Melchior Dorevitch was celebrating his overwhelming victory in the Olympus Republic elections. The fact that all the other contenders had died mysterious deaths days before the election didn't bother him. The kill-switch feature in the lower tiers of the Divine Technology microchips wasn't common knowledge. Even if it was, who would be foolish enough to stand up against him in the Olympus Republic?
Melchior studied a political map of Mars. It was very fragmented with hundreds of factions. Although the Olympus Republic was the most powerful nation on Mars, it still only controlled 5% of the Martian surface. The myriad of small countries on Mars had been a strategy by the Terran Council to keep the Martians divided and make them easy to rule. Keila Eisenstein had united the Martians. Equipped with Zetan technology, they had sent their previous Terran masters' running. But with Keila missing, the Martians had turned on each other, and the situation on Mars was worse than ever before.
The Martians needed a strong leader that united them. Melchior was confident that providence meant for him to be this leader. He summoned his brother Dov Dorevitch to discuss his strategy.
Dov arrived at Melchior's office in the Olympus Republic presidential palace. Melchior studied his brother with well-hidden contempt. Dov, despite being younger than Melchior, looked older due to his beer gut, smoking habits, and unhealthy lifestyle. While Melchior disliked his brother's lack of discipline, he needed loyal allies, and no-one was a more dependable ally than his younger brother!
Melchior smiled and spoke to Dov:
- Welcome to Mars and the Olympus Republic, dear brother. I hope your trip from Eden was comfortable.
Dov:
- I can't complain. Since Abraham Goldstein died, I have lost fate in the Edenite society. But I would have preferred to travel in comfort on a civil carrier, rather than on a military ship.
Melchior:
- Well, all public transport has ended due to the war. But rest easy, peace with the Terrans are coming any day now. They have more significant problems to worry about.
Dov:
- Yes. I don't know how Keila did it but releasing those aliens onto the unsuspecting people on Earth was both a stroke of genius and a terrifying act of evil.
Melchior:
- Yes, although she was crazy with her visions, she still pulled everyone together and got things done.
- Now I want to follow in her footsteps!
Dov:
- I have heard you are progressing well. Congratulations on your victory in the "elections."
Melchior:
- I didn't rig the elections!
Dov:
- But it was very convenient that all your competitors died, the day before the elections?
Melchior:
- Yes, it was! Praise Yahweh for intervening and helping me, when the Martians couldn't comprehend that I was the right candidate!
Dov:
- Seems more like a Divine Technology kill-switch to me! How did you pull it off? I thought Keila gave you an Angel chip.
Melchior:
- No, she gave me a God chip, so that I could lead the attack on the Phobos base. She must have forgotten about it because she never mentioned it when she headed to Earth to infiltrate the Terran Council.
- Whatever the reason was, it was a lucky coincidence, and since I don't believe in coincidence. It must have been the divine will!
Dov:
- I see. So why did you summon me? I doubt it was for catching up.
Melchior:
- I need you. Together we can fulfil grandmaster Abraham's visions but on a much grander scale. Together we can rule Mars as its rightful god-kings!
Dov:
- But, didn't you pledge allegiance to Keila after she overthrew and killed Abraham.
Melchior:
- Yes, but one should never let ideology get in the way of opportunity. Now that Keila is gone; opportunity is ours.
- I need to take the Olympus Republic army to Eden to confront Metatron and make him hand over the Zetan technologies to us.
- I need you to stay here and rule in my stead.
Dov:
- It would be an honour to assist you, my brother. I have dreamt about spreading Abraham's religious dogma, to the wretched unbelievers on Mars!
Melchior:
- Good. Connect to that medical unit. It will remove your Human chip and replace it with a God chip.
Dov:
- Are you going to put me to the same level as yourself? There shouldn't be two God chips ruling the same nation.
Melchior:
- How would I expect you to rule in my stead, if you are not equipped with the highest tier of Zetan technology? I need you to be able to kill dissidents with your mind. Now scram, before I change my mind!
Melchior watched Dov as he entered the medical unit. It pleased him that Dov had seen things his way and agreed to help him doing the right thing. Dov would stay loyal, and if he didn't, the fat bastard would suffer so much so he'd regret ever being born. Pleased with the situation, Melchior called his generals and ordered for the fleet to travel to Eden.