- Elowen Hht -

  Elowen gazed ily out her office's expansive window, the sprawliropolis's panorama stretg before her. The city's shimmering lights reflected off sleek skyscrapers, creating a tapestry of luminesce that could have captivated her under different circumstances. But after enduring a marathon of meetings throughout the day, her eyes felt heavy, and weariness settled deep within her bones. Yet, as a senator of the Ielr Federation, her duties did not cease with the waning hours; responsibility seldom respected the fines of time.

  The soft hum of the door opening drew her attention. One of her secretaries stepped iantly, her presennounced only by the slight rustling of papers and the quiet click of the door tch. She peeked her head around the doorframe, her expression a blend of apprehension and urgency.

  "Senator," the secretary began softly, "they've e again—the same ones as st time."

  Elowen closed her eyes briefly, inhaling a measured breath. "Again," she murmured, a hint nation in her voice. "They never bring good news."

  She heard the heavy footfalls announg her visitors' arrival. The air seemed to shift, and a tangible tension apahem.

  "Gentlemen, how may I assist you?" Elowen asked, her voice carrying the perfect bance of authority and cordiality as she re-ehe main space.

  Seated before her were two remarkable figures—representatives of the Lionlings, a species that had only retly joihe Federation. They hailed from one of the most distant ps on the northern rim of the gaxy. Their iion into the Federation was a signifit diplomatic achievement but alsht its share of plexities.

  The two Lionlings were imposing, to say the least. Their bodies were cloaked in dark blue fur that seemed almost iridest uhe soft lighting of her office, each strand catg the light in a subtle shimmer. Their eyes—pierg amber orbs—held an iy that was both fierd intelligent, giving the impression that they missed nothing within their surroundings. Every movement they made was fluid and calcuted, remi of predators at the apex of their power, exuding an aura that anded resped attention.

  Thick, luxurious manes surrouheir leonine faces; the strands braided with small metallients that glinted silver and gold. The tips of sharp fangs were visible beh their upper lips, a silent reminder of their primal heritage. Their physiques were muscur and statuesque, the sleek armor they wore ing to their forms while also indig their readiness for bat. The bck armored suits were adorned with intricate patterns and insignias of their s—adding a of artistry to their formidable appearance.

  Elowen couldn't help but notice the restless swaying of their tails, the tufted ends flig with a tent energy. As they settled into the chairs before her desk—furniture that suddenly appeared diminutive in parison—the chairs creaked uheir weight, making it seem like they were seated in children's chairs rather than standard-issue ference seating.

  "Madam Senator, we have e t urgent news. Our friends in the southeror of the gaxy have received some discerting information," the first Lionling spoke with a heavy at, his guttural tones betraying his unfamiliarity with the Federation's nguage.

  Elowen regarded them with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "Why bring this to me?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. "There are several senators of your own race within the Senate."

  She didn't relish iing with the Lionlings. Their species had been adversaries for a long time during the tumultuous period of the Grand Game. The memories of those dark days still lingered, shadows that g to her thoughts.

  "None of them would be particurly ied in this information si doesn't our own race," the Lionling expined. His amber eyes, sharp arating, met hers steadily. "However, Senator, my believes that if we ot assist the Federation, sooner or ter, there will be tensioween the Lionlings and the other species."

  Elowen studied the emissary's face for a moment. Although this wasn't their first time genuine—and valuable—information, she remained cautious. It all seemed too ve.

  "U time, this information isn't as valuable or straightforward," the emissary tinued. "In fact, I'm here to present you with another problem to evaluate."

  "Very well, tell me," Elowen said, gesturing for him to proceed. She leaned back slightly in her chair, her fingers interg atop the polished surface of her desk.

  "It is not on knowledge within the Federation," he began, "but we have a few Lionlings serving as meraries in the southern reaches of the gaxy, near where the Games still occur."

  Elowen nodded, a flicker of unease crossing her mind. ‘Where the barbaric gods still and their legions in battle,’ she thought.

  "They seldom return with signifit information," the Lionling tinued, "but retly, we received some leaks indig that the Orks are rapidly expandiward. More importantly, their teology and magic are growing at an unpreted rate, at least for their race."

  "I imagine you have some idea of what's happening?" Eloweioned, her gaze sharpening. "Could it simply be a blessing from the Sns?"

  "Unlikely," the Lionling replied, a hint of in his voice. "They haven't won a wars that would warrant such a blessing, not even while battling on two different fronts."

  "All right," Elowen ceded. "How did you e by this information? Solely from meraries? Is it reliable?"

  "Primarily through meraries," he admitted, "but a few months ago, another event occurred that supports our hypothesis. We don't know if it was due to Ork inpetence or act, but one of their prisons was attacked, and several prisoners of war were freed. Some were races they had created, but among them were also species from the Federation."

  "Shit." Elowen's posure faltered as she smmed her hand on the desk, a rare dispy of frustration. " they do this without vioting the rules of the Grand Game?"

  "If they acquired them before a race left the Games or perhaps purchased them, it's possible," the Lionling expined. "It's difficult to dis the exact limits of the rules."

  "Did you mao rescue them?" she asked urgently.

  "Only one survived long enough to send a signal that icked up by our ships," he replied. "But he's our primary clue to this sudden evolution."

  "Since you're still tellihis story," Elowen said thoughtfully, "I assume there are more sves still imprisoned?"

  "Yes." The emissary nodded. "We've received coordinates of anroup being used for research."

  "Do you know their species?" she inquired, sidering whether another branch of the Federation might be better suited to hahe issue.

  "No. Only the coordinates," the Lionling admitted.

  "What do you expect me to do?" Elowen asked, fixing her gaze on the emissary.

  "I expeothing," he said, rising from his chair with a graceful motion that belied his imposing stature. "But I know this information holds value for the Federation, and you'll know how best to use it."

  His panion stood alongside him, their dark blue fur shimmering uhe soft lighting of her office. Together, they turned and made their way toward the door, their tails swaying rhythmically behind them.

  "Farewell, Senator," he said before exiting.

  Elowen nodded absentmindedly before drifting bato her thoughts. ‘I ot interfere directly with the Grand Game,’ she mused. ‘Doing so could risk awakening the Sn once more.’

  The weight of that possibility pressed heavily on her mind. Determined, she pressed a cealed button embedded in the sleek surface of her wooden desk. Almost immediately, one of her secretaries ehrough the wide double doors of her office.

  "Madam Senator," the secretary said, approag with a respectful bow.

  "Summon ame Lily," Elowen instructed, her gaze steely. "We need eyes and ears in the southern regions of the gaxy."

  The secretary hesitated ever so slightly. "Should we inform the generals?" he inquired cautiously.

  "Not yet," she replied firmly. "We need more information about what's happening within the Grand Game before taking any decisive a."

  At the mention of the notorious game, the secretary froze for a few seds, a flicker of unease crossing his face. The Grand Game erilous affair, whispered about in shadowed ers—a ic chess match pyed by powerful beings, with entire worlds as pawns.

  Quickly regaining his posure, the secretary gave a curt nod. "As you wish, Senator." He bowed again before turning on his heel aing the room to carry out her orders.

  Left alone once more, Elowen brought a hand to her temple, massaging the growing tension there. "Even after everything, the Sns still find a way to make our lives difficult," she muttered under her breath.

  GCLopes