October 2040- New York, Earth 7-2

It wasn't a rarity for Asche to encounter days bustling with abnormalities, for the mundane had long since ceased to be part of his reality. Each day unfurled a new revelation, each more entangled in Davion's machinations than the last. Davion, a man who cast himself as the guardian of the Bloodline on Earth 7-2, had his tendrils woven into the fabric of countless lives, yet he bore the delusion of a savior. Asche couldn't help but recognize the mirror-like reflection of their purposes, though their powers seemed to diverge - as far as Asche could discern.

Since departing from the headquarters of the rebellion, where leaders had gathered under the weight of their cause, weeks had trickled past. Asche had since relocated to the vicinity of where the Round Ranch was destined to stand. The thought of reconstructing it here hadn't crossed his mind, not until his path intersected with Davion's. Their meeting at the site, a place resonant with potential and echoes of other realities, had been unexpected - a twist in Asche's journey that he hadn't anticipated.

The encounter between Asche and Davion Hawkord unfolded with a taut blend of surprise and veiled intentions. Standing at the bay, Davion's silhouette against the backdrop of the water was as enigmatic as the man himself. "I have been waiting for you for a long time, Asche. It’s nice to finally see you," he stated, his voice steady, eyes still fixed on the horizon.

Asche, emerging from the folds of spacetime, found the scene surreal. The man before him stood unaffected by the Obscuring – an anomaly that piqued his interest. "It is nice to meet someone who knows me and is not hostile, but I am afraid I am at a disadvantage. Who are you?" Asche inquired, his tone measured, masking the alertness that surged within him.

Davion turned leisurely, his movements deliberate, revealing a face as pale as the moonlight, accentuated by a shock of red hair. "I have seen it best to keep you at a disadvantage, Mr. Lonn," he replied, scratching his beard, his Cockney accent slicing through the air. "My name is Davion Hawkord. You and I have much in common, and I should like to debate the facts with you."

Asche's keen senses noted the complexity of Davion's mental cloak. It was a maze of intricate layers, shielding him from any passive scans. No ordinary Mage's work, Asche surmised, given the lack of active channeling in the vicinity.

"You’re a seer of sorts then. What have you to talk about?" Asche queried, extending his senses for miles in every direction, searching for signs of hostility. Internally, he fortified his already formidable mental defenses, preparing for any unforeseen contingencies.

The air around them was charged. Asche knew this meeting was not by chance, and Davion, despite his enigmatic presence, held answers to questions that Asche hadn't yet fully formed.

“There is nothing to fear from me at the moment, we are on the same side. At least for now, we both seek the furthering of our people. You see Asche I have been around this planet for a long time and it serves me now, all the time I have spent living I mean.” The man tried to teleport Asche and himself to another location but Asche felt the rift forming and shut it down.

“Well done.” Davion said.

“Don’t test me Davion. I don’t take kindly to being tried.” Asche said. He began forming his own mental anchor point to the here and now and erected a timespace shield to prevent any teleporting from within or without an area larger than a football field in any direction.

Then Asche said; “You must be the power behind the systems I discovered. I had wondered how long, if ever, the architect of such a scheme would show itself.” He had deducted this man must be the powers, or at least represent the powers, that the rebellion was fighting against. If not directly, then surely indirectly.

A nearly immeasurable sign of concern appeared on Davions face. To a normal person he appeared as stoic and firm as he had from the beginning of this exchange, but to Asche he could tell he had gotten to him by his power block.

“Let us drop the facades Asche. Why are you here, on this earth instead of.” He paused a moment. ”Well instead of where ever your from.”

Asche had blocked an aggressive mental probe by Davion. He was trying to look for where exactly Asche was from and Asche was able to use the mans own telepathy power to back-door his own subtle probe. Davion was the architect of a Pax Concordat in this earth. He was also a powerful Psion and hyper-intelligent among other things.

“Your going to have to trust me on this Davion, I am not from here and I was nothing more than an explorer of sorts when I first arrived here. Recently though, and even moreso presently, I have become determined to find out what is causing such stability on this Earth while nearly all adjacent Earths are filled with disruption and chaos.” Asche said as he took some step to come within a couple of paces of Davion. He took a position abreast and turned his own gaze to the bay while most of his senses were on Davion.

Neither of the men had offered their hand in greeting and Asche had never formally introduced himself but he knew this man knew more about him than was apparent.

