An old man with white hair and beard was sitting in his wide chair while looking at the outer space through the glass on his room in the spaceship he was currently at.
His eyes were slightly opened, and his unfocused gaze followed the stars that disappeared from his sight as the spaceship speed up towards their destination.
"Director..." An Apex cautiously entered the room and said in a low tone, "Husk is calling..."
The old man's gaze broke away from the glass and went towards the Apex.
He kindly smiled and said, "Thank you. Send it to me."
"Yes, sir." The Apex respectfully bowed his head and left the room.
Just as the Apex left, a holographic image appeared in front of the old man.
The image was slightly distorted and frequently flickered.
The man showed in the image was sitting in a simple, wooden chair while staring at the old man through the white mask on his face.
"Morgan Yang..." Husk said with an emotionless voice, "Long time no see, old friend."
Being identified by the man in front of him made Morgan show a faint smile, "Mat-"
"Don't call me by that name, Morgan." Husk interrupted Morgan that was about to warmly greet him, "I gave up on that name a long time ago."
Morgan sighed the moment he heard Husk speak like that.
He really wanted to help Husk to heal from the scars of the past and his enormous hatred towards Letheia Corporation and Terrene Protectorate, but it didn't matter how many times he tried, Husk simply didn't listen to him and just continued down the path of revenge.
"Looks like you still want revenge, huh." Morgan commented.
"Nothing will stop me, not even death." Husk said with confidence with his grim tone.
"Yeah, yeah..." Morgan sighed once again, "It is in times like this that I regret helping you create Maliwan. It was a mistake to give this much power to a warmonger like you."
"Yes, if you wished for peace, it was indeed a mistake." Husk didn't even try to rebuke Morgan's comment, "Thanks to you, Nova Rebellion doesn't need Hyperion's, or should I say Letheia's, weapons. We are completely self-sufficient in terms of weapons and ammo. Any Letheia's attempt to embargo the Rebellion is useless. All thanks to you, Morgan Yang."
"You...ahhhh...forget it, I don't want to talk about this. Let's get back to business, how was it?"
"I sent a fleet at the coordinates you provided me, all they saw was one of the ISU's Space Station in the distance and a Miniknog fleet pursuing another spaceship."
"What happened to be people in the station?"
"All dead, not a single survivor."
"What about the Miniknog Fleet you mentioned?"
"We destroyed their spaceships and tried to capture them, but they killed themselves before we could get them. The Miniknog ships surrounding the Space Station also retreated as soon as they caught sight of us."
"Miniknog is still as merciless as ever..." Morgan looked at the distance with cloudy eyes. Guilt filled his mind as he blamed himself for what happened in the station.
After a few moments of silence, Morgan looked over at Husk as said, "I need your help, Husk. Without the Terrene Protectorate, it is getting a lot chaotic around the universe. I fear for the safety of the space stations. I cannot let the same thing happen again."
"I can help, but it comes with a price." Husk spoke coldly.
Morgan frowned and glared at Husk, "Do we really need to do this? Aren't we old friends? If so, I will just contact the Intergalactic Police and ask for their help."
Hearing about the Intergalactic Police made Husk laugh out loud for a few seconds before saying, "I don't think it's a good idea. After the Terrene Protectorate fell, the Police started to take over in the Beta Sector and provide safety, but that's it. Their hands are already full with all the troubles brewing in that sector, I don't think they have enough manpower to help you with the stations outside Beta Sector. Also, if I were you, I wouldn't even try to contact the UEG (United Earth Government) for help. The new president, Nicole Gonçalves, is not keen on spending money and personnel with the ISU (Independent Scientific Union), or so I heard. She's trying to rebuild Human society. For this, she's going to need a lot of money and people, she doesn't have time and neither resources to give to the ISU."
"..."
"That means I'm the only one you can ask for help. The price is going to be very high, Morgan. Be prepared."
"...are you sure, Husk?" Morgan said after Husk finished speaking, "I know your identity and your secrets."
"It doesn't matter anymore. Don't even try to threaten me." Husk spoke dismissively, "Now that the Terrene Protectorate is gone, I don't fear my identity being exposed, you can do whatever you want with all those info about me."
Morgan's frown deepened. He knew that making a deal with Husk was going to be difficult, but he never expected for him to be burning the bridges this soon.
In his calculations, Husk would only start to burn the bridges once the conflicts escalate even higher, and not when it just started.
"You are lucky, you know." Husk started to speak again, "I'm asking just a little. If you weren't an old friend, I would've you killed for betraying me."
"I never did that."
Husk chuckled in response, "No? Alright, I'm going to pretend I don't know those shady businesses you do behind my back."
"..." Morgan's hand slightly shook, [Did he know about what I gave to Lenny? Or is it about the deal I made with Hanzo?]
"Why are you so silent now, Morgan?" Husk's magnetic and cold voice drawn Morgan away from his thoughts.
"I shouldn't have saved you back then...the universe would have been more peaceful." Morgan hid his emotions deep down and spoke with staring directly into Husk's eyes.
"Yes, you made a mistake, Morgan. Now, do you want, or not, my help?"
"Alright, you win, Husk. I'm going to share some of the ISU's scientific findings with you. Are you happy now?"
Husk's face behind the make broke in a faint smile, "A little. Your contribution will greatly help me to shake up the foundations of the Miniknog and Letheia Corporation. It's a shame that I lost my chance to give a fatal blow in the Terrene Protectorate...well, that was it, see you later, Morgan Yang."
With those words, Husk turned off the call.
He leaned in his chair and closed his eyes.
"President Husk." A soldier entered in the completely dark room and called for Husk with his shaky voice.
"Here." Husk said with a cold tone as his eyes opened and fiercely glared at the person that interrupted his rest.
"Ja-Ja-Jason Silverhand ha-ha-has arrived." The soldier's voice trembled for a while before he recovered, "He's waiting at the Orbital Spaceport. He's here to take Fortitude with him."
"Oh..." Husk exclaimed. Husk nodded and said, "Let him take along with Jevil's old crew of pirates."
"Yes, sir." The soldier saluted and hurriedly left the room.
"Now..." Husk murmured to himself with his flat tone, "How's Jevil doing over Alpis? I hope he's still useful; if not...well, I don't have interest in maintaining a useless person. If that's the case, I will just finish him off..."