12th April 3504
Solar Illuminate Empire space
Imperial system, Planet Aiur
Capital city Crystal Dagon, Citadel
It had been a mere four days since Julia was granted command of the Pyramid Guard alongside her command of the Blood Ravens.
In the past the Blood Ravens-as an extension of the marines-answered to the Chief of the Marine Corps, who answered to the Navy and then the Supreme Commander and the Empress above that. With the Pyramid Guard too, Julia and the Blood Ravens only answered to the imperial throne. Since both organizations had the same commanding rank title she maintained the Lord Commander title.
Julia was in her office on top the Blood Raven Citadel. She had moved the Pyramid Guard HQ there to have them close at all times.
Her office was white and grey with a giant wall-sized window at her back. Her desk was silver colored with a purple comfy armchair for her.
Currently she was sitting there and looking at the holograms standing on her desk. Before answering the last statement she rolled her eyes.
“No mom. I haven’t gotten married yet.” She avoided sighing. “I’ve been busy getting honored by the Empress.”
“Yes we heard that,” her mother answered. “Commanding the Pyramid Guard too. Impressive.”
Her father put a hand on her mother’s shoulder.
“You are the first person in Illuminate history to hold both offices. That’s far beyond impressive.” He was very proud of that.
Her mom waved him off.
“Yes, yes. But seriously honey, you’re thirty-four. It’s time to get married and have kids,” she said with a serious voice. She was hoping for some grandkids in the near future.
“Mom. You’ll be the first to know when I get married, okay. But I have a carrier to take care off.” She shrugged lightly. She felt like a little girl again every time she spoke to her parents. The Lord Commander in her sort of abandoned the field. “Not every thirty-four year old gets to have an audience with the Empress, or lead the Blood Ravens. Or the Pyramid Guard. Give me some credit. Please.”
“Give her a breather Olivia,” her father suggested with a grin. He was clearly loving this. He always was. “She works in the palace now. Can you imagine how prestigious a posting that is?”
“Oh, fine. You win. But this conversation isn’t over sweetheart.” She made a point to point at Julia, causing her to audibly sigh.
Her dad’s enthusiasm certainly wasn’t translating to her mom. Both their perspectives on this made since. Above all else, there was two things that was important in Illuminate society. Family and duty. Duty to both ones family and the empire. The empire had laws concerning conscription and it enforced that the majority of people had to serve in the Imperial Armed Forces when they became eighteen and mandatory education concluded. The law of conscripted was more relaxed on colonies and lower income families and the upper class. The upper class was excluded from service all together. Nobles did often join the officer academy, but ones they became officers they assumed cushy desk jobs.
Both her parents had served in the Marine Corps when they were young. Her mom was a Gunnery Sergeant and her dad a Corporal when they were assigned to the same Platoon. They served the mandatory two years and settled down on Terga VII, a simple and pitiful agricultural colony. A year later they had two twin boys, Ian and Frodo. Five years later they had Julia. The boys joined the military when they reach eighteen. Ian the navy and Frodo the Army. He was assigned to a garrison on a colony, but it was attacked by an Ork raiding party. He was one of the casualties. A decade after Julia was born they had a second daughter, Raelyn, unfortunately there was an accident on board a passenger liner on a vacation and she was killed. She was just three at the time. Understandably it tore Julia’s family apart and her parents never got over it. She had died the same year Frodo had been reported KIA.
Off course her dad had blamed himself for the longest time. When the ship was evacuated he had taken it upon himself to get Raelyn off the ship while the other evacuated. But he was knocked out in a collapsing corridor and woke up in an escape pod. Ship security had saved him, but claimed not to have seen a child nearby, see he had carried her when he was knocked out. There was nothing left of the ship ones it crashed, not to mention it crashed on a planet the Orks was trying to claim, so very hostile.
“Your brother is quite jealous right now,” her dad said with his grin.
Julia snickered and looked at the little hologram.
“I can imagine. Big bro’s a Captain and I’m a Lord Commander twice over.”
“When you talk to him,” her mom said in a warning tone. “Do not rub it in his face.”
She laughed a little.
“But that’s the funniest part!”
“Let kids be kids, Olivia,” her dad waved it off. “Ian did the same when he made Captain.”
