<i>Terrain</i> : Mountains, tundra, swamps
<I>Length of Day</i> : 27 standard hours
<I>Length of Year</i> : 522 standard days
<I>Sentient Species</i> : Humans
<I>Languages</i> : Basic
<I>Population</i> : 3 billion
<I>Major Exports</i> : Consumer goods
<I>Major Imports</i> : Foodstuffs, processed goods
<I>System/Star</i> : Desev (companion star Maugina)
The immense dome that dominated the skyline of Desevro's capital city, Maslovar, was impressive, but it was dwarfed by the skyscrapers, the temples of light, that dominated the sprawling metropolis. Shafting skyward, they bespoke the nature and power of Allied Tion's achievements in culture as well as in technology. Famous in this part of the galaxy, at least, they were an unmissable expression of all that was Desevro. On its neat, clean streets, citizens went about their business with the air of those who believed themselves just slightly superior. In its skies, transport craft of every imaginable size and description hurried along their predetermined paths.
The makeup of its citizenry attested to that. The city was home to every variation in stature, shade, and sensibility of contemporary humanity. It was reflected in the city's art, in its commerce, in its entertainment venues.
It was also amply evident in its politics, which at the moment were undergoing an upheaval that found them uneasily balanced somewhere between the fractious and outright hand-to-hand combat. Uncommon to Allied Tion government, yelling and shouting filled the outer chambers and anterooms of the capitol dome.
Pulling on a cloak, one man fled the cacophony. His expression showed him to be as disgusted as he was depressed. Curious beyond restraint, an aide intercepted the fugitive as he strode from the dome. With a nod of his head, he indicated the barely controlled chaos that presently filled the interior.
"Delegate Im, I have worked for this government for twenty years. Never have I heard or seen such signs of serious dissention. What's happening in there?"
The delegate paused, glanced back. "When all is said and done? Much will be said-- and nothing will be done."
Cloak swirling around him, he swept away. Behind him, the aide stared back toward the towering doors that opened into the dome. Like the majority of his Tion brethen, he was keen on order and predictability. The shouting and arguing within did not bode well for a continuation of such things. It was just as well he was not privy to the debate raging inside. More than a few of the comments and observations being made would have unsettled him a good deal more than he already was.
The defense minister was adamant. She was also louder than most of her fellow officials. Even in an age of advanced technology, a strong voice still had its uses.
"Shut down all hyperlanes to the Cronese Mandate and the Tion Hegemony!" she roared. "We need to save the energy, save all resources for <I>this</i> world! We cannot continue to export at a time of such uncertainty, when planetary defense should be everyone's first priority."
Sterak, a Rodian, disagreed, as he usually did. "We can't be slaves to fear. What kind of message would that send to the people? Desevro is expected to set an example for the lesser nearby worlds of Allied Tion. A specific threat must be identified before radical action is approved. We cannot react in panic to every rumor that--"
The respected clerical delegate Asjem, a Twil'lek, cut him off. "Rumor? Is it rumor that we have lost communication with <I>another</I> world?" He gestured emphatically to his colleagues. "One such incident suggests communications failure. Multiple ones suggest something far more sinister. You all know to what I refer. Those who are named the Black Dragon Empire."
Someone shouted, "We should try and make contact, negotiate with them."
"Them?" another delegate countered. "Who's even seen 'them'? Who even knows what they want? If 'they' even exist. There could be other explanations, as Sterak says."
"They do exist!" another countered.
A second cleric rose to speak. "Fifteen worlds, at least fifteen worlds in the Tion Cluster have been conquered! That is all the explanation I and my department require. Can one be blind to the deafness of one's neighbors? What more proof do we need?" He waved in the direction of the defense minister. "We must prepare, and quickly."
"Scillal!" The new voice teetered on the edge of panic. "My sources say Scillal in the Centrality has been conquered!"
Sterak's strongest ally in session was Teyfuddin, a Toydarian. Raising his voice as he batted his wings, that worthy attempted to counter the rising feeling of hopelessness. "But not another in this system. Planets are not countries. We share no direct border with those worlds that seem to be experiencing those problems. With those in our system we share a sun, and they continue to communicate with Desevro as efficiently as always." The Toydarian regarded the sea of anxious faces.
"I share your concerns. Such increasing silence from beyond Allied Tion is troubling. But civilization has known many troubles, and still survives. History tells us that not all troubles visit all worlds. Nobody here today knows where this mysterious enemy will descend next. Or even if! I see cause for vigilance, yes, but not for panic."
The defense minister did not sit down. She was growing increasingly frustrated at the turn the discussion was taking. This was a time for action, not for talk! She <I>had</i> to convince them.
"Again, I say it. Shut down the hyperlanes. Draw in our outer defenses. We only make ourselves more of a target the longer we--"
This time it was her turn to be interrupted. Sterak refused to be stampeded into a decision he felt was not only unnecessary but also counter to Tion philosophy.
"If we show fear-- if we shut down the hyperlanes and cower in the dark-- our sister worlds in Allied Tion will wither and starve. It falls to us to set the example, to be strong for all. For their children, as well as ours, we must stand our ground. We are Desevro! And we will do what we have always done: generate commerce and then share it with all."
Shouts greeted his declaration-- some supportive, some questioning. Politician and defense minister, supporters and detractors, glared at one another across the chamber as the debate raged around them. Both had the best interests of their homeworld at heart. Neither had any idea of the nature of what was coming for them...
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