The Return to Strange Skies (JNC Edition)

by Hiroyuki Morioka

  “This is Gate 193 of Céïchu. It was the entry point of the invasion. The reconnaissance half-fleet Ftuné carried out reconnaissance in force...”

  A red dotted line extended from Gate 193 , dividing the Ilich Monarchy as it stretched. The gates that the dotted line intersected turned into red glints.

  “The enemy has made the gates in the area into temporary military operation bases, totally blockading any and all passage. Of course, if that was all, the Star Forces would be able to break through with ease. The problem lies here...”

  Now another area within the Ilich Monarchy (on the far side of the Sfagnoff Gate as viewed from Lacmhacarh) shifted red. Its borders were indistinct, but it included several gates . Then a red arrow emerged, advancing fiercely toward the Saudec Ilicr (Ilich Gate), the entrance to Lacmhacarh.

  “The enemy aimed for the capital with 120 half-fleets . Their actions on Sfagnoff must have been a diversion. While we surmised as much, we never dreamed they would make another place in the very same monarchy their invasion’s point of entrance.”

  Now a blue arrow arose from the Ilich Gate to collide with its blue counterpart.

  “We responded in kind, and under the command of Fïac Glaharérr Rüé-byrer (Their Highness the Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Fleet), counterattacked with 140 half-fleets . And though we succeeded in repelling the invasion, it was not without a great number of casualties. We have lost many talented men and women, and many ships.”

  The map disappeared.

  “That is all we have established as of this point in time. Earlier, it was reported that the Imperial Fleet is in pursuit, conducting reconnaissance around the entrance point. It must be said that the enemy cannot be failing to fortify their defenses in the area, however. Meanwhile, we don’t have enough resources to initiate large-scale military action. That is because we must send troops to defend the remote regions and search with great care for other entrance points that may exist, all while planning the reconstruction of the Star Forces . It will take a minimum of three years to break down the two walls that now divide the Ilich Monarchy . Beyond those walls, there is only a single half-fleet to contend with. Even then, it’s only really a half-fleet if they mobilize, as they are troops without a unified chain of command. They would be helpless before a full-fledged offensive.”

  Jinto reflected on what it all meant. The Countdom of Hyde , too, lay beyond the walls...

  “It is extremely unfortunate, Ïarlucec Dreur ,” said the Empress dolefully. “It’s a shame that in exchange for the good news you brought us, We must give you such deplorable news. It was a failure on the part of the Empire , and now there are no words We can offer to rationalize it. Yet the facts are the facts, and We cannot expose the entire Empire to danger in order to save a part of it. All contact with your territory-nation has been severed, and We do not see it being recovered in the near future.”

  Jinto was stunned. Not only had all links to his birth planet of the Countdom of Hyde been taken from him, but also those to his second homeland, the Countdom of Vorlash . His entire past was now sectioned off. And yet, shockingly, he felt not an ounce of sorrow. Jinto reacted to his lack of an emotional reaction with trepidation and confusion.

  Chapter 12: Daughter of the Empire

  On the day that Jinto and Lafier arrived in Lacmhacarh, a meeting of the Council of Abdicant Emperors convened in the Imperial Palace .

  The council was made up of one abdicant emperor chosen from each of the eight royal families . Its only functions were to oversee the promotion of, and reward or punish, starpilots that were imperial family members.

  Under the principle, or perhaps pretense, that the most outstanding starpilot among a generation in the imperial family was to occupy the Jade Throne , it was the role of the Council of Abdicant Emperors to take their time in choosing the Emperor to be.

  Needless to say, the topic of the session was to deliberate whether the First Royal Princess of the Royal House of Crybh was a worthy starpilot, and by that token, a worthy candidate for the emperorship.

  The meeting lasted for five days. In addition to Lafier’s own report, they scrutinized the testimonies of the former baron and servants that had been pulled out of the Febdash Barony .

  Finally, on the last day, Lafier was called to the Üabaiss Fanigalacr (Chamber of Abdicant Emperors), which was a spacious, circular room with the eight-headed gaftnochec dragon depicted on the floor’s center, and a raised platform in front.