“We might have the same ultimate goal Davion, but our means are drastically opposed. I mean to stop some of the exploitation you’ve committed. Many people are suffering to the benefit of the bloodline. There is nothing honorable in your methods.” Asche said. He began the process of tapping into the 16th Incarnate but reserved activating it.

Davion scoffed. “The ends always justify the means. You of all people understand this don’t you Asche.”

Asche remained silent. He imagined bringing all the nanites to bear and fashioning the Ranch together here on this earth. But this location seemed oddly tainted now. He instead continued fortifying his own defenses and cloaking his signature.

The two of them stood in silence for a short time. Both were considering the other and playing the mental game of trying to unzip the others defense to learn more about the other. Asche didn’t care so much as to the why of the situation but of the how, and wasn’t really focusing on the other man as much as he was protecting the mental link to Prime Earth and 14-35.

Davion finally spoke up. “Well this isn’t going the way I expected Asche and I must say I am disappointed. I was hoping for an alliance of sorts; since you have time to explore I’d bet that you have a handle on the future of your bloodline. You could ensure another line progresses to a commonality and we could be each other’s insurance plan. So to speak.”

“An alliance is not off the table Davion but for there to be one, things need to change here. There is too much oppression to the benefit of a few.” Asche felt the other man gently tug at the teleport shield he had erected and in a symbol of trust he let the defense down.

In the fleeting moment of trust, as Asche lowered his teleport shield, Davion vanished instantly. Left alone, Asche stood contemplative, pondering the encounter and its potential consequences. The future was uncertain, and the paths they would tread, while possibly convergent, were laden with their distinct philosophies and methods.

Left alone on the edge of the bay, Asche's gaze lingered on the horizon where Davion had stood moments before. The encounter, though brief, had unveiled layers of complexity in Davion's character and his plans for Earth 7-2. Asche's thoughts were a whirlwind, analyzing every word, every nuance of their conversation.

The idea of an alliance with Davion intrigued Asche, yet he knew it couldn't be at any cost. The exploitation and suffering Davion caused in the name of protecting the bloodline was a price too steep, a path too divergent from Asche's own principles.

The air, now devoid of Davion's presence, felt heavier, laden with the weight of decisions yet to be made. Asche knew that his next steps on Earth 7-2 were crucial. If he were to consider any form of collaboration with Davion, he had to first understand the full extent of Davion's operations and their implications not just for Earth 7-2, but for the interconnected web of realities.

His mind raced with possibilities. He could infiltrate Pax Con, delve deeper into their hidden agendas, or perhaps seek out allies among those who had suffered under Davion's rule. Each option carried its own set of risks and rewards.

Asche also contemplated the broader implications of their encounter. Davion's knowledge of other Earths, his ability to manipulate events and probabilities, suggested a level of power and understanding that was rare, even among those who traversed the multiverse. Asche couldn't help but wonder about the origins of such abilities and what they meant for his mission.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows over the bay. Asche turned away from the water, his resolve hardening. Whatever course he chose, it would require careful planning and precise execution. He needed more information, more understanding of the intricate tapestry that was Earth 7-2 and Davion's place within it.

Materializing in the secluded embrace of Central Park, away from the bustling paths and walkways, Asche stood still, a solitary figure amidst the whispering trees. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses, casting a wide net for the surface thoughts of Pax Con agents. His intimate knowledge of their training and operations, crafted by his own hands in another world, made this task akin to tracing familiar patterns in the fabric of his mind. He looked for those predisposed to compliance and agreement and thus his web went wide.

The city around him pulsed with life, a symphony of thoughts and emotions, but Asche's focus was unyielding. He sifted through the noise, seeking the specific frequencies and patterns that would reveal the presence of Pax Con operatives. Of all places, New York was always a hotbed of Pax Con Activity. But this task required both finesse and power, a delicate balance that Asche had mastered over lifetimes.

Each thought pattern was like a unique musical note, and Asche was searching for a specific melody amidst the chaos – the distinct mental signatures of Pax Con agents. Their training, although originating from his teachings in another reality, left an indelible mark on their thought processes, a signature he was adept at detecting. Somewhere out there was a team or an individual who was slightly displeased in the events of late and was open to discussion of a change.

