The Sanctum of Orchids
In Chieftain's Salgar palace, Tlandar, Akashma and Kaelor stood before the beautiful Asemeri chieftain. A tall, slender, Asemeri female (who looked like a human female in her middle thirties), whose appearance consisted of a long, dark crimson cloak and kuprix metallic armor. It was formed of a fine, kuprix metallic chain coat, and segmented of pieces of metallic kuprix. If djusted to her figure under her dark crimson, elegant cloak. She also wore a fine, golden tiara in her head and large ponytail. She emerged from within her cloistered quarters and approached Akashma, Tlandar and Kaelor, as they stood before her in the dais.
"Thank you for bringing Tlandar here, to the Sanctum. I appreciate your initiative upon receiving Astashica's message," Chieftain Salgar said. "I did what I could. We've found out that Ixtielan marauders had plunder his village, Verdantis Nexus. Him and his family had escaped to New Asemeri in their transport ship. It took us a while with Kaelor to find him. But Astashica had told the young man to go out of his refugee shelter to meet us at one of New Asemeri's markets. So here he is," Akashma said. Then Chieftain signaled her aides to escort Akashma and Kaelor to a private room. "Thank you Akashma, go with the aides and wait for further instructions until I finish speaking with Tlandar," Salgar said. "Come with me" she said and Tlandar Salgar to the inner chamber of the palace, behind the pulpit room.
"Tlandar, do you know that you are the one prophesied in the Aurora Ascendant Oracle, that will lead the Asemeri to Oasis? You are the one. That's why you been brought here. Astashica needed you, and now that you are finally here, you must follow our instructions. You will lead, protect, reclaim. Chieftain Cosmus has risen against Astashica and all life in this planet is threatened. He holds the last three remaining azurevat cataclysmic missiles. You will learn all about this later. For now, you must stay here, in the Sanctum. We will teach you all the skills you need to help us defeat Chieftain Cosmus. If we don't do anything, our lives, the planet, everything is doomed; we will be annihilated. He wants to wipe us out to take Astashica. Do you understand this? Are you willing to help us, Tlandar, with your full will? Even you will perish in the aftermath if you refuse to help" Salgar said.
"I believe everything you're saying is true; I saw Astashica and she also told me the same thing. I really want to help you, and your Order, your dominion, and the planet. I'm aware of the dire consequences if this Asemeri tyrant, Chieftain Cosmus, is allowed to destroy us all and will annihilate the entire planet with the last three azurevat missiles that he possesses. There, I've decided to stay here get the knowledge and skills to protect Astashica," Tlandar said.
"Then welcome to the Sanctum of Orchids, Tlandar. From now on, I proclaim you a Crimson Order trainee. Follow my aides to your new living quarters, in subfloor 110, under the surface of the Sanctum. You will start a new life. Your goodwill and sacrifice for Astashica is utterly appreciated," Chieftain Salgar said. Then Tlandar nodded, "Thank you Chieftain Salgar, I'll do my best and serve Astashica", he said. An small group of aides escorted him to a large elevator. The leading aide, the temsek eunuch said, "I'm the leader of the Sanctum aides, my name is Yuthtlil. Please follow me Protector." The young temsek male, pressed the button in the elevator cabin, which read "Floor 110". The large elevator cabin, with the group of beings, began its descent to the lower floors.
Tlandar's Room, Floor 110
The large cabin of the elevator opened its door. The leading aide Yuthlil, and six other aides, escorted Tlandar to his living quarter. It was large enough for him, a bathroom, a kitchenette, a bed and a desk. There were embossed rectangular cubes in the walls of his room to put his property, books and other personal items. "Tlandar, this is your room. Here, you will live, rest, eat, do whatever you wish, until you're called to training, every day. Be ready for tomorrow, for your instructor will call you to meet him. You'll join a class of other trainees like you, and you will train together. Be sharp, respectful and give it your all to learn the vital skills you need. So long, and rest well," Yuthlil said. "Thank you kindly," Tlandar said. "Good luck, Tlandar," Yuthlil said.
