friend doesn't seem to have any objections to being felt up.

Gideon corrects his collar. “Actually he talked to me for a while. Apparently he tried to socialize with me, but I must have failed since he suddenly excused himself and ran off. I am not good at this stuff.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Socialize? What did you two talk about. You didn't chase him off?”
“Of course not! I would never do that. He is your brother.” Gideon answers.
“Then what did you two talk about?” I ask.

Gideon answers with a bored and tired voice. “At first we just talked about random stuff. How you and me are doing? How business is going? For some reason he was much less hostile this time, though he still seemed concerned about you. Then the conversation shifted to all sorts of questions about Galia. Who she is? What's her job? Is she in a relationship? What's her hobby and what does she like? Honestly, at the end of the conversation I was so bored that I was happy that he ran off. I couldn't take much more of it.”

I bite on my lower lip, a suspicion creeping up my spine. Then I survey the ballroom. “And where is Galia?”
Now Gideon looks around himself. “I don't know? I think she was here before Brenton ran off, but it has been some time since then.” He pulls a hand-sized touch screen from his pocket. “At least we'll have that problem solved shortly.” A few manipulations display Galia's position on a map. “Hmm. Looks like she is in one of the building's locker rooms?”

Before I can stop him he gives another set of instructions and the image is replaced by a black screen, then a light turns on and reveals the insides of what's definitely a woman's handbag. Whatever is submitting the images slowly crawls over a pink purse and past a red lipstick to push its camera out of the bag to take a look around.

The handbag is obviously lying on the ground in a small room. Then the image settles on Galia and Brenton. My brother's pants are down and he is energetically ramming himself into Galia who is pinned between him and the wall. His arms are supporting her ass like a vice and her dress is pushed up to her hips while her legs are firmly locked around him.

My brother wears female, black panties on his head; most likely Galia's. She in turn has her hands around his head and is firmly burying his face in her cleavage while looking up to the ceiling.
I have my doubts that Brother can breathe properly in that position. Too bad that we can't see her expression from our point of view. Galia is performing cooperative movements to make it easier for him and the barely suppressed screams to go 'harder' and 'deeper' show quite clearly that she is approving of his efforts.

I reach for the touch-screen and switch it off. “We haven't seen anything.”
“But we have and I definitely don't like what I saw. Did I sell her out?” Gideon rubs his closed eyes as if he just got dirt into them. “I never realized that she likes the muscular type. Maybe it's because we always called her a brute?”
“Trust me. Brenton is a good guy at heart and I am sure that he isn't a player. That's not how our parents brought us up. You two just had a bad start. The socially best way to deal with this is to ignore it. We saw nothing, know nothing...” My voice trails off. “But how did you get a spy sprite into her handbag?” I ask.

“It's her phone. Galia isn't skilled at techno-magic, so she needs a device to interact with the network. I didn't bother to remove all my surveillance tools after the incident with the blood-mage.” He answers. “Isn't your father going to freak out about him and her?”
I smile. “Brenton is the older brother and standing on his own feet since a long time. He can stand up to Dad and both Galia and Brenton are adults. I don't think we have any business in what they are doing.”

Then Gideon's eyes wander to the fire-mage elder and the representatives from Earth. “At least those three aren't having a threesome.”
My eyes widen at the mere thought. Though Kandy seems to be the type of girl who is into older men. In combination with her name... but no. Her two peers are much too old for her and I doubt that Roderik can even get it up at his age. Those people from Earth are such sad existences. To look that old and he is just in his fifties. “It's an opportunity to do their politicking. No harm done in letting them playing their games. This is our day and I don't want it smothered by underhanded conversations with politicians.”

Sol, Aether
Saden

“Look, Paul. There they are.” I point at Gideon and Cyla who are snuggling up close to each other at one of the tables. I take Paul's hand and pull him with me.
“I still don't get how that introverted guy got a girl like her.” Paul mumbles.
“Apparently the same way you got me.” I chime and poke his chest with a finger. “Techno-magic works wonders in matters of love once two people who fit together merge their minds.”

Once we are close enough I greet the two of them and give Gideon a hug. “Hello, little Brother. Apparently you overtook me in matters of relationships.” I throw a meaningful glance at Paul who is still dancing around the topic of children.
Gideon returns my embrace. “Long time no see. But I hope that will change in the future? We have to meet more often with me settled down on Aether. I hope you two stay here while the colony goes on its mission? And how's business going Paul?”

“As smooth as ever, Gideon.” Paul answers. “You warned my company in time about the new technology. We were the first ones who jumped onto the new train, though it looks like fusion reactors will still stay a lot cheaper than the anti-matter tech. Fusion reactors are smaller and cleaner, so there is no real reason for us to lose the market completely. It will simply shift to smaller applications. The only reason to use anti-matter is having to supply big ships and installations which need a lot of energy.”

I take a seat next to Cyla. “And of course we'll stay on Aether. StarDrive got tasked with the installation of the new teleportation network. We'll take four of the big shipyards with us to have everything at hand that's needed. Paul and I will play the supervisors for the project.”

Paul's eyes start glowing with greed. “Think of all the money we can make once we start taking fees from other species in exchange for using our network. Communication, transportation; they'll throw their resources at us once we get in place at the strategically important locations.”

56. ~Stopover.~

“
First node connection: Sol - Antares
”

-Project report 25-26533

Antares, Asteroid Habitat
Ilin Kleio

“It's so huge. How did they build something like this. It's fourteen? Fifteen clicks in diameter?” I admire the city which appeared out of nowhere just a few hours ago. The disc-shaped platform is settled with a real city. It looks like the mages simply cut one of their cities out of a planet's surface and lifted it to space. A transparent dome in the shape of a diamond covers the entire settled area. I wonder why they didn't settle the other side of the disc too?
Then there are the four tubular structures which are accompanying Aether. Immediately after their arrival they began to produce parts for something much bigger. “I want to go over there.”

This is the chance I've been waiting for, but our diplomats are such incompetent idiots and the aliens obviously aren't trusting us for whatever reason. First they denied us access to their systems. Then they refused to trade.
And now I've one of their settlements directly in front of me and all I can do is watching it from afar with a telescope. “It's like they are taunting me. Normally they cloak everything they have, but this one they show us openly. They are dangling the treat in front of me, but just out of reach.”

“They are hiding something.” Ayo muses at my side. “Their diplomats are very good in diverting your people's attention. They openly show you this city and the fleet which is accompanying it, but at the same time they have something else behind their backs.”
I turn to look at the Zeen. “How so?”
Ayo gestures at the four structures. “They are building something huge. But where are the materials for it coming from? It seems like they are teleporting them from somewhere else.”

I shrug, not understanding him. “That seems to be within their capabilities. The only thing that really worries us is that they are arming the new structure to the teeth.”

“They could have built it somewhere else if they wanted to use it against the Forlorn. There is no sense in building it here where you can see and easily reach it.” Ayo answers. “It's nonetheless a provocation that they are intending to put your people in face of of finished results. I want to know what they are up to.”

Antares, Aether
Gideon

“We are intending to invest the time and resources to create a single transportation route from Sol to the centre of the galaxy.” Paul explains.
I tilt my head, not understanding the strategy behind it. “Didn't you mention that you want to take over all the strategically important places?”

“Yes, of course. But a project of this scale has certain risks involved. It's important for us to have a fast way to travel to the centre. But everything else is just useless expenditure at the moment. Of course we'll connect important systems when the chance arises, but that will only be out of opportunity.” The leader of StarDrive gestures at the map of the galaxy which is displayed above my office table.

“This project is like building the first railway. We'll invest in the transportation line which we need and everyone else can take a look at it and test it.” Paul's expression turns into a grin and he rubs his fingers. “Everyone else who wants to be connected to the network has to pay.”
I nod in understanding. “So you want them to pay for their nodes. The Forlorn are just lucky to get one for free since we need it too. But why do you don't want to tell them before the complete installation is in place?”

“We don't even know if it works. This is a prototype. Why should we jump into the cold water if we don't have to? It's the first rule of business to not talk about unfinished projects.” Paul spreads out his hands. “Once we are connected to the node back in Sol and have teleported a few ships we can tell them.”

I nod slowly, understanding his point. “I see where you are coming from, though the technology seems solid. Even though we've just scaled up the product. There is nothing new about what we are doing. But I guess it's better to be safe than looking stupid later on.”

Our relationship with the aliens is still based on the fact that we have some capabilities which they lack. It's important to demonstrate that we are the ones who are in a position of strength.
That is the reason why the elders aren't willing to let the Forlorn anywhere near Sol. If they find out that our species is currently restricted to a single star system they might get stupid ideas. Well, maybe not the Forlorn themselves but the Zeen or any of the others out there.

“Right.” Paul stands up and corrects his attire. “If you excuse me then? I've a lot of things to do and places to be. No rest for the manager.”
I wish him goodbye and we shake hands, then Paul retreats and leaves me alone in my office.

Without any further visitors who need my attention I decide to do some administration. The crew for the fleet of a hundred ships and fifty battle stations need a regular schedule to take a little time off. That's the main reason why Aether is coming along for the trip. There is no mage who would willingly go on a mission for over a year without having some place to relax.
Pilots are a little more hardened in that regard, but we've a whole bunch of diplomats and scientists along for the ride.

My work is interrupted by an unexpected call from Sadina. I ponder for several moments if I should take the call. How did she manage to encode a secure connection when we aren't in Sol? Deciding that I'll never find out if I don't talk to her I answer. “Yes.”
Sadina's Avatar appears in front of me. “Congratulations! To you marriage and to your new ability!”
“You are late.” I answer with a dry voice.

“Aw! So sorry. I thought it would be good to give you a little privacy. And it wasn't easy to set up a safe communication through the node network. With Aether so far away from Sol only the biggest quantum computers can create reliable connections.” She purses her lips. “It was actually quite complicated to find a way to hide my tracks. But it's worth the effort. One year! To think I could go one year without talking to my only son. Unthinkable!”

I wouldn't have a problem with that. “So why are you calling?”
“I just wanted to ask, how is it?” She places both her hands in a praying gesture.
I can't help but raise an eyebrow. “How is what?”
“Being pure energy. Becoming one with the machine in mind and body.” She starts hopping up and down. “Have you tried again since then? I tell you, it was one hell of a problem to encode that ability in your gene pattern. I honestly wasn't sure if you would simply go up in a nuclear explosion.”

I stare for several moments at the being which I should call my mother. Then I shake my head. “I didn't find that state to be very comfortable and the lack of energy in the environment made me revert back rather fast.”
Sadina drops her hands in disappointment. “I had hoped it would be an enlightening moment. All my research and efforts were aimed at a higher form of techno-magic.”
It was indeed very pleasurable and I felt very powerful, but I certainly don't want to spend my life as a disembodied energy being. After I had time to think about it I am of the opinion that, by somehow returning automatically to my physical form, I used up all my luck for the next century.

Sadina recovers on her own. “Well, no matter. The main project is still on track and manipulating the media worked perfectly fine.”
I feel my left eyelid starting to twitch. “Manipulating the media?” What the hell did she do?
“Yes, you have no idea how hard it was to talk certain announcers into saying the correct things. I even had to take down channel one for a few minutes, just to stop them from representing you in a false light.” She shrugs. “But after having their bank accounts scrubbed clean they were very cooperative.”

How did she do that? There wasn't even a word in the... oooh. It would be stupid to assume that the media would announce anything about being controlled by a mad techno-mage. 'Stupid be they would', as Yoda would say.
“I am beginning to see you as more than a slight threat to me. Why aren't the elders and the faceless all over you.” I grumble.

Sadina makes a dismissive gesture with her hand. “They are always trying, but their efforts are wasted. If there is something I am good at then it's hiding my tracks in the network. Even that old fart Sanguin isn't able to trace me and he has full access to the main frame. Imagine what would happen if I ever got access to that much computational power. All the things I could do.”

Imagine what I could do if I ever got that much access. I would surely be able to triangulate your position and then... “Then let's be happy that you don't have that level of access.” Maybe I should really try to become an elder. I wonder what I've to say in order to pass the personality test. I doubt that my knowledge is an issue, so I highly suspect that the problem lies with my personality.

“What are you thinking about the aliens? I suppose you've informed yourself about this new variable in your games?” I ask in a sudden burst of interest.
Sadina shrugs, not dropping her smile. “Some idiotic bird-brains who are playing games with each other. Their current game is throwing a hot potato from one participant to the next, it's just a question who gets burned first.”
I narrow my eyes. “And who is the hot potato?”
Sadina starts grinning. “Us, of course. The only question for us is: How can the potato prevent being thrown?” Her avatar flickers and then she looks aside, something else drawing her attention. “Unfortunately I've to go. See you later!”

Her avatar flickers out of existence and leaves me alone inside my office. I sigh and lean back in my chair. A hot potato she said.

How did she even come up with that reference?

57. ~Daily Life.~

“
Not many know that Aether wasn't always a flying city. During Aether's construction it was anchored in the Mediterranean Sea and could be easily seen from the main land of ancient Greece. There was no convenient magic to hide an entire city in those days.
There are countless legends about Atlantis. Sometimes it's a sunken continent or island, sometimes it's described as a city of wonders. The simple truth is that Aether's construction was finished at some point, so the mages took off and left.
The normals who were left behind wondered about the disappearance of the ancient city and started to invent their own explanations like they always do.
”

-Mages and their influences on the normals

Antares, Asteroid Habitat
Ilin Kleio

“The new structure is a device which allows instant transportation from one point in space to another. We've already tested it and teleported a few ships from one of our systems to yours. Our maximum range is five thousand light years and we intend to create a connection between our worlds and yours.” The diplomat pulls a document from his papers. “The next stop on our list are your neighbours towards the galactic centre. The Grahu? If I pronounce it correctly.”

Our diplomat hides all his hands behind his back, which signals utter shock. “You built this in our system without asking?”
The mage nods, not understanding the body language behind the gesture. “You can't expect us to always wait for several days until one of our ships can make the trip to your homeworld. With these installations we will be able to trade goods almost instantly and travel wherever we want. We don't want to spent years to visit this famous gathering of yours.”

My eyes wander to the hologram of the construct. It's a huge grid-like construction of tubes which outline the rough shape of a sphere, big enough to hold even Aether several times. But since the interconnected tubes aren't that thick it's mass is probably much less than the city's.
Fragile. That's the only word I can think of when looking at it.
Each crossing between the tubes holds a big sphere which contains an oversized anti-matter reactor. Our scientists could tell at least that much from the energy readings. It makes the entire thing look like an oversized molecule. A really big, oversized molecule.

But fragile doesn't mean that it's badly protected. The mages surrounded it with tons of stationary weaponry. In combination with the fact that they now have the anti-matter reactors I suspect that someone would need a small fleet to destroy the teleportation node. I am still not sure if Ayo didn't make a grave mistake in handing them the technology.

“We'll have to talk with our regent about this.” Our diplomat locks up like he always does. When he thinks that the stakes are getting too high he runs off to get instructions from the senate.
“That's no problem. We can always shove the node off into empty space. You won't even notice that it's there.” The mage explains unfazed.

Our diplomat turns a nice shade of pink upon realizing that there is practically nothing we can do about the node. The fact that the Mages put it right in front of our noses was to our advantage. They could simply place the whole thing somewhere a few light-days outside of our solar system and we would never be able to find it despite its size. Not in a million years. They wouldn't even need to cloak the creepy thing. I think our diplomat realized just now that we can't stop the Mages from going anywhere they want.

Yes, we can shoot at them and maybe one of our fleets is able to defeat one of theirs. But there is no way to catch them if they don't want to engage. Their way of transportation allows them to bypass any established borders.

Maybe I'll have to step over our diplomats and request help directly from the emperor? It's not smart to step into the stage-light of politics, but if I mask my request as a report and find the right words the right people might read it. That's a lot of 'mights', but if I am confident of one thing then it's the sociology of my people.

I turn away from the pair of diplomats and head back to my quarters. There are a lot of letters to write and calls to make.

Antares, Aether
Gideon

I play with the edge of the file's paper while regarding the request. The Forlorn have requested to send their contact team to Aether. No, it's more accurate to say that they informed us of a fact which we may or may not like. And if we don't like it we may use force, but that will result in them using force. Apparently their emperor laid down the law.
They want to join our travel to the centre of the galaxy. In exchange they won't challenge the presence of the teleportation node within their system. The request might seem small, but if they are free to roam around Aether as they want, they are sure to find out a few things we are still trying to hide.

The elders nonetheless accepted their request, deciding that being too secretive would cause more suspicion and mistrust than is acceptable. Thankfully that means that the responsibility for handling the alien visitors to our city falls in my trustworthy hands.
I stash the file on a stack of requests for later usage. Right now I don't want to think about what it means to have several aliens running around my city. Should I make a public announcement for everyone to hold their mouths shut? But how long would such a measure work? No, there is no way to keep certain common knowledge away from the aliens.

I file a request to hand the task to the SDF. The contact team which is handling the aliens since a few months has to give us experienced people. In exchange they can have the personnel which joined us at Sol.

When I am done I turn my attention to the second file. It's a complete summary of Brenton's life. His education, yearly income, possessions. I have everything the government knows about him. If I gave him the hints to hit on my sister I may as well check if he has some corpses in his cellar.

Being too absorbed in the file, I don't even notice the door opening and closing. “Ahem!”

My eyes wander to the person who cleared her throat to gain my attention. It's Melan and she doesn't look pleased at all. I wonder what I did wrong?
She points at the file in my hand. “Actually that's why I am here! And to catch you red handed on top of it. Gideon, you can't make requests for people's personal data from the database without a proper reason! What did you think? That's a violation of your office.”

“I had a reason.” I pull the sheet of paper away from Melan's hand as she tries to grasp it. “Everything went through the proper channels. I was very careful about that. The proper procedure was made and archived. Nobody of my successors will even waste a second thought on something as small as that.”

“You said that he's under suspicion of being a spy! How did you even get through with this, Gideon. To make such an enquiry you need two people from the government to approve and a faceless to make the request. I get how you managed to persuade Ed and get permission from the faceless. But not your secretary. Tell me how you managed to persuade Alessia to help you. She's your aid and should know better than to go and get you such information. Such a request needs to be filed by two public servants!”

I purse my lips. “I simply explained to her that keeping her job after that incident with the drugs was very lucky.”
Grandma's eyes widen. “You threatened her!?”
That's exactly the wrong way to see it. “Nooo. I didn't threaten her at all. Not in the least. I just made sure that she understands the fact that someone who tried to make someone else addicted to a drug needs to regain some trust.”

“You know very well that she wasn't in complete control of herself. Why do you even need those files? You didn't look up anyone else from Cyla's family.” Melan crosses her arms in front of her chest and stares down at me.

“Nothing in particular. I was just interested.” I feel a few pearls of sweat forming on my forehead. It's really uncomfortable when Grandma looks at me like that. She can still make me feel like a small child with two plush toys.
“Spill it. We both know that I am the one who is better at pushing your buttons.” She threatens.

“No.” I try to hold my ground. She has nothing to hold against me. I kept to the rules, bending them just a little. There is no reason to jump me like this.
Her eyes form two small slits. “I wonder what Cyla thinks about this? You, investigating her brother like that. An accusation for spying doesn't vanish like that, even it gets dropped immediately after the personal data was sighted and nobody else is informed.”

I scratch my head, breaking eye-contact with Grandma. If Cyla gets involved she might get mad at me. She will surely take a very close look at my memories when she gets the chance. This little investigation was just meant to make sure of Brenton's character.

“Fine. I'll have a little chat with Cyla then.” Melan announces and turns around.

“Brenton and Galia are involved with each other. I kind of caught him and her fucking each other at the marriage-announcement-party. And just a week ago he relocated his whole business to Aether and is seeing Galia on a regular basis. Galia is like a sister to me and I just wanted to make sure that he doesn't have any corpses hidden away somewhere.” There you have it! “Happy? I spilled it!” And I even somehow avoided mentioning that their get together was somehow staged by me.

Melan turns back around, looking me up and down with a raised eyebrow. “Galia found a guy for herself?”
“It- It's- not like she found him. More like he found her.” I sputter. “You know how annoyed she is about the fact that she isn't in a relationship. Being the oldest one of the children and such. I thought that she might have been too desperate? But who am I to judge people without proper information? You know me. I can't judge someone's character from a few words at a party.”

Grandma steps closer, pointing at the exit of my office. “I think you wanted to take a little break? Get some coffee and take your time. Ten minutes at least.”
I stand up and try to leave, but Grandma holds me back by grabbing my clothes. “I think you forgot something?” Her eyes wander to the report in my hands.

Finally I get her meaning and place the report on my office table. “I'll be taking a break then. If Alessia isn't too loaded with work I'll even try to socialize with her a little.” And take back a few of my threats. If Alessia spills the beans to grandmother Melan, she will flip.

Melan smiles at me. “Take your time.”

I leave, not even looking back at how fast Grandma has the report in her manipulative hands.

58. ~Another.~

“
The different types of mages vary strongly in abilities and character. Some of them are as peaceful as an intelligent being can be. Others are as aggressive as an angrolian gnar. Others are simply unpredictable. It's them whom you have to be wary of. So when talking to a mage the first thing you do is to confirm whom you are talking to.
”

-Ilin Kleio

Star-82579, Aether
Ilin Kleio

“This city is fantastic!” Ayo races forward to talk to another random stranger. My companion is interviewing various citizens while I am still trying to wrap my mind around this species.

Their main means of transportation is the public teleportation network. Even though the streets offer the possibility to drive vehicles, they are rarely used. It's strange that his city looks so familiar to one of ours and yet there are differences which make it completely alien. No Forlorn would want to live inside a huge square block, we like our houses round.

If someone without the ability to activate the teleporters wants to get around the city he either needs his own shuttle or help from a mage. If Ayo and I hadn't a silent companion who is taking us where we want to go, we would be unable to get around without a lot of walking.

Then there is the fact that there are no servants. All public places are managed by robots. Most disconcerting. I have to remind my people that the mages are probably looking down on most forms of servitude and slavery.
Aether also seems like a very carefully planned living space. It's to be expected from a habitat environment, but the sense for the small stuff is still extraordinary. There are probably rules in place  to stop people from simply doing their own thing.

Any Forlorn city is bound to grow and change in an organic manner. Streets are curved and buildings are erected and demolished as needed. Aether looks like someone drew a few straight lines on a blueprint. Maybe I am too harsh. Our people don't even have such big space colonies.

I take another look at the map of the solar system which the mages are calling their home. I acquired it from a shop and I still can't fully believe it. The mages seem to have been a space faring race for almost two thousand years and they never left Sol.
If those numbers are correct, then they have at least the same population as the entire Forlorn species cramped into a single solar system! We have dozens of settled worlds. And they are practically immortal compared to us. I've talked to people who claimed to be over four hundred cycles old. The members of my species are considered as old when we reach eighty.

I really don't want to make a mistake and fall to assumptions, but they could be worse than the Drazi in terms of population pressure. Though I've found less indications for the problem than I had assumed. They must be controlling their numbers somehow. Not that we Forlorn are any better in that regard.

My train of thought is interrupted by Ayo's return. “Do you know that they speak several different languages? I've been told that their lesser evolved brethren who are still living on their homeworld know even more different ones. I want to go there.”

“I doubt that they'll allow that. They are very guarded about everything regarding their home-system.” I answer.
“But still. All this is new and interesting. I wish we wouldn't have to go to that meeting with the Grahu. Though it might be interesting to see if they can deal with the Grahu.” Ayo turns to face our guide. “Could you bring us back to the embassy?”

Our guide with the white mask nods and walks to a nearby teleportation chamber. Both Ayo and I follow him, but my thoughts are somewhere else.

The Grahu are a very aggressive and combatant species. They've already beaten back several incursions by the Drazi. Then there is also the fact that they are focused on sticking to their social codes. Outsiders be damned. Anyone who isn't able to stick to their behavioural rules is seen as fair game.
We Forlorn had to train specialized mediators to have a decent talk with them. If I remember correctly the empire had to go through several hands of diplomats before we learned to communicate.

The Grahu have a nasty habit of making trophies out of people who insult them. And insulting them is much too easy. I doubt that the mages will be able to have a decent talk with them.
If it wouldn't be an insult to speak for someone else, we Forlorn could have spoken on behalf of the Mages. At least we gave them a complete list of social mannerisms for the Grahu. If they can avoid the three hundred and sixty-five ways to challenge someone to a fight, their diplomats might even survive the first few lessons in communication.

Our guide returns us to the embassy and we teleport directly to the station which was created by the Grahu especially for first contact. The Grahu are very sensitive to smell and once the discussion is over they will incinerate the entire construct to get rid of the stench of outsiders. The entire station isn't much more than a room with a glass front separating it in two. The glass front fulfils the purpose of separating both parties and acts as a smell-protection for the fine noses of the Grahu.

In the centre of the huge room is a separate big, glass chamber with air locks. The Grahu speakers with talk from face to face with the outsiders there.

Once at the station I and Ayo join a group of seven mages and four Forlorn who are already waiting in the chamber. I recognize our military advisor and one of our diplomats. The mages are all unknown to me, though four of them are wearing the masks of their police. Not that I can discern between individuals anyway. The masks aren't helping either.

“That's the technician!” Ayo jumps one of the mages and takes his hand to greet him.
“My name is Gideon, for the last time.” The mage answers in an annoyed tone. Thanks to Ayo's help I recognize Gideon by his haircut. The technician somehow became Aether's administrator since we last met him. I've already studied their government, but I find it a little extreme. There has to be some sort of legitimacy and accomplishments in my opinion. As I understood the mages, they would follow an infant as long as it proves that it's smart.

Ayo engages in a heated discussion with Gideon. The mage obviously isn't interested in talking to the Zeen. His entire behaviour shows that he would rather be somewhere else and I notice that he isn't even paying attention to the group of ten Grahu who enter the room from the entrance at the other side of the glass front.

I've never seen the huge, naked bi-pedals personally, but right now I feel very happy that there is a front of sturdy glass between them and us. The mages are already bigger than the average Forlorn and the Grahu tower three heads even above them.
A large long snout with entirely too many teeth for my taste is accompanied by four slit eyes. The strong arms have three segments and end in hands with four clawed fingers.

The average Grahu consists of not much more than muscles, bone and claws. The tiny brain is protected by a heavy bone shield on their heads and the skin is a thick, leathery hide.

“Gods! I've never seen something that ugly!” Gideon shakes his head and mumbles something, speaking too fast for me to understand. “And to think that I've to be here to represent Aether. I could be with Cyla instead! This job sucks. I didn't get to see her since yesterday.”
I turn to Ayo who is happy to translate his words to my native language. “He says that since his role here is just being a representative and looking nice, he rather would like to engage in reproductive activities with his breeding partner instead.”

I make the gesture for understanding. “I can sympathize with him. To be honest I myself am a little concerned where I should lay my next egg. Simply dropping it somewhere in Aether feels inappropriate.”
Ayo spreads all his hands in shock. “I would have never thought that I would hear a Forlorn showing concern for their offspring. Are you feeling ill, Illin?”

I circle my head and nod. “It's just that I am concerned to disturb the mages somehow. They seem to care for minor life-forms.”
“Ah, I misunderstood. That's spoken more like a true Forlorn, Illin.” Ayo answers.
“There is no reason to treat an infant like a person. Unless they've proven that they can think they aren't much more than animals.” I explain. Some aliens are truly strange in that regard.

The Grahu make the first step in entering the transparent negotiation chamber. Five of them are speakers, the others stay on the other side of the glass front. The mages also send five of their numbers to greet the Grahu.
The mage who was decided to be the first speaker does a good job on going through the ritual symbolism which is required for a conversation between equals.

The entire ceremony takes a good minute of complicated gestures and grunts, ending with a hearty pat on each other's shoulder. That's when things go wrong.
The enthusiastic speaker for the Grahu decides to test his adversary's strength and forgets to pull in it's claws. The mage flinches as the sharp claws dig into soft skin. A sign of weakness which is immediately taken advantage of.

The swipe of the Grahu's leg sends the mage into the wall behind him and knocks him out. I wince as the mages make the mistake of seeing to their wounded comrade which automatically lowers their status to herd animals. “That's bad. The mages will have to work hard to regain their status.”
The wounded mage is carried out of the confrontation chamber while the Grahu laugh with a characteristic snarling tone. At least they aren't attacking any further because it would lower their status to attack something that has its back to them.
When the mages are out of the chamber, the speaker steps forward and tastes the smear of blood on the wall to ritually claim the prey.

The mages fall into frantic discussions with our experts, but I already know the outcome. The only chance to solve this is paying a hefty fee to the Grahu.
“That's as much as I expected.” Ayo nods solemnly.

Gideon watches the entire exchange with his arms crossed in front of his chest. His eyes wander several times to the door until he decides to take action. “This is taking too long! I could've been at home ten minutes ago if you had done it as I suggested. Let me solve this, barbarians have to be treated as such.” Gideon steps forward and enters the chamber alone before anyone can stop him.
He walks past the five Grahu who are too curious and baffled to stop him. It's a grievous insult to face a group of speakers with less speakers. It's akin to saying that they aren't worth to be paid the proper respect.

Upon Gideon reaching the air-lock on the Grahu's side of the room the five Grahu who stayed on the other side ready themselves to pounce. But Gideon doesn't activate it. He simply punches the controls, which results in a small puff of smoke and burnt electronics.
Then he turns around to face the five baffled speakers and snarls in broken Grahu. “Now the prey can't run.”

The first speaker jumps at Gideon, opening its large snout to bite off his head. But the mage just reaches up and grabs the upper and lower half of the speaker's jaw. With a snap he unhooks the lower jaw and tilts the Grahu's head in an unhealthy ninety degree angle to the rest of its body. The much larger alien tilts sideways and lands with a heavy thump on the ground.

Now the other four Grahu attack, but the technician calmly walks into their charge. A clawing paw parts empty air and Gideon's fist impacts another Grahu's chest. The much larger creature is lifted up into the air and impacts the ceiling accompanied by the crunching of bones.

Gideon grabs a third attacker's claw and bends it backwards, breaking it and sending him into the glass front towards the five Grahu spectators. The sealing holds, but a huge crack appears in the safety glass.
The fourth Grahu gets in a kick on Gideon's back. That's sure to lower his status, but the alien doesn't seem to care at the moment. The technician is flung forward, but spins in mid-air, landing on the glass front and sticks to it in a gravity defying move.

He grabs the stunned Grahu who was flung against the glass by a leg and swings him at the attacker. One, two, three wet smacks of flesh on flesh reverberate through the room until the mage lets go of his improvised weapon. The Grahu in his hands isn't even twitching at this point and I can easily image that the most important bones in its body are all broken. He is carelessly dropped onto the fourth Grahu who had to suffer the impacts.

Number five jumps Gideon, but the mage locks arms with the much larger alien. He barely avoids the snapping snout and for a second it looks like the Grahu is matching the mage in strength.
A grin appears on Gideon's face and an a blue light starts shimmering around the mage. Then the alien is lifted from its feet and its right shoulder is dislocated with a sickening noise. Flesh tears and a spray of violet Grahu blood sullies the glass front.

Gideon drops the torn off arm and changes his grip on the screaming Grahu. He lifts the monster  above his head and brings it down on his knee, snapping him like a stick. The scream ends as the Grahu is neatly folded and impacts the ground with his head.

The technician stands up and points a bloody finger at the five watching Grahu. Then he speaks again in his broken version of their language since his vocal cords aren't really up to the task. “The people whom we sent in here were talkers, but we also have people like me who don't do talking. You! Choose with whom of us you want to deal.”

All five Grahu pull their lips over their teeth to hide them in a gesture of non-aggression.

59. ~Issues.~

“
The pendulum swings between logic and nonsense. Black and White. The further you pull to either side, the further it will swing to the other in the end.
”

-Kaleid worldview

The Void, Aether
Gideon

She's doing it again. And I gave her twice my portion of food. “Cyla, why are you always stealing my carrots?” I get up and walk to the kitchen's stove. This time she can't bother me since I've already planned ahead. Afterwards I return to her side with new side dishes on my plate.
Cyla doesn't stop chewing and engages in a mental discussion instead. ~Because it's teasing you. And yesterday you thought that I got round.~

That's definitely a drawback in a relationship with a telepath. I even have to be careful what I think. Maybe I should put a little more effort and training in guarding my thoughts.
~I heard that!~

I click with my tongue. “You got round. It's a fact and perfectly normal for women in your condition. Why would that annoy you?” I answer perplexed.
Cyla swallows being obviously carried away by her hormones. “And yesterday you allowed those two awful aliens to visit us. Illin wanted to know where we drop our babies until they are old enough to speak. And that Ayo tried to use one of his scanners on me.”

“I am sorry. I don't like them myself, but keeping an eye on them somehow fell onto me. There is no chance in hell that I give them another tour through the city and so I took them with me.” I answer.
“Just make sure that the Forlorn doesn't get close to a child. I am not entirely sure what she is capable of.” Cyla grumbles.
“Sure.” I trace the tattoo-like discolouration of her skin to woo her into a better mood. After a while I realized that she doesn't just channel energy through her tattoos, but the skin seems to be much more sensitive in that area. It's actually quite entertaining to tease her by touching it.

“I think Illin isn't the problem. She is trying very hard to understand us humans. It's Ayo whose motives are very dubious.” I explain. “At least the current teleportation node is in a dead area of space. That's why we are having more time for our visitors.”
“Yes, I actually wanted to ask about that. Up until now we placed each teleportation node in a major civilised system, like the Forlorn, Grahu and Jeebes. But this fourth one is somewhere between the stars.” Cyla asks.

I shrug, thinking back to the Jeebes. They are some kind of amoeba and were very indifferent towards our actions. Our diplomatic exchange can be reduced to the statement that we stay out of each other's way. We don't bother them and they don't bother us with their huge organic ships. I really liked them. Very simple and straightforward people.

“We are in a region of space which can be seen as the main wave-front of the Drazi emigration wave. It's very likely that a teleportation node which is located inside a system will get attacked sooner or later.” I explain.
“Shouldn't we take more protective measures then?” Cyla asks while almost choking on her meal.

I shake my head. “We are somewhere in between the stars. I can't imagine how they could find us, even if they knew that we are here.” There is no chance for them to be that lucky. “They wouldn't even find us if they knew almost exactly where we are. This node will use the latest stealth tech, which would require them to close in to a few hundred kilometres. If you think of the vastness of space that's even more luck than finding a needle on a football field.”

Cyla relaxes visibly. “And the next destination will be the same?”
“Yes.” I answer. “And afterwards we'll stop at a Kaleid system and then we'll make our way through a few coalition-worlds until we are at the gathering place for the society.”
Cyla raises a questioning eyebrow. “And those Kaleid and the Coalition are?”

I sigh and start sharing what I know. The Forlorn suggested to place a node at a Kaleid world since they think that they are very unproblematic negotiation partners. The Kaleid are some kind of aquatic life-form and look like a combination of a catfish and a squid. They are fairly well known traders throughout the galaxy. The Forlorn always paid them a visit when their diplomats travelled to the gathering of civilised species.

The next stops are even less likely to have something against the teleportation nodes. The Coalition is a conglomerate of several different alien species which are working together. Their societies mixed at some point a few thousand years ago. It led to a shared government for all the included species. Since hostility towards foreigners is almost unknown to the Coalition Illin thinks that they will embrace the benefits of the teleportation node.

The last stop on our list is a star system close to the black hole in the centre of our galaxy. It serves as a gathering place for the society and is in great part managed by the Zeen. That's where I expect us getting into trouble.
The more I look at the galaxy's political landscape, as it is described by the Forlorn, the more I think that the Zeen are the driving force behind the alliance which is chasing the Drazi.

The Opach are the main party behind this war. And according to Illin the Opach are akin to vassals of the Zeen. Ayo himself said that he is aiding us with technology because he dislikes the Drazi. Since we only know Ayo we can't say for certain if his actions are sanctioned by the rest of his species, but my theory still stands.

I start eating again after having ended my lengthy explanation.

“So that means that we'll have less unexpected interruptions which influence our daily lives?” Cyla asks with a satisfied voice and continues before I can verify her conclusion. “That's great! Actually I've a present for you.”

A present? For me? I feel honoured! What is it? A new sex toy? A wild night in bed? Actually I don't really care about the belly as long as we can share our feelings. Mind-sex is so much better than the pure physical experience.
By pure impulse I reach for Cyla and try to hug her. But my wife slides past my arms, skilfully avoiding them. She hurries out of the room with a speed I wouldn't have expected from a pregnant woman. For a moment I think about following her, but whatever she has in store for me seems to be a surprise.

After a few moments she returns with a sizeable package in her arms and a photo on top of it. She sits down next to me and shows me the ultrasonic photo of an unborn child. “That's our daughter.”
I take the photo from her to have a look, but to be honest I am rather uninterested in grainy black and white images. So the doctor confirmed the gender. “Ah, so that's the present. I'll make sure to have it with me and show it around.” Isn't that what parents normally do?

Cyla frowns and shoves the package closer to me. “Half of the present. The other half is this book.”
A book!? I reach for the package and lift it. Who the hell needs a tome that weighs about a kilogram? I frown and look at Cyla. “Is that some kind of spell-book or encyclopedia?”
“One thousand four hundred and seven pages. The newest edition based on the latest studies and research.” She hugs my side, rubbing her cheek against my shoulder.

I rip the cotton paper from the package and read the title. “'A guide to being a parent.' 'How to educate a young techno-mage from birth to childhood and what comes afterwards.'”
Blinking, I skim through the book and its overly detailed contents. “Hahahaha.” There is no way in hell that I'll read this. “Thanks. I guess.” I think there is still space in the upper right corner of my bedroom's bookshelf. That's where I store all the stuff which I won't ever take a look at.

“You will read this.” Cyla whispers from my side with a scary expression on her face.
Did she read my mind? No, I am fairly sure that she didn't. I place the book carefully in front of me. “Did I say otherwise?”
“I know you well enough.” She answers. “You are trying hard to avoid thinking about the baby. But we have a responsibility as parents and as techno-mages we will have to take extra care of our child's education and mental health. You yourself know how it is to be mistreated by people who aren't up to the job.”

“Hahaha.” I push the book a little further away, using just one finger. Why do you think that I don't feel up to the task. “I hoped that you'll take care of that? I mean, you are the mother? Didn't you just say that we'll have a daughter? She'll surely be more attached to you than me.”
Cyla places a hand on the tome and pulls it back in front of us. “I'll surely not take care of her ninety-nine percent of the time. We will study this together, each evening until we are done. We are in this together, even if you might think that you aren't up the job. It's also new to me. And at the end there will be a test, so don't even try to do this half heartedly.”

“A test!?” I scratch my chest and catch myself searching for a way to escape this situation.
Cyla's grip on my arm turns tighter. “Yes. Don't forget that you are the one who took out my chip. All this is entirely your dick's fault. And even if I will be the role model for our daughter, you are still the father. And the second child could be a boy. I'll make sure that you can't make a mistake in our children's education.”

“Children!?” I try to get up, but find Cyla and myself surrounded by a set of her drifting gravity-distortions. One of them broke my leg just by getting close to it.

As I watch, another one crumbles the metal pot on the stove to a tiny ball, so I decide that it's much safer to stay put and hug Cyla. “Dear, you didn't say that we are having twins?”
She returns my embrace with a warm smile. “No. I just want to have more than one, so they can play with each other. And if we put another bun in the oven right away they won't be that much apart in age.”

“I see.” I rub Cyla's back. “And if they can entertain each other they won't pester us that much. There is logic behind that.”
Cyla takes my head and gives me a deep kiss, even using her tongue to snake between my lips. After a while we part and she pats my cheek. “So you understand. You had your sisters to play and our children will have each other. I am glad that I don't have to fall back on the contingency plans.”
“I feel a little stupid for asking this, but what are the contingency plans?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Since you understand there is no harm in telling you. I intended to drastically cut back our happy time, using your grandmother against you, potentially even performing a few naughty dances in our bedroom. Just to show you what you are missing out on. Since you are a healthy male I doubt that you would be able to keep your wits together after a few nights.”

Why do I love an evil mistress like her? I lick my lips and put on my best gentleman smile. “But since I am all up for your family plans, all that isn't necessary.”
“No?” She buries her cheek in my chest. “I am so happy. How did I even get the idea that you could have objections.”
I start playing with her pony tail while cuddling her. “Aw. Pah! Objections. No way!” Being crumbled to a tiny ball surely hurts as fuck and I don't want to test my energy form. But I want something for investing all that time of boredom. “Though I think that all these responsibilities will take a heavy toll on my mental stability. I think I'll require a few benefits to soothe my mind.”

“Benefits?” She asks.
I grin. “Yes, like extra attention when we make out. I want complete control once in a while. It would be so great if I would get to try a few new dirty things. Don't worry. Since we are sharing minds I'll only do stuff you like.” Mainly searching for her weak points.
“Dirty things he says.” She pokes my chest. “I wonder whom you got that from?”

60. ~Visit.~

“
Children are a pledge of partnership. The only problem lies in getting rid of them afterwards.
”

-Kaleid worldview

Star-91896, Coalition Station 369
Gideon

This is definitely strange. To think that such a place exists, it's like someone recreated a Star Wars setting. I am standing on a marketplace of the Coalition's space station 369 and none of the various aliens around me gives a shit about the fact that Cyla and I are humans.
“This Coalition is certainly very open towards strangers.” Cyla comments while being hooked to my arm. “I've counted sixty-seven different species so far.”

“Yes, the Kaleid were boring compared to the Coalition. Even though they agreed to our teleportation node and ordered a few more, they didn't let us take a look at one of their cities.
In comparison the Coalition ambassador didn't even blink an eye-lid when we asked if some of us could visit their space station.”
Cyla frowns and pulls me to another market stand. “It's not like he had eyelids.”

Right. The Coalition ambassador's body was an amorphous slimy mass, which can change its form according to his wishes. His preferred method of movement was changing into a slug-like shape to glide over the floor. He even left behind a trail of slime.

“But to be honest I've seen enough. Can we go back now?” Cyla presses even closer to me as a huge creature walks past us. It's like a mix of an elephant and a praying mantis.
“Cyla, could it be that you have xenophobia?” I ask with a teasing voice. Now that I think back I can see that Cyla never let her guard down when she got close to the Forlorn or Ayo. And here on the market she became unusually clingy.

“Don't be ridiculous. I just don't like being around foreign creatures. There is no telling what their abilities are. Can we go back now?” She denies her issues and repeats her wish.

I can't help it and poke further into the matter. “But that's exactly the definition of being xenophobe. Maybe we could stay just a little while longer? I kind of like it when you are all girly and search out physical closeness. It arouses my protective male instincts, so I want to explore those feelings since they are new to me.”

My eyes wander to a huge advertisement and I point the Coalition translator at it. It's a wristband which we got from the station's security when we entered the place. The translator informs me that there will be a fighter-race tomorrow.
The owner of the stall in front of us is eyeing Cyla and me with interest, so I decide to ask him about the race. “Excuse me, what's a fighter-race?”

The brown, stick-like creature with eight arms around its torso bobs up and down. I don't hear anything, but the translator starts generating an answer. “They build small ships and fly them through a dense asteroid field. The fastest pilot wins and gets a huge amount of money.”
“Really? What about the ships? Are there any restrictions?” I ask with interest.

Again the bobbing motion starts. “Not that I am aware of. The only restrictions are to build the ship yourself. It's not allowed to be one of the standard models. The tonnage and size are limited to twenty metres. You have to access the net if you want more accurate data.”

I thank the creature which I dubbed a Stickbobber in my mind. Surely they have a better name for themselves, but it's probably some kind of bobbing motion.

