The Endeavour in Sector H

Chapter 4

Maqel was standing over the grave in the royal cemetery. He missed his friend. When they were younger, they'd often talk about their retirement, spending days in the countryside and occasionally reminding their prodigy they exist with sudden visits to the main house. Oh, and check if the recommendation of Fen VI girls were over exaggerated or not... Definitely a trip worth taking! It's been a month since Sen passed away and things were spiraling downwards. The new Ruler was a pompous prick, more interested in his appearances in the media than the matters on hand. Swear to Gods, the Trial was rigged.

What was bothering him was the news of another Royal. Through his last Trial he acquired the right for a new wife. He chose an exotic girl with mixed heritage. Planets on the outer rim would often tolerate hybrids. She was an exquisite beauty but ill when he brought her home. The Pink Death shared its starting symptoms with several non-lethal diseases so it could be nothing, but still, it made Maqel restless. What if his dear old friend was right?

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Annoying sounds spread through Lnar's bedroom, it was time to wake up and start the day.

"Computer, turn off the alarm." His arm searched for the warm body in his bed. When he didn't find it, he opened his eyes to see her standing next to his bed. She was ready for the day, her long sandy hair in a high ponytail.

"Hey, why did you get up so early?"

"To make you breakfast, of course." She bent over to give him a kiss.

"Ah, I start early today. Do you know all your tasks for today?"

"Yes, not just for today, but the whole week."

"Thank you, darling."

When he was a kid the Ruler's job seemed a glorious adventure, showing his strength in battles, conquering new territories, getting all the girls and earning himself a place in history books.

Sounds great, right?

Well, someone has lied to him. He disinterestedly followed the bickering of his advisors. In his eyes the matter was already resolved. The law had to be changed again. They had to adapt. The five royal families of the old times were no more. One family has completely succumbed to the aftermath of the Pink Death and its last member died several days ago. Another family was on brink of extinction with only 2 members left. It was time to initiate new royals. His advisors couldn't agree if they should shorten the number of royal families in the law or initiate a new one.

"Enough." His voice was low but the quarrel stopped immediately.

"We need new blood, new solutions, new family. Let's see what new royals can give to the Empire."

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If it was any other time and place in history, this would be a grand event, celebrated through all their worlds and in years to come. Now, it was a 3-days celebration on the capital planet. Ghir Yasen had mixed feelings, he brought his family to greatness, as a family they reached the limit, no other family could rule over them, only the person who ruled over all of the Empire, the Ruler. Yet, it wasn't pompous enough, even though this hasn't happened since the founding of the Empire, thousands of years ago - a new royal family.

The food was good, he could give it that.

He searched for the Ruler in the banquet room. It was filled to the brim, men of all ages mingled, their dress code mostly in dark colors as the darker the color, the higher status they held. Here or there you could see a woman but not of their own species, that ship has sailed. Or has it?

"Ruler Lnar, can I have a word with you?"

Lnar excused himself to the royals he was chatting with.

"How do you like the party so far?"

"The palace really outdid themselves, some of the dishes I haven't seen for years. Thank you for organizing it." Ghir made a pause. "I wanted to talk to you about my next expedition."

"New business venture, hmm?"

"No. More of the Empire's business."

Lnar raised his eyebrow. Only he could represent the Empire or start any business in its name. Meddling by other royals in his duties could be considered a treason.

"No, no, I'd never do anything to jeopardize my newly acquired status. That's why I'm coming to you... A little mouse told me that there's a young Snajan woman hiding on a planet or moon in sector H."

Lnar relaxed, he had to fight the urge to laugh. These kinds of rumors were so often and unreliable that the Empire's intelligence agency dropped a unit of 1200 investigators to 5 people. They couldn't save their women 20 years ago, how could they expect to find one now? One more man ready to spend fortune on the lost hope. He seemed better than this. Was I wrong to initiate him into royals?

Ghir expected his reaction. After all, he wasn't the first one to claim that there's a living, breathing woman who could save them all.

"A Zir told me 'In the depths of the unknown a single hope lies."

"That could mean anything."

"It could, but only hope for us is a Snajan female. Even if it's something else, it's the hope we need. We won't be able to hold for much longer. A decade or two and we will fall apart completely."

It was true that Lnar, after ascending to rule, was able to organize the fallen Empire and put some hope in its citizens' hearts but it could turn into despair if the solution doesn't come up in the next period.

"A Zir doesn't lie and sector H is referred to as the start of the Great Unknown, hmm. Have you come to ask for resources for your endeavour?"

"No, a blessing."

"May you find what you search for and safely return home."

Ghir bowed to Lnar's words.

"Thank you for your kind words."

"When are you leaving?"

"In a week."

A gorgeous woman came to Lnar, seeking his attention.

"Royal Ghir, excuse me." The pair left Ghir to meet other attendees.