“I spoke with Daemon. He may be angry, but he was able to prove a lot of his accusations using in-game footage taken by the ringside cameras. Be it through knowledge of the game, or very impressive training, the PuppetMaster’s human Marionette is indeed working all of the controls,” Third Diaititi Levoie Torvalus spoke with his chin in his hands, looking out to the other two Diaitati presiding over the Grand Tribute.

“Well of course the human is working the controls, that was never in question Mr. Torvalus. Now, what we have to decide here is if the human Marionette is in fact the one making the decisions. Who exactly is pulling the strings, so to speak?” Grand Daeatidis Arcturus Minokus spoke in a gravelly old voice, one well suited to his aged appearance. The thick-skinned, burly man was well into his 80th year, with a furry grey brow and hair that was white like snow.

“The decision is clear. PuppetMaster needs to be disqualified, while Daemon should be advanced to the semifinals,” Second Diaitati Farah Ki’lari spoke next, slapping her hand against the desk as if to emphasize her point. She then crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in her chair.

The final Diaitati, a young man, with one long silver braid down the right side of his head and what appeared to be a prosthetic arm, had yet to weigh in. He watched the exchange between the other other two referees and the head of the Archavian Tol-Bot Federation with an intense look.

“Now, hold on there, Farah, PuppetMaster has yet to break a single rule, and her…his…their conduct has been exemplary at worst. What further complicates things is the limitations imposed on us by the judiciary committee regarding what we can and cannot look into regarding the players’ pasts and identities. They’re held separate from these proceedings. If the administrators were able to….”

“Out of the question. You will have to make do with the information you were able to collect interviewing the players themselves. Any inquest into their private lives is strictly forbidden by the four principal tenets of the Archavian Tol-Bot Federation,” Minokus grumbled, clearing his throat in an offended tone.

“A human being behind the controls compromises the very integrity of the game! Tol-Bot is a time-honoured tradition, if we allow humans to sneak in and make a mockery of the game, what is next? Shaars? Klaxar? Kipkaers?” Farah uncrossed her arms and once again slammed her hand on the hard wooden desk.

“Curious, but how exactly has the PuppetMaster’s Marionette made a mockery of the game? Assuming of course he is in fact the one making the decisions, and not simply a well-trained costume prop?” Levoie Torvalus asked, with much more calm than Farah Ki’lari was exercising

“Now back up just a moment, Ms. Ki’lari, do you understand the ramifications of what you are suggesting? The tidal wave this would send throughout the league? Every player who has been played against PuppetMaster would then have grounds to file a grievance, not to mention the uproar over allowing Daemon to advance when he clearly lost in a regulation game against a superior opponent. Without a proper investigation there would be bedlam and chaos!” The Grand Daeatidis rubbed his forehead with his fingers and let out a long labored sigh.

“For the int….”

“You keep using that word, I really don’t think you’ve the foggiest idea what it really means!” Diaititi Torvalus interrupted, growing more irate as the discussion began to turn south.

“Don’t patronize me Levoie, I’ve been Diaitati eight years longer than you, I know a fair bit more about the game then you. What we have here is a can of xebrees, if we do not nip this in the rear right now, the floodgates will open and overwhelm us all. If we wish to preserve Tol Bot in its purity and with all just integrity we have but one choice.” Ki’lari turned to the Grand Daeatidis with much more composed elegance. “Ser Daeatidis, with all due respect and honor deserved, we’ve no choice but to take this course of action, I believe if we act justly, we’ve nothing to fear from whatever comes next.”

Arcturus slowly sat up and clasped his hands together, while he didn’t look pleased, he did speak with composure. “I don’t think you fully understand what we would be looking at Madam Diaititi.”

“Well, for starters, we would be forced to suspend all further games, no doubt due to the large number of grievances we would receive. Then of course we would have the riots on our shoulders, planetary defense corps has not been very forgiving in the past, we can scarcely afford another incident like Selana back in 1993.” Torvalus said with a heavy tone.