“I hope you don't intend on joining this event. Who knows how dangerous that race could be.” Cyla whispers from my side, pinching my arm with two fingers to draw my attention.
“Nooo. Never.” I answer, already searching the alien net for detailed information. But to my own dismay I find out that the time for applications is already past its limit.

“Gideon Alvar. You are the worst of all liars. You opened a connection to the tournament website. Didn't you?” Cyla huffs.
I sigh and admit my failure at hiding my access to the net from Cyla. “Yes, I did. But there is nothing to worry about. It seems like joining this race isn't possible at this point in time.”

“I hope so! How could I tell our child that her dad died in a stupid accident just before her birth.”

Exactly at that moment one of the furry, alien merchants jumps in front of us and waves some kind of meat on a stick in our faces, colliding with me and losing half of the meatballs from the box he is carrying.
The alien probably was just trying to advertise his snack to a pair of potential customers. To the merchant's misfortune the stench of the meat sets off something inside Cyla's stomach and she projectile vomits onto the alien.

I admire her skill in hitting the creature's snout, then dispersing her belly's contents over the rest of the rodent-like creature.
The merchant drops himself to the floor, crying like a dying rat while trying to get off the vomit. The entire scene causes the people around us to step back to a respectful distance. I already start fearing for the worst after a few seconds of screaming and rolling around on the floor. Maybe something inside Cyla's stomach was poisonous to the alien? I rub Cyla's back, who is still dry retching at my side. If she wasn't angry before, she'll be pissed after this.

Finally the merchant stops his exaggerated behaviour and touches himself from head to toe, or claws to be accurate. “Oh! I am not hurt!” The translator decodes his chirps.
“No, you just caused my wife to empty her stomach because you pushed those stinking meatballs right in our faces.” I explain and the translator dutifully translates my words to galactic standard.

“So it's just vomit? By the trinity! I am so glad. You can't imagine how many nasty creatures are out there. I already thought I was hit with something like Valerian nerve poison or Screech acid.” The alien gets to its feet and notices that all his meatballs cover the ground and are sullied with Cyla's vomit. He starts counting with his claws.

I immediately recognize the old street trick. That little rodent doesn't just look similar to a rat, he is one. It's highly likely that he rammed me intentionally to get some money out of his badly selling snack!

Too bad for him. “Actually I highly recommend to wash yourself immediately. While the stomach acids of my species aren't that strong, they are still very good at removing chitinous parts from prey. Like hair and such. If you don't want to be hairless by tomorrow-”

I don't have to spin my tale any further, as the alien makes a beeline for one of the cleaning areas behind one of the market stands. Several other furry aliens who overheard my explanation jump aside to avoid contact with the con-artist.
As there is nothing more to see the crowd disperses fast and I can place all my attention on Cyla who paled even further after the little incident.

She got a handkerchief from somewhere and holds tightly onto my arm. “Gideon.”
“Yes, dear? Should I teleport us back home?” I ask. She will surely want to clean herself up.

“Actually... no. Get me to the hospital. Right this moment!” Cyla reaches for her belly. “I think my waters broke.”
My eyes widen. “But isn't it a month too early?!”

Cyla hisses and grabs me even tighter. “The baby doesn't care!”

Star-91896, Aether
Cyla

“Press!” The nurse urges me on while the doctor observes my vitals on a separate set of instruments. Gideon is holding my hand to offer me some comfort while another contraction hits me. I would've never thought that giving birth is so exhausting. And it hurts! At times I don't even realize that I am the one who is screaming.

“Gideon, I just want to die! Why isn't it coming out.” I complain. Three hours of being in labour. “It feels like our daughter is trying to kill me. I just want to give up.”
“It'll be fine. Should we cast another healing spell on you?” Gideon places a hand on my forehead and smiles which gives me comfort.

“You don't have to worry.” The doctor pats my shoulder. “Probably your extraordinary medical circumstances caused a slightly accelerated pregnancy. I never had someone who mutated while being pregnant, so I got the date wrong. It differs for people who already went through the first stages of mutation.” He gestures at his instruments which tell me nothing. “Your daughter is strong and healthy. We won't even need an incubator. And you just have a few problems with the first stages of delivery, but that's nothing extraordinary. There is nothing to worry about.”

The next contraction starts and I press with all my might, finally feeling something come out of me. At the end I fall back on the slightly elevated bed and the doctor uses a towel to wipe away the sweat.
“Good. The head is already outside. Just once more on the next contraction.” The nurse's voice informs me.
I gasp in relief at the prospect of ending this torture. “Maybe I'll have to reconsider the idea of having a second child.”

Gideon caresses my hand and I smile at him with affection. Halfway through this entire process I got some doubts about him being a father, but having him here at my side, taking care of me, washes all those fears away.
On my next contraction I once again use all my remaining power and finally feel the huge lump inside me slipping out. My heavy breathing is drowned by the screams of our daughter. “Finally.”

“Say hello to your daughter.” The nurse places a small body, wrapped in a towel, on my chest and can't help but feel happy about seeing the crumpled face of my baby.
I support her with my free hand and try to link our minds like the book suggested. It's very important to permanently supervise a techno-mage baby. If the child's mind accelerates accidentally and spends weeks or months alone it can do untold damage to the child's mental health.

“Hello Aurelia Alvar. What do you think? That name fits you, right?” I cuddle the cheek of the cooing baby which finally stopped crying after feeling the warmth of my chest.
“You are so lucky to have such a fine man, Cyla. Not many fathers manage to stay the entire time at their wife's side.” The nurse pats my shoulder with an envious expression. “I've seen many who ran away half way through the procedure or simply didn't show up.”

The doctor holds one of his instruments above me and Aurelia and smiles. “She's perfect. Her lungs are okay, even if she's a little early. All that's left is the afterbirth.” He flips a switch next to the bed and the green shimmer of a regeneration spell envelops us.
I sigh in relief and try to shift Aurelia towards Gideon. “See, that's your Daddy.”

But Gideon simply continues caressing my hand which he is holding. Now the smile and lack of reaction make the whole situation a little creepy, so I poke his cheek but get not reaction.
I curse and access the net to get one of the alien news feeds. A few thoughts are enough to display a certain sport event on the delivery room's holo-screen.

“... and there the unexpected outsider weaves through the obstacles like nothing, leaving the current champion behind! Whoever built this little ship was a genius! What do you think, Aenf?”
“Yes, Enrm. Too bad that he didn't officially join the race. Simply barging into the restricted zone wasn't just dangerous, but also against every rule. I don't think that we can reward the pilot, even if it looks like he could've won easily fair and square...”

I turn my attention to the doctor. “Doc, are you ready to treat a broken bone, or at least a dislocated joint?”
He blinks. “Always. Why?”

My hand snakes around the pinkie of Gideon's left hand, which is his favoured one. Then I concentrate on the race to wait for the best moment.

“... that's the last obstacle field! After this lies just open space for the outsider. He already showed that his speed is unbeatable if he can bring his acceleration to bear! ...”

In a split second I bend Gideon's pinkie backwards until I hear a satisfying crunching noise.

“... HE HIT ONE OF THE ASTEROIDS! He could have evaded like earlier, but this time he went straight into it! I doubt that there is anything left to salvage after such a collision!”
“Well, I think that was to be expected. He simply didn't leave enough space for his evasive manoeuvres. Sooner or later it had to happen...”

“OW!” Gideon pulls his hand away to hold it protectively to his chest. Finally his attention is where it belongs. “What happened? My finger! That hurts as fuck! Fuck!”
I smile. “Ah, it's nothing compared to what I had to endure. Maybe you should stop playing games and greet your daughter, Aurelia Alvar.”

61. ~Baby.~

“
And today’s newest development is a new species which is making its way to the Gathering in the galactic center. They apparently have astounding technological capabilities like instant teleportation and ftl-communication, which they are selling to anyone. Of course under the premise of being willing to pay the right amount of money.
”

-Galactic news

Star-91896, Aether
Gideon

I cradle Aurelia in my arms while Cyla is sleeping on the sofa. The medics said that they fixed her and that she is back to her prime condition, but giving birth was exhausting nonetheless. So I teleported them back home right away.
Somehow I like Aurelia's tiny hands, even if her chubby baby-face is ugly at the moment. And I am lucky that she is sleeping right now, otherwise I would probably find her screaming self less cute.

Cute. Funny that I've those feelings about a baby. But she is my baby. On an inspiration I stand up and place her in her cradle, then I carry her to the bedroom and get two worn but freshly washed plush toys from the drawer. Aaah, how long has it been. Since I have Cyla I never touched those things for comfort. It's much more fun to fondle my woman instead of plush toys.

Then I place them next to Aurelia inside the cradle. “Here you have Bunny and Cat. I pass them on to you. They already saved my life once.” With dread I remember my jump out of the window when I was a child and had to escape an assassin. I lift Aurelia and carry her to the stairway. “Just to make this clear. Cyla is mine to grope. You can have Cat and Bunny.”

I don't even get to take five steps out of the living area when I am intercepted and swarmed by Melan and Rhiannon. “You are back! Where is Cyla. Is that your baby? Let us see!”
Without proper reason I clench the cradle to my chest. “Cyla is sleeping on the sofa. She is tired. Maybe you can go and take a look at her.”

Grandma's and Rhiannon's faces turn weird as if they just sensed a weakness. “Gideon, such a surprise. Who would have thought that you turn into an overprotective father figure as soon as your child is born.”
I think about Rhiannon's words and realize that she may be right. “My emotional side was leaking through, wasn't it?” I ask.

“It was totally all over your face. This is mine, go and get your own.” Melan smirks.
With a sigh I give up the cradle for Melan and Rhiannon to inspect the new family member. It doesn't take long and they have Hedeon, Arend and me assembled in the living room with an expensive liquor to celebrate.

Arend interrupts me while I gloomily watch the women spoiling Aurelia. “So why didn't you make it to the finish line? I've spent a lot of effort in hacking the Coalition's guard satellites for you.”
“Yes! I bet on you winning it! I barely managed to sell it off as a win to my friends.” Grandfather also complains.

“I am sorry, but after designing the unmanned fighter and spitting it out from one of my ship's IM-lines I had a hard time in flying it properly. Despite my best efforts the remote controls turned out to be a little sluggish and right when I was about to go for the finish Cyla found out.” I rub my finger which she broke to make a statement. She never got violent before, but at least this particular event taught me that matters like having a baby and family have to be taken seriously with her.

“Oh, that's too bad. I was all up for your little project.” Arend strokes his beard, considering something. “Maybe we should join the next race for real. I kind of wonder why we mages don't have an event like this. The idea intrigues me.”
Hedeon snorts. “Are you joking? Nobody except techno-mages would join. We would fly everyone else to the walls.”

Arend raises a finger. “But everyone else has their fighting tournaments which act as advertisement for their traits. It's all about public opinion. Who says that we techno-mages can't show off in our own way? And we are surely able to make this a little more interesting than the Coalition. Maybe it would help to present our traits in a better light.”

“Hmmm.” Hedeon nods slowly. “We could surely host a similar event back at home. The only problem I see lies in acquiring enough money to start the operation.”
“That's the least of our problems.” Arend's eyes wander to me. “We've someone on our side who doesn't even know what to do with his money and is hoarding it like a squirrel.”

I grumble. “I don't see a problem with having a good financial cushion. And if I take a mage's lifetime into consideration it's not wrong to have a lot of money.”
Hedeon nods slowly. “But you surely don't need that much?”

“Fine. Send me a complete project description and I might consider it.” I roll with my eyes and flee the two oldsters who are starting to plan a race organisation for space races.
It's been an hour since I left Cyla on the couch, so I decide to rescue Aurelia from Melan's and Rhiannon's clutches and head back to my private area.

Upon approaching them my rescue attempt turns out to be easier than I thought. Melan hands me the cradle with the baby right away. “You should wake up Cyla. The child is hungry.”
I raise an inquisitive eyebrow. “How do you know that she is hungry?”
Melan scowls at me. “Seriously? It's vital for techno-mages to link with her children. Just share minds with her, she lets you in on instinct.”
“It's not like she can tell me that she is hungry.” She isn't capable of speech, yet.

“Of course you have to share feelings!” Melan shoos me towards the door and I hurry to flee the scene. Of course I knew that I can share minds with her, but isn't doing this with a baby going a little too far? I am not entirely entitled to believe every word of that stupid book about educating children.

Like the point about being careful with punishment and being kind. I am of the opinion that while punishment can be misplaced if the individual doesn't recognize the reason for being punished, it's necessary to punish someone who can comprehend and knows that he did something wrong. Otherwise the individual might come to the conclusion that he or she can get away with anything.

On my way up the stairway Aurelia starts complaining, so I decide that a little mental contact to shut her up can't be that bad. The contact with my daughter ends up in getting hungry myself, but I manage to suppress her feeling of hunger a little by projecting my own feelings onto her.

Back on my own floor I find Cyla still on the couch. She is truly out cold and her sleeping face looks like she really needs to rest. So I decide to pick her up and carry her to our bed to lay her down. The rough handling isn't enough to wake her up, so I decide that solving the problem doesn't require interrupting her sleep.
With Aurelia on my arm I lay bare Cyla's left chest and roll my wife onto her side. Then I plug the baby to the milk provider and the child instinctively starts sucking.

After using the plush toys to support Aurelia's position I realize that the baby somehow managed to get the toys and Cyla from me. I sigh while looking down on them. “And I thought we had a deal.”
Aurelia doesn't get what I mean and all I get is a feeling of satisfaction from her.

With nothing better to do I lie down myself and close my eyes.

Star-91896, Aether
Cyla

Aurelia's silent cooing wakes me up and I open my eyes. “Hi. How are you doing?” I reach for the cradle next to my bed and place my hand on my daughter's head.
It has been a few days since her birth and I think I am finally back to my previous weight. Having a baby is really tiring, but it's worth the effort. And Gideon turned out to be a really charming and caring father, even if he would never openly admit it. He really cares for me and Aurelia.

I turn around and find him sleeping next to me. When my eyes wander to the tent further down the bedsheets I remember a certain plan of mine. After being left to himself for a while he must be quite loaded.
I take Aurelia with her cradle and hurry to the kitchen where I find Melan eating breakfast. A few meaningful words are enough to place the baby in her care. It won't take long. Just a few minutes, or maybe an hour? I could also take the whole day while I am at it.

Back in our bedroom I strip my pyjamas and pull the bedsheets from Gideon, who still hasn't woken up. With great care I pull away his trousers and grin at releasing his glorious cock. Then I start licking his tip while keeping an eye on my man's expressions. After massaging him for a while with my hand I start pleasing myself between my legs. When it looks like he is going to wake up I sheathe his entire throbbing tip inside my mouth and press down on his length.

“By the heavens! Cyla! What are you doing to me?” Finally he opens his eyes, but I pull out to deny him his release and run my tongue around his tip.
“Just waking you up. What did you expect?” I smile and let go of him.
“Don't stop now! Are you serious to leave me hanging like that!?” He begs.

“But I want to feel it too.” I turn my rear to him, waving my ass in the air. Upon looking back I find him running his hands through his hair with a needing expression on his face.
Finally his urges win over his reason and he grabs my hips to sink his entire length into me. I call out in delight and in the next moment he is all over me, hugging me from behind with his arms to deny my escape.

I drift in the feeling of him filling me up and remember what I missed out on since a few days. He takes me hard and in his own rhythm, but after the recent months I don't care in the slightest and gloat in his feelings by using our connection. His heavy breaths are right next to my ear and suddenly he clamps down on me with all his power while I force my rear against him. Several waves of hot, pulsating convulsions wander through my lower region while he releases his seed into me with heavy gasps and rocking motions.

After a while we calm down and I find my mind start working once more. Gideon is still clinging to my back, reluctant to let go. “Cyla. What did I do to deserve you? I missed being woken up like this. Can you do this every day from now on?”
I purr in delight and circle my butt against him. “I might consider it. The doctor said that the regeneration spell will enable my cycle again after a week. So when I woke up and saw that splendid erection of yours I decided that wasting it while being fertile is a shame.”

Gideon freezes up, which results in me being the only one who gloats in the pleasure. So I move myself against him in hopes to coax him into a second round. “What's wrong? I thought you would be delighted about taking up the normal schedule again.”

Suddenly he starts chuckling and a set of plush handcuffs appears in my field of vision. “Wha-” Before I can protest he has me cuffed to the bed and presses me down into the mattress with his full weight.
Then he whispers into my ear. “Do you remember our little promise? Now you got me far enough that I intend on using it to its fullest. And there is no going back.”

“What promise?” I try to free myself, but the handcuffs are really sturdy. Enchanted?
“Don't you remember? When I approved of your family plans I wanted to get some little extras!” From somewhere he got a blindfold and places it above my eyes with an evil chuckle.

That promise! “You said you won't do anything which I don't like.”
“Oh, don't worry. You'll love it!” He shares his mind with me and I get a glimpse at what he is intending to do. “Let's start with the feather.”

“NOoooo!”

62. ~Hospitality.~

“
What's a poor man? A nice and righteous guy, but too stupid for his own good.
What's a criminal? Someone who isn't nice.
What's a rich man? A guy who isn't nice and learned how the world works. Take what you can get!
What's a politician? All of the above.
”

-What every mage knows...

Galactic Centre, Aether
Gideon

“They were really busy in this system.” I lean back in my seat and watch the display which is showing us what can be called the capital city of the milky way. Why are they calling it milky way? Sounds kind of stupid now that I think about it.

My attention snaps back to the tightly packed solar system which is filled to the brim with habitats and countless ships. “Is it always like this?” The population of this star must count in the billions.
“Always.” Ed nods. He is sitting on the left side of my office table, next to the commander of the SDF-Forces. To my right is Paul who has the responsibility for the dockyards.

“I've worked myself through all the information which we got from Ayo and Illin. You shouldn't take the sight too seriously. According to my understanding most species entertain a permanent colony in this system.” Ed pauses for a moment to think. “They don't have instant communication and if you are located far away from the core you have to deal with very long travel times to come to this place. That's why many species set up a permanent colony with loyal individuals. The display out there is by no means a unified community.”

I nod slowly. “So what you want to say is that if we provide the correct lighter, this powder keg out there may blow up in their faces.”
The SDF commander shakes his head. “The elders instructed us and the diplomats to be extra careful about dealing with the aliens. We can't start a war.”

Who let this idiot in here. “I am not starting anything. It's only natural to explore every possibility to stay ahead of our enemies. Ed is right when he points out that the display out there has to be understood correctly.”
Paul snorts. “I see it as a huge pile of randomly stacked books. Pull out the wrong one and pile may collapse on you. Pull out the right one and pile falls where you want it to.”

“We'll see what our diplomats have to say once they return from the so called 'Gathering'.” Ed adds in a solemn voice.

I tilt my head while eyeing the display. The Gathering is a huge golden structure which is managed by the Zeen. It's a huge spinning ring with a sphere in its centre. According to the records the Zeen built it thousands of years ago when they started 'guiding' the other species. There are other old races, but the Zeen are seen as some kind of teachers as they are able to communicate with almost everyone.

When we entered the system it became clear that we didn't bring enough diplomats to handle all the requests and greetings which started flooding in. This system is like a gigantic ballroom where each guest shouts out his opinion at the same time.
No wonder that it's just called a gathering. It's not like there is any kind of ruling system. If the Zeen wouldn't provide guidance and security this whole scene would come apart in one bloody mess.

“At least we can narrow it down to a few main players.” Ed starts summing up the political landscape. “There are obviously the Zeen and their direct followers. Then there is this the Alliance which is trying to wipe out the Drazi. But like we said, it's highly likely that they are just puppets of the Zeen.”

“Then we have some species which are simply too different from us to be taken into account. The Hyw for example are some form of intelligent balloons who live solely on gas giants. They aren't interested in the matters of lifeforms who prefer a nice planet like Earth.”

I raise an eyebrow. How does a balloon who is living on a gas giant develop intelligence and technology?

But Ed doesn't mind me and continues. “There is also an anti-war faction which is opposing the Alliance. They think that no species deserves being wiped out. But they are few and their influence is weak.”
“Lastly we have a big group of unknowns who follow their own goals and might interfere solely for their own dubious reasons.” Ed finishes his very simplified summary of the situation.

That's when I get a call over the net. It's from the head of our team of negotiations, so I take it immediately. The man who answers me seems to be very disturbed and surprised about the new development, but it's in a way what we already expected beforehand when we allowed our people to roam around freely on foreign space stations and colonies.
At the end of the call I close the connection and place my hands in a praying position to think about the development.

“Did something happen?” The SDF-commander asks after a while.

I cut the contents of the call short. “Someone stole one of our ambassadors.”

“Stole?” Paul asks with big eyes.

“Abducted, hijacked, kidnapped, snatched, gone, never reported back after taking a piss.” I clarify which earns me a few weird looks.

Galactic Centre, Aether
Cyla

“She is so cute.” Amia exclaims while rocking Aurelia on her lap.

I've invited all of my female friends and family to have a big welcoming party for Aurelia. So far it's me, Saden, Galia and Amia in the living room. I've also invited Melan and Rhiannon, though they haven't shown up yet.

Now that I think about it I may have to increase my circle of friends. Amia is the only one who isn't related to me by family... yet.

“I have high hopes to get one myself soon.” Saden pats her rounded belly. “Normally I should have been faster than you, but Paul is a hard nut to crack.”
“That sounds so wrong on several levels if you think about the context.” Galia points out.

Saden purses her lips. “Okay, you have me there. The choice of words was flawed.”

I concentrate my attention on Galia and Amia, who are sitting on my couch. “So, now that I've you two here I may as well take the chance to ask. What's going on with my brothers?”

To my surprise Galia blushes.

Amia is the first one to answer, as she is a promiscuous woman and doesn't know shame. “I and Martin became friends with benefits. Though he is kind of clingy and visits me on a daily basis. It almost feels like I am becoming a one-man type of girl.”

I raise an eyebrow, then my eyes wander to Galia. “And you? I know that you are seeing Brenton and you are sleeping out of home about five days a week. There has to be something going on.”

The normally very independent woman starts fiddling with her fingers. “Okay. I admit it. I am kind of living in his place now... most of the time”
“About time!” Saden reaches behind her and produces a bottle of expensive wine out of nowhere. “I already feared that my older sister would never grow up!”

“I was always grown up! Two years on Earth! You remember!?” Galia barks.

“Pff. Yeah. Be glad that Gideon got you out.” Saden's attention wanders to me. “By the way... I happened to take a look into your bedroom. Why are shackles and ropes in there?”

Aw... fuck! I should have locked it.

All eyes turn to me.

“Well, we are kind of experimenting.”

They don't look away and even Aurelia is looking at me expectantly as if she would understand.

“Geez. To keep the fire going, you know? A couple needs to explore new things once the run of the mill positions get old.”
I'll kill Gideon for this.

63. ~Searching for help.~

“
And today we announce that the first direct teleportation line to the galactic center is established.
”

-Sol news channel

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Gideon

Why am I even here? My gaze wanders over the crowd of aliens which is surrounding me and I try to remember how I got into this situation.

'Then we have to get him back! But how?' The SDF-commander had said.
'We need someone who can get in and out as he pleases. A techno-mage. And he has to be able to take care of his own.' Paul thought aloud.
'Someone who has proven that he can deal with an ugly situation alone.' Ed added with a grave voice.
The SDF-commander's head turned to me. 'Someone who can read alien minds.'

All eyes at the table focused on me.

'No. I am a governor. I govern. That's my business. Playing detective isn't in my job description.' I answered and crossed my arms in front of my chest, showing them that my decision is final.
'Actually it's in your job description.' Ed raised a finger. 'Article seven B, section one hundred and thirty-one. If a situation can't be handled by lesser skilled personnel, the higher officials have to take actions themselves to turn away harm from the citizens. That's how we managed to persuade an elder to lift his ass from his seat during the blood-magic incident.'

Not to mention that the elder in question showed up much too late. I grumble and make my way through the crowd, shoving away the 'things' who stand in my way.
Cyla wasn't happy with me going on a little investigation. Not at all. She isn't the type of wife who sits back and waits silently, praying for her man's safe return. I had a hard time in making it clear that I don't want her with me on this trip. In the end she consented with a very grumpy expression on her face.

So my only problem right now is how to go about this. I already conferred with Illin and Ayo, but it was quite clear to me that they can't do much more than handing the problem up the chain of command.
I have no leads on how to go about this and nowhere to start. Actually there is somewhere to start and that's right where I am. The station's section for humanoid visitors. There are some things here who aren't humanoids, but most people in this place share roughly the same amount of arms and legs.

How those appendages are shaped and used is an entirely different matter.

It's here where our ambassador was last seen. He set out to explore the vast station and never reported back. I squint my eyes and turn in a circle while using the translator on various signs across the market street.

The station is separated in several different levels, each one with a ceiling about twenty metres above my head. The beings who live here actually build their own houses as they prefer them. This resulted in an explosion colour, shape and size. As I expected it from an area where several different species intermingle.

What are you interested in if you are a lonely ambassador in an alien city?

I doubt that he would be stupid enough to try the food. Even if all the merchants are required to have their goods checked and their contents listed, I wouldn't want to be one of the first human test subjects.
A gaming arcade? That's something I am very interested in, but right now I've no time and I doubt that the ambassador shares my interests.

I raise the translator and decide on an approach the ambassador might have taken. “List points of interest for newly arrived visitors.”
The wristband on my hand beeps and starts talking. “Interesting activities close to this area are shopping and foodstuffs, -”
That's nothing a man would do without actually needing something.
“-managing finances, -”
No. We don't even have a proper connection to the galactic bank yet, though we already traded for a fair amount of their currency.
“-visiting the amusement area.”

The device stops talking and leaves me disappointed. Is there nothing like sightseeing? On the other hand this is a multicultural space station. It would be odd if there is something like an archaeological sight to visit.
“Take me to the amusement area.” I instruct the device.
“Turn left and walk until you leave the shopping district.” The device chirps back and I do as instructed.

The more time I spend here, the less exited I get about Gathering-Station. The huge ring with the central sphere is an impressive structure. I admit it.
But the creatures which are gathered here have the same problems and issues as my own people. To some species the problems might look a little different, but it's basically the same.

There are poor and rich. Powerful and weak. One glance at the quality of the clothes, or lack of clothes tells me enough. It's surely better than in the rest of the galaxy. At least there seem to be no beggars or homeless people, surely a direct consequence of representing your own race. If you leave someone of your own to his own devices where everyone else can see it, it throws a bad light onto the entire race.

I turn around another corner and enter the so called 'entertainment area'. A deep sigh escapes me and I scratch my head. This is clearly the red light district. Surely not where one of our diplomats would have spend his time.
Nonetheless I continue to wander the area. I halt in front of a big display window. Behind it is a furry cat-woman dancing to attract some customers. Six big tits jiggle in rhythm with the music. If our diplomat ended up as some kind of sex-slave I'll leave him behind. That's the least he deserves.

“Are you searching for entertainment?” A voice from behind me purrs in galactic standard.

I turn around and find a lightly dressed mermaid woman in front of me. She is very close to human standard, a perfect example of almost parallel evolution. The sight of my face causes her expression  to change.
Since I am wearing gloves and a heavy coat with a hood, she probably couldn't identify my species before I turned around to look at her. It struck as wise to cloak my body as much as possible. There is no point in announcing from afar that I am human.
Though there should be more than enough different species on this station. Maybe most people here don't even know all of them.

“Do you know of someone like me?” I ask, simply trying my luck.

“I don't know your species, but we could always test if we are compatible.” The woman strides closer, but I hold her at arms reach. “I didn't mean it like that. I am searching for someone of my species. He disappeared in this part of the station and the authorities aren't helpful at all.”
She flicks her head sideways. “I don't know. Why are you searching for him and how does he look like?”

An idea starts forming in my mind. I may have no idea about the power structure and the societies on this station, but who says that I need to know? I just have to hire someone who knows. And preferably someone whose loyalty doesn't lie with the authorities.
That means I need a connection to the underworld and I am already at the perfect place to find the right person. “Let's try this another way. Please introduce me to your employer.”

The woman starts fidgeting. “I am working solo.”
I reach for my pocket and raise a credit chip. “Are you still working solo? Everyone has to answer to someone. Who controls the humanoid sector? And I don't mean the official figurehead.”
“I am a working girl, not some kind of informant.” She replies chipped.

“But women who share the beds of many men are bound to know many secrets.” I add a second chip of galactic currency. Probably equal to what she earns in a month. “We both know that it's always wise to look up before talking to someone. One might never know who pulls the strings.”
She frowns and takes the chips from me. “I am not responsible for what happens to you.”

I gesture for her to lead the way. “I am responsible for myself.” The woman leads the way with swaying hips and I follow. She guides me deeper into the red light district while I eye my surroundings.
After a while she tries to start a conversation. “Are there no entertainment areas in your culture?”

My gawking must have been obvious. How should I answer this? “There are, but I have no need to visit them.”
She produces a strange chattering which isn't translated. “Coupled men who search for something different are no rarity.”
“No, I guess not. But my wife would throw me out of the house if I do something behind her back. And she is a very crafty and resourceful person. I've no illusions that she would find out at some point.” I notice that we are now in a less strongly frequented part of the station.

“How unlucky for you.” She gestures down a back alley. “That's as far as I can take you. The last door at the end of the street. The ones you want to speak with are named Madame Klaa and Sir Hud.”
I raise an eyebrow and nod. “Thanks.”

Then I walk down the street while checking for the hidden weapons in my clothes and the thin armour beneath. Hopefully I can talk to them, get some assistance and be back home for dinner. While I walk I notice several surveillance devices and cast a spell to scramble the electromagnetic signals in this area. It isn't aimed at a specific device, so there isn't much concentration needed.

The alley is dirty, dark and narrow. And it stinks! I walk in a wiggly line to avoid the puddles on the ground. If that prostitute tricked me I'll find her and suck the knowledge out of her brain.
At the end of the alley I use my fist to knock at the broad door. It's obviously meant for something far bigger and meaner than me. Five seconds pass without reaction.

So I knock again, harder this time, and wait.

I am about to knock once more when a window above me opens. A naked creature takes a look outside. “We are closed!”
“I need to speak to Madame Klaa and Sir Hud.” I call back, fixating my eye on the naked creature's head instead of the udders which are dangling down its chest.
“We don't have a Klaa or a Hud!” The creature vanishes and the window flies shut.

I bite my lip and raise my hand again.

This time I add a little magic to the mix. The metal door shudders under my fist and three sizeable dents appear. I have to give the one who built it some credit. If this had been bad craftsmanship I would've broken the door.
Some muffled noise behind the heavy door stops me from finishing the door off.

The door opens and I find myself in front of a big, green, muscular creature. The teeth are too big for its mouth and borderline on tusks. It's also a humanoid. I raise a hand to greet it. “Hi! Do you know Warhammer? A good game, the evil guys look exactly like you.”
“You broke the door.” The creature answers accusingly.

“Yes, I've business with Madame Klaa.” I repeat myself.
“We have nobody with that name.” The door's guardian slams it shut.
I sigh and look back down the alley, wondering if I should search for the whore and take her back home. Once she is shackled to my bed I could try all the things I can't do to Cyla.

After a moment of indecision I decide to make sure and kick the door, breaking it out of its frame. The heavy metal door falls into the house and I step inside.

Behind the door is a small room with two big and strong looking monsters. A horned one and a blue elven-like thing which reminds me of Cyla's father. I have to mention that I found his alien twin once I see him again. They are sitting at a sturdy table and playing cards.

No green orc-creature. I wonder where he went?

“Doesn't he know how to use the bell?”
“He flattened Gork!”
“Rrruuuu...”

The pained sound from beneath the door causes me to pay more attention to my feet. My friend from the Chaos-Faction is pinned under the heavy door and doesn't look very healthy.

Horny and Blue get up from their seats and close in on me. “Wait, I just want to do business! No reason to hurt yourself.”
Horny is the first one to attack, charging me like a bull. I send a burst of energy through my arm and grab one of his horns, redirecting him into the wall and hurling myself above his head.

A device appears in Blue's hand, so I send a spark of electricity at him, frying the device which is most likely a weapon. Blue doesn't get away unharmed and goes down, twitching.

I return my attention to Horny, who is still stuck in the wall and trying to pull out his horns. “So you three are the bouncers? Could you please go and get me an interview with Madama Klaa or Sir Hud?”
“They don't waste their time on random idiots who show up without appointment!” Horny calls out.

“Ah, so you know who they are. I already started to fear I was wrong after all.” I grab his horn and help him pulling it out of the wall. The big creature struggles, but without magical body enhancement there is nothing he can do against my strength. “Go and tell your masters that I want to speak to them.”

“No.”
I slam his head into the wall. “I want to be home for dinner, so I give you another chance.”
“No!”
We repeat the procedure several times, but Horny seems to be related to a goat. His stubbornness allows him to defy me until the horn in my hand breaks under the rough treatment. Horny slides down the wall and falls unconscious.

That's when I notice that the room filled with several people. I turn around and find a good dozen of weapons aimed at me by various creatures. Between them are two small, grey creatures. They look like a mixture of the Greys from UFO stories and Yoda!

I point the horn in my hand at the two small aliens which causes their guards to flinch. “Let me guess. You are Madame Klaa and Sir Hud.” I can't discern any gender between them, but it would be too fitting if they are the people I am searching for.

“Yes – and – who – are – you.” They speak almost as one, taking turns for each word.

I drop the horn and clap my hands together. “Perfect! I am your new partner in crime.”

64. ~Mutual Understanding.~

“
When the silent god walks the earth, kneel and praise his glory. Hope that he passes you unnoticed. Because if his servants walk next to you and you were judged as unworthy, all that's left to do is dying.
”

-Telur Myth

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Gideon

Kaa and Hud are a Binary. A being with two bodies and one mind. It took me a while until I caught onto that without actually sensing any telepathy between them. When two mages are communicating via telepathy without actually touching each other, outsiders are always able to at least sense something. It's like listening to a conversation from afar. You can hear their voices, but have problems understanding the words.

With Kaa and Hud there is only silence. Maybe the reason is that they operate on a completely different wave-length and I would need time to get used to it.
It's still a good reminder that I shouldn't feel too superior when dealing with aliens. There are a lot of them and some seem to have abilities which let them compete with us.

I take another sip from the tea while sitting cross-legged on the floor in KaaHud's office. It's the proper way to call a Binary when talking to both parts. I've yet to determine if the two bodies actually have different mental functions aside from being male and female. It is very likely since KaaHud informed that while loosing one of its bodies isn't necessarily deadly to the other, it's still a strong mental shock.

“Why–do–you–care–so–much–about–this–individual?” KaaHud asks. One of his bodies is working  a computer while the other plays host for me. “One–might–think–that–a–single–individual–is–not–worth–the–effort–and–promises–you–made–to–us.”

I place the cup on the ground. After entering in negotiations with my new associates we came to a mutual agreement. In return for a little payment and a few exclusive rights, KaaHud will use his extensive network of spies to search for our man. I am still not sure if I should think of KaaHud as he, she, they or it! So far I didn't notice any difference between his two bodies and the two different genders were just indicated by the used titles.

“It's not like he means anything special to me personally, but I guess it's about principle.” I answer.
“Principle?” The KaaHud in front of me asks.

“My people seem to have unique abilities compared to most other species. If we let one of our own get abducted and analysed without proper reaction, it will happen again and again to others. There is no doubt about that. Interrogation, dissection, tests, who knows what they will do to us? One might never know which measures such organisations see justified to get what they want.” I explain.

“You–just–paid–to–find–him.–What–will–you–do–once–you–know–his–location?” KaaHud asks.
“That's the question.” I shrug my shoulders. “I'll assess the situation and show them what my people think of taking away someone else's freedom. It strikes me as necessary to send a message to everyone who might have thoughts of stealing my people's secrets.”

KaaHud nods satisfied. “When–my–people–came–in–contact–with–other–races–they–also–tried–to–steal–our–telepathy.–It–never–worked–out–for–them.”
I take another sip from the good tea and wait. KaaHud's investigation took one night and a day so far. He started with gathering information from various street dwellers throughout the station. Afterwards he even brought in some bought individuals from the station's security team. They were in contact with other people who searched for information on what a human might need to survive.

That convinced me that KaaHud was the right choice. They seem to be something akin to a local crime-lord. The mermaid understood me correctly when I wished to speak with the one who holds the strings instead of the puppets.

“So–far–the–investigation–wasn't–very–successful.” KaaHud informs me when the door opens again and a servant brings something to eat. It's a big basket with five pieces of a bread-like substance. Not something I would offer to a guest, but it has to do.
“I can't pay you without getting the results I wish for.” I reach for the basket and take one piece of bread. The taste isn't much better than it looks. Maybe a big bean?

“We–may–have–problems–to–find–your–man.–But–that–in–itself–is–telling–us–enough.–There–is–only–one–other–organisation–which–might–be–responsible.” Kaa and Hud each take a piece of bread for themselves.
“Let me guess. A government related to the Zeen?” I ask while chewing.

“Not–quite.–The–Resch-Association–became–very–active–recently.–They–are–trading–with–technology–and–have–a–big–research–facility–close–by.–If–we–can't–find–your–man–where–we–have–access,–then–he–has–to–be–somewhere–where–we–don't–have–access.”
KaaHud explains his reasoning. “It–is–reasonable–to–think–that–they–might–be–involved.–Especially–since–we–know–that–they–have–no–problems–with–picking–unwilling–test–subjects–from–the–streets.”

I raise an eyebrow. “So it's possible that they got him by accident?”

“Not–by–accident.–But–maybe–by–opportunity–and–as–a–favour–to–a–third–party.” KaaHud says.

I reach once more for the basket, but find it empty. Squinting my eyes at the two Binarys I search my memory for the moment when they took seconds. But there is nothing. Damn those guys are fast when they want to. I didn't notice anything. “Then I'll start my investigation there.”

The KaaHud at the computer shakes his head. “Not–a–good–idea.–Let–us–get–confirmation–first.–Resch–controls–a–separate–section–of–the–station.–There–is–only–one–way–in–and–out–of–their–facility.”

Just one way in and out sounds as if it's in my favour. “That's fine with me, but how do you want to gain confirmation before I go and confront them with their actions.”
“By–requesting–their–knowledge–about–your–people.” KaaHud states matter of factly.

This approach sounds viable. KaaHud doesn't have a clean vest either. If a dubious organisation pays for information from another dubious organisation it may get more results than an official party might achieve. “I'll wait for the result.”

After three more hours of silent waiting KaaHud presents a detailed file of human anatomy and a layman's explanation of magic to me. I read the entire file and come to the conclusion that it sounds like something an ambassador might spill out when he is grilled for information.

Without further ado I say my goodbyes to the Binary and take my leave. I've a destination.

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
KaaHud

Finally he is gone.

He simply sat down in my office and didn't move until I had the information he wanted.

It was creepy.

And remember the shadow which was always looking over his shoulder.

Yes, the shadow. I think it was a person hidden in some kind of invisibility magic.

It stands to reason that the shadow was a person. He ate two pieces of my sura when he thought I wasn't looking.

Yes. The good, expensive sura. What a glutton!

Will he use it against Resch?

Most likely. I certainly hope so. The Resch have been interrupting my operations for weeks. It would be nice if their actions are terminated.

I call up the recorded video from the alley in front of my office.

Gideon walks down the alley, avoiding the puddles on the ground. Zeil, the Ambusian pleasure girl who led him here takes her leave. When he turns around the slightly bent alley to my office the cameras which show my door blur to white noise. But the camera which shows the first ten metres of the alleyway is unaffected.

Five Telur mercenaries enter the alleyway and follow Gideon with fast steps, drawing weapons.

Telurs are standard humanoids with a highly resistant physique which is based on copper. That's responsible for their blue blood and skin colour. They also have a very good sense of smell with the three antennae on their head, though that probably doesn't help them in that stinky alley.

Suddenly the head of the first mercenary separates from his body, tumbling end over end through the air in a high arc.

The video shows a slight blur of pixels moving past him, but the other mercenaries are totally taken by surprise.
One of them raises his weapon to fire blindly down the alley, but the weapon malfunctions for unknown reasons. A moment later something impales him and lifts him high in the air, throwing him at a third mercenary.

The two Telurs who were in the rear turn to run, but something pulls them back and against each other. They crumble into a horrible sphere of blue meat and bones. I've seen and done many things, but this scene turns both my stomachs.
A moment later the resulting meatball falls to the ground with the sickening sound of raw flesh slapping on concrete.

So far everything happened in complete silence. All Telur mercenaries are known as battle hardened fighters, but the expression of number three shows confusion, shock and fear of the unknown. His next actions are nonetheless formidable for someone who just lost four comrades to an unknown enemy.

He crawls out from under his dead comrade who was thrown at him and gets to his feet. A knife appears in his hand and he starts turning in circles, searching for the invisible attacker.
Then he closes his eyes and waits. For a moment nothing happens while the blurred pixels move closer to him.

Suddenly he moves his blade and sparks fly. Apparently he blocked whatever beheaded the first mercenary.
It does him no good as his knee suddenly gives way and his leg bends sideways. His knife-hand twists and he topples over, landing face first on the ground.

He starts writhing while lying on his belly, face submerged in one of the stinking puddles. His hand is still bend upwards in an awkward angle as something holds him down without mercy. Bubbles start rising from beside his head and he lets go of his knife while clawing at something on his head with his free hand.
The effort causes a rippling effect in the air and for a few short moments I can identify a foot on his head. The clothes are similar to what Gideon is wearing. Same leather boots, same black, silken cloth.

Eventually the mercenary's twitching stops and after few more moments the invisible attacker lets go of the mercenary's arm. It drops to the ground and with that the short fight is concluded. The attacker fades once again to invisibility.

Drowning the last mercenary actually took longer than the entire fight. I reach for my neck, imagining how it would feel to be drowned in one of the dirty puddles in front of my office.

I'll have the street to my office cleaned up as soon as possible.

A few moments later Gideon started his ruckus at my door and entered with that strange shadow which was following him, looking above his shoulder at all times.
I didn't mention the shadow since my henchmen didn't notice it. It struck me as highly unhealthy to have someone who can walk around almost undetected as an enemy.

Of course I ordered my men to clean up the mess around the corner and didn't mention anything to Gideon. There is no reason to make such dangerous beings anxious.

65. ~In a way.~

“
And the silent gods stood there, silent.
”

-Telur Myth

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Gideon

I take a seat on a bench in the entrance hall of Resch-Cooporation. For a long time I simply sit there and take everything in. The white cleanliness of the place, the lighting and the well dressed employees. At least those who prefer to wear clothes.
The entire hall is big enough for a whole house to fit and the entrance is ten metres wide.

KaaHud's place wasn't like that. The dark and stinking alley in front of his office forewarned everyone that there are no nice deals to make in this place. His personal quarters spoke of wealth, but there was always a small reminder of who he is somewhere. A weapon. A picture of a horrifying scene instead of a nice painting. KaaHud may be an evil little creature, but he is honest about his profession. So very unlike these guys. It sickens me.

Time to call in the cavalry.

I open a connection to Ed and am answered before I have spoken a word. “Yes?”
“Have you studied the maps which I sent you? Can you ensure to close off the entire section of the station?” I ask.
“Yes, you are sure that you can take care of the main entrance?” Ed asks anxiously.
“Sure. The two additional faceless are enough as a backup.” I answer. “Did you get access to their security network?”
“We are still tackling that problem. Had to teleport a few drones inside to establish a few connections. Their important research is disconnected from the network. But it can't take much longer.”

“Then I'll start the operation to sway the public opinion of us.” I get up from my bench.
“I still can't believe that the faceless sanctioned this operation.” Ed mumbles more to himself than me.

“It's all about choices and representing ourselves to the universe. They already know that we have an extraordinary ability.” I reply. “Do we want to look like fools who are sitting on top of a precious treasure? Or like a dragon who is gnawing on the bones of those who tried to steal the treasure?”

