Ava bowed dramatically, "Of course, Empress. Anything else while I'm over there? People are starting to worry about you, so I fear that they might just leave you."

I blinked. Leave? Abandon me here and go?

You're Empress now. They fear your power and what you will do. Some people there also fear you giving them orders.

But, it's not like I'd give them a bad order, or something I wouldn't do myself.

Despite what Ava - pardon us - Builder Ava says, a majority of people do not like to be ordered around.

Hmm. This was becoming more than I thought it would be very quickly. If they left, then there went our best ship and best way to traverse the gates. Coming in, it didn't look like the ships docked here were moving anytime soon and Ottarn's ship is proving that. We needed ships.

"Ava. I have an idea. When you go back to Far Reach and see if anyone else - human or K'laxi - is willing to come with you. Don't tell them we want to make them builders, but don't like, deny it either. We're going to need more help here than just the two of us." I saw her face fall a little, uh oh. "But uh, you're still the first, and you're still my right hand, you'll hold a special place." That perked her up a little bit.

"We needed a ship. I'm worried that Far Reach might leave. See if you can get a duplicate of Far Reach's printer database. She should have plans in it to make just about anything we need, up to and including a wormhole generator and Stardrive."

Ava gasped. "we're going to make our own ship? But, we don't know any AIs."

I nodded. "We will have Builders though. If they can become starbases, I bet they could become starships. Plus, Venus doesn't use them, so I know it's possible."

When I mentioned Venus, Ava's breath caught and she raised her eyebrows. "You're not thinking of reaching out to Venus are you?"

I tried to make a noncommittal gesture. "Well, they are the official government in the inner Sol system. And they are experts in doing things without AI help."

Ava was firm. "They're assholes, Melody. They treat everyone not from Venus with no respect. They don't even think AIs are people."

Ugh, she's right. We couldn't reach out and contact Venus. If we did, we'd be seen by everyone else in human space as throwing our lot in with them. Okay, we'll do it on our own. People over here had been in space for a long time, they knew how to make starships, but why were their engines so weak? Why did they never learn how to use a wormhole generator?

They're ossified. They had no flexibility.

Well then, it was time for us to do some stretching exercises and see if we could get some flexibility back in place over here. "Ava thank you, you're right. No Venus. We'll do it on our own." Ava beamed at the compliment. "They must have a matter printer here. We'll see if Far Reach will let us duplicate the database and we'll build our own ship. We'll start small, a Frigate or something, there's no need to go nuts and make a Starjumper or Dreadnought right off the bat."

Ava smiled. "Wonderful. I think that's the right plan. I'll head over to Far Reach, get your coffee, see if anyone else wants to join us and grab a copy of the database. Back in a few!" She reached up and kissed me on the cheek before she left. My hand reached up to touch the spot as I watched her leave. What was that?

She understood what it meant to be the right hand to an Empress.

What did it meant to be an Empress? I looked around the throne at all the empty seats in the gallery, the empty floor far below me, the wall blocking me off from the rest of the Reach. This would not do. If I was to really be Empress, I could not rule from the rear, where nobody sees me. I needed to be... visible. I stared at the huge, closed off opening to the Throne, and the paltry doorway I made just an hour ago. That wouldn't do. Nobody could see me, could worship me from such a tiny door. I concentrated and thought how it's supposed to look.

Grey fog boiled and flowed across the floor from behind me and down the stairs, flowing toward the wall. Making a change this large was tiring, but on the Throne I felt like anything was possible. More and more fog appeared and climbed the wall at the far end of the room, and starting from the top the wall started to disappear. Working below the atomic level, the Nanites were disassembling the wall; they turned some of the matter into more Nanites, and the rest became swirls and eddies of dust.

About halfway through the opening of the wall, I could hear a commotion outside. It was probably surprise at such a large wall being taken down without any heavy machinery. I guess it could also be people worried about the blast of fresh air and the improved environmental settings I just activated. I hoped the vendors in front of the wall were able to move out of the way without being injured. I decided that if they lose any equipment I'd reimburse them personally, with the money that I would surely find somewhere. I'm sure that would be no problem. Anyway, nobody should be punished for the work I was doing making sure that I was more visible.

Nobody who doesn't deserve it, at least.

