Matthew stopped short of being close enough for combat engagement and waited. Soon, thousands of independent traders and others joined his fleet in the fight for freedom from nobility arrogance. He then moved closer and opened hailing frequencies.
“Jason, our fleet is three times the size of yours. Surrender and avoid an unnecessary loss of life.”
Jason sneered, saying, “You are the one who will lose life. Swarm!”
Jason’s fleet immediately surged forward to engage the central core of Matthews fleet.
“Swarm!” Matthew’s fleet surged to meet Jason. “All non-military ships, hit them on the outer edges and swing to attack from behind!”
Gabby observed the interactions of the two fleets, seeing classic Kaldectian tactics from both fleets.
“Gabby, report.”
“Admiral, they are both using the standard Kaldectian delta Q attack pattern. Advantage to Matthew with more ships, but the core battle will still be close.”
“Thank you, please advise of changes.”
Stephanie and Heather stood with Lanica listening to the conversation and observing the battle on screen.
“Switch attack to delta one nine one!”
“Sir, the enemy is shifting.”
“How so?”
“They have opened a path through their center for us to pass.”
“Damn. All hold and swing fully right!”
“Launch fighters now! Full left Phillip! Maddux, bring your force full force to their heart!”
Jason observed their counter-move and knew he had lost, but he would not surrender. He stood watching from the bridge as a torpedo hit, exploding the bridge.
When their command ship was hit, the remaining fleet was under the command of Felix Nineteen. He saw what happened and ordered all ships to cease fire and hold, then ordered hailing frequency.
“Matthew Forty-Three, this is Felix Nineteen. I have ordered all fleet activity to stop.”
“Felix Nineteen, your halt is accepted.” He turned to his staff and said, “Cease attack, hold position, remain vigilant.” Then back to Felix, “There is no reason for this fight. Many good people have died and more will die, unless we stop fighting. You have a choice, Felix. You can either unite with all of our people together into a stronger civilization under Empress Stephanie’s leadership, or you can perish in your desire to seek division. Which shall it be?”
“Many of us have had a hard time believing our military could not defeat the Empress. We heard what happened, but still, it did not seem it could happen.”
“Yes, I know. But did you see what happened here today? My fleet was joined by thousands of free traders and other house nobility with their own ships to defeat the idea of going back to the past. We all want a new future with a new vision. Will you, and those with you, join that?”
Felix looked around at the assembled nobles and warriors in his ship. They all said no, they would rather fight and die than surrender. “We cannot surrender.”
Matthew wasted no time. “Swarm!”
The battle was furious and brutal, but it didn’t last long. In the end, Matthew and his fleet prevailed.
58.082.10
Heather and Stephanie were standing looking out the window on the planet Aphrodite below.
“It never gets old, looking at new planets.”
“True, but I sure am looking forward to getting home. The kids are doing well, but we all need some dirt beneath our feet.”
“Yes, I agree.”
Heather sensed something. She said, “Dear, I know something is on your mind.”
Stephanie smiled. “Yes, of all the humans in the universe, you would know. I am thinking, Diedre, that with the actions we witnessed yesterday, Matthew leading our people to victory in my name, that we have completed our mission to save humanity, so that task is done.”
“It’s interesting you should feel that way, because this morning I awoke with a vision. The vision was of crumbling swords turning to sand and simply blowing away. Perhaps this was part of your thought as well. Tell me, have you looked in the wardrobe of the warrior?”
They looked at each other, then turned and walked into her private rooms, and walked to the closet where she kept her amulets, sword and staff she carried doing battle as Andromeda. She reached out and opened the door.
“Well, that is unexpected.”
“Maybe not. Maybe our two thoughts were right and the time for saving humanity is over, at least for us.”
“I think you are right, because this is a very final result.”
Looking inside, they saw that everything had turned to sand. As they watched, each item slowly dissolved until all that was left were several small piles of dust in the bottom of the closet.
“What’s next then?”
Stephanie smiled, saying, “I finally get to be a complete woman, like you.”
“Ah. To love and live happily with a strong man. Yes, I believe it is time for you.”
“Yes! Oh my gosh, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders!”
They laughed, hugged and stayed together for a while, then Heather said, “Maybe you should go find Solon and see how you feel then.”
Stephanie smiled, and said, “I am on my way!”
Stephanie felt like a little girl as she made her way through the corridors to the stateroom of Solon. Upon arrival, she sounded the bell, and when he opened the door, she launched herself into his arms for a very public kiss, the first one where she felt completely free to be herself.
58.103.18
A lot had happened, and Stephanie was preparing to depart for the Milky Way Galaxy. However, there were items to tie up before she could leave. Chief among these items was who she would leave here when she departed. She held court at the Kaldect throne, sitting on the throne. The room was filled with nobles and commoners, all now respecting the new direction she had shown them.
