With the Drengin effectively gone as a superpower, my work in Gal Civ was almost done - all I needed to do now was acquire whatever tech the Mithralar had left behind, figure out what to do to the Dread Lrods, attend whatever follow-up peace celebration the Coalition had planned, then return home.

The first of those was probably going to take the longest, seeing how I had no idea where the last Mithralar was-why is an unknown ship hailing me?

...Well, might as well answer him.

"Hello, who is this?"

"I'm surprised you do not know. I am Draginol, the Dark Mithralar. I ha thought that you would know who I am."

"Why?"

"I was one of those present at the signing of the peace accords."

"What peace accords?"

"...You do not know what I am talking about?"

"No."

"Then I believe that is irrelevant."

"What do you me-yes, that is irrelevant."

WHAT THE HELL!?

"Indeed. Well then, as it stands, I do not desire formalities, and I do not believe you desire them either. Therefore, I believe that I should simply get to the topic at hand: you desire the technologies of the Mithralar, do you not?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then you shall have them. My only request is that you leave my kind alone. Our quintet does not wish to be removed from the shadows. Is that acceptable?"

"OF course it is, Bradley...can I call you that?"

"...It seems you are more well informed than I had thought. As for your question, yes, you may. In regards to the technology, here it is."

A moment later, I received a large burst of data. Examination revealed that it contained the sum total of the Mithralars' knowledge, including perfect versions of some of the tech I'd gained from the Arnor and Dread Lords. Among those perfected technologies was an advanced version of the pocket device technology the Terran Fleet had entered in Gal Civ II, except this one could actually create alternate universes. This wasn't actually that impressive, since said universes were really just empty space, along with a couple of stars and planets - rather underwhelming, all things considered. Still, I could work with this.

The minute the data finished downloading, the mysterious vessel disappeared, Draginol clearly not wanting to stay for chit-chat. Our conversation had left me with mixed feelings - on the one hand, I had so much I wanted to ask him, though my forced speech pattern likely suggested that any attempts to fish for data would be met with failure at best. On the other hand, my communique with him had all but confirmed the Progenitors had previously been active in this universe, and given what I had witnessed on the planet with the Progenitor Ruins (which had been called Mellowpark VI), it was clear they had been in conflict with the Dread Lords, which might explain why the Dread Lords were actually able to provide some resistance. That opened up a new question though: had the Progenitors been fighting the Dread Lords out of moral obligation, or had they merely been defending their interests?

One day, I would have that answered.

Alright, well, I'm probably going to be spending some time sciencing the shit out of the new tech I acquired, but that did leave one other thing that needed to be settled: how would I deal with the Dread Lords?

I mean, I'd need to find a way for them to 'make-up' for what they did to everyone else, which would include some form of imprisonment, as well as reparations, but it'd need to be somewhere where anyone who wanted to pay evil unto evil would not be able to hurt them. While I could move them over into my own universe, I didn't want to chance them trying to spit on my kindness and try to hurt my creations, even if their surrender had seemed genuine.

Great, now I had to try and find another empty universe to...put...them...in.

...I am such an idiot.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The drones labored on the planet, working tirelessly to adjust its conditions. Mountains and valleys were carved out, as were rivers. Wildlife was bred at an accelerated rate before being introduced into their new homes. Polar and desert regions were terraformed into being, then populated with life. Total time for preparations to be completed was three hours.

Ten minutes after preparations finished, a portal appeared above the planet's surface. Moments later, a strange ship passed through, covered in domes that could each house millions of people. Dozens of those inhabitants were at the edge of the domes, looking toward the virgin world, for this was to be their new home.

At the bridge of the ship, Lord Dread was also glancing down at the planet, his face sculpted in a pattern of happiness that, for once, was not brought about by the sight of conquest. Slowly, he pried it away from the planet and turned his attention back to the screen in front of him, displaying the face of the head of the Infernum Federation, the one who called himself Commander Flame.

"So, you are giving us this universe?"

"In a manner of speaking - this universe was made using a device created by the Mithralar, who, if I remember correctly, are your creators, are they not?"

"No, you are correct. They are indeed my creators."

"I thought so. Anyway, I can tell you two things about this universe - it only spans a few star systems, and it is, currently, four hours old."

"What?"

"Yeah, apparently the Mithralar figured out how to do that. Anyway, this universe may only span a few stars systems for now, but it also had a lot of nebula in it, and I can accelerate the rate that those nebula become stars and planets, should you ask me nicely."

"...There's a catch to this, is there not? You have yet to make any demands for my people as part of our terms of surrender."

"You are correct. Here are my terms: First off, you are not allowed to use the pocket universe I've made to build up your armies. I already have forces in place to deal with your people, should they try to abuse my kindness."

"Understandable."

"Second, and this shouldn't be surprising, I expect your people to pay reparations to those you have harmed. I'll send you the amounts for each civilization right now."

A moment later, the reparation amounts came through. While astronomically large, they were surprisingly generous, and the Commander had even included advice for how to pay off the reparations without going into debt.

"Do you have a third request?"

"Yes: From this day forward, until a millennium has passed, the Dread Lords shall sacrifice the right to declare war unless it is to help an ally. I WILL keep an eye on who you attempt to ally with and will make my displeasure known if you attempt to ally with another race so that you can attempt vengeance on myself or the Coalition. Am I clear?"

"...Yes."

"Good. Then please, enjoy your exile."

"...I guess I will."

Really, this wasn't really so bad a punishment. Especially given how young the universe was. It seemed that, at least for the moment, they had cheated the inevitable3 end.

...It was funny, how life went. The Dread Lords had gone to war against all creation when they realized that when the universe died, so would they, yet when they had lost to a superior foe, that foe ha given the Dread Lords a way out of that end.

