It was three days into stripping the Vengeance of Lavinia before the first trap was found.

Before that though, Omar wound up having more volunteers than he knew what to do with. I rounded up the leftovers and asked about their skills. Most everyone had a job here already so those whose work was still needed on the Reach were sent home with thanks. Others were tasked with helping support the people stripping Lavinia. Food and drinks were needed. Places to rest, messages to be delivered, tools to be found and brought. There was plenty to do.

Lavinia was much too large to be placed into one of our interior docking bays, so Omar diverted the printers from their work on the third ship - the Mariens ship Immar IV - and made some pressure suits. He then led a team out to carefully remove their missile batteries and lasers. They worked methodically and carefully and made sure they did not damage the hull. While Omar and his team carefully removed the outer weapons, a team led by Starlight on a Moonless Evening stripped the interior. The walls and doors were left, as well as personal effects - I'm here to send a message, not ruin lives - but furniture, art, computers, everything not directly related to the environmental systems, their Addressing Module - K'laxi make, probably purchased on the black market - and their thrusters were taken. We were going to take their wormhole generator as well. It was my idea, I was hoping to save time constructing a new one.

That was our mistake. As Starlight's crew worked to disconnect the wormhole generator, it exploded.

Fortunately for us, and everyone on the Reach, it was a small, targeted explosion. It's not a detonation of the wormhole generator, which might have taken all of us out. It was a small anti-personnel charge placed in the delicate machinery, destroying the wormhole generator. It critically injured two technicians who were nearby. It also killed Rapid River Roaring, who had insisted upon doing the work themselves. They were worried about something like this. This information was relayed to me by Starlight on a Moonless Evening. They came to me right after the fire crews came in to put out the flames and the rescue teams got everyone out and tried to save the injured. Starlight was covered in soot and some of their wing feathers were singed. They had been on their way to River to ask for a report on progress when the wormhole generator detonated. Starlight explained what happens in fits and starts, they flapped their wing-arms and shook their head. They're trying so hard to keep it together, and when they had to report to me that River died, they just couldn't. They fell to my feet and between sobs explained that River was gone.

I scooped up River and just held them.

In tears myself, I ordered a stop to work that day. Everyone is to put down tools for one day while we mourn the loss of Rapid River Roaring.

This will not stand. They were following my orders and they died. They died because of Venusian treachery. In a rage, I burst into the room that we were keeping the Venusians. Everyone stops what they were doing and stares at me.

"W̸̢̕h̷̖̀ḙ̷̌r̶̲̉e̷͓̕ ̷͈̑á̷̡r̸̦̍ē̴̠ ̵̙̎ẗ̸̹h̷͚̿ē̴̼ ̴̘͛t̷̤͗ṙ̴͖a̷̯̎p̶̱̋s̴͆͜.̶̟͒ Speak now!"

Raaden looks up from the corner where she's sitting. "Found the wormhole generator did you?

I strode over to her and could barely contain myself. "Where are the others? T̶̡̞̔ẹ̴̞̊̾l̶̫͔̐l̶̤͊͘ ̵̧̤̀͛m̵̥̰̑e̴͇̔.

"There's another bomb in the kitchen. If someone tries to open the food stores without knowing the code, it'll detonate. There's one more on the thrusters. If they are tampered with, the same thing happens." Raaden answered my order robotically. She literally can't stop herself and every time I make her speak she hates me more.

While I'm speaking to Raaden, Starlight came in. They haven't cleaned up yet and are still sooty and singed. "Empress. What have you learned?"

"Do not touch their food supply and do not touch their main thrusters. Everything else is open."

They nodded. "And whom shall we take?"

I looked back at them. "Pardon?"

"They killed one of us through treachery. It is only right we take one of theirs. They will need to learn that one does not underestimate the people of the Reach."

Tears on my face, streaming down my cheek, I swung my hand over the group randomly. "That one. You, stand."

A young man stood up nervously.

S̸̩̐t̵̤̄o̴͙͆p̵̪̽ ̶̪͝b̴͛ͅr̸̲̕ȅ̸͍a̵̗͊ẗ̸͇́ḧ̶̡́ḯ̶͚ñ̶ͅǵ̶̟.̷̳̾

His head cocked as he tried to understand the order and opened his mouth to speak, only to find he couldn't take a breath. Eyes wide in panic, clutching at his neck uselessly, he looked around the room, his mouth opening and closing without anything happening. Others in the room looked away while it happened.