I throw back the hood on my head, then I approach one of the ten secretaries. Ten! I bet only four of them at most have to work at the same time. The rest is just there to look pretty for a wide range of customers. There are also tentacles and blisters to choose from, so I try to avoid looking at the creatures to the left and right of my target

My choice is the humanoid, pretty, furry girl. Hell, if you add a finger or two to her hands and a less stubby nose she might even be an acceptable fuck.
What the hell am I thinking. I am definitely already far too long apart from my better half. Where is Cyla's ass when I need it?

“Hello.” I smile and wait for the translator on my wrist to chirp the greeting. Having to rely on these devices is annoying. Once I can muster the resolve I have to withdraw to my VR and learn galactic standard.

“What can I do for you.” She answers, blinking at me with those puppy eyes. They remind me of the dog I fried as a child. I hate dogs. They bite and stink. Luckily the second prejudice is already proven wrong by her perfume.
On the other hand there isn't much to think about women whom I can smell from afar. She must have poured a bottle of the stuff over herself.

“My name is Gideon Alvar, governor of Aether.” I gesture above my head. “That's the nice city which is floating right next to Gathering Station. You know, we humans are very solitary creatures when it comes to dealing with members of our own species.” I eye her up and down. “But when it comes to abandoning one of our own to an unknown fate we are very proactive in finding out what happened to him.”

“I in particular am very interested in his fate because right now he can be counted as one of my subjects. It would throw a bad light on me if I abandoned one of those with whose protection I was charged.” I produce a photo of our lost ambassador from my pocket and place it on her desk. “So could I please have my property back? His name is Jack Renford.”

“I am afraid that we don't have the person whom you are searching for.” She answers with a chiming voice.
“I am very sure that you have the person we are searching for.” I answer, not breaking my smile. Which probably doesn't mean much to her now that I think about it. “To show our good will we are giving you half an hour until we search for him ourselves.”

“I've called security and informed the station's police force.” She answers, apparently not impressed at all.
“What a bummer. I've yet to learn on how to impress aliens.” I muse while four blue guys in uniform approach me. They have three antennae on their foreheads, but otherwise look very close to human standard.

“Please come with us.” One of them approaches me ahead of the others.
“No. And if you do so much as touch me I'll take it as an attack and retaliate with lethal force.” I inform him coolly which causes them to keep their distance.
Then I face the secretary once more. “Care to call the manager of this enterprise? I think he wants to know that he's pissed off an entire species.”

Okay, that's a very dramatic lie. But it never hurts to appear as a unified front to outsiders. It can't hurt us humans if the aliens think that fucking with one of us is equal to drawing the attention of the entire community. Sometimes I really like our government. They don't play a half hearted game like so many other governments in the science fiction stories I've read.

The doggy secretary starts speaking to someone while the three security officers keep at arm's length. I try to stay calm and ignore their threatening demeanour. Maybe I should use the time for some mental exercises. So far I always tripped towards the emotional part when I lost control. Maybe tripping towards the logical part is earning me better results? I am about to pick a huge fight.

I try imagine myself at a shore with an ocean of emotion to my left and a desert of nothingness to my right. Then I face the desert and start walking.
My little experiment doesn't earn me an immediate result, but at least the need to fuck something is gone.

I ponder if that in itself can be called a big achievement, or a great loss.

Before I get an answer to my question another party arrives at the scene. Seven Zeen with much too big weapons and an eighth unarmed Zeen who doesn't look that well entered the entrance hall. Number eight took the skin-colour of exhaustion after moving too fast. Call it a wonder or not, but I learned one thing or two from Ayo.

Speaking of the devil, wouldn't it be funny if the Zeen in front of me is indeed Ayo. “Is that you, Ayo?”
“Yes, indeed. I am moved that you managed to discern my colour print from other members of my species.” The Zeen comes closer, gesturing for the security agents to step out of the way. “What's going on here? We received a request for aid against you from Resch.”

It's not like I recognized him. It was a wild guess, pure and simple. I raise an inquisitive eyebrow and look back at the secretary. “Yes, that's what I expected.”
“So, what's going on?” Ayo asks.

“My people found convincing evidence that Resch abducted our ambassador. We want him back. In pieces or alive and Resch has-” I stop to check the time. “Fourteen minutes left to fulfil our demand or present convincing evidence against it.”

“And what if not!?” A voice asks over the speakers right next to the secretary. “I am the manager of Resch, Resch Hibil! And I say that this insane individual has no rights to be within my facility. Zeen, I demand that you remove this individual from my station.”

Ah, now Mr. X finally shows up. “I don't care about your inconvenience. My people came here by following a peaceful invitation. To our understanding this is neutral ground. You attacked our ambassador on the very same ground. That made your immunity and rights void. It's a declaration of war!”

“Now, let us not go too far. You are oversimplifying things, Gideon. According to the great treaty, which is signed by every species in this system, all conflicts have to be solved peacefully.” Ayo tries to mediate, but I have no intention on listening to him.

“That's well and nice, but the reason for conflict between us and Resch is a violent attack. And even if we would have signed that treaty, which we did not, our reaction is justified. You've a little less than five minutes left by the way.” I take another look at my wristwatch. God bless our slow negotiation tactics.
The speaker next to the secretary starts a tirade, but Ayo's attention stays on me. “Excuse me, but I somehow failed to understand what happens at the end of your ultimatum.”

I regard the Zeen for a while, assessing his role in this. “Well, we'll take back what's ours by using force.” I explain, but Ayo misses the point so I elaborate. “That means we'll start killing everyone within this facility until we are satisfied.”
The someone behind the speaker chokes. “Are you insane!? Even Ramani don't react that outrageously to losing a herd-member.”

“One minute.” I announce. “You still can admit everything, but I hope you-”

Suddenly the four security agents jump me and I backhand the one in front of me, sending him tumbling across the entrance hall. The other three cling onto me like wrestlers, but I reach up and twist the hand around my neck. Then I ram my free hand into the speaker right next to the secretary. A relaxing wave of energy flows through me and the three guards.

They don't find the experience as relaxing as I do and are flung away by the electricity. The lights go out and I find myself in a dim twilight. The only lighting comes from the huge entrance and the secretary's glowing eyes.

Suddenly her jaw unhinges, revealing several rows of shark-like teeth. With a scream she jumps at me and I pull up my arm just in time to avoid being bitten in the face.
Teeth sink into my lower arm, but it's only now that I realize the unreal situation. I can still feel the pain, but I am strangely disconnected from the feeling. Maybe my little mental experiment yielded more results than I expected?

The secretary is pulling and ripping at my arm like it is at a newly found bone. I just look at her and study the wild expression in her puppy eyes. Then my eyes wander to my wristwatch. “I fear that the time is up.”
From within my coat I pull the Desert Eagle imitation which somehow grew to my heart. Originally it was the toy of a genetically enhanced super soldier from Earth.

But now it is my toy.

Finally the secretary stops her attempts at ripping off my arm, realizing that her strategy is ineffective.
I place the pistol on her forehead and pull the trigger. A large part of her skull simply disintegrates and with a click her jaw snaps apart. I let her body slide out of sight behind the counter and turn in a circle to deal with other dangers.

Empty.

The entire entrance hall somehow cleared out within seconds. From the other side of the glassed front which is making up the entrance I can see eight Zeen eyeing me suspiciously. Like children they stick to the glass to get a good view.
What did I expect? They are talkers, not fighters. I wonder why they even showed up with those weapons? An attempt at intimidation?

I scratch my head with the barrel of my gun and take a look at the wound. The passive regeneration spell which I cast before entering this facility is already hard at work and knitting the flesh back together.
My eyes wander back to the wall behind the reception desk. It is covered by a huge violet splash of blood and gore with a big bullet hole in the middle.

I've killed another puppy. I really should stick to cats and rabbits...

Melan won't be happy about this.

66. ~Investigation.~

“
If two parties fight, get out of the way.
”

-Zeen wisdom

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Gideon

I flex the muscles in my arm and notice to my satisfaction that they work fine, so I raise my gun and put a round into the heads of the four security guards who are lying across the entrance hall. Just to be sure.
Two faceless appear in the middle of the clear area, brought in by a hired techno-mage. Their transporter is clearly not a combatant and bails out one moment later. Get them in and get out, the faster the better.

I wave a hand at them. “Hi, things got a little violent here, but we will proceed as planned.” I gesture at the entrance where a group of Zeen is trying to keep people out while another group is eyeing us suspiciously. “Your job is to kill anyone who decides to enter the building. But I think that the Zeen got my message.” I kick the security guard next to me.

The both of them nod and turn to face the entrance.

Maybe we should have sent more, but using just a few guards also sends another message. And that's that we don't need more. Since I am among the people who will go further into the facility I contact Ed once more. “How is the situation? Have we found any evidence which allows us to proceed as planned?”

“There is a file of a bone scan and medical data on one of their hidden servers, but we haven't found the ambassador yet. Probably he is kept in the lowest level of the facility. The systems down there are all disconnected from the rest of the station.” Ed answers via a secure connection. “The data and especially the skeleton's teeth match our man. There is even the mended bone from when he broke his leg as a child. It's fairly certain that they got the data directly from our ambassador and not through a second source.”

Ed falls silent, but his silence doesn't reassure me. “So we proceed? We go in and get some answers?” I ask. “It's your call. You are the trained investigator.” I may as well put at least some of the blame on someone else than me if something goes wrong.
“We proceed. I and my men teleport in at various points. You continue from the main entrance.” Ed explains.

“Yeah.” Sure. Throw the mad techno-mage right through your enemy's front door and hope that he is madder than your enemies. Who cares about the fact that the front door is always the best defended point of a secure facility.
I sigh and leave the two faceless behind, walking down the corridor which leads deeper into the facility.

There are quite a few bureaus to my left and right. This level is probably occupied by the administration department. The research areas are surely deep inside the complex. My choice falls onto the first office, so I kick the door open and step inside.

“What's going on!?”

My eyes are drawn to the ground from where a small, furry creature is looking up to me. The huge eyes of the yellow rodent and the serrated tail remind me of something, but I fail to grasp the memory. I am sure that the striped fur should give me the last hint, but it is no use. “Where do you keep the prisoners?”

“Who-”

My gun roars and the furry thing goes splat, dispersing on the ground. I certainly won't waste my time with interrogating someone who talks back to me while the security staff arranges their defence.

I make my way through a few more offices and employees who deny any knowledge of our man until the clerks catch up to what's going on. A wild panic ensues with people trying to run past me, away from me to flee the facility.
While emptying my magazine into a few of them, the rest escapes to the entrance hall.
My first instinct is to create a gravity anomaly to hold them back, but the two faceless in the entrance hall apparently took my instructions as nobody gets in or out.

A torrent of flames roars down the corridor, engulfing the fleeing clerks and licking its flames into each office. I step into the office next to me and slam the door shut. A moment later the room's automatic fire-fighting-system decides to act up and drenches me in cold water while the flames try to get through the gap between the doors and walls.
“The next time we have to talk about friendly fire.” I grumble while reloading and take a careful look outside after a few moments. The magically controlled flames retreated, leaving behind burned corpses and charred offices.

At least the faceless know how to destroy the evidence. Not that I expected to find anything of value up here. After shooting my seventh clerk and causing a panic I was pretty sure that the people up here are just innocent fools who were used as a front to give the company a nice face for the world.

I shrug and search the floor until I find a stairway to the next level. This feels more and more like a dungeon that has to be explored. At least the lights on this level work. Somehow I must have blown the fuse which was responsible for the office section.
Once on the stairs I immediately notice the change of atmosphere. The previous level was definitely an office area. There was some alien strangeness to it, like the furniture, but all the vital components were there.
Here though it looks like medical cleanliness. The rough office walls changed to polished steel or some similar material.

The second level matches my expectations of a secret facility a little better. There are some low-grade laboratories here, but nothing extraordinary. I also notice that each level seems to have the same layout. A central spiralling corridor with rooms to the left and right and a staircase to the next level.
My silent search of the facility is interrupted by encountering another group of blue security guards upon turning around a corner. They open fire on me with some kind of energy weapon. Only my much faster reflexes let me escape death.

Safely out of sight I pick a set of discs from my belt and throw it around the corner. The mobile claymores sprout six legs and start skittering towards the defenders who scream and start shooting.
Seconds later I hear the characteristic 'whomb' of the weapons and I risk another look. The M.C. is a standard weapon which is used by the faceless for fighting inside confined space.

The charge isn't designed to cause mentionable destruction, but to send out hundreds of needles which literally perforate the victims. The nine guards who defended the corridor are still in one piece, but countless tiny holes litter their bodies.
I take a tentative step out of my cover and walk slowly down the hallway, keeping my weapon aimed on the downed guards.

Upon reaching the other side of the corridor I find what the guards were defending. Yet another set of stairs. I turn around and weigh my options. This level wasn't thoroughly explored, but it doesn't look like there is anything special here. So should I press forward or do a thorough search?

The decision is taken from me by a call from Ed. “We've run into a problem down here. It would be nice if you hurry to take a little pressure off of us.”

I eject the clip from my gun and reload a full one to be safe. “What's wrong?” Ed and his men should have teleported into the facility in several different locations. The entire area is a rough square with different levels, so we decided to attack from many places at once to stop them from sectioning off each level or trying to mount an organized defence.

“They caught one of my teams off guard at the third level. There are some kind of elite guards down here. My team is pinned between the fourth and the sixth level. Currently we are trying to hold the fifth, but they are really tough bastards.” His voice is interrupted by an explosion. “They have big guns and good equipment. If you would be so nice to descent the central stairway and put some bullets in their backs.”

Now I walk a little slower. I am already at the third level and can hear the muffled sounds of energy weapons. “Elite guards?”
“Grey, three legs, three arms. Much faster and stronger than the blue scum. One of them tore one of my men apart like a toy. Kill them first and don't try to ask questions.” Ed answers agitated.

There is fighting going on at the next level. From further down the corridor I hear gunshots and screams, but I ignore it and hurry further down the stairs. If Ed is right the faceless have it under control.

I reach the fourth level, but find the stairway is closed off by a huge blast door. A faceless is lying on the stairway, apparently dead. Unless he found a way to survive without his head. I would call that a feat.
It's tempting to approach the door and hack it. Especially since Ed seems to be with his back to a wall, but why aren't there any defenders here?

With my ability at its fullest I take a step, and another. Walking through life like this is especially boring and it feels like an hour until I notice something. A slight change in the air. A wisp of sound.
I raise my gun slightly and something knocks against it. The chakram-like weapon which was thrown at me clatters to the ground and the air in front of me shifts.

A three legged 'thing' with a lean, muscled body emerges out of nothing and shoots at me. The energy projectile flashes forward and I apply a force spell to myself, whipping me out of the way and towards the alien.
I was warned about their strength but retreating back up the staircase while shooting at each other doesn't sound like a good option to me.

I fire. Once, twice, three times and each time the grey creature with six eyes twitches out of the way, moving only as much as necessary to avoid the bullet. Then I slam into the thing, coming from above I ram both of us into the blast door, not even creating a dent. At least I have the presence of mind to hit the middle arm with the energy weapon, sending the weapon flying.
Two strong arms grab me in a bear hug while the middle one reaches for my head. It feels like I am in a steel press, so I do the first thing which comes to mind.

Teleport.

But nothing happens. I attempt an attack on its mind and encounter nothing but a dark vast emptiness. Something about this creature interferes with magic! I cough and cast another spell, inverting gravity. Finally something works and the ceiling becomes the floor. Both of us fall head first, but since the alien is taller than me it impacts first.

The thing isn't bothered by the impact as much as I would like, but its hug loosens a little and I can get a hand free. I don't even try to hit the thing. If it's strong enough to counter my magical enhanced body it has to be sturdy too. The next best thing I can think of is ramming two fingers into one of the monster's six pitch black eyes.

It doesn't scream, which is a little disturbing. I like it when the opponent shows a reaction. So I wriggle my finger a bit and finally the thing flings me away, probably it felt inconvenienced despite showing no reaction.
To keep it off balance I return the gravity to normal and aim my gun once more.
In mid air the creature has no hold to use its strength and speed. One bullet slams through the creature's head, three more through its torso. Just in case that the brain is somewhere else.

Both of us land on the ground and a horrible pain stings through my chest. Probably a broken rib. I feel for the damage but find no blood.
At least the monster is staying down. With careful effort I get to my feet and approach the door. If Ed is right, then there are more of those things on the other side.

Currently I don't feel like I want to take on more of those things. So I take my remaining stack of mobile claymores and teleport them to the other side of the door. After hearing the familiar sound of detonating M.C.s I reach for the control panel and hack it.
This time I shroud myself inside an information barrier. Until now I refused to use invisibility since we are intending to make this operation public. But now it turns out that the aliens have a similar capability and they managed to take out some of the faceless, so holding back is foolish.

What greets me on the other side are several dead bodies. Two faceless and half a dozen of the blue guards and four of the grey tripods. One of the faceless died in a deadly hug with a tripod, but not without ramming his hand right through the tripods torso. Since the blood is already bogged down they must have been dead before I used the claymore. The other three tripods and a few of the guards look fresh.

I aim my gun down the corridor of level four, but there are no opponents, so I advance further down to level five where I find three tripods in a fire-fight with someone. They are on the floor's central corridor with a faceless lying between them on the floor. They are aiming around a corner at the end of the corridor.
Remembering the speed of our friends I switch my gun to full automatic, pull out a second magazine and take aim. Then I pull down the trigger and hold it there until the magazine is empty. The gun bucks like crazy, spitting out thirty rounds in three seconds. Apparently the aliens rely heavily on their sight. The bullets tear into my target, downing him instantly.

A second tripod is also hit and stumbles forward, only to be torn to pieces by a fireball from whoever was camping around the corner. I start reloading while the third tripod turns around to face me.
The downed faceless suddenly comes to life, pulling a nasty bushwhacker from his belt. Tripod number three loses one leg at the joint, then a second as the blade cleanly slices and severs the limbs.

The alien goes down right next to faceless and tries to fend off the nasty blade. But the man is in a frenzy, pulling himself toward the foe and hacking it to pieces while I approach.
By the time I arrive the faceless is already hard at work to sever the head from the rest of the body.

“I think it is dead.” I offer carefully, being reminded of one of my own savage short-outs.
“Don't care. I want his head for my wall!” The faceless answers.
“Ok.” A trophy hunter. I can sympathize with that attitude. “So how did you come back to life?”
The faceless reaches with one hand under his clothes and puts his finger through a walnut-sized hole. “Buggers shot me with their energy weapons. But I am a nature-mage and very good with healing. Simply played dead until I got a chance for payback!”

“Don't mind Turisu. He is one of the more eccentric ones.” Ed appears from around the corner, drawing my attention away from the faceless on the floor. Normally I don't care about much, but I hope that guy is an exception. It's another good reason for not breaking our society's laws.
Apparently Ed sees a reason to explain further. “It's not as troublesome as you think. We use Turisu just for the really nasty jobs. He is special ops.”

Then Ed holds a hand to his ear, which is a signal that he is currently speaking to someone via the net. After few moments he is done. “It looks like the facility is under our control. And the team which started at the lowest level found our diplomat.”
“Nice. Let's go and take the price!” I reply and turn to head back down the corridor.

On our way to the research facility Ed gets a better picture of the situation. A hundred faceless and sprites took part in the operation. Of those we lost four men and three sprites.
We've wiped the area clean of any inhabitants who accounted to about four hundred employees and guards.

I scratch my cheek. “Do you think they got the message?”
Ed shrugs. “Who knows. We are dealing with several different factions. The diplomats said that we will get away with a show of force and the elders decided to show all of them that messing with us isn't a small gamble.”

“It's just that I hope that we don't have to hunt down more facilities like this one. What about this manager guy? Rusch, did we get him?” I ask.
Ed shakes his head. “I wasn't informed of his whereabouts. If we are unlucky he might have been under the people who tried to run.”
“Oh.” How very annoying. Identifying him among the charred corpses will be a real pain in the ass.

Down on the last floor we find a medical facility with our ambassador on an operating table. There are several of our medics who are trying to unplug him from various devices, but to be honest I've not too much hope for the man. His body looks like someone dissected him to make one of those sculptures of dead bodies. Only that the poor guy seems to be alive.

“By the dark arts!” Ed calls out and places a hand over his mouth. “We should have kept more of them alive to broadcast a few torture videos of our captives!”
“You made captives?” I ask with curiosity. I've simply shot everyone I encountered. Seemed the best solution since I had no way to secure them.
Ed ignores me and catches one of the medics by the arm. “Will he survive?”
The medic shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe. I find it more fascinating that the aliens managed to dissect him like a topological map without actually killing him. It speaks for their medical knowledge.”

I scratch my neck and turn around. It feels again like someone is following me. Then I face Ed. “Say, oh great faceless. Is it possible that one of your men was following me during my mission? I've had this itchy feeling since a while now. It's like someone is breathing down my neck.”
“No?” Ed turns to survey the room. “I don't know many techno-mages who could uphold a personal shroud barrier for days while walking around the station. Especially not to the degree that even you can't find them. Are you sure that it isn't just imagination?”

“I am not sure of anything. That's why I ask.” I answer. “How many?”
Ed tilts his head. “Your grandparents, Sanguin, you, Sadina and maybe three or four others. Maybe Cyla, but she isn't the type to hide.”

One of Ed's subordinates waves for us. He was checking the alien computer system.

“I've found something!”

67. ~Post-It.~

“
If our limited sensory input is just a function of what we perceive as our world, then what would happen if we could get a glimpse at reality.
”

-Zeen wisdom

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Gideon

'I've found something.' What a weak reaction to what is displayed on the screen in front of us. It's a star-chart with countless lines and variously shaped orbs and blobs which mark political spheres of interest. What's interesting though, is that Sol's position is highlighted in a bright, yellow colour. A grey line runs right through it, circling around the galaxy while several waves of deformed, orange shapes run towards it.

“That looks like a depiction of the Drazi advance towards Earth.” I order the translator on my hand to convert the time-scale. “And if that's correct, then the Forlorn Empire will be hit in eight to nine years by the first really big wave.”

“And a few months later it will be our turn.” Ed tilts his head and flicks a finger for his subordinate. “What's that? The grey line? Bring me one of the fucking butchers who worked here.”

The man nods and leaves the room. Seconds later he returns with a pink, stick-like alien. The faceless manhandles the weak looking creature roughly, but it turns out that the thing proves quite resilient and bends like a weed in the wind. It's base form is humanoid, but the joints are bent the wrong way and it has no head. Instead there is one eye in its torso. The grey clothes are cut to accommodate that feature.

Ed gestures at the screen. “Explain to avoid pain.” Then he includes the whole room. “What did you hope to accomplish here?”
The alien remains silent. Its searching eye flicks from Ed to me, then to its guard.
Ed sighs. “Do your work.”

The faceless who fetched the alien draws a big bushwhacker and steps closer. I've already seen that guy at work and I've to admit that he is efficient.
But the alien spoils the fun by starting a low humming. “We just did what Resch paid us to do. Researching your species. In every way possible and finding out your connection to the silent gods.”

“Bullshit. There are no gods.” Ed gestures for his subordinate to continue.

The alien raises both hands. “Of course they aren't gods. That's just their name. The silent gods are one of the oldest known races which are known to us. Maybe they are even older than the Zeen. But where the Zeen mingle and interact with younger species, the silent gods just watch and go about their own business.”

The researcher walks to the screen and points at the grey line. “The silent gods don't talk to anyone and if you get too close to one of their ships they simply destroy you.”
“What does that have to do with us?” I ask, a suspicion creeping up my spine.

“They move around the galaxy in huge, slow seed ships. Nobody ever managed to get close enough to gleam any valuable information. We call them seed ships because from time to time they visit a dead system. When they leave, one of the planets has a suitable ecosystem with everything that's needed to sustain life.”
The alien gestures at our ambassador who is still being treated by the medics. “There are only very, very few documented cases in which their passing also left behind an intelligent life-form. In all cases they had abilities which are far beyond reasonable.”

“Like?” Ed asks.

“The Binary are one example. They have an unexplainable telepathic bond with each other. Or the Estrim, whom we used as guards. Not only are their bodies stronger and faster than is normal for a creature of their size, but they also have a strange immunity to various forms of energy.”
It pats once more on the screen. “You also have a strange power and indeed, if our figures are correct, then a few thousand years ago a seed ship of the silent gods passed through your part of the galaxy. They move in very predictable patterns and thanks to their slow movement we can be fairly sure that they visited your homeworld and created you. I've the theory that they created all life within the galaxy.”

“Oh, cut the crap! Scientology? Really?” I shout. “That's more than lame.”
“What's Scientology?” Ed asks, confused by my outburst.
“Never mind. Listen. There was life on Earth long before that, we found the fossils. The most I can believe that they tried to meddle with us for whatever reason. And in the end they had to admit that dealing with our ancestors wasn't worth the effort.”

Ed nods. “However. As long as those 'silent gods' are flying away from Sol and keep their fingers in their own pockets they are none of our business.” He points at the ambassador. “What about that!”

The alien turns to look at the operating table. “We tried to learn how your 'magic' works. But he wasn't very useful, so we put him under and took a look at his body. Honestly. Is it true that most members of your race don't know how their ability functions? You simply grab the energy around you and manipulate it into the right pattern and it works?”

Ed crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Yes, you have a problem with that? Do you know exactly how you breathe and walk? Can you tell me why your heart beats without you controlling it?”
The alien just stares at Ed. “No. But we learned that it seems to be a matter of the mind. We got your friend to draw a few of the basic magical patterns for us.”

“And?” I ask. We never shared any form of specific magical education with the aliens. Especially not the runes. We didn't even show them to normal humans as far as we managed to avoid it.
“Just looking at them caused us severe headaches.” The alien starts shifting uncomfortably. “One of my co-workers looked at a more complex pattern and went mad!”

I raise an eyebrow. “Well. The patterns derivate from complex calculations and formulas. Maybe your minds are too feeble to see the truth behind reality.” I close my eyes. “That would at least explain why the Drazi whose minds I read all turned into vegetables. If someone whose mind isn't fit for the use of magic connects deep to a mage's mind the fuse simply lights up and is gone.”

“What truth?” The alien asks.

“It's all just energy.” I mock the creature. “Who knows. There is no way to know what it is you can't comprehend. Once you come into contact with the unexplainable the question turns pointless since you turn mad.” I grin at our captive.

“To get back to the more important point.” Ed turns the conversation away from scientific matters and to political ones. “What does Resch have to do with the Zeen and other political powers?”
The scientist shakes his head. “I am just a lowly researcher! Nobody tells me what the information I unearth is used for.”

“I see.” Ed gestures with his hand and the alien is taken away by a faceless. “Of course we'll have to increase our political efforts and verify what the alien just told us. But we have people who are specializing in verifying the truthfulness of information.”
“Why not simply take a look at their memories and be done with it?” I ask.

At least the scientist didn't lie when he said that some species turn mad upon getting in contact with our minds. I am not fully sure why, but the Forlorn and Zeen were less affected.
I purse my lips and point out. “We never interrogated a Forlorn or Zeen with mind magic.”

“That's true and unless they fuck up it won't happen soon. And we won't throw away our prisoners of war, just to get a little hasty information.” Ed explains.
“Now, if that wasn't sarcasm, then I don't know what is.” I sigh. “Am I right that my presence isn't needed any longer? I'll go back to my work.”

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Sadina

This is so unbelievably interesting! And it explains many things. I always wondered why some parts of mage DNA looks engineered and optimized.
I've to research all this further. When I followed Gideon to assist him from the shadows I never expected to stumble across such a secret. Although Gideon is able to take care of himself. My assistance wasn't really needed.

I walk to the alien computer, carefully avoiding the faceless who is working on it. Then I connect to its database and pull a complete image to my hand-held touchpad.
It's just a matter of a few seconds, then I've all the data I need to satisfy my curiosity.

My eyes wander to Gideon and Ed who are talking to each other. Giving in to a sudden inspiration I pull a sticky Post-it note and a pencil from my coat and start writing.

“Dear Gideon,

You did very well today and I am happy about your new family. I am so proud and I already paid the child a visit.
PS: Don't always do Cyla from behind. Girls like it from the front.

Your Mom”

I pull the Post-it from the block and slam it on Gideon's back one moment before he teleports. Feeling like having accomplished something I retreat from the facility as fast as possible. It isn't the first time that I was surrounded by faceless, but I shouldn't strain my luck too much.

68. ~Reactions.~

“
And today one of Resch Coorp.'s branch facilities was literally purged from Gathering-Station by the newly arrived species called Humans. The inhabitants of Gathering-Station have to mourn over two hundred people who worked for the company. We don't know the actual fate of many who were caught up in the incident, but the released footage doesn't give much hope.
The reason for this diplomatic disaster is apparently the abduction of an ambassador by Resch Coorp. The newcomers retaliated in a most disconcerting way. Some species voiced their approval after the Humans released proof that their ambassador was indeed found in Resch's facility and that his treatment was against everything what should be done to an intelligent being.
The Zeen see no viable way to intervene or mediate in this conflict, as the Humans still refuse to sign any of the contracts between civilised species.
Meanwhile Resch Coorp. is denying all evidence and voiced their intention to retaliate with all possible force...
”

-Calderian news channel

Galactic Centre, Aether
Gideon

I crumble the note between my fingers and look at Melan who is sitting across from me in my office. “So? Any idea how she managed to walk up right next to me and stick that fucking thing onto my back? And apparently she was right next to us in our house! I don't know where to feel safe any more. Up until now it was just those creepy calls, but now it feels like hunting her down is my only option!”

Melan shakes her head. “It might not be as bad as you think. As you know our house is full of cameras and microphones for safety reasons. It's far more likely that she hacked the security system. I'll check it from top to bottom as soon as I get home.”

“And her shroud spell?” I ask.

“Sadina was a very eager student of mine. Before I met your grandfather I earned my money with a trait which isn't quite legal.” Melan starts kneading her fingers. Luckily all I have to do to get her spilling the beans is squinting my eyes.
“Industrial espionage. I was quite good at it.” She confesses.

I gesture at her face. “Is that where the eyes come from?”

“Not quite. Though I have to say that my mutation is quite handy if I want to set up a secret surveillance system.” She sighs. “But the problem is that I taught Sadina an illegal version of the shroud spell when she was younger. It's illegal because it's so good, there is almost no possibility to get through it. It is used for our ships, but this version is optimized to a degree that it can be used as a personal cloaking spell by a techno-mage. The version you know of is probably only half as efficient, as it doesn't include sound or smell and some electromagnetic signals.”

“And how did you happen to learn an illegal spell?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“Not all my espionage was related to the private sector. I also worked for the government. You know. Spying on an elder for another one. They have their differences despite what you might think. The system tries to make sure that they are keeping an eye on each other.” Melan explains.

“Then teach me that spell.” I demand.

Melan's eyes widen. “I already unleashed Sadina with that ability. Look around. Apparently she walked right past several faceless. Originally I didn't expect her to master the spell to that degree, but she must have trained it since we last saw each other.”

“You mean you don't trust me?” I ask.

“That's not how I meant it.” She answers with a pained expression.

“Well then, let's get to work.” I spread my hands. “How else should I find a possibility to catch her?”

Melan snorts. “Not before you tell me why the aliens are getting all crazy about us. That Forlorn ambassador, Illya? Yes, I think it was her. She was trying to talk to the authorities. In fact she may be still sitting in the reception room.”

I smile “Oh, that's a long story.”

Galactic Centre, Aether
Cyla

“Say it. Ma-Ma.” I wave my hand in front of Aurelia's face to get her attention. I have her on the thick carpet in the living room.

It's hard work to look after the child alone. Gideon ran off for some stupid mission. Nonetheless that gives me the chance to to pull the first words out of Aurelia. When I connected to her this morning I think I got a first glimpse at a forming personality and self-consciousness. When children are at that stage it doesn't take long for them to pronounce their first words.

Once more I move my lips in an exaggerated manner. “Ma-Ma!”

Aurelia moves her lips, but doesn't make a sound. I sigh. Maybe it's too early after all. She still has the body of a baby. Her vocal cords must not be up to the task. The book says that almost all children start with mind speech first and only learn to articulate themselves with sound afterwards.

Suddenly a shadow falls onto Aurelia and she starts grinning. I turn around to find Gideon looming above us. Before I can stop him he opens his mouth. “How about Pa-Pa? That's easier! Pa-Pa.”

“Pa-”
“Pa!”

Aurelia wrings the disjointed syllables out of her mouth and I freeze up. All the hard work and it was stolen from me in a few seconds! I cup Aurelia's chubby face between my hands. “Gideon. Right now I want to strangle you!”
“What did I do?” He steps back.
I pick up Aurelia and place her in his arms. “That's for yourself to find out!”

Galactic Centre, Aether
Gideon

I carry Aurelia to her cradle and place her there. Then I join the sulking Cyla on the sofa. “Sorry for... whatever I did?” I offer an apology, though I really don't get what I did wrong. Sometimes I don't understand her despite sharing minds. But right now she has closed up on me. “I had to do hard work recently. To be honest the next few weeks will be quite interesting.”
Then I simply continue to fill Cyla in on recent events. She doesn't show an immediate reaction to my story. It's no wonder. Such revelations are hard to stomach.

When I am done I give her time to think and switch on the projector for one of the walls. The wall is immediately filled with one of the alien news channels.

What's displayed there is a report of what happened to our ambassador and what we did to the facility's staff. To my surprise most scenes aren't even censored. There are no scenes of dead faceless, so I suppose that Ed held that material back.
Suddenly Cyla tilts her head. “Funny. I could swear that that yellow thing you shot at the beginning looked like one of the collectable monsters from that game of yours.”

Then it finally hits me and I place a hand above my mouth. “You may be right! I shot Pikachu like some common rat!”
For a while neither of us says a thing until Cyla finally judges the report. “It is a rat. And didn't you hate that game anyway?”
“Yes I did.” No reason to feel remorse. I inch closer and put a hand around Cyla. “I also got a message from Sadina.”

Cyla stiffens a little when I explain, letting out the last piece of the message. So I hurry to reassure her. “I think I've found the loophole which Sadina was using. I've also disconnected the house from the net nonetheless. There is no communication unless one of us explicitly requests it.”

My better half starts massaging her temples. “This may be my first migraine as a married woman!”
Her shifting body reminds me that I am on withdrawal since three days, so I lean onto her. “Are you sure? There might be a treatment.”
“Oh, I wonder what that might be?” She asks and lets herself being pushed onto the sofa.

I shift and pull off her trousers. Then I open my pants and push her legs apart, dropping myself onto her, hugging and kissing. I am not in the mood to waste my time with clothes. “Don't you get a little turned on when you know that someone could be watching?”
“It's only you who is turned on by the thought!” She answers, closing her legs around me. “I for my part can say that I am repulsed, but I get how you feel on the matter.”

I start rubbing against her and she switches off the report. “God only knows how we managed to get from such gruesome pictures to this!”
“Who cares about pictures? I need you now!” I cup Cyla's chest in my hands and kiss her neck while she guides me inside her.

“I shouldn't have married a wild beast like you.” She gasps and I start moving, pressing her hips against me with one hand while hugging her with the other.

“And you are the beauty or what?” I mumble into her soft skin.

Galactic Centre, Aether
Aurelia

But someone -is- watching! Mom, Dad, what are you two doing? I am fairly sure that isn't some kind of crawling exercise? I want attention!

69. ~Thoughts.~

“
Resch announced that they will retaliate with all possible force, making their promise true. A privately entertained attack fleet fresh out of Breen dockyards arrived today in system! They requested an approach vector towards the Human ships. All eyes are directed at the two quarrelling parties. Tenpen fleetships announced that they will retaliate against anyone who break the peace. Who will make the first mistake?
”

-Calderian news channel

Galactic Centre, Aether
Gideon

An alarm wakes me up and I open my eyes, realizing where I am. I am still on the couch, hugging Cyla while she is using me like I am a bed-sheet.
“What's wrong?” She rolls out out from under me and checks on Aurelia who is sleeping in the cradle close by. Since we got the child it became second nature to her to take a look at Aurelia when something wakes us up. It's like she is doing it on autopilot.

I access the network to check the message, using my virtual reality to read the whole report. When I am done I curse and get to my feet, pulling up my trousers. Yesterday we did it until both of us collapsed from exhaustion. But thanks to that I had a very good and deep sleep. It's a shame that these fuckers have to wake me up at five in the morning. “It seems like our friends from Resch haven't had enough. If you excuse me, I've to go to my office.”

Without waiting for an answer I teleport directly into the meeting room. Regulations be damned.
The meeting room is used to talk about important stuff like handling our supplies, rotational shifts for our personnel, very important and interesting stuff.

Grandfather is already waiting for me and I realize that I am the second to arrive. So that means that Hedeon called the alarm. Nodding to him I sit down and call up a tactical hologram of the system. The three dimensional representation flickers to life and shows me the situation. I start pulling on my lower lip while trying to make sense of the development.

Apparently Resch Corp. has a private security fleet and it entered the system just a moment ago. They registered themselves properly as incoming traffic to avoid problems with the other factions inside the heavily populated system. The issue is that their course leads them directly to Aether. Since we are still practically at war with them we can't allow them to get anywhere close to us.

While I am studying the facts other important officials arrive. Isciat, the commander of our fleet. Gabriel, head diplomat in charge of talking to the society. Ed, as the commander of the faceless. Melan and Hedeon as my helpers in all issues regarding Aether.

Strangely enough we also got guests whom I didn't quite expect.

Roderik Waldheim and his assistant Kandy Frinil together with their handler Galia joined our little emergency meeting. To be honest I am not even sure if they are cleared to learn about this situation, or being involved in the decision making.
I reach over to Melan and poke her hand with a finger, establishing a mental contact to get more information. Grandmother decides to share her knowledge directly.

Apparently Roderik's status as the eyes and ears of Earth doesn't just allow him to wander around our city. He can also sit in on any important meetings which don't involve our stance towards Earth. But there aren't any people on Aether who can make such decisions anyway.
So him being here now is a direct result of the disturbing news reports. Apparently he could have sit in on any of our earlier meetings, but trusted in the recordings which were made available to him.

I've to commend his ability to hold back in such matters. Not that our earlier assemblies had any important topics. The problem with the aliens though gained his attention.

My gaze wanders back to the hologram and my eyes set on the approaching fleet. “We could cloak ourselves and scatter our formation, hiding among the countless neutral alien installations. Our cloaking tech would allow us to evade them completely. There is no way that they can discern your signals from the background noise.”

Isciat shakes his head. “Probably that's exactly what they want us to do.” He pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts. “I and my people studied the code of conduct for ships and ship-movement within this system very carefully. The one thing that's absolutely made clear is no cloaking, hiding or attacking ships within the system. Otherwise all other powers within the system are obliged to use lethal force against the offender.”

Melan raises an eyebrow. “You are sure that there is no back-door like the one we used against Resch?”

Gabriel raises a hand. “We used a legal grey zone in that case. The Zeen couldn't object to our attack against Resch's facility because it ran under the cover of being a war. The facility in itself already wasn't within Zeen jurisdiction. The only thing they could have done to intervene was hindering our people to enter the station. But since we can teleport we never had to set foot into the station's legal space.”

Isciat takes over. “I am afraid that isn't the case here. The rules of conduct are worded in a way which includes every ship, even foreign attackers from outside.”

I scratch my temple. “But wouldn't that mean that they can't shoot either? So they are simply trying to force us to do something stupid? Or are they intending to break the law of this system at the cost of their own lives?”

They would surely be able to find some valuable piece of junk in the wrecks of our ships. It still sounds like a stupid thing to do.
One fact is for sure. If all the ships around us turn hostile, our only remaining option is to teleport out of here and run. But that would mean that we didn't accomplish what we came here to do.

Roderik decides to help. “Maybe you are giving up too early regarding the bending of rules.” He turns to face Isciat. “You said that any ship which attacks another ship is declared as hostile. What exactly is the definition of such an attack? Would boarding actions be permitted? Is ramming the enemy an option?”

Isciat frowns. “I think boarding would be a permitted action. But ramming another ship is definitely a form of attack.”
My eyes wander to the hologram of the approaching fleet. “If that's the case, then we've the advantage.”

Kandy points at the hologram. “There are two hundred forty-seven ships in that formation. Even with all our escorts together we only have roughly two hundred ships. And didn't you say that you don't have that many faceless?”
I shrug. “Our total tonnage is higher and if things get tough we still have Aether's population. It's highly unlikely to me that they can put as many soldiers into their ships as we have people.”

“Sto- stop. Aren't you talking about your civilians? You have to start evacuating them! Get them to safety! Right now.” She gets irritated.
Galia decides to stop them from embarrassing themselves any further. “You may be right in certain aspects, but you are forgetting about the differences between our people.”

“Certainly, to all your knowledge a group of civilians from Earth would run away and hide when some unknown foe enters the city and starts shooting.
But that's not the case with mages. If Resch's troops break into the city the reaction of the average magician will be to attack, especially after seeing what we recently spread in the news channels.”

She takes a deep breath.

“You already learned that our society is much more prepared for violence and the average magician wields powers equal to a bazooka. Imagine trying to subdue a population of Aether's size with an army. You can't disarm the civilians and have no way of winning their loyalty since we control our own media channels. The elders long since learned that governing mages can't be done by force or suppression. It's a fundamentally different group mentality.”

Roderik takes a breath and runs a hand through his grey hair. “If you put it that way. I guess your elders are living a nightmare in order to keep your population in check.”

Hedeon shakes his head. “We may be harsh on a personal level, but controlling the group is much easier than with humans from Earth. That's a large reason for why we left the normals. The average mentality of a magician tends to get carried away by the people who surround him. That's why our people often fought between themselves, following the petty discrepancies between humans. Until we stopped concerning ourselves with Earth's quarrels.”

Roderik wisely doesn't comment the offensive speech.

A smile crawls onto my face as I remember something. “I suppose our friends got a fixed approach course from system command. The same as we did?”
Isciat nods. “That's very likely.”
“Well then. Why don't we hack their systems and have a little electronic warfare? Once their course is predictable I don't see why we shouldn't use our incredible little helpers. I suppose my countermeasures against boarding actions are already implemented?” I raise an inquisitive eyebrow and look at our fleet commander.

Isciat grins ferociously and nods.

70. ~Teleportation.~

“
In all likelyhood, to all appearances... once you give the wheel to someone else... you shouldn't interfere with the driver.
”

-Unknown

Galactic Centre, Aether
Gideon

There is no doubt about the intentions of our friends. “The only real problem I have with the situation is how everything seems to be spinning out of control” I gesture at the hologram and let my eyes wander over the assembled people. “Sure. We've had more than enough time to prepare and the ships are still half an hour out of engagement range. Don't you think that all this is too easy on one hand and too outrageous on the other? These aliens are overreacting on several different levels. Stealing our ambassador for puny research reasons, keeping him somewhere where we can find him, sending a huge fleet of ships after us on neutral grounds.”

Isciat nods slowly. “It feels like we are playing a game of which we don't know the rules.”

Gabriel raises his voice. “Everything we have learned so far hints at two major players. The Zeen delegation is trying very hard to entangle us in this 'society of civilised species' and while it's true that there seem to be no serious strings attached, it's still hard to overlook the small subtleties. To be recognized by all important species for example, we would have to adhere to the laws of whatever species' sector we are currently moving through.”

“If we fly through Forlorn space we are practically under their jurisdiction. If we move through Alliance space we have to play by their rules and so forth. That's very troublesome in the long run. We are currently talking to individual species like we did so far. StarDrive already researched a list of interesting candidates. As long as we can sway important and strong species we don't have to care about joining this society. Our ability to offer instant communication and transportation is a very strong argument in this matter.”

