The Cerberi System was relatively new and unknown in the galaxy, used by Siatia for classified military operations, or so Ardus told Xaleyp. It consisted of dual stars—one a yellow dwarf, and the other a red dwarf—orbited by a dozen small planetoids relatively close and two gas giants further away. It was about a week’s journey from Siatia, two weeks from Arcadia, and hidden among dozens of other stars in a nebula. This made it the perfect place to have a galactic conference between the leaders of the different planets and empires for the first time in hundreds of years.

A space station—named Echo Platform—was constructed out of materials both taken from the planets and imported by contractors, and it was built to withstand the constant barrage of asteroids and other small rocks. Like Vertyn at Stariek, it was assembled with different modular cubes. Though, normally, there were few ships around the station, now there were whole fleets gathered, each as surprised as the next to be in the fledgling star system.

Deep within was a round assembly room with tiered sets of occupied benches and desks situated in a semicircle surrounding a raised dais at the bottom. Here, there was a small platform for a group of people to stand and address the crowd, able to be seen by all, and it was here that Ardus Kain, Hayden Irani, and Xaleyp Vah’Aris stood. Behind them was a screen currently displaying the binary stars in a view from one of the exterior cameras.

The voices of the different dignitaries and leaders from around the galaxy filled the chamber as old feuds were brought up and new friendships kindled. After several minutes of the last entering the chamber, one voice, that of Ardus Kaine, talked above them all, drowning them out.

‟People of the galaxy, I am Siatian Representative Ardus Kaine, and I wish that we would be able to gather here on a less solemn occasion than one such as this one. It has been much, much too long since the galaxy has been able to come together peacefully, shrugging aside the wrongs and injustices left on our shoulders by our forefathers.” He slowly walked in circles as he talked, ensuring that he could look at each of the leaders. Xaleyp struggled to see anything off the platform, as bright lights were angled on him from all directions. When Ardus spoke again, the screen changed to display the ruined Nevermoor Hold, the frigate still laying uselessly in the center with its engine, as well as much of the middle portion that struck the mountain, reduced to the metal skeleton underneath. ‟Three months ago, on the Terran date of the twenty third of May in the year five thousand and four, an armed militant force, believed to be God’s Machine, raided the Arcadian fortress known as Nevermoor Hold. Their assault led to the eventual destruction of the complex, as well as an Arcadian frigate and surrounding environment, irradiating it for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Now, luckily, and against Arcadian desires, I had inserted a team tasked with rescuing the Arcadian Secretary of War, who surely would have perished if Siatia had not intervened.

‟Now, why I gather you all here is because of this one simple fact: Had my forces not been in the right place at the right time, Secretary Lissinius Nevermoor would not be in the care of Siatia today, and it would have plunged the galaxy into further chaos. The Praes Dominion of Arcadia Emperor Tober Delargivic denies Siatian aid at every turn, assuring me that it is unneeded.” Ardus looked as if he wanted to scoff, but avoided doing so, albeit barely. ‟If anything, this proves that they needed our help more than ever, and it required me to work under the radar, against Arcadian wishes, to keep order in the galaxy. The reason for today’s meeting and why you are all here is to prevent an event such as this from occurring again, by allowing Siatian troops to operate wherever and whenever they may be needed to protect the people of the galaxy from threats such as God’s Machine and other terrorist organizations, pirates, and, quite frankly, each other.”

A murmur of dissent ran through the assembly, each of them talking to their neighbors about what Ardus was saying. Xaleyp himself was fidgeting nervously as Ardus lied to everyone, as he knew full well that none of what the man had said so far was true. Was it really such a big deal if he just told the truth about what happened?

‟I am sure that many of you have been given regular updates of the events that transpired, as God’s Machine has been actively terrorizing other planets as well, and I am also sure that you have many questions about what happened on that day. Therefore, I open the floor to anyone who wishes to voice a concern, and I will answer to the best of my ability.”

Silence ran through the crowd at once, none of them wanting to be the first to comment on or question the events. Finally, a scrawny man near the top, his placard indicating he was from Venator, spoke, his voice small and meek but carried by the microphone at his desk.

‟How do you intend on protecting people such as me, at the fringes of the galaxy, from the pirate raids that plague our village?”

‟An excellent question, Lord Stoyer.” Ardus paused for effect, looking once more over the crowd. ‟The answer to that question is simple: Siatia has the military force necessary to form something of a galactic police with its Vanguard Ascendancy. The framework is already in place, and has displayed surprising results on our planet, so it is just a matter of expanding it to allow for our forces to operate across the galaxy. The cost of this, of course, would be taken up by the Siatian government, not requiring any payments for protection, though donations are permitted, and priority will not be given to those who contribute. Our Chancellor, Hayden Irani, has tasked me with drawing up a plan that will help ensure galactic tranquility, and I am more than happy to share it with any who so desire. You can offer whatever feedback you’d like, good or bad, as long as the intention is to provide for greater protections for those who cannot defend themselves.”

