Royal Palace - Past - Va’Dresruyuna
Despite best efforts to limit the flow of information, word about the activation of the Asmoor Core had spread throughout all levels of society by the end of the decacycle. Every Kuxpir, from the lowest Ixone An to the highest Ixfour Fan, knew about the project, if only by name. The populace’s reaction was mixed at best, which prompted the meeting with the Supreme Queen that Dresruyuna now found herself in.
Along with Dresruyuna in the meeting were the five Primes: Prime Ta’Srubazal of War, Prime Ta’Ezur of Information, Prime Thi’Aphallir of Medicine, Prime Sa’Drazzadom of Engineering, and Prime Tha’Trezimala of Science. Srubazal’s orange skin reflected her inner fire that blazed brighter than the sun. Ezur was clothed head to claw in dark robes, obscuring her features as was traditional for the Prime of Information. Aphallir wore a bright blue coat that made it hard to tell where the clothing ended and their body began. Despite being an Ixfour, Drazzadom was clad in an oil-marked tunic one would expect to see on any hard-working engineer. Finally, Trezimala was covered in the same white cloth with black accenting style that Dresruyuna wore herself.
Of all the Primes, Dresruyuna knew the least about Ezur. That was partially by design - The Prime of Information was supposed to be a spymaster, able to infiltrate, assassinate, sabotage, and plant ears and eyes throughout society regardless of how challenging that might be. There were even rumors that some prior Primes of Information had been An, though like Dresruyuna most Kuxpir wrote such a notion off as impossible. Ezur was delivering her report to those gathered:
“...there are members of the Ixfour that have discussed in ‘private’ how they might hamper the progress of the Asmoor Project. I have several underlings waiting in the wings should the Supreme Queen wish them eliminated. The Ixthree are largely happy with the project, yet those that oppose are in far greater numbers than I would like. As for the Ixtwo, those at the top of the caste are eager to see how the new technology can be used for military applications. The real issue is the Ixone. They are overwhelmingly against the Asmoor Project, to the point of risking imprisonment by speaking out in public.”
“I fail to see how anyone could be upset by my– our work,” replied Trezimala, crossing her arms. “This new technology is capable of revolutionizing how we approach space. It is our destiny to expand into the heavens. Only those short-sighted and foolish would want us to remain bound to this planet.”
“Allow me to provide a bit of speculation,” interjected Srubazal, whose rough voice matched the extensive scarring evident across her body. “Those against the Asmoor Project may be upset that so much resources and time went into developing something that won’t improve their day to day. Many Kuxpir, especially in the lower castes, only think of their next source of entertainment or what they’ll do the following day. They lack the capacity, both literal and metaphorical, to understand and appreciate the greater good and possibilities that will result from this new technology.”
All present nodded in agreement at that notion, though Dresruyuna noted the Supreme Queen’s movements were slowed. She’d never point that fact out, though, and if any of the Primes had noticed they would do likewise. That meant Aphallir was able to speak up without challenge.
“If I may be so bold as the only Nan present, I do not believe the issue lies within the Nan or the majority of Fan,” they proposed, enunciating their words carefully. “From the sounds of it we’re dealing primarily with An and those Fan that have been corrupted by their influence. I have noted an uptick in An patients with Fan handlers attached to them. They have been claiming workplace accidents and infighting between An to be the cause of their injuries, yet it’s hard for my doctors to overlook signs that… harems are being formed.”
Silence fell across the grand table. What Aphallir had just implied was that some Fan were empathizing or otherwise committing salacious acts with the An underneath of them. Such a thing happened rarely now and again, but for the most part the Ixfour strictly controlled who could mate with whom. The notion of a Fan creating a harem went against the tenants of Kuxpir society and biology. Worse, this wasn’t just limited to a handful of sinners by the sounds of it.
Drazzadom leaned in, clasping her fist against the palm of her other hand. “And what have you done with these heretics, Thi’Aphallir? Surely you haven’t simply let them go, free to continue undermining all that we hold dear.”
Aphallir motioned at Ezur across the table from them. “We have passed their names off to the Spire of Information, as is required of us. Whether or not Ta’Ezur is acting on that information is her concern.”
