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.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDGc5mpfiW
"And where do you think you're coming from?" he asked.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjJaDKIdtn
"From outside, as you can see," Sarah said in an earnest voice.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxDEoStuHq
Together they walked back to the residence.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7I8x3KFFL
"I'm wondering if you even think before you act every once in a while," Ishaan said.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacw6VA0GYg
"What's that supposed to mean? I felt like taking a walk and so I took it. Why are you so angry about it?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXsaxZb2NY
"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!"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb678QBFo7v
"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?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr4Nge7jPY
"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?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJGsda4jOy
Sarah sighed. "Of course not. But I assure you there was no danger. I was careful and you know I can protect myself."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEIriofCnK
"Even from a sniper picking you off from a rooftop?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKGDDdbIUp
"I would sense the threat and shield myself."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3zsCxLioA
"Don't kid yourself. You're not superhuman, you're a normal human with extra abilities."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNPhQ71beo
"It depends on the definition," Sarah said, smirking internally.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4rrTMFOeq
"No it doesn't!" Ishaan shouted.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8I8Bd6Rk8
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.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk0LD6wi8O
"There is such a thing as telepathy, you know? You could have told me that way and I'd have known upon waking up."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9LHZjAtF8
Sarah hesitated before answering. They entered the residence and took the stairs one floor up, where Sarah's office was.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFmW5ZJNMo
"I forgot," Sarah said, almost mumbling. "And I suggest we drop it now. I am safe and was safe."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHme7w6pS5j
"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.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL48AFVp3H
"Marital troubles, governor?" a voice behind Sarah said. Sarah turned around and saw Henry standing there, having just come up the stairs.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C83MmLZak
"More of a strategical dispute," Sarah said.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1MlOq3lVh
"I see. Well, it is not my business."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EIh1qBrU4
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprvqGD7bA9
"Very well, ma'am. If you mind my saying, 'Your excellency' would not be appropriate anyway."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19nCC9urIY
Sarah chuckled.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmomdiuwNyA
"My meeting with the Admiral is at 9, right?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROYo4UdL3I
"Quite so, though she is already here. She said she has unexpectedly arrived early and will wait until you have time for her."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8sW5LJi4X
"Oh, I see. What time is it?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvi78tlcjI
"It's 6:50 am, ma'am."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5UjN41Snf
"6:50... We should all be asleep, Henry."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGwEfn9Omk
"Yet we are not and work does not care for our sensibilities."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP28jdPLao
"Maybe I should invite the universe for a meeting, then."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuRZdHTvpv
Henry chuckled. "Quite so, ma'am."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB8YC8OfaD
"Please inform Admiral Laurent that I will see her now in my office," Sarah said.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXTj5SYgXo
"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.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMw1my6Zjr
"Thank you for coming, Admiral. Please, sit down."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4opuyaPtJD
Admiral Laurent took off her blue navy cap and sat down.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8r9GBura0
"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?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4INe1aArhp
"Yes, please," Sarah said. "Would you like a drink?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmfMbzttRr
"Thanks. Just water, please."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn4alGp6ch
Sarah poured the Admiral and herself a glass of water and drank from it before continuing.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcFBY9hBu1
"Please start by explaining our capabilities and distribution of forces to me first."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu2o1USMr2
Admiral Laurent nodded and drank from her glass.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuowUti8NBI
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUDYWOnXoy
"Excuse me Admiral, but why is piracy such a problem?" Sarah asked.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JsOqXC1ls
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeZTwgACIT
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?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUvEY1MHTG
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXAMgIMxJe
"And they have the power to do that."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8mQNLmwsE
"They do, unfortunately. Corruption is on the rise, as is the pirates' know-how. May I speak openly, governor?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JCf3eDDdR
"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.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlKB7k8NhF
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARWPj97gap
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJjyAjgKJP
"Of course, governor."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyA9HJZvPD
"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%."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfsYUYV88T
"We do, governor."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrVLIcB4mJ
Sarah smiled. "Then we will turn this place inside out and give it a good washing."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6mMOZmtUq
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu0WsN1Hvs
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3sUSh2FG4
"Understood, governor."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfo0eSNmCM
"Now, what were the things you wanted ISOD to take care of?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRkArFKBNt
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn1Kshs1IN
"So political control and dirty work. Sounds good. Is that it for now?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc6uXnIulm
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY3hdvXhQ4
"Why is that?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGSC7oFo2R
"It enhances our offensive power considerably and it will serve mostly as a show of force, communicating that we really mean it this time."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NvZvVfrh3
"Alright, thank you Admiral."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoiBm6hJkr
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2uwSJFtqD
"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.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXorW1SNSb
"Henry, make a list."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPGqy0gnwo
Henry whipped out his phone and got ready to type.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE5vETh1H3
"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?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkOXh2MAwA
"Certainly, ma'am. Anything else?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQJSMSZMWo
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzeXacS7QL
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.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMnTibeez2
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bs0iLDZ2i
"Hello mom, Therana. I'm fine, yeah, but I was calling because of something else."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIg0nhW8AY
"Oh, what's that?" Therana asked.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MDv4SyFBc
"I met a Zephalan today, the High Guardian of the Remnant under Krazugor Orankan. Do you know him?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDSfd6t7cq
"The High Guardian... Yes, we know him. How did you meet him, Sarah?" asked Sam.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4g7CEgHpg
"I walked by his house, so to speak. Last night. And yes, I know I shouldn't have been out at night."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBgkVesY2X
"You've been an adult for 14 years. I trust you when you say it was safe," said Sam.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwJAmKocJ7
"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?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiAYVHjo5L
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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u338d8Ep3
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9qjdRoZwq
"We understand, Sarah. Do you plan on seeing the High Guardian again?" asked Sam.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77kTEyU8G7
"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."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRymWb9bZG
Therana nodded. "Do your best, Sarah. We support you."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYIk97B5ya
"Thank you. Man, I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night and I'm only now noticing how tired I am."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcuRlYhRrW
Sam smiled. "Well then you should sleep. Do you have any other duties today?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2qJo2IaHy
"Tons."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW5VDeeKzl
"Just like us. Perhaps Ishaan can take care of some?"875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcghka3UH5
"No, I don't think so. He's not the kind of guy for this."875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yB1Vm0hl8
"Night will come sooner than you think, you'll see," said Therana.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0V3r9so6k
"Yeah... It was nice talking to you," Sarah said, addressing both Therana and her mother.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwJ1Bn5RDU
"Call again soon. Bye!" said Sam. Therana also said bye.875Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkmpIAcsB2
"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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