Coeus?

“

We detected several attempts at hacking Sol's mainframe communication network to insert messages into Earth's news channels. The hacking attempts bear all the marks of Sadina's handiwork.

Our IT experts are of the opinion that the attack was performed to cover up something else, but they aren't sure what exactly.

Sadina's current status: Unknown.

”

-Report File Sadina III

***Galactic Centre, Gathering-Station***

***Cyla***

Gabriel's threat wasn't that hard to understand and so most aliens kept their mouths shut after seeing the destruction of D-204. Though I can't imagine that there will be no fallout from this. Surely they are already planning countermeasure right now, maybe even uniting against us? What did the elders think when they set this into motion?

The Zeen speaker seems more than angry and at a loss for words. “This... this... is extortion! It's almost a declaration of w-”

Suddenly a light starts blinking next to the Zeen speaker and he manages just in time to keep his next words in check. He presses a button and although I couldn't really read alien expressions I would say that he looks angry. “The representatives of Nig want to announce their opinion.”

The cabin with the Zeen inside turns dark while another one lights up. This one looks more like an aquarium and holds two of the squid-like jellyfish creatures which Gideon and I visited a few months earlier. The Nig flash in a rampant light show and a metallic voice translates their speech.

“The Humans refused the military alliance which would have forced them to trade technologies. That's within their rights according to article 203394. Nonetheless our contracts say nowhere that this excludes them from any other form of trade or passive intervention by peaceful species.

The Nig wish to explore these options and want to trade goods and knowledge. Therefore we request to set up these defensive installations in our home systems. It will be very beneficial to us and other swift minds.”

Another signal activates. This time a Binary gets to voice his/their opinion. “We also wish to have a direct connection to this network. Actually we want all of our primary worlds connected.”

To my astonishment the Estrim declare their own wish to install a teleportation node, followed by Forlorn, Grahu and various other species. I slowly lean over to Gideon and whisper. “What is going on?”

“They are divided.” Gabriel smirks. “Those who oppose or dislike the Zeen are seeing a chance to reduce the Zeen's influence. If all the species at the Gathering were united in their wish to get rid of the teleportation nodes, then they could probably pull it off and threaten us into dismantling them. But that isn't the case. As long as there are some species who tolerate the nodes, the others can't do anything about it. The nodes have too much reach.”

Our head diplomat leans back like he has already won the fight. “This isn't a vote of majority. The Zeen could have opposed us if they had all the other major species behind them.”

“Major species?” I ask.

“Those with more than a hundred colonies and who are spread at least over a thousand light years.” Gabriel explains. “There are about seven of them, though there are others who fit the definition more or less. There are the Zeen, Saal, Nig, Binary, Estrim, Savant and the Hijurr. The Hijurr are the goons of the Zeen, so we can't expect anything from them. But that isn't necessary at all. Once the Nig, Binary and the Estrim announced that they tolerate the nodes, we already had won.”

“So in other words the sphere of influence of these three players covers enough of the known milky way to secure our position?” Gideon asks.

Gabriel nods enthusiastically. “More than enough. Especially with the other species whom we struck deals with. And I am sure that the opposing species will be forced into tolerating them soon enough!”

I furrow my eyebrows. “How so?”

“Those who have nodes will benefit hugely from the node's peaceful applications.” Paul finally decides to join the conversation and crosses his arms in front of his chest. “Those civilisations which refuse a node in their system will see themselves fall behind in terms of trade and communication. They will practically become social outcasts. Hill-billies of the galaxy. They will have no other choice than to accept once the economical implications become clear.”

“That sounds reasonable enough.” I follow the back and forth between the other speakers for a while longer until it becomes clear that the Zeen can bring round neither the Nig, nor the Binary, nor the Estrim. “Have you talked to those major races beforehand?”

Gabriel nods. “Of course. Meetings like this one are always decided beforehand behind closed curtains.” He gestures around the hall. “This is just a way to make everything official. Why do you think we needed so much time? It wasn't just to build enough nodes to solidify our claim, it was also to test the waters and find supporters. There wouldn't have been a point to such a threat if we were unable to pull it through.”

