Among Bright Stars... (15 page)

His orders were very specific: Feed JR
Giovanni the Rishaak fruit, destroy the crystal container in which
it had been stored, and then hand the restored Imperator the empty
wooden box which had held the opulent container. Vron produced the
box, removed the lid to show the crystal container, the yellow
jelly inside. “This is called Rishaak. It will give you back your
health and youth.”

Romulus extended a hand.

“I was told that I must administer the
dosage to you on my own.”

Trajan spoke up with apparent concern, he
sensed that his desires were about to be thwarted by this one
action from the Falcanians. All he had plotted would be ripped away
in this moment. “How can we be certain you do not mean to poison
Romulus?”

“It is a poison,” admitted Vron. He had been
instructed to be completely straightforward and truthful in this
matter. “JR Giovanni will be reborn, but he will be addicted his
entire life to this fruit. The gift that destroys, we’ve been known
to call it.” Kvaltar kept a smile off his face, and added. “It is
his choice. To us it matters not at all.”

Hesitantly the Imperator gazed from Vron
toward his successor. A stark contrast: He could have a new life,
or resign his hopes over to Trajan. Could he trust Trajan to carry
out with his wishes? The Praetorian was bloodthirsty, hated anyone
who did not swear allegiance to the Imperium. What would become of
his people in Gaius's hands? “All right.” Romulus agreed. “Let me
taste this fruit.”

Vron opened the crystal jar, fed Romulus the
jelly from a silver spoon, and then he stood back to watch the
transformation take hold. Convulsions overtook the hoary Imperator,
which caused his guards to rush to him and surround the Falcanian
delegation in a very threatening manner. “Back off!” barked
Romulus, while he felt the Rishaak do its work inside him. He
covered his face and fell to the floor.

Trajan watched in amazement. Felt his goals
slip out of his hands.

DNA rewrote itself, Romulus twisted,
screamed on the marble floor. In response his soldiers held their
guns on the Falcanians, yet Kvaltar Vron stood there patiently,
aware of what the end result would be.

“What have you done to him?” Gaius Trajan
demanded.

“Nothing he did not choose. Be patient and
watch.” Vron pointed out.

“He’s dead?” Trajan wondered.

Vron shrugged nonchalantly.

The Imperator rolled over, got to his feet
and Gaius gasped at what he beheld. Black hair replaced JR
Giovanni's old gray pate. The glow of youth filled him, now hale
and whole. Once failing, weak muscles were now limber, and strong.
Romulus declared with a new authority. “Trajan, please see to it
that our guests are given comfortable lodgings.” He walked with his
old military stride beside Kvaltar Vron. “I thank you.” The
Imperator bowed. In response to the gratitude, Kvaltar Vron handed
the finally crafted box to the Imperator.

JR Giovanni did not overlook the box's
symbolism...

Hours later, Giovanni sat at his desk. In
the bed behind him, a woman slept, it had been years since he made
love to any female. This evening though he felt for the first time
vital and refreshed, pumped up with a new sexual stamina.

In truth, JR Giovanni felt even better than
he did decades ago.

He studied the empty box. What was he to do?
Submit to the Falcanians? Kill Trajan? Gaius would likely become a
problem now. Romulus knew though, he could not afford to be weak
for his people. They would understand any choice he now made.

Now at last he had time. He contemplated the
box. Sharr’s metaphor, rather clear, and intended to drive the
point home. He was now addicted to the Rishaak fruit. Romulus could
feel it in his cells, it gave him great vitality, yet at a cost.
Romulus could not even be angered at Sharr, for the Shotar had made
sure that he chose this course himself. He rubbed his temples.

The Shotar as much as held a blade at his
throat.

The Imperator leaned back and sighed, knew
very well what must be done.

In every Morningstar's life, he or she is
confronted by the Blue Ghost that haunts our machine. This is our
God, he leverages us into moral cognition. Asks of his Morningstar
children three questions: Who are you? What do you want? And where
are you going? Understand, remarkable strength, durability, and
intellect have been conferred upon us. Unbound by restrictive laws,
free to do as we please, there's no reason Morningstars shouldn't
rise up to rule humanity. This fail-safe intended to keep
Morningstars on his right-road. Inevitability, one of us falters
and embraces our unlimited power. Am I not the perfect example? The
Morningstar General who ruthlessly slaughtered planets and built
for himself an interstellar empire.

