Director Nicole looked at the SFT and they were nodding at the suggestion. She then turned and said, We have royalty in our past and it worked. That is always true when you have a good ruler. I think we can all agree here that we have chosen the best. But we need to hammer out succession to the satisfaction of all of us. Tgon-Gee, can you accept her as your ruler and your people give her the loyalty you have from them?
Tgon-Gee bowed to one knee and said, I place the future of my people in her hands and pledge my loyalty to her. The glod Fleet Admiral bent down on his knee and said, I also pledge my life and family to you, my queen.
At once, everyone in the room bowed and swore their allegiance to Danielle. Even Tag was on his knee and when she saw him smiling at her she mouthed at him, Help.
Tag stood up and said, I also agree with you. My wife has amazed me with her skills at seeing the truth of any situation. Its her gift. I know she is humble and does not wish this to be thrust on her, but sometimes history finds the right person at the right time. We have chosen well. I would recommend that we meet again three rotations from now and hammer out the details of this. We also need to move some orbital fortresses to the Glod Home World to insure their protection. We currently have eight that are being charged next to our sun that we were going to add to our own fortresses, however, its just a matter of time until the Alliance gets wind of our relationships. Tgon-Gee, you also need to send 500 of your warships to one of our facilities to convert then to power cell technology.
Dorg was watching Tgon-Gee closely. When Tag spoke Tgon-Gee stood to see him. Now Dorg had no doubt; Tgon-Gee was stunned when he looked at Tag. He seemed to be actually showing fear. Whats going on here? Dorg thought. What is he seeing that I dont?
Tgon-Gee looked away from Tag and collected himself then looked at Terl and said, I know youre short on ships, well be glad to send you some for defense.
Terl smiled at him and said, Tgon-Gee, we already have 1,400 of our ships converted and are building an additional 600 in our facilities. Let me show you one of them, Excellency.
The screen on the wall came on and there in the middle of it was a dreadnaught that looked like nothing he had ever seen. It was parked close to a small asteroid that was about one seg wide. The dreadnaught suddenly fired a beam that blew a hole 1,200 degs wide thru the middle of the asteroid and exploded it. Admiral Dorg said, Excellency, we have 700 of those ships.
Tgon-Gee looked at the awesome ship and knew that the Humans had totally defeated more than 4,000 ships with only 600 of their small ships. Then he looked at the Human Female and asked, My Queen, how many ships does your race possess to defend your realm?
My own people have 7,876 at last count and the Cainth will soon have 2,000. Thats a total of almost 10,000. How many ships do you have in your fleet Prince?
We have 3,600.
We should have all your ships converted within ninety rotations. Could you get the first 500 there quickly? I suspect that we might need your help after the next battle.
Misty Nicole looked at Danielle and said, You will be the first human queen whose realm will not only rule earth but will span the stars.
Danielle looked at Misty and said, Perhaps we should name our new alliance the Stars Realm.
Everyone was silent for a moment and Tgon-Gee said, I agree; that sounds like a good name for our new relationship.
Terl said, Then Stars Realm it is. A great name for a great new entity.
Tgon-Gee looked at the Human Female and for the first time in his life respected and trusted someone completely. His new government will possess more than 13,000 of those demon ships. He knew he had chosen the right course for his people. It wouldnt take much contact with these Humans to shame his more violent subjects into seeing how stupid they were and they will get the message in a manner that they will find acceptable. For the first time since the Glod and Cainth lost that initial battle, he felt secure that his races future looked more promising than he had ever suspected.
Tag, I cant be queen. I just cant. Im not qualified, its too much responsibility.
Tag took her in his arms and said, Yes you can. You have to accept. Dont you see the Clan suggestion is just a stopgap? We wont allow the Cainth to pass laws that we have to obey and neither will they accept ours. We have to have someone that we all can trust to look out for the welfare of everyone equally; someone that will see the truth in every situation. You are the perfect choice. If it doesnt work, then abdicate after some time has passed and our races have become more comfortable with each other. Until then you must accept this decision. You are also going to need someone to help you schedule your time. You better start thinking about that now.
I already know who I want for that slot.
Who? tag asked.
Leila McAnn is perfect for those responsibilities. Ive already asked the Director to reassign her to my staff. Eric is also going to have a post in my staff. I wont separate them.
Good choice, Darling. Now I have some news youre not going to like.
What? she said quickly.
You cant go with me on the ship to the battle.
Youre out of your mind if you think Ill let you go alone. Sung Lea says its critical.
Darling, the possible futures changed when you were made Queen. Sung Lea commed me a message that says the new relationships will fail if you go. How would you feel if you just promised loyalty to a queen and she then goes into the middle of a space battle? You now have a responsibility to three races that outweigh your own wishes.
Danielle started to protest but then stopped. Her ability to see the truth allowed her to see the wisdom of what he was saying. Atlas. She said.
Yes Your Majesty, He answered.
Not you, too, she said. Will you promise to protect my husband?
Ill do my best Danielle. Congratulations on your promotion. I guess that makes your child the crown prince, right?
I dont know, Atlas. We havent discussed any form of succession. Then her eyes got big and she jumped straight up and said, What do you mean my child!
I thought you knew; youre expecting a child in about 8 months.
Tag stood there speechless. She looked at him and rushed into his arms tears pouring from her eyes and said, Hell be our crown prince. I love you, Tag.
Tag just stood there dazed and held his wife close and swore they were going to win this war. His child was going to have a future no matter who had to pay the price.
Kosiev sat on the Washingtons bridge looking at the feed from Alliance Central. Tag walked in eating a bag of popcorn and humming. Im glad someones happy, Kosiev said.
Why, whats wrong?
Im afraid that the Alliance may be forming up at another location. Its been two weeks since the last battle and there are not a large number of ships in the system.
Tag looked at the feed and asked, What are all those dreadnaughts doing around the planet?
Kosiev said, Ive noticed them and they appear to be in the process of being refitted or something.
Refitted for what? How many are there?
Kosiev looked at the sensor readout and said, Around 800 or so.
Can you get a closer view?
Kosiev turned a dial and one of the dreadnaughts filled the screen. Tag said, It looks like they are removing the weapons from the surface. Can you rewind the feed?
Kosiev turned another dial and they watched as missiles were off loaded from the dreadnaught. Go back and find one of the dreadnaughts that have left and lets see what they did after the weapons were removed. Kosiev turned the dial and found one of the dreadnaughts moving away from the planet to a parking area away from the shipping lanes. He then came in close and rewound the feed until the ship was back in the docks and the weapons removed. Then he started the feed at 10 times normal speed and they watched as machinery was installed in the dreadnaught. What do you think that is? Tag asked.