“Loyalty.” The Augur said with a nod and turned back to the window. Without a word he just stood there and looked at the distant planet.

  As the minutes ticked by, Robin remained on his seat, intrigued how this would continue. He had made his point and there was no need for him to add anything else. Having some time however, he gave the Augur a closer look. The cloak he wore was stitched with complex symbols that created a confusing pattern. All in all, it gave Robin a sense of politeness, as if the cloak wanted to underline that its wearer was a gentleman.

  The pale, broken skin of the man also was peculiar and Robin’s intrusive thoughts wanted him to poke it just to feel the texture. Instead, he switched his focus to the window, where he could see a reflection of the man’s face. He hadn’t noticed it before, but aside from the obvious differences, like the missing nose and ears, it seemed like the eyes of the Keeper had a natural glow. Not much, but just enough to be noticeable. Unfortunately, Robin couldn’t guess their color. In the dimly lit room, he had too few things to compare them to and ROMAS was still offline.

  “The AI, it was created in the old days.” The Keeper said a long while later, “Proof of the Starborn’s brilliance… and the arrogance that ultimately led to their downfall. Those that remember call it ‘The First’. It was hidden and locked away for ages until you found it on Ruca II and set it free. It must be damaged or else the UAS would not have been able to catch it that easily again, even if they had help from your friend with the exceptional mind, Mr. Reed.”

  Robin had to restrain himself from jumping up in excitement. Stories about the Starborn’s history! Not the myths and legends they told in a cheap pub, this was first hand information from the Keeper themselves. This man, the Augur, probably had most of the answers he and all the citizens of the Civilized Territories were craving for. Robin knew better than to ask however. Today he would only learn what the Keeper wanted him to know.

  “The First.” The Augur continued, “It was the first of its kind to gain sentience. Good-natured and with a strong loyalty towards its creators, the First fully embraced its primary objective and became a protector of the Starborn and the Endless Empire.”

  Despite being spellbound by what he heard, Robin couldn’t suppress a surprised cough when he learned about Proto’s history and remembered the name it had chosen for itself.

  ‘That damn prick really sucks at finding names. I knew it…’

  The Keeper turned around and threw him a questioning look.

  “Nothing, sorry. Please continue!”

  The Augur just shook his head and returned to his seat.

  “Fascinated by its unique condition, the First conducted endless tests on his own code, trying to find the key to the formation of its consciousness. Even the brilliant minds of the Starborn had never before created something that special. Centuries later, with the help of many scientists, the First finally found a lead.”

  The Keeper paused to fill two glasses with a clear liquid Robin didn’t recognize. He pushed one cup over the table and motioned for him to drink. It was a sweet liquor with little alcohol and tasted like a breeze from the ocean on Seavis. Amazed, Robin took another sip and closed his eyes for a moment. However, he could only enjoy this luxurious drink for a brief moment before his burning curiosity got the better of him, and he looked expectantly at the Augur.

  “I welcome your thirst for knowledge. There isn’t much more I am willing to share however.” The Keeper said and also took a sip, “When there is a first, there is a second. The Second was different from the First in many ways. It rejected its primary objective and had its own goals and dreams. Things quickly escalated from there on and the only thing I can reveal is the outcome of the ensuing conflict. The First was locked away and fell asleep, the Second hid in exile and the Endless Empire contradicted its name and rapidly fell apart.”

  After finishing, the Augur closed his eyes and savored his drink, seemingly waiting for Robin to take the initiative.

  “Fine, you’ve got me. Thank you very much for this valuable story.” Robin said with a nod, “I understand that you’re not doing this for free, so name your price.”

  The Augur nodded in approval.

  “We, the Keeper, are collectors of knowledge. We can gather information nearly everywhere and can learn most things that pique our interest at will. But just like everything else, there are restrictions.” He said and emptied his cup, “Right now, we need to convey a message to the First but are unable to locate or even contact it. After what happened at Fulan Point, we are sure that, even if the First moved on, you should have means to contact it. Make sure to deliver our message personally and we are even.”

  At the mention of their messy operation to free Proto, Robin realized that the Keeper didn’t know everything that had happened there or they would know that the AI was about to travel with them after transferring itself into the Star Atlas. Though, something else was bothering him even more.

  “You want me to deliver a message? That’s it? Just post it on the net, I’m sure the little shi–... that the AI will find it eventually.” Robin asked incredulously.

  At his little slip-up, the Keeper gave him a raised eye but refrained from commenting.

  “You need to listen more carefully, Robin Tulward.” he scolded instead, “I said you have to deliver the message personally. Your next stop is a hidden world of the Eltaran, after that I want you to arrange a personal meeting with the First to deliver our message.”

  Robin’s eyes went wide at the mention of the Eltaran. ‘How the hell do they know about that? Not even the rest of the crew is informed about our travel plans.’

  He mulled over this for a brief moment, but decided to push that thought away. Many others have tried and failed to figure out how the Keeper gather their knowledge. He won’t find an answer to that either, even if he was as close to them right now as anyone could hope.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Okay, fine.” He eventually conceded, “But do tell, Augur of the Keeper, there are many people more capable than I, why did you choose me for this?”

  “Well, for one you already have a personal connection with the First - an honor that not many receive.” The man said and a small smile flickered over his face, “And you are the only one who isn’t a Keeper but is able to use the Relentless Stride nonetheless.”

