This is a co-op story between AG and I.

Sifridus takes a seat in a massive room just next to the new Diet Chamber in Rome. His audience with the Illuminati Grand Master had been granted and he sat patiently waiting for Arnold's arrival.

From a side door to the room the still young looking Arnold walks quickly into the massive study and sits behind a large table.

Sitting he picks up a parchment that is the letter Sifridus wrote requesting the meeting.

After looking up he found that Arnold's stare bored into and through him.

"I've been informed young Sifridus that you wish to join the Order. What exactly are you trying to accomplish young man!!??"

At the end of his sentence Sifridus heard a click behind him.

Turning to glance backwards he saw, standing no more than two feet away, the Berserker Grom and the Dread Knight Bane, both eying him intently.

The click seems to have come from a massive crossbow now aimed at his back. The third man holding the crossbow, Sifridus had never seen him before.

A trickle of sweat dripped down Sifridus' forehead as he began a hasty explanation to Arnold, "I want to be like you, Lord. I am not like my father, the man was forever a fool for following those self defeating principles of his. he used to lecture me about never doing anything similar in any way to men like you and Fritz. I heard great tales of your victories and the way that you mercilessly, yet logically, dealt with the remnants of enemy forces. I believe I am of the right frame of mid to join the sacred order, though that is the decision..."

He tailed off speaking far too fast to be heard properly.

Picking up where the young man left off, Arnold's gaze continues to hold Sifridus' attention;

"that is the decision We in the Order will have to make. Yes you are correct in your statement there.

You need understand Sifridus. The Order has only just recently decided to reveal itself to the unenlightened, therefore we have never received a proactive request for anyone to join. I understand that this would seem a logical thing to have happen but all future members will not be disclosed to the world as a rule. While the Five remaining members of the Order are known to all at this time...the Order's new recruits will not be. They will therefore slowly fade back into the background over the course of time and again take it's position in the shadows.

I would therefore recommend that you go about your life as you wish and know that, as usual, the Illuminati will deliberate on potential candidates and their relative merits and flaws. If you are regarded as someone worthy of joining you will be contacted in due course.

Does that satisfy you Sifridus?"

Arnold leans forward on the desk wit his elbow, while he steeples his hands waiting for a response.

A look of utter disappointment crosses Sifridus' face.

"But I am made of the same things as you all are, I know how to make this nation as great as it can be! Surely you can at least take my plea to the other members, I assure no-one knows I am here, no one!"

The look on Arnold's face tells him that there is no point in trying but the boy will stop at nothing, he now speaks slowly and clearly and with a sinister tinge,

"you do know that of I am refused acceptance then there is a strong possibility my talents will be used against you...trust me when I say it is not in your best interests to make me want to do what my father failed to do. I can achieve where he cannot, there are no stupid morals to stop me. All my goals will be achieved."

It is a wonder that a boy of such a young age can muster the confidence to speak in such a way to the most feared man in all the known world.

The lone raised brow of Arnold is all that can be seen in response to such a thinly veiled threat. Leaning back in his chair the Grand Master smiles broadly.

"You have an impressive amount of courage for one so young...especially considering who and what is stationed behind you.

Unfortunately Sifridus, you must understand that threats and pressure tactics are something I've experienced a great deal that in my life time. Given your statement I will say this.

The Order WILL NOT change it's recruitment process for you, or anyone, and certainly not under the guise of having run the risk of you work against us. I hope you can understand, that under those conditions I would take that risk every time and I would hope you can see my point of view.

Having said that, you do seem to be motivated and you do not lack courage, which is a fine trait to have. Therefore I will raise your name for discussion at the next council. But I will not discuss this topic with you any further than now.

If you are deemed worthy then the Order will make contact with you as we have done so since the very beginning of our existence.

Is that acceptable to you?"

The tone of the Grand Masters voice leaves little room for doubt about accepting the statement or not. However he does seem prepared to wait for you answer.

"this will do for now, I trust the Gods will have the council see sense. Please pass the message on to them that their lives depend on the decision."

He turned slightly in his chair and smirked at the crossbow, "such old contraptions do not frighten me. I have full confidence in my abilities and have no doubt that I could be the only man alive in this room should I wish it. Thank you for considering me Arnold, it has been a pleasure talking to you."

With that the boy got up and headed for the door, not bothering to look back to check whether the men standing behind him had decided to stop him or not.

The door closes behind the young man leaving the room is silence for a time while the four men contemplate what just happened.

Finally Grom begins to chuckle, drawing the attention of the others to him. Realising everyone is clearly waiting for some explanation, Grom shrugs his massive shoulders and says; "He's either completely mad or the four of us are just getting old."

There's a pause as the other three men continue to look at the Berserker with questioning stares.

"I find the whole thing fun because I swear I just heard him say that the Orders future will be finished if we don't admit him, AND that the four of us would be dead if he so wished it!"

Again the big barbarian starts to chuckle at the whole situation. After some moments he realises the others aren't joining in the humour.

Finally the Grand Master turns towards the door that admitted the young man. In a quizzical and thoughtful tone the Grand Master says to no one in particular.

"Indeed my large friend, that IS what he just said."