Julia pointed at her dad’s hologram. “Yep, see, see. That happened mom. Revenge!”
Her mom just smiled hopelessly and shook her head. She changed the subject.
“Do you always wear that armor?”
Julia looked down at her red Daedalus Combat Armor with officer’s cloak. The standard for Blood Ravens.
“Outside my house, yes. Wearing the same armor as those I command reminds them I come from the same background as them. I’m not one of those nobles hoping to gain prestige.” She looked at the panel on her desk and keyed it. “I have a meeting soon, I have to go. Love you guys.”
“We love you to dearest,” her mom and dad answered in unison.
She closed the channel and leaned back. She breathed out through her nose and slowly spun around in her chair. Her eyes looked out over the cityscape outside her window. Beside the Citadel there was a few buildings and towers that had the same size, but she could count them all on two hands.
She half turned back to her desk and keyed the console.
“Prepare my escort. I’m leaving for the palace.”
“Yes ma’am!” A young man answered.
Taking the elevator to the bottom floor almost took as long as actually driving the aircar over to the palace. She was let inside the premises and her aircar halted in the yard in front of the palace where she was met by a palace aide. She followed the aide, flanked by two of her Pyramid Guards. She was led into the large garden.
She noted two dozen patrolling guards here and there. There was a solid pattern to it. Actually there was more patrols then she had expected in the garden. Then she saw the Empress and it made perfect sense. Whenever her Excellency was outside Julia had ordered that security around her would be increased. An extra six patrols was present than. They kept their distance but kept an eye on her at all times.
Julia had no doubt that there was a lot of people that saw to controlling or eliminate the child. She wouldn’t allow her harmed as long she she was in charge of her security. Security procedures was increased and from the point she assumed command, no one was allowed to keep their own security inside the palace. Before nobles had always had their own personal guards, that would change. She thought it too big an unnecessary risk. Their security would be made up of Pyramid Guards while on the palace grounds.
Actually, there had already been a few protests from noble families that heard about the coming changes. They felt that because of their wealth and position they were above the rules of even the palace. They thought they were above even her Excellency’s authority. Her Excellency’s safety came secondary to their own comfort and wishes in their minds. But not on Julia’s watch. She didn’t give a damn about what others thought of this. As long as the Empress was safe, she didn’t care.
She saw Supreme Commander Indiana Zhann. The Chiefs of all branches of the military, with only the Empress above her authority.
She was dressed in the uniform of an Imperial Admiral. Fitting since she had been an Admiral in the navy before her promotion to Supreme Commander by late Emperor Victus.
The uniform composed on two parts, pants and a tunic. While the pants was pitch black the tunic was white with three blue stripes going from the right side of her waist up to her left shoulder. Her chest was filled with medals and ribbons.
It ranged to the Medal of Honor, Defense of the People, Red Star Medal, Soldier’s Medal, eight Purple Hearts, 42nd, 43rd, 44th and 45th Ork Campaign Medals, the Hallana Campaign Medal and the Nul’faari Ascendency Skirmish Campaign Medal. A truly impressive sight. It spoke volumes about what kind of life she had lived and what kind pf person she was.
Julia wondered how she had been awarded the Red Star. It was an award a soldier could be awarded after fighting insurmountable and unwinnable odds-while being severely wounded-and proving victorious. Not many men and women was awarded that because of the extraordinary circumstance surrounding it.
Supreme Commander Zhann was facing Julia as she approached, her hands clasped behind the back of her tunic. She was flanked by two Pyramid Guards.
Julia halted in front of her and saluted.
Zhann saluted back with a pleasant smile.
“Lord Commander Chandonnet. I figured we’d do this outside, it being nice weather and since it’s just unofficial and all.”
“Sounds good, sir,” Julia agreed.
They slowly started strolling together through the flower clad garden. It was a truly magnificent sight.
Supreme Commander Zhann was quite tall, standing at almost two meters. She had black lovely had that was mixing with grey, her skin was very dark, speaking of her ancestry on Earth’s African continent. As Julia understood it, the very center of the continent.
“I was under the impression Admiral Hollins would be here.”
