Nessah finished reading the emergency report of an unidentified vessel entering their solar system without warning, only to immediately be hailed through the official diplomatic channel set up for the Rukkan Faction. She swiftly gave orders for an escort crew to meet the ship on the fringes of the solar system. With their new engines, they would be there within moments.
Satisfied that her orders had been received, she answered the call. High Diplomat Annkor appeared on a holoscreen in front of her. “This is General Nessah of the Sunalii Faction,” she said formally. “Identify yourself immediately or you will be shot down.”
The Sunalii Faction did not take kindly to unannounced guests. The other factions knew first hand their shoot first, ask later policy for any ship that arrived near Verilia without warning. Every faction had tried to push their luck at some point or another, and they’d all met the same fate. The political outcry at the blatant murder fell on deaf ears. It eventually became well understood not to approach the reclusive Sunalii Faction without requesting permission well in advance.
The only reason Annkor’s ship hadn’t already been obliterated was because he’d called immediately upon entering the system. Nessah studied the calm man onscreen. There was something unnerving about his fervent stare. She knew the Rukkan were religious extremists, and the last thing she needed right now was a holy war.
“Greetings General,” Annkor said smoothly. “I am High Diplomat Annkor of the Rukkan, our chosen envoy to enter contact with your faction. You may presume that I act with the will of the faction and may take my words as their voice.”
“That’s quite the claim,” Nessah said, skeptical. “Your faction knows to ask for our permission before entering our controlled space.” She received notice that the squadron she’d sent to meet them encircled the lone intruder. Judging by Annkor’s sour expression, he also knew of their presence.
“I see you’ve sent a welcome party,” Annkor said dryly. “So quickly, too. It’s almost as though you knew we were coming.” Nessah remained silent, choosing not to answer the provocation. Annkor reached into his pocket and withdrew a small, ornate wooden case. He opened it and set on display a beautiful gold and copper medal with a small data chip embedded near the top. “I trust this is sufficient proof?”
Nessah scrutinized the medal. There were only three in existence in the Rukkan Faction, each one signifying that Annkor was in fact their top diplomat sent in an official capacity. “Send the confirmation key,” Nessah ordered. The small data chip embedded in the medal was what truly permitted for them to identify the medal’s veracity. It contained a unique, heavily encrypted identifying key. Annkor complied and Nessah received a notification that it was legitimate. “What do the Rukkan want with the Sunalii?” she demanded, skipping any pleasantries.
Annkor bristled at the rough treatment. Someone of his station was deserving of immense respect, though he presumed that the heathens that were the Sunalii wouldn’t know manners even if the gods themselves gave them a divine proclamation. “We are here for answers,” he replied.
“Answers to what?” Nessah asked. “We’ve not been in contact with your faction in well over a decade.”
Rather than deign to respond to the rude General, Annkor simply uploaded an image and displayed it onscreen. A picture of Adrian strapped to a chair surrounded by gru’ul appeared. “Who is this man?” he demanded.
It was a small blessing that the Tribunal was currently in session and that all the Elders were present. An emergency alert interrupted their discussion about Nessah’s decision to reveal the existence of the Mandate to Jyn. It marked the first time someone other than High Command would learn the truth and his reaction would be a good gauge for when they announced it at large.
Nessah’s face appeared on a holoscreen in the center of the room before Elder Kaius could respond. Though such an action would normally constitute a breach of decorum, times had changed and sometimes information couldn’t wait. “General,” Kaius said, “what is so urgent that you need to use the emergency line?”
“An envoy from the Rukkan Faction with their High Diplomat has arrived. I have them on hold right now,” Nessah replied hurriedly.
“You didn’t shoot them down?” Darros asked. “They know better than to show up unannounced.”
“It’s a good thing I didn’t,” Nessah said. “They’re somehow aware of Adrian’s existence and are demanding answers. I wasn’t about to divulge any information without your awareness.”
The room fell silent. There were no accusations thrown around at how the information had been leaked. That would be a problem for later. Every Elder present understood the risks of another faction learning their secrets before the time was right.
“I see,” Kaius said, his face grave. “They’ve provided sufficient proof that they know about Adrian?”
“They shared an image they had of him,” Nessah said. “And I know exactly where it’s from.” She shuddered, trying to avoid being ill at the memory of when she watched the video from which it originated. “Given the picture, it’s highly likely they posses its accompanying video and know about the purple chemical.”
That others knew of such horrendous substances was a sobering thought to all. Kaius’ eyes hardened. “So they’ve learned,” he said grimly. “It’s no wonder they came straight to us demanding answers. You’re certain it was only the one ship that entered our solar system?”
“For now. Reinforcements could be on the way.”
“Transfer the call to me. We will handle this directly.” Kaius looked around the room. “There’s no use denying that we have knowledge of the situation. The Rukkan wouldn’t believe us anyway. I fear that we will enter conflict with them if we do.”
