Space, what is space? It is nothing, absolute nothing. But even in emptiness things can happen, planets rotate seemingly oblivious to the machinations of those inhabiting them. Asteroids travel and time moves on. Our story for today focusses on the unknown regions right on the edge of explored space. There a single planetary system comes in too view. Slowly we focus in on the system. The first thing noticible is the star, old for its standerds. It's time in this galaxy almost done, only another million or so revolutions of its attending celestial bodies before either expanding into a red giant or either collapsing in on itself. But the center piece of today's story is not the star but one of the planet's surrounding it. Peculiar in its shape, and size. Almost too large to suggest any life present on this rock. Another oddity was the twin moons. Most peculiar but for most that dwell underneath them inconsecential. Slowly we descend through the thick atmosphere, red in colour, but oxigan based. The colouration sprang from certain gasses that were present, mostly methane but also other exotic compounds that gave this rock in space its blood red colouring. Then we descend faster and faster through the atmosphere, coming to a dead stop a meter or two from the ground. The surface of the planet reveal vast sweeping sands, almost black in colour. Occasionaly a dust devil would dance across this seemingly empty desert. This planet seemed devoid of life. How can life survive in such a place, but appearance can be deceptive. Life has a tendancy to sprout in the most unlikely of places. Without word we sped across the endless seas faster and faster untill finally we come to stop. Below is a series of tents very small, very utilitarian in design. Above us the sun is breaking over the horison as the night retreated and another day begins. A day much like any other but one that will have profound impact on the Galaxy as a whole.

Finally there is a stir of life amongst the tents. A small insectile creature steps out to survey the breaking dawn. This is the species known by the rest of the Galaxy as the Bartokk, but they call themselves "Sh'so, or the 'Hunters' in their language. Round about a meter in height each Bartokk looked almost indentical, but small differences were noticible. Covered in an incredibly hard carpace the species had six limbs. Two were used for locumotion while the other four were used to manipulate their surroundings and each of these limbs ending in very sharp claws.

The Bartokk's, a species that gives new meaning to the expression the sum of the parts.

For the purpose of our tale we focus on one of these individuals. Daragon. A prominent speaker in the Grey Council.

Daragon sighed. The sun rise always had such a beautifull quality to it. And today was no different. He had always made it a point to rise early enough to catch. Quitely he focussed another set of his eyes on it.

"Daragon old friend, you were always a sucker for a sunrise."

His thoughts desturbed Daragon turned around to catch sight of Cass, his most trusted advisor, second in command and one of his oldest friends approaching him from the other side of the camp.

"They are beautifull aren't they. Come join me for a minute and apreciate the splendour of the Galaxy."

A smile played across the mouth of one of Cass's bodies

"I would old friend, but we have received word from the Citadel. The council is about to sit."

Daragon sighed with all of his bodies.

"This is always the case isn't it. Just when I try to get some rest Arator calls the councill to session and tries to oust me from power."

"That is the burden of your position old friend. If you would allow me to call him out I will grind his bones into dust and sprinkle them across the sand."

"Always the force full one, no the Game must be played. Unfortunately it is not the hunt. Then we need not put up with his close minded views. But speaking of the hunt ours went well didn't it. Plenty of pelts to bring home, heh.

"That it did."

"Very well pass the order. We brake camp and return to the Citadel at once."

"At once."

This time Daragon turned all 15 of his bodies heads to the sun. He would enjoy the moment of peace before he returned to the bloody and sometimes dishonourable Game of Politics. Behind him a swarm of Bartokks emerged from the tents each one carrying its orders out in an easy and practiced manner.

In the relative darkness of a room in the depths of the citadel, a shadow figured stirred, a faint hiss escaping from between his needle-like teeth as he rose unsteadily to his feet, relying on his tail to provide support for his body. Silently, he looked around the room, his keen eyes looking for any heat sources that would indicate other beings. After several minutes, he let out a dissapointed hiss, annoyed that there was no-one else in the chamber, for he had not enjoyed the last few hours of his life and felt a burning desire to demonstrate this by tearing something to shreds. However, almost before the sound was out of his mouth, the lights in the room brightened, almost blinding Lyzaar.

