by Randal Sloan
“I would like that,” Rae replied, returning his smile.
“By the way,” Kaeden told him. “I have good news for you. The First Sentinel is destroyed. Never have I felt evil like that one, but the Golden One and her friends prevailed. I almost failed her again in that, but I was able to overcome my fears and do my small part.”
“Destroyed!” Rae said in amazement. “What of the Dark Council?”
“Not yet defeated, but the Princess has left behind those that oppose them to begin the battle within their ranks. I fear that will take some time and we must hope we have that long. The Prophecies say we will, but I still don’t see how.”
“Perhaps my Master will have the answer,” Rae told him, “for he has much knowledge, although I have never heard him mention such.”
They had by this time reached the human ship and Kaeden spoke to the Marine who was standing guard. “We wish to speak with the Princess when she has time.”
“No problem,” Jones told him. “I’ve sent an implant message to her queue so she’ll see it when she’s able.” He smiled at Kaeden. “You could have done that yourself,” he told him.
“Sorry,” Kaeden told him sheepishly. “I’m still learning.” He turned to his companion. “We can wait over here.”
“You know,” he told Rae, “your bio-enhancements probably mean we have a way to tie you into the NET also. We’ll have to get Gabo and Sara to take a look at you after we talk with the Princess.”
“You really believe it will go that well?” Rae had to ask him.
“Oh, yes. You’ll see,” Kaeden told him with a smile. “But while we wait, let’s talk about the Order. Obviously you know about the Golden One. What else have you seen about our current times?”
The two talked for some time as they awaited the Princess. They found more and more just how much they had in common. Yes, Rae was a warrior, in perhaps a different way than his companion, but both believed many of the same truths.
Despite his unfortunate beginning with the Princess, fighting on the side opposed to her, after listening to Kaeden’s earnest opinion Rae honestly believed he had a chance. Then she finished speaking with his Master and Kaeden led him into the galley of the ship where she was holding shop.
In that moment, it all became quite clear.
Chapter 16
Things Have A Way Of Working Out
A few days later, Jarra sat in her quarters aboard Katarina. Everything appeared to be going well with the work on New Earth. As soon as she had finished meeting with everyone, Jarra had sent a message to her uncle and her cousin explaining the situation. John’s squadron had made better time than she had expected possible, so they were already drawing near by the time they received her message. That meant she had been able to put them to work as soon as they arrived.
But now that everything had settled down, Jarra had come up with a plan that she knew she had to work carefully. She needed the help of her uncle, and that meant another message to him. She had quickly withdrawn from the action for the cleanup and the process of rebuilding on New Earth. She wanted the ones she put in charge to handle it; this was going to be their planet, after all. So instead, her message to her uncle dealt with the details of the plan she was proposing for the Empire’s level of support.
In the back of her mind was the information given her by her “friends” from afar, as she called Adrihel and Master Barsyan. Between the two of them, she’d come to a pretty good realization of just where this planet needed to be in a future that would someday become very important to her. Not that she understood the reasons why, but she believed both worked for the benefit of her and her people. All her peoples, including the humans, the Borjon and now the Oidhche.
All of that meant she had to tread carefully with what she put in place at New Earth. Just enough to build the firm foundation that would be needed for later. No one could be allowed to glimpse that future other than her team, not that she dared tell them yet. Of course, she would have done the same thing for the people here anyway, along with her new friends: young Jenn, by far the youngest Governor ever, the three Protectors, such gritty young girls who used their special abilities to stand against the ones who would harm others, and Master Gauqur and young Rae, the leaders of the future for the Oidhche.
“My dear uncle, I thank you for all your assistance in the past few days. Everything is coming together here, just as I hoped, and I’ve come to care a lot for the people who are making it all happen. That includes our alien friends. I’m including with this message the details of my proposals regarding our government’s involvement with this planet. I hope you will strongly consider my suggestions. Despite the fact they include some rather extreme measures, I believe it will pay off for the future.
“I know you’ve already approved my designation of Jenn Makenze to become the full-time governor, despite her lack of experience and extremely young age. The fact that she stood up to the Master Sergeant says volumes about her ability to see the larger picture, plus she’s already working hand-in-hand with the locals. The remote location helps, since it’s not like it was going to be a highly sought out position; that, and the horrendous failure of her predecessor will paint the job for many in a negative light.
“Because of the same remote location and my proposals, I recommend that we don’t send a garrison of troops to occupy the planet. I believe the agreements I’ve worked out with the locals, including both the Protectors and the Oidhche, are sufficient to protect the people of this world. Your approval of those agreements was also a big help.
“I know we can’t hide the fact that the aliens are here, but we definitely do want to keep it low key. The fact that they look very similar to our enemies will make it more difficult, but we need to emphasize their differences. If we call them by the name they’ve given themselves, the Oidhche, I believe that will help tremendously with that idea. Luckily, so few have seen our real enemy; plus, these guys lack the creepy factor the Aerstone always give us. They just don’t have that robot-like feeling we get from them.
