[ Caution advised ]
[ Level-six and Level-seven entities located ]
'How many?' Sigh and I could already feel a headache forming.
[ Multiple ]
'I need Numbers! for god's sake!'
[ 88 Level-6 entities, and 12 Level-7 entities ]
This was worrisome. I sent another message to Eva, and the response came the next second.
["I'm ready"] She replied.
'Thank god, something's going well' I can at least escape if the situation takes a bad turn. I took a breath of relief. I wanted Eva to set up a teleportation array, but it hasn't been unlocked yet, because of my low level, so we had to improvise. She chose our planet as the main base, so now I can use the planet as a beacon to teleport instantly to. That's what we call a cheat code, heh.
"You, Follow me. And Captain Walesa, You're to stay here." The long-coat guy said walking ahead into the building. Walesa tried to argue, but the guy answered straight even before she could say a word.
"I know you've signed him as your private sponsor, but I have orders from above." He added.
"Yea? And what if I say she's coming with me?" I challenged. His jaw clenched, fists tightened. He wanted to fight, and I wanted to crush him. What could go wrong?
[ Warning a level 7 entity approaching, at 3'O ]
'Well, what could go worse?'
[ Alert! Multiple Lvl 6 and Lvl 7 entities have directed their killing intent towards the host. ]
'That is simply unfair!' I diverted my attention to the approaching figure in blue. His build should be twice my human form. And the pressure he released from his eyes was enough to vouch for his Level-7 power grading. The rest of the face was masked, like some b*tchass assassin.
'But I was not one to lose composure just with that.' I sent a chilling glare back at him. My instincts told me everything about him, I would not lose. His eyes wavered, as he came to a halt and spoke.
" Let her follow him, The Council awaits his presence. " the guy gave me another look, before returning back into the building.
'Hah! He knows being a bitch isn't going to get him anywhere.' I motioned Walesa to follow behind. Walking through the corridors, we were being scanned....constantly, at every step and I don't know why, but my mind was buzzing like crazy.
I could feel the pressure and attention I was getting from ahead. The aura up ahead was nothing to scoff at.
[ Consuming 50,000 C.P ]
[ Mental fortitude- Level max ]
That really helped. Now I can scoff at that, I can think more clearly.
We were close, just a few more steps. I looked ahead, the corridor-end was dark, opposite to what's usually seen. Actually, that matches my black tux.
The long-coat guy halted, turned around And left. Just like that, no good luck or anything. Such a douchebag. Why did he even have to follow us till here, could have waited outside. Not like I would run away?
"Umm, should we go inside now?" Walesa said looking ahead towards darkness.
"I'm not so sure." I said taking a step.
The chamber was filled with murderous pressure. The hall was so silent, for a second I thought I had lost my senses, although Walesa's drumming heartbeat was clearly audible.
I could see silhouettes sitting around in a congress arrangement. There was an isolated row in front of us, which had 12 shadows glaring the hell out of me. The 12 most influential of High-council. With a level-7 power, their aura was enough to overshadow all the other council members.
Lights flashed in the darkness. And even before I had the chance of noticing anything, my eyes went straight to the 3 vacant seats far ahead in front of me. The silhouettes and the aura I was feeling from the empty thrones, didn't quite sit right with my visual perception.
[ The phenomenon materializes when a level 20 or higher energy entity exists in a static position for a time period exceeding the energy threshold of that 3d plane and phases in or out of existence.]
[The phasing body left behind, has decayed and is now imitating power of a level-7 being.]
'Well, that means they are not here now, right?'
[Yes?]
'Good to know.'
'But still Level 20...it's too much.....let me see....'
'Ahh...Crimgar. One of the 3 strongest elites of high council. There's very less data on him on Union Records. No photo or description of appearance.
'Zerik, the leader of the most powerful automation civilization. Probably one of the elites that can rival Crimgar. No peculiar info on him either.'
'Grandal, the oldest council member of union, a creature associated with dragons.'
Although Crimgar seems to be the biggest variable, there is practically no useful information on any of the 3 elites. This makes the whole union situation hard to solve.'
Leaving aside the 3 of them, all of the rest are in direct relations with royalty, and their data was readily available on union records.
'God...fuck it! Let's leave the future problems for future me.'
