Twin Suns of Arterra

3

The acid that had been rising into my throat plummeted, taking my stomach with it.

Janis wanted to raise the shielding.

The enormous dome-shaped grid had been built around Selecon to protect it from the devastating storms that had ravaged our planet, leaving it a shadow of its former self. It was a defensive shield meant to protect us, yet in the end it had separated Selecon from the rest of Arterra, leaving the outside lands and those who had chosen to stay in them to be decimated. It had begun as a haven, but it had become an isolation unit. More – it had become a weapon.

I knew the story well.

My father taught it to me, knowing that one day I was destined to take his seat on the council, even if he'd had no idea how soon that day would come.

"Those outside were left to face the raging skies and seas," he recounted with a face that was both sad and hard with bitterness. "It was meant to protect, yet we discovered that some who had petitioned for sanctuary were ignored, denied simply because of their race or their beliefs. Political factions used it as an opportunity to destroy those who opposed them, and to rescue those who upheld them."

His hands had twitched as if he relived it, his eyes haunted.

"When we found out, we vowed to never use the shielding in this way again. Never to destroy, only to protect. Only a unanimous vote of the council can enact its use ever again."

Here he would turn to me, as if by his gaze he could impart to me all of his knowledge and meaning. As if he could convince me of his truth by sheer force of will.

"Even one who does not agree can stop it."

His voice echoed in my ears as I looked through my screen at Janis, her iron gaze looking out at all of us.

"Will you stand with me, Councilors?"

Councilors Wella and Rill were immediately on their feet. Janis nodded to acknowledge their support.

"Are there no other options, Prime Councilor?" D'hana Tor asked.

Even on her dark skin, I could see traces of red flushed along her cheekbones and down her neck. Raising the shielding would cut off several of the smaller islands, many of which were home to her people.

"We will not leave those outside unprotected," Janis answered her unspoken question while deflecting the one she'd voiced. "I have deployed the Outer Guard to each remote area as provision. They will stand firm against any attack that should come."

D'hana must know that the guards were not only to protect, but to ensure the threat against the Prisms did not come from somewhere within our own borders. D'hana could not openly accuse Janis of this without risk of losing her seat.

"What of the rift, Prime Councilor?"

Every eye turned to Blade Rillingate. Her fiery hair was pulled back from her face in several braids, each threaded with some token or icon. Instead of appearing foolish, accompanied by her supple red armor it added to her already savage appearance. Her green eyes were as dark as a troubled sea as she surveyed the others.

"The rift is too dangerous," Rellic was quick to counter. "What good would it do to send them through only to lose them to the nethers?"

Blade's countenance remained calm. "There are ways to ensure the safety of those who travel through."

Rellic frowned. "Yes, but can we trust those who provide it?"

Blade was on her feet in an instant. "Do you accuse my people of being traitors, Rellic?"