“Your Majesty, it is with a sincere heart I say that we are thankful for your intervention in our world. We had lost our way and you have helped us return to the true meaning of the words of Maximus One. On behalf of the people of Kaldect, thank you.” The crowd cheered and yelled support!
After a little while, she said, “Thank you for those kind words Timothy Nineteen. I spent some time reading the words of your Maximus One, and can say without a doubt, that his vision is my vision. I am thrilled to be able to help you realize that dream today.”
The crowd cheered and yelled their support for her yet again.
“Today, there is one piece of business I have not yet completed that needs to be done. I will ask you to be patient with me as this unfolds. Archduke Wilson, please join me.”
She stood and walked down the steps from the throne and Jeffrey walked over to her and waited.
“Lady Lanica Wilson-Jackson, please come forth.”
Lanica walked out of the crowd and up to her aunt.
“Kneel.”
Lanica knelt.
“Archduke Wilson, I am in need of your sword.”
He pulled it and handed it to her, handle first. “Your Majesty.”
Empress Stephanie took the sword and rested the blade on Lanica’s left shoulder, saying, “I name you Grand Duchess of the Andromeda Galaxy, to rule in my place from this day forward.”
Stephanie then said, “Matthew Forty-Three, come forth.”
Matthew walked from his place as Regent to the steps in front of the Empress. “Your Majesty.”
“Matthew, I offer you a choice. You can either temporarily remain as Regent, or you can become the Grand Duke of this Galaxy for life. The difference is simple. To be the Grand Duke you must do two things. First, you must kneel to me and renounce the title of Maximus for your people. Secondly, you must marry my niece, the Grand Duchess Lanica Wilson-Jackson of the Andromeda Galaxy. Th
is is your decision point. What will it be?”
He smiled, saying, “I yield to you, Your Majesty, and renounce my people’s inheritance of Maximus, and definitely will marry the love of my life, Lanica.”
“Very well, kneel.”
He knelt.
Empress Stephanie the First, Empress of the Known Universe, rested the sword on his shoulders. Once complete, she said, “Rise Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of the Andromeda Galaxy. Rise as husband and wife. Rise as rulers of the Andromeda Galaxy, within my Empire.”
When they stood, they turned to each other and kissed, to the loud cheering of the crowd in the hall.
Over the next several weeks she helped them establish the nobility process to assign planets and regions, much like in the Milky Way, and organized how they would fit into the hierarchy with her. Arrangements were also being made for integration of their ships into the Starfleet BMS. But finally, it was time to depart.
58.135.09
Stephanie was ready to depart.
“Your Majesty, we have everyone on board per your directions.”
“Very well, Admiral. How soon before we get underway?”
“Your Majesty, there are a few visitors who must disembark before we can begin our journey. I believe they are in the audience chamber awaiting your presence.”
“Very well.” Stephanie made her way to the audience chamber. When she entered everyone stood. Once she sat, she waved for them to sit as well.
There were a few various nobles with some concerns, which she addressed quickly. Then came the final two visitors at court.
The Court Recorder began. “Your Majesty, Sir Landon Wilson-Jackson and Lady Wilson-Jackson.”
“Your Majesty, I wanted to inform you that Tabitha and I will remain here, in Andromeda, for a period of time. We anticipate departing after the first rotation of ships arrive and returning to Meladeran on five nine point two nine zero.”
“Very well, Landon. I trust you and Tabitha will be comfortable and content during your stay here. I would suggest you get out and see the galaxy. Try and find out what you can about the heart and soul of the people here. Use your time wisely but have fun at the same time.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, we will do just that.”
He bowed and Tabitha curtsied, and they departed to await Stephanie in her private chamber, so Landon could give his aunt a big hug.
“Your Majesty, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of the Andromeda Galaxy.”
Lanica and Matthew curtsied and bowed. “Your Majesty, it is a high honor you have bestowed upon us. We only want to thank you and wish you Godspeed on your journey through space back to Meladeran.”
“Thank you, Matthew. I know the two of you will ensure the people of Andromeda remain free to pursue their dreams, while providing for their safety and freedom of movement.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, we will do our very best.”
They bowed and curtsied and departed, but also went to the private chamber for hugs before they departed.
Both Lanica and Landon also took some time to say goodbye to their parents. They all knew they would see each other within the next few years, and with lengthened lives, would see each other for extended periods of time in the future. But saying goodbye was still hard.
“Admiral Wilson, I believe all our visitors have departed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, they have. Simon, are all visitors clear and doors secure?”
“Yes, Admiral. All is secure and prepared for travel.”
“Very well, Gabby, please take us home. Engage.”
“Yes, sir.”
58.174.12
Matthew sent several ships with the Empress, so the Empire could learn their technology and assimilate it into the current fleet, and also into new ship designs. This would ensure the Imperial Fleet was the strongest in both galaxies, with their combined knowledge.
