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**4/Chapter 31.  Some ancient memories.**

         Nerel was certainly restless. And that didn't happen to him very often. I was beginning to have more than one indication that someone was interfering in rather sensitive matters.

-State secrets. And what Leirana de Moer told me only confirms my fears. - I thought. –

He was tempted to call Seilín  to put her to investigate that. But the young woman was very busy in her mission and it was certainly not the most suitable time to remove her from it.

"With what it cost him to infiltrate..., Nerel recalled. –

And it is that this young woman was of ciloneresa mother but born father, possessed the dual nationality. Officially listed in Ciloner's legation,  however, Nerel knew that his loyalty was on Nataclia's side.

-Even if it is because he owes me an important personal favor. "I thought. -

Meanwhile General Tirelius did not cease to give orders and give instructions to his subordinates.

-Everything must be accelerated. Before Omega is able to arm itself. - It said. -

"But, mygeneral, there is nothing to worry about."-  Leanswered his obsequious consul. - Omega will not be able to match our forces. Less with the shipment of ships of great size and power that our allies have promised us.

-Maybe they alone, no. But they have powerful friends. - He reminded him of his leader. -

            Naboth nodded, though he immediately smiled to comment to his boss.

-In line with that, I have received a message from an important legation of that Quadruple alliance. One of your representatives wants to talk to you.

"Wow, that's interesting. Do you know if they come in common agreement with Omega?

-Apparently this is an encounter that the Confederation does not know. - Naboth revealed to him. -

That brought out a smile on the general's lips. Those guys weren't fools, and if their intelligence services were moderatelycompetent,  by now they should already have an idea of the potential of Cassiopeia and its allies.

Tell that representation that I will be happy to receive you. And that we are not at all their enemies. - He pointed to his subordinate. –

"Yes, my general. And don't worry. – Triumphalistly insisted that little man. - You already know that the real potency of Omega is derisory compared to ours. I wouldn't worry. What's more, there are some worlds in the Confederacy that will soon switch to our side.

Tirelius nodded slowly. So I thought too. Planets like Andromeda or Auriga always moved to the sun that warmed the most. And in this case it was going to be Cassiopeia's.

-From Scorpio, Rigel or Centaur, nothing can wait. Newman and Testa hate me. And it's reciprocal. - Admitted. – As for Aldebaran and the rest, I am almost certain that they would remain on the sidelines. They would have no intention of going to war against us. Only the promise of help from those worlds of the Quadruple Alliance makes the Confederacy stand together.

That is why it would be of great interest to receive that diplomatic legation. Officially they had postulated neutrality,  but,  at least in the case of the yumlaincer, Tirelius guessed too close to Omega.

-Of the others there may not be any need to worry. - Analyzed. –

However, it was precisely Yumlaiance that gave the impression of leading that alliance. Perhaps those of Nataclia, who seemed his most bitter rivals in it,could be attracted. As for Ciloner and Akapler, he didn't have too much data. Therefore, as soon as he learned that an envoy from this last planet arrived, he smiled expectantly.

-I am looking forward to that delegation. - Musitó. -

In Omega, oblivious to all that, Kira and Peter strolled through a park near the government headquarters building while recalling some moments of their last adventures.

-Soon you will be granted the command of a light cruise and our trips in the Dragonfly will be finished. Maybe that trip to Leto was his last. - She sighed. –

-Well, we will start a new stage. Although with more people around. - He said without seeming worried. –

"I don't know, there's something that worries me. - The young woman then confessed to him. – A strange feeling. As if forgetting something, some answer to an important question. I don't know how to describe it. – He affirmed with an insecure tone. –

And as Peter watched her blankly, she clarified.

I started having that feeling when we were on Earth. After what Pit told us.

- That story about your previous lives? - Peter inquired. –

- Yes. - His interlocutor nodded recalling. – But not only that. I remember when we went diving with him. After your mishap,the next day,  do you remember that he took us to a quieter place? ,  was at a shallower depth.

Peter nodded, he remembered it too. They slowly submerged, this time he didn't want to venture away from the rest. Everyone wasslowly going through those increasingly dense waters, the group gained depth while losing the light of the incipient sun. In  that inner world the four floated free of weight. Pit  went on to lead the march by guiding them in a certain direction. Going down obliquely with respect to the hull of his boat that, very soon, ceased to  be visible. The lighting of the costumes was lit giving that place light. Around the boys dozens of curious fish came and went in whimsical formations that were made and undone with dizzying speed. Everyone watched in wonder at that display of nature that seemed to invite them to delve even  deeper into its secrets. Pit  told them to keep going down fast. Now there was no time to entertain yourself with that show, no matter how beautiful it was.

