"Spool down FTL-Drive, stabilize orbit. We've arrived, governor."869Please respect copyright.PENANA4q1CKEcMeb
Governor Sarah Rose Tanas smiled and nodded at Admiral Stephanie Laurent.869Please respect copyright.PENANAFhPdrwo8kY
"Proceed, Admiral," she said.869Please respect copyright.PENANAHPpY9mG9gt
Admiral Laurent nodded and said, "Flip her over. Let's give our new governor a first look at her new home."869Please respect copyright.PENANAad0noYP7Hy
The Imperial Command Dreadnought Fearless had left FTL-Space with its belly pointing towards the planet Ayonar and Helmswoman Hyuga initiated the spin needed to make the top of the ship face the planet. Sarah watched in excitement as more and more of the planet's green and blue outline moved into view. She was observing it through one of the Fearless' bridge's panoramic windows.869Please respect copyright.PENANARGcWW330i7
"That's a nice place. Looks greener than on the pictures," said Sarah's husband Ishaan Marsh, standing beside his wife.869Please respect copyright.PENANAxdneeVUIqn
"You think so? I think it looks just like the pictures."869Please respect copyright.PENANAvGSrWQIZD2
"Suit yourself," Ishaan said, grinning.869Please respect copyright.PENANAYx1G2DPOlL
Admiral Laurent joined them. "I hate to interrupt, Governor, but your shuttle is waiting. You will be brought to your residence in Klendana, where Chancellors Bouchard, Williams, Anzari and Deventhal will meet with you for a first discussion of the current situation. I was informed of their rather hot mood earlier."869Please respect copyright.PENANAy1gkakrl2E
"Yes, they're gonna be furious with me. Should rather be furious with my mother, but I guess they lack the courage for it."869Please respect copyright.PENANAXPhqevSzfQ
Admiral Laurent chuckled. "Quite so, governor. Orders while you're gone?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAiILPFTZBUm
"None. Get settled in your office and meet me tonight at eight in my office."869Please respect copyright.PENANAPKs6NcDfuy
"Understood." The Admiral turned to her personal guard and said, "Escort the governor and her husband to their shuttle, please."869Please respect copyright.PENANANi7MlQayf5
The guard nodded and asked Sarah and Ishaan to follow him. The hangar was quite the way from the bridge. The ship's corridors were full of life and its steel walls were illuminated by ever so slightly yellow-tinged lamps. At least it was a step up from the previous blue-tinged lamps that Sarah had found incredibly cold in the past.869Please respect copyright.PENANAYdYGDLQB00
"What are you expecting, Sarah?" Ishaan asked.869Please respect copyright.PENANAnhKpBXQgOv
"Strongly voiced protest, exaggeration of public unrest, maybe allusions to my heritage. I hope to convince them I'm their friend."869Please respect copyright.PENANAH2Mqq1WgGm
"And you think they have the wit for that?" Ishaan chuckled.869Please respect copyright.PENANAy4xHcZmPUV
"I think they can be quite understanding if presented with the right kind of truth."869Please respect copyright.PENANAnXg2yO9pWG
"Which is?"869Please respect copyright.PENANA0DzqbxpHOU
Sarah smirked. "The best kind." 869Please respect copyright.PENANAL9Oyq1J4KS
Ishaan sighed as they entered the hangar, a large hall full of vehicles, shuttles and fighter planes. A group of four such fighters launched from the hangar into space only moments after Sarah had set foot onto the stairway that led to the shuttlebay. It was normal procedure to launch a fighter escort after arriving at the destination, even deep in Imperial territory. A fighter escort could react quickly to any incoming threats, be they asteroids or other ships, and defuse the situation before the capital ship could suffer damage. In the shuttle, Sarah and Ishaan took their seats and strapped in. Admiral Laurent's guard saluted Sarah and left. A moment later, the shuttle pilot came in.869Please respect copyright.PENANAvja39VOdXb
"Greetings, governor. I'm Eckhart Terrinbrew, your pilot for today and forever."869Please respect copyright.PENANAUf5K8tTs5o
"Today and forever?" Sarah asked.869Please respect copyright.PENANADdwAX7SGD6
"I have been assigned as your personal pilot, responsible to bring you anywhere at any time, as long as it's a flying job."869Please respect copyright.PENANAmMR4q0TLxP
"Ah. It's nice to meet you, Mr Terrinbrew. You're not military?" Terrinbrew wasn't wearing a navy uniform, nor wore he rank insignia.869Please respect copyright.PENANA7Wo3d20DRV