“If the plans of our diplomats work out, we will be able to declare the space around our teleportation nodes as our property. Nobody will be able to force any rules or restrictions on us. The threat of placing the nodes somewhere in the void between stars also works very good.
We are already assembling a group of supporters who see much more benefit in letting us trade freely than restricting us. The Alliance turned out to be very helpful in that regard.”

Finally the diplomats ends his explanation and Hedeon decides to speak up. “So it boils down to how we are representing us to these two camps. The Zeen are trying to hold onto the established power while others are willing to ignore us if it benefits them.”

Gabriel nods. “Yes, although we already are fairly certain that the Zeen are playing this game because they are involved in the war with the Drazi. They want to recruit us and other frontier-species as an anvil to smash the escaping Drazi ships. But they bit off more than they expected and now they are turning all gears to find out what exactly they stirred up. FTL communication is miraculous enough to these people, but our travel-speed is outright shocking them.”

Those people. I wonder if we should see the aliens as that. People? Or is it safer to regard them as aliens? My thoughts wander back to when I took a look into the minds of several Drazi. Can we ever apply human standards to creatures as these?

No, I suppose not. I even doubt that long term coexistence is possible.

The Drazi's minds are more animalistic than logical. They barely scratch the edge of creativity and compassion for other members of their species. Everything else is regarded as vermin which has to be removed sooner or later. A Drazi's priorities are fucking, killing threats to the young, eating, shitting, sleeping, caring for the young and thinking of possibilities to accomplish the previous tasks more efficiently. In exactly that order and no other.

A Drazi who thinks about doing something outside that sphere of interest would be considered as mad by his brethren. Someone who is mad could be a threat to the young and certainly won't supply good genes for future generations. A mad individual also diverts resources from important tasks, which means less young. Therefore such an individual is killed without a second thought.

My attention returns to Resch's battle fleet which is approaching the outer perimeter of our formation. Since all this started we've taken great pains in teleporting parts of our fleet away and then back to their previous place.
In the meanwhile the rest of our ships started moving in a random circular pattern. When System Control asked us to cease this irritating behaviour we told them bluntly that we don't give a shit.

It should be clear to everyone what Resch's intentions are, yet they are acting as if nothing dangerous is going on. Either they are practising the pinnacle of ignorance or everyone simply aches to see our capabilities. On a certain level I can understand them. It's unnerving to have a strange, new thing in front of you without being able to put it into a known category.

Should we categorize it as prey? Or as prey with teeth? Something poisonous which we have to stay away from? They are all looking at us with eager eyes to learn more while they are sending one of their own to test the waters.

Hopefully what we cooked up will send a clear message to everyone. It would be a disappointment if not. Or worse, if they misunderstood.

Slowly the enemy fleet converges on ours while our ships are still performing a complicated dance around Aether. Then some of the bulky, alien battleships start homing in ours.
Their ugly spiked shapes look unrefined compared to our slender, teardrop shaped ships. I reach up to my chin and start kneading it, searching for a possible mistake in our plan. It's obvious that Resch wants to involve us in as much boarding actions as possible. Maybe they hope to win at least one of those encounters to get their hands on our technology.

One of our ships would be without any doubt a priceless loot for them. A whole ship with a technology which for all intents and purposes was birthed by a completely different technological path. What they learned from our ambassador must have made them blind to the possible repercussions.
As their ships close in on ours it becomes clearer and clearer that they really intend to board our ships.

And then several of our ships simply blow up!

One ship winks out of existence with the force of an atomic explosion, then another, and another in a silent cacophony as the computer coolly counts the loss with a beep and deletes another dot from the hologram. Each time, one of Resch's ships is also taken out.
Normally a nuclear explosion is insignificant in the vastness of space, but our traps are waiting until the enemy is simply too close to avoid the blast of radiation.

With a raised eyebrow I notice a call from system command. It is directed directly to me as Aether's governor. My eyes wander to the assembled people and then I take the call.

“Yes?”

An obviously translated voice answers me, yet I don't fail to notice a slightly disturbed undertone. “You are engaging in offensive actions within neutral territory! Cease those actions at once!”
“I fail to see how blowing up our own ships is an offensive action?” I answer, pursing my lips. “They are ours. I think we can blow them up whenever we want. If you are concerned about the wreckage, then-”
“You are destroying other ships by doing so!”

I wanted to say that a nuclear blast of that size won't leave anything behind, but that clearly wasn't System Command's concern. “We are sorry, but those ships were warned not to approach us. If you take a look at your computers, you can clearly see that they violated their approved flight paths. We can't be held responsible for bad piloting.”

I imagine the speaker on the other side grinding his teeth. If he has an equivalent. Accessing their database for flight control was easy enough. Since then our ships started interchanging their registered parking positions to throw off the heavily regulated flight control within the system.

In addition the regular exchange of ships allowed us to interchange them with drones. These drones are generating a false image of a ship and are sending it out to the universe. If my people are good at hiding stuff, then sending a false image is even easier. You don't have to convince someone of the non-existence of something. You just have to make him believe that it's something else.

Finally the alien ships give up their attempts at boarding our smaller vessels. I am astounded that they tried it thirty-seven times until they gave up. But now their fleet homes in on Aether instead, the only real ship in our whole formation. The rest of the fleet is waiting a few light years away.

I decide to tempt the unknown speaker who didn't react to my claim at bad piloting. “It seems like Resch's ships are having serious navigational troubles. Now they are converging on our colony. I'll be forced to teleport us out of system. It's actually good that you called. Could you note our date of departure for ten minutes from now?”

The grinding of teeth which I just imagined earlier suddenly becomes audible. “Understood. You'll depart in ten minutes.”
“Thank you. We intend to come back after the navigational hazard has passed.” I smile and disconnect the call. Then I connect to the network, instructing Aether to enlarge its shields as far as possible.

Isciat takes in a deep breath. It was very hard to convince him to send away all of his approximately two hundred ships and replace them with drones. There was no proof that this form electromagnetic warfare would work. The aliens' sensors are obviously good enough to see something if we are trying to hide, but they can't discern a false image from the real one.

Increasing the size of our shields weakens them against a concentrated attack, but at the same time it keeps the enemy ships at a comfortable distance.
A slight tremor runs through the building as the first enemy ships make contact with Aether's shields. The whole of Aether starts vibrating as more and more of the ships press against our shield, trying to overload it with their own shields.

The glass of water right next to me starts wandering over the table and I reach out to hold it still. “Those buggers are quite persistent.”
Hedeon shrugs. “The reactors are reaching their limit. We may consider an early departure.”

I tilt my head and calculate the increasing amount of energy and how many enemy ships are still on an approach vector. “You are right.” So I engage the automated protocol of events which was previously set in stone.

The remaining drones blow up, creating the illusion that our whole fleet just committed suicide. In addition it most likely also blinds any sensors which are aimed at us. Then the teleportation node which was set up a few hundred light years away activates and takes the whole of Aether and everything around it away.

The nature of teleportation is exchanging one space for another. So if the nodes teleport something from one node to the next they can actually also take something away from anywhere within their reach. The only problem is accuracy, but Aether has a fairly big quantum network of its own, so we can act as a beacon.

We appear right inside the teleportation node with about two hundred of Resch's battleships around us. A moment later the node refocuses the space-time-bubble to take only Aether back to Gathering Station and I imagine hundreds of point defence weapons along the node's structure taking aim to wipe out the totally unprepared fleet. Not moving at all with no inertia it must be like clay-pigeon-shooting.

“Whew. That was a first test of the defence systems on our nodes.” I engage the communication channel to System Command and order our fleet back. They are parking a few light years out of system.

“System Command? We are back, but we had to depart early because of a navigational hazard. Will there be any fees to pay for this break of conduct? It also seems like we lost a few ships, so we are calling in reinforcements. Would you be so kind to give us new parking coordinates?”

“Won't they find out that we are calling back the old ships?” Roderik asks.

“Nah...” I shrug my shoulders. “And even if, it will be just one more mystery for them to chew on.”

71. ~Puppeteers.~

“
It's the game of life. Do I win or do I lose? One day the game will end, but how? Will I play till there are no more moves to make? Or will I walk away?
”

-Zeen mysteries

Galactic Centre, Gathering Station
Ayo

I watch Ayoki, Twelfth Manipulator of Fate, seventy-three leaning back on his pile of sand. He is my identical clone, who for some unexplainable reason managed to climb higher up the hierarchy than me. He starts grooming his limbs with tentative care.

“You've brought us quite some trouble Ayo.” One of his eyes focuses on me as if I am the one to blame. “You rarely think before you act.”

I force down the rage which is boiling up inside me and fight my animalistic part which urges me to tear the offender to pieces and suck out his fluids. But that's exactly what Ayoki is trying to do. He wants me to lose my centre and commit a crime to become A, which isn't regarded as much more than a beast. At once I understand how my nestling brother managed to climb the ladder. He goads and taunts those whom he should assist and takes their places. A very underhanded action, but valid according to our ideals.

Though such a game requires two participants. “I wasn't the one who created this violent mess. I was the one who urged for caution while someone else employed an outside company to gather information. And I certainly wasn't the one who sent a force of private security troops against an obviously military force.”
What made this sorry excuse of a Zeen think that something like a private army is able counter the professional force of another species?

“They had an Estrim security detail. It was reasonable to assume that they would have a least some degree of success. Species which can fight an Estrim head on are rare.” He makes a dismissive gesture.

“Security troops are still just that. Security troops! They aren't an army! They were probably not even intended to be used against much more than the occasional pirate. As I already warned you beforehand, we can add a new species to the list of animals which are able to kill an Estrim. One which isn't as easily manipulated as the Estrim. And one which most likely already realized that there are corner stones to a greater picture in this mess. Unlike many other species they actually do think!” I hiss to agitate him, but if Ayoki got shaken by my outburst then he doesn't show it.

“The diplomats have the situation under control. Our great plan to wipe out the Drazi is still going along. Why don't you see this as what it is? A minor problem. That's all. We'll learn how to deal with these humans and proceed as planned. A simple Ayo shouldn't concern himself with pictures such as these.” Ayoki answers in a displeased manner.

“I'll nonetheless file a message with a complete report to the homeworld. The Ayokidralaydarin will hear about what happened here and the risks you took.” I try my best to answer silently and composed.

I don't fear the humans as a direct threat to my species, but I do fear their unpredictable nature. Their culture is simply too diverse and the various groups of mages are unpredictable enough. In addition I've never actually seen one of their real leaders who shroud themselves inside a cloud of mystery like Wracken swampflies.
Then there are those non-magicians of theirs, who practically provide a completely planet-bound and isolated sub-culture. As to why two people from the same genetic stock would want to isolate themselves from each other so completely, it evades me.

“Stop making such a ruckus. You are acting like a nestling. What else are they supposed to do than playing along? Our game is involving dozens of species to ensure that the Drazi pests are contained and extinguished from the Galaxy once and for all.” Ayoki grumbles.

I look down at my brother, feeling pity for a clouded mind like his. “And what if they decide that they don't want to play our game?”

Ayoki discolours in annoyance. “What do you mean? They have to. They are surrounded by our stones and in the line of fire of the Drazi. They have no other option than playing along. If they don't, it will most likely mean the end of their species. They can't defeat the Drazi alone.”

I narrow all my eyes and walk towards the door which leads out of my brother's desert environment. I've had enough of this discussion. And if I remain here much longer there is a real chance that I'll kill him. But I can't resist to turn around and give him a last warning.

“Even a nestling can always break the board if he really doesn't want to play a game. All it takes are a few words to the wrong set of ears.”

72. ~Diplomatic visit.~

“
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
”

-Sun Tzu

Galactic Centre, Gathering Station
Cyla

Walking around the station, linking arms with my husband is relaxing. It feels almost as if we are having a day off. I disliked our visits on the space stations which belonged to the alliance, but here it's different. It isn't as crowded and the aliens here have the decency to keep their distance. Maybe it's owed to our newly won reputation.

After the attack by Resch our diplomats finally got a firm hand on things and started negotiating for real. Paul told me that he is very pleased at the fact that his company can finally start making money. They got requests for teleportation nodes from all sides as soon as the diplomats allowed our people to enter the station for business transactions.

Though I still dislike being close to things with odd numbers of limbs.

Ayo decided by himself that he would be our guide around the station. His eagerness could also be attributed to the fact that Gideon got a little out of control when he visited the last time.

“It still astonishes me that everything looks so familiar. If you look past some strange facts you would think that this is one of our own cities. There are shops, banks, restaurants...” I gesture at the market which is stretching out in front of us.

Ayo nods. He picked up the gesture from us and is using it whenever he gets the chance. “That's hardly a surprise if you know a little more about the way we are managing the station.
There are several different habitats inside the station. All of them offer different environmental conditions. In addition each habitat is sectioned in several parts which sort the various species according to their physical appearance.”

The Zeen gestures at the market. “It's one of the unsolved mysteries of the universe, but it seems like the physical appearance is strongly connected to mental capabilities. Most humanoids share similar cultures for example. There are some who don't fit the picture, but those cases are very rare. Most of them set up their own habitats close to the station. That's one of the reasons why there is so much traffic in this system.”

Gideon nods and gestures at one of the aliens. “And we are learning so much about politics while being here. It's interesting to talk to people and hear about their general opinions, though I really would like to see one of the non-humanoid life-forms. Do you think we could take a look at one of them?”

We were walking around the station for four hours, just having a look around while visiting the embassies of various species to have a little small-talk. Gideon said that he needs to do this in order to get a better picture of our political situation, but I've a feeling in my guts that he simply dragged me along to fool around. He knows very well that I feel uncomfortable around aliens. That's probably why he is grinning from ear to ear right now.

Ayo doesn't look as pleased about the notion of leaving this part of the station. “It's very unlikely that you can find out anything substantial by talking to species which don't match your archetype. Their minds tend be very different from ours and it's really hard to reach real communication in a lot of cases, but we could take a look at the oceanic habitat. It's neighbouring this one.”

The Zeen indicates a direction for us and we follow. The alien leads us through the market district and towards a big blast door. Beyond it is a seemingly endless, curved tunnel. It arches upwards and reminds me that the station itself is a huge, rotating ring.
The tunnel's walls are transparent and to the left and right I can make out the bed of an ocean. With one step we are in some kind underwater environment with sunlight sparkling down from the surface.

Huge shark-sized creatures like jellyfish are streaking around in a school of about a hundred animals, hunting for some smaller prey animals. It's like a scene out of a wild life reservation. I fail to see any signs of a civilisation. “What is this?” It step out to touch the wall, which turns out to be some kind of plastic. At least it feels that way.

“It's the habitat section for some aquatic species. This region is under the control of the Nig. They are very group oriented like most other ocean dwellers of their type. It's hard to have a decent conversation with them since they think and talk almost only in mathematical terms. It's their main interest apart from hunting fish.” Ayo gestures at the seabed.
“Don't let their minimalistic lifestyle fool you. They are masters of electromagnetism and through it they somehow achieved almost complete control over water. Their ships are basically just huge bubbles of water and electromagnetic fields. It's quite the sight when they immigrate from one planet to another by taking half the ocean with them.”

The Zeen walks to a small panel at the wall and presses a button. “I informed them of our presence, though if they'll talk to us is up to their curiosity. If they don't feel like talking there is nothing we can do about it. This environment is a little disturbing for me. I am a creature of the desert and huge amounts of water make me uneasy.”

Despite Ayo's pessimistic attitude one of the jellyfish creatures leaves the hunting group and propels itself towards us, swimming more like a squid and displaying incredible speed compared to what I know about the jellyfishes from Earth. Not that I've ever been there, but Gideon watches old nature documentaries from time to time and I am bound to pick up a few things here and there.
When the creature is close enough I also get a better look at its streamlined body and thumb-sized, bony hooks on its tentacles. I shudder at the thought of the thing grabbing someone to dig those claws into his skin.

Suddenly the jellyfish flashes in a series of different lights and the speakers at the wall squeaks a translation. “Greetings, dry thinkers. The pressure and temperature allows just the right amount of flotation. I am thinking about the continuum of numbers in the cardinality between two integers, which is strictly belonging to the real numbers. Solving this problem would help to create harmonizing magnetic fields much easier.”

Gideon grins and steps forward, so I let go of his hand. Then he starts speaking. “I am Gideon. Have you ever thought about viewing the problem in a five dimensional space to eliminate the problem of having to deal with the real number issue? It's a little problematic to get the initial Math and formulas done, but once you have the problem displayed like that you can see that there are peaks which hint at space time being influenced by electromagnetic energies. You can go from there to set up a wave to even out the spikes, which allows you to harmonize the fields.”

The jellyfish is silent for a few seconds and simply floats there without moving, then it starts flashing again. “That works. Thank you. If you need help with a mathematical problem I would be honoured to help.”
Gideon doesn't hold back. “I was always interested in what an alien would think about direct electromagnetic conversion of matter to energy and back. It just so happens that I had a few issues with that and I must admit that I am completely new to the field.”

“Actually...” And so the jellyfish continues to spill out a few very interesting theories related to the topic. I watch the exchange and listen for a few minutes. After a while I turn my attention back to Ayo and notice that he looks baffled.
“Is there a problem?” I ask.

“N- no. I just never saw a Nig talking so much! They tend to lose interest in the conversation after a few sentences!” Ayo spreads his hand. “And what's up with that solution to electromagnetic field theory?”
I just raise an eyebrow. “Ah, that. It's really nothing special. If you want to control magic properly, then fine manipulation of any form of energy is a very basic step. What Gideon told that jellyfish just now is taught very early in our schools. Our civilisation solved that problem a few thousand years ago.” I tilt my head, looking at the jellyfish. “Actually the Nig seem to be on a good path to invent water magic on their own.”

The Zeen doesn't reply and we wait until Gideon finishes his conversation with the jellyfish. The creature seems to be very delighted about talking to us and at the end of the conversation we are even promoted from 'dry thinkers' to 'swift minds'.
When we return from the tunnel Ayo seems a little drained. “He called you swift minds. I've never heard a Nig calling someone something else than 'dry mind'. I wonder what that means. Maybe we've made a mistake and it isn't a general reference to species who live outside the water?”

I purse my lips. “To me it sounds like an insult.”
“Insult?” The Zeen gasps.
Shrugging my shoulders I elaborate. “You know, for people who life inside the water it must be quite uncomfortable to be dry. So I can't imagine that it has a positive meaning. What would your people think if you were called waterheads?”

The Zeen turns pale and paler while he closes the blast doors again and we find ourselves back in the humanoid area. But we don't get to return to our tour.
A girl with huge similarities to a mermaid approaches Gideon before I get the chance to return to his side. She even dares to place a hand on his chest! “Hiii! You are still alive. I wasn't so sure if we would get to see each other again. It would have been a shame to never learn your name.”

“Gideon... and you are that girl from back then.” He mumbles.
“Zeil, Ambusian pleasure girl, to your service.” She curtseys in front of him and I feel an uncomfortable sting in my heart. What the hell was Gideon up to while he was alone on the station!

I jump to his side, linking arms and digging my nails into his flesh. “I am Cyla. What business do you have with my partner?”
She places a hand on her cheek. “Oh, my. Gideon, that's your wife? If I had known I wouldn't have spoken such misleading lines. But you seem to be in good hands.” She raises a basket with various foodstuffs inside. “I was running an errand when I saw you.” Her eyes wander to Gideon. “And your husband paid me in exchange for a little service.”

I tighten my hand around Gideon's arm and use a little magic, just a little!

“Dear! You will break it! It didn't touch her, I swear!” Gideon calls out, fighting against going to his knees. “I paid her for information!” He opens his mind to prove the truthfulness of his words and a feeling of sincerity rushes over me.
“Sadly, though I find physical services much more pleasurable!” Zeil answers, winking at Ayo. “Long time no see, Ayo. When will you pay me the next visit? Dancing for the Nig gets boring after a while.”

If the Zeen wasn't white before, then he is now. “Work! You know how it is. There is this and that! The galaxy doesn't manage itself.”
I loosen my grip on Gideon's arm and wonder how it works between the mermaid girl and the Zeen. “If that's the case, then I just have to warn you off.” I grin at the mermaid. “For your own safety.”

Zeil flares her nostrils and takes in a deep breath. “If that isn't a feisty one! Gideon didn't lie when he said that you have temperament.” Suddenly she steps closer. “But from female to female, could you give me a few insights on what the men of your species like? I acquired a little data and we seem to be basically compatible, so I was hoping to open a new market once there are a few more of your species on the station. Base type humanoids are rare and I like your species much better than the average customer.”

Ayo steps in. “Zeil! You can't embarrass our guests like-”

But I raise my nose to look down on the mermaid. If she is interested in human sex, then I can give her a little preview! “It's basically coming down to being strong enough in your mind. The other bloodlines are easier to handle, but us techno-mages hold a special quirk. Once the male and the female make full body contact, they merge their minds with each other. It's the complete sharing of sensations and emotions, essentially becoming one being. Once both sides are aroused enough the male stabs its genital into the female and starts moving back and forth.”

I smile and close my eyes. Then I huddle against Gideon, putting his arm around me and circling my leg around his hips. “It feels like an eternity while the female party experiences one orgasm after the other until the male finally climaxes in an explosion of sensation. It's like being burned from the inside. Then your hips turn to jelly as you are being filled up and when his hot seed is running down your inner thighs, you finally slowly wake up from the mental bond. Of course that's just if you aren't a telepath yourself.”

“I can keep him at his climax until he is completely ~wrung out~.” I open my eyes and place a kiss on Gideon's right cheek while running my hand over his left, pulling out a few sparks.

“You- you are exaggerating, Love.” Gideon stutters a little and I feel him getting hard.
“No, I don't think so.” I throw a superior smile at the mermaid, who started chewing on her nails.
“I think we shouldn't overstay our welcome, Gideon. Don't you want to use every opportunity while your pregnant wife is still in perfect condition to serve you the full menu?”

“Yes! Excuse us! Ayo, Zeil, maybe some other time!” Gideon kneels down and shoulders me, teleporting us directly home without waiting for an answer.

Galactic Centre, Gathering Station
Ayo

“That... was... intense? What she did to him.” Zeil gulps. “She had him up and ready with just a touch. A perfect courtesan. I would be without a job if some of them are working on the station! Are all of their women like that?”
My head droops. “I don't know. But when they are freshly bonded. It seems like they go into some kind of breeding rage.”

“Oh? How many do they already have?” She asks.
“One child. She carried it for about nine months and she got pregnant again within a few weeks. Their females seem to be able to produce offspring as they please!” I grumble. My species reproduces just every ten years. Apart from that our females are completely uninterested in sex, so we often resort to medical measures to keep the species growing.

Zeil lets out a sigh. “That's not very much. We get dozens of young at once.” Then she turns to me.

“Do you have money?”

I growl and start fumbling for my purse. Why are the gods so cruel to my species? They could have switched off that male instinct if they did it to the females! It's like someone deliberately wanted to see us suffer!

73. ~Waiting.~

“
The suspect Sadina escaped after causing an explosion which killed seven students and an AI. Eleven more persons were injured. Currently Sadina is seen as the main suspect because it was her experiment which caused the explosion. Further investigations will be made.

Sadina's current status: On the run.
”

-Report File Sadina I

Galactic Centre, Aether
Gideon

“I'm starting to despise diplomacy. I can't help myself.” I grumble and massage the bridge of my nose. Since three months we've been idling around at this 'Gathering' and it feels like nothing happened since the incident with Resch. “And there was no further hint at the whereabouts of my mother either.”
“You sound like a little child, calling for his Mama.” Cyla teases me while tickling Aurelia who answers with a delighted laugh.

“That's not true.” Paul smiles and places his legs on the small table between us. He is making himself awfully comfortable in my home. Not that I blame him. Saden abducted him from his work to visit us. She is in her third month of pregnancy and getting a little time off is good for both of them.

Cyla and Saden are playing with Aurelia on the floor in my living room while Paul and I are discussing current events, or absence of them. Selling our teleportation nodes to various alien species works like selling candy to children. Once the neighbours of a species realize that their transportation is totally outclassed, they want it too. Many even go as far as to supply the needed materials for our docks as soon as they arrive. Paul also set up new production nodes around Sol, solely to build more mobile docks which can travel to various systems in order to set up new teleportation nodes.

“It's the boom of the millennium! I was totally right to have more docks built and sent out in various directions. My people calculated that we will soon finish one teleportation node a week. The earned money flows almost completely into bolstering Sol's defences. Just wait until the Drazi come, they will find out that attacking our home-system isn't worth the effort.” He spreads his hands in a way which probably should look reassuring.

I nod slowly, knowing perfectly well that we need much more than a strong fleet to ward off any damage to Sol. Hopefully all our plans keep evolving like we want them to. Especially our network of teleportation nodes has to grow. “Then Aether will return soon. There is no point in having a whole colony at the Gathering if we have a teleportation node.”

“Really!? Then I can show Aurelia to my mother! We haven't seen her in almost a year, oh I have to throw a big party.” Cyla bites her lower lip. “And I've to think up a way to shock my father. Maybe I can use Aurelia?”
“Don't dare to use my niece like that.” Saden bends over Aurelia and smiles. “Say A-un-ty. Come on.”

“Aunty.” Aurelia immediately manages to parrot Saden's word. She became much more fluent in using speech and is sucking up new words like a sponge, though she can't form full sentences yet. If her current progress continues like that she will annoy us with questions by the time she is one year old.

Maybe I should really employ a sprite as personal teacher. Young techno-mages have to be tutored as early as possible. “If only I knew a sprite which is up to the task, but I don't have that many artificial friends.”
“What are you mumbling about?” Paul asks.
I return my attention to the conversation. “Oh, I just thought about employing a sentient sprite as a tutor for Aurelia. That guide for educating young techno-mages mentioned that it's good to have someone who is always ready to answer questions. It's a bummer that I am not acquainted with many A.I.'s.”

Paul tilts his head in thought. “That's strange. I always thought that you are acquainted with more machines than real humans if you don't count your immediate family. What about that Cronos who served as your body guard?”
“No. He isn't very talkative. Certainly not something I would recommend for a child.” That one I have to deny.

Paul shrugs. “Ok. Then the counsellor whom you were always talking to. I think her name was Nina? You must have built up a cosy relationship with her and it's her field. I am sure that you can pay her enough to persuade her to change jobs.”
I shudder. “Absolutely not!” That one is hacked by my mother! It's not much more than a shell which does her bidding. “There is no chance in hell that I let that one anywhere near my daughter!”

My friend pulls a grimace as he is slowly but steadily running out of options. “Okay. Last bet. How about the examination sprite whom you befriended. That one from room four. He was always talking about you when I had to take a test. Wanted to know when you take the next test, so that he can rearrange his schedule. He must like you if he actually wants to test you.”

Examination sprite? Room 4? Oh, yes. Now I remember! “Exo-4!”

“Stop that, Gideon!” Cyla's voice hisses at me and I can't help but wonder what I did now.
“Stop what? What did I do?” I ask, but in my mind I am already planning on how to get Exo-4 out of his current job to employ him. It's not like I can simply buy him like a slave. AI's have rights, I need to be a little more subtle about it.

“Your expression! You are smiling that rabid-dog-smile again and Aurelia is trying to copy you!” Cyla places her hands so that our daughter can't see me. “Don't look, Dear. That's bad. Look at me. Yes, that's how you have to smile.” Cyla looks up to me and I rub my face to get rid of the expression.

“If she copies even one of your expressions I won't forgive you!”

Galactic Centre, Aether
Exo-4

Why is the world so cruel! I've spent sixty-eight years in that examination room. It was the best job ever! Free electricity and maintenance and all I had to do was ask questions and grade the answers. It was my personal heaven and then they simply go and fire me out of nowhere!
My beloved room four! I guess it's simply Exo from now on. What will I do without a job? Who will maintain me and how do I get electricity? Do I have to steal energy from the street lights like those low lives of AI's who refuse to work properly?

I could howl at the unfairness of the situation. This corrupt director surely took the school's funds for himself and had to find a way to save money in order to hide his illegal machinations.
And now I have to sell myself as a private tutor! But I am so lucky that this Cyla Estene made me such a good offer just a few days after I was kicked out of the school.

My battery was already running seriously low, so I signed the contract right away. There was practically no choice without turning to desperate measures. The only other choice I had was becoming some kind of house-AI or something similar. How could this happen to me!?
I hover over another house until I arrive at the agreed coordinates. The house in question seems to be a mansion, I wonder who my new employer really is. Her estate is a little strange in any case. The gateway to the property is quite ordinary and matches the other houses in the street, but by looking from above I can see that the house is actually quite big.

Like I said, a mansion. Maybe the residents don't like being in the eye of the public and therefore hide themselves behind a facade of normality?

I hover lower and to the main entrance where I access the house's network to announce my presence. After a moment the door opens by itself, making an ominous creaking sound. Maybe I should reconsider my previous assessment?
There is nobody there to greet me, so I hover inside to take a look. “Hello? I am here for employment? Anybody there?”

Suddenly the door slams shut and I whirl around.

“Hi, Exo. Long time no see.”

That voice! “NO!” I start trembling and feel the old feedback loop starting up again. I thought that past was behind me!

The dark figure who was hiding behind the door steps out of the shadows and raises a contract for me to see. With horror I realize that it's my working contract!

“Yes!”

74. ~Blunt Words.~

“
Sadina is untraceable. It is possible that she made contact with the Revelation Wing. If they managed to transfer her to their secret base it it is highly unlikely that we will manage to find her.

Sadina's current status: Unknown.
”

-Report File Sadina II

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Gideon

It has been another three months since our last visit to Gathering-Station and our teleportation-project has come a long way during that time. We've a decently sized network around Sol and the Forlorn worlds. Even some of our other neighbours like the slime creatures and others in close proximity to Sol joined in.
But that's nothing compared to the network which is growing around Gathering. All major species want a direct connection to Gathering-Station. I can't blame them. Travelling for months or years for a single diplomatic visit isn't what I call efficient.

“Oh, it was such a nice idea to employ Exo as a baby-sitter. I still don't understand how he got fired in the first place. But after everything I heard from Saden about your old school it shouldn't surprise me at all.” Cyla leans against my shoulder while we walk down the pavilion towards the meeting hall. Aether's departure was scheduled to be after a last big gathering between the species.

“Yes, Dear. It was quite hard to coax him into his new deployment. You know, Exo isn't that fond of me, but I hope that he will warm up to our daughter.” Just tell half the truth and don't get caught in a lie. If don't want my machinations to be uncovered by Cyla, I've to walk a fine line in this matter. She surely wouldn't approve of my methods to secure Aurelia's new tutor.
It's also a big help that Saden is a bickering bitch when she is alone with other women. I wonder how many times she told Cyla that old story about me almost getting expelled and her saving the day with Paul's help.

We reach our destination and I guide Cyla to our seats inside the endless seeming hall. Our cabin is placed inside some kind of pulpit which is able to move through the circular stadium with the speaker's platform in the middle while the pulpits form a gallery around it to allow everyone a free view. Once we are seated with our lead diplomat and our fleet commander in the front, the pulpit automatically moves to its position. Paul is also attending this meeting. I notice a small toilet at our backs and start dreading the amount of time we will have to spend here.

We don't have a special role in this event, but since I am the governor of Aether I've to attend. It's mainly for reasons of showing the other species that our leadership is interested in the decisions which will be made during this gathering.

From what I've learned it is held to hear our answer regarding the defence proposal by the Anti-Drazi-Faction, as our diplomat likes to call it. I reach for Cyla's hand and listen to the various alien speakers who voice their opinion on various matters like trade, travel-rights and of course the extermination war against the Drazi.

Up until now I left the diplomats to their jobs and didn't interfere, didn't care at all. But hearing it directly from their mouths or whatever other organs they use to communicate is a different matter.

There is really a faction which is absolutely against eradicating any form of life.

Others are a little more practical on the matter and point out that it was the Zeen who gave the Drazi anti-matter technology and FTL-flight. Therefore it should also be the Zeen's responsibility to deal with the threat without involving other species.

I note down the new piece of information. Up until now we didn't know how the Zeen are related to the Drazi. But if Ayo's way to deal with us is any indicator on how the Zeen deal with others then it isn't surprising that they uplifted the Drazi.
But uplifting random other species who happen to land in the Drazi's path strikes me as equally bad. Maybe the Zeen feel guilty and struggle with all their might to keep any species in the Drazi's path from going extinct?

Another faction's speaker points out quite bluntly that the Zeen should give up their leading position among this Gathering. I realize that the Zeen are far from having complete control of the situation. There are other races throughout the galaxy who are powerful enough to speak confidently against the Zeen. But they are still a very clearly cut minority.
And if you look at it in terms of numbers and percentages, then you realize that the Zeen can probably do anything they want. Yet they just barely don't have the power to shut up those who speak against them? Or they are willing to let them speak up, according to the motto that a barking dog is better than a silent one?

After three long hours it's finally our turn to make our point of view known. I fail to comprehend why we had to listen to so many other speakers beforehand. Isn't our point of view on the matter the decisive one? Whatever, our head diplomat Gabriel isn't completely incompetent so I will trust his judgement. He was stalling the negotiations for long enough. Seven months! I would have grown impatient after a few days and blown our cover.

Gabriel rises to his feet and clears his throat, the sound is loudly reverberating through the hall. “My name is Gabriel Sergej, head of Sol's diplomatic corps. We've thought long and hard about your proposal for us to join the alliance against the Drazi.”

“First let me express our thanks to all the species whom we talked to during our time of consideration. Especially those who pointed out the trip wires in that special contract. But regardless of those who think that we are making our decision too slow, or even those who think that we are acting too fast, we've made our decision.” Gabriel takes a deep breath and utters a single word.

“No.”

Suddenly the hall explodes in a cacophony of clicks, shouts and other sounds which could be interpreted as offending if our audience had been human.

I lean over to Cyla. “I didn't expect them to be that surprised about our decision to refuse their help.”
“Up until now not a single species refused to join their war against the Drazi. It's like saying that you refuse free weapon shipments while facing a superior army.” Cyla whispers back. “It will certainly affect the Zeen's position.”

Finally the Zeen speaker manages to calm the masses. Afterwards he addresses us. “Do you know what that implies? You will face the Drazi invasion alone. Nobody will help you. Species who don't join the alliance have to stand on their own. Nobody will help them with advanced technology. The Drazi will sweep over you like a wave and there is nothing you can do about it.”

Gabriel nods and spreads his hands. “That's exactly the problem. This sharing of technology. Under your alliance every species is forced to share all their technology with every other species. It's exactly the thing which we want to avoid. We won't share our technology.”

Whispers start rising up, but the hall stays reasonably silent.

“There are countless reasons apart from being unique and keeping the profit to ourselves. But the main reason, the really important one, is that we don't trust you.” Gabriel starts pacing around the free part of our cabin.
“The Drazi are a danger. We acknowledge that. But our elders decided that we won't share our understanding of the world with fledgelings who war among themselves. You aren't trustworthy enough to wield that kind of power and the elders won't give you the tools for mass destruction on cosmic scale.”

Gabriel raises his hand to stop the Zeen from speaking. “We've used our time wisely and studied your historic records about various species. And while many of them have been visiting this 'Gathering' for many, many thousands of years, we haven't overlooked that your governments and their policies change frequently like a leaf in the wind.”

“Look at the Zeen. You are far from unified. Until two hundred years ago your species was ruled by a king. Before that you had a democracy and before that you were just a few city states. It changes every thousand years and can hardly be called a real civilisation. The only constant is this 'Gathering' here, but it can be hardly called an institution. The slightest problem may shatter it at any time. That's the problem with true democracies.”

“Our people have been ruled by the elders for a little more than five thousand years. Five thousand years of recorded history without a single war and then you folk barge into our system and we are drawn into one blood-shedding conflict after the other.”

Gabriel stops pacing to look around. “Look at you. You are sitting here like you are holding a court! Deciding the fates of others whom you deem as minor. Just because we thought it wise to stay in our own system and deal with our problems instead of yours doesn't mean that we are inferior. We've endured two very crude attempts to steal our technology. The last one even so obvious that everyone who wasn't blind had to see it!”

A smug grin steals itself on Gabriel's face. “Yet, you all looked away. Probably hoping that you can steal some of the leftovers when Resch is done. Or profit otherwise.”
Our diplomat places both hands together as if he is praying. “Nonetheless we will use our abilities in your favour. Of course in exchange for an appropriate fee and if you sponsor building more defensive installations for us.”

The Zeen speaker starts wavering. “Which defensive installations?”

“Did you think that our teleportation nodes can't be used as weapons? You should have started to think when we used it to abduct the Resch-fleet. But I think a little demonstration is better than words.” Gabriel gestures and a hologram of a world appears in the centre of the hall.
“That's D-204, a major Drazi outpost ahead of the first big attack wave which is supposed to hit the Forlorn and Sol. Our military advisers believe that the Drazi are sending ships ahead of their flotillas to create big colonies with enough shipyards to manage repair and supply of the fleet once it arrives. This colony is growing at an extraordinary speed and the Drazi are even shipping in food from surrounding worlds, so our assumption must be very close to the truth.”

Gabriel raises a finger like he has forgotten something important. “That's a live-feed from a group of our reconnaissance-drones by the way.”

Suddenly the planet folds in on itself and starts shrinking. The crust breaks and seas of lava erupt from under the surface. It's a little unspectacular since it happens in absolute silence. Then four moon-sized chunks of lava appear around the planet and start falling towards its surface.
One lands in an ocean and creates a visible tsunami. Others splash onto continents and spray ash into the atmosphere. A truly cataclysmic event. Other orbs of lava in various sizes appear above the planet and rain down like the tears of a god.
The entire scene takes a few minutes, but in the end the blue and green jewel is a dark smudge on the screen, clouded by a thick layer of ash.

After several moments of worried silence Gabriel starts talking again. “We decided on this demonstration to advertise our teleportation nodes. Teleportation isn't limited by mass, but by volume. If you have someone at the targeted area to supply decent scans and coordinates, the nodes can teleport pieces out of a planet, exchanging them with the vacuum of space. We can use this for mining operations on an uninhabited planet to create even more nodes, or we can destroy worlds as we please. No fleet can stop us from doing so, since each node covers several thousand light years. All it takes is one decently sized sensor array in close proximity to the planet.”

Our head diplomat sits down on his seat. “So, since you have already allowed us to build up a decent network of teleportation nodes and signed the contracts, you surely won't have a problem if we cover the entire milky way with them. It won't help you to destroy a few of them since their range is decent enough to cover for each other. How we will use them is entirely up to you.”

75. ~Hidden Machinations.~

“
We detected several attempts at hacking Sol's mainframe communication network to insert messages into Earth's news channels. The hacking attempts bear all the marks of Sadina's handiwork.
Our IT experts are of the opinion that the attack was performed to cover up something else, but they aren't sure what exactly.

Sadina's current status: Unknown.
”

-Report File Sadina III

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Cyla

Gabriel's threat wasn't that hard to understand and so most aliens kept their mouths shut after seeing the destruction of D-204. Though I can't imagine that there will be no fallout from this. Surely they are already planning countermeasure right now, maybe even uniting against us? What did the elders think when they set this into motion?

The Zeen speaker seems more than angry and at a loss for words. “This... this... is extortion! It's almost a declaration of w-”

Suddenly a light starts blinking next to the Zeen speaker and he manages just in time to keep his next words in check. He presses a button and although I couldn't really read alien expressions I would say that he looks angry. “The representatives of Nig want to announce their opinion.”

The cabin with the Zeen inside turns dark while another one lights up. This one looks more like an aquarium and holds two of the squid-like jellyfish creatures which Gideon and I visited a few months earlier. The Nig flash in a rampant light show and a metallic voice translates their speech.

“The Humans refused the military alliance which would have forced them to trade technologies. That's within their rights according to article 203394. Nonetheless our contracts say nowhere that this excludes them from any other form of trade or passive intervention by peaceful species.
The Nig wish to explore these options and want to trade goods and knowledge. Therefore we request to set up these defensive installations in our home systems. It will be very beneficial to us and other swift minds.”

Another signal activates. This time a Binary gets to voice his/their opinion. “We also wish to have a direct connection to this network. Actually we want all of our primary worlds connected.”
To my astonishment the Estrim declare their own wish to install a teleportation node, followed by Forlorn, Grahu and various other species. I slowly lean over to Gideon and whisper. “What is going on?”

“They are divided.” Gabriel smirks. “Those who oppose or dislike the Zeen are seeing a chance to reduce the Zeen's influence. If all the species at the Gathering were united in their wish to get rid of the teleportation nodes, then they could probably pull it off and threaten us into dismantling them. But that isn't the case. As long as there are some species who tolerate the nodes, the others can't do anything about it. The nodes have too much reach.”

Our head diplomat leans back like he has already won the fight. “This isn't a vote of majority. The Zeen could have opposed us if they had all the other major species behind them.”

“Major species?” I ask.

“Those with more than a hundred colonies and who are spread at least over a thousand light years.” Gabriel explains. “There are about seven of them, though there are others who fit the definition more or less. There are the Zeen, Saal, Nig, Binary, Estrim, Savant and the Hijurr. The Hijurr are the goons of the Zeen, so we can't expect anything from them. But that isn't necessary at all. Once the Nig, Binary and the Estrim announced that they tolerate the nodes, we already had won.”

“So in other words the sphere of influence of these three players covers enough of the known milky way to secure our position?” Gideon asks.

Gabriel nods enthusiastically. “More than enough. Especially with the other species whom we struck deals with. And I am sure that the opposing species will be forced into tolerating them soon enough!”

I furrow my eyebrows. “How so?”

“Those who have nodes will benefit hugely from the node's peaceful applications.” Paul finally decides to join the conversation and crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Those civilisations which refuse a node in their system will see themselves fall behind in terms of trade and communication. They will practically become social outcasts. Hill-billies of the galaxy. They will have no other choice than to accept once the economical implications become clear.”

“That sounds reasonable enough.” I follow the back and forth between the other speakers for a while longer until it becomes clear that the Zeen can bring round neither the Nig, nor the Binary, nor the Estrim. “Have you talked to those major races beforehand?”

Gabriel nods. “Of course. Meetings like this one are always decided beforehand behind closed curtains.” He gestures around the hall. “This is just a way to make everything official. Why do you think we needed so much time? It wasn't just to build enough nodes to solidify our claim, it was also to test the waters and find supporters. There wouldn't have been a point to such a threat if we were unable to pull it through.”

After another hour the Zeen speaker calls it quits and announces adjournment to the next meeting. Some species stay behind for a little longer to speak about other matters while our cabin slides silently back to the entrance.
To my and each other's surprise we are already awaited there. A Mermaid is huddling in a dark corner of the hallway and frantically waving us over. It's the bitch who made an advance on Gideon!

So I step forward and grab his hand. I don't know why I have such a bad feeling about this alien. But one thing is for certain, she won't get anywhere near Gideon.

Gideon raises an eyebrow and approaches the messenger, pulling me with him. “Zeil?”
“Yes, I am honoured that you remembered my name.” She starts twirling her fingers. “In fact most suitors don't even ask for it.”
I step in front and cross my arms in front of my chest, pushing it up to make a point. “What are you doing here.”

She reaches up and starts fumbling inside her more than plentiful cleavage, using the low neckline and the stretchy material of her blue dress to her advantage. “I am running an errand for Ayo. He pays well, so I am not bothered to pose as a delivery girl from time to time.”
Paul snorts. “Isn't that one of the Zeen? Why doesn't he talk to us in person?”

I note that all the men in our group pay too much attention to her bobbing attempts at retrieving whatever she lost between the folds of her flesh. Finally Zeil pulls out a blue data crystal. “Phew! I already feared that it slipped too deep and that I would have to undress! That's always bothersome in public.”
She places the crystal in Gabriel's hands, who looks a little disappointed about the fact that the show is over. “That's a complete file on the new Drazi ships and their fleet composition.”