- I feel something special, a sense of peace surrounds meeverywhere. - Ki ra communicated Kira to the others bythe intercoms.  -

This is how others perceived it as well. The descent continued until reaching thirty  meters, thirty-five,   forty meters and a quarter of an hour of  descent. At  fifty meters began a plain peeled with eroded stones. Remains perhaps of some ancient temple submerged thousands of years ago.  Pit  landed in the center and the others imitated him.

- These are the ruins of an oldpalace. - He told them via transmitters that they all wore in theirears. - It is part of the ruins of a civilization lost more than ten thousand years ago.

-Atlantis! - Kira repliedwith admiration. - I've read things about her. And I can feel them now. It's just as you told us. I remember, these ruins  are very familiar to me. In  this place there was once an outpost.   People  lived here. And he died here when the great cataclysm ensued.

- You've noticed ittoo. - Pit commented  without seeming too surprised to testify. - This was the cradle of human civilization.

-Wow,  it's awesome! - InterveneorPeter.  -

His companions agreed  on it,  although his attention was focused more on a kind of form that he saw moving furtively between some somewhat distant rocks. With the density of the water and the precarious lighting he could not assure it, however, he seemed to have a  humanoid silhouette. Feeling somewhat  silly, and chastened from the previous experience, he decided not to comment on anything to othersand ignoreit. So he decided to join his friends who  focused their attention on the ruins and didn't seem to notice anything  else. Kira for  her part approached a column full of algae and cleaned a part of its surface a little.

- There is an inscriptionhere. It's in an unfamiliar language and I can't understand it.

"Until we see each other again," Pit replied melancholy,    telling them. - It was written by a young Atlantean before escaping.

-And  how can you know that? -  Peter inquired    in disbelief -.

"Because   that young Atlantean was myself," replied  his  interlocutor, leaving him  stunned.

Kira stunned too, seemed to try to  think. Now  and vaguely some memory surfaced in his mind.

-It wasn't just then. Already before... I remember well... my other reincarnation. Maybe even older. Those beings of light. And others of darkness...

Although those reflections were abruptly interrupted when Peter exclaimed almost leaving them deaf.

- How doyou say? So, are you sure you lived here?

- Sí,  I already told you. Andeither I was an Atlantean, Pit confirmed.  -  I know you'll think I'm  crazy,  but I found out when I found this place. Rather it was as if he already knew where he was and had to come back.

- I know, it's something that sometimes happens to me  - agreed Kira.- Vague sensations and memories of already  forgotten places. Like  now. I know I was here somehow,  but  I don't remember  how,  or  when,orwhy. Maybe in anothers  lifes.

The boy nodded complicitly, the only one who was not connected to his peers by the feeling of belonging and fusion with that environment was Peter. And it was he  who  terció  once again to try to get them both out of that self-absorption.

- Wow, how are you both! Maybe that binge is affecting you as it happened to me.

"No, my friend. I see it clearly, here or on dry land. -Pit insisted. –  I  myself was an inhabitant of this place. And maybe even more than that. You see,  many thousands of years ago there was a huge continent that occupied what are now these islands and a large part of the Atlantic Ocean. It was a place like any other until, an ancient and wise civilization coming from the stars, took possession ofit. At that time, only the ancestors of today's man dwelt in it and these higher beings wanted to help it evolve in its image and likeness. They did and even many of these advanced individuals    stayed to live here, mixing their blood with that of  humans  and creating a new people who became the first  erroneous kingdom. The  reino of  Atlantis. It happened then  that, other higher beings came again from the Cosmos. They were companions of those who settled here for the first time. Although these had no intention of joining the hybrid humans that existed now and less to the other humans, they simply evolved from the ape that their compatriots helped  create. One  of his bosses, named  Zeus...

The signal from their clocks that they should ascend interrupted that interesting dialogue. The boys returned to the surface after successfully performing all the stages of decompression.

-It has been very easy for me. - Kira stated adding. – And that I had hardly taken diving lessons.

-We did it for the tests in the academy. - Peter reminded him. –

Pit helped them take off all the equipment and finally set course for the port. There, once changed and around a table where they enjoyed cocoa and hot coffee, it was Peter who wanted to resume that topic of conversation.

- So when you were talking about Zeus  -  Inquirió  the  surprised  boy. - Wereyou referring to the terrestrial mythological god of the golden age  gwater?

- Si,it was that same  Zeus. - Pit  confirmed  that he continued. - He had problems with another of the chiefs of his world,  Cronus, whom  mythology portrayed as his father. What really happened is that there was a civil war between the two and Zeus fled to Earth with his own. There  he met a young prince of the Atlanteans named  Alectis,with whom he became very good friends. He helped him in his fight against  Cronus, hiding him from him until Zeus was in a position to counterattack and win to proclaim himself head of his countrymen. Given their great technology and their exceptional capabilities, these beings came to be venerated as gods by the primitive Greeks and other peoples who had contact with them and included in the legends that, over time,  were deformed.

