Chapter 13: Interlude - When Merchants Collide

Day 121 since the latest System integration

i5, System 31, Planet 2 Global Node Center Alpha: Active War Status

(Population 5 Trillion, down from 5.15 T before the current war)

Empirium Dynasty: Merchants Guild #1

“There have been no confirmed cases of adopted heirs, Guild Monarch. The recruitment period for the latest iteration continues, but access to i10 opened today,” the guild secretary spoke to the group while directing her report to the Monarch. The room was filled with the Merchant Guild leaders and rulers of the top 100 guild halls from this Global Node Center. The Global Node Center was one of several on the planet. With vast populations, there were incredibly delicate politics, especially during wars.

The war status kept everyone in the Global Node Center from leaving through system transports. All except the merchants who’d established their class and reached a high enough rank to exit an active war area. The System enforced this, and the current war blocked an area vast enough that most were trapped in the iteration and the region. Even recruiters were stranded once the system officially sanctioned the war.

This always led those in power to raise their merchant profession to at least the minimum rank for exiting a war zone at a global level. The cost and limited resources available to increase a person to the necessary level transformed the Merchants in war-prone zones to gain even more power. There were many reasons to start a war, but most could find their roots in the desire for power and riches. The winners received System rewards as well as the available resources of the area. The merchant class was synonymous with the most powerful and wealthy. That kind of power and wealth often attracted a specific type of individual. Many merchants were also global or system leaders and were the ones starting wars.

The resources and experience required to level through the iterations only grew as you progressed. A war could net the leaders enough to ascend an iteration in a short time, compared to raiding iteration instances.No matter how vast or beneficial the instance, a merchant almost always preferred to reap the rewards while waging war.

System-regulated wars kept those with the highest levels from slaughtering those too far below them. The powerful could not fight down a tier unless attacked by a fighter from a different tier. This led to wars waged at different level tiers and in different system-controlled War zones. The iteration levels were divided into four categories. Those with levels starting at minimum for each iteration and on up were split into thirds. The fourth tier was the lowest and included those under-level—those born in an iteration.

Similar to instances, the war was fought in separate pocket dimensions. System generated and controlled to keep the general population from harm. The population was still restricted from travel during the war. No one knew when the system would sanction the war, but only the merchants could get out during the war.

“Our descending guild structure and a significant portion of our members have been very diligent in searching i11 and i10.” Secretary Elise continued. “Efforts will soon extend to i9, but the focus has been on the lower iterations based on orders from i3.” The Guild secretary continued. Elise was a powerful fighter and was planning to ascend soon. But her war responsibilities and this new search for an heir had interfered. All were expected to follow orders if they wanted a place to land when they arrived in a higher iteration. And i4 was going to be tough.

“That is not sufficient.” The Guild Monarch interrupted the report, slamming her hand on the table. “We expect results. The longer we delay, the more time we give our competition to seize this heir. There is no higher priority. I will manage the current war and send some of our best to find the hidden prize.” There was a shock, chatter, and then shouting erupted in the room. Everyone there knew that the Monarch meant they were sending some of them. The Monarch excluding herself from this mission.”

“Yes, I know, you are concerned about which of you will be going,” she continued with a hint of pleasure only a skilled torturer might manage. “It has been decided…that each manager and their staff….” She paused again. “Will remain here for the time being.” The secretary released her breath. Just realizing she had held it since the Monarch slammed her hand down and revealed the threat. No one wanted to be sent on this mission. Everyone knew mathematically that it was improbable and nearly impossible to find this missing heir. The chances were low, but those in power did not risk missing the potential rewards of holding such an important heir. At her level of authority, only a few details were known about the heir. ‘At least she didn’t need to worry about anything but finishing this war and ascending to i4.’ She was lost in her thoughts as the room went silent.

“Did you not hear me, Secretary Elise?” The Monarch was turned to her left and looking right at her. “It would be proper to acknowledge this command. Is your silence a sign of refusal?”

Elise was caught in a rare moment of distraction. And now she did what she thought best. She knew she could be sent for a Restart at the whim of the Monarch, despite her achievements and status.

“I accept the assignment and only needed a moment to consider the honor.” Elise calmly replied, although she was anything but calm internally. She sent a quick system message to her assistant sitting behind her in the room.

‘What did I just agree to?’ Elise’s message said.

‘You just agreed to oversee the mission to find the heir.’ Her assistant Anna replied.

‘Oh, great!’ Elise’s thoughts were turning to panic. ‘The only thing worse would be getting sent to Restart. I can’t waste another 1000 years in i5.’ Her relief caused her to relax and stop sweating so bad. She hoped this meeting would end soon and she could begin orchestrating this new mission. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be required to stay in i5 and could complete the task in i4. Everyone here knew she was ready to ascend and only needed the Empirium i4 acceptance to be approved.

‘So, you didn’t hear the orders? I thought you were being sarcastic. You just agreed to oversee the operation while in i7. You will remain there till you find the heir. Or I imagine they will end the assignment if they determine the heir is above i7. I can only imagine what that would mean for us if that happens. I just got the assignment details in my messages.’

Not wanting to miss another word in the meeting, Elise only assigned a portion of her mind to read the assignment. She was not pleased and was barely holding her rage in check.

‘We need to find them so you can ascend.’ Her assistant messaged. ‘They are giving you control of our forces from i7 and below. You will only have to report to the i7 Monarch. At least you’ll have control over the operation. I know you can make this work out for us.’

