Starbound: A Space Odyssey - Chapter 172

The two Avian present were from the Icarus Federation, a Avian government made of Avians that reject the words of Kluex, the God of the Holy Kluex Church.

They abandoned the planets ruled by the Stargazers, Holy Kluex Church’s High Priests, and created their own democratic government, the Icarus Federation. The Holy Kluex Church condemned their actions and call these people ‘Grounded’ as they don’t wish to fly up to Aether, their heaven and Kluex’s home, after they die.

The Icarus Federation and Holy Kluex Church are constantly fighting each other. The Church prefer to capture the Grounded and use them in sacrifice rituals to satisfy their God, Kluex.

Because of this, the enmity between both sides only grew, day after day.

But as their technology is lacking, the Federation almost lose their fights against the Church. In the face of such situation, they asked for help from Husk, the Nova Rebellion, and Morgan, the ISU (Independent Scientific Union).

One thing led to the other, and these representatives of the Federation found themselves back at the negotiation table with Husk…

As for the last people, the Glitch in the side, they came from the planetary monarchy known as Camelot Kingdom.

The ones in the table were none other than the king, Arthur Pendragon, and his trusty knights of the Roundtable Council, Lancelot and Gawain.

Arthur Pendragon was the dark blue Glitch with some silver stripes in along his waist, arms and neck. On top of his head, there was a simple, but eye-catching golden crown with some precious gems decorating it. There was a majestic royal robe above his robotic, and metallic, body.

In the scabbard on his waist, the masterpiece created by the mysterious blacksmith Hephaestus, Excalibur, the legendary sword that granted ridiculous amount of power to those that are accepted by the sword itself.

On Arthur’s right side there it was Lancelot, the Glitch with a body completely white hidden behind a a Tier 6 armor made of Solarium.

Lancelot’s calm and robotic red eyes scanned the people in the table while his hand rested on the black sword on his waist, another weapon created by Hephaestus, the Arondight.

At Arthur’s left side, it was gray Glitch with his body beneath a red Tier 6 armor that looked almost the same as Lancelot’s, but it was clearly more damaged and older.

The name of this Glitch was Gawain and he was the welder of another sword made by Hephaestus’s hands, as all members of the Roundtable Council wield a weapon created by the legendary blacksmith. The name of the blue sword in his waist was Galatine.

As for why there were 3 Glitch in such place, is very simple, Arthur is not a legitimate king.

At least not legitimate in the eyes of the Privy Council, the oveseers of all Glitch kingdoms.

All Glitch kingdoms obey orders coming from the council, and in exchange they receive support, resources and legitimacy to better control their citizens.

Arthur fought in all kinds of wars for his father in a far away kingdom, but his father was ultimately assassinated and the kingdom fell on the hands of Arthur’s uncle.

Arthur and his knights were famous for being invincible, and as such the Privy Council rewarded the 7 knights and Arthur with weapons created by Hephaestus.

After returning from a long and ardous war, he was met with the news of his father’s death and his uncle’s take over.

Arthur was outraged and denounced such actions to the Privy Council, but he soon found out that his uncle had already earned the support of the Privy Council and that’s why he went ahead with his plans to take over the kingdom.

In a fit of rage, Arthur killed his uncle. The Privy Council became enraged that someone dared to go against their word and hunted down Arthur.

Arthur fought waves after waves of armies trying to kill him.

Seeing that he was incapable of protecting his father’s kingdom, he left the planet with his most trusted knights and his army, the 7 other members of the Roundtable Council that was about to be created by him.

Arthur found another planet and settled down with his knights and army.

There he found his own kingdom, Camelot, and also created the Roundtable Council to govern over his land with his trusted aides.

As he grew more and more and his kingdom became large with the influx of people, the Privy Council set their eyes on them and started campaigns against them once again.

Although they were still able to fend off the attackers for the time being, it was only a matter of time before they became overwhelmed by the number of soldiers the Privy Council has in its disposal.

As he faced such situation, Husk suddenly appeared and offered help, if he joined the alliance he was planning to create.

That’s how Arthur, Lancelot and Gawain found themselves on this table together with Husk, Asra, Jason and the others.

Husk tapped his finger on the metallic table to catch the attention of everybody. “I think we can begin now.” He said with his usual hoarse and emotionless voice.

Arthur Pendragon’s red eyes behind the glack visor of his head looked over Husk. A emotionless and robotic voice came from him, “Curious. Why have you contacted us this early?”

“It’s because it’s time for us to get some things straight.” Husk casually glanced at the aloof king, “Unity Day is fastly approaching. We are going to officially and publicly declare our intentions to the entire universe on that day.”

“What about Jevil?” Asra’s cold voice reached Husk’s ears, “What are we going to do with him? He has been captured for a few days already. Some of my people are getting nervous and thinking is better to end our relationship before we are suddenly sieged by Letheia and Miniknog.”

“Don’t worry about him.” Husk spoke with a reassuring tone, “He won’t open his mouth.”

“Besides…” Husk continued as he sent a glare towards Jason that was lazily on his seat, “Jason will take of the rescue mission. I gave him permission to take Fortitude with him, it’s time to show Letheia that we are lot more stronger now.”

“I’ll take your word then.” Asra rested on her. She was satisfied with the answer, [If they use Fortitude, I don’t think Letheia will stand a chance. Not as long thy don’t use their own secret weapons.]

“Now…” Husk stood up and looked at everyone in the room before smiling and saying, “Let’s lay out our plans for the future.”