All That Glitters

Celebrations and Fear.

The Asocans continue to celebrate. Junelliya's power causes panic. New Asocan members for the Council of Empaths and the Order of Telepaths.

© bigtddybr May 2023. This story 'All That Glitters - Chapter Fifty-Eight' or the series 'All That Glitters', cannot be transferred to any other site besides Literotica.com in whole or in part without the prior authorizations in writing from the author and bigtddybr must be credited for this work.

Due to the number of abbreviations, ship listings, and list of characters, in this story, I include a glossary that is now in a stand-alone chapter called

'All That Glitters: Notes v 13'

. Any and all information that you want or need to know about the series is included in Notes. It will be updated frequently simply by re-issuing the chapter to Literotica as a new version.

There is little attempt to explain the back story, so it is necessary to read previous chapters to fully understand where we are.

As before, I claim sole responsibility for the story line. This story is a fantasy, with no basis in reality. Any similarity that you may perceive to current events, people, or situations real or imaginary is completely unintended. Look no further than the story line for its intent and purpose.

A big shout out to my editors, who wish to remain anonymous, for all the help they provide. If you find any errors still left in this chapter, they are mine, as I have ignored sage advise to make a silly point.

Please rate and comment. But keep your comments respectful. If you rant and rave or are disrespectful in your commentary, it will be deleted.

'Nuff said...enjoy.

The >Clot< (Imperial Palace), Asoc Shall (The Asoc's City), AsocAR, The Asocan Realm, 364 Light Years from Terra

It was early in the morning when Hanalei Anar, the newly appointed Gurn Piscium, and Palda Junelliya Herlan, rose and made ready for their day.

"You're up early," Fayad noted, coming out of their bedroom.

"As a new Gurn, I have been invited to a 'breakfast with the Asoc'," Hanalei informed him.

"As have I as 'The Palda'," Junelliya interjected. "You will have to entertain the children until we return as the breakfast begins at 05:30. We're not sure who long it will go."

"That will not be an issue with all the extra help that has suddenly volunteered," Fayad mused with a grin.

"Volunteered? More like they held personal combat for the honour," Hanalei quipped. "We will not have to worry about the children. Maybe you should take them to the Imperial Arl and let them exercise with Shusshhttookkann."

"The children would enjoy that," Fayad informed his wives, giving them deep kisses as they went to get dressed.

The pair were ready five minutes later. They snuck in to give kisses to their still sleeping little ones then followed the aide who took them to the Asoc. Their Cats, Juneya and Hanaya, were riding their respective shoulders.

"Good morning, Asoc," the pair said while giving deep curtsey's to her, Juneya and Hanaya also being differential to the Asoc.

"Good morning, Gurn Piscium, Palda Junelliya. It is good to see you here this morning," the Asoc responded.

The breakfast was well attended by the Gurn of AsocAR. Hanalei noted the presence of most of the other new Gurn in the room, including High Gurn Woaden Mutt Shemet of ShemetAR and, surprisingly, Palda Prakeshya and the Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-Lam Pod-Raie, along with many of the Ministers of the Asoc's government. They also noted the presence of Martte Varren at the Kumaraie's table, chatting with Prakeshya and Martte Garnal at the Asoc's table.

They moved to the Kumaraie's table while chairs were made available to them (Asocans used their tail to form a tripod with their legs so did not need and seldom used chairs).

"Good morning, Kumaraie, Palda Prakeshya, Martte Varren," the pair said, giving curtsies to the Kumaraie.

"It is good to have you at my table, Hanalei, Junelliya, and yes Hanaya and Juneya," the Kumaraie replied when the Cats made sad sounds then getting bobs of their heads and calls of greeting from them. The Cats who seemed to be more interested in Prakeshya and Varren (Cats were enamored of children). They did not get much chance for further chat as Praatra Mutt Korld addressed the assembly.

"Good morning all, and welcome to the Asoc's breakfast. I am High Gurn Praatra Mutt Korld. For those of you who are not aware, I am the leader of the Association of Gurn for AsocAR," Praatra stated, bowing to the Asoc.

