The war was on, Zhang Da Zhi Vs. Baron. The race to gain the most amount of new talents was only just beginning to unfold. With every passing day, the numbers of both sides swelled to such a degree that it was almost a new record for how little time they needed to achieve such a feat. However, the influences that both sides came to reveal were in their pockets coming out of the woodworks as well. Every so often, a few smaller factions wished to join in an alliance with either side. Power was steadily increasing for both Baron and Zhang Da Zhi.

By far the most success that both sides had was the declaration of alliance from the major factions. For Baron, this was the Forever Pirates led by Madam Zheng, as well as the Femme Fatale faction that used to be led by Matron Fu Hao. For Zhang Da Zhi, it was 3 high-tier factions that had set their sights on him and his group a long time ago as well as a few more mid-tier factions. Both sides had more alliances to work through, but for now, there were no shortages.

It had only been a month since Baron had started to recruit new members to his new faction, the Under 1 Banner faction. Things were really starting to get to levels that started to get out of control with how many applicants they were receiving. Thankfully, Roxi came back around this time with a lot of help in tow. She had brought with her many, many people who could help out from the Femme Fatale faction. This allowed Baron and his team a much-deserved break as they had been doing this almost non-stop for the past few weeks. As such, Baron and Roxi decided to catch up once more.

(RB) “So, it seems like everything is going smoothly,” Roxi said with an expectant look.

(BM) “Let me tell you right now, I don’t know how much more of that I could take. If you hadn’t come along with all of this help, I’m not sure if my sanity would have lasted.” Baron responded.

(RB) “Haha, stop exaggerating. If you can handle decades of warfare, I’m sure you can handle this.”

(BM) “Well, warfare is what I’m great at, this, this is just boring me to no end, but someone has to do it. By the way, have you made sure that these ladies you brought with you are trustworthy?”

(RB) “Yes, I took care of everything so don’t worry.”

(BM) “How’s the matron?”

(RB) “She has softened up a bit, but she will need to be a lot more lenient if we are to work on anything together for longer than a month.”

(BM) “Heh. That sure is a strange relationship that you two have going on. Did you have anything to do with the Femme Fatale declaring their alliance with us?”

(RB) “Mmm… I may have… put in a word to matron Fu Hao who in turn spoke to the current leader of the Femme Fatale.”

(BM) “Hah, you sly dog. The matron still has so much power that she can force the new leader to make a new alliance just like that?”

(RB) “Oh, she has more power than you know. Even I was quite surprised when I found out what she had managed to accomplish. Fu Hao is one wild card that I am sure is on our side.”

(BM) “That makes two of us. Anything new you two are working on?”

(RB) “Yes! I’m so glad you asked, we have just recently gotten some weapons-grade plutonium from a seller in another community and we are in the process of trying to figure out what to do with it. Honestly, neither of us has much experience in this department, but that’s our job, to research and develop.”

(BM) “Are you still laying low? I’m sure there must be a few who question who you are in that all-female faction.”

(RB) “Not to worry, the matron and I switch rooms every couple of years to avoid suspicion, but we mostly work together alone from others.”

As she finished, Jaxon walked into the room and his face lit up immediately.

(JL) “Ah, Roxi, Baron, how could you two meet up without me?” Jaxon said cheerfully.

(RB) “Apologies, that was not our intent. We were merely just talking about how I plan on joining the Femme Fatale faction soon.”

(BM) “...Yes. Isn’t that great?”

(JL) “Oh, I thought that you would join our faction. What made you decide on this path, Roxi.”

(BM) “Yes, I would quite like to know as well.”

(RB) “I plan on climbing high in that faction, and eventually, I’ll be able to broker another alliance between them and Baron’s alliance. This is a long game I am playing, so I might not be around here for very long.”

(BM) “A bummer to be sure, but if that is truly what you wish, then I have no objections. I’m sure there are other goals you wish to accomplish away from us, so you do your best.”

(JL) “Typical Baron. Whatever, let’s at least have a toast to our past, who knows how long it will be until we get to have the chance again.”

Jaxon got up and poured 3 glasses full of wine from off the table and gave it to both of his oldest allies.

(JL) “To our future here on planet 4, cheers.”

(BM) “Cheers.”

(RB) “Cheers.”

They all drank at the same time, downing it all just like they used to pretend when they were back on Earth. There was a lingering atmosphere of longing that they all felt simultaneous. It was a feeling that had stayed with them the moment that they got to this planet, no matter how much they drank, nor however many people they sent to kill or be killed, there was just nothing that could fill the void. Many on planet 4 just masked it with cheery attitudes, but most had this feeling that did not disappear even after millennia.