Ardi joined everyone in gasping.

According to her database, the Earth and its moon had been caught in a war between its governing Archon, Prometheus and the first Archon ever, Q.

It was believed that Q had been disposed of during the rise of more sophisticated Archons since he was merely a prototype and no one knew how he managed to survive.

All everyone knew was that after he returned, he took control of the Earth's entire automated military infrastructure and launched countless ordinances at the Moon which retaliated appropriately resulting in the mutual desolation of both Celestial bodies.

Efforts were made to recover the Earth and its moon but they were made secondary objectives after the Heavenly Schism and when Archons started fighting each other at a much larger scale.

“To say that they are extremely rare would be a hideous understatement and while Zenith kept them around mostly to complete his aesthetic, I feel as though they’d be of more use to you as their clothing implies.”

“I agree. I can see myself getting pretty busy in the near future and while Condor Unit may be something akin to my aides, I can’t exactly have them picking up after me, now can I?” Ardi laughed prompting the big sphere that was Heatdeath to nod.

“We would be honoured.” Orion and Andromeda spoke in unison, creating a harmony with their voices.

They then led Ardi and Co to the station in front of the airlock doors where they boarded one of the trams which took them even deeper into the Repository.

The tram moved fairly slowly allowing Ardi and Co to fully take in the wonder of what sat beneath the pyramid.

Stretching out for as far as the eye could see, were grey containers of various sizes.

The tram moved along a magnetized track which carried it along.

This track was one of many and it passed by a central pillar that went from the bottom of the storage space below and up to the top of the Repository.

It's at this pillar that the tram stopped, allowing Ardi and Co to enter it, revealing it to be a massive elevator.

It took them to the top floor where a single set of doors awaited them.

Orion and Andromeda opened the doors which led to a large office which had polished wooden floors and had countless holographic displays that filled its walls.

Sealed in glass on the ceiling was a tapestry which depicted a familiar subject in an unfamiliar scene.

It showed a tribe of what appeared to be humans only they were dancing around a larger humanoid being who was crucified with his arms nailed high above his head.

His eyes appeared to be gouged out but, even still, he glared at something that was far above.

“That piece is called Retribution and it is-“

“Hey! I know that one. It’s from one of the planets in my region!” Gudo interrupted Orion who didn’t seem to mind.

“Oh- yes. I saw that figure on your ship as well.” Ardi tried her best to interpret it but couldn’t come up with anything so she allowed Gudo to continue.

“Towards the end of the colonialization era, I discovered a planet which had humans that had somehow lost contact with the greater parts of humanity. It is called LC-935 or the Lost Cradle and its governing Archon, one named Thoir, had also somehow died at some point during colonialization. This led to regression on all levels as the humans there reverted to an almost tribal state since none of them could operate quantum-based technology. They did, however, keep the body of their Archon and even started to pray to it for salvation but it never came. Their population rapidly dwindled due to how hard they were finding it to live without their Archon and they blamed their so-called “Dead God” for everything. What was once an object of reverence was then nailed to a wooden pole and burnt. It also gained a new name. Thoir, the false God. He’s the one you see up there. What’s funny is that the denizens now worship a separate, Faceless God who they believe will one day come to save them. They say their salvation will now come in the form of something they are calling the Twin Brides but at this point, it's clear that they’ll never learn their lesson. Regardless, Zenith and I actually found common ground in our fascination with their culture. That’s why we have a few pieces of their art.”

“Wow... I didn’t take you for the artistic savant.” Ardi chuckled as she walked towards the grand wooden desk at the end of the room.

“What else am I supposed to do when the action dies down?” Gudo chuckled back as Ardi made her way to the large seat behind the desk.

She took the seat prompting everyone to stand attentively before her.

She looked each of her newfound subordinates over while sending out her Ardinites to gather info on Plinth.

“Alright. This is now our HQ. In the case of an emergency, we are all to gather here and that goes for only the people in this room, is that understood?”

“Yes, Admiral!”

“Good, now let’s get to business. Meredith, as I said, I won’t be able to leave until I’ve made sure that my territory is stable so I’ll have to ask for a little more of your patience.”

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“Oh- please take your time, there’s no need to rush just for our sake!” Meredith mimicked Orion in how he bowed.

“Alright and Gudo, you said that you want to be the head of my military forces, right?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Alright but after pouring over the information on everything I realized that there isn’t a centralized military to begin with.”

“Your observation is correct, Admiral. Each of the 200 captains command their own forces which, while problematic at a larger scale, allows each captain more autonomy over the security of their territory.” Heatdeath explained.

“Is that why he mobilized all of the captains to come capture me instead of a larger force?” Ardi asked and Heatdeath curtly answered.

“Precisely. It was simply faster to have them come by themselves.”

“Mmm… while I am all for autonomy and such what would Zenith have done if one of the other Teeth turned on him or if the Starlight Coalition sent a large force into his territory? At this scale, the slightest misalignment, misinterpretation of orders or general malfeasance could lead to loss and destruction of a massive scale.” Ardi wondered.

“That question has been extensively deliberated before and while Zenith had no other way of enforcing a unified military apart from his Canons, among other pieces of tech held here on Plinth, you might be able to bring about such a change although it is likely that you will face some resistance.” Heatdeath cautioned.

“Mmm… you’re right. But I still want a unified chain of command so here’s what we’ll do: Gudo, I want you to visit each of the captains and have them give you as high ranking members as you think is necessary, all of whom you will train thoroughly. These individuals will then return to their respective territories and act as a node in the network of authority.” Ardi suggested.

