John stood on stage as Councilor Marlen of the Humans of Eden presented him with an offer unlike ever before that would change the course of his entire life.

  First, Councilor Marlen read off a long list of John’s accomplishments. He fought in many battles—he couldn’t possibly remember them all and was surprised to hear old memories like the Battle for Nova Prime which was a fierce skirmish with Chinese separatists on Mercury. John led a small team of four into subterranean caverns and rescued seven hundred kids working as slaves in the sulfur mines. As he stood on stage, he felt a similar kind of pressure as he did on Mercury.

  “We’re extending you an offer,” Councilor Marlen said. “The vote was two out of three. Majority rules. The title is yours to claim.”

  “What are you offering?” John asked. He spaced out there for a few seconds. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure I understood you correctly.”

  “The Galactic Council is offering you the title of Arbiter.”

  “What is that?”

  Marlen rolled his eyes. “You would do well to study these things before walking on stage.”

  Councilor Lord-Ka belched. “Let the pup bark for himself. He could grow into a fierce dog. This is all new to him, remember?”

  Councilor Marlen spoke with authority and his words weighed heavy with responsibility. “Arbiters serve the Dependency. They are agents of justice and peace. You have total diplomatic immunity and the authority to authorize and act on missions of your choosing. The Galactic Council votes you into the position of Arbiter, and can vote you out, but ultimately you answer to nobody but yourself. The consequences of your actions are your own. And in most situations, you must save yourself from trouble.”

  John stood puzzled. “You want me to be an Arbiter? From what you’re telling me, if I accepted I would become a sort of intergalactic special agent?”

  “In some respects, you are not far off,” Councilor Marlen said. “Your duties are your own. Arbiters primarily perform investigations and conduct military operations. Others use their title to perform humanitarian, exploratory, diplomatic, or scientific missions. You may choose your direction. Arbiters are flexible about how they serve and promote justice and peace across the galaxy.”

  “I didn’t travel across the galaxy looking for a job. My responsibilities are under the banner of the UEF. I don’t know anything about being an Arbiter.”

  “Why did you come here?” Councilor Marlen asked.

  “The Hyperions devastated Earth and its colonies.,” John replied. “I came for revenge.”

  “Arbiters serve justice,” Councilor Marlen said. “And justice is revenge. Nothing stands in the way of an Arbiter’s justice.”

  “How am I supposed to deal with the Hyperions as an individual agent?” John asked. “Please don’t misunderstand me, I am grateful that you voted us into the galactic neighborhood. You sent ships with medical supplies and doctors. You’re helping us rebuild what we lost. But you can’t give us back the souls we lost…millions of people. If we are now citizens of the Dependency, can we leverage its military to fight the Hyperions? That is why I came here. I need weapons for revenge.”

  “You cannot have that,” Councilor Marlen replied. “Dependency fleets are occupied with foreign wars in the Abyssal Zone. You see, the territory beyond the Dependency is rife with barbarians who constantly invade. We require every vessel we can muster against such threats.”

  John’s face grew red. “The Hyperions killed millions of us on Earth. What kind of government doesn’t avenge their own citizens after they’re slaughtered?”

  Even the diplomats in the furthest alcoves of the chamber fell silent after that remark.

  “The significance of your tragedy is not lost on us,” Councilor Marlen said. “We empathize with the pain of your people. Though our customs are different, we are still human. We have fought the Hyperions before, thousands of years ago.”

  “What happened?” John asked. “How did you deal with them?”

  “We fought for years and ended with a formal peace agreement. The Hyperions agreed to peace in exchange for one hundred million souls. That was long before my time, but the sorrow from that deal echoes throughout the lost bloodlines and the memory of my people.”

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  John gulped.

  Would such a sacrifice be necessary in the end?

