I know you will never do so but I wish you would give my love to your family. I have watched my nephews and nieces from afar and some of them are quite admirable. Would they revile me if they knew the truth of our relationship? Despite their upbringing, I think some of them are good and decent people, not unlike those who have found my cause worth .Regardless, I await and hope for the best.

The day of the meeting arrives and I find myself following a guard as she leads me toward the agreed upon location. We are currently in the heart of the city, following a side street away from the almost completed obelisk, and heading towards a monotonous and monochrome building near the manor. The alley we walk through is filled with the small huts that most of the citizens live in, rusted corrugated metal sheets keeping most of the wind or rain off the inhabitants. Brick walls grace both sides, rising nearly twenty feet into the sky, and we are forced to step over personal belongings that have been left haphazardly by those within the huts. Sympathy wells up within me at the sight of the poor conditions that people have to live within but I don’t have time to fix every single issue.

Steeling myself to the signs of poverty and destitution around me, I shake my head and mentally review all the information I managed to collect from Adrian’s mind. He may have been a despicable person, intending to kidnap me and use me to blackmail my mother, but the man had a knack for intrigue. His ego tinged all of his memories, corrupting the information with an almost fanatical belief that he was informed about everything, but he had given me more than enough to work with.

Assuming he was truly as well informed as he thought he was, three factions currently exist within Everwall. The first, obviously, is run by my mother and father. They have no name but they are currently the most powerful in the city, my mother running the administration and overseeing re-construction of the city while my father leads the guards and maintains order. As a helpful way of keeping things organized in my mind, I’ve decided upon a nickname for them, choosing to go with ‘Kings’. Simple and to the point.

The second faction is the one who hired Adrian to kidnap me for political purposes. Called the ‘Fishers’, they were the initial leaders of Everwall before my parents arrived and ripped control away from them. Preferring to remain behind the scenes, they seem to mainly act behind the protection of hired agents, a choice that is becoming more and more difficult as the city has been forced to adopt food tokens as their only form of viable currency. As one can imagine, criminals don’t take well to only being paid with communal food.

One particular member of the faction, however, had made themselves known to Adrian. Named Elias Fisher, this intimidating young man was the public face of their entire faction, even claiming to be the right hand man of their leader.

This information is helpful to me, an outsider so quickly thrown into the middle of the city’s internal squabbles, but the truly valuable information that I managed to recover was a secret that Adrian had discovered a few days before I had rummaged through his mind. According to a few agents, mainly novice spies and provocateurs, that Adrian had hired, Elias was actually the son of the current leader, a terrifying man whose name couldn’t be found.

While annoying that I don’t have the name or location of his father, the knowledge of their relationship will be extremely helpful when I am in the meeting. If Octavian stalls, or even lets the meeting devolve into squabbling among the factions, I’ll be able to use Active Search to reach into Elias’s mind and uncover the identity of his father. Hopefully that will be enough.

The third faction is the one that Adrian works for. Also lacking a name, an inconvenience I’ve decided to solve by calling them the ‘Criminals’, this faction represents the underbelly of crime that has flourished since Genesis arrived. Unfortunately, they are completely decentralized, their orders delivered to them in dead drop locations. Their leader is only known by the codename Doc and even Adrian, a supposed important individual within the group, had never met him.

It is this faction that worries and interests me the most. The Fishers are easy to understand, their anger over the loss of their power motivating them to lash out at the Kings, and their goals are simple; they simply want to recover what they lost. I have no intention of helping them get it but understanding what motivates them is the best way to figure out what their reactions will be.

The criminals, however, don’t seem to have a unifying goal or purpose for their actions. Doc moves their people around like chess pieces, accomplishing tasks that seem arbitrary but must serve some deeper goal. It is this particular aspect of their organization that interests me. Perhaps their goals can be aligned with mine, at least temporarily if not permanently. It makes me feel uneasy to consider working with criminals but I understand their potential. I won’t throw away my humanity but, at a certain point, I have to consider the greater good.

Clearing my mind of these possibilities, I find that we are approaching the location of the meeting. A nondescript building of plain features, the former house sits among a street of similar, if somewhat more damaged, homes. Guards patrol around the block, establishing a perimeter around the meeting so that no uninvited guests can approach.

Passing through the perimeter, I ignore the piteous looks that a few of the guards give me. My identity has obviously spread amongst all of them now and all they see is one of their leaders children, an innocent young man dragged into the intrigue that runs their city. It doesn’t bother me as I know the pity won’t last for long.

The door is opened for me by Chris, the guard from the square yesterday, who looks at me with confusion and slight recognition in his eyes. The differences from the illusion and my own appearance aren’t massive but they are just enough to make him believe that he may have talked to someone else. I’m about to walk into the door when I stop, considering the options in front of me. A major goal of mine is to improve the way that the city looks at me before I reveal that I am a randomly selected. Interacting and influencing the leaders of Everwall is important but equally as important is spreading a good reputation among the citizens. I need them to look at me the way they looked at Marc, as a powerful friend who has their best intentions at heart, before I break the news of what I am. Only then will I be able to control the fallout.

