If you find mistakes, pls tell, thx. I don't like mistakes.

Also feel free to ask for more background information on the world. I am somehow running out of interesting points regarding the small comments at the beginning of the chapters.

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“

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.”

.