“It’s funny. Designating the planet as a high-end tourist destination will be a big help. The aliens can be portrayed as just one more sight to see. Of course, the mental weapon they possess must be kept under the deepest secrecy, and the fact they represent the future of their brothers even more so.”
Jarra took a breath. Time to change the subject to the practical decisions remaining.
“I’ve also sent you my list of priorities for the work still needed. Highest on the list is the need to replace the orbital station that the pirates destroyed. The numbers I have for future traffic suggest it doesn’t need to be overly large, but we do want to keep in mind the tourist angle. Starting from scratch does give us an advantage, so I’m forwarding you design specifications as they’re put together by my team and the locals.
“I plan to stay here a few more days before departing for the Capital. I expect everyone should make good progress toward the rebuilding effort, especially with the resources that will be arriving over that time period. Even I was surprised at the response we got when we made the request to come here all volunteer.
“The night before I leave, I'm putting together a dinner and I would like you to join us with a real time connection toward the end of the meal. Those few that doubt the Empire’s commitment to them should be appeased by your appearance.
“We’ll talk more about our upcoming mission as soon as I arrive back at the Capital. Despite the security of our connection, I don’t believe discussing the details of that mission by Galactic Message would be advisable.
“Love you as always. Jarra out.”
Jarra smiled as she sent the message out with their highest encryption. What she hadn’t told her uncle was about the interaction of her team with the people here. Galen and Jenn had become almost inseparable, that spark she’d spotted early on growing into a much larger flame. If they survived the long distance relationship the next few years would impose upon them, they s
tood a good chance. She had been told enough to know that someday her small group would make their way back here permanently and that relationship might well become very important.
Sara and Krissy had been spending nearly as much time together, if not for different reasons. Both of them had secrets that Jarra suspected they’d already shared with each other, making their relationship stronger — Sara with her Forerunner AI in her head and Krissy with her ability to merge with technological systems. The two had been comparing notes on their hacking systems and developing them even further with each other's help. If those two had wanted to, the galaxy could have been theirs. Nothing appeared safe. Luckily, they both wanted to work for the side of good, and for now, that corresponded to the needs of the Empire.
For the first time in her life, Jarra wondered if that would always be true. Now that she’d seen so much of the bigger picture, she knew that the real needs of the Empire might be somewhat different from what its leaders might propose.
Jarra had already made arrangements for Krissy to get a high-end set of implants and the local hardware to support her access with them. When the new Imperial space station came on line, she would have the ability to reach across the galaxy if necessary. Jarra planned to keep the girl and her abilities secret. Something told her that someday she would need her, something to do with that duty that extended beyond the one in charge.
Everything was coming together. Although even with all the knowledge she’d been given and all her plans, she still didn't know where it would all end. Some of it she feared she wouldn’t like, but there was nothing she could do about it. Plus, she had no doubt that the ones that did have that knowledge were the ones she wanted to have on her side.
Some things you just have to let come to pass as they will.
Once more in charge of a ceremonial dinner, Jarra glanced around as everyone settled into their places. The trick to being a good hostess was to allow everyone to have their chance to talk with those around them as they took their seats, but to not leave them time to grow bored with the time passing or their food to grow cold. She smiled as she remembered that first conversation she’d had with Jason at the ceremony aboard the Dauntless those months ago. Even then she’d known he was a special person and she’d found herself telling him things she’d never told anyone before.
Although she’d hoped to keep the group invited to this dinner relatively small, still the room chosen at that resort that had become the center of their work was full. For the Empire, those present included Jarra and her team, their reunited Marine squad, a few of the staff from John’s squadron, and Jenn and her newly arrived support staff. For the locals, those present included the Ambassadors, as Jarra had named the three girls that had started it all, most of the leadership of the Protectors, and a select handful of locals chosen by them, and of course, the leadership of the aliens.
After her talk with Master Gauqur, Jarra had met the next day with the Oidhche Council to explain her plans for them as a part of the Empire. The Council had already gone through a time of change, those that opposed Master Gauqur forced to remove themselves and a group of more progressive leaders appointed. Once they understood that she really intended to treat them as allies and allow them to continue their own autonomous rule, only accepting the Emperor and the Crown as being over them, they quickly agreed to her few stipulations. The most important stipulation had been the need for the selection of their own Ambassador, and Jarra had been surprised but pleased with the choice of Young Master Rae to fill that role.
Despite being young by Oidhche standards, Rae had been perfect for the role, already an agent for reconciliation between the local groups. Jarra had seen the look in his red eye and understood, for he had been haunted by the results of their attack on the palace of the Imperials. That was something she could understand, for she still regretted the results of some of her own actions. Actions forced upon her by war, but still not something to allow to become accepted without regretting the consequences.