As he delved deeper into his task, the myriad thoughts of New Yorkers passed through his awareness – snippets of daily concerns, fleeting emotions, fragments of dreams. But amidst this tapestry of human consciousness, Asche began to discern the patterns he was seeking. The mental signatures of Pax Con agents were structured, disciplined – a stark contrast to the natural ebb and flow of ordinary human thoughts. These patterns were like threads of steel woven into a silk tapestry, standing out to Asche's trained senses.

As he pinpointed these distinct signatures, Asche began to form a mental map of their locations. He noted their positions, their movements, even their current tasks and intentions. This information was crucial, not just for understanding the extent of Pax Con's infiltration into this world, but also for planning his next move.

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Asche's presence in Central Park remained unnoticed by the world around him, a testament to his ability to blend into his surroundings despite the extraordinary nature of his task. His mission was clear – to unravel the network of Pax Con on Earth 7-2, to understand their operations and ultimately to confront the ethical dilemmas posed by Davion's actions.

He was confident that Davion had not surmised his origin world in 14-35 and possibly not found Earth 0-0; it was quite literally a needle in a haystack odds of him travelling to or having influence over the same lines Asche had been even without the defenses Asche had laid out. If he had begun to influence either of those worlds the question as to whether to keep him alive or not would have been a swift answer in the negative.

His next steps were mentally weighed carefully and then he teleported to what he had calculated as the most feasible team to approach. He appeared some several blocks away from what he determined was a safe house for this operation and he had to plan carefully; these guys might be trigger happy and he didn’t know the firepower any of them had. His defensive precautions included cloaking his thoughts and amplifying his already boosted regeneration capabilities. He then turned down the ally that the safe house was on.

The ally was littered with refuse from the accompanying restaurants who were serviced by this ally and several pallets and piles of debris. He had no doubt he was already under surveillance when he turned down the ally so he was not surprised to see someone come busting out of the safe house door.

Asche immediately placed his arms in a neutral position, not quite raised but not near his person either; He didn’t want to appear completely submissive.

The man that came out of the door to intercept Asche had a large pistol aimed at him drawing a bead on his face. The Op would have been intimidating to anyone else but Asche.

“What the hell are you doing here. I am gonna need you to step away and get to vacating this alleyway pronto!” The man spoke with a Spanish accent.

Another person was exiting right behind the armed Op. it was another male, but just a little smaller and less ‘combat competent’ looking than the first.

“Well holy hell. Is this the guy we were just reading about that might be trying to intercept?” The second man was walking past the first and stood at Asches side just out of arms reach. Asche had not began to retreat as commanded. “I think it is.”

“I just want to talk.” Asche said. “I am even open to answering most questions you might have.”

“I said get to steppin’.” The first said as he brandished his weapon as if it had not been seen yet.

The second Op surveyed Asche a moment. “He doesn’t have any weapons on him, I say we hear him out.”

Asche was waiting for the thought process in one of them to go that route. As soon as the second spoke, Asche reached out telepathically to the first to heavily encourage his compliance.

The pistol lowered from pointing at Asches face but was still aimed at his center mass. A quick glance of the weapon told Asche that it would definitely hurt if he were to get shot. “Ok. Bring him inside. But I am watching you man. Anything sideways and I’ll end you.”

“Well now that were breaking orders just talking to you, just follow Ted there on inside and let me see your walk.” The second drew a similar pistol and held it at the ready at his waist.

Asche lowered his hands and complied in following Ted inside. “If I am not mistaken, you must be the SecOp.” He said glancing at the second. “You are being very prudent and I appreciate it.”

Once inside the two men asked Asche to sit. “I’d rather stand for the moment he said.” The implication was spoke with enough mental suggestion to test their resilience but not to garner their complete submission.

“Have it your way then.” Ted said, “I am keeping my pistol primed then.”

There were 2 other people in the room. A thin but athletic build was held by a woman sitting at a computer with various scanner and HUDs around her and a tall lean man with blonde hair took a position at the door. The blonde had a katana at his side, not drawn yet, but the edge was revealed to Asches vision as mono filament.

“I am sure you probably read something about me already although I don’t know how much truth it could possibly contain as my meeting with your boss was short and peaceful. “Asche started out the conversation to keep it contained. “I am here out of the abundance of caution and seek peace and mutual cooperation.”

