TEP Chpt 0

=The Eagle's Perch=
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==Prologue==
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===Weary Travel Makes Planetfall===
Canopus IV, Magistracy of Canopus
2728 AD
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The great port of Delphi was a reef of lights. DropShips great and small loomed and dashed across the void, to and from the capital of Canopus. A hundred glittering man-made stars were backdropped by one of the pearls of the galactic south, the unmarred "Queen of Beauty", Canopus IV. Nearly a month's worth of planning and journey, manifest itself in our entourage, four goodly men of fine dignity and standing. 'Twas I, Klemens heir of House Humphries, that had gathered these noble scions: Elijah Johanson Aquino, Adisa Selaj, and the man of the hour, and closest to mine heart, Boris Marik.
 
With a slight crackle, the voice of the Captain sternly drummed out, //"All passengers, please brace and prepare for orbital reentry."\\ Our ST-46 dived planetside. Jubilantly, we hurtled down from the heavens. The sea of fusion stars passes by like the sparkling light of a river. Then, suddenly, there were no stars, and the pale orange fire of reentry had fully embraced us. I burst out laughing! Truly, what could bring about greater excitement than reentry into the planet's bosom?
 
Soon there would be more joy to be had. For this week, we honor Boris Marik. At last, his compassion had broken through the unfeeling pragmatism of the Hegemony's worthies. He has the right and the writ to expand his free encyclopedia into the cradle of mankind. Now the common intellectual heritage of Humanity is accessible to all in Canopus, the League, and the Hegemony, with the rest of the Sphere sure to follow.
"At last, Canopus!" Elijah exclaimed to my right, black eyes forward, and a bright smile graced his lips. "I cannot stand any more of this dropship drudgery. The human body was not made for sitting in tin cans for so long." His slim fingers, however, betrayed his true intent. His hands were in a white-knuckled grip on the leather padding of his seat, I feared they might have torn!
 
Adisa made to argue, as was his custom, but all replies were suddenly stoppered, gravity at last made its remark. Three gees of force pressed against myself, and I had to fight to breathe. Conscientious breaths were key, in through the nose and out through the mouth. How long it lasted, I couldn't tell. I was too busy breathing until, with the same suddenness it arrived, it disappeared.
 
//"This is Captain Jane Halloway speaking, gentleman, we are now planetside of Canopus IV. We will land at the spaceport within three hours. You may now leave your seats."\\ The Captain's voice drummed out again, //"Additionally, we will now begin serving refreshments and light hors-d'œuvres before beginning breakfast. Thank you for flying with Delta Air Lines."\\
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===A Letter from Family===
As was befitting of the Periphery's center of pleasure, Canopus was a marvel for the senses. Aerial acrobatic mermaid circuses, restaurants serving ancient Terran cuisine, an opera played in the streets, and marching bands made entirely out of industrial mechs, Delphi was a true delight for the eyes. While lounging in a saloon, I spied a local shooting match advertised on one of the billboards. Naturally, I had to take Boris there. Alas, Adisa and Elijah had no interest. A small wager of ten thousand dollars to add some spice to our old competition, and Boris accepted. When we had joined, the good adjudicator gave us our rifles, and the match had begun. We swept the skies of skeet. Naturally, I won. Hah!
 
As Boris and I entered Delphi's central plaza, I spied old Elijah charming a dashing mech pilot by the fountain. She must have been from the marching band. I nudged Boris, that old soul, and nodded towards them. Immediately he intuited my intent and took me off into a winding path. Evading their sight, we made a circuitous route around the plaza, dipping in and out of a menagerie of merchant boutiques. Some coin here, a few sandwiches there, a beautiful rose, and of course a tin of lovely chocolate, and we were set. We split then so that I could signal Elijah, while Boris set off to prepare the field. Delphi Park was gorgeous, and a man could do no wrong courting a mech pilot there.
 
"My what a lovely day! My fellows would surely enjoy a picnic at Delphi Park!" I said as I subtly passed by them towards a hawker of candied fruit. Behind me, I could hear Elijah and his paramour stand and leave. Success! And a signal on its own, it seemed that his paramour was interested in him. For that, I'll have to buy four of these 'candied plums' to celebrate.
 
Later in the evening, I returned to our hotel, candied plums in hand and some more goods besides. There I found Boris reading a velum letter. "What's that, old boy, congratulations from your charities?" Before he could speak, I interrupted him, "If so, which one? Is it Feed the Sphere, Water for All, Opportunity in Education, Make a Wish, or Arabian Nights, ah don't tell me… it's from Make a Wish!" He indulgently smiled at me, for I had never missed an opportunity to egg him on his unusual ways. A charity created by a Leaguer is such a novelty, he is practically begging to be teased about it.
 
"Neither, friend." And the atmosphere on our hotel floor changed. It was with solemn joy that he said, "It is a letter from Bertram and Elise. They wish me congratulations and a belated happy birthday." And then he handed me the letter. "Here, read it yourself," he added.
 
To my dearly beloved cousin,
 
I wish to extend congratulations, from both my mother and me I know you had worked tirelessly for years to improve the lot of the common man and woman, within Canopus, the Hegemony, and despite our families' differences, here too within the League. 
 
Thanks to your efforts, millions were lifted from the shackles of poverty, squalor, and ignorance, so that they may rise to become contributing members of our society. And what a success it is. Once from the Capitol of Atreus, I could take a half day's horse ride and see the grimy favelas of The Forgotten. Now I go to that same spot and see Atreians marching to work, determined and hopeful—just as all citizens of the League should be. Similar tales are told throughout the League, especially in the minor worlds and provinces.
 
I thank you, cousin. My mother and I cannot thank you enough. Despite you and your father's self-imposed exile, you have made a tremendous effort in service of the League, and above all our family. You have created stability and prosperity. You have created opportunity and hope. You have given truth to the promise that is the League.
 
Even so far from Terra, the old wisdom bears fruit thousands of years later, "blood is thicker than water".
 
I wish for you to know that all, and I must emphasize this, all of your family is proud of you. Our pride and our love go out to you,
 
With warm regards,
 
Bertram Marik.
Mine eyes teared up as I read the last of those words. It was more than a heartfelt letter, it was proof there could be peace in our time. With the future heirs of both the Federalist and Parliamentarian camps so close and united, I might no longer need fear for the future of my province.
 
I swallowed my throat. "This-this is good."
 
Boris' black eyes shone in the light as he looked into mine. "I agree."
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==Chapter Notes==
*;Chapter Note from the Author :I'm serious, guys. Please pray for me. 🙏🙏🙏 My muse is a bitch, and I had to do research by watching the Bold and the Beautiful. I fucking subscribed to their channel. Please, I need the sacrifice of my brain cells to not be in vain. 🙏🙏🙏Additionally, God bless LanguageTool for helping me correct most of my grammar mistakes.Fatimah, what the fuck. You are the Queen-consort of Morocco you can' just let this bozo manhandle you like that. you are loved by your and your people you can just scream and have the guards throw this guy out "reporter" or not assault is assault no matter what dirt he has on you it will never be enough for your husband to abandon you he really does love you like that like omg what the hell woman if its that bad just sit down and talk with your husband hes good like that don't just wallow in uncertainty and misery for like no reason whatsoever theirs this thing called communication understanding and trust that are necessary for a proper relationship let alone a marriage to a king and if he married your amnesiac ass solely for what he saw you do and said its because he loves who you are no strings attached especially for a past life that doesn't really affect him at all.
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