All That Glitters Ch. 58

"The second level is the Full Member of the Council or FME, an empath with at least average or higher power who has been invited to enter a Crush or a Fellowship in order to develop their powers to the maximum available and who thus are able to use their powers to affect others. A Full Member Empath is usually invited to join a Crush if they have rated a minimum of a two in at least two of the three basic criteria and show the ability to progress. Some who are Full Members will never advance their abilities any further. They usually are not invited to join a Crush or a Fellowship.

"For those who are not aware, a Crush is a Teaching Congress of immature empaths, read teenagers or for the Asocans Shamot. A Fellowship is a Teaching Congress for adult members.

"The third level are those who are given the name Grand Master Empath or GME. These are powerful empaths who lack the experience or maturity to enter the Core of the Council which consists of the most powerful, the most mature, and the most experienced empaths. They are permitted to add the postnominal 'GME' to their names. The Grand Masters tend to be used as instructors for other empaths still in training and will rate a six in three of the five criteria.

"The fourth level are the Councillors, empaths who rate high in maturity and experience and form the corps of the Council of Empaths, being the governing body of the Council. They are always developed from and co-opted from the Grand Master Empaths.

"The fifth and last level is the Master Class Empath or MCE. These are exceptionally powerful empaths recognized for their extreme power or their exceptional control over their power. Master Class Empaths are very rare. They are usually composed of those who have already been co-opted as Councillors for the Council of Empaths, thus they often hold the title of Councillor at the same time as holding the postnominal MCE.

"There are currently only five Master Class Empaths known. Palda Junelliya will eventually be recognized as the sixth Master Class Empath possibly even before she is recognized as a Councillor. Any empath will tell you that Junelliya is the most powerful empath they have ever encountered. It is also noted by the Council that she has exceptional control over her powers.

"The rules established by the Council of Empaths govern the empaths of Hollander's World and those who have been trained by them. They dictate what we can and cannot do, setting the standards for all empaths to follow.

"Because all members of the Council are affected by the rules we establish, all members of the Council of Empaths, regardless of their level, are permitted a vote on the rules and regulations that control the membership of the Council of Empaths that we are required to live by. No new rule or law will be adopted until at least eighty percent of registered empaths have responded to the proposed change. That will now also include any Asocans who are accepted into the Council.

"The Council of Empaths tends to direct its members toward a life of service to the community, in one manner or another. The medical trades and security trades being excellent examples though not the only ones. This is because of the very fear that caused us to originally form the Council to protect us from. It was reasoned that if the members of the Council are known to help the community at large, they will be much less feared and seen as an asset to the community. This is the principle reason we direct members to lives of service, however, The Council of Empaths understand that a life of service is not for everyone.

"When a new member is recognized by the Council of Empaths, regardless of their level of ability, they are given a Council Pin with their unique Council Number and ID certified by the Council. This ID will be upgraded with every advance an Empath makes." Here Petronellaya opened her comp to show her Council ID with her name and title 'Councillor'.

"The Council will now also add the Species Designator as a prefix to this number as there are billions of people in the Greater Community. All Asocan numbers will begin with ASC.

"New members of the Council are also allowed to add the suffix 'YA' for females and 'YEA' for males to their names. Sometimes this requires a bit of creative fiddling or the changing of a person's name to accommodate this, and not all empaths follow this tradition. However, this tradition formally identifies empaths to non-empaths on Hollander's World and many empaths not native to Hollander's World have adopted this tradition, most notably, Junelliya.

"You will also be given a Council Dress Pin which is worn on the front left of your body when you are in service to the community or the Council. It identifies you as an 'empath on duty'.

"Junelliya is wearing a large council dress pin on her gown. She does this because she is known throughout the Greater Community as an Empath and shows this proudly for all to see. Most of us usually only wear our Council Pin when we are 'on duty' as an empath.

"Junelliya is also a member of the Order of Telepaths and proudly wears the armband of the Telepaths on her right arm. Most telepaths are Toolend, though there are more and more telepaths of other races being discovered.

"For the most part, most telepaths of other races tend to be race specific, in other words, they can only read members of their own species. Toolend are the exception to this. Some humans have also shown an ability to read other races but this is, so far, rare among humans.

"Among the gifted Asocans here tonight, we have fourteen who have found themselves capable of telepathy and I am not sure of the final number among those who were gifted by the Gods during the incident at the Lost Shall.

"We have discovered that people who are strong empaths can be triggered to develop telepathy. The same is true of telepaths, who can be triggered to become empaths. At the moment, we are unsure of the mechanism of this trigger. We only know that it can happen." Petronellaya paused as a hand was raised by a Harradi minister near the front.

"We understand that during the Second Denders Summit, a person of weak telepathic ability had their telepathy boosted during an experiment. Was this successful and can this be applied to others?" the minster asked.

Augraf responded to the question. "Yes, it was very successful as the person in question was raised from barely being able to use their telepathy to becoming a functional telepath, though that person is still in training as a telepath.

