The door to the airlock of the outer toroid opened and out walked a small gray.

"Cubork" Yanakris said as the two grays began walking through the corridor, "didn't think I would ever see you again."

"I wasn't sure you would see me again, either" Cubork quipped. "I got in over my head big time and was luckily helped out of the situation by the human conduit. I see that you have decoded Nateedra's Map" he said looking at the beautiful planet the Network headquarters was orbiting. "The elf in charge of this organization is quite resourceful."

"Yes, he has completed the book Alkarog."

"Very impressive" Cubork says. "Now tell me, is it true what I've heard about his real identity?" Yanakris stopped and then Cubork stopped next to him.

"What do you mean, Cubork?" Yanakris asked genuinely puzzled.

"When we went to the other side, we met Carlton Carver, known to the humans as Saint Vernon...apparently preserved by anti-aging implants. He insists that the elven mathematician Frik Heridik is still alive on this side. I know of no better suspect than the leader of this Network."

"How sure are you that you talked with the real Carlton Carver?"

"Trissie is almost certain it is him, and I have no reason to believe it isn't him, either."

"Did the metaphysicists create aging inhibitors for humans? I didn't think that they did…"

"I didn't think that they had, either, but I don't know for sure" Cubork answered. Yanakris stood still thinking.

"That's an intriguing theory, but I'm not sure how relevant it is."

"You know what Heridik's feelings are about the royal family. Are you sure he has no real agenda other than the overthrow of the royal family?"

"I suppose I can't really say that for sure, Cubork, but at this point it may not matter. What's an ally other than one you share interests and enemies with, anyways?" Both grays continue the walk to the meeting room. Inside the meeting room, Dover was having a conversation with a reptilia sitting next to him sitting at the table at the front of the room. At the seats in the room sat numerous humans and elves.

"Welcome" Dover said as the grays took their seats at the table. "I am glad that you can join us. Everyone, this is Cubork. He apparently knows a whole lot about intellichines and assembled the rod to open the gateway to the other side." Dover cleared his throat.

"The lizard sitting next to me is named Visler. He is the chief of the Singed Leaf Clan. Although we have managed to stop war in the outworld sector for now, it is not something that can keep them at bay indefinitely. We have decided to take a risky course of action to attempt to find any of the metaphysicists. On the other side of the portal is reptilia clan known as the Star Viper and their chief, Scythe. We're going to trick them into thinking Visler has crossed to the other side in an experimental device called a gamma corridor which destroys most living cells and equipment passing through it, and attempt to get information from them about the metaphysicists. We have a strong suspicion the metaphysicists are on the other side and if we find them, we might be able to devise some plan to rescue them."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"With respect sir" said the voice of a young man sitting near the front of the table, "don't you think this is putting our side at risk? If the Star Viper reptilia find out it's a trick, there's no telling what horrible things they might do us!"

"I have utmost confidence in Visler to pull this off, Mr Holmes" Dover said to him.

"These are the lives on our side you are putting at risk! We should try something else first. You have access to much of the knowledge base of the metaphysicists and an entire planet to yourself! You could devise some weapon that causes even more ecological devastation than the nukes and then you can hold the entire Crescent of the Goddess hostage!"

"We have discussed that possibility" Dover said calmly. "It would likely take too long, andwould only be a temporary fix. We are now in a race against the clock. Zorthia's half-sister Avistra is making a push to become princess. If she does she won't have any problem tightening her grip on the humans of outworld to placate the reptilia."

"You want to risk lives on our side to keep the current princess in power?"

"Skyler, you yourself told me that Saint Vernon wanted us to do what was necessary to keep the humans on this side free" Dover replied.

"Yes, but doing this? How do you know you'll find any of the metaphysicists on our side? We haven't seen or heard from them since we went over there?"

"They aren't on this side, and I'm pretty sure our means of looking is better than the means of a people living under the boot of the Star Viper. You need to trust me here that I know what I'm doing and that Visler and Saint Vernon will be very careful not do anything that will harm people on your side!" Dover said starting to sound someone impatient. For a moment no one said anything.

"Dover, the map you have revealed some planets on our side that the Star Viper Clan doesn't know about. Can you at least find some way to evacuate our people to one of them so that they can live free?"

"Mr Holmes, we are not a mercenary organization or an army or a fleet, we're merely an organization promoting the ideals of the metaphysicist triumvirate. I will do whatever I can but the priority will be this side, just as the note that Saint Vernon sent to me indicated. This is not an easy decision to make."

"I guess this is an opportune time to bring up some grave news" Cubork said. "This will make your decision not quite as difficult."

"What is it, Cubork?" Dover asked.

"Trissie has confirmed to me that the leader of Gaia's cult is indeed Zardin."

"How can that be?"

"Apparently someone rebuilt him, but I'm not sure who did. I have yet to meet anyone other than myself who could pull that off. I'm just as bewildered as you are."

"Well, that's just great. Well, I suppose that's all we really needed to go over. Let's get moving, everyone. Brian, can you create at least fifty fake reptilian corpses in time for the departure?"

"That's going to be pushing it" Brian said. "Why do you need so many?"

"I've done my research on the gamma corridor. The chances of survival aren't very good. It will be far less convincing if we go to the other side with only Visler and a few fakes. Hopefully Scythe doesn't know much about it but we don't want to take any chances."

"I'll do it. We'll burn the midnight oil if we have to" Brian said.

"Good" Dover said briskly leaving the room. After that, everyone filed out of the room after him.