  When Lafier identified herself, the holograms of the various abdicants appeared. They were the elders of the Abliar, old souls trapped in young flesh. Lafier bowed down.

  “We are gathered to determine whether you, Fïac Lamhirr of the Royal House of Crybh , are suitable to be appointed a starpilot . We have some questions for you, and so we shall be conducting a hearing,” declared speunaigh raica (former emperor) Nisoth Dugasr (Their Eminence Dugass).

  “Raise your face and look up, Fïac Lamhirr ,” spoke Nisoth Dusumr of the Lartïéc-Balgzédér (Royal House of Balgzédé), eldest of the imperials .

  “Yes,” said Lafier.

  All eight abdicant emperors were gazing down at her, including Dugass and Dusum, who stood at the center. It appeared the two of them would be the driving force behind Lafier’s hearing.

  Dugass was among the youngest of the abdicants , but he too had already reached centenarian age — of course, his hundred plus years did not mar his youthful form. Physically, his aging had stopped halfway through adolescence, and so one could still see the sprightly boy in his especially juvenile visage.

  On the other hand, Dusum was well past two centuries in age. He had a poise all his own, his long flowing ringlets the light purple that came with occasional bleaching. For one reason or another, he relied on his frocragh , and was not wont to open his eyes. Even now, his eyes were screwed firmly shut.

  Lafier was nervous. Though this was the first time she’d been the subject of the Council ‘s discussion, she had heard various things about it. Rumor had it that since the abdicants , who had retired from both war and commerce, had nothing else to do, they had honed their skills in ferreting out the faults of young Abliars.

  “Usually, radéüragh bucragr (starpilot aptitude examinations) are boring affairs,” said Dugass. “Most children may believe otherwise, but picking apart every little thing about a trainee starpilot ’s conduct is not a very amusing pastime. One among us has commanded a fleet of 100,000 ships, and another among us has laid waste to a notorious interstellar power. Why, then, would we take delight in such trifling concerns?”

  This was a nod to the achievements of Nisoth Dulardr (Their Eminence Dulardh), who led the Shashyne Campaign one hundred years prior.

  “However, your case was a fun one, Fïac ,” said Ramlonh of the Lartïéc-Üescor (Royal House of Üesco). Giving the title of Fïac a disdainful tang was a special skill of the elderly imperials .

  “Your actions were found to be unmindful in numerous ways. The atmospheric leakage incident in the Febdash Barony was particularly difficult to overlook,” said Dugass.

  “A petition was filed by the former baron of Febdash ,” spoke Ramynh of the Lartïéc-Scïrr (Royal House of Scirh). “He asked that we refrain from censuring you for your behavior at the barony . However, he is operating under a false impression. It is not the task of the Council of Abdicant Emperors to call you to account. We are here solely to judge your aptitude to be a starpilot . As such, the Empire shall take responsibility for your impressive wake of destruction, deeming it collateral war damage.”

  Lafier had had no doubt otherwise, so she simply stood there.

  “Regardless, the air leak is a serious matter. You can never know for certain what may happen in the midst of battle. And though we may have proclaimed ourselves the Kin of the Stars , I do believe you’re aware that we cannot survive without air to breathe,” quipped Dugass sarcastically.

  “Yes.” Naturally, this only heightened her unease. Nothing would be more
humiliating than to be seen as incompetent despite her clear desire to fulfill her duties. If she was to be judged not worthy to be appointed starpilot, she would have rather not survived her ordeal.

  “That being said, Fïac , the Council was unanimous in agreeing that that was a mistake any very young trainee starpilot could be guilty of,” said Dusum. “Every one of the people gathered here spent their trainee period uneventfully, but went on to make astonishing blunders after becoming starpilots . Do you remember, Nisoth Ramlonr , the day you stood here, and were demoted from commodore to hecto-commander ?”

  “Your Eminence ,” objected a blushing Ramlonh, “I question the necessity to bring up things long since past.”

  Dusum continued addressing Lafier: “Notwithstanding, Fïac , there are two issues even we cannot gloss over. We would like to hear your thoughts on those points.”

