“It’s easy to think that the law is all that matters when your path to becoming a superhero is all but guaranteed, Max.” Alexander gave him a tired smile. “Some of us got thrown in prison and forced to see the world for what it is. And even after we escaped, all that’s left to us is to rail against the bars that keep us trapped.”
“That’s why I wanted you and Grimnir to be part of it,” Maximilian said. “Because you understand better than the rest of us why it matters so much.”
Alexander shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. You can’t build something good on top of a corrupt foundation, Max.”
Raelene spoke for the first time. “What if we helped you tear out the corruption, then, Alexander?”
Everyone turned in her direction.
“What do you mean?” Julia asked her friend.
Raelene glanced at her and shrugged. “I’ve been investigating Santiago Systems for months. Ever since you told me that there was no way your beloved, totally-ex-boyfriend could ever possibly have deserved to be thrown into prison.”
Julia gaped at her. “I didn’t say that. I might have been complaining—”
“Anyway,” Raelene said, cutting her off, “one thing led to another, and I uncovered a lot of circumstantial evidence against both them and AEGIS. Nothing damning by itself, but enough that we distanced ourselves. Not to mention our fearless leader over here has been clashing regularly with their representatives ever since they forced us to pull our press release admitting that Grimnir had taken out Mercy and Pandora’s crew. Add that to whatever intelligence Talia has, plus tonight’s incident, and I’m sure we can show where both guilds stand on this matter.”
“I would also be on board with such a plan of action,” Sheikha Khalida said. “Unfortunately, it does not solve the primary problem. I fear the conversation has gone astray.”
“Actually, it might,” Jasmine said suddenly. “The issue is a breach of contract between Grimnir and the ESA. However, the Emirates Superhuman Authority acts as arbitrators only as an extension of the United Arab Emirates.”
“Because they delegate it,” Brandt concluded. “But the actual authority rests with the nation. And its rulers.”
Jasmine nodded. “Exactly.”
Alexander turned to her. “How does that help us, though? Because I’d really like it if it did.”
“Well, if Sheikha Khalida or another high enough ranking leader within the country were to have sanctioned your… operation, perhaps even as part of an ongoing investigation into the theft of superhuman serum from the Ascension Oasis, along with possible AEGIS involvement, then Grimnir would not have been breaking the rules of arbitration at all.”
Annie leaned over his shoulder, almost causing him to jump. “That sounds perfect. Would that work?”
The Sheikha smiled, but shook her head. “It’s a plausible idea, but for one problem. Even if I were to create and backdate the paperwork, the truth would come out during the UEG’s subsequent investigation into the matter. Which would inevitably involve truth-seekers.”
“Unless…” Brandt paused, frowning, “such discussions were to have taken place during mediation. Because only the Galactic Council Arbitration Committee can demand the release of anything discussed or agreed upon as part of arbitration. And they would have no reason to if all parties involved were in agreement.”
“They also don’t have access to superpowers for detecting any deceit,” Jasmine added.
Maximilian crossed his arms. “It would be easily disproven. Sheikha Khalida was not involved in our arbitration discussion.”
“She was, actually,” Alexander said. “She involved herself telepathically during our first meeting. Spoke to us through the clone. We could use truth-seekers in our favor if we agreed to only answer the right questions.”
Brandt turned to Maximilian. “It is an elegant solution, assuming all parties were agreeable. The details of our conversations would be protected. It would only take a single statement from the Sheikha, declaring that both Grimnir and the Throne of Scales were engaged as… outside experts on superhuman matters.”
Alexander looked at Jasmine. “Aren’t you two not allowed to suggest we do something illegal?”
Her eyes met his. Calm. Sharp. “I am not at all advising you to do anything illegal, Mr. Rooke. I am merely explaining the complex interactions between UEG and galactic law, as well as hastily amended contracts by duly appointed arbitration authorities.”
Alexander blinked. Then he glanced between Khalida and Maximilian. “And you two would be okay with this…” He waved a hand in the air. “Legal fiction?”
The Sheikha leaned back in her chair, hands steepled in front of her face. “I would require concessions, of course. Namely, Dubai becomes an operational center for some major element of whatever the Machine God and the Dragon Lord are involved in.” She smiled. “There isn’t much I wouldn’t do to ensure my city’s future, and I can’t see any better way to accomplish that than having two of the prophesied Eight as beholden protectors.”
Alexander turned to Maximilian, whose expression had hardened. There was a long silence.
Then the other guild leader nodded. “I am…” Maximilian ground his teeth. “Willing to concede the necessity of this plan. Contingent upon finalizing negotiations between Grimnir and the Throne of Scales.”
Alexander stared at him. He hadn’t believed the man capable of bending, not where it really counted. Then again, he had once before, just a little, on the Nexus. When it meant choosing between protecting lives or keeping a top-secret piece of superhuman intelligence.
Perhaps they were more alike than either of them wanted to admit.
Alexander laughed as the tension drained away.
He hadn’t really wanted to be a galactic criminal, anyway.