Chapter 143: [ Book 2 ] Chapter 3: Messages

Once the ministers departed—Tryssnym padding along last like a vagrant on an afternoon stroll—the Imperatrix's chief advisor entered the chamber. In sharp contrast to the minister, Ghadrenis approached as fast as he could while maintaining decorum.

The elder Pree had served the royalty in varying capacities, rising to chief advisor for Rragustus's predecessor. There, he’d managed to steer the Imperatrix from many disastrous decisions. Rragustus had witnessed some of these occurrences and learned from his predecessor's failings. By the grace of the Spirits, the previous Imperatrix left Ghadrenis behind on the Auturia trip. As groomed and capable as Rragustus was for the role, he couldn’t imagine doing it without Ghadrenis.

Ghadrenis came alongside Rragustus. They padded to the other end of the hall to the next scheduled task. “My Imperatrix, how did the ministers take the news?”

Punctual and to the point, as Rragustus liked. “Better than I expected. Minister Tryssnym had his opinions, and didn't like my refusal to reveal our resources. But they supported the plan of action in the end.”

“I still have concerns one or more of the ministers may be relaying information to the opposition regents.”

“Your concerns are warranted More than one of them is playing both sides.”

They reached the end of the hall. Rragustus stepped to the panel. It scanned his face and voice.

“Their shortsightedness could doom our culture,” the chief advisor said as the sturdy doors opened.

They entered the cozy Imperatrix chamber. A circular table occupied the center of the space. Centuries-old tapestries lined the gaps between alcoves on the high walls. In each recess rested a carved stone head of previous Imperatrixes posed in stoic grace. Above their distinguished gazes was a domed ceiling painted with a star-filled summer’s night.

His predecessor updated it to curved displays for a dynamic view generated from live cam streams. Rragustus preferred the former state. Some things were timeless and should remain as they were. Ghadrenis added the removal of the displays as a priority project for the castle’s maintenance staff.

The chamber was intimate and formal all at once. Countless important decisions were made beneath the implied wisdom of Imperatrixes past. Stepping through the threshold still left Rragustus with a slight chill down his back.

He circled the table and sat in the ornate chair. The display activated, showing two priority secureComms. He noted the sender of the first one.

"It arrived while you were in council. I didn't tell you because you didn't need the distraction," Ghadrenis said, stopping Rragustus's anger before it could boil over.

He breathed deeply. "Yes, in retrospect, that was a wise decision."

Rragustus opened the first secureComm. The head of a smug female Pree formed on the display. Regent Anncelis, leader of the Acculturation movement.

“Hello, High Viscount,” she began. All Acculturation-aligned regents refused to address him as Imperatrix, with the reasoning that he had yet to be formally coronated. It was hypocritical, given that they fled their Preemona and were thus not allowing the coronation to occur solely to spite him. As the next in the bloodline, there was no reason the ministers would choose someone other than him. But without the majority blessing of the regents, the ceremony could not be officially concluded.

“By now you’ve received word that the Commonwealth has dispatched a diplomatic fleet to Preemona. Despite all your efforts to undermine the charter, it will be ratified.”

“Empty threats,” Ghadrenis interjected.

“Our people have suffered needless harm over this issue. Thousands have perished. Multitudes more have been ruined financially, emotionally, spiritually. While you’ve only been in reign for a short period of time, I want you to know that I hold you responsible for the sins of the Theocracy. Your progenitor finally heeded the calling of the Spirits and moved toward ratification. It’s a great travesty he was unable to return home and atone for his institution’s previous mistakes.

“But I promise you this. You will fail. The Preservationists will be on the wrong side of history. Our race will move forward. We will grow and adapt, and be better for it. I would tell you that it’s not too late, that you can right all the wrongs committed by the Theocracy. But I know you won’t change your mind. I know you’ll hang onto that sinking ship until the very end.”

She stepped closer to her cam, the view almost entirely taken by her face. “Your reign won’t survive this. We’ll see each other again after you’re dragged from the castle and put on trial for failing your people.

“And tell Ghadrenis if he resigns his position, I’d be open to seeking a pardon for him.”

The message ended. Rragustus dismissed the secureComm with an angry flick of the wrist.

Ghadrenis looked at him. “Imperatrix, you’ll have to excuse me this afternoon. I have some comms I need to make.”

“That’s not funny, Ghadrenis.”

The chief advisor observed him with an all-knowing stare and pointed at the space where Anncelis’s head had been. “That was to be expected. You cannot let her manipulate your emotional state. You know of my undying loyalty and cannot even crack a smile at my joke. The comedic timing was impeccable.”

“Her audacity is maddening! She’s barely blessed with a gram of noble blood and she acts as if she’s a descendent of the Spirits themselves!”

