----------------------------------------

Chapter 2

Planet Jenrai, Jenaris System

The planet Jenrai is one of the jewels of the Jenrai Alliance. The second planet from the Star Jenaris, it is a stable world inhabitable by most of the galaxy's species. The planet is covered by seas and spotted with multiple forest-covered islands. Jenrai was one if the first planets colonized in this sector at a time around the beginning of the Succession wars. The Jenaris System's location, at a cross of known hyperspace routes, made it an ideal hub for further exploration into the then unmapped Jecilla sector and the surrounding areas. Soon it became the gateway into the region and a great location for trade between the planets in the Jecilla sector and rest of the galaxy. Overtime big business and many of the sector's most influential leaders headed to the temperate planet, as many felt it was an ideal place to conduct their daily business. Then when contact was made with some of the unknown races that inhabited the unexplored portions of the Jecilla sector, they too decided to use Jenrai as their window to the rest of the galaxy. Large numbers of these species migrated to Jenrai, further adding to its diverse and exciting culture. In fact the Verillu's Aqualius Meridius, a large hive of interconnected aquatic and amphibious settlements, is one of the planet Jenrai's most memorable landmarks.

Around the time of increasing troubles in the sector, such as attacks by other galactic factions, most of the sector's leadership met on Jenrai to discuss plans of unification. In fact, even before this, the people of Jenrai had been major supporters of unifying the sector into one consolidated powerbase. Many of the Governments in the sector already looked to Jenrai for leadership. And, as it turned out, the Treaty of Jenrai did so give birth to such a stellar alliance. It was only fitting that they decided the alliance to be so named, with Jenrai as the capital of course. Presently, all of the planets and nations in the alliance send their representative to Jenrai to meet and decide policy, air grievances, and discuss the alliances future goals. Much like the Galactic Senate of the Republic. All representatives meet and reside in the capital city of the planet, Bavelle.

Bavelle is an incredibly large city built upon the large isle of Aelis and into some of the surrounding sea. It is known for its tall towers of blue, silver and gold hue, and incredible aquatic depts. It is a marvel of architecture, with design ascetics mostly modeled off of Coruscant's famous skyline. Even so, much care was taken to integrate the native nature of the planet into its city designs. There are large parks and forest that were preserved when the city was built, many buildings also feature huge hanging gardens filled with native flora. Flowing water is also a familiar concept. Such as certain buildings use of artificial waterfalls. Part of the city is also located underwater as a sizable number of aquatic residents call this city home. Its' underwater towers are truly a breathtaking sight.

It is in Bavelle that the huge government complexes that run the Alliance are located, like the large training and coordination facilities of the Jenrai Alliance Defense Force. One of the most important is probably the Alliance's Senatorium, the great hall where all of the alliance's representatives meet to govern. In fact, they have recently called an assembly to discuss a topic of grave importance.

----------------------------------------

A diplomatic commuter speeder shot through the traffic of Bavelle's congested skylanes. It wove and dove through the congested hover ways of the great city with reckless abandon. It was evening on Jenrai, and the city of Bavelle was most beautiful this time of day. Or it would have been beautiful to the passengers of this speeder, if it wasn't making its crazed maneuvers through the sky that is.

"Father! What the Heck!" screamed Bal, a young Zebrak child, one of the passengers on this speeding vehicle, "Jesakk! You really have to start getting ready earlier!"

"Huh" said the driver, he was obviously oblivious to all outside communication. "No cussing Bal."

"I hate this. You drive so crazy when your late."

"Yeah sure son," said Zebrak Councilman Kiish, the pilot of this vessel. Council Kiish is the popular representative of the Leosh System. He has been involved in politics for many years and has garnered much respect for his compassion and foresight in the Senatorium. He is also responsible for the improved standing of his native system, the impoverished Leosh. But despite his accomplishments, he is known by one of his more regrettable flaws, his chronic tardiness…of epic proportions.

"Ah, he's not even listening. Just whaaaa...!" yelled Bal, as the speeder dived through yet another lane of traffic.

