Adrian’s ship made way towards the Residential district. As they approached the asteroid, Adrian could see weapons platforms on the surface, and also many hatches that lead inside. Adrian’s ship made way to one of the bigger hatches, and as they neared it started to open, and they entered a large hangar. It wasn’t as large as the largest hangars that Warpath had, which were in Forge district, but it could easily hold three ships that were the same size as Adrian’s, which was a small transport ship, about eighty meters long and forty wide.
As his pilot docked the ship, Adrian got up from his chair and made way to the docking hatch, his two wolions and two guards following close behind him. They stepped into a mass of people, everyone running around doing their tasks. As they noticed Adrian they stopped what they were doing and gave Adrian a shallow bow with their heads, a bow that indicated respect. Adrian returned their bows with a nod.
Then they passed through several corridors and hallways, until they finally reached a passageway that led them into the living area. They were greeted with blue sky, clouds and sunlight. All were artificial of course, except the clouds which while man made where functional. The area was one big underground dome, filled with buildings, streets, plant life, and people. The area even had its own weather and day-night cycle. The other two districts, the other asteroids didn’t have anything like this dome, at least not on this scale, but then their functions were different. The Forge district was where their industry was, and the Warrior district was designed for training and learning, Residential district was where people lived and relaxed.
Adrian turned to his guards who were in the process of removing their helmets. It wasn’t like he needed the protection, he was more than capable of defending himself, and with Akash or Sora always near him Adrian doubted that anyone could get close enough to harm him. Especially since the wolions would know if anyone wanted to, as they were empaths. But the guard was a sign of stature, and as such was necessary, at least outside of Warpath. But here it was redundant, Warpath’s security was excellent, and their recruiting checks were thorough. It was unlikely that anyone would pass through, if there even was anyone who would want to harm him. The Empire was stable, people were content, well aside from some in the Terran clan, but as their progeny grows up even that will disappear.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the tournament.” Adrian said, looking at the two women.
Meifeng raised her eyebrows, “You’ll come to watch this year?” She asked grinning.
“I think that I will compete this year.” Adrian responded with a smile.
Meifeng’s grin froze on her face, and Clara’s mouth hung open.
“You.” Clara said pointing at him, “Will compete?” She asked.
“Yes, I need to show the people that I am still the best.” Adrian said.
Meifeng looked uncomfortable, “Uh… Boss, the last time you were in the tournament was ten years ago. That is a lot of time, and you haven’t really been focusing on training in that time…”
Adrian looked at her still smiling. He understood what she wanted to say. “You think that I would allow myself to fall behind those I lead? There is a reason as to why I am the Clan Leader.” Adrian said.
“I don’t doubt that you are strong, or that you deserve to lead, but you have a lot of responsibilities, while others are free to focus on improving themselves.” Meifeng said.
Adrian shook his head, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said, and started walking, leaving his two guards dumbfounded.
“You are finally going to address those rumors?” Iris asked.
“The Empire might go to war, I need my people to be sure that I am the right person to lead them. I created Warpath’s ideals fully knowing that someday someone better than me might take my place. Only those who prove themselves worthy may lead.” Adrian said.
“Good, your gifts are going to waste if you don’t use them.” Iris said.
Adrian reached his apartment and sent his passcode to the security system via his implant, as he walked up to the doors they opened to let him in. Once inside, the first thing he did was to get food for Akash and Sora, and then called his second in command and arranged to meet with him at the Forge a bit later. He then made his way to the bathroom to take a shower.
Once the water hit his head, his thoughts drifted to the fact that his quarters were empty. Adrian was fifty nine years old or one hundred and nineteen if one counted the time he spent in stasis on their trip to Sanctuary. And he, like every member of the empire looked like he was in his mid-twenties. And yet he still didn’t have anyone to share his life with, apart from the two wolions. Ever since Bethany married, he just didn’t connect with anyone on a level where he would feel comfortable letting them into his life.
He did have dalliances that lasted for a night, sometimes several, but nothing serious. There was no one who captivated him the way Bethany had. He wanted something real, a partner with whom he could share his very long life with. He looked at Seo-yun and Tomas and envied them their connection. The two of them were both powerful and accomplished people. They each had their own separate lives, but still, they loved each other. They shared a life. And sometimes Adrian thought that he would never find anything like that.
He sighed and turned off the water, getting out of the cabin and grabbing a towel to dry himself. He hated those new steam drying posts, and preferred to use good old fashioned fabric. He went into his room and dressed, he had a few more minutes before he had to meat Isani at the Forge.
An hour later Adrian walked into a meeting room at Forge’s main shipbuilding facility with Sora following behind him, inside he was greeted by Isani, his second in command and best friend. Isani had a tail and pale gray skin like all Nel. He also had only one name, that which was given to him at birth. He used to have a surname which designated his purpose in Nel society. But all Nel who joined the Empire renounced those names. Some took surnames for themselves, while others chose to go only by one name. And in this day and age, it wasn’t really necessary to have more than one name, every person had an implant which had a unique signature, serving as a form of identification.
“So, what happened?” Isani asked as soon as Adrian sat at the table, then reaching to pet Sora as she walked over to him.
Adrian quirked his eyebrow and made a Nel gesture with his hand signaling puzzlement, “What makes you think that something happened? Can’t I catch up with a friend?”
Isani snorted in a very human way, “You called to meet with me immediately after you arrived. You haven’t done that during all the time I know you. Meaning something happened.”
Adrian nodded grimly, “Yes, something happened. Sowir are gathering forces for an attack on Nelus.”
“They finally decided to finish what they started…” Isani said quietly.
“Yes.” Adrian said.
“I assume that the Emperor has a plan?”
“There is a preliminary plan, yes. It involves attacking their territory while their forces are otherwise engaged.”
Isani closed his eyes, “We will leave Nelus to fend for itself?” He asked, pain evident in his voice.
“That depends.” Adrian said. Isani opened his eyes and looked at Adrian hopefully. Even with everything that happened between Nelus and Nuva, Isani still cared about what happened to the Nel home world.
“Depends on what?” Isani asked.
“On whether or not we can make our fleet fully operational before Nelus falls.” Adrian said, and then proceeded to tell him the plan.
Isani’s eyes widened and he stared at Adrian. “That, will be difficult. Assuming that everything goes according to plan, we would still be taking ships with completely untested technologies into battle. If we even manage to get the technologies to work, that is.”