I mentally rolled my eyes as I could feel the Nanites nodding sagely to themselves.

As the wall came down, I began to see it. A crowd had formed outside the wall, and... yes I could hear the same singing I heard the first time. This must be The Smell of Soil after Rain's work. The wall faded entirely, and I was able to look down the entire Promenade of Reach of the Might of Vzzx. It really was an excellent view. I was able to see all the way down to the administrative offices and over to the docks. As people came streaming in, they were still singing. I raised the lights in the Throne brighter and illuminated everything just to the point of being painful. They're not the only ones who could put on a show.

Rain's congregation barely filled out the entrance, let alone the lower galleries, but as they came in, more people from around the Starbase followed.

Everyone likes a show.

I decided to play it up. I've heard it enough that I know the basic beats of the song. As it reaches its crescendo, I stood and spread my wings wide.

The crowd erupted. There was a wall of sound greeting me.

"People of Reach of the Might of Vzzx! After too long, your Builder, your Empress has returned! I am Empress Melody Mullen the First and I am here to help you become who you are meant to be. Who we are meant to be. No more will we cower in our starbase in our single system. We were an empire once, and will be again!"

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

They were chanting my name now. I had to admit, this was pretty great. I cast my gaze down and saw Rain watching the speech. I wonder how I was able to pick out individual people in the crowd so easily now? I gesture towards them, "The Smell of Soil After Rain! Approach me!"

As they bounded up the stairs, Rain was practically floating. They were rapturous. As they neared me, they got down on their knees and bowed, as their head touched the floor. Everyone in the crowd behind them followed.

"Rise."

He stood, practically vibrating with anticipation. There must have been some kind of tech in the room. I didn't need to shout, but the sound still had a nice, regal echo about it. "The Smell of Soil After Rain. You were the first. The first to recognize what I was, the first to see me for what I truly am. For that, you shall be rewarded." I reached a hand out and touched their shoulder. The crowd gasped as the white vestments turn royal blue. Yes, it was showmanship, but dammit, if I could do it, then why not?

"You are now my bishop for Reach of the Might of Vzzx. You shall be the head of all the congregations here and you will be responsible for making sure that I am worshipped correctly. Your first act is to call all the congregations here. We shall meet tomorrow to begin my reign properly. I will declare a celebration and will hear the pleas of my people. Let them know that should they so desire, they may petition me."

He turned and faced the crowd. I inclined my head slightly towards him, and in response, the crowd kneeled to him. Clearly, his head was swimming. "Rise my flock!" He said to the gathered crowds. "The Empress has given us an order. Come, let us go spread the word so that tomorrow we can finally have our prayers answered."

They cheered and there was more singing erupting from the crowd. In the time it took me to give my little speech and elevate Rain, the crowd doubled in size. Rain turned back to me, and I leaned in close to them and whispered. "Prove to me you're worthy of this elevation. Do not fail me." Their head jerked back, and their feathers rippled in surprise. Eyes wide, they nodded, and swallowed. I had taken all their joy of the elevation and turned it to fear.

Like we said, Great Empresses are feared and loved in equal measure.

I gently sent him down the stairs, and before he reached the bottom, his congregation picked him up and carried him on their shoulders out of the room. Presentation over, the crowd began to leave. I stood up. You wouldn't know it from looking at it but the Throne was surprisingly comfortable. Still, I was sitting quite a while. Ava hadn't returned either, so I didn't really know what to do. I guess I should head back to Far Reach and see what was going on. I didn't particularly want to be mobbed while I made it back to the dock, so I turned the crown and wings off. Huh, I was getting better at affecting the world around me. I walked down the side of the stairs so it's not completely obvious, and I left the throne room and walked towards Far Reach. As I went, I heard Rain's congregation rush around, spreading the word. Some people were amused and tolerant, some told them to leave and stop bothering them, and others were surprised and excited. As I approached the dock, I saw Ava. She's running towards me with a worried look on her face. Behind her, Omar and Um'reli are following behind looking confused and worried as well.

And she had my rifle on her back.

Ava saw me and waved frantically to get my attention. "Melody! There's a problem!"

I rushed up to them. "What's wrong Ava? Hello Omar and Um'reli, why are you here?"

