Chapter 147 - Pirates Part 3

"It is simple economics." Skel said. "The pirates have a vast network of routes they use to traverse the known galaxy and outposts everywhere. The federation wants to establish a safe harbor for traders to be able to do their business. Pirates hurt their bottom line, so they are spending money on trying to stop it."

"Go on." Yun said. "I still don't see how this is going to help us."

"If we can get the pirates to have trade rights, they will be well paid and no longer have to do crime." Skel said. "The federation would end up saving money in the long run as pirates know all the best routes and no one would dare attack their vessels. So, a faster movement of goods and no funds used to guard them."

"But how are you going to get the pirates to agree to that?" Yun asked. "I mean it all sounds well and good, but the likelihood of that going over well with the council of admirals is slim to none."

"Yun is sadly right." Shai added. "They enjoy the thrill of illegal activities. It is their fun and their life. I don't see them giving it up willingly. Plus, the federation would be unlikely to accept this deal either. Would they really trust their goods to the people who just recently had been robbing them and selling their people into slavery?"

Skel put out his arms in a manner as to present Zell. "Because we have a literal god on our side." He said with a big smile. "I mean would either side risk the wraith of a god? They know he is capable of reviving the dead and putting planets back together. I am sure they have gathered he can do the reverse of those things as well.

How profitable could either side be if the new god of the universe was opposed to them? Word of his deeds have already begun spreading amongst the people and a religion is forming around him. His followers would no doubt follow his orders.

If you get what I am trying to say?"

"An angry Zell equals angry supporters and a complete lack of support from the masses." Shai said. "That just might work. Neither one of those parties would want to lose their support. If the lower-level workers revolted on either side, it would cripple the entirety of the organization."

"So, you want me to threaten them?" Zell asked.

"In a sense." Skel replied.

Red lights around the bridge started flashing and a screen was forcefully opened. It revealed a tall man wearing a white suit with blue trim. He had short blonde hair and blue eyes with a saber attached to his belt.

"Pirate vessel, you are in violation of federation law." The man said. "I am Captain Vonu of the Federation. Please lay down your weapons and surrender immediately or I will be forced to turn your ship into dust. It is my hope that you value your life. This is the testament of the teachings of Zell."

Skel and Shai laughed as Zell placed his head in his hand.

"I told you it was growing fast." Skel said, wiping away his tears from laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" Vonu asked. "What part of my speech did you find humorous?"

"Tell me there Mr. Space Cop, where did you learn of the teachings of Zell." Shai asked. "How has it become mainstream in the federation so fast?"

"The first planet he touched is one of our members." Vonu said. "They have spread word of his godliness. From there we learned from the recent war of the Halions, who are also members, what the Zell values most. The preservation of life above all else. That is why we are giving you a chance to surrender instead of destroying you as soon as we found you."

"Tell me, did anyone happen to tell you what Zell looked like?" Skel asked.

"He is a man who is larger than life with beautiful white silver armor that is said to be so shiny that it illuminates spaces all on its own." Vonu said.

"And does anyone on this bridge maybe resemble that description?" Skel asked, trying his hardest not to laugh.

Captain Vonu looked around at the people on the bridge and spotted Zell. "Oh, my Zell! Is that you, my Zell?!" He immediately knelt down and bowed his head, only the top of the back of his head could still be seen on the screen.

"Whelp it might be easier than we thought." Skel said to Zell.

"Seems that way." Zell said with a sigh. [Why did I have to show off?] He thought to himself. [I hate all this attention.] "Captain, please stand up. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you."

Vonu stood up but kept his head bowed.

"You can look at me, you know." Zell said with another sigh.

"I could never dare my lord." Vonu said. "I am not worthy to look upon your divine elegance."

"It's annoying." Zell said. "Please just raise your head."

Vonu raised his head as Zell requested but closed his eyes as tightly as he could, squinching his face. "Is this better my lord?!" He asked excitedly.

"No!" Zell shouted. "Look at me when I am talking to you."

"I have angered our god!" Vonu said as he opened his eyes. "Lieutenant, take command I am no longer worthy to serve!"

"Sir!" A woman behind him yelled and began to enter the frame as Vonu left. After Vonu was gone she began to speak. "I am sorry about the captain. He has this idea in his head that Zell is the answer to all of his problems. His wife is very sick and is likely to be dead by the time he returns from his mission. He thought that if he embraced this new religion with all his heart that maybe Zell would save his wife.

So please forgive him. He is going through a lot. I am Lieutenant Miho; it is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the divine." She bowed and stood back straight. "You said you had a matter to discuss? I will act as the captain's proxy until he returns."

"Yes, I hope you end the conflict between the pirates and the federation." Zell said. "I also wish to stop the misdeeds committed by the pirates. I was hoping to arrange a meeting with the leaders of your federation. I have ideas on how everyone could be happier and more profitable."

"We too seek an end to the pirates." Miho said. "Although it is surprising to see a god among pirates. I question your true motives. Explain why are you on this ship?"

"Simple, they attacked the ship I was riding in." Zell said. "Turned out to be an interesting tale so I did not punish any of the parties involved."

"I see." Miho said. "I still have doubts about setting up a meeting with our leaders. The pirates know what the Zell looks like and could have made a double as an attempt to fool us. You could just by laying a trap. Prove to me that you are the god you claim you are."

"Will this work?" Zell asked as he disappeared from her sight, only to reappear right behind her. "Miho."

She turned and fell down to the ground on her butt out of surprise. "How did you get on my ship?! On my bridge?!"

"You said you wanted proof." Zell said. "I thought a simple display of the power I wield would be all the proof you needed."

"I see." She said as she got back to her feet. She dusted off her backside. "Alright I will accept that you are who you say. I cannot imagine any but a god capable of doing what you just did… Is what I would say if I was not aware of the Tilite's transporter technology. You will have to do better. A trick like that does little to convince me."

"What proof do you desire then?" Zell asked with a sigh.

"Simple." Miho responded. "If you are the god who did all of those amazing things, they said you did. Then healing my captain's wife would be a simple matter. Heal her, give her another chance at life and I will believe you are who you say."

Zell smiled. "You care about him, don't you? This whole idea of testing me was just to help your captain?"

"It was just the best possible opportunity for me to see your powers and judge if you are who you say you are." She replied.

Zell thought about what to do. He felt bad that the captain had devoted himself so wholeheartedly for the sake of his wife. In the end Zell found no fault with healing the captain's wife and thought it may be the fastest way other than brute force to meet the leaders of the federation.

"Alright." Zell said. "I will heal her. Please take me to her."