Then Tabitha added, “Solon, I have spent more time with these people than you, and I must agree if only because I have found them to be generous and kind. They are not the type of people who would simply destroy a people. I believe we should give them the benefit of the doubt.”
Solon sat and thought a while, then said, “Very well. It seems each of you share a common vision. Therefore, I will set aside any preconceived notions and embrace this change. It is out of my hands now anyway. We will see what the Empress has to say when we get to the palace.”
“Very well said. A toast, then, to the potential the future holds.”
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They followed the Empress and Archduchess through the corridors. Stephanie finally stopped and opened a door into a courtyard. They walked across the courtyard and she opened a door to a villa that was furnished extravagantly, far nicer than anything they had ever seen.
“I believe you will be comfortable here until your King arrives.”
Helen said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Please, I will give the three of you this boon because of my initial friendship with Helen. When we are alone together as we are now, call me Stephanie. This lady is my sister, you may call her Heather.”
“Thank you, Stephanie. Solon, my brother, is very much the same way. He only let’s people use his title in public, but never in private.”
“So, tell me, what did you truly hope to achieve today?”
“Well, Heather, we wanted to stop the Empire from destroying our world.”
“How exactly do you think we would destroy your world?”
“By taking all the water and leaving our planet desolate. We would have to move our people to another world to survive.”
“Dear, our goal is not to destroy your world. There are over forty planets in your system, and only a few of them are inhabited. We would only take water from uninhabited worlds, and then only as much as we need to replenish certain reservoirs on some of our planets.”
“Yes, our goal is to support the Empire’s need for water, but never at the price of destroying a people.”
“You mean we misunderstood your intention?”
“Yes.”
“But we read about the harshness of the Empire.”
“Jeffrey told me you were reading journals from the Empire that existed nearly a thousand years ago. Yes, they were ruthless, harsh, and punished any dissent with violence.”
“But our Empire is only a few years old. We were a Republic for many years, but the council decided we were growing so fast that an Empire was the only way to effectively govern. I was the Federation Council President, and they selected me to be the first Empress.”
“We much prefer freedom. We value hard work, independence, and fair play.”
“So, your King was defending his realm from an Empire that ceased to exist centuries ago.”
“But what about all the traders we found who said they could not fight the Empire?”
“You found people who know we will fight those who seek to steal from others, who seek an unfair advantage, and we will be ruthless in stomping out these traits. We are working hard to establish fair trade throughout the galaxy, but there are still those who would push back. We simply overwhelm them to assure we are victorious.”
“The three of us are missing so much information and knowledge. We only recently learned of space travel, and now we find ourselves as guests of an Empress, surrounded by technology we didn’t even know existed until recently, and much we still don’t understand. I hope you can forgive us if we ask questions about things that you would expect anyone to know.”
“Edric, we know you have a gap in your knowledge. That is why I asked Heather to coordinate a special class for you.”
“Yes, beginning tomorrow morning you will be in class from early morning until late in the evening. You will be given presentations on the current state of our science, technology, history, culture, art, music and many other things. Our goal is to bring you into our current age as quickly as we can.”
“So, I encourage you to get some rest tonight, because starting tomorrow morning you will be overwhelmed with information.”
Helen said, “Stephanie, you have shown your heart to me and helped me when all hope had ended. Now you are showing all of us your love for us by helping us again. I, we, can never repay you.”
Stephanie hugged her, and said, “You are my friend. Now, all of you, get some rest. Heather and I have work to do.”
They left the three standing in the villa. Once they were gone, Helen said, “Welcome to the Imperial Palace!”
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The day arrived when King Solon would meet the Empress. Stephanie was seated on the throne, and Heather was to her left. At the base of the stairs to her right, hidden from view, were Helen, Kare and Edric, surrounded by guards.
Jeffrey brought Solon to the palace, where a thousand soldiers dressed in formal garb stood in formation for them to walk through. As they entered the huge throne room, more soldiers lined the path through the gathered crowd to the front, where the Empress waited.
Archduke Wilson bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, may I present to you King Solon of the Outer Sea System.”
Solon stood tall and did not bow, looking directly at her. Stephanie looked at him for a moment, then stood up and walked down the steps to stand directly in front of him. She stood on the bottom step, and as they were the same height, she looked slightly down at him but right in the eyes. After a moment, he lowered his gaze, and said, “Your Majesty.” Stephanie then turned and walked over to Jeffrey, waving for Heather to join them, for a short conversation.
Kare was beside herself watching her brother, and said, “Solon!” as she broke free from the guards and rushed into her brother’s embrace. Stephanie waived for the guards to let Helen and Edric also move out to greet Solon.