Quickly, he blinked his beady reptillian eyes, raising one black-scaled hand to shade his eyes as he did so, before he turned to stare at the door, sure that something would come through it now that the lights had activated, but in this he was dissapointed. The door remained sealed shut, the room remained silently apart from his rasping, hiss-like breaths and the occasional swishing sound his tail made as it moved. His anger only grew at this, his fury flowing through his body, making him feel as if his blood was boiling in his veins. This unfamiliar rage took control of him, forcing all reason to the back of his mind as some cold, animalistic instinct took over. His reason discarded in favour of pure unthinking fury, he lunged fowards, his claws reaching out for the door as he did so.

Unfortunately, or perhaps that should be 'fortunately' due to the armed guards throughout the citadel, his sharp claws did little more than scratch the thick door, a fact that further infuriated the reptilian warrior. Letting out a
hiss of dissapointment, he spun away from the door, his tail smashing against the door with a thud loud enough to be heard from across the corridor. He wasn't finished yet though, his anger was abating, but he still had that long surpressed desire to cause damage, and he wasn't going to bottle it up any longer. With another hiss, he lunged back to the bed he'd awoken on, ready to continue his unthinking rampage, when a slight noise from behind him - where the door was - caught his attention. Eyes glinting dangerously, he spun around, ready to spring forward and disembowel anyone he didn't recognize.

The Barabel was a whirlwind of destruction. As he reached the opening door a peculiar creature stepped through, about a meter in height. Glowing red eyes, almost Chiss like in features regarded his approaching doom with an almost suprising lack of interest. As soon as Lyzaar reached the door the small insect almost half the height of the rampaging Barabel seemed to dissappear from where he was standing. Reflexes amongst the Bartokk's have developed to such an extent that it was difficult for most beings to follow them when they didn't want to be seen.

Fortunately Lazaar did not relay on mere visual senses. He stopped dead and spun around, his hand lashing out. Closing his fist a struggling Bartokk was caught in those massive claws. With a cry of pure animal rage he lifted the struggling creature above his head ignoring the scratches the Bartokk's own claws were inflicting on his wrist. Like lightning he gripped one of the Bartokk's legs with his other hand and then with all his might pulled. The Bartokk seemed to come apart at the seems as this foe literally ripped him apart. Ichor and intestines splashed over the head of Lyzaar but he did not care. Tossing the remains into a corner he ran towards his freedom. Unfortunately for him five more guards showed up each one carrying a pair of stun guns. The Barabel regarded them for a quick moment then he vented his rage to the heavens and charged towards the new obsticle to his freedom. He did not get very far as ten beams of stun energy colided with his chest. He went down in a tangle of limbs. Two Bartokk's obviously the leader stepped forward. A slight golden band around their head denoting their ranks. One of them drew a blaster and aimed it at the Barabel's head.

"He is a strong warrior. A pity he must die like this..."

"STOP!!!!" came the shout from behind them. As one their heads turned to reveal four more Bartokk's approaching the scene. However these new comers had golden bands around their wrists as well.

"But sir, he killed one of my guards's drone."

Cass quitely regarded the sub - officer. "Still that does not give you the right to end his life like that. Isolates have only one body, you kill that and they are gone. Place him back in the cell. Restraints this time, and consider your self on report Sergent."

A very mumbled "Yes sir." came from the officer but he looked over to one of his sub-ordinates. Several more Bartokk's came rushing to the scene to pick up the unconscienous Barabel.

In another part of the Complex another door was also opening. Daragon slowly stepped through. It was a rather luxurious room by Bartokk standerds, a bed, a few tables and a few decorations on the wall, mostly the heads of the few animals who call Vallus their home. For a few moments Daragon regarded the creature sitting on the bed. He was humaniond in appearance, with tan coloured fur. Daragon had learned of this strange covering of other species during his travels. Most peculiar. He favoured his own rock hard carpace, most practical in nature. Slowly one of his drones approached the Bothan. Daragon offered a smile. He could chose which of his drones reflected his emotions. So the lone drone smiled. "Greetings, I am Daragon, Speaker of the Grey Council. Welcome to Vallus II homeplanet of our peoples."

Earlier that day

The black gates of the Citadel closed with a deafining boom. Daragon smiled broadly. It was always good to come home again. Cass at his side he started towards the central building of the Citadel. The one where the Council always sit/merge.

"I wonder why this meeting was called. We have no matters of importance to discuss for the foreseeable future." Daragon said aloud. He always spoke his thoughts aloud. A interesting habbit he picked up in his earlier years.

"Perhaps it was as we thought....." but Cass was intrupted in his answer. He never fully understood this habit of Daragon and thought his leader was talking to him.

