Meeting of Friends and Foes - Chapter 9

Carlton’s Sweet Lounge, Mega-Station ‘Anywhere’, Galienta Sector, Neutral space

‘This is my luckiest of days!’ Thought Slyborg-Jones.

He was man of average height with a slim athletic built and had mid-long brown hair that had a right side part. He had a dark brown trench coat with small dark gray shoulder pads. His trench coat was open letting everyone see a bandoleer that could holster weapons or explosives. At his waist was two holstered heavy caliber laser-pistols: one looked like a large revolver modified to hold energy cells while the other was more standard laser-pistol, but looked modified with, for some reason, a scope on top of it with a slim put longer barrel. He was also wearing a gray blouse with a protective vest over it and stylish blue jeans. His boots and gloves matched his brown trench coat and both seem to be able to hold on extra hidden gear. He was simply dress, but the mismatch of weaponry all over made it seem chaotic, but classy.

He looked like a mix between a mercenary and a smuggler with a mix that was seemed unique to him. However, what really drew eyes on him was his face. The left side of his face was intact which looked charming and his smile would swoon any lady with his roguish look. On his right side, he had a burn scar that started over his right eye going down until just a bit under his jaw line in a crescent pattern. His right eye was replaced by a cybernetic device going up to his brow and just a little bit under his eye. He also had a cybernetic device placed at his right jaw joint. Whatever happen to him, anyone knew that the medical help he got was extensive, but many would be surprise to see such cybernetics so visibly because technology was existent to erase all trace of these injuries. Whatever reason he had, the fact that he didn't erase it is either he was poor or it was for some emotional reason.

However, most people that knew Slyborg-Jones had the idea that it was simply an eccentric choice because he would simply say that it elevated his charm... Which was actually true! The scar might take out the symmetry of his face, but that factor actually made his somewhat weirdly charming and many knew that the smuggler never lacked in women for company...

Getting back on topic, the reason why he was thinking on how he was lucky for the past weeks was because he was able to evade imperial authorities without any repercussions, he got paid a good score with a bonus on his last job and now he was winning at pacienza which was giving him a good extra score.

Usually, playing pacienza and getting a big score was difficult since people would be play conservative during the few rounds until some players would be beaten. It would usually take more than an hour before Slyborg could get to hammer his competition, but these lygoonians had short fuses and started dishing out their card like madmen. So inside fifteen minutes, he had the biggest pot and was casually playing while beating the newbies. He was about to cash out after this third game since he didn’t want to completely rob them out… and mostly because he didn't want to get attacked.

“Gentlemen! I will be taking the pot this time too! Ahaha!” he said joyfully, showing his cards with a full damaria set.

“Ah! Dammit! Ain't my day!”

“So lucky it ain't real I say! Ahah!”

“Nah! All skills my friends! All skills! But I think I'll stop for today, I don't want to spoil this luck now!” said the smuggler with a playful wink.

Two of the gamblers seemed brushing their lost with a laugh, but one of the three was being silent. You could see his rage building up slowly.

“You cheated...” lygoonian said, barely containing his raged filled voice.

“Aaaww come one Doxius! You know that's not true! Don't be like that! It's just a game, so let's end it here for tonight...” tried Slyborg.

“NO! I won't stand for this! You definitely cheated!”

Doxius had lost fifty-four thousand, it wasn't much for a high-roller like him, but his kind hated to lose and was not going to let it go. With a hand motion, two guards approached Slyborg-Jones and held him each by one shoulder, keeping him seated.

“You are going to stay and play until I get even!” said the lygoonian with a evil grin.

'Well shit...' though inwardly the smuggler. “Hey! C'mon Doxy! You know me since way back! I ain't a cheat! I'm just that good! I even play with myself sometimes! I'm just that 'passionate' with the game! How about I give you one tenth... one quarter?... Half?! Yeah! Half the pot! No biggy!” said the Slyborg, swearing inwardly.

“... tempting, but I don't like winning money like this...” obviously lying, Doxius was simply trying to save face in front of the others with a plan in mind. “How about one last game, just you and me. Just to see if you aren't lying. Let's play for one hundred and fifty thousand...”

'You fart head of a coclosus anus! That's double the earnings of the three games!' he thought, now it was the smugglers turn to rage inwardly. “AHAHA! That's a bit much! I quite poor you know and I can't dish out so much money. Let's just separate the pot for-”

“NO! YOU PLAY! NOW!”

