Harris looked at Bax's shiny gold biosuit with bright red boots. I bet you make quite the fashion statement when you enter court. That is what they call it, right?"
"They do. And I do. My advisors hate it. The emperor doesn't seem to mind. I figure it's a good differentiator. To see me is to know Baxter Rumford is in the room."
Harris chuckled. "You'd be hard to miss."
A shuttle docked, collected the visitors, transporting them to the palace complex on the surface.
Tawn stepped out of the shuttle first. "Wow. A marble tarmac. And polished."
Bax pointed toward two men with a floor buffer working just over forty meters away. "Those guys are out here every day. They've spent their entire adult life doing nothing but caring for this marble with that machine. The old guy has been doing it for sixty-two standard years. His apprentice for thirty-eight."
"You talked to them?"
"I did. I like to be familiar with my surroundings and the people who occupy them. You'd think they would despise that job, but they love it. And are extremely loyal to the emperor and grateful to him for providing them the opportunity. And get this, they're the only crew and neither one has missed a single day during all that time."
Tawn winced. "Sixty-two years? That's insane."
"The standard Earther workweek is four days on and a single day off. The on days are ten hour shifts. New Earth time is almost exactly thirty standard hours."
Tawn replied, "That's only an hour difference from Domicile time."
"The kingdom, and all the colonies, are standardized on those three, ten-hour shifts. Of course days off are spread out so the empire is always at the same state of activity, or readiness, or whatever you want to call it."
Harris pointed. "Those chrome buildings the main palace? And any reason for the rest of these being red?"
Bax smiled. "The emperor's favorite color is red. And no. The chrome buildings are where we are staying. The other 90 percent of the buildings, the red ones, are the palace."
Harris nodded. "Favorite color red... how convenient for you."
"Seven of his twelve wives are redheads. The offer hasn't been extended to me... yet."
The visitors boarded a transport and were whisked away to the guest compound. Five buildings with polished platinum domes were surrounded by a twenty-meter-high stone wall. A multitude of guards patrolled the wall, staying approximately fifty meters apart as they walked.
The transport landed and settled under a grand entrance way. Black granite columns rose up to meet elaborately carved arches, which in turn held up the great platinum dome.
Tawn glanced around. "Fancy at least. Wouldn't mind building something like this at the Retreat one day."
Bax quipped. "You only need about a billion subject laborers and you're set. This entire palace complex was new only eighteen years ago when the emperor took the throne. It was a gift from the people. I was told three hundred thousand skilled laborers worked for six straight months on it."
Harris stopped to look at the carvings on one of the granite pillars. "Depictions of battles. This inscription reads 'For the empire they valiantly fought. For our emperor they valiantly fell. For the people a victory was had. Blessed be the fallen.'"
Tawn frowned. "I don't recall any valiant fighters out there. All nutjobs looking for glory for the emperor."
Bax leaned in and whispered. "Be careful from here on with how you speak. Our every move is being monitored within this building."
"So how's this gig gonna run?"
Bax replied, "You will be shown to your rooms. A group of personal assistants will help you bathe and then dress. When ready, you will be brought to a dining hall where you will be fed and allowed to mingle with the other guests. And just so you know, those other guests are very likely spies. So watch what you say."
"And after that?"
"After that will be entertainment. That will go on for several hours after which you will be escorted back to your rooms. From there until morning you are allowed to visit with any of the other guests in their rooms for whatever purpose."
"And in the morning?" Tawn asked.
"Again bathed, dressed, fed, and then, if the emperor has time, you'll be allowed an audience with him. Probably about ten minutes tops. Get your questions in because you'll probably never see him again, even if married to one of the other royals."
The guests were taken to their separate rooms. As mentioned, baths were followed by dressings. The brown tunics and pointed shoes were replaced with bright, white, sparkling, full body robes and white, sequined slippers. An escort brought each into the hall leading back to the dining room.
Again, high black granite columns, encrusted with depictions of great battles rose to a domed ceiling. Portraits of various New Earth animals hung on the walls, each given a sinister appearance.
Harris chuckled. "I wonder how many of those we'll eat tonight?"
Tawn shifted uncomfortably as she walked. "Don't know, but the strap on this thing is riding up my crack."
Bax said, "Just go with it. After a few days you'll hardly notice it's there."
Tawn scowled. "What I can't figure out is what's the intended purpose? It's not securing or supporting anything."
"It's purpose is to annoy you and make you uncomfortable. They want you off your game, so to speak. The Earthers want you in an uneasy state when you are set before the emperor. Just ignore it."
"Set?"
Bax nodded. "You will be carried in on a pair of litters and set before the emperor's throne. If he's there, he'll speak to you. If not, just enjoy the time looking around at the throne room. You won't be seeing him or it again afterward."
Tawn and Bax sat at an opulent, round, granite table. Harris sat after. Five other guests were seated at two other tables.
"You said a pair of litters? I take it you won't be going in there with us?"
Bax shook her head. "I had my time about three months ago. The emperor didn't show. The time allotted for you is your time. This is the highest honor an Earther can receive. And just so you know, some other Earther, probably far more deserving than you, was bumped from tomorrow's slot."