Life was weird. Bu it was good.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

With the Dread Lords dealt with, I finally decided to scan the crystal that I had been given. Maybe it would shed some light on why Melissa had that weird tattoo?

The minute I scanned it, the world seemed to go dark. Then, the glowing figure of a woman appeared in front of me. It was Melissa. Or at least, an illusion.

"What you see now is but a vision of that which has already been, offered only to provide insight on who I am. Speak not to me, for I cannot answer your questions."

A moment later, and the glowing form vanished, replaced by a field of all and there, machines were at work, some digging up the soil, others removing unearthed components of what appeared to be Progenitor technology, while more still repaired the damaged ground and caused plants to sprout from the healed soil.

Eventually, one of the soil healers broke down, its legs collapsing from stress, and the myriad mechanical tendrils that carried its biosphere repairing tools went limp.

Merely a second passed before the machine was suddenly levitated into the air and reduced to its components, all connected by faint white tendrils of light. The source of the machine's failure was soon determined, removed, and replaced. A quick reassembly later, and the machine was operating good as new.

Following the light trails lead me to the standing form of Melissa, clad only in simple robes, who gently laid the machine on the ground, before the trails disappeared and the resumed operations. The minute it did so, Melissa began to wobble, and would have fallen, had she not been grabbed by the now visible, masked form of Celm. I guess perfect optical camouflage was part of omnipotence (well, that was probably a given - its called omnipotence for a reason).

"I believe that's enough for today...and the rest of the month...and the next year."

"Why? I haven't really helped you that much. I've only helped you build and repair these machines for the past month.

"Yes, but you've been doing so every single day of that month, with only six hours for rest - one for each major meal, one for actually sleeping, and the other two for leisure. You should have collapsed from exhaustion far earlier than this."

"Well, I just wanted to pay you back for what you did for me."

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't need to be paid back for what I did for you?"

"And home many times do I need to tell you that I don't care?! After all that you did for me, you deserve something in return, even if I am never able to truly repay you for your actions."

"...I never am going to succeed in dissuading you, are I?"

"No."

"I see. Very well, then may I make you an offer?"

"What will it entail?"

"A way to make yourself more useful to me, though it qould come with its own challenges."

"...are thereany conditions for receiving that power?"

"Yes: please take longer breaks, and spend some time with your followers. Tey look up to you."

"...I understand."

"Very well, then I will provde you with the means to make you able to serve me better."

The minute he finished saying this, Celm produced a bronze chalice out of thin air, as well as a knife. He quickly place the chalice on the ground, then, after a moment of hesitation, used the nife to slit his left palm. The blood from the cut fell into the chalice until it was almost full, at which point Celm gestured with his right hand and the bleeding instantly halted.

Picking up the chalice, Celm turned his attention to Melissa.

"If you drink the contents of this vial, you shall inherit a piece of my strength, including potentially limitless power. Know that I cannot teach you how to use this power, though, and that you will still be subordinate to me, for any power I give you still recognizes me as its true master. Do you still wish to consume this?"

Melissa only need a moment to respond.

"Yes, I do."

The next instant, she had taken the chalice and gulped, then quickly licked her lips to clean the red fluid off of them. Celm seemed a little unnerved by that, and so did I.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then Melissa's face contorted into what could best be defined as pure agony, while her back began to glow. Celm, clearly alarmed at the sight of his subordinate in pain, move to comfort her, only for my ROB to gesture for him to stop. A few moments later, the back of Melissa's robes burst into flame as a strange symbol burned itself into place, which I soon recognized as her tattoo. As soon as the tattoo finished burning into place, Melissa's expression relaxed, and the light began to fade.

"Thank you. I appreciate the power boost."

"You're welcome. Now please, take a rest. I order you to do so."

"Of course."

XXXXXXXXXXX

...Well, one question answered, a dozen more raised.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Just as Melissa had predicted, when the Coalition realized the war was won, they immediately set up plans for a victory celebration. That being said, its till took them some time to set up the event, allowing me to treat Rory and his siblings to their first Halloween, with Cassidy and Melissa tagging along. For once, I didn't really mind her freeloading.

When the plans for the celebration were set, I received an invitation, as well as the option to bring along a maximum of three others. Instantly, I began creating formal attire for Synais, Fide, and Kathikon. I trusted them most among my subordinates, and interaction with other humans would probably help them be more effective as advisors.

The bit of advice that they did give me for tis occasion, though, was somewhat surprising.

XXXXXXXXX

"Would one of you wish to pretend to be my significant other/date for this event?"

"I would-" began Kathikon.

"No, we will not," answered Fide.

"Wait, why?" questioned Kathi.

"We are his subordinates, and that is common knowledge to all parties in this universe, since you included our names and positions in the information you distributed to the public in this universe."

"So?"

"If we go with you, some people may assume that you pressured us into entering a relationship with you. Your character suggests otherwise, but that will not stop some people."

"Well, since I am pretty sure Synais is straight, unless you like both genders-"

"I'm not answering that, but I'm not going as your significant other - Fide has a good point."

"-then I guess I'll just say I'm single."

"I would not recommend that either."

"Why?!"

"More unsavory types might see your lack of relationships as a chance to try and seduce you to gain access to the higher echelons of the Federation. While I have no doubt you will refuse, I would suggest you try and avoid the hassle by going to the festivities with a partner."

"Well, how am I supposed to do that? I don't know any other females that would be interested in going to these festivities."

...Why were they all sharing an annoyed glance.

"Um, yes, you don," they all replied in unison.

Who were they talking about...oh.

"...no. No. Absolutely not."

"WHY!?"

"well, because...because...nevermind."

XXXXXXX

Traitors, all of them.

XXXXXXXXX

AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!