After another hour the Zeen speaker calls it quits and announces adjournment to the next meeting. Some species stay behind for a little longer to speak about other matters while our cabin slides silently back to the entrance.

To my and each other's surprise we are already awaited there. A Mermaid is huddling in a dark corner of the hallway and frantically waving us over. It's the bitch who made an advance on Gideon!

So I step forward and grab his hand. I don't know why I have such a bad feeling about this alien. But one thing is for certain, she won't get anywhere near Gideon.

Gideon raises an eyebrow and approaches the messenger, pulling me with him. “Zeil?”

“Yes, I am honoured that you remembered my name.” She starts twirling her fingers. “In fact most suitors don't even ask for it.”

I step in front and cross my arms in front of my chest, pushing it up to make a point. “What are you doing here.”

She reaches up and starts fumbling inside her more than plentiful cleavage, using the low neckline and the stretchy material of her blue dress to her advantage. “I am running an errand for Ayo. He pays well, so I am not bothered to pose as a delivery girl from time to time.”

Paul snorts. “Isn't that one of the Zeen? Why doesn't he talk to us in person?”

I note that all the men in our group pay too much attention to her bobbing attempts at retrieving whatever she lost between the folds of her flesh. Finally Zeil pulls out a blue data crystal. “Phew! I already feared that it slipped too deep and that I would have to undress! That's always bothersome in public.”

She places the crystal in Gabriel's hands, who looks a little disappointed about the fact that the show is over. “That's a complete file on the new Drazi ships and their fleet composition.”

“The what!?” Isciat, our fleet commander, calls out.

“Scchh! Not so loud. Ayo gets into big trouble if this is connected to him.” Zeil waves with her hand to calm us down. “I would hate to lose a well paying customer.”

“I am sorry, but would you care to explain?” Gideon asks with a strained voice.

“Oh, yes. Ayo said something along those lines. Actually he threw this plot together while you had that 'Gathering' in there.” She gestures at the entrance to the assembly hall behind us. “Seems like a faction of the Zeen didn't take the message about the teleportation nodes that well. Whatever it was. Ayo didn't explain about that.”

“So what did he say!?” I urge her to go on.

“Well. Apparently his brother, that's the speaker who led the Gathering, forced the hands of their rulers. It looks like they have a little control over the Drazi and are assisting them with technology and ships to steer them slowly to their doom. There are about a thousand brand new Drazi ships which were provided directly by the Zeen. They sent a ship to inform the Drazi of the danger a certain species is posing, including the coordinates of their home system.” Zeil pulls at her lower lip like having forgotten an important part of the message. “I am sure I am forgetting something, but he spoke so fast.”

“And why exactly shouldn't we simply start dismantling Zeen worlds for that?” Gideon growls with an expression I've never seen before, so I hug him tight to keep him from doing something stupid.

Zeil's expression lights up. “Right! He also begged you to destroy no planets, since that would contradict what you want to achieve. Peace. He is really sorry for what his people are doing and he is using all his resources and contacts to get his faction back in control of the situation.

If you are willing to let him be the one to choose the right timing for exposing his government, he is able to ensure his brother's permanent removal from power. Once his brother is removed from his position he can take over and steer this situation to a beneficial outcome for everyone.”

“And how should we stop a thousand warships?” Gabriel gasps. “And what about that brother thing. Can we actually trust him to go against his own brother?”

Zeil makes a dismissive gesture. “Oh, that's no problem. You don't know the Zeen. When their females give birth, they produce up to a hundred almost identical clones. They immediately start fighting each other for superiority until only one of them remains. It's survival of the fittest. By the time they are ten years old only a handful of them survives and when they become adults they continue in their attempts to outplay each other. Preferably in a way which kills the other players.

I wouldn't worry about a loyalty conflict if I were you. They hate each other with passion, it's in their blood.”

I purse my lips. “That's... reassuring?”

.