The capital palace was a grand spectacle. It was seven stories high and had nearly a hundred rooms with a gray cobblestone finish. Its surrounding fields stretched for miles, making it the largest portion of land in Xoya, the capital city of the planet Origin and the whole Xymoran federation.

Its fields and gates were buzzing with security. Checkpoints had been set up. Darius, leader of the Xymoran Planetary Federation, had called for a meeting with his military and political staff.

His ministers had to scramble to get the details together on the troubling events unfolding near the edge of the realm, the region of space inhabited by humans. There had been several major military skirmishes between Xymoran troops and the forces of the Ahkosans, a group of renegade planets devoted to resisting Xymoran hegemony. Casualties had run into the hundreds. What was already a low-intensity war was growing into something worse. Darius wanted answers and a strategy to crush the enemy.

That was what weighed heavy on General Nodalis as he entered the palace. He wanted to be the one to deliver the silver bullet solution. He wanted to lead the effort to maintain and expand Xymora's dominance throughout the realm and, thereby, peace.

Nodalis was a battle-hardened man who had led campaigns all over the realm. He had fought pirate fleets, bandits, destroyed revolutionary organizations, and more. His thirst for action was hardly quenched, though.

As he moved through the halls, he paid attention to the portraits that adorned the walls. They were pictures of elites that rubbed shoulders with Darius, business people, leaders in the police, governors, and the like. But it was the pictures of the Generals that mattered most to Nodalis. Being on those walls was a huge honor for a general, but his picture had not been put up yet. He always felt Darius refused to as a way to keep him in check. He would have to do something incredible to earn his place there. And it was the specter of failing to create a legacy great enough to warrant it that had haunted him nearly all his life.

Nodalis saw his daughter, Copernica, and Emperor Darius's daughter, Princess Chrisyntha, along with Chrisyntha's cousin, Raya, chatting. They had been friends since they were toddlers, and seeing them together made him smile.

Nodalis was about to wave, but he noticed a commotion among them. Copernica was in tears, arguing with Chrisyntha.

He could barely make out what they were saying.

But Copernica was moving toward Chrisyntha before Raya gently yanked her away.

"It's ok; you'll always have me," Raya said to Copernica as she held her close.

Nodalis looked on, puzzled. He was tempted to intervene but feared he might make things worse as an older man stepping into the drama of the young.

So he sighed and then turned back to the meeting room entrance and stepped in.

The other invitees were already inside. But, of course, Nodalis enjoyed being last. Because he wanted all eyes to land on him, especially the emperor's, he relished the opportunity to be the center of attention.

Emperor Darius sat nearby. He was once a tall, strapping man, but disease had ravaged him. Over the years, Darius had grown into a shell of his former self, a shadow so unlike the younger him that people rarely believed his photos from his youth were real. His deterioration was not lost on Nodalis; both men had known each other for much of their lives. And Nodalis took pride in knowing he was still strong and vigorous despite being a few years older than Darius.

"Welcome, my ministers and you general. It's time we talked about the threats that might tear the realm apart. Tell me more about the renegade planets," Darius said. "Oh, and my daughter will join us shortly. I want to start educating her for when her time comes to take my place and lead."

Everyone at the table nodded. And right after, Chrisyntha walked in.

"Welcome, honey," Darius said.

"Father, thanks for having me. Hello everyone."

They all began to rise out of respect, but she gestured for them to sit and offered a disarming smile.

"That won't be necessary," she said.

She sat beside Nodalis.

"Your majesty," Nodalis said to Darius. "The Ahkosans have constantly attacked our spaceships and killed hundreds of our soldiers. But we haven't declared war," Nodalis said.

"And for good reason, your majesty," Jax, the foreign minister, replied. "As long as we don't declare war, the opportunity for a diplomatic resolution remains."

"My desire to declare war grows stronger by the day. I have no patience for rebels, and diplomacy is always a weak tactic," Darius replied.

"Your majesty, if I may, let's try using carrots instead of sticks. The whole realm is in a deep economic depression, which is driving the rise of dangerous politicians and movements who promise they'll deliver economic prosperity through conquest by stealing others' wealth. And the only way to counteract that is to increase trade across the realm. Since we have the largest economy, only we can lead that effort. By allowing the Ahkosans and others more access to export to our market, we might be able to bribe them to stop fighting. That's part of why they're attacking us. They're frustrated with the current economic situation. If we don't end the realm-wide economic depression, there will be a realm-wide war," Fran, the economy minister, added.

"No, because if we give the Ahkosans that, then everyone else will be lining up to get it," Darius said. "And it will show that we can be easily bullied."

"His majesty is right. And if we open up or market to everybody, how will we protect our local industries? The unemployment rate is high enough already. We'll have a violent workers' revolution on our hands if it gets any worse," Genn, the industries minister, added.