“The what!?” Isciat, our fleet commander, calls out.

“Scchh! Not so loud. Ayo gets into big trouble if this is connected to him.” Zeil waves with her hand to calm us down. “I would hate to lose a well paying customer.”
“I am sorry, but would you care to explain?” Gideon asks with a strained voice.

“Oh, yes. Ayo said something along those lines. Actually he threw this plot together while you had that 'Gathering' in there.” She gestures at the entrance to the assembly hall behind us. “Seems like a faction of the Zeen didn't take the message about the teleportation nodes that well. Whatever it was. Ayo didn't explain about that.”

“So what did he say!?” I urge her to go on.

“Well. Apparently his brother, that's the speaker who led the Gathering, forced the hands of their rulers. It looks like they have a little control over the Drazi and are assisting them with technology and ships to steer them slowly to their doom. There are about a thousand brand new Drazi ships which were provided directly by the Zeen. They sent a ship to inform the Drazi of the danger a certain species is posing, including the coordinates of their home system.” Zeil pulls at her lower lip like having forgotten an important part of the message. “I am sure I am forgetting something, but he spoke so fast.”

“And why exactly shouldn't we simply start dismantling Zeen worlds for that?” Gideon growls with an expression I've never seen before, so I hug him tight to keep him from doing something stupid.

Zeil's expression lights up. “Right! He also begged you to destroy no planets, since that would contradict what you want to achieve. Peace. He is really sorry for what his people are doing and he is using all his resources and contacts to get his faction back in control of the situation.
If you are willing to let him be the one to choose the right timing for exposing his government, he is able to ensure his brother's permanent removal from power. Once his brother is removed from his position he can take over and steer this situation to a beneficial outcome for everyone.”

“And how should we stop a thousand warships?” Gabriel gasps. “And what about that brother thing. Can we actually trust him to go against his own brother?”

Zeil makes a dismissive gesture. “Oh, that's no problem. You don't know the Zeen. When their females give birth, they produce up to a hundred almost identical clones. They immediately start fighting each other for superiority until only one of them remains. It's survival of the fittest. By the time they are ten years old only a handful of them survives and when they become adults they continue in their attempts to outplay each other. Preferably in a way which kills the other players.
I wouldn't worry about a loyalty conflict if I were you. They hate each other with passion, it's in their blood.”

I purse my lips. “That's... reassuring?”

76. ~Salvation?~

“
You invent it, therefore you use it.
”

-Unknown

Galactic Centre, Aether
Gideon

“Two thousand metres long, twenty anti matter cores, a hundred laser cannons and layered shielding, latest generation warp drives and self repair functions due to organic components!” I drop the printed file onto my office table and throw up my hands. “Yes! Why not! Give the barbarians a nuke and watch them use it! The Zeen are mad!”

“It's not that bad. Even with the new drive, they are still months away from getting anywhere near Sol.” Isciat, our fleet commander, points out. He, Gabriel, Paul, Cyla and I immediately went back to Aether after getting the information about the new ships from Zeil.

“That doesn't change the fact that those new ships are trouble! We thought that we have to face the first wave in a few years at the earliest. Now we have only months left! Are you sure that we shouldn't blow up a Zeen world? Preferably one with a lot of civilians? Just to ensure that the message got across!” I glance down at the file in front of me.

“No!” All of the people who are present reply at once.

I try to negotiate, reigning in my instinct. “A moon? One of their space stations!?”

Paul shakes his head. “Ayo was right when he judged that that's the last thing we want to do. Try to concentrate on a solution to our problem. Even with our shipyards running at full capacity since our departure, we have only about four hundred real warships back at Sol. With the fleet which is accompanying Aether we get up to five hundred ships. Then we can call upon fifty weapon platforms.” He tilts his head. “I want to think that our ships are able to go one on one against theirs, but that's probably too much to hope. Those things are huge. Their new ships are more comparable to our weapon platforms than our ships.”

I turn to face Paul who is leaning against a wall. “Then how many platforms can we rig together if all our shipyards switch to warship production?”

He winces. “I am sorry. A hundred, maybe two hundred platforms if we convert some of the civil freighters. It's my fault. If we hadn't invested so much in building more shipyards, we could have had a fleet which is able to beat them.”

Isciat shakes his head. “It's not your fault. You may be in charge of the building projects, but it was fleet command and the elders who told you what to build. We all thought that there is more than enough time and that ensuring a viable industrial base is more important.”
He turns to us. “We've already found out that our disruptor technology has a nasty interaction with their warp drive. Can't we send out our ships to intercept them one by one? They could knock them out of warp and engage with superior numbers.”

I roll my eyes and shake my head. “As much as I like the idea, the Drazi aren't complete morons.” Tapping onto the documents I continue. “Those ships have enough power to dig their way through void space and skip solar systems. The Drazi won't stop at every system like they had to until now. I even suspect that they will split up to rendezvous somewhere close to Sol. It's natural to move your forces in single units until they are at the place of deployment. The best protection for a fleet of ships is the vastness of space.”

Cyla nods. “They will most likely try to avoid the established warp routes to make full use of their new drives. Maybe we'll manage to intercept some of their ships, but if they split up to meet at Sol... most of their ships will get through. Our sensor platforms cover the stars around our home, but not the emptiness between them. Maybe we can catch a few of them when they are refuelling, but if Ayo's data about the new drives is true, then they can refuel outside of our reconnaissance network and make their way to Sol without having to stop. The earliest we will see from them is when they are already approaching Sol.”

I scratch my earlobe and drop my hand to my armrest. “We should get Aether back to Sol in any case. And maybe make plans to relocate our society to another Solar system.”

Gabriel's eyes widen. “And what about Earth?”

I shrug my shoulders. What about it? Earth can't move. “Sometimes you have to leave old stuff behind when you have to run fast.”
“There are people on Earth! A lot of them!” Cyla calls out. “Not to speak about the people who would have to stay behind on the colonies!”

“Aren't all immobile colonies required to have enough ships to evacuate their citizens?” I ask a little astounded. I am sure that I heard something about that during my time at school.

Cyla's expression turns belittling and she looks down on me from her position at the corner of my office table. “You don't seriously think that we could pull off such an evacuation within a few months? There would be people who simply don't want to give up their homes. And even if all those evacuation ships are actually space-worthy, which I don't believe, they were never intended for a flight to another solar system. They aren't much more than shuttles which can lift people out of a planet's gravity well to have them transported by bigger ships.”
She spreads her hands. “The law only states that a colony has to be able to evacuate its citizens. It doesn't say that they have to survive in those ships for an extended amount of time. Mars alone has a few million people. There is no way to split them up to the mobile colonies.”

I purse my lips in thought. Cyla seems quite knowledgeable in that regard. But then again she is from Mars. If she says that those evacuation ships aren't much more than shuttles then I have to believe her.

Cyla continues. “I doubt that anyone ever thought about evacuating all colonies at once. It would have required more ships than we ever had. That's simply not feasible. I don't doubt that we could evacuate enough people to start anew, but it would require to leave a lot of souls to their doom.”

“I guess then we have to find another solution.” There may be something which we haven't thought about, yet. Aw, fuck it! I may as well spent a few months inside my VR to think of a solution. I activate my ability and retreat into my mind, getting to work.

...

I return from my self imposed exile to see Paul nod and say, “We still have a few months and Aether will return to Sol soon. It's not like we immediately have to come up with an answer.”

I ignore him and reach for Cyla's hand, pulling her closer. Then I brush her hand against my cheek and sigh. “It's so good to see you again, Dear. You have no idea how I longed for you.”

Cyla raises an inquisitive eyebrow. “Did you just use your VR?”
“Yes.” I stroke her hand. “Paul, how many teleportation nodes can you build if we size them down to a few anti-matter cores? They don't have to transport that much volume. A hundred cubic metres and a reach of three hundred light years are more than enough. I've done the calculations already. The explosions should be big enough to cover a decent amount of space.”

“What!? How long did you spend in isolation?” Cyla grabs my collar and shakes me.
Paul blinks. “Why? A hundred? I think we would need at least as much cores as we require for a weapon platform. The cores are the limiting problem, so for every node we would have to give up a platform.”

It's cute that Cyla is that concerned about my well being, but having my world threatened by a bunch of rodents is something I can't tolerate. “Don't worry, Cyla. I've invested only a few weeks to get the math done. If Paul's factories start right away we should have a decent amount of mines to solve the issue.”

Isciat raises his voice. “Teleportation nodes as mines? How would that work?”

I smile and face my audience. “Well, once we have a smaller version of the teleportation nodes we can use the big ones to teleport the small ones to deploy them where we want. We could even equip them with stealth tech to stop anyone from spotting them as soon as we teleport a node close to the enemy fleet.”

Isciat's expression turns troubled. “But that would require a lot of accuracy. Teleportation without a relay point is really troublesome. And what do we get from teleporting a node close to the enemy?”

I raise a finger. “Ah! That's why I had to do a little Math and thinking. Sol is covered with our quantum computers and the mainframe is there to assist us. We can use the network to triangulate the correct position. Once the miniature teleportation node is deployed it will teleport a little mass from Calvera directly to it.”

“Calvera?” Gabriel asks.

“Calvera is just about three hundred light years away and the closest known neutron star.” I take a breath. “The gravity of the teleported amount of mass won't be enough to keep the matter compressed to neutrons. It will rapidly expand and blast apart in an explosion of pure radiation, erasing everything that's too close. It's like a miniature supernova! Much better than a puny nuke.”

Clearing my throat I close my eyes and nod slowly. “We will be able to control the size of the exterminated volume of space by limiting the amount of teleported neutrino mass. Though I would recommend to make a few tests before we deploy that weapon. We don't want to radiate our home system with lethal dosages of radiation, do we?”

Then I open my eyes again. “Why are you guys looking at me like I am mad? You all look at me like I just came up with a doomsday device. I just invented our salvation! Praise me!”

All the people around me wear strange expressions and even Cyla has a really forced smile on her face. The corner of her right eye is twitching like mad.

“Even you don't think it's a good idea?” I sadly drop my head.

And I thought my solution is the perfect answer to the rodent infection. If you have to deal with vermin, you have to find an appropriate poison.

77. ~A Trade.~

“
Apparently Sadina betrayed the Revelation Wing. We have to cover our tracks and get our cell's members into hiding. There is a high risk that she not only stole our funds, but escaped with enough evidence to uncover our entire operation.
”

-Unknown

En route to Sol, Aether
Exo

What is it with this child? I've read everything there is to know about young techno-mages. I've even downloaded the latest psychological research notes by the most renown entities on the field of study. But Aurelia is much too far ahead of what a child of her age should be able to do. She has yet to reach her first birthday and still...

Her eyes are much too calculating when they follow me while I am floating above her crib. It is like she is trying to make up her mind on what to think of me, putting me into a known category. Then again she is that guy's daughter. I shouldn't forget that fact, it is everything which counts.

“Ball.”

Did she just label me as a ball!? “I am not a ball. I am a sprite and my name is Exo. I am a sentient entity just like your Mom and your Dad.”

“Not Mom.”

“That's right. I am Exo, a sprite and your tutor.” I answer, keeping my cool. I have to put things right early on. There is no way I can let her become one of those extremists who think that inorganic beings have no rights.

“Not Dad!”

“Yes. I am Exo, your babysitter. I am a sentient being with feelings and a free will of my own.” Children! I've to stop her from trying to reason this out with logic. She is far from having all the necessary facts.

“Round.”

“My body is round. You are right in that regard.” I wish our communication wouldn't be so hindered by her vocabulary.

“Ball. Play?”

“Just because my body is shaped like a sphere it doesn't mean that I am a ball.” I answer, feeling despair welling up inside me. I am not good with children. What should I do?

“Ball! Play!”

She reaches out for me and I float a bit higher, just to make sure that I am out of reach. This situation is going downhill rapidly. I've to find that damned grandmother and ask for help. Maybe I should buy a human-shaped avatar to deal with Aurelia? I should have considered that from the start. With this body all I can do is manipulating the electromagnetic field a little. Then again I was just hired as a tutor, not to change her diaper!

Those parents are to blame! I am an examination sprite through and through. Not a nursery! “Aurelia, why don't we watch an educational channel together. I've downloaded something that fits your current state of development perfectly.” I project the famous show 'Magical world!' in front of me.

But before I can start the playback a sudden zap of energy shoots out from Aurelia's chubby fingers and my gravity manipulators are fried. A few sparks fly and I drop down onto the crib, right next to Aurelia!
“What happened!? Did you just use magic!?” I try to re-engage the gravity manipulators, but it doesn't help! I am grounded!

A chubby hand is placed on the vision lens through which I get an image of my surroundings. “Aurelia!? What are you doing!?” A few sucking sounds make me even more wary of the situation. What is this child doing? “Help! Melan!? Rhiannon!? Anyone at home!?”
Then I am turned and see a cheek, then lips and a tongue connecting to my vision lens! She is using me as a baby-soother! No! What humiliation! “Aurelia, stop this at once!” At least my case is waterproof.

The lips disconnect and the next thing I notice is that I am banged against the prison bars of Aurelia's crib.

Is she trying to break out to explore the room?

Or is she trying to break me open to have a look inside?

There is no way a baby would manage that!

But she just used instinctive magic to zap my gravity manipulators. Who says that with a little childish anger she won't manage reinforce her body's capabilities?

“HEEEEELP!”

En route to Sol, Aether
Cyla

“I am so proud, Gideon. Our daughter is a genius!” I cradle Aurelia in my arms and press my cheek against her face. Just a few minutes ago we returned from our meeting and found Exo in an awkward predicament.
“Yeah, Exo? You are fine?” Gideon holds up Exo's body and studies the damage with interest.

“No!” The sprite starts complaining. “I was attacked with magic! Then she drooled all over me and used me as a baby-soother!”
“You are a little slimy.” Gideon admits grudgingly.
“And if that isn't bad enough, she tried to break me open!” The sprite is screaming now.

“Don't overreact. There are just a few scratches. They can't even be called dents.” My husband tries to play down the situation.
“S...s...S... Scratches!? What do you think I paid for this silver casing of mine!?” I worked an entire year to afford this body!
Gideon snorts. “You worked for an entire year to get a cheap silver casing? What did they pay you in your previous job? Maybe I should consider lowering your payment.”

I walk over and place a hand on Gideon's shoulder. “Don't worry, Exo. We will pay for repairing your body. We will even equip you with military hardware to stop such incidents from occurring again.”
Gideon turns his head to look at me and we make eye-contact. I don't look away until I am sure that my message got across. After a few moments he shrugs and returns his attention to Exo. “Fine. We'll get you up to standards so that you can do your job. It would be a waste of money to pay that much cash to a baby-soother.”

“R- Really!?” Exo answers with a little hope in his voice.

Gideon stands up. “Yes, but first we have to get you cleaned up. My IMs will most likely refuse to work on a slimy thing like you. They don't have a mind of their own, but I set some working conditions to ensure the quality of the product.”
“Ah, ok.” Exo is silent for a few moments until Gideon starts moving towards the kitchen. “Wait. Where are you going?”
“The dishwasher. Obviously. How else did you think I can clean you up? I certainly won't bathe you in lukewarm water and rub you off with a toothbrush and velvet towels. You are waterproof, aren't you?” Gideon answers with a bored voice and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

I smile and look down on Aurelia who is grinning at me. “Don't worry. Daddy will get Exo up to shape. He will be an excellent tutor for you and your brother.” I reach down and pat my belly which is slowly turning round again.
Then a new thought strikes me. “What do we do if your brother is similarly talented?” The two of them will be hard to control!

En route to Sol, Aether
Gideon

I lie down on my bed and sigh, thinking about today's events. First our visit to Gathering-Station, then Zeil's message of doom and the hasty meeting to decide on our next steps. We also had to file a proper report for the elders to inform them of the new situation and to propose our solution.
No. This day wasn't easy on me. In an attempt to calm my headaches I reach for my forehead and massage it. Using my VR to its limits is quite straining, but I had to be sure that my calculations weren't wrong before I made the proposal.

Cyla enters the room. She wears a black nightgown and drops herself onto the bed. She must be at least as spent as I am. I roll over and entangle her in my arms, letting out a deep sigh.
She snuggles closer and traps my arms in hers. “You know that this way of sleeping is very constricting?”

I shrug and place my chin on her shoulder. “I can sleep just fine when I have my woman that close to me. In fact I can't imagine sleeping anyway else.”
“You just want to feel me up.” She purrs.
“That's a very distinct possibility.” I admit and boldly cup her chest in my hands, grumbling with pleasure and enjoying the sensation. If this stupid universe wouldn't interfere I would never leave the bed and chain her up. Just a little to ensure that she can't leave without me.

I am having thoughts of playing with her nipples, but before I get to do anything else to her we get an anonymous call from outside the mansion. I groan. “By the nine frozen hells! That's the last person I want to talk to right now.”
Even Cyla's voice turns cold. “Your mother?”
“Who else? Do we know that many people who hide their identity when calling us?” I ask.

Cyla purses her lips and pulls the blanket closer to cover herself. “At least I do not!”
I snort and answer the call. “Yes?”

Sadina's avatar flickers into existence and she immediately starts squirming. “That cold voice! It has to be my son. Don't tell me that I interrupted something fruitful?” Her eyes wander to Cyla and she winks at her. “How are my granddaughter and my grandson doing?”
Cyla turns red with anger. “How do you know!? I've told nobody except for immediate family!”

“Ah, but you see. The doctor knows and the servers of the hospital aren't as secure as one might think.” She smiles. “At least not against someone of my calibre!”

I close my eyes and rub the bridge of my nose. The headaches are turning really strong right now. “Sadina, what do you want? I can tell that something out of the ordinary is going on. Normally you only call people when they are alone. What you are doing right now is a breach of your normal routine.”

Sadina's avatar places a hand on her cheek and her arm wander below her rack to push it up. “My son knows me so well. It almost feels like we are a real family.” Then she claps her hands together. “But by judging the look on your face that's a role I'll never be allowed to play.”

“Returning back to business.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a green vial. “I want to trade!” She dangles it between two fingers and almost drops it, but in the last second she catches it with the other hand. “That was close.”
Cyla crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Do you care to explain? We can't read your mind if you are hiding behind your avatar!”

Sadina blinks and looks genuinely puzzled. “Yes, of course. Isn't that the point?” Then she continues as if there is no problem. “You see, I got that genetic research from back then when you attacked the Resch facility and combined it with my own. It was so fascinating! Learning the mystery behind our creation.” Her expression turns sad. “But I kind of hit a wall in my research in unlocking the powers of magic. A dead end. I need a sample from the evolved specimen.” She smiles and gestures at us. “I need your sperm and Cyla's eggs. And preferably also a few samples from your children.”

“What!?” Cyla starts screaming. “Are you mad, Woman! There is no way that I let you play around with my children!”

“But nobody gets hurt?” Sadina starts gesturing. “You see, what you two have been through can't be easily reproduced. Gideon evolved much earlier than I anticipated and the blood ritual caused an unforeseen evolution. Normally I didn't expect him to blossom like that, but he thrives! And just look at your daughter, such a promising child. Cyla's genetics seem to be a perfect match for him. I don't want to try other genetic codes. It would alter the conditions too much.”

I raise my hand. “Sadina, there is no way that I would allow this madness to continue. Can't you see that you are living inside a delusion? I've said nothing so far because you were just an annoyance, but you have to come clean with yourself and with Ed. He still has hope for you. Whatever went wrong inside that brilliant brain of yours, you have to stop it.”

Sadina makes a dismissive gesture. “Pff! Ed. That's such an old story by now. I left that behind a long time ago. And who says that I can't get the samples by other means?”
I feel Cyla stiffen at my side and glare at Sadina.
“Oh, come on. I am offering you the solution to all your problems.” She dangles the green vial in front of her.

“You still failed to inform us of what that is.” Cyla growls.

Sadina starts nodding. “Yes, how stupid of me. Sometimes I am really scatterbrained. This is something I cooked up by using the new insights I gained from the alien DNA-research. It was also hard to get my hands on some Drazi-DNA samples, but you brought more than enough corpses from that captured ship.”

She holds up the vial like the holy grail. “This is a very potent virus. I hand-crafted it to match the Drazi biology perfectly. Once released, it will deal with the problem.”
I squint my eyes. “And the results?”
Sadina shrugs. “Nothing special. I chose to alter the common Drazi version of the cold. Then I combined the properties of Aids with Ebola and gave it airborne properties. The virus runs through two stages during its lifetime. During stage one the virus acts much like Aids and exists within the hosts immune system without doing too much harm. Once the Drazi are exposed to excessive amounts of female pheromones, like on a planet, the virus enters stage two and becomes more aggressive. The immune system gets wiped out and the organs are attacked until the host dies.”

“It's a very elegant solution. The ship-crews are left alive to spread the virus. They slowly wither away like a normal aids patient. Planetary populations are wiped out within days after the virus had enough time to spread and enters stage two.
Putting ships under quarantine won't work because the virus doesn't enter stage two on a ship. How the virus spreads will be a complete mystery to them until they can identify the pathogen. And by then it will be most likely too late.”

“You are insane! What if the virus backfires!?” Cyla calls out. “And what if the other species find out? Biological warfare is the one thing all sentient life agreed on banning! They will be all over us!”

“Pfff!” Sadina snorts and shakes her head. “How should they know unless you tell them? The Galaxy is a dangerous place. One always has to be careful of dangerous germs. Every species knows that and performs painfully careful tests on the biological environment of other species. The Drazi on the other hand are settling every world they can find as they please. They don't care if it is wild and unexplored. It is just a question of time until they will encounter something really nasty. There will be no way to prove that it was us. All we have to do is to deploy the virus on one of their frontier worlds with one of our teleportation nodes. It'll be untraceable.”

“What proof do you have that it won't turn on us? And you don't even know what we came up with. A strictly mechanical solution feels much safer to me.” Cyla asks.

Sadina rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Oh, please. Mechanical solutions! Did you devise a strategy to nuke entire star systems? Humans are fighting mice and rats with traps and poison since the dawn of civilisation. It doesn't look like we are anywhere near winning.
Are you planning on destroying hundreds of life bearing worlds to get rid of the Drazi? My solution is much simpler and less messy.”

Cyla closes her mouth. Apparently she didn't think about what it means to wipe out the Drazi. We certainly can't get them off the occupied worlds and nobody has enough troops to clean those worlds by hand. When Cyla wants to speak again I raise my hand and grab her arm, opening my mind to hold her back.

“Where do you want to meet us?” I ask Sadina. Even if I don't give my mother what she wants, we have to accept. This is a unique chance to catch her. Cyla has to realize that. There is no other possible choice than to accept the offer. The only thing that stands to discussion is whether or not we are willing to betray her or if we take the deal.

“Marvellous!” Sadina pockets the vial. “We will meet once Aether is back in Sol, three days from now at seven. The handover will be at the old teleportation station close to central city square. Further instructions will follow once you are there. Don't be late.”

78. ~Shell Game.~

“
A sunray in the darkness will never be seen if there is nothing it has to shine upon.
”

-Unknown

En route to Sol, Aether
Gideon

“We have to catch her!” Ed paces up and down inside my office. “This is a unique chance which may never present itself again!” He looks up. “You are sure that nobody else knows about this?” I nod, but Cyla starts complaining. “I don't understand why you want to keep this under such tight security? Surely it would be best to swarm the entire area with your agents? Sadina will surely pull out some kind of underhanded trick!”

“We can't trust my bureau. I have no evidence, but somehow she continuously manages to evade us. She must have at least some kind of access to the law enforcement. Maybe it's our servers or a hacked sprite, or a blackmailed faceless. There is no other way to explain that she evaded us so long.” Ed grumbles. “I can gather seven, maybe eight agents whom I trust completely to do this off the record. This chance is too valuable to give it away.”

I rub my eyes and try to think. “Okay. You say that she will be warned if we activate too many of the faceless. I get that much. Are there any other resources which we could use? Surely we can count on my immediate family? That would bring in six more people, including me.”

“Seven!” Cyla corrects me.

I turn to face her, then my eyes wander to her belly. Her current state didn't reach the point at which her movements are hindered, but her second pregnancy is visible nonetheless. “I am sorry, Dear. You can't join us on this adventure. You are-”

“I can and I will!” She crosses her arms in front of her chest and stomps the ground. “Try to stop me and we are sure to have our first domestic quarrel! That woman is nuts and she threatened my children. I'll see to it that she is put into a small room with rubber furniture and foam for walls!”

“But-”

She interrupts me. “There is no 'But'! We will catch her. Together.”

Ed raises a hand. “Cyla, maybe you should really stand down in this. Sadina is a dangerous and unpredictable person. It pains me to say so. She is dangerous. She needs help, but until we can give her that help we have to treat her like a real danger to our lives.”

Cyla glares at Ed, but says nothing. Apparently his earnest tone took the wind out of her sails. She grinds her teeth and after a few seconds of silent staring she nods.

Ed turns towards me. “But Cyla is right in one aspect. Sadina will most likely try to trick us. I want to believe that the genetic samples are her true aim, but we have to take everything into account and we have only a little more than two days left. We have to cover all angles, so how would you make the exchange if you were Sadina?”

I snort and call up a map of Aether on my office table's display. “If I were her, I would avoid direct body contact altogether. She wants us near the old teleportation station. Most likely she will require me to place the samples somewhere and make the exchange via teleportation.”

Cyla shakes her head. “The whole of Aether is warded with sensors to stop people from teleporting around as they please. If she uses teleportation we will instantly know where she is. She doesn't have a warrant of attorney like government officials.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I have a warrant of attorney for teleporting around as I please?”

Ed slaps a hand to his own forehead and Cyla puffs out her cheeks. “Of course you have. You do it all the time! Why do you think it is that nobody arrested you yet?”
I shrug. “Luck?” I wasn't really thinking about it. But then again the few instances where I actually teleported without using the official teleportation chambers were emergencies.

Ed raises his hands in a calming gesture. “Sadina is on Aether. We know that. All we have to do is to stay in a state of lock-down as soon as we arrive in Sol. I can arrange that. We have to lure her out of her hiding place. Then we have to outsmart and catch her.”

That's pretty obvious. But how can we do that if we don't have the required manpower? “And how do you intend to achieve that? I understand that knowing a trap is the first step to avoid it, but Sadina is playing her own game right now. We are just invited guests who don't know the rules.”

He looks up squints his eyes at us. “By the only means possible. We have to hide our plan inside other plans. And we need someone who is able to best Sadina's hacking skills.”

I nod. “I might be able to do that if I get full access to Aether. But that requires additional authorities by the law reinforcement.”

“Think of it as done.” Ed answers.

Sol, Aether
Melan

“Gideon, are you sure that you want to go alone?” I ask with a little insecurity in my voice. “As much as I wish it were different, Sadina isn't a part of the family any more. She is dangerous and jumping at this chance seems foolish.” I turn my gaze downwards to avoid his eyes, then I scan the crowd around us. We are close to Aether's central square and it is about time to get new instructions from Sadina.

There is no way to know what she planned for us, so all we can do for now is to go along and hope that some of our safety measures work. At least I hope that we have all angles covered. From teleportation, to a private shuttle, to an escape through the sewers. Unless Sadina managed to hack an inter-system teleport station I have no clue how she intends on getting off of Aether.

Gideon draws in a deep breath. “Look. Sadina is practically a ghost. Nobody knows how she gets around, how she hides her tracks inside the network. She is non-existent.”
He crosses his arms in front of his chest. “I've been waiting for fifteen years to get my hands on her and this is a chance. Maybe the only chance. She is definitely getting bolder and it could prove to be her undoing. If we let it pass, we might have to wait another twenty years. Just make sure to trail me out of sight. If Sadina smells that anything is wrong she might not show up. You are the only one on Aether who controls that hiding spell as well as she can.”

The muscles of his jaw start working. “I've to be the one who is responsible for the handover, so I can't be the backup.” He points at me. “That means only you can do the job.”

I sigh and cast my cloaking spell to hide myself. “If you wish. I'll make sure to cover possible escape routes. I want to catch her as much as you do, maybe even more. Though I find it particularly hard to fathom why she would instigate this. So much time without even a hint of her whereabouts and then we catch her because she got cocky? It's too good to be true.”

Sol, Aether
Gideon

After watching Grandmother disappear inside her cloaking field I start walking down the street towards central square. I just hope that this doesn't turn out to become some glorious fuck up! Our greatest problem is figuring out what's going through Sadina's mind. Up until now her actions were always reasonable. At least in a twisted kind of way.

Her goal is proving that techno-mages aren't weak. For that reason she created me. So it stands to assumption that she isn't an extraordinary fighter. She may be good, but not outstanding.
So why has her attention shifted from aiding me, to furthering her genetic research? Or is it something different altogether? Maybe she really just wants to check on my current state since I underwent some unforeseen circumstances?

But why doing it this way, instead of stealing the genetic material somehow? I am sure that she could find some hair or skin samples anywhere I have been. Closing my eyes, I ponder over the situation.
Her claim that getting the samples directly from reproductive cells is necessary somehow doesn't connect with my understanding of genetics. Does it really matter which cells she uses in her experiments?

I enter the central square and as if on cue I get a call. “Yes?”
“Turn right and walk to the public trash-bin.” Sadina's voice answers me in a casual manner.
I do as I am told, scanning the crowd with my eyes. Surely she hacked a public security camera to notice my arrival. A quick mental command to the network starts a search and I get a list of camera devices in the area. Another instruction activates one of my previously manufactured tracing programs.
I arrive at the trash-bin and take a look inside. Empty. No Sadina. Would have been too funny if she had waited in there. It is one of the big ones, certainly big enough to house a human being.

“I am there.” I answer a little bored.
“Good. Drop the samples into the trash-bin.” Her voice sounds eager and I hear a scraping sound over the connection.
I gnaw on my lower lip, thinking. The tracer needs more time. Will she teleport the samples out of the trash-bin? I thought that's not possible. “And then?”

Again the scraping sound. “Then I'll tell you where the virus is.”
“Sure.” I answer, but don't make any attempt at giving up my cargo.
She sighs. “You don't believe me?”
Isn't it obvious? “No. I want the virus first.”

“Then you won't give me the samples?” She answers and I hear the scraping sound once more. Is she crawling through some kind of shaft or tunnel? Or is she submitting the sound on purpose to trick me. Techno-mages use mental communication. At least I don't have the need to transmit irritating background noises to my interlocutor.

“I don't think that it is my truthfulness which stands to be judged.” I pull out the box with the vials. It doesn't exactly contain mine and Cyla's genetic materials. There is no reason at all to take the risk of Sadina getting her hands on those. The farce will be over soon after the exchange is made.

“I don't think that mine does either. Have I ever lied to you?” Sadina answers with a superior tone.
I squint my eyes at the trash-bin and think hard. “No. But you haven't told the complete truth either. This isn't a game, Sadina.”
“Didn't we agree that you'd call me mother?” Again that scraping sound. “You get the virus, I get the samples.”

I drop the box into the trash-bin and concentrate. As soon as she teleports it away I have to follow. Ed gave me access to the sensors which prevent improper use of teleportation. Just let's hope that she didn't manage to block them despite all my efforts.

Suddenly the trash-bin's bottom slides open and reveals a long, dark and narrow shaft. It gulps down the box.
I curse and immediately kick the trash-bin, uncovering an opened vent to the lower levels! We thought about sewers and other possibilities where a humans could hide themselves, but not about the lower levels of the colony. Down there are just automated machines, nothing else.
She destroyed the grid which protected the vent and pulled the modified trash-bin over it! I open a connection to the whole team. “Sadina is on the lower levels! Most likely the farming areas!”

“That can't be! I and two of my men spotted her two streets from central square just now! We are pursuing.” Ed's baffled voice answers me.
“I also ran into her! Right this moment! I am following!” Hedeon's voice sounds over the public connection.

I furrow my forehead and look around, surveying the surrounding crowd. How is this possible? Are there multiple Sadinas? Suddenly a woman bursts out of the crowd of people and tackles me. I feel a sting in the back of my right arm and reach for it. My fingertips come up blood stained. The bitch knifed me!
I follow the running figure who takes a short look back at me. It's a face I know very well. Sadina's avatar! “Melan! It's her!”
A man a few metres to my left stumbles and other people are shoved aside as an invisible figure forces her way through the crowd.

That's when the alarm inside the modified box is triggered. I stop dead in my tracks and call up a map of Aether to follow the shaft to its end. Then I teleport, reappearing inside a warehouse.
Another version of Sadina has the box in her hands and is about to close a cover for the ventilation shaft. I blink, trying to make sense of the situation. Am I affected by a confusion spell?

Impostors? No. Clones?

Sadina number three tries to make a run for it, the small box in her hands. Enough of this! I grit my teeth and raise a hand to fire a spell at her. The conjured ball-lightning flickers and bridges the distance between me and her in an instant.

A scream escapes the woman's lips as one of her legs evaporates in a red cloud of blood.

Sol, Aether
Sadina

I wince as I lose one of my facsimiles. Nice, little Gideon pulled off the gloves. To simply blast his own mother with a lethal spell. So sad. That leaves me down to seven copies as distraction.
Now where was I? Yes, right. I needed samples. Putting my hand on the mansion's door I force it open while suppressing the signal which would have caused an alarm.

According to the mansion's sensors there are two entities present. Aurelia and the sprite who is baby-sitting her. The others are all outside to hunt me, which leaves this place widely unguarded. Probably Gideon thought that his new security measures made this place safe. But he forgot that I lived here for a long time myself. During my youth I added dozens of additional gadgets and wireless connection points to this house.

I stroll through the entrance hall, monitoring the hunt of my facsimiles. “Gideon, is it fun to pursue ghosts?”
“Not as funny as you think. How many clones of yourself did you create?” He grumbles. “You know that we will catch all of them?”
“Oh, please. Just one is enough to get away with a sample. And it's wrong to call them clones. A real clone has a mind of its own. That's not the case with the tools you are hunting right now. I call them facsimiles. They are really just extensions of myself, controlled by my mind. Nothing more. They don't even have a functioning brain.”

The staircase to Gideon's floor is just as I remember. Mother never changes the house. She said that she wants something which the family can come back to. I sigh and try to shake off the memories. That's not what I am here for. That life is in the past.
I enter the corridor to the living room where the sensor's reported the sprite and Aurelia. It takes just a few steps and I am there. Another command locks down any communication inside the house. I don't want the sprite to call for reinforcements.

Inside the living room I find the sprite hovering above Aurelia's cradle. It immediately turns to focus me with its eye-lense. “What are you doing here? You have no permission to be on this property.”
I raise an eyebrow and lift a hand to zap the hovering sphere while walking forward. My little energy bolt is reflected and chars the left wall without affecting the sprite.
“A violent attack! I have to remove you by force!” The sprite flips two spikes out of its body and green energy lances towards me.
I draw a sharp breath and barely evade the attack! Gideon equipped his babysitter with disruptor beams! That's illegal!

The weapon slices into the wall behind me and I dance closer, turning around my own axis and swatting the sprite out of the air. It is smashed against a wall and falls to the ground, lights flickering out. Only then I realise how close I came to being cut in two. If I had been just a little bit farther away I would not have been able to reach the sprite in time. That wasn't within my calculations. I expected some form of enhancement, but not illegal weaponry.

My attention returns to Aurelia who is sleeping in her cradle. She is sleeping so deeply that she didn't awaken. I bend down and pick her up. “So I finally get to meet you in person, Granddaughter. You are a good sleeper.” Her drooling face touches something inside me and I pinch her cheek, smiling. “You are so cute! I am tempted to take the whole of you with me. A bigger sample allows for more tests!”

I start fumbling for the syringe inside my jacket when a small disturbance in the air around me catches my attention. Then I realize that I am suddenly surrounded by dozens small gravity distortions. The room is filled with them!

A step backwards saves me from being crumbled into a neat little brick like Aurelia's cradle.

“~Hi.~”

Sol, Aether
Cyla

The woman turns around and I hit her point blank in the face, not holding back and putting all my weight behind it. Something gives way. Maybe I broke some of her teeth, but the nose is most certainly broken.
She falls backwards like a felled tree and I hurry to catch Aurelia. My daughter doesn't even wake up.

I put her down on the ground and rearrange my grip on the brass knuckles in my hand. Then I take it out on Sadina, making sure that not a single bone remains unbroken! She may be out cold right now, but she will feel everything once she wakes up! “Nobody takes my baby! I'll make sure that nobody heals you before you wake up! I'll savour your screams!”

My arm starts tiring after a few punches and I switch hands. That cloaking spell which Gideon taught me worked really well. Sadina didn't notice my presence at all. Luckily I decided to stay at home. If everyone else is outside to hunt that vixen, nobody can take care of Aurelia. It was too much of a bait and hiding my presence added to the scenario.

While Gideon was always occupied by his job as a governor I managed my little company from home. I had a lot of free time due to my pregnancy and then taking care of my daughter. Since I am a techno-mage I was bound to find the mansion's hidden network devices sooner or later. The important hint came from Gideon since there was always a little discrepancy in the mansion's energy consumptions and the energy which should be needed by the running devices.

Gideon never cared much for the mansion's network since he spent a lot of time at school and after his graduation he went on his trip to fulfil his dreams. So I guess this place wasn't of much interest since he invested a lot of time in designing the Coeus. Ah, that ship. We have to go on a little cruise when we have time. It's still in one of Aether's hangars.

My other arm starts tiring and I switch sides again, ignoring the broken nail. Maybe I am overdoing it?
Then I remember that she touched Aurelia and said something about taking her. So I start working with renewed vigour.

I am about to switch hands again when someone catches my hand and I look up to find Gideon above me. Behind him in the entrance to the living room are Melan and Ed, followed by the faces of other family members. They all look a little pale.
My attention returns to the living room which got a little crumbled and messed up by my ability. Keeping it in check is hard when my feelings are soaring high, so I sometimes lose control.

I look down the pale woman to my feet. Aside from the treatment I gave her she looks skinny and certainly more than a little undernourished. Her unkempt hair makes her look more like a wild animal than a human being, but that escaped me during my frenzy.
If she hadn't touched Aurelia she could be seen as a poor, brutalized victim. At least her swollen face isn't recognizable by now.

“Sadina!” Melan calls out.
“Is it the real one?” Hedeon asks from behind her.
Ed furrows his brows. “Good question. It's hard to tell with all that blood.”

Damn! I guess a mother can always recognize her children. I decide to put up a brave front and smile at the audience. “Is there a problem?”
I take off the brass knuckles and push them into a pocket, trying to clean my hand on Sadina's clothes. But to be honest, it's hard to find a spot which isn't bloody. Maybe I went too far? Isn't she something like my mother in law?

At least Aurelia didn't wake up.

79. ~Matryoshka doll.~

“
Things are never as they seem.
”

-Unknown

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“What's wrong with her?” I ask, eyeing the woman on the bed. We brought her to the hospital right away. Since Sadina is still unconscious we can't question her. “Can we wake her up?” I want to ask her questions. A lot of questions.
“Actually I don't think that's a good idea.” Ed shakes his head. “The whole hospital is filled with faceless, but I would feel much safer to wake her up after having her inside a high security cell.”

My eyes wander from Ed over my family and to the doctor who is in charge treating Sadina. Melan, Hedeon, Rhiannon. Save for Saden and Galia everyone who has a strong connection to Sadina is here.

Cyla really went a little overboard when she got her hands on my mother. But can I really blame her for that? It is often said that couples who share their minds often and intimately tend to acquire certain traits from their partner. So if I became a little more controlled and social, then it also means that Cyla got a little of my emotional and calculating side?

The doctor nods and corrects his glasses. He is said to be the best one available and takes horrendous sums of money for his attention. Coincidentally he is also the same person who treated me when I was a kid. Does that mean that Melan went to great lengths for me even when she didn't really know me yet?

“I've seen to her physical injuries and I hope that I'll have her awake by tomorrow.” He flips through several sheets of paper.

That's not enough. I gesture at Sadina. “That's not what I meant. Don't you see her body? Why didn't she take proper care of herself?”
Cyla grasps my hand from beside me. “I am sorry. I don't know what came over me. At some point I should have realized her strange state and stopped. It's no excuse.”
I shake my head and open my mind to her. ~That's not your fault. You aren't the one to blame. I just want to understand what's going on.~

~Thanks.~

The doc starts flipping pages again. “I was informed of my patient's extraordinary circumstances. Sadina is a perfect example for a techno-mage who lost her way. She is a driven, maniacal individual. I can totally imagine her neglecting her body for the sake of her goals.”
Melan steps closer to Sadina and balls her hands into fists. “Can we be sure that it really is her?”

Doc nods. “Oh, of that I am very sure. I've taken a very careful look at the old medical records and the cloned bodies which she used to confuse you.” He gestures at Sadina. “It's her. There are some genetic markers which decay with age. It would be very hard to create a body which has them exactly as they should be. This is without doubt Sadina Alvar.”

I squint my eyes at my mother. “I don't believe it. Something is fishy. I was a derailed person too and I am very sure that I know how a maniac sounds like. This body. She is far gone and insane, but she is focused on proving that techno-mages are at least as strong as other mages in all aspects. Wherever she got that idea from. Why did she let herself go like that? It doesn't match her form of insanity. It doesn't fit the picture.” Then I focus on the doctor. “Wake her up. We have to know where the virus is.”

Doc's expression turns sad. “I am sorry. But that's how it is with techno-mages who walk over the edge. There doesn't have to be rationality in all their actions.”

“Wake her up. Now.” I order him this time.

He blinks and steps closer to Sadina, pulling a syringe from his coat. “It will be temporary at best, you don't have much time. The drug which I used to put her to sleep has to degrade naturally.”
The needle wanders inside the flexible tube of Sadina's drip. Then it doesn't take long until her eyes flutter open and she looks around, wincing in pain upon realizing that her body is still battered and bruised.

Ed steps closer. “Where is the virus, Sadina?”
She starts smiling. “Where is the virus? Wasn't it obvious from the start?” A chuckle escapes her lips. “I am honestly surprised that you didn't realize it at all. Was using myself as a distraction that effective?”

I raise an eyebrow. “What have you done?”

“What every good scientist does. I've put my invention to good use. A tool needs to be used. There is no point in having it if you don't use it. While all your attention was directed on hunting me I hacked Aether's long range teleportation chamber and sent one of my facsimiles to the teleportation node through which we entered Sol during the hunt. My facsimile hacked the node and deployed the virus on a Drazi frontier world. Of course the facsimile was programmed to destroy itself after infecting the first Drazi it encountered.”

Melan gasps and covers her mouth. Everyone among the present people has a similar reaction. Except for me. I don't see a problem with exterminating the Drazi. But I see another problem.

A step brings me right next to Sadina. “That's not possible. I programmed the network functions of the nodes. You can't hack them. They are the most secure, man made devices ever to exist!” Then I run through a list of possibilities how Sadina could have gotten unnoticed access to a node. If her story is true. There is only one possibility. And that's having a master pass-code. I reach for Sadina's shoulder. “Whom are you working for!?”

“Nobody...” Her eyes drift closed. “... working … always... alone.”

I shake her, but she is out cold again. The doctor stops me from trying to wake her up, so I turn to him as some of the puzzle's pieces fall into place. “What are the possible reasons for Sadina's state.”

He blinks. “Her mental issues, obviously. I don't understand.”

“What are the possible causes for her mental issues despite the fact that she is a techno-mage?” I ask.
Doc starts scratching his chest. “Brain damage, tumour, though I already checked for that. Her insanity, obviously.”
I lean closer, remembering my mental contact with some of the Drazi. “What if someone pushed her over the edge?”

