Posted Nov. 15, 2022, 11:27 a.m. by Civilian Griget Kek (Vren Ambassador) (James Sinclair)
The Vren Senate chamber was loud and filled with screeching, barking, chirps, and croaks. A cacophony of sound that was only amplified by the myriad colors of the clothes worn by the inhabitants of the room… and the very skin of those inhabitants as well. Brightly colored skin in all hues and colors were present; and the colors seemed to dance and vibrate with the animated gestures and limb wailing of the Sentaors themselves. All around the chamber other Vren watched in silence from benches, seats, and even clinging to the top of the arches that surrounded the chamber.
It was a spectacle the likes of which had not been seen in ages.
Voices raised in anger and in defense filled the large chamber, echoing off the walls and drifting towards the high woven reed ceiling. Shouts, wails, and even threats were all mixed together in a maelstrom of insistence and anger. Finally, after almost an hour of constant noise, a large horn issued out a loud and deep wail, silencing the Vren politicians.
A single figure strode with purpose down to the floor of the chamber and to a raised wooden platform in the center. With a single leap, the figure easily manged to reach the 3 meter tall platform and they stood in the center and turned slowly around, their amphibian-like eyes taking in every face in the chamber. The figure had colorings of bright red and bright blue, with symmetrical black markings of lines and hash-marks on either side of their body. Their eyes were deep red with black verticle slit pupils. “Enough.” they said, and their voice carried with it weight and authority. “The ceremony will be voted now. And realize, each and every one of you, that if this isn’t done… the chances we have of saving our people drop exponentially. So what us more important to you? Your pride?! Or your people?!” The figure stepped to a single upright stand with a pair of glowing buttons on top. One black, one yellow. They set their four-fingered hand on the yellow button and pressed, and soon an identical stand rose up in front of each senator. There was a long, silent moment as the senators cast their votes… pressing yellow for yes and black for no. A large screen at the far end of the chamber kept a tally. First black led. Then yellow. Then black. And at the end… yellow won. By relatively thin margin, but more than the figure on the platform had thought. They exhaled slightly in relief, and turned to address the Senate.
“YOU HAVE BETRAYED US ALL, GRIGET KEK!!!” Yelled a voice from the crowd of on-lookers, and a figure charged out of the crowd and raced to the floor of the chamber, a wicked looking barbed blade in their hand. “IMOG’S FAITHFUL WILL MAKE SURE YOU PAY!!!” they yelled and leapt high into the air, blade raised above their head as if to drive it through the one named Kek standing on the platform.
The sound of multiple twangs rang out through the hall and at the peak of the assassin’s leap, several long darts pierced all over the would-be attacker’s body. Such was the impact that their momentum was halted in midair and they fell to the floor… dead.
Several Senators slowly lowered their weapons, a small device similar to a crossbow. One Senator, a truly massive Vren colored almost entirely gold, said “Griget Kek. I vote black. But the people have spoken. And the likes of that filth-” and he jerked his head towards the twitching corpse, “- will not stop the will of the people.” Griget Kek bowed deeply to the speaker and then stood and said “Senator H’lisha, I thank you and your fellow Senators for their quick action. You are a testament to the nobility inherent in all Vren.” and their eyes focused on the now still form oozing bright blue blood onto the floor of the chamber. “Even those who are deluded and tricked into following cultish beliefs that serve only to destroy.” Their eyes then went back to the Senate.
“The voice has spoken, and it has been heard.” Kek said. “The ceremony will commence. The Vren will acknowledge our past transgressions against the inhabitants of Oed V, and will offer gifts in accordance with our ways. We do so in the hopes of a peaceful relationship with the United Federation of Planets… and the hope that their scientific abilities can aid us in our upcoming trials. The Senate has spoken. The terms are set. Let us adjourn with the vision of a better tomorrow.” and slowly everyone began to file out. A few Senators walked down and looked at the corpse, but no one touched it. Soon, only a few Senators and Griget Kek remained.
“Are you certain of this path, Griget?” asked a green and turquoise colored Vren. “No one can be certain of this path, B’reey.” Kek replied. “All we can do is the best we can for the most of us.” Another Vren, this one smaller in stature but obviously far older, said “Agreed. Besides… without the assistance of these others, we are quite simply doomed.” All the Vren nodded slightly in silent agreement. “Go, Griget. Ensure that these… others… on Oed V accept our gesture. They must.” Griget bowed and said “Yes, Lord Chancellor.” The old Vren smiled and said “Good. Now I must go speak. Tell the people how much I am disappointed in the vote today; but how we must accept it.” Griget inclined his head. “Your support, though private, is an honor.” The old Vren chuckled and said “Play the game, Griget. Our hope is that you play it to win.” and he turned and walked away, followed by the other senators.
Kek stood in silence, alone in the chamber for a moment, when there was a small beep from inside his robe. He pulled out a small device and held it near his mouth. =/\= Yes? =/\= he said. =/\= The ship is ready, Ambassador. =/\= came a voice. =/\= Understood. I am on my way to the port. =/\= and he turned and left the chamber… empty, save for the corpse of the cultist.
Kek, Vren Ambassador
© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service
Version 1.15.11
RSS Feed