by P. S. Power
That was far more complex, but it sounded like Karina actually had the first few steps in hand. They needed to build an atmosphere, which would take hundreds of years, and introduce special plants, but a lot could be done underground, given the magics they had at hand. Really, working with the surface was mainly a back-up, in case Earth didn't make it. That was, Karina allowed, her voice going a bit grim, possible.
"Everyone thinks that things have gotten about as bad as they will there, due to what the Ancients did to us. That's partly true, I've been told. We should see fewer of the super-massive storms, but the growing seasons and long term weather patterns are going to be very different everywhere, and keep shifting for a long while. We can use magic to keep ourselves alive and healthy, but that's not a good long term plan. What if we don't have enough builders? Or, I don't know, if something else happens? The idea is to have something ready, just in case. Once we have enough of an atmosphere to hold things in place, we can put water on the surface and it should stay. That will make it all easier."
It wasn't until Sara had already arranged to go with the Princess, after the investigation into who was trying to attack Harmony, and Tim in particular, that the woman cleared her throat and started to look a bit edgy. Suspicious seeming, actually. There were a lot of sidelong glances, and it wasn't done in a way that looked to Sara like she was working up to asking her for a demonstration of her new flexibility. Which was a shame. Karina was lovely, after all. She seemed friendly too.
Looking at the tall redhead, who still seemed very young, though adult now, Sara cleared her own throat.
"So... What do you want to ask me?" It was blunt, especially given that the girl next to her was royalty, but they weren't in Noram.
No, they were on Karina's ship, which still left her in charge. Sara really should have been more servile.
The other woman didn't seem to notice. Or at least not care about it, at any rate.
"I... Sort of need to have some things delivered to my father. They're from me... Things that I've gathered personally, and commissioned myself. Weapons, and a few other things to help make sure the rebellion doesn't win. I know that Queen Tiera has refused aid-"
Sara cut her off with an upraised hand, being all sorts of rude, suddenly. After a few seconds she realized that it was probably part of the changes that Tim had made to her. She was being more... assertive, than she used to be. That, or she secretly thought her new status just made her that important to the world.
It really wasn't that one. She knew that her place had been given to her mainly because of the services she'd provided, and the fact that Timon Baker wanted her as a bed warmer. It had worked for him too, and probably would in the future, so she couldn't blame him too much. Not that he'd needed to go to those lengths for that kind of thing, looking the way he did. There was probably a small touch of him wanting her to love him added to the mix. To actually feel toward her what he did, or had, in the past.
Given what he'd said on the matter, she kind of thought she really did, already. She was capable of love, after all. That he wasn't sure he was, well, that was just sad.
"I can do that. I'm not a citizen of Harmony, so there's no reason that I can't make a delivery for you. As long as you aren't claiming that Tiera is behind this, then it should be fine. Who did the work on it?"
The other woman looked away, and then back, her face a bit nervous.
"Um... I got Princess Tess to do most of it. Prince Tenet helped as well. He's rather sweet, isn't he?" Then she blanched. "I mean, small issues with your brother aside..."
That was a Noram thing. You didn't bring up hard feelings or possible troubles in polite circles. Except that they were both alone, and in a secret meeting, in what was close to the most secured location available.
"I have no idea, personally. I hear good things about him though. Tess too, except for her taste in men. Though Kurt isn't, or wasn't, exactly hard on the eyes for a man. You heard about that didn't you? His treatment regime? It isn't a punishment, and Tim swears he'll turn him back into a man, as soon as he learns to be a bit less... Um, manically sexual."
"Oh, I have heard about that! I have to admit that I'm a bit curious to try that out myself. Being a boy, I mean? Not forever. Just for a week or so. Timon said he'd do it whenever I wanted. A lot of people are trying it. They say you get a really good sense of the hardships of being different, after you do it. If I do, I can count on you to have sex with me right? Otherwise, what's the point of trying it on for size?"
Sara nodded. "We can do that. It isn't like I don't like men, after all. Lately I haven't had a lot of attention that way though. Tellerand... They really don't do things like that. Not that I saw. They just pray all the time, and suffer a lot." It was true, but she felt bad, saying it, after a moment. Like she was being a Doretta toward an entire people. "They're good enough folk though, even with that. If you have those things for delivery here with you. I can load them onto my ship and deliver them directly. Or in the morning, at least, if the Palace let's me in. I'm not anything fancy like an Ambassador now, after all. Do you think claiming I'm the second Ancient of Mars will help?" She was joking, since that wasn't her job, but the Princess nodded, her smile bright.
"I really bet it will. That is pretty much the situation, after all. Or, maybe co-Ancients? Is that a thing? I'm more than willing to take on the burden of being in charge of the planet though. Even if the plan is for you to have most of the workers in your section."
"Ancient of the Martian Circle." She said the words lightly, but Karina clapped a few times, then nodded her head.
"I really like that! Did you think of it yourself?"
"Nope. Terry did. Just off the top of his head too. It's a bit pretentious though, don't you think?"