“The consequences of turning a blind eye to this far outweigh any ramifications we may face by making the right decision. As official federation Diaititi we are honour-bound to act with absolute clarity and integrity!” Farah spoke up again, leaning forward as she did.
“I’d like to tell you a little something about integrity, Second Diaititi Ki’lari.” The final Diaititi spoke up at last, he had a deep baritone voice that was slow and deliberate, the sort that commanded all attention without argument.

“Regent Diaititi Kiv, I was wondering when we would hear from you.” The aged man stroked his chin and turned to the Jotunn, who had been silent for the most part until now.

Kiv Dal was not only the highest ranking Diaititi in the room, but he held the prestigious position of Diaititi Regent, which meant he was among the most skilled and respected referees in the league. Dal’s experience a Hoplite of the Dal caste meant he was not only well-educated, but versatile and wise as well. The Dal as trainers of the Elite were used to speaking less, thinking more, and using their words carefully, as when they did speak, it generally left little room to argue.

All eyes were on the youthful-looking man, who in actuality was much older than he appeared. The Jotunn however, in part due to their vigor and athletic builds often aged well; it was not uncommon for the Jotunn to remain active and keen well longer than most other Titans.

“When deciding which caste a potential Hoplite candidate is best suited for, there are a number of rigorous physical, mental, and psychological tests they are exposed to. They are tested for endurance, their ability to problem-solve. Their mental aptitude is evaluated, the children are pushed to the absolute limits of their capabilities in order to decide where they would best fit.” Kiv spoke slowly, leaning in towards Second Diaititi Ki’lari.

“I am aware of the methods used to select Hoplites, but I fail to see how that has anything to do with Tol-Bot.” Farah spoke up, though her tone was much more respectful, she did hold her ground, which was something Kiv always respected about her.

“Everything.” Kiv said simply, before leaning back in his chair. “You see, Tol-Bot is one of the primary tools at our disposal. A child’s performance in the ring can tell you a great many things, without actually exposing the youth to actual harm.” Kiv took a second to clear his throat before going on. “We set up tournaments, not to decide who is best you see, but for the purpose of observation. We study how they interact with one another, how they perform on the field, everything from their psychological state, to their problem solving capabilities. There are so many things we can learn by watching somebody play Tol-Bot, Farah.”

“And what observations were you able to come to while examining the PuppetMaster?” Acturus spoke up, keenly interested in what Kiv was saying.

Kiv was silent for a moment, as if carefully deciding what it was he wanted to say. “The PuppetMaster plays with the ferocity of a Tam, with the keen intellect of a Pir. Puppet Master is able to manipulate the field, gaining an advantage using the limits of existing game rules, like the Ro. PuppetMaster has extensive knowledge of mechanics and statistics like the Shan. In short, the Puppet Master…whoever he…or she may be…is an incredibly fascinating player, who is able to think faster than his…or her opponents. If this is a mockery, or indeed a blow towards the purity or integrity of the game, it is the most elaborate and outstanding mockery in the history of our people.”

“So what then, do you recommend we do Grand Diaititi Kiv?” Farah Ki’lari asked, with a deflated sense of condescension.

The three conflicted officials watched the elderly man as he paced carefully. A decision between them need not be unanimous, Grand Daeatidis Acturus was capable of coming to a ruling on his own, it was however uncommon for a high ranking official to overrule the joint decision between the three reining Diaititi of any given arena.

Second Diaititi Farah Ki’lari was strictly opposed to a human being polluting the purity of the game and was in favor of a full investigation including but not limited to the removal of Puppet Master from the Tribute, fully aware of the consequences there in.

Third Diaititi Levoie Torvalus was unwilling to take one side or the other, but had clearly not found grounds for an expulsion from the Tribute based on the exemplary performance record PuppetMaster had, and the fact that no rules had been broken.

Grand Diaititi Kiv Dal respected the talent, and could not bring himself to rule against such a remarkable player, regardless of the species.

