La Toyah smiled. “Always the third or fourth day. When the fun really starts.“ “A toast to the Akademy. A big welcome to you all.“ Layla raised her glass then sipped it, as the others did the same. This evenings gathering, was to be familiar to the tutors.

Time, to chill out and recount, certain events from earlier in the day, much to the amusement of all those present. "Kets! You wait and see what some of the tykes get up to!"

Jsek, a young female, looking resplendent in her ‘Vestage’ of stunning colours, was talking to Corky. He noted, that she was almost, the same age as Margise? Perhaps, she could make friends with her, look after her?

Of course, he did not know, that Margise already had a  ‘friend’ who was treated with the same reverence; as a‘sister’. Yoho and her spent time going over the basics she needed to be aware of.

Upsetting the ‘Elder elite’ is a no NO! “If they tell you black is white, black is white! We seldom ever see them. Usually its those like La Toyah, or her side kick; Leyla. Those you can chose to ignore, they are NOT on the same level as us! We can actually if we so desire give them orders! “

The second day of the Kets arrival at the Akademy, was one of exploration, as now the place buzzed with voices, laughter and movement in the corridors and out into the open, to see the gardens, the waterfall and beyond.

The poolside, the hot springs were all astonishing. However many of the Kets were attending supply stores to retrieve their ‘Vestages’ and other essentials. Different races require certain items that others will not nor ever will need.

The Elder Kets looked on amused, at the new arrivals and how they found it all so new and exciting. A true revelation to them. Mixing with others for the first time, well you’re always wary. Most anyway keeping their distance. .

Of course Kets like Ocasa, wouldn’t mix with the Jogarth, likewise the Jogarth, wouldn’t mix with the Vendarans and so on. There are all the usual excuses, for such animosity.

Slavers, ah well, the seizing of individuals, their possessions, their livelihood and their colony or planet could be for a lot of reasons, to do with the usual ones of greed, of envy, of need, of desire, so yes, slavers exist.

They saw, no reason, not to have their captives work for them, but there are other reasons for slavery, including the first colonists who ventured into space, who found themselves, at the mercy of terrible conditions, or who failed to take into account, all the necessary factors, that would affect their survival.

Finally. they surrendered to whoever would give them shelter, protection, warmth and food to exist, even if it was just existing. That meant those who could, took the opportunity to have cheap labor or worse still abuse and use, the colonists, to their own cruel and unjust ends.

The Jogarth don’t wait for such opportunities. They take slaves by force, they seize whole worlds and they use their slave bands, to enforce their will upon their captives.

Such technology. is not known to other races. You would want to keep such tech, a secret?! To hold power over your opposition or captives. So many of them, never break free, because they can not find a way to break, the hold, the slave bands have over them.

The slave bands contain auto detection, neural stimulators suppressore and inhibitors, to give pain or other cruel punishment to its wearer; it can also induce an aura of self acceptance, depriving the wearer of any thoughts of disobedience.

Total subservience. The nasty side effect of prolonged use of then means an early death. They go almost brain dead. We could think of them as being like obedient zombies.

The Vendarans? Ah there hangs another tale, they too take whole worlds, but extract part of the population turning them into what are known as CLONECTICS,,

Their bodies remain, their minds remain, but controlled by the Vendaran’s through a fluid called Clossistrial fluid.

They look so sweet don’t they? YET they will have been indoctrinated and ‘brain washed’ into believing they are superior race to others.

What, will drive some of the Kets crazy, is the look they give, that has NO emotion behind it.
Cold and to some? It really creeps them out.

The problem, with the Vendarans, is not just adding to their armies, by subjugation of races, but those who are left, either become slaves OR!

Those left behind on a planet, the Vendaran’s, may infect with a plague that will slowly wipe out the entire population.

Boils weals, swollen distorted skin that finally eats them alive. To some death is a welcomed. 

Hostility towards them, is something that is going to happen regardless of rules and regulations; they are hated or is it feared ?

One might think, FEAR? OR is it paranoia, re the Vendarans.  Their actions are supposedly to stop the races whose world they have just trashed,  from coming after them.

At a later date, when the planet has recovered? Where such rage could summon up a potent force, in all aspects of military might, made worse if allies came to their aid?.

However; taking into account, the sheer numbers of their militia, the weapons tech, craft and more? Neither the Jogarth nor the Vendarans take any notice of the Galacia Federa. To them, their own interests and their power come first.

NOT, that they always, find conquest, so easy! Some allied worlds can summon up a terrifying response. No negotiation, just attack and destroy, especially when they realize it is the Vendarans.

Yes Ocasa 'hates slavers'. But when he says that, he really is saying ‘I hate the Jogarth.’ However we must remember that the sins of the father visited upon his Ket should not apply. As La Toyah will remind them Past differences or disputes, or hatred outside of the Akademy should remain there!“

When, it comes to WHO or WHERE, they are from, cultures, traditions, attitudes? Some Kets will never change, even if they behave differently here, towards other races, their families their Parentia, will force them into situations they have to choose to live or die. When pushed, kill those they were friends with? It’s tragic, but true, That, as they will often be reminded, is life.

When they start to tour the Akademy in reality, not the visual presentation?! The jaw dropping size of the place. We have to remember that over 1000 Kets, pass through regularly, from across the galaxies. Its facilities are second to none.

The filtration plant, situated on the Estuary is state of the art. It provides essential water to all of the Akademy's facilities. Sometimes additives are mixed with supplies for certain Kets. Some obviously don’t drink water or take in fluids like we do.

The Iniuri like the Meraq take in fluids, by immersing their whole body ncluding their tentacles ! Their bodies soak up the fluids, revitalising them. There are certain areas that contain water fountains that will suddenly spring into life soaking everyone who forgets that they are there! 

Those ‘taps’ as we would know them, here they are colored, to indicate whether the water contains an additive! Blue is normal, Green contains a boosted protein for Rogarian Kets and a few other races. Orange is Yactri added to the water, for sub aquatics. The 'Meraq' spend half the day in water, the other on land.

Domiciles for them, have pool size tubs. Their body must have at least 20% of the Yactri present for them to survive. Normal rate if above 80%! Their appearance is to some Kets a curious sight to see. They have scales on the lower half of their body and the upper torso is normal. Visiting Kets must be aware of the spurs as they are called, or end up getting a soaking!

We must remember, that some races do NOT wear clothing! It is perfectly normal for them on their worlds et BUT at the Akademy they have to wear a Vestage.

Modified for them, to help the adjust to wearing a second skin as it is known. IF they feel they can with certain other races who may be visiting et  their domiciles; they will strip naked.

It can be said, for some other races, that is of little concern. One favourite quote is ‘you were born naked ! ‘ which is of course true. Amusing to think what it might be like to be born with ie a Vestage already in place!!