Chapter 8

The rest of our time spent in the human zone was interesting, but nothing novel. I managed to get a lot of sketching done, though all the ‘vibes’ I was picking up told me of a populace at peace with itself and the Empire. The ‘furore’ at Amanda’s cover-lace continued, though as no newsie had mentioned it to either of us, it was all speculation on their part as the AIs were being unusually reticent about it as well.

Our next to final duty in the Coriola system though involved taking a shuttle up to the Gloriana and a short trip out to what had become the largest Fleet shipyard in the Empire, larger even than the Vreekoos yards, though not as well protected. Vreekoos being the capital planet of the Empire after all.

The reason for its size had been the recent expansion to take advantage of the massive quantities of metallic asteroids in the three huge belts in the system. The discovery of lantinium deposits in the nearby system of Actilonia which were used in the making of XD drives had also helped to make it so important to the Empire that the newly commissioned 27^th fleet was tasked with its and the system’s protection. This changed our schedule somewhat when Amanda received a request to bless their Colours as well and she granted it.

The yards themselves were space based. For all that with grav drives the largest ships could make a landing on any planet, it simply made sense to build them in a weightless environment with a 360-degree access to fit all parts. Also ongoing were various Fleet mods to take advantage of newer tech developments by Imperial scientists.

The Gloriana docked with the monitoring space station for the yards after being escorted in our approach by the 27^th Fleet acting as an honour guard. There were no civilian ships allowed near the yard, though it was clear the station’s civilian workforce had crowded all the possible viewing areas to greet their Princess, along with a host of off-duty personnel from the Fleet and base.

As ever, Amanda graciously bade the crew farewell as we stepped through into the boarding tube and walked into the station’s reception hall to receive a full military salute from all present which was returned by Amanda and Kiria, who was plainly in her armour along with her rank tabs showing, though the rest of us just gave a respectful nod as we didn’t hold any military rank.

“Welcome to Coriola Fleet Base, Serenissimé,” the Base Commander, Admiral Tosek, greeted her with another salute as she approached.

“A pleasure, Admiral,” Amanda replied.

Tosek then introduced her to his senior officers as well as those of the 27^th Fleet who were attending. All were greeted cordially within the protocols required by Fleet for ceremonial purposes as, unlike the civilian visits, this was structured and formal with little leeway for Amanda’s normal friendly style.

Still, Tosek had clearly done his homework and escorted Amanda down to meet the civilian representatives of the workforce where a walkaround occurred and friendly greetings were exchanged. Afterwards we were shown to our quarters to rest and change before a formal reception.

“Very different,” I chuckled to Tillan as we waited in an ante-chamber for our ladies to emerge, having swiftly changed into clothing more suitable for the reception than travel.

“The military can be. Some of it is just to remind them that they are not civilians though,” he replied.

“Guess you see some of that with Kiria,” I nodded.

“Some, yes, though Healers are different again within the services.”

“Less inclined to formal protocol, I’d guess,” I chuckled.

“Yep, though believe me they know how to use it if they need to,” he smiled as Kiria entered in her formal dress uniform.

“Still doing you no favours, sis,” I noted.

“Tell me about it,” she chuckled.

“It’s astonishing just how drab it looks,” Liono added as she had entered to check the room security before Trusha escorted Amanda in.

“I know, it’s like someone made a conscious effort to produce the most bland, drab article of clothing, just to ensure Ground Force does not look good when out of our armour,” Kiria chuckled.

“That might actually explain it,” I laughed.

“Just one of many theories,” Kiria nodded. “As not even the AIs have an answer.”

At this point Amanda entered, getting warm greetings but no kisses or cuddles so as not to muss up her outfit and looks. Both Trusha and Liono wore matching outfits that were free flowing and no doubt concealed a few deadly surprises for anyone determined enough to approach Amanda without being recognised or scanned.

“Anything we need to be concerned about?” Amanda asked Tillan.

“Local ImpSec office reports no security issues at all,” he replied. “Sakla came up with the inspection team yesterday and found nothing worth mentioning to us, though Trusha would know about any lesser concerns.”

“He found nothing,” Trusha confirmed. “This place is Empire to the core.”

“Good,” Amanda nodded. “Now, this is a military reception, hence no dancing or other frivolities. I’ll be expected to circulate and talk to various groups and be briefed on their part in the big parade they have planned for tomorrow and the blessing of the Colours for the 27^th Fleet.”

“Networking,” Kiria chuckled.

“Something like that,” Amanda agreed. “No newsies ... other than various Fleet and Ground Force networks will be present.”

“Do the Ground Force Regiment stationed here not want their Colours blessed?” I asked.

“Yes, only their Colours are stationed on their home planet of Trevaglion and they did not make arrangements to get them out here.”

“They’ll be disappointed,” Kiria nodded.

“They’re accepting it and did agree tomorrow was more about the 27^th than them.”

“Gracious of them,” I replied.

“I also let slip Trevaglion was on my itinerary for a future visit,” Amanda chuckled.

“You have an itinerary?”

“I do now.”

“Right,” I murmured and the others smiled as well. “No doubt you will visit too?”

“I will. Mother wants me to visit Radiance at some stage to honour the planet that Prefect ... no, it’s sub-Commander now, Loss came from. Trevaglion is roughly in the same sector.”

