OMEGA Conscript by Stephen Arseneault Page A

a fool and didn't recognize what he had. It was he who taught me that a man is defined by his achievements. Our father built up his vast wealth on the backs of others. He was no saint. But he had no further vision than wealth. I have! I have a vision where we control the six galaxies and beyond!
    "We cannot reunite the Alliance by openly attacking the other families. We have neither the resources nor the wealth to do so. The moment we attack one, the others will rally behind them. That is all the New Alliance is, a pact to stop each of us from attacking one another. The New Alliance is nothing more than a deterrent."
    Joseph Salton looked at his brother. "And how does taking worlds by force in another galaxy help us?"
    Harden sat and smiled. "The portal gives us a way to build both wealth and power beyond the prying eyes of spies. We have our people in the territories of the others, they have their spies here. Here, we cannot make a serious move without them knowing. We struggle to conceal that portal as it is. Once we crush the Moddle, and turn the Grumar and Grotus fully to our cause, we can freely build an army and a fleet that could easily overpower the other families, even if they join together. Can't you see it, Joseph? Trillions of citizens all under our guidance! No more trade wars, no riots, no hunger. And a new galaxy added to our empire! One of many to come!"
    Joseph looked down at the floor before looking out the window. "You really have gone mad with power, haven't you? No one man could control such a vast empire. Look at the rebellions in our own. We can't control what we have."
    Harden placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "You truly do not have the vision. Would you have me be nothing but a tin-pot despot who struggles to keep what few citizens he has in line?"
    Joseph turned quickly. "Few citizens? You command billions and yet we struggle with a new rebellion almost every day!"
    Harden frowned. "Rebellions and unrest instigated by the spies of our enemies. I can assure you, brother, the other families have the same issues. Our own people have seen to it."
    Joseph took another sip from his cup. "I just wonder if we need to turn our vision inward. If we focused our energies on our own people, perhaps we could turn things around."
    Harden scowled. "Don't go soft on me now, brother. You and I dreamed of the day when we would be in charge, a day when justice was dispensed in a manner that was fair to everyone. Disputes would be settled with the wave of one of our hands. It would be a day when the portals once again flowed freely with citizens, a day when new frontiers could be explored, when new worlds would be conquered and added to our empire. We formed this dream together, Joseph. Tell me you have not lost your way! Tell me I am not alone in this venture!"
    Joseph gazed out the window for several seconds. "You are my brother, my best friend. I will not turn on you. Nor will I leave your side. Just understand that I don't have your fortitude, your determination, or your vision. I live in a simpler world where a man's measure is not taken by what he has accomplished, but by how he accomplishes it."
    Harden smiled. "It is your voice of reason that allows me to achieve what I do. I have the vision, you have the moral compass that adds balance to that vision, making it something that can be achieved. My brother, I can feel the greatness building inside me every day. A greatness I will eagerly share with you. We may only be a decade away from having the fleet and army we desire. Following that, the Salton Empire will become a reality!"
    Joseph looked back at his brother. "And what of Joni? Is she to remain a captive?"
    Harden sighed. "She is a slave to her strong will. If she doesn’t take sides against her own family, she’ll be free to do as she pleases. But, make no mistake, I will not allow her to interfere with our work. It is Joni that has chosen her current path. It is only she who can free herself from