In a crater of the moon, a straight bridge extends from the southern edge of the gray gap, with lights flickering on and off in a flowing pattern to the entrance of the sidereal castle, a levitating fortress supported by powerful magnets, which sits right in the center of Shackleton's black mouth. Four white towers, neat and smooth, grow from the corners of the fortress, a structure built mostly of precious, scarce metalcorona and refined moon rock. Seen from above, Lord Edmund Musk's palace looks like a large X, covered by a protective dome of perennial lightning.

Two women enter the throne room, a wide metallic corridor supported by a black void, from which a dozen teslas coils rise, their wide crystal bulbs illuminating the long hall with a sparkling light show that envelops everything like a tube. As they advance, the women's footsteps echo as a single pair, going side by side in perfect synchrony. They wear the same tight-fitting uniform, but with a different color pattern. One of them is tanned and the other sickly pale, the former has hair of a light violet and straight, and the latter of a dark violet and curls, their countenances possessed a certain resemblance evident to anyone. Elixis, the one in the white and blue uniform, and Hetalia, the one in the black and red uniform, plant their knees 20 paces from the throne and lower their heads.

Two men watch the Saga sisters. The nearest is standing on the platform at the bottom of the stairs, he is tall, strong, square-faced and proud, his light brown hair is tied in a small ponytail at the nape of his neck, and the wide cloak that covers his uniform is like a blanket of stars. The farthest one is old, short, bald, stocky, and lying on a floating throne. The coils spill their electricity behind him, and the tight-fitting insulating suit that enhances his huge belly allows him to rest on a backrest of pure energy almost as glistening as the sun. Perhaps that's why Lord Edmund wears those dark glasses, to shield his sight from his own throne. On both the monarch's garments and the prince's, a wide platinum cross is spread.

"Elixis, Hetalia, raise your heads. Your ave my permission to talk" says the Lord, who, to the ears of his subjects, always sounds heavenly and magnanimous. "It is a pleasure to receive visits from my officers, especially from such loyal ones as yourselves"

Elixis hastens to speak, renders the protocol, and adds of his own accord.

"The pleasure is mostly ours! I would like to say that seeing you is as impressive as admiring the sunrise from Shackleton, but that would be an understatement. You are without a doubt the most beautiful life form in the universe known and yet to be known"

Lord Musk's laugh is broad.

"You don't need to lie, Elixis. I know there are other nobles in the principality far more sought after than this old sack. I hear Sir Nixx is quite popular with the ladies"

"And among the gentlemen as well..." Prince Elías mutters to himself, his brow furrowed in eternal contempt.

"Alphonse El Nixx is handsome, I admit it" Elixis agrees. "But I wish he had half his rich presence. I can hardly control the urge to jump up and rape him, my lord. Next time we meet, please hide behind a curtain"

The prince on the platform is sullen. Hetalia closes her eyes and discreetly holds a white handkerchief to her mouth to stifle her bloody cough. Lord Musk laughs softly again.

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"But my lightning would stop you, Elixis, there would be nothing left of you, and that would be a huge loss to the cause"

"Never underestimate the love of a maiden. I could find a way to turn off the coils and disable your suit, in such a situation you would have no choice but to fall victim to my basest instincts, and I warn you that I can hold you for 24 hours without stopping. Of course I would be executed afterwards, but I would leave with the knowledge that it was worth it"

"24 hours..." Lord Musk stares at nothing, deep in thought. "That would be dangerous..."

"Father, please! -Prince Elías patience reaches its limit. "We request them to make them testify about their incompetence, not to debate foolishness!"

Elías gives Saga a withering look. Hetalia keeps her head down to hide the clots that paint her lips red. Elixis continues to wield a smile and a lively look. Lord Musk keeps watching his son cautiously, as if asking if this was really what they were planning to do, when for him, all this was a minor matter.

"Elixis... That man they hunted... I heard he was handsome, what do you think?"

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my Lord! And I only have eyes for you"

"What is the name of this parricide? Krause's murderer"

"Chester Lancaster! And you don't have to worry, we exterminated him as ordered"

Lord Musk smiles. A vein swells in Elías forehead.

"Chester Lancaster is still alive, you deluded woman"

Elixis's mouth drops open in disbelief. Hetalia raises her face slightly, and secretly her icy eyes are fixed like stakes on the prince.

"We're getting a signal from the North Star powering up!" He points an accusing finger at the sisters. "It didn't last long enough to pinpoint the exact location, but it certainly had to be him. He's alive! And you guys lied, or he ended up cheating on you. I don't know which is worse"

Elixis narrows his black eyes, and for the first time since he arrived, he is in a bad mood.

"I'm telling you Chester Lancaster is dead! Our report was crystal clear and detailed, and the NCOs who examined the case agreed.... No human could survive that. Maybe the North Star is much more resistant than the Lancasterians claim, and the machine survived the thermosphere crossing... But that we killed Chester, that's an absolute truth!"

Elias grinds his teeth, his countenance shining with the intention of ordering Elixis to be executed on the spot. But Lord Musk intercedes.

"My son, if Elixis says he killed the traitor, I believe him. The Saga sisters have never let us down. They proved their worth on Mars"

The Dawn Saga countenance brightens as she hears her majesty defend her. The Night Saga, on the other hand, remains aloof.

"Perhaps it would be a good idea to investigate that spontaneous activation of the North Star" Lord Musk says, cheek in fist. "The Lancasterians might be hiding details of the machines they develop, things they don't tell us. I leave it up to you"

Catching that his disposition failed, Elias performs with outrage the protocol farewell of a son who loves his father, though his face is far from looking delighted. Airing his cloak, he withdraws with long strides. As he crosses by the sisters, he shows them a hostile look that hides a promise: When I am Lord, they will learn that I never forget the favors... Nor slights.

With Prince Elías no longer present, Lord Musk allows himself to smile again. His tranquility is transmitted to the lightning, which takes on a slower and more harmonious rhythm.

"Excuse my son, Elixis. At times like this I wish Emir were my first-born, instead of him.... You know that for me the house of Saga is always held in high esteem. Give my regards to Sir Palazzo when you return to the Hyperion"

"I will let him know of your good feelings!"

"As compensation for this hard time.... I allow you to polish my bald head"

With wide eyes and a half-open mouth, Elixis passes to flash a catlike, ruddy-cheeked smile, and slips from his sleeve a golden handkerchief he keeps for those special occasions.

"It would be an honor!"