The Princess shook her head then, and reached over to touch Sara on the left shoulder. Her hand felt warm through the cloth of her tan tunic.
"Not at all. It sounds like exactly what you need in order to get into place tomorrow. Let me get those things. I have a floating chest, in my quarters."
That sounded almost like an invitation to go to her room with her, which it was, but the Princess didn't offer her bed for a nap, or anything, just giving her the control amulet. Then a pat on the shoulder.
"We really should spend more time together, since we're going to be working so closely. I've been a bit lonely, for the last bit. I did a lot of the work with Mars so far on my own. It will be nice to have a friend along. I know, I can tell my parents about us being co-Ancients. At least then they won't worry about me being alone so much."
There was a look then, one that was a bit longing, so Sara kissed her. Warmly, and with decent skill, right on the lips. After a few moments the other girl responded pretty nicely. It wasn't the first time they'd done that after all, and they both liked girls well enough. It led to some interesting things, for a while, but about forty minutes later they had to part, since Sara had kind of left Roget and Gemma on her ship alone.
Hopefully they hadn't decided to steal it yet.
Karina didn't follow her to the vessel, but clearly knew where she was, since there was a space along the back wall that simply vanished as soon as she got in the ship and closed the wall behind her, touching the lip of the tube that connected them to the air of the larger craft.
The ship had been made small, and looked to have about ten seats and a small restroom in the back. She checked the hold in the bottom, to see that it was filled with a small amount of lunar soil, in case they had to do anything, or make the craft bigger. It was enough to keep the three of them going for a long time, as long as they recycled their bodily waste into more material to work with later.
Without interrupting the prayers that both Gemma and Roget seemed to be doing, she moved them out of the larger craft carefully, and made the jump to Earth without either of the others even opening their eyes.
It was interesting, because she felt the whole move, as if it were tugging at her constantly. She didn't
used to, but now it seemed incredibly obvious. Hugely so, as if no one would be able to miss something like that, unless they were unconscious or dead inside their skulls.
Blinking, she decided not to mention that to the new Ambassador, or the future jump pilot. It was just due to the fact that someone else, Tim, had made changes to her really, wasn't it? That didn't actually make her any better than anyone else. Really, in a way, it meant she was less. Some people earned their power and position, and she'd been gifted it. Not that she was going to turn it down. There would be enough work to leave her feeling good about it all, later. No doubt.
She settled the ship before even turning to look at the others, who both muttered about the All High in the back.
"Praised be." She intoned, trying to interrupt politely. "We're on Earth, outside the Capital in Noram. I was thinking that we could set up just outside the space port here and sleep on the ship? Or, I'm certain that my mother would love to have you as a guest, Ambassador Roget?" She didn't mean anything by that last bit, but the poor man blushed a scarlet red. Still thinking about whatever he and Heather had done? That was possibly a good thing really. Depending on why he was turning that shade. It suddenly didn't seem embarrassed though. It was more like livid anger.
"Here would be fine, Captain Debri. I give thanks for our safe journey, and hope the He will see to our comfort, if that is His will."
She got that one, kind of. He was being a bit snippy with her, without actually pushing her into responding. Tellerand fashion. The All High was his host, in his mind. She, of course, was being told that her will, or offers, weren't important.
It was a bit rude, given that they were in Noram, but the thing with that was no one there would call him on it. They normally didn't, when it was a matter of religion. People were allowed to believe whatever they wanted that way, as long as it didn't harm anyone else. That didn't mean it wouldn't annoy anyone, but, and possibly without realizing it, Roget had hit the mark perfectly there. By making it that kind of a matter, he could dig at her, and she basically couldn't respond without proclaiming herself against an entire people.
She did make an effort to ensure they had a comfortable enough place to rest. It was, she thought, at least as nice as a room in the palace would have been, after she did all the work. They each got a room, and a bathing area was set up, as well as a dining room and a food device. One of the ones that Tiera had sent along. It was nice enough, but Roget retired to his room directly, claiming that he was behind on his devotions. Even though he'd spent all that time with Gemma, praying.
The girl looked a bit troubled about it, when the man vanished into his own space and closed the door behind him.
"I get a strong feeling that he isn't best pleased with me, for some reason. I wonder if it was something that I've done? I just prayed with him, and didn't make any overtures or anything. Do you... Was that a mistake? Should I have suggested we do something?" The girl actually seemed troubled by it. Sara got the idea herself.
By Noram rules, a slightly moody Ambassador was a horrible thing, one that might lead to a war. That Tellerand wasn't really able to bring war to anyone at the moment might have helped a bit, if Gemma had thought of it, but the fact was, sooner or later, they would be. Making Roget feel poorly, or angry with them, wasn't a good thing. That he clearly wasn't all that happy...
"I don't think so. Not that I know how he'd signal that, if it was what he wanted. I think, perhaps, I made a mistake, asking Terry to put him in this position. The only thing there is that I haven't met anyone better suited for the task than he is from that land." Unless she counted Laroque.
