by Yakov Merkin
The acting chairman made the same request of the Felinaris and Snevans, and Darkclaw watched as King Feliar and Supreme Warlord Sarkan signed as well.
Once they had done so, a holographic projection appeared over the room. It was an enormous DNA strand. It was meant to be a symbol of unity, containing strands from the genetic material of each species that was a member of the Alliance. As everyone watched, three new segments appeared, and attached themselves to the intertwining strand, which continued to rotate above the room.
Somewhere, someone began to applaud, and the applause grew until the room was thundering with it, though Darkclaw could easily pick out sections that were not joining in.
Despite the knowledge that his work was far from over, Darkclaw felt pride stir within him as he clapped as well. He had brought the Alliance peace, and a chance for a brighter future.
CHAPTER 31
After the ceremony, all that had been left to do were some planned talks with the representatives of various species, and the dinner itself. Too many of the talks degenerated into shouting, and there were at least three brawls that had to be broken up by security, which cast a pall on the acting chairman’s words on unity.
As soon as he was able, Darkclaw excused himself from the hall and went outside to a large outdoor balcony that overlooked a beautiful natural landscape, one of the few such locations left on Dorandor, and one of the prime attractions of this dining hall, by the advertisements he had seen.
So he stood outside in the cool evening, staring out at the trees and water as the sun set behind them, taking in the view and the pleasant scent of the moist greenery. It was a calming sight.
“Darkclaw?” he heard someone—Nayasar, he would recognize her voice anywhere—ask from the doorway.
“I required a few moments of quiet,” he replied. “Feel free to join me if you wish.”
“I had the same idea just now. I’ve always hated formal events,” Nayasar said as she moved to stand next to him and leaned on the balcony’s railing. She was quiet for a moment as she stared out at the scene before them. “Sights like this can really make you forget all your troubles,” she sighed.
“That would be a difficult task,” Darkclaw said, though Nayasar was probably right.
“At least there’s time now for things other than life and death decisions,” she said. “Darkclaw,” she added a moment later, as he turned to her. She too was wearing a military dress uniform, which looked very much like her armor, only thinner, and without all of the additional parts that made the armor look like proper combat gear. Armor suited Nayasar better, but Darkclaw supposed that it was good for her to do something different, sometimes. “I should apologize,” she said, staring him in the eye for a moment, “for my ill-advised actions, for all but abandoning you even after I forgave you. It was childish, unprofessional, and could have ruined everything.”
Darkclaw was silent for a moment as he tried to work out a proper response. He tentatively reached over and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Do not worry about it. Everything worked out, in the end. If you were able to forgive me for everything I did to you, I can surely forgive you for what you did. And remember, you did find the device that ultimately led to the High Lord’s destruction.” Though the device itself had failed, Darkclaw would never have even gotten the weapon—his claws—to where they needed to be.
Nayasar smiled and rested her hand on Darkclaw’s for a moment. “Thanks,” she said before he withdrew his hand.
“How do you manage yourself when you have so many responsibilities?” Darkclaw asked. “I never wanted to be the leader. I was created to be a follower.”
“You were also created to be completely loyal to the High Lord. We are all what we make of ourselves. And while we’re on the subject, do you intend to take up the High Lord’s title? Or a first name?”
Darkclaw didn’t answer immediately; he truly did not know. By rights he was the high lord now, but he did not want that title. It did not fit him, and it brought back too many memories. The title was irrevocably stained. And a first name? “I have not thought much on it,” he finally replied. “There is too much else to worry about, too much to do. Do you think we will ever be truly accepted within the Alliance, after what we have done? You saw what happened inside.”
“Honestly? I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. “What I do know, however, is that we did fine without them, so there is nothing to worry about. We should keep our guard up though. The Darvians hold grudges almost as long as my own people do.”
Darkclaw nodded. “There is so much more to be done,” he said. “The ten battlegroups that deserted shortly after the High Lord’s death have not been found, and the Scions that came under his influence are still missing as well must be dealt with. Whatever their loyalty is to now, they will not let us rest, and most of my efforts these last weeks has been devoted to establishing my people on our new world. I worry that the work will never be done.”
“Take it one thing at a time,” Nayasar said as a cheer erupted back inside the hall. She smiled. “That would be Felivas officially announcing our engagement,” she said. “He lost the wager. Again.”
Darkclaw smiled. That was as good news as any. He was truly happy for them, particularly after all that Nayasar had been through.
“But as I said,” Nayasar continued, “take it one thing at a time. Just do each thing as well as you possibly can; no one can ask for more. I learned that the hard way myself. Have I ever told you about the time I nearly got myself killed on my first ever official operation?”
Darkclaw shook his head and turned to stare at the landscape as Nayasar excitedly launched into her story. She was right; it was not worth worrying about everything at once.
There would always be challenges, but whatever came at them, they would be ready to face it.
Glossary
Acaviss System: The home system of the arachnid Stiliek. As a relatively new member of the Alliance, it does not have much involvement in general Alliance politics, mostly dealing with its immediate neighbors.