Elise’s assistant had been her friend since i7, and they had been through a lot. They intended to ascend together. They had the levels, and as part of her team, they could stay together. They kept an active party when possible, and their contributions had been significant in war.

The meeting concluded, and with the Monarch giving more orders. Elise’s role as Secretary of the i5 Guild Monarch had ended, but not as she had planned. The Monarch leaned over to Elise.

“I told you I would ensure I found a way to reward you.” The Monarch’s smile was closed-mouthed, and her eyes predatory. “You should go prepare for your travel. Unless you have something to say?” The Monarch paused. “No? Then may your journey last as long as is necessary, Elise. You are my least favorite and most disappointing of daughters. This is your chance to prove yourself and earn your place.”

“Yes, Monarch, you are a generous leader and a patient mother. I will prepare for the mission.” Elise kept her voice in check and left without letting a single thought of her raging mind reach her tongue.

One week later

The flagship of the invading Merchant Guild forces was in a locked orbit following the rotation of Elise’s Active War zone. The Poison Lily Viper Sect was by nature aggressive and deadly. They had waged and won countless wars, and their power reached into the upper iterations.

“Our spies confirmed that a large force, including a third of our top-level spies, was sent to the lower iterations to find someone. They have been sent to iterations as low as i10.” Co-Admiral Kiera confirmed to his Co-Admiral Jace. They had both been assigned to this invasion and never saw things eye to eye. Jace was young, born in i5 but leveled in the iterations to achieve his status. All “Unders,” those born in an iteration, started as level 1 and were under-leveled. The system kept them safe and allowed them to enter instances tailored to their level until they hit iteration minimum. This was an advantage over lower iteration people at the same level due to the increased mana and access to potent sources of Exp. They were blocked from entering parties with anyone above the minimum iteration level. But they were allowed to party with other “Unders.”

On the other hand, a small part of the population had the power and resources to fund the best parties of fighters. While leveling up, they also received the best training and education. They were often the children of merchant families or high-ranking officers.

Of course, these privileged few would feel unstoppable and entitled. They fit right in with the upper crust of power and were nicknamed the “Pre-Officers, or P.O.’s.’ From birth, they were conditioned to see themselves as better than nearly everyone. The P.O. was quietly joked about because pissing them off could end in death. But out of respect, most just used the title P.O. followed by their last name. Once they achieved level minimum, they were often enlisted as an officer. It was typically inevitable. They could be distinguished by the immaculate uniforms and family colors they wore. They didn’t wear sect fleet uniforms until they reached the minimum level and entered fleet command.

There were politics within the sect. The powerful had to maintain their control through constant effort. For every member of the powerful families, that meant by any means necessary as long as they didn’t get caught crossing general sect protocols. They were often left vague or rewritten from the founding doctrines to allow the powerful to maintain their grip. But specific enough to convince the majority that things were fair.

Co-Admiral Kiera was given her position through family connections. And had been a favored “P.O.” Since she came from an influential family and was given a unique set of skills. She shared control of the Poison Lily Viper Sect war fleet. Jace was the fighting force’s leader, known as the Viper of the war. In contrast, Kiera was in charge of all non-combat functions of the war. She handled spies, commerce, finances, and communication with their leaders. That allowed the Viper to focus on striking their prey. The Lily was the ambassador and face of the war. The Viper was seen as the instrument of death. Or, as Kiera and others in her position considered the “pet,” they were kept to attack at the Lily’s command. Not someone to respect overly much. More of a tool to use when necessary. She hated reporting to Jace, but there were protocols and people above her who demanded protocols be followed.

“Even our spies are not getting much from the guild leaders,” Kiera reported. She might technically share command, but her words dripped with condescension and superiority. “If we had been in this System sector longer, we might have gotten spies on their counsel. I could blame that on your handling of the last war en route to this backwater planet.” She took a deep breath and continued. “All attempts continue to lead to dead spies and taunting system messages from their Monarch. We have been ordered to send 20% of your forces and 10% of mine to oversee an operation into the lower iterations. We are to distract and disrupt the operation the Empirium is running. Oh, and there is a communication for you. I will stay and view it with you.” After a couple of minutes of heated silence, a video connection came through.

A system screen played a message repeating the information that Kiera had just communicated. After the same information was finished, Jace turned to Kiera. He was annoyed at her wasting his time and eager to return to war command. Unexpectedly the video went to a live stream video.

“We apologize for the abrupt change in plan, Co-Admiral, Jace.” It was the leader of the war council for the entirety of their forces. General Anna Gardener, i5 Supreme Commander. Jace and even Kiera snapped to attention.

“I can see Viper Jace from your records; you have served us well since your promotion. Orders from above our iteration, possibly above i4, have come down. As of this moment, your direct subordinate is promoted to Co-Admiral. She is currently being briefed as we speak. You are not being stripped of your rank but being assigned as a Special Operation Commander i4 status. This is a promotion, but you will report to i6 headquarters to oversee the Empirium disruption mission. When this is complete, you will be reassigned to i4. Understand that you being assigned this role is not a punishment but a reflection of the importance of this mission and the trust we have in you. Don’t let us down. Your Merchant status will allow you to make the trip, and you are expected to report at i6 headquarters within the next 40 hours. Your forces will meet you there. Good luck, SOC Jace. We hope you accomplish the mission and get to enjoy i4 soon.”

The video feed ended, and Jace remained locked in place. He couldn’t believe what had just happened.

“So I guess this is goodbye?” Kiera taunted. “I won’t lie and say you’ll be missed. Don’t stay in i6 too long.”

Jace ignored her and walked out of the command office. He had a lot to do in the next 40 hours.