With the proposal accepted by most council members, the only remaining task was to initiate the establishment process.
Although Lord Baltor and his companions knew this was going to happen, it didn't mean they would vote in favour of it. At the same time, it also meant they won't be having anything to do with the Universal Accord Commission — nothing.
Perhaps, not now, but who knew? Regardless, the Council meeting was pretty much over. Lord Basso and Jaseph handled the smaller details required for the approval and implementation process.
Naturally, this fell to the primary overseeing AI of the Council, RT-546. The AI system generated a summary of the proposal file, which was then published on the Council's dedicated website, where it was available for public review.
"We'll all be accompanying Lord Alexander to witness the creation of the Universal Accord Commission." Saying this, the three heads stood up, prompting the others to do the same. "This meeting is adjourned."
Alexander stood up as well, making his way towards the entrance, closely followed by the three heads and then the Council members. Meeting him outside were Aaron and Julia, who quickly moved to his side. Julia took her place while Aaron stood to the right.
"You were amazing in there, Alex," Julia whispered softly, making Alex smile in response. "I liked how you put those arrogant people in their place."
"You don't say…" Alex shook his head in amusement and looked over his shoulder, smirking in the direction of Baltor and his group.
Alex didn't bother isolating himself and Julia when they spoke, knowing very well that all would hear Julia's whispers of them. The looks on their faces, aware there was nothing they could do, brought an even wider smirk to his lips.
Soon, the entire council was outside, right back on the landing platform. The retainers each Council member brought along moved a few meters behind the main group. Their job was to accompany their lords and protect them from harm.
Looking up, they all saw the cruiser Alex arrived in drift closer, manoeuvring to a position above everyone. Despite the planet being many times larger than the Sun, the cruiser still appeared enormous, and it was actually hovering in orbit.
"Everyone, we'll be on the ship in a moment. Relax." Alexander instructed and then looked up. Right on cue, the giant cruiser hummed as the base of the ship lit up, shooting multiple beams towards the people below.
For a moment, a few instinctively tried to move out of the beam's path, already forgetting what Alexander just said. However, despite their levels, the beams were faster, abruptly shifting them out of place and onto the ship.
"Huh?"
Opening their eyes, the council members realised they were on the ship, and quickly, most of them looked away, quite embarrassed by their own actions.
Naturally, they had spatial hubs where teleportation was the thing. However, this was slightly different as it all happened so fast. Moreover, they felt nothing — absolutely nothing.
"Welcome aboard, everyone." Alex turned to the council members, ignoring the slight commotion going on. "The journey to our destination would take no less than half an hour."
Of course, he was lying. He simply wanted them to enjoy the journey a bit. Admiring the beauty of their universe was never a bad thing. It would also give some of them a little more perspective on certain things.
As the council members admired the interior of the space cruiser they had never seen before, Alexander continued with his words. Many on the council still wondered where the ship came from or how it had been built.
"The crew will guide everyone to a dedicated private space on the ship," Alex said, gesturing to the armoured men standing close to the walls of the ship. With his word, they stepped forward, splitting themselves and moving towards a Council member.
"Enjoy the view, everyone."
Alexander watched as the crew led the council members and their retainers to their private spaces. He noticed that a few members of the group attempted to make a digital scan of the ship when their enhanced senses failed to penetrate the walls.
To the shock and surprise, the scans failed to deliver. Obtaining the schematics for his cruiser wouldn't be possible, and there would be no spying either. Of course, communication was still open to the rest of the universe.
"Come on."
Alex gestured to Julia, leading her towards their own space. Meanwhile, Aaron rushed back to the command centre, taking his place as the ship's captain.
Once the Council members were led to their designated spaces, their retainers entered ahead to inspect the area. While unnecessary, it was protocol, especially when their senses were somehow hindered.
"All clear, my lord." A retainer stepped aside to allow Malcolm to enter.
Lord Valemont didn't waste a second, as the moment he arrived in his private chambers, he contacted Serenya, who was still in the process of claiming the discovered galaxy, or rather, cluster of galaxies.
[Lord Valemont]
The holographic image of Serenya bowed to Malcolm, showing her respect. Sitting confidently on a curved sofa with one leg over the other and the grand view of the universe behind him, Malcolm inquired.
"How far is your progress?" Malcolm asked with a straight face. "Has the boy made any trouble for you?"
Malcolm did not bother establishing a secure link or isolating the sound for communications. Moreover, what he was about to discuss was nothing new, and Alexander had already given his assurance.
[The claiming process is going smoothly, Lord Valemont. As for the boy, well, he has made no moves since he arrived.]
"No moves at all?" Malcolm furrowed his brows.
[Affirmative, my lord. The only thing we've noticed and seen him do is train in a planetary graveyard.]
"..."
Malcolm did not immediately reply, trying to see if there was an angle he was missing. "What do you make of the boy's training?"
[Nothing substantial.] Serenya shook her head. [He seems to be working on his control.]
"I see…" Malcolm went silent as he mulled over those words. 'The boy might already be aware of the UAC creation and is probably training to defend his father's claims.'
[My Lord…] Serenya's voice pulled Malcolm out of his thoughts. [How did the council meeting go? Were you able to get our situation sorted out?]
"More or less," Malcolm replied with a slight smile. "We're currently in the process of establishing a new form of order across the universe. The files are already available to the public. Access it to familiarise yourself with it. You'll know what to do once you read it."
[Yes, Lord Valemont.]
"Good…" Malcolm muttered, looking over his shoulder when he noticed space stretching through the window. They were finally on the move. 'Hah… I wouldn't have realised we were moving if I hadn't had this window. What a terrifying cruiser.'
Turning back to the holographic display, Malcolm shook his head and added, "I'll keep you updated, and I hope by the time this is completed, our new territory will have been secured."
[Understood.]
Serenya understood the directive as the communication came to an end. Left alone, Malcolm turned his gaze back to the window, finding himself quite impressed with the view.
Getting up to his feet, he moved closer to the window, appreciating the blend of cosmic colours and raging storms that would have otherwise been dangerous a few years back.
Although he knew they were moving, he could not tell how fast they were moving. The view from outside was breathtaking, allowing for ample time to appreciate it.
'To think a kid actually brought all this madness to a stop,' Malcolm could not help but sigh. 'I still wonder how all this is possible. Even with all that he has done, most of us aren't really sure of how strong he actually is.
'Then again, he's taking us to witness the birth of the UAC. Perhaps, that would give us a glimpse of what he's truly capable of.'
Despite the sphere of protection Alexander established around the Empire's territory, many were unclear about the exact details, nor could they imagine how it was achieved.
However, the fact that Alexander uses void energy to achieve this filled in the blanks for most of them. Alexander could control void energy, and the Cosmic storms and displacements had everything to do with.
More than halfway into the journey, Malcolm's AI drew his attention. "Hmm, what is it?"
[The proposal is already raising waves among the people.] The system replied. [Many have already expressed their desire to join the UAC after its creation. Some disagree with its creation, claiming it's a blatant attempt to control everything.]
'Well, they aren't wrong.' Malcolm thought. 'But as Alexander also mentioned… Leaving humans to their devices would plunge this universe into chaos.'
"What else?" Malcolm asked after a second.
[Forces that already have claims over a territory have already expressed their desire to register as soon as possible. Knowing that Lord Alexander will be in charge of the UAC is all the assurance they need.]
"Mm," Malcolm nodded, his gaze still locked on the outside space.
[We will be arriving in a few minutes.] Aaron's voice echoed throughout the ship, sounding almost mechanical. [Please remain inside your lodgings… The creation of the UAC will be visible from your windows. Enjoy the show.]
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