The war raged on, back and forth, as it had done for years. Once again, the Alliance found themselves at war with the Auspicious Axis, the rivalry between the Fafossan Company and the Polity of Uthon breaking out into open conflict, the alliances caught once more in the web. Nikolai saw the opportunity and seized it. The Colossus, slowly, moved towards the homeworld of the Caloctora Administration, allies to the Uthon. The system had been previously secured by 1st Fleet, under their new Admiral, Mwanjuma Mbadinuju. Ira Naik had been moved into command of the Colossus, such an important weapon needing experienced control. Once in place, Nikolai moved down to the lower chambers. This planet was bigger than any of their tests, with more population. He focused his thoughts, reaching out into the Shroud and to the Colossus. When ready, he allowed the psychic energy to be unleashed on the planet. The population lapsed into a trance. Those that were beyond saving were destroyed or had their souls ripped out, powering the weapon, the beings in the Shroud and Nikolai himself. He breathed deeply as the power flowed into him. The population that wasn't killed came out of their trance and rejoiced! They had learned the truth, seen the Shroud whilst in their trance, and were coming around to the idea of gods. Nikolai smiled. Their new belief will tear their empire apart. Sacrifices will be made, to their new found gods, with Nikolai and the others receiving the offerings. The new weapon was working well. He shivered, suddenly cold. There was something... it lurked on the edges of his senses, drawing closer. He stood, shaking himself off. He would deal with that when it came.
'Their ships have been sighted, subtly moving throughout the galaxy. We do not, as yet, know what they are up to.' Mikael paused, ensuring he still had the Emperor's attention. Many thought that Nikolai's mind had begun to wander of late. He often seemed distracted, as though listening to other conversations. He also seemed to disappear, many aides walking in front of him whilst giving him a brief only to turn and Nikolai was no longer there. In this instance, he looked up and waved for Mikael to continue. He already knew, of course, but it seemed important he should get this brief. The Watchers had awakened. Very well, but what threat do they pose?
They will challenge you. They have the power... Nikolai had to agree. The Watchers were a force, always had been.
But why have they decided to awaken now... Centuries they have been content to be at rest. There was no answer from the others. '... aggressive. However, that could change.' Nikolai refocused. He had missed that part. No matter, he would piece it together himself. He nodded, motioning for Admiral Mbadinuju to rise. '1st, 2nd and 3rd fleets stand ready. They are nearly back up to full strength following the recent war, but most of the crews have had substantial shore leave whilst the maintenance periods have been completed. We can have them moving to position in a few short months.' The Admiral brought up a display of the galaxy. 'As we know, the Watchers are far enough away from our territory to not pose an immediate threat. Our allies-'
if that is what they can be called. Always dragging you into their wars, hiding behind your power. Such allies. One voice whispered to Nikolai.
This could be an opportunity to be rid of them. Sacrifice them. Nikolai considered it. It was, of course an option, but then the shadow he felt in the distance...
We will need allies in the future he replied.
You? Or the Union...? came the response. It irritated Nikolai, that line of thought.
We. As in all of us. This coming enemy may cause problems for you too. Unless you are content to have your supply of energy cut off...? The others silenced once again. '-We stand ready for orders.' Nikolai looked up. The briefing was over. At least, on this occasion, he caught the very end. Better than the awkward silence he encountered last time. 'We will need to plan this carefully. We do not wish to anger these beings, but we need to be aware, should they pose a threat, that we are ready to defend ourselves and our allies. Prepare the fleets, but ensure we do not move too early. The crews have earned a reprieve-' he paused, the whispering had started again, but he blocked it out '-and we need to make sure the fleets are at full power before we make our move. Keep me informed of any updates.' He dismissed them all before he turned back to the Shroud. He stood in a field, surrounded by various beings, some in their human forms, others taking on more nightmarish aspects, each displaying their nature. The beautiful woman he had encountered before was there, next to him. 'You come to learn or are you here for... pleasure?' her voice seductive as she leaned in close to him. 'I am here to learn' he replied, turning to face her. The old man stood in her place, sighing. 'Of course. Your endless search for the nature of the future threat?' He nodded in reply. 'We know no more than you do. What do you hope to achieve with this?'. Nikolai smiled grimly. 'We must seek more power. Whilst we may not yet know the threat, we will need more power.'
Always more power he thought to himself.
