All That Glitters Ch. 64

One of the new Maha-Rrin raised a timid hand.

"Yes?" Petronellaya asked.

"Some of us are not so mobile, Councillor," the little one shyly proclaimed.

"We are aware. We will make things happen for you and help you all where possible. If you are in surgery at the time of this year's summit, we will make arrangements to come here and include you as members of the Council of Empaths. In the meantime, read the Code of Conduct and learn its contents," Petronellaya proclaimed.

"For those of you who do not have comps, let us know and we will provide you with one. I, my partner Councillor Elliya, and the GME's present, will speak to all of you as a family before the end of the night.

"Now, we will begin a new exercise, this one by the Toolend. They will be teaching those with telepathic abilities, the initial steps of how to focus their minds to make use of their abilities. Junelliya," Petronellaya ended, looking at Junelliya.

"I am both an empath, and a telepath. The Toolend started teaching me how to focus my mind and I found that their techniques aided me immensely in the use of my empathic powers. As such, I admonish all of you learn these techniques as they will help you grow as an empath," Junelliya explained.

She flashed them all a burst of her power, once again stunning everyone in the hall by her strength then immediately toned down that strength to encompass only those in the immediate vicinity. The underlying strength was still there, but it was modified to include only those nearby.

"Having power is one thing, controlling it quite another. Learn what the Toolend are about to teach. It will help you in the future control of your powers," Junelliya bowed to Augraf who now took over the exercise.

"Focusing the mind is very necessary when you are a telepath. It gives you control over your powers and allows you to choose how to implement it. The exercise of centering yourself is one such form of focusing your mind, though much simpler than those we will eventually teach you," Augraf stated.

He had everyone do the centering exercise then showed them how to expand on it to focus solely on their mental state. Within minutes, all of the students had achieved the state he wanted them to be in. Augraf and Tougrate were both impressed with the speed that the students had achieved this first level.

Augraf then explained and showed them the exercises he wanted them to do over the course of the next couple of weeks to help focus their mental discipline. Happy with the results, he ended the session for the day.

The members of the Council of Empaths them moved among the families and spoke to them, explaining the purpose and rules of the council, the members of the Order of Telepaths doing the same with those designated as telepaths. At the end of that session, the palace staff brought out food for all.

The families were happy, they now had a much better understanding of what their young ones were going through. Many were happy for another reason, finally getting a comp of their own. The chat with the Council of Empath members meant they also had a much better understanding of their family member's possible futures. That, strangely enough, brought feelings of contentment from the parents.

For Petronellaya and Elliya, this had turned out to be a very useful side trip. They contemplated the need of the Council to have a Trine Class ship of its own.

But there were two little girls who were not so happy. They sat in the mamma's lap with the Cats making sad noises around them.

"Mamma, what can we do for our friends?" Ikekiya asked. "Pod-Drran and Maha-Rrin big people pay..."

"Do you mean government, Ikekiya?" Krissiya suggested.

"Do I mean government, mamma?" Ikekiya asked looking at her mother.

"Yes, you mean government," Junelliya confirmed.

"Government pay for hospital 'spences," Ikekiya continued. "But our friends have so little, 'specially those who have no more family now. What we do, mamma?"

"I don't know what we can do, Ikekiya. Maybe we should ask Monsieur Dumont about that. He may have some ideas," Junelliya suggested.

Main Conference Room, Liramor Interspecies Embassy, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Fiona was in the Embassy's main conference room for the bi-weekly ambassador's meeting. They had passed on the improvements for the station's plans once Liramor-31 came into the system and took over mining operations from Liramor-23. There were still several large former sections for the ore ovens that had not been designated a purpose. That's when Fiona got a major shock.

"There is a lot of animosity about the next location of the Council of Sentient Species. This is loosely based on the Council of Sisters and is designed to help regulate the mutual decisions of the Greater Community," Sister Her-ii informed the group.

"That is correct," Mayute took up the issue. "It is supposed to rotate every three years, however, the new location does not come about without a great deal of strife and animosity between those who want the Council in their realm.

