Finding Mary

Chapter 4

Zaclyn stood by the empty throne, a PADD in his hands. "I understand you wish to form an alliance with our people." He said, his bushy eyebrows furrowed. "But the empress does not want a marriage alliance."

"An alliance by marriage is the only option. Your empress will marry Dejen, or the attacks will not stop." Came the gruff voice of the Klingon ambassador.

"Her highness does not wish to marry at this time. This threat is uncalled for. I'm afraid your prince will have to find another woman to marry." His voice came out calm, and demanding. Somewhere in the distance, thunder clapped in anticipation of a storm.

He'd met the Klingon prince, Dejen was a cruel, hostile man. If Asonia were to marry that man, she wouldn't be happy. Heck, she probably wouldn't survive a month, that man was so abusive.

"War is coming, Mr. Zaclyn. And the only way your people will survive is through us."

"We may be a small planet, but we have plenty of defense. If you wish to discuss this matter with the empress herself, then I will gladly allow it. Until then, good day."

With a small click, Zaclyn ended the call. He sat down against the throne, and sighed. In the years he'd known Asonia, he grew to love her like an uncle would a niece. He knew she didn't want to marry for advantage, but would bare it if need be, for her people.

Even if she was miserable for the rest of her life.

But Zaclyn wouldn't let her marry a Klingon. Their game was one of deceit, and trickery. He knew their game, marry the ruler of a planet, she somehow dies, then they take control. That was how it would go.

The pitter-patter of rain made it to his ears, and he sat up a little. A message dinged on his PADD, and he checked it. The Klingon ambassador wanted to speak with Asonia.

He video messaged her, and waited for her to answer.

~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~^~~~

Asonia was getting ready for bed when her PADD began to ring. She jumped across the bed to grab her PADD, the jingle of a video call loud enough to deafen the entire ship.

She moved her hair behind her ear, then clicked the answer button. The familiar, wild haired face of her royal adviser stared back at her.

"Zaclyn! I wasn't expecting a call today. How are you? Is something wrong?"

"I am fine, your Highness. But I have some news. The Klingons have agreed to end their attacks on our people-"

Asonia interrupted him. "That's wonderful!"

"-If you marry their rulers son, Dejen." He finished, his face grim.

Dejen. Asonia hated him with a ferocity, that it made her sick with hate just thinking of his name. "Let me speak with their ambassador." She said, hooking the PADD up to a stand.

The screen flickered for a moment, the she came face to face a familiar ridged face. It wasn't just the ambassador, though. It was their emperor as well.

"Ah! Empress Asonia Geay! What a surprise!" The emperor said, mock surprise on his face.

"Hello emperor Kerth, ambassador Werf. It has come to my attention you wish to make an agreement of sorts."