Algen: A Tehlmanlike species native to the Algen system. They are naturally more acidic than Tehlmans, due to their homeworld’s climate, and also have plantlike traits, being able to derive sustenance from sunlight and regenerate, over time, even lost limbs.
Algen System/ Algen: The Algen, and their home system, are not major players politically within the Galactic Alliance, but over time their system, not too far from the Alliance’s core worlds, became a business hub, to the point where over a third of those living on the planet’s primary world are not natives, though they are often referred to as Algen regardless.
Aliyasen: The capital city of the Khadohs Kingdom of Felinar.
Ashmouth, the: The mythical being Daeris believe to be the source of the Flame, and their species.
Atheneum Alpha: A large information and document storage station at the edge of Alliance space. The station attracts many researchers and students of all levels, who seek out an isolated place to conduct research. The presence of many rare documents and relics also attract researchers who wish to more authentically interact with their subject of study. The station also provides both short and long-term living spaces and services for its occupants.
Bannets: A short, amphibious species native to the Denoth system. The Bannets are relatively new to both the galactic scene and the Alliance, but have taken steps to becoming a contributing member of the Alliance, and have a number of their species serving as Scions.
Bondar System/Daukar: A system just outside the Alliance center, the Bondar system has two inhabited worlds, the more significant being Daukar and its several moons. On the planet is the Alliance military’s massive Solas Research and Development Facility, and around its moons house just over thirty percent of the Legion Navy’s shipyards.
Ciraton System: A system not far from the Alliance center, it has three heavily inhabited worlds and is home to numerous Alliance species, though it was originally a Tehlman
system.
CommNet: The public communications/information network in Alliance space.
Corpeiternis: The Reizan’Tvay name for the parts of their body made from an indestructible, metal-like organic material. Upon death, they are generally given to a close friend or relative that the Reizan’Tvay had previously selected.
Corseden System/Raonden/Kalisene: A core Alliance system, the Corseden system only has one inhabited planet, Raonden, but that world’s moon, Kalisene, is a major Legion Navy supply base, and the Legion Navy has a significant administrative and training facilities on both the planet and the moon.
Crihal: A popular alcoholic beverage among Felinaris.
Cytan System/Cytan, Critar: The Cytan system, the home system of the crystalline Cytan species, lies on the edge of Alliance space. While it and its two inhabited worlds, Cytan and Critar, are still not the most well known, being relatively newer Alliance members, their abundance of rare and valuable minerals and breathtaking vistas have steadily made the system more of player in the Alliance.
Cytans: Cytans are a bipedal, crystal-based life form. Their exterior is a very hard bluish crystal, with no apparent orifices, protecting their few soft internal organs. Besides the bluish crystal, Cytans emit a colored glow from their eyes and from within, including red, green, and white. In the past, this determined their social class, and still plays a role in such things to this day, but to a lesser extent. This glow naturally brightens when a Cytan feels a strong emotion, but they can train to control this.
Daeris: The Daeris are a bipedal species, sharing many general features with Tehlmans and others. Their skin, however, is extremely tough and leathery, and usually some shade of red or orange, as are their eyes. Daeris are also known for the pair of distinctive, curved horns atop their head. Additionally, they have the unique ability to creature and eject a chemical-based flame from their bodies, and, are extremely resilient to heat. They have a reputation for being quick to anger, and tend to have a black and white sense of justice. Due in large part to the events of the Daeris Uprising, they are not seen in high regard amongst other members of the Alliance.
Daeris uprising: A short-lived by extremely destructive conflict that took place twenty years ago. An influential group of Daeris extremists, claiming that the Alliance was politically marginalizing them, riled up their people and launched at assault on the unprepared Alliance core worlds, inflicting extreme amounts of destruction before the Legion Navy fully mobilized and pushed the Daeris back to their homeworld and occupied it. The Alliance then oversaw a restructuring of the Daeris government, and practically dismantled their military, allowing only a minimal defense fleet containing only smaller ship classes.
Dar/Dal: Standard honorifics among most citizens of the Alliance, used in the same manner as Mr./Mrs. (or Ms.) in English.
Darvian Conflict: The Felinaris name for their most recent conflict with the Darvian League, some ten years ago. The conflict began when the Darvians ambushed a Felinaris outpost, killed most of the soldiers stationed there, and held the survivors hostage, demanding territorial concessions and prisoner releases from the Felinaris. The Felinaris responded with limited commando raids, and there were several significant fleet engagements, but the conflict was resolved in favor of the Felinaris before it became a full-on war.
Darvian System/Darvia: The Darvian system, which contains four inhabited worlds, is the home system of the Darvians, the seat of power of the Darvian League, which also includes numerous colonies in nearby, otherwise uninhabited systems that are not Alliance members. While not a core Alliance system, it is often considered one regardless, due to the central role the Darvians have taken in the Galactic Alliance despite still maintaining their own powerful military force. It relative proximity to Felinar has historically led to many conflicts with the Felinaris, and the Darvian League played a major role in ousting the Felinaris from the Alliance not long ago.