"A proposal was put forward to find a permanent location for the Council and with the advent of Ard Mheydeh, this becomes a very interesting local. While it is in human space, it is out on the edge of the human realm and isolated. The Interspecies Embassy is already here which means that the Council will have direct access to the respective ambassadors.

"Is the Council actually necessary?" Fiona asked. "I assumed it was only put in place because that is how the Djinaëte work to control their space. Now that the independent realms will soon have their own fleets, wouldn't it be better to create something different?"

"It might be at that; however, we are used to the system. It works for us," Ambs. Harold Clend of the Harradi commented. "As such, we would like to dedicate one of the unplanned sections for the Council."

"What is the Council composed of?" Fiona asked.

"The Council is composed of very senior members of the respective species that come together at least once a year to decide on issues that will affect the entire Greater Community," Porra explained. "It often will include the rulers of the respective species, depending on what is being discussed."

"Why not do that at the Denders Summits?" Fiona asked.

"By mutual consent of the rulers, the Denders Summits are for trade," Ambs. Hri'llill'aatu'eeyea of the Hwill'illiti'hallat clarified. "Besides, the location of the Council of Sentients is never on a home world of any one species. It would give that species too much power."

"So what exactly do you want here then?" Fiona demanded.

"We need sufficient office space for the Council of Sentients to conduct its business and we will need meeting places of sufficient size to conduct very senior level negotiations from time-to-tome," Hri replied.

"OK, but I will not put them in one of the spaces provided by the ore ovens. That would be much too large for what, during most of the year, would be administrative needs," Fiona stated. "Instead, I will put them in one of the unused Constructions Bays, similar to what we did in the daycare/school and the smaller swimming spaces beside it. I think that would provide more than enough office space do deal with not only the administration, but the senior members when they are required to be in place. As to debating space, I would think that the new amphitheatre would be ideal for such," Fiona said in such a way as to preclude any debate.

The ambassadors wisely decided not to make an issue of this. Mayute sent the cumulative ideas of what the office space should look like to Fiona's PA, Grace Holloway, who looked over what she received and nodded to Mayute.

"This is based on being able to spread out on a planet's surface. You will not be able to do that here. Our engineers will use this to make up a plan for the office space and bring it back to you for your review. Please understand that we have strict limits of space on this station. You will have to provide some flexibility on this issue," Grace stated with a smile.

Fiona noted how Grace handled the situation with style and, well, grace. She was very pleased with having found this young lady to make use of as a PA.

L1898 The Piscium Apartments, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

The children were waiting impatiently for Jean Dumont to return their call request. Their nanny, Kriss Klassen, had already gone to her classes an hour prior when the call finally came through.

"Hi, Uncle Jean," Ikekiay spoke before anyone else.

"Good morning, children. I had received an urgent request to call you. I had a few things that I needed to deal with before I could return your call. I'm sorry for that," Jean explained.

"We understand, Uncle Jean, but we have big problems we need fix," Zarreniya told him.

"Oh, that sounds serious," Jean replied.

"We see our friends of the Maha-Rrin at Palace, yesterday. They all hurt. They have big needs, Uncle Jean. Some of them have no more family," Zarreniya began, getting sadder as she spoke.

Ikekiya immediately picked up the story from her sister. "The government are giving them hospital and surgery, free. But they not have much. Empaths give some them Comps, tell them to come to Denders in summer. How they get there? They no have family; they no get to Denders."

"What do you want to do, girls?" Jean asked.

"Can we give them money?" Ikekiya asked.

"I would not advise giving more than one tenth of your money to charity, girls. Once you begin to give more than that, you will find yourself on a slippery slope that gets steeper and steeper with every donation you make until you loose all of your funds," Jean stated. "Besides, that, you are talking about very large sums of money to help your friends. You will need to find a way to make money for this group of people."

"We see big concert at Denders, Uncle Jean. But we no know how to make happen," Zarreniya said.

"You saw that, Zarreniya?" Jean demanded.

"I see," Ikekiya explained. "What I see, Zarry see."