Harris said, "The honor will be the emperor's."
Bax winced. "I wouldn't make that joke given where you are. That's blasphemy on this planet. Will get you beheaded without the emperor ever having a say. We are nothing more than tiny specks of sand on an immense beach to him. He granted this audience and offer as a thank you. You come across as rude, arrogant or ungrateful and you may not be going home."
Harris sighed. "Don't lose it, Red. I know how to behave. It won't be an issue."
"Good. Any bad experience with you will reflect poorly on me. And I don't like having a poor reflection."
Harris began to speak to which Tawn cut in. "How are your mines running?"
Bax frowned as a half dozen plates of food were set before her. "You know I can't talk about that with you. That's like me asking you about Midelon. What's going on there? How is it you have access?"
"Fair enough."
A cart with bottles of liquid was wheeled up beside Harris. "Sir, may I suggest the Talisman Blue?"
Harris looked over the cart. "Sure, give me one of those, that one, this gold one and the blue stuff you just mentioned. In a mug, with ice."
"Sir, it is not customary to add ice to any of these. May I politely suggest they be served as usual?"
"Uh, no. You may not. Bring them as I just said."
"Very well, sir."
An assistant was sent to bring a bucket of cubes and a mug.
Bax scowled. "Those really are good as served. They've already been chilled or heated to the optimum temperatures."
Harris looked up. "Are you drinking these or am I?"
Bax laughed. "Goober. Those aren't beverages. They're sauces. You know, for your food."
Tawn chuckled. "Let him drink them. Would be more efficient as he'll coat that meat with it anyway."
Harris glanced up
at the attendant. "My mistake. Served as usual will be fine."
"Very good, sir."
A second cart arrived bearing liquor, wine, and a variety of other beverages.
The attendant asked, "May I make a recommendation, sir?"
Harris looked over the cart. "What does the emperor drink?"
The attendant picked up a bottle with a dark red liquid. "The emperor maintains a private stock of felishaniese."
"OK. That sounds good. I'll have a glass, or mug or whatever of that."
Bax frowned as she raised a finger. "Don't know if that's what you really want."
Harris looked at the attendant. "These are beverages, right?"
"Yes, sir."
Harris smiled at Bax. "I believe that means, butt out."
Bax sat back with a sigh. A glass was poured and set before a smug Harris. A lift and a chug brought back teary eyes and a scrunched up face.
Bax shook her head. "The emperor has a condition where the potassium in his blood is removed almost entirely by his digestive tract. Some disease the Earthers have picked up from this planet. Anyway, that drink is one fifth grain alcohol and four fifths sheep's blood. More than a few sips would probably make you sick."
Harris set the glass down.
Tawn chuckled. "You are just one defiant disaster after another. I would listen to the suggestions of those in the know around here. And with that, I would suggest you find out which foods will leave you gassy and avoid those. Don't want the emperor thinking someone brought a litter loaded with dung into his throneroom."
Harris let out a long breath. "Fine. I'll stick with the recommendations."
Tawn devoured three plates stacked high with various ribs, wings, thighs, breasts, and chunks of steak. Half way through she stopped to look at her partner with his single, half full plate.
"What are you doing? That blood-stuff get to you?"
Harris shook his head. "On a diet. I have another thirty kilos of weight to lose."
Tawn chuckled. "Wait. What? When did this happen?"
"It's new. I'll tell you about it when we get back to Midelon. Can't talk about it in front of Red here."
The dinner was finished and followed by a small reception with the other guests. Two were military, one a businessman, and the other two remote members of the royal family.
Small talk was made with both parties only discussing the pleasantries of the evening. The reception was followed by two hours of various acts of physical prowess, short plays, and musical performances with dance. Morning brought another bath and visit to the dining hall.
— Chapter 6 —
* * *
Harris finished his plate while looking longingly at the stack of food in front of Tawn. Bax watched with a look of disgust.
Harris asked, "So when can we expect these litters to pick us up?"
Bax sat back with her arms crossed. "An hour and a half, maybe. You'll be going back to your rooms for another bath first."
"We just had one."
"The emperor likes his visitors clean. And you should expect a heavy dose of cologne or perfume. Enough to almost make you choke."
Harris sighed. "So what can we expect when we get in the throneroom? What's he look like?"
Bax shrugged. "The room is full of plants and statues and portraits of prior emperor greats. As to what he looks like? I don't know. There are no pictures or paintings of him. It's a capitol offense to take or record his image in any way. I don't even know if he makes himself visible when you're in there for an audience. I would think he does, but maybe not."
Tawn said, "How do you rule a kingdom without ever being seen?"
Harris replied, "Could be one of those paranoid psychotics."
Bax leaned in. "Hush. I told you not to make those comments. Someone overhears and we're all being laid out on the chopping block. And I prefer to keep my head."
"Fine. I'll try to refrain from any further outbursts. Tawn? What you think about those water-baths?"