- And  what  happened next? - Kyra wanted to know that she felt her mind clear  with every word she heard.  -

- Everything was ruined by the prince of the Earth, Caligastia,  a powerful being who ruled the destinies of the world and who, fearful of the strength that Zeus and the united Atlanteans could reach,  conspired against them. He managed to deceive the Greek god, making him believe that the prince of  Atlantis  wished to steal his position. Then the considered king of the gods, together with his brother Poseidon and that prince who was then residing on Earth, launched a powerful attack against  that Atlantis by submerging the entire island-continent in the sea. Very few Atlanteans escaped, including Prince  Alectis,his brother and their mother. Although the prince believed them dead after the cataclysm, they survived for years.

- I don't understand. - Peter intervened. - You told us that story of your uncle Esi  and the wars...

That was thousands of years later. - Pit replied. – That was another second Atlantis, arising from the destruction of the  previousone. I don't even know if the first one was called that. But my memories do not reach so much.

-The first or primordial was even more evolved and pure. - Kira then declared. - Those who ran it were for us like gods. But after a great cosmic rebellion they had to return to heaven and eliminated the evidence of their existence in this world. That's what happened. That's what I remember. –  Added the young woman who clarified to the amazement of her friends. - My memories of  that  other life,even older,  are now clear tome. And when the gods attacked Atlantis I had just enough time to escape from there. Of running away with my son who was just a boy while everything fell apart around us. But the aftermath of that shortened our lives and we were never able to reunite with  Alectis.

- You were my mother in my  incarnation. But you were just repeating the  previouscycle. Now I remember.  - Pit revealed    leaving everyone stunned,  especially when asserting. -  That your name is Kira, it is no coincidence.

- It was put to me by a woman very dear tome. - She explained. - My real name is Mercedes.

- Maybe in this life it is. But in reality, your real name is Kira. Queen of Atlantis, wife of  Atlas, father  of  Alectis and myself. Well, I was  Erectris. The heir to the throne.

-And  what  happened  next? - Gordon wanted to know even without being able to believe it.  -

- It happened that Alectis  became a god. According to the myth, by drinking the  ragweed that they possessed. Other more scientific versions explain it with the hypothesis that it reconverted his body genetically returning to its extraterrestrial nature. Although I don't know for sure. Then he wandered for  years, many human years on Earth until he achieved a strange gem that allowed him to travel through time and dimensional space. I believe he made contact with some of his descendants and that they fought together against the evil prince of Earth. After achieving victory he left leaving some of his offspring on Earth as new princes and still travels through space. Who knows. Maybe one day  I'll come back. - Pit smiled.   -

-And  what  happened to you and Kira? -  Peter askedhim.  -

- She and I  were reincarnated again in the next Atlantis. That was the story I told you at Arnold's house.

-And all these memories, did you carry them inside you? - Peter wanted to know in amazement.  -

- I carried them inside and I also had help to bring them tolight. And  yet, I have forgotten most of them. - The boy smiled.   -

-What do    you mean? -  He asked him his contertulio.  -

- That's something I can't tell. At  least still - replenished that boy with a mysterious tint. But Kira  had understood him speechlessly, looked at him and nodded slowly without his two friends noticing.  -

- Wow,what a story! - Peter replied with a reflective air taking up the theme of his hallucinations. (or so I wanted to think they were) – So  who were those strange creatures I  saw? Effect of oxygen and  pressure?

-No, surely it was the inhabitants of the sea.- Pitrevealed tothem. -  When Atlantis sank some of its inhabitants were held there in spirit, refusing to reincarnate or to leave their dwelling in life. There they remain as guardians of their  world, waiting for the day to return to Earth and from there return to their home planet in Space.

"Doyou mean that these beings could be in another world of this universe  yet?" asked Peter  who barely believed what he heard.

"Why not?" replied   his interlocutor. - And if so many thousands of years ago they were so advanced as to come to Earth and colonize it, now they could even have evolved more.

-How can they be? - Kyra intervened with patent curiosity, which she justified by adding. -  In a way I am one of his descendants.

- Maybe one day we will see them again. - Pit  smiled  with a gesture of hope. -  And  who knows if one day the souls of their descendants may return to their world in a ship that glows like silver. At least sometimes I've dreamed of that vision. That of a silver arrow that crosses the skies coming out of the deep waters of the sea.

-Well. - Peter sighed  who  nipped in the bud that conversation that was increasingly acquiring a transcendental tempt  declaring with more mundane overtones. – So much speculation has made me hungry,  guys.