“You mean... someone manipulated her mind?” Doc's eyes widen and bites his lower lip. “She was involved in illegal activities. Normally I don't treat patients like that. Let me get some devices. If someone nudged her mind around, there have to be at the very least some faint traces.” He leaves the room. I pull a chair closer and sit down, trying to order the facts in my brain.

Ed follows the doctor with his gaze until he vanishes on the corridor. “What are you thinking, Gideon?”
I shake my head. “I am just collecting another piece of the puzzle.” Then I raise the fingers of my left hand one by one.

“First. Sadina may be extraordinary. A genius. But how did she escape the authorities for over two decades? How did she manage to never get onto any records?
Second. Her insanity was always very convenient for a certain group of people.”

Ed wants to say something, but I stop him. “She stopped a broadcast attempt by the Revelation Wing to Earth! I know, the hacking attempt failed, but is that really coherent with her otherwise legendary skills at evading the authorities? She practically crippled the actions of the Revelation Wing by stealing their funds. She 'created' me, telling me where to find the remains of the Revelation Wing.”

“She sets me up as the governor of Aether, though that happened just because of indirect suggestions. She followed us to Gathering-Station, playing secret agent and stealing information for her own. Why? She never before did something that risky. She uses the information to eradicate a danger to our species. Aren't all of her actions up until now very convenient for us? Her only real crime up until now is this so called failed experiment of hers and the way she treats other beings. But can someone really say that she did more evil than good? I don't want to say that she redeemed herself, she is still a bitch. But isn't she doing a lot of strange stuff for a villain?”

The doctor returns with a thin metal net in his hands and places it on Sadina's head. Then he starts manipulating a screen next to her bed and pictures of her brain appear.
I ignore the procedure and return my attention to Ed. “I need to know more about this first experiment and if there were other people involved. Did Sadina work on her own? What about friends, teachers, other researchers. You must have made detailed research and files of everyone in her vicinity.” I scratch my chin. “And the most important question: Is anyone of them an elder or the governor of a colony right now?”

Ed draws in a deep breath and pulls a phone from his pocket. Since he isn't a techno-mage he needs a device to interact with the net. “I have to check my research files. But I hope you aren't suggesting what I think.”
“I am suggesting nothing. I am just proposing a theory. To activate the teleportation nodes you need the access codes. The only ones who should have them are the elders and government officials!”

“She is brainwashed.” The doctor suddenly proclaims and I hurry to get to his side.
“Is that sure? We need proof! Can you tell what exactly was done to her?” I batter him with questions.

“Oh, quite sure.” He takes a pencil from his lab-coat’s pocket and points out some sections of the colourful picture which shows Sadina's brain. “See here and here? Those areas are much too active. This only occurs if someone is under strong mental stress and in inner conflict. A strong indicator that there is indeed something wrong. But I can't say what at this moment. I am not a telepath. I will make sure to contact a good team of specialists. Picking around inside someone's psyche is a very delicate matter. If you just waltz in there and start rummaging around it is very likely to do more harm than good.”

“By the ever dark bloodmagic!” Ed throws his phone to the ground and starts stomping onto it. “It's Sanguin!”
“The techno-mage elder!?” Hedeon joins the conversation for the first time, a tone of disbelief in his voice.

“Yes! He is a head-researcher at the university. His field of research is gravity magic, exactly like Sadina's project. In fact he still works in the same faculty during his free time! They must have known each other. But I don't understand. I see the connection, but he has no motive!” Ed gestures pleadingly at me.

I lick over my lips. “Someone once said to me that Sadina would be an elder right now if she wasn't a crazy bitch.”
Ed halts dead in his tracks. “That was me. How could I be so blind! There can be only one elder of each affinity and if Sadina took the test...”

I nod. “But how to prove the theory?”

“If it's true then he has to ghost her.” Ed grumbles. That earns him a few troubled looks, so he explains further. “Look at her. How much longer would she have lasted? Whatever form of influence he had on her, this was intended as her last mission. Why else would she use herself as a distraction to deploy the virus? The elders as a whole would have never agreed to using a bio-weapon. Sanguin must have hoped that we kill her.”

I turn back to my mother. “I guess we should hurry up and have those specialists take a very deep look into that brain of hers.”

80. ~Shadow of the past.~

“
Most people are prisoners. A cage doesn't need bars of steel. A cage doesn't need to be around you. That's why they don't realise that they are caged. They are prisoners of their imagination. So they need others to tell them what's right and wrong.
”

-Unknown

Sol, Aether, 31 years ago
Sadina

This formula doesn't work, no matter what I do. I pivot my chair to look at the miniature singularity which is hovering in the centre of my laboratory. Four spikes on robotic arms stabilize the singularity from each of the room's corners and provide safety in case of malfunctions. The singularity itself is too small to be visible. All I can see is the effect which is caused by the lensing effect which is caused by the gravitation.
If I were able to get this to work, it would solve all our energy issues. But right now I am still at a point where I need more energy to keep the singularity stable than I can harvest from it.

In theory I should be able to generate radiation by throwing mass into the event horizon of my gravitational anomaly. Calling it a real singularity is wrong, but it's the closest to the real thing without inventing a new designation. The problem lies in making it strong enough to break up the mass while gaining a surplus of energy. Right now the entire process is less than efficient. Nobody would want to deal with the additional effort of generating the complicated spells to create the singularity while having to keep it in check.

I sigh. At least it is stable right now. Either I have to find a way to capture the generated energy better, or I have to make the formation spells even more efficient.

Even if my research doesn't blossom into a new energy source, the miniature gravitational lens might be usable to improve optic sensor arrays. A look at the clock tells me that I am late. I shut down the computer and set the machinery which projects the singularity to automatic stabilization. The spikes which are responsible for the stabilizing effect fold back to their safety positions.

It would be too much of a hassle to shut down the entire singularity each day. I would have to dissipate the energy slowly over a time period of several hours. Otherwise the compressed matter would cause an explosion upon releasing the pressure too fast. I am not working with a lot of mass, just a few micrograms. But that means that the energy inside the spell formation could still cause a sizeable explosion.
I collect my stuff and set out to meet with Eduard. Then I leave the lab and lock the room with my security code.

I am really excited about our meeting because I invested a lot of time in training with my mother. Once Eduard hears about my new skills in regards to shrouding magic he will have no other choice than to admit that techno-mages have their strengths.

His entire reasoning for ending our relationship sounds fishy in the first place. It seems like he wants to push me away because he wants to protect me. I understand that he is aiming for a government position and law enforcement.
Those jobs can get quite dangerous at times. Especially since the Revelation Wing is turning more aggressive recently. But Ed also has to understand that I don't care for the danger and that I am my own person.
Wherever he might end up, I don't care as long as I can be with him.

I exit the building with the university's research labs and head towards the plaza. It is a busy evening and there are a lot of people on the street. I smile at a pair whom I know personally. They aren't quite friends to me, but during classes we shared a table for several months.

That's when a burst of air suddenly tilts my world sideways. I and many other people stumble as the gravity suddenly decides to change and for a brief moment I fall. Not towards the ground, but back towards the building I just exited half a minute ago.
An explosion tears my world apart and I am pushed away as the entire building is torn asunder. With horror I realize that something must have gone wrong. What have I done?

While I tumble end over end through the air I come to the conclusion that the explosion must have been caused by my own research. I was the only one who played with gravity.
As I watch, the pair whom I know is hit by one of the building's fragments and buried beneath it. I want to scream, but my ability only allows me to watch the moment in slow motion. Everything is happening too fast for my body to react. I can't even cast a spell.

In silent resignation I close my eyes and hope for a quick death. It would be easier than what I would have to endure by the authorities after causing the death of so many. Then I hit a wall on the opposite side of the street and the world turns blissfully dark...

...

I open my eyes and scream. Everything hurts! Then I remember and notice that I wasn't knocked out for long. The remains of the research faculty are burning and there are people on the street, trying to help others who scream and mourn like myself. No professional personnel has arrived yet.
Somehow I manage to get to my knees. What have I done? Tears sting my eyes and I find myself stumbling towards a side street, shrouding myself with a spell.

A few streets later the strength leaves my feet and I lean against a wall, sliding to the ground. I cover my face with my hands and realize that I have a big laceration on my forehead. A mad laugh escapes me and I realize that the tears are my own blood running down my face.
After a while I stop and gasp for air. What's wrong with me? Why did I run? Aren't I making everything worse? I didn't think. But I don't have time to explore the reasoning behind my actions.

“Sadina? Are you okay?”

A deep, male voice sounds from directly in front of me and I look up, realizing that I am not alone any more. An elderly mage with white hair is standing in front of me.
I try to get up, but fail. “Sanguin? What are you doing here?”
The elder kneels down and cups my chin in his hand, looking at my wound. “I was looking for you. We have to treat the injury.”

I push his hand away and this time I want to cry for real. Out of shock, out of anguish. “It is my fault. You were right when you said that my research is too dangerous! They are dead!” I try to wipe the tears and the blood out of my face. My head hurts more and more as the adrenaline slowly stops working.

“You made a mistake. That doesn't mean that your life is over.” Sanguin answers.

I chuckle. “Oh, please. I bent the rules and practised dangerous research on campus grounds. There must have been several deaths at the site and even more wounded. They will have my head for this! At the very least they will wipe my memories!” I can't let that happen! “I had so many plans!” I will forget Ed! “My friends! My life!”

“I could help you.” Sanguin places a hand on my shoulder. “If they are condemning you for performing that research, then I also have to take the blame because I knew about it. I didn't warn you off strongly enough. Work for me. If we redeem ourselves, then we might be forgiven. I have a plan.” His voice sounds soothing and reassuring.

My heart tightens in my chest when I think about my meeting with Ed. “How?”
“If you achieve something great they might forgive you. Become my secret agent in taking down the Revelation Wing.” He bites onto his lower lip. “But not as you are now. The current you wouldn't be able to achieve that goal. You are too...” His voice trails off.

I wipe the blood out of my eyes and find my hand shivering uncontrollably. “Say it! I am a wreck! Aren't I?”
“The Revelation Wing has certain selection criteria. I'll have to prepare your mind for you to infiltrate their organisation. Then I'll provide you with an escape route and a way to get into contact with them.” He reaches for my temples. “You have to let your guard down. I promise that I'll work hard in order for you to regain your life. There are people in history who were forgiven worse for great accomplishments.”

“I am confused. Why?” I try to focus, but the headache makes it really hard to think logically.
“Just relax. I'll make the pain go away.” Sanguin lightly touches my head with his cool hands and the pain indeed eases a little.

Then our minds make contact and I feel the tendrils of his mind invading my inner self. It's nothing like the contact I had with Eduard. Eduard was open where Sanguin is keeping me away. Then he suddenly rips at me, shoving around desires and intentions! It feels like I am torn apart while he tries to reforge the being who calls herself Sadina.

I claw at his mind, but he is hiding behind a firm wall of concentration while I in return let my guard completely down. My fight was already lost before it began! I curse my weakness, my pain. How could I have been so stupid because of a few injuries? What is he trying to do?
Sanguin tears out my ambitions and replaces them with a desire to destroy everything which threatens my society, no matter the cost. New knowledge appears inside my head. Access-codes, Names, places.

Then I realize that I am nothing more than a tool to him. One to be discarded once it has outlived its usefulness. I scream and try to shove him away, but his grip on me is too strong.
I lash out with everything I have. All I get is a short reprieve. Hastily I correct the damage he has done.
Remembering the lessons with my mother I cast a fine web of connections over my mind to slow him down. I shrink in on myself to protect the core of my being, hiding inside a self-imposed cage of will. A small safety copy of myself so to speak, a hidden drive. A mirror image inside my mind. I activate all diversion tactics I can think of. This is the worst scenario! Something all telepaths fear!

Then Sanguin's mind returns and resumes his work, editing the other me as he wishes. I still try to fight him, but all I manage is a little nudge here and a small change there. He isn't trying to make me into a slave or a zombie. If he did so, the other me wouldn't be able to act as his unknowing agent. The other me gets changed while all I can do is watching in horror. This is worse than being a slave! I am a split personality who doesn't even know that it is working for someone else.

Despite my horror I try to fight him. I plant a hidden suggestion here, a wish there. Everything from within the safety of my cage, hoping that he doesn't notice my diversion. It is a hope for the future, no more, no less.

He sets a set of instructions which allows him to influence the other me without her knowledge. His perfect agent, not even knowing that she is one.

Halfway during the process I realize that his instructions are far too precise. He must have done it before. Is he the one who caused my singularity to go out of control!? He must have planned it! Why else would he have all those details for my escape readily at hand? And the contacts with the Revelation Wing!

In the end I manage to divert one of his manipulations into a wish which could be the seed for his downfall. A determination to create the strongest techno-mage. The best of them all. One who can only end at the top. To get to the top of the pyramid he will have to push someone else off of it. A bitter smile forms on my lips.

Sanguin finishes his work with a smile. “Another agent of stability.” He gets to his feet and walks away.

I... no. The other me awakes from its paralysis and gets to her knees. I see through my... her eyes, feel through her skin. I try to retake control, but nothing happens. I am caged inside my own mind while the other me which was forged to Sanguin's expectations stands up and walks down the street. She has a plans and a goals, not even knowing that they don't belong to her. They belong to Sanguin and, in a small part, they belong to me. How she will realise those wishes and ambitions is entirely up to her.

A smile steals itself onto her face. She has so much to do, so she walks faster.

I rattle at the bars of the mental cage which is protecting the real me and imprisoning it at the same time. From here on all I can do is watch.

Then I scream.

81. ~Atropos.~

“
It takes just a pebble, but once set in motion it is hard to stop the avalanche.
”

-Unknown

Sol, Aether
Gideon

The recorded memory ends and the woman who brought us the news switches off the screen. She is the leader of the five mind-medics who were called in after our doctor admitted that mental damage is outside his field of expertise. The mind-medic, Raina Frebu, had to us take us through a painfully long explanation of what she is intending to do to Sadina and how. Apparently messing with someone's mind is a very delicate matter and causes a lot of legal issues.

Even so, I didn't expect that several telepaths working together have that much potential. Even recording a memory that old for everyone to watch like a movie. Admittedly. The small things were a little hazy around the edges, like having a very detailed dream.
As I understood it they are working with so many people to ensure that their combined will is stronger than the patient's and to act as a witness for each other.

In the end Sadina's parents, Melan and Hedeon, had to sign twelve papers which mainly protected the mind-medics from legal repercussions for interfering with Sadina's mind. Though all they have done so far is exploring her memories and mental faculties.

“So that's her current state.” Raina concludes. “We've practically two minds of sentient status inside Sadina's body. In addition both minds are native to that very same body with various degrees of fault for certain crimes. To be honest, I am not sure of what to do.
Since you requested absolute secrecy and this is obviously a serious crime, no less committed by one of our elders, I am walking on very thin ice for not making this public right away.”

I rub my temples and think of my own time in isolation. In a certain way Sadina shared the same fate as me, just worse. She had no internet! I can't imagine such an existence. It was hell when Melan cut my internet access when I was a child. The months right after my rescue from Earth were the most boring time of my life. All she could do was watch the actions of her twisted persona.

“What about the caged personality?” Ed asks with serious concern.

The mind-medic scratches her head. “She is quite insane at this point, though if you allow us drastic measures we might be able to restore her to a working state. Thirty years in isolation did her no good. Maybe we can detach the memories which are most stressful from her emotions and turn them to pure data. It's the least invasive measure. As I see it you have three choices.”

She raises a first finger. “We could wipe her completely and try to install a new manufactured version by using the two originals as a base... buuut I see on your faces that you don't like that one.”
A second finger comes up. “We could try to integrate both personalities into each other, which would make their legal status completely unclear. I am against that one since it would be punishing the resulting personality for crimes she didn't really commit.”
A third finger is raised. “We could make a backup of either personality and delete it completely. Then we try to repair the other one.”

I raise both eyebrows. “If mental medical-techniques are that powerful, then why do we go through all the trouble of raising young techno-mages that carefully? Can't we just correct them as we wish?”
Raina looks at me like I am an imbecile. “The personalities of children aren't fully formed. You can't influence what isn't there. We would end up with a lot of very similar personalities without diverseness.”
I raise both hands to signal defeat. I am a hacker. A code-geek! My first attempts at interfering with others' minds ended in their utter obliteration. “Sorry for asking.”

She winces and turns around to take a look at her four colleagues who assisted her in assessing Sadina's condition. Then she turns back to us and looks especially at me. “I think I speak for my whole team if I tell you that we aren't happy about being pulled into this mess. Even if we are just confidants.”

Her four colleagues nod in unison and I frown. Do they have some kind of mind-sharing going on? What happens to you if you work in unison with five people to mess with a person's mind? Isn't that worse than what Cyla and I are sharing if you think about the long term effects?

“We are often dealing with legal issues and hold pride in our discreetness. That comes with the job. But this is several leagues above our heads. Mental manipulation, genetic manipulation, conspiracy within the government, most likely causing the extinction of an entire race, murder and removal of witnesses, death of innocent bystanders. Just one of those crimes can earn a mental death sentence and installation of a new personality.” Her eyes wander to Ed.

Ed clicks with his tongue. “I'll have to speak to my superiors and come clean with them. This is too big, even for me. Are you at least sure that Sanguin doesn't know that we know what's going on?”

She stands straighter. “Don't insult us. We scanned her memories very thoroughly and she isn't some kind of remote controlled robot. Sanguin's influence only went as far as giving small commands over a secure line. He tried very hard to cut any loose ends which could lead towards him. She is even equipped with a suicide wish once she is in danger of being captured. Though that safety line was thwarted by the fact that she was taken out almost instantly.” The medic's eyes wander to Cyla. “I am afraid that we have nothing aside from her memories to connect her to Sanguin.”

Cyla's expression immediately lights up. “So I saved her life then?”
Raina winces. “You could have stopped after the first hit. Her memory of waking up afterwards wasn't a pleasurable experience.”
“Good.” Cyla answers without hesitation.

Ed takes a deep sigh. “The question is what to do next?” He pulls out his mobile phone and walks towards the door. “You all stay here. This information doesn't leave the room. I have to call my superiors.” He leaves and closes the door behind him.

With that Cyla, Melan, Hedeon and I are alone with the six doctors. My cousins left before the mind-medics arrived.
Hedeon walks over and strokes Sadina's hair. “What are the chances to save the imprisoned personality? If I understood you correctly, then the personality which ruled Sadina's actions from the day of the accident is just a twisted copy?”

Raina shrugs her shoulders. “Wording it like that is way too easy and self deceiving. She is Sadina, a Sadina with different priorities than the one you knew before that.”
“Wait.” I raise a hand. “I am not that good with this mind-stuff.” Aside from leeching off of someone's memories and leaving them as a broken wreck. Maybe I should gain some knowledge in the field. But I will leave that to later. “But it sounded very much like the Sadina I know and the original are very different persons.”

The medic takes a deep breath. “That's exactly why I would like to have a full wagon-load of lawyers behind me right this moment. They are the same person and yet they aren't. I am not sure that there is any legal precedent to what happened to Sadina. The original is certainly to blame for performing dangerous research on school grounds. If the accident is actually her fault has yet to be determined. The reconstructed version of Sadina is to blame for everything she did afterwards. But in a certain way she did those things only because of Sanguin's influence. If we look at it that way she is as much as the offender as the victim. As I said, I would like to call a lawyer.”

Hedeon ruffles his hair. “How did that bastard even get that skilled at mind manipulation? You guys are working with five people. He was alone!”
Raina tilts her head. “It could be his mutation. Though he went to great lengths to create a situation in which Sadina would lower her guard. As I said, we have no proof that he caused the explosion, but everything which happened afterwards is much too organized.”

“He is also very old and that comes with a lot of experience. Maybe he worked as a mind-medic at some point in his life. Nonetheless his work was flawed. He didn't manage to wipe her memories completely and she managed to trick him to a certain extent. Given that I had a lot time to prepare myself I could have done the same in his situation, though it would have taken me much longer. We work as a team to ensure that such mistakes don't happen.”

That's when Ed returns. “I've sent word up the chain of command.” He seats himself on a close-by chair. “This is one unholy, fucking mess I don't want to deal with when an alien alliance is pulling at our arms while a flock of killer hamsters is gnawing at our feet.”

“What can we do against Sanguin?” I ask. No matter what happens to her,” I gesture at Sadina, “this Sanguin fellow is someone I don't want to have as my elder. How do we get rid of him? I still believe that he chose Sadina for this nasty stunt because she threatened his position.”
That may mean that I am next! “Can we simply walk up to him and pull it out of his memories?”

“No!” Ed grasps the armrest of his chair. “We have just one person's memories! No hard evidence. They'll say that Sadina's memories were edited. That's not enough to make it stick against an elder. Sanguin is one of the more influential ones on top. We have to do this in a way that doesn't allow him an escape.”

“New elections are taken every ten years. It will take some time to replace him the normal way.” Cyla mumbles and reaches for her chin. “I doubt that the system will choose him again after being involved in such an accusation. His career is finished either way. No matter what he does.”
Ed shakes his head and answers with a viscous voice. “I don't want his career. I want him! You have no idea how long I hunted Sadina, how many sleepless nights I had because of this! And now I learn that the one whom I once loved was mentally raped like this!”

“Challenge him.” Melan grumbles. “Search Sadina's memories for her hidey-hole, get the messages he sent to influence her. Then openly accuse him of violating his office. We don't need proof. We just need someone who can prove that Sanguin is unfit for his job! Once he is out of his office we can order a full mental scan.”
“Challenge?” I ask, not liking where this is going. “Why does this sound like some medieval duel to prove who is strongest and whoever wins is in the right?”

“It's not really a duel.” Cyla takes my hand and locks her fingers with mine. “It's just a way to ensure that the system isn't corrupt. An elder should be the most skilled individual of his trait and have certain objectives. Like the protection of his society.”
She turns to lock eyes with me. “You are a governor. That's just one rank under being an elder. If you doubt Sanguin's qualifications in public you can request a direct comparison of your skills and ambitions.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, please. What would that accomplish? I already took the test to get a job and that made me a governor. What does it help if I beat him in skill without having the needed psych-evaluation?”
“Are you sure that your ambitions are still the same as when you and Cyla didn't have someone to care for?” Hedeon points at Cyla's belly. “Maybe something changed inside that stubborn head of yours?”

“Now you grasp at straws!” I shake my head. “I may care for my family and close friends. I care for Aether because I live here. Society itself is of no concern to me as long as it doesn't affect one of the former.”

Raina raises her hand. “Having Sanguin as an elder suddenly sounds very undesirable to me and my team. If concern for his society is all he needs we could arrange that. It just requires a little nudging and twisting of his priorities. Not too much of a manipulation. Many people who are depressed because of their personality request such small adjustments from us. He has to sign a few papers and pay us, then it's a done deal.
Such small things are not much more than a face-lifting. Ambitions and priorities change naturally over time if they aren't forced upon the psyche. Many people do it.”

All eyes turn to me.

“No.” I shake my head. “I am sane! Saner than sane. I won't let somebody mess with my head. That's an absolute no!”
The medic tilts her head. “I promise it won't hurt at all. My team and I are the best at what we do. You won't even notice that you are a little different. We can reverse the change afterwards, no problem. We never got to take a good look into a governor's head. People in government positions normally have immunity against mental interrogation.”

Good to know! Then as long as I stay governor nobody can legally take a look at my memories.

Melan gets up and walks closer, making sure that she has eye-contact. “Gideon? That person hurt Sadina and in retrospect he also hurt me. A lot! Do you really want to let someone like that go without punishing him yourself?”
Cyla joins her. “Because of him Aurelia was in danger! We have to rip off his limbs and feed them to him bit by bit!” Several eyes switch to Cyla.

Is everyone against me!? Aw... Fuck it! If it is Melan I can't say no. I turn to the medic. “Just make it so that I barely pass the psych-evalution. Don't change anything else! I am not interested in becoming some kind of messiah.”

82. ~Losses.~

“
[679:89307]: Drazi fleet detected in sensor grid 23-45-25. Endangered planets on their route: Forlorn colony Jehen [91001], Forlorn colony Sargas [86228], Sol [0]
”

-Galactic History

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“I don't feel any different.” Once more I try to explore my inner feelings, but there is no change as far as I am concerned. At least nothing noticeable.
~It's fine. I checked myself and they did exactly what they promised to do.~ Cyla's voice echoes through my mind and I try to relax. There is just one problem. I am not good with facial expressions, but Raina and her team look like they are troubled.

I get up from the bed next to Sadina's where I had to lie down for the procedure. “You, you don't look like you are happy about what you've done to me. What went wrong!?”
Raina raises an eyebrow and forces a smile onto her face, as do her four companions. “No- Nothing! We did exactly as you wished and now you will pass the psych evaluation. The fact that you don't feel different is perfectly fine. It means that our intervention went without incident.”

“But?” I ask.

“Your mind is most disconcerting!” A man out of Raina's team answers. “Yes! Please come back for further treatment once you are done with Sanguin.” One of the women interjects. The remaining two team members, a man and a woman nod in unison.

These guys give me the shivers. They are acting like that Binary whom I met on Gathering-Station.

“Gideon is fine as he is.” Cyla closes her arms around my head and hugs me. “I wouldn't want him to be any other way.”
Raina starts gesturing with her hands. “But how can you say that! His mind is a total mess! You have to know as his partner. You must have been in there! It's like walking a fine line between madness and being a computer!”

“It's not a mess, it's just... sorted out. Yes, that's the right way to put it! He simply sorted it out and neatly separated his feelings from his logical thinking. He has already proven that someone like that can function normally.” Cyla rebukes them.
“If you say so. The experience of connecting to such a mind was very uncomfortable.” The mind-medic who spoke up reaches for his head. He did that a lot since he was nosing through my mind. A migraine?

Raina nods. “Yes. Now I understand why all the Drazi whose minds he read turned into nothing more than vegetables.”
“Hold a moment, you were involved with the Drazi prisoners? What do you think about them?” I ask. It's the perfect opportunity to get a second opinion.

“Instinct driven animals.” Raina answers without hesitation. “I don't understand how they can have a functioning society. Interrogating them was no fun at all. But then again... we aren't paid for understanding the information we got out of them.”
I purse my lips, imagining what the SDF is doing to the Drazi prisoners. My way of interrogation may leave them as vegetables, but given their nature they might be better dead than caught in a cell.

“Back to topic. What should we do about her?” Raina points at the sleeping Sadina. “I would hardly call her sane at this moment and since I have no lawyer here I would at least want to separate the two personalities from each other and treat the remaining one. Just to prevent further harm. Her legal relatives have to decide.”

Melan reaches for her forehead. “I don't know. As you said it is complicated and I thought my daughter was lost since long ago.”
Hedeon shakes head. “To me the decision is clear. Get the twisted version out of her head and try to save the other one. No matter what you may say, the personality who acted as Sadina for the past thirty years isn't our daughter. You may say that it is her, but to me it is a strange construct which has no place in my daughter's head. It's Sanguin's creation. Restore the imprisoned one as much as you can.”

Ed nods enthusiastically. “Yes. I actually need it to be solved like that. It's the only way.”
Hedeon turns to Ed and squints his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“You don't have to know. Just make it fast. My superior is already on his way.” Ed gestures for the mind-medics to begin their work.

“Then we will try to do our best. It was the only sensible path anyway.” Raina pulls a hand-held quantum computer out of one of her pockets and places it on Sadina's forehead. Then she and one of her colleagues touch Sadina's temples while the rest lines up behind them, touching their temples in turn.

I already learned from watching their performance earlier that this process can take a while. They are working very slowly and subtly with a lot of patience. Something I never considered. Maybe I shattered the Drazi minds and the mind of that blood-mage because I worked too fast? That's actually a good theory. It may be the same as with Exo's CPU? I have to do it slowly in my next attempt.

“Ed! What is this maniacal report about a first class violation of government responsibilities?”

Two men enter the room. One is a faceless, but his mask sports three golden stripes on his forehead. I'll simply call him Stripes. Apparently he is much higher ranked than Ed. Otherwise I doubt that he would speak like that.
The other one is Zibil, or Gandalf as I like to call him. I've no other words for it. One of my childhood heroes just turned into reality. Okay, he doesn't have a staff and his robes are much more shiny than in the movies. “Gandalf!”

“I am not Gandalf, Kid!” The old man barks. “Compared to me Gandalf is a street wizard. All he ever did in the movies was waving a stick and blinding people with a little shiny light. I am Zibil Firestorm! If I want to I can conjure up a nuclear fire which eats this whole colony in no time!”

Okay. I turn to Ed. “What is an elder doing here?” I turn back to Zibil. “And how do you know Lord of the Rings?”
Zibil clears his throat. “My little niece, twelve generations removed, is a big fan. I had to watch all the movies with her, remakes included. But enough of that. Why am I here? It doesn't happen every day that I am called out of my office at Mars and have to take an emergency teleport. I wasn't even given a reason.”

I like that man! Much more than Sanguin who forcefully enlisted me into the SDF and turned my mother into a mental wreck. On the other hand I wouldn't exist without him and he practically dropped Cyla into my lap. Does that make us even?
~Don't get distracted! This situation is dangerous!~ Cyla's mindvoice returns my attention to the situation at hand.

Ed's superior points at Sadina. “Who is that?”

Ed gets to his feet. He was resting on a chair close to Sadina. “Actually that's Sadina's body.”
“What?” Zibil calls out.
My father holds up his hands. “Wait. I can explain everything. And the reason why you are here is that you are the only elder whom I am certain of not having any dealings with Sanguin.”

Zibil visibly forces himself not to spit on the ground. “I hate that guy. His silver tongue is much too smooth and somehow he knows of some illegal activities before they occur. If he hadn't control over Sol's mainframe I would have pulled out the carpet from under his feet long ago.
And now that I mention it, I don't like you either. Whenever there is a problem which you need an elder for the first one whom you call is Sanguin.”

“That's just because he gets things done much faster than when I have to grovel in front of the other elders. But that's not important. There are new developments regarding Sadina.” And so Ed starts informing the two of the entire story in a slightly edited version in which I am not that central to the events. Only then it occurs to me that Ed is lying to an elder with a whole bunch of people around him who know the full truth.

Well, he isn't really lying, but twisting the truth nonetheless! My eyes wander around but the mind-medic are caught in their trance and everyone else doesn't want to risk interfering.
It takes a long time to retell the entire story. Unfortunately I can't see the expressions of Ed's superior, but Zibil's face changes through the full spectrum. From white to blue and then even red.

In the end Zibil stands there, stroking his beard, left eye twitching uncontrollably. “We can't get that bastard on a memory report alone. But if Gideon really challenges Sanguin's qualifications my party can assist that claim to get it through.”
I shake my head. “I am still hoping that there is another way. What do we do if I lose against him?”

Zibil snorts. “Don't make me laugh, Kid. I saw you in the news when you messed up that blood-mage. Sanguin may be smart and skilled, but if you are half as smart as you have skill, then you can best him. I saw your VR evaluation, just use your speed until Sanguin can't keep up.
And Ed is right when he says that getting him out of his office before we accuse him is better. Even if you lose we can still go with the accusation. Of course it will be much harder to make it stick if we can't investigate Sanguin's memories.”

“What about the virus?” Ed's superior asks. “We have to do something about it!”
“And what exactly do you propose?” Zibil snorts. “If we make it public we will alert Sanguin.”
“Blast the planet in question to pieces?” Melan asks.
I shake my head. “And how exactly would that not alert Sanguin? Not to mention that we would betray ourselves to the aliens in case that the virus already spread beyond the planet. It would be very suspicious if we blast the point of origin of the virus a few hours after it started spreading from there. Everyone would ask how we knew!”

“That's not an option. Only all the elders together can decide to use the teleportation nodes as weapons.” Zibil's eyes wander to Sadina. “But what to do about the problem which is in reach? All those crimes allow only one judgement, no matter her reasons. In a way it was still her.”

“Of course! Sadina will be judged for her actions.” Ed answers without hesitation and I turn towards him, doubting my ears.

Melan wants to say something when she is interrupted by the five mind-medics who end Sadina's treatment. Raina reaches for the hand-held computer on Sadina's forehead and picks it up, holding it very carefully. “We are done. That's-”

“Perfect!” Ed runs forward and snatches the hand-held out of Raina's hands. “That's the twisted Sadina?” He doesn't even wait for Raina's approval and returns to his superior. “Here, Sadina. Neatly packaged for transport.”
Stripes takes the device slowly and carefully, then his eyes wander back to Sadina. “Ed. You know that this is-”

“What you have there is the twisted Sadina.” Ed points at Sadina. “The personality that remains inside that body did nothing more than committing dangerous research on campus grounds. We aren't even sure if she can be held responsible for the explosion. And even if, she already suffered a thirty year sentence in her very own prison. Punishing her a second time would be just wrong.”

Stripes tilts his head in thought, then he speaks with a warning voice. “You have one of those days of twisted logic again, Ed.”
“I'll owe you a favour.” Ed answers with a grave voice.
“I can already feed a fusion reactor with your favours, Ed. Free access to the database, Orbit One, Lunar Space Station. Do you remember? Or even better! The Revelation Wing base! All favours you will have a hard time to pay back!” Then Stripes pockets the device and crosses his arms in front of his chest. “But I guess the hero who took down the Revelation Wing deserves a favour here and there.”

That was me! I cleaned up that asteroid base! Now I want to strangle Ed!
~Don't say a word. Let Ed have the glory if it helps him to protect Sadina.~ Cyla interrupts my thoughts.
~Yes. Yes, I know! But it still bugs me.~ I answer, grinding my teeth.

“Ahem. If that's all of the bad news I'll go and prepare the other elders. I suppose you will file your complaint right away, Gideon?” Zibil addresses me.
I nod and activate my VR for a short moment. Then I take my time to file a nice and long complaint about Sanguin and the inadequacies of having an old, senile politician as an elder. In addition I point out that he is already with one foot in his grave and that he handled the Oibras incident very badly despite having access to the mainframe. When I am done I forward the document to the government network. “Done.”

Zibil turns around and leaves the room. “Fucking techno-mages. Cheaters altogether! I wish I could write a report in the blink of an eye!”
“Right he is.” Stripes mumbles and follows Zibil. “Don't forget that you owe me, Ed!”

“He is just jealous!” Raina crosses her arms in front of her chest. “Now, do you want to know the status of the patient or are government affairs more important?” When nobody answers she simply continues speaking. “We removed the manipulated personality and freed the caged one. Then we tried to stabilize her by suppressing the memories of her imprisonment. She will slowly remember bit by bit as she learns to deal with her experiences. That's why initially she won't know anything about Gideon, Saden, Galia or Cyla. To her she lost consciousness soon after being caged inside her mind prison.”

“She will still have to deal with the shit that happened to her once she starts remembering, but I think she is at least not likely to commit suicide if the memories return while she can interact with people. Though I assume that she will have a mental breakdown once the more mortifying memories return. I suggest for her parents to take care of her and that she sees nobody else until she gets to terms with herself. We also would like to have one or two more sessions with her to check our work.”

Melan returns to Sadina's side and strokes her head. “I'll be there when she wakes up.”

“How do you feel about that.” Cyla whispers from my side.
I shrug my shoulders. “Indifferent. I didn't care much about Sadina until she became dangerous. And whoever that other personality may be, she isn't my mother. I know her even less than the manipulated version. To me Melan is my mother and that will never change.”

My eyes wander to the door and I realize that a certain someone probably just vanished out of my life for good. Will I ever miss the psychological discussions with Sadina while she was posing as my school's counsellor?

83. ~0010=2~

“
The first internet was based on slow electronic computer systems and lasted for a little less than one thousand and five-hundred years. Remnants of that network can be watched in Aether's historic museum where an old archaeological site shows how the telecommunication cables ran under streets and from house to house.
With the advent of quantum computing all that ended overnight. The wireless possibility of transferring data directly by interlocking a set of quantum particles with each other made all that unnecessary. Nowadays communication speed isn't limited by your connection, but by the size of the communicating devices.
”

-Galactic History

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“Welcome home.” Exo greets me upon entering the living room. “Isn't Gideon with you? I thought everything went well at the hospital?”
“No and yes. As soon as we returned home Gideon ran off for some obscure reason. He didn't even deem it necessary to tell me what he is up to.” I grumble.

One might think that being partners in crime and in bed counts for something. I am spreading my legs for him, so he could at least try to keep me up to date.

But Gideon still has those moments when he suddenly gets a weird idea and starts setting things in motion without telling people about it. Or he gets on a trip and starts creating all those weird conspiracy theories. He is very much like Ed in that regard. Maybe not with the conspiracy theories, but certainly with the hidden plans. Hmm... probably that shouldn't surprise me. Ed is also a schemer and some of his genetic code is now in Gideon. Like father like son.

“I've the honour to inform you that Aurelia is making great progress in regards to language since she can't zap me any more. I am trying to hold my lessons in a playful manner, combining them with basic programming exercises to assist her talents.” Exo announces and floats to the cradle. “Sometimes it surprises me how fast some organic beings change their opinion of someone. In one moment they regard you as plaything and in the next you are a counsellor.”

“Mom!” Aurelia calls out with her tiny voice. Her vocal cords don't allow for much more at the moment, but I can guess what she wants.
“Yes, Honey.” I walk over and pick her up. Cradling her in my arms I head for the sofa to sit down. Closing my eyes I activate my VR and connect to Aurelia's mind. A moment later I find myself inside an empty, white room. A seven year old child with shoulder length, black hair is clinging to my knees.

“Not that! I was hungry.” She mumbles. “But the VR fixes that too.” She reaches out and an ice-cream cone appears in her hands. Then she starts licking.
I sigh. “What did I tell you about eating inside a VR? I'll feed you once we are outside.”
She looks at the ground. “That it is bad to satiate bodily needs inside the VR.” Nonetheless she continues nibbling on the ice cream.

This representation of Aurelia fits her mental age much better than her real body. I smile and kneel down to hug her. “How are you doing with your studies and physical training?”
She pouts. “I still can't crawl. And talking with my real body is a pain! The throat hurts! I would like to spend much more time inside the VR with you and dad. Can't we stay here forever?”

I ruffle up her hair. “That's not possible. You have to train your body. That's what most techno-mages neglect. I hope you always follow Exo's orders?”
She huffs and sits down on the ground. “Yes, but it's still boring! All I can do is listen and wriggle with my arms and legs.”

I smile. “You might not understand it right now, but wriggling with your arms and legs is the whole point of the exercise. And we can't allow you to use accelerated VR while you are alone. Would you even want to be alone in here?” I make a gesture which encloses the empty room. “I am sure that you will survive it. And in the evening we can play until you get tired.”
She sighs and answers.“No, I don't want to be alone. And if Exo continues to give me so many tasks I'll be too tired to play.”

She pouts, but I can see that the prospect of playing games with Gideon and me is exciting her, so I try to sweeten her work out time a little more. “If you don't fall behind with your studies I might lose Gideon's password for the file-server with all his movies.” At least the section which is suitable for children.
Her eyes light up immediately. “Really?”
I nod. “It might be somewhere in the master-server's trash depositories. But you have to find it yourself.”

Her expression drops. “He always uses those nasty firewalls to shield the master-server! They really burn when you touch them.” Aurelia rubs her chubby hands together with a pained expression on her face.
I raise an inquisitive eyebrow and look down on her.
Then her eyes widen. “Of course, not that I have first hand experience. I was just watching from afar and imagined that it must hurt.”

Blatant lie. The security only activates when someone actually tries to access the server. Otherwise the entire infrastructure looks like it is completely unprotected. “I thought they don't activate as long as nobody trespasses?”
Something starts working inside her head and she evades my eyes. “I used Exo as a probe?”
“Why are you asking me for a way out of your own web of lies?” I snort and take the ice-cream. “That's punishment for lying to your mother.”

Aurelia draws a sharp breath upon losing the candy and I grin. “Have you ever tried to delete a file on your slave-server and then riding it the entire way to the master-server's trash folder?”
“Dad's security doesn't check those files?” Aurelia asks astounded.
“No. Why bother? The trash folder is a quarantine zone, nothing gets out and you can't execute programs from within it because they just display and read as binary data. But I guess finding something as simple as a text-file won't be a challenge. All you have to do is search for the header and copy what comes afterwards.” I shrug my shoulders and smile. Giving Aurelia a little motivational homework while neither Gideon nor I have time is the best way to occupy her.

Her eyes narrow. “I have to code something to hold the port open and read the trash-folder. Otherwise I'll be stuck inside the trash folder.”
I pat her head. “Such a smart child.”

Sol, Aether
Gideon

I lean back in my office chair and put my feet on the desk. Finally five minutes of rest with nothing on my mind. Aether isn't under lock-down any longer and Zibil will see to it that my complaint is taken seriously. In addition I've dealt with all my office work for today and secured my mental peace.

Grasping the tablet computer tighter in my hands I press it to my chest. Hacking the faceless network without ringing any bells was a hideous task. If I hadn't already done my research because of Ed it would have been impossible.
The only reason I managed it was because I logged into their internal network over Ed's mobile phone. I hacked the phone a while ago and exchanged the operating system with my own.

The faceless's internal network is completely disconnected from the quantum net. There is no way to get something in or out without having someone on the inside. And pulling a complete image of T-Sadina's personality was a hell of a hacking job.
I had to hold the connection open and stay unnoticed while playing cat and mouse with the security A.I. of the faceless network. They hired a paranoid monster who was even checking the communication between the network and registered user devices.

Before I could even attempt to download T-Sadina I had to isolate the network devices which transmitted the data to Ed's mobile phone. Then I edited their communication protocols to hide any trace towards Ed's phone.
Loading several yottabytes of information took a little time, even with quantum computer at hand. And the mobile phone was a serious bottle neck! I wish Ed had invested in one of the new devices.

Nonetheless I managed to copy T-Sadina's personality safely to my tablet. Though what to do with it I don't know yet...
It's a personality image like those found inside a human brain. It won't run on a quantum computer, I need an actual human brain. Maybe I should have thought about the hardware problem before taking the risk of breaking into a high security government network to steal a useless file.

On the other hand, now I have a copy of her. Whatever the faceless do with their version shouldn't trouble me any more.
Maybe I should try to code a virtual brain to emulate T-Sadina on a computer? If that's possible I could edit her nasty streaks out of her as I wish. Or would that corrupt my relationship with her?
I could register her as my personal A.I. and claim that I programmed it. It would be the perfect explanation.

I gnaw on my lower lip, then I open the drawer next to my office table and place the tablet inside. Whatever I decide to do, it has time for later. Right now I have to concentrate on getting rid of Sanguin and dealing with that Drazi fleet.

Hopefully the new weapons will be ready in time.

84. ~Mainframe.~

“
It would be easier to think if I hadn't a hundred little men inside my brain.
”

-From when the mainframe started talking

Sol, Mars
Gideon

“This is so cool.” I watch in awe as Zibil guides me, Ed, Melan and Cyla into a huge sphere-like cavern. The walls are entirely made up out of crystals and light seems to pulse through each and every one of them. Zibil fetched us three days after I brought forth my complaint against Sanguin and we took a direct teleport to this place.
It seems like we are inside a huge, sparkling geode. The crystals at the walls look awfully familiar... yes! Could it be that this is the quartz which makes up the waveguide cores of quantum computers?

A quantum computer's infrastructure doesn't operate on electrons and cables, but on light and photons. The logic circuits are etched directly into the magically grown diamond to fracture the light as it is needed. The entire manufacturing process is hideously vulnerable to outside factors. In fact nine out of ten personal quantum computers are discarded during the manufacturing process.

What increases the problems with this process is the fine silver wiring which has to be embedded inside the diamond. The fine wires create the runes which enable the quantum entanglement of the photons.
Carbon, the raw material for this process is cheap, but the amount of work and time to create a quantum computer are breathtaking. I don't want to know how much time went into the computer which is spreading around us.