“Of course I am,” Ezur returned as all eyes fell upon her. “However I do not believe there to be a correlation between such heresy and feelings regarding the Asmoor Project. Otherwise I would have mentioned such in my report. After all, we are before the Supreme Queen herself. Omitting or lying in front of her is the greatest sin of all, is it not?”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Everyone turned to Xa’Grubudani. The Supreme Queen was clothed in regal, transparent whites and blues that fell lightly against her jet-black flesh. Golden affectations were present amid her long, uneven tentacles, and atop her head sat the octagonal, silver crown of her station. For the first time since the meeting had begun, she spoke in a clear, regal voice that carried throughout the room:
“I will remind the Primes that bickering and politicking is not the point of this gathering. To me, it is clear that I must make a public speech to assuage the fears that the Asmoor Project will somehow make the lives of my subjects worse. Perhaps if they hear my assurances that this is a grand new dawn for the Empire then these reports of unrest and heresy will cease.”
All present spoke in unison to her decree, “As you command, Supreme Queen!”
Xa’Grubudani smiled as her eyes fell to Dresruyuna. “Now that that’s out of the way, is there anything you’d like to say or report, my daughter and queen-to-be?”
Dresruyuna shook her head. “I’m afraid I have nothing worth mentioning to this council, unless one of you considers an inquiry into why there’s been an uptick in partying at night throughout the city to be worth discussing. I only mention this because it’s become rather noticeable whenever I sojourn to the Royal Gardens.”
To her surprise, Ezur replied in a tone that made no effort to conceal the fact she’d been waiting for such a question. “It’s good you brought this up, actually. I believe the spread of civil disobedience and heretical thinking is being masked by the pretense of celebrations. My agents have recorded several instances where private meetings at such parties have led to an increase in the number of flagged extranet searches. Perhaps if we–”
Trezimala let out a grunt of discontent to cut Ezur off. “We can’t go banning parties just because Kuxpir are being curious.”
“Agreed,” concurred Srubazal. “Curiosity is not a sin. Plus there is the matter of morale. Surely you know that the more restrictions imposed on expression means the greater chance of discontent and revolt?”
Drazzadom chuckled back, “Funny how it’s the Prime of Military that has the most level head here. Clearly we all need a break to refocus. Is that acceptable, Supreme Queen?”
“It is,” Xa’Grubudani confirmed. “I shall deliver my speech on the next cycle. Then we shall meet the cycle after to determine if further action is necessary. Please now, go in peace.”
Everyone but the Supreme Queen and Dresruyuna rose, bowed, then left the meeting room. Once it was just the two of them, Grubudani sighed, “I only hope that your Primes are more manageable than mine are currently, my daughter.”
“Really? I thought they were being rather tame tonight,” said Dresruyuna.
“Perhaps on the surface. Tensions have been rising towards Ezur among the Primes, especially after she had several engineers close to Drazzadom reeducated for supposed heresy. Frankly, I do not see Ezur living to see the end of the hectocycle,” replied Grubudani.
“Such is the fate of most Primes of Information, is it not?” Dresruyuna asked. “I’ve never known one to last more than ten hectocycles.”
“That doesn’t mean we should always be looking for a way to rid ourselves of one the moment they start to act unpleasantly, much like the other Primes have. If anything, I firmly believe that the Primes view the principle of Information to be more disposable than the bottom rungs of the Ixone.” Grubudani said, shaking her head. “Under my predecessor Information was to be respected and praised for ensuring all Kuxpir received an education and could freely access all information the Empire has ever created. But now…”
“Now Information restricts tighter than a serpent around its prey,” finished Dresruyuna. “I do not believe you to be the cause of that, though. Time changes, as does the Kuxpir. You’ve acted in accordance with your most-vaunted position for over fifty-five kilocycles.”
“Perhaps…” whispered Grubudani. “Perhaps. Leave me now, daughter. I have much to think about.”
Dresruyuna did as was requested of her, leaving the Supreme Queen slumped in her throne and returning to the gilded corridors of the greater Royal Palace. Udivax stepped out from behind a column as Dresruyuna passed by.
“How’d it go?” Udivax inquired.
“I worry for my dam,” answered Dresruyuna honestly. “But I worry more about the Kuxpir and the direction we’re headed.”
Udivax mixed a polite cough with a chuckle. “I seem to recall you thinking about such things a decacycle and a half ago. You weren’t this anxious when considering these matters then.”
Shrugging, Dresruyuna stopped by a large portal that offered a view of the northern part of the city. “At the time it was merely idle speculation to keep my wits sharp. Actually experiencing events like this is another matter entirely. If the Primes are to be believed, we might see our peace shattered by the end of the hectocycle.”
“And what do you plan on doing about that?” asked Udivax. “I’ll step up your security, of course, just to be safe. But what are you going to do?”
“For now, the only thing I can do: Hurry up and wait for the claw to clatter to the floor.”