Chapter 1

"I first met Dakkoth Starkiller at The Screaming Raven on Antaff just inside the Saurian Commonwealth. I was working with Arissa Enris from SAURSEC on a slaver case when Starkiller started a fight in the bar. Enris and I broke it up and stated to question Dakk. His reason for starting the fight: To get my attention."

Lord Chancellor Zendistia McKenna

***

Lake Oceta – Paglia Province – The Migichinan Homeworld

The rut was on. The seasons had changed and the sultry Migichinan summer gave way to autumn. It was a time of year that Alliance Marshal Dakkoth Starkiller, an alien living among the Migichinan loved. It was the time of the hunt. It was the time that the balance between feral instinct and precise logical thought would erode, turning this officer of the law into a predator.

Dakkoth had taken his leave of the Alliance Marshals to take an extended and well-needed vacation. It did not take long for him to arrange for a personal shuttle after being granted a leave of absence by the new Lord Chancellor Zendista McKenna, and soon after, he was on his way to the Paglia province in the northern latitudes of the Migichinan homeworld.

Paglia was a province that offered something for everyone, from camping to shopping. Paglia Center, the largest city in the province, served as a gateway to the northern wilderness. There, one could find a wide assortment of clan merchants that offered everything anyone would need for a fun-filled and safe excursion into the wilderness.

Dakkoth bypassed these merchants, turning his nose up at all of the fancy gadgets and weapons that Migichinan partial to hunting favored to make their excursions easier. To Dakkoth, the true sport and nobility in hunting was in pitting the hunter's senses and skill against the hunted. He saw no honor or sport in using sensors and precision weapons, and saw less honor in 'the easy kill.'

Dakkoth loved the province, as it reminded him of the home of his youth. There were times that Dakkoth longed for the cooler climates of Si-Suwat, the Korat homeworld.

The Korat felinoids were natural hunters, and like most of his people, Dakkoth lived for the hunt. It reflected in his work and in his private life. How did "it" reflect in his work? Whenever he could, he would take off for Paglia and the hunting grounds. It was his way to relax, unwind, and answer the call of his more primal instincts.

He owned a small lodge at the base Kisha's Range, a beautiful group of mountains that boasted peaks of up to 15,000 feet. On his previous excursions to the province, he had bought land and built a hunting lodge on a small hill that would give him a clear view of both the mountain and the nearby Lake Oceta.

He left most of his gear behind, choosing only to wear a minimal amount of clothes. He took his GSD out of his pocket and looked at it for a moment. "Only a furling would hunt with on of these." He told himself as he tossed it onto a table. He would take down his prey with his own strength and hands, just as all Korat that preceded him had done.

Dakkoth's favorite prey was the Satwar, a deer like animal native to the Migichinan northlands. He had never seen anything like the creature on his native Si-Suwat, but once introduced to hunting them on the Migichinan homeworld; he was hooked, even though the last hunting trip on Si-Suwat would end in tragedy... As he tracked his first Satwar doe of this hunting trip, he remembered back to that last hunt.

***

Si-Suwat – 20 years ago...

"Uncle, why do we hunt?" Dakkoth asked. Five years ago, Dakkoth had reached his tenth year, when it was traditional for the patriarch of the pride to take the young males out for their first hunt. Dakkoth was the only young male in his Pride, his father having died in a conflict some time ago. The responsibility of ensuring that Dakkoth would grow to become a valued and respected member of the pride fell to his Uncle Skryn, who was both an elder and a shaman.

Skryn Daystalker was a hero among his people. While most Korat preferred to fight at night, using the shadows to their advantage, Skryn hunted and fought during the day, when his enemy's guard would be down.

The elder Korat had taught Dakkoth everything the young Korat knew about hunting and fighting. He prayed to the Goddess Koreese that he, too, would grow up to be a brave warrior, as his own brother had. Dakkoth had already mastered the shadows by age 9, and even during the day he could vanish into the shade of a tree and reappear over a mile away.

"Hrrmmm?" Skryn replied as he watched a buck in the distance.

"Why do we hunt, Uncle?" Dakkoth asked again.

"It's in our nature to hunt." Skryn replied as he prepared a Kon'dari pipe for smoking. "We've hunted since the first Korat appeared in the lands. We hunt for food, we hunt for hone our skills, and we hunt to survive." Skyrn lit the tobacco in the pipe, took a long draw from it, and held the smoke in. After a few seconds, he exhaled the smoke and offered it to Dakkoth. The sharing of a Kon'dari pipe had been part of ritual male bonding for the Korat since the beginning of recorded time for the felines, but it was a tradition that was in decline because of medical knowledge that was given to them by their interstellar neighbors.

"Why? We have farms now. We have cattle and fields." Dakkoth argued, also eyeing the buck in the distance. His nose wrinkled when he caught the scent of the animal and his ears perked. Dakkoth dismissed the scent and took a drag from the pipe. He did not particularly like the act of smoking, but the vanilla aroma of the burning tobacco was at least pleasant, and he did not want to dishonor his uncle by outright refusing the offering of the pipe. He was not sure why the tradition even existed, but when he drew in the smoke and held it, it became clear to him. He relaxed… and his senses came together in focus. The smoke did not hinder his senses at all, instead, it amplified them.