The TechOp sitting at the computer turned around. The picture on the screen was of Asche standing at the shore near the Round Ranch site. It wasn’t a bad picture after all but Asche thought to himself it could have been more flattering.

Ted, his pistol still cautiously aimed, scrutinized Asche with a blend of curiosity and wariness. "Alright, Asche, you're here, in our turf, uninvited. We're not big on surprises, especially the kind that can fold spacetime. So, spill it — why are you here?"

Asche, standing unfazed, met Ted's gaze. "I'm here seeking understanding, perhaps even collaboration. Your operations on this Earth... they're creating ripples, affecting more than just this reality. It's a delicate balance, one that needs careful handling."

The TechOp, eyes flickering between Asche and her screens, chimed in with a tone of analytical detachment. "And where exactly do you hail from, Asche? Your arrival here wasn't exactly... conventional."

Asche shifted his stance slightly, a subtle indication of his unwillingness to divulge. "The specifics of my origin are irrelevant and, frankly, a liability. Suffice it to say, I come from a place that I intend to keep out of reach from the likes of Davion. My world shouldn't become a playground or a battlefield for his experiments."

The SecOp, a man who carried an air of authority, narrowed his eyes. "You expect us to trust you, just like that? You show up, dodge our questions, and talk of collaboration?"

Asche's voice was calm, yet firm. "Trust is earned, I agree. And I'm not asking for blind faith. But understand this — I could be a valuable asset or an unyielding obstacle. The choice is not just mine to make."

The blonde man by the door, silent until now, spoke with a measured tone. "You talk of ripples, consequences... What exactly are you proposing, Asche? What's your endgame here?"

Asche looked at each of them in turn, his expression serious. "My endgame is stability, not just for this Earth but for all realities affected by your actions. I propose an exchange — my knowledge and assistance in exchange for transparency and a shift in your tactics. Less exploitation, more foresight."

The room fell into a momentary silence, each member of the Op team weighing Asche's words. The balance of power and trust was like a tightrope, and they all knew it. The next steps, whatever they were, would have to be taken with utmost caution.

Asche's meticulous scan had indeed begun to bear fruit. The team, previously under Davion's control, now found themselves subtly influenced by Asche's carefully chosen words and finely tuned vocal inflections. His approach, a delicate blend of persuasion and mild coercion, was tailored to their mental dispositions, gently guiding their thoughts and attitudes in a direction more aligned with his own.

The air felt charged with a mix of tension and possibility. The Ops team, each a master in their own right, exchanged glances, silently communicating their thoughts. Asche, standing amidst them, remained an enigma, his presence both imposing and intriguing.

The TechOp, breaking the silence, turned her chair to face Asche fully. "Your talk of stability... it's a grand vision. But Davion's influence is deeply rooted. What makes you think we can sway the course he's set?"

Asche's gaze didn't waver. "Because, unlike Davion, I believe in the potential of collaboration over domination. Your operations, while effective, lack a certain... perspective. I've walked through worlds, seen the fabric of realities torn apart by reckless ambition. What I offer is a chance to realign, to ensure the future doesn't fracture under the weight of such ambitions."

The SecOp, still holding his weapon, finally lowered it slightly, though his posture remained alert. "Say we entertain this idea. What's your first move?"

"If any of you have Omnicron implants," Asche began, his voice steady but imbued with urgency, "it's imperative we address that immediately. Davion's reach is far, and his methods, unforgiving. A single sign of perceived betrayal could turn this room into a death trap."

The team exchanged uneasy glances. The SecOp, a man named Carlos, stepped forward, his expression grim. "Omnicron devices are Davion's leash on us. They ensure our... loyalty. Disabling them isn't simple. If he even senses tampering, it's over."

“Know that the Omnicrons are also a protection for you; they afford you many advantages.” Asche intervened.

Carlos replied quickly; “We understand the risks and the benefits. But if we’re gonna do this, we need to do it now right, can’t those things read our minds?”

Asche's eyes moved slowly across the room, resting momentarily on each team member with an air of solemn understanding. "Rest assured, their technology, as far as I can discern, shouldn't possess the capability to infiltrate the sanctum of your thoughts. The risk we face is not insignificant," he spoke with a calm authority. "Yet, these devices, they can be neutralized. My knowledge, an amalgamation of their technological nuances and the subtleties of psionics, is our key. Our actions must be swift and precise. Be mindful, the moment we disable these devices, an alarm will likely sound in some distant command center, a harbinger of impending scrutiny. We must be prepared to act, to move with purpose and agility."

