How it all started.

In a ballroom of dignitaries, Papa Swong asked Sir Anyang's father, Ser Chet, to recommend the finest bodyguard for his son, who was going for his first expedition. The mercenary called Danoria came highly recommended as a merc, and Papa had no cause to complain over his disposition. Bidding his family goodbye, Papa Junior sailed off.

There were several soldiers and mercenaries for protection. They also had very high-level security. Explorers frequently encountered pirates, they, therefore, needed to be sufficiently prepared, especially when hauling precious cargo, like the crown prince.

With such high security, no pirate would dare attack, and travel was smooth. They were exploring part of the Swong system, part of an area that remained unexplored. A star cluster system was immensely big, and it would take more than one generation of space explorers, despite them being in such a frenzy, to cover such ground. It was hope and signal that there was more room to grow.

13 years later, and a lot of resources consumed, they chanced upon a solar system. They were running low on fuel, so they docked in the furthest end, established a slip space link, and returned home.

Jumping into hyperdrive functioned a lot like teleportation, in that one needed to have a destination. One didn't just aimlessly enter hyperdrive unless they had a deathwish. Explorers had to find viable destinations for others to jump into, and they didn't just aimlessly jump.

For this mission, they had jumped to the farthest known location, and from there had to travel at ship speed for the rest of the trip. Now with a sure destination, they could quickly jump home, rearm and reload, get the resources they need and explore, which is what they did.

It took 2 more years before they chanced upon the 6th planet from the star. It shone green, and on further investigation, they discovered life. If ever there was a find worthy of an explorer, this was it. A solar system with a planet that could support life.

This had been just what the Swong family needed. Junior had heard his father express the need for a headquarters. All the major families had solar systems for headquarters, and while they had an entire Star Cluster system named after them, they didn't own it. He declared it the Swong Solar system, with the planet being known as the Swong home planet.

Unfortunately, they soon found out that discovering such a huge solar system, and having the capabilities to hold on to it, were two different things. With so many superpowers eyeing it, they realized they had to concede somehow, but hope came in an unexpected direction.

Like any planet, the first step during the occupation was appraising its value in terms of resources, mines, and whatnot. They also needed to understand the species on the ground. If there was a functional planetary civilization, under certain laws they were not supposed to interfere.

However, such matters were on the grey, as who constitutes interfering, and who would enforce said law, was not very clear. This was done intentionally, as the big fish did not want to constrain themselves too much. It was clear that anyone could do anything as long as they had the power, and then later shape up the story to fit their moral high ground.

The Swong family, however, was not a superpower, but they had close ties to one. To sweeten the juice further, they discovered a very valuable mineral resource, one that if anyone discovered they had, would overturn the entire galaxy. Papa Swong felt better than winning the lottery. Since he didn't have the strength to keep the treasures, he would borrow from those that had.

In came the Tlas family. Their wealth and power could guarantee protection, but they would want more than just protection money. Tentatively, a very nervous Papa approached Ser Chet, his only connection. As these things go, Ser Chet just so happened to have a connection with Ser Bor, who at the time was desperately trying to show his value and earn his position in the family business.

It was Ser Bor who insisted that they maintain secrecy. For one, he didn't want any of the other elders who were against him poking their nose and destroying things for him. He may have the support of his father, but that did not mean he could run around doing whatever he wanted. He needed this to be established by the time it was widely known, hence the high level of security.

Secondly, Ser Bor saw a potential brilliant partner in the Swong family. He recognized the potential in the Swong family, but they were still too small to ruffle any feathers. If he could actively participate in their development, he would have a true partner in future dealing and also gain respect as having cultivated his franchise.

However, how was he going to get it done?

To mask any other activity happening on the planet, and his involvement, Ser Bor made it public information that he was actively supporting the Swong family in their endeavors. Many assumed that he saw the potential in the Swong family business, a fact that was approved by many business elites. They were also simultaneously cursing themselves for not seeing the opportunity sooner.

Ser Bor was good on his word, sending both financial and material support for the development of the Swong Solar System. Everyone recognized that a new superpower was coming up, and it had the support of a galactic powerhouse. The only way things could go wrong was if the managers were moronic and insane, which was not the case.

This was now the implementation of the second phase of the agreement. So far, no one had begun mining the Stolline ores. There were all kinds of mines in place. To develop a new solar system, there were many materials necessary. Instead of shipping materials, companies found it easier to ship mining materials, making the regions self-sufficient.

Not even the workers on the ground knew the big secret. The miners and the soldiers whose work it was to guard them went about their business oblivious of the gold mines within their grasp.

