Chapter Two: "The Patheon"
The symbol of the Galactic Council appeared before Patriot as he and his team addressed the Inner Council at Onnar. Behind him was the peacekeeping force known as the Patheon, their ranks quite large. He-Man and Master Sebrian stood not far away, watching as the Galactic Council's symbol dissolved, the holographic imagery over with.
"As you have claimed, you come in the name of the Galactic Council," the Inner Council announced. "What is your mission, then?"
"We are to serve as Peacekeepers between Primus and Denebria. To prevent another invasion from either world."
"Your presence was not requested," the Inner Council replied.
"But it's obvious you wanted help in making sure another invasion wasn't going to occur. Hence why you went to the Galactic Council. And you summoned various warriors from other worlds, such as this man here." Patriot waved to He-Man. He-Man straightened up a little.
"We are here to help," said Mystic, a tall and lanky man with long black hair and nearly a dozen amulets hanging from his neck.
"We can offer you a solution to war," stated Fury, a man dressed head to toe in black, a cape flowing from his shoulders, and with blades coming out from all around wrists.
"Inner Council, if I may offer my voice to this discussion?" asked Werban then, walking forward.
"Of course, Counselor," the Inner Council answered.
He-Man glanced at Sebrian, then back to Werban.
Werban stood on a platform between the massive crystals that held the Inner Council and the Patheon. He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts, then spoke.
"We do not need your solution for peace," said Werban. "The fact of the matter is, Patriot, that Primus is a self-sufficient world. We have our military and – despite what I may think of them – the Galactic Guardians. With all due respect, the last thing we need on Primus are more aliens to help solve our problems."
Sebrian sighed, not surprised to hear his old rival speaking like this.
Werban continued. "Here is something else we must consider! What about payment? What are we to give you in return for your services?"
"Just what He-Man and your other alien allies receive – a place to live, military clearance, and whatever else you want."
Werban nodded just a little. "And you what of your enemies, Patriot? You had claimed to help out other worlds before. Surely you've made enemies. What if they follow you here, as Skeletor has our own He-Man?"
He-Man bit his tongue, trying to stop himself from correcting Werban. He-Man had in fact followed Skeletor to the Tri-Solar System.
"We have made peace with all our enemies. We have no one seeking any sort of vendetta against us," Titan stated, a man twice He-Man's size and wielding a massive war hammer and a large battle axe.
"Ah, yes," Werban replied, his position unmoved. "Then explain this time . . . why did you approach with your weapons targeted on our major cities?"
"A few reasons. The first being that were uncertain how you would respond to a vessel of our size entering into orbit. The second was that we were curious about your defense capabilities. We never intended on firing. We never sought to harm anyone. It was merely a test."
Werban grunted. "One that I feel was unnecessary. Inner Council, I believe that we should not allow this . . . Patheon, as they call themselves . . . to become involved in our war with Denebria."
"You have made your points quite clear, Werban," the Inner Council spoke. "Master Sebrian? We are curious as to your view on this situation . . ."
Sebrian looked down for a few seconds, collecting his thoughts. "I have my concerns. My associate Counselor Werban has made some strong points and Patriot has answered them well, I believe." He then paused again. "I vote that the Patheon remain on Primus as our guests until a decision as to whether or not to accept their help can be reached."
"And He-Man?" asked the Inner Council. "What is your opinion?"
He-Man was quite stunned to be asked this, but took in deep breath and sought the road that he felt was best. "I agree with Master Sebrian. You gave me a chance. I feel we should do the same for the Patheon."
The Inner Council went silent then. The chamber was filled with small pings from the crystals as the Inner Council spoke to each other telepathically, their thoughts focused in on the situation with the Patheon. After five minutes, the Inner Council spoke again.
"We have decided to follow Master Sebrian's words," they stated. "The Inner Council will continue to interview the Patheon over the course of the next few days until a decision can be reached regarding their proposal."
"How do you really feel about all this, Master Sebrian?" asked He-Man after the session came to an end.
Sebrian shrugged. "I am uncertain, He-Man. While the Galactic Council is known for sending out peacekeepers and mediators, for the Patheon to show up like they did . . . it makes me unsure of how to proceed."
"Werban seems quite against it," He-Man said. "That's no big surprise."
Sebrian smiled sardonically. "No, it's not. Despite his ignorance, Werban had his reasons for not wanting them here. Very good reasons."
"How would you like me to proceed?"
Sebrian tapped the end of his chin with his pointer finger, thinking. This was not an uncommon trait of the older wise man. "I believe you and the Galactic Guardians should hold a dinner to greet our new arrivals. That way, you can reach a better understand of just who they are and where they're from."
"Got it." As they reached the transport station of Onnar, He-Man paused. Sebrian looked to him. "I was . . . surprised the Inner Council asked for my point of view on the situation."
Sebrian smiled genuinely now. "I wasn't. You'd be surprised, He-Man, just how much they value what you have to say. You add a unique perspective on all this. As an alien yourself, but also as leader of the Galactic Guardians. After two years of working with us, you've earned your place in that chamber as much as Werban and I, or any of the other members of the Outer Council."
He-Man perked an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Oh yes. You are just that important to Primus. Now, as for dinner . . ."
"I'll have to apologize, my new allies," Patriot stated the next evening, "for firing at you up in orbit."
In a large reception hall in the Oasis, the Galactic Guardians and the Patheon mingled, snacking on small finger foods while the cooks prepared the meals.
