The Fated Team - Chapter 10

"Is there any other information that you can give me on the enemy? Enemy movements, other appearances or-"

"You dare ignore me!" exclaimed Talok at Thamor that seemed unfazed compared to the others towards his outburst.

"... I am willing to listen to your objection to my leadership after I have collected more information on this mission. You must note, however, that this decision was approved by both the DRA and the empire." the major gazed towards High Councilor Ziban for confirmation.

"I am the one who personally suggested it." said Ziban.

"Why! This is blasphemous! I am more worthy as a leader and I can assure that the Emperor's will is respected! Having a mere soldier of the DRA in charge of such an important task is courting failure!"

"It is that actual unwavering loyalty that is a problem in this situation Chief High Guardian! That quality of yours is highly praised in the empire, but it will be a burden when an operation which the concerns of both the empire AND the DRA must be respected. Both factions need to be assured that there is a fair representation and that the leader of the team will take both faction into account. You are simply too bias."

"And the soldier isn't?! He directly reports to their senate!" angrily retorted the Sygon.

"He doesn't. He reports to me. The senate does not even know he exists." clarified general Grant.

"Now I have a mountain of questions now..."

Javera seemed more and more displeased. A key to her childhood stood in front of her, but she was getting more confused by the minute. Her sister next to her was frowning to this news, also visibly confused.

Thalyana's gaze went from the general to the major. She tried expending her senses to try and observe if anything could be coming from the major. Maybe she could not sense any power from him because he was concealing it like her sister could, but more she tried more confused she got.

She could not sense anything from the man, but that in itself was odd. Every species had a wave length that was unique to them with minor differences per being and for those who were biomentalistes or not. The more powerful a biomentalist was, stronger was his wave length or 'aura'. People who weren't biomentalist would not have this particularity to them, but for especially strong biomentalist like Thalyana, they could still sense something from those people. Emotion like joy, sadness, fear and rage could be sense and affect the aura of these people.

The major, on the other hand, wasn't emitting anything. He felt empty, devoid of anything. It gave her an eerie feeling, like the soldier in front of her wasn't suppose to exist. She tried concentrating, but deeper she got, more she grew scared. She stopped herself when she realize that Javera was asking if she was alright.

"I-I'm fine." she said uncertainly and then turn to the general "General Grant, I have nothing against appointing him in charge, but it would be quite important to understand why their is all this secrecy." She forced a smile while he stayed silent.

"You are ok with a mere soldier leading you?! No wonder the Temple of Aeons is so weaked willed..." disdainfully said Talok.

"Oye! Leave the lady alone! It's not their fault if you got out shined by some random soldier on our side! HAHAHA!" Slyborg-Jones then gave a wink to Thalyana.

She seemed confuse. 'Why is he winking? Am I suppose to do something?' she thought. "Either way, may we have an answer general about all this secrecy?"

The room went silent with everyone eyeing general Grant. Surprisingly, he wasn't the one to speak.

"Because I asked him too."

Major Thamor got up, hands on the table. "Personnally, I don't know why everyone is in a fuss about this. Most military operations and the names of those participating in them are kept secret." he pause and stared at Thalyana.

"You may be a high ranking official of the Temple, but your organisation has no rights to demande anything from the military. As for you, Talok, if you have anything against my candidacy, you may file that complainte with your High Council."

"Now, now! Let's calm down children! We are all 'allies' here! But I must say however that you are quite presumptuous Chief High Guardian. Remember that the Emperor chose me as his representative in this matter so my word is his. Questionning my decision is questioning the Emperor's decision." remarqued Ziban.

Everyone kept silent, while Talok quietly grumbled on his side of the table. Everyone had questions, but everyone also understood that how ever many times they would ask, no answers would be given... no good ones anyway.

"Well with that said, can you relay us any information you have on this groupe?" followed the major.

This prompted the general to start explaining in detail the discoveries of the alliance's investigation.

According to the analysis of the fleet wreakage of the DRA, the weapon was definitely created with varienal crystals, but compared to it predecessor, the energy released from the weapon seemed more precise. The connecting path ways of the beam between the ship proved that the engineers of the weapon were able to controle the output of the weapon so the volatile energy of the crystals would not go out of controle.