The partnership agreement dictated that the Tlas Family was to have mining rights over all the stolline mines for 499 galactic years. In exchange, they were to fund the development and protection of the Swong Solar system for the duration of time.

To keep things under wraps, for the first phase, the Tlas family took one continent while the Swong family started developing another. On the surface, it looked like a deal many smaller powers have made with superpowers in their development phase. Nothing to be suspicious about.

At the same time, Ser Bor made sure to lower the status even more by handing the project to an unknown, Sir Anyang, as the head. Moreover, he limited his funds and seemed to be intentionally frustrating him, while at the same time demanding results from him. His usual detractors were up in arms again, ridiculing his decision, but he paid them no mind. With this done, the onlookers were disappointed and turned their attention elsewhere, which was the intended effect.

Not many even in the Tlas family knew about this deal. The secret would come out soon, that was certain, but before it did, they needed to protect it as much as possible. Such that, by the time the secret became known, they would have already established themselves. Only Ser Bor, Ser Chet, and Sir Anyang, and of course, their trusted aides, knew of all this.

Carzola, Dr. Hanni and Dr. Weere had ventured inside Chege's new shelter. They had seen the stolline stalactites that acted as the street lights in the underground city. Dr. Weere had been stunned upon seeing them. As a mining expert, he had instantly recognized them. At first, he believed he had made a groundbreaking discovery, but he soon learned that it was old news. He and Dr. Hanni were put under contract and made to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). Carzola had a special arrangement.

By the end of the second year, communication between the Mayi and the humans had significantly improved, and they would occasionally trade. The 3 captives were more like free boarding now, no longer living under threat. Chege insisted on having them, but he also ensured their safety and security.

The scientists kept close contact with their colleagues, exchanging notes and ideas. The research team members were especially stoked to have one of their own having such unfettered access. Dr. Mark had hoped to get closer interaction with Chege, but he wasn't prepared to risk his life.

However, this had brought the Swong planet back into the limelight. Already, many scientists were applying to travel for research. Not only was it in the newly discovered star cluster system, but it also had a newly discovered sentient species that were interactive with humans. It promised to be a holy land for researchers.

Across the ocean, the Swong family were also making good progress both by contacting the shepherds and developing their regions. By comparison, the Tlas family were way behind, which was one of the reasons for the massive deployment of ships that were now making their way towards the planet.

Sir Anyang had had to appear before the council of Tlas elders back in the Tlas family planet to make a case for massive mobilization. While Ser Bor could have easily sanctioned it, the elders recognized this as an olive branch, Ser Bor was inviting them into the deal, all they needed was to give their sign-off, and approval, which they happily did. They nodded approvingly too, seeing the good potential in the kid.

Of course, they didn't know about the stol mines, but the deal was already quite attractive even without the fact.

Ser Bor watched the footage Carzola had sent him. This was not about the stol mines anymore since he already knew all about them. Right now, Ser Bor had taken to observing his biggest obstacle, Chege.

The initial plan had been to suppress the shepherds by violence. Once they saw how powerful the machines were, they would automatically shy away. It would have worked, but the shepherds unleashed a weapon of their own, a dark brown giant humanoid creature, calling itself Chege.

The footage showed Chege on a rampage against Carzola, doing his best to destroy the little man. Ser Bor shivered as he watched the combined attacks of both fire and ice elements that were aimed at Carzola. He had to give credit to the mercenary, for if it had been him standing in front of the giant, he'd have died a million times over, yet the man was still moving.

By now, the 2 had developed a synergy and cooperation that went beyond his understanding. This was what happened when 2 people have trained as hard and as arduously as the 2 had. The unofficial instructor was proud and scared of the potential that his student was showing, and already, he was having ideas of his own.

Carzola felt as though he had found a protege. Chege was strong, fast, adaptable, intelligent and consistently exceeded his expectations. Never had Carzola felt as much pressure as he usually felt when they trained, but he maintained his strength and composure.

The boy was still just a boy, but his potential was clear. Though he worked solo, Carzola thought he might have just found an heir, someone to pass on his knowledge to. He also had to admit he had a liking for the kid, and his innocence was a breath of fresh air for him. Sharpening this blade for mercenary work seemed befitting. Deep down, Carzola felt that Chege was too limited on the planet, he needed to enter the galaxy to grow his potential, and he had already started planting seeds in the boy's heart.

Now, he was showcasing his protege's prowess to his employer. If Ser Bor chose to invest in the boy, then a powerful mercenary would rise, one that could reach the heights Carzola never couldn't.