“It’s part of her charm to the Acculturation devotees. She is relentless, talented, and unfortunately for us, on the opposing team. She deserves our respect.”

Rragustus frowned at his chief advisor. “Did you speak to my progenitor in such a manner?”

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“Yes, though he was too foolish to listen at times. But you are not him in that regard, are you?”

Rragustus regarded his advisor, remembering his need for the elder Pree’s counsel. He rubbed his hands on the armrests, imaging what Anncelis would do to the historical artifact that had seated Imperatrixes for over a millennium. She’d probably have it melted down into a waste collector, then replace the throne with some hideous modern design crafted by one of her crazed artist friends who’d ingested too many alterants.

“No, I am not,” Rragustus answered.

“He should have listened to you and stayed here on Preemona. But he didn’t, and it cost him his life. I would never admit it in front of anyone else, but I believe it was for the best. Had he lived, he would have marched us to ratification, and sent us down a path of cultural decline.”

The chief advisor’s words were like a soothing balm to the back of the neck. The Imperatrix let out an extended breath.

“How did you become so wise?”

Ghadrenis shrugged. “A gift from the Spirits, and enough noble lineage to be in the room but not command it. Because I don't make the decision I can fully detach and analyze every situation.”

“That may be true. But I still believe you would’ve made a fine minister.”

“I am honored you would think that, Imperatrix. With that nonsense out of the way, we can move on to ensuring the Anncellis will eat her words come the charter vote."

Rragustus grinned at the thought of that and opened the other priority secureComm. Rows of tiny spheres formed into a shifting mass that resembled a generic oval shape unassociated with any known race.

“Imperatrix Rragustus, thank you for your time as always. I know how valuable it is,” the robotic voice of the Cosmogenic liaison said. “We received your update regarding the Commonwealth diplomatic mission. Our leadership concurs with your assessment. The Commonwealth’s move is daring, but also desperate.

"Given the newly-imposed deadline, we must accelerate our timeline to begin the final phase of Project Fidelity. I've been instructed to inform you that the performance of the compound is not where we would’ve liked it to be. However, the science division is confident in the compound's viability and the leeway offered by the size of the target pool. I assure you that if we weren't confident in the project's chance of success, then we wouldn't move forward with it. We're in this together. Cosmogenic only succeeds when the Preservationists do."

A string of pixels rippled over the digitized head like the liaison was hesitant to broach the next topic. "Regarding the issue of the stolen sample, I have a joint operative team tracking the traitor as of now. We will have them in custody shortly. Your faith in Cosmogenic is not misplaced.

"Our leadership greatly appreciates your partnership with Cosmogenic. The Commonwealth continues to threaten Cosmogenic. We must remain in the shadows until we’re strong enough to emerge. When we do, allies such as the Pree will be rewarded. I look forward to speaking with you in person after the charter has been nullified.”

The secureComm ended. Rragustus pressed back into his chair. "This traitor issue concerns me."

“Nothing is ever perfect I’m afraid,” Ghadrenis said. "Even if the traitor eludes capture, they still must get the stolen compound to Acculturation. They'll need the Commonwealth's help to discover what it does. With the summit scheduled, their time for doing so is severely limited. It would almost take an act on the behalf of the Spirits to reveal the truth." He regarded the Imperatrix. "You're thinking deeply. What bothers you?"

"With the end of the charter nearing, I've begun to think of what comes next," Rragustus said.

"Right now, they’re a means to an end for the charter. After that, we will see what Cosmogenic can truly offer us." Ghadrenis stood. "It is time for you to visit the dining hall. I for one am not as nimble as I was when I was your age. I need my midday tea.”

A thought occured to Rragustus. "There is someone I must speak with."

Ghadrenis gave an inquisitive look. “Are you doing what I think you’re doing?”

Rragustus grinned. He would never pass up the chance to surprise his chief advisor.

“Let’s find out.”

He opened the secureComm interface and selected the desired contact. Before sending a connection request, he examined his image on the display. Rotated his chin from one shoulder to the next, ensuring every tendril lay in perfect alignment. His face had the lean build and sharp features of the royal bloodline. His progenitor had failed in that regard too, sporting a perpetual puffiness to his features and narrow-set eyes.

Science could only do so much.

Satisfied with his appearance, the Imperatrix sent the request and waited.

Less than a minute later, the recipient accepted the comm. A striking head and shoulders took form in the air above the desk. Her face was obscured by an elaborate headdress woven into her PD. Painted markings covered the exposed skin. Yet, the beauty beneath was undeniable.

The female eyes focused on the image staring back at her. “Imperatrix, it is an honor to speak with you again. How may I be of service?” Lady Starlight said.

Imperatrix Rragustus of the Pree empire in all but a formality, smiled at arguably the second most influential member of their race and asked his favor.

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