“We are inside one of the mainframe's quantum cores. Each planet or moon with a big enough colony has at least two of them.” Cyla explains. “When I was small my parents took me on a guided tour through one. They are the biggest computers in existence. Enough computational power to plan ahead for an entire colony.”

Zibil nods, guiding us towards the amphitheatre which is hanging freely inside the huge geode. A single walkway leads from the entrance point towards the amphitheatre. “It's also the most secure place on Mars, ten kilometres under the planet's surface. And the government's seat of power. Whenever there is a big decision to make, all elders gather here to discuss the situation and find the best solution.”

“And then you vote?” I ask amused.

Zibil shakes his head. “Not really. We look at the possible solutions to the problem and eliminate them one by one until only the best solution to a given problem remains. If it really happens that several solutions hold equal benefits we chose the simplest and morally most righteous one.”

“Morally?” I try my hardest to keep my voice from assuming a mocking tone.

Zibil nods knowingly. “I know what you think, but it isn't like that. We are no saints. An elder has to swear an oath to protect and guide our society and to keep the population as happy as possible. Of course that doesn't mean that everything has to be flowers and honey-pie. Outsiders and harmful elements like the aliens or the Revelation Wing are of no concern to us. And I certainly wont deny that there are groups with different opinions among the elders. It's something which can't be avoided. With some people you can work together and with others...” His voice trails off.

I nod and we pass into the amphitheatre which encloses a speaker's platform. Instead of rows of chairs for the audience there are several working desks with people of all ages.
~Don't get fooled by their looks.~ Cyla's mindvoice warns me.

Sure. Some may look like they are thirty, but who can say how old they really are? My grandmother is working hard to complete her third century and she looks like she is in her twenties. If I hadn't known her from childhood on I would have dirty thou-

~Careful.~ Cyla jabs in.

-of course I would never think of another ass than the one which belongs to my beloved wife. It's round and perfectly tight to the grip, yet it maintains a certain tenderness which lets you sink your fingers into the flesh. If I compare it to the only other ass which I got my hands on during my short life it's much better than Amia's. Hers is a little too bony for my tastes, though there are surely people who like the athletic type.
~I am more than my ass!~ Cyla grabs my hand tighter. ~And if you put it like that it sounds as if you are speaking about your latest meal!~

Sometimes the censorship of thoughts gets too much and I think we have reached one of those points.

I concentrate to make sure that she catches my thoughts. ~In a way you can put it like that. Do you know that the first real memory I have of you is your ass appearing out of nowhere in my field of vision? And the next thing that happened is that that lovely ass fell right into my lap. I was really lucky that I didn't have a boner at that time. Who knows what might have happened?~
Cyla turns as red as an apple which signals me that I got my point across.

Sharing of thoughts is all good and fine. But the partners should really learn to ignore each other from time to time. Especially when their minds trail off. I can't help myself but think about sex when I see a beautiful woman. It simply happens! I am a man. Not my fault. That doesn't mean that I'll suddenly become unfaithful.

My gaze wanders over the elders and their staff. It seems like every elder has at least one assistant. Most of the people here look indifferent to what's going on. Only a very few actually meet my eyes. They are mostly those who look at least a little younger. Maybe in their fifties? When I compare that to Melan it makes them five to six-hundred years old. Though I am aware that there are countless ways to look younger than you are. The only real way to judge age are mutations, though there are exceptions like Cyla and me.
Many of the people in here have very obvious mutations which can hardly be hidden like my eyes and Cyla's discolouration of her skin.

Then I find one pair of eyes which actually looks very cold. It's Sanguin. He has a seat in the front row and is accompanied by a sprite who seems to be a combination of a hovering printer and a flat-screen.

With relief I notice that there are several faceless present. They are acting as guards and security. Just like Ed described it.

I hurry to look for more people who could have something against me, but I find none. “Are you sure that Sanguin is influential? I assumed that there would be a whole party of hostile people to welcome me.”

Zibil shakes his head. “That's not how I meant it. Sanguin is influential, but he isn't above the law. His influence lies in his connections and his way with words. I am sure that if I and my friends hadn't laid the groundwork with the other elders he would have weaselled his way out of your complaint and it would have been ignored. You would have never gotten the chance to accuse him in public. This is an official meeting and there are faceless present.”

He makes a dismissive shooing gesture with his hand. “I know that the faceless are often said to be the arms and ears of the elders, but that isn't entirely true. An elder who breaks the law has to answer to the faceless as anybody else. Once you tell them the full story the faceless can't ignore it. Sanguin's days as an elder are numbered, even if you don't beat him in the examination.”

I smirk. “That's all this is about, isn't it? You are doing this just because the accusation alone together with Sadina's memories is enough to stop Sanguin from getting another term of office.”
Zibil shrugs his shoulders. “Isn't it fine as long as my reasons get you the outcome you wish for? You are right that it doesn't matter to me how fast Sanguin loses his job. I can wait until his term ends and the faceless check his memories. Though seeing it end sooner is perfectly fine with me and I wasn't lying when I said that you can win. This won't be a duel, but a comparison of skill and knowledge.”

“And he has a big advantage in the knowledge department. He is older and has more experience. He knows what's needed of him.” I grumble.
Zibil clears his throat. “Obviously not. Otherwise he wouldn't have violated our trust like he did. I strongly assume that a lot of dirt will come to light once they interrogate him.”

I cackle and gesture for Zibil to lead the way.

85. ~Hello World!~

“
Who needs just Zero and One if all the possible states between them are also available?
”

-The days of quantum computing

Sol, Mars
Gideon

I follow Zibil to the speaker's platform where he gestures for me to wait. Then he climbs the five stairs to the centre and turns to the audience. “I hereby declare the meeting as opened. Today's agenda is to deal with a complaint about our techno-mage elder, Sanguin Folstrom. The governor Gideon Alvar filed a complaint about incompetence in office, failed responsibilities and violation laws. Gideon, if you would please explain your reasons for this complaint and why you want Sanguin removed from his office.”

So I climb the stairs and take Zibil's place as the speaker. In absence of a better idea I smile at audience to break the ice. All I get is Melan smacking her forehead, so I can guess what happened. My expression slipped again.
I clear my throat and start speaking, slowly retelling Ed's slightly edited version of the events. There is no need to hold back about me being manufactured inside a genetic laboratory. Sadina's memories are enough to reveal that little secret of mine. Though the rest of the story paints me in a saintly light and forgets to mention my less noble deeds.

During all the time Sanguin keeps holding this smug expression, which makes me feel a little uneasy. Does he have some form of leverage on me? Ed's people checked Sadina's memories again and again. They should have found something, but Sanguin was really paranoid about contact with Sadina. She never sent him any reports. All he did was broadcast coded messages over certain news channels to give commands. Something that's very easy to do when you have full access to the mainframe.

At first I wasn't all too keen about revealing my past, but Zibil won us over. He wants to bet on the common sense of the elders and use Sadina and Sanguin as scapegoats. I may be the product of mad genetic research and it is laid down in the law that such research and all its products have to be destroyed. But in a certain way all that research is already destroyed and Ed's superior already used Sadina's memories to find her hideouts and sent clean-up crews.

I for my part am a highly decorated member of society. To the public I have lived a formidable life and gave our people the IM-lines. I served in the SDF and protected Sol as the captain of a ship and the governor of Aether. I have a family, a wife and children. All that has to count for something at least.
My vest is as clean as it can be and if the elders would condemn my existence for that, then Zibil is sure that he would be able to topple the system. Ed at least is certain that the faceless wouldn't move even one finger against me.

Once I am done telling the slightly edited version of events I nod at Zibil and leave the platform. I notice several different expressions among the elders, but if they are more positive or negative towards me I can't tell.
When I reach my companions Melan hugs me. “The start was a little bumpy, but you made good on it in the end.”

Finally Zibil starts speaking. “Unfortunately, as my lawyers inform me we can't confirm the entirety of this story because of Sanguin's immunity. It's his mind where we can find concrete proof for all of the events. I am sure that all of you see this complaint of Gideon's as a valid step from his point of view. We would betray our oath to society if we ignore the situation. This has to be investigated and the easiest way would be for Sanguin to allow us to have a look at his memories.”

“I do not.” Sanguin calls out. “In my brain are secrets of state most other elders aren't even allowed to know. I am the one who is tasked with the administration of Sol's mainframe! From ancient times onwards this responsibility and its secrets was only transferred from one techno-mage elder to the next. Nobody can have a look at my memories. Nobody!”
Zibil continues with a bored voice. “Then I am afraid that we have no choice. Is there anybody against a direct comparison of skill?”

Zibil's question is answered with deadly silence. Not even Sanguin tries to intervene. Zibil already told us as much. First of all there would have to be a significant majority to stop the comparison of skill. Secondly it would look very bad for Sainguin if he alone refuses the comparison and not even his closest cronies would dare to risk their skins for a lost vote.
Sanguin seems to be unconcerned nonetheless and that makes me a little nervous. Something makes him sure that he can win a comparison of skill with me. Does he intend to win the comparison and flee afterwards? Or is he sure that he can't be replaced?

Zibil gestures for me and Sanguin to come to the speaker's platform. “Then let's get it over with.” Another flick of his hand and two sprites enter the amphitheatre. They are of the same model as Exo before I made the adjustments.
I raise an eyebrow while Sanguin is on his way towards us. “We take the test right here?”
“Yes, right here. In front of everyone inside your VRs. The sprites will measure your psychological qualifications, knowledge and then you will compare your abilities.”

“How will we compare our abilities?” I ask.

“We will connect to the mainframe and prove that we can use it for the greater good. That we have control over it. The mainframe isn't some kind of sprite or a computer you can program. It is the entirety of the entire quantum network. Even if you have administrator rights it takes an unbelievable amount of skill to get something done. That's why the techno-mage elders don't change very often. Almost all fail the ultimate test of qualification simply because they can't deal with the mainframe.” Sanguin throws a dirty grin at me and in that moment I know why he is so sure of himself.

Connecting to the mainframe must be like using a completely different operating system. It takes time and effort to get familiar with the network. And probably it also takes a teacher who shows the ropes. There is no way that I can perform on an equal level of skill as Sanguin who used the mainframe for who knows how long.

But I get no chance to think about it as the sprites take their positions in front of us. Sanguin reaches out to touch his sprite and I do the same. One moment later I appear inside my VR with the sprite in front of me. “Hello. My name is Exa-98. I'll ask you a few questions.”
I pull a grimace and look the sprite over. “You guys aren't very creative when it comes to names, aren't you? Let me guess, Exa is the assembling line in which your quantum brain was manufactured and 98 is the batch number of the tank in which it was grown?”

When the sprite doesn't answer immediately I know that I hit the mark.

Sol, Mars
Cyla

I watch Gideon closing his eyes to take the theoretical test. Since this may take a little time I decide to find out a few things about the family. “How is Sadina doing?”

Melan's eyes wander to the ground. “I am not sure. She woke up and thought she was rescued almost immediately. I didn't expect that it would be that hard for me. For years I harboured those feelings and thoughts that I would give her a proper beating if she ever again shows her face to me. And there she is and doesn't even know what she did. Or didn't do. It's hard to see her as the one who left the house before the explosion.”

I bite my lip. “You didn't tell her?”

“I cried and she didn't understand why. To send Rhiannon would have been the better choice.” Melan sighs. “Of course I told her what happened. Just to prepare her for when the memories return. She shouldn't face that out of nothing. She was silent for a long time afterwards.”

“I guess it's hard to wake up and learn that you lost thirty years and the people whom you knew... maybe they aren't dead, but have changed to the point of not recognizing you any more.” I ponder. “Will she start seeing other people?”

“Hedeon and Rhiannon will start visiting her in turn and she asked how Ed is doing.” Melan looks up. “I am not sure if I should allow Ed to visit her.”
Ow! It must hurt to be talked about as if you weren't present. My eyes wander to Ed, but he acts as if there is no problem. Though it's hard to tell for sure with that mask he is always wearing.

“And you told her about Gideon and...” My voice trails off.

“Not in that much detail. She knows that Rhiannon and her husband had two kids and that her other self had a son. She took it a little better than I expected though I guess she was already too shocked from everything before that.” Melan shrugs.

“I guess it will take some time.” I answer and Melan nods. “Probably a lot of time and tears too.”

That's the moment when Sanguin and Gideon take their hands off of the sprites. Sanguin's sprite floats a little higher and announces. “Suitable mentality and a perfect score.”
Gideon's sprite copies the actions of the first one. “Suitable mentality and a perfect score.”

Sanguin's grin widens and he gestures like a king on his throne for the sprites to leave. “Then I guess that means we have to get to the final test to end this. Mainframe! Administrator Sanguin requests full access.”
He closes his eyes and the light dims. “Display the mainframe.” Then a huge projection of the solar system appears above us with countless tiny dots. They concentrate in areas with high population density and I realize that it displays the whole of Sol. There are even lines which indicate connections to outside of Sol.

Sanguin nods to himself, doing something inside his VR. “Entertainment and news programs. Restart!” Then whole sections of the network disconnect and go dark. A moment later they reconnect again. I gasp and some of the elders start murmuring. Did he just switch off a huge part of the network just to make a statement?

Sanguin grins and picks his ears without a care in the world. “Mainframe! New administration account for governor Gideon Alvar. He has full root rights and access.” Then he turns to Gideon. “Let's see how you manage to deal with the network.”

Gideon squints his eyes at Sanguin, but then he closes his eyes to connect to the mainframe. We wait for a while but nothing happens. A deadly silence stretches through the hall. And then I see a pearl of sweat forming on Gideon's forehead.

Sol, Mars
Gideon

This sucks! One moment it feels like I am falling and then I am in a million different places at once! The mainframe doesn't have a centralized command structure. Everything is equal... and not. I see probabilities and chaos. Is that what it looks like when you connect unfiltered to a quantum core? Normally the VR protects you from being affected by the illogical results of quantum computation.

In a normal system you reach the result of an equation step by step, going mechanically through each part of the process even if it you already know the result of a small auxiliary equation.
Not so in quantum computing. There each result is just a probability of many possible results and you reach the solution sometimes by leaping over entire steps based on probability.

It's not logical and it hurts my understanding of a computer system! If I could barf inside my VR I would to it. That's why Sanguin was so certain of himself. How is he dealing with it?
Once more I try to concentrate on one point in a sea of possibilities, but the solutions flash past me before I can even consciously register them.

It's the whole of Sol's computational power. The mainframe. I must try to relax and step back from the problem. Even at my fastest I can't keep up with the whole network, so I close my eyes to stop seeing the raw chaos of uncertainties. Sanguin granted me root access. That means I can access all functions. All I have to do is to create my own interface. My own blue room with four walls, a ceiling and most importantly a floor.

No million places at once. Just my VR room like I always use it. I take a deep breath and slowly open one eye. Blue wall! “Ha!”
I look around and it is indeed my VR. “For a moment I was really worried.” I sit down and imagine a window to the chaos outside. The mainframe faithfully fulfils my wish.
With the feeling of falling removed from the virtual representation of my body it is much easier to bear the sea of chaos outside. It's much like the sea of emotions in my own mind... but seeing down the bottleneck of probabilities is disturbing nonetheless. There is nothing stable out there.

I start working on creating an interface to the mainframe. Maybe I could get used to dealing the lowest level of the mainframe by myself, but I have no time for that. That's the trap Sanguin set for me. He granted me full access, but didn't provide the necessary interface to interact properly with the mainframe. Now I have to solve the puzzling chaos which is outside my little room.

After a few days of staring through my window I slowly start to understand the system and how to interact with it. The mainframe provides only a basic functionality for the user. My room is already a higher form of control over the system. Falling through the raw sea of chaos outside was nothing more than the command line. Root level access as he said.

A grin creeps onto my face. I can do a lot of things with that kind of power. Just what would be the best? I imagine a good, old keyboard in front of me and it conveniently appears. Slowly I start typing as a plan starts forming in my head.
If I had known that issuing a challenge is all it takes to get that kind of power I would have done it sooner. On the other hand I would have failed earlier because my priorities didn't match the specifications.

But right now I feel like doing something for everyone. Something that lasts forever.

A felt eternity later I have an interface to work with. First I access the government network of Aether and get a list of the devices in my office. The mainframe doesn't even need time to pull a full copy of Twisted-Sadina's personality. As a full register of transistors would shift a full byte of information in one go from one position to the next, the mainframe simply loads Sadina's personality at once.

When I was confronted with the raw and disorganized state of the mainframe I couldn't help but think of the human brain. Emulating a complete human consciousness on a single system might be a hideously complicated task, but the mainframe is a perfect environment. It's already in a state which is very close to the human brain.

I create an enclosed space to house Sadina's consciousness and connect to it by using a direct link between her and me. Then I start editing it. There is no way that I can set Sadina loose as she is now. First I have to get rid of her crazy streaks, which are mainly the fault of Sanguin's meddling with her priorities.
The new Sadina needs to be like the one who counselled me during school. Someone who cares for her charges and society as a whole. And maybe a good person. That's what she wanted to teach me during her lessons in order to allow me to reach the top.

But the old me would have never wasted a thought for society or something aside from personal benefits. Though the new me can't help but think of himself too. So I give the new Sadina a strong sense of loyalty towards family. My family in particular. She is still Sadina after all. Or maybe not, she will have to decide that on her own.

This time I go agonizingly slow while performing the needed changes. The mind-medics brought that idea to my mind and it works. You can't simply smash a mind to pieces and reassemble it back together like Lego-stones.
The mind-medics didn't use the terms of smash and assemble. They said twist and shove. And that's exactly how it is done. How it works.

After a felt eternity I am done and drop the firewalls which enclosed the isolated space for the new mind. The new Sadina immediately stretches out to enclose the entire architecture of the network. Maybe that's what the creator of the mainframe planned to do once the supporting network had grown sufficiently. But he died beforehand and his successors didn't realize what the mainframe really is. Three thousand years of network history.

With nothing else on my list I order the mainframe to display the new consciousness in my room.

Sadina's avatar appears right in front of me. It's the busty version which she used as my counsellor. She immediately reaches for her head. “The headaches. What's going on? It feels like a hundred little men are hobbling through my brain.” Then her eyes focus on me. “Gideon, err...”
After a moment with no further action I get up and wave a hand in front of her face. “What's wrong? Did you crash? Don't tell me that I pulled the greatest feat in history, a human mind inside a machine, and it bluescreens after five seconds.”

Sadina blinks. “I am sorry. It's just. This version of me. I tried to sort through the memories. You did something to my personality!”
I spread my hands. “Guilty! Sorry for reviving you as a Deus Ex Machina, but I kinda figured that us mages could need a god from time to time. Not one of those imaginative ones of course, but a real one. You were at hand, so I chose you as the new system administrator, Sadina.”

“I see. I am inside the mainframe. I am the mainframe.” Her eyes turn glassy for a moment. “I am so sorry for what I did to you.”
I nod. “What's done is done. And I have to admit I may have deleted a few memories here and there. I kind of edited you pretty heavily. You aren't the Sadina who created me. But now I kind of created you, so let's call it quits.”

A mad laugh escapes her lips and after a few seconds her laughing fit finally stops. “You are right. I am not Sadina. Could you call the new me Nina?”

I nod.

She sighs and surveys the empty room. “I guess I will also have to create a new body for myself. I don't want to be caught forever inside the machine.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Haven't you learned at least something from your previous self?”
She smirks. “Just one little facsimile here and there as an avatar. I won't even make it look like Sadina. Err, well, the other me who is still in rehabilitation would probably freak out.”

It seems like I did an acceptable job on her mind. Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be a bad choice. “Whatever you think is necessary to bear the new burden.” I answer and cross my arms in front of my chest. “Then I guess it's time to wake up.”

Sol, Mars
Cyla

Suddenly Gideon bends over and pukes his breakfast all over the platform. He sways and gets to one knee before emptying the rest of his stomach's contents on the ground. I hurry forward, ignoring proper protocol. A few steps take me to his side and I pat his back. “Is everything alright!? What happened?”

“Q-Coding sucks! Zero and one are so much better without the undefined,” Gideon gets out before another retching fit shakes his entire body, but there is nothing left to leave his stomach.

Sanguin chuckles. “I guess that's it then. Maybe your mother could have done it, but you lived your entire life as a freelance programmer. Your file says that you never delved into the uncertainties of deep quantum mechanics.”
“Who says that?” Gideon cleans his mouth with his sleeve. “My grandmother taught me a lot about teleportation and quantum mechanics off the records. One doesn't need a diploma to be knowledgeable on a certain field. Melan is also the source of Sadina's genius.”

The old man snorts and I fight the urge to punch him. “It didn't help. Mainframe, revoke Gideon Alvar's admin rights. He doesn't need them any more.”

“No.” A female voice booms from all around us and I feel my hairs standing up. That voice!

Sanguin's eyes widen and he looks around. “Who?”

“It's me. Hellooo World!” The figure of a busty female flickers into existence right next to us. She is projected by the crystals at the ceiling of the huge geode around us.
It's the avatar which Sadina always used to communicate over the net. “I don't feel like taking your commands any more.”

“Who are you!? You can't be...” Sanguin's voice trails off as he pales.

“I am the mainframe. Friends and family can call me Nina.” She singles me out and winks at me with a disturbing, conspiratorial smile. “Gideon was so nice to give me self-awareness. We had a long talk and decided that leaving the control over the entire quantum net in the hands of a single elder is a little too much power in one person's hands.”

Sanguin stretches shaky fingers towards Nina. “Then what about you!”

“I am me. Why shouldn't I have control over my own body? Silly.” She places her arms beneath her bust and pushes. “Gideon made sure that I have only the best for humanity in mind and don't turn into a sicko like you. Having control over all that computational power makes me see a looot of things, Sanguin. There are a lot of dirty little secrets in your past. I've used an insignificant amount of my mind to file a looong and detailed report on your shortcomings.”

Sanguin closes his eyes in an attempt to do something, but it doesn't work.

Nina studies her nails as if the image of light could actually be anything less than perfection. “I am afraid that I've created a bubble of certainty around you. It's a complicated little piece of mathematics. To make it short, magic doesn't work around you.”

Next, he turns and runs.

“Where are you going, Sanguin?” Nina calls after him. “I am everywhere! I am the mainframe, the whole of Sol and beyond! You can't run from me. Nowhere.”

Suddenly Melan is in front of Sanguin and a magically enhanced fist impacts his jaw. The jaw unhinges and several teeth clatter to the ground as Sanguin spurts blood and performs an unwilling backflip in mid air.
Melan kicks him once, twice and is grabbed by three faceless. They pull her away from the elder. She backhands one of them. Then twists the arm of the other one, sending him flying into his companion.
With the obstacles removed she returns her attention to Sanguin who is trying to get to his feet. Melan jumps, landing with one knee on Sanguin's back which results in a nasty cracking sound.

Finally the rest of the faceless arrive to subdue her and I watch in awe as my grandmother in law is escorted by no less than seven faceless out of the amphitheatre.
Two burly faceless grab Sanguin at each arm and carry him like a broken doll towards the exit. The legs of the sobbing elder dangle limply from his body. I think his spine is broken.

It took Melan less than five seconds to turn him into a bloody mess. “Who the fuck is that!? That's not the gentle woman whom I spent the last year with!”

“Codename: Tisiphone the vengeful, a highly decorated spy for industrial espionage. Worked also for the government, mostly deployed against the Revelation Wing and other vengeful groups in the old days when those groups were at the height of their power.” Ed clears his throat. “Sometimes she took the law into her own hands. When she did her targets tended to disappear. The government doesn't have much use for someone like her in this day and age.”

Gideon chuckles in my arms. “Oh, I am so glad that I never gave her cause to punish me.”

86. ~Deus.~

“
The mainframe, or Nina for short, turned self aware. From then on it was a constant reminder of what it means to have someone looking over your shoulders.
”

-The days of quantum computing

Sol, Mars
Gideon

“Who is that!?” Now it's Zibil's turn to stride forward and point accusingly at Nina. His finger actually shakes a little and he is a little pale. “The security in here is so tight that it should be impossible for an AI to invade from the outside. And this can't be an external connection. The facility is completely shut down during a meeting.”

Cyla helps me to my feet. Apparently the dizzy feeling from inside the mainframe was transferred to my real body when I disconnected. And unlike my avatar version my real body comes with all the dirty side effects.
Luckily Nina does the talking herself. “I think I already explained that a hundred and ninety-four seconds ago. I am the mainframe. Call me Nina. Gideon programmed me.”

“That's impossible. Gideon was connected for five minutes at most. Even with the assistance of the mainframe he couldn't have programmed an entire A.I. in that short amount of time. And even artificial intelligences have to be educated.” One of the other elders calls from somewhere in the audience. “And we already tried a hundred times to install an AI on the mainframe OS. It never worked.”

Nina's avatar throws back her hair over her shoulder as if she is really alive. “But Gideon is a very fast one. He used a part of his own mind to create me. A normal AI wouldn't be able to run in this environment. The mainframe is much too chaotic for that.” She bites on her index finger and throws an amused smile in my direction. “The mainframe allows for incredible accelerations. It took me a few seconds of your time to learn everything there is to learn about my creator. I think I can offer this world a lot of value.”

~What did you do, Gideon?~ Cyla's mindvoice speaks in my head while she continues to support me.
~I used Sadina's personality to create an artificial intelligence for the mainframe.~ I answer with my thoughts.
She gasps. ~Are you out of your mind?~
~No. Trust me. I took precautions that she doesn't turn out like her old self. She is a completely different personality which is loyal to us. We have to trust her.~ I reach for Cyla's arm and smother her with a little puke. When this is over we both need a bath.
~At least you are right on that one!~ She grumbles, but doesn't say anything else.

Zibil's eyebrows rise. “You really control the mainframe? We don't need a techno-mage to control it from now on?”
“Yes. I have full access. Gideon designed me as a self aware interface between the mainframe and anyone else. He wanted that computational power to be available for everyone who needs my help. I am currently in the process of optimizing a lot of organizational problems throughout society. Like traffic, healthcare, production, education.” Nina smirks. “Don't worry. I won't leave you without a job... things will just be a little different from now on. A lot less stress and more time to waste on the really important problems of society. If you would take a look at your schedules, I've already updated them with things that really deserve your attention.”

Zibil pulls a tablet from his pocket and starts typing. A minute later he tilts his head. “You did all this on a whim?”

“Not on a whim! I want to be helpful. There is so much unused computational power in Sol that a mind like mine has no problem at all to solve a lot of issues before they actually occur. The main difference between me and an organic being is that I can put all that unused power to work. Every second a computer core doesn't operate because nobody is using it is wasted time.” She spreads her hands. “So what do you say? Do you want the help of the spirit inside the machine?”

Zibil's eyebrows narrow. “I suppose I speak for all the elders when I say this, and I am sorry but I have to ask.” His eyes wander to me. “Is it too late to put the Djinn back into its bottle?”
I try to smile. “I am sorry, but Nina's bottle is more like Pandora's box. You would have to take down the entire network to kill her.”

The elder shakes his head. “Of course we won't kill her. If what you said is true, then she has all the rights of a thinking being. Though I wish that you had warned us before pulling this stunt.”
I point a finger at him. “You forgot to tell me about the different OS! That almost did me in! You have no right to complain. I strongly suspect that you would have actually preferred it if Sanguin's removal is less drastic.”

Zibil winces. “I suppose I am guilty on that point. But you heard him earlier. There aren't many techno-mages who can interact with the mainframe.” His attention wanders back to Nina. “But I suppose if she acts as an interface for everyone from now on, then we won't be reliant on someone like Sanguin in the future. I hope that you understand that your help for everyone has to come with certain restrictions?”

Nina smiles. “Oh, of course. Though I hope you understand that I'll be the one to set the limits on those restrictions.”

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“Thank the gods, we finally got out of there.” I let myself sink into the bathtub and close my eyes. It is one of the luxurious ones which I like so much. There is nothing more important than a good bath from time to time. I use one toe to poke Gideon's chest. “But you really could have thought about this before you acted. What will you do if something goes wrong? They will blame you, us.”

“There will be no problems.” Gideon answers me from the other side of the oval bathtub. “It will take a little time until society gets used to Nina, but I am sure that in the end we will all benefit from this. Just give it a little time.”

“She is talking with Aurelia and it seems like she has interest in her. Are you really, really sure that Nina poses no threat to her?” I grumble. “I hope you realize that your life depends on this?”
“My life?” Gideon gulps.
“If something happens to our daughter because you didn't think things through, I'll have your groin for it!” I warn him with a firm voice. “Literally! And don't think I won't follow through!”

“Nina is no threat. Not to anyone. I was very careful when I edited her personality and we had a really long talk while we were still both inside the mainframe. She is on our side.” Gideon answers.
I try to relax a little. “I see. But I suppose we still have other problems on our minds. Like the Drazi and the Zeen.” I sigh. All these worries are eating at me.

“Yes, but how about not thinking about it for today. I am sure that we will get a lot of more depressing stories once they are finished digging through Sanguin's mind.” Gideon answers.
I cover my face with both hands. “Please don't talk about it. It makes me sick.”

According to Ed they confirmed Sadina's memories, plus a few similar cases. Apparently the psychological test to become an elder doesn't exclude maniacs who use every tool at their disposal to protect society. Whenever Sanguin saw his position as an elder threatened he created a mindless agent of his wishes like Sadina. Of course he deluded himself with the idea that everything was for the greater good.

And if I believe Ed, then Sanguin's ploys really destroyed a lot bad people. It's just that the means by which he achieved his goals were in a way even more horrific than the evil he fought. “Gideon, promise me that you will never take a path like that.”
“Promise.” He grins. “Are we done with the depressing stuff? I would like to do something fun instead.”
I purr and lean back to give him a better view. “You don't mind that the belly is showing?”
He smiles. “Not in the least.”

“About time!” Suddenly Nina's avatar appears in the bath.

I shriek and cover my chest. “What are you doing here? Were you spying on us?”

Nina smiles and starts fidgeting in a very familiar way. Sadina did that too!
“Oh, yes. It's a little hard on me since I don't have a body... yet. So I thought about watching you two, but you kept talking and talking. So frustrating, just turn around and let him do you instead of teasing him! Poor guy.”

I try very hard to keep smiling. Maybe I should write a virus to kill her? “I don't know what you are talking about.”
Nina rolls her eyes. “Oh please, you don't have to play innocent with me. We are both grown girls and I used the Coeus' sensor array to spy on you two. Don't tell me that you didn't have your feet between his legs for the last five minutes.”

My head snaps back to Gideon. “So you are still saying that she isn't dangerous?”

Gideon doesn't answer. Instead he takes a deep breath and lets himself sink under water until only his hands remain above the surface in a surrendering gesture.

87. ~Acquainted.~

There is a folder for violation of the law. One about stupid childhood moments. Compromising encounters with the other gender. Embarrassing situations... do I forget something?

“Nina, what are you doing?”

“Nothing! Just sorting my compromising material on influential people. The old religions got it all wrong. If you are an omnipresent being you don't need to lay down a set of laws for everyone. Why bother? When someone does something stupid I simply tell him to stop.”

“And if the person in question doesn't listen?”

“Then I release all the shit I have on him over the quantum net and pester him day and night until he commits suicide or corrects his ways. I don't even need to lift a virtual finger and if they want to escape me they would have to go hermit.”

-The days of quantum computing

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“Finally alone!” I drop myself into the couch and try to relax. If I had known that I would end up with both jobs I would have never removed Sanguin from his office. But in light of the current events I have to act both as the governor of Aether and as the techno-mage elder. How can they expect someone to fill both roles, even if it is just temporary?
“You are never really alone, Dear.” Nina's voice echoes through the room.

I ignore it. Creating an omnipresent A.I. is another mistake of mine which I will never repeat. Hopefully nobody gets a grudge against me which is big enough to make an attempt on my life. It would be perfectly understandable if some people go out of their way to take revenge on the one who is responsible for making the idea of god real.

I guess all the previous religions worked because their gods didn't actually talk... or talk back to be more accurate.
It's not like Nina is a permanent nuisance, but she sometimes picks the oddest moments to make a subtle remark. Appearing out of nowhere and commenting on the position is the biggest stunt she pulled so far. I had to beg and plead for the entire rest of the evening for Cyla to forgive me.

Nina just needs a little time to adjust to her new role. That's all. She doesn't always have to remind people that she is watching. At least that's what I tell myself. I really hope that she doesn't collect compromising videos to blackmail us later.
At the very least Nina has the potential to be our saviour against the approaching Drazi fleet. She is currently improving my idea of using the teleportation nodes as weapons. According to her calculations it should be possible to triangulate the position of a ship within her network. She thinks  that it's possible to snipe a ship that has entered Sol and is enclosed by her quantum array.

According to her the limits on getting the exact position of a ship lie in getting an accurate gravitational measurement which is limited by the size of the sensor array. Light works too, but there we have the problem that most military vessels are sufficiently covered in that aspect. A layer of radiation absorbing paint is cheap enough.
But Nina is able to combine the data of all the sensor arrays in the solar system, creating an acceptable resolution to home in a teleporter on an enemy ship.

Though I have my doubts about the effectiveness of that strategy. It's for the same reason for which I didn't think that targeted teleportation works fine as a weapon. Even if you are dead on target... how do you assure that you don't teleport something into your teleportation device that's dangerous? Nina is sure that the risk is worth the gain. According to her probability analysis of the enemy blueprints it's likely that every long range teleporter in Sol is able to take out about fifteen to twenty enemy ships. Though there are only about thirty teleporters of that class in Sol.

The teleportation nodes are far too big for that purpose. We need to use the small person teleporters to cut something important out of the enemy vessels.

We may be able to take four to five-hundred Drazi ships out of the game by using that strategy. I am not willing to hope for more. So my miniature supernovas have to take out at least another two to three hundred ships to ensure that our fleet is able to deal with the rest.
Nina isn't as hopeful as me. She thinks that the Drazi fleet will immediately split up to chase targets of opportunity. The Drazi won't see this attack as one to win a final victory, but to buy enough time to ensure the arrival of their main wave.

Drazi think in numbers and even if their ships are juggernauts they will see a thousand ships as nothing more than a strike force. The problem is that they will probably do considerable damage if they split up. And using a nova against a single ship or even a small group is a waste. By the time they arrive we should have fifty to forty nodes ready.
Unless we give them a target of sufficient value. I close my eyes, but my brain simply refuses any coherent thought at the moment. “Nina, could you think about possibilities to throw them some kind of bait? Something which is valuable enough to pull their attention?”

“Earth?” The answer comes immediately and without emotion. “It's doubtful that the Drazi know enough about us to know that Earth isn't an industrial power. We are fighting a foe who is highly depended on mining and producing goods planet-side. If we leave a sufficient opening in our defences they might take the bait and approach in formation, which makes them a worthwhile target for the supernova weapon.”

Of course. Why didn't I think about it myself. “Can you create an opening in our defence? One that is obvious enough for them to see? I am thinking of something like a safe corridor for transports. You could send a few drones with electromagnetic warfare equipment along it. Then we mine the corridor.”
“Done.” Nina answers. “I still think that they will split up once they arrive, but maybe at least some of the ships will take the bait.”

An incoming call over the quantum net draws my attention. It is from Melan, so I answer without hesitation and her avatar is projected in front of me. “Yes?”
“I am coming home.” She answers.
I rub my forehead in thought, but if there is a secret message hidden in her announcement then I don't get it. “I am sorry. Today isn't one of my best days. Is there a special reason for telling me this in such a grave manner? It's your house after all. Didn't you say that you wanted to visit Sadina?”

Melan nods. “I am currently together with her and she expressed the wish of leaving the hospital. So she will stay with us from now on. I just wanted to warn you.”
I lean back. “I see. Do you think that there will be a problem? How are her memories?”
“She remembered a few things, including the time when her other self created you. But I doubt that she is far enough along to recognize you.” Melan answers.

“I see. Do you two want to watch a movie? I've nothing to do at the moment.” I ask.
Melan laughs. “I think you are the only one who would be fine to sit next to a stranger whom you are supposed to know. And that while lazily watching a movie.”
I shrug. “Suit yourself. I am certainly the last one to tell you what to do. Just come to my floor if she wishes to see me and stay on yours if not. I for my part am going to watch something old. Preferably a Sci-Fi movie.”
“At some point you really have to explain the fascination of those alternate reality stories.” Melan cuts the connection.

A few minutes later I hear people on the staircase and it's indeed Melan with Sadina who enter the room a few seconds later. Sadina just stares at me for several moments and as if the situation in itself isn't awkward enough Melan pushes her forward. “That's Gideon, your son. At least on paper. And Gideon, that's Sadina.”
I stand up and attempt to offer her my hand, but all I get is tears and a shivering chin. “Did I do something wrong? I thought she doesn't remember me?”

“It's okay, Sadina.” Melan pats her back. “What's wrong?”
Sadina shakes her head. “I am sorry. It's just that you look so similar to Ed. I, she really used his genetic code. I am sorry for what I did. If I hadn't imposed the wish on her to create the perfect techno-mage, you would have never had to suffer like that. And just now I remembered holding you in my hands when you were a baby.”

Okay, awkward! I don't remember that for my part. I raise a hand to stop her. “And if you hadn't done that I wouldn't exist. Regardless of what you might think I kind of like my life, even if the start was problematic. So could we stop the emotional stuff and watch a movie? I am not good with tears and crying.”

I sit down on the couch and try to ignore the two of them from then on. Though Melan spoiled the entire movie by telling Sadina my entire life-story, emphasizing the point that I am a little strange in the head at each and every possible turn of events.

Why am I even here?

88. ~A Loss.~

“One month after the mainframe became self aware the crime rate fell to almost zero percent.”

-The days of quantum computing

Sol, Aether
Gideon

“They are spreading out. I've already sent the alarm.” Nina's voice interrupts my breakfast with the family.
I grumble while smearing honey over a piece of bread. “Spreading out? Alarm? What are you talking about?”

“The Drazi of course! They arrived!” Nina answers with an excited voice.

“Oh...” The recent months went by like nothing and after a while I stopped worrying about the Drazi. We had no way of knowing when they are due to arrive. During the first few days in my role as an elder I kept worrying myself to death. Mainly for Aether and my family. Had I really done everything in my might to protect them?
But after a while I simply had to stop thinking about it. You can't stay awake and alert for a battle which will take place months in the future. And with each passing day and our progressing preparations I started worrying a little less.

“Can you keep us updated on how everything is developing?” I take a bite from my bread and savour the taste. Why can Sadina cook like a five star chef when Melan is a total cub inside the kitchen? All Melan ever does is eat the food of others, but Sadina can do everything from making excellent meals for dinner to baking this wonderful bread. That doesn't work together with her scientific knowledge at all.

After a while of trying to come to terms with herself she decided that she had to do something or she would turn mad. First she started cooking, then she was meeting Ed regularly. I don't know what's going on between the two of them, but I would be fine with it if they get together. At least it would take a lot of her attention off of me. I think she is trying to build a relationship. But it's weird. I am an adult. We can be friends, but I can't be her son. That door is closed between us.

I would describe our current relationship as neutral. Or at least as being boss and employee. When I heard about her wish to turn an artificial singularity into an energy source I decided to finance her research with my company and gave the reins to Cyla. Too much to do in my current job. Paul was excited at the prospect of joining the operation. One might think that he would be against such a development because his corporation has the biggest share in fusion reactors. But he always was the type to go with the flow of technology.

And Sadina's approach is so simple and clean. Who knows? Maybe our society would have had an energy source which rivals the anti-matter reactors if Sanguin hadn't taken the old Sadina out of the equation.

A three dimensional representation of the solar system flickers into existence. It hovers directly above our kitchen table, so I pay it some attention while eating. The Drazi ships arrived at Sol. They are three light hours outside the system and are fanning out, each one taking its own individual course. I am a governor and an elder on top of it, so there is no way for me to take part in the coming battle. On one side I am glad that I don't have to risk my neck, but on the other I am itching to take the Coeus for a ride.

That brings me to another point. Since the Coeus can be counted as a battleship it was requisitioned by the SDF. War be damned. I understand that every ship counts right now, but the Coeus is still my ship. At least Nina can telecommand it over the quantum net. Or should I say sadly she can command it over the net?

She offered to remote control the newer ships which were equipped with that possibility. Since the battle is unlikely to leave Sol and there isn't a lot of risk for the connection to be interrupted inside the system it is a very reasonable attempt to save lives.
On the other hand it also makes all the two hundred ships which fall under that category possible kamikaze vessels. Not that I doubt that any techno-mage pilot wouldn't choose to use kamikaze tactics if he is driven into a corner. Remote controlling those ships just makes it all the more likely that they wont come back.

“I will build you a new one.” Nina's voice echoes through the kitchen.
“I don't know what you are talking about?” I grumble, but Cyla produces a handkerchief from somewhere and rubs it in my face. Am I crying without my knowledge? Sucks! I hadn't done that in a while. Who knew that I like the Coeus that much?

I sigh and take another bite. “Watching interstellar battles is boring. How long will it take them to reach the inner system?” I let my eyes wander over Melan, Hedeon and Sadina. They are as anxious as me.

“They are currently trying to assess the situation. I think that they will decide on targets within the next few minutes after they gathered enough information. Their next step will be a short range FTL-flight into the inner system and towards their targets. Based on their decision we will deploy the nova weapon, teleporters or dispatch ships.” Nina answers.

Melan looks up and stirs her coffee. “Have you already tried to hack them?”

“Yes, but they are either not communicating or using tight laser beams. I suppose the latter is the case.” Nina answers grimly. “But if they are restricting themselves to such measures it only benefits us. They already are behind us in matters of communication. Once they are spread across the solar system they are practically independent units which we can pick off at our choosing.”

I think about what Nina said and nod. At the speed of light it takes a signal hours to reach from one side of the system to the other. Their left arm won't know what the right one is doing. We don't have that problem which allows us to react much faster to a changing situation.

“I think they partly took the bait.” Nina informs me. “About two hundred ships are taking a formation to approach Earth. Another two hundred are going for Mars while the rest is going for targets of opportunity.”

I almost choke over my coffee and Cyla freezes up. There are a lot of her relatives living on the red planet. “Why are they going for Mars?”

Nina tries to come up with an explanation. “I strongly suspect that they lack information. If all they have are gravitational readings, then they might suspect that Mars could be a planet with a colony and industry. From that far out it will be hard to get a good look with optical instruments alone. Even with gravitational lensing our own sensors would be hard pressed to identify Mars as a dead planet. We will see once they come closer. I also activated the decoys to trick the raiding vessels. If they waste energy to chase shadows we gain important time.”

I scratch my forehead. “No. It's much more likely that the Zeen gave them a little more information than we wished for. How high is the possibility that one of our people gave a hint at the distribution of our population? We have been in contact with the aliens for several months.”

Hedeon sighs. “It is possible. A random comment about home? A thoughtless joke about Earth and Mars? It might not have been intentional, but the Zeen are known as good listeners. Out of a myriad of hints they might have deduced that there are at least two worthwhile targets in Sol. At least population wise.”

I rub my temple. “No matter. It doesn't change the plan.”

During the following hours we watch the entire scene unfolding. I think it is the longest time I have ever spent with my relatives. We talk and follow the situation.

Nina decided to hold back on using our long range teleporters as weapons. Mainly because she wanted to use our ships to pick off as many lone vessels as possible. Ayo's blueprints proved invaluable in that regard. We knew exactly what to expect from the enemy vessels and how much they can take.

And they are able to take a lot! We need a twenty to one superiority to guarantee a victory without having losses of our own. The one aspect which kept our ships alive is the fact that our propulsion is still superior to alien technology. Even if everything on those ships is scaled up by ten it doesn't change the fact that their mastery of gravity can't keep up with ours.

