Chapter 108: An Unwanted Suitor
The days leading up to the god Games were a whirlwind of focused, intense preparation. The "Odyssey" was given a complete overhaul, with Emma and Zara working side-by-side to fine-tune every system.
The Training Matrix in Outpost #7 was running twenty-four hours a day, with Ryan’s chosen champions pushing themselves to their absolute limits against holographic monsters and complex strategic puzzles.
The entire Sector was buzzing with a nervous, excited energy.
It was during this busy time that a new, unexpected, and deeply annoying problem arrived.
A single, magnificent ship appeared at the edge of Sector Gamma’s space. It was not a warship, but it was incredibly imposing. It was a vessel of the Technocratic Imperium, sleek and silver, designed with a cold, arrogant perfection.
It broadcasted a formal diplomatic request for an audience with Sector Lord Stone. Its passenger was a man of great importance: Lord Valerius.
Ryan had heard of Lord Valerius. He was one of the most powerful and ambitious Sector Lords in the Technocratic Hegemony, their rival power bloc.
He was known for his brilliance, and an ego so large it could probably be seen from space. Ryan couldn’t imagine what such a man would want with him, especially now, right before the Games.
But denying a formal diplomatic request from a Lord of his stature would be a major political insult.
With a heavy sigh, Ryan agreed to meet him.
Lord Valerius was exactly as advertised. He strode into the command center of the god Spire as if he owned the place. He was tall and handsome in a cold, severe sort of way, with perfectly styled blond hair and eyes the color of ice chips.