The Meeting of Minds - Chapter 1

Planet Xuanti, Neutral territory bordering dark space

Inside a lavish establishment in the V.I.P. private section was two important figures of both the Democratic Republic Alliance and the Avalon Empire. Both were enemies, but no enmity could be felt between them… or at least on the surface.

"Such a grand venue you have reserved us general Grant. You seem to be serious for these talks compared to usual." said an elderly man with white wax skin and gem red eyes in a black cloak. He was sitting leisurely on a luxurious seat at a round table.

"Well, what can I say. The matters that need to be discussed this time are quite important and controversial. Many on my side find this idea ridiculous, but I say doing nothing is even more so." said the general with a calm voice. "However, I am more interested in how the rest of your council feels about the idea. Usually the words of the great Ziban should be enough, however the situation is quite unorthodox."

"Ah! Those youngsters aren't as difficult to convinced compared to your senators. We don't have to deliberate on the obvious threat! Evidence has been popping left and right these few days in different quadrants."

General Grant was a man who looked to be in his mid-forties with some slight grayish hair. He looked physically imposing with muscle filling his military uniform to the brim. However, a calm smile was stitched to his face which didn't seem to fit his demeanor. If anyone would be aware of this meeting and seen the situation unfold in such an amicable way, many would simply be dumbfounded.

General Grant, war hero and leader of the Democratic Republic Alliance's army and has been serving for more than fifty years. He has been in his position for more than twenty years and is known as a man whose anger could make the mightiest warrior fear him. He is viewed as the image of the army and the pride of his home world of Gomeka because of his humble beginnings in the slums. His unorthodox strategies have seen great effect on the battlefield and brought many victories which the DRA had not seen in many years before his arrival.

In front of him was High Counselor Ziban of the Avalon Empire, one if not the most influential politician of the empire. Most would say he is an enigmatic person who has secrets that contained more secrets, and most would underestimate this old man as a simple politician. However, the counselor has been in his position for more than one hundred and fifty years and all his political rivals have either vanish or have been destroyed by him. For the empire who is known for its political feuds and harsh competition, counselor Ziban is seen as an exception to this.

What is more surprising is that these two are mortal enemies. Both have fought each other on and off the battlefield. Each fought the other to a bitter stand still where the planets which harbored their fights were decimated. Hate would be a mild term to use to describe their relationship. So why is it these two people are sitting together in a room talking to each other?

Simply put, they respect each other's capabilities and they've known one another for more than fifty years. The situation in the galactic war seems to have stagnated and a new threat seems to have emerge from the shadows of the war. Both have concluded the same thing: if both the DRA and the empire don't join forces, one if not both parties will be destroyed.

"So then, on that note, may I suggest that we view the many candidates of each side? Four of each side should be enough, correct?" said Grant turning more serious and activating the holographic projector.

"Of course! Showing my good faith, I have selected the most prominent individuals that could be able to adapt to this situation." With a smirk, Ziban approached a small device which he activated at the same time as the general's device. "I hope you will like them."

"I hope you will too... what the..." the general followed the counselor and activated the device he brought too, however both stop for a moment and gasp. The general struggled to stay composed and continued "So you are planning to produce a genocide by bringing these kinds of individuals. I understand that the use of biomentalist is a must for the operation but these two are quite..."

"Don't you dare complain! Looking to your choices, mine are quite conservative! One of yours is an outlaw and smuggler who, might I add, is wanted in seven different quadrants in your own system! And then you also suggest the monster of Balkarian!"

"Oh! So that genocidal maniac you chose is fine and dandy then? And you go and suggest a bounty hunter to be part of the team too! They might be skilled, but those types aren't known to be reliable when face to dangerous situation that might require to sacrifice their lives."

Both men stayed silent, staring at each other for a while, but then let out a sigh. Both knew why the other chose their candidates and it's simply because they didn't have a choice. The two factions needed to make a show of force, but at the same time, they couldn't sacrifice too much of their forces, so their choices were people with extremely great strength, but were dangerous too both factions. The objective of this team is to form a team that can be versatile and adapt to any situation, working on investigation and extermination of any threats to the galaxy. They needed individuals capable to be self-sufficient to a degree that didn't affect the resources of Avalon and the DRA since both factions didn't want to invest more than necessary.

Why? Because if one of the factions invested more than the other, this might affect the resulting war between the two factions.

"So basically, we compensated the low manpower with the quality of the individuals. Extraordinary circumstances bring about extraordinary individuals. Ah!" said Ziban with a dejected expression. "And so, the smuggler would be the solution to the resource problem?"

"Well yes... and I suppose that was the idea for your bounty hunter too. Funny how the underworld market will be key to the success to this joint effort." Grant went to the minibar and brought some wine to the table and pored a glace for himself and Ziban. "That's the situation at least. if the first operation is a success, the many leaders might be more willing to finance this idea in the future."

"The future, heh... Well, it's a first in my life time to see such a situation, but I would never suggest that this won't happen again... Hmm?! is this Tariany wine? You have great taste my fellow 'connaisseur'!" With a happy smile, the counselor started to savor the wine exaggeratedly.

"Hmpf! Focus old man. We need to organize a meeting with these fellows. Some of them are dire enemies and some are very illusive. Also, we need to organize a proper reward to motivate some. We also need to decide who will lead them..."

"The monster."

"... I am also of the same mind, but why did you suggest him. I would have thought that you would suggest someone from your side instead." The general was confused. This situation to make a group from both factions will bring upon a dilemma. The individual that will lead them will prioritize communication with his faction and will default make that side be in the lead and gain credit for any success in the operation. True that any failures will also be blamed on the leading faction, but the benefits out way the negatives.

"Well, the problem is the personnel I choose. They are all great candidates and they are very diverse; however, they lack the qualities for leadership. That monster might be dangerous, but I have seen his capabilities and he more than fits the bill. Also, he is the only one I think that will be able to rein down the more volatile individuals of the group."

A playful smile appeared on Ziban, but the general stared intently and was looking closely at his enemy. He knew something was not right, but he couldn't put a finger on it and a foreboding feeling was starting to swell up in him.

Putting his doubts aside, Grant continued "Then on that note, let us continue. Due to the nature of this team, I suggest naming them the Arbiters."

"Oh! Is it because they were arbitrarily chosen?"

"..."

"Bahahaha! Oh! Stop being such a stick in the mud!"

"You know you are quite irritating..." Forcing a smile he continued with the meeting discussing the distribution of resources for the team between both factions until a knock was heard at the door.

Both became very tense and at that instance the general threw the table on its side and hid behind it taking out his kinesis knife and Laser-pistol in each hand. Ziban simply stood up and face the door, however his demeanor seemed to become oppressive and extremely threatening with some sort of translucent black fog appearing here and there on his body, the fog was moving continuously around him. After a moment past, the door exploded, and two dark cloaked individuals charged in brandishing light-swords straight to the counselor while six more armed individuals similarly dress were equipped with laser-rifles and started shooting at both representatives.

Both swordsmen slashed at the counselor, but he stood firmly in place and grabbed one sword in each hand by their emitted blades. Loud friction noise came from both hands and Ziban then lowly growled.

"Insects..." He then pulled both attackers in front of incoming laser fire killing them in the process. Seeing them dropped down to the floor, he readied himself to charge at the other 'insects' but found that Grant was on top of the last surviving assailant.

"Oh! My! I am getting old! Aaaaw ahah!" said Ziban with a merry laugh changing his demeanor instantly.

Keeping his gaze on the cloaked man the general responded, "It's not over old man... Tell me who sent you and where were you sent from... Shit."

Barely before starting questioning the man started convulsing and died. Smoke slowly came out and the body started burning up. The smell of burnt flesh started to fill up the room as all the other bodies started to follow suit. Both the general and counselor stayed unfazed in front of such a familiar sight.

"Well, I must say they are quite thorough. I'm quite jealous of their method of erasing evidence..." Ziban said, contemplating the scene.

General Grant looked around, trying to get any information of the attackers, but abandon the notion: the weapons could have been bought in any shop or black market and everything personal that could be used as a clue was burnt away with the body. He then looked up to his 'colleague'.

"This site is compromised. You have the information and I will contact you later for the next meeting. It is quite weird saying this, but... stay safe until then."

"Worried for my well-being, are we? Ahaha!" Ziban let out an ominous laugh staring at Grant directly.

"No" he answered, not giving any ground. "Simply put, you are the only mildly sane one on the counsel that I can cooperate without too many incidents... Also, I wish to kill you myself."

"And here I was expecting to have made some progress in our relationship."

Without another word both stared at each other and left the scene. Exiting the luxurious room, a buzzling crowed appeared. They were at a high-class restaurant and the commotion was heard up to the exterior and with swift steps the two-man disappeared into the crowed.