She now had power at all times, not just when the staff glowed.
“Jeffrey, land Solon’s Outer Sea Soldiers in my location to march on their palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Jeffrey immediately dispatched Edric and the Outer Sea Knights and soldiers, to march on the palace. Edric met Solon, saying, “Hail Sovereign Prince.”
“Hail, Marquis of Outer Sea.”
“My God, Solon. The power to destroy this army!”
“Yes. The Empress is powerful beyond any understanding. She single-handedly destroyed this army and their fleet in space.”
“No, Solon. Without you defending me at a critical moment, we would not be marching to victory. You saved my life and the lives of all our friends. I will forever be grateful for you.”
“You are too kind, Your Majesty.” But he smiled a very big smile.
As they marched, no one tried to stop them.
Stephanie and Heather walked ahead of the others. “Heather, look. There are many people walking and moving without exoskeletons.”
“Yes, I wonder why? I thought everyone had to use them.”
When they entered the palace, they were attacked by a large number of warriors. Solon lead the charge and easily defeated them. She walked through the palace, arrived at their throne room, and found someone sitting there. “Who are you?”
“I am Samuel Fifty-Nine, the next in line. Who are you?”
“I am Empress Stephanie the First, Empress of the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy because I have defeated your warriors in two galaxies. You are sitting on my throne, but I give you this. I give you thirty days to learn to function without an exoskeleton, because when I return in thirty days, I will destroy that technology. Also, when I return, do not be found sitting on my throne.”
She then turned and left the palace. Walking with Heather they met several people who were functioning quite well without using an exoskeleton.
“Excuse me.”
The young man fell to the ground in fear, seeing these powerful knights and warriors surrounding him. “I know nothing, please, no pain.”
Heather knelt down beside him, and said, “Please, we will not harm you. We only want to ask you a question.” She helped him stand up, and said, “This is your new Empress, Stephanie the First. Please, can you answer some questions for us?”
He was very uncomfortable, but said, “Yes.”
Stephanie then asked, “Why are you not in an exoskeleton?”
He looked at her, and lowering his eyes, said, “Your Majesty, I am but a commoner, a tradesman. Only nobility and warriors wear exoskeletons. There are some few who have disabilities who are allowed to have them, but only a minimal, poor version.”
They looked at each other. “You mean, there are many of you who do not wear these devices?”
“Oh yes. The vast majority of Kaldectians do not wear these.”
“Tell me, do you see these devices as a positive or a negative?”
“Your Majesty, most of us believe we lost a lot when the ruling class and warriors began wearing these as a sign of their position. Plus, the wearers became cruel. Many of us are punished for no reason other than to please these people.”
“Very well. Thank you for your candor.”
They stopped several other people they met with the same results. One did mention that the process for matching the exoskeletons to the people was conducted on the planet Aphrodite.
As they continued their walk, she said, “Let’s make our way back to the airfield. I don’t think there is anything else I need to know about this place.”
Once back on her ship she spoke with Jeffrey. “Jeffrey, we have won this fight. We need to implement our plan for a second wave to establish a regular rotation of forces. If they leave soon, they should arrive by 58.325.00.”
“Very well, Your Majesty. We will coordinate and make this happen.”
“In the meantime, we will travel to their planet, Aphrodite. We will be on board in a few minutes.”
57.345.12
They departed Kaldect and traveled to the smaller planet, Aphrodite, their so-called planet of hope. This was the central location where they melded people into their exoskeletons. It was also home to their central philosophical core.
Heather said, “I believe using these exoskeletons is their rejuvenation. They believe that if they use this technology it will lengthen their lives because they do not need to do so much work with their bodies.”
Stephanie added. “They went down the wrong hole. Jeffrey, remind me to thank you one day for how you managed to use technology to enhance our lives, not to enslave us to it.”
“Of course.”
“You know, this technology is excellent for those who have certain permanent injuries.”
“Yes, but through rejuvenation you get into a brand-new whole body, you don’t just manage to function with a broken one.”
“True, but during the interim, until you get access, this could be a significant tool in helping.”
Stephanie stopped. She turned to everyone following her, and said, “I do not like this technology. Look what it has done to these people.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, but even this technology has some redeeming qualities, if used properly.”
“Learn what you need. But anyone who does not need this technology will be freed from it. I will give you a week to do all the research you need to do. But I will destroy this facility and all others like it. We will keep one open, for those who need it due to failing bodies. I intend to free these people from this technology and give them their humanity back.”
57.348.10
Jeffrey decided to go for a walk through one of the major clinics. He brought Lanica with him.
“My gosh, look at the people in such need! Grandfather, I have never seen anything like this.”
