[The Princes VII] [An Imperial Gift] “You should kill him now?” said the first voice inside Si’s dream. “He is the best chance for our world,” replied another dream voice. “You are gambling on a six-year old hatchling and what he will do in two-hundred years,” said the first voice. “I know what he will do,” said the second voice. “Yes, kill millions of our people and then just walk away and leave us in peace,” said the first voice sarcastically. “This hatchling will grow into a monster.” “He is helpless, you may use my dagger if you wish,” offered the second voice. Si opened his eyes as he slept and sat up holding his hand out to the two dream birds in front of him. “Shh, little hatchling, you are dreaming,” said a softer voice to his side. “Go back to sleep.” “I’m an engineer, not a killer,” retorted the first voice, "but I may yet do it." Si turned his head and a smaller bird gently pushed him back down on his pillow and Si closed his eyes, but the dream continued and he tried to listen. “His father grew out of his insanity,” said the second voice. “Tarin is a second son,” replied the first voice, “and he waged relentless destruction for six-hundred years before that occurred. This is a first son, the insanity runs deep in him, you will lose control of him and he will turn on you.” “Are the ships ready yet?” asked the second voice. “No, they are eight-hundred years old, and there was only supposed to be twenty-five to evacuate, now there are over one-hundred of them,” replied the first voice. “I will need two ships to get them all out of here.” “You will need all six ships,” said second voice. “He will take House Tolnor with him, and I would not doubt he brings his servants as well.” “Impossible,” said the first voice too loudly and Si started to stir again. "Just tell him to get on the evacuation ships his father is giving him." “I wager he will not. If you need more crews I can smuggle them in,” offered the second voice. “But it must be now, there is very little time left, fighting has broken out in several cities.” “Yes, I need more crews,” said the first voice. “But they found their way into the subterranean tunnels, it’s only a matter of time before they discover the hanger.” “I know, I made sure they found the key,” said the second voice. “You play dangerous games,” said the first voice. “Now, I would like to get out of here, unlike you, skulking through shadows and sneaking into the bedroom of the child of our deadliest enemy in the middle of the night is not something I’m accustomed to.” “Not yet,” replied the second voice. “I wanted you to see this.” The two shadowy bird-like figures softly walked over to the tables with Si’s experiments. The owner of the first voice looked at the experiments and picked up several of the notes and held them to read by the moonlight pouring through the windows. “Oh ancestors,” said the first voice. “This six-year old monster has almost solved the equation of trans-dimensional travel.” “I believe he has solved it,” said the second voice. “I have spent many nights in this room watching him sleep, and then I saw it.” “What?” asked the first voice. “Look at his toy samurai on the floor?” said the second voice. The first voice moved to stand next to the formations of toy soldiers on the floor. They seemed like any other child’s toy soldiers, lined up in their perpetual battle formations, two sides opposing each other. “What am I looking for?” asked the first voice. “Stand over here and look at them starting in that corner,” said the second voice. The first voice moved around to look at the toys from a different angle, it only took a moment. He was engineer and solved the simple riddle in moments that had taken the assassin months to solve. The first voice laughed and the boy next to Si started to stir in his sleep. The soft voice glided around the bed and whispered the other boy back to sleep. “I can only decipher part of it,” said the first voice, “but yes, I see it, the toys are arranged in a mathematical equation—very clever.” “Yes, and it is not only him,” said the second voice. “On Carina a ten-year old has nearly completed the formula to create genetic prosthetics, and on Corvus an eleven-year old has solved the equation of sub-space particle acceleration.” “I did not know that,” said the first voice. “We will no longer require the vast relay of communication satellites, communications between worlds will become instant.” “There is more,” the second voice continued. “A seven-year old on Cormon is near to stabilizing a worm-hole, though the energy required is that of a thousand suns. But, that may be solved by another six-year old on Ara that has recorded a nursery rhyme on a common quartz crystal.” “The ability to store energy in a crystal?” said the first voice. “Incredible.” “We are nearing a conjunction,” replied the second