"That's right. I left the military seven years ago, honorably discharged. Now I'm a pilot for important people such as yourself."869Please respect copyright.PENANAzj7DCyKidG
Sarah nodded and Ishaan smiled smugly.869Please respect copyright.PENANA9LCQOb5ggV
"Oh come on, you knew it would be more formal here than at home," Sarah said.869Please respect copyright.PENANAa2e7LOPe3m
"Yes, but I find it amusing regardless of where we are."869Please respect copyright.PENANA7IMLibHW8T
Sarah smiled at her husband. Their new life, here on Ayonar, as governor of Imperial Region North. A life of endless potential, and endless bickering. She had never been a politician. She preferred straight answers and quick solutions, not answers to questions that were never asked and no answers to questions that were asked. Thankfully, as daughter of Empress Samantha Anne Tanas, Sarah could demand straight answers and would usually receive them, too. The shuttle left the Fearless and Mr Terrinbrew began the descent into the atmosphere. The shuttle shook and and vibrated as it shot through the upper layers of the atmosphere, the inertial dampeners doing their best to reduce the felt g-forces. Once the shuttle reached the Stratosphere, it would get quieter and smoother. Sarah took in every detail of the vast oceans and continents beneath her. Ayonar was a large terrestrial planet in the habitable zone of its star, Imperial Helios 7, or simply 'the sun,' as the natives of Ayonar called it. Not long after the shuttle had entered the Troposphere, Sarah spotted Klendana to the right of the shuttle. The sprawling city was the capital of Ayonar and its largest settlement. The governor's residence, her home, was in one of the inner districts, called 'Appledorn.' It was an old mansion that had recently been renovated and prepared for Sarah's arrival. Mr Terrinbrew landed the shuttle without any bumps and Sarah waited for him to open the door. He left the cockpit, opened the door and said, "I wish you a good first day, governor."869Please respect copyright.PENANAKDi20T0Q5l
"Thank you, likewise," Sarah said and left the shuttle. Outside, five officials were waiting. The front man, a grey-haired, big man would have to be her chief of staff, Henry Edmundson, came forward and spoke:869Please respect copyright.PENANAQgzWUJIbwX
"Greetings, Lady Governor. Welcome on Ayonar." He spoke with a soft, grandfatherly voice.869Please respect copyright.PENANAv8INvxiENM
"Thanks, I'm glad to be here."869Please respect copyright.PENANA9Tn7IQpm9I
"I am Henry Edmundson, your Chief of Staff, and with me here are your Chief of Security Galbag Buorno, Chief Physician Peter deChamps, Chief Strategy Advisor Helen Marin and Chief Legal Counsel William Hone."869Please respect copyright.PENANAMh8GqkS9Qn
Everyone bowed briefly.869Please respect copyright.PENANA0OvtW5ZoqE
"I hope we'll be working together splendidly," said Sarah. "Shall we go inside then?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAbTLVkXB0Fz
Henry nodded. "This way, please."869Please respect copyright.PENANAfaNZFR0cx5
The shuttle had landed on a shuttlepad in the garden of the mansion. A stone path led to the large main building. It was framed by trees and wonderful smelling yellow and blue flowers that Sarah didn't recognize. She was led to her office, which was smaller than she had expected but left ample room for her and her staff to discuss all matters of importance. Her desk was to the left of the door, with a conference table installed in front of the desk in a way that left a gap inbetween the desk and the conference table.869Please respect copyright.PENANAyttmaAdZC8
"This is your office, governor. I hope it's to your liking. We can change it if you wish for changes."869Please respect copyright.PENANAr2TVJ4mURf
"Thank you. I'm sure it's enough," said Sarah. The office was kept in a blue and steel asthetic, which Sarah found pleasing to the eye but also a bit dark. She didn't have time to play interior architect, though, and sat down on her comfortable swivel chair.869Please respect copyright.PENANAd74ijOq1VD
"Nice. Shall we get right to business, then? What's up next?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAcAeAte1JGA
"We had hoped to allow for more time for you to see the mansion and get settled, but unfortunately, the chancellors of your region are already waiting and ask to see you. They have made it clear that the matter is urgent, although I believe it is posturing," said Henry.869Please respect copyright.PENANAlj6kc5qY7i
