Discalimer: I do not own Oban: Star Racers, or this fic would be premiering on television. I DO, however, own the Wheel, the idea and figures of the Order of Bavel, and the plotline!!! sticks out tongue So there, Savin! (Still loving him!!!)
A/N: Alright, so this chapter is very short and doesn't really have anything to do with Eva yet. But as you read, try to pick out and piece together the tidbits that will come in handy as the plot continues. Read and Review to let me know what you think of it! PLEAAASSSSEEEEE R&R!
Chapter 1: The Meeting.
"Earth? You want us to invite Earth?" Fjord repeated, as if he had not heard right. His metallic mouth was formed into a half-frown. He moved one bronze, robotic hand to scratch his head, which caused the oddest noise of clashing metal to be emanated off of the Meeting Room walls and disappear into the high ceiling of the Room. "I'm sorry, but it's simply an impossibility to—"
"What my Comrade is trying to say, is that we have never dealt with these Earthlings before." A gentle yet firm voice emerged from the wreathed clad-iron lips of Llew the Wise. He threw Fjord a hard look. It was true that Fjord was young for a Wheel, only entering his ninety-sixth year and still new to the secrets of the Galaxy. But still, to protest to such a high figure was never a good idea, and the manner in which he spoke was not very polite either. "Not in direct contact, anyway." Llew continued, his voice slow and steady, yet nobody in the Meeting room grew impatient. Such was the way of the Wheel. " They have never played an important role in the galactic power struggle. Why would they start now? Are you quite certain that this will help my people, and that you are not merely acting upon a whim?" This Wheel was different than the first who had protested. He was much older, with a hunched back that had rusted with age. His metal was only that of iron, not the new bronze and gold that his newer brethren were built out of. However, he wore the Red and Blue robes that signified him as an Ancient, to be upheld in the highest respect. Nobody really knew how old Llew was—just that he was the wisest robot ever to be functional. "It just doesn't seem to add up. Perhaps if you were to explain more…" another Wheel added in, her voice a bit hopeful, but mostly encased in wonder and puzzlement. The being before them sighed. "This may not seem like a very wise choice now, but I assure you, this will all play out right. You just need to trust me." The Wheel that had spoken last—Greet, as her name was, bowed her bronze head. "Of course." She assured their guest. "The Wheel are honored that you have even thought of releasing us from our prison."
"And anyway," Fjord added in, rather bluntly, although not disrespectfully. "It would be most unwise to disregard the voice of the Avatar." Most of the Wheel around the Meeting Table shook their heads in exasperation, although some of them chuckled at the only youth before them. They could all search their circuitry for the time that they were as foolish as he.
If the Wheel thought that the Avatar would be insulted however, they need not have worried. The Avatar—Jordan, a human who was affiliated with the Great Race of Oban, as they had learned—laughed wryly. It had taken him awhile to get used to his newfound power and position, but he had the feeling he had grasped the idea well enough. That was the reason, after all, that he was here today. Avatar duty. He had to see to it that the race of Wheel, and indeed, the planet Wheel itself was secure. Normally, the Avatar was not allowed to interfere with any planet's fate directly. Still, the Creators all agreed that a loophole could be condoned in this particular case.
The Wheel, to date, are the most important race in the Universe; they were the sole race that have been alive—or rather, conscience is a better term—since after the Creation Wars, in which Kanaletto was ultimately sealed. They were also the only race to comprehend and know most of the secrets of the galaxy, even if they were sworn to secrecy by the very first Avatar. And although the Wheel at first glance were just your ordinary, robot alien race who were the best and strongest traders in the Galaxy, they were really so much more than that. The knowledge that the Wheel possessed and used for the purposes of their Trading companies would be invaluable to any other race. The problem was, that these secrets could also help achieve other things—such as Galactical Domination. Sadly, most planets these days had yielded to the power of greed, and no race other than the Wheel could be trusted with such secrets—the foundation of the Universe itself, even the fabric of time.
The Wheel were the only race able to hold these secrets because they were the only pure, undefiled race. All Wheel were honest; no Wheel killed any living thing, nor were they allowed violence. All Wheel focused on the greater good, and were never drawn in by the idea of politics. Such was the way of the Wheel. Personally, Jordan viewed them as the ideal race to hold the Secrets—not only because of the genuineness and morale, but because they had the proper respect and good intention that other races did not have.
Now that Jordan was the Avatar, he was one of the only beings in the Universe who understood the true extent of the Wheel. Unfortunately, there was another who recently found out the potential the Wheel's knowledge has. This being was a woman Delphite by the name of High Priestess Terraes(1), who was the current leader of the Order of Bavel. The Order of Bavel was constructed out of three Sisterhood planets, Delphie, Kandor, and Ernite. These three planets interlinked with each other, sharing one faith, one community, and one leader—known as the One, or High Priest or Priestess. The religions of the Order could be considered very extreme by some, which has led to quite a few wars with them. They have never lost, and all of their combatants eventually joined the Order and became part of the One. Fortunately, Jordan knew enough to be able to predict the outcome of Terraes's plans; and it wasn't good.
