Chapter 22: The Galactic Declaration
Carson walked back into the depths of the library. Hobs appeared at the entrance, his face pale. The old Sovereign looked at the withered Malphas and then at the hilt in Carson's hand.
"The 31st Strand," Hobs whispered. "You did it. You actually reached the Primordial Tier. Do you realize what you've done? The Solaris Emperor... he's going to feel that pulse from across the galaxy. He'll be here in weeks."
"Let him come," Carson said. He touched a specific crystal on the library wall.
Suddenly, a holographic map of the galaxy projected into the room. Thousands of points of light were blinking—each one a McCain-Aetherics sensor or a hidden Aegis stronghold.
"Master, my father didn't just build a key to this library," Carson explained, his fingers moving across the holographic display with blinding speed. "He built a backdoor into the Hegemony's entire communication network. For thirteen years, they've been using our technology to rule. Now, I'm going to use it to speak."
Carson gripped the hilt of the First Blade and channeled the 31st strand into the library's central transmitter.
Across the planet—on every screen in New Seattle, on every billboard in the Solaris Capital, on every soldier's HUD in the outer rim—the image changed.
The golden eagle of the Hegemony vanished. In its place appeared a simple, violet saber. And then, Carson McCain's voice, amplified by the power of the Primordial Core, rang out across the stars.
"My name is Carson McCain," the voice said, sounding both humble and terrifyingly powerful. "The Solaris Hegemony told you that strength is found in obedience. They told you that the 'Flow' belongs to the Emperor. They lied."
Carson looked into the "eye" of the library's sensor, knowing the Emperor was watching from his throne.
"The age of the 'High-Key' tyrant is over. To the people in the gutters: Look up. To the men on the thrones: Look behind you. I am coming for the interest on the debt you owe the world. And I have plenty of change."
The broadcast cut to black.
"That was a bit 'High-Key' for a 'Low-Key' god, don't you think?" Hobs asked, a grin finally breaking across his face.
"I'm done hiding, Master," Carson said, the Star-Shedder humming on his back. "If they want to fight a war of wealth, I have their banks. If they want to fight a war of blades, I have the First Blade.