“He was,” Zhann confirmed. “Be he is busy. Sort of. Really he’s furious and declined to meet with me unless he really had to.”
Julia frowned in confusion.
“Sir?”
Zhann smirked a little.
“He and I spoke via holo-communication yesterday. He wanted to keep the Blood Ravens under the authority of the Marine Corps, and in extent…him. As it has always been and for good reason. However with your command of the Pyramid Guard the Blood Ravens-as you know-are no longer under the authority of the Marines and Navy and now only answer to the me and the Empress. He wanted it returned to his authority. I told him no.”
In Julia’s opinion Hollins was a very petty man who could hold a grudge forever and beyond. She could see why he would be outraged over this. It was a loss of face for him to some extent to lose control of the Elite branch of the military.
“I see.”
“He already didn’t like me after I took the role of Supreme Commander of all Imperial Forces over him. A woman and a commoner?” She chuckled. “Outrageous!”
Julia returned a light chuckle.
Her tone sounded so casual. Julia had often found herself surprised by the Supreme Commander. She had a genuine casualness to her.
“But for the record, Chandonnet. I cannon, and will not try to subvert a decision made by her imperial majesty. Over my dead body will anyone else either.” Her voice was now firm and completely serious.
She heard the sound of a girl yelling some sort of adorable battle cry and looked towards the source. As she figured earlier she saw Empress Sini playing. She was waving a wooden sword around. She cried out “Aha!” And cut a long blue flower off halfway down the stalk.
She was about fifteen to twenty meters from them.
Ahead of the two women was a pond, twenty m2. A few individuals was standing there, all of them members of High Command.
Julia recognized the Minister of Colonial Affairs, Minister of Intelligence and the Chief of the Army. Plus some guards nearby.
She kept a neutral expression and avoided looking surprised about their presence. What was this about?
After a quick round of greetings the Chief of the Army requested, “Could you have the guards give us some more privacy. We don’t need any ears overhearing this.”
“Then maybe we should have met in the Council chamber,” Julia retorted in a neutral voice. “Like High Command usually does.”
“It is such a lovely weather, though, isn’t it?” The Minister of Colonial Affairs quipped.
The Minister had three of his own personal guard present since the changes hadn’t gone into effect yet. But soon they would and the guard would have to stop at the door.
There was four seconds of silence.
She than offered a cautious smile.
“Captain, let your men keep their distance.”
“Yes, sir,” the guard Captain affirmed. He ordered the other guards to clear out of the area around the pond.
Julia looked back at the others, her gauntlet covered hands clasped behind her back.
A few more seconds of silence came and went. Zhann looked at the fishes swimming around in the pond.
“Have you managed to catch up on our current debate in the Council chamber?” She than asked.
“Not all. I am working on it though. Lot to keep track of in the beginning.”
“I can imagine,” the Army Chief stated.
She glanced at him.
“I’m managing fine though.” She decided to add that for the record.
“Our latest debate has been about certain, opportunities,” Minister Beckerman of Colonial Affairs said delicately.
“Opportunities?” Julia asked.
“For the future, to safeguard our people’s future,” he added.
“Expansions,” Zhann cut in and said flatly. She earned glances of disapproval from the General and Minister of Colonel Affairs. Though she ignored them and looked at Julia. “High Command is debating a war against one of our neighbors. There are two options. The Orks or the Nul’faari Ascendency. The others make no sense and would drag us into needless blood spilling with alliances drawn in. we do not intend to start a war that kills millions.”
“Not on our side,” the General grunted.
Julia could see the the reasons to attack the Orks. To eliminate, or at least diminish a dangerous threat. An immediate threat. But the Ascendency. She didn’t see that logic.
When she remained silent Zhann continued.
“Beside a…” she looked at the Colonial Minister. “…corporate interest, there are great gains to be made. Besides the obvious of establishing ourselves as a dominant military power. Starting with the Orks. You can see the revenge, and fighting a dangerous enemy. But, there are also several worlds on their side of the border that we desire for their wealth of minerals and fuel. Nobody will question a war against the Orks.”
“It would also be bloody,” Julia said. “They won’t give an inch of land without a fight.”