"From this point forth, all those who become Gurn are responsible not only for their Mutt Line but also to certain new aspects of the laws of the Realm," the Asoc picked up. "The responsibilities of the Gurn within the laws of the Realm was not always followed before; however, considering what the Realm has just gone through, it will be adhered to from now on,"

"As Gurn, you all have a responsibility to your Mutt or Mutt Line but you also have a responsibility to the Association of Gurn of your planet. On AsocAR, the leader of the Association is High Gurn Praatra Mutt Korld. It is her duty to ensure that you are aware of your full responsibilities within the laws and traditions of the realm, laws which both restrict and enhance your new role.

"As you may have heard yesterday, we will be adopting parts of the Course on Good Government that the Union uses. I have had the opportunity to read parts of this program and find it a revelation in the governance of people.

"All of you will have to complete this program in order to be fully certified as Gurn. The higher the level of Gurn you are, the higher your level of studies within the program will be required. For now, all new Gurn are listed as Atas Gurn (Atas: literally translates as 'the one to be'), until such time as you have completed the program. If the program is not ready within two years time, you will all be certified as Gurn without having to take the program.

"Those who are already Gurn, will be allowed to continue as before. However, I charge you with taking the opportunity, when it arises, to participate in the Good Governance Program. Any who rise to a higher level of Gurn, to a ministry position, who become Beerlendl, or become a community level leader of any consequence, will be required to take the program. It will be better for you to take the course one level ahead of what you are expected to know on the premiss that you will one day rise to the higher level.

"Hanalei, as a human Gurn, you will have to understand both the Union program and the Asocan program when it is ready," the Asoc told her.

"I understand, Asoc. I have already started the human program as I thought it would be necessary to understand our political stance as the senior partner at Denders, where we have already held two Greater Community level summits. I will probably complete the first level of the program in another month," Hanalei told the Asoc.

"Excellent. Then I will have you sit down with Praatra so that you can learn your Asocan responsibilities. I will make you part of the team that assesses the Union Program that will determine what portions of it can be modified for Asocan use. Once you complete your program and with your upcoming training to understand your role as a Gurn, your input will be invaluable to us," the Asoc stated. Hanalei gave her a formal bow of acknowledgement.

"Palda Junelliya, while you are not in a listed leadership role, many people of the Greater Community have looked to you on more than one occasion. It would be wise if you completed this program as well," the Asoc stated getting a bow from Junelliya.

"Many of you here are wondering why we have the Kumaraie, Palda Prakeshya, and Palda Junelliya with us. The answer to that is simple; Palda Prakeshya will one day be the leader of the combined people of the sister races of the Pod-Drran and the Maha-Rrin, who will reside on the planet we know of as GiRomorAr and they will know as Ji-Ruhm-Oran. While she will be the ruler of this planet, as the planet resides in Asocan space, she will have to be aware of the responsibilities to Asocan Law for her people. As she is technically a minor her mother, the Kumaraie Na-Maj Se-Lam Pod-Raie, is here with her.

"Palda Junelliya is here to assist me and Palda Prakeshya, in what will probably be several years of intense bilateral talks surrounding the opening of the planet. Palda Junelliya has literally and figuratively saved my life and openly assisted the Asocan Realm on more than one occasion, not including the recent incident with Buku Rahahm and that of the Lost Shall. She has also saved the lives of the Kumar-Pair and many of her trusted advisors.

"I trust Junelliya. The Kumar-Pair trust Junelliya. I hope all of you here will trust her as well. She may be a human but her heart goes out to all the people of the Greater Community," the Asoc stated, looking pointedly at the crowd of Gurn.

"With the opening of GiRomorAR, the Asocan Realm will have the unprecedent opportunity to host a new people and I hope that will give us unusual trade rights with the Oranae," the Asoc gave a small bow to the Kumaraie's table.

"The Realm has also recently opened a new planet not suitable for Asocans to general immigration by the Interspecies Community. This planet is currently known only by its number designator. We currently have humans, Byandi, and Harradi on the planet. It is a suitable habitat to most of the other sentient races with the exception of the Djinaëte and the Umick, who have different dietary or stellar radiation requirements than the local habitat provides. We hope to encourage two billion of each of the other nine races to emigrate to the newly opened planet thus making this the first ever designated multi-species planet. General immigration was not possible prior to the arrival of the Union as Djinaëte transportation was not conducive to such. With the new human ship designs, we will have a much more robust interplanetary transportation net for our own needs and those of our neighbours in the Greater Community," the Asoc finished.