After a few minutes, the Empress walked past them and up the stairs to the throne. She looked at them, then sat and picked up her Royal Scepter and made a decree. “I declare that all of the Outer Sea Star System shall henceforth be the property of the realm. I also declare that the process of gathering water, determining a fair price, determining which planets to draw from first and all other concerns for this system, will be managed and controlled by one house. I further declare that a share of all profit from sales of water will go to the new Sovereign Prince of the Outer Sea, whose house will control the system.”
She then stood, and setting her scepter down, walked to the step above Solon, and said, “I will name you the Sovereign Prince of the Outer Sea System, if you accept, and on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“You renounce your title as King and kneel to me.”
Solon was overwhelmed by everything. He knew he held no power against such a powerful Empress. He fell to his knees at her feet, saying, “I accept, Your Majesty.”
Stephanie smiled, and taking the sword provided by the Archduke, named him as such. “Rise, Sovereign Prince Solon of the Outer Sea.” Then she said, “I need the three of you to also kneel. Princess Helen of Shirfalla, I name you Marquess of Outer Sea. Prince Edric of Azulon and Princess Kare of Immoria, I name you the Marquis and Marchioness of Outer Sea, because someone has to be in the star system in charge. Now rise, all of you, and welcome to the Imperial Court.”
As they stood everyone applauded. Solon looked over at Jeffrey and smiled, since Jeffrey said the negotiations would be well in his favor, if he could just compromise a little. He nodded at him, and he nodded back.
“Archduchess Wilson, please take our guests to the private quarters provided for them and prepare a gathering after the Sovereign Prince has been brought up to speed on current events.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Stephanie then walked up and took her seat, while they departed. Now for the rest of the day
’s business.
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“Thank you, grandmother, for letting Tabitha also participate in the accelerated education process you provided for Solon and the others. She is in even more in awe of where we have come in our journey to explore the galaxy.”
“You’re welcome, Landon. It was your grandfathers thought that the two of you were getting close and this would level the knowledge gap between you. From what I have seen, I believe he is right?”
Landon blushed, saying, “Yes, grandmother. I have never met anyone so grounded, passionate, resourceful, and beautiful. I think she is everything I have ever dreamed of.”
“Well then, perhaps the two of you should join us tonight for the gathering we have prepared for your aunt and Solon.”
“That would be wonderful. I will find Tabitha and let her know.”
The gathering was arranged in what they called the Roman Gardens, because there were so many columns of various sizes, styles, color of material, and shapes. There was statuary from many different planets. It was quite a superb location for an evening get together. There were quiet places with small ponds and waterfalls, fountains and art, small footbridges, and several gazebos. It was a lovely place that Stephanie often walked through.
They had invited only close family and the new arrivals from Outer Sea, about twenty people gathered. Jeffrey was visiting with Solon when Heather escorted Stephanie into the small garden where they were all gathered.
Solon looked at her and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty.”
She walked up to him and said, “Solon, we here gathered are all family. In this group, in this garden, please call me Stephanie.”
He took her hand and kissed it. “I will be delighted to call you Stephanie.”
Stephanie blushed.
“Very well, now that the introduction is complete, how about if we eat.”
Stephanie laughed, “You know, brother, I do think that, besides Heather, you only think about your stomach.”
“No Stephanie, sometimes I think even I come in second place to his appetite.”
“You see, Solon, how poorly I am treated here.”
Solon laughed, saying, “Oh, I don’t think you will get any sympathy from anyone in this crowd.”
“See Jeffrey? Even the newest arrival can see through your pretend pity party.”
They all laughed, including Jeffrey.
“So, tell me, Solon, what do you make of our effort to lead humanity into the future?”
“When you are so ignorant you are not even aware of your own ignorance, it is a humbling experience to realize what you did not know. I am certain I owe many people an apology for making decisions based on my lack of knowledge, but I realize I only knew what I knew. Now, after these past few days being stuffed with so much information, and my head hurts from it as well, I can honestly say it appears the Wilson family has accomplished some nearly impossible tasks. But my question for you is this, how have you accomplished this while maintaining your sense of perspective and purpose, while staying true to yourselves and your mission?”
“Jeffrey, would you take a stab at that?”
“Of course. Solon, when this project first began there were four of us. Tamara, my daughter, Erica, my personal assistant, Stephanie, my security chief, and myself. We began this trusting each other and everything we did was focused on enhancing that trust. We all knew we needed each other to maintain our sanity in such a chaotic world and a highly challenging process.”
“It wasn’t too long until Heather joined us. Heather provided such unconditional love we could all feel. While we were a good team before, she melded us together into a family. And not just the four of us either, but our extended family as well. She brought Gabby into our family. It was through her that Stephanie became our sister.”
“Today, we have learned through time and experience that we cannot survive without each other. We all play our part, while acknowledging that Stephanie is our leader, but we all value each other.”