"We hunt because we can and because it is in our blood to hunt, son of my brother. Korat come from the land, Korat live by the gifts that the land provides, and Korat will return to the land when it is time to leave their pride. Not to hunt would be to lose our identity." Skryn said as he picked up a stick and drew a circle in the dirt. "We are tied to a circle of life. To hunt is to live! Would you ask a Migichinan to give up her battleframe? Would you ask a Saurian to give up a wrench? All races have something they are good at doing. The Korat, we hunt." Skryn stabbed the stick into the center of the dirt circle and then turned his eyes to his nephew, wondering if he had answered the boy's question.

Dakkoth continued to watch the buck. "We hunt to survive; we hunt because it's who we are." He whispered as he flexed his legs. "We hunt because we are Korat."

"Yes, Dakkoth, go!" Skryn urged. Dakkoth tossed the Kon'dari pipe back to his uncle, bolted from their cover, and darted towards the buck. The buck looked up from its grazing and peered at the gray mass that was getting bigger. It chewed on its mouthful of grass and watched the mass grow larger and larger until it started to take shape. The buck started to consider the gray mass more carefully, was it a threat? It seemed to be getting bigger with each passing moment.

By the time the buck realized that the gray mass was a predator and likely not interested in a friendly smell-each-other's-rump session, it was too late! He turned in a scramble, leaping, and running, darting back and forth through the woods. Dakkoth had a clear lock on the scent of the buck, even as it tried to confuse Dakkoth and throw him off the trail.

The buck's darting and dodging tested Dakkoth's resolve, forcing him to think focus his attention on the buck and try to predict the constantly changing direction as it fled from its predator. Out of panic, the buck turned sharply and closed the distance between predator and prey, allowing Dakkoth to connect with the buck. The buck was thrown off-balance and toppled under the Dakkoth's weight falling and rolling, tossing Dakkoth over the top. Dakkoth twisted in mid air, landing on his feet and skidded backwards a few feet. The buck struggled to get back up and Dakkoth charged at the buck, tackling it mid-section.

The buck collapsed under the sheer weight and strength of its Korat predator. Dakkoth slipped his arms through the rack and around the strong neck of the buck to control the animal. Even though the buck tried to struggle, Dakkoth was too powerful and with a swift flex, he snapped the buck's neck. The buck managed a single, pleading blatt before it went down.

Skryn caught up minutes later. "Well done, boy!" He exclaimed as he looked over the fresh kill. "We will eat well tonight!" Dakkoth looked at the Satwar's blood on his hands, and then up to his approving uncle and smiled.

As darkness fell across the land and the stars began to twinkle back into existence for their nightly appearance, Dakkoth and his uncle established a camp, built a fire from the brush, and dried fallen branches from around their camp. Together, they cut up the buck and cooked a portion of the meat, hanging the rest from a tree for safekeeping.

"Dakkoth, you are every bit the hunter your father was." Skryn again produced his Kon'dari pipe and prepared it. "Have you considered your future?" He opened a pouch, but instead of the vanilla scented tobacco, he selected a smaller pouch that smelled of rum.

"My future?" Dakkoth asked. "I want to be a warrior!" His confidence was clear and present as he spoke. "It is my heritage! It is my blood! I can hear Koreese's call!"

"A warrior?" Skryn smiled. "The sun sets on the days of the warrior. The prides have ended the petty wars that have plagued our people. They practice politics, as taught to them by the Migichinan because the Migichinan tell us it is more…civilized." Skyrn almost spit at the mere mention of the word 'civilized'. The Migichinan will give us the means to increase our harvests, and in return, we will allow them to mine certain lands for fuels and materials. The prides feel this is good."

"You do not agree with the new way." Dakkoth observed. "I can tell. You yearn for us to hang on to the old ways."

Skryn shook his head. "My nephew, the world changes. If we do not change with the world, then the world leaves us behind. I am an old cat… and perhaps I should be left behind. You… you have a wonderful future ahead of you, if you choose it… but the way of the warrior is a way that is vanishing from our spirit."

"Then if I am not to be a warrior, what should I do? Should I hunt for the rest of my life? Tend a farm?" Dakkoth asked.

"Why limit yourself, boy? Look up. Those are stars up there. Among those stars are people. The Migichinan will give us the opportunity to leave our world and experience much more than what the lands can offer. Be the first to go to those stars!" Skryn urged as he raised his staff high.

Dakkoth looked up to the stars as he followed the sweeping motions of his uncle's staff "If I do go to the stars, will you come with me?"

"Me. HA! Do not be absurd. The sun sets on my life. I will return to the land soon, as it should be. Besides, you have a beautiful mate to fill your eyes with. Your eyes should not be filled with the skrag-hide of an old Korati" Skryn lowered his staff and looked to the ground. Dakkoth watched him as his uncle's shoulders slumped. He knew Korat men were supposed to be strong, even as they went to their death, but his uncle almost seemed ashamed. "When I was your age, I dreamed of seeing what lie among the stars. I fear that even though the Migichinan will free us from our worldly bonds, I will never live to experience it."