Also, they noticed that not all ship were taken down by the weapon. Some were destroyed more conventionally in a starship battle. This meant that the enemy has enough ships to mount an offensive against the remaining cruisers of the DRA and win. However, the fact that they needed to do so meant that either the weapon could not be fired at regular intervals or might have gone throught some problems.

Mobek Kaan suggested that it was also probable that the weapon had a high energy consumption rate prompting the idea of limited usage of the weapon. But the old notes on the first varienal crystal base weapon explained that even after firing it once, they could have fired multiples times afterwards because of the abundance of energy these crystals have. Of course, that was in theory, because most ships, including the one holding the superweapon, were destroyed when it was fired.

"What I have difficulties understanding is the fact that this new threat was able to steal the crystals from the empires. That is a severe security oversight." remarqued Javera.

"That was an error of the IIA. The director at the time was already aware of this new groupe and their plans to steal the crystal. He decided it be wise to simulate some resistance and let them steal the items in question so we could track this enemy." explained Decoder V. "The investigation was a failure and the only noteworthy result was that we found a name: the 'Exodus'."

"The Exodus? Is it the name of groupe?" ask Thalyana.

"We were not certain, but these attackers would mention this name both as a reference to some objective or entity. Either way, it seems to be something important."

"So this is all your people could show after you all cause the deaths of hundreds of soldiers? A name?! It disgusts me how incompetent your institution is. I should purge you all..." contempt could be seen on Talok's face.

"Woah there! Give the lil lady a break. It's not like she made the call."

"You have no say in this, bounty hunter. Your kind, especially a Ratadwan, could not understand the values of the empire."

What the Chief High Guardian said was harsh, but in the eyes on the empire, such remarks made sense. Weakness was not needed and was discarded. Of course, a purge was going a bit far for such an error, but heavy penalties to the one in charge for similar events in the past would not be unheard of in the Empire. That's why, from the point of view of the four imperial citizens in the room, none objected on what Rav Talok had said.

"Punishment has already been met, my lord. Ex-assistant director Mashmin who was in charge and responsable for organizing the mission has had his position strip from him. Due to his previous years of service and devoted work, High councilor Rayvin judged it sufficient as punishment since he will be relegated to simple administration work... after his 6 months in Blackden prison."

Rav Talok was satisfied from V's announcement. Blackden prison itself could be considered a death sentence. It was renown as one of the worst prisons for the worst individuals in the Avalon Empire. The prisoners themselves had to endure one hour of 'mandatory' torture per day. They never knew when, but it would happen inside of a 24 hour schedule. So if they started at eleven at night, it could go on until one in the morning since that seconde hour did not count for the same day. It was the worst prison of the Empire and most would try killing themselves instead of going.

"Good to hear."

"How barbaric! You empire types are out of your minds! Sure, the man committed an error, but imprisonment is going too far! Don't you guys know about administrative punishment?" Javera couldn't take anymore of their back and forth. "It's no surprise why the Democratic Republic has so many refugees and defectors from the Empire."

"And that's why the alliance is always losing battles: their army is only made of weak willed individuals!"

Talok and Javera were now standing up and staring each other down, both their hands on their weapon, ready to jump at each others throats.

"Hey Moby! Pass me the peanut bowl, would ya? I'm starting to feel peckish."

"No problem. Hey Jones! I was thinking maybe you could hook me up with some electro-dampeners. I need to replace some that I fried on my last job."

"Sure, I know this guy-"

"What are you guys doing? Don't you see we are in an important meeting?" interrupted Javera.

"All I see is two hot headed people comparing dick sizes. No offense hot stuff." grinned Slyborg-Jones.

Both the sentinel and the guardian flared up. "Say what now?!"

"You dare!"

"ENOUGH!"

Both Javera and Talok were going to start ranting, but were cut short in their tracks by general Grant.

"This is not a debat hall! We are faced with terrorist that are organized and equiped with galatic superweapons! The two events that we showed you are only the most concret actions that we have seen them do! Dealings on the blackmarket show that many unaffiliated parties to either side of the Avalon Empire and of the Democratique Républic Alliance are accumulating stockpiles of weapons and armor." The general took a bref pause looking at this would-be team. "Fate has brought you together, for better or worst, to face this threat. Sure! Some of you want to kill each other, but you must put that aside your differences if you want to stand a chance against them."