"Huh. So, what do you know of this concert?" Jean asked.

"We have big singers there. They all sign guitar and we sell tickets for guitar," Ikekiya said.

"Ah, now I see. You will be holding a lottery, with the guitars as prizes. Guitars with the signatures of important singers would be a worthy item for people to bid on, but that would only bring in so much money.

"If you are going to sell tickets, then everyone who buys a ticket has the same chance to win. Make the ticket price low enough, and many will not think twice to buy at least one ticket, if not many," Jean mulled the idea aloud.

"Uh, huh. We sell at five credits a ticket. Many people buy. We have many prizes but big prize is signed guitar from concert. There be two of us, there be two guitars," Zarreniya told him.

Jean laughed at the idea. "That is an interesting thought, girls. I would like to see that happen. You will need lots of help though."

"Uh huh, we little girls. We no know how to make concert. We need friends to help. Lots of things to do, lots of people to ask for help," Ikekiya reflected openly.

"Ikeki's dream say we make big money, but we no know how much 'big money' is," Zarreniya said.

"OK you two, if it is money we will be talking about, I will donate my time to help you with any issues in controlling the money. That will include setting up the charity, getting the both of you registered under the Music Guild of Liramor Prime, and helping you find talent to make the concert happen. That would be much better for you than to provide money from your own pocket.

"You two have some serious money available now, but you also have goals that you are directing your funds to. I strongly suggest you keep your money working toward your future goals and make the concert happen with other resources, if we can do that," Jean recommended.

"We have more money coming for our dis...discard...oh, pooh," Zarreniya growled.

"Discretionary fund?" Jean suggested.

"Yes Uncle Jean. We have 50,000 layes soon," Ikekiya told him. "We become Kai-Rai at Summit."

"Really?" Jean looked at the adults in the room, who were nodding to him.

"The girls have been nominated to be elevated to Kai-Rai, after the incident here on Liramor Twenty-Three and at the trial on Pod-Saar. However, since the leadership of the Greater Community were the judges at this trial, they wanted to be present for the elevation ceremony. That is why it will be conducted at Denders this summer," Hanalei chimed in. "Being elevated to Kai-Rai includes a reward of 50,000 Layes. Being elevated to Sai-Rai includes a reward of 100,000 Layes. However, such elevations are only made once in a lifetime."

"I wanted a reason to go to Denders this summer. Now, it looks like I have found one," Jean stated with a smile. "I will send you an event planner, Hanalei. You can show the girls how to use it. The event, of course, is the concert. There will be plenty of suggestions on it as to what to do before the event. But the big part for you will be to find help to make things happen," Jean said.

"Now, let's review your earnings for this quarter and what you have in your discretionary funds. I think you will be pleasantly surprised," Jean said with a smile.

Wee One's Playhouse and School, November Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

The children arrived at the Wee One's Playhouse and School not long after, holding the hands of their mothers.

"Sorry for coming so late, however, the children needed to talk to Uncle Jean this morning," Hanalei explained to Urano with a wink.

"Ah, I understand. I had my quarterly results given to me yesterday. I have to admit, Jean knows what he is doing," Urano replied.

The door pinged and Urano checked the camera to see three large Paacon standing outside, one looking rather nervously. She allowed them entry as she was expecting them.

"Hello, Doctor, Rimmett. This must be your husband, Semmat, and your daughter, Lorennett," Urano said as the three entered.

The two Piscium children gave a formal Paacon flourish bow to Dr. Rimmett and greeted her and her family in the Paacon language.

"Harsgarrand Ikekiya, Harsgarrand Zarreniya, it is good to see you here. This is my daughter Lorennett, who will be attending the school here for the next little while.

"She be Trapreet<trak (Little Dancer). She name this by the Djinaëte," Ikekiya stated.

"We see her dancing," Zarreniya said. "She very good. She dance for us."

"Very important she dance for us, Doctor Rimmett. Lorennett have 'portant role with Paacon people. She need be part of concert in summer. She no part of concert, she have no role in Paacon future," Ikekiya took over.

