The taxi stopped in front of the residence's gate and upon exiting the car Sarah spotted Ishaan waiting behind the gate. He did not look friendly. Sarah showed the gatekeeper her ID and the gate opened. She slowly walked up to her husband.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrbtDqQqNs
"And where do you think you're coming from?" he asked.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrx4uVto1a
"From outside, as you can see," Sarah said in an earnest voice.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadv43CjONV
Together they walked back to the residence.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJuJTDu0CM
"I'm wondering if you even think before you act every once in a while," Ishaan said.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VDoWVBsCx
"What's that supposed to mean? I felt like taking a walk and so I took it. Why are you so angry about it?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABIXjdtPC9
"Hmm, why could that be? Perhaps because you just disappeared in the middle of the night without telling anyone, just hours after someone tried to blow you up!"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRg61rlt12
"Some amateur tried, some amateur failed. There are seven million people in this city. How would anyone find me when I'm wandering the streets, notably with many other people who are outside just like me?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSkxtl3mrE
"They might observe these very premises. You can't know. Do you think I am only all too happy about losing my wife upon arrival on this planet?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg5XJPigDk
Sarah sighed. "Of course not. But I assure you there was no danger. I was careful and you know I can protect myself."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE73NZshGAN
"Even from a sniper picking you off from a rooftop?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOtyA0Ua81
"I would sense the threat and shield myself."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k1zUWaDSL
"Don't kid yourself. You're not superhuman, you're a normal human with extra abilities."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhecOijeOsG
"It depends on the definition," Sarah said, smirking internally.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX9vv3csLi
"No it doesn't!" Ishaan shouted.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU3N9GpweT
Sarah glanced at him. "I know you worry easily, but I know I can protect myself. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving. I didn't want to disturb your sleep." And I didn't want you trying to stop me, she added in thoughts.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FdDjny02l
"There is such a thing as telepathy, you know? You could have told me that way and I'd have known upon waking up."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXXb8dAMRs
Sarah hesitated before answering. They entered the residence and took the stairs one floor up, where Sarah's office was.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq5XgCQiVe
"I forgot," Sarah said, almost mumbling. "And I suggest we drop it now. I am safe and was safe."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyqAnsFtVA
"Fine, let's drop it," Ishaan said, a clear grumble in his voice. He walked away without saying another word. Sarah sighed and looked at the floor. Ishaan cared about her, but he also became overbearing quickly with his worries. Her temperament did not always help her find the right words.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaylVPJuJQl
"Marital troubles, governor?" a voice behind Sarah said. Sarah turned around and saw Henry standing there, having just come up the stairs.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuwtLPfhMH
"More of a strategical dispute," Sarah said.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ynJNzJxel
"I see. Well, it is not my business."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01INmHf3j4
"It's fine. And please, don't call me governor. Call me 'ma'am,' 'lady,' just 'Sarah' or anything that's neither 'Governor' nor 'Your excellency,' please."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkCCfcXYcW
"Very well, ma'am. If you mind my saying, 'Your excellency' would not be appropriate anyway."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB00Ai98jjd
Sarah chuckled.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWRoDmPGvT
"My meeting with the Admiral is at 9, right?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xd6Hxyu9Z
"Quite so, though she is already here. She said she has unexpectedly arrived early and will wait until you have time for her."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbmQrPb8jT
"Oh, I see. What time is it?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOPIZ7xb0s
"It's 6:50 am, ma'am."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwY96YTE3S
"6:50... We should all be asleep, Henry."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qyqExIqTw
"Yet we are not and work does not care for our sensibilities."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT1VMEDrVm
"Maybe I should invite the universe for a meeting, then."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmhESOsSZl
Henry chuckled. "Quite so, ma'am."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTqbHKrX1c
"Please inform Admiral Laurent that I will see her now in my office," Sarah said.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrU8VjFUMg