  Councilor Marlen continued. “The Dependency cannot go to war with the Hyperions because they attacked a species who were not, at the time, citizens of the Dependency. The incident occurred outside Dependency jurisdiction. If the Hyperions attacked you now, as a citizen of our empire, that would be a formal declaration of war with the Dependency. That is something they cannot afford to do and will not do. In that respect, you are safer now than you’ve ever been.”

  John cursed under his breath and shook his head. “This is unbelievable.”

  Councilor Marlen nodded. “We know, John. We know how it looks. But there are rules. This is a tragedy and we want to help you. But hear my words. Accept the position of Arbiter and you can help yourself in ways you can’t understand until you begin conducting missions throughout the galaxy. I have no doubt you will find the answers to your problems. I read something recently, a lovely book called To Kill a Mockingbird written by a human on Earth. The main character, Atticus Finch, says, ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.’ Let that quote resonate with you on your path of vengeance.”

  “So you promote my desire for vengeance. That goes against the principles of peace. It’s a bit hypocritical.”

  “As Galactic Councilors, our opinions are separate from our principles. As you know, we humans can be hypocritical. However, we believe strongly in protecting our free expression and the lives of all.”

  “My home is destroyed. I lost my family. I lost my friends. There are so many people back home who need my help. I’m not certain that I can accept your offer to be an Arbiter, but I will consider it.”

  “The invitation won’t be open forever,” Councilor Marlen replied.

  “Thank you for speaking with us,” Councilor Lord-Ka said.

  “We have longed to welcome humanity into the Dependency,” Councilor Vel’Rith said.

  John exited the stage and returned to Ambassador Vel’Sem. A weird slimy creature with two heads and six blue eyeballs slithered onto the stage and spoke in some horrific snakey language. Known as a Bunga, the alien stood resolutely and spoke about something that seemed awfully important.

  “You did well,” Ambassador Vel’Sem said.

  “It doesn’t feel that way,” John said. “Where’s Sam?”

  “She’s making friends,” he said, motioning toward her in the crowd.

  Ambassador Samantha Crowe stood amongst a group of at least twenty different kinds of aliens. She held onto her holo pad as she frantically scribbled down notes of their conversation. At times she stood resolutely but her curiosity and excitement betrayed her as she sometimes hunched over with big eyes as if trying to dissect every gesture of alien body language and the hidden meanings coming from the mouths of the strange beings in front of her.

  “You made a great impression on the Galactic Council. The offer of Arbiter is a great honor in the galaxy and it comes with many privileges. To be the first Arbiter among the Humans of Earth…you are turning into a legend.”

  “It comes with more responsibilities than I believe I can handle. To be honest with you, I’m more angry than honored. They won’t help us with Thariel or the Hyperions. From the sound of it, we’re on our own.”

  “Didn’t you hear them? If you become Arbiter then you can pursue leads on the Hyperions with immunity. You can investigate and pursue them at-will.”

  “I’m only a single man in a gigantic galaxy. What can I realistically do to fight against the Hyperions?”

  “Arbiters are legends. You are more than a simple man or soldier. You must consider the boundless opportunities for justice. You can infiltrate areas inaccessible to others. You have the resources of the Galactic Council and their support, no matter what they declare to the public. Can you not see the value? Can you not see the endless possibilities?”

  “All I’m seeing are the problems.”

  Ambassador Vel’Sem glanced down at his wristband, then looked back up at John. “Did you get the message? This should excite you.”

  “What is it?”

  “The Galactic Council authorized something special for you. They’re letting me show you. They’re not letting you keep it—unless you accept the title of Arbiter.”

  “Well? What is it?”

  “I prefer to show you. I don’t want to ruin the surprise. Follow me.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “The nearest Arbiter Lounge.”

  John started following Ambassador Vel’Sem but stopped when a pair of mighty doors opened on the far side of the chamber. Ambassador Vel’Sem stopped, too.

  “What is he doing here?” John asked.

  Light spilled into the chamber. A great shadow fell in front of John in the shape of the Hyperion.

  John gritted his teeth. “Thariel…”

  Why did it have to be him?