- - Silas Cumberbatch, Eradicator Of
Corvus

“Can I borrow some of Nadia’s staff?” Asked
Aria, while she attempted to keep up with her husband’s brisk pace
as he strode, with purpose down the corridors of Narshin Thryak
Palace.

Sharr, tone curt responded: “That’s
something you’ll need to take up with her.”

Aria glared, he had assigned her to oversee
the diplomatic reception which would be held aboard the Drakonis
Imperial Yacht,
Mayura Khaihir
. The reboot wanted it to be a
perfect party, but yet quickly concluded she’d need help to make
sure it turned out as spectacular as she intended. “Stop it!”

“What?” Sharr asked, and continued to walk,
he glanced over a tablet.

“Every time I ask you to do something, you
jump down my throat.”

They halted, Sharr grabbed Aria’s arm. “Am I
really being short-tempered with you?” Servants, staff, and various
guards made a bubble around the Shotar and his human companion, the
whole while they continued to go about their duties.

“You have been tense lately…”

“I’m sorry.” Sharr tenderly touched her
chin.

She smiled at him.

“There’s so much going on with the
summit.”

“I know, and I’m trying to help.”

“You --”

“Hey there handsome!” Said a girl who put a
hand on Sharr’s arm.

Mid-sentence, Sharr stopped, turned to look
at who had just touched him. Not a thing that a casual person might
dare do. Not even an Oskien would invade his person without
permission. His jaw promptly dropped. The Shotar’s sudden shock was
embodied in a five-foot nine, killer body that belonged to a most
curvaceous female, who grinned at him affectionately. “Narikel?”
Sharr spoke hesitant. “I hadn’t expected to see you.”

“I know.” The curvy Falcanian woman drawled,
voice husky, a whisper meant only for Sharr to hear. “I wanted to
surprise you.” She bated her kohl lined eyes and continued to
lustily grin.

“It worked.” Sharr said, more so to
himself.

Black eyes downcast, the girl said:
“Narikel, coconut, no one’s called me that in awhile.”

“I’m sure.” Sharr remarked, voice low.

“You look well sweetheart.” In a very
familiar manner 'Narikel' leaned on Sharr’s chest as if it were her
right. Truth be told, such an easy closeness had long been a habit
between herself and the Shotar.

Aria smoldered, discovered an unexpected
jealousy. The sensation ironic in too many familiar ways. Soon she
became very mad, while Sharr and this woman, who it appeared had no
problem pawing and brushing up against her husband continued to
converse. If she tried, Aria knew that she couldn’t compete with
this new piece of eye candy, for 'Narikel' oozed a sensuous aura
like none that the reboot had ever seen. The girl was all curves.
Perhaps even the perfect Indian beauty? Straight black hair parted
in the middle, big almond eyes, bubblegum pink lips, and a fine tan
complexion. Gauzy pink-purple wings, with a black armored tail were
mounted on the exotic girl’s back. The reboot fumed just about
prepared to scream.

Neither Sharr, nor the new girl paid her any
attention, though the girl did give Aria a sideways glance, and
Aria thought that she caught a devious grin on her face. It
infuriated the reboot to no end. In low voices they spoke, clearly
meant to exclude her, they even switched languages. Aria let her
frustrations boil up, she began to make deep sighs and exhale
through her lips. Knew full well that Sharr could pick up that she
was mad. At last tired of being ignored like a servant in her own
house, Aria cleared her throat, That didn’t do the trick, so she
pushed between Sharr and the girl to say “Hello?” She didn’t hide
her anger.

Finally Sharr pulled his eyes away from the
girl he had called Narikel and then introduced her: “Aria, this is
Shalimar Shial, Nadia’s best friend.”

“Drakonis.” Shalimar corrected. “It’s
Shalimar Maya Shial-
Drakonis
.”

Sharr nodded, he looked whiter than normal.
Swallowed, and felt the tension bubble over.

“Best friend huh?” Aria attempted
civility.

“Nadia and I grew up in Kolkata
together.”

“Oh.” Aria said very quietly.
Coconut!
Coconut
, Aria could see very well why Sharr had nicknamed
Shalimar coconut, his eyes continued to hungrily dart toward them.
Two very large tits bulged out of Shalimar’s Imperial Red
choli.