Everyone smiled partly relieved as they drifted towards a much less demanding subjectin the intellectual realm. Peter  smiled at the  watchful eye of his friends to add.

-Soon I will have more hallucinations, but auditory. The echo of my empty stomach!

That comment unleashed the laughter of all and these melted the solemn gravity that floated even in the environment. So  they asked for something to eat. A few hours later they returned to Arnold's house. The clueless sage had come out, and his housekeeper was busy. He received them with kindness, although indicating that it was somewhat late.

-We will have dinner in twenty  minutes. Please prepare. - He pointed at them with an austere face. -

The boys nodded. At least they had the excuse for their bumpy return and  could enjoy a few  minutes to rest before dinner was  served. Kira and  Pit were left alone in the living room and he proposed pointing to the door that gave access to the back porch of the house.

-Fancy a walk?

Peter interrupted those memories, commenting with some retintin.

"So he invited you for a walk, huh?" How quiet you had it.

-A simple walk of mother and son reunited. - She just smiled. -

Although thegirl  remembered that for himself. She immediately accepted that proposal, knowing  that he was going to reveal to her something she did not want to say in Peter's presence.   The two of them came out and after a few steps towards the beach and the setting sun, he  actually commented.

- You've felt what Ithought, right?

- That's right, because  you've  allowed me. You also  possess gifts like mine. It's something I've only noticed in someone else I  know. You can  open or close your mind. Although his is a skill  acquired after much training. – He nuanced.  -

- Ours is natural. Those  beings from whom we remotely descend had that capacity, among many others.

-Is  it true? - asked Kira. - Will those beings really come back to help us? But against  what?

"It's something I'm convinced of," Pit resolutely stated, but  he added. - Don't ask me against what or againstwhom, but the Universe we know will probably face a great crisis. I know, because, like my origin, it was revealed to me.

- It was revealed to you by someone very close to you- guessed Kira before he concluded.  -

- It's true,  as close to me as my own brother Alectis was.  - Confirmed theboy.  -  I have told you all that he was able to travel through  space,  time and dimensions by becoming a god and recovering from their hands, a gem that allowed such things.  Actually, one  more example of the advanced technology of its predecessors. What I have not told your friends and you with good judgment have decided to silence is that he, being a boy, appeared to me telling me my origin and also told me about the struggles he maintained against the dark power and the servants  of this,who tried to take over this planet. My brother was helped by other gods who remained as watchmen here, but they could not do anything  anymore in the future. Alectis  warned me that, one day, not only the Earth, but the Cosmos, would be threatened by something so powerful that it would demand the union of all the worlds. Of all civilizations. He, along with other higher beings traveling through the Universe, knew this, but they could not prevent it by themselves, they would also need our collaboration. How    we should help them and when it is something I do not know. He only told me that in other worlds and civilizations similar warnings and prophecies had been given on behalf of the gods of those planets. There will be people who are, shall we say  elected, to lead the fight against what threatens us in each of those worlds.

- We may be part ofthem. - Kyra conjectured.  -

"I'm not sure," Pitreplied. - Therefore, I must still  learn more, try to extract information and unravel the mysteries of my past. I remember that when  Alectis  came and told me all this, I asked him to take me there to know the whole story for myself. But he shook his head smiling and told me that I should only deal with the future, that the past belonged only to memories and gods. You were my mother, so the instant I saw you I knew I had to tell you. Our  presences here and now are no coincidence. It is as if the alarm signal has sounded, you have to start preparing the  defense! Although we still do not know how or for when  exactly. That  is why I did not want to tell your friend. Peter  couldn't understand it like you and would be unnecessarily alarmedor,  at best, wouldn't even believe me.

"I know," muttered in solidarity Kira. -  We all have a life to live and it would be useless to mortgage it from now on based on a kind of Apocalypse still unconfirmed.

Pit nodded and looking at the wreckage of the setting sun he declared,  ending that conversation.

- Let's go back, I guess  Mrs. Hudson will be getting ready to serve  dinner.

The two boys now returned quietly, each  focused on his own thoughts. Although these were comically interrupted by the conversation that came from the dining room.

- Just a little bit - they heard Peter  plead  -

- Comeon,  Mrs Hudson, we are hungry! Serve now. - Arnold added    with the same tone  –

And it is that the tenant and host of the boys had returned from one of his scientific colloquia and was hungry, but he also failed to move the old woman, who was,  despite her venerable and sweet appearance more firm and severe than the entire staff of Omega put together, and so he opposed.

-I said not to speak! Dinner will be provided at the scheduled time. Not a minute before.

