The hand that feeds


    An ostentatiously gilded ship descended from orbit, its engines burning with a searing white intensity. The vessel belonged to Pirate Lord Voda Sarian, ruler of the Free State Empire of Baka and one of the rare human allies of the Asteni. This alliance, however, was forged more out of necessity than mutual respect. The Navurians provided Voda with the technological edge he needed to maintain dominance over the outer world factions, while he supplied intelligence and logistical support. Voda''s insatiable thirst for power, bordering on vanity and insecurity, was tolerated—an unfortunate but essential trait for survival in a political landscape where an empty hand was often a missing one.


    "The insufferable human has arrived," Cadaya muttered, his disdain barely concealed. Veza, standing in his shuttle craft, squinted at the comment. He shared Cadaya''s mistrust of Voda, though it was not his place as general to voice such opinions openly, especially within possible earshot of his officers.


    "I hope the captain remembers why we are here," Veza said evenly, his tone a quiet reprimand. "And that he recognizes certain words, which do not add to this task, are not appreciated." Cadaya straightened his posture, his tone contrite. "The captain has not forgotten." The transport craft landed with a hiss of decompressing thrusters. Voda disembarked, flanked by a heavily armed escort. Though a protective veil shielded his face from the swirling dust, his exhaustion was evident in the lines around his eyes.


    "Welcome, Voda," Veza said, stepping forward to greet him with a handshake. It was a strange human custom, but Veza had grown accustomed to indulging it for the sake of diplomacy. "I hope your journey wasn''t problematic. I apologize on behalf of the Hierarch; he had urgent matters to attend to."


    Voda seemed unimpressed, his expression sharp beneath the veil. "Your Lord promised me a system," he said without preamble, his tone impatient. "Indeed," Veza replied calmly, "and it will be yours. However, unforeseen circumstances have made achieving this more complex than anticipated.


    As Voda''s men set up a table, one of his aides handed him a large map marked with plotted points. He spread it across the surface and gestured to a specific region. "This system," Voda began, pointing, "is the last viable option for fulfilling our agreement—unless, of course, you no longer desire access to the heavily guarded Fell Star?"


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    He moved his finger to the ninth Non-Allocated Zone. "I''ve received intelligence that the Salam Alliance is establishing a deep-space operations station here. If they succeed, it will severely limit my operations." He traced the map toward the Azuka system. "That means relocating my base to Azuka is not just necessary—it''s inevitable."


    The Asteni delegation had anticipated this. They understood their dependence on Voda to conceal their activities. If the Amalgam discovered their presence, the consequences would be catastrophic.


    "We''ve already prepared a countermeasure," Veza said, removing a projection box from his satchel. He placed it on the map, and its lasers built a holographic model of their target. "This," Veza explained, "is what your people call a deep-space asset protection unit. These vessels have made it increasingly difficult for your operations to navigate the ninth NAZ." Voda listened intently as Veza continued.


    "While we know you''re aware of their smaller naval bases, we''ve identified another—a larger, mobile base. Mustering Base Alicia." The holographic projection shifted, displaying an elaborate mapping of the base''s movements. One of Voda''s lieutenants leaned in, wide-eyed at the data. "They''ve hidden it well," Veza continued, "constantly relocating it to predetermined points along the periphery of Archon influence." Voda frowned, his tone skeptical. "I thought the Archon worlds had no jurisdiction in this sector?"


    "They don''t," Veza replied, "but they''ve established artificial boosting stations to temporarily extend their zones of influence. We''ve begun transferring technical schematics to your systems. The rest will be sent once you grant us access to the Fell Star." Voda''s demeanor hardened. Veza pressed on.


    "With these schematics, you''ll find exploitable gaps in their movements. However, thinning their numbers at the Fell Star is essential. If their forces remain intact, they''ll delay us long enough for the Amalgam to organize a counteroffensive."


    Privately, Veza harbored a deeper fear. The Amalgam was indeed a threat, but the far greater danger was Warden—a human-constructed AI that had once turned the tide against the Asteni. Its devastating strategies and relentless efficiency had nearly annihilated them during their first invasion.


    Warden''s cunning had lured them into a trap, baiting them with what the humans had called Earth—a decoy planet destroyed by reversing the polarity of local space using an Archon world. Even now, the Asteni knew that Warden watched for their return, its vigilance unyielding. As Veza studied Voda''s reaction, he wondered if the pirate lord understood the full scope of their situation. The Fell Star was not just a prize—it was a crucible where the Asteni might be forged anew or pulverized into extinction.