[Neraphym]

Neraphym enters into a secure conference room and posts four guards at the entrance. He signals a messenger to go and fetch Rhesal.

[Snowy]

Rhesal enters the room, looking very pissed off.

[Neraphym]

"Ah, Rhesal, good to see you. The meeting will begin shortly."

In the next few minutes, several other people entered the room. In all, 12 people were seated at dark, round table. The dimly lit room made it difficult to make out any of the faces, but their uniforms indicated high rank. Neraphym stood up from his seat and spoke.

"Greetings fellow Aphorites. We have here two new members, Colonel Luciuos Akrono and King Rhesal Blizzard. With them, our council is now complete. Some of you are still in the dark as to what our organization is. We are an elite group of Aphorites who have banded together to form a powerful fighting force. We are DASE, the Dark Aphorite Star Empire. Our mission is to promote Dark Aphorian influence throughout the universe. The Aphorite race suffered a great loss at the hands of the Corrorians when they destroyed our home planet. Under the command of the Wind of Redemption, we extracted our revenge and took control of the galaxy. We wanted more, though, and our superiors would not let us have it. Now, under a new banner, we can have what we wanted: A new Star Empire, full of Aphorites! We will expand our empire into the far reaches of space!"

The room was filled with the sounds of applauding. Neraphym raised his hand and the clapping died down.

"Thank you, but these are our long-term goals. Right now, we lack the resources and man-power to carry out this mission. Gaining these will take some time. As we speak, opperations are being carried out to obtain technology and equipment from the Wind of Redemption and the fallen Corrorian Navy. We have recently stolen plans for an Advanced Aphorian Android. These were discared by the military, but we plan to use a mass produced army of elite androids to make up for our low numbers. We have elite ship designers plotting out the next generation of advanced starships. We have some of the greatest military minds, fresh from the war and ready to fight for the Dark Aphorian Way. Soon, we will be the greatest force in the universe. This concludes our meeting. You are dismissed. Oh, and Rhesal, may I have a word with you?"

The other council members exit the room, leaving Neraphym and Rhesal.

[Snowy]

Rhesal waited for the others to leave and then he drew his sword a little bit, so you could see only the bottom of the blade and the hilt. "What is this Neraphym?"

[Neraphym]

"Relax, good friend. Our purpose is to unite the Universe... to bring all of existance under a single rule. There will be no more wars... no poverty... no suffering. DASE is striving to make this a reality. The Corrorians and the Alliance are trying to come to peace, but how long will that last? War after war... they all follow the same formula. Two factions fight each other, grow tired of war, make peace, rebuild, then start another war. As long as there are two states in existance, there will be war. DASE is trying to end that. We want to become the single, final state. To rule absolutely and create eternal peace."

[Snowy]

"Neraphym you do realize that I am an elf don't you? All of Frionia consists of Elves and Humans. You are an Aphorite. Does that mean that as soon as you get what you want from me you will kill Frionia and myself?"

[Neraphym]

"I am aware of that. Racial prejudices are not on our agenda. We do not wish to kill everyone else in existance, but rather, assimilate them. We respect freedom, justice, culture, and equality. We are here to create a perfect universe. No universe could be perfect without elves and humans."

[Snowy]

"All flattery aside Neraphym, what do you want from me? I have limited forces at my hand, Shral Valeron saw to that, and all I fly is a battered Avenger. I am not some war general with unlimited forces and a giant spaceship."

[Neraphym]

"I am not after your resources, I am after your courage. I need strong and just leaders to make this dream a reality. If there is a problem, we need people like you to fix it. A problem like the one that faces Frionia. It is a cursed frozen wasteland, is it not? Someday, maybe DASE could change all that?"

[Snowy]

"I love my home the way it is. My people however do not." Rhesal's face changed from suspicion to great sadness, but only for a second. He looked back up at Neraphym and said, " I'll do whatever you want me to. But I have to be second in command."

[Neraphym]

"I am afraid things do not work like that, here. DASE is an oligarchy. We are all ruled by a council of 12. Now that all 12 positions are filled, I am no longer in complete charge of DASE. All 12 of us have equal power. Oh, and by the way. To want to make such a sacrifice to please your people is the mark of a truely couragous leader. I admire that greatly."

[Snowy]

"Why would you admire me? I am an orphan who fell into power through blood. Nothing more. I am no great man. I am not even a man yet. Only a kid of 12. Anyways....who or what do I have to kill to make me and Frionia be on this council."

[Neraphym]

"First off, you already have a seat on the council. As of right now, we have no mission assignments for you, but be ready for one at any time. There is much that needs to be done."

[Snowy]

"Is that all?"

[Neraphym]

"Yup, that's about it. Remember, DASE is still in its infancy. Recruit with discretion. We must stay in the shadows until the right time comes. I have some affairs that I need to attend to. Take care."

Neraphym leaves.