Chapter Four: Arrival

Two Taelon battle cruisers flew over the tarnished Jaridian landscape and inside the walls of the Citadel. Balvak and Geris were waiting for them with an army of Jaridian soldiers. The mood this time around was more solemn on both sides. As the ships landed, a sudden onset of fatigue filtered through the ranks affecting both Taelon and Jaridian. They had grown weary of fighting, but a certain amount of distrust still lingered. Hubble was dressed in a long black robe that reminded him of a judge's robe. Da'an was wearing a long blue robe with silver weavings along the sleeves and the front in an alien pattern

"Tell me again why I'm wearing this," he told Da'an, who was checking the robe for wrinkles.

"The Jaridians give their leaders two standard forms of dress. Military uniforms or this. This robe is the standard uniform of all hierarchy leaders. You are going as a diplomat, and we want to make a good impression. Just think of this as a formality."

"Where did you get this anyway?"

"Beats me. Tay'jay was the one who gave it to me. Ask him."

"I still think my suit and tie would've been just fine," Hubble said.

"I doubt it. The suit and tie have striking similarities to the Jaridian high council military uniform. You do not want these people associating you with the high council in any way, shape or form."

"Da'an, Tay'jay is calling," Mi'en announced.

Da'an activated a console. Tay'jay's face appeared. "How'd he take it?"

"The uniform or the ride here?" Da'an asked.

"Both."

"The ride here seemed to be fine for him," Da'an said. "He is a little uncomfortable with the uniform."

"You doing okay?" Tay'jay asked.

"I am fine," Da'an said. "Now this is hardly necessary. We will be out in another minute."

"Yeah, but I can't talk to you then."

Da'an smiled. "Bye, Tay'jay," and she turned off the screen.

"You know, you should wear your hair up more often," Hubble noted as the platform opened. "It brings out the shape of your cheeks and it makes your neck longer."

"Is that a compliment?" Da'an asked in an uneasy tone.

"No, just a suggestion," Hubble said following his security detail off the ship.

Da'an lagged behind for a few seconds, pondering over what she had just heard. "Duly noted," was all she could say.

Behind Balvak and Geris were the four former members of the hierarchy who had assisted them in putting away the high council. A security detail of over five hundred humans and Taelons surrounded Tay'jay, Da'an, and Hubble and set their weapons to stun. As the three representatives approached the Jaridians, the troops slowly parted. It was a strange juxtaposition of fatigue and anxiousness.

"How was the trip here?" Balvak asked Da'an.

"Longer and more exhausting this time," Da'an replied.

"You can say that again," Tay'jay muttered.

"We have prepared quarters for all of you tonight," Balvak said. "Negotiations will begin tomorrow. Take this time to settle and rest up."

"It is good to see you all again," Geris added. He pointed at Hubble. "However, I believe we have not had the pleasure of meeting you."

"Hubble Urick, leader and founder of the Atlantic National Alliance. We are a coalition independent of the human governments organized to free Earth from Taelon influence."

Tay'jay shot a dirty look in Hubble's direction. A Taelon and four Espelons cocked their energy rifles. Da'an prodded him with her elbow.

"Err, and when I say 'Taelon influence,' I am referring to that of the Synod and the priests," Hubble corrected.

"I am Geris of the Jaridian peace movement, and this is my older brother Balvak," Geris said. "These men behind me are Kunik, Lutak, Boren, and Sharak. They are the last surviving members of the old hierarchy, they assisted in overthrowing the high council, and they have assisted us in writing the Lillian Contract."

The four nodded.

"Now, if you will follow us," Balvak said, "we will take you to your quarters. Your forces are invited to stay with our soldiers in the surrounding camps, save a select group of one hundred who will take shelter in the fourth building of the Citadel."

Da'an, Hubble, and Tay'jay had been expecting this. They gathered and discussed which hundred would come with them. When they were through, Hubble turned and faced the troops.

"Squads 187, 212, 313, and 59 will follow me. All Taelons will follow Da'an. The remaining twenty-five Espelons of Tay'jay's choice will follow him," he announced. "The rest of you, follow the troops."

"May we expect the same hospitality that we received last time?" Da'an asked Balvak.

"You may and you will," Balvak assured.

"The male with Ariel is with me," Da'an said to Balvak, motioning for Auger to follow her.

"Done," Balvak said. "We have a special room prepared for all of you."

Da'an and Tay'jay nodded. Tay'jay began calling out the names of the Espelons he wanted with him in an informal Taelon dialect. The rest of the selected followed Da'an and Hubble. No one questioned the sudden splitting. No one even displayed concern about it. Either they were too tired to, or they just did not care anymore even though they knew they should have.

"The Taelon and human negotiators have just arrived, lord. They are being escorted to their quarters."

"Did you obtain a copy of the Lillian Contract?"

"Indeed, and everything else is going according to plan. The troops are in position. We will be ready once the negotiations begin."

"Then, everything is on schedule. Well done, Dujak. I understand you had quite the embarrassing situation with these two particular Espelons."

"They will not fool me again, and they will pay dearly for their insolence. No one insults the honor of a Jaridian warlord. The Lillian Contract will never be signed. I promise you."

"Excellent. I await the confrontation."