“We might only be at half capacity, but our fleet still dwarfs theirs,” Darros pointed out. “We’ll be able to defend Verilia should they choose to attack. Especially with our new defenses in place.”
“We can’t afford any losses,” Cirrus said. “Not before we fight the gru’ul. Every soldier that perishes in a skirmish is one less person that will help us survive what’s to come.” Though she was eager to test their new weapons before using them against the gru’ul, she was wary of any conflict that would hinder their chances of survival. They’d done a good job keeping their preparations a secret thus far. They were almost ready. They just needed a little more time.
But it appeared they were officially out of it.
Every Elder in the room thought furiously about how to handle the situation, yet they remained silent on the matter. “We’ve kept our guest waiting for long enough,” Kaius announced. “Any longer and our chances at denying the extent of our knowledge about the matter become effectively zero. General, transfer the call now.”
Nessah bowed and the holoscreen was replaced with the image of Annkor not one minute later. For a moment, nothing was said as Annkor and Kaius took measure of one another. “You stand before the Sunalii Faction’s Tribunal. State your business, High Diplomat.”
Annkor’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly, giving away his surprise. He was hoping the General would panic and give away information by accident. Not that he would be so quickly put before the ultimate rulers of her faction. “To think that the Sunalii’s Arbiter himself would be the one to receive me along with the rest of your Elders. The Rukkan humbly greet the Sunalii.” Annkor tilted his head downwards deferentially ever so slightly. That he had to give such a display to heretics grated on him, but he had a part to play in the gods’ grand design. He would tolerate their presence to succeed in the holy mission assigned to him by the High Priest. “I’m going to presume that means you have knowledge of the man in the picture I showed your General. My call wouldn’t have been escalated so quickly otherwise.”
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Darros bit back a rude retort when he saw Kaius silence him with a warning glance. “You are confirmed to be the highest figure of political authority that interacts with other factions. It is only natural that a man of your station be treated as such,” Kaius said smoothly. “I believe such an uncalled-for visit should be handled appropriately, don’t you?” He flashed a dangerous smile and patiently waited to hear what excuses the diplomat had prepared for his intrusion.
“You know why I’m here,” Annkor said, dismissing the warning. Kaius took note. “I think we both know that had you been in our position, a visit such as this is only natural.” He refused to let the conversation be steered in the wrong direction. The Sunalii would pay for having been party to the creation of such evil. Their cleansing would surely please the gods.
“An image of a man the wrong colour is hardly much to go off of,” Kaius said. “Software can easily generate an image of someone that colour. Such blatant manipulation would be highly inappropriate.”
Indignation burned in Annkor’s chest. The Tribunal had some nerve suggesting he’d manufacture the situation to suit his purpose. This time, he transferred the video onscreen and steeled himself for what he was about to do.
He pushed play.
It didn’t take long before Adrian’s awful, animalistic screeches filled the room. Annkor let the suffering continue for a moment longer before stopping the recording. “No amount of manipulation could possibly create something so horrendous,” he said. “Only monsters could conceive that.”
Everybody present was several shades paler than what was healthy after being exposed once more to such suffering. “You contact us only to show us barbaric torture?” Kaius said. “How dare you.” He needed to see how much the foreign faction knew before confirming anything. Provoking the diplomat was his best bet, yet he remained appalled that the man would so willingly showcase the video without proof of anything.
“Monsters need to be put down when they become too dangerous,” Annkor replied calmly. “What part did you play in the creation of that substance?” His threat hung in the air, putting everybody on edge.
Kaius’ expression darkened. “You accuse us of creating something so vile? What proof do you have that we aided the gru’ul in such a task?”
“What more do I need other than the fact that our knowledge of its existence comes from your faction?” Annkor revealed. “It’s only natural we be highly concerned over whether it would be weaponized and used against us.”
“Stop there, High Diplomat,” Kaius warned. “We had no idea it existed until we found it entirely by accident. By then, it was too late to stop. We know not how many poor souls suffered through such horror at the hands of the gru’ul for its inception.”
Annkor snapped to attention. “And where did you find it? Clearly somewhere of gru’ul origin if what you’re claiming is true.” His thoughts spun furiously. “I doubt they would freely give you access to such research. You must have captured a gru’ul facility,” he concluded. His eyes lit up with greed. “You have unfettered access to their technology.”
He needed to know more.
Kaius didn’t respond, neither confirming nor denying the conclusion the envoy had come to. “Rest assured, we have absolutely no intention of ever weaponizing that chemical. That barbaric thing is the highest crime against the living we can imagine.”
“The Rukkan would be willing to overlook the Sunalii’s failure to announce the discovery of something so dangerous should you share your research with us,” Annkor said.
“That won’t be possible,” Kaius said firmly, shutting down the idea that they would propagate anything related to the chemical. “There is no research to be had. We refuse to further our knowledge on the topic. That would only invite disaster. I highly encourage you to do the same. Leave this mystery alone. We are all better off that way.”