"If it is your wish for me to go among the stars to seek my destiny, then I will honor your wish." Dakkoth said in all seriousness.

"NO!" Skryn howled as he grabbed at the leather straps that crossed Dakkoth's chest. "Do nothing because I wish it! You are Korat! Your heart is the heart of a hunter and of a warrior! You should have no master other than yourself! You need bow to no one!"

Dakkoth considered Skryn's words. He took hold of Skryn's feeble hand that still clutched the straps on his chest "You don't agree with the decision of the prides to form an alliance with the Migichinan, do you?"

"Yes, and no." Skryn sighed. "The galaxy is a place that teems with life and we should take our place among the stars, but we just don't have the knowledge to make ships of our own. I fear that the Migichinan would become our masters, not our allies, as it has been whispered in the winds that they have subjugated other worlds. I don't trust them yet."

"But you want me to go among them?" Dakkoth became more confused.

"Yes." Skryn bowed his head. "Don't allow the thoughts of an old Korat to pollute your own. I do know that traveling among the stars is good. Do not decide to go to the stars because I tell you to, go because you decide to and want to." Skryn smiled, remembering the mating ritual of last night. "Take your new mate with you. She has given you her love. Give her the stars!"

Dakkoth nodded. His uncle had his times of senility, but he was still very wise.

"I remember when your father gave you your name. Your father and I were both kicked out of the hut where your mother was birthing your litter. We looked up at the stars and to our surprise, as you were born, a star exploded! It was at that point I knew your destiny would be not here, but up there." Skryn pointed upwards again at the tiny nebula that was seated among the stars above.

"Did you ever tell my father this?" Dakkoth asked.

"Yes. He thought I was, what is the word, ah, 'loony toonz'. Skryn laughed as he waved his hand around his head.

"That is how I got my name? I always thought it was more glorious." Dakkoth grumped.

"Starkiller is a name that I am sure that many will come to fear." Skryn growled.

***

Dakkoth woke the next morning to the sound of gunfire in the distance. He bolted upright and looked around. "Uncle!?!" He blurted out.

Skryn was already up and packing their gear. "Someone is attacking our village!" Skryn explained, tossing a pair of binoculars to Dakkoth. He peered down towards their village and saw smoke rising from the huts. Dakkoth zoomed in closer with the binoculars. He saw soldiers firing energy weapons at members of his pride.

"Uncle, we have to do something!" Dakkoth growled.

"Yes! Take to the shadows! We will join the battle!" Skryn commanded.

A nearby cave provided ample shadow to allow them to merge into the darkness and enter a world where there was no light. They looked at the darkness and together closed their eyes, then reopened them. "Focus on the light. The light is the destination; the destination is the light, focus on the light." They chanted together. Their eyes shone with a golden glow as they leapt into the dark shadows of the cave.

For the Korati, to traverse the shadows was to enter a world that was cold and dark… and it was world only the strong of will could enter, provided that they had been taught the Way of Shar'deese, to walk in the shadows, by a Shar'deese Priestess. To enter the Shar'deese untrained was to enter a dark world where it was easy to get lost among the spirits and demons of the lost. Only by focusing on the destination would the traveler not be lost to the horrors that lurked in the darkness.

To not focus on the light was to invite your doom, at least that is what Dakkoth remembered the Shar'deese Priestesses telling him. The Shar'deese was filled with malicious entities and those Korat who failed to focus and lost their focus as they ventured into the Shar'deese only to become lost among the shadows, never to return. He remembered the priestesses telling stories of young Korats who foolishly sought to hunt the Demons of Shar'deese, only to end up being turned into demons themselves, forever lost to the Shar'deese.

Dakkoth maintained his focus on the light, a bright point that was ahead of him. He heard the screams, the howls, the moans that floated through the Shar'deese like an eerie chorus. The dark song of the shadows its self was lure to get the Korat travelers to briefly look away from the light and become forever lost. Dakkoth, nor his uncle, took their eyes away from the light as they ran towards it.

They emerged from the shadows in an underground storage vault beneath Skryn's hut. There, they took up the traditional weapons of the Korat warrior that the old feline kept there and climbed a wooden ladder to the surface. Instantly, they smelled burnt flesh and fur, and heard the whines of energy rifles.

"Who would attack us? We are peaceful!" Dakkoth asked as his eyes darted around.

"It matters not who attacks us." Skryn replied. "All that matters is that we survive." Together, they rushed out to the center of the village with brandished blades and fell upon the soldiers.

They were humanoid in appearance, covered in leather and plate body armor. They wore helmets with tubes attached to a backpack and wires ran from sensors on their guns to their helmets.

Dakkoth did not recognize the emblems or words on the uniforms, but it did not matter to him. As his uncle said, all that mattered was that they survived. Together, the two Korat warriors cut through the alien soldiers with reckless abandon.

In the midst of battle, they had seen that most of their pride was already dead and that if they did not repel the attacking soldiers quickly, there would be no more reason to fight.

