The Lake Retreat is a surprisingly productive place for the rest of the week. Meeker tones down his attempts to humiliate me and I don’t space him. Beecham has two dedicated students now that want to be caster-crafters like he is. Even Jenna has a dedicated student that wants to go into body mods and physical enhancement. It’s a good spread and nobody seems overwhelmed, even though the 15 year-old has some volume control issues with his magic, or he’s trying to impress someone. Jury’s out on that.

For me, I’ve been buried in menus and spreadsheets since Naomi briefed me and I’ve been overnighting with Katie in Asphodel as she slowly recovers from whatever continues to mess with her head. She tells me that Atropos is helping her piece together memories of what and how long this had been going on, but we both agreed that malicious intent is behind it. She seems ashamed of herself most of the time I’m with her, and dismisses me in time for me to make it to my classes instead of allowing me to work next to her for a while. I try to express my love and willingness to help as much as I can, but even Tessa reminds me that how I want to be comforted does not translate well to Katie. So I wait until she tells me she’s saturated and then I goi about my workday with sadness all over my face.

Naomi has hired a headhunter and they have some promising leads on economists that can help take over what took me three days to even start understanding the problem we’re having. She’s asked for a meeting first thing tomorrow so that the economist can hire a team to start work immediately, she went on a small tangent about how it would be better if we had them during the Festival because of the massive bill we would be footing, but I looked over most of the subsidies that we’re giving to participating businesses and the people we’ve hired for entertainment--none of it seemed ruinous.

“You’ve got your thinking face on, it looks like you want to murder your coffee.” I look up to find Jenna with a sheen of post-workout perspiration that makes her face glow.

“Hey gorgeous. Just needed some extra time this morning to mentally prepare for the week-long fiasco that starts tomorrow.” I take a sip of my coffee to find it cooled. I put a little aether into a heat manifestation to fix the problem.

“Yeah, uh, about that. Now that I have a student, it feels wrong to leave with you. I was planning to hand you off to Camacho and hitch a ride back. I got a dozen volunteers from our list of qualified Navy watchstanders to be your security force for your public appearances. Naomi and I talked through it while you were studying.”

Her taking care of me is a turn on, but after discovering she dislikes PDA, I refrain from kissing her to show my appreciation. “You’re the best Jenna. Thanks for taking such good care of me.” Luckily she has come to terms with the small touches of comfort that I like when we’re together and she likes to stand near me anyway. Middle grounds are hard sometimes, but I’m glad we sat down and talked about it. We’ll see what happens long term.

“Since you’ve decided you’re staying, I’m putting you in charge of the Retreat and giving you access to an expense account for things like facilities, components and medical supplies.”

“That’s great and all, but how long do you think you’ll be gone?” She asks while looking through an Exchange list and having a snack tray delivered to the table in front of us.

“Ooh! Cheese!” I see a nibble of smoked Gouda and snag one. Jenna swats at my hand but not before I’ve obtained my prize. “Week and a half, maybe two? I want to come back and see the progress, maybe supervise some training trips outside of the Aether Syphon zones.”

This time when I reach for a nibble of summer sausage, I pause and wait for her to respond. She rolls her eyes and then nods at me. I can’t help but beam her a happy and grateful smile. We’re communicating! The sausage is delicious, and I am absolutely going to take this as license to share her food from time to time. Not to the point where I just eat half her meal, but a fry or a cheese square or two should be fine.

“Okay, I can work with that. This afternoon I wanted to spend a few hours with Aeden and make sure she knows what weapons I want her to work on with Troy.”

“Are you going with me? If so, that should be enough meeting time before a dinner meeting I have scheduled.”

“It’s called a Handoff, Penny. I go, I talk to Camacho, she relieves me and you go with her.”

Now it’s my time to roll my eyes. Her sense of duty is stellar, but I never would have thought she’d insist on tagging along for a thirty minute shuttle ride. Normally this trip would take about four days, as we’re two jumps away from Astoria via a normal shuttle’s warp array and their aether recharge time. After Alaris was delivered, I spent some quality time with her warp system and replicated it on Indulgence. Not as high-powered, only goes about 1200 ly, but it’s a bump up from the barely 500 ly she used to go. Either way, it’s a single jump back home and I wonder briefly if anyone is using the Manor now that Katie is in retreat on Asphodel.