"Ahhhh Daragon so good you could make it. We were about to begin."

Daragon and Cass turned around. Behind them stood Hastos. The current leader of the Council. Leader in so much as he was the focul point for the merging.

Daragon smiled. He respected this elder member of his species but often thought that he was getting soft in his old age. "Why was the meeting called Hastos, with one of the sitters on a Hunt."

"Its to discuss what to do with our two new guests."

"Guests?" this had somewhat suprised Daragon. The most recent trend in his species politics is Xenophobia, led by his arch rival. This was something of a stupid mistake in Daragon's books, but his group was in the minority for the moment.

"Yes, a Barabel and a Bothan, survivor of a pirate raid our ships came upon."

"I see, well before the Council sits/merge I would like too speak with the Bothan."

"But...."

"No buts Hastos. I am a Speaker and I am in the Citadel. Its WITHIN my rights."

"What shall I tell the Council Daragon." their was a tiny note of panic in Hastos's voice, he did not like his orderly routine disrupted.

"What ever you wish, but you will postpone it Hastos, do I make myself clear."

"Very well, but I do hope that you hurry it up."

With those parting words Hastos hurried towards the Council chambers. Daragon turned to Cass with a broad smile on his lips. "Old friend look after the Barabel won't you, while I speak with the Bothan."

Cass looked very confused. "Why Daragon, lets just release them and be done with it."

"I have a feeling that the arrival of these may herald a shattering change in the future of our species."

One of Cass's drones bowed. "It shall be as you wish."

Cass hurried off leaving Daragon to contemplate.

Slowly, Askar rose to his feet, before striding towards the drone, his eyes locked on it's shiny black carapace. In his entire life, he'd never seen a single example of one of these creatures before, and that fact in itsef was astonishing, considering it was his job to be up to date on the activities of all species that might influence the Bothan rise to power. Even more surprisingly, he'd never even heard of a creature such as this outside of childhood tales he'd long since dismissed as being fabrications of his mother's mind. Yet now, there stood before him a creature, almost like an apparation from one of those tales of long ago, and this fact intrigued him.

The normal Bothan reaction to the drone's appearance would have been one of two things. Either they would have tried to escape from it, or they would have tried to trick it into telling them everything they wanted to know. But Askar wasn't exactly a normal Bothan. No, he was a trained spy and a trained diplomat (though they were essentially the same thing in Bothan culture.) and, more importantly in this instance, he was a scientist. True, Xenobiology had never been his speciality, but he still had a passing interest in it, especially when he was presented with such a fascinating specimen as the six limbed one that currently stood before him.

So, he allowed his innate curiosity to take priority over his other other thoughts, walking slowly around the Drone, his eyes gleaming with interest as he noted how the drone only watched him while he was standing in front of it, apparently ignoring him after he'd passed from it's field of vision. Still, it did seem to know where he was standing, he'd deduced that from the fact that it'd moved forward when he'd almost walked into it. 'This raises an interesting question. Can it hear my movements or sense them in some other way? I'll have to experiment...'

For a moment, he was silent, considering how best to check his theory, then a smile spread slowly across his face as an idea hit him. 'Perfect. Since I'm not moving from here, it can't hear me. It'd have to sense me in some other way.' Without pausing to conside the Bartokk's thought on the matter, he raised a hand, then slowly extended it, planning to push the Bartokk gently. Before he could though, a gravelly voice, which put him in mind of the late Dark Jedi Jerec, sounded from behind him,

"I would appreciate it"

As Askar spuna round to face the source of the voice, it stopped, only for another voice, coming from behind him once again, to continue,

"If you didn't do that."

A look of confusion crossed the Bothan's face, only to be replaced once again by that same fascination that had filled it earlier.

"Amazing, you have a telepathic link! That explains it all! Incredible!"

In all his days, Askar had never meet a species who's members had a true telepathic link, so his excitement was justifiable, though perhaps it was badly timed since there were far more important things to worry about. Apparently, he remembered this fact at that very moment, because he stpped back from the first Bartokk, almost tripping over the second one as he did so, before clearing his throat and speaking in his most formal and dignified tone,

"Ah, anyway, I am Askar Vri'kre of the Bothan Star Federation. I wish to know why I am here and where the others in my delegation are."

The room was silent for a few moments. The lead drone slowly lifted one of his hands and began scratching his chin. Thoughts filled its mind, hazy unclear thought, but in conjunctions with the other fourteen of his bretheren they became focussed, clear.

