Last Holiday on Terra

32

After securing permission to dock at the third largest space station orbiting Farber-two, my Imperial guard, Cee, Kia, Azreal and I met with the Prime Chancellor Shinai for a brief welcome. Kia moved to stand directly behind Cee and me, effectively hiding her from everyone's view.

"Oh my," Sarge whispered. "Who is that? She's beautiful—"

Standing perpendicular to him was his daughter, the Minister of Cybernetics, Chesna Shinai appearing as sad as I think I've ever seen anyone look. We all felt her glancing over all of us, finally settling on Azreal with a look of familiarity.

"Greetings Minister," he said quietly.

"I don't believe I've ever actually seen you, but I recognize your energy—you are Councilor Azreal, yes?"

He bowed his head. "I am, Minister."

"You know, we do this kind of thing on a daily basis, but this feels somehow different. I feel like I should know these people."

"You do, Minister. May I present Captain Cee, the Prince of Abraxas."

She grinned as she extended her hand. "I remember you being very much—older. I must apologize. I behaved badly when last we met."

"Well Minister, to be fair, you were about to be burned alive."

"So I was," she replied, almost laughing.

"May I present my brother, the Supreme Ruler of Abraxas, Alder Rowan."

I couldn't help but to smile like an idiot. "Hello again Chesna."

She fell into my arms. "You're missed—your Grace—"

"As are you," I replied in a whisper."

"And because we know you love surprises—"

"I hate surprises," she chuckled. "You know that, your Grace."

I stepped to the side and allowed Kia room to step forward but she remained still, holding Allie's soul jar to her breast so close that it looked like a huge piece of jewelry. I turned to her just as Azreal moved behind her to gently bump her forward. "Now's not the time to be shy, Princess—they don't bite."

"And if they do," Cee whispered.

"Bite them back," I said chuckling.

She looked up into Chesna's eyes shyly. "I wanted to bring Moosie, but they said he'd be too noisy."

Chesna gasped, bringing her cybernetic hand to her mouth. "Julia," she whispered.

"Yeah—kind of. It's Kianda, actually"

"And a princess—I knew it all along—" Instantly, Chesna rushed forward enveloping Kia in her arms. "I didn't know if I'd ever see you again."

"I know, me too."

She looked down at the soul jar at Kia's breast. "Hi Sam—I think you're going to love what I've made for you."

"Can I see?"

"Well it's not exactly procedure, but then I suppose none of this is—"

Kia placed her free hand over Chesna's heart. "Please—" she whispered.

Chesna rolled her golden eyes and sighed in resignation. "I never could say no to you."

Kia did this sort of wiggly dance in place...it was a thing that Julia did whenever she got her way for something really big...and this was no exception.

I could only giggle maniacally as I too wiggled in place, but not as severely as Kia...I just couldn't help myself...it was as if muscle memory took me over. She turned to look up at me. "Your Grace," she began, " I understand that you shared a body with Julie, but please stop—it's quite disturbing—all those—you know—"