beginning, the Archon’s Fist was more of a cult than a military unit. A cult that had Crusher as its surrogate deity. He only hoped that Crusher being here, in the flesh and mortal, would dispel some of that.
“The arrest and imprisonment of Fordix, without a trial I might add, was an affront. It was meant as an insult and a reminder of our place,” said Fostel, the elder of the three and the one they seemed to defer to.
“Do you have any reason why they would do this?” Crusher asked, leaning back in his seat. “This makes no sense to me. Even if they skipped a trial, which is within their power under extreme circumstances, they are required to provide a reason and a body of proof.”
“What sense does it have to make?” demanded Zetarix. From Jason’s impression he was the more hotheaded of the group and was often butting in with rash, and mostly unhelpful, comments. “Galvetor has harbored a deep resentment towards us for centuries. With Lord Felex gone, they have finally worked up the nerve to do something about it.”
“This is where we disagree,” added Mutabor, the third Praetore. “Like you, Lord Felex, I can’t see any logic in Galvetor’s actions of late. While it is true that without you our voice in the capital is muted, practically nonexistent, for them to move against us doesn’t have any obvious benefit for them.”
“Why must you apply logic to their blind prejudice?” Zetarix asked. “Has it occurred to you that—” He broke off instantly when Crusher raised his hand.
“Connimon spoke to me earlier of two factions in the capital,” he said. “That there were some underlying reasons that one or the other would be trying to gain control of the legions.”
“The Caretaker has some funny ideas,” Zetarix scoffed. “She is an able administrator, not a warrior.”
“Which may be exactly what is needed,” Mutabor argued. “She is also the only one on this entire planet who freely travels to Galvetor and interacts with the government there on a personal level.”
“Praetore Mutabor has a point,” Crusher said wearily, “and to be honest you’re all giving me a headache. I refuse to believe that Galvetor has suddenly upped and decided to wipe out the warrior class one day. Especially considering that we’re one of the main reasons they’re allowed to enjoy their private planet free of random invasions and interference.” He took in a deep breath before continuing. “Who really has a handle on what is going on here?” The three Praetores looked at each other a moment before one of them spoke up.
“Fordix,” Fostel said. “He was the one who had informants and connections on Galvetor and beyond.”
“You didn’t think any of that was pertinent information?” Crusher demanded loudly. “Please tell me that old fool wasn’t a part of this little club you have going on here.” Although Crusher seemed to miss it, Jason perked up when Fostel talked of Fordix having contacts that were beyond Gaveltor.
“He’s the one who approached us, my lord,” Mutabor said. “This was his idea. He said with you gone that we had to be ready to unite the legions.”
“And it’s also the obvious reason he was captured and imprisoned without trial,” Crusher said, rolling his eyes. “His informant was either part of a trap or was captured himself. Why was I not made aware of this the moment I walked in here?”
“We know what he means to you,” Fostel said. “Take no offense to this, Lord Felex, but we’re also well aware of your impulsive nature. We couldn’t afford to lose you too if you and Omega Force tried to blast into the prison and free him without talking to us first.” Jason, who had only been partially listening, snapped his head up.
“Yes, Captain Burke,” Mutabor said. “We know of your unit and Lord Felex’s place in it. Your, and his, exploits have been a point of special pride among us: you can exile the Archon, but you cannot take away his honor or
“The arrest and imprisonment of Fordix, without a trial I might add, was an affront. It was meant as an insult and a reminder of our place,” said Fostel, the elder of the three and the one they seemed to defer to.
“Do you have any reason why they would do this?” Crusher asked, leaning back in his seat. “This makes no sense to me. Even if they skipped a trial, which is within their power under extreme circumstances, they are required to provide a reason and a body of proof.”
“What sense does it have to make?” demanded Zetarix. From Jason’s impression he was the more hotheaded of the group and was often butting in with rash, and mostly unhelpful, comments. “Galvetor has harbored a deep resentment towards us for centuries. With Lord Felex gone, they have finally worked up the nerve to do something about it.”
“This is where we disagree,” added Mutabor, the third Praetore. “Like you, Lord Felex, I can’t see any logic in Galvetor’s actions of late. While it is true that without you our voice in the capital is muted, practically nonexistent, for them to move against us doesn’t have any obvious benefit for them.”
“Why must you apply logic to their blind prejudice?” Zetarix asked. “Has it occurred to you that—” He broke off instantly when Crusher raised his hand.
“Connimon spoke to me earlier of two factions in the capital,” he said. “That there were some underlying reasons that one or the other would be trying to gain control of the legions.”
“The Caretaker has some funny ideas,” Zetarix scoffed. “She is an able administrator, not a warrior.”
“Which may be exactly what is needed,” Mutabor argued. “She is also the only one on this entire planet who freely travels to Galvetor and interacts with the government there on a personal level.”
“Praetore Mutabor has a point,” Crusher said wearily, “and to be honest you’re all giving me a headache. I refuse to believe that Galvetor has suddenly upped and decided to wipe out the warrior class one day. Especially considering that we’re one of the main reasons they’re allowed to enjoy their private planet free of random invasions and interference.” He took in a deep breath before continuing. “Who really has a handle on what is going on here?” The three Praetores looked at each other a moment before one of them spoke up.
“Fordix,” Fostel said. “He was the one who had informants and connections on Galvetor and beyond.”
“You didn’t think any of that was pertinent information?” Crusher demanded loudly. “Please tell me that old fool wasn’t a part of this little club you have going on here.” Although Crusher seemed to miss it, Jason perked up when Fostel talked of Fordix having contacts that were beyond Gaveltor.
“He’s the one who approached us, my lord,” Mutabor said. “This was his idea. He said with you gone that we had to be ready to unite the legions.”
“And it’s also the obvious reason he was captured and imprisoned without trial,” Crusher said, rolling his eyes. “His informant was either part of a trap or was captured himself. Why was I not made aware of this the moment I walked in here?”
“We know what he means to you,” Fostel said. “Take no offense to this, Lord Felex, but we’re also well aware of your impulsive nature. We couldn’t afford to lose you too if you and Omega Force tried to blast into the prison and free him without talking to us first.” Jason, who had only been partially listening, snapped his head up.
“Yes, Captain Burke,” Mutabor said. “We know of your unit and Lord Felex’s place in it. Your, and his, exploits have been a point of special pride among us: you can exile the Archon, but you cannot take away his honor or
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