Starfall: A Starstruck Novel

by Hiatt, Brenda

  “More than eight hundred years. I know. Not that there’ve been that many Regents in Nuathan history anyway. It’s perfectly legal, though. I remember reading it last fall, when I was researching all the Nuathan law I could because of Rigel and, well, you know.”

  In fact, I’d read that particular bit while Rigel was driving our stolen car, when we’d run away from Jewel to keep the Council from separating us. That memory made me realize Shim was right that even if I hadn’t told Rigel about the Grentl, they’d have found some other way to keep us apart.

  With a faint smile of understanding, Shim inclined his head. “Very well. If you are certain you are prepared to deal with the inevitable repercussions of such an unorthodox appointment, it would be my great honor to serve as Regent to Sovereign Emileia—long may she reign.”

  11

  Power exchange

  Shim hadn’t been gone ten minutes when Molly and Sean returned from their evening out, both of them in such high spirits I wondered if spakriga or something similar had been served at their dinner.

  “M, you’ll have to meet Oriana and Kerry,” Molly told me. “Oriana was my very best friend in Bailerealta, and Kerry and Sean both played basketball there—and here, too, when they were like nine or ten. They moved from Bailrealta to America just a month after we did, but now they’re here in Nuath, to stay!”

  I didn’t want to spoil Molly’s mood by pointing out that nobody could really be here “to stay,” since we needed to start getting people off-planet instead of having more come here from Earth. Because it would be so controversial, I also didn’t feel like getting into the whole thing about Shim being my Regent tonight, so I faked a yawn.

  “That’s great. I’m glad you guys had such a good time.”

  Molly was immediately apologetic. “Oh, wow, I didn’t realize it’s so late! You’d better go, Sean, so I can help M get ready for bed. Can you at least sleep in tomorrow?”

  I shook my head. “Another important meeting first thing in the morning, so I really should get to bed. G’night, Sean.”

  Sean was clearly disappointed to be dismissed so quickly, but he didn’t argue. As soon as Molly had turned down my bed and laid out my nightgown, I said goodnight to her, too, so I could jot down some notes for my meeting with Shim tomorrow—and for the speech I planned to make to the legislature afterward.

  After some thought, I decided to make my Regent announcement without giving any advance notice to Mr. O and the others. That way they’d have no chance to try to talk me out of it or undermine me in any way. Sure, they’d be shocked and upset to find out along with everybody else, but I considered that a bonus, since it totally served them right.

  Sean had only just joined Molly and me for breakfast when Shim showed up as arranged, at eight o’clock. I’d planned it this way, so I could fill them both in at once.

  Not surprisingly, they were both stunned. Molly only stammered slightly as she greeted him, but Sean was less polite. “How did—? What are you—? But you’re supposed to be on Earth, making sure…”

  Which reminded me. “Did you send those messages you mentioned last night? To make sure Rigel stays safe till I can get to Earth?”

  Shim nodded. “Nearly the moment I was shown into that most lovely room you provided for me, Excellency. I assumed you would not wish me to delay, so I did not. My friends and colleagues should be able to ensure no harm comes to him, especially since I took the liberty of invoking your name with my requests.”

  “Thank you so much!” The tension between my shoulder blades dissolved and I turned to Sean and Molly. “Remember how frustrated I was going over that list when you guys left yesterday? Well, meet my new Regent.”

  Molly let out a little squeak but Sean frowned. “Um… No offense, sir, but doesn’t a Regent have to be Royal? Everyone else on that list—”

  “I know,” I said. “But no. Just another one of those things that’s tradition but not law.” I’d reread the statute before going to bed last night. “Lucky for me, huh?”

  Over breakfast, Shim and I discussed the best way to break my news to the acting legislature and to the population at large. He suggested doing both simultaneously.