The Korat ran chaotic patterns, which kept the soldiers guessing as to what would happen next. Their speed kept them one-step ahead of the soldiers' sights and kept them alive. Dakkoth pulled his sword out of the last soldier he would kill and looked back at his uncle. He smiled and held up the dead soldier he had just finished off. Skryn nodded with approval, but his approval turned to shock when an energy bolt connected with Skyrn's chest and knocked him to the dirt.

Dakkoth looked to see that the shot was the final dying act of a soldier. The faceless soldier slumped to the ground. He wanted to scream, but only the Goddess would hear him and she likely already knew of the horror that had befallen this pride. No more Korati were left in the village aside from Dakkoth, and the fires that raged among the huts would leave nothing but a tale of death and destruction.

***

Dakkoth toiled into the night to prepare the funeral pyres that would offer his pridemates to the Goddess. He would occasionally look up to see ships belonging to the attacking soldiers fly overhead, and the moving stars were a sign that they were part of a much larger force that had likely invaded Si-Suwat. Flashes of light told him that the battle had been joined, but by who or what he didn't know.

With every timber Dakkoth raised, he swore an oath to Koreese to learn who killed his family, his pride, and to seek vengeance. He asked to live until the day when the cries of their spirits would be silenced from his head... the day when those spirits could join the Goddess in peace knowing that justice had been served. As he raised the last timber, he noticed a different scent on the air. Among the stench of death and burnt fur, he smelled something pure, something innocent. The presence of the scent did not make sense to him. All around him was death and destruction, but to smell something so pure here and now was an anomaly.

"A trap, maybe? A lure?" He pondered as his nose twitched. Whatever it was, he determined that he would not allow it to distract him from his task of sending his pridemates to their final destiny in the loving care of Koreese.

It was a long and grueling task to place the 63 bodies of his pride onto the pyre, and it was well past midnight when he was done. He did not know where he had found the strength to keep going, but he did, and when he finally finished, that scent crossed his nose again. This time, his eyes scanned the darkness and locked on three approaching figures. They were humanoid, with an obvious female scent. His ears perked and eyes thinned as he took up his uncle's sword and stood between them and the unlighted pyre. They were dressed in white robes that hugged their bodies as the material flapped in the gentle breeze. Cowls hid their hair and eyes, but their ruby lips were framed by pale, perfect skin. Each wore around their neck an emblem of the Migichinan, supported by a silver chain necklace.

Dakkoth picked up a particle beam rifle, shaking off the dead soldier whose corpse still clung to the grip. He raised the weapon and fired a beam in to the air "That is close enough! Who are you?" He called out to the three approaching women.

"We come in peace. We are not your enemy." The leading woman held up her hands to show the Korat that she held no weapons. The other two did the same. "We come bearing a blessing for you from Koreese, and a message from the Goddess of the Migichinan."

Dakkoth recognized the name of the alien Goddess and took a knee, but did not let go of the rifle. "Who are you?" He asked again. "Where do you come from?"

"We are messengers." The lead woman replied.

"Then speak your message." Dakkoth growled with clawed finger pointing at her. "And be quick. I am of little patience."

"You are the last of your people, the Humanis saw to that. Koreese weeps in pain and anguish, and will soon wither away unless she joins with another deity."

"You tell me this, why?" Dakkoth asked as his anger grew and he looked back at the bodies of his people. If what they were saying was true, then what happened in his village was happening to all Korat. Everywhere. His lips curled, revealing his fanged sneer. "Is this the fate of my people?" He turned back to face the messengers. "Does my pride end here? Are the Korat to be condemned to the pyres of eternity, to be forgotten as the embers burn out?

"You are the last of the Korat, and the hopes of your Goddess rest with you, and the Goddess of the Migichinan has made a deal with her. If you enter service for her, she will see to the resurrection of your people." The leading messenger said.

"But there are no more Korati, according to you." Dakkoth said.

"Yes, we did say that." The leading messenger replied. "And our Goddess will honor her promise if you serve her."

"I serve Koreese." Dakkoth challenged with clawed fingertip pointing at the messengers. "And you tell me I must serve a different Goddess? Your alien Goddess? Do you not see what has happened here? Aliens have killed my people! This is lunacy! We've harmed no one! We did not deserve this!" Dakkoth cried, as his gruffness broke, giving way to desperation and pain.

"Migichina does not ask for your devotion. She wouldn't dare take you away from Koreese. Look into your heart, Dakkoth Starkiller." The messenger said. "Hold up your torch." She instructed. Dakkoth thought for a moment and then lifted up a piece of wood and held it towards them. The messenger held out her own hand and her fingertips started to glow.

Dakkoth gasped and almost dropped the torch in shock when the tip ignited! "What magic is this?" He asked.

"It is the love and sorrow of Koreese, and the strength of Migichina. Mourn your pride, and then you will leave this world. It will die soon, as the grip of the Humanis tightens here."

"What about the Migichinan?" Dakkoth asked. "Why didn't they defend us?"

"There is nothing left to defend." The messenger said. "Except for you, the Korat are dead, at least for now. The deployment of the Humanis went unnoticed by the Migichinan, but at no fault to them. Only now are the children of our Goddess learning of the horrors that have happened here. There is nothing you can do until the time is right. We promise you and Migichina promises you, there will be vengeance. A price shall be paid for this."