"I would advise listening to my daughter, Doctor Rimmett," Hanalei interposed herself briefly. "The Pod-Drran have named her Sonna-Patek, the Dream Reader. If she says your daughter has a role to play in the Paacon future, I would listen to what she has to say."

"I remember hearing that she had been given this title. I also am quite impressed with the intelligence of both of your daughters. They are among my favourite students," Rimmett stated.

"Students, mother?" Lorennett asked of her mother looking confused at the obvious young ages of the two little humans.

"They are Harsgarrand, daughter. Medical students too young to be allowed to practice medicine. Asocans do not become adult until they have fifty cycles. They are not allowed to practice before they become adults. But they are allowed to learn. Thus the title.

"These two are in the same league as other Harsgarrand, far too young to practice but more than capable of learning medicine," Rimmett explained to her daughter.

"If you do not mind me asking, just how young are they?" Lorennett asked.

"I am twenty-three months," Ikekiya told them.

"I am two-and-half months newer than my much older sister," Zarreniya interjected.

"Older but wiser," Ikekiya replied haughtily. The two glared at each other briefly then began to laugh letting Lorennett know that it was an act.

"Is this normal for human children?" Semmat asked.

"Oh, the world normal and the Piscium children do not belong in the same sentence," Urano explained getting grins from the adults.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope that you and our children will become good friends despite the age difference," Hanalei said, giving the family a bow and turning to leave with Junelliya.

It was the Piscium children that guided the family around the facility. They made excellent guides, telling them all about the daycare and school, about the pool area in the next bay, and about all the activities that the younger and older students were involved with and the daycare/school.

About an hour after the new family arrived, they returned to the front.

"All finished Ms. Urano," Zarreniya told her excitedly. She and her sister bade the family good day and ran back to be with the other children.

"What amazing chicks," Semmat said, with nods from the other members of the family.

"They are that. You missed the dance event with Miss Barbara today, but you will be able to participate tomorrow if you wish, Lorennett," Urano explained.

"Thank you for allowing us to tour your facilities and the explanation of the capabilities of this institute from two such remarkable young humans," Rimmett spoke.

"Not at all, that is what we do. We will be happy to welcome Lorennett when she is ready to come here," Urano told them with a low bow.

"What was this about a concert needing dancers?" Lorennett asked.

"I'm not sure. Junelliya tells me that this is something that Ikekiya has seen in her dreams. She wants to make a charity concert for her friends among the Maha-Rrin who have been badly hurt during the Great Tremor on Maha-Oran. They need so much that cannot be provided by the governments and the children are attempting to find a way to cover those costs. I hope they succeed but this is a pretty tall order for two such tiny girls," Urano explained, getting dubious looks from the new family. "However, if Ikekiya says she saw it in her foresight, then it will likely come to be. Never bet against those two, what they have done to date is absolutely amazing and fate has much in store for them."

************

The following day, Lorennett attended her first full day of school. She was quite impressed by the facility and its teachers. She also found that the school had the ability to contact the Paacon home world for one-on-one instruction from famous teachers.

The highlight of her day, though, was the hour she spent with the other children when they all danced with Miss Barbara. It was immediately obvious to those that knew that Lorennett was a skillful dancer. She moved with grace and dignity and her feet never made a sound when they left the floor on a jump nor when they impacted the floor at the end of the jump.

At the end of the session, Miss Barbara called her aside and spoke to her briefly, explaining that she often did personal dance tutoring and offered her services. Lorennett was sceptical but said she would ask what her mother thought, getting a nod of understanding from Miss Barbara before she disconnected.

L1889 The Piscium Apartment, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Dr. Rimmett and her family arrived at the appropriate time at the Piscium family's abode. As she reached for the call button, the door abruptly opened and two little girls gave the family a Paacon Flourish Bow and welcomed them to their home. Rimmett smiled and thanked the children for their greeting.

"Your children are amazing, Doctor Junelliya," Rimmett said with a smile.

"What? You are a doctor?" Lorennett asked.