- It's that we're exhausted. We need to regainstrength. "He tried to justifyPeter.  -

-Dinner is at seven and at seven it will be served! It's already  being done, so have a little patience. Then you can get fed up. - Sentenced the old woman without giving an inch. –

Peter understood his friend Gordon when he was in similar trances. He had always laughed, although this time he suffered it in his own flesh.

- It's that I have a hole in mystomach. - Iinsisted. -

"And I almost fainted," Arnold  agreed,  telling him much more than necessary.

-As you are the young of  today and the elders  of  before!- The landlady reproached them. - Always  complaining. Surely you consent to everything. One for wise and the other for hero. But  that doesn't work here. Andyou're older and I'm not your mom. So you will hold on for seven    minutes. I don't think you're going to starve to death because of that.

Peter and Arnold  nodded unconvinced of that, for the sound of their stomachs argued otherwise. Kira and  Pit  entered at that moment laughing at that situation.

-Cheer youup, guys! - She mockingly  harangued  you even more when she added. - You have come out of worse things!

- Yes, there is no harm that a hundred yearslasts.   - Claimed  Pit  funny.  -

Between these and other jokes at the expense of the hungry, the minutes that seemed eternal to both of them were shelled. Dinner was served, they dined avidly, and then hung out with board games. That was a very relaxed evening. It was very good for everyone to relax from that intense day. When they were already exhausted they went to sleep. The next day they would have to get up soon because, apart from Mrs. Hudson's rules, they wanted to visit other places on Earth. Pit  told them that he should go somewhere else and that he would leave early, so he said goodbye to them and especially to Kira, to whom he telepathically assured that they would see each other again one day not too far away.

-And after all that, the return to reality. At least ours. - Kira nuanced, coming out of those memories and addressing his partner and friend. –

-Ours is already quite exciting. I would dare to ask for it to be less so. - Peter commented that he already remembered his partner more seriously. – things are complicated. Cassiopeia has been very quiet for some time. And that, the truth, before I would have thought great, but now I am sure that Tirelius is up to something.

-Do not hesitate to do that. - Kira agreed that she added with equal concern. – And whatever it is will not be good for the Confederation.

We have many allied worlds, although in practice that translates into little military support. - Peter sighed. –

The boy realized that he was speaking like his father. Pierre had always insisted on boosting omega's fleet. To date, he had not obtained many results from his petitions until he broke up with Cassiopeia. At last the Council agreed to undertake the construction of these heavy cruisers. In spite of everything there were two problems, the first that were very scarce, those four that were being built would not be enough before the tremendous force of their now enemies. And the second problem was that it could be that even those few ships were not finished on time. So the young man told his companion.

What Omega needs is the promise of our new allies to stand behind us. Above all, Yumlaiance is the one that plays the main role. If we have them, we will have their three allies.

"I don't know, Peter. - Kira replied with a tinge between worried and skeptical. - The Yumlaincer may be sure to give us their support, but I think other of their allies are not so convinced.

-According to what Gina told us in some of her impressions before leaving for Yumlaiance, that nerel Asety, one nataclier officer, is quite a friend of Larus Daet. Not to mention that it is your partner. And she thought he's a very important guy in her world. More than their rank appears.

As important as it is, an officer does not represent an entire planet. - Peter sentenced who proposed. – It would not be a bad idea to try to approach him and other representatives of the Quadruple Alliance.

- Like that brunette girl we saw the other day? - Kira smiled. –

Peter moved his head to answer immediately, not wanting to give rise to doubt.

-It is clear that this girl must be an agent of one of those planets. But I'm afraid he wouldn't have the authority to be useful to us. Although you may know someone who does.

That made Kira look thoughtful for a few moments. At last the girl declared.

-We could talk about it with your parents. Perhaps, by intensifying our contacts to a less formal level with the intelligence services of those planets, we would be able to confirm their good intentions with the Confederacy.

Peter nodded, according to that idea. The truth is that both were unaware of how successful they were. His enemies had already begun to take steps in that direction. The test was in the same capital of Cassiopeia. There, after a couple of hours, Tirelius was ready to receive that envoy. Sitting in his large office, the general received a call from his consul.

-Excellency, Akapler's envoy has arrived. - Nabotinformedhim. –

"Pass it on, Mr. Consul. - He was ordered by Tirelius. –

He obeyed immediately. The general was pleasantly surprised to see how an imposing woman of great beauty and stature towards her entrance into his office. That individua blonde immediately made a slight bow of courtesy. Tirelius hurriedly got up from his armchair approaching her to make the symbolic gesture of kissing her hand. It caught the general's attention that, in fact, that woman was really tall, almost as much with himself.