Heaving a sigh of relief, I focused back onto the present union members, making an internal note.
'No humans.'
"You've arrived shapeshifter" A slender but toad like creature spoke, I recall his name should be 'Decky'. Peculiar name.
"And what business does the high council have with me?" I announced, without hiding the annoyance I felt by uncontrollable circumstances I was in right now.
"Straight to the point? Hahaha" laughter erupted inside the chamber.
"What do you wish for shapeshifter?" Decky asked, his green eyes glanced towards Walesa, then back at me.
"What do I wish for? Nothing. I'm here as a sole holder of my planet! But it seems the union says otherwise."
"Hmm, yes about that. You see, the planet you want a hold over, or as you say already own, is already under the 5th leader 'Raho's' command." Decky said pointing towards the 5th seat. A dark black giant with a giant black eye as its head, stared at me exhibiting power level 7 Aura.
'Raho…. according to union's record, earth comes under his command. But strangely he hasn't made contact with earth. I'll have to see into that later.'
"So what? I don't want anything to do with union. What's mine, remains mine." I spoke, noticing many of the members in the room flinch. Walesa gave a tug on my back. 'Guess I was too much just now.'
"Control your words vermin!" A member sitting on the end of the room stood up. Many others also showed ire.
"Why should I? I've already given evidence. I believe many of you have already seen the video Walesa recorded during our first meeting." I continued. "I do not wish to drag this issue anymore; I only want that union stops meddling with me and what I do on my planet."
"That's not how it works shapeshifter." The toad said frowning. "Even if it is your planet, you have to join union anyways." The toad continued looking at Walesa. "Your new captain must have told you, those who refuse to join, will be forced to surrender." Toad said giving a grin.
'Motherfu….'
"Why are you even refusing to cooperate. You'll get union's protection, and you can keep doing what you want on your planet, you'll just have to give a bit of tax. Or you can also sell resources if you want." Toad said as in a matter-of-fact tone.
'It would've been better if I could somehow postpone joining union, because I'll lose monopoly over my planet. I'll have to give tax and a lot of mining resources for practically nothing in return. Union protection? What bullshit!'
As I was brainstorming, Walesa tugged on my back once again. I looked back, and she motioned me to come closer.
"H-How about a military contract?" She whispered.
'A military contract?'
Racking my brain, I recalled the contract partnerships. And yes, that was it!
"You're awesome!" I whispered back, giving a her a light pat. Can't be huggy-huggy now.
'Well, you all son of bitches aren't going to get anything'
"As I said, I do not want union to meddle in my business." I repeated, noticing unrest among members.
"You wish to wage war?" A member asked and the room returned to sense numbing silence.
"No, I would join union." The said words were enough for their hidden agenda to reveal itself in their eyes. Fucking hyenas!
'Heh! but I'm not in the mood for sharing.'
"I'll join on the basis of military contract." I announced. Silence again invades the chamber. Guess somebody dropped a bombshell, ha-ha. Such bliss seeing those distorted faces.
"You realize what that is, right?" Toad spoke with haste. "Let me tell you, A military contract with union would include Arms factory, flagships and spaceship manufacturing and forming a military fleet ready to deploy at minutes notice. And all of this should easily consume more than half of your planetary resources." Toad smiled mentioning all the cons of military contract.
"A normal contract would not be much bothersome." Or so the toad says.
'Well, there are hidden perks to the military contract. Firstly, no tax. Secondly, I can make my own military fleet without being heavily monitored as in normal contract. Also, as I can mine resources too easily, and manufacturing blueprints would be provided by union, there's no chance of my tech getting copied. And of course, I would be paid for all this work. This a complete victory even if it might seem bigger challenge to others.'
"I would sign the military contract." I said again. And I don't think anybody was happy about that. A minute passed, even the toad didn't have anything to say.
"Well, that's it, I guess."
"Wait! I'll give 1 binary star system in exchange for your planet along with your technology!" A white robe wearing member behind the toad stood up. And before I could understand what he said, there were multiple screams of offers resounding in the chamber.
"I will give two solar systems!"
"I will give 10 planets and a red dwarf!"
"I'll trade for 500 energy capsules and three-star system."
'I'll trade for a neutron star!"