Then there was Acturus Minkous, who seemed to grasp the reality of the situation, with sights clearly focused on the bigger picture. His opinion on the species of the player had for the most part remained secretive.

“Nothing.” The aged man replied, drawing the immediate attention of everyone present.

“I beg pardon sir?” Young Levoie asked, jaw agape.

“Absolutely nothing.” Kiv Dal spoke up, with just a hint of a smile, as if operating on the same wavelength as Acturus.

“What do you mean, nothing?” The now confused second Diaititi asked, looking from Kiv to Acturus and back again.

“Daemon’s display of poor sportsmanship was unacceptable. We are want to disallow such unprofessional displays of barbarism in this fine sport. He will receive a red card – it’s moot, I know, but we still need to be clear – and a capital handicap going into next season. He cannot be selected into the tournament. He will have to play his way in.” Minokus turned to face the three refs; Kiv went on.

“PuppetMaster advances to face the winner of the Felltree-Executioner match.” Kiv was silent for only a second; he could read well the expression on his colleagues faces answered before they could even ask. “If anyone wished to call PuppetMaster out for any violations they perceive him guilty of, they would have done so. The remaining competitors are free to do the same if it so happens they feel there is anything to protest, so long as they do it in the prescribed manner. But I doubt they will.”

“The fans will demand an answer; they deserve to know who their player is!” Farah growled.

“The fans will not take our word for it regardless. The lines have been drawn. Let the fans work it out! We, Madam Diaititi’ have but to insure those playing are following the rules…and I’ve seen none broken here today.” Arcturus Minokus grinned as he slammed his hand down for emphasis.

“If the player is a human being than it is not an imperial citizen and is in violation of the second of the four tenets established by AMBO….”

“Do not presume to lecture me on the very tenets I am oath-bound to uphold Madam Diatiti!” Grand Daeatidis Arcturus bellowed, leaning forward on the table towards Farah. “In your haste to bring ruin to this organization, I would ask you reassess your motivation for such a decision! I have made my ruling, if you’ve a desire to file a grievance, I believe you are aware of the protocols!”
“I am.” Farah Ki’lari muttered, with much less bravado.

As the Diaititi began to gather their belongings and leave, Arcturus pulled Kiv aside and spoke in a hushed tone. “During your interrogation, did you come across anything that would suggest PuppetMaster is cheating, or that the two are collaborating in any way?”

Kiv shook his head and said simply, “none sir.”

“Good.” Arcturus nodded. “That’s all I care about Kiv. Emperor knows it’s not my intention to settle the human liberation debate here and now.”

***
Darren had passed the time in his inquisition chamber talking tactics and spinning the grand tale of what life was like on the mystical planet Earth. The young demi-diaititi duo who had been tasked with watching him, separate of course from his titan counterpart, were more than accommodating, and while the male was a tad condescending, the pink haired young woman with the lip ring and the clearly altered optical pupils seemed to listen to his every word like a child at story time.

Darren had learned her name was Korye, she was from Selana, and that in fact this was her first season as an official demi-diatiti, which was only a volunteer position. In the off-season she was studying to be an assisted living consultant, which was a formal way to say Personal Support Worker.

Laas was the male, he was of comparable age to Korye, and was by no stretch of the imagination rude, frightening or unpleasant; on the contrary his almost too-chipper attitude suggested he may own a few humans of his own, which was a phrase Darren was damn near sick of hearing, especially when used in a vain attempt to relate to him, or find some sort of ‘common ground.’

“How do we know all of this is true, and not just a grand fabrication?” Laas asked, though not in a tone that would suggest hostility, as much as it did doubt.

“What my counterpart is trying to say, is that the military generally keeps information about ‘Baby Blue’ to itself, what we do know about Earth wouldn’t fill a few pages, let alone a lecture hall.” Korye was much more willing to entertain the idea that the little human in front of her was telling the truth, or at least it appeared so.

The three went on for sometime, exchanging back and forth, it seemed that Darren was actually starting to win the two titan’s over, though Laas remained more doubtful than Korye.