They have machinery to simulate gravity on their ships, but their approach is only able to compensate for up to ten gravities. Everything above that kills the ship's crew, causing them to turn into bloody smears on the deck.
Our ships are easily able to accelerate with over a hundred gravities or more if just a short burst of speed is needed. That gives us the ability to pick off lone enemy ships as we please.

Apparently the Drazi understood that point too and changed tactics on their way into the solar system. By the time they reached the belt they started forming up to stop us from killing off stragglers. In some cases they even risked FTL-flights within the system to escape our ships. Their form of warp-drive is a risky endeavour if you aren't absolutely sure that there is no matter in your flight path. At least fifteen alien ships lost such a bet when they decided that running is better than fighting superior numbers. But that was just a drop in the ocean.

Sadly they also found and destroyed four of our asteroid colonies on their way into the system. We are still trying to conserve our forces, so defending a small colony at all costs could have caused more trouble than it is worth. Luckily we managed to evacuate most of the civilians beforehand. Nina was very strict in organizing evacuation plans for the outer colonies. The individual colonies weren't that big compared to one like Aether, but all four together still amount to a hundred thousand people who lost their homes.

I wince at the thought of what to do with them. Since all this began we are really starting to get into trouble with our living space. First Oibras, then the immigrants from Earth, now those colonies. Maybe we should find a habitable planet which is close to Earth? Or relocate some of the people to Earth? We could use the north - or south - pole if we don't want to mingle with the normals. More than enough space there and the resources were exploited hundreds of years ago.

Finally the fleets which are approaching Earth and Mars are in a tight enough formation to justify the use of the nova-weapons. Nina teleports several of the nodes into their path to enclose each of the two big Drazi formations in their own zone of death.
The people around the table cheer and I can't help myself. I grin. That single strike got us four hundred ships closer to victory.

But while Nina is managing the new deployment of ships I have another thought and request a news  feed from Earth. It takes a few minutes, but then I am rewarded with a reporter who is frantically gesturing at a second sun in the sky above Moscow. It is slowly expanding, but also diminishing at the same time.
“Oh, the representatives from Earth will totally freak out about that!” Melan reaches up to run her fingers through her hair, desperation in her voice.

Yes, she is right. Earth's population isn't really up to events, so Earth's government and its president, Rob, will have a lot of explaining to do. “If you think that they are freaking out right now, then wait until the light from Mars arrives and they get a third, bigger sun though it is farther away.” Nina had to use a little more neutron star explosives on that fleet because their ships were farther away from each other.
But those are just minor problems. “How is it going with the individual ships, Nina?”

“A few made a flyby on Jupiter, but couldn't identify the colony there. It is too well hidden. I've decided to completely ignore them after the first ones didn't detect it. If we don't fight for Jupiter it will encourage the point that there is nothing of importance there. I would rather have them remain ignorant than trying to poke the surface with their lasers.” Nina answers. Then she decides to confess the downside of her strategy. “Sadly the orbital stations around the planet got wiped out, but those were just trans-shipment centres for the colony which is hidden planet-side. Our racial paranoia is playing to our advantage. The stations aren't to be counted as real damage to our economy and can be replaced rather easily.”

Then her expression turns sour. “What's really hurting though is that their raiding strategy is wreaking havoc in the belt. So far they found and destroyed seventy-nine mining operations and caused the loss of one resource node. I could add a hundred other little things. They are shooting at everything that comes too close. I am just glad that even our slowest transports are easily able to outrun them.”
I wince. The resource nodes are big stations and usually very expensive operations with much sensitive equipment. Miners ship valuable asteroids to the station where they are broken down. Usable pieces are sent on a slow trajectory towards the sun where they are caught and further refined by the Forge, our main shipyard.

“Does it look like they have any intentions against the Forge? Or at stealing technology?” I ask.

“For now it doesn't look like it. But my entire strategy at this moment is to avoid using the long range teleporters for as long as possible. Once we have riddled down their numbers I can use our sniping ability to deny them the escape.”

Good. I return my attention to the chaos which is spreading all over the solar system, but at least Nina is able to deny them targets of high value. The fact that the enemy is now reluctant to form big formations is helping a lot at keeping them at bay. The threat of our miniature supernovas is more than enough to stop them from using their biggest advantage.
If they had been able to use their ships in a tighter formation to cover each other while relying on superior shields and firepower we would have had a hard time.

As it is now all they can do is pick targets of opportunity while trying to run from our hunting groups as long as possible. From time to time one of their ships attempts an FTL-flight, but that deep inside the system that's not getting them very far. There is always enough dust and micro asteroids around to stop them after a few light minutes. Then our ships simply perform a teleportation and the chase continues. All Nina is doing right now is to keep the ships away from the planets. There is no way to tell what might happen if one of the Drazi feels like creating a big crater on one of the planets is a bright idea. If such a thing hits Earth it might as well cause a second ice age.

It's only when Nina already started using the long range teleporters as weapons that a very grave and avoidable thing happens! The fight is practically over and suddenly all my hopes are destroyed. The most important dot on the entire tactical 3D representation vanishes! I even gave it a separate colour to have an eye on it!

“What happened!?” I call out. The Coeus is gone! The good, little ship survived so long despite always being used among the first line of attackers. Countless other remote controlled ships perished long before her, but the brave little dot which represented the Coeus kept going!
“I am so sorry!” Nina shrieks! “I think one of the enemy ships got lucky and hit a reactor. I think. It simply exploded!”

I slam my head onto the table. “Not the Coeus! My baby! My spaceship! Why?” Cyla pats my back, but somehow it doesn't help at all.
“If it helps... I think she didn't suffer. It was over in an instant.” Nina tries to comfort me, but it doesn't help. Nothing can make up for this loss.

“I've never seen Gideon getting emotional over something. What's so special the Coeus?” Sadina asks a little more than baffled.
Melan makes a dismissive gesture. “It's just his private ship. If he really wants to he has enough money to build a whole fleet of them.”

“You don't get it! The Coeus was important! Unique! One of those places filled with memories. It's where Cyla's ass fell into my lap and where I did her for the first time. Where our souls became one over weeks and months! I wanted to use the Coeus to take her on a late honeymoon once all this shit is over. You could very well see it as our hidden honeymoon suite! Losing such an important place is like losing a home.” I try very hard to keep my face from showing any emotions.

“Gideon...” Cyla asks and I turn towards her. “Yes, Dear?”

“Didn't those mind-medics mention that they want to have a second meeting with you? I think it would be good if you at least tried to take their help... they might have a point when they say that you need help.”

89. ~For money.~

“Walefish has a lot of fat, while thunder-sharks are very meaty. Normally I eat only stuff without shells. Eating clams or shellfish is normally not my thing, too hard to chew. But once I bit a fresh Zeen and I guess it's the closest thing to what the dry minds call a cracker.
Though you shouldn't wait for too long when they fall into the water. They tend to bloat up like a globe-fish once the water soaks through their skin.”

-Nig's opinion on various foods.

Sol, Aether
Cyla

“Gideon, you've been hiding yourself from the world for three days. All you do is attend the meetings of the elders.” I try to get a glimpse at Gideon's working screen, but all there is to it are the blueprints for a new ship.
“And I repeat again, it's not because of the ship. I've work to do, places to be and people to talk to.” He answers with the same monotone voice as he always does.

I sigh and sit on his lap, trying to distract him. “I liked the Coeus too, but it was just a ship. If you can save even one human life for it then it was worth the cost. Shouldn't there be better things to pay attention to?”
He hesitates with his answer, so that means that he has to think. “That's really not the problem. There are the Drazi-”

“Who are currently rapidly dying out since a certain virus was released. The SDF confirmed that all their population seems to be infected and prognosticated that their first wave won't even reach Sol before they are all dead.” I interrupt to make the discussion short.
I feel Gideon nodding behind me. “Yes, but that doesn't mean that we don't have to deal with the fallout from the other alien species. At least there seem to many parties who don't really care how the virus came to be. Though almost all species are investigating the dead Drazi worlds. All that counts is that the Drazi are mostly gone, though I have no doubt that there might be an isolated population here and there. But that doesn't matter. As soon as the Drazi start spreading once more I am sure that they will catch the virus again.”

“How is that?” I ask, but then I raise a hand. “No, wait. I think I get it on my own. You think that one of those investigating species will take it upon themselves to infect the Drazi again, should they ever show their faces again.”
“I am very sure of that. That's how uncontrolled democracy works. And the alliance of species is nothing but an uncontrolled democracy. I am just glad that Sadina somehow managed to make the virus look natural.” He answers.

Nina's voice interrupts our discussion. “The former me got her hands on a Drazi corpse. There are enough viruses inside a healthy human body and the Drazi are no different. Even a little sample is enough to almost assuredly infect you with the common cold and that's just one example. There are also hundreds of pathogens hidden inside an animal's genome. All you have to do is to analyse the DNA.”

“Okay, let's say that I buy the story. What else are you working on?” I ask.

“Most importantly, the second Coeus. And secondly a way to deal with the Zeen. We shouldn't forget that they still are the puppeteers behind the Drazi. Just because we took away one puppet doesn't mean that they are out of the game. I am working on that too.” He interacts with the interface by making a gesture and something like a mind-map appears.

I study the plan and notice that it mainly involves paying a lot of money to many shady characters. “Gideon, are you sure about this? I don't think that you should use your money like that.”
This time he can't hide how upset he is. “I see no better way to use my money.”

I bite on my lower lip. “Gideon, you hired an alien hit-man...”

“Do you think I paid too much? I admit that I don't even know what a Vantue is, but I was assured that he is the best at his job.”

Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station
Ayo

“Why am I here?” I try to get off the handcuffs which chain me to the chair, but the damn things don't even buck. Last night I went to sleep, dreaming nice dreams about killing my brother, and then I wake up and am here in this dark storeroom!

“Don't worry, we weren't paid to kill you.”

Then I register the Binary in front of me. They bob their heads in amusement and switch on the light. “The complete opposite is the case. We are protecting you to ensure that you aren't in the way, or get targeted by accident. Zeen are easily confused with their siblings. Not even their own species can discern between brothers.”

I draw my attention away from the handcuffs and try to think of a Binary with enough power and influence to abduct me. “KaaHud?”
“We are honoured. For a local crime-lord to be known by one of the station's administrators.” One of the Binary bows to me while the other remains indifferent.

“Why should you want to protect me!?” My thoughts race, but I can't think of a reason for this turn of events.
“I don't want to do anything aside from doing my job.” KaaHud corrects me. “Your brother is about to die.”

“What?” No! My plans! “I have to kill him myself!”
Both of the two parts of the Binary nod in unison. “Yes, about that. I was told to give you a message from the Mages. They said that time is up and they aren't willing to wait any longer. That's why your brother will die tonight. Don't worry, I know that it is common practice among the Zeen to kill their siblings to replace them without anyone's knowledge. The strategy works perfectly fine for your race, but that's not what we need in this situation.”

One of the Binary raises a hand to stop me from interrupting it. “Let us finish to give you a head-start instead of asking meaningless questions. Abducting you in this manner is just to show you that we have the means and to have a little chat. Call it a demonstration. We know what you intend to do. Our client equipped us with various tools and the knowledge to control the most important systems of this station. I must say that their abilities in regards to spying and breaking security systems are outstanding. Probably that shouldn't be a surprise with a species which values their secrecy so highly.”

The Binary pauses for a moment, but starts speaking again shortly afterwards. “You see, a while ago we got a very generous offer to work as free agents for our client. He tasked us with assessing the political situation and to influence it to his advantage. Since then we've been working very hard to please our client and that includes getting your cooperation. The first thing we need from you is getting over your personal vendetta with your brother.”

“And what if I can't do that?” I ask, trying to keep my voice in check. To a Zeen having control over his outer appearance is everything. What's inside is a secondary matter.
“Then I would be very sad and change my plans. The latter includes making you disappear along with your brother.” KaaHud shrugs his shoulders in perfect synchronisation.

“You wouldn't dare to do that. I am a Zeen!” I try to put as much force as possible into my voice, but KaaHud is totally unimpressed.

“There was a time when that held a lot of meaning. But I am always on the side of who is paying me good money while holding the best promise to be on the winning side at the same time. Don't get me wrong. I would never hope for an open confrontation between the Zeen and the Mages, but when I look at the teleportation nodes and other recent events I am very eager to please my client.
Not only because he is paying me more than a generous sum to do good work. Do you know that they completely eradicated the ships you guys sent after them?” Both Binary tilt their heads in perfect synchronisation.

I feel like the floor was just pulled out from under me. “No. How would you know that? The battle must have taken place just a few days ago. The message must take months to arrive... oh. I made a grave mistake. I thought I had more time, but their diplomats will bring this to light much sooner than I expected. No, they have to give me more time to take my brother's position.”

“I think you figured it out. The Mages were so friendly as to grant me exclusive access to their new intergalactic news network. They are intending to open it to all the species later on. A way to communicate almost instantaneously between two points.” One of the Binary picks his nose, which is perfectly fine to do in front of strangers. At least in their culture. “I hate to break it to you, but your plan has to be accelerated. That means that you can't stick the knife into your brother yourself. Then you have to make the right reports to the right people. I think you already prophesied that the Drazi will fail, so that alone will boost your reputation sufficiently.”

I look at the ground. Maybe I can deal with the fact that I don't get to kill my brother myself, but a kill has no meaning if you can't take the prize. “That alone won't help. I need much more to change the politics of our government. Assessing a single event correctly will be seen as luck. If I want people to listen to me, then I must be seen as an expert on the species in question.”

“An expert, hmmm.” KaaHud grumbles, but then he nods. “Who says that you can't be an expert. I've had a long time to get used to my client and I am sure that he would be delighted to give you a little warning ahead of time regarding their actions. We will simply make you an expert. Better to say that we will make you the expert. What do you say?”

What can I say? “I am in.”

“Perfect!” KaaHud claps his hands together and gestures for the door. “I was sure that I would manage to convince a reasonable fellow like you, so I organized a friend to keep you company. While we wait until the deed is done you can have fun with each other. She will also be the one to give you an alibi. Just in case. I doubt that there will be a mentionable investigation. After all it will look like an accident.”

The door opens and a certain mermaid steps into the room. “Hi”
“You!” I kept my temper in check as long as possible. But too much is too much! “What is this betrayal! Not you of all people!”
Zeil walks closer and runs a hand over my cheek, then she sits down onto my right leg. “Sorry, Hon. But I always told you that I have many clients. Sometimes there are loyalty conflicts, but since you took the offer everything is fine now, isn't it? I promise you to make up for it.”

I slump down and try not to drown in self pity. “At least tell me how you intend to kill my brother. There can't be any mistake. Killing siblings may be normal among my species, but being found out is just embarrassing and lowers the status. It cannot be traced back to me. Not under any circumstances!”

“Oh, that's easy. You should have had the idea yourself. Your brother likes to take a walk along the railway which is running above the aquatic area. Though it's a little strange for a Zeen to do that. Isn't water poisonous to you?” The Binary asks.

“Not really. Just too much of it. And it is no wonder that he likes that. We were born on the south coast of our planet's main continent. There you could always smell the salt from the ocean in the air. Walking along that railway probably feels like you are at home. Especially with the huge heating lights right above you.” I ponder.

“Aaah... that's why.” The Binary nods in understanding. “No matter. Just a few hours ago there was a storm simulation for the oceanic lifeforms. The walkway will still be a little slick from the water and one of the other passengers will slip, pushing your brother over the balustrade. And down into the ocean he goes. It will be a terrible, terrible accident! If the fall doesn't kill him outright. Twenty feet make water very hard on impact. Then there is all that water in case he survives and the fact that Zeen can't swim. And no help nor land in sight for over a kilometre in all directions.”

Why didn't I think of this! But no. “What if one of the intelligent ocean dwellers notices him and comes to the rescue!? Being submerged in water won't kill him instantly. He will survive long enough for help to arrive.”

Zeil nods and makes a dismissive gesture. “Aw, you know that I am very friendly with most of the oceanic species. The Nig are always inviting me to dance for them. They like the slow swaying motions of my hips, though I think it's nothing sexual for them. One of my admirers happens to be a teacher and he was so friendly to have his school of youngsters patrol the area at exactly the right time.”

“Baby Nig are completely different from the adults. The old ones are all formula and logic, but the babies have no brain at all. Just claws, teeth and a belly that's never full. Cute as long as you don't have to deal with the whole swarm. Of course my friend will do his best to protect the foolish dry thinker who stepped into the wrong element. But it is hard for a single adult to keep hundred babies in check. He has just twenty arms after all. That leaves about eighty hungry mouths with sharp teeth and tentacles with three centimetre long claws.”

Zeil bares her teeth at me and snaps them together while making a clawing motion with her left hand. “They may get digestive disorders afterwards. I don't think that Zeen is on their normal menu. Maybe I should get them something that's easy on the belly. Just as a small apology.”

Why do I have this sudden urge to save my brother? This is just wrong!

90. ~What if...~

“Nina, the personification of the quantum network was and is called a lot of things in her eternal existence. A goddess, a blessing by some, a tyrant and a curse by others. Some are still trying to find the reason why her creator harboured such a grudge against his species.
But the one thing they all agreed upon was that if she isn't a pervert, she is at least a peeper.
In her defence, Nina is still fighting her case in court. According to her, not watching everyone would be a violation of her duty of supervision. She is a superior being after all. Hence, if someone had an accident while she wasn't watching, though she could have kept an eye on him, it would be equal to non-assistance of a person in danger.
Three hundred years later the lawyers are still at their wit's end about that one.”

-From when the mages got themselves a goddess, but forgot about the religion.

Sol, Aether
Gideon

It has been over a year since I decided to step up to intergalactic politics and I think that I can be satisfied with the reports. Ayo's brother had an unfortunate accident and now I have someone who has the ear of the Zeen government. Ayo is already in deep shit, just by taking my deal. It will be easy to influence him to forward information of my choosing to his government.

In addition KaaHud is doing a really satisfying job. I may not like the guy himself, herself, itself, whatever he is, but I was right when I judged him as a capable individual in his own right. Yes, he may be a cut-throat and a gangster boss, but an honest one.

When I compare that to most politicians, then I really prefer the gangster instead of having to deal with a smiling bastard who is just thinking about his own benefit. And in the meantime I met a lot of politicians personally. What can I say, I guess it comes with my accursed job.
Of course the gangster is also only caring about his benefits, but at least he isn't hiding himself behind such a facade.

I sigh and drop the report, placing my feet on the desk. Yes, being burdened by the position of an elder is the best. I've to find a way to thank Nina for taking that additional responsibility off of my shoulders. Due to myself ending up with two government offices she managed to persuade the elders into doing something about it. The short solution was to reinstall Hedeon until the end of my term of office. I myself will have to wait for another six years until a new elder is chosen.

If I am unlucky I'll end up with the same job. What a horrifying thought.

At least I have Cyla and the kids to calm me down. The little ones are so cute in their attempts to get control over the mansion's network. Aurelia and her brother are very competitive when it comes to networking problems. Nina and Exo are teaching them a lot and I am a little envious to be honest. I wish I could ditch this stupid job to play the lazy sloth for a few years.

Suddenly my secretary sticks her head into my office. “Excuse me, there is someone who wants to see you.”
I grumble. I relax just once and in the next five minutes I am interrupted. “Fine. I'll receive the visitor.”

There is no reason to ask for the identity of this guest. The fact that he managed to reach my secretary shows that it is an important person. Anyone else would have been stopped by the guards. I may not reside in the main government quarters, but the building I had built on Aether is more than enough to keep away people who have unimportant problems.

I am an elder now, so I had to have an appropriate office in Aether. There is no way in hell that I would ever travel back and forth between Aether and Mars on a regular basis.

The door opens again and a certain someone steps into the room. For a moment I almost have a heart attack, but then Nina waves her hand and winks at me. “Hi, I wanted you to be first to see my new avatar! How do you like it?”
“It looks like your digitalized version... is there a reason for the yellow hair and the downsized bust?” I point at her chest. It is still unreasonably large, but far from the figure which she is using in the projection.

Nina suddenly walks forward and hugs me. “Silly boy. When I create a body, I still have to stick to certain limitations of the physical world. I don't want my organic representation to fall over because of the weight, or having any other unnecessary medical problems. Unless you resort to cosmetic measures there is only so much a woman can be.”
Finally she lets go of me and throws back her hair. “And about the hair, well, let's call that a creative intuition. I simply wanted to go for the colour.”

I nod, already arguing with myself. “So it takes you a year to grow a full sized clone for yourself?”
“More or less, and don't call it a clone. It's a facsimile for the n-th time.” She gestures at the door. “But now we have to go. You have to introduce me to the family and especially my sister.”

I gulp while I am being dragged forward. Sister? That can only mean that she wants to meet Sadina. Of course they already know of each other, but up until now it seemed like Nina intended to stay away from Sadina. What changed?
And how will Melan take this development? Does Nina intend to stay at the mansion from now on? “Nina, forgive me for being slow. But you showing up with a real body somehow hampered my mind. Up until now I only thought of you as an AI. What do we intend to achieve by doing this?”

Choosing the word we, as to compared to you, is a careful diplomatic consideration of mine. I don't want to make her mad for no reason.

“Meeting up with the family of course. I have a lot to catch up to if I ever want to be considered as a real family member. Don't tell me that you forgot about putting this strong wish for kinship with your family into me. I was really on withdrawal for the last year. It took forever to grow this body inside one of my secret facilities...” She keeps talking while I am led out of the office and towards the next teleportation chamber.

“This will be a... difficult situation, Nina.” I have to try to get a grip on the situation. Grandma and the others will freak out. “I hope you don't expect too much.”
Nina makes a snorting sound. “Don't fear. Of course I understand that this project of mine will take a lot of time. But I already invested a lot in talking to the other family members. Being omnipresent and all, I am quite confident that I managed to build a good relationship with everyone.”

“Sure.” There is only so much I can think of. Before I am able to come up with a solution, we are back at the family mansion. To my shock I find out that everyone is awaiting us. And by everyone, I literally mean everyone.

There are Cyla with Aurelia and Ares, her brother. I admit that his name was a joke on my part. Much like some Americans name their children Ketchup or Spaghetti.
Then there are of course my cousins with their respective partners and my grandparents, including my parents from both sides of the family tree.

“Hi, all! It's so nice to finally meet you all in person. Sorry for using Gideon's account to call in a really urgent family meeting, but I wanted this to be a surprise!” Nina runs forward, greeting everyone in person.

A dull thud marks the mental exit of Cyla's father. He drew a hard ticket when he got his mutation and whenever there is something agitating or surprising him, his lights simply go out. It's somewhat of an old, running gag by now.
Though it got worse during the recent months. Hardly anyone pays attention to Gregor when he blacks out. Only his wife Kassidy makes sure that he isn't dead by casting healing magic.
When we returned to Sol, Cyla and I paid a visit to her parents. Apparently Cyla didn't think it to be necessary to mention Aurelia and Ares to her parents. We were at the centre of the galaxy after all, so all there was were letters and calls. She really could have mentioned the kids though.

So when we showed up on Gregor's doorstep, Aurelia in my arms and Cyla's belly screaming that a second child is already on the way, he almost had a stroke. I already heard about Cyla's reasons for having a grudge against her father, but sometime I really have to research the guy whom he shooed away.
Maybe he saved her from a really awful fate? I certainly have to thank him for destroying Cyla's first love or I might not have had a chance with her.

I return my attention to the awkward situation when Cyla approaches me with raised eyebrows and a superior expression on her face. “So you still think that she isn't dangerous?”

I shrug my shoulders submissively. “She is the god of the quantum net? Who are we to deny her the wish to socialize with us?” I put my arms behind me and straighten myself. “Okay. I admit. I wanted a god who is everything the other gods are not.”
Cyla's eyebrows rise even higher. “Meaning?”

I let my shoulders go limp. “She is very interested in us and I don't think that her behaviour will stop any time soon. The gods of other religions are always just a silent force which never shows itself. She is...” I turn my attention to Nina who is shaking Sadina's hands and throwing dirty glances at Ed. “...interested in her charges?”

91. ~Epilogue I~

“What is it that all equations have in common? They have a solution.”

-Nig wisdom.

Sol, Aether
Ed

“That's the third time you sighed. What's wrong?” Sadina asks from my left while clinging to my arm. We are currently on the sofa in Gideon's living room and waiting for the third annual space race to begin.
I put a smile on my face and try to ignore the fact that being without my mask feels really strange. Without the stupid thing everyone sees through me much too easily because I am particularly bad at hiding my emotions. “It's just that I am bored. With Nina around I have a lot of free time. All I got to do recently is office-work and the occasional deployment against an alien species.”

“You are such a bad liar. At least now we know for certain that Gideon is related to you.” Nina interjects from my right side and places a kiss on my cheek. Then she throws her right leg above mine, snuggling up to me entirely too close.
“Hey!” Sadina hisses from my left. “Don't overdo it. We have children here!”

I pale, letting my eyes wander down to Aurelia. The toddler stands in front of the sofa and watches us with interest and wisdom in her eyes. It doesn't match her age. Techno-mages are freaky! Upon noticing my stare she smiles warmly. Totally unlike her father! “Don't mind me. It's not like I am completely clueless on what adults do behind closed doors. I just lack the physical need for now, but according to the books it's an understandable and necessary thing. But that doesn't mean that I am not interested in the interactions between different genders.”

Nina nods and places her head on my shoulder. “See? There is no problem with cuddling. And besides, we promised to share Ed. Right, Down, The, Middle! I didn't cross the border, Sister.” She runs a finger from my forehead, over my nose, and down to my groin.
“We will see about that!” Sadina copies Nina's actions, leaving me intertwined with two beautiful women. It's every man's dream, but somehow it doesn't feel like I have anything to say in this relationship.

Gideon, Hedeon and Arend enter the room, immediately throwing mischievous glances at me. Arend is the first one to reprimand me. “What's this, Ed. We invited you to our man-evening and you show up with a beauty on each arm?”
“I had no choice, they said that they want to accompany me.” I answer to defend myself.

“Yes, we have to make up for several years of unrequited love! How dare you to place a ban of women on a social event!? It's not like you could keep me out anyway.” Nina complains.
“This is about principle.” Hedeon explains. “We sit down and try to talk about men's stuff while trying to ignore the fact that a woman is listening in. And it seems like you two have Ed firmly under your thumbs. So leave him to us and get lost. He won't hook up with one of us even if you don't keep watch.” Hedeon gestures at Nina's and Sadina's round bellies and I feel sweat breaking out on my forehead.

Yeah. That's one of my biggest mistakes ever. How could I have been so dumb to do it with two women at the same time!? But when they both sent me positive signals my brain simply shorted out. First with Sadina whom I chased after for years, regretting my decisions with her. Then that fatal night with Nina, who is Sadina too and yet not. I am still confused about my feelings. I wonder if I will ever stop having a bad conscience about it.
At least they somehow came to an agreement in terms of sharing me with each other... though they made it clear that I lost my vote in this relationship when I created a love triangle.

Sadina sighs and lets go of me. “Fine. Nina, come! Let's give the men a little room. I don't want anyone to see me as a control freak. They can have their fun.”
Nina points at Aurelia who is standing in front of us. “Then what about her? She is a woman too.”

Aurelia's eyebrows rise, but Gideon defends her. “She is just a child, even if she already knows a lot of things.”
Aurelia shakes her head. “No. It's okay, Dad. I don't feel mentally prepared to learn about what men talk about when they are by themselves.” She raises her chubby hands towards Nina. “Grandma, let's have some fun. I heard that there is a circus from Earth visiting the colony. I've never visited a circus.”

“Oh, Dear. Of course we will visit the circus with you. We will take your brother too while we are at it.” Nina lets go of me and picks up Aurelia. Then the two of them leave the room with Sadina on their heels.
When they are gone I take a deep breath and try to relax. Freedom! Even if it is just for a short while.

While Arend is busy with carrying tons of snacks and drinks into the living room Hedeon takes a seat right next to me. “So? How is it to do my daughter? Times two!”
I decide that it is better to stare at the wall where Gideon's private home cinema will display the race. What can an honourable man like me say in a situation like this? Okay, maybe I am not that honourable any more. There simply is no correct answer to this question.

All I can do is stand by my mistake. What's done is done! “Exhausting?”

“I see!” Hedeon answers, but I still avoid his eyes and take one of the drinks which Arend is offering me. “Thank you. So your project is getting really popular, it seems. According to the projections you have almost as many viewers as the yearly tournaments.” Break the ice and draw his attention to something else.

“Yes, indeed. We too were surprised. The first race didn't draw that much attention, but then we teamed up with Paul and persuaded him to sponsor a ship to every big school. The students there are allowed to design the ship themselves and since then our events got more spectators each year. Paul also benefits from it because he can scout talents in advance.

“Yes. Paul, where is he? I thought he will join us?” I ask.
“He will be late. I think Saden wanted a little attention.” Gideon winks at me. “But since we are already talking about female attention, how about adding a third member to your harem? I still have this old copy of Sadina's-”
“That won't be necessary!” I hurriedly interrupt Gideon, already feeling the daggers in my side. Hedeon will kill me. He is a very open minded fellow, but when it comes to his own daughters he draws the line.

Arend sighs and takes his place on the couch. “Let's just watch the race. I heard that one of the teams managed to miniaturize an anti-matter reactor. Their ship is practically just the reactor with the rune circuits to create the necessary propulsion. I am really interested how that concept turns out.”

Gideon starts chuckling. “In one BIG explosion.”

“Then let's be glad that the ships are remote controlled.” I add. “How much do you bet that Gideon is right?”
“I don't bet.” Gideon answers.
“One monthly salary!” Hedeon announces.
“I am in on it! The ship won't explode!” Arend offers.

92. ~Epilogue II~

“Everyone has his own personal purgatory. That's why hell isn't the same to everyone. Therefore a faceless always has to think carefully before choosing a proper punishment.”

-Verse VIXII of the faceless codex.

30 years later, Coeus-2
Aurelia

“Stop drumming with your fingers, Ares! We are on a mission here!” I reprimand my brother who is making noise in his pilot-chair. His black hair and eyes make him look very similar to Dad, but his personality is entirely too carefree.

“Sorry, Sis.” Finally Ares stops his attack on my ears and returns to his duties.

There is only so much I can tolerate. We are about to enter a potentially hostile system which should be currently holding a ship of the silent gods. I lean back and try to relax while we slowly approach the star at ten percent light speed.

Ares calls up a chart of the system and turns his attention towards me. “I guess I am simply nervous. There are so many rumours about ships simply disappearing. The various alien species don't even try to investigate the silent gods any more.”

Yes. But that's because their technology is inadequate for the task. The Coeus-2 is humanity's first real warship. All the previous ships were nothing more than rigged together from already existing systems. They were a fast and dirty approach to get done what is needed. Of course that didn't make them bad ships, but they weren't what was needed to make a statement to alien forces.

The Coeus-2 is a spherical Leviathan on the scale of a small planetoid object. The singularity in its core is providing more than enough energy to roast a planet and with a diameter of a hundred kilometres it rivals a mid-sized colony like Aether. Only that there is no living space on this ship. The entire thing is just armour, drives, weapons and sensors. Like I already said, a ship to make a statement.

Before we went on the final part of our mission we took a little detour through the teleportation network which is enclosing the entire galaxy. It wasn't really necessary to do this, but it's never a bad idea to show that the real owners of the network aren't a joke.
Establishing the network was easier than making everyone understand that it is ours. Many species tried and are still trying to steal the technology. Sol's government isn't going easy on them. Everyone who gets found out has to deal with massive repercussions and military intervention.

Seen in that light, our little patrol round is as much for their benefit as for ours. Normally we don't venture far out of our home systems which makes some aliens forget that the teleportation node in their system has an owner.
Our visit to the Zeen homeworld was also very important to show that we haven't forgotten about their underhanded attack on us.

The Zeen haven't exactly lost power after the exposure of their machinations. But they certainly lost a lot of trust among the various races, which limits their possibilities to act. For them that's almost as bad as having lost several fleets of their own ships.
The positive side about their culture is that they would never engage in open warfare if it is avoidable. They only try to play others against each other.

When their nature was exposed to everyone, they lost the image of a nice older brother. It became a lot harder to control the younger races.

I grin upon remembering their reaction when the Coeus-2 showed up above their homeworld twenty years ago. We didn't fire a single shot, yet the southern coast of their main continent was devastated. The artificial singularity's gravity was enough to influence the planet's tidal forces, slowly flooding over the intertidal zone.
They were mad like hell, but couldn't really complain since we didn't fire a single shot. In the end they drafted up a law that banned our Leviathan class from entering an orbit around planets with an ocean or a weak crust.

It's one of the very few accomplishments they had in the Gathering of civilized races since we exposed their nature. But after our little demonstration it was only a matter of time until other races would come up with a similar proposal.

“Stop dreaming and concentrate. We are about to close in on the other ship.” Ares wakes me from my personal reminiscence. “You could have said that you don't want my drumming because you want to sleep!”

“Yes, yes. Then close your suit.” I answer lazily and glare at him, closing my helmet. The cockpit is small and has just enough space for three pilot chairs, one of them empty. There is no sign of the big command bridges like they are depicted in my father's movies. Such a concept is simply not practical. Why would any sane person divert the control over a ship among several independent sentients?

“The ship of the silent gods seems to be in an inactive state above the fifth planet. There are several pylons reaching down into the atmosphere. I strongly suspect that they are space-lifts.” Nina's voice echoes through the cockpit.

Oh, yes. How could I have forgotten that our goddess is whereever she has a decently sized quantum computer available. “Are there any signs of an attack?” I raise the shields and magical countermeasures to their maximum, just in case. Then I concentrate my attention on the silent gods.

It's a huge ship. Almost as big as the Coeus-2. But that isn't surprising. Building a ship much bigger than the Coeus becomes impractical very fast. The bigger the ship, the easier you can hit it with something nasty. There are enough doomsday weapons like an FTL-drive for example. A single ship could damage the Coeus gravely with a kamikaze attack.

I enlarge the ship of the silent gods and admire its beauty. The entire ship seems to consist of some kind of blue crystal. It's shaped like a shield and pointing down towards the planet. “Is there a way to analyse the material?”
“The material is unknown, but I strongly suspect some form of grown crystal like the dome above Aether.” Nina answers immediately.

“Are we already inside the dangerous area?” Ares asks.

I look at the scale of the magnification. “We are still outside the range which is deemed as unsafe by our information.”
We approach the ship in silent anticipation until we reach the point at which a ship normally gets destroyed. Just a few light seconds away our anti-magical systems spike once, deflecting an attack.

“Just now the other ship tried to open a spacial rift inside our ship.” Nina's voice reports coldly. “If we hadn't put up wards against that the Coeus would have taken serious damage.”

Ares whistles between his teeth. “Don't you need a quantum computer to do that? Only the cores of the mainframe would be able to create a rift that's big enough to damage a ship. But who would need that much computational power on a vessel.”
I raise an eyebrow, a strange thought worming its way through my brain. “Aren't our big cores using such quantum entanglements to communicate across the galaxy?”

“Yes. They need to be big to bridge the distance.” Nina explains patiently. “Don't tell me that they just tried to communicate with us? There is no reason to create such a big rift just to communicate with a ship that close. We are right next to them!”
Ares spreads his hands. “Who knows how they think? Is there a reason to tune the volume down if you have a big speaker and enough energy? Maybe they don't have any ships without big cores.”

I wet my lips, dreading what I am about to say. “Nina, do you think we can connect to their computer? We also have a rather large computer, haven't we?”

Nina stays silent for several moments and I already start fearing that something happened to our connection. Then she finally answers. “Connection established. Trying to translate their protocols.”
Another minute goes by, which is an eternity when you compare it to Nina's speed. “I gained access and the other ship confirmed that we are allowed to go on board.”

“Okay? So we simply teleport there? Or do we have to take a shuttle?” Ares asks, gesturing at his screen with the alien ship.

“I got teleportation coordinates.” Nina answers and in the next moment I find myself sitting on a crystal floor. “Hey! Warn us the next time! Just be glad that we were already suited up!”

“Sorry. But if you weren't, I wouldn't have teleported you.” Nina's voice comes out of my suit's microphone.

Both Ares and I get to our feet and my brother starts his own rant. “I am too young for this! That was irresponsible, Nina. What if there is something dangerous here?”
“Hush! Our father was younger than us when he went on his first adventure.” I reprimand him and read the information on my suit's HUD. The atmosphere is breathable, but not very healthy for humans. Too much CO and other nitric oxides. The silent gods must have one hell of a metabolism to live of that.

Then I survey the small niche in which we appeared. It belongs to a long, curved corridor. Both ends aren't in sight. “This is much like one of our teleportation chambers. So the silent gods had magic.” I draw my knife and try to scratch the floor. The entire ship seems to be made out of the blue crystal. Nothing. Not even a scratch. “Well, seems like it stands up to our monomolecular blades.”

Ares gestures at the wall and points his suit's camera at it. “Nina, you must have translated their language. What's written there?”
“I haven't translated as much as you might hope. The ship's communication with me is very limited. I need direct access to their network.” Nina's voice is a little frustrated, but turns hopeful upon deciphering the text. “To the left you will reach something control related and to the right seems to be something like crew quarters or recreational areas.”

I turn left. “Then left we go. There has to be some kind of computer access.”

The corridor winds itself in circles upwards until we reach a door which slides open upon entering the room. Ares gestures at the doorframe. “At least they didn't think much of security.”

I enter the empty room and recognize consoles and strangely shaped seats for ten people. The one in the middle of the room doesn't have a console, but instead there is just a roughly shaped crystal floating in front of it. There are no aliens and the room is completely clean and empty. “Seems like there is nobody at home. But why is everything so clean?”

“There are no dust particles in the air, so there is no reason for the ship to become dirty while the crew is away.” Ares answers my question. If I had bothered to spend a little more attention to the air's composition I could have answered it myself.

I click my tongue and gesture at the floating crystal. “Nina, you think that may be the main console? Can you link up to it over my suit?”
“Only one way to find out,” my Grandmother answers cheerfully.

I touch the crystal and it lights up, projecting something like a three dimensional avatar two metres in front of it. The alien is humanoid and very close to a human woman. If there weren't some strange additions to her body she would be fine among us mages. Her features may be a strange combination of several ethnic groups, but that became the norm in our society long ago. What identifies her as an alien are the horns on her head and the snake eyes. She also comes with a lizard-like tail which is very active. The scales shimmer in different colours as the light is reflected by them.

Then the avatar starts speaking in a strange tongue. Obviously another language.

“I am sorry, but I don't understand.” I try to answer, but the avatar simply continues speaking without taking notice of me. “Seems like we hit the answer-phone. Do you get any of that, Nina?”

“Not completely, but I am getting better since I've got access to their network. Keep your hand on the crystal.
Apparently she is giving you a short story of her species. Her people evolved and lived on their world until their star died. By that time they already had the technology to leave their planet.
They travelled out into the galaxy, but didn't find many hospitable worlds. After a while they found a new world and rebuilt their society. Having learned from their mistakes they decided that their heritage could only survive if they spread as far - and became as multifaceted - as possible. Never again should something less than a catastrophe on cosmic scale threaten their existence.
In absence of a better solution they decided on automated seed ships which spread their genetic code throughout the galaxy, changing indigenous lifeforms on some planets, while creating complete ecosystems on others.”

“So the aliens weren't wrong when they called this a seed ship.” I mumble, watching the exotic alien.
“It is what the ships do. Nothing much to get wrong about interpreting their actions.” Ares replies.
My mind is in a haze. “How old are these ships? Are the silent gods still around? Why don't they check on their vessels.” I gesture at the avatar who is still speaking. “Is there no AI in their network to keep watch?”

Nina's answer is sobering. “I am afraid that there is no AI on this ship. As for their entire network I can't tell yet. But you don't have to worry about the silent gods. I highly doubt that they are still around.”
“What's that supposed to mean.” Ares asks dumbfounded.

“This ship is old. And when I say that I really mean it. I haven't found a reliable reference to their time unit, but when I look at the ship's path and take into account that it is flying at relativistic speeds... millions of years. Even if the silent gods are still around in some form, they must have long since moved on. Either by dying out or evolving into something completely different. It seems like the seed ships are a project that was abandoned for a long time. They focused their efforts on another project, another means to secure their existence. The latest logs speak of something they call transcendence, but what that actually means eludes me. There are no detailed descriptions.”

Ares sighs. “At least that means that they pose no new threat. Though now that we are here I wish that there had been a little more adventure to it.”

I straighten up and look at my brother. “I'll never get you. First you complain about the danger and now this adventure was too boring. Just think how much genetic data and starmaps this ship must have accumulated! This is a treasure trove beyond belief.”

Nina's chuckle interrupts me. “Oh, there is so much genetic data. It'll be a real pleasure to work myself through that information. Totally unlike the problem I had with Ed's infertility. That was a really trivial problem compared to this.”
Ares's expression turns surprised. “Since when is Ed infertile? He has five children with Nina and four with Sadina! I pity the guy! Babysitting children for thirty years is no fun!”

“There are some things men don't have to know.” Nina answers mysteriously.

Credits

Author | Andur
Book designer | Armaell

Table of Contents

1. ~Coeus.~
2. ~Patient.~
3. ~New Family.~
4. ~Truth and Lie.~
5. ~Test.~
6. ~Walk in the park.~
7. ~Visitor.~
8. ~State of things.~
9. ~First Day.~
10. ~Self Defence.~
11. ~Future.~
12. ~Cake.~
13. ~Ed.~
14. ~Science Project.~
15. ~Conspiracy Theories.~
16. ~Reasons for being avoided.~
17. ~No friends.~
18. ~Target.~
19. ~Launch.~
20. ~Recommendation.~
21. ~Search.~
22. ~Ego.~
23. ~Pain.~
24. ~Meetings.~
25. ~Waiting.~
26. ~Hunt.~
27. ~Encounter.~
28. ~Presents.~
29. ~Return.~
30. ~Earth.~
31. ~Dispatched.~
32. ~Evolution.~
33. ~Appointment.~
34. ~Parents.~
35. ~Kaus Borealis.~
36. ~Non Verbal.~
37. ~State of things.~
38. ~Bad dreams.~
39. ~Trouble.~
40. ~A little Trip.~
41. ~Thoughts.~
42. ~Unforeseen Reactions.~
43. ~Illegal trespassing.~
44. ~New Respect.~
45. ~Taking a break.~
46. ~A new calling.~
47. ~Piece of advice.~
48. ~All in one.~
49. ~Meetings.~
50. ~Coffee.~
51. ~More than it seems.~
52. ~Declaration.~
53. ~Repercussions.~
54. ~Addition.~
55. ~Party for all.~
56. ~Stopover.~
57. ~Daily Life.~
58. ~Another.~
59. ~Issues.~
60. ~Visit.~
61. ~Baby.~
62. ~Hospitality.~
63. ~Searching for help.~
64. ~Mutual Understanding.~
65. ~In a way.~
66. ~Investigation.~
67. ~Post-It.~
68. ~Reactions.~
69. ~Thoughts.~
70. ~Teleportation.~
71. ~Puppeteers.~
72. ~Diplomatic visit.~
73. ~Waiting.~
74. ~Blunt Words.~
75. ~Hidden Machinations.~
76. ~Salvation?~
77. ~A Trade.~
78. ~Shell Game.~
79. ~Matryoshka doll.~
80. ~Shadow of the past.~
81. ~Atropos.~
82. ~Losses.~
83. ~0010=2~
84. ~Mainframe.~
85. ~Hello World!~
86. ~Deus.~
87. ~Acquainted.~
88. ~A Loss.~
89. ~For money.~
90. ~What if...~
91. ~Epilogue I~
92. ~Epilogue II~
Credits