Some nodded while others muttered their assent, while a few seemed to be shrinking away, not wanting to be so trusting of the Director. One towards the front Xaleyp noticed was Tober Delargivic, who sat with one legged crossed over the other and a hand against his chin with just the trace of a smile, pondering the words.

‟How do we know we can trust what you say, Representative?”

After several minutes of the chattering around the room, Ardus cleared his throat, and the screen changed to show two columns: one with a green check mark, and another with a red ‘X’.

‟If there are no other questions for the general assembly at this time, I would like to officially offer forth a vote on the matter, to be instituted immediately if passed. On the bill titled, ‘Siatian Concord for Interstellar Genesis,’— which provides for the protection of each planet among this congregation here today, and asserts that it is paid for by Siatia with no cost passed on to those protected—press the green button in front of you if you wish to pass the bill and the red one if you wish to not pass it, followed by submitting your CAM signature for verification.”

At first, nothing happened, and silence reigned in the large chamber. No one pressed either button in front of them, no one talked or moved, and it didn’t seem like anyone was even breathing. Ardus watched the screen with a devious, hungry look on his face, waiting eagerly for what was to come. Then the first votes came in as Tober hit the red button, followed by another party voting against it.

Something didn’t feel right, and part of Xaleyp wanted to scream at the different leaders, wishing they would just all press the red button instead of wasting time sitting there. Yet even has he tried to will it to happen, those two were the only ones as the column on the left, slowly at first then with increasing rapidity, filled with the green check marks until everyone had voted.

Ardus’ head nodded almost imperceptibly with each vote that came in, right up until the last one was cast to further solidify the overwhelming support of his bill. With his back to them none of them noticed the smile creep on his lips for a fraction of a second before he turned, stoic faced, to the assembly.

‟Then that settles it. On the matter of the bill, ‘Interstellar Genesis,’ with a vote of one hundred thirteen to two, the motion passes. Within the coming weeks, you will be contacted by our representatives to formalize the different processes we will go through to ensure your protection and maintain peace and order within the galaxy. If there are any further concerns or matters that need to be discussed, please tell your designated official who will be able to relay that information to me. This meeting is adjourned, to be reconvened in two years time unless otherwise stated.”

The screen stayed lit for effect for a few moments after Ardus stopped speaking, then returned to its view of the stars. Tober Delargivic was the first to stand, getting up so quickly his chair almost toppled backwards but echoing nonetheless as its front legs hit the ground again. Slowly, the different emissaries began standing and filtering to the door at the back top of the room, dispersing and returning to their chambers. When most of the room had emptied, including Chancellor Irani, Ardus pulled Xaleyp aside, bringing him to the screen and turning away from the stands.

‟Now that we have all of that settled, we need to take care of one other matter before we can go any further. These so-called leaders have no clue what they just signed, and we are going to take advantage of that.” Ardus looked over his shoulder and glanced around the room, ensuring that the two of them were alone before continuing. ‟My first order of business as Acusiont—yes, that’s my new title, get used to it—is to promote you to Levion of the Vanguard Ascendancy, with control over all but the generals of Siatia.”

‟Me? Oh, no, I’m just a teenager, Director, I can’t accept that much responsibility.”

Xaleyp felt his heart trying to escape from his chest as Ardus spoke, and his chest constricted at the idea. Isn’t that what his final goal was though? Obtain power and use it for a complete upheaval of the galactic order? Now that he had it, he was just going to balk so quickly at the very notion? Then again, who knew what might happen and who he might hurt if he actually attained what he desired.

‟Remember, it is Acusiont now, but trust me, you deserve every last bit of trust I’m placing in you, and I’m sure it does not go unappreciated.” Ardus looked Xaleyp up and down, a curious look in his eye, before continuing, ‟Now, the first order I have for you to carry out is to arrest Emperor Delargivic.”

Xaleyp started at the orders, his mouth dropping open slightly as he attempted to ascertain whether Ardus was joking or not. Even after everything Tober Delargivic did, the idea of imprisoning him for no reason didn’t sit well with him.

‟Arrest Tober, even after all that you said about protecting all planets around the galaxy equally? Wouldn’t that make the rest of the leaders not trust us and try to keep us away?”