"Very well, I will talk with each of you later then. Please keep yourself ready, and inform the chancellors they may enter."869Please respect copyright.PENANAsHbIGeultf
"Of course, governor," Henry said and left the room together with the others.869Please respect copyright.PENANABKkl8MLtlG
"I want you to be here for the meeting, Ishaan. I'm a bit afraid of handling the chancellors alone."869Please respect copyright.PENANA1DYVb1mLuo
"Don't worry, my love. I'm here."869Please respect copyright.PENANAW4wpNs7zfH
"Thanks," Sarah said and kissed Ishaan on the lips when the door opened. Sarah turned around and saw the four chancellors of the four Imperial population centers in her region before her.869Please respect copyright.PENANAJlouLaCOsm
"Welcome to my office, chancellors. Please take a seat at the table right over there."869Please respect copyright.PENANAhSNUQQegG7
Sarah pointed at the conference table. Ishaan took a chair and sat down beside his wife.869Please respect copyright.PENANAoakbJXhbvt
"Thank you for seeing us, Governor. We have very urgent concerns about this new arrangement," said Chancellor Annette Bouchard of the planet Andros. 869Please respect copyright.PENANALdMFQRvsko
"Indeed. We are here to protest against the new regional governing system. It is an unprecedented breach of procedure and an infrigement to our planet's democracies," said Chancellor Robert Deventhal of Illuminon, a middle-aged man with brown hair and a sleek stature.869Please respect copyright.PENANA3YFyFavlmt
The other two chancellors just nodded.869Please respect copyright.PENANA58sgkb8xwS
Sarah breathed in deeply and said, "I can assure you it is neither. It isn't the first one because the new regional governing system was properly introduced by my aunt Empress Therana Athulis and my mother Empress Samantha Tanas. It is legal and proper. It isn't the second one, either, because my rights are limited as I serve as a liaison between the empire and its people. The unrest and difficult social situation we had to deal with after the war could not be solved by conventional means, sometimes due to resistance by people such as you--"869Please respect copyright.PENANAftd35gq605
"Now that is unfounded and outrageous!" said Chancellor Deventhal. "We have only the best in mind for our people."869Please respect copyright.PENANAcQObVXhmvO
Sarah smirked. "I'm sure each one of you has the best in mind for themselves and if that means caring about normal people, so be it. What I am saying is that no matter the time and place, people fight against anything happening. It should rather happen elsewhere, and there, people fight against anything happening. While cities push burdens onto other cities and those onto yet other cities when they could take actual steps to improve the situation, the planetary governments do the same. The Zephalan Remnant was supposed to be integrated into our society in an effort of establishing long-lasting coexistence and brotherhood, but what happened? What happened, chancellors?"869Please respect copyright.PENANADxGPE4RyOD
The chancellors exchanged glances for a while, until Chancelor Anzari said, "The southern worlds protested against Zephalans on their home turf, which over time brought down the entire project and left the Northern worlds, namely Andros, Illuminon, Ayonar and Antares, to deal with the two billion Zephalans alone."869Please respect copyright.PENANALiYbMle65a
Sarah nodded. "Quite correct. It is the meddlesome nature of politicians and the short-sightedness of the populace that led to the failure that the empire is now being blamed for. Blamed for with violence, protests, vandalism, dissent and hate that goes beyond any free speech laws. So now I'm here, to solve the communication problems. I am here to help the people understand their empire and the greater good, and to help the empire understand what concerns its people in their daily lives. I am not here to put you out of your job, nor am I here to do your bidding. I answer to the empresses directly, and they gave me the freedom to do my duty as I see fit, but within legal boundaries, of course."869Please respect copyright.PENANAphqUFVRaNQ
"We understand, governor," said Chancellor Deventhal. "We hope for good cooperation, but the people are dissatisfied. Many greatly disapprove of Zephalans living right next to them. They fear they have been conquered already and need to act now to avert a disaster."869Please respect copyright.PENANAhpd1onZzsH