  “Since you are determined on this course, it makes sense to garner support for it as quickly as possible. While the Royal-heavy legislature may protest, the rest of Nuath is overwhelmingly composed of other fines. Given what I’ve been reading about this new Populist party and the influence it gained while your Acclamation was delayed, this will likely be a popular move with their sympathizers, as well as many others concerned about their status now Royal rule has been reestablished.”

  Once we finished eating I messaged Mr. O’Gara, asking him to notify both the legislature and the media that I would be holding a press conference in the Legislative Hall at noon—and that he, Devyn and Nels were welcome to attend. I also hinted that their behavior there might determine whether their “house arrest” resumed afterwards.

  Though he had to be dying to ask questions, Mr. O just replied, “Understood. Notifications sent.”

  I couldn’t quite control the quiver in my midsection when I stepped up to the podium of the Legislative Hall at thirty seconds past twelve to face the entire acting legislature. The Royal House, or Riogain, only had forty-two Royals in it right now, rather than the sixty required by the Nuathan constitution. And while the Eodain, or People’s House, did have a full sixty acting members, almost none of them were Royal. Pre-Faxon, more than half of them had been, despite that House being popularly elected from across Nuath.

  Every one of the media’s two-dozen-plus networks had sent at least one reporter, which meant everyone in Nuath, with the possible exception of a few technophobes, would be watching.

  No pressure.

  Ranged behind me were Cormac, Sean, Molly, Mr. O’Gara, Devyn, Nels and Shim. Though the others had clearly been surprised to see Shim, they’d greeted him with all the respect due his status as longtime leader of the Echtran Council. Still, I could sense nervousness, bordering on fear, from all three. Maybe they were worried I was about to publicly accuse them after all.

  Touching the tiny microphone button on my collar, I cleared my throat, then waited while the ornate, high-ceilinged room fell obediently silent.

  “Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. I know many of you have been concerned, both before and since my Acclamation, that my youth and relative inexperience might adversely impact my ability to lead Nuath. A reasonable concern as, traditionally, underage Sovereigns have had Regents appointed prior to their Installation.”

  I could hear my voice shaking slightly, even if no one else could, so I took a steadying breath before continuing.

  “However, the circumstances leading to my Sovereignty were unprecedented in Nuath’s history and therefore required some things be done differently than in the past. By the time Faxon’s fall allowed for my return and Acclamation, neither my father Mikal nor his father, Sovereign Leontine, were alive to recommend a Regent. Therefore, that choice fell entirely on me.

  “Many, many capable and well-respected people have submitted their names for consideration, and I wish to extend my thanks to each and every one of them for their willingness to serve. However, given the unique circumstances in which Nuath finds itself, and in order to ensure the most efficient and effective rebuilding of our government and infrastructure, I have selected a Regent who did not actively seek that office.

  “He will already be familiar to many of you, both from the time he spent working with Palace Engineers and Informatics researchers in the past, and for his exemplary leadership of the Echtran Council for the past seventy-two years. Shim was instrumental in helping me survive a deadly attack by Faxon’s forces last year and it is largely due to his efforts that I was able to return to Nuath and take my place as your Sovereign.

  “Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I present your new Regent and acting leader of Nuath until I attain my majority. I give you Shim Stuart!
”

  I stepped back and motioned Shim to the podium. As he stepped forward, I got a definite thrill of satisfaction at the stunned expressions on the faces of Mr. O, Devyn and Nels (whose mouth actually fell open, though he quickly closed it).

  Touching the microphone button on his own tunic, Shim turned to face the legislature with his customary dignity and confidence. Most appeared nearly as stunned as the three traitors behind me, but I also heard a few cheers from the Eodain side, and from a handful of reporters.

  “Thank you, Sovereign Emileia. May I say that it warms my heart to see how you have already grown into your new role. It is clear to me that the future of Nuath will be in exceedingly capable hands once you are of age to resume the full reins of power. To the rest of you, I ask for your patience and support, despite the Sovereign’s seeming departure from long tradition by appointing me. Though I am not of the Royal fine, I have worked closely with Royals for most of my life. I hope to bring a different and necessary perspective to Nuath as we work together to rebuild it into the safe, prosperous and happy society it was intended to be.