"My old friend is right." The high councilor took a somber tone, his previous frivolousness no where to be seen. "Both sides have already taken steps to deal with the threat on their own and failed miserably. They know our troops movement and have even fooled us in making our forces fight each other to escape. That is why we need a small team of exceptional individuals able to operate independantly while keeping in mind the interest of both the Democraric Republic Alliance and the Avalon Empire."

The table was silent. Javera and Talok were eyeing each other, but both sat back down, resigning themselves for the moment. Thalyana quietly sighed in relief, while Vickrein had his head held up by his hand seemingly bored. The general was the one who broke the silence.

"Now, to answer your previous question, major, all the information pertaining to the enemy will be sent to you after my and Ziban's departure. We will contact you periodically for updates in the future. I hope you all good luck. You will all need it."

Both the general and the high councilor got up and left. Ziban gave a small wave of the hand before dissapearing behind the luxurious door.

"So we are simply leaving them like this? Kind of abrupt, no?" Ziban acting like a worried parent in an exaggerated way.

"You know as well as I that if we stayed, it would just add to their disruptive behaviour. They need to get it out of their system, see who they are working with and then acknowledge each other."

"Twenty credits the Chief High guardian is going to fight the major."

"You know that's not even a bet, old man." chuckled Grant.

"I know. But I really wanted to see it. It so rare to see fights of that caliber in my position."

"You could go on the frontlines so that I could go meet you there and kill you."

"Is that a promis?"

Both stared at each other and laughed together. Their laughter was so sinister and fake that whomever saw this would simply quake in fear. They then both stepped in the teleporter and dissapeared.

-*-*-*-

Pirate King Devil's Hand meeting room

"I challenge you for the leadership of this team!"

As major Thamor was starting to review the new information he received, Chief High Guardian Rav Talok issued a challenge for his position.

"You got to be f@cking kidding me!"

"Sister! Language!"

"Seriously? That's what you are mad about Thaly? This assface is being an... ass!"

Talok was standing still, kinesis broadsword in hand pointed at the major. His gaze intense and unwavering.

"The young are so eager to die. Aren't they my friend?" Vickrein, surprisingly, was the one to intervene.

"I am not your friend Noxus." that deadpan answer seemed monotonous, but the major failed to completely hide his anger. "Anyway, we should not fight."

"I don't think he is going to stop until you slap him a little John." remarked Captain Slyborg-Jones. "How about we put you and him in the arena? some exercise would do you both some good!"

"The arena! I like the sound of that! Come! I challenge you to fight me in the arena!"

The major seemed to think for a while and then simply acknowledge with a nod of the head.

"The smell of testosterone is nauseating." sighed Decoder five.

"Wait, wait, wait!!! Is this really happening?! There is no way a simple arena can hold down the power of the High Guardian! I saw the man melt steel with his hands! MELT!!! We just going to leave our new boss to get killed on our first day of work?!"

Mobek couldn't understand the string of events that were unfolding. He was now working for both galatic superpowers on a secret covert investigation mission with gods and demons. The only one he thought was slightly normal were that soldier and the smuggler which one of them was willing to fight against a master biomentalist. He was a simple bounty hunter in his eyes, no where near the level of existance of the others.

"What are you talking about? You know first hand how strong he is. You even captured him alive for me. Remember?" Annoyance was in Vickrein Noxus voice.

"Captured? Wait..." the bounty hunter froze, thinking carefully. Their was only one job he ever did for this maniac and that job made him who he was today. "Oh no..."

-*-*-

15 minutes later, Gladatorial Arena "The Ring", Anywhere.

The crowd was buzzing with excitement, stalls were open and serving different refreshments and foods. It was practically a festival.

"... Why the hell is their such a huge crowd?"

Javera couldn't understand what was happening around her. One moment she thought they were going to see a small scuffle between Rav Talok and John Thamor, the next they were in the VIP section of the biggest arena she has ever seen. She could see thousands of spectators waiting for the event.

"It's because the fight was annonced! Well, I annonced it!" Slyborg-Jones seemed very proud in that moment.

"Mister Jones..."

"Captain Jones beautiful. The captain to your heart!" he closed the distances to Thalyana in an exaggerated way, while doing a googly eye.

