The Sealed Planet Chronicles

The Search for Sethis: Part 1

Kilkaja

Traveling to Astha's home planet wasn't hard. Getting in, however, would need a little bit of effort.

After we were dropped on a station five light years away from the planet, we hired a Saukauri ship to take us to the planet. He was eager to help us, though he warned Sel that she might not be comfortable on the planet due to the political situation and the war with the coalition.

"Don't get me wrong, Felinian," said the pilot. "I don't agree with how you Felinians take on our hunting grounds and claim it for themselves, but I don't want to pin this whole mess on you. You don't seem to follow the lots that started this war."

"Yeah. They're mad because I don't do what they want us to do," she said, rather sarcastically. "And also, I walked out of that life years ago."

"Well, whatever's the case, I suggest you stay out of sight until you got what you need. The last thing you need is a couple of dead angry mobs," said Astha.

"Why do you assume they're going to die?" I asked.

"She knows her way out of fight, and she will not hesitate to shoot anyone," said Astha. "You think she's going to be someone who's going to say I come in peace? Not from where I'm standing, especially if they're violent Saukaurs who only see her as an enemy."

I know Astha referred to Sel's traumatic past (she revealed to me that she was raped by a bunch of Saukauri pirates in her youth), but it could be misinterpreted for her enjoying the sight of dead Saukaurs.

"You make me sound like a Saukaur hater," said Sel. She seemed rather offended by Astha's remarks.

"Hey, I'm only stating facts," said Astha. "And besides, I don't think you're going to let them burn you at the stakes for being a Felinian, right? So, let's dial down the body count and let me get my ship and get the hell out before anyone notice."

Sel did not like how Astha said about her, but if it was any indications of the Saukaur's current problem with the Felinians, I think it's best for her to stay away, for her sake.

I quickly found out that Astha did not exaggerate about the situation on the planet. The planet, called Saukari by the Saukaurs, seemed rather fine and covered with forest much like the planet Aurelis Three, coincidentally a place where Sel died for the first time and returned to life. The planet seemed to be normal and far away from the conflicts that defined their current history.

But as we got into the planet and landed on the town pointed by Astha, it quickly became apparent that it wasn't the case. The town we got into was in total chaos. Saukaurs fought with each other while others were just trying to survive. I could see a young Saukaur child trying to get away from the situation as his parent shielded him from the chaos around him. They were both distressed and tried to get away from the madness.

The place was thick with negative emotions that almost choked me. I felt I couldn't follow Astha, but I knew the pilot would not let us wait in his ship without some extra credit to spend. So, steeling my heart, I followed Astha. Sel, wearing a hood that covered her whole face, along with binding her tail to prevent anyone to see her Felinian appearance, followed close and out of sight.

The general chaos, however, became worse as we got into the town and walked in the alleyways and away from view (they were also wary around Nuoevans due to our notorious ability). I could hear propagandas deriding the Felinians and that they would win against the cat people who took their hunting grounds. The hatred in their heart was so strong that it almost overwhelmed me. It felt like I was walking on a planet with higher air pressure and gravity, even though Saukari was not as bad as some planets, most notably Arkari.