Program Zero

Book 2 Chapter 23: Interview


"How much do you know about Heka?" Zac didn't waste any time.

"A great deal. I would say we know more about them than most of their own members." Nethyros smiled.

"What exactly would you like to know?" She continued.

"Do you know where they are currently located? Specifically, the location of where their leaders would be?" Again Zac wasted no time.

"We don't know where exactly, they have recently moved all of their bases of operations." Zyvaroth responded.

"How recent?" Trigger was the one to ask, as he had a suspension.

"About 16 to 20 years." Zyvaroth answered.

"I knew it." Trigger scoffed a bit under his breath.

The time they started to move their operation coincided with his birth, and mother's leaving.

"Well, where are they? A general location is more than enough." Zidane asked.

"Why do you want to know?" Sylvaira, asked.

"It's a long story." Zac sighed.

"We have time." Sylvaira responded.

"Fine…" Zac then began to tell them everything that had led up to this moment.

The looks on the Seat's faces gradually darkened, as they listened to Zac's tales. They all looked over at Lunara, as they understood why he seemed so content to assist these hatchlings. Both of them had just come into their abilities, and the 7 seats could already feel immense pressure from them. They were sure that the two didn't even realize what that was doing to them and then the rest of the Monsters here.

"I understand your desire for revenge." Zyvaroth began to speak, but was cut off by Zac,

"It's not revenge. It's punishment."

"My apologies… I understand you desire to mete out punishment. However, giving you that information, knowing what you intend to do with it, puts us in a very precarious position." Zyvaroth finished his explanation. Sage's eyes narrowed at his declaration. She didn't understand it, they were so powerful, so advanced, and yet.

"Why are you so afraid of them?" Sage asked.

Her question made the Seats tense up, only Vaerross became agitated, and bashed his fist against his arm rest.

"I fear nothing!!! I would gladly fight to the death! But I can't make a move without these cowards coming to a consensus!" Vaerross bellowed.

"Is Heka really that strong?" Trigger asked, not really believing it.

If everyone in Heka was as strong as Devin he could see it, but he doubt that was the case. Of course, if they had a large population of Persequions hidden away. He could certainly see how they could be a threat. But the use of Systems and the advanced tech these Monsters had, seemed to give them a clear advantage.

"The organization known as Heka, is indeed powerful. We have confidence in winning an all out war with them, but not without heavy losses on our side. We see no value in going to War with them." Zyvaroth stated.

"But that's not the only reason, is it?" Zac asked, picking up on the things that they didn't want to say. Nethyros sighed at Zac's probing questions and simple nodded her head,

"You are correct. While Heka alone would be simple enough to beat… we can't, because there is a being protecting them that we can't handle." Everyone in the room went silent.

Some in the crowd surrounding the platform weren't aware of this, and they began to mumble in shock. This coming for Nethyros held a different weight, as she was the most powerful of the 8 Seats, and it was said that her Mate was even stronger than she was. If she was so sure that they couldn't defeat this being, then what hope did any of the rest of them have?

"If this being is so powerful, why doesn't Heka come for you?" Trigger asked.

"And what is it?" Sage added on.

"We don't know what it is, or what it wants. And as far as Heka is concerned, I don't even know if they are aware of it protecting them, let alone have the ability to command it." Nethyros responded.

"You don't know what it is… but you know what we are?" Zac asked.

"Yes, that is one of the reasons we were so anxious to meet with you. To see if we could get a similar feeling from you, as that thing."

"Add?" Trigger asked.

"The feeling is similar but not the same." Nethyros responded.

"Do you know of anything that is higher on the food chain than a Gteju?" Zac asked.

"No…" Zyvaroth.

"Then tell me where the Heka bases are!" Zac commanded.

"Why should we?" Vaerross smirked at Zac.

"You may be Gteju, but I doubt either one of you has gone through your first shedding. You're nothing but easy picking right now. What right do you have to force our hand?" Vaerros continued.

The other Seat had annoyed looks on their faces as they glanced in Vaerros direction, but none of them denied what he had say. Trigger let out an annoyed grunt and then looked over a Lun, who was still sitting with his laid back posture.

"Tell them…" Trigger commanded.

"We should help them, because this is their planet, and apparently we have some back rent due." Lun chuckled to himself.

Vaerross and the others looked at Lun confused. Trigger and Zac combined were no older than 50 years. They have been here since humankind's first civilization.

