The Far Side of Paradice

Chapter 1- Welcome to Arlon Senator Taylon

The shuttle trip from Relos to Arlon was fairly short trip. Which was a good thing since the young Senator looked rather green which was an interesting mix with his caramel colored skin. Rachael Davenport his chief aid leaned over and asked if he was OK. At first their was no response, she noted that he was barley blinking and his berthing was erratic. Then he slowly began to speak. "Yeah I’m doing OK well as OK as I can. These mark 5 shuttles are a little rough for me. I’m starting to regret the choice of taking cheaper transportation than our usual accommodations. Did you know in he war they use to fly us in these things a lot? Some of the toughest guys I’ve know were hurling at times. To say the ride was usually rough would be understating it. Rachael placed her hand on his arm the warmth of her gesture help calm him a bit. "It was a good gesture on your part trying to show your not all about spending." He turned his head and she smiled a big warm smile. Well I think on the way back we need to arrange for a little better transportation! She laughed and said duly noted sir. over the inter-comm the Captain said that they would be starting their approach soon.

The senators thoughts began to turn toward his mission at hand. He was the newest member of the senate committee of Alliance prisons. The prisons he had visited so far had been pretty standard as they go. Rough and he was pretty sure many of them really didn't "reform" If you weren’t a complete hard ass when you went in you sure as hell weren't a cupcake when you got out, if you got out at all. Surprisingly Arlon seemed different at least on paper. they had a 90% percent success rate with reintegration rate back into society. Which of course was unheard of, but they have had that level of success for decades. There wasn’t much in the records on how they achieve this. instead most of the file contained a history of the planet. Arlon was a planet that was governed by a ruling King and Queen. They were admitted into into the Alliance eons ago. Arlon was a big planet, lush and green and it was a very rich planet, in fact probably the richest in the alliance,because it was the only world that grew naturally Kelton silk. Kelton was a large worm indigenous to the planet they create the silk. The creatures live in caves and tho they are generally docile but the lathe bats that have a symbiotic relationship with the worms are very territorial and if they bite you, you were assured a painful death. So as you can imagine working in these mines is very dangerouss and the average life span of a workerwasn’t’t long. the Arlogan scientist learned of a way tsynthesisis hermon that gave the scent of the bats so when sprayed on a worker would allow the worker to harvest the silk unmolested by the bats. The hormone only last for 12 hours tops. how and where the hormone is created is of course top secret trying to steal the drug or the silk is the only thing that warrants the death penalty on the planet. His thoughts were were interrupted by the distant sound of the after burners firing which meantt they were in theatmosphereof the planet and soon would be on tera firma ma.He looked out the window awaiting his first glimpse of the planet. when the cloud bank broke there were no words to describe what he saw. It was daytime and a head of him was the capital city of Athena. It high white towers so inviting. the city was massive and you could see hover cars flying about. about a 100 kilometers away from the city was the famed Forrest of kilmore. Kilmore was the first king of Arlon and the Forrest was named after him. It was said that at night the flowers and plants glowed different colors and there was music that could be herd thorough out the entire forest. they have never been able to find where the sounds come from it seemingly comes from the air. The shuttle slowed considerably and he could see at the space port that they were docking at there was a royal greeting party waiting for him. They were dressed in different togas of course from the kelton silk. in Arlon the dress resembled roman attire. once the shuttle touched ground he herd trumpets announcing his arrival and he thought to himself they knew how to cater to visitors especially ones with stature. which of course he was told to expect. the shuttle door open and he stepped out he was greeted by another site he was not expecting. there were two completely naked males and both males had collars around their necks and their penises had a apparatus that he was sure was cutting off some amount of circulation. they didn’t look uncomfortable but couldn’t imagine them not being so. Rachael stepped out and was obviously taken back as well. one of the men dressed in a plain toga who had up to this point had his hands behind his back brought one of his hands from behind him and in his hand was a small whip with black leather straps. He swung it back and struck one of the men in the ass and both men rushed forward into the plane with out a word. Another man stepped forward He was dressed incredibly regal and walked with a air of authority. He came up to the Senator directly not even looking at Rachael. Senator Taylon let me welcome you on behalf of the royal family my name is Prince Sebastian. Please call me Brandon its nice to meet you this is my aid Rachael he motioned to her. Sebastian seemed a bit taken back. picking up on this Brandon asked him him if everything was OK

"Yes Sir sorry, I am just not use to someone of position asking to be addressed informally. among my people it would be un-heard of. One of my siblings usually greets people of importance from off world but my father thought it would be a good experience for me. Brandon smiled liking the king already seeing the wisdom in his choice. He extended his hand out to shake the Prince's hand. The prince looked at the gesture but did not offer his. Another man came forward a much older man with a very neat beard came forward. He addressed the prince directly. My lord he bowed its customary on his world to shake hands when meeting someone new its a sign of respect and friendship. The Prince smiled and and took the senators hand. The older man then addressed Brandon. Hello he extended his hand and shook hands with Brandon. "My name is Endeck I am the cultural at ache assigned to you for as long as you are with us. So you are familiar with our customs? asked Brandon.
"Yes sir I am i am Arlogian born of course but went to study on your planet so I might become a costume attache. which is a good profession here, one of honor. He turned his attention to Rachael who up to this point might as well have been invisible. He took her hand and kissed it she blushed every so slightly at the very gentlemanly gester. He looked at her and smiled a warm smile at her and she suddenly felt warm. I am sorry our Prince did not address you, on our planet aids such as yourself are not addressed in the same way
yours are on your world. he is not being rude he is just not use to this type of duty. Upon hearing this the prince stepped forward and kissed her hands as the older man did.
"Yes please forgive me! I meant no insult of course especially to a woman as beautiful as yourself." She felt that warmth again. She wondered if that happens a lot with visiting women here. Endeck motion for them to board the hover car. He said that the men will bring all of there belonging to where they will be staying. Once in the car Brandon asked Endeck who the men were.

"They are part of the prison population here." Clearly Brandon and Rachael both looked shocked. I know its a bit unsettling for you both but all will become more apparent to you as your stay continues. Tonight you both will be going to a banquette in your honor Senator. where you will meet the King and Queen. Its been a while since there has been an official dinner and the King and Queen love a good party. "Look up ahead is the palace." The castle seemed to made of living crystal. It shimmered in the light of the planets two suns. It was clear but then not. there seemed to be almost like a magical mist that prevented anyone from seeing inside. Their hover car landed in the crystal palace port. Please follow me Ill show you to the guest quarters Endeck said. I took the liberty of making sure you rooms were separate but next to each others. Of course if you want to share a room that can be arranged. Brandon assured him that separate rooms are fine. as they walked toward their rooms they