"Well young Bal its not his fault this time," yelled Lala Ru, she was a member of the delicate Kaminoan species. She was also Council Kiish's loyal aide, actually more of a council in her own right. Kiish had been giving her more of his duties as of late. "This meeting is more of a urgent situation. Chancellor Min, for some reason has called a emergency meeting of council. I wonderrrrrrrr..." she yelled as the speeder shot into another lane of traffic.

The speeder barely missed a collision with a nearby hovertruck. But then the speeder slowed its speed as it merged into the same traffic "lane". Bal finally was able to relax a bit, as the speeder's wild gyrations stopped. The speeder seemed to have edged into the flow of one particular lane of hoverway traffic and became surround by hundreds of other vehicles.

"Dmn. That's it, looks like were stuck for now," vented Council Kiish. "Even I can't get through this. We'll have to ride this lane all the way to the Senatorium."

The speeder was now blocked in. Hovercars and transports, of all kinds, surrounded them on all sides. Up, down, left, right all heading in one direction. Towards "downtown" Bavelle, the government district.

"Thank goodness," sighed Bal, "Ms. Ru, I really don't see how you do it. My father drives like a crazed madman juicing through this huge city, more like a crazed Lanthik, and you hardly even bat an eye."

"What? Come on son, have a little more faith in my abilities." Kiish said sheepishly. "Do remember I used to be pilot, even flew in the Ises conflict."

"Yeah suuure father, you never let us forget. Still this is no excuse for driving so reckless."

"Don't worry Sir Bal, I've been with your father for years, you sort of get used to it," said Lala Ru introspectively. "Though there have been some pretty interesting occurrences." She mused.

"Not you too my dear." Kiish said with mock anguish. " Well in any case looks like we made it relatively early," He said pointing. The large dome of the great Senatorium could now be seen behind the nearest two buildings. "Well in only 15 minutes too, that's pretty good for me wouldn't you say Lala?" said Kiish as he checked his chrono. Lala just nodded, a veil of emotions as usual, though a light smile briefly crossed her face.

Council Kiish jerked the passengers of the speeder once again as he jockeyed with the other travelers for a "better" spot in the traffic flow. This usually did not have any effect on actually shortening travel time. Bal guessed it was more for piece of mind that rash drivers usually did such things, especially when they were in a rush.

"Father?"

"Yes Bal, something wrong?" Kiish asked, he turned to see Bal's face a mask of inquiry.

"Who's this Chancellor person, whats she like? " the young boy asked, " Is it usually something bad when she calls a emergency meeting?"

Council Kiish giggled to himself. "I guess a young man such as yourself wouldn't be to interested in politics, heh. Well lets see. The chancellor is like the chair of the Senatorium per se. More of the leader of the leaders I guess. The chancellor is mostly responsible for directing the focus of the council."

"No I mean this person Chancellor Min. I'm not that out of touch father, even if I am a child."

"Well forgive me son," Kiish said smiling. "As for Chancellor Min, she's a wise and wonderful person. One of the founders of the Alliance, a true elder stateswoman to all of us. I doubt she'd call an emergency meeting unless it was absolutely necessary. I haven't heard anything myself, so it could be about the return of the return of the long dead Sith for all I know. We'll see when we get there," said Kiish as he finally brought the speeder out of this lane off traffic and began to approach the Senatorium landing pad.

----------------------------------------

Notes: The character of Kiish originally was going to be a short part used just to introduce the government system of Jenrai, etc. But I grew on him and decided to expand his part a bit. This thing is ballooning from my original concept so I have time to involve all sorts of characters really.

The same goes for Lala Ru Kiish's assistant, though she was originally human. After seeing the most interesting Kiminoans from AotC I decided to make her one. LaLa Ru is named after a character from a very good anime named "Now and Then, Here and There."

The city of Bavelle is described to be similar to Coruscant. Thats the only thing I had to compare it to in the Star Wars universe. In actuality it is based off of Zanarkand from Final Fantasy X. I did so love Zanarkand's architecture and style, I felt it perfect to be the capital of Jenrai. I was listening heavily to the Final Fantasy X soundtrack at this time, it influenced a lot of my ideas. Listen to it if you can find it, it is great.