“That could work. This would allow the captains to do as they otherwise would while also allowing us to subtly influence and eventually mobilize their forces.” Heatdeath nodded repeatedly.

“Exactly-“

“Umm… Admiral?”

Everyone turned to Meredith who had raised her hand.

“Yes?”

“How do you plan on handling any spies the captains might send or any inference they might cause once their men get back?”

“Hehe, she’s alright way ahead of that.” Gudo laughed.

“Yes, I have installed Failsafe Nanites into every person I’ve come across. Human or Archon, these Nanites are also self-replicating and spreading across my territory as we speak. If anyone tries something, they can kiss their life goodbye.” Ardi said rather casually but this made every freeze with terror.

“Don’t worry, you should be fine just so long as you don’t try and betray me.”

Everyone was still frozen stiff prompting Ardi to sigh.

“Trust me, it’s a necessary precaution, especially considering what we will discuss last in this meeting. Now, Gudo, you have your order. Are you going to follow it?”

“I was going to ask if I had a choice but I know all too well what the other option is. However, even if that wasn’t the case, you were willing to not only consider my impulsive idea but refine it with Vice Admiral Basketball here, so consider your order as good as done!” Gudo gave Ardi a thumbs up prompting her to nod.

“Good. Now, as for our domestic affairs, can I trust you to handle things, Vice Admiral?”

“Absolutely. My workload will also be significantly lowered once Gudo’s Network is fully set up so I will assist him with that as well.”

“Very good although I would also like to establish relations with two of our senior most captains.”

“That can be arranged.” Heatdeath nodded.

“Alright. Now, onto the serious matter I spoke of. While it was inevitable that the three remaining Teeth would eventually notice my existence, it seems as though one of them was already in Zenith’s territory to begin with “

The reactions Ardi got varied but no one spoke as she raised her palm.

The large holographic display behind her then showed a microscopic view of what looked like a Nanite only it was slightly larger and had a reddish color.

“Shit.” Chin cursed.

“The Swarm Lord is watching and the same most likely applies to the other Teeth.”

Silence followed for a brief eternity.

“This is why you wanted a unified army,” Heatdeath muttered.

“Yes, but unity forged by mutual agreements is likely to hold stronger than unity that is enforced. So we’ll stick to our original plan.”

“Is it safe for that thing to be here?” Tsuro asked.

“Yes. It’s currently being veiled by a [Distortion Field] so it currently has no way of communicating with the Swarm Lord.” Ardi assured before letting out a sigh.

“Now, set about to following your orders and completing your tasks. When will I be able to meet those two captains?”

“At your earliest convenience.” Heatdeath bowed, the sphere’s attempt to mimic Orion and Andromeda.

“Mmm… call me lazy but would it be possible to have them come here?” Ardi asked after realizing how wonderful a nap would be.

“But of course. When would you like them to arrive?”

“Eight AM tomorrow.”

“I’ll make sure they arrive not a minute later.”

“Good. Everyone but Orion and Andromeda may leave.”

Heatdeath led everyone out of the office as Ardi stood up.

“Ahem! Where is the bedroom?” she grinned although no one could see it.

She was then led back into the large elevator which stopped on the floor beneath the office.

Another set of double doors led into a large, luxurious space lined with a deep green carpet and filled with all sorts of artefacts.

All of which Ardi ignored as she followed her newfound servants into the main bedroom where she promptly plopped onto the bed.

“Ahh…” She breathed as Orion and Andromeda stood next to the bed in waiting.

“You two are Earthlings, mmm? Your genetic material is extremely valuable but I’m guessing you wouldn’t appreciate being cloned and sold off.” Ardi tried telling a joke again.

“It would be our pleasure to be cloned by you, Admiral.” They spoke.

“Oh? How come?” Ardi’s voice was muffled a little by the soft white pillows her face was buried in.

“Just as pollen is subject to the unknowable will of the wind, where we go and live or die is entirely up to you and to be even a small part of your vision would fill us with nothing but joy,” Orion said but this made Ardi sit up and tilt her head.

“I’m confused. Did Zenith teach you to feel that way?”

“The previous Admiral only ever interacted with us once and that was when he bought us. We have since lived to serve him as an act of gratitude. He gave us new arms and legs after we lost our original ones so that gratitude has simply shifted from him to you, our new Admiral.”

“I see.” Ardi tapped her chin.

“So how would you feel if I gave your old limbs back? Allowing you to be wholly human.”

Orion’s eyes widened.

“I realize that I may have been a little trigger-happy when it came to the Condor Unit but since they may have to assist me in combat-related matters, it was a net positive but you… you were born on the very soil from which all else would spring forth. I think it would be… apt, if you were wholly, purely human.”

Expression finally graced their faces and Ardi watched as tears welled in their eyes.

“P-pardon my rudeness but what did we do to deserve such kindness?” Orion asked, even as emotion threatened to rob him of his voice.

“My decision isn’t entirely benevolent. Meredith and her people dream of a future where humanity is returned to the fore and I think it would be terribly ironic if the humans who ended up achieving this were also augmented beyond recognition. The future they want can only be achieved through the mutual cooperation between man and machine. An agreement that will allow both parties to exist and thrive independently. I want you to be shining examples that, even in this dark age, a man can be just that. A man.”

Orion glanced at Andromeda who almost immediately nodded.

“Then please allow us to accept!”