A voice filled the chamber. It seemed to come from all around me. Its tone was deep but sounded artificial. An unnatural vibration could be heard in each word.

"Welcome Malek of Soren. What answer do you bring from your world?"

I turned slowly looking high and low for the source of the voice as I responded. "Nessus?"

There was silence for a few seconds before the voice replied. "Aye, do not trouble yourself with a search for another form. I sit before you Malek. Sorens answer please."

I turned back toward the frail old man. He had not moved. I stood there both confused and amazed. I suddenly wished I had had more time to prepare. I found myself struggling to speak.

The voice asked its question once again. I heard no impatience in its tone. Infact, I heard no hint of any other emotion either "Malek? Your answer please."

The semi-transparent globes began to rotate clockwise around the room. They increased in speed until they were a solid band of light.

I squinted my eyes to reduce the glow. My confusion was growing. I had so many questions, so many possible courses of action, it became to difficult to sort them all out. I found myself unable to think clearly. I barely knew where I was, let alone what to say.

I was panicing. The great Malek of Soren was frozen like an inexperienced soldier watching his enemy rush toward him for the very first time. I had fought the same enemies, on the same battlefields, using the same tactics for so long that I had forgotten what it was like not knowing what to expect. I was just a useless body, so used to working on routine, reflex, and instinct, that I was unable to function any other way. I was not prepared for this mission. None of my previous experiences were even remotely similar.

Suddenly, the band of light disappeared. Only one globe remained. It moved slowly toward the Technomancer and myself in the center of the room.

The voice appeared again. "Do you recognize this place Malek?"

I watched the ball intently. My thoughts were racing. I forced an answer from my lips. "It is Soren."

The voice continued. "Aye, one world among billions. Soren, just another planet, but you call it home. You know of my demands, do you not?"

My eyes were locked on the image of my homeworld. I could make out the Balian Ocean, the Mountians of Hezba, the Great Chasm. The world rotated slowly revealing even more of my lords kingdom. It appeared magical, an orb of blue, green and brown. I took in its beauty from what seemed like a vantage point in the heavens.

I did not look away from my world as I answered. "Aye, I know your demands."

The voice asked its question again. "What answer do you bring from you world Malek?"

I responded almost in a daze never looking toward the Technomancers feeble body sitting to my right. "I know of your intentions. Surely there must be another way. Some agreement we can come to that would not force my kings realm into undeniable servitude. Perhaps an alliance or treaty?"

The voice responded in its unfaultering constant tone. "There will be no treaties. Treaties can be broken. There will be no alliances. Allies can turn to enemies. Your world is but one speck of cosmic dust in the universe. I do not have time to negotiate with every leader in the cosmos. Your choices are submission or destruction. What answer do you bring from your world Malek?"

I managed to pull my gaze from the image of Soren. I turned toward Nessus as I responded. "There must be other options. You can not justify murder with the prospect of peace."

The voice did not respond.

I waited in silence. I prayed I had managed to convince him that what he was doing was wrong. Nearly a minute passed. I began to grow worried. My panic had disappeared allowing me to sort my thoughts more easily, but they still ran rampant. What should I do now? Should I say something else? Should I wait for a response? Should I stick to my mission and announce Sorens surrender?

Before I could decide on a course of action the floor began to vibrate strongly. The humming which I had noticed upon my arrival grew steadily louder. After a few seconds it seemed as if the entire city was shaking itself apart. The noise in the chamber was almost deafening.

I braced myself against the tremors and yelled hoping Nessus could hear me. "Nessus! What is happening?!"

If he responded I could not hear him.

I spun around and looked toward Virgil.

He stood there looking to the ground motionless. His hands were clasped in front of his stomach.

I yelled my question to him as I nearly lost my balance from the shaking beneath my feet. "Virgil! What is happening?!"

He looked up. I could see his eyes through the visor of his helm. He closed them without responding before turning and heading back up the stairwell.

I turned toward Nessus my panic quickly building once again. I lunged forward and grasped my sword. The violent shaking of the ground threw me of balance. I ended up in the Technomancers lap with my cheek pressed to his head.

His flesh was ice cold. I pushed myself off of him frantically as hard shivers ran up and down my spine. I fell backwards sprawled on my back. His head was now tilted downward from my jarring.

I used my feet to scoot myself away from him as I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Nessus! Stop!"

Still no response.

I staggered to my feet and prepared myself to rush toward him. If he would not stop, I would force him to. I took a deep breath and grit my teeth. Finally, my reflexes and instincts were useful. Combat was at hand.

Suddenly and without warning, all grew dead silent. The hum disappeared completely. The shaking went with it.

I gripped my blade tight as my eyes darted around the chamber. I was ready to strike at anything and everything. My heart pouded in my chest. Adrenallin infused blood raced through my veins.

I yelled again even though there was no longer a need for the higher volumne. "Nessus!"

The voice responded before I could continue. It was still devoid of emotion. "I am here Malek."

I lowered my voice. "What just happened?"

The voice replied in the constant tone. "You have given your worlds answer. You may go."

I was confused. "What answer?"

The voice replied. "You were given two options, submission or destruction. You chose negotiation that was an option not available to you. Look to your world Malek. Our talks are no longer rellevant. You did not choose submission. That left your world only one possible fate... destruction."

My eyes widened. "What?! What do you..."