Stephanie added, “Yes, and we value our purpose. It is not easy trying to find a path to help everyone have opportunity and fairness. But that is the prime goal, while also trying to keep everyone safe from harm.”
Heather said, “I agree. We are not perfect, but I believe we have kept our focus and vision, as well as our hearts, in the right place.”
“And you, Solon, I understand you and Edric found a way to end centuries of fighting and unite your island. That took courage.”
“Thank you, but it also took something you have here. It took strong women. In our case, it took my sister, Kare. She was strong enough to understand the need we had to unite as one, and strong enough to fall in love with my mortal enemy, regardless of the cost. I believe she is our hero.”
Kare blushed, not being used to hearing this type of accolade.
Stephanie was about to speak when a Chef Stanley entered, saying, “Dinner is served.”
Stephanie sat at the head of the table, with Edric to her left and Heather to her right. They decided to space people around the table, so Tabitha sat by Heather and Jeffrey sat by Edric. Then beside Jeffrey was Kare, by Tabitha was Landon, By Landon was Helen, By Kare was Erica. Between Helen and Erica sat Solon, at the other end of the table. Ten people at one table. The remaining family members sat at several smaller tables around the larger table.
Stephanie began, “We say grace here, so would ask you to bow you heads for a moment of thanks. Jeffrey?”
“Thank you. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gifts we constantly receive from you. We thank you for our health and our family and friends. We thank you for guiding us as we help guide this universe in the right direction. We do ask that you bless those less fortunate and those who are sick, helping them have the best life they can and healing their sickness. We thank you and ask you to help us be better stewards of all we have been given. Now please bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies, and us to your service. In Christ’s name, amen.”
“Amen.”
The conversations centered around many subjects, with quiet conversations between individuals to group discussions of life and change. Finally, the meal was complete, and people began milling around in the gardens. Stephanie asked Solon if he would join her. They walked down a path and turned right into a more secluded area.
“This is my favorite spot in the gardens,” she said. “If you look into the stream under the bridge you can see Koi and Shubunkin, among other types of fish. They are beautiful, and the location is so peaceful.”
“Yes, it is.” He paused for a moment, then said, “There is a question I must ask you.”
“Okay, let’s walk while we speak.”
“I heard about this rejuvenation, and someone said you are actually sixty-seven years old. Is this true?”
“No, it is not. I am actually ninety-five years old chronologically, but yes, I am sixty-seven years old biologically. My current life expectancy is for another one hundred and seventy years.”
Solon stopped and looked into the water. Stephanie waited, as she understood this was difficult for some people to grasp.
“I am thirty-one, with a life expectancy of about another fifty years.”
“Yes.”
“But we look, now, like we are almost the same age.”
“Well, realistically, we are. My biological clock puts me in my early thirties. But my reality is of much more experience in life. Jeffrey is older still. He is one hundred and thirteen years old, chronologically.”
“Wow, yet he remains nearly playful.”
“Solon, we three, Heather, Jeffrey and I, have all shared so much, we have lived a life with a short life expectancy, we have experienced this rejuvenation with an extended life expectancy; we are happy, healthy and loving life. I think sometimes this is one of the reasons we are able to remain so focused on the good, ins
tead of the intrigue of power. We are enjoying what we do.”
“Why haven’t you ever married, Stephanie?”
She blushed, and said, “Because I have not met the man I would love forever.”
“But can you, as an Empress, allow yourself to find love?”
“I can only hope that love finds me, Solon. A love for eternity is the one thing that has eluded me all of my life. I fear living for hundreds of years and never finding what true love feels like.”
“I cannot imagine that you could ever have gone for as long as you have without finding true love. I certainly cannot imagine you living your life without it.”
“What of you, Solon. Why have you never married?”
He bowed his head for a moment, then said, “I am afraid of love, Stephanie. I am afraid because I have never been allowed to feel love in my life. The only person I have loved, besides my mother and father, who both died when I was young, is my sister. I have been forced to fight and fight more. I have been forced to be the leader, alone, with no one there who could be beside me. So, I have closed my heart and don’t know how to open it back up.”
Stephanie took his hand, and said, “Walk with me Solon. Hold my hand, walk with me, and begin a new journey where you are allowed to feel. Let your feelings lead you. Let your heart lead you. Do not fear, I am here, just walk with me.”
Solon took her hand and they began a slow stroll through the gardens.
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Edric and Kare needed to return to Outer Sea to manage the water projects, because the fleet of tanker ships were nearing the system and needed guidance on where to begin taking water.
Solon hugged Kare, saying, “Take care, sister. Make sure you only let them take water from those planets where we are not settled.”
“No worries, brother. We will get it right. Also, perhaps we could discuss Prince Johansen and his future role? I am sure he will think he should be involved in this process, as he was technically equal in rank to Helen, Edric and I. He might believe he is the one that should be making these decisions.”
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