Aarold's eyes followed the little girl as she danced and giggled across his desk to the backdrop of screens of streamed data concerning his company’s latest project. "Watch me, daddy. Watch me." begged the blond blue eyed girl as she danced across the desk. The office was dark, the great window behind the desk was shuttered closed, the only light coming from the screens and the holo.



Although Aaorld smiled his dark eyes were filled with sadness as the mini-holo of his daughter danced across his desk.

With a sigh, Aaorld forced his gaze back on the data screens. N-Way's profit projections were up a staggering 300% with the completion of two more fusion reactors in the Sirius star system and the discovery of rich hexaferrum deposits on Sirius Prime’s second moon, not to mention the successful colonization of Anstiga.



“Watch me, daddy. Watch me.” Aaorld’s eyes wandered from the screen to find his daughter.



"Five years ago, I would have been the happiest man in the Empire. Dusts, has it already been five years?" Aarold thought to himself. His finger traced the outline of the holo. Her eyes so full of life as she danced across the desk, the eyes of her mother. Aarold reflected on how his wife’s eyes were now dull and vacant since Jeanie died.



It had been three years since he last seen his wife, Ediem. He left her on Amosa, the bustling capital system of the Empire, she chose to drown in grief, while he decided he would rather dedicate the rest of his life to his daughter’s memory. Even if that meant betraying everything he once stood for.



A clear sharp feminine voice of his AI broke his thoughts.

“Pardon my interruption, Duke Au Brian. An Envoy class ship designated H.R.M.S. 1108 has just entered Sirius Prime orbit and commencing docking procedure’s to the facility.”



An Imperial ambassador ship. Damn. “Why was I not informed when this ship entered the star system?” demanded Aaorld.

“Apologies, my lord. H.R.M.S. 1108 was using active photon distortion technology when entering the system.”

Surprise inspection. Damn. “Have the ambassador brought up to my office at once.”

“Yes, my lord”



Aaorld swallowed hard and took a deep breath. He typed some commands into his command console, bringing up a wealth of data onto his screen. The walls of his office lit up as diagrams and statistics were projected across the walls. His plan was to bore the envoy to death with data and charts and a thorough tour of the facility. As far as the Imperial court was concerned he was doing a good job. Better than good. Scientific output has quadrupled since he came here after... her accident. In fact Aaorld was sure that there were those in the court that saw Jeanie’s death as advantageous as it lead to the great success for N-Way’s recent five year profits. One girl was dead... but the dust never stopped flowing.



Forcing steady hands, Aarold produced a flask of dustwater and took a swig. “Endless give me strength, wisdom and the serenity to weather this coming storm.”



After several minutes that felt like an eternity, the elevator at the far end of the office lit up, warning him of the approaching envoy. Aarold stood up and walked to the front of his desk his eyes watching the elevator door as it slid open, revealing only darkness on the other side.



“Duke Aarold Au Brian of Amos, Governor of Sirius, President and CEO of N-Way Corporation, Steward to his Eminence, Emperor Maximillion Zelevas .“ said Aarold’s AI. “Presenting envoy to his Eminence, High Chancellor to the United Empire, Governor of Amos, Lord Heres Adrift”



Out of the dark of the elevator, a hulking mass began to take shape. Lowering itself and turning sideways the near twelve foot high, five hundred pound figure entered the office of the duke. Heres Adrift, craver, monster, pet to the emperor stood before Aaorld, fifteen feet away. His obsidian armour shone grimly by the light of the projectors, His face hidden behind an admantian mask, black with a silent breathing apparatus and a single eye shining a dull red.



“M-My Lord Heres” swallowed Aarold. “What an unexpected surprise. I was expecting a mere Envoy. The Emperor has done me a great honour by sending you.” The craver said nothing. There was a mechanical whirring from inside his mask, then a holo of Emperor Maxamillion Zelevas himself appeared before Heres. Aarold instantly dropped to his knees. This was no mere inspection. This was much more.