Silence filled the room and tension was high between both parties with the two other lygoonians unsure what to do on the side. They knew how outrageous Doxius was, but they didn't think that he was going to get mental for one percent of his weekly income. It was fishy and everyone was holding their breaths.

Suddenly, because of the total silence, noise could be heard outside the V.I.P. Room which they were in. It started low, but slowly grew closer until they couldn't dismiss it anymore. It seemed to sound like laser fire and explosions, but since the room was sound and shockproof, it was hard to tell.

“What's up with this racket!” said Doxius, grabbing a phone nearby. It was directly connected to some guards behind the door and when someone pick-up on the other side of the phone he yelled, “What's going on out there!”

“Sorry mister Carlton! We are actually fighting a- Wait! He is coming this way! Stop him! Stop! You cannot-”

At that moment, the door broke open with the body of a guard flying through the air. It was the same guard that was on the phone and he crashed on the wall across the room, falling on the floor unconscious. Doxius Carlton looked at the door and saw a black armored ominous looking man walk through the door with a scary looking helmet. His posture and walk screamed soldier, but his threatening presence suggested something else. 'Monster' was the only thing that was popping in his mind.

“John?!”

Everyone looked at Slyborg-Jones who just exclaimed his name.

“You know him?!” Squealed Doxius.

“John? Yeah! We go far back! We did lots of crazy things together. Ahaha! Hey! Buddy! What's up?! Still having fun in the DRA? Man! It's been like, what? Five years!”

This 'John' started to walk towards Slyborg-Jones, still not saying a word.

“Yeah! Take a seat we were just- What the fuck!?!” Upon reaching him, the soldier grabbed the smuggler and threw him on his shoulder like a bag of potatoes.

“You are late and we are leaving.” John looked at Doxius, “Sorry for the mess.”

He then turned and left with Slyborg still protesting and swearing. Everyone was dazed for a moment until Doxius jumped on his feet going to the door. What waited for him was total chaos. His casino was a mess: it seemed to be picture of a war-zone. Laser burns on the walls, guards bruised and unconscious sprawled on the floor, partially exploded sections and clients hiding or running away.

“This isn't a mess! This is utter destruction!” screamed Doxius. He couldn't believe his eyes! This was going to cost him a good fortune to renovate, however something more pressing was on his mind.

“I couldn't keep him here... They won't be happy and it's going to cost me more than the casino... Darius!” Doxius turn to his brother who he saw running in the casino towards him.

“What the hell happen? I saw this armored dude running off with what seemed to be Slyborg-Jones on his shoulder. Wait, don't tell me it was that guy! Please don't ask me to send people after him, we can't do a fuss in town.”

“No no. They won't be able to do anything. I want you to actually contact Exodus and relay them the information I'm about to tell you...”

*-*-*

“You know what?! This reminds me of Haloxy! But with less shooting... and less explosions... and a lot less of everything, man! Are we there yet?! You know I can walk right! This is just ridiculous!” Slyborg-Jones had finally stopped struggling to get free and basically lazed on his friend shoulder “Booooring! So boring!”

John was running for twenty-five minutes straight and suddenly stopped in an alleyway.

“I was sent to get you since we knew you would have never arrived at the location in time.” He let the smuggler get off his shoulder and continued. “We are now close to the secret rally point for the meeting. I made sure know one was following us.”

“SURE! A big armored guy, running around, jumping over roof tops with another man on his shoulder! Completely and utterly inconspicuous! No one would have seen you as suspicious, at all!”

“Thank you for the praise.” said John, strait face.

“IT WAS SARCASTIC!”

“I know... I was joking.”

“... wait... You made a joke?! A JOKE! Holy shit balls!!! Progress! Finally progress! Wait... is the world going to explode? Shit! Sky? Check. Ground? … Check. My body? Triple check! Shit! What can it be! I can't find the answer... Oh no...” Slyborg-Jones approached John and started to inspect his body. He then started to smell him and made an exaggerated surprised expression. “I smell... A WOMAN!!!!! OH MY FUCKING SHUGGLE BAGGLE!!!!”

The soldier stayed motionless across all the semantics of his friend. He then turned and started to walk towards the shop. “Play times over. We are already late to the meeting.”

