Claildon Pai stood in front of portal Ganlon 66.  They were late and it wasn't helping his mood which was already foul as it is. Then again it was to be expected when one had to constantly work and live with savages of antiquated and archaic thinking. Surely how could anyone, born to a species of higher intellect, expect savages to uphold such simple behavioural tenets such as punctuality. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB6I9vOaF5
Had it been up to him alone he wouldn't have bothered with protocol. In fact he would have just headed out on his own without even reporting the matter. Not even to the High Prince Ychyma. He new that was risky and dangerous in more ways than he could care to imagine. But At least that way though, he wouldn't be late. He wouldn't have a team to slow him down and get in his way. Unfortunately he wouldn't have been able to leave as covertly as he would have liked and like it or not, he needed the extra help.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0Yo0IT0zw
For some reason every time he picked up on an Alve Tool, the League was never far behind and in numbers too lethal for his palate. There was no reasoning with the League of Ten Thousand Celestials when it set out to destroy you. Then again when he pondered upon it, there had never ever been a time where the league could, with ease, be swayed with reason. It was easier getting his team to be punctual. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHLOohuNyC
He sighed. Titans had a common problem which he concluded was subconsciously psychological. After a time they tended to think that time stood still for the entire universe, along with them, the moment they stepped out of time. Such was often the case, when one didn't age and could die no natural death. More so because there was nothing new amongst the stars.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUbv6zOqLE
He checked his Horologe again and started pacing absent mindedly. It had taken him a few millennia to locate most of what remained of the 15 Achy Houses. At least those that got lost and weren't evacuated to safe planets strewn across the galaxy.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTXYPpVMxq
And when he found them he was for the most part ensuring their safety and those of the entire planetary colonies. The League was in the habit of pursuing its prey even after so long.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyfGk8hxlM
The League had descended on them with such ferocity, at a time when they had least expected it. They had had no choice but to evacuate and the queen gave the order. Billions had been evacuated and scattered, but billions more captured, killed or lost. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPuMXJ6bwt
Her Majesty was unaccounted for and still amongst those lost. This, after after the crown corps had lost the Imperial line. He had scoured the galaxy for her and turned up nothing for his efforts. No-one knew anything nor had seen anything. She too had disappeared without a trace. That is until two hours ago when he started picking up the discrete emergency signal - on Clchys.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U5JkSv8o3
"Next time please indicate proper Gate" someone interrupted his thoughts. The source of the voice was the old human. The second to arrive at the rendezvous point, out of his five member team. He seemed the more refined of the two humans he had been given. Though he still thought them savages all the same. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPYYRe0mMf
"I did, and you'd know had you paid attention at the briefing" he answered with unveiled annoyance. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dHtEXAYNv
"Pai San, I always pay attention." the old man dismissed "You never explain mission concisely!"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRsd13MISw
"Great" Pai thought. "A senile Titan." Just as he was  about to formulate his response their gaze was drawn to the rustling of leaves at the far end of the gate. On'ani Wamvuto stood there where a second ago there had been nothing but leaves. He was tall dark and lithe with a rather long spear that he totted around. His simple red and black robe fluttered slightly in the breeze then settled. Pai could detect the faint scent of wood smoke but no clear source. How did he get there without being noticed. Of the two humans, the dark skinned On'ani was positively the more disturbing. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sW5ftg2jW
"Let me guess, my briefing wasn't clear enough?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7sh4Xpx9I
The human didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped into the Gate's circle and sat down cross-legged, spear resting in his lap. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewLAHCsmP5
"A true warrior must prepare well for battle." Then he closed his eyes and ignored his party. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcgeMfGbPH
He wasn't going to bother asking the savage his meaning, nor what the facial painting was for. Pai sighed. This is what Achyma had been reduced to, to have to stoop so low as to resort to the aid of such primitivity. He was about to turn his attention back to the old man, when the last two members of the crew clomped their way into the clearing. Alves like himself.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRx6JXx4pf
One was big, eight feet tall with muscles in places where most Alves don't have muscles. Gorn Lachymus of house Thalm was the tech. specialist and handled the gear. He was also an incredible shot with any weapon despite his seemingly clumsy demeanour.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmGp4bugG2
The lady went merely by the name Salahar, which was typical of House Ruun where every one had their own singular name. She was the Organics officer as well as the Medical officer on the team. A while back someone realised the distinct advantage of having an operative who can help deal with Organisms whose physiological constitution was different. That may perhaps have been after the League had engineered--and captured--some rather unsavoury creatures and had had them chase them through planets and solar systems with other less savoury creatures. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc0YYKKsfS
They fell to one knee before him, with a fist on their breasts. The Alvan salute in the presence of their commanding officer. It made for an odd sight when the Commanding Officer was less than half the height of the next shortest member, the old man, and the kneeling Thalm was only just shorter than the standing dark-skinned human. To On’ani it looked like a giant kneeling to a child.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JOzdSGFiY
“Sir...” The Thalm began451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ucufssR0
“I don't want to hear it.” Pai  cut him off, “We're already late as it is. Everyone be ready for interstellar travel in...” He pulled out his own Alve tool and activated the gate as he scrutinised his chronologger.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsL1fGA1xa
 “60 standard seconds.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtAKxp8feQ
 He activated the final protocol and the gate lit up from beneath them, a huge glowing white ring that sealed off the outside world in an energy barrier. Someone could fire an energy weapon at them and the shots would dissipate at the barrier. Solid matter was a different matter. Pai always kept an eye out for projectiles.

The old man shuffled stiffly towards him on his bent wooden cane. Pai wondered if truly this wasn't a mistake having this old savage of a Titan along for security.

“Tell me once more Pai san, Why are you so sure you will find queen, this time?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z3JP4nbnp
“Because Fujinata san”, he referred to him by name “an Alve tool can only be used by the Alve it was designed for. It's linked intrinsically to that Alve's mind and is pretty much a part of it. No two minds are the same so it can only be the queen.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhW1IR70c0
“Hmm” the old savage seemed to ponder on his words. “If you say so.”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHJqTZHdNu
Pai gave Fujinata a quizzical look. “What do you mean by that?”451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hLMClkyl4
The old man answered as if lecturing a head strong young lad who thought he knew everything. “Old man advice, there is first-time for everything.”

Claildon Pai was speechless. The savage had taken a jibe at his wisdom and intellect. A part of him was astounded by the occurrence of such a feat, another was angry at the subtle humiliation. He felt strongly compelled to respond, if only just to save face.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnSbPzfnGS
He didn't get the chance because at that moment, they were shot through the cosmos.