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Senator Adonius
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Quadrant: Darna Quadrant
Government: Republic of Hekat
System: D-447
Planet: Ora
Location: Agora City, Governor’s Office
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***
One month ago - Day of the Grand Hunt’s First Challenge
***
“Senator Adonius, the soldiers of Republic Space Command are not your personal lackies. You are Interim Governor of this system only. If I hear another report of Flagship Thorn breaching codes of conduct, I will be rescinding their pass for the system.” The pompous Commander Merrik says to me.
Father warned me of him, a man of principles who cannot be purchased. How I loathe the self-righteous. The implants embedded in my temples hum as they suppress the urges. Father also told me there was a way around such men of principles. A way will be provided shortly.
“Commander Merrik, I will have a writ from the Senate sent to you shortly. Until then, Long Live the Republic.” I wave my hand ending the transmission before he can speak.
Leaning back in my chair now, I rub my temples. It won’t be much longer, father will have bribed the lower Senate to give Thorn full access to the system, letting us use the pets we have collected. Soon I will be able to prove myself worthy of Helenius’s blessing, taking up an Edict in their name, as my father and his father before him did.
“Governor Adonius, Officiator Marcus and Warden Akaria are here for you.” My new assistant says over the intercom. I wonder how long this one will last. Hopefully longer than the last.
“Send them in.”
As they enter, Marcus gives a weak bow, befitting his weak will. Akaria as always remains cold in her stare; she does not bow to me, nor does she call me by honorifics as she ought. Always defiant. No matter, soon I will bring her to heel.
“Sir, there’s been a small error in the account of the number of Kuwathi who will be attending the Grand Hunt.” Marcus explains, rather annoyingly. Why must they always bring their problems to me.
“How many?” I sigh.
“113,492 have been collected after the initial – screening process.”
His demeanor irritates me, if not for the implants I think I would like to see his head on a spike, right outside the lavatory. Perfect place for him. Controlling the urges I move back to his words.
“Marcus, get to the point.” I say, tenting my hands in front of me, slowly spinning in my chair, only half present here. Word from father should arrive soon.
“The writ we have from the Lower Senate in regard to the Grand Hunt specifies it must be under 101,000. Anything above must be elevated.” Marcus says, there is sweat disgustingly rolling down his brow.
Now rubbing my temples again, the implants working overtime suppressing the desire I have to flay Marcus into a suit, making Akaria wear him.
“Akaria, why is this bumbling fool bringing this to me and not to you?” I ask, turning to her now.
“Sir, I…” Marcus begins, but I snap my fingers, silencing his stupid mouth before it pains my ears with more of his drivel.
Akaria does not show me any inflection as she prepares to answer, her mask is thicker than when we were children, how I enjoyed those initial days after father bought her. Even reminding her of the price she sold for would bring light to her eyes. The implants press the feeling back.
“I informed Marcus of a suitable solution a week ago when he brought it to me.” She says, now swiping her holopad, pulling up a series of communications between them. My implant’s analyze the data, but I mentally push away the feed.
“Summarize it.” I say, not caring for the boring details.
“We can shift them to the other Kuwathi settlements in the southern hemisphere.”
“We don’t have the time to do that. Sir, it must be completed within the next six hours before the first challenge.” Marcus says. My eyes narrow at him.
“Akaria, give Marcus the solution.” I say, leaning forward, inspecting her face closer. I do not need my implants to tell me how to solve this simple problem, my instincts are enough.
She moves her hand through her holopad once more. Showing us transport ships. My eyes peer closer at her now, she knows this will fail, she is not a fool like Marcus. They will postpone the Hunt if we admit faulty collection proceedings leading to a higher than authorized harvest. No, the solution is very simple. The reason she does not reach it is also clear, she wishes for the Grand Hunt to fail, but she knows she can’t be the reason or father will punish her, and those under her on Helenius Prime.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
“It may be possible, but it will be a logistical nightmare getting them out before the inspection team comes through.” Marcus says.
If only he had been given implants as a child, he might not be such a moron, and I might not be tasked with dealing with him. Price of his being a bastard I suppose. Perhaps he would look better as a hatrack. The implants press me to relax, suppressing the urges.
“Then you should begin by…” Akaria starts.
“No.” I say, tilting my head at her ever so slightly, the edge of my lip forming in a smile “Akaria, he needs the fastest solution.”
Her eyes turn to meet mine, how I miss her old ones. It was such a shame that father ripped them from her skull. The light they used to make always… the implants stir once more.
“This is the fastest solution.” She lies, her false confidence does not fool me. It never has.
Even if she were to somehow fool me, the implants would alert me to the subtle changes in her behavior. She may try to hide behind her mask, downing anxiety suppressors but I know what lies beneath. A feast of raw emotions to devour.
“Marcus, send them to the trough.” I say, unable to suppress my delight any longer as I see Akaria shudder, a tensing in her face.
Marcus stares blanky at me like an empty canvas that pretends to be art. If he were not from a Noble family, I would have killed him long ago and painted on that canvas using his blood. That would be art.
