Meanwhile across the universe…

I look out one of the many small porthole windows of the station as I wait for my ship to be refueled, refitted, and resupplied. As I reflect on the task ahead of me, I check myself to ensure that I am impeccable in appearance and standing. This is the capital of the Praetorian Emperium, and as a princess and captain of said Emperium, I cannot be found lacking. Ever. That was drilled into me by my father, the Emperor, and the many tutors throughout my life. Now that I am 20 years of age and finished my first two years of active duty as captain of my ship, the Imperial Sun, I am to embark on my first hunt in the exiled space of Quar’dak.

“Ah, Captain Emperia! Lovely to see you here! What a coincidence we would run into each other while I was on my way to inspect my crew!” As he uses the official title of a princess captaincy, he lies openly. Considering his ship berth is numbered way over a hundred and mine is literally number two, and with the Emperor’s Dreadnaught being the only other ship on this docking arm reserved for the royals of the Emperium, he walked quite far just to see me. I turn to look at the man with his hooked nose and over-embellished dress uniform with all the tacky gold embellishments that go over and above what is required by the regulations. I just know he must wear it as often as possible to make himself look more important when really his father, the Duke and High Praetorian General, is the one who is important.

He bows and flourishes his cape, which is also extra and not necessarily within regs, but considering our familiar ranks, as long as we follow the basic guidelines and functionality of the uniform, we can embellish and enhance our uniforms anyway we want, considering who our parents are. As he almost trips rising back up, I have to school my face and prevent myself from laughing at this buffoon of a man, considering his lineage and his personal prowess as a captain. Being almost 10 years older than me means he’s served just as long in the military, and many of those years have been on the front lines or the border of the demilitarized zone. Which, of course, makes it all the more of a pain to deal with him. So, as I do a formal curtsy in reply to his bow, I school myself and prepare for the verbal sparring that is always so common in our high society. You see, in the Emperium, lies and not doing anything you say you will do are severe infractions with cruel and honestly excessive punishments for nobles during wartime. Often, nobles use this law in order to trap others with commitments or promises said in error or otherwise.

“Princess Aurelia Seraph, you are so dazzling as always, simply stunning, but it pains me to not hear back from you after my proposal! When shall I hear an answer? My father continues to question me unendingly, you see!” I groan internally as I have to be careful with my answer.

I maintain a composed expression, though inwardly, I’m seething. “Prince Raegar, your compliments are as abundant as your ego, it seems. However, as you are well aware, matters of marriage require careful consideration. I would not wish to make such a significant decision hastily.”

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Raegar’s smile tightens, but he keeps up the facade of charm. “Of course, my dear Aurelia. Take all the time you need. But do remember the pressure both our families are under to solidify this alliance. I trust you won’t keep me waiting too long.”

I nod politely, though my mind races with strategies to delay the inevitable without offending him or our families. This is a delicate dance, and one misstep could have dire consequences for me considering I might have to actually marry this pompous fool. As I hastily come up with an excuse to leave, I see my opportunity to get away approaching from down the hall. “Prince Raegar, please excuse me. It seems my Executive Officer is approaching, and I must take my leave in order to prepare for our journey!” I do a polite curtsy and hide my smile as I see his forehead and eyes crinkle in frustration. I turn and start walking away before he can reply.

Once I am away from him and closer to my Xo I whisper to him, “Quickly walk with me and act like you’re giving me an important update!” He nods with a smile on his weathered face and replies “Good because I do have updates I need to tell you and paperwork you need to sign.” I groan aloud barely holding back the most of the sound as I prepare my holoscreen to prepare signing more paperwork which I never seem to see the end of. My executive officer Jackson Willow who has been with me all my life as my tutor, butler, bodyguard, and advisor chuckles at my reaction. “Now, now.” He tuts at me affectionately. “The paperwork is necessary for acquisition forms for some of the more pricey upgrades you requested for your ship. Mind you, the crew appreciate the quarters upgrades, but honestly, I think too much luxury will dull the senses. Back when I first joined up, there was just a metal shelf to sleep on and a thin blanket with ten men in a room! Ha! Those were the days, I mean…” I stop him with a raised hand and a quirk of my lips as a smirk crosses my face. “Jack, focus. Also, I won’t have my crew living like animals while I have an entire cabin to myself. Anyways, we have a lot to do!” I smile at him as he coughs. “Yes, yes, you are quite right, captain! I also included in the pile of documents I sent you, some requisition forms for EMP main gun rounds. In my experience, they are the most effective against the underprepared and undersupplied exiles.” I nod along while personally wondering for the millionth time why I have to go on this mandatory coming-of-age hunt when we literally are in the middle of a war on one front and a temporary ceasefire on another. “Captain, I know that look, and you know that without regular patrols of the exiled lands, the fanatics of Quar’dak will start crossing into our frontier space and raiding settlements and outposts.” Again, I nod, having heard this again and again. “Sometimes I wonder why they don’t just give up and settle the known systems instead of looking constantly and fanatically for the mythical planet of Quar’dak. And why must they be so violent? Why is everything and anything sacrificial to them in the face of their specific tribe finding the damn planet? Not to mention that every single ship is its own tribe barely surviving and struggling to make it through the vast uncharted systems. Honestly their entire existence just perplexes me. How can even piracy and cannibalism be allowed? They honestly are so uncivilized I’m surprised they keep the ships they have in order and that they don’t explode randomly.” Jack gives me a sad smile, “Reports confirm that in a lot of the different tribes or ships. They are often volatile and prone to sudden combustion due to lack of upkeep.”

As we enter the elevating platform that leads down into the hangar holding my ship, the Emperium Sun, I begin signing the documents sent to my holoscreen as I make one last comment. “Hopefully, we can just put them out of their misery.”

After we arrive in the hangar, I see my crew working hard. From the raised platform by the elevator, my crew and the hangar loading teams look like a busy hive of ants rushing in and out of the ship constantly. Everything from utility mechs carrying heavy loads to hover pallets bursting with supplies streamed in and out of the cargo elevators and both sides of the hangar bay. After enjoying the view of my ship for a moment, I gaze out the distorted view of the energy containment field sealing the hangar off from the vacuum of space and sigh, knowing I have a lot of work ahead of me.