by Aer-ki Jyr
“You wish us to have a subservient role?”
“We respect your sovereignty, despite your inferiority, and only ask that you respect our wishes with regards to targets while you continue to expand. It would do no good for you to attack our other associates, for we would have to choose between you and the conflict would diminish us all. If you stay away from those we designate as off limits, we trust that your own goals will run parallel to our own. You will not let the V’kit’no’sat escape your wrath after what they have done, but you don’t have the power to stand against even a small portion of them now. With our help, in time, you will.”
“Assuming you are speaking the truth, what are your goals?”
“To reassume our dominance over the galaxy,” the intruder said lithely.
“And when did you hold this dominance? We know nothing of you.”
“Few do, for we are truly ancient. We were forced into exile by…unforeseen events. We are taking great care in our return and are choosing our associates wisely. We believe you would be a valuable ally in our long term goals, and in the meantime we can assist you with the Skarrons.”
“And if the V’kit’no’sat return?”
“We cannot save you in that eventuality, and would highly recommend that you do not attack them again until you are in a position to win. We can provide you information about them that will instill how powerful they are and why such a battle is hopeless as of now.”
“How do you plan to defeat them in this preferred future? What strength do you have to oppose them?”
“Such things we keep to ourself, but the strength we are offering to you is that of knowledge, technology, and limited guidance. We know much of the other powers in the galaxy. Those that are ripe for the taking and those that are beyond you. Your current method is to engage in order to evaluate, but with the V’kit’no’sat that nearly spelled your doom. Once you finish the conquest of the Skarrons we can offer intelligence of those beyond.”
The Sovereign stepped forward, moving through the minions until he took a knee in front of the intruder and looked directly into the glowing eyes as the severed minions finally stopped twitching and died.
“If your boasts can be confirmed, we will entertain negotiations suitable to our own prosperity.”
“We seek mutually beneficial arrangements, for strengthening you will strengthen us and weaken our common enemies.”
“And what is the name of our potential ally?”
The interloper lazily raised a hand and the other three stepped out of their telepathic shadows into view behind him.
“We are called the Chixzon, and while that name is unknown to you, you have encountered our previous work before. I believe you know them as the Hamoriti.”
“Explain.”
“We created them. And had it not been for a chemical flaw that allowed them to be sedated, the V’kit’no’sat would never have risen to power. We would still dominate the galaxy, but rest assured, we are not relying on the Hamoriti. They are a failed past that has lingered to this day.”
“Star Force now contains and commands them.”
“Only because we have not revealed ourselves. If we call to them, they will respond and follow our orders. They were a menace to you only because we were not here to give them direction.”
“You claim the power to control them?”
“Yes, but they are not part of our plans going forward. The weakness in them still remains and is unfixable.”
“And you have such strength that you can dismiss their power so easily?”
“Wisdom is our power. It allowed us to create the Hamoriti, and it can allow us to enhance your race as well…on terms of your choosing. We are not looking for servants, merely associates with overlapping future goals.”
“You claim a great deal.”
“We have a great deal to offer, but there is no rush. Your war with the Skarrons will take centuries to wage. We can prove our strength to you before you make a final decision.”
“And if we refuse?”
“We would not have revealed ourselves to you unless we were certain that you would benefit from the arrangement. We are not reckless and choose our associates well. You want what we have to offer. Your previous association with the Trinx is known to us. We offer a much larger advancement and ask nothing more than the ability to designate targets that are off limits to you. The rest of the galaxy will be yours to conquer while we advance our own agendas separate from and parallel to yours.”
“And if we still refuse?”
“Then we will look for other associates…such as the Skarrons. We came to you first because we see the vast potential your race has, along with your appetite for conquest. Ambition is a trait that is highly underrated.”
The Sovereign stood, dwarfing the Chixzon, and crossed its arms over its chest.
“Then reveal all of your hidden troops and let us begin proper negotiations.”
“There are only four of us on this planet. Our ship will remain hidden from the prying eyes of those passing through this system other than Li’vorkrachnika.”
“You risked much bringing only four here, little one.”
The Chixzon raised his two armatures above his head and ignited the glowing green tips.
“No…we did not. We do not take risks. Four of us are sufficient to kill all of you, but as I have said, that is not our aim. We would much rather become allies and turn our combined power against the V’kit’no’sat…and others.”
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