“That would be a swift solution – that’s more than 12,000 souls, feels like a waste.” Marcus says, taking a step back.
“You forget that an Inquisitor from the Theocratic Imperium is a Keeper this year.” Akaria says, almost challenging me with her stare, her clenched hands giving away her anger.
Of course I did not forget, she knows as well as I that Inquisitor Dargo is here to observe me. It is not uncommon for them to send someone to observe the most promising of candidates. He will respect my resolve. How could he not. My holopad sends an alert through my implants, in the corner of my vision I see a message from father.
I open the message from father.
The writ has been approved for Thorn to deliver the cargo in orbit.
Your cousin is still working on the exemption for the next challenge.
He is unfortunately not as capable as you.
How is Akaria faring in her duties?
My mouth tightens as I read the last part, this is my time to shine, and he asks after his pet. I send him a quick reply.
I am only as capable as I am because of your tutelage father.
Her performance is adequate, for the moment.
“You will send the required amount to the trough. If you fail, there will be consequences.” I say turning my attention back to the matter at hand, taking note of Akaria’s displeasure, savoring it.
If she were not father’s favorite pet, the things I would do to her, I lick my lips as I imagine peeling back her flesh. A headache begins to form on my brow, from the implants no doubt. The thought falls away, but one lingers still, less potent but still requiring release.
“Akaria, find me someone who looks like Marcus.”
Marcus shudders, a grin finds its way to my lips again. I do enjoy his weak spine. Someday, perhaps I will make it into a coatrack. For today, I will have to manage with a look alike.
“Understood.” Akaria says, her face is calm, but I know that something lurks under it, something delicious.
“Forbidden fruit.” I mouth without meaning to as I try to peel back her mask of falseness.
“Sir?” Marcus says, a notable gulp follows.
I wave them both away, I must meditate, the implants will need recalibrating soon as well. Fragging hells, the things I must put up with for Father’s dreams. If only I could do as I please. If only she were not his favorite. Perhaps he will give her to me if I complete this grand task he has set before me.
***
“Welcome Hunters!” Marcus says, over the Colosseum’s intercom system “Give it up for the first round of hunters everyone!”
My face wears a smile for the millions who watch from the stands cheering, and the countless others from the drone footage. In truth I do not appreciate their adoration, the thought of my name upon their disgusting lips sickens me, yet another burden I must bear for father’s dreams. The prodigal son must always usher in his father’s dreams, or so my grandfather told me – days before my uncle drove an Edict into his heart. There is advice in two forms here I suppose.
“Okay - Okay settle down everyone, and now a word from the Governor of this system. The one gracious enough to organize the festivities for all of us!” Marcus says as our gravpod hovers to the center of the Colosseum, I detect he is enjoying himself. He has forgotten what tonight holds. Good, I would have his emotional palate fresh for what comes. It is always sweeter when they come happy.
“I am Senator Adonius of the great and noble House Helenius. As many of you are no doubt aware, I am the Interim Governor of this wonderful solar system.” I say to the multitude of garbage that gluttonously feasts upon foods.
The only pleasure I see in them is knowing their excrement goes to the trough as well. My implants show me a message from Flagship Thorn’s Commander.
Ready when you are, Governor. – Admiral Avek
A soldier that knows his duty to his house and pays the respect that’s due. A fine example of House Helenius’s troops. Unlike the pompous RSC commander. I digress, I must speak to the masses still. Raising a hand now to silence their awful cheers.
“I am pleased to announce the official start of the 447th annual Grand Hunt. We have a large selection this year, the largest in over a hundred years I am told. Ten Kuwathi cities have volunteered their citizens seeking glory. More than 100,000 souls will compete.” I lie.
The Kuwathi beasts were voluntold, perhaps one of the few entertaining aspects of this position father thrust upon me. How I enjoyed watching the sands become red.
“I hope you all enjoy the opening festivities. Long live the Republic.” I say, as they repeat it back I can’t help but to give a real smile, for they do not know what comes. They do not know the plans that have been laid. My hand trembles with excitement at the thought of it.
After a boring exchange of dialogue that father’s team of driveling sycophants concocted for me and Marcus to use during the Hunt, the first official challenge is beginning. Thorn has already launched the cargo. Now the feast for my eyes begins.
“Ladies and gentlemen! I give you the Gana Emperor Scorpion!” Marcus yells.
I give a command through my implants to my holopad that opens the cages. My face opens into a smile as the first of the genetically filthy is cut in half by the oversized scorpion’s claws. I wonder if these creatures can understand the service they provide, culling the herd of filth is a sacred task. A task that Noble’s have been charged with for more than a thousand years.
“Fun fact, the venom from the Gana Emperor Scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill others of its kind, and did you know their stomach acid is so volatile it can even break down metal? Makes transporting them incredibly difficult.” Marcus says, my head tilts at him as my eyes slowly move to Akaria, a half grin suppressed on her delicate face.
As I see one of the worthless below use this ‘fun fact’ to ruin my plans I force a smile on my face. I will get her back for this. She has made a critical mistake today. I will find what she holds dear and cut it from her heart’s flesh.