This was why, only a few months ago, Jordan had come to the Wheel in person and gave them his proposal. If the Order of Bavel—who currently were allied with the Wheel—manipulated the Wheel for their own selfish reasons, they could potentially seize control of the whole Galaxy. Jordan could not permit this uprising of power, both morally and by Avatar duty. He had appeared to them quite suddenly, although the older ones did not seem that surprised. Jordan informed him of Terraes's dangerous knowledge, and advised them to break the alliance with them. Normally, he would not have taken such drastic measures, but in the case of the Wheel it was necessary. Amongst the basic rules of the Wheel, there was the Service to Allies Act, which states that the Wheel would supply and help their allies as long as it was for the ally's greater benefit, and not for the sake of ruthless violence. Another rule is the Anti-Violence Act, which states that the Wheel were forbidden to ever engage in combat or slay another living thing. Such was the way of the Wheel. The major issue was that although the Wheel were very pure and abided by their rules religiously, they were about the only race that was so. Even the Order of Bavel, once the purest and greatest society, have succumbed to greed and corruption. And unfortunately for the Wheel, loopholes were too easily found in their rules, and they would be unable to fight back if the Order of Bavel decided to use them, and would be forced to comply.
All of this was running through Jordan's mind right now, and as he looked around the Meeting Room, with it's cubistic never-ending walls and it's dull, grey color, he was quite sure that he was doing the right thing. The dark red Meeting Table, where all of the noblest and smartest Wheel—as well as their newest addition, the youngster Fjord, all sat, gazing upon him. After a few moments he realized they were still waiting for him to address Wise Llew's arguments, and he was shaken out of his thoughts. "There is no whim, I assure you, for I am no longer human. I honestly wish I could have a chance to explain, but I cannot. You, of all races, should understand why." He nodded at Llew, and bowed his head. "I cannot force any action, for as you all well know, the Avatar must never interfere with another sentient race's affairs. However—" he hesitated before speaking again, but resumed after a moment. "However, all I'm doing is trying to…set the stage, in simple terms, for what needs to happen in order for the Galaxy to remain stable. And this is an Avatar's duty." Even as he spoke, he could tell that most of the Wheel were unimpressed with his answer. "Yes," Another Wheel, Retrisc, nodded. "But all of this, this plan of yours, surrounds Earth, one of the most uninformed planets out there?"
"Not to mention," Fjord added a little sneakily, "The place of your pre-dwelling?" This was met by a number of mumbles, some of disbelief, some of anger, and even some of agreement. To imply that directly that an Avatar's favor was titled to one race was not exactly the smartest thing to do—you know, because of the Awesome power and God-like abilities. But Fjord was only expressing his honesty, for which no Wheel could blame him, for indeed this thought had run through their minds as well.
Jordan sighed. He couldn't believe he had to explain himself to these guys. When he thought about it, he would have been just as skeptical if his speech was being told to him, but honestly! Time was very valuable, so he decided to reveal to them what he had been…hiding. Or, was the word avoiding more appropriate? "My being formerly human has nothing to do with the involvement of Earth." He said this firmly, letting a little irritation seep into his voice, so that the matter would not be brought up in front of him again. He didn't have time for any doubts, nor for arguments. In fact, he couldn't even spend much more time at the Meeting, for he was needed elsewhere. He turned to Wise Llew and addressed him directly to speed things up and finalize their decision. "My whole design, the outline I have explained to you, surrounds the idea of having planets pitted up against each other in Races—which is nonviolent and efficient. But it is important in another way." Jordan's voice was louder now, and more confident. "And…?" A Wheel by the age of Dellinious, who had recently reached his one-hundred and sixty-fifth year, spoke, his question carried by the walls that just seemed to go higher and higher and never end. "What does this have to do with Earth?"
At this, Jordan couldn't help but let a small smile—one with pain, and excitement, and knowing, and love, and sadness etched into it that all the Wheel could read. "Well," He said softly, but at the same time loudly enough for all to hear. "It just so happens that Earth has the best Racer around, in all terms; skill wise and moral wise." Once again, a series of murmurs buzzed through the fifteen Wheel assembled around the Meeting Table. Llew looked at the young Avatar for quite a few minutes before reaching his decision. There were nods of approval, but also the shaking of heads, and many tilts of thought. Jordan felt a growing nervousness that he would be refused. Then Llew rose.
The whole table fell silent. The old Wheel stroked his hard, long, metal moustache in a most human-like gesture of thinking. Finally he sighed. When he spoke, he spoke strongly, and yet his voice was hardly louder than a whisper. He spoke not only to Jordan, but to everyone in the Room. He spoke slowly, enunciating each word, willing it to be permanent.
"If it is the Avatar's wish," He said, nodding to himself slightly as he spoke, "Than so it shall be. Earth will participate in the making of Wheel's fate. Why, I cannot say. But I know enough to think that all will be revealed at the right time."
Jordan smiled his first, relieved smile. "Thank you, Llew. Your reputation does you no lie." He could feel Oban pulling him back, which obviously meant he would be bothered by some new problems the Creators had managed to find. He hastened his speech to final directions. Plus, he still had much more planning to do. "Now then, you make the final preparations. I must be off, there are a few people I need to talk to and some things I need to do." With that, Jordan's image shimmered, and then disappeared completely. There was a long silence after he had left.
Finally, Fjord, finding his courage, asked. "Have we made the right decision?" His question hung in the air like the stench of a foul substance. Nobody—not even Llew the Wise—made an attempt to answer it or even acknowledge it. Slowly, one by one, each of the Wheel left until only Fjord and Llew were left sitting at the table. Fjord waited a little longer and then sighed, knowing already that his question would not be answered for a long time. He got up, and, casting one more look at the old leader of the Wheel, also disappeared behind the huge, sliding door of the Meeting Room.
The Meeting was over.
(1) Terraes is pronounced Terri-Ess
Sorry that it's so short! I promise I'll try to write longer chapters! And if this chapter is leaving you with many, many questions, then don't worry. They'll all be answered as the plot continues. Let me know what you think! R&R PLEASE!!! Do an old writer some good (actually, I'm like 14, but if me being old makes you review, then—hey, why not?)