Due to the fact we had an ongoing blockade, it was not like we were not going to be seeing more of each other. Something I was not expecting to see was another AEP unit. Now there were 4 of them peering through our doors from the street. I did not know what to make of this. The 2 pairs were from the anti-human Cold and Heat Clans of the Conqueror faction. They had come to see us and wanted to know why us non cyborgs were not head yet. It was kind of creepy but cute in a way. Obviously, this behavior was noticed. I went out to meet them. They were not friendly at all. They tried to intimidate me like our clans AEPs did to Hunter. I knew what to expect, so it did not phase me. The Cold Clan AEPs tried provoking me in multiple ways. I just ignored them. I smirked at how angry it made them. The Heat Clan AEPs were a bit more analytical. "Why are you not running away!?" the female asked. "This is my clan. I am the clan engineer. I don't need to run away because this is my base. Why are you 4 here!? This is a Magnetic Clan territory." was my answer. They all looked at each other.
Listening to them, it seemed that the other Conqueror factions clans were a more than a bit displeased with Magnetic Clan. Not only did they spill the beans about the successful rise of the AEP units, they constantly got into big fights with the military. It put everyone in the faction at risk. Another thing these clans could not over look was the fact that humans were in an independent PEP clan. Having a clan be independent was bad enough. Having us humans in a clan was also unsightly. Having humans lead an independent clan with several vassal clans that rivaled the major clan's power was totally unacceptable. Seeing as we had not bent the knee and we also did not kill ourselves, Cold and Heat Clans were getting really annoyed with Magnetic Clan. I was also informed that enough time had passed for the special X-frames to bear another AEP unit. That explained why there were 2 of each. It made sense. Some of the X-frames had been destroyed in the initial breeding and incubation period. The ones that survived were at 2 AEPs. Those that did not, now had their first. It was great.
Them being here was a problem. They obviously did not like me and would probably try to kill Hunter on sight. Brett came out and asked what was going on. I gave him the rundown. He shrugged before waving his wand. He cast Energy Drain on them. They were powerless on the floor. "Looks like we have some new bargaining chips." he said with a sigh. They were apoplectically angry when we called them up. Our demands were simple. They had to affirm human's ability to join PEP clans. And pay us a ransom. If not, we would kill the AEP units. Both clans called our bluff. We killed the male presenting ones on the call. That stunned all the clan leaders. We were not playing around with them. "You keep messing with us and we will sell the others straight to the government." I warned. That got them. They paid 12,000 credits each and then put out a full statement to all of the clans that they were okay with allowing humans join PEP clans. We were visited by 12-001. He had another AEP with him. It was clear to me that it was 12-002. I just crossed my arms and waited for them to speak up.