voice. “Your fanaticism is ridiculous,” said the first voice. “And yet, the evidence is all here, we are nearing the next evolutionary crossroad for all worlds,” insisted the second voice, “even this monster must be saved.” The first voice held his hand out. “Give me your dagger,” demanded the first voice. The second voice handed the dagger to the first voice. The shadowy bird took the dagger and loomed over to the sleeping boy and pressed the dagger lightly to the boy’s throat. The boy stirred again in his sleep and perhaps it was the tickle of the blade resting against his throat, or perhaps a sense of danger, the boy placed his little hand on the hand of the first voice. The second voice watched as the first voice tried in vane to shed his sense of morality and cut the boy’s throat. The first voice pulled his hand away from the boy and shoved the dagger back into the hand of the second voice. “I can not kill a hatchling in it’s sleep, and for it millions of our people will die,” said the first voice. “I rather counted on that,” said the second voice. “My only solace is knowing that when this hatchling turns to the monster he is, you will be the first he kills,” said the first voice. “Let’s go now, I have six ships to get ready.” The second voice bent over the sleeping boy and whispered into his ear. “Remember the servants, and find the next door,” said the second voice. The second voice took the master key from the table next to the boy’s bed; the key he had placed several days earlier into the hand of the sleeping orphan-warrior, Maz, who in turn had passed it to Si. He threaded the key through a chain and fastened it around Si’s neck as he slept. The second voice glanced back to ensure the first voice wasn’t watching, and brushing the boy’s hair back, kissed him lightly on the forehead. “I can not save your father,” whispered the second voice, “I am sorry.” “What are you doing?” whispered the soft voice. “He should have been hatched a Raven,” said the second voice. “He only needs taught.” “Love of my heart, you are not planning to bring him to the Temple?” whispered the soft voice. “If you can not defeat your enemy,” said the second voice, “make him your son.” The three shadows glided out of the room and Si rolled over in his sleep, the dream of birds faded and he drifted into a dreamless sleep. “Father?” mumbled Si. The rest of the night passed uneventful and Si woke to the light of the sun pouring through the windows. He was excited, today he was going to visit the moons of Kitsune. Si felt something against his neck and reached up to find the chain with the key on it. How had this gotten here? Si got out of his bed and notice immediately that several of his toy samurai were knocked over. His eyes narrowed, he knew it was that Raven again, he would kill them all when he could. Si righted his fallen toys and walked over to the chair with his clothes on it. The equipment bag was not there today, there would be no practice sand today. The chair was draped with his very best uniform and with Seph’s help he dressed in the gold and white tunic of House Kitsune. Si shook his foot a few times and stomped up and down, he didn’t wear these boots very often and they were uncomfortable on his feet. The boys left their room and joined a few cousins just coming out of their rooms, pulling at belts or adjusting clothing. They would eat in the Children’s Dining Hall this morning and Si liked that, no Courtesans staring at him today. Breakfast was dry crackers and some cheese, Lord Tolnor wasn’t taking any chances of the boys spilling anything on their best uniforms. Canesus did manage to spill his juice but the servants that took care of his uniforms were prepared for that and rushed forward with a fresh tunic. Si watched as Canesus’ servants lovingly redressed his cousin and brushed his hair. Si had never really noticed how gentle and kind the servants always were, they knew what each boy needed and responded to those needs. Something was tugging at the back of Si’s mind… the servants, something he was supposed to remember about the servants. “Let’s move it men!” shouted Akio. “We have a ship to catch.” Si lost his train of thought and lined up with his cousins for the march to the motorcade that would take him to the star port. Several buses had been added to his motorcade to accommodate the small army that trailed behind him everywhere he went now. Sionnach’s Eighty had grown in their skill and formed a battle perimeter around Si at all times. The boys learned how to move their units in unison and even if Si tried to sprint away, his army maintained that perimeter. The Courtesans commented often on the growing Prince and his Princedom—Si thought the boys just liked showing off. They would march in a single file and the moment Akio would stop, the column would flank out and