"How do I know you are not responsible for the death of my people?" Dakkoth growled. The leader's words were something intended to sooth, but to be put at ease was not something Dakkoth needed. "How do I know it was not you who led the armies? How do I know it was not you who ordered their deaths?" He challenged, shedding the respect he had shown to them. He remembered how his uncle once said he was not sure he could trust the Migichinan.

"You cannot trust us." The leading messenger said. "You have no reason to and should strike us down, if it is in your heart to do so. We have served the purpose that our Goddess has given us. It would not be our fault if your ears were closed to us. If you cannot hear our words, then at least listen to your heart and hear the pleas of your Goddess." The three women drew back their robes to reveal their chests to Dakkoth. "If it is your desire to kill us, to quench your anger and need for vengeance, then you shall find us easy prey."

Dakkoth lowered his torch and tossed it to the pyre. The fire quickly flared and spread out to the timbers and then on to the linen wrapped bodies. As the flames reached for the heavens, tears started to stream from his eyes and his knees grew weak. He watched as the embers rose in a chaotic dance to join with the stars in the sky and eventually fade. The messengers approached the lone warrior and laid their hands upon him.

Dakkoth felt more than their gentle hands upon his short, grey fur. He felt their warmth, their genuine sense of caring for him… he felt love, but not from them. On the other side of the pyre for the briefest of instance, he saw the ethereal forms of Migichina, who was strong compared to Koreese. His Goddess was supported by the Migichinan Goddess as she reached out with slender feline arm to touch her last hope. He could hear her sorrowful, lonely cries carried on the wind. Dakkoth reached out his own hand.

"I will do it." Dakkoth resigned. "Koreese's will is my will, and if she's promised me to Migichina, then so be it, if it will return the people to their land."

The messengers bowed to Dakkoth. "The goddesses are pleased… mourn tonight, and we shall return to you at first light." With their message delivered, the crossed their hands across their chests and exploded into embers themselves and fluttered up into the night sky.

The lone warrior reached out to the embers, but winds rose where none were and swept the embers away. He turned back to the funeral pyre. "Koreese… please guide me." He whispered and sat down to watch the fires. He surveyed the village, still smoldering from the fires set by the Humanis shock troopers. The bodies of the troopers littered the ground as well, and for a brief instance he considered giving them the same honors that he'd shown to his own people. People. The Korat were people. The Humanis were nothing more than monsters, the kind that mothers were warn their cubs of, the kind of monsters that would spring from the tall grass and pounce on prey without warning.

Dakkoth stood up and walked towards them, kicking one of the Humanis bodies over. The glossy armor and helmet prevented him from seeing the gruesome progress of decay, but the stench was there. He picked up on of the Humanis soldiers and examined the glossy black armor. On a shoulder plate was the emblem of the Humans Federation. He ripped it away and tossed the body aside. He growled as he drew his claw across the plate, gouging the surface.

"Go join the Migichinan, they said." Dakkoth growled with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm A WARRIOR!" He screamed to the stars. "I HAVE NO SHIP!" He screamed again, spinning and waving his arms in desperation. "Koreese, Migichina, do you expect me to jump to another world? Maybe if I eat enough beans…" he turned and walked face first in to what seemed to be a metallic wall and fell on his butt. He looked up in bewilderment to find a Humanis troop ship.

"This will work…" He smiled.

***

Lake Oceta - The Present

Dakkoth leaped from his hiding spot and charged after the Satwar doe. He ran from the brush and towards the beach. The doe looked up and sniffed the air. She locked her eyes on the charging Korati and then turned to run, kicking up sand behind her.

Dakkoth closed on her quickly! He pushed harder and forced himself to run faster than the doe could. They raced down the beach and when they were finally neck and neck, he reached out and grabbed onto the doe and forced her over onto her back.

As he wrestled for control of the beast, something started to perplex Dakkoth. The doe's scent was wrong. She was not struggling, and she was not calling for help from any bucks that would be nearby. He pinned the doe on the sand and finally achieved physical domination by using his legs. With his arms free, he reached for his hunting knife in preparation to make the kill… but then the unexpected happened. The Satwar doe's fur and hard muscles started to lose shape and change. The fur gave way to softer peach flesh and the doe's snout recessed and reshaped.

"Hey there kitty kat!" Rhaine Quatralus cooed as she finished changing her form. "Looks like you caught me!" She smiled.

***

The Alliance Archology – The Council of Lords

Lord Chancellor Zendista McKenna walked into the chamber of the Council of Lords. The other Lords and Ministers were speaking among themselves, but a hush fell over the room as McKenna entered. The new Lord Chancellor looked at each one of the council members. Some could be counted as friends or allies, some could not. There was one among them that he loved. Lady Admiral Winter Ventrosia smiled as McKenna took his rightful place at the right hand side of the Lord Prime Xiang Ti.

"This session will come to order." Xiang Ti announced. "We have business to discuss. The guards will secure the doors and see to the safety of the Council during its deliberations."

The two Knights of the elite Eastern Order of The Knights of Migichina, standing guard at the doors to the inner chamber of the Council of Lords, stepped outside of the circular chamber and secured the massive doors. Then, they both shifted to their battleframes to signal anyone that approached that the Council of Lords was not to be disturbed.