"Of course, ma'am." Henry left and Sarah entered her office. Seeing it for the third time, she found the style to be very oldschool with its thick carpet and dark blue colors. Perhaps one day she could redesign it. She sat down behind her desk just when the Admiral entered, prompting her to stand up again and shake the Admiral's hand.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicFkViZZxg
"Thank you for coming, Admiral. Please, sit down."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSip6gHvwTd
Admiral Laurent took off her blue navy cap and sat down.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXsAWOIVPL
"Thank you, governor. I'm here to brief you on Imperial Region North's military capabilities as well as to brief you on our threat assessment, is that right?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEszXOdgnp
"Yes, please," Sarah said. "Would you like a drink?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEobkWtUWdt
"Thanks. Just water, please."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94716033Ow
Sarah poured the Admiral and herself a glass of water and drank from it before continuing.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwIeDbroRC
"Please start by explaining our capabilities and distribution of forces to me first."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhCxdyCLuZ
Admiral Laurent nodded and drank from her glass.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsST1TM58iL
"Certainly, governor. The planets under our responsibility are Ayonar, Illuminon, Andros and Antares. Despite the similarity in names, each of these planets are quite different from each other. I will get to that later. As Head of Armed Operations North, my concern is drawn primarily to matters in space. After reviewing my predecessors work and organization, I've found several issues I disagree with. Firstly, there are the home fleets, responsible for protecting their respective star system. I am barred from using any of their assets in other capacities, which I think is ill-advised at least and, if you mind me saying, stupid to be honest. Military operations are a responsibility of the empire and I will have to write to the Supreme Commander and try to get rid of that regulation. Then, we have the ISOD-led Task Forces for Anti-Piracy, Trade Protection and Scouting operations. Why these are the responsibility of the Special Operations Division is beyond me. They should be Navy tasks. ISOD is too small for these kinds of large operations and I need their forces elsewhere. Furthermore, I disagree with there being three different task forces for protection against piracy. They should be one task force and concentrate on trade protection. Searching and destroying pirate bases so that they cannot raid our commercial shipping anymore clearly has not worked and piracy has risen greatly in prominence during the past five years. We should concentrate on denying access to commercial shipping and starve them out that way. Scouting for pirate activity can also be taken care of by the same navy task force. The 34th Fleet and 68th Fleet should be sufficient for this. 128th Fleet can serve as the fire department for urgent needs and 99th Fleet will can serve as our main assault force against pirate conglomerations."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLtR7ojnaT
"Excuse me Admiral, but why is piracy such a problem?" Sarah asked.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo1QOvq4D8
"It's to do with the Zephalan War. During the war, we hired pirates and promised them a full pardon if they helped out in the war by transporting refugees or supplies through their black market network. Many accepted and we supplied them with weaponry and vehicles. After the war, contrary to our belief, they did not seize the chance to get a normal life again but rather returned to piracy right away. Now they had grown in size because many had joined them while it was legal and they had decently capable equipment in considerable numbers. So we had created our own enemy and because of mismanagement, they were allowed to grow and fester. We don't have the numbers to find all their bases and hideouts and to protect all our trade. Space is bigger than us. It's a war of attrition and it can only be won by making piracy unprofitable and by extinguishing the powder keg we are sitting on. Until then, we must protect trade as best as possible militarily."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoqwoEqRdB
Sarah nodded. "I see, Admiral. I am not much more than a PR girl politically, but militarily, I have full authority so I plan on using that to implement change. I worry about resistance from the politicians and the public, though. How much of a problem is smuggling?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7CpXNdyet
"A huge one. It goes hand in hand with piracy. Sometimes innocent transports leave here only to disappear underway. A few months later, they turn up again with changed registries and maybe even a new paint job. What happens is that they smuggle goods right into the hands of the pirates, who await them and escort them to base. From there, the goods enter the black market network, eventually appearing in even in local supermarkets or online shops with none being the wiser. The ships and their crew lay low for a while, have their registry changed and are inserted into normal life again."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow8R0RFFUJ