"I apologize as well," He-Man responded. "But I think our actions were both sound."
Patriot smiled awkwardly. "Yes, I believe they were. Tell me, He-Man, how were you received here on Primus?"
He-Man smiled just a little. "Very well. I was actually summoned to Primus, really. The Cosmic Enforcers and the Galactic Council felt that I would be of some help to the people of Primus and would be an asset in ending the war that has torn this solar system apart."
Patriot nodded. "Ah yes. I see. Se Werban lied in the council chamber?"
"Hm?"
"Regarding your enemy – Skeletor, was it? – following you."
"I don't think it was a lie, no," He-Man replied. "I think he was just caught up in the moment. I actually followed Skeletor here."
"I see, then," Patriot then said. "Where are from, He-Man? We understand that you aren't from Primus. Where do you come from?"
"Eternia."
Patriot seemed unfazed, which was a little odd. Most aliens that knew about Eternia were amazed when he told them that. He-Man never really knew why, but it was a reaction that he had grown familiar with.
"I have heard of it," Patriot stated in monotone. "Tell me more about it."
Meanwhile, not far away, Titan was speaking with Tuskador and Sagitar. Titan was nearly ten feet tall, and almost all muscle, it seemed. He wore a long, red robe.
"So, how much can you lift?" asked Sagitar.
"More than you," Titan answered.
"Really?" asked Tuskador skeptically.
"More than both of you."
That was all Titan had to say, leaving both Tuskador and Sagitar with nothing to say. As soon as Flipshot walked by, they excused themselves.
"What's going on?" asked Flipshot.
"That was awkward," Tuskador remarked, out of earshot of Titan. The massive alien was now chatting it up with one of his fellow Patheon members, Scale – a woman who could change her size.
"Sorry to hear about that," Flipshot replied, stopping at the other side of the room. His eyes fell upon a woman sitting at the bar. She was called Genetix, a shape-shifter. Her skin was that of sky blue and her armor was shining silver.
"Yummy," Flipshot remarked.
"What are you doing?" Sagitar asked.
Flipshot smiled. "Watch the master at work."
Flipshot went walking over the bar, filled with confidence and energy. He leaned against the bar and ordered a drink.
"So . . ." he addressed Genetix, "what world are you from?"
Genetix pursed her blue lips. "Citeros 9."
Flipshot nodded and smirked. "Oh yeah? Nice place?"
"It's not bad," Genetix answered.
"Well," Flipshot began, taking a sip, "if all there are more people that look like you, then it's gotta be a nice place."
Genetix gave him a hard stare. Flipshot knew he was in trouble.
"For the sake of relations between the Patheon and the Galactic Guardians, I chose to ignore that comment. However, if you dare say something like that to me again, I'll be forced to act against you."
Flipshot shrugged his shoulders. "Don't be offended, baby. It's just my people's way."
Genetix stood up and walked off. Tuskador and Sagitar came over in her wake.
"Nice, very nice," Tuskador joked.
"Quite smooth," Sagitar agreed mockingly.
Flipshot took a shot of his drink. "Don't you worry, boys," he said to them, "I'll get that ice queen to melt."
At the end of the bar, the Patheon members Fury, Assassin, and Emissary sat, watching and observing the two groups interact.
"I assume the three of you are well trained in stealth combat?" asked Nocturna as he, Kayo, and Vizar walked over.
"You assume correctly," Fury replied.
"I'm curious to see you in combat, then."
Just as Fury was about reply, the Galactic Guardians alert bans came blinking on. Across the reception hall, the Galactic Guardians turned to He-Man and Hydron. The entire team assembled on one side of the table as He-Man patched through to Master Sebrian.
The Patheon team grouped together as well.
"What is wrong, Master Sebrian?" asked He-Man.
"We just received a transmission from Denebria. Activate the reception hall monitor and I'll send it through."
Artilla did so. The monitor at the end of the room clicked on and showed Flogg standing on the bridge of the Mothership. On his left and right were Skeletor and Slushead.
"To the people of Primus: two hours ago, I gave an order to launch a battle fleet to your planet. This is in response to your new vessel now parked in high orbit. A warship, obviously, to be used against us in retaliation for the recent invasion. An invasion that we pulled out from willingly and of our accord. The presence of your new ship is a threat to us. It will be destroyed, as will the government of Primus for daring to threaten us. Denebria out."
The monitor went out. He-Man turned back to the image of Master Sebrian.
"Our vessel is an excuse to attack?" asked the female called Healer of the Patheon in a sweet voice.
"He's a bit of a loose cannon," Hydron stated. "With the recent lull in activity, Flogg was probably itching for a fight."
"If they launched the battle fleet two hours ago, then we don't have a lot of time," He-Man said. "Galactic Guardians, prepare to - "
"Actually, He-Man," Patriot interrupted, "I was hoping for an opportunity to show you how well he can fight. I believe this just that opportunity."
He-Man glanced at the others, then at Sebrian. Sebrian looked unsure. "It's up to you, He-Man," Sebrian then said.
After a long minute, He-Man nodded. "All right, Patriot. This is your chance. Show us what you got."
Patriot turned to a red-skinned woman with short black hair. "Locksmith," he addressed, "teleport us to the Carrier."
The entire Patheon team vanished in a burst of light.
He-Man turned to the Galactic Guardians. "I want all of us in defense position. Be ready in case they fail . . . or they turn on us."