"However, as to our ability to apply this to others, the answer for now is no. We can increase an ability that is there, we cannot give an ability to someone who does not have it. If we discover the mechanism by which empaths and telepaths develop the other respective power, we may be able to trigger this effect in all our members and possibly even apply this to non-gifted citizens in future.

"I will say that we have our hands full at the moment just helping those with minimum power levels to increase their power levels to useful levels. We would be overwhelmed if we were to provide the ability to our entire populations.

"One day in the future, this may become an option. For now, it is a dream. Does that answer your question?" Augraf asked of the minister, getting a nod from the worthy.

"Like the Council of Empaths, the Order of Telepaths was formed to help protect our people from the fear of our fellow sentients," Augraf continued. "Unlike empathy, which only reads the emotions of the subject, telepaths can actually read the thoughts of those we scan. Your deepest, darkest secrets cannot be hidden from us. This makes us something to truly be feared.

"Toolend Telepaths had, for some time, been deferring to greater authorities, such as the Djinaëte Council of Sisters, for permission to conduct our readings of subjects. With this authority, we were permitted to move out into the galaxy among the other species. However, we were few in number and very much selectively governed by the local authorities. Even with these restrictions we were openly feared by the masses.

"When we met the human empaths and discovered the Council of Empaths, it was a revelation to the Toolend. Here was a means to give us legitimacy amongst the other sentients and permission for us to wander the known galaxy, a boon to the Toolend species.

"Our Elders immediately saw the value of the Council's Code of Conduct and we contacted the Council for a series of meetings during the First and Second Denders Summit, to help us establish the edicts of the Order of Telepaths.

"It was not an easy task to modify the edicts of the Council but we were very highly motivated to accomplish this and the Council was more than happy to help us in our task. We finally provided our people with a series of edicts, very similar to those of the Council of Empath's, that would allow our people to move about with certain freedoms among the other species who now recognized the value of telepaths and no longer feared telepaths in an indiscriminate manner.

"For this, we can never give enough praise and thanks to the Council of Empaths, and especially to Councillor Petronellaya, the head of the Council." Here, all of the Toolend in the hall rose to their full height and waved their tentacles in an intricate pattern of thanks and humility to Petronellaya. Surprised, she bowed low to the Erx Toolend.

"While the process of reading emotions and feelings is fundamentally different from that of reading thoughts, the two groups share the same ideals, to protect the public at large from the indiscriminate and illegal behaviours of our members, and to protect our members from unwarranted fear and retribution of the public, as we had seen earlier this day," Augraf ended with a note of caution to the attendees.

"If this kind of unwarranted fear can develop at the highest levels of species government management, what could occur at the level of the ordinary citizens of any species?" Augraf left that thought hang for a little while before he continued.

"We have been asked time and time again how is it that we do our readings? The answer is both simple and frightening to non-telepaths; we are constantly reading other peoples minds.

"All species are constantly looking with their eyes and will focus instinctively on something that is out of the ordinary, basically focusing their sight on something that they find interesting.

"We telepaths do much the same. However, as with seeing, we only do a cursory scan of the minds of others, reading what is foremost in their thoughts; their names, their occupations, and the thing that is bothering them the most at that instance in time. For more detailed information, we must deliberately focus our minds on theirs much the same way as you would focus your eyesight on that of something that has caught your interest.

"Here is where the Code of Conduct of the Order comes into play. We are likewise governed by the Authority to act and have taken this part of the Council's edicts intact from them. Were empaths read the emotions of others, we read the thoughts of others. Like empaths, we can tell when someone is lying but we can also determine exactly how they are lying and what they are lying about. An empath would have to ask many questions to arrive at this point, where we would simply read and determine what is there.

"There are other differences between empaths and telepaths but fundamentally, we do business much the same," Augraf finished.

Petronellaya took over again. "In order to protect both sides of this equation, the governing bodies of both groups crack down hard on all of our people who break or attempt to break our edicts with disciplinary hearings that can have serious consequences for our members. The most recent and most public of these hearings occurred at the Second Denders Summit when our most powerful empath, Palda Junelliya, was brought before the Council. Junelliya, if you would?"

"While at the Second Denders Summit, I overstepped the bounds of my limits and acted without authority, using my powers to deliberately limit another member of the Council. While I did this to stop the criminal activity of one of our members, I did not have the authority to act. For this reason, I was brought before a Disciplinary Hearing and was eventually found guilty and a fine was imposed. I knew what I was doing in the incident and that I had exceeded my authority to act and thus accepted my punishment.

"This fine was in two parts, one was a monetary fine, the second was the imposition of restrictions on training for ninety days. This restriction was far harder for me than was the fine as I was at a point in my abilities that I needed proper instructions and monitoring as I was quickly advancing in my skills. Instructions to improve my abilities were restricted and I was monitored to ensure that I did not try to move advance my abilities on my own.

"The younger Shamot of the Asocans will understand this concept far more readily than other sentients will. They appreciate the ability of unrestricted learning. To have restrictions imposed on them for their behavior is a meaningful punishment, as was mine." Asocans all around the hall were nodding their heads in agreement and understanding at this.