You are doing the correct thing Empress. You are demonstrating your power as well as avenging River's passing. You are powerful, they are not.

No. No, this is wrong. They didn't do anything other than pick the wrong side. They didn't set the bomb, they probably didn't even know about the bomb.

Y̵͖͍̊̒ò̷̘̈͜ȗ̵̦͍̈ ̸̖̎m̴̯̓̕ͅa̷̖̜͠y̶̡̖̾ ̷̝̈́̕b̴̜̔͆r̸͍̬̐͑e̷̠͈͝ã̴̘͠t̶̟̐̚h̶̳̉ȩ̸̦͂̔.̵̠̈́

He gasped loudly and collapsed on the floor, panting. Starlight looks at me in surprise. "Why did you stop, Empress?"

"We are not barbarians, Starlight. We will mourn River's passing and celebrate them as a martyr. We will not kill a Venusian for no reason. They didn't set the bomb, they probably didn't even know the bomb existed. Raaden is the only one culpable here and she is worth more to us alive than dead."

Starlight stared at me a long time. Finally, a decision was made, and they nodded. "Empress." and they turned and walk out.

You should have finished it.

No. I wasn't going to kill someone because I was upset. That is a terrible reason to carry out an execution.

It has been used countless times.

That doesn't make it the correct choice.

When they're gone, I looked at the Venusians. "Look. Look at your colleague and see what I saved you from. It takes only a few words from me, and any one of you will suffocate, or worse. Starlight is broken over the loss of Rapid River Roaring. If any more of my people die, I will not stop a second time." I turned on my heel and walked out.

That night, I laid in the bath staring up, worrying. "What am I going to do?" I said to the ceiling.

The door chimed. "It's Ava."

"Please come in."

She came in and sees me in the bath and her eyes lingered. "Not tonight Ava, Rapid River Roaring died. They were blown up when the trapped Venusian wormhole generator detonated."

"I heard Melody, that's why I came." She immediately stripped down.

I sat up in the bath, hot water pouring off me. "What are you doing Ava? I said not tonight."

"No. No sex tonight Melody. Tonight you need comfort." She climbed into the bath, wincing. I liked it much hotter than she did. As she got used to it, she came over and leaned her head on my shoulder. Her arm went across my chest and she just laid there.

"How did Starlight take it?"

"They wanted me to pick a Venusian to kill."

Her grip on me tightened, but she didn't say anything.

"I made one stand up and ordered them to stop breathing." Ava grabbed me even tighter. "I was watching them, Ava. I was watching them writhe and panic and open and close their mouth like a fish. I-I couldn't do it. All I was thinking of was how mad I was, how upset I was at them, but also how this person who I was killing didn't do anything. Just be the wrong person at the wrong time. They didn't set the bomb, they didn't kill River... I did. I ordered them to start breathing again."

"How did you kill River?"

"I ordered them to strip the Venusian starship. River wouldn't have tried to take the wormhole generator unless I told them to. I did it."

"Oh Melody" Ava lifted her head and kissed my tear stained cheeks. "Melody, you didn't kill River. Venus did. Venus made the choice to trap the wormhole generator. Venus tried to take control. River's death is theirs."

Ava put her head down. I could hear her voice vibrating through my chest. "You were right to stop though. As much as I hate Venus, killing them over that would cause more trouble than it would fix."

I nodded. "It doesn't make it any easier though." Fresh tears ran down my cheeks silently. "I explained to the Venusians that if another person from the Reach died, I would not be so merciful. Ava, what am I doing? I'm not an Empress. I'm just someone who did a stupid thing and how I have-" I flung a wet arm around the room "-all this. All these people. All this... responsibility. Whether or not it's my fault, River died on my orders."

Ava lifted her head up and kisses my mouth. "Hey. Hey. You're doing great. You were thrust into something so big so massive with no training. Your instincts are right on."

"Oh but Ava, River died. They died and Starlight acted like their spouse died. Were they together? I never asked. I should have gotten to know them better."

