Chapter 5: Council
"How curious. For some reason, I feel like today is going to be a wonderful day," A young Mornan said, with a smile spread across his face as he gazed out the window of his office. It was located at the very top of the largest Tower in Paradis, The Hold.
"That's what you say every day, Sir," came Ophilia's voice. She was a female Remarta with glistening blue skin, yellow eyes, and flawless raven dark hair that flowed down her back. A thin tail with a spade-like tip swayed as she lounged in the visitors chair, scrolling through Paradis's Social Hub site.
The young Mornan, Bastian, was the Sentinel of the N-0-A-1 Star system, or the Prime Life Star system, as he liked to call it. He was a Mornan with skin as white as a cloud and long silver hair to match.
"And almost every day it's true. You should learn to live more, my dear Ophilia. Actually... no, wait, you shouldn't. You'd probably book the fastest flight out of Paradis. You should learn to live more in moderation," he said with a nod, pleased with his quick recovery.
He smiled faintly.
"Do you ever wonder how it must feel for the citizens across our universe, Ophilia? The ones who believe they have no power to change anything. The ones who know a cosmic entity watches our universe, seeking to destroy it no matter what?"
His tone grew somber.
"I'd imagine life would feel pointless for those people. After all, the Primordial or his Reincarnators could succeed at any moment and wipe out all life in this universe. But those who don't dwell on that are probably living their best lives. "And that's because they know how to live,"
"Truly, there's no difference in dying tomorrow in a random accident, a sudden illness, old age, or to a Primordial being ending the universe."
His bright smile returned.
"In the end, life must go on. That's our job as Renegades. To give every species in the universe enough hope and drive to keep going, while they leave all their fears and worries to us."
Ophilia looked up from her device for a moment to glance at Bastian, then went back to scrolling.
"You're getting quite distracted, aren't you, Sir? Didn't you organize a meeting with the high commanders today to discuss what happened on Terytl-b?"
Bastian sighed, his tone turning serious.
"I didn't forget, i just know how troublesome it will be. Those old geezers are too stuck in their ways to see reason."
His thoughts drifted to the countless lives lost, as his expression grew cold.
"Ronin, that pest. To think he managed to slip out of the M-3000 Galaxy where he was last spotted, and come all the way to this one. It makes me really angry."
"Which is why I believe the brave Renegade who killed him deserves a valiant reward for his efforts," he said, his jovial tone returning.
"There's a problem with that though. He's half-human, which means half Reincarnator. I don't think the high commanders will take kindly to that. Just like last time." Ophilia said, still not looking up.
"I know that. That's where our problem comes up. When the emperor personally visited our star system, he commanded us to let the boy, Arbus, live as he wanted. The high commanders didn't like that, but they couldn't defy the emperor's will."
"As you know, they wanted to detain the boy after the second Reincarnator attack on Tarok. Thankfully, I stopped that, given the fact that he was the one who killed the Reincarnator at that time."
"They were less than pleased when he joined the Renegades about a year ago. I had to give ground somewhat, letting them handle his role for a while."
"And now he's in the spotlight once again, for killing another Reincarnator no less. Honestly, he's done more than I have, considering I've only killed one myself,"
Bastian said with a bright smile.
"That's just because you're lazy, Sir," Ophilia replied simply.
Bastian coughed at that.
"Anyways, I have to convince them of his worth to the Renegades and why he should be allowed to climb the ranks normally. You'd think it would be simple, given his achievements, but as I said, those geezers are quite stubborn."
He scoffed.
"It's not like a half-human hasn't joined our Renegade ranks before,"
"And how did that end, Sir?" Ophilia asked, glancing at him.
Bastian coughed again.
"That's not the point. The point is that those willing to fight against injustice, despite their backgrounds, shouldn't be suppressed or discarded. They should be allowed to follow their heart's desire. That's what I intend to express at the gathering"
He checked the pyramid shaped clock on the wall.
