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.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNHBRzxPNR
"And where do you think you're coming from?" he asked.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uw7YMnx3c
"From outside, as you can see," Sarah said in an earnest voice.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPQn1vQA9k
Together they walked back to the residence.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvi1Jpz30Y
"I'm wondering if you even think before you act every once in a while," Ishaan said.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOxWB8FHcI
"What's that supposed to mean? I felt like taking a walk and so I took it. Why are you so angry about it?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZkVV4LHD
"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!"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKQQDDRsSc
"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?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeFIP6T1Wj
"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?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkb3X5xqq3
Sarah sighed. "Of course not. But I assure you there was no danger. I was careful and you know I can protect myself."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IKDMJQSMh
"Even from a sniper picking you off from a rooftop?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0rIthPQto
"I would sense the threat and shield myself."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO8lHNOtyd
"Don't kid yourself. You're not superhuman, you're a normal human with extra abilities."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE490NGfQPG
"It depends on the definition," Sarah said, smirking internally.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5coEoFTJn
"No it doesn't!" Ishaan shouted.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINdpTohB2r
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.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHPBWIerYY
"There is such a thing as telepathy, you know? You could have told me that way and I'd have known upon waking up."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflqztoeffW
Sarah hesitated before answering. They entered the residence and took the stairs one floor up, where Sarah's office was.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqOZBa6x4F
"I forgot," Sarah said, almost mumbling. "And I suggest we drop it now. I am safe and was safe."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudU7ohpoAQ
"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.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzf4pFB0Pu
"Marital troubles, governor?" a voice behind Sarah said. Sarah turned around and saw Henry standing there, having just come up the stairs.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkK3vMlwPk
"More of a strategical dispute," Sarah said.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZqXy6vhJn
"I see. Well, it is not my business."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqf6bQ3WTh
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90zjxirKkC
"Very well, ma'am. If you mind my saying, 'Your excellency' would not be appropriate anyway."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsJHcG6XHc
Sarah chuckled.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7dScozAKo
"My meeting with the Admiral is at 9, right?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqZfGRAhpb
"Quite so, though she is already here. She said she has unexpectedly arrived early and will wait until you have time for her."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2nx01DIWA
"Oh, I see. What time is it?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsRlCbJWOB
"It's 6:50 am, ma'am."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggTJJCFGBW
"6:50... We should all be asleep, Henry."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v7N0jLbR8
"Yet we are not and work does not care for our sensibilities."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmo5TOP5aX
"Maybe I should invite the universe for a meeting, then."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspeu7YnJyJ
Henry chuckled. "Quite so, ma'am."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboDNaMVVBs
"Please inform Admiral Laurent that I will see her now in my office," Sarah said.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWcJsIISB7
"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.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2p2DyKQzk
"Thank you for coming, Admiral. Please, sit down."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxllsQmtZR
Admiral Laurent took off her blue navy cap and sat down.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X8pngYxFV
"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?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTRsrHIJqx
"Yes, please," Sarah said. "Would you like a drink?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG9pvPaGZ7
"Thanks. Just water, please."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHfdXlxG5v
Sarah poured the Admiral and herself a glass of water and drank from it before continuing.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JKSQdjO3f
"Please start by explaining our capabilities and distribution of forces to me first."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2GsLj5ZA6
Admiral Laurent nodded and drank from her glass.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO9L2RD5cF
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9gRv8GMEv
"Excuse me Admiral, but why is piracy such a problem?" Sarah asked.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaUa8kE6zo
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGXMgmo4Hy
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?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hHOvVocnX
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZprg1LQYrJ
"And they have the power to do that."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHq9LyKgcV
"They do, unfortunately. Corruption is on the rise, as is the pirates' know-how. May I speak openly, governor?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEJuf7g1on
"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.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRxAjgrYVT
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lP5rUG1ld
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN9GxLCyJm
"Of course, governor."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboJXB0raYV
"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%."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0rYgNhNPA
"We do, governor."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIWlgX3W3X
Sarah smiled. "Then we will turn this place inside out and give it a good washing."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21TjM01SPD
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUMfNfBYtu
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8fRORrunK
"Understood, governor."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwRbF1517v
"Now, what were the things you wanted ISOD to take care of?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdJ0GtNXz4
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWa2CdRd8C
"So political control and dirty work. Sounds good. Is that it for now?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bitrHEY1j
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEDMMgpxC1
"Why is that?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFxSuD0yMk
"It enhances our offensive power considerably and it will serve mostly as a show of force, communicating that we really mean it this time."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqb3RhiKUZ
"Alright, thank you Admiral."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eXDNHzsFQ
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCaLoMXFJi
"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.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAZzvHLVCl
"Henry, make a list."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmGoGUnbbV
Henry whipped out his phone and got ready to type.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmc2vjRGK1
"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?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW3xNUlWkt
"Certainly, ma'am. Anything else?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPIX0SA5MZ
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67LaekTuzG
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.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG84s455eto
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcTygFSFxr
"Hello mom, Therana. I'm fine, yeah, but I was calling because of something else."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY5OOrjPkk
"Oh, what's that?" Therana asked.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqq10rJ5CH
"I met a Zephalan today, the High Guardian of the Remnant under Krazugor Orankan. Do you know him?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1qoTrnw5G
"The High Guardian... Yes, we know him. How did you meet him, Sarah?" asked Sam.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1npebrPC9
"I walked by his house, so to speak. Last night. And yes, I know I shouldn't have been out at night."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GRHopLZ26
"You've been an adult for 14 years. I trust you when you say it was safe," said Sam.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bfLzOjEbJ
"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?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn5VJugEfa
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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUKy8vo7wD
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeADuCOgmd
"We understand, Sarah. Do you plan on seeing the High Guardian again?" asked Sam.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSbqcJFgcL
"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."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tHM4aF07w
Therana nodded. "Do your best, Sarah. We support you."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OXLkWtJu2
"Thank you. Man, I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night and I'm only now noticing how tired I am."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXFC8nMxEK
Sam smiled. "Well then you should sleep. Do you have any other duties today?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpq51V4oO6
"Tons."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ8bsVKqpM
"Just like us. Perhaps Ishaan can take care of some?"820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi6dwS45sa
"No, I don't think so. He's not the kind of guy for this."820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXqXYd0fRg
"Night will come sooner than you think, you'll see," said Therana.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Li7T22iFp
"Yeah... It was nice talking to you," Sarah said, addressing both Therana and her mother.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKB2W0lBJu
"Call again soon. Bye!" said Sam. Therana also said bye.820Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhfDbppkSo
"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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