-Welcome to Cassiopeia. - Tirelius greeted as an armchair appeared emerging from the floor of his office. - Kindly take a seat. -

That woman did so, crossing very long legs which, despite being hidden under a thin cream pants, captured the attention of her host for a few moments. Although that changed immediately once she addressed him in a velvety and slightly low tone of voice.

"I thank you very much for your deference in receiving me, Excellency. - It was his words as he stuck his pale blue eyes on that subject. -

Unintentionally, Tirelius compared the beauty of those eyes and their expressiveness  to an iceberg. His gaze was certainly cold, despite his kind words. Although the general was already a seasoned politician and immediately took control of the situation, facing that look without hesitation, while, with an equally cordial tone, he replied.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss. Would he be so kind as to tell me who he is and who he represents?

-My name is Leirana de Moer, I am a delegate of Ambassador Akapler in the Omega Confederation.

Tirelius expected something like this, although it did not prevent him from responding with a somewhat less affable and drier tint.

I suppose your government will notignore that we are notexactly on the best terms with the Omega Confederation.

- We know. - She admitted, which she immediately added. – However, when we established diplomatic relations with the Confederation, Cassiopeia was part of it. Hence the main reason for my visit, excellence.

Now Tirelius paid even more attention to the following words of that woman who were...

We are very interested in establishing other diplomatic relations with you. Since we have nothing to do with the conflict they  have with the Confederacy.

His interlocutor did not comment on anything for a few seconds, however, Leirana remained impassive. Not even the slightest gesture on his face could give Tirelius clues about the substance of that statement. Still, the general didn't seem to be affordable to any poll either. Thus, the game gave the impression of being in tables.

-Gotomos. - The general took the floor at last. - If I have understood, you wish to express that you will not help Omega in the event of a war.

"We have nothing against Cassiopeia. – The womanreiterated, adding, however. – But we don't have it against Omega either.

- I understand. - His interlocutor nodded slowly. –

It seemed like a very clear offer. Akapler was saying that he would not intervene in the affairs between the world of Tirelius and the Confederacy. So far, that satisfied the general. However, distrustful as always and ready not to ignore any detail, the Casiopean president wanted to know the thread of a very important one.

But you are part of a Quadruple Alliance that has established an aid and cooperation agreement with the Omega Confederation.

Now it was the woman who nodded with parsimony as she squeezed out a faint smile. His retort was not long in coming.

However, when we signed that agreement, you were part of the Omega Confederation. For us it is not recorded, at least legally speaking, that you have abandoned it. Therefore, we would see it as an internal conflict.

That's the way it was. Tirelius smiled avidly now. He had declared his desire to leave the Confederacy, after the breakdown of hostilities the official document sanctioning Cassiopeia's departure from the confederative framework was not signed. Moreover, some representatives of the Andromeda government had even contacted him to try to mediate so that it did not occur. The general didn't give them an answer then, but it seemed that the time had come to do it now. And Leirana gave the feeling of  guessing his thought when he added with a tone of ironic concern.

-My government would see in the most concerned way that this rupture was consummated in a legal way. Maybe you can reach some kind of compromise. It is never too late for peace.

"Miss De Moer, I fully agree with you on that. – He answered, with visible satisfaction. –  It is not the first envoy from a friendly planet that tells us the same thing. Because, can we consider Akapler with a friendly world, right?

"That is our wish. – She confirmed. – We would also be happy to honor ourselves with your friendship, General. The same as our allies of the Quadruple Alliance. I cannot speak for them, although I know that everyone would like to establish bonds of friendship and cooperation with you and your allies.

Tirelius got up from his armchair and apparently changed the subject, to offer his guest affably.

-Excuse me, please. I don't know where  I have my manners. Would you like to take anything?

"No, thank you very much." – She declined, standing up in turn. –

- So. - Tirelius said, returning again to the subject at hand. - You see Miss,I'm a straight man and I don't like flourishes. My proposal to you is as follows. A mutual agreement at the level of our respective worlds on cooperation, friendship and even an eventual military alliance if necessary. I am willing to create a détente with Omega so that the official break does not occur. In return I ask you to advocate for Cassiopeia among your colleagues in the Quadruple Alliance.

-Your conditions seem to me to be extremely satisfactory. - Leirana declared who, for his part, requested. – In turn, we would be interested in you advocating for us to your allies. Perhaps, by joining forces, we were able to form a new confederation of worlds better suited to our future needs.

His interlocutor was more than willing to do so and after greeting him, Leirana said goodbye.

"Now I must leave you, your Excellency.  I have to convey his words to my superiors.

-I wish you a good trip. - Tirelius declared. –

The woman bowed her head slightly and walked out. I had to report again,  although,  before that, I should pay another visit.