A Byandi minister stood and raised a hand. "Yes, minister?" Petronellaya asked.

"We heard that Junelliya's restrictions were removed before the ninety day limit during the celebrations a few days ago. Can you explain why?" she asked.

The Asoc rose to answer that. "Despite the restrictions imposed on her, Palda Junelliya willingly used her limited powers during the recent combat against Belgedra and her supporters. On more than one occasion, she saved my life and the lives of my senior supporters during combat. For this, we, the Asocan Government, petitioned with the Council of Empaths and the Order of Telepaths to remove all of her restrictions. That petition was granted. It was the least we could do for Palda Junelliya considering the circumstances. Our Government owes a life debt to Palda Junelliya that we will likely never be able to repay."

"Junelliya's restriction's were against new training and not against her use of her powers or her current knowledge" Councillor Elliya stated. "As such, we waved the restriction against new training on the petition of the Asocan Government. Junelliya had also been recognized as a Grand Master Empath during events at the Second Denders Summit, however, that title and the permission to add the postnominal 'GME' to her name was also restricted during her punishment. We allowed her to claim her designation and she is now recognized as a GME though her comp ID still requires to be updated."

Junelliya was asked to continue. "As has been stated, I am the most powerful empath there is. No one empath, and even very large groups of empaths could not oppose me. However, I understand the value and the purpose of the Council and willingly stood before the Disciplinary Committee during my hearing and accepted my punishment. I overstepped my authority even if I had reason to do so in my own mind."

That got appreciative nods from the attendees, especially the Asocans who valued respect for authority.

Junelliya continued. "The basic tenants of both parties is the same, provide a framework within which our members can live and work within the community, while protecting our members and the community at large. The details of our codes of conduct and the edicts, rules, laws and traditions are contained within the Codes of Conduct given to each of our members as they are accepted into the Council or the Order. Most of the information in these codes of conduct are a public resource and can be accessed by the public at large. However, this evening, you and your government employees will be given these codes from the hands of our candidates themselves.

"We do this for two reasons, the first is that since the Council and the Order protect both our members and the public at large, we always allow for the public to be present at our investitures. The second is simple, we want you to understand that while these people are members of the Council and the Order and subject to our Codes of Conduct, they are also your citizens and subject to your laws and as a consequence, subject to the protections that your laws afford them. We wish to reconfirm your commitment to your citizens," Junelliya finished, seeing smiles on the faces of the leadership at her comment.

"Who was responsible for gathering the information from the candidates and their families this evening?" Petronellaya asked. Sharran Mutt Herrtt stepped forward.

"Very well, as your command of the Asocan language is far superior to mine, could we ask you to be the Master of Ceremonies for the presentation of the Code of Conduct by the candidates and to act as the Master of Ceremonies for the presentation of new members tomorrow?" The aide looked a little leery but Junelliya came down and explained to her all that her task consisted of, which was not particularly difficult.

"I would ask the Candidates who have Wrist Comps to step forward and receive the Code of Conduct of the Council of Empaths from the hand of Councillors Petronellaya and Elliya. You may bring your families with you."

A line quickly formed before each of the two Councillors who stepped down from the stage to move along each line, passing the Code of Conduct and greeting each person in turn along with their families as they were identified by Sharran.

Augraf and Mayute came down to pass the Code of Conduct of the Order of Telepaths to those who had shown capability as telepaths and any others who wanted it.

The candidates were called upon by name to give the same to each of the leaders, their spouses, and their senior minister. By the end of the session, all of the people in the room, who had comps, had both Codes of Conduct presented to them by the Candidates.

People went back to their places and the Asoc rose to speak, moving up to the stage to address the Candidates and the larger group of Leadership and staff.

"Today is the beginning of a new phase in your lives," she stated. "It is an important step and one that confirms what your gifts are to us, valuable assets for our people. We will spare no expense in finding suitable instructors for you to help you improve your capabilities. In turn, as you progress through the ranks of the Council and the Order, you will form our own branch of each for the Asocan Realm.

"Councillor Petronellaya has asked that tomorrow, the last day of celebrations over the defeat of Belgedra, you will be assessed and invested as members into the Council of Empaths or the Order of Telepaths or both. I, personally, look forward to observing this Presentation of Candidates as it will be the first for the Asocan people."

The crowd roared its approval as the leaders and their ministers came to mingle with the candidates, all previous thoughts of the nervousness and fear they had, for the most part, was now gone.

Piscium Apartments, The >Clot<, Asoc Shall, AsocAR

Ikekiya was walking in the Food Court of Liramor-23 along with her friends from school. She knew she was dreaming but it seemed so real. In the dream, she knew all of the names of her friends, yet she didn't recognize any of them. They were all new to her yet they were not. It made no sense to her until she realized that her dream self knew all these people while her real self had not yet met them...

It seemed to her that her view was slightly off. She looked to her right as she entered the Food Court and saw the painted lines on the wall. She realized that she was just a little taller, not much, but enough to change her perspective as she walked. That made her curious.