"The Bothan Star Federation, my goodness I have been couped up in here too long. Its unfortunate the Council takes up so much of my time, or else I would travel once again." one of Daragon's drones muttered. He was standing off in one corner.

After a few moments the lead drone lowered its clawed hand and smiled once again. This time Daragon addressed the Bothan. "Askar Vri'kre of the Bothan Star Federation. Welcome."

Daragon took a step a forward. Slowly he raised one of his hands, the palm open. "I believe this is a universal method of greeting."

The tan coloured Bothan looked at the palm then almost chuckled. He gripped the offered hand firmly. They shook.

"But I am afraid I have been a bad host. Why don't you have a seat we have much to discuss. I do hope my sub-ordinates have treated you well."

Daragon took a step back and sweeped his two left arms over the room to indicate the modest amount of chairs. He also included the bed since most of the chairs were designed for the Bartokk anatomy and would be considered uncomfortable for most species as tall as the one before him.

Askar wisely selected the bed and seated himself. Silently six more drones filled into the room. Each one choosing a chair. Daragon was seating himself in a loose circle around the Bothan. Daragon always favoured this arangment since it provided him with a view point from almost every angle. He usually did this with Isolates.

As the last drone seated itself, the drone directly in front of the Bothan's point of view smiled again. "Before we begin can I get you something to eat, something to drink?"

Askar silently shook his head.

Daragon nodded. "Very well. First off it is not a telepathic link. These bodies you see before you share a true hivemind. I am the resulting 'intelligence'." Daragon chuckled.

Suddenly another drone said. "I am Daragon." Then another and another until all fifteen had said so. Then all fifteen said it once. Askar had nearly jumped at the outburst and continually tried to follow the source of the voice but found it increasingly difficult.

"It is most disconcernting and I try not to do it with Isolates such as yourself."

The chuckled died down and the lead drone continued. "Secondly, the reason. you are here and the state of your delegates. A patrol ship of ours found you in the midst of a pirate raid, since my people detest pirates with a savage fury they made short work of the raiders. However the commander of that ship and his crewmen were.... how shall we say a little too eager. After they finished with the pirates they turned their sights on your ship. Fortunately I learned that another ship arrived just in time to prevent the shame. Unfortunately almost all of your party died in the attacks. We managed to rescue two survivors. You and a Barabel." At the mention of this and his train of thought Daragon could not supress another chuckle.

"Your Barabel friend is fine. So fine that he managed to rip one of his guards's drones in half."

At the mention of this Askar's face screwed up in horror.

But before he could speak Daragon raised a hand. "Don't worry. He is still fine, my second in command is looking after him, and he will ensure that the Barabel stays that way, At the moment he is sleeping it off. As for the guard he is also fine. A hivemind presents interesting concepts in life and death. I can 'survive' with up to seven of my drones dead. Although this results in a drop of mental capicity for me which in turns result in a drop of intelligence for me personally."

The drone became silent for a minute and its gaze dropped to the floor. Slowly it looked up. The glowing red eyes glowing more fiercely. In fact each of the drones looked intently at Askar, deep red eyes drilling into him.

"Now we come to the third and final point of this discussion. This is perhaps the most important matter of this dicussion. What do we do with you now. Normally my people don't 'rescue' survivors from a battle. Simply because there are none. So as you can imagine your arrival here has caused something of an upheaval. Especially since you are not of our species. Xenophobia has taken hold in our politics recently, something which I have been unsuccesfull in battling. So our main govermental body is going to sit/merge to decide what to do with you. At the moment the choices before us is either to kill you or force you to do battle in the Ring."

The lead drone sat back. Daragon sighed loudly. "My friend favours releasing you, a thing which I am also in favour of, but something tells me that you might be able to offer me an alternative."

At the mention of the word 'Xenophobia', Askar grimaced, but remained quiet. He'd heard that word several times, he'd experienced it on two occasions, but he didn't really care to recall them at the moment. Those memories were best saved for when he had to remind himself how good he had things now and how much worse things could be. He reflected on this for barely a moment, before pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind, listening intently to Daragon until his drone fell silent once again. Only then did Askar speak, his tone thoughtful and polite,

"I've never understoof Xenophobia. Outright fear of all alien races just isn't necessary or profitable."