“Avoiding the subject! IT IS A WOMAN! UNACCEPTABLEEEE!!! I must know more! NO! I need to know more! What kind of being is she to be able to conquer this heart of pure magnus-steel! How did she do it! I will not move until you tell me!” said adamantly Slyborg-Jones.

John stopped. He turned, looking to the smuggler and asked. “Are you sure?”

A chill went through Slyborg's spine, “O-of course! I must know!”

John took out electro-cuffs. “Their is no helping it then.”

“Wait, wait! What the- I SAID WAIT!!!”

John cuffed Slyborg-Jones' hands and feet, and then dragged the smuggler by his feet to the shop. “This is inhumane! HELP! HELP! Call the cyborg defense comity! I have rights!”

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When he entered the shop the soldier standing guard saluted John, but seemed startled a bit to see someone dragged by him inside.

“Welcome back major Thamor! The general went ahead with the two temple sisters. Is this the target?”

“Yes. I will be going ahead. Continue the good work.” he said briefly.

“Yes, sir!” Joy could be heard in the soldiers voice.

“Major? A promotion again?! My my! My little boy is growing up so fast!” said Slyborg, pretending to be teary-eyed.

The major ignore the comment and followed the clerk after identifying himself with a token and proceeded through the portal. When they were finally alone they started to talk again.

“That soldier was looking at you like you were some legend! Ahaha! What did you do? I thought you were trying to stay low-key?” Slyborg seemed completely relax while being dragged, again resigned to his fate.

“Those soldiers are a hand picked grouped under the general and we worked together on some ops in the past. They are some of the very few who know partially of my deeds.”

“Partially you say. Ah! I bet they don't know what happens when you get mad! Ahahaha! Wow wow! Shiiiiit!”

Major Thamor had reached the overly luxurious and kicked it in. Once it open with a loud bang, he threw the smuggler several meters through the opening of the door and then the man slid and rolled until he was practically next to the golden table.

“Asshole!” cursed Slyborg. “Your lucky your my friend-”

“THAMOR!!!” a loud and excited voice rang out. Dark winds, dark purple lightening streaks were flying out of the body of the floating masked man in the room.

“HOLY SHIT! JOHN, IT'S THE PSYCHO!” screamed Slyborg-Jones, he then started to roll under the table.

The next moment, the masked man flew at lightening speed and collided with the major. Both locked hands, but while the collision was earth-shattering, John didn't move an inch.

“Vickrein...” he said calmly, ignoring the coursing lightening on his armor.

A light blue layer started to appear on him and a wave seemed to push slightly the masked man in-front of him, giving him the momentary gap to slide a counter punch to the face of his opponent that sent him flying straight into the wall, cracking it. All of this had happen so fast that people just started to react. Light-swords activated with a crackle, weapons were activated with a buzz.

Surprising people again was Vickrein Noxus, still on his feet and jumping at lightning speed towards John Thamor for round two. Another loud bang resounded at Vickrein's lightning filled fist landing on Thamor's chin making him step back a couple of steps. Both looked at each other and both unholstered their weapons in a split second.

“STOP!” a piercing voice came from High councilor Ziban and the air became heavy. He had black fog coming out slowly around him. Vickrein stopped midway in his swing of his weapon, starring at Thamor which had his laser-rifle aimed at him.

“Everyone! Stand down! That is an order, major!” the stern and fierce gaze was directed to everyone, but landed on the major at the end seeing as he was completely focus on Vickrein and any movement he was doing. After a moment, he and the rest finally holstered their weapons, but they hadn't move from their places. A heavy air was filling the room.

“Sheesh! If I knew you had brought a psychopath like that to the meeting, I would have prepared differently my entrance!” said Slyborg-Jones. He was now actually sitting next to Thalyana's seat, cuffs untied, with his feet on the table, eating grapes. “Oh! Well! Even though I am still shocked and stuff, we should all take a seat for starters... Oh and make sure those two aren't sitting next to each other. I'm sure that only having the wall smashed-in is pretty good as the only outcome of this... meeting.”

This idiotic looking man shocked the whole room even more them the scuffle. Wasn't he the one who panicked the most minutes ago? What was up with this out of place posture? Everyone apart from the major and the two factions leaders had similar thoughts popping in their heads.

