Starbound: A Space Odyssey

After saying some pleasantries and goodbye, all the 10 people she invited finally left with wide smiles on their faces, they were undoubtedly satisfied with the outcome.

Nicole sat back on her chair and massaged her tramples.

It was way too much of a headache to deal with that kind of people. Nicole rather face a thousand enemies alone in the battlefield than to discuss and talk with those shrewd business people. At least the ones she invited were easier to talk, if not she would have just given up and sent an army to force them to submission.

As she was resting, her PIPS started to vibrate.

She looked down and saw the one who was calling her.

Nicole's face didn't change much and just wondered why he was calling her now.

She accepted the call and connected it to one of the projectors in the room.

Within a few seconds, a figure slowly appeared before Nicole.

It was a tall human that was wearing a black suit a completely white mask that only had two holes for the eyes.

"Nicole, I'm glad to see that you succeed in reaching the presidential office." The man, Husk, spoke slowly with his hoarse and deep voice.

"Husk, I didn't expect you to contact me this early.' Nicole smiled in response and observed the man in front of her.

Just like everyone on the universe, she was very curious about this person in front her.

The man that was capable of going against Letheia Corporation and Miniknog and still win some battles.

The legend who singlehandedly brought Nova Rebellion from the brink of extinction to the powerhouse that it is today.

"How was it? Did you achieve your objective?" Husk asked.

"70% of it." Nicole shook her head, "Jason didn't give a clear answer. I don't know if Syndicate will be on my way or not, so I can only wait for him before I can start making my moves."

"It's going to take a while before he can give you his answer" Husk said, "He's currently preparing to save Jevil from Letheia's clutches."

"That's a shame...I wanted to put my plans in motion as soon as possible..." Nicole shook her head in disappointment before turning back to Husk and asking with a serious tone of voice, "How's the progress of our alliance going?"

Husk's eye flashed for a moment before replying, "I'm currently waiting for them to arrive and continue our discussion to reach an formal alliance agreement."

"Husk... there's something else I wanted to discuss with you." Nicole looked at Husk as she spoke.

There was not a single change on Husk as she simply lowered his head and asked, "Oh...and what would it be?"

"I'm going to rebuild the human army, and as such I need your help, Husk."

"..." Husk silently stood there with his eyes closed as he listened to what Nicole had to say.

"I have studied your movements ever since you took the Rebellion and I know you have some kind of deep-rooted hatred and animosity towards Letheia Corporation and Miniknog. We might not have the same goals, but we surely have the same enemies."

"..." Husk's eyes opened slightly as he coldly stares at Nicole.

Nicole fearlessly met with those eyes and continued, "Bubbles of movements anti-government have been raising all over Beta Sector. Letheia and Miniknog have been funding the movements and giving them weapons to resist against Pandora. I have already made a deal with the Intergalactic Police, but I still think is insufficient to cover all of Beta Sector. And without a proper answer from Jason, I still need to be on guard against the people from the underworld. Husk, if you don't help me enforce order and establish an united government, Letheia will successfully create cracks between humans, and even possibly dominate us. I don't think this is going to be beneficial to you the least, as Letheia will earn more resources and manpower."

"How do you plan to stop them?" Now Husk was interested in what Nicole had to say. As long as he could inflict serious damage to Letheia's and Miniknog's plans, he was more than happy to do it.

"You're going to help?" Nicole smiled and asked. She already knew that Husk would lend a helping hand as long as it's related to destroying Letheia's plans.

"It depends." Husk said coldly and indifferent, "If you have a good plan, I don't mind helping a little."

"Good..." Nicole was overjoyed but kept a straight face, "Well, it's like this..."

Nicole explained her plans to Husk and he just listened until Nicole finished.

"In 2 days you will have your answer." Husk said briefly before turning off the call.

Nicole sat down and sighed, [Finally I can properly rest...]

...

At the other side, Husk was on a chair with a round table in front of him.

There was a lot of other seats surrounding the table, and in those seats a lot of holographic people from all races could be seen.

At Husk's left side, there was a red Novakid with a star as his 'brand' in the middle of his face.

With was wearing leather clothes that made him really look like a wild west outlaw.

This Novakid was none other than he infamous Starkid, the leader of the most wanted outlaw group.

Starkid was on his seat while cleaning up the golden revolver in his hand. There was a faint smile on his face as he watched with little interest the other people present around the table.

Beside Starkid, a blonde young man was lazily renting on the chair with a casual smile on his face.

He was Jason Silverhand. After talking with Nicole he immediately went to this reunion that Husk said for him to appear.

At Husk's right side, a brown Apex was seated with her back straight while scanning her surroundings with sharp eyes from moment to moment.

She was wearing green military clothes. This female Apex was the one they call Lana Blake, the leader of the resistance against Miniknog and also one of Husk's trusted commanders.

Opposite to them there were two people wearing militaristic purple clothes.

They were obviously from Occasus Cult. The two were Asra Nox, the black-haired middle-aged woman and leader of the Cult, and Mao, the white-haired, fragile and handsome Commander of Occasus Cult's elite soldiers.

At the others seats, one could see two Avians and three Glitch, all at which were calmly staring at Husk.