8
Princess Caoimhe's private sitting room, separate from the suite of rooms she shared with her sister, was as elaborate as anything else in the royal palace.Intricate carvings on the walls, everything in red and gold, just as the Emperor loved.Though Caoimhe had managed to get a lot of white in her private sitting room, just to brighten the room up.She had to do something.So many dark pieces--the furniture and such--made the place feel like a mausoleum rather than a sitting room.
Caoimhe's desk was probably older than her father, ornate and detailed and part of the palace's history.She had always been happy to have such an old traditional piece of Terran Empire history.Many crown princes and princesses sat at that desk over the centuries.She used it with pride.
Though not today.
Today was for tea and conversation.
She glanced at the man she was drinking tea with.Materializing from the table, the tea service appeared between them.
"Hard to believe those delicate little glasses were just created out of a processor," he said as she handed him a cup of tea.
"There are many things that are marvels if we think about what they are," Caoimhe replied."The stars themselves are a marvel.It wasn't that long ago, we were rooted on one planet and now look at us.Traveling through the stars."
"Going to war," Admiral Jeke said.
Yes, it was time to get down to business, Caoimhe thought.
"Thank you for coming to speak with me," Caoimhe said.She'd met the Admiral in the senate a few years before.Unlike many of the other military representatives in the senate, Jeke seemed to have some sympathy for all the participants and what was going on with the Terran Empire, all around.Older than her by over a decade, he was a respected member of the senate and the military.
And one that Caoimhe felt very comfortable asking questions to.
This time, she really hoped that he was willing to hear her questions today and possibly help her along this journey toward bringing this war to an end.
"I understand this is a war matter?If so, a proper meeting with all the heads of the--"
"This is a war matter, but it is a covert matter as well," she said."And if anyone asks, you are bringing me the latest casualty lists and battle updates, which I will be needing."
He nodded and picked up his cup of tea.
"And as we know, the war is reaching a point where it must be ended.The refugees on the border planets have experienced enough, and the families there must be cared for."The border planets had become dangerous grounds.
"I agree, Your Majesty."He sat his cup down."The conscripted soldiers are dwindling, and we will soon have to draw from other words beyond the border worlds."
She shook her head, disgusted with the process of conscription in general, but the fact that they've been using it to keep their military filled with soldiers!She wanted to go strangle her father.Likely, he was stripping those worlds of all their resources to fund his war.
And not doing anything about it.
"If I may speak freely," he said.
She waved her hand."Of course.Please do."
He nodded again and sighed."The Emperor seems to not care about anything but winning, at whatever the cost.As such, he's giving military leaders the ability to do whatever they think is necessary to maintain the Terran Empire's power position."
"The most powerful asset is the people," she said.
"He has far fewer workers to do what needs to be done to make the resources he needs.The supplies are being taken from other worlds to compensate."
"When the war is over, will these worlds get their resources back?"
"I cannot say.I would like to think that the strain would be made right because the Terran soldiers will return home.But we have lost so many.You must understand, Princess, that the Rhimodians may not have as many ships and soldiers as we do, but they are incredibly well organized.They move as singular units because of their technology.As such, their superiority in battle is obvious."
"Yet they do not advance on us."
"No.They do not."He sipped his tea."They merely defend their lands.And that is all."
She shook her head."And the Emperor claims his reason for pushing forward is because the Rhimodians can make any star in the Terran Empire go supernova and wipe out every nearby system.Therefore they must be destroyed."
