Chapter 1: Nova Guardian

“Good morning your Politeness Fen’hiat’o. May I ask if your world is still spinning?” Jogh’ehat’e asked her old friend when seeing him after a period of three planetary years of work in their own departments. It was their usual period of meeting for big decisions. Fen’hiat’o was Decider First of Five of the High Guard Council of the planets ruled by the Woha’hil. Jogh’ehat’e was Decider Three of Five of the High Guard Council. Jogh’ehat’e was a bit uncertain, because she was late already, but there was only Fen’hiao’o in the Garden of Peaceful Decisions, their usual meeting place for the High Council.

“Hello dear Jogh’ehat’e. It’s always a pleasure to meet you, even if it’s such a formal and serious cause.” Fen’hiat’o answered. He saw her blush to the fur tufts of her ears because this was not the correct phrase for an official meeting. Fen’hiat’o sighed. “Please accept my apology. I’ve just read of the latest population movements. Another two percent of the Deciders of the Woha’hil surrendered and now search for a Decider to lead them. That leaves fifteen-thousand-and-three-hundred Deciders and one-thousand-and-fifty-three followers per Decider on this planet. The colonies don’t look any better. We will lose all Deciders before the Sa’arm even reach the first of our planets. It’s so – depressing.” He selected this tabooed word with caution to emphasize his words.

“Don’t talk like this, please. You are one of our strongest and wisest Deciders and now you talk like you want to pass the onus to someone else. I’ve read the files of the ongoing efforts of the Darjee and their allied Humans. There seemed to be first results. They can’t stop them right now, but they slow them down and the Sa’arm seem to change direction slowly.” Jogh’ehat’e sat down on the low bench that was her usual place for the council.

“I know that. But where can the Sa’arm go if not in our general direction? They are coming up this arm of the galaxy and as long as they can’t cross the void to another arm there is only one possibility. I think it’s time to make the decision this Council was created for.”

Jogh’ehat’e looked at Fen’hiat’o in shock. “Don’t speak about the Nova Guardian. He has slept for 500.000 years now and it was for the best of the Confederation and us.”

Fen’hiat’o stood up and walked over to her. “But that’s what this Council was created for. In the times of need, we have to decide if we wake the Nova Guardian. It is not only that our society is falling apart because of the approach of the Sa’arm. Those insects slaughter every peaceful civilization on their way and no-one has found a way to even speak to them!”

Jogh’ehat’e looked around to avoid his intense gaze. “We can’t decide until all members are here. Where are they?”

Fen’ehat’o sat down next to her. That was an affront towards Riot’wala’o, the owner of the bench. “Riot’wala’o, Decider Fifth of Five of the High Guard Council has committed suicide last month. He left his followers in complete confusion and about eight-hundred of them followed him.”