“BAHAHAHAHA!!!! The man is right! Sit everyone! Let's start over! Bahahah! Such an interesting fellow!” cheerfully remarked councilor Ziban. “Come everyone, sit! Sit I tell you!” Keeping a beaming smile of a mischief driven old man, he opened his arms wide to indicate to everyone to sit back down. “I suggest, before continuing that all past... problems should be kept there; in the past. The issues we will be discussing have far bigger repercussions and affect the whole galaxy and needs our joint collaboration.”

Everyone sat down while Vickrein and Thamor went to sit next to their respected faction leader, sitting face to each other while general Grant continued.

“I concur, you all will be fighting together against a powerful enemy and cooperation is highly necessary. So without further ado, here are the details you were all wondering about this meeting...” continued general Grant, but before he could start displaying the information, Rav Talok interrupted him.

“Wait, aren't we all still missing someone? I thought you were bringing a fourth man in.”

“We did and he is here.” confirmed the general pointing at the major.

Rav Talok was shocked and he wasn't the only one: Thalyana, Javera and Mobek were also shocked.

“Didn't you tell me it was the 'Monster of Balkarian' that would be joining us old man?” Rav was confused and tried to get confirmation from the councilor. “He looks nothing like the pictures and we all know that the 'Monster' is an expert biomentalist yet I don't feel a ounce of power off of this soldier.”

“I don't like to agree with him, but he's right. I met with the real hero of Balkarian and he doesn't look at all like the major. He might of surprised me with his scuffle minutes ago, but any exoskeleton armor has as much power...” Javera was confuse since all her investigation didn't even once mention this majors existence in the events of her past.

“Little girls shouldn't deny the truth that is in front of them. He is not wearing any exoskeleton and I can also confirm that he was holding back, were you not, old friend.” said Vickrein rebutting Javera and turning back at the major after facing her.

Thamor stayed silent, not moving an inch.

“What did you call me you fucking genocidal psychopath!” spouted Javera.

“Another specimen I see...” sneered Vickrein.

Javera was about to get up and face him, but her sister stopped her while placing her arm in front of her.

“Calm down sister, this is not the place to squabble insignificantly. General, we need an explanation about this if we are to continue this meeting. ” asked Thalyana. She seemed calmed, but she was very distressed. Hiding such information from the entire DRA did not make any sense to her. Was their a reason and what was it? Either way, this man that was simply next to them could be an important piece missing to their search, but finding him might also mean stepping on a closely guarded secret of the DRA. With secrets comes either with small or big dangers, but this one seemed particularly dangerous.

General Grant seemed to hesitate before answering.

“Major Thamor is the real Hero of Balkarian. For top secret reasons, we had him replaced by the public hero that both nations know of. I cannot say more.”

“Can't or will not? The identity isn't the only thing you are hiding, general. To ashamed to tell the population that your 'hero' is a much bigger genocidal maniac than me? Ahahaha!” the mockingly scornful laughter of Vickrein resonated inside of the room.

“You are not in possession of all the details minister Noxus.” firmly responded Gran.

“If you say so...” cryptically said Vickrein.

“If I may interject, this line of questioning is simply delaying the meeting. Knowing who is who and what is what can come after the meeting when we will be preparing for our first mission. The briefing is the more important right now, anything else can wait.” Said Decoder five.

Her presence was so small that many were surprised of her intervention. She had a stern demeanor which exuded an intellectual vibe. She was right and most resigned themselves to accept the current situation.

“As expected of the IIA! Always strive to get to the point of things!” praised Ziban.

“Give this woman a leather suit! My heart is fluttering!” exclaimed Slyborg-Jones. Mobek choked on his drink while the High Councilor started laughing with the smuggler. Most sighed while Decoder five simply stared reproachfully at Slyborg.

Thalyana, sitting next to the Slyborg-Jones, turned her face and smiled at him “Would you please refrain from saying such comments? I would be very happy if you did.”

'Oh! Shit!' he thought, “Sorry ma'am! I will stop now!” A cold chill was going along his back.

Then both Thalyana and Decoder looked at each other and smiled comprehensibly.

Grant waited for a moment before continuing. “Well now, before I get interrupted again, her is the data about the threat.”

In the middle of the table a slit opened and domed projector lens popped out and lite up the holo-projection of the data. Scores of pictures and information appeared with maps of both the galaxy and different planets form different sectors appeared.

“This enemy is hidden well and seem to have agents that have infiltrated both factions and informing them of our moves. Through the years, they relayed information about secret locations for resources and troop movements to avoid detection which caused huge numbers of resources to have been stolen on both sides across decades without being caught... until know at least.”