"It's not too late. Invite Starlight up to lunch tomorrow. We could get to know them. They can tell us about who River was before the funeral."

"I should have asked Raaden about traps before we started."

She nodded. "But we didn't. The only thing we can do now is mourn River, complete the work, and show Venus that we mean business."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I turned my head and looked her in the eye. "Thank you Ava. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I would... have made a good choice about Raaden."

She laughed and gave my breast a squeeze, "Oh Melody, I know her type. If you have what she wants then she's your best friend and more. Once she has it, then you're discarded for the next shiny thing."

"I know, but... she looked really good."

"So you want me to get some riding boots to clomp around the Reach in?"

I blushed. "I uh, wouldn't say no to it."

Ava's laughter was music. I needed music now.

"You don't need to worry about Raaden stealing me away now. Her face Ava. Have you seen it? She hates me. I haven't seen anyone hate me as hard as Raaden hates me."

Ava nodded. "Raaden is trouble. I wish we didn't have to keep her here. She's going to be a constant pain."

"You were right Ava. You told me to watch myself. Thank you."

We stayed in the bath another hour, just holding each other as the water got cold. Then we got up, toweled off and fell into bed, exhausted. The night was blissfully dreamless.

The next day was Rapid River Roaring's funeral. Their funeral was in the afternoon by custom and so I asked Sound of the City to ask Starlight over for breakfast.

When they arrived, I could see that they barely slept. They did their best, but their feathers were dull and flat. Their eyes were tired and there was staining around the corners of their beak.

I had a breakfast table set up in my room for two. Ava got up and left early to go to her chair in the Throne "so I can get some work done before this afternoon."

"Starlight. Join me for breakfast before we begin today's preparations."

They sat silently as plates of food are brought up. By their expression, I could see that Starlight hadn't eaten in a while. I began slowly as they tucked into their plates. After a while, when they had finished their food, I had drinks brought up. Coffee for me and Tea for Starlight. "Starlight. I know this past day has been difficult for you, I wish to offer my more sincere condolences."

"Empress, thank you but that is not necessary. I know you care about us."

I held up a hand "Regardless, I feel terrible about River and what happened. You and River have shown a dedication to the people on the Reach that is admirable. I wish to offer you a boon"

"A boon, Empress?"

I chuckled sadly "Well, its more of a crushing responsibility, but its yours if you want it. Would you like to become a Builder?"

Their head shot up and their eyes narrowed. "You would do this?"

"Starlight. There are only 4 of us right now and that's not enough. The Builder package can seemingly be installed on any sapient if it's initiated by the Empress. It's not a human only thing, I have a feeling it never was. I need more help. You have shown me that you truly love the people here. Will you help?"

They looked down and their shoulders moved gently. I can't tell if they're laughing or crying until I see the tears splash onto the table. "River.. Rapid River Roaring always wondered about it. They wondered if anyone could become a Builder, or if you had to be born into it. They wanted to become one so badly. There were so many parts of this Starbase's operation we could see were locked off from us. They thought if they could become a Builder we would really be able to help."

Starlight on a Moonless Evening looked up and straightened. "Yes, Empress. I would like to become a Builder. I would like to help here."

"Stand, Starlight on a Moonless Evening." I got up as they did. I walk over to them and bend down and gently kiss them. Their beak was warm and hard.

Their feathers rippled a blush, and they looked at me, confused. They reached up and touched their beak where I kissed them. "Empress?"

"It's the easiest way to transfer the Nanites to you and start the installation process. It will take about a day for the concentration to build up and for you to be able to access Builder systems. I'll have Ava, Um'reli and Omar show you the ropes." Speaking of...

"Ava, Omar, Um'reli, I just made Starlight a Builder." I thought to them.

"Now that's an excellent idea!" Ava sounded pleased.

"Yes, I agree. Starlight is a great choice." Omar was pleasant, but sounded distracted. He's probably busy.

"It'll be a good thing, but next time, tell us when you plan on making more Builders, okay Melody?" Um'reli's voice was wary. I don't know if she wanted more builders. Hmm.

"Okay. I'll run the next one by you. All this time, I was worried about how to get more help, when more help has always been right here."