Sarah sighed. "Very little violence perpetrated by Zephalans has targeted humans. They target each other more than anyone else. They mostly live in purely Zephalan-populated districts because house owners wouldn't rent their apartments out to Zephalans. I understand why they are afraid, but the Zephalans have not undertaken a coordinated attack for 30 years. Meanwhile, the amount of human pirates in the northern systems has skyrocketed. I think the Zephalans are largely a scapegoat and a convenient one at that. These problems are not solved by killing them all, by banning them from our worlds or by treating them like animals."869Please respect copyright.PENANA5xxca5Eqbb
Chancellor Anzari cleared his throat. "We know there is a problem and we know it must be solved before a tragedy occurs. The Imperial Nationalist Defense has bombed a car in a Zephalan district last week, as I'm sure you are aware. Two Zephalans died, and three humans. One might think they'd deem it a failure, having killed more of their own than Zephalans. But they issued a statement saying they are proud that three traitors were punished for mingling with the enemy. And I haven't even started about people flocking to extremist parties more and more. That is why we must ask you to address the people directly, in two hours, at the Klendana Annual Street Fair. We have already prepared everything. You just have to agree."869Please respect copyright.PENANAct0vFfuSzp
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "You want me to speak in public today? In just two hours? You realize I arrived here half an hour ago, yes?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAPYByqwSRzz
"Yes, governor, we realize that, but we think it is necessary that the people see their new governor as soon as possible and that they get a good first impression of her. This way you can show that you care and will waste no time in solving their issues."869Please respect copyright.PENANAPSqIiCkywY
Sarah stared at the chancellors before glancing at Ishaan. Public speaking, today, in two hours. With a script? Without one? Without one sounded better. Simple, honest talk and no mention of who's to blame. She looked at her gloved hands. What would people think of her? The rich girl, daughter of the collaborator, the knight and aristocrat who had no clue of their suffering? Who couldn't even be bothered to show her hands? No. The gloves were staying on. Nobody was allowed to see her arms and hands except for Ishaan and so it would remain. 14 years ago, she had been in an accident with her first boyfriend. He had died and she had suffered severe burns. Most of her skin was restored in many surgical procedures, but the main burns, on her arms and hands, had been left alone on her demand. Sarah would forever bear the marks of her failure and would wear gloves as the only concession she allowed herself. To not show anyone her scarred arms.869Please respect copyright.PENANAPp55kxIl65
"I will speak on your event, without a script. I know what I want to say and I will say it," Sarah said.869Please respect copyright.PENANAcIbBlPTqcr
"Thank you, governor," said Chancellor Bouchard.869Please respect copyright.PENANA4tk1caEWzZ
"I want to adjourn the rest of this meeting until tomorrow. I will need time to prepare for the speech."869Please respect copyright.PENANAEFxnvNaQRm
The chancellors nodded. "Lady Governor, we are grateful for this and shall return tomorrow. Please let us know at which time."869Please respect copyright.PENANAqmQ5V5UzC9
Sarah nodded, then shook everyone's hands and led them out of the office. When the door closed, Ishaan asked, "You agreed to that? Why?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAGuAt7dLUVl
"What do you mean?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAN5ck2R1yra
"You let yourself be wrapped up in their moaning and will now do a completely unscheduled public appearance without a script."869Please respect copyright.PENANAkeoLCtdVsS
"Yes."869Please respect copyright.PENANAw9kDYUM58r
"It's the worst idea!"869Please respect copyright.PENANAU6LHF8nXgt
"It is not. I actually think it is a great idea, even though I will need to think on my feet."869Please respect copyright.PENANAXPHK4tAksu
"Sarah, it's a move to discredit you."869Please respect copyright.PENANAbQ4vGhUjKI
"Why are you saying that?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAvqgXv4JdSq
"Because it's highly irregular to do this. It was never planned and we should stick to the plan."869Please respect copyright.PENANAJMdDUPZakd