“I still keep in touch with him,” Kiria mentioned. “He trains Imperial Troopers and Officers in effective swordplay now.”

“Well, he, along with you and the ‘mysterious’ Imperial bodyguard, are still amongst the most popular figures in recent history due to you ending the alien war,” Amanda concurred.

“Doesn’t it bother Truvia to never be named in the victors’ roll of honour?” Tillan asked.

“Not our job to be noticed,” Liono replied. “Those who are important to her know, and that’s enough.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Gives her hellish bragging rights amongst the bodyguards,” I chuckled.

“We do not brag,” Liono replied, going slightly pink.

“Right...” I commented.

“It’s time, Serenissimé,” Trusha announced, conveniently changing the subject.

“Very well, let’s go ... network,” Amanda replied with a smile at the banter.

Amanda was right, this reception was far more formal than the civilian ones we’d previously been attending. For all there were no salutes in the hall (rank matters not in these cases) all officers and senior crew present, plus the Ground Force contingent, were punctilious in their behaviour and mannerisms and were clearly on their best behaviour as in not ‘upsetting’ anyone of a higher rank, as memories overrode protocol.

Still, there were pockets of informality amongst the families of the Fleet and others and it was to them that I gravitated while Amanda was deep in conversation with Admiral Hratt, who had been appointed to be the Commander of the 27^th in recognition of her service in the alien war. Also, Kiria and Tillan were in conversation with the Ground Force contingent, amongst whom she was almost hero-worshipped for her services in the past. where they, rather than Fleet, had led the way to victory.

Hence, when I sketched a few of the ladies and gentlemen attending as spouses or significant others, I found myself being grilled on my relationship with Amanda as well as on my talent.

“So, does Amanda have any particular likes or dislikes?” a young lady called Malle, attending as a significant other, asked.

“She doesn’t like mess,” I chuckled as Amanda would often irritate the palace retainers by tidying up after them, occasionally moving stuff to where she thought it should be, not where it actually belonged.

“Would that my daughters were the same,” laughed an older woman called Avan.

“She isn’t obsessed with it, but seriously doesn’t like it,” I confirmed.

“Are you messy, Dayyev?” Malle asked.

“Fortunately no, otherwise I might have been dating Princess Victoria instead,” I joked, making her giggle.

“She’s messy?”

“Just a bit,” I chuckled. “But Amanda and I have been friends for most of our lives. I just can’t imagine a life without her, unusual as that life can be at times.”

“Oh, that’s a lovely thing to say,” Avan interposed.

“Does sound a bit cheesy when I say it out loud, but it’s true.”

“No, the way you say it, it comes across as very mature,” she reasoned thoughtfully.

“So, what’s the most unusual thing about it so far?” Malle asked.

“Never being alone with her for a deci-rotation.”

“Seriously?”

“She is the Princess Royal. Not only must there not be any scandals, but there must never be a hint that a scandal might have occurred.” I replied, stating the official Imperial line on the subject.

“Oh, oh yes. I see.”

“So, there’s always a bodyguard or chaperone around?” Avan asked.

“Always ... well, since we hit puberty anyway. They kept an eye on us when we were kids, but not so closely.”

“No trust?” Avan frowned.

“Lots of it, but it’s not me or Amanda who aren’t trusted. The problem lies with newsies and those with political agendas at odds with the Empress and the Empire,” I replied. “Hence all the witnesses.”

“Doesn’t sound as wonderful as they make it out to be, when you put it like that,” Malle nodded in understanding.

“She does have a good life, just certain things must always be seen to be done, same for me.”

The following day followed the now revised schedule and Amanda blessed the Colours of the 27^th Fleet with all of the Fleet Crews, other than a bare minimum watch on the vessels, in attendance in the huge area normally reserved for those vessels to actually dock in atmosphere whilst modifications were carried out. The sheer number of crew, men and women, was huge. Though the AIs ensured all could see and hear the Oaths and Blessing of the Colours given formally by Amanda with all responding loudly and with fervour.

She then ‘officially’ opened the new yards and was given a personal tour by Admiral Tosek, who explained in a general sense all that happened by way of constructing a ship from melting down the asteroids to the zero-G manoeuvring of parts into the shell and fitment of various components to complete it. All taking slightly over a binary cycle to produce a Superdreadnought. Most of the yard work though was repairs and upgrades, with many older vessels being refurbished and sold on to various other Realms who were keen to get their hands on ex-Fleet vessels that were still vastly superior to anything they could produce themselves.

After that, our final task took place with a trip back to the Joint Zone of Coriola and an expo of all the signed artwork I’d done over the length of the visit. Amanda was also in attendance, though not in her holo-disguise and was basically ignored by the throngs of people who attended to view my work as she acted as one of the guides, assisted by Trusha.

As it was the first expo I’d ever done away from Vreekoos, it proved very popular, particularly amongst the affluent subjects of both species, many of whom requested and got a signed portrait of themselves done on the spot to their sheer delight and were generous in their payments for them as well. Not that the affluent were the only visitors, the lower and median level subjects also found several works from the various levels in all zones to their liking as well and also the pricing of the copies I’d had made. They were aware of the price for a personal portrait or original artwork, which was mainly out of their means, but that did not stop their enthusiasm for purchasing the print versions the AIs produced for me with a print number embossed on the rear to show it was a limited edition.