“That won’t do,” Annkor said, visibly displeased. “The Rukkan expect concessions out of the Sunalii for this transgression.” He brought back up the image of Adrian. “You have yet to tell us who this man is. Why is he the wrong colour? Did he survive after he was subjected to the chemical?”
“We are under no obligation to tell you anything,” Kaius said. Somehow, the Rukkan knew too much for him to deny anything, yet not enough to make any real conjectures. Kaius eyed Annkor, trying his best to gauge how much the man actually knew about the situation.
“We would reconsider our stance on the Sunalii’s behaviour should you let me meet the man and speak with him freely” Annkor replied. “I don’t know where the rest of your fleet may be, but they’re certainly not here to defend you should we wish to do so by force.”
“That marks the second time you threaten us, High Diplomat,” Kaius said. “Do so once more and you will learn first hand what happens to intruders who enter our solar system.”
“Killing me would incite a war between our factions,” Annkor said, once more making light of the warning. “My failure to report back would be the trigger. The Rukkan won’t ask questions when we send our armada your way.”
Kaius raised a brow. He knew exactly what his enemies were capable of. Beating his faction in combat wasn’t it. That the diplomat would so transparently threaten war directly to the Sunalii’s highest governing body said much as to their stance regarding the chemical. He couldn’t afford to let that happen. “You call that small assembly of ships you have in your fleet an armada? We have no fear of such a lesser opponent,” he declared.
Annkor flushed a deep purple at the blatant insult. The Rukkan may have made strides in their military since the Great Wars, but he knew that their army couldn’t compare to the Sunalii’s. Yet, he would not stand for such belittlement. “Even the Sunalii would tremble before the true might of the gods’ chosen warriors. Eradicating any knowledge of the purple chemical would please them greatly.”
So long as the Sunalii didn’t know of their research into the chemical with the sample they had, they wouldn’t pose a threat once his faction found a way to replicate the ultimate punishment for sinners. The gods would surely approve of them smiting their foes on their behalf. Blasphemous it may be to further their knowledge of such a vile thing, it was all for the greater good.
Why else would the gods permit such a thing to exist?
The Tribunal bristled at the declaration that the Rukkan could pose a threat to them, especially after their immense efforts to upgrade their army. The Elders smiled inwardly, however. The Rukkan would be proven wrong quite quickly should any fighting occur between them.
“You would reconsider starting a pointless war if we permitted you contact with the man in your video?” Kaius hedged. A plan was forming in his mind. One that would handle any complications dealing with the diplomat would pose. He kept a bloodthirsty smile from his face. It was time to repay the Rukkan for their threats and insults.
In Sunalii fashion.
Annkor brightened. He would get what he wanted after all. “Of course,” he said smoothly. “We seek no conflict with the Sunalii, merely answers. We believe that conversing with the direct test subject in the video would shed much light on the situation. Seeing first hand the psychological consequences of surviving that divine tribulation would go a long way.”
Kaius stroked his beard in thought. “We can permit you contact with him. Under certain conditions, naturally. Is this the official stance of the Rukkan? That you would back down after slating your curiosity?”
“As long as the conversation be direct and without interference, yes,” Annkor lied. His final decision on how to handle the Sunalii would depend on what Adrian said to him. But the Tribunal didn’t need to know that. “Arrange a secure call between the two of us where the man is free from duress.”
Kaius grinned widely. “Why, I believe that someone of your station deserves more than that,” he said grandly. “Rather than a measly impersonal call, I propose you meet him directly. That way, you would be certain there is no foul play when you converse.”
Annkor brightened. “That’s a wonderful idea! I expect him to be shuttled to us as soon as possible.”
“You misunderstand,” Kaius replied. “You would be the one visiting him, not the other way around.”
“That’s unacceptable,” Annkor said. There was no way he would accept such a risk. He supressed a shudder at the thought of being surrounded by so many non-believers. Just being in their vicinity might taint him.
“This is the only way you will get what you want,” Kaius said offhandedly. “You may bring guards, naturally, though they won’t be permitted to be in the same room as the two of you when you meet.” Kaius smiled when he saw Annkor’s hesitation. “The Sunalii promise that nothing untoward will happen to you. You will be permitted to contact your home planet as you please. Your safety is our top priority. We don’t want any conflict with the Rukkan at this point in time.”
Annkor mulled over the offer. His directives were clear. Meeting with the mystery man was something he absolutely couldn’t afford to miss out on. If guards were to be permitted, perhaps he could take a chance. After all, he doubted that the man’s existence had been revealed to the general public. There was a high chance he would be hidden away in a secluded spot. Besides, he would risk exile should he refuse a direct order from the High Priest. He puckered his lips, dissatisfied. “Very well,” he said. “I will approach Verilia with a retinue of guards and we are to be allowed safe passage to one of your bases. We will then immediately proceed to meet with this man, wherever he may be. I hope it is understood that should anything happen to me, there will be dire consequences.”
“Rest assured,” Kaius said, “no harm shall befall you. The Sunalii Faction promises this.”
Everybody else, however? They were fair game.