They were walking through a clinic where people with disabilities were being provided exoskeleton support to help them function. There were many, including the young woman who was a paraplegic they watched being fitted with a full body system.
“May I help you?”
“We don’t want to disturb you, but since you asked, I am Jeffrey, and this is my granddaughter, Lanica. We are observing the good work you are doing here.”
“Thank you, sir. We try, but we do not get the support we truly need. There are so many people who would benefit from this technology. Oh, pardon my manners, I am Matthew Forty-Three, the Master of Repair at the clinic for those who need help because of disability.”
“Well, Matthew Forty-Three, permit me to introduce myself properly. I am Archduke Jeffrey Wilson, Fleet Commander for Empress Stephanie the First, and this is my granddaughter, Lady Lanica Wilson-Jackson.”
“I am pleased to meet you, and yes, I heard of your visit. If there is anything in particular that I can answer, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Lanica asked, “Why aren’t you in an exoskeleton?”
“Well, I believe in the old ways and a nobility without the technology.”
Lanica said, “What is a Master of Repair?”
He smiled, and said, “As the Master of Repair, I am responsible for creating and modifying any system to meet the needs of the person we are helping.”
An aide walked up. “Excuse me, Admiral, a message.”
Jeffrey took the message. It was from Star Fleet, even though there was a time lag he was still in touch. “Thank you.” He read it, then turned to the aide, saying, “This is all there was?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well. Have communications open a channel, I need to speak with headquarters. Come, Lanica, we must be off.”
“Grandfather, would you mind is I stayed and continued to observe? I find it very interesting.”
“Very well, I will leave some staff with
you. Matthew, I must apologize but I must take leave. Please provide Lanica whatever she needs.”
“Yes, sir, I will.”
After he left, Matthew said, “So tell me, Lanica, what can I tell you about what we do?”
“Can you explain why the nobility decided to take this as a sign of their power?”
“That’s a long story.”
“Well, I have no other plans, so if you have the time, why not tell the story?”
He laughed. “Are you always so up-front with your thoughts?”
She blushed, saying, “Yes. If you must know I am, and that is why I am still single. Now please, your story.”
He smiled. “Very well. But to properly tell the story, we need to go somewhere else.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, we need to go to the Temple of Maximus.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s the temple nobility founded when they began this technology program. It’s actually here, on Aphrodite, about ten miles from here.”
“Oh, then let’s go.”
They traveled by highspeed magnetic levitation monorail. It was smooth as silk with not a bump as it curved through the beauty of the valley. The countryside was magical, with wide valleys flowing with rivers of colorful flowers. There were beautiful waterfalls from high cliffs or mountains, forests of golden flowers. It was beautiful.
“Matthew, this place is breath-taking in its beauty,” she said.
“I know. It is the ancestral home of our core memories, the heart of the Andromeda Galaxy, that shows who we were or could be, even though it does not show who we are today.”
“Why not? I mean, what happened?”
“That is part of the story I will tell you, when we get to the Temple of Maximus.”
It didn’t take long until they arrived. She could see the temple from a fair distance away, then they went into a tunnel. Suddenly, they came out of the tunnel inside the gallery of the people, a large area where people could visit or congregate, before making their way into the outer chambers of the Temple.
When they stopped and disembarked, Lanica was in awe. “Matthew, this outer gallery is larger than the Imperial Palace in our galaxy. It is incredible! The ceiling must be a mile high!”
“Yes, it is. The Temple is eighty-one miles square, being nine miles on each side. This outer gallery, while part of the Temple complex, is not actually part of that Temple measurement. Yet it is five miles by three miles in size. The ceiling is one mile high. Notice the columns surrounding it at its base. Each one is five hundred yards high and fifty feet in circumference, made of the finest marble from the planet Calculus, where the best stone is mined.”
Lanica just stood in awe. “I have no words for this.”
He laughed. “Well, that is different.”
She laughed. “Funny.”
“So, let’s make our way towards the Temple. Now the story of our history is that about one thousand years ago, in the reign of Burdock Ninety-Nine, a desire arose to elevate the aristocracy to a higher level of awareness and capability. The goal was noble, create a group of people who would be able to provide even better for the masses of people they were responsible to protect and support, the people of the galaxy.”
“At that time, the aristocracy didn’t necessarily worship, but idolized the first great leader of the galaxy, Maximus One. He was the dream of all, the best of all, and the ideal to pursue. No one has ever taken his name. All fear that whoever takes that name will either be so vain and self-centered on power that he must be slain, or that he is insane and must be put away.”
“Maximus built a temple here. A small temple, designed to worship beauty, love, and all things desirable in life. He was a warrior. He is the one who united our galaxy by crushing his enemies and bringing everyone into a single galactic union. He was the great example.”
