The Chimera's engines pushed it through space towards the planet Ceitov.
After leaving Lela in the care of Vanessa, Dorian took a short detour to The Collector's tower. His harem had given birth to six more children, allowing him to reimpregnate them once again.
During the two days that Dorian spent entwined with the beautiful women of his harem, Hex used The Chimera's radar to search for the data chip. Tracing the signal emitted from the chip, she discovered that it was located on Ceitov, an icy wasteland that was mostly ignored by the rest of the galaxy.
"Mind telling me what I can expect down there?" Dorian asked as the ship entered the snowy atmosphere.
"Honestly, I have no idea but I'm sure you'll figure it out soon. It can't be that bad, though your father made it clear that he wanted to ensure that you'd only reach your full potential if you're worthy of it. In other words, you need to earn it. So, get to work, master." Hex replied, her artificial voice broadcasting through the ship's speakers.
"Well that's helpful..." he said, the ship's landing gear extending as it touched down on the planet's frozen surface. He sheathed his energy sword and holstered his blaster before pulling a cloak over his shoulders, draping over his black jumpsuit.
He exited through the airlock, walking out into the snow. Cold wind tugged at his cloak, and he pulled it closer to his body.
"Master, the signal is coming from a settlement in a valley a short distance from here." Hex explained, speaking through the new communicator built into the left arm of Dorian's jumpsuit.
"Guess that's where I'm heading. Keep the ship warm, I don't want to stay here long."
***
The journey on foot to the settlement took less than an hour, but Dorian was eager to find warmth nonetheless.
He reached the edge of the settlement, quickly scanning the small building that made up the moderately sized town for any danger.
Walking down one of the makeshift streets, Dorian noticed that everyone he passed was staring at him. They seemed to be normal humans, though they wore all white and had black tattoos on their faces.
"Just a little further, the signal is coming from the large building at the center of the settlement." Hex explained.
"Good, this place is freezing!" Dorian replied.
He reached the large building, sunlight shining through the haze of snow and gleaming off of it's metal exterior. Two guards armed with blaster rifles stood at either side of the double doors.
"Stop where you are! What business do you have with the overseer?" One of the guards asked.
Hex began speaking. "If this is where the overseer is, then I think that's who has the data chip."
"Well, like my wrist just said, I'm looking for something and I think your overseer has it. I'd like to meet him." Dorian explained to the guards.
They looked at each other, but nodded. "Fine. You'll find his office at the top of the stairs."
The doors slid apart, allowing Dorian to step inside. The interior looked worn down and lived in. The buildings of the settlement were all prefabricated, placed on the planet's surface by whatever civilization they originated from. While they would have looked clean and manufactured when the settlement was first created, they had long since become the source of consistent repairs and jerryrigging, with wires strung along the floor and entering wall panels that they weren't intended for.
The first thing that Dorian saw was a large room filled with supplies and weapons. A staircase was at the far end of the room, and he began climbing it. It led up several stories, all locked behind doors. At the very top was another door, guarded by two more armed men.
One of the guards held up a hand, motioning Dorian to wait while the other knocked on the door. "There's a visitor for you, an outsider."
"Let him in." A voice came from the other side of the door. It slid open, revealing a cluttered office. A middle aged man with black hair and an average build sat at a desk. He had the same black face tattoos that everyone else in the settlement had. "Welcome friend, please sit."
Dorian did as he asked, sitting across from the man. "You're the overseer?"
"I am. Welcome to our humble settlement, my name is Gislight. What brings you here, outsider?"
Dorian looked the man up and down. He seemed friendly enough, though the presence of so many guards and weapons seemed strange. "I'm looking for something, and I've been led to believe that you might have it. It's a data chip left behind by my father."
Gislight's jaw clenched. "If that's the truth, and if you're who I think you are, then you'd know how to prove it to me."
He considered the overseer's words, mulling them over until he decided that the best way to prove his identity was to use his power. Holding his hand palm up, he ignited a small flame that hovered over the surface of his skin.
The overseer quickly stood up, clapping his hands. "Finally! I've waited two decades to meet you!"
"So it's true? You have the data chip?"
Gislight sat back down, pulling his chair closer in excitement. "Of course! Since this data chip is the first one you'll find, I should explain. Before your birth, your father visited six different people throughout the galaxy, entrusting each of them to guard a data chip. He called us 'keepers', and told us that his son would one day seek us out."
"Was The Mystic one of the keepers?" Dorian asked, thinking back to the woman who started him out on his journey.
"No, she had impressed your father with her knowledge so he gave her the responsibility of teaching you your first power. He used his power to glimpse a possible future, and placed her where your paths would cross."
Dorian stroked his chin. "Who are the other keepers then?"
"I was only told the identity of The Mystic when your father explained his plan, so I can't help you there. The data chips are supposed to lead you."
"I understand. So, hand it over, I want to get started as soon as possible."
Gislight leaned back in his chair, his smile fading slightly. "About that...there's something I need you to do before I give it to you."
"Of course there is." Dorian said sarcastically.
"It's very important, trust me. For the past few decades we've been at war with a settlement nearby. They've become so hostile that they kill our people on sight. Not only our soldiers, but our ambassadors and citizens. I've tried many times to negotiate and offer peace, but they've never allowed us to get close ever since the war started."
"So you want me to fight alongside you and end the war? I'm not much of a soldier."
"The opposite, actually. This war has been going on long enough, and I only want peace. I have a proposal that will unite our people as one, but I can't even get close enough to discuss it with their leader. That's where you come in." The keeper explained, taking a breath. "They only kill our people, but they'd leave an outsider alive. You're an outsider. Go to their leader with my proposal. If you can convince her to accept, I will give you the data chip."
Dorian folded his arms, considering the offer. "If I accept, hypothetically, what is the proposition that I'd bring to the leader?"
"When I say a proposal, I mean it literally. I want you to tell her that I request her hand in marriage. If the leaders are married, our two settlements will unite into one."