"Different. Strange, but not uncomfortable. I could probably soak in it for hours if it wasn't for the creepy people all standing around waiting to scrub between my toes or dry me off."
Harris nodded. "Now you know why I take the baths at the hotels. I like to sit and soak."
Tawn chuckled. "You like to blow gas bubbles is what you like."
Bax scowled. "Ew. Not appropriate talk while we're eating. Or ever for that matter."
The meal soon ended with the visitors being escorted back to their rooms. Baths were given, bodies adorned with new smells and clothing, and finally litters sent to carry the guests to the main palace.
Harris had already taken position on his when Tawn came out of her room. "Look at you. You look like some fat Roman Caesar waiting to watch the gladiators fight."
Harris gently waved his hand. "Et tu, Brute."
Tawn chuckled. "You don't even know what that means, do you?"
"Don't know and don't care. Was in the archives of Earth we had to watch. Hey, couple of your lifters there look on the thin side. Hope they don't tump you over when we're on our way. Especially when we reach the throne room. If that were to happen I wouldn't be able to contain myself. Head getting chopped off or not."
Tawn shook her head. "You're the heavyweight here. I hope they can get you off the ground."
Harris laughed. "They already did a test run. Heard a couple grunts coming out of them."
Tawn was assisted up several steps before lying back on the pillow covered litter. "This isn't half bad."
"We get back to Domicile, maybe we'll hire a staff to cart us around Chicago Port Station in a couple of these. That would be hilarious."
"I think I'll pass on that. Don't want to be hated. Too many people in dire financial straights there still. Maybe if this war ends for real and the economy improves."
Harris took note of one of his litter bearers looking quickly away. "Probably a good idea to not talk about home, if you know what I mean."
Tawn nodded. "Got it."
The litters were lifted and the trek to the palace began.
Harris commented. "Not bad. Smooth actually. Was expecting to be jerked around a bit."
"These are professionals. They give a crappy ride they probably get offed."
Twenty minutes into the carry, Tawn said, "What have we gone? Just over a kilometer?"
Harris looked over his shoulder. "Good guess."
"Wonder how far these dudes have to carry us?"
"If that building we're headed for is the destination, we're only half way there. Why you asking."
"A couple of these poor guys are beginning to sweat."
Harris looked over his crew. "I've got three. It is kind of warm out here."
An attendant wearing a pack rushed up. A wide hose was lifted up and cool air began to gently blow onto the stump.
"Wow. Now that's service." Harris pointed. "Hey, cooling guy, how about pointing that at these two."
The attendant continued to look straight forward without answering. "Hey, you, cooling guy? Look at me."
The attendant turned his head to face Harris, his eyes looking downward. "Point that cool air at these two carriers."
The attendant complied as he again looked forward.
Tawn nodded. "Nice. You know, I'm feeling kind of warm myself. I could use two of those blowers."
Seconds later two attendants with cooling packs were servicing the guest on their litter.
"Now, both of you I want these two guys cooled. And spread it around periodically to the others."
Harris sipped on a beverage. "They say it's good to be the king."
"When we reach that building have your guy shut that off. We don't want to get any of these people in trouble."
The litter carriers entered the main palace building where the litters were set gently on the floor. Several of the carriers gave a furtive nod to Harris as they walked past. Two fresh crews came through a side door, hoisting the litters onto their shoulders as the two per
son caravan continued.
The walk through the main palace building took another twenty minutes. Polished black marble floors were broken up by thirty meter high gold columns. The ceiling was covered with fine black crystals, with the occasional clear crystal transmitting light down to the floor.
Tawn said, "You getting that ceiling? Looks like a night sky. Very cool."
"You think those columns are solid?"
Tawn chuckled. "No way. Doubt there's that much gold on the entire planet. Must be a thousand of those columns in here."
The guests were carried through an atrium that was buttressed on each side by a large cascading waterfall. Flowering vines adorned the walls in hanging containers. As the group entered the next building, the litters were again set gently on the floor. Attendants emerged from side rooms, assisting the guests down a set of steps brought to each litter.
A new set of litters was carried in and placed on the floor in front of a pair of massive iron doors. This time, the guest section of the litter remained close to the floor while the previous set had carried the passengers at shoulder height. The Biomarines were escorted forward and helped onto their new transports.
When the crews had again lifted their litters, the great iron doors began to open. The guests were moved into a long hall with portraits hanging on either wall.
Tawn said, "This must be the prior emperors Bax was talking about."
Harris frowned. "Look how skinny they are."
Tawn replied, "What'd we say about those comments?"
Harris snickered. "Look at those ears... enormous."
"Shut it."
At the end of the hall, the litters were again set on the floor. Two new sets of crews emerged from side doors. Each being two meters tall and having the build of a bogler bull.
Harris said, "Suddenly I feel kinda small. These guys are huge."
"Now this is the crew I would hire for back on Chicago. People would be too intimidated to hate." Tawn ogled her carriers.
Harris raised an eyebrow. "Glad these aren't Earther regulars. Hey. Remember my story about the fist-fight? Could have been one of these guys. He was that big."
ARMS Eden Lost: (Book 4) Page 5