“Shali, this is Aria my –“

“I know who she is Sharr.” Shalimar’s voice
made it rather clear, even though she had been gone from Narshin
Thryak for some time, she remained aware of the goings and comings
that transpired in her home. “It’s good to at last meet Aria
DeFalco.”

“Drakonis.” Aria retorted.

“Of course.” Shalimar breathlessly
exhaled.

Aria and Shalimar stood there, glared until
Shalimar at last asked: “How do you like Narshin Thryak?”

“Very comfortable.” Aria quipped.

“Always was, Sharr makes sure his women are
taken care of.”

Had Shalimar just challenged her? Aria
couldn’t believe it. There was a clear subtext in all that Shalimar
said, all meant to express 'you do not belong here'. Under her own
roof she dared this, and why didn’t Sharr come to her rescue?
Clearly he could see the confrontational looks Shalimar gave her.
This was intolerable!

Sharr placed a hand on Shalimar’s bared
midriff; who took the closeness as an opportune moment to wrap her
own arms around the Shotar. “Shali, does Nadia know you’re
back?”

“Just going to see her.” Shalimar leaned her
head on him.

“Then we’ll talk later.”

“Oh, we will.” Promised Shalimar and kissed
Sharr on his lips.

Shalimar slid away, walked toward the
Imperial apartments. Her tail and hips swayed with a haughty poise,
the kind that only a model possessed. Every step a seduction,
loaded with promises of sex. Males in the hall risked glances at
the girl while she strode off, breasts thrust forward while she
dreamily smiled, though it wasn’t clear if she contemplated her
lover’s embrace, or her nemesis demise.

“You’re unbelievable!” Aria flared. “You two
had a thing I can guess.”

“Yeah” Sharr admitted. “You could say
that.”

“And what happened? Why’s she off, instead
of here banging you like she clearly wants and expects?” Despite
her reputation for shallowness Aria could be incredibly
insightful.

“Stuff happens.” Sharr explained. “Things
don’t always go as expected. She took up residence in the Shogun’s
court at my request.”

“For what?”

“To act as an ambassador –“

“That girl’s no diplomat.”

“No, not precisely.” He wavered. “She was
more an entertainer.”

Aria didn’t want a clarification, though she
took Sharr to be euphemistic.

“Look Aria, Shalimar was the first woman
that I...”

Aria tapped her well-shod foot, waited for
him to explain.

“The first women you what?”

“Shali, she’s the first girl that I had
relations with outside of Nadia.” Sharr cleared his throat,
thoughtfully added. “With Nadia’s permission of course.”

“Of course” Aria groaned.

Bright-blue almond eyes wide in reverent
prayer, her entire being focused on the black stone godhead Ganesha
before her, she felt the person who came up beside her, a presence,
which she had not sensed in a very long while. Quickly she turned.
Nadia did a double take to discover Shalimar beside her, who
half-prayed to the image of the god. “You’re back?!” Exclaimed
Nadia genuinely surprised to see the woman.

Shalimar enthusiastically hugged her friend.
“I am. Why do people act like I didn’t ever live here?” She
considered that statement and then remarked. “Never mind, don’t
answer that.”

“Glad you’re home!” Nadia said. “This is
where you belong.”

“Rii please don’t.”

Gently Nadia put a hand on her friend.

“I’ve seen you before.” Shikar chimed in,
until that moment he’d remained still in silent prayer. “A vision,
while I walked through Char. You’re my brother, Krada’s
Mother.”

Full bubblegum colored lips opened, Shalimar
glanced surprised at the boy, his unexpected mention of her dead
child caused the
Kajra
Re
heartache.

“Shali, I’d like you to meet Shikar, my son,
Sharr’s son.”

“Such a charmer, I see the look of the
father in him.”

“He is so like Sharr!” Nadia agreed
knowingly.

“I bet!”

“Shikar this is Shalimar, she’s finally come
home.” And Nadia smiled. “To stay I hope?”

“I’d considered it, seems things have
become, more interesting here.”

“You met her?

Shalimar nodded. “In the foyer, Just now, I
think I nearly gave Sharr a heart attack.”

The Queen started to respond when her son
jumped into say. “You’re much prettier than Aria.”

Two pairs of almond eyes exchanged a
sisterly look.