Malan took an instinctive step back, and he heard a sharp intake of breath from behind Tarai behind him that let him know that she too had been surprised by that declaration. Malan’s gauntlets this time blazed to life fully, though he managed to hold back the desire to aim them squarely between both he General and Kain’s eyes.

  Vos simply raised an eyebrow.

  “I would abandon any thoughts of fighting your way from this place. It is customary for at least two experienced Starbound to be present when a newly bonded is brought here. You noticed the first in the hangar. The other, Namhai, you’ve already met, though I’d wager you believed him gone. Both wait outside this door should you try to escape. If we are harmed in the attempt, you will be killed for treason. Otherwise, you will simply be brought right back here, regardless.”

  Malan extended his senses, feeling for the telltale pulsing of entities powerful in manipulating Celestial energies, and was almost surprised to sense both.

  “Then you’d best explain fast, General. If nothing else, my actions on Mykeser should have dedicated my willingness to put my life on the line for the right cause, and I’m not much of a fan of being backed into a corner.”

  For the first time, the General’s impenetrably hard expression softened just a touch, and he raised his hands apologetically.

  “I am aware that this is not a…pleasant revelation. At the very least, you must be aware for the need for secrecy with regards to this place.”

  Malan did not answer, but he did. A device that could undo the bonding. The very thought of it sent a shiver of revulsion rolling down his spine. The knowledge that it could even be done in the wrong hands could cause absolute chaos were it ever made public—particularly in space outside of UGC influence, where many factions fought hard for any advantage they could get over the Coalition.

  Kain stepped forward, voice sombre. “It is a relic from the Nexus’ first discovery and forms an essential lynchpin of the relationship between humanity and the Starbound. Without it, we could not co-exist in the way we do now.”

  “How so?”

  Malan blinked at the sound of Tarai’s voice beating him to the question on his own lips.

  “This,” Vos replied, gesturing towards the pillar stood at waist height beside him. “Is known as the Nullbrand. The device serves two purposes. Firstly, it is able to sever the bond between a Starbound and its pilot. Secondly, however, it is capable of binding a Starbound to an oath. This, is the choice that lays before you—the choice that underpins the entire relationship between the Starbound and humanity.”

  Malan’s fists clenched, and he could feel the Celestial energies ambient in the room begin to pulse and swirl around him as his subconscious reached for the power to match his anger.

  “So I’m just supposed to—what, exactly? Swear my obedience to you or be severed?”

  Vos shook his head sadly. “If only that were possible. I would much prefer that arrangement. Far too many of your kind are not fit for the trust we are forced to place in them.”

  “Apologies. The good general has many qualities, but diplomacy is not among them,” Kain interjected, with his hands raised placatingly. “This is a big surprise, and being antagonistic is of no help. Especially when what we ask of Tanwen is so large.”

  “I am assuming that the choice you mean for my Starbound to make is between being severed, and swearing this oath? If this is the case, may we stop with the prevaricating and simply explain the oath so he can choose? Veiled insults by association with people he has never met help nobody.”

  The General shrugged. “So be it. The Nullbrand has the required oath built in, set centuries prior to even the formation of the UGC—as I said, had it been otherwise, the terms would not nearly be so generous. Each Starbound is to be brought before the Nullbrand to swear it, or else they’ll be separated from their power so that it may be given to someone more worthy of it.”

  “Simply put,” continued Kain, “the Starbound will swear to aid the Galaxy in its struggle against the Great Enemy whenever asked, to the best of their ability. In return, the holders of the Celestial Nexus will agree to support them in their duties, to the best of their logistical ability. If they refuse the call, they will be severed from their Starbound, and the knowledge of the nature of the Starbound shall be stricken from their memory. They will be allowed to return to their civilian life unaccosted, with the protection of the holders of the Nexus.”

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  “The Great Enemy?” Malan asked, though he felt he already knew the answer.

  “And so we reach the crux of the matter. What if I told you everything the Galaxy believes about the Abyss is a lie?” Asked Vos.

  Malan frowned as his suspicions were confirmed. “Honestly? I’d believe you pretty easily.”

  The general nodded. “Given the number of encounters you’ve had, that does not surprise me. Though the reality is far worse than even you could suspect.”

