Chapter 7
Thelea Jeth and Wellen Carlan are walking down the Main Street of Trade City, the 'capital' of Arkania. The Arkanian Armada is patrolling in between of Arkania and one of its moons.
Wellen looks around the city quite amazed. Especially when he finds out that currently he seems to be the only human on the planet. Though he recognizes some of the other species. Most are naturally Arkanians, but he sees some Yakan (big four-fingered humanoids who used to be stocky, before Arkanians began to put cyber implants in to their brains), and a couple of 'human' with blue skins and red glowing eyes.
Thelea notices the expression on his face. "Those blue ones are allies of Arkania. They are known as the Chiss of Csilla." Thelea whispers.
"Arkanians dislike humans, I presume."
"Usually humans aren't allowed to stay overnight. Luckily I was able to convince them that you weren't here to do what humans usually want to do on Arkania."
"Why Arkanians dislike humans?"
"When we still allowed humans to mine diamonds here, they took too much. Way too much. Of course they paid for all, but the planet itself got in danger."
"Understood. By the way, where are we going?"
"To meet the Elders."
"Elders?"
"Elected senate of Arkania. Don't let the name 'elders' to fool you, for many of them are very young. They demanded to meet us. We'll find out soon enough."
They arrive to the governing building. It's the tallest building around the piazza. Thelea leads Wellen inside. When he sees the interiors he stops. Thelea walks bit ahead before noticing that Wellen is not with her. She turns around and walks to him. "Amazing isn't it?" Wellen can only nod. "Fountains, statues, and so much space! This looked much smaller from the outside..."
Thelea laughs. "We're Arkanians, probably the most intelligent species in the galaxy. We can play with science and technology."
"Illusions?"
"Yes. Outside was an illusion, made with holographic technology."
Wellen looks around with awe as they are walking towards the Elders' chamber. When they reach the massive doors, Wellen catches his breath. Thelea just smiles.
The doors open as they approach, and they step inside the chamber. From rising auditorium dozens of Arkanians are looking at them. Wellen follows Thelea to a stand in the center of the room.
After they have reached the stand an Arkanian man with white hair stands up. "Thelea Jeth. You have been requested to face the Elders for a reason. Do we have the full attention of you and your colleague?"
"Yes, you do."
"Good. You are member of both Emperor's Hammer and the New Republic, are you not?
"Yes,
I am."
"Which one of these has your loyalties?"
"That is a question o which I have no answer to."
Mutter fills the Chamber. "Silence!" The man shouts and silence descends. "You should know."
"I do know. To Arkania. Above any galactic government I am loyal to my home planet and my species."
"Are you ready to leave both EH and NR if requested to join the Arkanian Armada?"
Thelea's reply comes without hesitation. "Yes, I am."
The Arkanian Elder moves his attention to Wellen. "If Commander Jeth would be requested to join, are you prepared to join her?"
Wellen looks at Thelea to see what she thinks, but her eyes are fixed on someone at the back row. He doesn't hesitate long. "I will follow my friend." Thelea looks at him, though he hasn't got an idea. But the man she was looking earlier notices this, and the grateful expression on her face.
The two are requested to leave the Chamber. They would be asked to join later. "Who was the man you were staring at?" Wellen asks when the chamber doors shut.
Thelea
looks at her friend, then she looks down. When Wellen touches her
chin she raises her face to look at Wellen. She has one tear in her
eye. He dries it with his finger. "What? Don't cry, my friend."
"Wellen, he's my father..."
"How do you know it's him?"
"I have a holographic picture of him and my mother. And I saw him inside the Holocron. I must talk to him, Wellen, I must!"
"Calm down, my child. I'm here. "An Arkanian man has come out of the Chamber. Thelea rushes to him. "Father!" He hugs her. Wellen looks at them, almost embarrassed.
Thelea goes to her friend and her father follows. "Wellen, meet my father, Thelon Jeth. Father, my wing mate in the NR, Corellian, Lt Commander Wellen Carlan. When carefully shaking hands with Wellen, Thelea's father asks. "Are you member of this IW too, Lieutenant Commander?"
"No, Sir, but I used to serve the Empire."
Thelon looks at his daughter. "He left the Empire. You can do the same. The man who raised you doesn't matter. Trust me."
"You knew he was a Dark Jedi?" He nods. "And you still left me with him?"
"He treated you well, didn't he?" Thelea blushes. Before she can answer a young Arkanian clears his throat at the Chamber door, and they return to the Chamber.
In the Chamber Thelea's father takes his place at the back row and the spokesman looks at the two. "Thelea Jeth. Now it is time for you to make a decision. You are hereby invented to join the Arkanian Armada. Your wing mate is free to follow you. You must decide now."
"Now, Sir?"
"Which one you choose? Your home planet, ore someone else?"
Two fighters emerge from hyperspace above the planet Coruscant. A Z-95 Head Hunter and an A-wing. Both are hailed by the Flight Control. "Unidentified fighters. You have entered Republic space. Identify yourselves."
Thelea replies from her Z-95. "Coruscant, we're sending our ID signals now."
"Thank you Commander, Lt Commander. Welcome back."
We need an audience with one of the Admirals. ASAP."
(To be continued)