Foundations of Stone

[Cptn Corizon 0]

The great expanses of sand and dirt of the plains of the Scorpiad homeworld, Arcahanis, rippled and shifted as harsh, hot winds strode across the surface. The giant creatures that inhabited the harsh, ruddy world buried deep beneath the surface of the plains to avoid the scorching heat and deadly radiation of the three stars that filled the sky with blindly light. Ancient and hidden from the world, the great cities of the Emri stretched for miles in carved out tunnels and caverns. At the heart of the empire they had built over hundreds of thousands of years stood the ancient spire of the imperial palace, like a massive stalagmite rising from the surface nearly to the ceiling. Few outsiders had ever seen the monolithic structure, and of those who did, far fewer had lived to recall it.

 

“Your excellence,” adjutant Hkjj’nakgn said with a slight bow as he approached the throne of the Scorpiad empress. “I have the report you requested.”

 

The empress lifted her bulk from the great ‘throne’ of brilliant stone carved into the floor and focused all of her eyes upon the diminutive Androcot before her. “Very well,” she clicked, soberly.

 

“General N’Kkrritt reports progress in re-establishing focal points in the Talkon and Amateri system that he believes will allow him to deliver deadly blows to the Al-Ucard…”

 

“And General Kadn’kkein?”

 

“Reports that efforts to eliminate Eratian hive worlds is proceeding slowly,” Hkjj’nakgn said, making sure to keep out of the reach of Empress’s claws or stinger. “He requests more vessels to accomplish his task…”

 

“Tell the general that we cannot commit ourselves any further than we already have…”

 

“You think that wise, sister?”

 

The Empress focused three of her eyes in the general direction of the voice. The dark visage of her brood-brother Prince Naghk’in filled her with a silent loathing and her body compressed, releasing an eerie hiss.

 

“Prince Naghk’in,” she said tersely. “Had I desired your counsel, I would have sought it…”

 

Bowing slightly and making a gesture of submission, Naghk’in assumed a position near Hkjj’nakgn. “I meant no offense, your eminence,” he responded. “Simply offering caution.”

 

She hadn’t been the first female Scorpiad to rule the empire in over thirty cycles by being blind and deaf to valid counsel. “Very well, but I do not see an alternative. You know, better than most, that we cannot risk our fleet until we have gained control of a resource that will allow us to cultivate new warships.”

 

“This is true, but on the other hand, eminence, if we hold back at this crucial juncture, there may not be a reason for us to grow new ships.”

 

A long silence engulfed the throne room. The Empress had considered that, and her advisors had been so far torn as to what was the equilibrium point they could sustain for any period of time.

 

“Hkjj’nakgn, finish your report.”

 

Having stood silent, like he’d been trained to do with Royal Emri engaged each other in dialog, Hkjj’nakgn stepped forward again. “General N’Kkrritt believes that we are a turning point in the rebellion. It is his opinion that a massive offensive could crush both Rebellions, and advises that if we continue to use, in his words ‘half-measures’ that the Al-Ucard and Eratian rebellions will only continue to grow and strength. He also reminds her eminence that while our forces are finite, the Al-Ucard and the Eratians have access to far more resources, despite our technological advances.”

 

“And the report from Counselor Han’ji’to-kon?”

 

“You gather counsel from the Lepterus for war?”

 

The Empress cast a dangerous glance towards her brother and gestured for her adjutant to continue.

 

“The Counselor advises caution, as before. He is concerned that we are needlessly over extending ourselves in the name of pride and reminds her eminence that the core sectors of the Empire remain untouched.”

 

“And what would he have me do?”

 

“He suggests a dialog with the rebels, perhaps even acceding to their requests for autonomy.”

 

“Heresy!” Naghk’in bellowed between a body cavity hiss. “You cannot possibly accept such a suggestion, Aeiiik’Jghgkk!”

 

Focusing all eight of her eyes upon her brother, she fell to the ground on six of her legs and rose compressed her body, raising her claws and caudia into a threat pose. “I am Empress of the Scorpiad, I am your elder and your ruler. Unless you are challenging my throne, I suggest you not take such a tone with me, Naghk’in-ta’ln.”

 

Once more submitting to her dominance, Naghk’in fell to six legs and lowered his own caudia in a curled pose. “Forgive me, Empress, I did not mean to challenge your authority.”

 

Relaxing her threat pose, the Empress stood back on four of her eight legs. “I will consider both sides. Hkjj’nakgn, inform the Generals N’Kkrritt and Kadn’kkein to continue with their current orders.”