  Behind him, Kain waved a hand at the back wall, and a luminescent map of the Galaxy bloomed across it in a haze of twinkling light. Vos continued as though the man wasn’t there.

  “Humanity treats the Abyss like a natural disaster. A sudden earthquake or bear attack. An unavoidable hazard of the Galaxy, that despite the level of destruction they leave, they disappear as quickly as they appear. The days of great incursions are long behind us. They are desperately wrong. Each and every rift is a terrible threat. Once opened, they do not close unless forced to by one of the Starbound. The longer a rift is open, the larger and more powerful it grows, and the more powerful creatures are allowed to spill forth into our Galaxy.”

  Malan’s jaw dropped beneath his visor. “A Rift has to be closed by a Starbound?”

  “Correct. Why do you think Namhai was able to reach you so quickly? Your work was good, considering the circumstances, and the Miotov rift was significantly weakened, but it still required closing. His fleet was able to reach you because he was only a short jump away already.”

  “But… What about unexplored space? Surely there are gaping rifts bleeding creatures into the nothing all around us?”

  “You’re half right. For some reason, the Abyss really only seems to penetrate into our reality where already high quantities of Celestial Energy already exist. Places abundant with sentient life, primarily. However, if you look at the map, you’ll see that Coalition is flanked by Independant space, and a vast amount of nothing on the opposite side. Why do you suppose we haven’t pushed farther that way to expand?”

  Malan blinked. He knew many of those systems on that side of UGC space were well-manned with the UGC’s reserve forces, but little else. It was often talked about as barren space, fit only to keep the bulk of the UGC’s reserves out of reach of hostile Independent forces.

  The General smiled grimly. “A high rate of Celestial anomaly occurrences. And therefore a high rate of Abyssal Incursions. Rifts on that flank are common, and the bulk of our Starbound allies spend a considerable amount of time sealing them to prevent Incursions spilling out across our civilian population.”

  “The fact is,” Kain added, “the Abyss are the single greatest threat to humanity’s continues existence, and the vast majority of our population sleep soundly only thanks to the unending sacrifice of the Starbound.”

  “Always, the Great Enemy is attempting to carve a permanent rend in the Galaxy and wipe us from it,” the General said gruffly, “and it is far more powerful than anybody outside of a select few suspect.”

  “This is the true purpose of the Starbound, and of the Oath. This power is yours for so long as you swear to be Humanity’s sword and shield against the reaching dark. It is the only way so much power and influence can be trusted to mere individuals. When required, you will swear to set yourself against the Enemy. In return, what resources we can reasonably spare toward that aim are yours, as well as a great deal more as a matter of courtesy. If you are unwilling, or ever refuse the call, you will be brought here and severed,” Kain finished, expression grim.

  “What of threats outside of the Abyss? Can I be compelled to fight for the UGC in other matters?”

  Vos shook his head. “We may ask—in return for proper recompense, of course—but you cannot be compelled. You’re only directive is to combat the Abyss.”

  “And the alternative is to be forcibly severed?”

  “Fighting the Abyss is the entire reason your power exists. There is no shame is saying no—I know you know better than most how terrible that enemy is to face—but if you do refuse, your power will go to another, more willing, compatible pilot eventually. The UGC supports those that refuse out of courtesy, so do not feel pressured to accept out of monetary or familial concerns.”

  Malan scowled. Fury had subsided, replaced by a sort of impotent frustration at the situation. It wasn’t as though Malan wasn’t willing to fight against the Abyss. He’d have accepted just about any order or call for aid that involved beating back those monstrous abominations with a considerable amount of glee.

  He just hated being forced. Being pushed into a corner. Had he simply been asked, he might well have said yes simply out of a desire to destroy the Abyss. Instead though, he was having his freedom to decide for himself stripped away once more. All this new power, and he was still being steered and leashed by others against his will.

  It just isn’t nearly enough. I need to be stronger.

  The thought raged through his mind over and over, even as he approached the control arm, and laid his hand upon it. A menu flickered across his visor.

  Do you accept the Celestial Oath?

  Y/N?

  ….

  You have selected [Y]

  Welcome to the Nexus, Pilot.