"I am certain that the current state of relations with the Humanis Federation is first and foremost on your minds," Xiang Ti began, "but we have a vacant seat." He motioned to the chair in the circular chamber that had once been occupied by Riskahd Slann.

"For the first time since the inception of the Council of Lords and the appointments made by Lord Prime Draesoneth, a seat on the Council must be filled by appointment." Xiang Ti stated. "The Council shall put forth a candidate of noble status to be considered for the position of Lord Protector. Yes, I said Lord Protector." Xiang Ti reiterated. "The House Slann has long bore the duty of protecting the children of our Goddess and the Slann too often disregarded their duty in the pursuit of personal gain. Riskahd and his father Skathach gave themselves the title of warlord, further disassociating them from their responsibilities and tarnishing these chambers! Too often have their actions led us to war with other worlds, or war within our own soil! No more!"

"Lord Prime." Interior Minister Hovvel Chang said. "The Slann are best suited for leading our military. There has always been a Slann in the council and there always should be. It was clear in the investigations that followed Riskahd Slann's attempted coup that he was not in control of his own actions. We need not choose a new Lord Protector; we need to reinstate Riskahd Slann. The Alliance Marshals worked for McKenna and McKenna was Awraan's puppet!"

"Minister Chang." The Lord Prime said. "It is I who fills your house's coffers, not the House of Slann. I think that it is best you reexamine where your loyalties lie." Xiang Ti glanced over to McKenna, then back to Chang. "Unless you wish to continue with your accusations, of course. I am certain I can find someone to replace you as well."

Chang was shocked to hear these accusations of misplaced loyalty brought to the floor. "Lord Prime, I must protest! I will not stand for such allegations or threats!" He said, rising. McKenna rose as well with his hand sliding towards his sword. "Chang, we all know who you answer to. Now unless you plan to either leave or challenge the Lord Prime to the Rite of Ascension, I suggest you sit your ass down!" McKenna placed his hand on his sword. Even Xiang Ti's own hand was mere inches away from the hilt of The Sword of Draesoneth.

Chang, seeing that both McKenna and Xiang Ti were prepared to fight, sat back down. "I will not defy the Council or the Lord Prime."

"Smart." McKenna said and returned to his seat. If there was one thing the rest of the Council had learned from McKenna's ascension, it was not to mess with him.

"Who shall we nominate?" Lady Admiral Winter Ventrosia looked around the room to her collegues. "I know there are a number of suitable candidates in the military whom we could trust to keep the best interests of the citizens in mind."

"Viktor Franklyn." McKenna offered. Instantly, a larger-than-life hologram of the General appeared at the center of the chamber.

Xiang Ti looked over at his new right hand man. "Is he not the Mechanized Infantry General that stood by you during the days that led to your Rite of Ascension?"

"Yes sir. General Franklyn is a career officer. He is one of the best strategic minds in the military, and half of the battle plans that Riskahd Slann used were authored by Franklyn. On top of that, he is a very charismatic leader. His men would follow him anywhere, and he's emerged victorious in every campaign he's led." McKenna said.

"This is favoritism… Cronyism, I say!" Minister Hovvel spat.

Xiang Ti raised an eyebrow, but then nodded. "The Council shall consider his nomination. Are there any more candidates we should consider?" The Lord Prime asked.

"Eidos Tolliver Slann." Chang said.

"Riskahd Slann's own son!?!" Winter exclaimed. "Are you mad? We do not need another Slann, especially that little pervert, in this council! I thought that was already made clear."

"No Slann shall be considered for this position." Xiang Ti flatly stated. "The loyalties and controlling entities within the House are currently in a questionable state. And as for you, Hovvel Chang, you are excused from the remainder of these proceedings. Your presence here sickens me!"

Chang stood as an indignant sneer appeared on his face. He was prepared to make a number of scathing remarks about the Lord Prime and the Council, but a glance from Zendista McKenna convinced him that would be a very stupid, if not fatal, mistake. Instead, Chang collected his briefcase and left.

"Pity... I was hoping to get a decent agricultural report this time. Oh well. Are there any other nominations?" Xiang Ti sighed. "Apparently not." The Lord Prime observed after hearing the silence from the Council. "Then we shall vote on General Franclyn."

The council approved by unanimous vote, and as they did, Xiang Ti sent a quick text message instruction from his computer console to his executive assistant to schedule an appointment with the General to discuss his promotion.

"I now open the floor to other business." The Lord Prime said once his memo was sent.

"Lord Prime, members of the council." McKenna started, "We need to consider a growing situation on Meridia. Ever since the end of the Migichinan occupation on that world, those Meridians who were sympathetic to the Migichinan mission of trying to make Meridia a better place following the war have been openly persecuted. These persecutions have been driven by Meridian priests who are accusing the sympathizers of being heretics."