Tirelius is very cunning, and quite pragmatic. That benefits us. - She thought when boarding a shuttle that would take her to the ship in which she had come. –

Once they returned home, after outlining the idea they had, Peter talked to his parents. He couldn't meet them on their work schedule because of the busy schedule they had. Therefore, both he and Kira went directly to the Larans' home. It was Lora who received them, smilingand  seeing that girl,  and after making them pass and sit down, the president of the Council served on this occasion asPeter's mother and proposed to him

-I hope  you    stay for dinner with us.

-Well, the truth is that it was not a courtesy visit. - Peter revealed to him. –

His mother's gesture went on to contract a little, adopting the expression of his position, to want to know.

- Is something happening? Have you figured anything out?

- Not really. - Kira intervened who immediately took care to explain to the president. – But we have had an idea.

- What is it about? - Asked his interlocutor. –

Just then, Pierre was arriving as well. He had concluded his business for the day and was tired. She was very happy to see her son and Kira there. Although as soon as he saw his wife's gesture he was immediately interested in whether something happened.

-Our son and Kira were going to tell me an idea they have had. - Lora told him. –

-Very good. I'm intrigued. What is that idea about? - Pierre asked. -

The young men looked at  each other and Peter nodded, letting Kira tell them.

You see, we've been thinking about the current situation. The bad thing is that we don't have the slightest clue as to what Tirelius may be planning. On the other hand, we know that the secret services of the worlds of the Quadruple Alliance are very competent. Perhaps, if we tried to coordinate with them, helping them obtain some information that might be of interest to them, they would reciprocate. His relations with Cassiopeia are good.

- Are you suggesting that we set up a spy network? - Lora inquired. –

-Something similar. - Peter intervened. – We know that in their delegations they have staff dedicated to these tasks.

It was Pierre who smiled, it seemed that,  even amused  by that naivety that both boys showed,to objectimmediately.

The bad thing is that it is one thing for you to know and another for them to officially admit it. No one is going to confess to you that he is a spy. Any worker in their delegations will have an official position as a cover. And from what I was able to talk to your friend Yener and other Yumlaiance high commands, they don't even trust each other, even though they are allies.

-We are aware of the rivalry between Yumlaiance and Nataclia. - Kira admitted. – Gina told us about that and other things. In addition to Yener himself, she befriended Larus Daet and Nerel Asety.

"Yes, our daughter is a good diplomat. - Lora smiled proudly who, however, immediately cooled the enthusiasm of her interlocutors. – But everything they have told her will already be in the public domain in that regard. You will see, as a veteran in this I will tell you that, one thing is what you say to someone in private and another what you are willing to admit officially.

"We already have that, Mom. – Peter smiled in turn to affirm. - And we've been thinking of a plan to earn your trust...

-Well, we are all ears. – Pierre affirmed. –

In his hometown of Guadail,Larus was reunited with his family. His parents and sisters were very happy to see him. That feeling was reciprocal.

- How is the hero of the fleet? - Yavinia greeted him after giving him a warm hug. -

-Well, something older and tired. - He smiled. –

- Old you? If you are just a little boy. – His mother, named Saina, intervened to remind him. – You are barely  twenty-two  yares.

-Well, depending on how you look at it. Our yares last a little longer than Omega's equivalents, called years. - He told them. –

- Years? What measure is that? Won't it be one that makes us older? - Inquired his father,  Robd. –

His son smiled once again, he knew his father's open and gossip-prone character. However, on this occasion, being aware of it or not, reason was not lacking.

"You'll see Dad. A year of Omega is only two-thirds of a yare of ours.

-So three seasons. - Yaviniaconcluded. –

-That's right, but not with the meaning they had a thousand yares ago. – Larus nuanced by reminding him of his sister. - Then they called the whole yare station.

"I know, I'm a history teacher at the Guadailacademy. And I only have twenty  six  yares. - He commented in a voice between funny and triumphant. –

-Well, I have nineteen yares and I don't care how they measure time in those distant worlds. But I do hope you brought me something from there.  - Terció Lainia. –

That girl, with long blond hair and brown eyes was Larus'weakness. Since she was a child, she was glued to him. Of course the boy knew her perfectly and clearly glimpsed the disappointment of that young woman painted on his face. He did not have to wait long until she added, with a very interested gesture.

- And your friend Yener? Has he stayed there?

"No, he came back with me, on the same ship, being the captain in commission of the ship. The truth has ascended in an incredible way.

"I always said that this boy was worth it. And you haven't fared badly either, son. –  Your father proudly affirmed. –

Larus shrus shrugged, merely responding with a modest tone.

-The truth is that we were in the right place and at the right time.

