War for the Iron Planet

Chapter 34: Beyond the Iron Planet and Epilogue

Skritka sipped a glass of Griffonian rum. Brewed from the eponymous sugary roots of sweetroot plants, it was a planetary specialty and the unofficial beverage of the political class.

Trekna walked boldly up to where Skritka sat at the bar, saying, "Prime Minister, some of my constituents are quite excited about the opportunities afforded by getting an early claim on some territory on Hittania."

"Then they can get in line with everyone else and file a claim request," said Stritka dryly. Trekna was about to respond when someone spoke from behind him.

"Senator Trekna, don't you have an election coming up?"

The senator turned to see Admiral Jasken giving him a smile that did not reach his eyes. He had just returned along with the rest of the Blue Griffon Fleet, having been relieved by a fresh contingent of Republic soldiers, sent to clear the way for civilian settlers. After seemingly endless debriefings, interviews, and speeches, he was on leave for a few months while they waited for the fleet to be repaired and Shrump's coordinates to be decoded.

"How are your polls looking?" continued the Admiral. "I heard your handling of the Hittania situation did not go over well."

Trekna shot an equally insincere smile at Jasken, saying, "Oh, excuse me, Prime Minister. I didn't realize you were here with a guest." He slinked off into the crowd.

Jasken sat down next to Stritka and ordered himself a rum.

"Well, well, well," said Skritka with a chuckle. "Maybe you've got the makings of a politician yourself."

"Oh, don't say that," scoffed Jasken as he took a sip of his drink. "Believe me, I still prefer outright aggression to passive aggression."

Skritka laughed some more, patting Jasken's shoulder.

"Do we have any more information on this Free Revolutionary Fleet faction?" asked the Prime Minister.

"No," said Jasken, shaking his head. "They cleaned up the scrap, as agreed, and left. Strangely, they showed an interest in the Astralbian wreckage."

"That is strange," said Skritka, shifting uncomfortably on his barstool. "Do you think this Admiral Crush is really a psychic Robot? Without even knowing it? I didn't think that kind of thing was possible."

"I don't know, Prime Minister. I really don't. I think we'll want to keep an eye on her and the FRF, but that's not really my department."

"Well, I'll have you out among the stars again soon, since that's what you seem to want," said the Prime Minister.

Jasken smiled ruefully. "Give me the details, then."

***

Vanbrook stood with the rest of Talon Squad, all of them wearing their finest formal clothing. A young girl threw flower pedals haphazardly as she toddled down the aisle, followed by a young boy who held rings in one hand and picked his nose with the other. Embarrassed parents signaled desperately to the boy to leave his nose alone, but to no avail.

After a moment, celebratory music rang out and Kaihla entered the auditorium wearing an elegant white dress, a crown of fresh flowers and a brilliant smile. Her hair was intricately braided, with flowers expertly woven in. At the other end of the room stood Drixen, wearing a perfunctory rented set of clothes and an equally brilliant smile. He was fighting back tears and losing.

The wedding was beautiful, moving, and, much to Vanbrook's delight, short. When the moment came for the couple's first kiss, the minister said, "As befits the culture of the bride's mother's homeworld, the couple has reserved their first kiss for this moment, as they express their love to one another and commit to a lifelong relationship before friends, family, and the Progenitor."