Dark Matter Ascension

Jace had spent a wonderful evening with Shhiv, and the two roused to consciousness inside the water-cube bed. Snuggling in the warm liquid, he just savored the time spent with her in that moment. Losing himself to just being with her.

But that was interrupted by Quinn's voice over the comms that he still had in his ear. The piece was so comfortable, he forgot it was in there. "Hate to wake you up early – but we have to move."

"What's going on?" Jace asked as he extricated himself from Shhiv, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and left the water-cube, instantly drying as he stepped out.

"Star Council schism," Quinn replied. "Mizarion is struggling to hold them together. About two-thirds of the Star Council wants to go along with his ideal of trying to make friends with the Nebula Alliance and try to align efforts, but Levi-"

"He's the asshole, right?" Jace asked.

"Yes," Quinn muttered. "He's pushing a splinter group to more militaristic paths. Wanting to go to war with the Nebula Alliance."

"And let me guess," Jace said as he pulled his clothes on and began equipping his armor, "Xera wants us to keep the peace."

"Well, either that or kill Levi and any other detractors," Quinn replied.

Jace grimaced, "Let's see if we can not do that." He glanced down at his hand. "Hey, Ollie?"

Ollie popped into existence next to him. The otter's fur was disheveled, and he looked tired. "Yeah?" he asked groggily.

Jace chuckled, "Can AI even get sleepy?"

"I was busy," The otter replied with a yawn. "We do go dormant…normally. But last night Josie and I, well, we got our 'circuits crossed', if you catch my drift."

Jace would've laughed aloud if he didn't think it might hurt Ollie's feelings. He pushed the giggles down, and just kept his mouth shut while Quinn spoke. "Levi is a piece of work. Getting him to back down is going to be tricky. But maybe a show of force will do the trick. Let him know that X and the Dark Between Stars is backing Mizarion's efforts."

"The fear factor," Jace said as he felt his confidence brimming. "Easy enough. I did kill off Star Father. I'll just use Symbol Shift (Rank 1)." He saw the small interface over the back of his hand, as the spectral symbols floated. "What was I using when I fought Star Father?"

"Black Hole and Supermassive," Ollie replied.

Jace tapped the corresponding symbols as the interface faded and the deep, black circle with the brighter, white in the center illuminated the back of his hand. Shhiv came out of the bedroom and walked over to him.

"I always did like a man in uniform," she said as she traced a finger along the shoulder of his armor. "And a space warrior uniform, no less."

Jace willed the helmet to recede and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back soon enough."

Mizarion paced back and forth inside the council chamber in Khrox. The Star Council had kept their headquarters, and he had been chosen as their new leader thanks to the actions of X. She had given him a foolproof plan to follow, and it had all gone perfectly. Except for Leviticus Smith. Levi. A man that Mizarion detested on principal alone, much less how sleazy and braggadocious he was.

The arrogant prick is so full of himself, Mizarion thought. Just thinking he's better than the rest of us because he came from a world of people with a biological advantage over most others.

There was a knock at the doors, and he turned, expecting to see Casey – but instead saw a figure shrouded in shadow. Female, with piercing, gold eyes. She spoke softly…and there was something familiar to her voice, but Mizarion couldn't put his finger on it.

"We are here to help you out," she stated. As if a veil was lifted from reality, three other figures seemed to phase into being next to her. "These are the other Signers of the Dark Between Stars. X is on your side."

Mizarion did not recognize any of them; not the man in the heavy suit of armor, or the Oslia in some type of armored robes. But the last one, in black armor…Mizarion felt fear race through him. The same person who killed Star Father, given the broadcasted recording of the fight from his helmet's point-of-view.

That armored figure spoke, and his voice was stern yet calm. "We'll be behind you. Intimidation factor. When Levi and his fellow detractors see us supporting you…see X supporting you…they'll be idiots to keep resisting this change."

Mizarion felt his mouth go dry, and he nodded rapidly at the stroke of good fortune. "I…tell your boss thanks," he said. "Our next meeting isn't until this evening."

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The group of Signers in front of him vanished, warping out of the building which Mizarion knew should not be possible. Once more he felt dread race through him. Whoever X was…they were incredibly powerful.

Leviticus Smith, Levi to most, walked through the halls of the Star Council Headquarters in Khrox. He was flanked by three other Ascendants who were members of the faction, and had hundreds that would be joining the mass meeting soon enough.

"Remember, we aren't here for violence," he reminded the most powerful allies he was able to get there on short notice. "But if needed, we'll lock down the building and force our demands."

Hearing their affirmations, he headed past the entry desk that was normally manned by the spider-centaur woman Casey. Strange, Levi thought. She never leaves that post. It's like her little slice of Khrox. That alone was slightly disconcerting…but the sheer silence that greeted him as he traveled through the building was more unsettling. The building was normally full of movement and people going about their business to support the faction's interests.

But it was empty.