"As if Ishir herself had prepared it. - Yaviniaadded,  which continued withan affectionate and even maternal tinte. – My little brother always so modest.

-Well, but haven't you invited him to come and visit? – Lainiainsisted. –

- To whom? - Pretended to want to know Larus. -

Seeing his sister twist the gesture in that way amused him and even inspired some tenderness. She still looked like that little girl who was immediately angry when she was not granted a whim. And,  in fact, the young woman  clarified him with a more impatient and somewhat annoying tone.

-Well, Yener!

-No, I'm afraid he has a lot of things to do. To begin with, see your own family, guide one of Omega's diplomats and then go to the monastery to prepare for the Canto.

Here the boy's parents and two sisters were perplexed, it was Saina  who wanted to make sure and inquired.

- The song to the mother goddess Maray?

"That one, Mom. There is no other. - A funny Larus replied. –

"That guy has really come far. - The astonished Robd affirmed.–

-You would be a much better interpreter. - Sainaaddedright away. –

-No mom. - Larus smiled to explain. – Singing Maray has nothing to do with knowing how to sing. The yumlaincer who is considered more worthy and who, in addition, has special faculties, is chosen to be able to raise that prayer. It is not a matter of having a good voice but of being able to transmit with the mind.

-Well, it's a pity. You would sing wonderfully. But if it's not the Song to the Goddess Maray, you could at least sing a little here in Guadail. You still have a lot of fans. - His younger sister claimed. –

That made Larus darken his semblate a little by stopping smiling. Yavinia  immediately realized that and responded to  Lainia,even with a tone of disapproval.

-You are always with the same thing. If Larus does not want to give recitals again, hisreason  will have. Don't be so heavy.

"I was just giving him an idea. - The girl protested. –

-Nothing happens. - His brother intervened, wishing to avoid an argument, and adding with a conciliatory tinge. - He may not act before a large crowd, but perhaps he does before a small audience. At a party or special occasion.

His parents nodded, andthey also failed to understand why their son had nipped his musical career in the bud. The only one who really knew was  Yavinia. It was with whom he opened up. And his older sister would be the best guardian of his secret, as well as being his confidant for many other things. Without going any further, he went to the first one to which he spoke of Nerel.

-A nataclier, of course, I didn't expect that. - He smiled at him then, to encourage him in spite of everything. If there's anyone capable of making one of those guys care about others other than their own, it's you.

Despite the cliché of how practical and self-centered Nataclia's were, and that one could never trust them, Nerel thanked his Yavinia  for that unconditional support. He has always reciprocated, being by her side since he went from being his brother to his older sister. And now, it was precisely she who reminded him of the subject of her boyfriend.

-I hope that one day you can bring it so that we know it.

"Anataclier here?" he would spy until he discovers the crockery we have!" exclaimed his mother.

"But, Mom. - Larus smiled. – Just because Nerel belongs to the intelligence service of your planet, does not mean that you always want to be finding out things from all over the world.

-Don't be so old-fashioned, Mom! – Lainia intervened, who, for once, made a common front with her older brothers. – Those of Nataclia are our allies. Also, that guy is pretty handsome, judging by the holo photos Larus has shown us.

This carraspeó, I would not have wanted to give much publicity to that issue either. He knew his mother was going to say.

- So holophotos? ,  huh? And you have not deigned to teach any of them to your father and me. You could have sent them by  inter-light communication.

"I thought you weren't interested." – He could pretext. –

The truth is that he did send some of them to his sisters asking them, for the moment, to keep the secret. Then, with so many things to do, he forgot to do the same with his parents or to tell Yavinia  and  Lainia  that they could show them to their parents.

"How could we not be interested in meeting our son's partner?" his  father reproached him. –

"Poor Larus has been very busy. - Yavinia defended him once again. –

"I promise nothing, but when I see him again, I will invite him to meet you."   –

His family of course nodded pleased. Although it could be that it cost him much more than it seemed. Nerel ultimately belonged to another planet, was in the secret service of his world and destined for Omega. And that made Larus meditate.

I hope we can maintain our relationship. It is too much distance and also the uncertainty of when we will be able to see each other again. I wouldn't want the same thing to happen to me as that time...

Another one thinking about her future was Karie. The young woman was eager to conclude her preparation, although that did not worry her as much as her imminent date with Yener and his mother.

"Tomorrow we'll see you, and I don't know what I'll tell you. - He sighed in the solitude of his room. -

She thought about pretending to be indisposed, but it was silly, any medical android would check her out ruling that she was perfectly fit. At least on the physical plane.

-It will be better to face things. - Decided. –

And like her, many others should face their respective problems and crossroads. What they didn't assume is that it was going to be much earlier than they anticipated.

**ESPAÑOL**

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**STORIES**