Rae and the three human Ambassadors had already met and decided to open a joint Embassy for the planet as opposed to separate ones, and that idea fitted perfectly with Jarra’s plans, even better than she’d expected to hear. Construction had already begun on the site of the old Imperial palace. The Embassy would occupy the same space, but would not become such a horribly extravagant display of wealth and power that the Imperial palace had been.
Recognizing that it was time to get everything underway, Jarra stood to speak to the crowd. She gave them a pleasant smile that most returned, if not somewhat tentatively on the part of the ones that didn’t know her.
“Thank you all for coming this evening. We’re here to congratulate everyone on the tremendous work they’ve done here on New Earth as we formally welcome you to the Galactic Empire and to present those we wish to recognize with some small honorific for their part in the events that have taken place these last few days.
“Although I would have strongly opposed the Imperials once I learned of their harsh treatment of the peoples of this planet, I would not have chosen the solution you did to the problem. But I also realize you did not have the advantage of the knowledge of the larger picture that I possess. Therefore, I have declared total amnesty for all.”
That brought applause from the entire crowd, the Oidhche quickly picking up on the actions of the humans and following suit as well as their digits allowed. They knew they were the ones who most benefitted from the royal latitude Jarra had demonstrated, having been the instigators of their little war. Not that anyone was surprised, for they’d all been working together very closely over the last few days and had come to respect one another. The applause lasted for several minutes and Jarra let it run as she knew for many of them it was a celebration of their new life.
As the applause finally began to die down, Jarra reached to her side to take Jason’s hand. “As my beloved will be glad to explain to you if you ask for details, our meal is not quite Corsica prime rib, but it is still a most excellent one. So as to not allow it to grow cold, I will save the rest of our conversation for the end of the meal.”
She released Jason’s hand to allow her to open her arms expansively over the crowd. “Thank you again for all you’d done over the last few days. Everyone, enjoy!”
That brought more applause, but it ended much more quickly as everyone dug into the meal. For each of the races involved, their offerings had been carefully selected for their enjoyment and the preparers had done an amazing job.
For a few moments, everyone was able to enjoy their camaraderie, and many were able to contemplate just how far their world had come in such a short time. For those of New Earth, the future now looked bright — not without problems or concerns, but nevertheless quite promising.
Still, Jarra had one more surprise reserved for them.
Jarra and her table all enjoyed their meal which was indeed quite good, despite it not being Corsica prime rib. It appeared that the other races felt the same based upon their levels of consumption. She waited until everyone was about finished before sending a quick implant message to the technician that had entered the room moments before.
“Proceed, Simon,” she sent simply, no other message required.
“As you wish, your Highness,” was the quick reply. Simon was obviously pleased that she’d remembered his name. He had been one of the first volunteers to arrive and Jarra had immediately put him to work. He’d especially enjoyed this last assignment.
Jarra stood to address the crowd. “Friends and guests, I direct your attention to the view on the wall in front of us.”
The image of the Galactic Emperor appeared on the wall. Simon had directed the work to install an extremely large VR display on the wall and on Jarra’s command he completed a real-time connection to the Emperor in his quarters. Because he was in the informal setting, the people of the room were not required to bow, a fact lost on some but understood by the ones that would normally have done that very thing.
&
nbsp; The Emperor of the Galactic Empire gave them a big smile. “Citizens of the Empire, I thank you for allowing me a moment of your time. It is with great pleasure that I welcome your planet to the Galactic Empire. Congratulations!”
A happy cheer flashed across the room. It had been difficult but Jarra had managed to keep secret the status of the disposition of their application for joining the Empire. Provisional, of course. That still was necessary and Jarra had taken advantage of a loophole in the clauses that defined a Provisional member of the Galactic Empire.
After a moment, the applause died down. Obviously, the Emperor had more to say.
“Due to the special circumstance of your peoples, I’ve decided to invoke a special clause in your Charter. You are a full Provisional member of the Empire, but I’ve declared your planet a Protectorate State.”
He paused a moment to allow them to think about what he said, although many of those gathered had never heard of a Protectorate State and were looking around in confusion.
“For those that don't understand the ramifications of that, I will attempt to explain. A Protectorate State is defined as a planet that has developed separate from the Empire and is not on par with us technologically. Despite the advancements your peoples have made, I believe that definition applies to you.
“What it all comes down to is this. You will be entirely in control of your planet. You will decide the level of interaction with the Empire and you will have the right to refuse access to anyone or any group of people. Your Embassy will also have full Ambassadorial status as in being a sovereign entity.
“Your Protectorate status will remain until it is deemed no longer necessary, but I’ve placed a moratorium on reviews for the first twenty-five years. That will be the soonest it can be revoked, something I believe you will need and should take advantage of.”