"Far Reach declared Captain Q'ari unfit. She has assumed command of the mission and has stated that they're going home! She's disconnected from the umbilical and left!" Ava was practically vibrating with anxiety.

"What? Unfit? How come?"

Omar answered this time. "Have you noticed how whenever anyone is around you, they are awfully chill about how you're now a God Empress who can not be disobeyed if you use your new creepy voice?"

My face said it all apparently. No, I hadn't noticed.

Omar nodded. "Well, that's what happens. You are giving off some kind of 'don't worry about it' field when around folks, and when you leave, it wears off. Captain Q'ari didn't... take it well. Dr Irenieum confined her to her quarters. Mei'la and Fer'resi were pushing for us to leave."

"With me?" I sounded more hopeful than I felt.

Omar gave me a look. "That was not considered. Everyone figured you wouldn't leave. Ava showed up and said she's a Builder now too, and asked all of us if any of us wanted to stay with you and her to help rebuild the empire. She also grabbed your coffee stuff-" Ava holds up a bag, and smiles "-and said you asked for a copy of the printer database?"

"That's right. We're going to need our own starship. The ones that are here aren't very good, given that Mariens - Ottarn - who was trying to run in one that is practically leaving at a walking pace. I wanted a copy of the printer database so we could make our own Starships."

I looked at them again. "So, if you're here then... you're in?"

Omar shrugged. "I didn't have anything going for me back home. Spouse died a few years back, we never had kids, I re-enlisted just for something to keep my mind off things. Staying out here is something new and different at least. I've never been this close to a God Empress before. Also, when Ava said you wanted a copy of the printer database I figured you'd need an operator. I bet you can't run a printer and I don't know how well anyone here would do."

I walked over and give him a hug "Oh Omar. You're welcome with us. Always." I kissed him on the lips and he jumped back. "Woah Melody! you're nice and all, I'm not into women like that."

I blushed in embarrassment. "Oh no, no, I'm sorry Omar, that's the easiest way I can give people Nanites to make them a builder. I apologize! I should have asked first!"

"It's okay Melody, but next time warn a person." Omar tactfully wiped his lips when he thinks I was not looking.

I looked over at Um'reli "What about you? Why do you want to stay? I thought a bunch of K'laxi feared me because of that old religion."

She scoffed. "Not all of us Melody. I'm an atheist, always have been. Most of my familial group is. Ava explained what was going on, and how you had said you didn't want just humans to be Builders-" I glanced over at Ava and she winked "-and thought that you were right. There was no reason that we had to sit by and be a client species if we were being offered a partnership." Um'reli looked at me carefully. "It is a partnership, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, of course. I can't do it on my own, and the K'laxi have been our friends for centuries. I'm not about to say that you were our friends but now you're a client group. I'm the Empress, but you can be a Builder as well."

Um'reli smiled. "Thanks Melody. So... kissing?"

"Just a quick peck. The Nanites said it was the fastest way to give you some. If you don't want to, we can find out if there's a different way."

"No, no, it's it's fine..." Her fur rippled a blush. "Are you sure Ava won't be jealous?" Um'reli laughs.

I laughed too, but Ava just chuckled politely. I looked over, and holy shit, she was jealous. I pretended I didn't notice and bent down and gave Um'reli a peck on the mouth.

"Okay, it'll take about a day for the Nanites to grow and reproduce until you have enough to be able to do stuff like me. The language processing comes fastest though, that one should be working at least a little bit in a few hours."

Ava came forward and handed me my rifle. "I know you didn't ask for it, but... I know how much it means to you."

I couldn't believe she thought of me enough to bring me this. It was so thoughtful.

"Thank you Ava, it's incredibly thoughtful of you to do that." I went in for a hug, and she turned my face and gives me a kiss too. I shrug mentally and kiss her back. After, I leaned back and waggle the rifle, "How did you get this?"

"Oh, While Omar and Um'reli were getting their things I was waiting by the airlock and realized that you still had your rifle in the locker. I touched the panel and it popped open! I grabbed it and then Omar and Um'reli appeared and we left quickly."

Nobody should be able to open those lockers.

Builders can. She probably just thought really hard about being able to please you.

I looked at my new team. It was just the four of us, but I'm hopeful that we could do great things.

Omar looked around the dock and then back at me. "So, uh Melody, where do we sleep?"

Shit.