Jane never knew how nervous a room full of supers could be till two aliens started speaking in a clicking language. And it is clearly an alien language because there is back and forth between Lukas and Cosmic Zip. In fact, it seems Lukas was Cosmic Zip’s superior.

One way Jane could tell was Cosmic Zip brought out a thumb memory drive and Lukas scanned it before a window popped up on a screen over his left arm. This made many of those in the room very nervous.

After about five minutes of this Lukas seemed to finish and lowered his arm, dismissing the screen, and spoke in a language she could understand.

“ Your confessional has been recorded. As you are already in exile, I highly doubt any more charges can be brought against you, especially when the Warden supercarrier Aegis arrives and begins the process of registering this world as a tier three technology world. And I am sorry to hear about your second wife.”

Cosmic Zip bows and puts the device back in his pocket.

“ It was her choice. I wish I tried to stop her, but you know how we crafters are.”

Lukas returns the bow.

“ Indeed.”

With that Cosmic Zip started walking away. Not to rejoin the others but to leave the room entirely and no one tried to stop him. This allowed Jane to see Lukas turn to focus on the group of humans in the high-class dress.

“ People of this world, I am Lukas Hunter, a Free Warden. I am part of an organization of peacekeepers that span a good part of the known galaxy. As such in about six months' time, the forementioned supercarrier will enter this star system and will pick me up.”

“ That it, it just picks you up. Nothing else?”

Jane noticed Lukas almost seemed to sigh.

-----

Lukas recalled his lessons on first contact protocols and the integration of new worlds into the galactic community. There were three norms observed through history over the thousands of worlds found. The first thing to expect is aggression. You represent change, and not everyone likes change. The second thing is greed. Because change represents wealth, influence, and power. And the third strangely was curiosity. Because everyone wants to learn about the unknown. Fortunately for him, he can see which group represents which.

“ I say this in consideration. My rank is no more in comparison to Officer Jane here. In fact, based on actual work experience, she would be my superior, as I am technically still unassigned.”

This caused the politicians to consider things a bit as Avenger stepped forward.

“ This would then be a good time to join one of the hero alliances then. I am sure one with such technology as you could do a great deal of good.”

Lukas raised his hand and opened it toward the approaching hero.

“ Unfortunately, as a Free Warden, I am strictly forbidden to join any organization. I can assist with law-keepers and perform acts for the greater good, within reason, but that is about it.”

“ So, why are you here then? If you are going to do nothing.”

Lukas shifts his hand to be raising a single finger.

“ One, can, and should are two different things. There are political considerations to be considered far beyond this small rock you call home.”

Lukas raises another finger.

“ Two, I am not here by choice. Something from this planet caused my automatic teleportation system to trigger and bring me here instead of sending me to the homeworld.

Three, I am a Warden. I have [laws] and [oaths] I must follow. I can assist people with collateral damage or natural disasters. But when a Warden fights, THE Wardens fight.”