Chapter 889

Chapter 889

At its current speed, the ship flown by Tor would likely take several hours to get anywhere relevant. Varghese made his way closer, wary of potential tricks. However, there were no changes from the ship as he approached- and more relevantly, their barriers were down. He could sense everything contained within from the people to their supplies.

Perhaps they might have something hidden in storage pockets, but those would be less readily deployable. Varghese got close enough to reach out with his energy and start up a conversation. You know we are at war, dont you?

We come as a diplomatic vessel, the man replied quickly, but Varghese was glad to hear some nervousness in his voice. Unfortunately, we dont have clear protocols between us so we could only manage this.

You certainly didnt try to hide, Varghese agreed. Which is why you still remain. So tell me, why are you here?

We wish to exchange information.

On behalf of who? The Trigold Cluster? The Shimmering Spears?

On behalf of ourselves. One branch of the Shimmering Spears in the lower realms, and others similarly situated.

Very well, Varghese said. Change course as I direct. There is a mining outpost where we can speak.

The outpost in question was upon an asteroid, and due to be dismantled- though not urgently. Perhaps Varghese should suggest they keep a similar outpost long term. One that was able to sustain life, but without anything important to lose.

Instead of making them wait, Varghese continued the conversation after the adjusted heading. So what, specifically, are you here for?

It is in regards to the destruction of Zunrose. You your alliance wasnt responsible for that, were they? It was phrased as a question, but also as a statement.

I do believe Anton already told you about that. We are not. We were trying to take over the system the old fashioned way. And personally, I would never want to see a star destroyed. Even one of our enemies.

What do you know about worldhearts? Tor asked.

Varghese nodded. Very little, except that each occupied planet tends to develop one. It is not something that can be retrieved easily. And it appears that Mazleth had one the relatively small form of which is now located upon the planet Zunrose. There was a little scuffle there, as we were finding out this information.

I heard several Life Transformation cultivators died

Not many, compared to all of those on Zunrose. Plus, apparently, those who fled. Though we cant confirm that to be true.

It is still not a trivial matter, the man said. But it does make me worry that we have enemies that far outclass us.

Varghese didnt have to answer that to confirm his words. Here, in this system, it was quite obvious he was something more than a Life Transformation cultivator. Perhaps in straightforward combat. But the tactics your that the Trigold Cluster has employed so far are less than such. The beginning of this war came about as a virulent mold was deposited on our planets and traced back to your systems.

I think its simple enough. We are at war. If this can be proven support will be withdrawn from certain areas. More than just my branch of the Shimmering Spears, but others who are similarly inclined.

You wont stand against these people who wiped out one of your groups own systems? Varghese asked.

Do you think that we could? Tor asked in turn. Furthermore we have no reason to believe you would not mean the rest of us harm.

We dont have to annihilate all of you, Varghese said, surprised to be saying the words to a member of the Trigold Cluster. Or at least, an associate. Though we cant have any mercy on those responsible for the many attempts to wipe out entire planetary populations of our own.

Tor shook his head. I still cant promise anything. If it was a single isolated sect, we would excise them from our midst. But I cant see this happening without wider support, on some level. So we can do little but stay out of your way.

Varghese mostly believed him. Or perhaps it was that he fully believed he intended to do as he said, but also that they might still end up as enemies in the future. Still, it was better than nothing. I will consult with others on what we will share with you, Varghese said. We might ask for something in return. Other information. Not to compromise your own sects, but the Void Scrying Sect. And about those you would expect to be colluding with them. How long do you have supplies for?

Several more months. Perhaps a year, if we stretch things

Well provide food and water, Varghese declared. It was easy enough to pay for a single shipful of people to survive. Basic necessities. You will remain here until an agreement of some sort is reached.

We wont be restrained? Tor asked.

Thats unnecessary, Varghese said. You cant go anywhere important without us knowing. And the facility would actually be monitoring their actions within. Technological recordings would be much more difficult for them to predict, so they might pick up some useful tidbits of information from months of a ships crew chatting.

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All of the information they were going to share was combed through for compromising tidbits. The void ants had already been revealed, which was unfortunate, but they still had other secrets. Like stealth ships of their own, long distance scans, and various methods of recording visual information.

Ultimately they prepared handwritten copies of notes, as the originals required incompatible technology. Printed copies might even reveal more than intended about their capabilities. At least they didnt seem to understand much, as the crew members Tor brought with him had not even understood the light fixtures at first. They were easy enough to intuit how to activate, but they still commented about actual mechanics with natural energy being less involved.

Along with that, they produced a more complete copy of the Shimmering Spear technique manuals from previously seized versions. That was not to make Tor or his companions stronger, but to help convince them they were being treated like second class citizens, at best. Some people were hoping for an uprising within the borders of the Lower Reams Trigold. That was unlikely, but they could hope.

They hadnt managed to gain any sort of concrete information about how the systems destruction and worldheart acquisition had been planned, but they could reveal what their sensors had picked up of the fleet of ships, and specifically the proportions from various sects. The intention was for Tor to mention how many ships had been lost to each sect involved, hopefully swaying more to his side or at least against whoever was directly involved. They were currently assumed to be the same ones responsible for the various bioweapon attacks.

Both the Lower Realms Alliance and the Shining Cooperative were doing their best to keep information from getting to the Trigold cultivators, including rooting out spies. It was unfortunate that there was anyone who would even consider it. Threats to family or friends were not something feasible, so it was mainly greed at fault. And among the whole of their populations, there only had to be a few foolish individuals picked out. Perhaps there had been others, but they were still trying to figure out how they had been contacted to begin with.

Then again, with diviners involved a few spies in unimportant places might not matter- and critical locations were carefully vetted. Still better not to let any remain among them, but they couldnt devote too many resources to it either.

Varghese was glad for the situation, as it meant some progression in the war. Stagnation might mean fewer deaths in the short term, but it tied up resources and might give the Trigold forces a chance to plan something horrible. Varghese fully believed they couldnt win the war, but they could kill a lot of people on the way out if they didnt properly prevent it.