Turning back to Chris, I smile at him and stretch out my hand. “Thanks for the favor yesterday, Angie was really helpful.” While not the whole truth, I can’t deny that Angie leading me towards Adrian was immensely helpful.

His eyes light up as he realizes he was correct and smiles back at me, embarrassment following in as he realizes who I am. “Well shit kid, I was wondering if it was you. You looked a lot worse for wear yesterday though. Also, how bout you repay that favor and don’t tell your dad about our little run in? Last thing I want is the Captain chewing me out.”

I let out a little laugh and nod my head. “That sounds like a deal.” At the very least I can say I’ve had one good impression.

Walking through the door, I enter into a large living room with a massive table set in the center. Three seats are set out, two of them already filled with their respective leaders.

Elias sits in the one closest to me, allowing me to get my first sight of him with my own eyes. Dressed in an impeccable tailored grey suit, he frowns as I walk in the room. Not for the first time, I wish I had greater control of Passive Search, as freezing in the entrance while using Active Search isn’t really an option.

With carefully cut brown hair that is shaved around the sides of his head with the rest parted to the right, he casts an impressive figure in the room. I can’t get an exact read on his height and build while he’s sitting but he appears fit. The most distinct feature, however, are his grey eyes, slowly analyzing everyone in the room. He immediately strikes me as someone I shouldn’t underestimate. Ironically, his eyes drift over me and, after a few seconds, it’s clear that he has dismissed me as unimportant. If that wasn’t the impression I was hoping for I’m sure I’d be offended.

In the second seat, right at the middle of the table, sits my mother, her eyes turning to meet mine. I can see the brief flash of happiness in her eyes as I walk in, most likely an effect of my absence, but it is quickly replaced with hurt disappointment. My refusal to share information with her and my father has obviously hit them harder than I assumed it would but, despite the immense feeling of guilt within me, I steel myself to continue on my path. I am responsible for my own fate and I will not laden them down with my own baggage.

Walking over to her side of the table, I quickly glance at the empty seat. It’s obvious that it was set out for Doc but he or she hasn’t arrived. I’m positive that if anyone does show up to represent the Criminals it will certainly not be the leader who has worked so hard to hide their identity.

Finally reaching my Mom, I stand at her right shoulder. Dad, standing over her left shoulder, reaches out and gives me a quick squeeze on the shoulder, a gesture of love that I appreciate more than he will ever know. I respond with a guilty smile and repeat his gesture, trying my best to silently convey my love.

Now that I’m finally here, just waiting for Octavian’s arrival, I begin the next part of my plan.

Closing my eyes to make it look as if I’m just taking a breather, I reach out to Elias’s mind with Active Search, focusing entirely on the idea of a father. It takes a few moments, time seeming like a blurry concept while I use this Skill, but I’m able to retrieve the information and bring it back into my mind, feeling the processing begin. Thoughts and memories begin to slowly trickle in only to be followed by a deluge of information.

Most of it is useless. The name and identity of his father, however, is certainly not.

Before I can consider what I plan to do with the information, the door opens loudly and Octavian saunters inside. His strange and ever-present smile fills his face as he looks around the room, murmuring greetings at people as he walks to the side of the table without a chair. Looking around at all of us with a childish glee, he flicks his hand and a comfortable looking chair appears in front of him. Both my mother and Elias manage to keep their cool but Elias’s two retainers let out a loud swear, taking a step back.

Giggling to himself in amusement, Octavian sits down and folds his hand together. Adopting a mockingly serious tone, he begins. “Greetings, leaders of Everwall. I’ve gathered you here today to impart some knowledge upon you, breaking a few rules in the process but you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs”.

My father lets out a low groan at his use of yet another idiom, causing Octavian’s smile to go even wider. “Knew you’d like that one. Anyway, we are here to discuss an upcoming series of trials. Have any of you ever heard of a Primus?” Straight to the point.

Confusion sweeps through the room and I manage to keep a straight face. Meeting my eyes, Octavian raises an eyebrow, almost as if he’s waiting for a response. I don’t intend to give him what he wants though. The silence stretches for a few long and awkward moments before Elias answers. “It’s obvious that none of us have. What the hell is a Primus?”

Shaking his head in a faux disappointment, Octavian responds. “That’s not exactly true. Regardless, Primus is the name given to the leader of a planet. It is both title and power, both given by Genesis. And, if I’m not mistaken, your planets trials are going to begin in a little under two weeks, possibly one if you people are massively unlucky.”

A silence spreads out among the room. There are only six humans in the room but none of us make a sound. I’d already known the basics of what was going to happen but the fact that it will commence in two weeks is a complete surprise. I’d assumed I’d have more time to prepare, which, now that I consider it, was an idiotic assumption. Everything that’s happened to me since Genesis’s arrival has been chaotic. Why would this particular challenge break the pattern?

A voice breaks the silence, my eyes drifting down to see that it was my Mom who spoke. Her body language seems relaxed, her hands carefully laced in front of her, and she speaks with a steady tone. “Two questions. Whose rules are you breaking by telling us this and what do you get out of this? We both know you wouldn’t do anything that didn’t benefit you.”