"They are descendants of the Brood of Tiamat, Keeper of Dreams. Cefketa Sorvynth Zymuji Somnion, and Mythera Harmonia Zymuji Somnion. Also their matriarch is on the planet as well." Lun looked at the others with the same relaxed look. However, the others all stood up in their seats, not daring to sit down in their presence.

Even Vaerross seemed to be on edge. Sage's noticed their change. It seemed being a Gteju in of itself was impressive enough to make them interested, but not impressive enough to make them care. However, it seemed this Brood of Tiamat carried a great deal of weight. Sage had been curious since Zac and Trigger told Lun their names… but Tiamat…

"What are Gteju exactly? And please skip the "blessed of creation" bit…" Sage asked.

"You know exactly what they are. Every human does." Sylvaira velvety voice responded, and continued,

"Nearly every civilization on this planet has legends of them. From great natural calamities that will bring about the end of the world, or the devourers Gods. To ancient wise beasts that hold all of the world's secrets. You humans have also given them as many names as you have legends." Sylvaira looked at Sage, and could see the realization on her face. She smirked and continued,

"Ouroboros, Lindworm, Apep, Quetzalcoatl, Loong, Hydra, The Great Wyrm…"

"Dragons…" Sage whispered out as she turned to look at Zac and Trigger. She had assumed that to be the case, but didn't want to believe it. There were no real records of dragons in her Chasers files, all of it was just hearsay and legends. Most of which was heard or pried from Monsters Chasers had caught. Even then it was written off as crazed rantings of a fanatic, because monsters treated Dragons like Gods.

"OOOOOOO!!!" The Twins shouted as they walked around to stare both Zac and Trigger in the eyes.

"So that's what that eye thing you guys do is? Do it now… show us!" Roisin demanded.

Both Trigger and Zac simply pushed the two of them away, ignoring them.

"How true are the legends of Dragons?" Sage continued.

"Depends on what Legends." Zyvaroth answered.

"Dragon Fear, reverse scales, greed for treasure, infinite arcane knowledge." Sage began to list off things she was curious about.

"Dragon Fear, yes… These two have been releasing it subconsciously since they arrived. Once they have undergone their first shedding they will have a better control over it, and will be able to bring all but the most powerful creatures to their knees with it." Nethyros commented.

"Reverse scales are bullshite made to give hope, dragon's being greedy is just a stereotype. And infinite arcane knowledge… is more or less true." Ferradon answered.

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"But that's not what you really want to ask, is it?" Veydris smiled at Sage.

"Who is Tiamat, really?"

"She is the oldest and strongest known Dragon in creation." Nethyros said.

People in the crowd all gasped and turned their attention toward Zac and Trigger. No one really knew what to do with themselves. Trigger then looked at the 7 Seats and then said,

"Which brings us back to the start. Where is Heka?"

"Will your Matriarch be involved?" Nethyros asked,

"No, she said if she were to get involved, even if she held back it would be akin to a global cataclysm. So she's leaving it to us." Zac spoke. At his worlds every one of the Seats let out a sigh of relief.

Nethyros placed her hand over heart in relief. She stared at the two young dragons before her, and then turned her attention over towards the others. She knew that Lun was going to be on their side as well as Vaerross. She was uncertain about Veydris and Ferradorn. But Sylvaira… The Elven people revered the Dragons more than other races. They considered themselves servants of nature, and saw Dragons as nature's most beloved child. There was a high chance she would side with the 2 of them regardless of what they asked.

"We will have to bring this to a vote. Those against sharing the information on Heka's whereabouts raise your hands." Nethyros raised her hand and was joined by Veydris, Ferradorn, and Zyvaroth.

"Those in favor?" Lun asked as he raised his own hand. He was followed by Vaeross and Sylvaira, much as Nethyros had expected.

"It seems the nays have it, so I'm sorry to say…"

"I think you missed one." Trigger interrupted her, as he pointed towards the crowd.

The newly appointed 8th seat, Varythiel, was raising his hand in favor of helping the young Dragons.

"Seems we have a tie." Zac smiled at the 8 seats.

Sage looked over at Varythiel, who simply nodded his head and smiled at her. She nodded in return. Nethyros sighed, she could make any excuse she wanted, about Varythiel not being an official Seat yet, but it would spit in the face of what she told him earlier.

"Maybe we can come to an agreement then." Zyvaroth reasoned as he doubted either side would be able to convince the other.

"What are your plans after you have finished carrying out your punishment?" Ferradorn did not hesitate to ask.