  “What might they be?” Resolutely, Lafier stared at the eldest of the Abliars. One could only wonder whether Dusum, who had dispensed with his vision, was able to pick up on the ardent pride of younger Abliar. A faint smile played about his lips.

  “Fïac ,” said Dusum, “while in the Febdash Barony , did you or did you not make use of your status as an imperial to incite a rebellion against the baron ?”

  Before she could answer, Dugass piped up: “Fïac Lamhirr , it is said we Abliars’s souls blaze with imperial wrath. Reluctantly, I must agree. From time to time, I too lose myself to anger. Be that as it may, our subjects not only accept our rule, but harbor love and affection for us. Do you know why that is? It’s because they can distinguish between fury as an individual, and fury as the Empire . Even when one is driven by wrath, if that wrath has nothing to do with the Empire, they do not use the bludgeon that is imperial authority, which no one ought to oppose, to strike one’s personal enemy. And even if there were only one Abliar left, if a fool who would wield the Rüé-greuc (Imperial Command Staff) as a cudgel impelled by personal passions were ever to accede to the Jade Throne , our subjects would lose faith in us. Ever since the Founding Emperor , the ultimate role of the Council of Abdicant Emperors has been to expel those who misunderstand the true meaning of pride from the path to the emperorship ...”

  “Please wait, Nisoth ,” Lafier interrupted.

  “Speak, Fïac ,” Dusum permitted.

  “I did not abuse my social status, nor did I incite a rebellion. I merely asked for the aid of the imperial citizens as a soldier of the Star Forces to end the Baron ’s meddling in my mission.”

  Dusum crossed his arms. “I see. That does make some sense. However, Fïac , if you did not bear the Abliar family name , would it have played out as smoothly?”

  “That is not something that has to do with me.”

  “What exactly do you mean by that?” said Dugass, brows knitted.

  “It was battle, and in battle, luck is a factor. In that I happen to be an Abliar, fortune favored me. If ever I forget to acknowledge luck, and boast of my achievements to no effect, then you may call me haughty, but I did not forget.”

  “If you had been gentry by birth, what would you have done?”

  “I would have acted no differently whatsoever,” Lafier replied without delay. “Even now, I cannot think of a superior plan I could have adopted to ensure the mission succeeded.”

  Dusum smiled. “You may yet be a baby bird, but I must admit, you did well to come through it all.” Lafier couldn’t tell whether by “come through it all” he meant the events at the Febdash Barony , or this hearing.

  “Very well. Should you earn the sympathies of the abdicants , that will be the end of that matter. Have any of you any objections?” Dugass paused.

  No objection was made.

  “Then there’s but a single issue left to discuss, Fïac ,” Dugass continued. “And it is this question that is the most significant by far. In fact, it involves the very foundation of the Empire . We hear you have promised to furnish interstellar ships to terrestrial citizens of the Sfagnoff Marquessate .”

  “That isn’t true!” Lafier rebutted. “All I promised them was that I would beseech Her Majesty the Empress to lend them one or more interstellar ships .”

  “It’s understandable, given how wet behind the ears you are, but you do not fully grasp the weight behind the words of the imperial family . Whenever an Abliar suggests something may be possible, people will assume it will definitely occur. And if it never materializes, they will consider it breaking a promise.”

  “Not only that,” said Ramynh, “but they will then misconstrue it as having been a lie to save your own skin. It will manifest as a mark of shame.”

  Lafier found herself raising her voice: “Your Eminences , that statement is incredibly one-sided!”

  “There is no way you will get your wish to begin with,” said Dugass calmly. “According to the darfass (customs) of the Empire , a person below gentry in status cannot borrow an interstellar ship . Did you not know that?”

  “I was not aware of that...” Lafier bit her lip. The customs of the Empire were wide-ranging, complicated, and arcane. And though she knew the basics, she’d never paid the trivial little details any attention.

  “Now, how ought we to settle this?” Dugass shook his head. “That you didn’t know the custom was an unavoidable development, but a moment’s thought would have clued you in. The Empire and terrestrial citizens owe each other nothing, as the Empire hold terrestrial governments under their aegis, and those governments hold their citizens under their protection. Terrestrial citizens are, in a way, immaterial in the eyes of the Empire. Why, then, did you think interstellar ships could be lent to such people?”