“Then there is the Ascendency,” the general said. “They have vast territories and an enormous amount of resources. Add to that that their economy is shredded, their ships are outdated and lack the shipyards and crews to repair them all with their manpower shortage.”
“They simply lack the men to protect their planets and keep up a war,” the Minister of Intelligence finally said. He had been quiet up till now.
Julia looked at the Empress playing by herself for a moment.
“What can we gain from them?”
“Resources, fully functional shipyards if we’re lucky that we only has to man and upgrade to Imperial standards. Fuel refineries and ore mines. The most important there is fuel. The Nul’faari has an abundance of fuel,” Zhann said.
Julia knew that they sold fuel to planets and civilizations across known space. They had more fuel than any other race.
“It’s not cut in stone yet,” Zhann continued. “The current vote is five to five. You will be the deciding vote.”
“What of her majesty?”
She earned a laugh from the Minister of Colonial Affairs. Both she, Zhann and the general glared at him, but he didn’t care.
“She don’t get a say,” he said in the same arrogant superior tone nobles had always used.
Julia narrowed her eyes and stared at him. Then to the others.
“That is not how the High Command works,” Zhann said, glaring at the Minister. He just looked smug. “As acting Regent Lord Felix has joined the High Command on our meetings, with his own vote. After our vote we speak to her imperial majesty. If she say no, that’s it.” She glanced at Minister Beckerman specifically. “She’s the Empress. Whatever her age.”
He rolled his eyes.
“She’s a bratty little shit.”
Julia was wide eyed by the comment. Was that how nobles saw her majesty? She knew how snobbish they were, how arrogant they were. But she didn’t realize how little they-or this assholes-thought of her Excellency.
“Watch your tone Minister,” the Zhann warned with anger increasing.
“I’d really watch my tone Freddy,” the Minister of Intelligence suggested carefully.
All I’m saying is, that if we want a war, we can have it. A little child is easily confused, tricked,” he ‘defended’ himself.
Julia ones again looked at Sini.
“Have at thee dragon!” She proclaimed heroically with an adorable voice and waved her sword around.
“No one is tricking her majesty,” Zhann said with finality.
Julia looked at the Chief of the Army, General Santiago. He didn’t batter an eye. Either he was used to Beckerman or he agreed with him. She didn’t like either explanation.
Beckerman folded his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes at the Supreme Commander’s adamant defense of the bitchy little fuck. It was always such an annoyance to hear the ridiculous defenses some morons put up. As if they expected her to survive her childhood. He scoffed at the thought. If they know knew what he thought of the bitch.
“You really think she’ll get much older? Someone’s bound to-”
That was the last straw. Being punched in the face by a clenched fist hurts like hell, but being punched in the face by a titanium gauntlet hurt even more. Julia had reacted quickly and refused to let this go unpunished. He had to understand that she wouldn’t allow this kind of talk.
He was shocked where he was sitting on the ground with a bleeding nose. The shock soon changed to anger and he got up on his feet.
His three guard came running, as did the Pyramid Guards in range.
“How dare you!” Beckerman shouted angrily. “You Goddamn filthy farmer!”
Here we go, Julia thought. The real noble. Just like any other noble. How is someone like him in charge of Colonial Affairs? He’s clearly a maniac. Well connected probably.
She stood in front of him, her eyes fixating on his with a satisfied smirk exchanging her furious one. The brisk wind was gripping her cloak gently. Just like it did the purple cloaks of the Pyramid Guards. The purple armored guards reached the group.
“Beckerman, I suggest you leave. Now,” Zhann said firmly.
“I’m not letting this go! Lord Commander or not I’m not letting this stand,” he growled. “I am a billion times your superior in every way!”
Beckerman glared daggers at Julia, doing nothing else. She was calmer, but glared back at him.
Zhann gave Julia a look and she had the guards escort Beckerman off the palace grounds with his bodyguards in tow. Before Beckerman left Julia looked at him one last time.
“Next time you insult her majesty I will have you arrested and executed, with full accordance with the law.”
He spat blood at her feet in disgust.
He didn’t say a word. No one said a word and the meeting was concluded until another time. Before they separated Zhann told Julia that Beckerman was a good friend of Regent Felix Hadrian and he had saved his career many times before. This would just be another one of those.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLBzFISQgg
