Cross-Compatible
"They're called The Flaming Crows, and their whole deal is protecting people from the Advanced. And like us, they want those fuckers gone," Fate explained. "As long as you and your strongest people are willing to work for them, they should be more than happy to fix your predicament."
"And how can I trust these 'Flaming Crows?'" Ythmun asked skeptically. "Moreover, how would they house all three billion of my subjects?"
"From what I understand, they have a few galaxies under their control, with millions of planets each. They have more than enough space to take you guys in."
"They also hate the Advanced as much as I do," Cait said, body relaxing when she saw Ythmun was willing to talk. "Every one of them was saved from the Advanced by a Flaming Crow cell, or other people that have witnessed their atrocities first-hand. No one there will betray you, not without condemning themselves to death."
"There's still the matter of transporting all of my subjects and staying safe both before the journey and during it. There's no point to any of this if my people die before they can be saved." Ythmun crossed his arms.
"What you and I can't handle is few and far between, Ythmun," Garrett chimed in. "And I very highly doubt that they'd send a Realized, or hell, even an Incarnation to deal with us. Those types of people don't believe anyone is willing to go against them. As long as you keep it hush-hush until the Flaming Crows get here so any spies hidden on the planet don't catch wind of the plan, we'll be fine."
Ythmun stood quietly for a while, stewing in his thoughts. "You've seen what that one thinks," he said hesitantly, gesturing to Fate. "You are sure this is safe?"
"The safest option we have," Garrett replied firmly.
The monarch tapped his foot, turning his gaze to the fearful villagers a few hundred feet away. He studied their faces, weighing his options. The terror he found in their expressions seemed to melt the stone around his heart, his face softening as his brows unfurrowed.
"They know what I subjected their neighbors to," he muttered. "They know what I did to them, and they hate me for it. That's why they cheered when they thought I died."
He closed his eyes, a deep sigh escaping his lips as a tear rolled down his cheeks. "All I want is what's best for them. But I'm not all-knowing, nor all-seeing. I'm as flawed as any of them."
He snapped his eyes open, the tear on his cheek drying instantly as he turned his determined gaze onto Fate. "Contact these 'Flaming Crows' of yours. If they can promise safe haven for my people, I will gladly fight for them. But first, I must perform the gruesome task of weeding out spies in the village," he said, eyes flicking to the frightened villagers.
"I can help with that," Cait said. "My Manifest Power lets me feel what people want, what they desire. A feeling one cannot easily hide."
"And we can stay here until the Flaming Crows get here and help you protect this planet," Fate said. "It's the least we could do for trying to kill you, even if it was warranted."
That earned a snort from Ythmun. "Fine, but I doubt I can provide you with compensation. I don't know if your world accepts our currency."
"They do, but we don't need payment. The Advanced have hurt a lot of people, and we've taken it upon ourselves to hurt them back," Fate told him.
"Very well, then contact this organization while I and your… sister? Wife?"
"Sister works," Cait said.
"While I and your sister weed out any who wish us harm." He marched off toward the village, Cait jogging close behind. Garrett gave Fate a long glance before running after the two. The villagers scurried into their homes, slamming shut doors and windows. Fate tapped his Ex-Ear, bringing the screen out as he scrolled through his contacts.
Riiiing… Riiiing… Riii – click. "Hello?" a voice asked, the confident voice of a mature woman.
"Hey, Margaret."
"Who is this?" she demanded.
"It's Fate. The one that helped you off Gregovich."
"Ah, Fate. What is it?"
"Well, I have a question for you. By any chance, can the Flaming Crows take in three billion people, give or take a few thousand?"
"…Why?"
"So, it's like this…" he explained the situation to her, telling her everything from the living palace to the mutated animals to Ythmun's eventual concession. She stayed silent the whole time, continuing her silence for several seconds after Fate finished. When she finally spoke up, it was with steel in her voice.
"Can they be trusted? We have enough spies within our galaxies already, we don't need more. And are you sure that one who calls himself emperor would be willing to take orders?"
"Cait can vet every one of them if that will ease your conscience, and I'm sure you have ways to do so yourself. But with so many people, a few ne'er-do-wells are bound to slip through. And Ythmun already gave his word that he'd work for you.
"I can tell he's a lot of things, but a liar doesn't seem to be one of them. It boils down to one question, Margaret: are you willing to condemn billions of people to the cruelty of the Advanced for the crimes of a few?"
"Don't think I don't notice what you're trying to do. Manipulation won't get you anywhere unless I already agree with what you're saying. Luckily for you, I do. Tell Ythmun we'll be there in three days with a planet-class cruiser capable of transporting all of his subjects.
"It'll be the big sphere of yellow as large as a planet, with the emblem of our organization emblazoned on the front. Until then, keep them safe for me. Don't make us waste the fuel just to pick up a planet of corpses."
"Thanks, Margaret. And say hi to Robna for me."
"Will do." Click.
"Damn, I'm glad that worked," he muttered to himself. "Thank the stars that our communication systems are cross-compatible."