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21. Tidings

Once on the bridge again, I sit in the captain's chair.

"Thanks for passing my test, Sierra." I hear a child's voice in my head. I realize immediately its this dimension's administrator.

"How Can I help you, Administrator?" I think.

"Oh, I like that. Anyway, I have some things to tell you before you dock."

"I'm beginning to see a pattern with these dimensions."

"Not all dimension administrators will meet you. But I had to set up a backstory so you wouldn't be found out as easy. On deck fifteen, there is a maintenance hallway. Going through that hallway will lead you to eight cryo tubes, seven of which are broken, the last one, you are to say you came out of, at about your arrival time."

"Okay, why?"

"Officially, the other tubes would have been your older siblings. This ship was supposed to be an escape ship for the Korvall family to escape the bombardment of Leonidas Prime. So you can legally be referred to as Dame, Princess, or Queen, as you are the last surviving member of the Royal family."

"So politics from the start with you, huh?"

"Not at all, Sierra. Its trade. I added an elements window to what you've already received. It will update itself with each new dimension you visit. The materials Will appear in your cargo hold in a way that's safe to be transported. Oh, but it can't be used within an hour's travel of your destination, Patty has helped me quite a bit. I hope you have fun here. I won't contact you again, and don't find me."

Well, time for Jewels. Using what he told me, I had the AI display pictures of the Leonidas royals, and sure enough I was there. I found an outfit similar to the last known thing the Princess wore, and put that on. I then moved the distress slider, and it appeared worn, and a few burn marks on the bottom of the one piece dress.

In the Jewelry tab, were the eight sets of Jewelry for each of the eight children of Gaias Korvall. Each were named. I took each signet ring, and put them in a black clutch purse, wearing the set of Jewelry with my name on it, and my ring on the pinky.

I went down to the spot I was told, and made sure there was nothing that can be stolen from the bodies, then went back to the bridge; arriving in time with receiving chatter.

"Hey, guys; I'm showing Persephone on my screen, its entering the trade lanes." I hear a man declare.

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Another man's voice breaks in. "I have visual, she is not drifting. The ship is under power, it is not drifting. Can anyone get a life-sign reading"

"Persephone, how can I talk with them?"

"Red button, left armrest."

I sit down and press the button.

"This is Princess Sierra Marie Korvall. I am en route to dock at the nearby trade station. I request an honor guard for seven deceased."

There was no talking for a moment.

"Princess, who is deceased?" The first voice I heard asks, slowly.

"I am the last of my line." I say, seeming to not want to say who is deceased.

"Persephone, this is Centaur Actual. Honors will be upheld upon your arrival, do you require any other assistance?"

"When I woke up, there was no food onboard, a meal would be nice, and I would request a tutor to explain the state of things. Does Leonidas still stand?" I almost cracked, the feelings someone in this position must have felt. I know I am playing a part right now. But it doesn't take much to wonder what it would feel like to not even know if your government still stood.

I decided to quote Francis Scott Key.

"Does my banner yet wave?" I couldn't hold back my own tears in asking, imagining myself asking that question to someone back home.

"It does, Princess. It does. Welcome home." The man calmly replies. "We'll have a tug waiting for you here, and a hot meal."

"Centaur Actual, my screen is showing fifteen minutes out, may I meet the man who noticed I was under power? If you are under a tight deadline, I understand.

There was no chatter for a moment, then his voice cam in.

"Centaur Trade. Trade Freighter Loki request permission to dock alongside Mercury Vessel Persephone."

"Permission granted, welcome home Princess. Loki, tugs are en route."

After a few moments the radio chatter increased.

"Dame, unknown tug ships requesting to tether."

"Allowed." I tell the ship.

As the ship was pulled into the station, I began seeing flashes. Cameras. A few ships almost as large as the station I was docking at appeared from yellow flashes in space. Each one bearing icons I immediately recognized for media outlets.

I heard the clunking noise of an attachment anchor, and decided to go to the airlock I thought was closest to the station, well at least the closest I have found.

I let it open, and ten men stood in dress uniform with fourteen behind them. The man in front kneeled to me for a brief pause, and took a step forward.

"Honor guard requests to board." The man declares.

"Granted, I will escort you." I turn to walk away. "Please be as respectful as you are able. Do not be afraid to throw up. I did." I admit.

Its a pretty ugly sight. I lead them down to the door, and look at the one who kneeled.

"This is where I have been since that night. Please, if you must throw up, do it here, not where my family died." The men and women standing in front of me nodded, and I opened the door, then stood aside. None came back out without carrying a body. The six who were first, began pulling out flags, and draping them over the remains. Within moments, we were heading back to the door.

I arrived first, and stopped, stepping to the side.

"Princess, you may enter the station." The man who greeted me says.

"I have always followed my siblings in a procession. Let me do so again, for the last time."

The four women carrying the sisters began tearing up at me saying that.

In reality, I didn't feel like I belonged, and this is a time to honor them.