I have to pull Jenna away from her training session so that I can make my meetings in an hour. She complains a little that she doesn’t have adequate time to shower, but I just tell her I have twelve bathrooms in my house and she can fix the error when we get there.

>P] Hey wife, I’m headed for Astoria for Founder’s week, you want me to swing by and pick you up?[<

>K] No thank you, dearest. I’m still collecting myself and figuring out what I’m going to do with the Manor, my attendants and the whole situation that got away from me. I will see you tomorrow in the Governor’s office though.[<

>P] Okay hon, let me know if you need anything. Love you. [<

She chirps me in the affirmative. A tad impersonal, but also not the first time she’s done it.

Even though shuttling in and out of atmosphere can be pretty boring, I like the motions of flying, the feeling of freedom for even just thirty minutes. Oddly, I like the handling of the Beecham-built shuttles because they’re my tech, where as this craft was just modified by me. I’m instructed to land behind the Capitol Complex instead of on my rooftop, because Camacho is there and the space is closer to my meetings.

We exit down the side hatch and the aftermarket stairs and see Camacho waiting in her Navy jumpsuit with tactical gear belt and side-arm, and Naomi standing next to her. As soon as my feet hit the landing pad, Camacho salutes.

“Welcome home Admiral.”

I shake my head with amusement “At ease Sailor. Permission to speak freely while on security detail.”

“Astoria’s blessed bits. That would have gotten old.” Camacho turns to Jenna. “Got anything to hand off?”

“Some rumors of trouble followed us to Elysium. Keep an ear out for any aggression toward the wife too.”

Camacho shakes her head, “Some of those aren’t just rumors Jen. Public opinion of her is . . . unstable. We don’t have the network to keep tabs on that. If that’s all though, I relieve you.”

“I stand relieved.” They salute each other and Jenna turns back to me. “Give me a call if you need support this week okay?” She places a hand on my shoulder and engages my eyes.

I smirk and pull her collar toward me for a kiss. “I will, thank you. Don’t have too much fun without me.”

“Alright you two. Keep it in your pants.” Camacho interrupts. “Admiral, we have a busy afternoon ahead, if you would please follow Naomi.”

I squeeze Jenna’s arm as we part and her hand trails down my back to my butt, giving it a little pat. It makes me unreasonably happy at the provocative little tap, showing me that she understands she can be playful with me whenever and it won’t affect my professional opinion of her.

Naomi leads us to a currently unassigned office in the Consul Hall, one with a beautiful view of the center park and the House of Governors across the way. Each of the offices in the Consul building have a small front room with a desk and a lounge and a large, windowed office with a large desk a few chairs and a small interactive conferencing space on the side with refreshments. It’s a large office, sure, but there’s quite a bit in it.

“Okay, so your head hunter is waiting in your office, and the applicants are in an adjacent office. I’ll let him explain the format of this interview.” She opens the door in front of me leading into a decorated secretary space whose lounge looks a tad gilded for my tastes. She opens the door to the larger office and everything looks ostentatiously expensive.

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“Is this the normal décor, or did someone do this on purpose?” I don’t try to hide the distaste from my tone. It’s trying to hard and far to gold.

“It was my best effort at Imperial?” Naomi raises her tablet and tries to hide behind it. I nod at her honesty.

“Alright then, everyone back to the Aide office. You too Mr. Headhunter.”

“It’s Bill, your Imperial Majesty, Bill Walsh.” Oof, he’s right about how rude my entrance was.

“Yikes, sorry Bill. That was rude of me. This whole situation is throwing me off right now. Please, follow us out of the room.”

Alright Tessa, emergency remodel, think Astorian Navy Epaulette.

I will consult and have it done in a few minutes.

You’re the best Tessa, and thank Andromeda you’re a better interior designer than me.

“Is this really important right now?” Camacho asks.

“Sadly, yes. Since people are reluctant to meet at the Manor for . . . reasons, this will be the Empress’ meeting office for the foreseeable future.”