The Emperors kindly eyes looked down upon Aarold and he laughed merrily. “Stand up Aarold. Do you know how ridiculous you look kneeling in front of a hologram” boomed Zelevas. Aarold obeyed. Zelevas golden eyes pondered over Aarold as he smiled a friendly smile. “Dusts, its good to see you again Aarold. I do apologize for sending Heres here, but as you know I can’t very well be flying around the empire with all these terrorists about, so I figure this is the next best thing, having made Heres my high chancellor and all that.”



The Emperor had a way of seeming more a friendly uncle than an emperor to his subordinates. A useful ruse in any ruler but Aarold wasn’t fooled. The Emperor knows. He has to. Why else would he send him? But how? “You honour me, your Eminence.”

Zelevas waved a dismissive hand and regarded Aarold with warm eyes. “How is Edie?”



“She is well, your eminence. It has been hard these past few years, but she is brave.”



“I know.” Said Zelevas. “I miss Jeanie terribly. I wish you and Edie took my advice and made another clone.”



“It was good advice, your Highness, but there is no replacing Jeanie.”



“Indeed. Poor, Edie.” His golden eyes began to darken. “ Aarold, all of my efforts to find these terrorists have been for naught. I am surrounded by fools and miss your wise counsel terribly. How would you deal with these self professed pilgrims? How would you bring these terrorists to justice?” There was a curious glint in his golden eyes.



Aarold raised his chin confidently. “I would scour Rigel for clues to where there their fleet fled. N-Way is days away from uncovering non-baryonic shielding. With this ability to manipulate matter we can create ships of the like that have never before been seen in the galaxy and set a new fleet on their trail. With a modest amount of dust appropriated to my facility I could have those cowards found and quartered within the decade.”



Zelevas mouth cut into a smile. “A cunning plan...give you dust, power and a fleet.” The Emperors’ sinister laugh echoed throughout the office. “You are a cunning man, Au Brian.” Aarold did not see Heres’ tentacles close in around him. They snapped around his waist like a whip, squeezing him with abominable strength. Aarold screamed, his fists pounded uselessly on the slimy arm that wrapped around his waist like a snake,



The loving uncle was gone from Zelevas, his true self was present. His eyes blazed with madness and his mouth was twisted in rage. “Where is the Errant fleet?! “



“Watch me, daddy. Watch me.” said a sweet voice behind Aarold.



“Where have the Pilgrims fled?! Where is Ziecheal?!” raged the Emperor.



“Daddy, watch me!”



It was no use denying it. He had been giving secrets to the Pilgrims. The Emperor knew and Aarold will die. “I don’t know! They didn’t tell me anything.” Aarold coughed up blood as Heres squeezed tighter. “They don’t trust me, only used.... secure channels.”



He would be dead soon. Aarold knew it would be so. He would join the Endless. Become one with dust. Maybe the old ways had it right. Perhaps he would be reunited with his sweet Jeanie or there would be nothing. Only blackness. He had to look at Jeanie one last time. Aarold strained his head to try and view Jeanie’s holo. Heres snapped him across the face with a tentacle, holding his face to the emperor.

“They will trust you... oh they will” laughed the emperor.



Aarold screamed.

Very interesting story. ^^ I'm looking forward to reading more.



And I need to get myself in gear and finish the one I've been working on...curse you, laziness!

Chapter 2: The Missionary

/#/endless-space/forum/38-creations/thread/16382-fan-fict-the-missionary



Enjoy.

Thanks for the kind words, FinalStrigon. Now get off your lazy butt and finish your story. lol. I enjoy your work and look forward to your next entry.

Oh, I'm trying. But it's so fun being lazy, I don't have to do anything.

Aaaaah damn it, I keep finding more and more of your stories but I don't yet have the time to read them! Do you realize how many I have bookmarked at this point?



Too many!



I find your writing style engaging and with such a unique, interesting perspective on the ES universe. Quite good for fanfiction. (:

Ah Nolan, as great as always