The TechOp, a young woman named Elena, turned away from her screens, her face etched with concern. "But if Davion realizes we're attempting to remove the Omnicrons..."

Asche interrupted, "I can shield our efforts, create a psionic barrier that will obscure our actions from Davion. It's risky, but with precise execution, we can free you from his control."

The team hesitated, the weight of the decision palpable in the air. Finally, the blonde man by the door, who had introduced himself as Viktor, nodded. "We knew the risks when we signed up for this. Let's do it."

Asche stepped into the center of the room, signaling the team to gather around him. "I'll need complete focus. The process will be intense, and any distraction could be fatal."

Carlos, Elena, Viktor, and the other team member, a sharp-eyed man named Rafael, positioned themselves around Asche. The air seemed to thicken as Asche closed his eyes, extending his senses and tapping into the deep well of his psionic abilities.

A faint, shimmering barrier materialized around them, a psionic shield that blurred their presence from any outside perception. Within this cocoon of energy, Asche reached out to each team member, his mind delicately probing for the telltale signatures of the Omnicron devices.

The task was like defusing a bomb with a blindfold – one wrong move could spell disaster. Asche's mental touch was gentle yet precise, navigating the intricate pathways of their minds, seeking the foreign presence of the devices.

One by one, he located the Omnicrons, each a sinister knot of metal and energy woven into their neural networks at the base of their skull. With meticulous care, he began the process of disentangling them, his psionic energy working like a surgeon's scalpel.

The team members tensed, each feeling the invasive, yet liberating touch of Asche's power. It was a strange sensation, like a part of them was being unwound, released from a long-held tension.

Minutes passed, stretching into what seemed like hours under the intensity of the procedure. Finally, Asche's eyes snapped open, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple. The shimmering barrier faded, and the oppressive sense of danger lifted.

"It's done," Asche announced, his voice laced with exhaustion but also relief. "The Omnicrons are neutralized."

The team, still reeling from the experience, looked at each other, a sense of newfound freedom in their eyes. They were no longer bound by Davion's will, no longer his unwilling puppets.

Carlos stepped forward, extending his hand to Asche. "Thank you. We're in your debt. Now, let's get to work. Davion won't stay in the dark forever."

“Now, you all need to flee by whatever means you need but I fear Davion has some form of clairvoyance and might be able to track you regardless.” As he spoke, he also worked a strong obscuring over each of the team. “I send you my assistance as best I can for now. We will reunite in a couple of days. I will find you.”

Asche then opened a portal to just outside Oakland California. “Go through, I will see you soon.”

As the team gathered gear and passed through the portal Asche sent to them telepathically; [Now we gather information,]" Asche sent. [We need a comprehensive understanding of Davion's network, his plans, his resources. Knowledge is the foundation upon which we'll build our strategy. Once we have that, we can begin to influence, to change the trajectory of events in a more favorable direction.]

The blonde man, Viktor, who had stood by the door with his hand resting near the hilt of his katana, sent back. [And if we find ourselves at odds with Davion directly? He's not known for his... leniency.]

Asche's thoughts hardened slightly. [Then we prepare for that eventuality. I don't underestimate Davion, but he's only one piece in a much larger puzzle. We must be ready to adapt, to confront, if necessary.]

Elena the TechOp sent back.. [I'll start digging deeper into the data trails, see what I can uncover about Davion's movements. It's going to take time and a lot of processing power.]

Asche sent approval. [Do what you must. I'll provide assistance in any way I can. My abilities are at your disposal.]

Elena replied; [Alright, Asche. You've got our attention. Let's see where this leads.]

Asche, sensing the shift in their thoughts sent finally; [Thank you. I assure you, this collaboration will be beneficial for all involved. We're not just shaping the destiny of this Earth but safeguarding the future of many realities.]

The tension in the rapport eased slightly, replaced by a cautious optimism. They were a team of skilled operatives, but Asche brought a new dimension to their efforts. His knowledge of other worlds, his experience with the complex interplay of realities, could be the edge they needed.

He stood there, an immortal sentinel, prepared for any sign of the inevitable response from Davion's stronghold. His senses, honed by centuries of vigilance, were attuned to the slightest disturbance, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.