It was as if the universe itself had become restless.

  Big movements happened everywhere. Its denizens were preparing for an upcoming storm that was about to rage through the Civilized Territories.

  The Drel fought a war against the remains of a long forgotten history. Information was scarce, but what little bled through didn’t look promising. There were even rumors about sightings of ships with refugees near the outer rims. Drel civilians that fled their planets in an attempt to escape the impending doom.

  The ferocious Zulbano stirred and stretched their claws towards the borders of other galaxies. No longer content with the little territory they called home to their packs, the wolf-folk began to infiltrate less protected galaxies in the region belonging to the UAS.

  The Eltaran reappeared and, for the first time ever, opened up for cooperation with other races. They were on their last legs and hoped that their latest seeker finally found them a lead to repair their genes. It was their only remaining chance to not only save their youngest generation from dying early but avert the grim fate of the extinction of their entire species.

  Within the UAS the fight between factions became more and more heated. Hidden organisations rose, attempting to sabotage missions and technological advancement of their allies. Ommih, Humans and Mohait tried their best to keep the young alliance together, but there were opportunists and traitors even among their own ranks.

  Eden, the planet that was the UAS main HQ, became a battleground for political intrigues and schemes.

  And while the cargo ship with Robin, Alena and Happy aboard flew towards Fulan Point, where UAS soldiers were already preparing for their arrival, one more race began to stir and decided to step out of the shadows.

  Just outside of the Mereus Cluster, hidden deep within the endless void, a huge ship was drifting along. With the little light that reached this place it was hard to make out any details, but it was probably not smaller than the UAS Eschaton, the capital size destroyer that had once played escort for Robin. However, unlike the ships of the UAS or the Drel, this black behemoth was not rectangular or pyramid-shaped, but oval and without sharp edges. With the enormous, tentacle-like arms it pulled along, it resembled a squid from the deepest parts of Gaunus’ ocean.

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  Within the ship, in a big, splendorous office, a meeting was held. Four figures sat around a table and were discussing these big movements in the universe. In the back, on top of two plain poles, strange luminous clouds floated about. While they seemed to draw in anyone who laid eyes on them, the figures in the room appeared unfazed by the amazing spectacle.

  The one at the head of the table just finished his latest report and sat back down. He had the same features as the others: a humanoid body with a grey skin that looked like cracked stone. His face was missing not only a proper nose but also the ears, which put only more focus on his eyes. Two spots, shining with an eerie green glow, took in the others around the table. The figures all looked similar, even if their eyes weren’t that intensive, and were clad in wide, beautifully stitched cloaks with high collars but without any hoods.

  “These are the orders from the Council.” The man said in a language that not many would be able to recognize and even less could understand.

  There was a long silence at the table. These people only spoke with purpose, not to discuss personal objectives or play political games. For them, each word had value.

  “This will be another wave in the tapestry of fate.” Another one said.

  “They are not prepared for this.” A third said, “The young races won’t act wisely to our emergence.”

  There was another long silence while everyone was arranging their thoughts.

  “They know our value. They know better than to disobey.”

  “Contingencies?” The last one asked and looked at the figure at the table’s head.

  “A show of force. Three waves. Total destruction of all their forces within the Mereus Cluster.”

  There was another long silence to let the meaning of his words sink in.

  “The Council’s decision is final. The First has awakened. We need to ensure its survival until it is prepared. Time is short, the Second is nearly done playing with the Drel and will soon return to its hunt. There is no place in this for the young races of the UAS.”

  “The Anomaly?”

  “The Anomaly shall be procured and tested.”

  Another long silence.

  “He stole one of our ships.” One said and for the first time something like amusement mixed into the otherwise stern atmosphere.

  “Bold.” Someone stated.

  “Bold!” The one at the head agreed and a small grin formed on his face, “I look forward to meeting him.”