And he would be with her, however she needed him, for as long as he needed her.
She squared her shoulders again and this time stepped back in front of the broadcast camera.
He touched her hand."Do you need me?"
"I may need one more kiss before we start," she said.
He leaned down and kissed her.It was supposed to be soft and chaste, but it wasn't.Even when he meant to give her a light kiss, it wound up being more.She pulled so much emotion out of him, he felt overwhelmed sometimes.
Was this how humanoids felt all the time?With all these emotions floating around inside them every day, all the time?
Caoimhe melted against him."You're going to make me flushed when I do this broadcast," she said with a grin."Everyone will wonder what I'm up to."
"We can show them," he said.
"I don't think they're ready for that.Let's just tell them the war is over, first."
"Execute."
He stepped back, and watch Caoimhe and Eleanor, in fact.
Together.Tell their people that the war with the Rhimodians was over, and that they were beginning the long road to recovery and peace between the two people.
"We come before you, Terran Empire and Rhimodians of Sol, in celebration.A truce has been reached between our two great societies," Caoimhe said.
"The war is now over, and we must begin the process of healing through peace," Eleanor said.
They continued speaking, in tandem of each other, and spoke of the journey they had all taken and the moving forward in healing that was necessary for both species to live side by side, learning to understand one another rather than be afraid.
"The importance of this alliance will bring the Terran Empire great rewards.And many rewards will grace the Rhimodian people, who only want a home," Caoimhe said.
Caoimhe glanced at Bahran.
Smiled.
And turned back to the broadcast.
"Now, I thank you all for listening to us.This is Empress Caoimhe Bron, signing off."
Bahran glanced at Freya, who was monitoring the Terran Empire's network."What is the data coming in, saying?"
"Celebrating, mostly."She continued to scan the incoming transmissions.
He smiled."Good."
"It won't be perfect, there will be a lot of issues at first, because there always are," Freya said."People don't like change.Even if it's the end of a war and a new life.Those who remember the old way will be relieved.Those who don't, won't understand the new way, and will have prejudices to work through."She shook her head."It's not over yet."
"No, I imagine the work is only just beginning," Bahran said."But we should be able to bring it together."
Jedriek came in.
Bahran glanced at him."Are you set?"
Jedriek nodded."All the bombs are set.This facility will blow as soon as we ignite it."
He glanced at Caoimhe."When she's ready, we will."
Caoimhe came over."How far do we need to be from the station to blow it up safely?"