"And they have the power to do that."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgWgbnRMJp
"They do, unfortunately. Corruption is on the rise, as is the pirates' know-how. May I speak openly, governor?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKzto94406
"Certainly," Sarah said. The information was worrisome to say the least and Sarah saw her task growing, every sentence adding to a hulking, unrecognizable husk of rot.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcDaHfTJTr
"We are sitting on the trigger of the next war, only that it won't be against the URS nor the Tletans. It will be a civil war. People versus people, at each other's throats because surely your neighbours are the evil that caused your family's struggle and they must be expunged as punishment. Then disagreements arise in the families about how exactly the evil must be purged and so it grinds itself to dust. Resentment against the southern worlds is high. They don't have to accommodate the invaders on their soil. They don't have to worry about pirates as much. They don't have to worry about their jobs or their turnover as much. I'm not an economist, but I can see what is happening and I blame the empire for it. Nevertheless, I serve the empire and as such I will do my duty to correct past mistakes."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs9lFLCeky
"I understand, Admiral. I have no doubts about your loyalty to me." Sarah drank from her glass of water, then added. "And to the empire, of course."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0Lw0OCfuA
"Of course, governor."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZW7LYAKe2
"I will have to build up influence with the local planetary governments and try to amass at least some power of my own if I want to succeed in saving this region. That is going to be troublesome and I expect the military to stand behind me 100%."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD44R5WOP5o
"We do, governor."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3oZ94Tyq9
Sarah smiled. "Then we will turn this place inside out and give it a good washing."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq01C75cu6
"We will, governor. About the Imperial Ground Forces: I am not worried about them. They sit around as usual, waiting for their next invasion. I'm afraid the Ground Forces fluctuate between useless and essential, and just when you want to downsize them, a crisis appears as if they had a guardian angel, making sure that everybody gets their pensions on time. I want to give some of them police training, especially for riots. We may need it."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshSBH4QRQp
"You can issue the directives immediately, I will sign them," said Sarah. "Just make sure that no unnecessary violence on part of the military occurs. Bad press is my worst nightmare right now."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1nkoMba3M
"Understood, governor."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7bPzz3zSc
"Now, what were the things you wanted ISOD to take care of?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jn5UJ20gf
"I need them to identify dissenters and to distribute their forces around the region to make sure that we can always order ISOD to take care of a job that other elements might resist against."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI3xm8QFfe
"So political control and dirty work. Sounds good. Is that it for now?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CzEkMeUx0
"Almost. We have two of the ten existing Black Dawn-class superdreadnoughts under our command. Both are currently operational, though one is slated to be overhauled in six months by Deep Space Engineering Heavy Industries' Aerospace Division on Antares. I want to try and get a third one assigned to us to make sure we always have two of them in operational capacity."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIyDLz7Ask
"Why is that?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN1RpPNpOm
"It enhances our offensive power considerably and it will serve mostly as a show of force, communicating that we really mean it this time."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRsaS8lxYt
"Alright, thank you Admiral."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC9cWtvmQL
"That's all on my part for today and I'll be aboard the Fearless, coordinating fleet deployment. I'm on call for you if you need me, governor."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r8ivCWkVo
"Thank you, Admiral," Sarah said and activated the intercom to call Henry in. She shook hands with the admiral and accompanied her to the door. When she left, Henry entered.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm1lxUC7Dc
"Henry, make a list."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW7WtbHaeC
Henry whipped out his phone and got ready to type.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f1dHZO4we
"I need a communiqué to be sent to the planetary governments of Ayonar, Antares, Illuminon and Andros, informing them of major changes to military organization and deployment in Imperial Region North. The specifics will be supplied by Admiral Laurent's office next week. Then, I need a propaganda campaign drawn up. Subject matter: Human-Zephalan cooperation and integration. Anti-Piracy. Empire-Planet cooperation. Such things, you understand?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTJYsHQaxc
"Certainly, ma'am. Anything else?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgROObGahQ
"Yes. Check with the chancelleries. I want to speak to parliament on all four planets in the coming weeks and I want to know when the chancellors would think it most effective. That's all, thank you."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBb8oMfl2h
Henry nodded and left. As Sarah sank back into her chair and found time to think, the events of last night crept back into her mind. The Zephalan High Guardian was here in this city and he knew her from when she was a baby. If she would see him again, she would have questions. If the High Guardian knew more about magic than anyone from this dimension, he could help her and her family find out things no one had ever known about and solidify Imperial supremacy over known space. Sarah wanted peace, but not at the expense of home. Right now, the greatest threat to imperial unity was imperial disunity. And maybe it wasn't just an imperial issue. Maybe the URS was even involved in all the piracy. The more Sarah learned about the situation, the more she realized how difficult and deep-seated this powder keg truly was. And then there was the bit about her mother. Killed by Sarah's aunt and empress. Or not. Depending on who was saying the truth. Sarah had always liked her family, but never liked her not truly being a part of it. Her parents insisted she was, and maybe, by all real metrics. But not in her emotions, in her mind. It was the only family she had but she was more of a lifelong guest than a daughter. Sarah contemplated her options for a moment, then called the Dark Temple on Zah'Aharon with her holographic phone that was built into the table. After five minutes of waiting time, Empresses Therana Athulis and Samantha Anne Tanas appeared as small holograms on her table.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5GHOKgk7O
"Hello Sarah!" her mother Sam and aunt Therana said, smiling. "How are you? I was going to call later to see if you were well after yesterday's attack."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e8lwxytft
"Hello mom, Therana. I'm fine, yeah, but I was calling because of something else."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTq0Dsg6IL
"Oh, what's that?" Therana asked.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GMD63RX2J
"I met a Zephalan today, the High Guardian of the Remnant under Krazugor Orankan. Do you know him?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64Ms1euStt
"The High Guardian... Yes, we know him. How did you meet him, Sarah?" asked Sam.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR47d6aIRKm
"I walked by his house, so to speak. Last night. And yes, I know I shouldn't have been out at night."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVJQbJYe8O
"You've been an adult for 14 years. I trust you when you say it was safe," said Sam.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj3mT9lRRB
"It was, but he said something that made me wonder: He said you, Therana, killed my mother in a fight near the end of the war." Sarah hesitated and breathed calmly. "Is that true?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF2Lv66vjz
Therana stared at Sarah before saying, "No, it is not true. Your mother died the way we told you, as a victim of war while trying to right her wrongs."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jZdqDzujj
"I see. He did say he had only heard of it and that he may have heard wrong, but I had to ask to put my mind at ease."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL205Ex3yuJ
"We understand, Sarah. Do you plan on seeing the High Guardian again?" asked Sam.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4FFI5FanV
"Yes, I do," said Sarah. "I believe he is my best chance to set aside our differences with the Zephalans and vice versa and establish unity."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsVx5cpc2O
Therana nodded. "Do your best, Sarah. We support you."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEEoDBNmEY
"Thank you. Man, I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night and I'm only now noticing how tired I am."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgGUhUipZS
Sam smiled. "Well then you should sleep. Do you have any other duties today?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5haAVJhoQl
"Tons."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMEEakH1Av
"Just like us. Perhaps Ishaan can take care of some?"844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYFxlIaokw
"No, I don't think so. He's not the kind of guy for this."844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z5CTopm5i
"Night will come sooner than you think, you'll see," said Therana.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P3rv9g2KZ
"Yeah... It was nice talking to you," Sarah said, addressing both Therana and her mother.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKINsZMomic
"Call again soon. Bye!" said Sam. Therana also said bye.844Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxyv49BDbD
"Bye," Sarah said, terminating the call. She buried her face in her crossed arms on the table and quickly fell asleep. Governing was exhausting and feeling anxious about riddles in the deep did not ease her dreaming mind. Nevertheless her resolve to clean up Imperial Region North was stronger than ever.
Penana
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