Darren had just finished explaining all about his homeland, including a brief but accurate history of the founding of America and the story behind the Declaration of Independence. He’d been interrupted before he was about to dive into the revolutionary war and the emancipation of American slaves, when Korye stood up and cleared her throat.

“Laas?” She spoke with an almost sweet voice. “Can you go check on internment chamber B? I’d like to be able to tell our guest here when his partner and he will be re united.”

Laas sent Korye a complicated look and shook his head slowly. “I’m not sure I’m allowed to do that? I mean isn’t the reason there are two of us here strictly to secure his safety?” Laas scratched his head in wonder.

“That is a formality, besides, you don’t mind being left alone with me, do ya Marionette?” Korye asked, winking at Darren with a confident grin.

Of course the idea itself made Darren’s stomach churn, and he almost shouted out ‘actually, I do!” When a nagging sense of curiosity took over, and he simply shrugged. “Don’t bother me much.”

Laas lingered a moment and then nodded. “Ok, I’ll be back soon then.” Before walking through the door he turned to Korye, “If they fire me for this, I blame you.”

“I’ll pay your lost wages myself,” Korye said.

“Ha,” Laas said. With that, he left.

Korye waited a few seconds to be sure Laas was gone, then leaned forward, crossing her arms and resting her head on them, looking down to the Marionette with abject fascination and wonder. “Okay off the record…I swear to the gods…she doesn’t know a thing about the game…does she? It’s you playing…isn’t it?” There was a clever grin on the Titan’s face, and a keen look in her eyes that convinced Darren she already knew the answer.

Darren hesitated, admitting this to her could definitely come back to nip him in the ass, however she already looked properly convinced of the fact and didn’t seem all too easily swayed.

Darren looked around the room suspiciously, before he had a chance to even ask, Korye say back, arms still crossed, “No, the room is not under surveillance. It ensures the players identities are kept a secret, should an unmasking ever be required, which only happens under extreme circumstances.” Korye said, then uncrossed her arms and began to drum her short rainbow colored fingernails on the table.

“What you’re asking could get me in hot water sister.” Darren said with a grumble.

“I already know.” Korye insisted.

“Then why do ya gotta hear it from me?” Darren challenged back.

“Well, it means more coming from the source?” Korye shrugged.

“Couldn’t you just ask PuppetMaster herself?” Darren said with a hint of bitterness.

“I believe I am, in fact, asking the one who holds the strings, besides why would I ask her when I can ask you?” Korye smiled cleverly, she was definitely winning this Slates match.

Darren chuckled and shook his head. “If they’re all as clever as you are kid, I don’t see how I stand a chance of not being disqualified.

Korye threw herself back and almost cackled in delight. “Oh, I knew it! I was so right!”

Darren felt a little sick to his stomach. Now that she knew, how did he really stand a chance? She would surely tell her superiors and that would be it? Or so he thought.

“Wow, well this is something else. I mean I always kinda knew, I think I figured it out during the qualifying tournament when your friend was too busy trying to stop her costume from riding up on her to pay attention to the field, but I mean to actually hear you say it? Wow.” Korye began to gush, waving her hands about above Darren’s head in an animated style as she went on.

“Heh.” Darren muttered, looking down with an angry and defeated look.

“Hey, woah hold on…what’s wrong?” Korye asked, resting her chin on the table to get a better look at the Marionette.

“Ya know damn well what’s wrong.” Darren grumbled.

Korye shook her head, and then sat up. “You think I’m going to use what I know to try and get you disqualified?”

Darren nodded. “Ain’t that why ya dug it out of me?”

Korye shook her head. “First, I’d never try to get a player good enough to make the semis kicked out, especially not for a gorram mucus-head like Daemon. Second, why would I have asked Laas to leave if I was trying to get you disqualified? Lastly, I did say ‘off the record’ didn’t I?” Korye smiled, genuine and sweet.

“I don’t get it, then why did ya have to know?” Darren asked, no longer watching the floor, but now eyes locked with her’s.