form the perimeter. Si’s personal Black Guards still stayed close, but he noticed they were more free now to move about and check for potential threats. Si was very satisfied with his army. Si and Seph got into the long black ground vehicle that would take them to the star port while Si’s cousins and the orphan-warriors climbed into three buses trailing behind. He watched out the window and noticed as they went through the main gate that the crowds were not there as they usually were. “Captain?” asked Si. “Where are all the people?” “There was fighting outside the city,” replied the Captain of his Black Guard. “Many are evacuating.” “Are we winning?” asked Si. “The Black Guard is holding the city,” answered the Captain. “Where is our Samurai Legions?” asked Si. “An uprising on Cormon,” said the Captain. “Your father deployed the House Carrier and five of the Legions to Cormon, the other five are deployed in other cities around Kitsune.” Si decided to just ask what he was really thinking. “How long before the Palace falls?” asked Si. “As of right now we are holding,” said the Captain. “We are maintaining a very fine balance, but we can hold, and Lord Black is sending another fifty-thousand Black Guard to reinforce the Palace; they will be here by the end of the week.” Si thought about it, the answer was right there in front of him. Why was he having such a hard time seeing the answer? Si watched out the window at the city as they drove past empty buildings, there was nobody in sight. They were nearly at the Star Port when Si realized the answer. “Captain?” asked Si. “Tell me the truth, I have a right to know. The Palace will fall before those new Black Guard arrive, won’t it?” “We can hold, my Prince,” said the Captain. “My father is letting me go up to my moons because he wants me out of the Palace,” said Si. “There won’t be any ships to bring me back, will there?” “Your father wants you safe,” said the Captain. “Turn around, we are returning to the Palace,” ordered Si. “You will be safer at the moon defense base,” said the Captain. Si placed his hand on door knob. “Turn around or I jump out,” said Si. The Captain grabbed the door and held it. “Turn around, Captain,” said Seph with his hand on the other door knob. The Captain couldn’t hold both doors and losing even one Prince would have him facing the Emperor. He sighed, let the Emperor sort this out, he wasn’t going to have even a lesser Prince jumping out of the vehicle during his watch. “Turn around,” the Captain ordered the driver. The vehicle turned around and the Captain was busy for the next several minutes explaining to the buses over the Com-link what was going on. Si was thinking as hard as he could, he was still missing something. Something had been nagging at the back of his brain all morning. Si sat back in the seat and closed his eyes to work through the riddle. Si bolted upright in the seat. “The servants!” shouted Si. “My lord?” asked the Captain. “Captain,” yelled Si. “How many ships were going to take us up to the moon base?” “We have three ships available,” replied the Captain. “Call those ship Captains and tell him that Prince Sionnach orders them to bring their ships to the Palace and land them in the gardens,” said Si. “My Lord, do you know what the thrusters on those ships will do to those ancient gardens?” “I don’t care,” said Si. “I want those ships at the Palace now, and then call the Palace and order all the servants, and the kids of the servants, soldiers and Black Guard to meet me outside the main doors of the old Palace.” The Captain knew what Si was doing and rushed to make the calls. The Captain stared at this amazing little Prince. Never before had any Prince ever thought to do what the Captain knew Si was about to do. Si’s motorcade was nearly back to the Palace when three large transport ships passed over the motorcade, and headed to the gardens of the Palace. Si didn’t even wait for the vehicle to come to a stop and jumped out and ran for the steps of the old Palace, many of the servants and kids were already gathering outside the Palace to watch the transport ships landing; the thrusters of the massive ships burned away gardens that had existed for thousands of years. The beautiful Cherry Blossom trees, the hedges, the streams with the fat lazy goldfish were burned away under the ships. Akio and Marshal caught up with Si at the stairs. “What’s going on?” shouted Akio. “Take our army to the basement and get them armed,” said Si. “We’ve only had two weeks to train,” replied Akio. “Do it, I don’t have time to explain,” said Si. There was so much to do. What should he do next? He wasn’t sure, he… he needed… to… “Everyone hold!” boomed the voice of the Emperor. The Emperor approached from the new Palace and everyone knelt to the Emperor. His very presence calmed the near panic Si was