“I agree with miss Waits. This is also an interview of the Empress as well. People respond to their employer’s demeanor and style. Speaking of, this suit with the light edging and stitching is quite arresting.” He reaches to feel the lapels and Camacho grabs his wrist and shakes her head.

I smile at the both of them. Thanks Bill. An image consultant slash PR person is one of the next people I’ll be searching for. Urban Planning and Development POC as well.” He nods as he makes a few notes on his HUD.

Your new office is ready.

I don’t alert anyone and just walk through the door. I see a mosaic of purple, grey and gold. There are a few splashes of pink in the desk inlays and the teacups, but deep purple runners with gold trim and the gold table cloth with purple trim anchor the edges of the room win opposite colors while the greys and silvers keep the space from being oversaturated. The royal purple floor to ceiling curtains with a little pink monogram pattern catch my attention. Windows don’t need that much vertical space?

I spread them apart to find a gilded balcony with a cherry-colored wooden podium in the middle. What is this, Evita? I’m all for a balcony with this view, but am I meant to address the people like this? That is definitely what Tessa had in mind.

“Oh, yes, this is much more personal. The podium on the balcony behind you is very Imperial Majesty. Hmm, whomever designed this you should consider keeping.”

Great work babe. I’ll have to think of a way to help you with some things.

I chuckle at that, “Thanks Bill. I do have a few capable friends. Let us start the process of finding another, hey?” He nods and takes a seat at the small table in the corner. He can study my face without being in view of the interviewees. Camacho takes a spot at the corner of my desk between me and the prospective employees, and Naomi goes to fetch the first of them.

The first applicant comes in with a casual posture and confident stride. His heather suit was about as neutral as you could get without picking beige. His reddish-brown skin, commanding mustache and boots led be to believe he was an ex-cartel money man--perhaps a still-cartel man—that frequented gatherings where his image alone lent to his business credibility without being offensive.

“Good afternoon Empress.” He said with no reverence whatsoever, putting his hand to his chest before sitting down and beginning to talk with no prompting. Just like that I wrote him off. He talked for another ten minutes about his money management skills and record keeping for difficult accounts. Tessa thinks he was a money launderer and I’m keen to believe it.

“You may leave, Mr. Castillo. Naomi will escort you out”

“That’s it? No questions? Isn’t this and Interview?” He stands in frustration but checks his movement forward when Camacho draws her side arm and points it at his legs.

“Alright, what do you respect Mr. Castillo?”

He smirks at that and puts his hands on his hips. “I respect Money, Power, and the ability to make more money with power.”

I smile a predator’s smile and lean with both hands on my desk, “Now, you’ve either just lied to me, or you’re an idiot. I have no time for either. Camacho, help the man leave my office if necessary.”

Castillo raises both hands and turns on his heels to leave. Naomi follows him out and Camacho stops at the door to close it.

“I hope that isn’t an indication of the rest of the applicants. Learn quickly Mr. Walsh, I don’t want another interview like that again.”

He nods and continues taking notes. “I should take a few minutes to go talk to the others.” I nod at his proposed action and he dashes out before Naomi arrives with the next one.

Camacho doesn’t say anything as she holsters her weapon and resets to her place at the corner of my desk. Can’t complain about that kind of professionalism.

Bill comes in again and hastily sits at the side table, when moments later Naomi walks in with a tall woman in tow, crisp movement , crisp black suit with a white button down, looking straight out of a Men in Black movie. Her clean, emotionless tone while addressing me with the appropriate words and motions of respect as though she were reading recommendations off a prompt on her HUD.

I ask her approaches on investments and government run revenue streams and her opinion on some things that we’re already involved in, such as selling resource rights to different entities, foreign and domestic and such. Her answers are professional and seemingly well researched into the state of the Empire.

For my final question, “Would you be willing to accept a different and possibly more subordinate position?”

Miss Day responds, “As long as the offered wages are above my minimum, I would consider the offer.”

“I see. Thank you for your time, Miss Day. Naomi will contact you within a week.”

