If you find mistakes, pls tell, thx. I don't like mistakes.

Also feel free to ask for more background information on the world. I am somehow running out of interesting points regarding the small comments at the beginning of the chapters.

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“

What's a poor man? A nice and righteous guy, but too stupid for his own good.

What's a criminal? Someone who isn't nice.

What's a rich man? A guy who isn't nice and learned how the world works. Take what you can get!

What's a politician? All of the above.

”

-What every mage knows...

***Galactic Centre, Aether***

***Gideon***

“They were really busy in this system.” I lean back in my seat and watch the display which is showing us what can be called the capital city of the milky way. Why are they calling it milky way? Sounds kind of stupid now that I think about it.

My attention snaps back to the tightly packed solar system which is filled to the brim with habitats and countless ships. “Is it always like this?” The population of this star must count in the billions.

“Always.” Ed nods. He is sitting on the left side of my office table, next to the commander of the SDF-Forces. To my right is Paul who has the responsibility for the dockyards.

“I've worked myself through all the information which we got from Ayo and Illin. You shouldn't take the sight too seriously. According to my understanding most species entertain a permanent colony in this system.” Ed pauses for a moment to think. “They don't have instant communication and if you are located far away from the core you have to deal with very long travel times to come to this place. That's why many species set up a permanent colony with loyal individuals. The display out there is by no means a unified community.”

I nod slowly. “So what you want to say is that if we provide the correct lighter, this powder keg out there may blow up in their faces.”

The SDF commander shakes his head. “The elders instructed us and the diplomats to be extra careful about dealing with the aliens. We can't start a war.”

Who let this idiot in here. “I am not starting anything. It's only natural to explore every possibility to stay ahead of our enemies. Ed is right when he points out that the display out there has to be understood correctly.”

Paul snorts. “I see it as a huge pile of randomly stacked books. Pull out the wrong one and pile may collapse on you. Pull out the right one and pile falls where you want it to.”

“We'll see what our diplomats have to say once they return from the so called 'Gathering'.” Ed adds in a solemn voice.

I tilt my head while eyeing the display. The Gathering is a huge golden structure which is managed by the Zeen. It's a huge spinning ring with a sphere in its centre. According to the records the Zeen built it thousands of years ago when they started 'guiding' the other species. There are other old races, but the Zeen are seen as some kind of teachers as they are able to communicate with almost everyone.

When we entered the system it became clear that we didn't bring enough diplomats to handle all the requests and greetings which started flooding in. This system is like a gigantic ballroom where each guest shouts out his opinion at the same time.

No wonder that it's just called a gathering. It's not like there is any kind of ruling system. If the Zeen wouldn't provide guidance and security this whole scene would come apart in one bloody mess.

“At least we can narrow it down to a few main players.” Ed starts summing up the political landscape. “There are obviously the Zeen and their direct followers. Then there is this the Alliance which is trying to wipe out the Drazi. But like we said, it's highly likely that they are just puppets of the Zeen.”

“Then we have some species which are simply too different from us to be taken into account. The Hyw for example are some form of intelligent balloons who live solely on gas giants. They aren't interested in the matters of lifeforms who prefer a nice planet like Earth.”

I raise an eyebrow. How does a balloon who is living on a gas giant develop intelligence and technology?

But Ed doesn't mind me and continues. “There is also an anti-war faction which is opposing the Alliance. They think that no species deserves being wiped out. But they are few and their influence is weak.”

“Lastly we have a big group of unknowns who follow their own goals and might interfere solely for their own dubious reasons.” Ed finishes his very simplified summary of the situation.

That's when I get a call over the net. It's from the head of our team of negotiations, so I take it immediately. The man who answers me seems to be very disturbed and surprised about the new development, but it's in a way what we already expected beforehand when we allowed our people to roam around freely on foreign space stations and colonies.

At the end of the call I close the connection and place my hands in a praying position to think about the development.

“Did something happen?” The SDF-commander asks after a while.

I cut the contents of the call short. “Someone stole one of our ambassadors.”

“Stole?” Paul asks with big eyes.

“Abducted, hijacked, kidnapped, snatched, gone, never reported back after taking a piss.” I clarify which earns me a few weird looks.

***Galactic Centre, Aether***

***Cyla***

“She is so cute.” Amia exclaims while rocking Aurelia on her lap.

I've invited all of my female friends and family to have a big welcoming party for Aurelia. So far it's me, Saden, Galia and Amia in the living room. I've also invited Melan and Rhiannon, though they haven't shown up yet.

Now that I think about it I may have to increase my circle of friends. Amia is the only one who isn't related to me by family... yet.

“I have high hopes to get one myself soon.” Saden pats her rounded belly. “Normally I should have been faster than you, but Paul is a hard nut to crack.”

“That sounds so wrong on several levels if you think about the context.” Galia points out.

Saden purses her lips. “Okay, you have me there. The choice of words was flawed.”

I concentrate my attention on Galia and Amia, who are sitting on my couch. “So, now that I've you two here I may as well take the chance to ask. What's going on with my brothers?”

To my surprise Galia blushes.

Amia is the first one to answer, as she is a promiscuous woman and doesn't know shame. “I and Martin became friends with benefits. Though he is kind of clingy and visits me on a daily basis. It almost feels like I am becoming a one-man type of girl.”

I raise an eyebrow, then my eyes wander to Galia. “And you? I know that you are seeing Brenton and you are sleeping out of home about five days a week. There has to be something going on.”

The normally very independent woman starts fiddling with her fingers. “Okay. I admit it. I am kind of living in his place now... most of the time”

“About time!” Saden reaches behind her and produces a bottle of expensive wine out of nowhere. “I already feared that my older sister would never grow up!”

“I was always grown up! Two years on Earth! You remember!?” Galia barks.

“Pff. Yeah. Be glad that Gideon got you out.” Saden's attention wanders to me. “By the way... I happened to take a look into your bedroom. Why are shackles and ropes in there?”

Aw... fuck! I should have locked it.

All eyes turn to me.

“Well, we are kind of experimenting.”

They don't look away and even Aurelia is looking at me expectantly as if she would understand.

“Geez. To keep the fire going, you know? A couple needs to explore new things once the run of the mill positions get old.”

I'll kill Gideon for this.

.