Sorossa sat in his room on the Triumph, waiting for reentry to the planet. Today was the day he would visit the council of Three Cities again and impress upon them the will of the emperor. He gazed out at the blue jewel of a planet in apprehension. The conversation with his brother sat heavy in his head.

The Jora were a terrible evil, a threat to all citizens of the Varnoss empire. The idea that these humans were similar sent shivers through Sorossa's back. He'd never seen a Jora in person, but there were plenty of recordings that highlighted their brutality. Entire planets had been lost to them, wiped clean of all sentient life.

To calm his nerves, Sorossa went back to the reports from other Exaltors. Many of his fellows had found success in convincing this race to join with Varnoss. He selected the most recent report from an Exaltor sent to the frozen north of the planet. An entire city had beaten off and eliminated the initial threats, a momentous feat considering how difficult the initial joining to the Allworld was.

Sorossa played the video file and watched from another Exaltor's eyes as they descended onto the city below. The grand architecture of spiraling towers colored in reds and greens washed over him. Other parts of the city held twisting skyscrapers, pristine and glorious. Truly, this city had staved off initial terrors with apparent ease.

The Exaltor landed in front of a large white building. The roof was painted green and gilded at the edges. On the top sat a white, blue, and red flag. The exaltor walked out of his ship's elevator and into the cold air below. He was greeted by two soldiers, both pointing their weapons at him.

Sorossa stiffened. Of course, this was a normal reaction at first, he knew this. And yet the conversation with his brother played again in his head. The only race in this universe.

The Exaltor spoke, clarifying his intentions for a peaceful discussion. One of the soldiers spoke into a radio while the other kept a weapon trained. After a tense minute, the soldiers lowered their guns and escorted the Exaltor inside.

A beeping announced the Triumph entering the planet's atmosphere. With no time left, Sorossa switched off the recording. He gathered his wits and prepared himself for a second discussion with this council of Three Cities. Nervously, he flipped at the teleportation device Delarossa had handed to him.

"In case things take a turn for the worse." He said. Sorossa prayed to the Emperor that it didn't come to that.

Nathan stood to the right of Hailey as she waited for the emissary from outer space. On her left was June, alert and coiled like a spring. Hailey sat at her desk, spinning a crude pencil on the wood surface. Every so often she would look at the phone impatiently.

"Um, councilmember?" Nathan decided to ask.

"Hmm?" Hailey answered.

"Where are the other two?" Nathan had been scanning the area every few seconds to see if they would appear for the meeting.

"John's probably training and Athena is most likely traveling to that dungeon you found," Hailey answered, sighing. "Neither of them really do much work, but both are very powerful and look after their respective districts."

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

"I see," Nathan answered. "They don't really seem like councilmembers."

"I forgot you wandered here after we built on the lake," Hailey answered. "Athena, John, and I are all the original founders of Haven, Shelter, and Refuge. We all built on different sides of the lake and didn't find each other until later."

"So you're more founders than councilmembers." Nathan surmised.

"Basically, but we at least set up a small government structure just in case. Held an actual election and everything after we built over the lake." Hailey said.

The phone rang. Hailey's hand shot out and picked it up. "Yes? Understood. He's here." She turned to the two. "Are you ready?"

June and Nathan nodded. Soon, the emissary walked in, dressed in the tuxedo robe. He seemed nervous, less assured than the last time Hailey saw him. Warily, the alien stared at Nathan and June.

"Councilwoman Hailey, may I ask why there are two guards in the room with us?" Sorossa asked.

"A precaution Exaltor," Hailey replied. "Just in case we're interrupted again."

"Ah." Nathan saw the Exaltor gulp. He wondered if he was remembering dealing with Caleb.

"Please sit Exaltor." Hailey motioned to the chair.

Nathan watched as Sorossa stumbled over to the armchair and fell into it. He noticed beads of sweat were condensing under the Exaltor's collar. He sat perfectly still for a second, not even breathing. And then Sorossa's features seemed to relax.

"I cannot express how much gratitude I have that you would meet with me again councilwoman." Sorossa started. Nathan frowned. The alien's voice was buzzing in the air. Something, a wall of some kind, was between him and the Exaltor. Sorossa shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"You seem nervous," Hailey answered. "Don't worry, my brother won't be crashing the meeting today. I've sent him on an errand."

"Ah-ha, yes. Of course." Sorossa tugged at his collar. 'I'm sorry, it seems rather warm in here."

"June, please turn on the fan." June nodded at Hailey in answer and flipped the switch for the overhead fan. "Now, let's continue our discussion from the first meeting."

A switch seemed to flip Sorossa on. He stopped all his nervous ticks and settled into a meditative pose. "By joining under the Varnoss empire as a vassal you will be protected by our vast military might. All we require is a swear of allegiance and taxes to continue your protection."

"Only allegiance and taxes? Do we keep our government?" Hailey questioned.

"Only in matters not relating to the Varnoss. A governor is often sent to assist in tax collection as learning the tax code is difficult and frustrating." Sorossa answered.

"I bet," Hailey muttered. "Exaltor Sorossa, we currently aren't in need of the military might of your empire."

This seemed to break the alien's meditation. "I don't understand?" He fiddled with his collar again. "Surely you have seen the terrors that roam your world? You cannot hope to fight them without help. We are offering to provide that help."

Hailey stared at the Exaltor, then smoothly stood up and walked around the desk. Sorossa flinched back. "Exaltor, I don't think you understand something. Currently, at this time. Three Cities does not require protection or aid. Yes, there might be other horrors waiting in the dark of night, slowly creeping up on us as we scramble to make a place for ourselves in this destroyed planet, but at the moment they have not attacked. Why then, should we submit ourselves to live under you?"

"I-I d-don't…" Sorossa stuttered.

Hailey's smile was cold. "Not so easy without your mind control helping is it?"

Sorossa's eyes bulged in surprise. "W-what?" He squeaked. Nathan thought the alien looked genuinely shocked at the accusation.

"Please don't act surprised. We realized what you were doing after your first visit. You almost had me selling out the entire city all because you said."

The alien was visibly shaking now. Hailey was stalking closer. She was a spider ensnaring her hapless prey, a lioness pouncing for the kill. She edged closer to Sorossa, coming face to face with the trembling alien.

"But that," She whispered to him, "That isn't the worst part."

Sorossa gulped.

"You made me strike my brother," She menaced. "And despite the fact that he's an incorrigible asshole. He's all the family I have left."