“Because,” Korye said sheepishly. “I’m one of your biggest fans…and I kinda…well I wanted to know which of you two I should be rooting for.” Korye shrugged and sat up. “Also, there’s this….” Korye reached into her pocket, pulling out a small neatly folded poster and writing implement. Darren watched as she broke a bit off the end of the graphite tool, and set the poster next to him. The small neatly folded poster was quickly unfolded, on a sort of paper that didn’t seem to wrinkle or crease when crumpled or folded, on the poster was the image of The Puppet Master, with her Marionette in an action pose.

“What’s this?” Darren asked perplexed.

“Well, what good would her autograph be if she wasn’t the actual player?”

Darren did his best to make his signature visible on the football field sized poster, all the while trying not to let the large pink colored eyes that were fixated on him freak him out.

Korye of course watched in giddy excitement as the tiny human signed his larger than life signature. She only opened her mouth to comment once he was finished. “What language is that? I don’t recognize those characters at all.”

“American English.” Darren grinned, as he dragged the tail from the ‘Y’ in his last name all the way down the bottom of his signature with a flourish.

“Wow, and all the letters are connected together is that how ‘Amurkan English’ is written?” Korye asked as she slipped the poster out from underneath The Marionette for closer inspection.

“It’s called cursive, they used to teach it in schools, not surprised handwriting isn’t something ya’ll are used to. Lord knows my nephew back home don’t know how to write it, and he was sixteen when I left.” Darren shrugged, then sat down cross legged as the titanic fan admired his handiwork

“So, how’d ya’ll sign your mark here then I wonder? If you’re using them data pads all the time?” Darren asked, he was starting to feel a little less put off by being alone with the young demi-diaititi.

“Well, thumb-scan usually, and there is a such thing as a digital signature, mostly we use those to sign our mark when needed, but they’re generally short and sweet, some people even use symbols that they feel represent them best, unique hand drawn generally. And I think some people even still use writing sort of like that, especially the Aementi. Of course we still have the written word, we are not that far removed from ink and parchment that people have forgotten how to use them,” Korye laughed, as the sliding door opened, quickly she folded up the wrinkle free folding paper and slid it back into her pocket.

Laas stood at the door, but Puppet Master nearly sprinted into the room, her face downcast with a look of deep concern. “Where is he?” She asked, her eyes falling onto Darren as soon as she had said it.

Laas nodded and kept his distance. “They are both free to go, as soon as Grand Diaititi Kiv meets with her to explain the result of the inquiry. They are not in need of supervision, so you’re free to go whenever Korye.” The light haired young man nodded, and then the sliding door closed in front of him, leaving only Eyrn, Korye, and Darren.

“Darren…are you alright?” Eyrn blurted out, and before Darren could mutter a protest she was upon him, and he found himself in her hands, being examined and looked over meticulously. Eyrn for her part looked far worse for the wear, her hair was a bit of a mess, she appeared to have sloppy runny makeup, and her expression suggested she had done no small bit of screaming and yelling, which Darren always recognized by how exhausted she looked afterward.

Darren of course cursed and grumbled, but it did no good, Eyrn was determined to assess his physical and mental wellbeing.

“I’m so glad to see you! Do you know they wouldn’t tell me anything?! Not if that big asshole hurt you, not how you were doing, nothing! They just kept telling me ‘you will be reunited with your human when we are finished with the inquisition,’ what the hell does that even mean?” Eyrn fumed, both hands wrapped around Darren, which she only did when she was flustered enough to actually admit to being worried.

“Gat’danget I can’t breathe, cool yer jets kid!” Darren mumbled, not even bothering to struggle.

All the while, the wheels in Korye’s head were spinning, slowly putting the last few pieces of the puzzle together, thanks to the last nudging hint Puppet Master had given her.

“Darren…I know that name…Darren…Avery? Master Sergeant Darren Avery? From Earth…like you said…Holy Chaaz…you’re Master Sergeant Darren Avery…the Darren Avery from the Rutger incident! Which makes you…the wild girl!?” Korye blurted out, eyeing the shocked pair with a look of both shock, and self-satisfaction for having figured it out.