causing in his attempt to do what needed to be done. “Settle down, son,” ordered the Emperor. “But father, we need….” Si started to say. “Si, there are other considerations,” said the Emperor. “Father?” “Si, those three ships were the last three I have available here that are still loyal to House Kitsune,” explained the Emperor. “If you do not get on them, the House will fall.” “Father, the House is going to fall anyway,” said Si. “I know that, and I won’t run away and leave all these people here to die. I stay until there isn’t a Palace left to defend.” The Emperor looked down at his wonderful little son. Si was more an Emperor than he had ever been. If only he had just a little more time, he could have saved the ancient House of Kitsune. The Emperor nodded, perhaps it was right that the great House of Eternal Emperors should die fighting, together. “I’ve told you before, son,” said the Emperor. “You can not do it all by yourself, let your Princes do their jobs.” Si looked up at his father and the weight of months of anxiety descended on him and he was just a six-year old boy. “I don’t know what do, father,” said Si. “Help me.” The Emperor turned to look at Si’s cousins, all waiting for orders. “Akio, divide these tasks among your younger cousins,” ordered the Emperor. “Load the servants and their children aboard the first two ships and have the Captain take them to Corvus, they will be able to make new lives for themselves there. Then, load all our Samurai and Black Guards’ children aboard the third ship and have that Captain take them to Castle Black on Carina, Lord Black will care for them.” Akio grabbed the cousins and ran off to begin the evacuation of the servants and children of the Palace. The Emperor turned to Marshal next. “Lord Marshal, you take your army and get them armed with those ancient guns of yours and find defense position from the windows inside the old Palace—and bring Si one of those revolvers.” “Father, you know about the guns?” asked Si. “Of course, Lord Tolnor is a good man, you listen to what he tells you,” said the Emperor. “What do I do now?” asked Si. “You come with me,” said the Emperor. “Let your princes do their work.” Si followed his father to the main Palace and into the Throne room, there were very few of the Courtesans left and only a few of the Emperors own princes moving about giving instructions. “Seal the Throne Room,” ordered the Emperor. The Black Guards rushed to obey and the great doors were shut along with the many side doors; a Black Guardsman stood at each entrance to ensure the room remained sealed. The Emperor took his son’s hand and led him to the Imperial Throne, the small throne next to his fathers was gone. “Father, someone took my throne,” said Si. “You will not need it again,” said Emperor Tarin leading his son to stand in front of the Imperial Throne. The Emperor turned Si to face outward and the remaining Courtesans and Lords of House Kitsune came to stand in a ring facing Si. The Emperor faced the remaining court. “Let history judge me as it will, I was never intended to be an Emperor, but I have shouldered the burden as best I could,” said the Emperor. “I had wanted more years before this day, but here stands the true Imperial Heir, all bear witness to this day.” The Emperor turned and knelt in front of his son. “I Emperor Laeten Senaeth Tarin, Emperor of the Glorious Kitsune Empire, Ruler of the twenty-seven known worlds, Lord of House Kitsune, Descendent of the Eternal Line of Emperors, do now and forever, abdicate the Imperial Throne.” Si stood in shock, not completely comprehending what was happening. Prince Tarin took his son’s wrist and turning it over, pressed his own wrist to it. The wrist implant transferred the title of Emperor to Si’s wrist implant, it could not be undone and could never, so long as Si was alive, be taken forcibly from him. The command was even now transferring to the twenty-seven known worlds, the star bases, the space stations, and every ship within the Empire. Every News Vid was picking up the broadcast from the camera’s in the Throne Room. The Galaxy watched as the new Emperor was crowned. The new Captain of the Black Guard brought his Trident down on the stone floor of the Throne Room twenty-seven times while tears flowed down Si’s face. The Captains voice rang out. “Long live Emperor Sionnach Tarin Aguienth, Light of a Thousand Stars, Ruler of the Twenty-Seven known Worlds, Emperor of the Glorious Kitsune Empire.” Emperor Sionnach turned from his father and climbed the steps and sat on the Imperial Throne. Si understood, and the tears continued to flow. Even though Si knew he only had a few days to live, his father had given him the gift of his birthright and he would be recorded in history as the last Emperor of House Kitsune, true Emperor of the Eternal line of those Emperors.