  “It is my intention to meet with some of you as early as this afternoon, with a view to scheduling the series of elections necessary to put our sadly disrupted government back on its feet as quickly as possible. Then we can move on to the business of restoring and even improving upon the infrastructure and quality of life we once enjoyed. Again, I thank you.”

  To the sound of now-enthusiastic applause from the assemblage, Shim bowed—my cue to again step up to his side.

  “Shim and I will now be happy to answer questions, if you have them. Yes?” I nodded to the first reporter to get a hand in the air.

  As we’d agreed, we took questions for a full hour, with me allowing Shim to answer more and more of them as time passed. Not surprisingly, by the end of the hour he’d thoroughly impressed nearly every person present—and probably the vast majority of those watching on the feeds—with his intelligence, experience and ideas.

  Once the microphones were off, even Mr. O’Gara grudgingly admitted I’d made a good choice, though I could tell he wasn’t really happy about it. As soon as the legislators and press began filtering out, I turned eagerly to Shim.

  “Now, let’s get back to the Palace and arrange my return to Earth. I’d like to be on the very next ship, even if it means taking a bunk in Steerage!”

  * * *

  “No way. No way!” Half an hour later, back at the Palace, I stared, aghast, at the four men facing me. “You agreed that once I stopped the Grentl from attacking Nuath and appointed a Regent, I could leave for Earth!”

  “We agreed to no such thing, Excellency,” Mr. O reminded me. “You yourself promised to do those things before leaving, but didn’t ask for or receive any assurances from us in return.”

  “Quite true,” Devyn said. “While we are all grateful that you indeed seem to have convinced the Grentl to leave Nuath alone, and that you were able to so, ah, expeditiously appoint a Regent, those two actions alone do not absolve you of all responsibility to your people.”

  “I’m afraid they are right, my dear.” Shim spoke gently, but firmly. “Understandably anxious as you are to help my grandson, certain matters do require your attention before you can, in conscience, join him. If the only reason the Grentl feel no need to ‘terminate’ this colony is that it will cease to exist in fifty or sixty years due to lack of power, that gives us—gives you—a crisis of another sort to deal with. Have you any idea how quickly emigration can be effected, given our current resources?”

  Because I was still too upset to reply, Mr. O answered. “We discussed exactly that with the acting Minister of Space Travel two days ago. At most, we might get a few thousand from Mars to Earth during the current launch window—assuming, of course, that people can be convinced to leave. That is the task to which I believe our Sovereign should now direct her energies.”

  “Again, I tend to agree.” I sensed sympathy from Shim as well as confidence—in me. “Not only have you already won the hearts of the people, Excellency, but due to your upbringing on Earth, you are uniquely suited to the task of allaying their fears about relocating to the planet of our race’s origin.”

  If it were just Mr. O saying this, I’d have assumed it was to keep me away from Rigel as long as possible. But I’d always trusted Shim, even when he told me things I didn’t want to hear. And I so didn’t want to hear this right now!

  Anger and frustration tightened my voice as I fought back tears. “And how long do you think that will take? Months? Years?” Every second away from Rigel’s side was a second too long!

  Shim’s expression told me he understood what I was feeling. “If we move quickly, as I think we must, I should think we can get you to Earth during the current launch window. Much will depend upon your persuasive abilities—but I rather imagine you will be strongly motivated to be as convincing as possible.”

  “Fine,” I snapped, pissed even at Shim right now. “I’ll record some videos that you can broadcast all over Nuath. If you don’t think they’re persuasive enough, I’ll re-do them. But let’s get started!”

  “That may do for a start, but I also suggest a series of in-person appearances throughout Nuath in addition to your media appeals. Even in our advanced technological age, people do tend to appreciate a personal touch.”