This is a lesson the previous Empress never learned. We knew you were the right choice.

Ceremony over, I sat back down and pour mored tea for both of us.

"Starlight, tell me about River. You were close right?"

Starlight told me their story.

Rapid River Roaring was cremated and a small phial of their ashes was given to their family by Starlight. As their partner, Starlight placed the phial on a delicate chain around the neck of River's mother. A phial the same size was kept by them and I placed it reverently around their neck. Later, I was told that to have the Empress present the phial was a tremendous honor to River's family and would be talked about for generations.

The rest was launched into space in a small capsule. It's aimed at a random star and with prayers that they would fine peace in their journey, we said goodbye. I wore my Empress gown, fluttering train black blue, studded with stars for the ceremony. Hundreds of people came, River was a popular Administrator. They were seen as the foil to Starlight's ambition. Not for the first time I wondered how we were even able to insert ourselves into this place at all. The fact that we were Builders and able to control the Starbase to a greater level than they could must have been our only saving grace at the start. I liked to think that we had become a welcome member of the community, but with this crowd, this love seen for River, I wondered if we were able to succeed because River and Starlight let us. That night Ava visited again, and this time I didn't turn her away. She realized I sought release and distraction from everything going on, and she was an enthusiastic partner, trying to give me what I needed. I didn't forget about her needs either, and soon we laid on the bed, floating.

Ava reminded me that even when bad things happen, you have to remember the good, so you knew why you keep going.

Day five dawned, and I returned to the captives. They went home today, and I had to finish my interviews. Before the explosion, I was meeting with the crew individually in a separate room and trying to pump them for information. I looked down at my list. All that's left are Prince Emery and a Chief Petty Officer. I called the officer in.

"Good morning," I had two steaming cups of coffee from Venus' own supply on a table between us. We were able to get around the trap in the stores that Raaden mentioned two days ago. I'm not out to make them starve, but they could go without some coffee on their ride home. Across from me sat a young woman, probably around my age.

"Hello." She sounded meek and tired. Her long brown hair was tied into a tight ponytail low on her head.

"Would you like some coffee? I won't order it, you don't have to have any if you don't want." I took one of the cups and took a large sip. Oh my, this was the good stuff, from Earth if I was any judge.

"Y-yes, please." I gestured and she took a cup. I gave her a moment to sip. She was savoring it. I bet it's the first coffee she's had in a while and she perked up immediately. "Thank you. I haven't had any good coffee in a long time. They don't usually let us have anything other than instant onboard."

Instant coffee? The barbarians!

"We are quite far from a steady supply of coffee out here, but I hope to open up trade relations soon, and soon we can get some more regularly. Until then I have to enjoy it when I can." With a smile, I realize that I might have something here. "Tell me, what is your name and job onboard?"

She looked around. We're in a room next to the banquet hall, all alone. Well, Ava was listening in too and offering help and insight when needed, but she didn't need to know that.

"I won't use the Voice." I said gently. "Unless I need to. If you can answer my questions without it, we'll all have a better time." I reached between us and poured her more coffee from the carafe on the table. I also topped up my cup. No sense in wasting it.

She took another sip and glanced back at the door to the banquet hall. Ah, she's worried about the crew.

"Don't worry about the crew or Helen. Nothing you tell me will get to them. I promise."

"That's just it," She turned and looked at me, then her gaze dropped to the table. "You call her Helen. Nobody calls her Helen. Even her friends call her Raaden. We all call her Commander, or Archduke. She hates her first name. Every time you call her that, I think she gets more and more mad."

Interesting. I figured she was just mad at me for having power over her. Is she also furious that I was using a name that she hates? I should ask. There's no reason to be calling people by names they hate. "I did not know that. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I am Empress here, but I try not to be thoughtlessly cruel." I thought for a moment. "Unless I need to be, but then I guess it's not thoughtless. Please, tell me your name - or what you prefer to be known as."

"I'm Virgina Fallmill, but please, I prefer Ginny."

"It's so nice to meet you Ginny. My name is Melody."

"I know, Empress."

"Yes, I imagine you heard Hel-Raaden talking about it."

Another nod.

"What did you do on the Lavinia, Ginny?"