High Priestess Palto Zand, the Minister of Religion, stood up from her seat. "The Lord Chancellor speaks the truth. These people are being persecuted for simply trying to live a peaceful existence. When we invaded Meridia during the war, we brought with us not just weapons, but we also brought our culture, and with that our system of beliefs. Some of those Meridians were exposed to our beliefs and now revere and love our Goddess. Even though that we are now little more than an outpost on Meridia, we left them behind with no guidance or protection. Now they are being slaughtered and Governor Callus does nothing to preserve peace. We must return, if only to deliver them from persecution."

"We all know Merid is a cruel and uncaring god." Xiang Ti pointed out. "His dark priests rule the people with a fist of iron to promote the fear of their god, and use magic to punish those who are defiant. I agree with Priestess Zand, this cannot be allowed to continue.... Nevertheless, what do we do? If we return to Meridia for a second occupation, we will violate the treaty we have established with the Saurians and it will serve to strain our relations with the Saurian Galactic Commonwealth. I am not prepared to place us in such a dire political predicament."

"The Saurians may not be all that quick to judge us." McKenna said. "I don't think another occupation or even a police action would get us very far let alone necessary. I spent a long time on Meridia. I know the people and I know that there is plenty of reason not to trust them, but the ones who worship our Goddess, they must be saved from this persecution, and we need to remove remaining Migichinan assets from the planet."

"It sounds to me like you may have a plan," Winter smiled.

"As a matter of fact, I do." McKenna replied. "With Saurian assistance, we can organize a colonization effort for the Meridians wishing to flee their homeworld and start anew elsewhere."

"A humanitarian effort, then?" Xiang Ti asked.

"Yes, Lord Prime." McKenna replied. "We will offer the Meridian government to remove the 'converted' from the world. I don't think they will argue with us."

"Not if we have a combined Saurian and Migichinan fleet in orbit, no." Winter agreed. "A show of military power would certainly make them think twice about direct or even indirect engagements."

"The Saurians have a number of worlds on their periphery that are suitable for colonization. I'm certain we can place them on one of those worlds where they can live in peace and autonomy." McKenna said. "With your permission, I will instruct Ambassador Fenori to make the arrangements with the Saurians."

"If there are no objections with this plan?" Xiang Ti looked around the room, but no one objected. He nodded with approval then asked, "Who will go to Meridians to strike the deal with them?"

"I was considering doing that myself. The only other qualified Ambassador is Vin Tamar, but I don't trust him." McKenna said.

"Vin Tamar... isn't he related to Tain Callus, the governor of Meridia?" Priestess Zand asked.

"Yes, Callus is his cousin, in fact." McKenna said. "And Callus answered to Slann. I am not ready to trust anyone tied to the House Slann. Not yet."

"Your caution is reasonable, Lord Chancellor. You will go to Meridia and do what you can to broker a peace deal, or at least deliver Migichina's followers from the world." Xiang Ti commanded.

"Is there any other business?" Xiang Ti asked. "No? Please remember to have your monthly reports submitted by the end of the week." He finished and rose. "Lord Chancellor, Lady Admiral, would you join me in my chambers please?" Xiang Ti asked and disappeared through the door directly behind this chair. Zendista and Winter glanced at each other then followed.

***

Xiang Ti's chambers resembled more of a museum rather than an office. Artifacts were displayed from locations all over the Migichinan Alliance and the Saurian Galactic Commonwealth. Among those displayed were various religious artifacts.

Xiang Ti place The Sword of Draesoneth on its wall plaque and sat at his desk. "What is being done to bring Maxaa Branwyn to justice?" Xiang Ti asked.

"The Marshals are working on a plan to bring her in." McKenna said. "She was last spotted boarding a shuttlecraft to take her to an orbital freighter platform. We lost her after that."

"The Navy has a number of patrol ships tracking and searching all out-going Saurian freighters before they can leave Alliance boundaries." Winter added. "I imagine it will only be a matter of time before we find her, if she's on one of those ships."

"Not good enough." Xiang Ti said. "Maxaa Branwyn was very close to Slann, and because of that, she was privy to many state and military secrets. It is also a dreadful reality that she may have also had access to the divine secrets of the Battleframe, technology bestowed to us by our Goddess." The Lord Prime pointed out. "She must be found. When she is found, she must either be captured or killed." Xiang Ti commanded.

"If she goes into the Humanis Federation, she will be out of our jurisdiction." McKenna said. "Overtly, we can't go into the Federation for any military or law enforcement activity."

"Overtly... that means you are not opposed to doing something covertly?" Xiang Ti surmised.

"Of course." McKenna replied. "We can deploy a pair of Marshals in a covert operation to find her and either kill or capture her. However, when behind enemy lines, termination is a much safer and easier alternative as opposed to trying to take into custody and extract a prisoner back into our jurisdiction. Given the state of relations we have with the humans, extradition would not be an option even if we were working overtly on this mission. Another option would be to hire mercs, but they are less reliable."

"Right." Winter agreed. "To capture a prisoner, you're pretty much going to give yourself away when you try to flee the territory. At least with terminating the fugitive, you can cover it up."

"And how do you keep track of her? She will have much more freedom inside the Humanis Federation. It will be easier for her to blend into the environment." Xiang Ti asked.

"Funny you mention that. I plan to use someone who is very good at hunting.

"Dakkoth Starkiller." It was more of an assumption than a guess for the Lord Prime, as he already knew that the Korat was a natural choice for the assignment.