"The economy and foreign minister are offering fake solutions when the obvious solution is force. We can wipe the floor with the Ahkosans and teach everyone else a lesson; there is no need for any economic or diplomatic crap. Let's crush them," Nodalis said.

"I couldn't have said it better myself, Nodalis. Some of you ministers are being blind to the reality of power," Darius barked. "War minister, what do you think?"

"I'm afraid I'm on the side of the diplomats. The planetary politics is too messy. If we declare war on the Ahkosans, the BIOS federation might join in against us. We would defeat the Ahkosans easily, but a war with BIOS would be immensely more difficult and deadly," Devan said.

"Why are we so sure BIOS would join in?"

"Because there is evidence they are the ones supplying the Ahkosans with weapons. Last month, BIOS claimed a shipment of their weapons was stolen, and the stolen weapons, somehow, turned up in Ahkosan's hands. The interesting thing is those weapons aren't even Biosian tech. The Biosians bought the weapons from pirates. And the weapons are actually weapons stolen by pirates in raids on our ships, which the pirates resold to them. Our guess is the Biosians do that to test their weapons against ours in mock preparations for war, and then they hand some over to the Ahkosans to aid them against us. The other piece of evidence is circumstantial: Only BIOS's or Chemitar’s backing could make the Ahkosans confident enough that they'd dare attack our ships, and we know it’s not Chemitar," Devan added.

"Look, we aren't even sure if we still have a more powerful military than BIOS. A decade ago? Sure! But now it's hard to know because our tech is mechanics and electronics-based. In contrast, theirs is biologically based, which makes comparisons a bit difficult. So again, let's try diplomacy," said Jax.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Father, I agree," princess Chrisyntha chimed in. "There are too many unknowns: A war with BIOS and its proxies could be the beginning of the end of our hegemony, which right now is maintained more by the illusion of our power than it is by real power. If we go to war, and they call our bluff, the illusion will disappear and result in chaos."

"I disagree. We've been holding back too long. We don't have to declare war on BIOS to punish the planets that have attacked us. Every day that we don't makes us look weak, and that erodes the illusion of our power, too, dear daughter."

"Father, I agree with those who want to try a carrot-based approach, and I want to go a step further. I think it's time we considered creating a whole new order in the realm based on peace, trade, and cooperation, not coercion and protectionism."

"'We' dear?" Darius asked. "Remember, I'm still Xymora's leader, so there is no we."

"Yes, dad, I meant no disrespect."

"You're an idealist, but that's not best for the current environment in the realm. We have to display strength to keep the peace."

"I don't think that's constructive, father. The concessions that many are asking for are tough, but it's better than war. For example, many want us to stop enforcing the border around the realm that prevents people from expanding into territory outside of the realm. Why not relax the rules and allow some exploration and settlement outside the realm? That would reduce the impetus driving the Ahkosans to fight us to open our markets and the impetus driving other leaders and groups to wage wars to steal wealth from others because there's so much land and resources outside the realm for people to access, so they wouldn't need to. The scarcity that's heating things up in the realm is artificial. "

"Freeing people to expand into space outside of the realm would cause numerous problems. I don't want to open the border because the further humans get away from each other, the more likely it is that we'll grow divided culturally, politically, economically, and biologically. The border in space helps shrink the size of our differences by forcing us to stay relatively close, which facilitates cultural exchange, some trade, and communication, which helps keep us from becoming too different. Too often, humans capitalize on differences to discriminate, hate each other, and, eventually, wage bloody wars."

"His majesty is correct," said Genn. “Sealing the realm's border prevents the space mining monopolies from expanding into new regions of space with abundant supplies of raw materials like metals and minerals. It's a way of managing supply to keep prices at an appropriate level. If all the space mining companies in the realm suddenly stumbled on abundant sources of raw materials to mine on the planets, moons, and asteroids beyond the realm, the prices of raw materials would crash and harm the realm's economy even more. So we have to keep the supply of raw materials below a certain threshold. The border helps with that."

"What you really mean is you don't want the other space mining companies in the realm to get access to materials beyond the border because it would allow them to compete more easily with Asterys, our space mining monopoly," Chrisyntha shook her head. "And the real reason you don't want prices to drop is that so many elites who have shares in Asterys benefit from the revenue higher prices for raw materials generate for them."

"Your majesty, if I may, that's one thing I agree with Chrisyntha about. Asterys shouldn't be a monopoly. We need to break it up. From a purely military perspective, if we are going to war, we want to have multiple mining companies competing with each other to drive down prices for the raw materials we will need to build tons of weapons," Nodalis said. "The cheaper the raw materials are, the more weapons we can make."

"No, we are right to defend our own industries!" Darius yelled.

"Well, I don't agree with her on opening up the realm's border because the border helps prevent enemy planetary groups from accessing the vast resources outside the realm to use for their war machines," Nodalis added.

Darius nodded.

"I'll never open the border, and Asterys works fine the way it is. Never forget, daughter, those elites you said profit off it are my friends," Darius continued. "The people don't know what's good for them. I do."

