The crew of the UNS Hermes left the room. All except the Cyborg co-pilot. He remained firmly planted in his seat.
"Link. You coming?" Captain Frank asked.
"I'll be right there," he said, waving his crew members away.
For a few silent minutes, Link gazed deeply into the eyes of the young man. They were fierce and glittery yet calm. It felt like he was sitting in the eye of a storm. The only safe place to be.
"Master is that you?" Link asked.
"Who is asking?" Taisen replied.
"The one who committed the evil acts against you," Link said with a shaky voice. "The one who didn't deserve your mercy."
"I've told you before that you've been forgiven," Taisen replied.
Link broke down in tears. He ran to Taisen and held him tightly while sobbing heavily.
"How?! How did this happen?" He said. "I thought you were dead. I thought that I would never see you again. Those human bastards! After all you did for them. We should make them pay—."
"I have other plans," he said. "For now, I just need you to get your crew to agree to my offer," he said.
"Anything. Anything for you, my master."
After Link left, a number of hooded and cloaked figures materialised out of the shadows behind the seated Taisen.
"I appreciate your restraint," Taisen said.
"My Nagvashi. You told us not to attack anyone who does not show killer intent," one of the figures said. "We, your humble servants must obey your every word."
***
Colonel Lyn stood at the top of a cliff with eyes filled with awe at the sight before her. Spread out over several miles, thousands of people lit purple flames and set them on a floating lantern before releasing them into the air. The torches created a surreal ambiance. It was beautiful to behold yet had a tragic feel. Colonel Lyn's scientific curiosity was piqued but she didn't know where to get the information she desired.
As if reading her mind, a figure soundlessly materialised from behind her.
"A millennia ago, on this very day, several naval ships came to our planet," he said as she tried to regain her composure. He pretended not to notice. The dark skinned people of this planet had a nasty habit of appearing from shadows and blind spots. "They opened fire and destroyed not only our cities but also the plants, trees and animals. This entire planet used to be a swamp. But now it's a barren desert. I hope to one day restore it."
"Is that why you need my help?" Colonel Lyn asked. "You need relics and scrolls belonging to the Enjarians to unlock the powers of the Skyforge."
"That is very perceptive of you," Taisen said. "You are indeed correct. I need to obtain arcane knowledge of the Skyforge's operation."
Colonel Lyn turned and stared once more at the tragically beautiful scene.
"The Skyforge is a powerful tool. I'm the wrong hands it could be used as a weapon," a said. "How do I know that I can trust you?"
"You don't. But if you decide not to, my people will cease to exist," he said. "Our ability to grow food and obtain water is waning. We cannot survive without the Skyforge. It is the last hope for my people."
"I will only help you if you promise me that you will only use it for good," she said.
"Agreed," Taisen replied.
***
Matriarch Ness entered the council chambers and gave a bow. Taisen gestured for her to be seated.
"I will soon be leaving for Earth with the humans," he said. "I have a mission for you."
"I am at your service, my Nagvashi," she said.
"I could not say this in front of Matriarch Simika. She would not be happy with my plan," he said.
"We are merely tools to be used by you. Her opinion should not matter," Matriarch Ness replied.
"Regardless. I will return from Earth with the knowledge necessary to revive the Raider fleet of Agadir," he said. "I need you to make preparations. My troops must be ready."
Matriarch Ness gave a wry smile. She seemed to bask in his words.
"They will be ready, My Nagvashi," she said. "Once again, the Marrakech will rule the universe. We will make our foes understand the true reason we were called the Dark Elves of Agadir."
***
"Reactor status."
"Check."
"Hydraulics."
"Check."
"Navigation."
"Check."
"Oxygen."
"Normal."
"Instruments."
"Check."
"Pants."
"Soiled."
"Dicks."
"Wanked."
"We'll, that concludes our preflight checks," Captain Frank said. "Co-pilot Link, you may now raise the landing gear and prepare to take off."
"Captain, the engine is purring like a Danovian cat. The readings are even better than before the Krell attack," Link said.
"Yeah, we should get almost killed more often," Captain Frank replied.