  “How heedless of you, Fïac ,” said Ramlonh.

  Lafier didn’t know what to say. She had not made any surefire guarantee. Anger against the Abliar elders flared within her. They were being unreasonable, irrational. Yet now that they had explained the weight behind the words of the imperial family , she realized there was truth in that idea. After all, she remembered when the servants had misconstrued her promise at the Febdash Barony .

  Suddenly, a ringing laugh. It was Nisoth Dusemr (Their Eminence Dusemh) of the Royal Family of Barce .

  “Your Eminences ,” said Dusemh, who spoke for the first time, “it is just as His Eminence Dugass stated earlier. It would be cruel to pillory a fledgling whose wings have not yet grown feathers. Besides, it is not as though the royal princess endeavored to tell some hideous lie. All she did was speak the truth.”

  Lafier was taken aback. She had not been expecting a helping hand.

  “That is not good enough, Nisoth . Those terrestrial citizens will believe they were deliberately deceived by an Abliar. That is the problem,” Dugass insisted.

  “Then would it not be for the best to lend them the interstellar ship ?” said Dusemh breezily.

  “Not you, too!? Must I repeat the words of Nisoth Duradr ...”

  “In the end, those terrestrial citizens saved a daughter of the Empire ,” Dusemh cut in. “That is a deed worthy of appointment to gentry status. If they are appointed to gentry, and lent an interstellar ship , then the problem disappears.”

  “You would have terrestrial citizens be made gentry so abruptly? That would be unprecedented,” protested Duradh.

  “The Count of Hyde wasn’t even a terrestrial citizen to start with. Compared to that, then...”

  “It was your son that so readily set that precedent, Larth Raica Barcœr (Former King of Barce),” said Duradh bitterly.

  Dusemh’s face turned cool.

  “Please hold on, Nisoth ,” said Nisoth Lamaudor (Their Eminence Lamaudh) of the Lartïéc-Ilicr (Royal House of Ilich). “According to the report, they desire secession from the Empire . Would they take any joy in the prospect of being gentry of that empire?”

  “It matters not whether or not they take joy in it. It is their right to turn down the offer. If they refuse to be gentry , then they cannot be lent interstellar ships , even by us. That is all.”

  “The
y may have gone underground,” said Dugass.

  “That is fine.” The abdicant of the Royal House of Barce grinned mysteriously. “As luck would have it, the airship fleet is operating in the Sfagnoff Marquessate . If we were to send the rank and file to search for them, we can accompany them anywhere, by gunpoint if necessary. Let us inform the populace that they are to be appointed as gentry . They can then accept or refuse the offer, with the understanding that if they refuse, they will not be lent interstellar ships , but will be given some other reward as consolation.”

  “But the Star Forces aren’t geared toward that sort of work,” said Lamaudh.

  “If it proves beyond the Star Forces ’ powers, then that just means we should employ the Institute of Crests .”

  This is insane, thought Lafier, who had gone pale.

  Much as the name suggested, Institute of Crests was a government office that dealt in the safekeeping of the crests of nobles and gentry , and managed genealogical trees and family ranks. However, their operations expanded from there, and now they also administered covert investigations throughout the domains and territory nations , taking on the role of a kind of secret police.

  “I thought we were talking about ‘gratitude,’” said Duradh uncomfortably.

  “Yes, this is of course an act of thanks. We don’t wish to be called ungrateful.” The fan-shaped sleeves of Dusemh’s fécséïc (vestment) fluttered. “That is why we will hold a pomp-filled appointment ceremony on Clasbule’s surface. Oh, and it would be wise as well to invite people known for being Secessionist Party members and extremists as the guests of honor.”

  “Why in tarnation would we do that...?” said Dugass, flashing Dusemh an extremely confused look.

  “Those that yearn for independence disdain the Empire . I believe they are laughing at us and look down on the Empire as being unable to crack down on them.”

  “Are you saying we should clamp down on them, Nisoth ?” Repulsed, Dugass hid his mouth with a sleeve. “That would be inelegant.”