***

Lake Oceta

"Dakkoth Starkiller." Rhaine cooed. "You big sexy kitty kat... Are you going to let me up or just keep me pinned to the sand?" She asked. "Not that I mind really, but it could get interesting if the tide comes in."

It took him a few moments. He was still stuck on the fact that his prey had shape-shifted into his partner and was even acutely aware of her wiggling underneath him, but Dakkoth finally rolled off of Rhaine, allowing her to sit up. "You're a shape-shifter." He stated.

"Sort of." Rhaine replied. "There are lots of things I can do. Changing my appearance is just one of them." She said as she propped herself up on her elbows.

"Why are you out here? Why are you following me?" Dakkoth asked. He was mildly perturbed by Rhaine's sudden appearance, an appearance that also raised many questions.

"Learning more about you, big sexy." Rhaine said.

"I am your partner. 'Big Sexy' is not an appropriate way to address me." Dakkoth said.

"We're off duty, Kittykat." Rhaine said. "And besides, there are no rules or regs telling us what we can and cannot do in our off time.

Dakkoth said nothing, knowing she was right. He had memorized most of the rules & regs, and personal relationships between Marshals were encouraged, as it had been proven that a close bond between partners would make them a better team. It was something he had with Zendista McKenna when they were partners, and he had the same bond with his most recent partner Brigit Perrin, even though that took a little longer to develop and ended much too soon. He hung his head low when the thought of his former partner came to mind.

"What's wrong, Dakk?" Rhaine asked, but she already knew what was on his mind.

"I miss Brigit." Dakkoth said.

"I know you do." Rhaine said. "But she gave her life for the Alliance. She died a hero." Rhaine stopped and thought for a moment. "Nothing we can say or do will bring her back, but I'm certain she wouldn't want you dwelling on her death."

"No, she does not. Her spirit visited me after she died. She professed her love for me, but told me that I should go on with my life. She told me there is someone else that loves me, and that I should be open to that."

Rhaine smiled slightly. "She's right you know. There probably is someone else out there who loves you. You just have to open your heart to her and let her in. She may even be closer than you think."

"It's not that easy." Dakkoth said. He shook his head. "Before I left my homeworld, I was visited by three Migichinan Avatars. They gave me a prophecy in that I would sire my race... I would find someone, a woman, who would help me create a new race of Korat... However, I do not know how that is possible. I'm the only Korat left."

"Then maybe that woman is not Korat, but someone else." Rhaine proposed.

"It would not be possible!" Dakkoth snapped. "How would I sire a new race of Korat if the woman I take as a mate is not Korat!?!"

"I'm certain there are ways." Rhaine smiled slyly. "Like I said, you just have to open your heart. Hey, you believe in magic, don't you?"

"Of course. The Meridians used magic against us during the occupation." Dakkoth stated.

"They're not the only ones that can make magic." Rhaine held out her palm. She muttered a few words in a language Dakkoth could not understand and a sprite in the form of a fairy-winged Korat female appeared. Dakk's eyes went wide as the little sprite fluttered up, kissed his nose, and rubbed herself against his cheeks.

"What... wha?" He stammered. Rhaine just giggled. After a few minutes, the sprite faded as the spell wore off. It waved goodbye with its tiny hand and blew Dakkoth a kiss.

Dakkoth shook his head. "You're a shape shifter and you can use magic. You are not Migichinan. What are you?"

Rhaine wrapped her arms around Dakkoth's neck. "I'm your partner and your friend" She said. "Open your heart."

Dakkoth closed his eyes and was prepared to kiss her, but a gust of wind turned their attention away from each other and to the Alliance Marshal's shuttle that was coming in for a landing on the shores of Lake Oceta.

Dakk and Rhaine stood up and started walking towards the shuttle as Marshal Tobin Faulknyr stepped out. "Chief Marshal Starkiller, Marshal Quatralus, the Lord Chancellor has issued a recall for the both of you. He needs you in his office for briefing in one hour." Faulknyr Reported.

"Well so much for our vacation. I guess we'll have to play kissy-face later." Rhaine grumped as Dakkoth started walking for the shuttle. She picked up her pace and pinched Dakkoth's butt, causing him to yowl with surprise. Marshal Faulknyr simply raised an eyebrow as Rhaine started to laugh.

***

The Office of The Lord Minister of The Interior

Hovvel Chang finished reading the minutes of the Council meeting and laid the data pad down in pure disgust. He was mostly disgusted with the fact that the a new triangle of power had formed between the Lord Prime, Lord Chancellor and Lady Admiral… and triangle that seemed unbreakable.

With Slann's fall from power and grace, Chang was left in a very precarious position. He had no allies within the Council that would help him rise above the interior ministry, and his position gave him little responsibility beyond the domestic infrastructure of the Migichinan Alliance. To many, maintaining the infrastructure would seem like a very important job, but Chang wanted more. He knew he would not get more, however, if he sat back and let Xiang Ti, McKenna and Ventrosia grow in power.

With McKenna heading to Meridia, Chang saw a number of opportunities presenting themselves to him. He smiled and started to compose a message…