The nobles of the Extraterrestrial faction had gathered in the meeting chamber, conversing among themselves while awaiting the arrival of House Star, their faction leaders.

  "Have you heard the rumor, Lord Quarg? Lord Star has chosen not to hold the meeting at Stargate because it has been turned into a prison for his eldest child," Lady Pharsa said.

  "What? Do not entertain such thoughts, Lady Pharsa. As faction leader, Lord Star is free to convene in any mansion among ours," Lord Quarg replied.

  "I heard Starfall is confined in the underground chamber, shouting curses at the Council and his own family each day," Lord Necrit added.

  "How pitiful for House Star. We should allow him to reunite with his family," Lord Drogin said.

  "They are not a reclusive race like House Venoria, Lord Drogin, in case you have forgotten," Lord Necrit remarked with a quiet chuckle.

  "Our faction leader is enduring difficult times with his family. It is not proper to continue speaking ill of him," Lady Canya said. "Let me remind you that Lord Star help us in our time of hardship."

  "The other Lords and Ladies think too narrowly. We can still trade and stand in All Realm today because of House Star," Lord Pullior reinforced.

  "Wise thought, Lord Pullior. Without him, our mercantile assembly would not even be recognized as a faction," Lord Quarg added.

  "Lord Umbrion, is the allure of leading the wealthiest faction truly so irresistible to you?" Lady Canya asked, her gaze sharp.

  "Do not pretend, Lady Canya. If offered, you would desire it as well," Umbrion countered.

  "Spoken like one humiliated by the Plague Professor and the Sorcerer Supreme," Lord Drogin mocked.

  "You would do better to sit quietly beneath your purple mansion, my lord. Power in the All Realm cannot be seized as casually as in the world you came from," Lord Pullior added.

  The other Lords laughed at Lord Umbrion, Lord Necrit, and Lady Pharsa. Their attempt to attend the council as an initiative to usurp House Star’s position had already become a loud rumor within the faction. Many found the ambition na?ve, yet some dared pursue it because House Star’s reputation had improved following Starmist’s engagement to Leroy, along with the opportunity to initiate new projects tied to the cloning program.

  Before long, the doors opened and Lord Star entered alongside Starmist. All twelve Lords and Ladies of the Houses were present.

  "Good afternoon, Lords and Ladies," Lord Star said as he took his seat at the head of the table, opposite Lord Quarg, who served as host for this gathering.

  "Thank you, Lord Quarg for graciously hosting this meeting," Starmist added.

  "Lady Starmist, it is no trouble. I am certain my child, whose spirit has returned to the cosmos, your friend Knight Quasar, would be pleased," Lord Quarg replied.

  They all took their seats, with Starmist settling to the right of her brother.

  Since the invitation had already outlined the purpose of the meeting, there was no discussion of trade or family matters. The gathering focused entirely on the cloning program, with its report circulated among each House leader.

  Lord Star allowed the nobles time to read and understand the document. Once they had placed their reports upon the table, discussion would begin. Yet before the reading commenced, Lord Drogin, seated beside Starmist, rose and tapped his glass with a silver spoon.

  "Before we proceed, I wish to address all Lords and Ladies present. I would like to personally congratulate Lady Starmist, our faction’s pride, who has found the man who has captured her heart."

  "Congratulations, Lady Starmist. May you and Chairman Leroy Livingstone find happiness wherever you are," he concluded.

  The other House leaders stood, raising glasses of red wine, while some drank potions suited to their physiology. They smiled and offered their congratulations.

  "Thank you, Lords and Ladies. I hope I can continue strengthening our ties with other factions moving forward," Starmist replied.

  They sat once more, and silence returned as everyone read. Soft piano melodies drifted in from beyond the chamber, easing thought for some while lulling others toward drowsiness.

  After fifteen minutes, the Lords and Ladies began setting down their papers. Lord Zori of House Zenithur opened the discussion.

  "So when does this begin, Lord Star?"

  "Once we locate the machine described in the proposal, we will bring it to the All Realm," Lord Star answered.

  "In my origin and trade routes, such a machine does not exist, Lord Star. My House may be unable to participate in the search, though you may inform me of other ways I might assist," Lady Canya of House Canis said.

  Lord Pullior of House Pulsara, Lord Necrit of House Neclior, Lord Vizin of House Virtussa, and Lord Omrin of House Omirite nodded in agreement.

  "But Lord Star, if given time, some among us might construct it," Lord Vizin said.

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  "We intend to conserve time, Lord Vizin. It would be better if you and those with similar limitations contribute in other capacities," Lord Star replied.

  The five nobles nodded, remaining attentive as the meeting continued.

  "Lord Star, Lady Starmist, it states here that we must locate the machine and then invest in constructing educational facilities in the Highland," Lord Umbrion said.

  "Correct, Lord Umbrion. Cogworks will serve as the executors of this program," Starmist answered.

  "Why should we not undertake it ourselves? If we bring the machine into the All Realm and funding the Cogworks, should we not also manage its implementation?" Lord Umbrion asked, prompting several Lords and Ladies to murmur in agreement.

  "I understand your perspective, but every faction has been assigned its role according to council directives outlined in the report you have read," Starmist replied.

  "Lady Starmist, I do not see two factions represented here. Where are the Elementalist and Celestial? What roles do they play in this matter?" Lady Pharsa asked.

  "Based on our discussions, it is difficult to initiate the process by replicating elemental abilities. As for the Celestial, Elysius has been away from the surface for a week to speak with his faction," Starmist replied.

  "Understandable. But regarding the compliance testing, I still struggle to grasp it. Is it a form of some kind of mindwashing?" Lord Drogin asked.

