2

The circular council room was lined in windows and held a round d'lex table with large high back stone chairs tucked in around it. Under normal circumstances the council would all be seated around the table, but today was different. Thar'n-thwei found himself in a private meeting with only one member and had been instructed to keep the utmost discretion upon arrival.

Currently they sat next to each other facing the entrance, the Elder Councilman would occasionally cast glances at the heavy door as they spoke. "We need an ambassador, Chief Thar'n-thwei." The Elder Councilman stated. "The Council seeks an agent of the Arbitrators, as this is a most sensitive matter."

He gave the Councilman a sideways look. "Then if I may ask sir, why not let me send an Arbitrator Marauder to Delta, if this project is so crucial?"

"A marauder would draw to much attention to the planet, and as you and I both know there are many mixed feelings about Oomans."

Thar'n-thwei clicked his mandibles tightly together in suppressed irritation with the elder councilman. "Sir what do the interests of Oomans have that is in line with our own and what does a dead planet have in common with both?"

The Elder Councilman regarded him for a moment, "The council understands your frustrations Chief. And in our past Oomans where a viable prey and even made formidable hosts for Kiande Amedhas, however we have learned in the recent years as they have developed their knowledge of space travel and grown as a species, we can benefit each other more so as allies than as hunter and prey."

"How so?" Thar'n-thwei was feeling himself growing impatient with the Elder Councilman.

"Are you familiar with Terra-forming?"

"Just the basics, with all due respect, what does that have to do with the Oomans, and why I cannot send a marauder to Delta?

The Elder Councilman pulled a file cube from his gauntlet and handed it to Thar'n-thwei. "Most of your questions will be answered with this." Thar'n-thwei took it looking it over skeptically. "Delta, as you know is located in neutral space close to our boarders, but still in neutral space. The Oomans set up a science outpost some years back. We paid them no mind, as the planet was dead. Perhaps one day a promising Chiva location, but dead none the less. Until the most recent years. The planet is thriving and growing. That," He pointed to the cube in Thar'n-thwei's hand. "Contains the research files for Delta along with some interesting side effects of communal living with the Oomans." He turned his sights to a window near the empty council seats and looked out over the central city. "We have a tentative peace treaty with the Oomans on that planet. For countless generations we have only ever altered living planets or used dead ones, but they in a few short generations of space travel have brought one back to life. Perhaps one day we can revive Prime in the same way."

Thar'n-thwei followed the councilman's gaze out the window, scanned the city and let himself gaze over the horizon of Prime. Most of their planet was harsh sands, and rocky cliffs. The Yautja that lived here, where few if compared to the countless clan ships that roamed the stars, hunting and bringing home resources. Perhaps the council is onto something with the revitalization of Delta...he placed the cube in his gauntlet before asking, "I assume that this information isn't free. So what are they wanting from us in return for this found knowledge?"

The Elder Councilman chuckled and turned back the Thar'n-thwei, "A longer lifespan."

"Impossible." The Arbitrator Chief scoffed. "Their bodies are not genetically able to live longer than 120 years at best."

"You remember your species science well. However..." The Elder Councilman gave a small pointed wave towards Thar'n-thwei's arm. "Study the files I gave you, through our combined research we have more than doubled their life-spans." His top right mandible twitched.

"How do we benefit from them living longer?" Thar'n-thwei asked, holding in his indignation over the thought.

"The answer to that is precisely why we need an ambassador on that planet." The elder councilman leaned forward in his seat. "That is enough about Delta for now. Find the council a suitable Ambassador to send." He fell silent for a moment then stated. "I have a personal matter to discuss with you."

"Personal?" Thar'n-thwei was instantly leery, him and this councilman where not friends, not even hunt brothers, so a personal conversation was not something he really wanted to indulge in with the Elder.

"It is known that you cannot procreate offspring." He stated pointedly before sitting back in his chair.

Thar'n-thwei tightened his jaw. "Yes sir..." This was not a topic he wanted to discuss with the elder. He was the unlucky twin in a rare twin Yautja birthing. His brother who looked identical to him had no complications, but Thar'n-thwei had been born smaller and slightly underdeveloped. Him and his brother may be the same size now, and even have the same looks, down to virtually identical spotting patterns, but where Kwei-kv'var could breed, Thar'n-thwei could not. Even with all of their species medical know how, he was permanently sterile. It was the main reason he had pursued becoming an Arbitrator and worked hard to rise in rank, becoming one of the youngest clan chiefs in history. Arbitrators where the only clan where how many offspring you could produce meant nothing to your rank within. "Why is that important?" He asked sensing he was not leaving here without the elder finishing this uncomfortable turn of thought.

"I am old and producing offspring is not a priority for me." The elder clapped his hands together. "However..." He paused a moment. "I secretly took a life mate some years back. Being in my late years, reproducing hasn't been a concern for me, the last 200 years or more. But to my surprise, she gave me a male pup."

"Congratulations sir." Thar'n-thwei tried to remain neutral toned about the elder's newest offspring.

"My mate was Beautiful..." The elder sighed letting his hands fall back to his lap as he turned away from Thar'n-thwei, staring out the window once more.

"Was?" Thar'n-thwei encouraged when the Councilman fell silent for an uncomfortable length of time.

"She passed away a season ago, and I am now left with a 10 year old pup, that is growing ever harder to keep secret." He turned back to Thar'n-thwei and leaned forward. "I am beseeching you to raise him as your own, put him in training with the Arbitrators."

Thar'n-thwei was a bit taken aback. "I'm sorry for your loss sir, but Arbitrator training is tough, he will not be ready for another 40 years. As chief I don't believe it would be wise for me to take on a pup of his age without a mate."

"Does not matter with or without a mate, put him training now. No one will question a clan chief's choice, especially not yours, knowing your condition, most will assume it is a need for prodigy being full filled."

So that's the reason he brought up my sterility.

The Elder continued, "If he stays with me he becomes a high value target to any that wish ill will on the council, especially if Delta is found out. But as the young trained son of the Arbitrator Clan Chief, he will be untouchable." The elder councilman sighed and looked back to the window. "His true parentage is never to be divulged. I have him listed for a future seat as that is his birthright, but anonymously. He will be eligible, even if by some miracle I still live, to take the seat."

"And if he does not want it?" Thar'n-thwei asked, concerned with the implications of hiding the offspring of an elder councilman.

"He can then nominate a suitable candidate." The elder councilman sighed, his shoulders slightly slumping, he turned to the chief Arbitrator. "Will you take him? I have no known claims on the boy, he will be, from this day forward, your son. As his blood sire, this is the best I can offer him for a secure future...that is, if you agree?"

Thar'n-thwei thought for a span of time before nodding, not sure if saying no was even an option. "If he is ready to go he can accompany me on my return to my clan ship. I'll contact you securely once I have an Ambassador chosen for Delta." He stood and excused himself from the meeting hall of the council.

The Elder let Thar'n-thwei go without ceremony. The council body had agreed to this meeting to discuss Delta, and upon his suggestion, agreed to the private meeting to talk with the chief Arbitrator one on one to avoid, curious speculation. Because whenever the entire council met there was always rumor, and they needed Thar'n-thwei to have as little eyes as possible on him, when dealing with business on Delta. And that need for secrecy had given him the perfect opportunity to discuss his son becoming an Arbitrator and Thar'n-thwei's adoptive charge.

xxxXxxx