Matthew stopped. “Do you see that inscription above the door of the Temple?”
“Yes, but I can’t understand it.”
“It says, ‘We who are blessed with much, must help those who are given little.’ It was his saying and has stayed with us ever since.”
They walked through the doors and entered the first outer chamber.
“It is like walking from one dream into another. The light is different, but the scale is still massive.”
“Yes. This is the Chamber of Supplication. It is three miles by three miles. On the left of this chamber is the Chamber of Regret, which is three by three miles, and to the right is the Chamber of Hope, also three by three miles. As you can see, within the space there are many fountains, small temples, places for solitude, and a central Temple for cleansing of spiritual disease. You must pass through each of these chambers to move forward.”
“Matthew, I do not have time to pass through these chambers.”
“No, of course, I was speaking of our people. The next step, is the Chamber of Meaning and the Chamber of Loss. These lead to the Chamber of Healing and the Chamber of Feeling. Once past these tests, a person enters the Chamber of Redemption, the largest chamber of all, being nine by three miles in size. This is where most people remain.”
“For those few who are chosen, the next step is the Chamber of Salvation. This is a large three-mile square chamber, but within it is the last and holiest site in this temple, the one square mile Inner Temple. Within this inner space is the original temple built by Maximus.”
“So, you are saying those who complete all the steps in this temple are what, saints or priests?”
“No, they are citizens.”
“I’m sorry, I missed something. What does any of this have to do with being a citizen?”
Matthew looked around, and said, “Can we talk privately?”
“Of course. Darren, wait here with the rest of the team.”
He led her into a small building and closed the door. He turned to her, and said, “Listen, I must speak quickly before the minders arrive. I am fully aware of your Empress and your Archduke and what they have done. Our galaxy is in chaos wondering what will happen next. The current Exalted Maximus, Samuel Fifty-Nine is solidly behind the old regime. He will not yield and will fight your changes as long as he can breathe.”
He paused, and then said, “What I have not told you is that I am next in line behind Samuel.”
“What? You’re in line for the throne?”
“Yes, but it has been a hard journey convincing those who would not yield to change to begin to accept it. They had accepted me but thought that I would never get to the throne with Thaddeus and Samuel in the way. But now, if your Empress does what she has said, he will be eliminated. That leaves our people looking to me for leadership. But if your Empress ends our lineage and takes the throne without including us, well, I do not know what to expect.”
Lanica looked at him. “Matthew, neither you nor I can change the future or how Empress Stephanie will change this galaxy. While those subjects are important to us both, I would rather not dwell on them, but learn more about you and your thoughts on your world. Starting with your statement of citizens. What do you mean?”
“I mean that only those who have completed the journey through to the end are able to vote and have full rights in the system. This keeps it to a very small number, as you must be invited to pursue the final step, you cannot do it on your own volition. So power is held closely by the powerful.”
“Oh. That couldn’t end well.”
“No, it can’t and hasn’t.”
“Okay, I would also ask you this question. Is it possible for someone who is not of your galaxy to enter the Inner Temple, to see the original temple?”
“You really want to see that?”
“Yes. It is your people’s most important shrine to your dreams and values.”
“It will take me a day to arrange it, but if you really want to, I can ma
ke it happen.”
“I really want to, Matthew.”
He blushed under her gaze, and said, “Then I will make it happen.”
They departed and returned to the city, where they went their separate ways. Lanica eventually met up with Jeffrey.
“Hi there! I hope you didn’t mind my leaving, but there was some business I needed to take care of.”
“No grandfather, it was fine.”
“So, tell me, what is he like?”
“Who?”
He chuckled, and said, “Matthew Forty-Three, the first in line for the throne of Andromeda behind Samuel Fifty-Nine.”
“You knew?”
“Yes, dear, I knew. I was hoping you could shed some light on his thoughts.”
“Really grandfather? I almost think you set me up for this.”
“No, dear. I did not do that. I actually did have business, unexpected at that, to take care of. But I also knew who he was and know you work on understanding everything, including people; because that is what you do. But I won’t pry. I only ask you to tell me what you want to.”
“Thanks, grandfather. You know, from what I have observed, he is a very nice man. Setting the potential for an emotional link aside, he is grounded in his desire to help his people. He fears what may happen should Aunt Stephanie end their people’s reign. He is very concerned he will be targeted by his own people if he is seen to be helping us; however, he does want to embrace and even create change. He truly cares. He wants the best. He is worthy…”
“Yes? He is worthy of what?”
She looked at him, and tears started to run down her cheeks. “Oh, grandpa, he is worthy of love.”
She leaned into him and he held her as she sobbed in his arms. He didn’t know why she was crying, but he did know his most important job, right now, was that of a grandfather holding his granddaughter.
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