Darren and Eyrn looked to one another; they both looked as if they’d been caught with their pants down.

***

Loona nearly knocked the sofa over as she leapt up and began to quite literally dance around the room. Her grandiose exaggerated movements were both intense and a little on the frightening side. Both to the two humans, and the two other Titans in the room with her.

“Is she like this all the time?” Kymie asked, who was there on the request of Naskia, despite Niall’s objections.

“No,” Naskia said, keeping both Nonah and Niall clasped to her chest, “sometimes she gets scary.”

“Mfmmfmmmremm!” Nonah replied, which resulted in a nod from Naskia.

“Can…they breathe when you’re holding them like that?” Kymie asked, trying not to giggle at the arms flailing out of Naskia’s bosom.

“Probably. I think so?” Naskia tilted her head, relaxing her hold on both humans. “They stand a better chance with me than with her!” Naskia motioned with her chin to Loona, who was walking backwards while hollering and twisting in some bizarre alien dance.

“Ours is a relationship built on respect, understanding…and lots of smothering affection.” Niall said, none too eager to leave his warm comfortable spot.

“How did I get smuggled into this arrangement!?” Nonah protested avidly.

“Hush, I’m protecting you from harm…” Naskia winked.

“By smothering me!?” Nonah grumbled.

“Daemon’s complaint was filed incorrectly! They are giving him a game misconduct red flag, and a handicap against him for next year for poor sportsmanship and harassment of another player!” Loona almost sung, she had already been high on Iron Maiden’s advancement to the next round, and Felltree’s amazing defeat of Executioner, the news about Puppet Master and Marionette only further served to heighten her mood.

“It was a good night for everyone.” Kymie giggled and sat back on the large comfortable couch.

“I can’t want to see what everyone on campus is saying about it tomorrow!” Naskia exclaimed, and then nearly leapt as Loona dove onto the couch between them, and put her arms around both Kymie and Naskia.

“This is the best day ever!” Loona said as she pulled them both into a hug.

“Careful! You’re going to smish Nonah and Niall!” Naskia protested as she wiggled in Loona’s overbearing hug.

“Aye, but what a way to go!” Niall could be heard, muffled between the two titan bodies.

“Speak for yourself smarty-pants!” Nonah could be heard, muffled too between the bodies.

“I’m not sure they like that.” Kymie whimpered, not struggling at all, but visibly uncomfortable with the sudden public display of affection.

“Iron Maiden will destroy Dibilique, Felltree will face Marionette, and the winner of that round will go on to face Iron Maiden!” Loona shouted, as she mussed both Naskia and Kymie’s hair. “Do you know what that means?!” Loona said excitedly.

“Aye, that no matter who wins we’re going to need a new living room set.” Niall sighed.

“I am not feeling very free and equal right now! Naskia get your boobs off me!” Nonah mumbled in annoyance.

“Ms. Armac…you’re hurting my neck.” Kymie whimpered.

“Yup, that’s about the half of it Niall.” Naskia sighed. “You two may need to watch from another room.”

Loona ignored the whining of her friends and let go, leaping up from the couch, no matter who won, this was going to be one of the best tributes in history! “I’m mixing drinks, who wants something?!” Loona asked as she ran off into the other room.

Naskia pulled Niall and Nonah out from where they had slipped to and examined them for damage, other than an extremely miffed Nonah, and Niall’s signature eye rubbing blinking routine, they both looked fine.

“I may have to change my opinion on this game Petal, it’s a lot more exciting than I could have thought, and watching Loona watch Tol-Bot is hilarious.”

Nonah grumbled and folded her arms over her chest. “Next time I call sitting with Kymie.” Nonah glared up at Naskia.

Kymie shook her head and looked back at the projection before them; spending time with her employer and his friends after hours was proving a lot stranger than she had thought. Still, it beat watching the game alone.