Darvians: Darvians are a large, broad, bipedal species. They have extremely thick and armored skulls, shaggy hair, and carapaced mouths that almost look like a mechanical device. Darvians, as one of the most significant and prolific (if not as widespread as Tehlmans) races in the Alliance, can be found on most Alliance worlds. They have a reputation of being extremely stubborn and combative, but are still often found in “quieter” professions.
Denoth System: The Denoth system, which has three highly inhabited worlds, is the Bannet home system. Due to unusual orbits of the planets in this system, each of its inhabited worlds has a part of their solar year become nearly uninhabitable, and as a result all inhabitants of these worlds are concentrated in specific areas where retractable domed protective enclosures have been constructed to allow civilization to continue largely unimpeded.
Detzak: Felinari word for justice.
Dorandor: The capital world of the Galactic Alliance, the only significantly inhabited world in the Konvot System, but the system name is rarely used. Dorandor was originally one a Tehlman colony world, which was then opened to interstellar trade. Its central location among various intelligent species that had trade and political relationships made it the obvious choice for capital of the Alliance when it was founded. Today, Dorandor houses all central government offices of the Alliance, and has grown into the primary trading hub of the Alliance.
Dorishak: The founder of the Felinaris religion. He is considered to have been the first Felinaris to communicate with the Omnipresent.
Durram: The common currency throughout Alliance space. Some systems maintain a local currency as well, but almost all establishments accept payment in durrams.
Ehran System/Tsarfaut/Moirez: The Ehran system currently only has one inhabited planet Tsarfaut, which is a Tehlman colony world, and one of the newest systems to have received Alliance membership. Tsarfaut has a single, desolate moon called Moirez.
Eletran System: The Eletran system was the last of what are currently considered the Galactic Alliance’s core systems to join the Alliance. After the Alliance’s near-collapse during the Talvostan Invasion, however, the strategic value of the Eletran system became apparent, and a joint venture was launched by Tehlman, Nihluran, Kareben, and Kanor elements to colonize the system’s four inhabitable worlds. Over time, due in part to its location, the system became a key Alliance member in its own right, with its diverse inhabitants eventually all identifying more strongly with their fellows in the Eletran system than their more distant governments, thus establishing the system as an independent member of the Alliance. It remains one of the few Alliance systems to maintain its own sizeable fleet, though it utilizes much of the same technologies and ship designs as the Legion Navy.
En-ozar Felikhan: Lit: Strength be with you, warrior. Felinaris military expression, used in similar places as good luck, or G-d be with you. Phrase has religious roots, but in practice is secular.
Feli: Felinari for God, usually translated as the Omnipresent.
Felikhai: Lit. Soldier of the Omnipresent. Felinari word for soldier.
Felikhan: Lit. Warrior of the Omnipresent. Felinari word for warrior (as opposed to soldier.) Historically, generally used in more religious contexts.
Felikhar ad-melkhan: Lit: Felinar fights on. Felinaris battle cry.
Felikharis: Lit. People of the Omnipresent. Felinari word for Felinaris.
Felinar System/Felinar: The home system and homeworld of the Felinaris. Felinar is the only world in the system inhabited enough to be considered an Alliance world, but there are numerous small colonies on several other worlds and moons. The Felinaris maintain one of the largest and advanced fleets in the Alliance, having refused to place their safety in Alliance hands, due to their regular conflicts with the similarly armed Darvians.
Felinar (warship): The flagship of the Royal Felinaris Navy, first Felinar-class battleship. Personal ship of Grand Admiral Nayasar Khariah.
Felinaris: A bipedal, feline-like species. The Felinaris are furred, with colors ranging from black to brown to gold, and most are on the sm
aller side in stature. The Felinaris, despite having very much entered the galactic arena, remain a more insular society than most, preferring their own kind and customs, and very few live outside of their home system. As a result, they have received admiration from some critical of the blurring of peoples and cultures that the Alliance has fostered, while others see them as outsiders, loyal only to their own kind.
Felinite: A rare metal, only found on Felinar, its moons, and the other worlds in the system, felinite is the strongest and most resilient metal currently known to science, with a thin armor capable of providing the same amount of protection as far bulkier armor made of other materials. Ship-class armor made of pure felinite is nearly indestructible, though due to the limited amounts of the metal available, alloys are more commonly used. The Felinaris had exported only extremely limited amounts of felinite, and this has led to disputes with other systems and the Alliance itself
Felishua: Lit: Thunder of the Omnipresent. Name of the Royal Felinaris Navy’s shock trooper battalion.
Felivas: Lit. Chosen of the Omnipresent.
First Contact War: The name the Felinaris use to refer to their war with the then Darvian Empire, their first contact with a species beyond their home system. The Felinaris were initially outmatched by their more advances foes, and much of Felinaris space was captured or ravaged by the Darvians, including part of Felinar. However, by this time the Felinaris had developed and constructed new ships and weapons, and managed to hold back the Darvians as they also made contact with the Snevans, who, seeking to limit regional Darvian influence, threw their support behind the Felinaris, eventually forcing the Darvians to sue for peace.