"I can't speak for the others, but I'll have nowhere to go. I planned on moving here, with my mother." Zac responded.

The entire room collectively gasped with excitement. Nethyros in particular was excited. If they had his mother here, hell if just Zac was here and had undergone his first shedding, they would have nothing left to fear from this mysterious being protecting Heka. They'd finally be able to stop hiding from the world, and begin preparations in earnest.

"You're first shedding… well you give it to me?" Ferradorn asked, nearly licking his lips.

Neythyros immediately saw where this was going. A dragon's scales was a treasure trove to Dwarves and all those that explored the science of manufacturing. A dragon's scales was the hardest most durable substance known, and yet highly malleable when handled correctly. However, the techniques to do so were very involved, and difficult. Leading to more failures in productions than successes.

A dragon's first shedding was even more valuable. While not quite as tough as Dragon Scales, it was close, and significantly easier to handle. If Zac agreed to give it to Ferradorn, he would change his vote in an instant. So before Zac could answer she continued,

"You said that you will join us. But what will you provide? Everyone who joins must be a contributor to our Covenant. That contribution must also be equivalent to their ability."

Zac looked over at Ferradorn, who broke eye contact with Zac, trying to resist his temptation. Ferradorn was able to quickly pick up on what Nethyros wanted, and he agreed this may be for the best. Zac closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Give me a seat." Zac said as he stared at the council.

His words caused a stir in the room. Even Trigger and the others look over at Zac a little surprised by his suggestion. Zyvaroth raised an eyebrow at Zac's suggestion. He didn't immediately reject it, because they would have to be fools to not consider it. The 7 Seats looked at each other without saying a word, and then Nethyros spoke,

"There are three things that are critical to being a Seat. The first is that you can promise not to betray us, and we believe that pledge. That one should be easy, Gteju don't break promises, they are too proud."

"I can promise that as long as you have no hostility towards me and mine, you'll have nothing to worry about." Nethyros nodded her head in understanding. Sylvaira smiled as if that was a natural response that should be expected from a Gteju.

"The Second is that you need to provide an invaluable service. All Seats currently act as the head of several species, managing their affairs. Dragons aren't so plentiful on this planet. So what will you offer as a Seat." Zyvaroth asked.

Zac looked back at Sage and the Twins, then at Lun and then at the loud mouth werewolf in the crowd. He then smirked,

"I can offer 3 things. First and foremost, you have 8 Seats now, so a 9th can act as a tiebreaker, for situations like you currently find yourself in. Second, I've spent my life up to this point with humans. So the humans who are here, I can act as their leader."

"Hmmm, that's not a bad proposition, but there aren't many humans…so what is the third?" Veydris asked.

"Third… I will act as I always have. Doing the dirty work. I'll be a scalpel, cutting away the tumors that begin to fester in this society. Allow me to demonstrate." Zac motioned his hand towards the crowd, and the Werewolf from earlier, let out a yelp.

His body was dragged into the air and slammed down onto the platform in front of Zac and the others. His dirty blonde hair was disheveled as he glared up at Zac with his hazel eyes. He straightened out his tie before trying to stand up, but an unknown force pinned him on his knees. The Seats all looked at Zac and then each other.

"What is the meaning of this?" Ferradorn asked.

"Don't play coy. You all know that this little shit will be a problem, but none of you will do anything about him." Zac commented.

"I wonder why that is?" Vaerros asked with a knowing smirk on his face. However it wasn't Zac that answered it was Sage,

"You all won't make a move because he's not part of your species. I would suspect that it's something like an international affair to punish someone under another Seat's jurisdiction. And Lun over there won't do anything because he still feels guilty for leaving his Pack for 2 centuries." Sager responded, as Zac nodded his head.

"And I'm sure there are more than a few situations of interspecies crime that are politically… problematic. " Sage continued.

"So you're offer to kill our people, and have us thank you for it?" Veydris asked.

"Yes…I will also act as a deterrent for the outside world. It seems you guys have been playing it fast and loose, and because you're so superior technologically you've gotten away with it. But that won't last forever." Zac smirked, and Vaerros let out a boisterous laugh. He seemed to be on board.

"I would think of it more as, he will punish the unpunishable, by protecting Firmatha Sanguar from bad actors. Both foreign and domestic. Like a reverse Chaser. " Trigger said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"And I will bring under me anyone from any species that wants to assist. As a form of good will, and to keep everyone accountable, including myself, every seat should send at least 1 person they trust to work under me." Zac smiled.