Still, having the King not be stabbed every time the man felt displeased was probably a good thing. Really, if she got a chance, she needed to check in on him and the rest of her old crew. He might be in charge now, but that didn't mean her responsibility to them was done. Not really.
Sara didn't really feel a need for sleep, since her schedule was way off what they held in Noram, but there wasn't a lot else to do at the moment, so she went to her room, which was of good size, though smaller than Roget's space, and closed her eyes for a while. It gave her time to think, but there wasn't anything new to go on, as far as to who'd been attacking them in Harmony.
Well, unless she wanted to assume some things. Like the men that had taken Lars's family escaping being part of a larger plan. They probably just hadn't been in at the time though. Unless the people from Tellerand had warned them? That was possible, of course. They weren't spies or agents after all. Even without meaning to, they might well have let things slip, going around and looking for a few particular people like they were. Just mentioning that kind of thing to the wrong person could send a real agent scuttling away into the dark, almost instantly. Even Sara had been given that kind of training. If you thought someone might be closing in, you left, as soon as you safely could.
That was probably what had happened there then. The men in question had seen something happening, and simply decided that it was strange enough for them to hide away in the shadows for a while.
Without anyone to question, it was going to be hard to find out who those men had been working for however.
Roget was another problem, it seemed. The man had never been all that happy with her, she realized now. Before she'd kind of figured it was simply a difference of their social places. She was of Noram, and thought like a person of that place. He did the same with his own land and people. That meant she was pushy, for a woman, as far as he was concerned. Probably a whore too. They didn't just use that term to mean a professional woman who sold sex and related favors, there. No, it was an insult that suggested that a woman might have once had relations outside of wedlock. What they counted as relations was incredible too. A kiss could be enough to have a woman branded that way.
Sara had done a lot of that, however. They didn't really know it about her, as a people, but she was willing to bet that Roget had started to figure it out, over time. It wasn't exactly something she'd hidden from him.
So, they were different in a lot of ways. Worse, she really hadn't liked him at all. Ever. It was most of the people from his land too. They were judgmental, and often very rude, if you didn't believe what they did. Even with each other they could be kind of obnoxious, trying to subtly suggest that they personally were more in touch with the All High than others were. Often using some very minor things, such as when they prayed, or how often, as proof of that kind of thing.
Plus, even though their now dead Ancient had insisted they elevate the people that could use magic, it was clear that most of them thought their new saints were less than they were. Devil touched.
It made them very hard to work with.
For a while she'd been considering the idea of getting some of their people to move to Mars, or the stations there, but now that she thought about it, the idea seemed like a lot more effort than it was worth. There would be other people willing to go, she bet. It would take a lot less begging, most likely. She could find some people that held a bit of adventure in their hearts, and who wanted to live in refinement. That probably wouldn't be too hard of a sell, for a lot of people. Especially young ones that didn't have a family already.
Mars would, eventually, be a good place for that kind of thing.
She had a small window in her room, so was able to get up at first light. She stretched, but it didn't really feel like anything in particular. Then, after getting a shower, and collecting Gemma up, she decided to head into the city. First though, she sighed and pulled the correct communications device, planning to leave a message with whoever it was that answered at the Palace that early in the day.
It had been Squire Gemma, she thought, but when she did it this time it was Princess Varley that picked up. Her face showed, the angle coming from slightly underneath her chin. She was very pretty, Sara realized. She'd known that, of course, since all Princesses were never less than lovely as a rule, but now it was very clear to her for some reason. She wasn't immortal
, but had the perfectly smooth skin that most of them had. All of them, including Sara.
That could have been makeup, but looking at the quality of her skin closely, it didn't seem like it.
"Good Morning! You've reached the Palace. This is Princess Veronica speaking. May I be helpful to you today?"
Sara smiled. She'd seen the girl before, but mainly in passing, even if they had several friends in common. For all that she'd made out with her older sister, and had sex with her brother about a hundred times, they'd never really gotten a chance to be all that close. It was strange how things like that could work.
She grinned at the girl anyway, since being friends wouldn't hurt, if they could manage it.
"Hello, Princess Veronica. I'm Sara Debri. Um, Ancient of the Martian Circle? Anyway, today I'm playing delivery girl, and was hoping to be able to pass some things to the King? A box of things from your sister, Princess Karina. Oh... I don't know if you heard? She's the Ancient of Mars, now. I'm going to be doing the space stations around there, while we make it a good place to live. It will take a while, so don't be too impressed yet. Still, it might be enough to get me in today? I also have the Tellerand Ambassador with me. So, there's that. The real one this time, not just me holding the job for a few days. Roget Smithson."
The girl nodded, and almost instantly started writing, rather than question her about anything in particular.
"I'll put the word in. Can we contact you in an hour or two on the Ambassador's visit, and a good time to come yourself? I notice that you're already on the list to be let in. I know that Alphie put you on it when he was here, but this seems new. I wonder why that is?"