Once the Empress departed, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of the Andromeda Galaxy, Matthew and Lanica, began planning for a tour of the galaxy to meet the people.
“Matthew, we should really stop at as many important cultural and historical sites as we can. I want to see all the cultural history and as much of the beauty of the galaxy as possible.”
“I agree, but we also need to stop at the most populated planets, so we see as many people as possible.”
“Yes! Oh my gosh, I am so excited!”
He laughed, saying, “Yes dear, I can tell you are. I think this will take us a year. But it will be worth it to show our faces to as many people across the galaxy as we can. We need them to know who we are and believe we have their best interest at heart.”
“Well, that’s easy, because we do. We want everyone to be able to live to their full potential. We want everyone to live in peace without fear or a repressive government holding them down.”
“Yes, and we want them to trade and share without fear of unfair practices. We also want them to see that the nobility and military no longer depends on technology for their power, but the people themselves.”
“So where do we begin?”
“I’m not sure. Do we start or end the journey on Aphrodite?”
“Good question. It may seem the best to begin there, but maybe we should travel first, and at every stop announce when we will be on Aphrodite so people from across the galaxy can send representatives or join us there for a huge celebration as we end our travel?”
“That is probably the best idea I have ever heard. We travel and see people and places, all the while setting the stage for bringing our people together at our ancestral and spiritual home for a huge celebration. I love it! Thank you for such a fabulous idea. I don’t know what I would ever do without you.”
She put her arms around him, saying, “Well, that is one thing you never have to worry about.” They stood and kissed for some time before beginning to coordinate their travel plans.
58.177.13
A few days after Lanica and Matthew, the current rulers of the galaxy, departed on an official tour of the galaxy, Landon and Tabitha began their own unofficial tour of the galaxy as well. The difference was that they traveled in a more low-key fashion, to really get to know the people and places and sites.
Their first stop was the spiritual home of these people, on Aphrodite.
“My God, Landon, look at the size of this building!”
“I know, it is incredible. I looked at a map and the way it is divided up, the journey someone would take to get to the center, clearly demonstrates a devotion to their culture. It would take years to pass from room to room and finally get to the center.”
“Yes, but thankfully we don’t have to wait that long. I think this is our welcoming party now.”
“Good Morning to you, My Lord, My Lady.”
“Thank you, Gregory. Before we begin, let me thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to accompany us through your remarkable temple. It is, well, I truly don’t have the words for this, it’s just amazing.”
Gregory Twenty-Two smiled, and said, “Yes, I think that sums it up for most of the people we meet. Living here, it is still majestic and awe inspiring, but it is something we get used to.”
“I am not sure I could ever get used to this. It is breath-taking and wonderful.”
“Thank you, My Lady. Now, if you will come with me, I promise to provide you a full tour.”
Gregory took them on a transport that allowed them to travel far above the people walking on the ground level. They could see the walking paths, small temples, pools, waterfalls, gardens, and other facilities within each chamber.
“Each pilgrim begins at one of the three outer chambers, the Chamber of Regret, Supplication, or Hope. Once they complete these three tasks, they continue to the Chambers of Meaning and Loss. Once complete, they move to the Chambers of Feeling and Healing. Finally, they a
rrive at the Chamber of Redemption, the biggest chamber. It is here that most pilgrims stay. They can depart and return directly to this chamber as often as desired.”
“The hardest journey is the Chamber of Salvation. Only those who are seeking a life of service enter these doors. Of those who enter, still fewer ever enter the inner temple, the original temple built by Maximus. We are journeying there now.”
They had heard from Matthew and Lanica of the beauty and awe of the inner temple, but even so, upon entering, they were overwhelmed. The shear size, the columns, the enormity of the space, the lighting, candles, runes, chanting, it made for a spiritual moment for them.
“Landon, I need a moment.”
“Yes, dear. Gregory, please give us a moment.”
“My Lord.”
They walked a slight distance away and sat together without speaking, marveling at the overwhelming feeling they had in this wonderous place.
Gregory turned to his associates, and said, “It looks like these two are true pilgrims of our faith. Look at their faces. They feel the impact of Maximus just as all new pilgrims do.”
“Yes, maybe these Milky Way Galaxy humans are not as different from us as we thought.”
“This is a good sign, Gregory.”
“Yes, it means that Matthew was right. We need not fear them. They are like us.”
After some time, Tabitha and Landon rejoined Gregory for the remainder of the tour. Once they departed Aphrodite for other planets, word of their goodness proceeded them. They were met by smiles and friendly support, as people now believed they were not usurpers, but friends helping them create a better world.
58.203.18
“Your Majesty.”
“Oh, Sovereign Prince Solon, what brings you to council today?”
Solon looked around, and said, “Your Majesty, I was hoping to have a private word with you.”
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