The Asoc sent a signal and breakfast was brought in. Muted conversations were heard all around the room as the Asoc, Martte Garnal, Martte Varren, and Praatra moved between the tables followed by a gaggle of aides. They met with and discussed things openly with the Gurn with particular emphasis on the new Gurn. She finally arrived at the Kumaraie's table.

"Good morning Na-Maj, thank you for joining us today," the Asoc said with a short bow of her head, which the Kumaraie returned.

"Not at all, >Catal, my friend. I look forward to a long and prosperous time together as our peoples develop within your realm," the Kumaraie stated.

"Palda Prakeshya, I am aware that your alter ego, Poda-La, can show up at the most peculiar times, but I hope that she will make a presence over the next few years so that we can create a good bi-lateral relationship between our peoples," the Asoc avowed.

"She will, Asoc, though even if she does not, her memories and mine are beginning to merge within me. What I know, she knows, so our talks will always be assessed by her at one time or another," Prakeshya informed the Asoc in a mode of conversation that showed the obvious presence of Poda-La.

"Poda-La will not take over Prakeshya, Asoc," Junelliya informed her after noting the look on both the Asoc's face and that of the Kumaraie's as Prakeshya spoke. "The pair will form their own unique identity as Prakeshya matures. How long this will take, I cannot say for sure."

"An awkward situation, but one we will have to work around," the Asoc acknowledged.

"Gurn Piscium, I look forward to learning more about this Good Governance Program from you and Grace. I have been pleasantly surprised by the contents of the material provided me on the subject though there is still much for me to look through.

"Your unique insight of being part of both the Union and the Asocan Realms will help our realm as it moves forward with this issue. I shall be eternally grateful to you if we can make use of this program in the same manner that the Toolend did when they borrowed from the Council of Empaths to create the Code of Conduct of the Order of Telepaths. A new Code of Conduct for the Gurn would be an ideal result.

"To this end, I will give you exclusive rights to speak directly to Praatra as the leader of the Association of Gurn of AsocAR, which you fall under. This is a right that is not extended to just any Gurn. Please do not abuse it."

The Asoc turned to Praatra. "In this regard, I make a gift to you, Praatra Mutt Korld." One of the ever present aides pulled a small presentation box and handed it to the Asoc, she opened the box and showed a new, and very expensive looking wrist comp unit.

"SSP The Piscium returned from ferrying damaged small ships to Liramor Prime, with a hold full of new materials initially promised to the Asocan realm before the events surrounding Belgedra occurred. This includes new interface servers between the Asocan and human systems that will allow all on AsocAR to make use of these wrist comps. I have one server here in the >Clot<, which covers most of Asoc Shall. I have given these comps to my ministers and their staff, those who have the right to contact me directly, as you do as the head of the Association of Gurn of AsocAR.

"Speaking of which," the Asoc signalled to her right and the Minster for the Interior, Martte Shugrand Mutt Herrtt and her aide, Gashafen Mutt Shemet appeared. The Asoc gave each of them new comps as well.

"These comps are covered by the Asocan Government. They have unlimited use and allow you to contact any person or corporation in the Greater Community for government business via the ICS. I find the interface much easier to use than those of our tablets, allowing for easier internet queries and comms. We have specialists in the lobby who will show you how to make them work...after breakfast," the Asoc informed them with a smile as she saw them eagerly looking toward the door.

"Gurn Piscium, Palda Junelliya, I did not have your colours when I elevated the both of you, I have corrected that. Gurn Piscium, bow to your Asoc," she ordered.

Hanalei stood and bowed low as she had seen other Asocans do for awards. The Asoc and Varren placed a new cloak over her in the Piscium family colours which were the colours of the Flag of Anura with the dark blue/purple colours of the family's eyes. This was also the colours on PV The Trine. Hanalei rose and noted the sigil for Gurn over the seal of the Piscium Family on her left breast, her personal seal below it. The Asocans in the room, noting the interplay, roared their approval.