'Unlike hatred of Humans', he added silently, before smiling thinly at the drone who'd just finished speaking, and continuing,

"But that isn't important right now. You say you feel I might be able to offer you an alternative? Well, you are quite correct in that assumption. As chief negotiator of the Bothan Delegation to Barab One, I have full authorisation to offer membership in the Bothan Star Federation to the people of Barab One, or any other race that i deem to be worthy of joining us."

He paused to allow Daragon to absorb this information, then rose to his feet, forcing the drones to tilt their heads backwars so that they could view his face. Noticing that he'd apparently caught their attention, Askar smiled to himself, nodding slightly, before continuing in that same formal and polite tone,

"Now, If I had my datapacks, I could show you a number of holos on the benefits of joining us, but since I haven't seen them since I got here, I'm going to assume that they weren't saved. Well, that means I'll have to do this by memory again...that is...If you're interested in hearing more about what we have to offer?"

He said that last sentence almost tentatively, wondering how Daragon...and his drones...would recieve the offer of more information. Hopefully, Daragon would take full advantage of Askar's offer, trying to learn more about the Bothans. It was what Askar would have done if the situation had been reversed, and he judged that Daragon was about as intelligent as himself.

OOC: Sorry this is so short Loral, but I'm going out and I figured you'd prefer a short post to no post.

Daragon was stunned. So stunned he remained quite for a few moments. Then he nodded. A smile formed on all the drone's faces. An alliance. Now that was something that he had been trying to form. And something which he had failed at for sometime. Arator always derailed his efforts. But a coalition of species here in the Outer Rim territories, excluding humans that is, would be a force to reckon with. He found the species weak and pitifull, but they stood together and was the dominant species at the moment in the galaxy. But not for long if he had his way.

Daragon nodded the lead drones head. "Please do continue."

OOC
Lol no worries Kal, but as they say one good turn deserves another

That familiar, pleased smile crept across Askars face again as Daragon's drones spoke those words. 'Excellent. Perhaps this trip will not be a total waste after all.' For a moment, he merely stared at Daragon's drones, stroking his whiskers thoughtfully as he considered what would be of most relevance to these...people.
<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->"Since I know so very little about your culture, it is quite hard to decide upon which information is relevant to your species. Still, I do have some information that will certainly be of interest to you."
<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->That was most certainly true. Askar's datapack had contained information on hundreds of the benefits of joining the Bothan Star Federation and since Askar's vessel had contained little in the way of recreational facilities, he'd spent a good deal of time reading them before the ship was attacked by pirates. One thing he was sure that Daragon would appreciate was the military protection agreement, so he began with that,
<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->"As far as I can tell, your people are fairly...aggressive, when it comes to dealing with other races. Now, while in most incidents, this is unlikely to have an ultimately negative effect on your people, there is always the possibility of a retaliatory strike coming from an opponent you had vastly underestimated. In most cases, this would have disasterous results for your people, but if join the Bothan Star Federation, you will automatically be included in our mutal-defence agreement. As a result, we would be honour-bound to help you defend your world against any scum attempting to invade it, thus keeping the loss of lives...uhh...drones, amongst your people down to a minimum."
<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->He paused, searching his brain for the next viable reason, then pausing, a calculating smile spreading across his features. Slowly, he glanced down at the nearest drone, before commenting,
<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->"And of course, with our assault carriers, we can take your warriors from here to anywhere in the sector within hours. And I happen to know of a den of pirates quite close to here..."
<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->'Hopefully, that'll grab their attention', Askar thought as he watched the drone's face, trying to judge Daragon's reaction to his words from one of his many drones. Dealing with aliens was never easy and this was harder than most encounters, mainly due to the fact that one individual was in habiting more than a half-dozen bodies. 'Now we shall see what his thoughts are...'
<!--EZCODE BR START--><!--EZCODE BR END-->"There are many more advantages, but I felt that those I just mentioned were the most pertinent to you. Tell me, what do you think?"

A massive sigh came from one of the drones, and then another. One of them looked at the floor. Then another one looked at the roof. For a few moments they remained so until Daragon finally spoke. "You have just come close to uttering the worst insult in our culture imagineable. That we need help in battle."

The drone that had spoken lowered his eyes to the floor again. But then it looked up with a smile. "One thing that you may or may not be aware of is that we have had interaction with the other species inhabiting the galaxy. I myself was for a long time a Traveller. For some reason our services as assassins are highly coveted amongst the billion of sentients that cover our galaxy. So I know something of your species the Bothan's. I was actually hoping that you might explain to me why a species noted for its sly nature is suddenly interested in building a goverment of its own, when you had so many other goverments to play in, so intertwined with the rest of the galaxy...."