He got to the elevators and headed up to the council chamber, and when the elevators opened he did not see the enormous group of Star Council leaders. Instead, he saw Mizarion, seated in Star Father's chair at the position of prestige. Standing behind him were four figures cloaked in inky blackness.

Levi scowled and manifested his Ascended Power, preparing to use a Skill. "Mizarion! What is the meaning of this?"

The white haired man stood up and his green eyes were practically dancing with excitement as they locked gazes. "Levi…meet the Dark Between Stars."

Levi felt fear race down his spine as the shroud of blackness faded from one figure. The armored figure who he had seen fight Star Father thanks to a broadcast that had been seen all across The Cosmic System by this point. "You…you-"

"X promotes balance across the universe," Mizarion said as he sat back down and the black shroud fell over the armored figure behind him. "The Nebula Alliance is willing to be partners. Equals. No more conflict between our faction and theirs…but you can't seem to give up your grudge."

Levi scowled, "Those fuckers are so cocky and arrogan-"

"Like you," Mizarion replied with a grin.

Levi practically exploded at the insult. "How dare you!" he screamed out. "I am superior to you in every way!" He channeled his energy, and thought to activate his Skill. Sonic Intercept (Rank 5). He crossed the space between him and Mizarion in a fraction of a second – but the largest of the shrouded figures intercepted him with speed rivaling that of Levi's own.

"Back off," the voice growled out. A low tone.

Levi pulled his hand back and let his fist loosen. "You…" he looked to Mizarion. "This isn't over. I'm calling a Faction Split vote."

Mizarion frowned but nodded, "Your position is known. Very well." He began tapping a few icons on the table to his side, and tens-of-thousands of System message boxes appeared. One for every single Star Council member. As Mizarion spoke, the message boxes filled in. "Leviticus Smith, Leader of the Central Committee for new world integration, has called for a Faction Split vote. You can read his positions on the dossier he sent out a few days ago."

Levi grinned as the System box appeared in his vision, and he willed the "Yes" vote to be submitted. Soon, he thought, I'll get everything the Star Council has. It'll be my faction to mold how I want!

The idea was simple enough; the Faction Split was two ways – Mizarion or Levi's leadership and chosen path for the faction to progress. Whoever won the vote had the role of leader bestowed upon them, and could make policy decisions as an executive of the Star Council. If there was enough of a contested vote, then it could result in a split. A schism. Levi would get to take everyone who voted for him to form a new faction, and Mizarion would get his votes to remain as Star Council.

Most important, though, were the assets that would be distributed. It went along lines of percentage of votes.

He watched as the large display on the wall, integrated with The Cosmic System, displayed the votes. He counted as they began to come in for him. Ten, twenty, a hundred…but then Mizarion's display exploded, leaving Levi stunned. Why? How! My faction pitch was way better!

The votes finished and Mizarion glanced over at the wall. "Well, ninety-nine percent voted for me to stay in charge, and to proceed with our current goal of friendly relations with the Nebula Alliance." He looked back to Levi, "Sorry. You're welcome to stay on…but you will be losing that committee seat."

Levi was seething. He sent off messages to all those who voted for him…and received no messages in response. He shouted, "You must have cheated! Blackmail!"

Mizarion sighed, "Levi…just leave."

Levi looked at the Dark Between Stars Signers and knew he stood no chance against them. He didn't have the power. For the first time in his life…he knew he was totally outmatched. The feeling festered in his stomach, and he growled. "I quit the fucking Star Council! I'm going to make my own faction!" he turned on his heel and stormed to the elevator – leaving the Ascendants behind who had walked in with him.

Jace let out a slight sigh of relief. What could have turned into an explosive encounter had fizzled out rather quickly. And, the person who was causing issues was exiling themselves from the faction. All in all, he thought, this turned out really well.

Xera's voice came over the comms, "Good job. Warping all of you out."

Reality shifted and Jace along with Dee, Greg, and Priam were back in the apartment building lobby. Jace let Void Stalker fade, and let his helmet recede. "Good job, Greg. You moved fast."

"He wasn't too fast," Greg replied with a grin. "Plus that Levi guy is what, Tier 5? He stood no chance at all."

Priam clicked his tongue, "Shame that he gave up on his faction. I hope he doesn't hold a grudge."

Quinn's voice came over the comms, "It'll be fine. Xera's on it."

"How so?" Jace asked.

"Levi is trying to start up his own faction. Xera is going to allow him to do so. It'll be a small, most likely militaristic faction that feeds his ego. She'll keep an eye on them, and if it becomes an issue…well, we'll step in to intervene."

Dee stretched, "That was easy to deal with. I thought this whole faction schism thing would be terribly difficult or time consuming."

"What now?" Priam asked.

Xera replied over the comms, "You're going on a journey to the center of Harkon Secundus."

Quinn was silent, and looked contemplative and sad. "You okay?" Jace asked her softly.

She nodded, "I wish I could tell Miz I'm alive...but it is safer if he thinks I'm dead still."

Jace gently put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "It's the safer bet, for sure. But that sucks. We're here for you."

She smiled softly and glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, "Thanks."