The sleeper has awakened
Bill sat back, putting his coffee on the desk as he did so. He brought the latest field report up. Having recently completed his doctorate, he had asked to be posted back at Lessim, curiosity about the primitive people there coming to fore. Since then he had been on several trips to the surface and was scheduled for another one today. By use of holographic technology, the scientists at Lessim Station were able to blend in with the locals to complete their research projects. There was little really left to learn, the centuries of observation having revealed so much, but many students passed through, historians and scientists, seeking inspiration or trying to crack some hidden secret in humanity's evolution. He skimmed through the report, his thoughts turning towards his next rotation off. He would, eventually, have to look at a serious research position, he knew that, but still... His thoughts turned back to that day Greg went missing. He had to know. Was it the locals? If so, they had hidden it well. But what other- He stopped, scrolling back on the report. Some new religion was emerging... This was... worrying. It could destabilise the planet! He read further... the report didn't name him, but some being with magic-like abilities... What was that old Earth saying? Any technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic... Greg was alive. And he disappeared willingly... Bill shook his head and drained his coffee. This was going to be a long day... He'd have to report this. He looked at the time, sighing. He may not make his trip down after all. This was likely to take some time. He began searching through previous reports, looking for any other signs that had gone unnoticed. The Research Academy would want all the details and heads were likely to roll for this...
Dammit Greg!
The viewscreen sprang to life, startling Bill. He looked over and Greg was there. 'Hello, Bill. I hear you've been looking for me.' The melodic voice came across the network. He still wore his holo-disguise, though Bill noted he appeared to be alone.
Perhaps he fears being discovered? he wondered to himself. 'Hello Greg, this is a pleasant surprise. I suppose it saves us further searches for you.' He replied, trying to hide his unease. Greg smiled a smile that did nothing to quell the fears Bill had. 'Oh, do not worry about that. I have no need to hide from such petty creatures.' Bill struggled to maintain a neutral expression. So far, his attempts to trace Greg's transmission was failing. He was looping it through several relays, often back on itself, in order to hide his location. 'Petty? Well, that stings a bit. Afterall, we were colleagues and, or so I thought, friends.' Bill leaned back in his chair. There seemed little point in trying anything. Greg had taught him all he knew about this comms system. If he didn't want to be traced, it was unlikely Bill would find a way. 'So, what's going on?' Greg sighed, looking around, perhaps fearing being overheard? 'I'm tired. I'm tired of being held back by mediocre minds, being forced to bow and scrape to inferior beings. But most of all, I'm tired of the lies. He is a man! Not a God! He is not the Stranger, and he never will be! He has supplanted that belief with one of his own! He preaches truth and justice, yet allows all manner of injustices to go unpunished!'
Ah thought Bill.
We get to the crux of it all. 'And what injustices would these be?' he asked, keeping his voice calm and neutral. 'You know, do not act like you don't. We, both of us, are far superior to our 'superiors'' Greg sneered as he spoke 'we should be running things, not bowing and scraping to those that hold power, merely because of personal connections. The so-called God Emperor is nothing more than a man! Why should he be lauded and we forgotten?' his pitch had increased to the point that the last words were practically screamed out. Bill maintained his calm. 'He is the Emperor. He knows best. You cannot deny his divinity, his longevity alone speaks for that, never mind his powers.' Bill spoke, trying to be rational to this madman. But Greg just sneered once more. 'His powers! Bah! Have you seen them? Or is it just reports of them? What are you, a scientist or a believer? We rely on evidence. Where is this? He makes himself a God, whilst we do all the work! Well, I can tell you won't be convinced. I was going to ask you to come down and join me, serve as my right hand.' Bill leaned forward, his confusion evident in his features. 'What are you talking about? You can't hide down there forever. People are looking for you, they will find you, even if you change appearance with your holo-disguise, we will eventually know who you are.' He tapped his head for emphasis on this last bit. Greg laughed bitterly. 'It will be too late. I will destroy this 'Union' you value so highly. The people on this word will follow me. I will lift them up and their planet's resources shall serve my cause. If Nikolai can call himself a God, why not me?!' He paused, looking at his friend as though it was the last time. 'Do not try to stop me, Bill. It will only bring pain to you.' The screen went black as suddenly as it had started up. Bill was shaken, but he quickly sent the recorded message back to Earth. The Academy had to hear of this, and, most likely, the Emperor would want to know as well. This did not bode well for the future...
It appears Greg was wearing a disguise, for the purposes of this meeting...