"Yes, Captain Jones... Why are you making this so public? People will start asking questions on why-"

"Why such high profile personne as Rav Talok fighting in the arena? They won't. Maybe a couple of people will, but not the normal population. Most people here are outlaws, pirates and smugglers, so they don't follow galactic news to closely." assured the captain. "Also, the Chief High Guardian isn't someone that a lot of people have seen everyday. Most public appearances of him were when he wore his full suit of plated armor and helmet in ceremonies for the Avalon Empire."

"You are as flashy as ever I see." Decoder V seemed impressed and discouraged at the same time.

"What?! Does the IIA don't like my pizzazz?!"

"Actually, this is rather mild compared to other things you have done. Your file is filled to the prime with ridiculous stories of your extravagances." mocked 'V'.

"Ha! Well! I ain't stopping now!" Slyborg-Jones started to clap his hands excitedly. "Oh! Oh! Oh! it's going to start!"

The lights beamed on a single spot illuminating two androids sitting at a desk near the arena limits, over the wall limiting the arena.

"Ladies and uglies! Welcome to 'The Riiiiiing'! I'm your host CU-8 and standing next to me is your co-host NT-5! We have a great fight for you today!"

"Yes we do CU-8! Our contestants are extrêmely powerful! So much so that they replaced the normal humanoid host for us disposable beings!"

"Wow NT-5! You are one sad cunt!"

"True! And you are one happy cunt!"

"So true! Now! Let's introduce the contestants! In the left side of the arena, we have a powerful sygonian biomentalist! Weighing 280 pounds at a height of 6'8", this prideful imperialist is better know as... Burny Burny Torchy Bunny!"

The crowd started to cheer mixed with some loud laughs. Inside the arena, Rav Talok was literaly steaming in embarassement 'I'll burn that idiotic outlaws face so both sides match!'

"Oh! Wow! He seems to be steaming CU-8!"

"Ha-ah! I can feel my warranty shortening by the second, NT-5! Ah-ha! Now, on the right side of the arena, we have an old time favorite coming back to the arena! Weighing 270 pounds at a height of 6'6", a human hailing from parts unknown! It's the monster, the king, THE KING OF MONSTERS THAAAAAAAMOOOOOR!!!!"

The crowed started a deafening cheer, the stands were rumbling and moment later, his name started to be chanted.

"Oh-ho! I didn't think he was this popular here" Vickrein was astonished and so were the rest apart for the Captain.

"Of course! Back in the day, I did a good fortune on his back! He became the unquestioned champion of 'The Ring', but then he just up and left! It's been more or less twenty years since he last appeared here! He became an urban legend after that."

"I see you capitalised on that today. How much are you getting out of this Slyborg?" asked Javera.

"Oh! Quite the sum! But it's all for our travelling expenses! We can't run dry on Galvican Rhum!"

"Your greed astonishes me." she spat.

"Why thank you! Don't worry! Daddy Thamor will be most pleased seeing all these credits roll in!"

During the meeting, their leaders explained that monetary backing from the Empire and Alliance would be extremely limited. So the one in charge of supplying the operation would be mainly the Pirate King which was using Captain Slyborg-Jones as his medium. So logically, gaining money was a must and this event was one huge bonus.

However, using the major like this gave a sour feeling to the Aeons sisters.

"But what is the major wearing? That isn't his usual armor, no? His armor wasn't white." remarque Thalyana.

"That's is his old armor from when he fought here. The white would give great visuals when blood and grim would cover it. That armor is old though, so I wonder if it will survive against the Chief High Guardian.

While the groupe in the VIP section were discussing, Rav Talok and John Thamor were approching each other in the middle of the arena.

"It's not to late to surrender! Give me the leadership position and you may still keep your limbs."

Arrogance was seeping out from the guardian, but the major ignored his threats. "If you win, you will have what you wish for. However if I win, you will never question my authority again. Are we clear on the bet?"

"Hmpf! Yes we are!" Talok buffed his chest and readied himself by unsheathing his two-handed kinesis broadsword while taking a stance.

"Ladies and humanoids! Our contestant are ready to put their funk on! NT-5, Start the count down!"

"Ok! So in three, two, one!!! Kill yourselves!"