I was saved when Kathrine arrived in the mess hall and Caleb decided to organise his mob into his mercenaries. "Alright everyone, settle down. Leave our friend in the armour alone. Most dispersed while some of the more eager ones lingered a moment before walking a way grumbling.


    "What was that about?" Kathrine said as she came to my side. "Literally nothing interesting." I replied as Caleb began talking. "I received word not to long ago That The democratic leader of the has given us permission tond immediately. Once groundside all those not in positions ofmand have two days to explore the city wend in before we get to work.


    After that and hoping our negotiations go well we will begin our actual mission objective. Put your hands down. For now the MO will be kept ssified by myself,dy Kathrine and the captains of the two other mercenarypanies that are alongside for the mission. Oh onest thing before you prepare for side. Don''t fight with the other mercenaries andary force.


    This is a serious mission and not our usual skirmishes or retrievals. Ok dismissed!"


    The air in the room shifted as the mercenaries became experienced veterans. Even Willy was only swearing once per sentence showing how serious he was right now." I sort of felt in the way as everyone had their specific job and If i offered help I would only hinder efficiency so I just sat on the rec rooms couch, using Gyrokinesis to make sure I did not identally break the thing.


    "How are you feeling?" Kathrine asked as she squeezed into the remaining space on the couch. "What like in general? I''m fine how are you?" "No silly, how are you feeling about the uing mission. Do you not have any questions?" I gave it a thought for a moment as I stroked my helmets chin before I replied.


    "I''m not sure how I feel to be honest. Excitement for visiting a new. Absolutely. On the other hand, I am basically just glorified extra muscle, I am not sure what I am going to be doing other than standing around."


    Kathrine had grown sweet on me the past week. Perhaps it was the sex, my looks, the fact we got on great together. Or perhaps something behind the scenes was ying a hand. whatever the reason, she decided to let slip some information.


    "Apollo, how... Ethically sound would you say you are?" I looked through the visor at Kathrine carefully. She seemed to be calcting pros and cons of something and my answer would determine her telling me something.


    I morphed my helmet into my armour so she could see my face. "I don''t know if this what you had in mind, but I would let entire worlds turn to ash if it would make my family happy. I would not enjoy the suffering of innocent civilians and such, but I would still let it happen."


    Kathrine stared into my eyes, looking to see if the weight behind my words were true. She was surprised to find such resolve in them at my response and it gave her the answer she needed. Getting closer so we were whispering, Kathrine spoke. "What I am about to tell you is top secret. Caleb and the other captains have no idea."


    It was safe to say my curiosity was peaked as I stayed silent and began listening intently. "The mission I gave to the mercenaries was a artifact retrieval, that they know. We have told the local rulers that we are here for diplomatic discussions and while we are here would like to do some geological surveys. They agreed as they have no reason to suspect the artifact is on the."


    "What is this artifact?" I inquired. "I am not sure myself. I got the mission given to me by someone working directly under King Sigismund. All I know is that it is powerful enough to reignite the somewhat cold war with coalition by attacking a neutral if things go wrong."


    "Wait, attack a? With just three mercenarypanies? That seems suicidal." I once again inquired to fill in information.


    "We are simply acting as a forward force handsome, once on the ground, If anything goes wrong I will activate a special military device that I had flown out here a couple weeks ago on a stealth craft that will open a emergency warpne for the Spartari military toe through. We would have to hold out until they arrive then as mercenaries with a job done, are free to leave."


    I think over Kathrine''s information a moment before another questiones to mind. "Why do you think something is going to go wrong? You would not have pre sent military grade devices beforehand if this was only spection."


    Kathrine smiled at me. She has already told Apollo so much. A little more would not hurt. "My smart handsome man." She said with a smile. "You are right. Its not spection.


    Something is going to go wrong. Our spies on the have given rming reports that the stupid named Alexandria has made ties with the coalition already and is ready to join it soon. Then inviting mercenaries of Spartari onto their is just a cover for themselves to keep their neutrality for longer.


    Once we have the artifact, The Spartari forces wille and take control of the andmit a wide 1 in 10 decimation of all adults as punishment for trying to join the enemy."


    I leant forward in my chair at the information. Judging from the below poption, If Spartari do this over 1 billion innocent civilians will be killed because of their leaders. "Fucking hell Kat, this is one hell of a scheme you have here. Fuck me, a billion... You are ok with that?"


    Kathrine smiled at me sadly as she rubbed my arm. "It would not be my first time. Spartari is strong and does not abide weakness or treachery. If we did, we would have long been wiped out by the Coalition, the Drakoshi, even the elusive swarm may have done more damage than just the outer worlds and asional deeper attacks at this point.


    Ruthlessness and a strong heart is needed to protect that which you hold dear. And while my children and darling nice live, there is nothing I wont do to protect them."


    "Wow, you are pretty hardcore huh?" Kathrine looked up at me confused at my change in disposition. "Ohe on, I just told you I would lets die off for my family, I was not wavering over a billion people. Sure it does suck and that will stick with me for a while. I just wanted to hear your true thoughts on the matter. You hired me to do a job, lets go and do it.


    Its been a lifetime since I''ve done any digging.


    Kathrine began pping my armour. "Asshole! I just opened my soul and deepest thoughts to you to convince you its the right thing to do and you were fine. I hope you get killed in a crossfire prick." I chuckled at her as she banged on my armour. "Oh yeah? Well if I die, who is going to give you an after mission dickin''?


    Everyone else on the ship is petrified of you." Kathrine pretended to think a moment. "Good point. I suppose I wont ''identally'' cause your demise then."


    With the mood between us rebnced, I Morphed my helmet back on, got up and offered her a hand. "Come on Kat, we should bending any second and I want to be first to see the." Taking my hand, she stood up and we headed for the loading bay.


    …


    On one of Alexandria''s satellites in orbit, A man made his way to an iron door. The man was 6ft5 and wore little more than metallic decorative armour to cover his more sensitive regions as his rough greyish blue skin was a boastfulmodity throughout his race and should not be hidden.


    At the end of the hallway, just before the door, there was a mirror. Rekosh could not help admire his form in the mirror while checking himself over. His ws were tidy and sharp, his horns atop his head having the best of the best polish for that attractive shine, while the ones on his jaw were trimmed to different sizes for vanity purposes.


    As he stared himself in his pink vertical slit eyes, he blew air out of his snout before saying.


    "Any Starforged or Coalition babe would be lucky to have you brother." He smiled his pearly white fangs in his maw before using his reptilian tongue to give them ast second go over.


    Satisfied with his appearance, Rekosh rapped on the door in front of him one time followed by a hastily responded. "Enter."


    Rekosh bowed deeply and with utmost respect at the being in front of him. "My Seer, The mercenaries of the barbarians havended on the as you foresaw. What are our next orders."


    There was an ufortable silence a moment before the seer replied.


    "I don''t know."