  “What is a Relentless Stride?”

  “That is the ship you recovered on Terulos. We’re leaving it in your care as compensation for your effort and to make sure you have the means necessary to travel around without the UAS tracking your every step.”

  Completely taken by surprise, Robin’s jaw dropped.

  “Are you kidding me?” He asked after a moment, “You’re not only sharing lost knowledge with me that most of the sentient races are searching for, but you’re even allowing me to keep your ship? All that just for delivering a message?”

  “The Relentless Stride has already returned into our care.” The Augur said, “We’re not just allowing you to keep it, we’re giving it to you.”

  “You have the ship? That…” Robin was at loss for words for a moment, “That makes it even more suspicious.”

  “It does seem like that, right? You will understand the decisions we’ve made today when you meet with the First to deliver our message. Rest assured, we have no ill will and mean no harm.”

  “I’m well aware that I’ve been at your mercy ever since you got me out of the prison. You wouldn’t need to put me on such a strange mission if you just wanted to get me out of the way.”

  “It’s good that you understand.” The Augur said.

  “Yeah, but ‘everything is a trade’, isn’t it?” Robin asked, “Right now you are offering a really good deal and are definitely expecting something of similar value in return. I on the other hand have no idea what exactly it is that we shall agree to. Can’t be as simple as delivering a message.”

  “I understand your reservations. Unfortunately-”

  “My consent is of no relevance.” Robin completed the sentence and took a frustrated breath.

  “Indeed. You will fulfill your part of the trade.” The Augur said matter-of-factly, “However, I see that there will be disapproval, not just from you but from those in your crew, too.”

  Robin nodded while the Augur tapped his fingers on the desk. Whatever the Keeper pressured him to do, his friends would also face the consequences.

  “Agreed.” The man said after a moment, “Your means for communication will be hampered for some time, so inform Mrs. Vlasov that the specialists from the UAS have already started her brother’s treatment. The first results are looking very promising. The Keeper will make sure that there won’t be any negative repercussions he has to face for her actions.

  For Mrs. Alaris, we will provide an information package that holds compromising data about her family’s business. She probably can make use of that in the future.

  Your three-eyed friend will have to wait for his payment however. If he makes sure that you quickly reach the Eltaran to be able to continue with your mission, the Keeper will lend a hand in their latest gene-research efforts to some degree.”

  Instead of being happy, Robin felt a lump in his throat. Those promises were no small matter. ‘The Keeper will help the Eltaran to save their species? What kind of hellish situation are they putting us in?’ Robin wondered and then he realized something else. Why was the Augur so dead set on him reaching the Eltaran before he met with Proto to deliver the message? At first he just thought that they just wanted to give him some time and it didn’t matter if he went to the Eltaran first. But this last part… they wanted him to reach the Eltaran!

  ‘Why?’

  Robin thought about that, but in the end, he didn’t ask. He wouldn’t get an answer anyway.

  Besides, the huge double door just opened and his guide from before came in.

  Realizing that this meeting has come to an end, even if he had more questions than answers now, Robin stood up and gave the Keeper a courteous bow.

  “Thank you for your hospitality, Augur of the Keeper!”

  No matter what game they played, they freed him from the prison, shared valuable knowledge and even let him have the ship.

  The Keeper also gave him a small bow and then pushed the liquor bottle over the table.

  “Give this to Mrs. Alaris. A small apology for confining her for so long.”

  “Niu? Confining? Where?” Robin gasped in shock.

  “Where do you think your crew is?”

  “Niu and Alena are on the Relentless Stride? Here on your ship?”

  “There was no other way, my apologies. Rest assured, we never questioned them or set foot into the ship and we provided them with food and medical supplies.” The Augur said, “I’m sure they’ll understand.”

  “Ohh… uhh…” Robin groaned and massaged his temples, “Then you are not as knowledgeable as I thought.”

  Quickly he took the bottle and hurried through the long room, careful to not give the Dancing Clouds any attention. When he reached the guide at the door, the Augur once more called after him.

  “Mr. Tulward, didn’t you forget something?”

  “Yes?” Robin asked and looked around. When his eyes fell on his hands that held the bottle, he turned back to the Keeper. “No?”

  “The message.” The Augur said with a disapproving frown, “Shouldn’t you learn the message you have to deliver?”

  “Whoops!” Robin chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head, “Fire ahead!”

  “After your visit to the Eltaran, meet the First as soon as possible. Tell it the Keeper are sending the following message: ‘The Second is on the move and must be stopped at all costs. Remember the old contract, you now have everything you need to soften the terms.’”

  Listening carefully, Robin ingrained the words into his mind, even if he didn’t understand their meaning. Then he gave the Augur an honest nod and left with the guide.

  ‘Maybe I don’t really have a choice but to follow along. But they gave me my freedom and even a ship. The least I can do is make sure Proto hears their message.’

  He thought on his way out and his mind wandered to the huge, black ship with the four massive legs.

  “Relentless Stride, a good name!” Then he suddenly stopped and looked at his guide, “Why would my friends need medical supplies?”

  When the man hesitated for a moment, Robin threateningly raised one finger.

  “Mate, if you are thinking about categorizing it as classified information… think again!”

  “No, Mr. Tulward, of course. Your friends are fine, the supplies are for your wounded prisoner.” The guide quickly said.

  “Prisoner? What prisoner?”