Location: Neutral Starstation orbiting Hektra-9Codename: The Paperclip — a half-functional diplomatic outpost assembled by multiple governments that refused to use the same blueprint.
Event: The First Galactic Harmony CouncilGoal: To bring together the galaxy's most powerful and volatile factions for peace talks. Or at least, to stop shooting for five minutes.
Scene One: Arrival
The Paperclip hangs awkwardly in orbit, held together by hope and a questionable funding trail. Inside the central chamber, a crooked table has been bolted to the floor. Seven seats, all of different sizes and levels of functionality, surround it.
The delegates arrive one by one.
Commander Jess Malloy, representing the Humans (Aussie Division), drops into a seat, duct tape already unraveling in one hand, tea in the other. She doesn't look tired—she looks post-tired. A huntsman spider named Dave rests on her shoulder, swaying with station tremors.
Lord Boneleash, Orc representative, wears ceremonial armor stitched with rune-engraved bone. He places a tray of biscuits in the center of the table with ceremonial gravity. "For morale," he announces.
Ambassador Swirlo, from the Brine Syndicate, floats in—literally. A psychic brain in a jar, suspended in golden fluid and mounted on a hoverbase, he inspects the biscuits with disdain. "Where are the pretzels?"
The Bug Emissary skitters in next. Shimmering carapace. Twitching limbs. It immediately projects a painfully bright ad onto the nearest wall:"THIS ISN'T LIKE THE OTHER GAMES! LEVEL UP FAST! DOWNLOAD NOW!"
Kreeesha-95, Glambassador of the Karogres, stomps in with platform boots and layers of shimmering Shope-brand robes. She loudly complains about "hostile room lighting" and "gravity bias."
Bloophael, the Abominoid envoy, slithers silently into the room. Part haloed being, part goo, part shadow. Its form pulses slowly in iridescent hues. It murmurs, "This station echoes… nicely."
Finally, Time Lord No. 5 appears—not through the door, but through the wall. He glides in, not walking, not flying—just ignoring gravity altogether.Clad in a flawless, dark tailored suit. Face hidden behind a smooth mask. A single porcelain teacup floats in his hand.
He doesn't sit. He simply hovers silently above his chair, tea undisturbed.
Scene Two: Chaos, On Schedule
A diplomatic drone drops from the ceiling, its voice box crackling with bureaucratic weariness.
"Esteemed delegates. The Galactic Harmony Council convenes today to seek mutual cooperation among your diverse factions—"
"Why is the pretzel bowl empty?" interrupts Kreeesha, eyes blazing.
"Boneleash took them," says Swirlo flatly.
"I shared," Boneleash says, gesturing at Jess.
"They were stale," Jess replies, sipping her tea. "Dave liked them."
Before further debate can erupt, the wall explodes with light and sound.The Bug Emissary's ad returns in full force:
"YOU CAN BUILD! YOU CAN UPGRADE! CONQUER YOUR FRIENDS! NOT LIKE OTHER GAMES!"
No. 5 lifts a finger.
The ad rewinds three seconds.And plays again.And again.And again.
Jess lowers her mug and looks over.
"You're making it worse."
No. 5 doesn't break eye contact. "I know."
He sips calmly. His teacup stays perfectly level even as he rotates slowly, upside down now.
Bloophael offers a faint clap with several tendrils.
Kreeesha is now shouting about "optical oppression."
Swirlo is updating his trade alliance terms mid-float.
Boneleash offers another biscuit.
The lights flicker.
Then the floor rumbles.
Gravity collapses for three seconds. The table lifts off the ground. Kreeesha spirals into the ceiling. The Bug curls defensively. Bloophael purrs. Time Lord No. 5 continues sipping tea, entirely unaffected.
Then the alarm blares.
"Unidentified Abominoid incursion detected. Subject possesses multiple faces and is carrying a stringed instrument. Classification: unknown."
Everyone freezes.
Weapons are drawn.
Bloophael begins quietly vibrating.
The tea ripples.
Time Lord No. 5 calmly lowers his cup and speaks for the first time in ten minutes.
"Here we go again."
The council has lasted seven minutes.A new record.