A hooded figure entered the room and bowed low. "My Lord, your guests have arrived."
Taisen smiled. "Bring them to me," he said. He straightened in his seat and let his hands form a steeple on the table in front of him.
Matriarch Simika looked puzzled. "What visitors does he speak of?" She asked.
"You don't need to concern yourself with that. I have another task for you," he replied. "Are the preparations for tonight ready?"
"Yes. I will see to it that all goes to plan," the Matriarch replied. She bowed, kissed his palm and then touched her forehead to the back of his hand before leaving.
***
The crew of the Hermes filed into the council chambers under the watchful eye of a short haired middle-aged man. Just behind him were a cyborg, a middle-aged human woman and a youthful beautiful Quinian female.
In the chamber, at the head of a large round table, sat a teenage dark-skinned alien. He was dressed differently from the others that Colonel Lyn had seen. Instead of a hood and robe, he wore a light tunic. Compared to the shadowy man that escorted them all this time, he had a strong presence and a dangerous aura.
"Welcome. Please, do me the honour and sit," the young man said casually. He talked without gesturing. He was very precise and measured. This was a man used to giving orders.
"I think I'll stand," Colonel Lyn said.
"You filthy human!" the dark-skinned escort said as a curved blade materialised in his hand.
If Colonel Lyn ever got the chance, she would like to know where these people hid their weapons and how they managed to draw them in the same time it took her to blink.
A raised hand from the young man who was seated acted as a quick rebuke to the escort. He quickly disappeared his blade and bowed low on one knee. "I apologize, my Lord. I could not stand by as a human disrespected you."
"Leave us, Redan," he said as the escort hurriedly left the room. Colonel Lyn was impressed by the military like control he had. For a moment she had sensed bloodlust from the escort she now knew was called Redan. She thought he was at least going to try to kill her.
"I apologise for my colleague," the young man said calmly. "He can be a bit overzealous. If you want to stand, go ahead."
"Who are you? And why have you trapped us here?" Colonel Lyn asked.
"I am Taisen and you are free to go anywhere you want," he said calmly. "Unfortunately, your ship is in a dire condition and the only thing around here is sand."
"I'm got to sit down if you don't mind," Captain Frank said as he planted himself on a chair across from Taisen.
"Me too," Ensign Alita said as she took a seat.
"Colonel Lyn, I think this man is being accommodating to us," he said. "It would be rude of us to treat him with contempt. At least until we can discern his true motives."
Colonel Lyn hesitantly took a seat beside her crew.
"I have a question… if you'll indulge me of course," Captain Frank said. "That man called you something. What does it mean?"
"My people call me the desert fox," the man replied. "I sit at the head of the ruling council."
"Impossible! Our records show that the council is made up of Matriarchs who lead individual clans," Alita interjected.
"So you are familiar with the customs on Agadir," he said with an amused expression. He seemed genuinely elated that Alita had researched his planet. "We do in fact have Matriarchs who rule. But I'm the exception to the rule."
"And what is the cause of this exception?" Colonel Lyn asked.
"Enough questions. I have a question for you," he said. "Why are you on my world?"
Alita, Lyn and Frank exchanged looks while Link sat motionless as he meticulously observed the young man.
"No disrespect, but our mission is classified," Frank said.
"You were given a mission to find a new source of Thorium-19 to power the UN's ships and cities," the young man said to the surprise of the crew of the UNS Hermes. "I've already had my people slice your ship's mainframe. The only question I have is who attacked you?"
"We were ambushed by an unidentified frigate which we believe to belong to the Krell," Link said. Colonel Lyn tried to stare him down to reprimand him for surrendering information.
"Ah. I see. The Krell are up to their old tricks of trying to corner the energy market," he said. "I have a proposal for you."
"We're not interested," Colonel Lyn said.
"At least let's hear the man out," Captain Frank said.
"Fine," Colonel Lyn said.
"I will fix your ship and help you return to Earth in one piece. I'll even aid your search for Thorium," the young man said. "And in return, I need your help locating some Enjarian relics."
"How did you know that I'm an expert on Enjarian history?" Colonel Lyn asked.
"I'll answer all your questions once you give me your response," he replied. "Your ship will be ready in a few days. I suggest that you use this time to immerse yourself in our culture. We are about to celebrate the Festival of the Lost Night. It promises to be quite the spectacle."