"But father, to them, the area outside the realm is a place of wonder, opportunity. With all the resources and planets out there, many people throughout the realm see the chance to experience abundance like never before. They want to have the excitement of discovering new areas of space, new planets, asteroids, moons, and more. Letting people explore out there would generate a ton of goodwill and make us more popular with people here at home and across the realm. And maybe the best reason to open the realm now is to find new planets to move to before that cosmic cloud gobbles up the realm."

"Oh please, no one has to worry about that seriously for a while," Darius scoffed. "Let's move on. Nodalis, I want you to begin preparing for war with the Ahkosans. Send as many ships as we can. They must be crushed."

"Yes, sir," Darius nodded.

Chrisyntha looked dismayed.

"But Father—"

"That's it for today," said Darius, waving her off. "I want everyone except Nodalis to leave now."

The ministers were surprised by his sudden request but hid their shame and complied; rising together, they made their way through the door with Chrisyntha while Nodalis remained, wondering what was in store for him.

"I'm an old man with little time left," Darius said. "But I've made peace with it, so I don't want any pity. I have one major concern about what will happen when I'm gone. My daughter will succeed me, but as you can see, she's not ready to lead. She thinks diplomacy and conversation can solve every interplanetary issue. We can always avoid war through dialogue blah blah blah. I wanted you to see for yourself, and that's just what she got around to saying. If I had let the meeting go on, you'd all learn that she wants to undo almost every major policy of mine."

Nodalis shook his head.

"That's why I need you to be a firm, guiding hand for her. I just don't trust her to lead by herself when I'm gone."

"What are you really asking of me? I can't make her do anything when she becomes leader. She'll be far too powerful for me to control."

"To her, you're like an uncle. You'd have more influence than you think."

"She might tire of me easily."

"Well, there's another option," he paused as he pulled a sheet of paper onto the desk and slid it over to Nodalis. "Based on the law of modified succession, I can designate that you become caretaker leader after me instead of my daughter."

Nodalis poured over the sheet of paper. It said what Darius claimed. Nodalis paid particular attention to Darius's signature and fingerprint on the paper. It was legit.

"Of course, the position of caretaker leader doesn't last forever. You'd get ten years, but I'm hoping that would be enough for you to shift her perspective while maintaining and expanding on our current policies."

"If I do this, people would claim it's a coup. She's so popular with the people. They adore her and want her to lead. More importantly, she's like a niece to me. I could never betray her."

"Again, the people don't know what's good for them. Sure, people will complain, but it's legal," Darius replied. "And you don't have to invoke it immediately when I die. You could wait and see; maybe decide at a later time."

Nodalis nodded creakily.

"This is about preserving our planetary federation's hegemony, which is good for the realm. Fools call us an empire, but beyond our federation, we only have a few possessions here and there, no colonies. Our power comes from our immense economic and military power her at home, not directly ruling other people, contrary to what the propaganda says. The rebels want chaos. So we have to stop them. My daughter just doesn't get it. But I know you do. After all, we go way back. We've always thought similarly about these things."

"Yes, we have."

"I love my daughter. She has a good heart, but sometimes I wish I could trade my daughter for yours. Your daughter is a colonel in the military now, isn't she?"

"Yes, she keeps climbing."

"That's quite an accomplishment. She was always ambitious, strong, and a born leader. "

"I couldn't be more proud."

"And I couldn't be more envious," Darius laughed. "Well, that's it for today. I hope you'll consider doing what I've asked," Darius added as he reached across the table and shook Nodalis's hand.

Nodalis nodded.

"Do you know why I picked you? I could have chosen Chrysintha’s cousin Raya to replace her. They are like sisters. And by law, she’s next in the line of succession. But she’s an idiot, too simple-minded for politics. I chose you because you always follow the rules, even back in our military days. You were always the dutiful soldier. A man like you doesn't do things rashly. And that's why you're just a general while I'm the leader of the federation."

Nodalis frowned.

"When I led the coup to take over the government, I never asked for your help because I knew you'd say no, possibly even report me, but after I took control, I also knew you'd be my most loyal soldier. You're just so good at following orders."

"Yes, sir," Nodalis grudgingly replied.

"Good man. Now, be on your way."

Nodalis stood, saluted, and exited the room.

Darius's eyes followed, fixed on him as he went. He laid back in his chair, assailed by the gravity of the decision he had just made.

Am I doing the wise thing? He thought. Only time will tell.

But he frowned, remembering he wouldn't be around to judge. After all, he'd have to die for the successor, whoever it would be, to take over. The weight of his decision would fall on generations he would never witness. He could only hope for the best. It was partly why he left the ultimate choice up to Nodalis. It calmed his mind somewhat to know that the decision wouldn't be entirely his. It was so much easier to make decisions without living with the consequences or having any skin in the game. He had simply opened a door. It would be up to Nodalis to step through it or not.