The Seats stood there in silence. It was true that a good deal of their troubles was dealing with interspecies conflicts within Firmatha Sanguar. Things had been very peaceful, so many had been making petty political moves and schemes, to chip away at the influence of the Seats. Although some like Vaerros had no worries, as the Titan Orcs handle all conflicts with their blades.

While they weren't too concerned with outside threats at the moment, they knew there would come a time when they would have to be concerned. By the time that arrived, Zac would have fully grown into his power, and having him be their protector would be invaluable.

"You want to act as a police state?! To bring us in line or be killed?!" The werewolf still on the ground shouted in protest.

"Question, do you truly believe you can be a better leader than Lunara? Or have you just grown used to the power you've enjoyed while he has been away?" Zac pupils turned to slits as he stared at the man in the eyes. The wolf felt an unbearable pressure fall upon him as he tried to stare back. He turned his head away, and whimpered,

"I-I don't…know." The wolf responded.

"Then I'll ask a simpler question. What you did here today… was it to uplift your people, or yourself?" Zac asked.

There was no response, the wolf just hung his head and dropped his hands to the ground.

"Dragon Fear… not only does this act a form of suppression, it can also work as a very effective form of truth serum. To think you used it in such a way subconsciously. Incredible!" Sylvaira commented.

"Hmm, so what will you do with him?" Nethyros asked.

"Normally I'd kill him. It's quick, clean and easy." Zac plainly stated.

Vaerros let out a hearty laugh,

"This little lizard is to my liking!!! But you said normally, so what's different now?"

Zac smirked and then continued,

"If I become the 9th Seat, I'll be short of personale, and this one seems capable enough. So instead of killing him, I would have all his rights and privileges stripped from him, and conscript him into my service, until such a time he proves that he wishes to work for the betterment of Firmatha Sanguar."

Nethyros smiled,

"All in favor of naming Cefketa Sorvynth Zymuji Somnion, the 9th Seat please…"

"Wait a damn minute you fishy wench!" Vaerros said as he reached for his Axe, and continued

"There is still the most important part to test. Whether he has the strength to be a Seat."

Zyvaroth let out a sigh,

"Even if he isn't strong enough now, after his shedding, he'll have more than enough power to hold that position."

"Then he can wait until he sheds and comes back!" Vaerros started to laugh, as the other Seats started to groan. It was obvious that Vaerros was just looking for a fight. And fortunately for him, Zac was not one to back down from one.

"I don't have time for this shit. So get your big red ass down here so I can kick the shit out of it!"

Everyone in the room went silent, only the sounds of Trigger and the twins sniggering could be heard.

"You, mutt… get over here." Sage called out to the Werewolf on the ground,

"My name is Noctarion Veystral… not mutt." Noctarion barked, but followed behind Sage all the same, as they began to leave the platform.

"Veystral? Have you no shame saying that with such pride, given the situation?" Trigger scoffed.

Veystral was a name that embodied a deep, unbreakable devotion, or loyalty that endures beyond time and self. Noctarion lowered his head at Trigger's words and felt his face redden with shame. The 5 of them exited the platform as Noctarion and looked back over his shoulder. He looked at Lunara and then at Zac's back. He found himself hoping for Zac's success, so that he could be given a chance to wipe away this shame.

There was a loud thud that shook the platform as Vaerros landed in front of Zac. A Massive axe that was more than twice the size of Zac rested on Vaerros shoulder. The smile on his face was the biggest anyone had seen in decades, he began to laugh.

Trigger and Sage had serious expressions on their faces. The power from his laugh alone was enough to put the two of them on edge. Sage in particular was wary, because the Skinwalker Alpha that was now the 8th Seat, would have been too much for Team Conductor to handle back then, and she was still uncertain even now. Vaerros was said to be the second strongest Seat according to Lun, and Lun was said to be more powerful than The Skinwalker Alpha according to Vaerros.

"This is going to be rough." Sage sighed.

"Nah… it's going to be fun." Roisin began to giggle as Zidane nodded his head in agreement.

"He's excited." Trigger commented, as he looked at Zac's shivering shoulders.

"Finally something worth fighting." Vaerros' laughter came to a stop.

"You know what's crazy?" Zac said as he cracked his neck.

"What's that?"

"I was thinking the same thing." Zac started to laugh, and Vaerros joined in.

Vaerros pointed his battle axe at Zac and commanded,

"Come at me, lizard!!!"

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