‟Oh, Xaleyp, like me at your age, you have so much to learn, but I have so little time to teach you all you need to know.” Ardus smiled and looked down, shaking his head, as he placed his hand on Xaleyp’s shoulder. ‟One lesson I will tell you though: play to a person’s fears, they will will do absolutely anything you tell them to. When they signed with their votes, they were signing over any claims they had to their planets, effectively handing control over to not just me or Chancellor Irani, but to the newly created Siatian Federation. All we have to do is claim them, and any who attempt to rebel or reject my demands will be put down swiftly by my newest Levion.”

As Ardus spoke, two Siatian soldiers, one a man and the other a woman, walked down the steps towards them, their footsteps echoing in the large, empty room. They wore armor similar to that of the guards when Xaleyp entered the Senate Building, aside from the fact it appeared more ornamental than practical. A cape covered their right shoulder, coming to a point at a clasp at the left, and a single black star was emblazoned on the metal breastplate just beneath the fastener. Their domed helmets were currently recessed into the body of the armor, allowing for free airflow. When they reached the bottom of the dais, they straightened their backs and saluted with a disciplined rap of their fist against their chest.

‟Xaleyp, this is Knight Jareth Croyle and Knight Kata Miko, two of my—or your, I should say—top soldiers in the Vanguard Ascendancy. They will be going with you to escort the prisoner to his cell, so if you would hurry along, as they have places to be.”

‟After this, Acusiont, I want freedom to get the revenge you promised me,” Xaleyp said, feeling the heat rising to his face. Every time he was close to getting revenge for Lina, Ardus just kept tearing it away from him, acting as if he were a spoiled child complaining about his lollipop getting taken.

‟Of course, Xaleyp. After all, I did make you a promise, and I would never treat my Levion as anything less than my friend and ally.”

He said nothing more, walking off the dais and disappearing up the steps and out the door, leaving the three of them alone in the chamber. The two knights stared at him for several seconds, perhaps waiting for an order despite the fact that Xaleyp was not sure what to do. Finally, Knight Jareth spoke, breaking the uneasy silence left by Ardus’ departure.

‟Sir, if you would like to follow us, we can lead you to Emperor Delargivic’s room.” He turned slightly and made a vague gesture towards the door, taking a anticipatory step in that direction.

‟Yes, that will be fine,” Xaleyp said, beginning to follow the knight. Their footsteps echoed with each step, piercing the otherwise still air.

Outside the door was a long and narrow hallway stretching for what seemed like forever in either direction. It was mostly empty, with only an occasional technician moving back and forth from console to console or room to room, and the infrequent windows in the walls left a monotonous view of gray and black metal.

They quickly navigated the twisting, almost labyrinthine corridors and found their way to a small circular atrium bearing several different doors. Tober Delargivic’s chambers, the door of which was plain apart from a small placard bearing his name, title, and planet, was in the center, directly across from where they entered. The two knights led the way, putting up their domed helmets before rapping sharply on the metal as they approached, while Xaleyp stood behind. After a few seconds, it opened, revealing the Emperor of Arcadia, and he looked over each of them before speaking.

‟I believe you are supposed to be getting in contact with my advisors in the next few weeks here in regards to this… arrangement.” He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms and staring at them. ‟I trust that I’m not being discriminated against for voting against that travesty, am I?”

‟Of course not, Emperor,” Knight Kata said, moving forward. She grabbed him by his elbow and spun him around, pressing him against the wall to the side of the door and cuffing his wrists together. He tried to yell out a protest but was stopped before it could fully form. ‟However, we do have orders for your arrest for suspicion of treasonous and seditious acts against the Siatian Federation.”

‟Siatian Federation?” Tober struggled as the two knights attempted to drag him away from the room, drawing the attention of two of the other chambers, who opened their doors and peeked out to see what was going on. ‟What the fuck are you going on about?”

‟Perhaps you should read what you sign more closely next time.” Jareth kept his voice quiet to the point where Xaleyp could barely hear the words.

As they disappeared out of the atrium, Xaleyp turned to the other temporary residents watching what was happening. He tried to smile at them, holding his hands out in a defusing manner.

‟Nothing to see here, people, and no need to worry that you’ll be next. This is not going to be a habit and is only because of the Emperor’s actions, so fret not. Go back to whatever you’re doing, and pretend you never saw anything.”

As he finished talking, he walked out without waiting for a response, quickly catching up to the trio. Tober was struggling in his cuffs and against the two soldiers pulling him down the hall, but otherwise said nothing.

In the pit of his stomach, Xaleyp did not agree with this imprisonment of Ardus’ rivals, even if the man had tried to kill him in the past. All it did was delay his eventual revenge against Arcadia, keeping him tied up in whatever messes Ardus deemed fit rather than on the mission he so desperately yearned for. Eventually, he knew that he would be getting what he wanted—deserved, even—no matter what it took.