“Your government presents interesting opportunities. Being a part of this would develop several of my interests.” She bows slightly and waits for me to dismiss her. She knows protocol too, and I find myself appreciating the clinical approach she offers.

The next two candidates boasted impressive educations but their experience and demeanor did nothing for me. They weren’t offensive like the first guy, but I likely wouldn’t remember them next week. Bill takes more notes, but has recognized the atmosphere of I intend to compartmentalize the stages of this process.

The next man walks in, rigid and proud, but wary. He checks the room quickly, stopping briefly on Bill and Camacho before lingering on the chairs in front of the desk and then on my face. No sign of recognition crosses his features, in fact, he alters his stare to the top of my desk and stops next to the chairs. This man, in his expensive navy suit, white button down and purple tie definitely did his homework. He takes a half step back and pulls his arm across his chest in a homage to kneeling before me.

“Thank you for this opportunity, your Imperial Majesty.”

“I appreciate the decorum Mr. Mercer. Please take a seat.”

With the formalities over, he unbuttons his jacket and sits, and crosses his ankle across his knee.

We sit there in silence, staring at each other.

“Tell me, Mr. Mercer. Did you know who I was before you walked in?”

“I did. Penny Astoria is too close to my daughter’s name for me not to suspect something.” He’s buttoned up his emotions hard. No tells what so ever about pride or disappointment anywhere in his eyes.

“Okay then, what makes you want a position working for me?” I try not to allow emotion to seep in, but a sneer escapes.

“Accomplishment and Recognition. The same things I’ve always wanted. This opportunity is bigger and simpler than any I’ve tried for. You are essentially the ruler of all Humanity, wealthy beyond belief, and the position of Consul will be coveted amongst the ambitious. Our interactions should continue to be professional and exchange related, as your tone indicates you have no desire to develop a sense of family between us.”

“You are correct.” He nods at that, accepting that I have no interest in being his daughter like a dollar in the wind.

“Last question before we gather up the data sheets and correlate behaviors and reports. If you were offered a different position, possibly subordinate, would you take it?”

He doesn’t wait a second before responding, “Not if it was less than Consul. I will work directly for you or not at all.”

“Straight forward and to the point as always Mr. Mercer. Thank you for your time. My assistant Naomi will be in contact within a week.” To my surprise, he stays seated. “You are dismissed, sir.”

Camacho doesn’t hesitate to take a step forward to “help” if he has difficulty, but he rises gives his token kneel and quickly exits. Naomi shuts the door and everyone turns to look at me.

“Don’t. The people who birthed me were absent at best. Naomi, now that I know that they are here, Mrs. Mercer will never be welcome in my presence. Not even a token invite.” I take in the expanse of the room and then look out toward the park. “Twenty minute break. Was I supposed to dine with the chosen candidate?” They shrugged. “Andromeda save me. Okay, Naomi, invite Rich, Paco, and the Botanist to dinner in Capitol Park. Camacho, I need you thinking like an Imperial Knight tonight, Personal guard and all that. Okay. Dusk with lights for conversation. Hosted bar with a tender. Bill, you know everyone. Help her out.”

“Two questions, Empress. Can I invite others? And does this mean I’m hired?”

“Yes, but only non-shit Consul candidates. Also yes, you are a part of my personal staff. I thought that was solved already. Come up with what you want to call the position on your desk.” I look around and see people waiting for me to spew more words. I start clapping, “Only a few hours people, ask questions or get moving!”

Both Bill and Naomi look shocked for a second before pulling up their HUDs and wandering off down the park trails in opposite directions.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen you act like an Empress. I like how you acted in that office. Made me think about respecting you. There spots open on your guard?”

“Yes, Camacho. Sixteen including DeGurgis is my goal. Let us start with eight though.”

“Copy. I have two people in mind. If they’re interested, they’re invited to dinner.”

“I concur. You will brief me on them before they arrive.” She nods and pulls up her HUD but puts her hand on her gun just in case. I respect this woman more as she acknowledges I might be worth something. I also appreciate shrewd people once I understand their metrics.

Andromeda, don’t take this to heart, but I enjoyed this afternoon. I will curse you if you visit this on me too often.