"I worked in Reactor Systems, I'm Chief Petty Officer for the whole Reactor Room."

"Where were you born, Ginny?"

"I was born on Earth, but my parents moved to Venus when I was in elementary school."

"Oh, why did they move?" Besides making conversation, I was always interested in what made people migrate to Venus.

She shrugged. "Work, I think. Dad worked on computers and was able to get a job relatively easily, but Daddy always had trouble. He was a painter and had a hard time selling his work on Venus. He worked in the casinos mostly."

"Were you going to volunteer to stay behind?"

"Yes, I was."

"Were you doing it because you wanted to, or because you were ordered to?

Ginny looked away. "I wanted to."

I raised an eyebrow and tried to hide my surprise with another sip of coffee. "Oh? How come?"

"It sounds so fun! Starting a new life across the Galaxy helping out people, being in charge, I was excited to try it."

"Did Raaden order all the volunteers to be spies?"

"Yes. She said that we'd all have to report to William weekly and he would get messages back to Venus."

"William?"

"Yes, the tall, burly looking guy with the curly hair sulking in the corner." Ginny explained while taking a sip of coffee. Even though we're in a separate room, it seemed like she was trying to not give them any indication we're talking about him. He must have been intimidating.

I thought to Ava, "Look in the banquet room. See that cheerful looking person in the corner with he curly hair? Ginny here says that William. He was going to be the spies contact for the volunteers who stayed behind."

"I see him Melody. He looks... pleasant." She thought to me, sarcastically.

"Indeed. If we make sure he has no power over the crew, I think there might be some people here who legitimately want to be volunteers."

"I don't know Melody. It feels very dangerous."

"You said we need more help yourself." I pointed out.

"Ugh, help like Venus we could do without though. Just think about what would happen if we gave one of them the Builder package and they weren't 100% loyal to us."

"Okay, we'll try and get help another way." I mean, Ava wasn't wrong. It would be dangerous if someone became a Builder, and then tried to move against us. I focused back on Ginny.

"Thank you Ginny. You don't have to rush to finish your coffee. When you're done, please head back." I stood and left the room.

"Ava, what is she doing?"

"She's drinking the coffee and looking around. Doesn't look like she's trying anything."

"Good. I'll talk to the prince later. He's staying with Raaden anyway, I'm not in a hurry. Do we know where we're going to put them yet?"

"I asked about a couple rooms in the Royal Dawn. I think we can secure them enough."

"I don't know how I feel about them staying where we're all sleeping." I really didn't want them in the same building as us. "That seems dangerous. Maybe we can put them up in the Admin offices."

"We have to think long term Hon; we don't know how long they'll be here before Venus either pays ransom of tells us to pound sand. We have to give them a real place to live." For as much as Ava didn't like Venus, she wasn't a monster. It's one of the reasons I liked her.

"What about an apartment? Something near the Royal Dawn, but not in it."

"Hmm. Maybe. That might work. I'll have City send some messages. I bet there's some empty apartments around. Oh, Melody, Ginny is looking around; she's asking for you. I let her know you're on your way."

I went back into the room, and Ginny was standing up, looking at the ceiling and talking with Ava. "-There she is, thank you."

"Ginny? What is it? I'm all out of coffee."

Ginny got down and - awkwardly - bowed like she saw the locals here do. "Empress Melody. I want to stay."

"What? You don't want to go back to Venus?"

"No, I hated it there. Daddy and Dad were saving up to leave and if I come back as part of-" she gestured back to the group "-that, I won't get paid. If I stay here, they'll get a prisoner payout and be able to afford to move."

"Melody..."

I thought to Ava while Ginny stood politely. "Come on. She seems truthful, and I can just use my Voice to tell her to not report to Venus."

"Sigh. I don't think I'm going to win this one, but at least talk it over with Um'reli and Omar first."

"Okay, deal."

"Ginny. I have to talk it over with my fellow Builders. I need you to know, if we agree I'm going to use my Voice to order you to break ties with Venus. You won't be able to contact them - for years probably."

She stood and nodded. "I understand. I would expect nothing less."

"I'll talk it over with them and let you know - privately - before it's time to go."

"Thank you Empress."