The Martial Unity

“Negatron warp drive systems are stable.”

“Riemann Tensor within acceptable parameters.”

“Fusion core temperature in excess of goal by two kelvin, seeking authorization to activate electromagnetic cooling systems.”

“Authorization granted,” A young man stood atop a platform overlooking the entire command room of the fleet carrier he commanded, filled with countless officials manning the many systems that kept the ship afloat. His body was ethereal and transparent, betraying a remarkably high amount of progress down the Path of Adaptive Evolution. He wore the uniform of the Evolutionary Army, with its crest embroidered on his chest. His body posture was stiff and rigid, while he held his head high, facing forward at the streaking stars of the cosmos through the window wall at the front of the command room.

“Deputy Commander Aethna.”

He turned toward his assistant wordlessly.

“Blood Lord Sarlon wishes to speak with you about the upcoming operation.”

Aethna narrowed his eyes. He didn’t like the Blood Cult. Not at all. He found their claims to be a superior race to be particularly irksome. How dare they claim to be the most superior race and pathwalkers when he existed? When the race that he had spawned with his seed existed?

Still, circumstances pushed them together.

Human civilization didn’t like racial supremacist movements, particularly when they were militant and imperialistic. They had gotten their act together, strengthening their civilization to withstand the power of the Evolutionary Army and the Blood Cult. The pressure from these two organizations, among others, had forced every colonialist who wasn’t ideologically radical to form powerful coalitions with each other to strengthen each other and isolate radical organizations. If not for the cooperation between the Blood Cult and the Evolutionary Army, both organizations would have found themselves much more isolated in the stars. Thus, they ultimately tolerated and even worked together for some overlap in their goals.

“Put him through,” Aethna commanded with a domineering tone of voice.

A stream of data was transmitted to his neural inlay, which processed to create a three-dimensional virtual meeting that was inputted directed into his neural cortex.

WHOOSH

He found himself seated in a meeting with a single figure, the newest Blood Lord, Lord Sarlon. The man was older than Aethna, but still looked to be in the prime of his life. He wore an exosuit that was themed in the color of blood, the same color as his neatly groomed hair and his fierce eyes.

“We have received intelligence that the coalitions have received word of the increased size of your intervention into the Planet Amadeus III anomaly,” Blood Lord Sarlon spoke with a composed tone of voice. “They know that the Evolutionary Army will not be holding back this time.”

Deputy Commander Aethna didn’t appear to be too bothered by this. “It is within our expectations. Even if they know. They will not be able to protect themselves when the time comes. After all…”

Aethna’s smile cracked at the edge of his mouth.

“…I will be personally intervening in this battle to obtain the fruits of an infected world.”

Blood Lord Sarlon narrowed his eyes at the figure before him. Most people in the know had heard of Deputy Commander Aethna.

Regarded as the most prodigious genius in the history of the evosapien species. He had crossed the ranks of the army at a truly unfathomable rate, getting promotions and shooting up in authority year over year.

Now, he was ranked second in the Evolutionary Army, and everybody knew that it was just a matter of time before he took over as the first Supreme Commander since the death of the former Supreme Commander.

Blood Lord Sarlon didn’t like the man and the condescension that he had about him, but he tolerated him, for he was of use to the Blood Cult. They both understood what the other’s goals were for this mission, and they both were willing to help each other in the pursuit of their own goals.

“I will keep the Blood Empress busy,” Blood Sarlon reminded him. “In return, I will require you to keep the others from intervening in the battle between the Blood Empress and me.”

Aethna felt a little irked that he needed somebody to take on the Blood Empress when they would fight for the fruits of Planet Amadeus III, as long as it did pan out to be an infected world, but he also knew that he would need it. The Blood Empress, Arastia, was one of the most powerful pathwalkers in the world and a pureblood hemosapien who had mastered potential singularity, that is, finding a way to make use of all material potential within her body, including the soul. Her genetics meant that she was literally a realm above all other pathwalkers at the same rank of power, vastly outstripping them. Aethna was strong and had his advantages, including advantages that he had kept a secret, but he suspected he likely wasn’t a match for the woman at his current stage of power. The evosapiens, including highly gifted evosapiens like himself, hadn’t had enough time to mature to the peak of their power, which would likely require more time.

“Very well, that is our agreement, after all,” Aethna replied curtly. “I will redirect their attention and allow you to seize your princess.”

He found the Blood Lord’s obsession with the Blood Empress to be, frankly, pathetic. What kind of leader of a civilization was so dependent on a woman to achieve his goals? It was not something that he could truly respect, but the Blood Cult was a force to reckon with, so he kept his mouth shut.

“The conflict will likely begin the moment we make contact with our enemies, so we won’t have time to coordinate very effectively, so stick to the foundations.”

BZZZT

The meeting ended then and there as the two sides established an understanding with each other regarding their goals. “Estimated time for arrival?” Aethna inquired.

“Six hours, sir.”

In six hours, he would confront the countless forces that sought to get their hands on an infected world, chief among which were his greatest enemies.

The Kandrian Empire.