The general pressed a button activating the hologram to display a video which seemed to show a fire-fight and then continued.

“This scene was taken from the planet Morkenus. Like you all know, this is one of the biggest strongholds of the Avalon Empire which stores enormous amounts of resources for the war effort. These 'thieves' were caught stealing equipment from the empire.” he stopped and let the video continue. He stopped the video when a huge explosion occurred affecting even the recording video. “Like you see an explosion occurred which affected the whole city of Moressy. Experts from the empire have declared that it was caused by multiple planted explosives scattered in the city. Their aim seemed to be to attract as much attention to them while taking out as many imperial soldiers as they could to divert the attention of the authorities from their real aim: varienal crystals. Some were stored on planet and were stolen from the empires vaults.”

Everyone seemed surprised and their looks became somber. Varienal crystals were a priceless resource that was hard to come by. The Avalon Empire and the Democratic Republic Alliance both had the monopoly on this highly praised resource.

It's primary feature was it's energy that one could extract from it. A single palm size crystal could provide electricity to half a planet for more then a century. However, they were mostly known for their military applications. Until three century ago, when they first were discovered, both factions had created massively powerful weapons for the war. Laser-Cannons able to destroy fleets of warships and impenetrable planetary shields.

The first example was the empire trying to find a way to beat the highly strong shields of the DRA warships. They succeeded and when they fired their weapon at a fleet protecting the planet they were besieging, they obliterated the fleet... And the planet itself. Billions upon billions had died to the destructive cannon and that shot made the planet imploded wiping out half the empire's fleet in the process. Since then, crystal was banned from being used in large amounts for weapons since total destruction of a planet was not what both factions wanted. They were highly regulated and only controlled by the governments since then.

The second example was from the planetary shield created by the Democratic Republic Alliance. This shield was meant to counter orbital strikes from orbiting enemy warships. The idea was sound and was proved very effective when activated sparingly and by sections of the planet. However, the planet Onboro that was under siege by the empire was surrounded: the empire tried to counter the planetary shield by bypassing it by entering at multiple points. The DRA general at the time then decided to activate the shield on the planetary scale. By doing this, nothing could enter the planet... or exit it. And when we say nothing, itself quite literally nothing. The planet went dark, sun rays couldn't pass and intergalactic communications were cut off.

When this happen some enemy ships had pass through and started fighting inside the shields and in the issuing conflict, the general died and the mechanism controlling the shield was damaged. Everyone on the planet was stuck inside the shield until it would lose it's energy or until the mechanism could be fixed. The shield worked for ten years until it lost power, however all the inhabitants died inside of two years. The reason was the sun rays: since no sun rays where getting in, the environment changed drastically to the point that no living life could survive. To this day, the planet is still recovering and a ban has been implemented on the use of complete planetary shield using varienal crystals.

Since then, both factions have found new ways to safely activate planetary shields safely and with other energy sources, but their effectiveness are a lot lower then those made with varienal crystals.

“This happened three months ago, now this scene has happened one month ago.”

The general then pull up a new video it was a video from the flight deck of a DRA cruiser. In front, you could see a tiny dot emitting red light which seemed to be pulsing. Then a streak of light appeared and the video stopped.

“The cruiser and the rest of the fleet was completely destroyed. They had approach an unidentified spacecraft that was unresponsive. After ten minutes, they decided to approach the ship. When they were at approximately ten kilometer from the craft, a high energy output was registered and obliterated the fleet. From the video of other ships you can see that the laser shot one ship, but then spread out to the others in multiple streaks of shots. We have concluded that only a weapon that is powered by a varienal crystal could be able to create such destruction.” the general took a pause, letting the information seep in their minds. “Both factions have acknowledged this threat and have call a truce to hunt down this enemy and destroy them and their weapon. They cannot be left alone with such power that can threaten both civilizations. Operation Arbiter is a joint team of experts from both factions that will be supplied with everything needed to succeed in this mission.”

High councilor Ziban became solemn and continued. “Every bit of information that we were able to collect from this new threat will be given to you later to help you plan your next move. The leader of this team will be major Thamor and he will have absolute authority on this mission. I trust our faith in you will be rewarded accordingly, major.” A wide ominous smile spread slowly up on Ziban's face.

“WHAT?!?!” an outraged scream from Rav Talok sounded in the room, producing an awkward silence.