The terrible little creatures that had been the instrument of the Minister of Agriculture’s execution were rounded up by guards and the spectators applauded with their tails. As the Replini’s lifeless corpse was hauled out of the arena, the Emperor again went out and thanked the audience for their attendance. With that the assembly was dismissed and began filing out of the stadium. Ming looked unfazed. Jake wondered what he had experienced that allowed him to keep such a stalwart exterior in the face of such a barbaric event. The Emperor’s generosity and appreciation was so explicitly contrasted with his intolerance for failure.
The Emperor then spoke to Jake without using Tance as interpreter.
“Tance has told me how well you are grasping our language. It is a pity you cannot express your thoughts using your skin as we can and must rely on contorting intricate muscles in your face. I’d like to know very much what you thought about today.”
“I admire the way you demonstrated appreciation for your subjects. I’m not aware of anything similar on Earth. I did think that the way you punish...”
Apparently, Ming had been paying close attention with his headband translating. His orb interrupted: “As Jake said, your benevolence is outstanding and your demonstration of what happens to those who betray the public’s trust is an indication of the reason your Kingdom is so prosperous.”
Jake realized that it was best to refrain from criticizing the Emperor’s policies. Who knew what the Emperor’s reaction would have been if Ming hadn’t stepped in?
“Thank you for your compliments. I take great pride in my people and in the way that I bring out the best in them. Tomorrow, I would like you to bring your fellow humans down to have a discussion with me. I wish to discuss how we can improve our friendship and I am hoping that perhaps you may be willing to provide me with advice on certain matters. One additional thought, I would like to show you a great accomplishment of my ancestors. We will take you there, if you wish, and hope that your friends can meet us. You will be provided with coordinates to convey to them.”
