He turned his attention back to his innocent young daughter, running his hand through her silver and gold hair. She would be the first hereditary Empress in NHA history. For some strange genetic twist of fate, the first born of every NHA Emperor and Empress was always male...until Yukie came along. Of course, there had been many elevated empresses, including his deceased wife, who ruled with the same authority as he.
“That is a wonderful idea, Yukie,” he kneeled before her, placing a hand on each shoulder, “but unfortunately, the technology used is sealed and currently only the Emperor's Jewelry has that ability.” He let a hand fall to her necklace, a previous emperor’s heart. At least he would be able to protect his daughter.
“However, you did provide me a good idea. I think I'll have the Emperor’s Academy, with assistance of the biological science research companies look into a genetic vaccine, or gene alteration, from the data collected. I'd much rather make us immune then have to worry about delivering an antidote within seconds,” Yukie beamed at his words.
They continued on, studying a peculiar multicolored plant, called a Mus’Vatillinia, that swayed, even without wind.
“And Daddy, I'm glad you helped her,” he raised an eyebrow, “I mean Princess Sasha. I know you don't like getting directly involved with the nobility, but it's like one of the old fairy tales! When the petty man saves the noble woman and they fall in love, against all odds!” He smiled, not having the heart to tell her that most stories of love between classes rarely ended happily.
The nobles of galaxy 189 would not stand idly by as Trent and Sasha did what the emperor hoped, and changed the destructive traditions of the last 75,000 years. It was a farfetched dream, he knew, but if he could leave his daughter with a semblance of change, something so she wouldn't have to worry about the nightmares of the billions of petties killed by fickle nobles...it would be worth it.
“Zing, has Sir Trent chosen his new starship? The one he is to be rewarded with the Star of Terra?” Zing's sphere started rippling, shifting colors rapidly.
“No.” A smile broke his lips.
“Good, I'd like to temporarily suspend the prohibition for nobles to design their own starships in regards to Trent's personnel starship,” his smile widened, “and I'd like to allocate the emperor's initial allocation of the gorian ore discovered in Alutia, enough to sufficiently armor a battleship class hull.” Zing beeped acknowledgement and sent off his instructions.
He gazed down at Yukie, who was chasing his catillian through a field of angel grass, and hoped that the future would not be the same as the past, and his daughter would not die, like his wife, because of the weight of ruling the universe.
###
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed the anniversary edition of Alutia Rising as much as I enjoyed the writing (...or rewriting that is...). It was a long road, which I broke down upon on more than a few occasions. But I was able to carry on...thinking if Trent and Sasha could trudge forward, so could I...and completed the journey. Except, I realized something, this is only the beginning, an on-ramp to a much longer road, or prelude to a much grander adventure.
Please look forward to the updated release of the next book, The Noble Petty, Complete Edition, where Trent and Sasha, her ladies, new friends, and family become embroiled in even greater conflicts and experience adventures, loss, and love beyond any of their wildest imaginations.
Thank you for your support and I hope to see you again in the next adventure!
Craig Gerttula
ps. Book 3 - Foresight of the Duke, will be arriving in early 2014!
Alutia Rising, Anniversary Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 1) Page 50