by Aer-ki Jyr
“We would go after those actually responsible and not get distracted with other targets.”
“We cannot even reach the Veloqueen to die in combat against them.”
“Don’t waste your empire when there is still hope. A million years is a lot of time to prepare, if we have it. And if we don’t, Star Force will stand with you against the Veloqueen. That much I can promise you.”
Something beside Seno made his head turn, then he slowly looked back at Anders. “The decision has just been made by the Elder Council. The Zak’de’ron will pay for this, responsible or not. Perhaps our legacy will be your survival and eventual victory over the Veloqueen, but at least we can clear one other threat from the galaxy for you before we are destroyed.”
“Would it help if I spoke with them?”
“You know it would not. We are taking control of what we can in the face of what we cannot. And perhaps the other Zak’de’ron are involved, hoping to deny culpability with the story that Eldorat, or whatever his name was, spun us. Can you confirm anything he said?”
“A few things. Most no.”
“Then we only have the word of the assassin, while the fact that he is Zak’de’ron screams loudest of all.”
“They have been preparing to kill you for a long time. You might not be able to beat them a second time.”
“It is something we have been preparing for too, on Mak’to’ran’s order. He did not trust them. And even here in the heart of Wendigama we could not protect him from them. If the Zak’de’ron are only now developing Essence skills, perhaps at Eldorat’s direction, then it is best we end them before they can grow strong enough to overwhelm us.”
“All logic reasons, and all assumptions.”
“Can you honestly tell me you are not afraid of what he just did happening to Star Force? Or do you have a defense against it?”
“We have some stronger weapons, but nothing that can match his skills or power. And I am wary of it, but I’m an Archon. I’ve faced death at the hands of the invincible V’kit’no’sat before and we found a way to survive. Don’t start acting like newbs now.”
“Perhaps we gave you a strength beyond us in doing so. We have always been the stronger. I do not think our empire can exist as an inferior. We trusted Mak’to’ran to guide us forward against the Hadarak, against the Zak’de’ron, and against you if needed. We have seen your strength grow beyond ours in areas, but he was not concerned, so we were not. Now he is gone.”
“Attacking us would be more stupid than attacking the Zak’de’ron.”
“That is not what I meant. We were at a disadvantage to your Uriti before, and Essence skills now, but we trusted in Mak’to’ran because he said there was a way to victory, and because of his relationship with you we obtained Legion and the ability to kill Hadarak much more effectively. He showed us that we could gain more with cooperation than conquest in some cases, and now we no longer have his supreme wisdom to guide us forward. The Elder Council is doing the only thing that will keep us united. Our rage must be directed somewhere, and the Veloqueen are but a story to us. The Zak’de’ron are in our lifeblood.”
“I can remain here to watch for Essence users, but if Itaru is attacked I will not intervene.”
“If they attack Itaru, then we will have failed miserably and will be on our way to ruin. We will win on their territory or not at all. I thank you for remaining here, and I ask nothing more of you in combat against the Zak’de’ron, if it should arrive here a second time.”
“If our Hjar’at attacked the Zak’de’ron, should they hold you responsible for our actions?”
“As Mak’to’ran said, we are two halves of the same empire, even if we do not accept that fact,” Seno said softly. “What is done is done. Wise or foolish, we will finish our war with the Zak’de’ron now, and if some of us survive it, we will assist you against the impossible foes.”
“Such a waste.”
“Unless someday the Zak’de’ron betray you as well. In which case this is prudent foresight.”
“That might effectively be true, but it’s still not right hitting them first when you don’t know the truth.”
“They abused us for so long that they deserve it on past actions alone. Do not think of them as victims.”
“We could say the same for you.”
“Perhaps you could. I am glad you have not, Archon. It was an honor having you fight with us, and the analysis of your weapon’s damage is intimidating. I hope you make a great many more in the coming years and put them to good use, for I fear we are treading on far greater powers’ territory, in which we have been overlooked for being too inferior to matter.”
“I get the same feeling, Seno. If you don’t survive to face them again, be assured we’ll do at least some damage on behalf of both our empires.”
“I will take some solace in that fact.”
“Do me a favor.”
“What do you wish of me?”
“If there is to be a ceremony for Mak’to’ran, allow me to attend and pay respects on behalf of the Rimward Empire.”
“There most assuredly will be, and I will make sure you are granted permission to be in the inner circle. Your empire becoming what it is was his foresight come to pass, and it is right that you should be there. Specifically for your contribution to avenging his assassin.”
“Thank you. Inform the Elder Council that I will be remaining here as sentinel until then, though our other Mach’nel will be leaving to inform the Rim of what has happened here. And with your permission, I’d like to take a few samples from Eldorat’s debris. Just in case there might be something to learn from it.”
“Take what you will. He is little more than dust now. And wherever his Core may be, I curse it for taking away the heart of the V’kit’no’sat. Mak’to’ran cannot be replaced, and his loss will be the beginning of the end of the V’kit’no’sat. May we at least honor his memory with a long tally of dead Zak’de’ron…”
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