Then the aides left him and returned to the large elevator. They entered the cabin and went back to Chieftain Salgar. Tlandar began exploring his new room, ate a prepared meal (bread, cheese, fruit, a creamy sauce and a hot coffee) that the attendants had placed there for him. Then he slept in his bed.
Boulderkeep Stockade, Plains of Leipira
Boulderkeep Stockade, was a temporary fortress in the Plains of Leipira, surrounded by walls of palisades. If was located in the the Leipira Marshes, east of Val'katl Dominion. Chieftain Val'katl had just built the fortress, with the help of his soldiers. He had commanded his forces to modify the surrounding terrain as needed. He built the fortress to serve as his command center during the current military defense operation, to fend off Ixtiel's incoming invasion of Val'katl. Salgaran spies had told Chieftain Val'katl in advance that the invasion was planned to occur in this site. The Salgaran spies were renowned in all Astashica as the best and bravest.
"Chieftain Val'katl, the fortress has been built successfully. We will proceed to build the long line of trenches along the Leipira Marshes, as planned," Vraek, one of his generals said. "Good work," Chiefain Val'katl said. He was a 7 feet tall Asemeri male, middle aged. He wore a black tactical Kuprix exosuit, which augmented his strength tenfold. In the construction site could be seen a lot of movement of Valkatlan laborers. Thousands of Valkatlan soldiers, mostly asemteks (Asmeri-human hybrid beings) moved about, carrying construction equipment, tools and supplies. Piloted hover transporter star vessels to the site, coming from New Asemeri. Hundreds and hundreds of Formicron mechas (which towered up to 30 feet in height) were being transported to Boulderkeep Stockade's hangars.
"Hurry up! Time is short. All our forces must be here completely amassed rapidly," Vraek said. Eight Valkatlan asemeri generals moved about, directing the Valkatlan soldiers. More Formicron mecha transporter hoverships continued arriving. "Vraek do you believe we will be able to hold the line against the incoming invasion?" Val'katl said. "We will defend this land with all our strength," Vraek said.
Salgaran spies moved about unseen, dressed up as Valkatlan soldiers. They wore light exosuits like the rest of the Valkatlan soldiers. Each of them wore an small, high tech hologram-generating device, which projected different faces on theirs (without looking false). With masked identities, and unseen, never caught, studied the movement of the Valkatlan soldiers and the environment.
"Their morale is high; no sign of rebellion," A female temsek Salgaran spy said. They were never detected. "The Valkatlan soldiers keep working, moving their equipment and supplies to Boulderkeep Stockade, which is Val'katl's command center in the Plains of Leipira. No signs of rebellion or anxiety have been detected. The Valkatlan soldiers are one of the finest warriors in Astashica. They've sworn alliance to Val'katl only and are very trustworthy," another Salgaran spy, an asemtek male said. "We must keep watching for any enemy troop movements," the leading Salgaran, a temsek male, the oldest, said.
Ten Years passed...
After this, 10 years passed. The Sanctum of Orchids' Salgaran instructors had taught Tlandar various skills including knowledge of science, arts, the way of harmony and mecha piloting skills. He became a very skilled pilot of the Xothek Formicron mechas and learned how to pilot other types of star vessels as well. Became highly skilled in the use of the Asemeri chieftains' double khopesh swords, which symbolized Asemeri rule and authority. "Tlandar, you have passed your training successfully. I therefore proclaim you Protector of Astashica," Chieftain Salgar said.
Tlandar was in his graduation ceremony inside the Sanctum of Orchids. He was dressed in his Salgaran Crimson Order pilot uniform with his earned dark crimson cloak. "Tlandar, I give you command of my best two-hundred pilots of my dominion. They are those who have accompanied you during your training on Floor 110. Now you are able to lead them as you ride your Formicron mechas to serve our dominion. You will all protect Astashica. Now, your personal Formicron mecha, which I named Procyon Alpha, is yours to ride. Guard it carefully. Now in your hands, rests the fate of Astashica," Chieftain Salgar said. She placed on his uniform the precious Procyon Star; snatched the crimson gemstone insignia in his uniform.
"I appreciate everything you did for me. I promise to guard Astashica and protect it, even with my own life," Tlandar said.