In an over the top pantomime fashion, Octavian pulls back and puts his hand over his chest. It is the same wounded by words bit that he had used the day before and, just like last time, his smile ruins it. “Mary, do you truly think me so mercenary?”

I can’t see the reaction on her face but I imagine it’s a deadpan face with impatience filling her eyes. Octavian ends the charade and chuckles, his smile falling slightly as he gets just a tad more serious. “Well you’re right. I’m not giving this information to you for free. In return for this little enlightenment, as well as some other information I know, you will sign a Contract as the representatives of your city, swearing to exclusively trade with the Empire of Sol Invictus should a representative of Everwall win this delightful little competition. Trade with other members of your wave is allowed but we’d be the only inter-wave contact.”

Well … that was not what I was expecting. I have no way of knowing what wave Octavian is from but I’d been puzzled by what his motivation was. His reasons for picking Earth, and Everwall, aside, it seems he is motivated by money.

I’m not entirely sure that he is being completely honest, however. His foppish court dandy personality aside, every move he’s made has been far too calculating for someone only interested in making some money. I suspect there is a deeper motivation here.

“I got a question”, Elias speaks out. His hand rests on his chin as he continues. “The issue of trade aside, and that’s certainly something that we need to discuss because you ain’t gonna cheat the Fishers, you mentioned rules. You never answered Mary, whose rules are you breaking?”

“What a wonderfully delightful little observation. Unfortunately, I can’t really say whose rules I’m breaking. That would be breaking even more rules and, let me tell you, I do not want to piss the big guy off. I value my own life too much for that, thank you very much”, Octavian responds.

Interrupting any response Elias can have, my Mom interjects, “Well what can you tell us about the competition? Whether or not we will agree to this trade agreement depends on the quality and helpfulness of what you tell us.”

“Well Mary, just for you and your delightful family, I’ll give you a little taste. I think this little tidbit will surprise everyone here”, Octavian replies, emphasizing ‘everyone’ in a clear jab at me. “There are currently … 1500-ish cities and towns on Earth that are large and organized enough to be involved in this little competition. My – “

“You mention cities and towns as if they are involved. If this is a competition for a single position, why are they important?” I ask, interrupting him. I’d tried to stay as quiet as I could but some information is worth the risk.

Looking mildly annoyed at being interrupted, he over exaggerates a pout before continuing. “Tisk tisk, Cael, that’s not part of the little taste. Unless you’re willing to trade for it, you’ll just have to wait and see.” His eyes light up and flash at the mention of a trade, giving me a glimpse of what I think might be his real personality.

“Getting back to where we were before I was so rudely interrupted, let me continue. The cities or towns with the best chances of winning will have been approached by my ‘competitors’. They’ll give their choices more or less of the same information I’ll give you, albeit with less charm, grace, and wit”. He ends with a little wink.

Surprisingly, Elias is one who responds first. I’d expected my Mom to take the lead on this meeting but she’s been allowing him a surprising amount of leeway.

“Before I agree to this, what are the conditions to the trade? Are your prices on par or less than your competitors? Are we free to go to others if you are unable to supply us with what we need? Finally, are we restricted to your currency or are we able to purchase with our own?” He lists of his questions efficiently, his concerns and worries becoming clear.

He’s not worried about the competition but instead looking ahead of it to what comes next. If we are forced to use their currency then our entire economy will be at their mercy. Similarly, if we are only able to purchase from Octavian then the deal may result in us being worse off than going into it blind.

I can see why people are intimidated by him. He’s obviously smart and, more important than that, he knows how to use it. If I can get rid of this animosity between my parents and the Fishers than he will be extremely useful. That is a problem for another day though.

Chuckling to himself, Octavian counting down four fingers as he responds to each question. “The only condition for the trade is that you are required to purchase and sell to the Empire of Sol Invictus if we have what you want to purchase or if we want what you are selling. Prices are handled by the individual merchants, minus whatever taxes are imposed by you or us.”

“Second and third, I can tell you, without a doubt in my mind, our prices are the best you will find and there’s nothing in the universe that we don’t have.”

“Finally, you’re a smart man for asking that question. Normally we’d require you to use our currency, but because you asked I’m required to remove that condition. I think it’s idiotic that I have to do so but hey, I don’t want to piss off the boss.”

Elias and my Mom look at each other, nodding their heads in agreement. Taking a breath, she responds in a formal voice. “We agree to the conditions of your deal Octavian. The third person you invited isn’t here however, and I can’t speak for them.”

Clapping his hands once in excitement, Octavian shakes his head with a conniving smile. “Oh don’t worry, Doc already gave me their agreement. I just needed yours. I just need you to agree to this Contract and then I can tell you what I know!”

Both Elias and Mom flinch backwards at the mention of the Contract, their eyes blurring slightly as they appear to read it. It’s strange to see someone else interact with their notifications, making me realize what I look like when I do the same. It’s an unsettling sight.

Both of them manage to finish after a few minutes, nodding their heads at Octavian to begin.

“Well then”, he gleefully continues, “let’s get this show on the road.”