  “I can help with the arrangements,” Nels offered. “If I’m allowed to make outside calls?”

  Though my stomach was positively churning at the idea of delaying my return to Earth, to Rigel, by as much as three whole months, I managed to keep my voice level as I asked Shim, “Are we sure Rigel really is safe now?”

  At his nod, I turned to Nels. “Then I guess I can lift the blocks and you and Devyn can go home.”

  Nels seemed relieved, but Devyn said, “Actually, I’d like to remain at the Palace if you have no objection, Excellency. I had not yet arranged for permanent lodgings in Nuath and I can better assist Quinn and your Regent from here.”

  I shrugged, not much caring where Devyn stayed, as long as it was mostly out of my sight. I’d definitely keep my personal protection protocol in place, though.

  “Whatever, as long as we get this emigration campaign started now. Because, no matter what, I’m getting back to Earth this summer!”

  As always, Shim turned out to be right. Using the recent power glitches as our excuse, we had the acting Energy Minister order a complete systems analysis—something the idiot Royal had never bothered to do since being appointed. Of course, it confirmed what I already knew—that Nuath had maybe fifty years of power left at current consumption levels.

  Once that information was made public, it became a whole lot easier to convince everyone, including the legislature, that emigration to Earth was necessary. Even so, while 87% agreed (according to the networks’ incessant polls) that most Nuathans needed to emigrate, fewer than 25% expressed willingness to do so themselves. Which was where I came in.

  Over the next twelve weeks I crisscrossed Nuath, visiting every town and village, some more than once, to add my in-person pleas to the ones I was making regularly through the grechain. I extolled the benefits of life on Earth (not that I’d seen much of it, beyond Jewel) and the expanded opportunities they and their children would have there, where fine no longer mattered and where, as Echtrans, they would enjoy natural advantages over the average Duchas due to their superior intelligence, adaptability, and other qualities.

  Little by little, I won enough people over to fill the rest of the ships heading to Earth during the remaining weeks of the launch window. My own berth—which I insisted be far smaller than the one I’d had coming here—was finally booked as well…on the very last ship of the summer.

  Not only was it the last, but because we’d extended the launch window past its usual cut-off to get more people out, my voyage would take six days instead of the four I’d spent getting to Mars.

  Worse, even after I got to Earth, Shim insisted I’d need to mak
e additional in-person visits to Bailerealta and Dun Cloch in Montana, as well as a few other, smaller Echtran settlements, to reassure the new immigrants. I’d also be involved in setting up a more extensive Echtran government, since the current Council—still two members short—wouldn’t be able to handle everything themselves.

  All of this meant I’d barely get back to Jewel in time for the first day of school—which meant coming up with a plausible excuse for my aunt and uncle to explain the delay.

  Thanks, ironically, to Mr. O’s nastily ingenious plotting, that turned out to be easier than expected. Following their original plan, the Echtran Council had already started a rumor in Jewel that both Rigel and I had been in a terrible accident in Ireland and were presumed dead. So it was just a matter of amending that rumor with the “news” that we’d miraculously survived—but would need all summer to recuperate before flying back to the States.

  I couldn’t help wondering how Aunt Theresa had taken both pieces of news, though I supposed I’d get some idea when I finally returned to Jewel. But whether she’d be overjoyed to see me again or pissed that I’d worried her for nothing, didn’t really matter. The important thing was that I would be going back…and so would Rigel.

  And once he and I were in Jewel again, everything would work out for both of us. I’d make sure of that.

  Somehow.

  PART II

  Rigel

  12

  Resonance frequency

  Rigel

  Standing on the sidewalk in front of Jewel High, I nod automatically when a couple guys slap me on the back and say something about the coming year’s football season. I don’t really hear them, though. I’m too busy thinking how this is going to be the weirdest first day of school ever.