Raxxis sat in the middle of the Revered Ring, a circular table that was hollowed out in the center, leaning forward in his chair as he stared at the view screen on the other side of the room. After a moment, it flickered on, revealing the world he now ruled.
As he continued to observe, a door behind him opened, the sound bringing his reverie to a sudden and resounding stop. “Is it that time already?”
“Indeed it is Star Giver.” A slightly feminine voice responded.
“We granted your request for a day of peace to allow you a time for reflection, but that time has passed.” Another voice, masculine and filled with age, added.
Sighing, he turned off the screen with a wave of his hand. “I suppose you are right.” With a swift kick of his heel, he turned to face the now gathered council members, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked upon them. “Then let us begin. What is first on the agenda?”
The five figures before him didn't respond at first, each looking at the other for a few seconds before the central figure, a young female Domare with a light brown coat and shrouded in red robes, spoke. “Our leading scientists request guidance on their next course of action. Needless to say, they are at a bit of a loss on what to do now that the Stars Project is complete.”
Rexxis nodded slowly in response, a soft hum echoing in his throat. “I see. Have they given any suggestions?”
A fully robed member responded with a nod of their head, their features hidden underneath the brown cloth that covered their form.
Rexxis waited for further answer, only to see a holographic display appear before him, showing several different projects that showed promise.
As he looked them, one in particular caught his eyes. “Council, have you seen Artifex's suggestion?”
They all nodded at once.
“And?”
The central Councilor straightened their posture before answering. “We believe it is the next logical step, but we leave the final say to you Star Giver.”
Rexxis looked back down at the holographic screen, closing his eyes as he considered his options. When he opened them again, he made his choices.
Satisfied with his decisions, Rexxis looked back up at the Council, eyeing each of them steadily. “Is there anything else I should be aware of?”
A Councilor on the far left cleared their throat in response. They wore the same red robes as the central figure, but were far older, several grey strands of fur being easily seen on their muzzle from beneath their hood. “Phantasia is still in recovery, as I am sure you are aware Star Giver. And while your predecessors did what they could to help heal our planet after the Dark Exodus, it is far from complete.”
Rexxis frowned for a moment before nodding in understanding, his entire body leaning forward as he propped his chin on the top of his hands. “I will see what I can do Councilor, but it will take time.”
The old Domare simply bowed his head in response. “I simply wished to bring it to your attention.”
Rexxis nodded in understanding, before looking over the Council once more. “Is there anything else at this time?”
Each Councilor shook their head in the negative.
“Then we are adjourned.”
---
Artifex was once a military Domare, having followed after his fathers footsteps. However, he soon realized that why his skill with an energy lance was nothing to scoff at, his mind is what was truly needed in this day and age. Still, some aspects of his previous life would seep in from time to time, such as a rigid schedule.
It always started the same, he would wake up at five in the morning sharp, go running for an hour, do several warm up exercises for the next half hour, and then take a quick shower. Afterwards, he would usually have a small breakfast, but today was not a day for schedules; for as he looked into his mirror, a small flashing light in its corner caught his ire. “For once, I would like to eat on time.”
Letting out a harsh grunt, he quickly marched out of his bathroom into his spartan living quarters, ignoring the fact that his grey and red fur was still wet and dripping everywhere. With a quick wave of his hand, a far off wall began to light up as its inbuilt screen came to life. As the monitor booted up, Artifex couldn't help but rub his eyes. “Whatever this is, it better be important.” Frowning, he added under his breath, “It better not set the New Worlds Protocol behind.”
After a few more seconds past, an image of the Phantasian flag was before him, the same image from before blinking in the middle of the screen. He stared at the icon once more, before speaking the command to open the message.
Within moments of seeing it, however, his earlier frustrations vanished as a new sense of awe washed over him. “Impossible...”
---
It had been months since the first alien siting, and Rexxis could still barely hold in his excitement as he awaited word from Artifex's research team on the discovered creatures. Fortunately, another matter had come to his attention to distract him. “So, what exactly does this mean Miles?”
As he looked upon the images before him, the Domarian leader couldn't help but be in awe at the sight. The formations on Columnia were simply breath taking, with each spiral rock looking like a stairway to the stars themselves.
In the bottom corner of the screen, the image of grey furred, orange striped Domarian shook as the scientist, Miles, chuckled. “We aren't exactly sure, but according to our local Order of the Ancient chaplain, it is a blessing from the Beyond for safe travels.”
Rexxis simply nodded in response, opening his mouth to respond when a high priority call message flashed on his screen. “Thank you once again Miles for finding this, but I have a call to take. Ancient One be with you.”
“And you Star Giver.”
With a flick of his wrist, the message disappeared, only to be replaced by the image of a disgruntled looking Artifex. “Star Giver, I have the void cursed information you wanted.”
Rexxis looked at the head researcher for a moment, sighing heavily at the remark. “That is good to hear Artifex, can you said it to me?”
He other Domare simply nodded, before his video feed cut out, quickly being replaced by a stream of data on the unknown creatures that had been discovered.
“Space Amoebas, how fascinating.”
Turning away from the screen, Rexxis made his way over to a reinforced window, stopping just short of touching the glass. As his eyes scanned the vastness before him, he lifted a hand and placed it gently on the plexiglass. “What else do you have for us out there?” He continued to stare for several long, peaceful minutes, simply letting the quiet take him.
“Star Giver, the Council wishes to speak with you.”
Rexxis let out a long sigh in response to his aid's words. “Thank you, inform them I will be there shortly.”
The aid wordlessly nodded before leaving, their departure as silent as the void only a few feet away. Waiting a moment, he took in a large breath, holding it for several seconds, before releasing it in a steady stream of air, his features cooling into a neutral mask. “Your wonders will have to wait...”
