If you find mistakes, pls tell, thx. I don't like mistakes.

Also feel free to ask for more background information on the world. I am somehow running out of interesting points regarding the small comments at the beginning of the chapters.

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“

It's the game of life. Do I win or do I lose? One day the game will end, but how? Will I play till there are no more moves to make? Or will I walk away?

”

-Zeen mysteries

***Galactic Centre, Gathering Station***

***Ayo***

I watch Ayoki, Twelfth Manipulator of Fate, seventy-three leaning back on his pile of sand. He is my identical clone, who for some unexplainable reason managed to climb higher up the hierarchy than me. He starts grooming his limbs with tentative care.

“You've brought us quite some trouble Ayo.” One of his eyes focuses on me as if I am the one to blame. “You rarely think before you act.”

I force down the rage which is boiling up inside me and fight my animalistic part which urges me to tear the offender to pieces and suck out his fluids. But that's exactly what Ayoki is trying to do. He wants me to lose my centre and commit a crime to become A, which isn't regarded as much more than a beast. At once I understand how my nestling brother managed to climb the ladder. He goads and taunts those whom he should assist and takes their places. A very underhanded action, but valid according to our ideals.

Though such a game requires two participants. “I wasn't the one who created this violent mess. I was the one who urged for caution while someone else employed an outside company to gather information. And I certainly wasn't the one who sent a force of private security troops against an obviously military force.”

What made this sorry excuse of a Zeen think that something like a private army is able counter the professional force of another species?

“They had an Estrim security detail. It was reasonable to assume that they would have a least some degree of success. Species which can fight an Estrim head on are rare.” He makes a dismissive gesture.

“Security troops are still just that. Security troops! They aren't an army! They were probably not even intended to be used against much more than the occasional pirate. As I already warned you beforehand, we can add a new species to the list of animals which are able to kill an Estrim. One which isn't as easily manipulated as the Estrim. And one which most likely already realized that there are corner stones to a greater picture in this mess. Unlike many other species they actually do think!” I hiss to agitate him, but if Ayoki got shaken by my outburst then he doesn't show it.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“The diplomats have the situation under control. Our great plan to wipe out the Drazi is still going along. Why don't you see this as what it is? A minor problem. That's all. We'll learn how to deal with these humans and proceed as planned. A simple Ayo shouldn't concern himself with pictures such as these.” Ayoki answers in a displeased manner.

“I'll nonetheless file a message with a complete report to the homeworld. The Ayokidralaydarin will hear about what happened here and the risks you took.” I try my best to answer silently and composed.

I don't fear the humans as a direct threat to my species, but I do fear their unpredictable nature. Their culture is simply too diverse and the various groups of mages are unpredictable enough. In addition I've never actually seen one of their real leaders who shroud themselves inside a cloud of mystery like Wracken swampflies.

Then there are those non-magicians of theirs, who practically provide a completely planet-bound and isolated sub-culture. As to why two people from the same genetic stock would want to isolate themselves from each other so completely, it evades me.

“Stop making such a ruckus. You are acting like a nestling. What else are they supposed to do than playing along? Our game is involving dozens of species to ensure that the Drazi pests are contained and extinguished from the Galaxy once and for all.” Ayoki grumbles.

I look down at my brother, feeling pity for a clouded mind like his. “And what if they decide that they don't want to play our game?”

Ayoki discolours in annoyance. “What do you mean? They have to. They are surrounded by our stones and in the line of fire of the Drazi. They have no other option than playing along. If they don't, it will most likely mean the end of their species. They can't defeat the Drazi alone.”

I narrow all my eyes and walk towards the door which leads out of my brother's desert environment. I've had enough of this discussion. And if I remain here much longer there is a real chance that I'll kill him. But I can't resist to turn around and give him a last warning.

“Even a nestling can always break the board if he really doesn't want to play a game. All it takes are a few words to the wrong set of ears.”

.