Two days after their return from the pirate base, Sarah and Ishaan were standing before the gate of the Zephalan High Guardian’s house. He had called them at night with a mysterious message and asked that they come immediately. The Zephalan guarding the gate beckoned them to enter. They walked past the fireplace with the Zephalans sitting around and eating. Inside, the former High Guardian sat in his armchair. He said no word and directed Sarah and Ishaan to sit down opposite to him.
“Why have you called us here?” asked Sarah.
The High Guardian looked two his two guards that were standing behind him. They left the room.
“Something happened. I don't quite know what it is, but it was felt. I am ready to tell you more about us, because there is something we must do.”
“What is it?”
“There are movements in the fabric of time and space, the intentions and motivations driving them. We were once a spiritual people, proud and rising. We were warlike and took by force what belonged to us by nature. We expanded, we absorbed, and grew kinder and more reserved. We were all Zephalans, even though more than half of us weren't of the Zephalan species. Then came the moment when our greed and our sense of entitlement broke our backs. We found a planet, inhabited by a highly developed species. They called themselves the Marsaam. We made contact and quickly established trade links. When we grew privy of the fact that they were producing highly capable robots for household and industrial assistance, our government listened up. We tried purchasing them, but were refused. No export. But nobody refused the Zephalans. It just didn't happen. We sent in a team to retrieve plans so that we could manufacture these robots ourselves and reverse-engineer them to improve our own robotic development. As you might already suspect, the team failed and was captured. We never saw them again. The Marsaam informed us that a state of war now existed between us and them. We laughed. Centuries of imperialism and expansion had made us arrogant and full of hubris. We sent a fleet and never heard from it again. We sent another and never heard from that one again. We sent a third, bigger one and only received fragmented data and distress calls from them before they vanished, too. As it turned out, they had a powerful defensive system and turned their robot production to war. For the next 400 years, the Zephalan Hegemony was running in full reverse. Our war effort was more complete than any other had ever been. Our armies counted in the billions, our shipyards poured out ships faster than ever before and our whole culture changed into an army. Near the end, only a fraction of our previous strength remained and it still eclipsed anything your empire could field. Then we found another dimension, yours, by accident. Quickly, we decided to explore it and determine whether we could pack up and retreat through it to ensure our survival. We found out there were several factions in the vicinity, including yours and that they were developing a transdimensional technology we needed. I believe you know the rest of the story. Now we’re here and we still function like an army. You don't stop being one after having been in one from the moment you were born. It's all you know and while we are glad we survived and do not have to fight anymore, we fear we will soon have to fight again.”
Sarah did not say anything until thirty seconds after the High Guardian had stopped talking. Ishaan looked baffled and disconcerted.
“Who is going to attack?” Sarah asked.
“I don't know. Not yet. I am a newcomer to your world. Reading up on it for thirty years can only get you so far. We have to work together and that is why we have to go somewhere. To explore. In the URS, the Reformist Party will almost certainly win the election in two months. Your pirate problem is revealed to be even bigger by the day, it seems. I might go so far as to wonder if they are actually pirates.”
“What else would they be?” asked Sarah leaning forward.
“A vanguard, used to weaken the enemy before the main hammer comes down. Don't be surprised if I’m completely mistaken. I’m not a god.”
Sarah nodded. “So you believe the URS wants to invade us?”
“No, not necessarily. But I believe that there are forces at work that seek to upset the balance of power for their own benefit. It is your goal to stabilise this region of the empire and it is my goal to protect and guide my people. We should work together.”
“An idea I had before. You said you want us to go somewhere, to explore. Where?”
“To a place unknown to you. I will explain more later. For now, please trust me when I say: We share common goals. We have to work together.”
“And for that, my husband and I should go to that place you mentioned? It sounds suspicious, if you allow me the moment of doubt.”
The High Guardian chuckled.
“I’m Ulquonar. I was the High Guardian of the Zephalan Remnant, that meaning I was responsible for the Zhuvon Circles and application of Zhuvon in war. I wish to leave with you tomorrow. Without your husband.”
“Without? Why?” Ishaan asked.
“I respect your union and included you, but you are not part of my plan. During our war with you, we discovered a planet with truly fascinating properties. It barely shows up on sensors and it gets pitch black at night. It has no moons and it appears to swallow all light, even those you bring yourself barely illuminate the surroundings a lot. We also noticed an incredible concentration of Zhuvon there. I want to explore it. It might hold secrets we can use.”
“Where is this planet?” Sarah asked. “Is it outside of Imperial space near Tletan space?”
Ulquonar nodded with a faint smile appearing on his lips.
“Then it must be one of the forbidden worlds. We can't go there, it's too dangerous.”
“Ah yes, the forbidden worlds. Those ancient places of the Khal’Shelim nobody is supposed to even look at. Even more interesting that way. Trust me, Sarah, it will be a most enlightening experience.”
Sarah and Ishaan exchanged looks. It was clear that she would accept and that Ishaan was against it, yet he said nothing and Sarah turned to Ulquonar again.
“Let’s do it.”
