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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“

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.

.