Chapter 32: Bin Bin’s Desire

“ ... I’m begging you!” Rufer pleaded.

‘What a sorrowful situation... ‘ Zax inwardly could not help by sympathize. He recalled how much he had been through to fulfill the terms of his own inheritance and yet still had a seemingly bottomless chasm to cross.

“The Star Scavenger’s missions are for the benefits of all Kingdom Earth and even our brethren from Valgarel. I can’t trade it to satisfy the whim of a single person”. He harshly stated.

A glint of hope instantly lit in Rufer’s pupils as he perceived the clear meaning in Zax’s response. “Of course, it’s not all for me! Just a tiny bit, less than a gram, definitely! As an heir to the Senior Zizamber I can estimate the direction and distance to the bone marrow portion. It’s far, extremely far and to get there will probably take longer than the length of all previous missions combined. But the road isn’t devoid of extraordinary things that can be salvaged on the way. The Scorching Stellar Fumes portion I absorbed traversed immense distance. Everywhere it passed and sensed something peculiar was imprinted in it, to assist its futuristic heir, me!”

“If this is the truth, be aware that I have the means to verify it”. Zax warned, thought Rufer took it as an indication that he is closer to agree.

“I can swear to a God or an Oath Parchment, if you want”. Rufer unhesitatingly offered, making it the first time since they entered the break room that Zax smiled, although it was a smirk.

“Should I make you swear, it won’t be for treasure, but that you’ll return. I don’t know you well enough to trust your patriotism and people on promising path could turn fickle. Anyways, this is one condition you’ll have to abide by. The second is to accept more people to this inner circle you established between us. I obtained the Star Scavenger through my own efforts, but I’m not looking to be a dictator and regardless of strength I put great faith in my seniors. Thus, you will have to trust those I’ll choose to bring in on this arrangement you want”.

“Who do you have in mind?” Rufer asked, a tad apprehensive. There is no shortage of experts that can suppress him, should they decide to join the fray for the inheritance.

“I won’t bother to cite the names. Since trust is the key issue, you will have to prove yours in me to gain mine. Besides, you’ll have the opportunity to know when we all meet”.

“ ... Okay”. Rufer grudgingly complied. “When do you want me to meet them?”

“I’ll inform you in a few days of the time and location. Till then”, Zax turned to leave. “This was quite an interesting encounter”.

...

After exiting the Department Of Space building, Zax contacted all those he deemed necessary to assess Rufer’s request. The list contained mainly humans and overall consisted of seven figures. He sent a concise message asking the seven to convene at his home in a two weeks’ time, in case one or more of them is in seclusion and has to make preparation before an abrupt cessation.

‘Oh? They let someone enter the pathway?’ He ignored the transmission during his conversation with Rufer, so the other party contacted Anet who then left him a vocal message. ‘Humph, that rascal doesn’t know when to quit’.

...

“He should return by the time you’ll finish the mug, if you’ll drink it in one mouthful”. Anet courteously served Bin Bin a mug of coffee, a beverage of his choosing after she asked.

“I won’t finish it so fast”. Bin Bin chuckled, satisfaction plastered on his face. “By the way, do you have something tasty to complement the coffee? Preferably something both salty and sweet, thanks a bunch in advance!”

“I have biscuits”. Anet sighed inwardly. It was not her first meeting with Bin Bin. Zax introduced to her the willful fellow years ago, when he came to Rising City with a group of people claiming to be companions of her husband for a time. They stayed for couple of months and through the passage of time Bin Bin almost regularly visited, pestering Zax in vain for permission to enter New Earth.

“Biscuits are sweet, mmm ... can you check to see if you also have pretzels?”

“We do”. A voice sounded from the villa’s entrance.

“How are you, my good friend Zax?” Bin Bin got up holding the mug. “Scratch that, Anet, no need biscuits or pretzels”. He drank the coffee in one gulp and placed the mug back on the living room table.

“Bin Bin”, Zax said impatiently. “Denizens of Ercas Mir are banned from New Earth, it’s the sole decree of mine that nobody is allowed to undermine, yet you somehow succeeded to get access to this place ... Tell me, face to face, since you refrained from notifying me yourself or let my wife do so in her message, where do you get your courage from?”

“Courage?” Bin Bin raised his arms in defense. “Maybe I do have a little, but not in the copious amounts needed to antagonize the strongest man both above and beneath the earth!” Despite his words, he placed his hands at the back of his head in a laidback fashion. “That being said, you are right. There is a source to my present confidence, such given to the messenger of an Immortal”.

“Immortal? Which one?” Zax instantly asked, inferring why Bin Bin did not elaborate via a transmission and how he convinced Anet.

Interception was not an easy thing and once detected nearly impossible to accomplish a second time, but for the five powers perhaps the risk in this occasion would have been worth it. If their gadgets are programed to act on specific keywords, then there was little doubt “Immortal” was not among them.