"Speaking of which, it's about time I head to the meeting. I've kept them waiting long enough."
"While I'm gone, I want you to go welcome the boy and the Renegades escorting him."
Ophilia frowned.
"Why can't I just get someone else to do that?"
Bastian smiled pleasantly.
"Because you're my assistant."
He walked out of a seemingly normal wall that slid open to reveal a passageway.
_____
"That scoundrel. He must think it's funny to keep us waiting so long. Honestly, I'm not sure why a lazy brat like him had to be such a genius," High Commander Oti said with a scowl on his left face. He was a tall male aTer from planet Tar. aTers were known for their purple skin and three faces: one in front for happiness, joy, contentment, surprise, and other jovial feelings. One on the right for sadness, disappointment, despair, fear, and other melancholic emotions. And one on the left for anger, rage, annoyance, irritation, indignation, hostility, and other wrathful expressions. Thanks to Bastian, Oti's left face got the most use.
"Give him a little more time. You know how he likes to arrive fashionably late," came Tera, the Queen of the Remarta. She had a full, voluptuous figure, raven dark hair that swept down to the floor, and a tail longer than her body, with a silver spade like tip.
The gathering room was a spacious chamber with a mundane and modest design, thanks to Bastian's peculiar tastes. At its center stood a huge pitch black round table, where all twelve high commanders usually sat.
Besides Oti and Tera, there were 8 more high Commanders present.
Tristan, the only other Mornan on the council, besides Bastain. He had silver skin and long blonde hair that reached his shoulders. Silver Mornans ranked fourth in their race's hierarchy and were often seen as stronger than the white Mornans. That had not been the case this time. He was Bastian's closest friend and rival. He oversaw every Mornans settlement in this star system.
Bel and Zub, twin rulers of the Shadon collection, resembled shadows given solid form. They grew stronger together, a trait that had made it easy for them and past Shadon rulers before them, to rise to the rank of high commanders and beyond in pairs.
Iberia, high commander of ten out of the seventy planets in the star system, was a Bocheander. A race of green, blob like creatures who could shapeshift into any form. He managed the trading network across every planet in the star system.
Aztec, an old Aurnex and the head of the star system's Mesh department, which was responsible for crafting and managing the tech and systems used by the Renegades. Aurnexs bore a similar appearance to Mornans for the most part. The only differences were their four arms and extra pair of eyes. They were the second most prominent race in the universe. Aztec was in charge of seven planets and twenty moons located in this star system.
Respen, the oldest member of the Council presently, and head of the Renegade Investigative department in this star system. His overall build was similar to that of a Mornan, but his skin was made up of a metal like substance. His face lacked any facial features. His species, the Qus, spoke by sending thoughts straight into others minds
Umber, the newest member of the council. He hailed from a civilization on a moon, orbiting the remains of a once massive planet. The very same remains Paradis circled. His Species was a relatively newly discovered one, that was officially recognised 200 years ago. They couldn't survive without their moon's unique atmosphere, so a special suit, much like a spacesuit, had been crafted by them. Its glass was fully obscured, hiding their true form beneath.
And finally, Nach Grimm, the chief and leader of the Tarokian race. He was also the second strongest person in this star system. His red skin marked him as a Tarokian. They were easily distinguishable from Red Mornans by their larger size, even if just slightly. He had white hair brought on by his old age.
He was the father of Angel Grimm, the disgraced princess of the Tarokians, and the grandfather of Arbus Kaelen.
He had once cared deeply for Arbus, until the boy's human heritage, and his father's, came to light.
The last two High commander seats were empty for now, left vacant after their previous occupants fell in a battle in another star system.
Creek
"Sorry for keeping you all waiting for so long. I had, um... important matters to take care of," Bastian said as he entered the room, jovial as always.
Oti's left face scowled as he watched Bastian walk over to the head of the table and take his seat.
Bastian smiled coldly.
"Now, shall we begin?"