  "Perhaps we should seek an expert from the intergalactic routes during export operations. Such a figure could serve as an advisor," Lord Pullior added.

  "Unfortunately, that is not possible. The council has made it clear that foreign machine entering the All Realm will remain restricted. The risks are still too great," Lord Star said, folding his arms.

  "My lord, if that is the case, the potential for failure and will consume a tremendous resources if none of the factions know where to begin," Lord Vizin said.

  "Indeed. Could we not bring one or two specialists, grant them two or three months to train the Cogworks and then return them to their origin?" Lady Canya asked.

  "Regrettably, that regulation is absolute… my lords and ladies," Starmist said, hesitating slightly as her fingers tapped against the glass table. She did not meet anyone’s gaze.

  The nobles began whispering again, louder this time.

  "I'm sure this decision caters to the Sorcerer, Abyss, and Elementalist factions, who fear change," Lord Umbrion muttered.

  "If the funding expands without certainty that Cogworks can execute the task, this will waste many things that can be allocated for other purpose," Lady Pharsa said.

  "Lady Starmist, does the council distrust the Extraterrestrial and Cogworks factions in this matter? Frankly, the situation feels burdensome and ambiguous," Lord Pullior said.

  Starmist stood. She understood their dissatisfaction. In truth, she herself feared the possibility of wasted effort. Yet as one of seven factions seated at the council table, policies had to preserve unity. Moreover, Unus Bank would fund much of the program, and should Extraterrestrial finances falter, the council was prepared to increase trade quotas in certain sectors to offset losses.

  "To address your concern, Lord Pullior, while we may be the wealthiest faction here, our minority status limits my authority. Besides, we cannot yet fully trust certain individuals within Cogworks," she added.

  Her explanation eased the tension. The nobles listened closely, some nodding, others offering small smiles of approval.

  Lord Star then rose. "Our greatest task is locating the device required for cloning and compliance training."

  "The testing of more difficult subjects will be handled by the Sorcerer faction," he added.

  "Who will oversee the program, Lord Star?" Lord Quarg asked from the far end of the table.

  Starmist answered, "The council has appointed Druganda, assisted by Starslayer. However, my lords and ladies, should any of your family members wish to participate as observers, I can ask approval from the council."

  They nodded once more. The meeting paused for a recess, as not all races could remain seated for extended periods, and some required movement.

  Outside the chamber, as Lord Star retrieved a piece of chilled sweet chocolate, Lord Drogin approached him and discreetly handed over a document, which the elder immediately grasped.

  "Lord Star, House Pulsara and Canis offer assistance. You must not regard this as a debt. We understand your burden, and in another sense, we owe you as well," he whispered.

  "Thank you, Lord Drogin. You are a good friend," Lord Star replied with a faint smile upon his weathered face.

  "I will also ensure there are no traitors. This program is highly risky, in my view," Drogin added quietly.

  Lord Star nodded. Drogin did not linger to avoid suspicion and departed at once, while Lord Star slipped the paper into his pocket.

  In the front hall, Starmist descended the staircase, intending to breathe the open air beyond the estate. Her gaze fixed on a figure concealed behind the curtain, watching the outside through the window.

  "You believe hiding there makes you unseen, Vanguard who overseer the program," Starmist said, her voice firm enough to startle.

  "Starmist, congratulations on your engagement," Druganda replied, emerging from behind the curtain in his anti-toxin attire.

  Unfazed, Starmist shook his hand. Three gloved fingers clasped the pale hand of the woman.

  "Thank you, Druganda. And how have you been?" Starmist asked.

  "I suspect my father will eventually send me back to our home planet to marry there, before I return to the All Realm with a new family," he said.

  "Oh… and I can control my poison far better now," he added with a grin that revealed fangs upon his violet features.

  Starmist praised him, then asked Druganda to remove his glove and touch her skin. He refused firmly, afraid of harming her.

  "If you can control it, why fear? I can endure it," Starmist insisted.

  "It is not that, Starmist. This is neither the right time nor place."

  Yet Starmist pressed, and in panic Druganda reluctantly removed his glove. His violet hand and black claws hovered uncertainly above her pale arm. He closed his eyes, then withdrew and replaced the glove.

  "I just remembered I consumed a reptilian carcass today. It agitates my poison," he lied.

  "Oh my, very well," Starmist replied.

  Druganda smiled awkwardly as Starmist invited him outside to speak.

  "After marriage, will you remain in the council?" he asked.

  "Yes. Leroy will step down and focus on Unus Bank," she answered.

  "Good. You are the most deserving from this faction to sit there," Druganda said, placing a hand over his chest in relief.

  "You are a Vanguard. Do you believe D’Hertz would be a suitable successor for Leroy?" Starmist asked as they reached the garden.

  "It is difficult to judge, given his free-spirited," Druganda replied.

  They laughed together. Druganda glanced at Starmist, who laughed freely.

  "Starmist seems truly happy. Leroy is fortunate. If my body were not poisonous, I might have pursued her as well," Druganda thought.

  After an hour, Starmist invited Druganda back inside to hear further discussion of the cloning program. Houses Umbaranova, Solivara, and Neclior requested additional time to determine their level of participation. Refusal was not an option; they were granted only time to consider the scale of their contributions.

  House Star, Venoria, and Canis would act as principal stakeholders. The remaining Houses expressed agreement limited to funding and device procurement, unwilling to engage actively in the program’s politics. House Quasar, after a prolonged period of passivity, was veto-appointed by House Star to oversee primary trade matters for several months until Cogworks could execute the program.

  Three hours after the meeting’s resolution, Druganda departed for the harbor of District Six to begin preparations. The arrival of the devices would remain concealed from the All Realm for a time.