The last part of his sentance was interupted by a knock on the door. Several of Daragon's drones turned their heads back to the door.

"Enter."

The door opened and Cass stepped inside.

"I am sorry for the interuption. But the Council meeting is about to begin."

Daragon nodded.

"Understood, leave us for a few moments more."

"As you wish"

The drones bowed and stepped out. Daragon turned his attention back to Askar. Once more three of his drones sighed.

"I had hoped for time, but it seems our meeting is almost at an end. The Council will sit/merge soon and I must attend. However for reasons we can discuss later I am very interested in forming a partnership with your BSF. So I am going to ask that you be allowed to speak to the Council. To tell them of this new 'diversity alliance' but a few words of warning and some advice. Do not mention those benifits again. They are close to insult and we do not receive much benifit from them. Vallus II is a hidden world simply because we kill all those that learn of it. Plus we have our own ships to ferry our warriors in." Daragon chuckled a bit, then he continued

"We are a proud independant people Bothan. Not slave nor servant to any being. We value combat prowess and skill in the hunt. When you speak talk about extending our power and influence. I would also advice that you issue a ritual challenge of Cos'ka. Battle to the death in the Ring. If you or your Barabel friend wins you will have a much greater standing."

At those words Daragon smiled thinly. The expression was reflected on all of his drones. "And I will win too because I am going to be your Cor'sa, champion to your cause. And if I know my enemy he will not stand for this."

Even before these criptic words became cold all of the seated drones rose as one.

"Now Askar Vri'kre of the Bothan's you are about to see a thing very few sentient's have. A session of the Grey Council. Come its about to begin."

Quitely the drones began filling out of the room until only one was left standing in the room, its deep red eyes rested on the Bothan. Clearly Daragon was waiting for Askar to accompany him.

Mistakes, we all make them. Often we don't even realize that something is a mistake until it's too late to do anythign except try and make up for it. That was true here today, and Askar was furious at himself for not pausing to consider how his words would be taken. He hadn't intended to imply that the Bartokks couldn't defend themselves. Quite the opposite in fact. He'd lready been considering how best to use the Bartokks in conjunction with their own army. Now though, it seemed he would have no chance to see his plans in action, for he had apparently insulted his host. 'By the entropy, how could I make such a mistake? It's almost as bad as when Sansk Lud'da asked the Alderaanian diplomat if he'd tried any home improvement of late!'

Frowning deeply, he strode after Daragon's drones, barely glancing around as they made their way through the winding corridors of the building; he was far to absorbed in his self beratement to notice anything other than the fact that the designs on the walls reminded him of a print he'd been given by a Hutt who'd been more than pleased with the trade deal he'd negotiated for him. 'Piranha Beetle Dance', or something similarly idiotic had been the title, and he'd long since sold it on to a collector for a more than reasonable fee, but he still remembered it well. 'Perhaps once I'm finished here I should see about aqquiring several more copies of that print so that I can han one in every room of my abode to remind myself not to make the same mistake I made here today..'

Suddenly, a blast of cold wind hit him, instantly bringing him back to reality with a jolt as the icy chill slammed into his face. Slowly, he looked up, his mouth opening slightly as he regarded the sight before him in stunned admiration. All around him, the buildings reached up like giant hands, attempting to scratch the sky. All of them were at least as tall as the few tall buildings in the cities of Bothawui and Kothlis, though they were of course dwarved by the massive towers of Coruscant. But, these towers were far more beautiful than the skyscrapers of Coruscant. Unlike those dull towers, these buildings looked as if they had simple grown from the ground, and the few insectile improvements made on the exteriors only seemed to add to ther strange, almost intoxicating beauty. And that wasn't all, one building - probably the council's meeting hall, judging by the fact that Daragon's drone had started to move towards it - towered above all the others, it's few towers looking like they intended to snatch the sun from the sky. It almost made Askar shiver just to look at it.

Unfortunately though, there was little time to dwell on the arhcitecture, for Daragon's drone was already making it's way to the council chambers, the distance between them widening with every passing moment, so that Askar had to hurry to catch up. After all, he didn't want to irritate the Bartokk any further after the mistake he had just made. No, quite the opposite in fact. While there was still the chance of salvaging an alliance, or at least a treaty, Askar was determined to do his best to make Daragon forget his foolish words. Even if that meant he would have to resort to the ritual challenge of Cos'ka.