"It's great because it is irregular. People have a certain idea of how a policitian, which I guess I am now, acts. By not acting like that and showing up at a festival to hold an unplanned speech, we prove something: That we're here to help."869Please respect copyright.PENANAuQY02BZ4hi
Ishaan grumbled. "Fine. I trust you."869Please respect copyright.PENANAfCJ8j3mE8q
"Good," Sarah said, nodding.869Please respect copyright.PENANAHYQGpfBqXN
Sarah called Henry, her Chief of Staff, into her office. He came quickly and sat down at the conference table. Ishaan and Sarah sat down on their respective chairs again.869Please respect copyright.PENANAFAkmqvisSC
"They proposed that I speak at the Klendana Annual Street Fair in two hours, unscripted. I agreed."869Please respect copyright.PENANA3f2mZ5AdmE
Henry lost some of the color in his face. "B-but that's impossible. The security demands, the organization, the everything.... Are you sure that's what you want?"869Please respect copyright.PENANA3SHrOcDwGh
"Yes, I am sure," said Sarah.869Please respect copyright.PENANAUutqiMXRVV
"I'll go prepare it right away, governor." He stood up, bowed and left the office in a hurry. Not fair to surprise him like that, but everyone today was in for surprises.869Please respect copyright.PENANAsmXBmK9x0l
"What do you think, Ish? Should we have stayed home?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAq9VKfMSCGU
Ishaan embraced his wife and said, "Of course not. This is what you wanted."869Please respect copyright.PENANAH90UlHtl7h
"Hmm, yeah. I could have said 'Nah, I'll go stream something' but I said yes to this."869Please respect copyright.PENANA7szX44fLMw
"Mhm, you did."869Please respect copyright.PENANARX3P60OEBp
"I'm afraid and nervous, Ish. I'm responsible for four planets now."869Please respect copyright.PENANAuC8RZz8GD3
"Yes. Is this how it's like for mom?"869Please respect copyright.PENANAeJPRpMEDNI
"I'm sure it's much worse for her."869Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZoxswCqhB
"Wow, thanks big guy."
As the hours passed, Sarah brainstormed what she would say, how she would look while saying it, where she would put emphasis and what she would better leave out entirely. A series of arguments about her gloves, her hairstyle and her clothing later, she was ready to drive to the fair. Her regular driver wouldn't arrive until Wednesday, and it was only Monday, so a temporary driver drove her to the fair. From afar, Sarah could already hear the booming music well and was expecting at least several thousand, possibly up to 40000 people to be there. The driver brought her to the backstage area, which was already full of Government Security Agents. Through a series of extremely confusing and rather informal briefings, Sarah found herself confused and standing on the main stage. She scanned the crowd, who were dead silent. Sarah had been introduced as "The Lady Governor Sarah Tanas from Zah'Aharon," which was alright in her eyes, but she had expected less of a weird setup for all this. She stepped up to the microphone and said, "Dear citizens of Ayonar, dear visitors from other systems and countries, I am Sarah Rose Tanas. I am the new governor of Imperial Region North and my job is to enable good communication between you, the people, and the empire. It is not my right to interfere with your planetary governments and I hope we all realize that there are serious problems at hand, problems that require profound action. Action that will return your planets to their former glory. After the war, much was neglected, many had to mourn the loss of family members. I apologize for my mother's role in these events. My adoptive parents, Empress Samantha and her wife Katharina Rand, have raised me as a loyal Imperial citizen, just like you are, and I'm sure my husband will confirm that I am a loving wife to him just like you are loving wives and husbands to your spouses. This is an effort we will need to take on together, or not at all. I say it's tog--" Sarah stopped just moments before the rocket impacted the stage. It was suddenly approaching from one of the buildings on the left, Sarah could feel it. She raised her left arm and held it before her chest while kneeling down and creating a magical shield around herself. She didn't know whether it would save her, everything happened in less than three seconds. The force of the white-hot explosion hit her and her shield and she flew back, lifted from the ground, as the stage went up in flames.
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