"Please, Palda, will you bow to me so that I may place your cloak on you?" the Asoc asked. (While the Asoc was the leader of her people, there was no place in the hierarchy of leadership of the Asocans for the Palda, so the Asoc was deferential.)

Junelliya smiled and bowed low so that the Asoc and, this time, Garnal could place her new cloak on her. It too was in the Piscium family colours but the sigil over the Piscium Seal said 'Palda'. She moved her overlarge Council of Empath's pin from her dress and onto the new cloak. Once more the room roared its approval.

"Thank you, Asoc, for such a wonderful gift," Junelliya said, reaching out to hug Varren and briefly taking the claws of the Asoc and Garnal in her hands.

"Thank you, Asoc, for including me as part of the Asocan people. I will be diligent as a new Gurn and work hard for you and both of our realms," Hanalei stated in turn. That got a smile from the Asoc.

The Asoc continued her rounds between the tables until she had seen everyone.

Praatra rose to speak...

"The House of Ur Trading Company has brought these magnificent devices to us here on AsocAR," she began, raising her arm and showing her new wrist comp. "I would ask the head of the House of Ur Trading Company to tell us about these new tools."

The guards opened the doors and Caye-Ur walked in. She came to the podium and bowed low to the Asoc.

"Those of you who have been to Denders Resort, are aware of these devices which we call the 'Private Wrist Computer', or simply, 'The Comp'," Caye held up her wrist to show off her own device.

"These comps can link to most human, Pod-Drran, and Asocan devices and can incorporate that devices abilities within their matrices. So far, we have not seen any device from within the Interspecies Community that they could not link to, which means that for the moment they will be usable for all members of Greater Community, though currently some devices connect better than others. We are working to correct that.

"These devices can be used as tools for your occupational needs, tools for banking, as comms devices, and for accessing the internet, both local and the Greater Community Internet. They also have an incredible amount of memory storage so your entire life can be recorded on them if you so desire.

"They can be cued to your personal biometrics and will allow you to scan food items to tell you if they are safe for you specifically to eat, thus also making them tools for your personal health needs.

"As with most other tools, the more you pay for them, the greater the ability they have. But even at the lowest level of 155 credits, they have amazing capabilities built into them.

Caye-Ur opened her comp and swiped her hand in the direction of the main monitor and the crowd saw what she saw on her comp, that impressed them all as, while the Asocan tablets could do the same, it was a simple swipe of the hand; no fuss no muss with the comp, whereas their tablets took several steps to set up for such use.

Caye-Ur went through the capabilities of the different levels of comps and showed some of the things that she could accomplish on her own device which was one of the more expensive and blinged out models.

"The comps can be specialized for different organizations and occupations, such as medical staff, surveyors, scientific work, etc. These generally cost a little more than the average but they become indispensable tools to the user for their own occupation. While in some cases, they do not match the high end tools of your trade, they can perform up to 90% of the capabilities of the electronic tools of most trades.

"Images from the comp, that can be viewed by all members of the known sapient races regardless of their visual spectrums, are produced by safe, high-end lasers, that provide a clear, well defined pictures or videos for the user and for others around them.

"Finally, while I said that your comp could be cued to your biometrics, it in fact must be cued to it when you purchase your device. That means that unless you allow access to another person, no one else can use your unit once it has been set up for you as it simply will not function unless it is on the wrist of the owner. This aids in keeping the system secure."

Caye activated her comms system, quickly scrolled down the list and made a call to Mind-Ur, who responded within seconds.

"Caye, it is a surprise to see you, how are things?" Mind asked.

"They are good, Gurn Mind. I am on AsocAR, demonstrating the functions of the comp to potential buyers, my Gurn," Caye explained.

"Ah, so I am a demonstration then," Mind realized. "To those watching, I am on Liramor-23, which is 288 light years from AsocAR. The distance is immaterial as it is limited only to the range of the ICS, which, for now, has not fully been determined. It does, however, encompass all of the Interspecies Community. Your comms reach is limited only to the cost of the transmission. If you use the Greater Community Internet, the costs are minimal to any user, though immediate response from the intended recipient is not guaranteed.