Commander Zhang sat brooding at his massive oak table and watched in silence as the group walked towards him. Colonel Lyn led the way, Taisen and Link behind her, followed by Ensign Alita. The table coupled with the oversized windows behind him and the stone statues of the past UN commanders lining the walls of his office lent to the air of intimidation that he radiated.
It seemed to take the group forever to reach his office. Commander Zhang was the most senior uniformed leader within the United Nations Department of Defense, that advises the president of the United Nations of Earth, the secretary of defense, and the Security Council on military matters. His office was at the center of the Whitehall building; the headquarters of the United Nations military.
Whitehall was also the largest office building in the government district even larger than the senate building across the street. It was so tall that clouds could be seen forming around the transparent steel windows at the top floors. Almost everyone inside was wearing blue attire with stripes on their chest signifying their rank and branch affiliation. Taisen felt out of place. For decades he walked these halls and commanded respect but now all he got were contemptuous side glances from people that probably thought that he should not be here.
There were very few non-humans amongst the rank of the military. Taisen and Alita stood out like sore blue and black thumbs on a yellow hand. Even Link managed to blend in due to his cybernetic limbs. It turns out that sporting several artificial limbs and enhancements was not unusual for a soldier in the UN forces. Losing a limb or three garnered him sympathy amongst the rank and file.
It was probably only a few seconds. But to Taisen and the rest of the group, it felt like an eternity. The entire office was utterly still, utterly silent. The only sound was the thudding of his pulse in his ears, the only movement the shaking of his arms in his sleeves. He was a veteran warrior with more bodies than most people would be comfortable hearing but here in his former office, he felt small. He quietly glanced around as he acknowledged that a statue of Commander Wrath-his former persona- was no longer there.
"Colonel Lyn," the Commander said, at last, his gravelly voice neutral and formal. "Please introduce our guests."
Taisen winced. A guest? He was more than a guest. Without him, the UN and all its might were as good as dead. He was their salvation.
"Of course, sir," Colonel Lyn said, bowing low. "A warrior reportedly of a species known as the Marrakech of the planet Agadir."
"Indeed," Commander Zhang said, his voice going even drier. "Our records have very few mentions of his kind but none the less we are glad to have him here."
Commander Zhang decided to play it cool and feign ignorance of Taisen's race and of him.
"If I may, Commander," Taisen put in before Colonel Lyn could answer. "I am not merely a guest. I am also a resource. One you have never seen the like of before, and may never see again. You would do well to utilize me."
"Would I?" Commander Zhang said, sounding amused. "Certainly you're a resource of unlimited confidence. What exactly do you offer, Marrakech?"
"As a start, I offer information," Taisen said. If he was offended, he couldn't hear it in Commander Zhang's voice. "There are threats lurking in wild space, threats that will someday find your people. I am familiar with them."
"Why do you think that we cannot learn of them soon enough on our own," the Commander countered placidly. "Can you offer anything more?"
"Perhaps you will learn of them in time to be defeated by them," Taisen said. "Perhaps you will not. What more do I offer? I offer my military skill. You could utilize that skill in making plans to seek out and eliminate these dangers."
"These threats you speak of," the Commander said. "I presume they have something to do with the recent attack by three unknown warships that we thwarted. They indeed pose a threat to my nation."
"Not just you, commander," Taisen said. "They are also threats to my people and to all life in the galaxy."
"And you can help us eliminate such a threat?"
"I can."
Commander Zhang's hazel eyes seemed to glitter. "And you wish the help of the UN?"
"Your assistance would be welcome."
"And why should the UN senate accept your offer?"
There was a slight pause, and Alita had the eerie sense that Taisen was giving the Commander one of those small smiles he was so good at. "With all due respect, I do not need their permission to protect them, Commander. Nor do I expect their thanks."
"I've seen others with your sense of nobility," Commander Zhang said. "Most fell by the wayside when their naïve selflessness collided with the real world."
"I have faced the real world and I do not act with naive selflessness."
"You have indeed. I've read the reports from Colonel Lyn," the Commander said. "What exactly do you want in return from the UN to accomplish this?"
"A state of mutual gain," Taisen said. "I offer my knowledge and skill to you now in exchange for your consideration to my people in the future."
"And when that future comes, what if I refuse to grant that consideration?"
"Then I will have gambled and lost," Taisen said calmly. "But I have until that time to convince you that my goals and yours do indeed coincide."
"Interesting," the Commander murmured. "Tell me. If you served the UN, yet a threat arose against your people, where would your loyalties lie? Which of us would command your allegiance?"
"I see no conflict in the sharing of information."
"I'm not speaking of information," the Commander said. "I'm speaking of service."
There was a short pause. "If I were to serve the UN, you would command my allegiance."
"What guarantee do you offer?"
"My word is my guarantee," Taisen said. "Perhaps Colonel Lyn can speak to the strength of that vow."
"Colonel?" the Commander asked, his eyes flicking to Lyn.
"Throughout our travels, he has been honorable," Colonel Lyn said. "On a few occasions, he saved our lives. I owe him a debt of gratitude."
Commander Zhang leaned forward a little, his eyes glittering again. "Then I accept your assistance."