Written by The Watcher
In orbit over Prime (2.0) Earth, the rag tag fleet that was that worlds defenders suddenly went on alert as proximity sensors registered a gate suddenly opening near their vicinity. Scrambling to form a defensive formation, they waited to see what sort of ship would emerge, and whether it would be friend or foe.
Then, emerging from the unnatural hole in the dimensional barrier, came a ship instantly recognized by all the members of HALST. One whose shape was familiar to them all from even before they ventured beyond their world. A ship whose might and grandeur made it the only one suitable for ferrying the ruler of a galactic empire. The Super Star Destroyer Executor had arrived.
As HALST's fleet of ships readied themselves to face this potential threat, their sensors reported that all of the SSD's weapons were powered down, and it had dispatched none of its fighters. Atypical behavior for an attacker. As they patiently held their fire, waiting to see what developed next, a hail from the ship suddenly broke the silence of space.
"This is the Meddler to the members of HALST. I approach under flag of truce. We have matters of mutual interest to discuss, concerning the fate of the multiverse."
And in his chair the Meddler sat back, and waited for their reply.
Written by Nobody
"Nobody has received your call, Meddler. Speak, I represent HALST... What do you know of this threat to the Multiverse??"
Written by The Watcher
Nobody: "Why should we join with you? You've been nothing but an enemy to us ever since Asgard. Why should we trust you now?"
"Because we have a common enemy. I don't want to be destroyed by him anymore than you do. And once he finds out about my existence I will be on his list of people to deal with. As long as our interests coincide then we can work together despite our suspicions. And besides, you need me. I can lend you resources you desperately need. And I have knowledge that you would definitely want to have."
Nobody leaned forward at this.
Nobody: "Like what?"
"Like a possible achilles heel that can be used to engineer the Overlord's downfall. Now are you interested in an alliance?"
Written by Nobody
Nobody gestured behind him
"If you would join us, perhaps for dinner? There's no reason to be uncivilized about all this..."
Written by Tanith
Later on, the assembled HALST members, as well as Z-man and the Meddler, sat around a large round dining table of polished wood. The remnants of their dinner, eaten in tense and awkward silence, lay on the table as the service drones cleaned it up.
Many chairs stood around the table, each one with a HALST member's name marked upon it. Several were glaringly empty, a constant reminder to all of the losses they had endured in the war so far.
Ghost and Brief had fallen in an undercover mission against the Overlord's empire in its early stages. No one held any serious hope that they might yet be alive.
KastOwt and Saintjon were in a high tech hospital on HALST island, having sustained greivous injuries in the line of duty. Reports on their progress had not been heartening, to say the least.
Metaphysician had been missing in action for weeks now, having last been seen leading a large fleet of rebel Culture vessels, of which only a small remnant had returned. No sign of him had been heard of since.
Finally, the Meddler cleared his throat, garnering the attention of all those assembled. Slowly, he began to speak of what he knew. It was clear to him that, in order to win the trust of his erstwhile enemies, the only way to do so was through the truth.
Written by The Watcher
"As you all know already, I have various sources of information throughout the multiverse. Besides my own vaunted powers, I have legions of informants and deep cover agents hidden in shadows everywhere. The Overlord's realm is no exception to this. And my sources there have informed me of a most unfortunate setback for our megomaniacal friend."
Nobody: "What sort of setback?"
"Have you ever heard of the Orb of Power?"
There was a look of vague recognition at the Meddler's question from among some of his audience, puzzled ignorance in others.
Z-Man: "I've heard legends about it. Stories I picked up in my travels around the multiverse."
"Those legends were true. A glowing sphere small enough to held in one's palms. No one knows where it originally came from. Some say it was the crystallization of all the infinite possibilites that are or could be. Others say it is the fulcrum of existence on which the entire multiverse balances. Still others claimed it was the ultimate source of everything, and that all that exists partakes of its essence.
What all agree on was the power it offered was absolute. Anyone who wielded it could use it to fulfill his every desire. Create worlds. Destroy gods. Remold entire universes. With it, nothing is beyond one's power. If one could envision it, one could do it."
KrispyKreme: "And you're saying this Orb truly exists?"
"Not only did it exist, but until recently it was in the Overlord's possession. Thanks to a miscalculation on his part coupled with the last heroic act of Captain America, it has slipped from his grasp. Now it is at large, randomly traveling through domains as yet untouched by the Overlord's power.
Already his forces are scrambling to find and retrieve it. Which is why we must join forces. With the opposition arrayed against us it will take all of our resources put together to have a chance of success. Now you finally see why it's imperative we work together. This is the opportunity we've all been waiting for. If we can obtain the Orb first, then all that the Overlord has wrought can be undone. Victory against him can be ours!"
Written by Ramz
"Alright Meddler, we'll agree to this unholy alliance of yours, even though it sickens me to do so. But remember one thing, if we do come in possession of the orb before the overlord can get his filthy hand on it, you won’t be the one to use it."
Nobody: "I agree with Ramz. Meddler, you're not getting the orb under any circumstance."
Krispy: "Damn right he doesn't, he is still evil after all..."
Most everyone else at the meeting also agreed to these terms set for by the surviving heroes. All but the Meddler, whose face was yet unreadable.
Ramz: It's settled then, *if* the orb comes into our possession, Meddler, you must agree it doesn't fall into you're hands at any time...
All eyes looked to the Meddler and awaited his response...
Written by The Watcher
I've brought peace to a galaxy by helping end a violent war of insurrection. I've foiled madmen and monsters like Dread Warlord FBH and Necrobe from recking havoc and destruction. Unlike the people under the Overlord's domination, the people under my rule are happy and satisfied subjects. Disagree with my moral outlook all you want. But to simply call me evil merely because I'm willing to do what is necessary to obtain power does me a grave injustice by associating me with those who truly deserve the label.."
The Meddler looked around the table, observing their reactions to his protest of KrispyKreme's remark.
"As for the matter of the Orb, my priority is neutralizing the threat the Overlord poses to myself and my powerbase. Using the Orb against him could do that. If that means you wielding it instead of me, then so be it. Keeping the Orb out his hands is a worth paying the price of keeping it out of mine.
But if circumstances conspire so that it came down to a choice between myself and him, I assure you that insuring that I obtained it would result in a far better circumstances for the multiverse than the ones that are currently in effect. Think about that if the situation ever comes up."
