Interstellar Age

While Erich waited for a response to the delegates and the decisions they had come to regarding his proposal, he continued to prepare for the wars of the near future. Including the war to reclaim Earth, and the war to annihilate the Ghimderi Menace.

During this time, two important conversations were taking place. Anubis and Kali were on call with their respective nations and the governing bodies which ruled over them. The Jackal headed "god" was secluded in his own private chambers as he spoke about what he saw.

It took him a long time to go over the details, and the theories which Erich proposed. He also spoke of the evidence provided to assert these claims, and after a very lengthy speech, made his own suggestion on the issue.

"While it is abundantly clear that the Empire, the Dominion, and the Federation seek to fight until the very end. I believe that there are more sinister motives behind this union, and the alliance proposed to us.

Though the Germans present themselves as a blunt, and forward people. I can't help but suspect that this new Supreme Leader is far more cunning. After all, he was the one who orchestrated this alliance, wooing the two oldest and most beautiful women in the galaxy into a marriage which has resulted in a secret political union.

There is no telling what he plans to do with our forces, or how he plans to counter the Naraku invasion once they arrive in the Milky Way in full force. It could very well be a scheme to reduce the power of the Empire's competitors while reserving their full strength for after we have achieved victory together.

And in my honest opinion, I do believe that the Empire plans to stab us in the back once this is all over, assuming we win in the first place. But I will let you all speak of your opinions on this matter yourselves."

Bastet was the first to speak. She appeared in a foul mood after hearing about all of these matters, and was quick to voice her opinion about them.

"I have no doubt the Empire seeks to stab us in the back once this is all over. They will use our forces as meat shields while reserving their own for the very end. Once they deal a decisive blow at the last minute, like they did with Terminus, they will then set their forces against ours, which have been broken and bloodied from fighting the bugs! We can't trust them!"

This comment caused an outburst among the various so-

called gods of the Ennead Theocracy. In the end Ra spoke, and when he did, they all ceased their bickering.

"Regardless of whether or not the Empire and its new leader have ill intents towards us by proposing this alliance. The fact of the matter is the evidence he has displayed regarding the Naraku and their plans to invade the galaxy is substantial.

It would take us centuries to design a deep space probe that is capable of crossing the void between galaxies from scratch. Which leads me to believe one of two things. The Empire has either been preparing these probes since the foundation of their civilization five centuries ago, and have only recently discovered the Naraku upon their success.

Or... These probes were freshly designed no more than a decade ago, meaning that the Empire's ability to cross technological barriers is second to none, and that they will eventually surpass us all regardless.

Whichever one of these two things is true really does not matter, because at the end of the day the bugs are coming, and it is only a matter of when. When they do finally invade the Milky Way, we won't be able to stop them on our own, hell we might only be able to hold out against their incursions into our territory for a few decades, perhaps a few centuries at the most.

The galax will need to unite to fight this threat, and if we should pledge ourselves to the alliance that the Empire is forming, then we will most certainly need to prepare reserve forces to combat any treachery they may or may not engage in should we emerge victorious against the Naraku.

Any who disagree that this alliance is completely and totally necessary for the continued existence of our civilization and its people, please speak now, or forever hold your peace...."

Despite Bastet disagreeing just moments ago to the idea of aligning itself with the Germanic Star-Empire. She refused to do so now that Ra had spoken against her position. The same could be said for all the other naysayers.

In the end, the vote was unanimous. The Ennead Theocracy would enter a military alliance with the Germanic Star-

Empire, the Alfheim Dominion, and the Svartalfheim Federation. One that would be kept a secret from the galaxy as they built up their military strength, not only to combat the Naraku, but any potential betrayal that the Germanic Star-Empire engaged in should the Milky Way emerge victorious.

This, of course, left one important question on the minds of everyone, one that would determine the future of an ancient and powerful force within the Galaxy, one that became increasingly isolated as a result of these sudden changes in galactic diplomacy.

Bastet was the one to voice these concerns, which she did so with a troubled tone in her voice.

"But what about the Ghimderi? Should we align ourselves with the Empire, then the Ghimderi will certainly oppose it. We owe them a considerable debt...."

It was Anubis who spoke up this time, saying what needed to be said, but that none of the other so called "gods" wished to say themselves.

"The Ghimderi will never agree to this. They would rather the entire galaxy burn than cede power and influence they have attained through ill-gotten means over the past million years. Since we have come to this conclusion, then it is only necessary that we wash our hands of them. The Goblins will have to end for thesmelves when the Germanic Star-Empire enacts its vengeance upon them.

It is already clear that Daelia no longer wishes to protect them. And if the Federation had turned against the Ghimderi, then we have no reason to protect them, either."

Utter silence prevailed or the longest time until finally Bastet sighed heavily and shook her head before saying the last thoughts she had on the matter.

"It is truly the end of an era, isn't it?"

---

Like Anubis, Kali was on a call with the Asuran Cabal, and like the Ennead Theocracy, the leaders of the Cabal came to the same conclusion. This alliance was necessary for the continued survival of themselves and the Galaxy as a whole. And at the same time, this Alliance could not be trusted, and thus they would need to make preparations for a potential betrayal on behalf of the Empire.

Kali was in agreement with this statement. She had, after all, sensed Erich's hostility to her when she first arrived on his world. It was not often one would glare at her with such visceral hate. And though she knew she had not harmed him or his people in any way during this life, she suspected that in a previous one she must have done something horrible to him.

She, of course, did not know how accurate of a thought this was, but because of it she felt compelled to speak with Erich personally, and try to put to bed and hostility that he may have for her. Thus Kali was a bit swifter than Anubis as she knocked on the door to Erich's office intending to announce the decision her people had come to.

Erich motioned her in, where he sat at his desk, clearly busy with coming up with plans for an invasion of some other civilization. Something which Kali was quick to ask about after reporting her decision.

"I think you will be happy to know that the Cabal has accepted your proposal to form a temporary alliance, one that shall last until the Naraku invasion of the Milky Way is dealt with. Although, if you don't mind me asking, just who are you preparing to go to war with? Those can't be the strategies to deal with the bugs, can they?"

Erich did not immediately respond, and instead closed the plans out. While assuring Kali that she had nothing to be worried about.

"If you're concerned about me betraying you after this is all over, don't be among the two of us. I'm not the untrustworthy one..."

Kali frowned. She had definitely done something to wrong this man in a past life. She just did not know why he had memories of it, and she did not. But she was quick to counter his point with his own actions.

"I don't know what I have done to make you so suspicious of me, but I will remind you that I am not the one concealing battle plans from an ally..."

Upon hearing this, Erich scoffed before briefly informing Kali of his immediate plans for the future. He only did this to clear his suspicions of him before he moved onto more important matters.

"If you must know, Daelia is revoking the protection she has given to those who currently occupy my people's homeworld. It will be a brief war, but in the end, Earth's favored sons will reclaim their homeland. Now, you said the Cabal is on board. I suppose you are here to negotiate specifics, then? Come have a drink with me, we have much to discuss..."

And thus Erich and Kali would have a long discussion about the exact details of the alliance between the Germanic Star-

Empire and the Asuran Cabal, one that was built on a heavy amount of distrust between both sides.