The words slapped her in the face.Again, she shouldn't be shocked at her father's less than caring attitude about his family, but there was a part of her that wanted to believe he did love his daughters.That they were important to him.That his wife was important to him.
Obviously, not, though.Any affection he showed for them was out of duty and not out of true compassion.
The epiphany should have been painful.
It wasn't, though.It was more like a slap.One that she should have saw coming.It hurt, and she felt foolish for not realizing that it likely was coming.
"That explains a lot," Eleanor said.Blasé attitude or not, the words certainly gave Eleanor pause.The two sisters stepped a little closer together and both of their hands were shaky.They supported each other, Eleanor even putting her arm around her for a mini hug.
Caoimhe didn't even have the desire to argue with Master System.It was truth, whether they wanted to admit it or not.Their father never wanted them around.And what support he would receive from his people if his entire family was killed?It was absolutely the kind of manipulation he would use to further his goals.
Master System glanced at Eleanor."What do you remember?"
Caoimhe turned to her."You remember?"
Eleanor forced a smile on her face."The Rhimodians have helped heal my memories.They're still sorting themselves out, but I remember that day.I saw it.I saw the Terran officer behave strangely."
"And you?"Master System asked, those eyes so much like their mother turned to her.
"I don't remember suspicious things before.I just remember after.Lying on the ground, and being scooped up by this giant man.Crying for my mother.And seeing her.You.Her.Hauled away."
Master System nodded."She was taken away, and the Rhimodians did what they could to heal her, however, it was not enough.This is where Master System came together to mend Empress Bron.Determined to preserve her for when the Terran Empire would come, the Rhimodians attempted to put her into stasis.Her physical body was failing at a rate that could not be stopped, even by a flood of nanites.Her consciousness, though, was able to be preserved."
"In Master System," Caoimhe said.
Master System nodded.
"So you learned all the Terran Empire's military secrets," Veta said."That's why you have been able to hold off any attacks for all these years and prevent invasion."
"Master System learned what Empress Bron knew.Yes, that knowledge has been used to give the Rhimodians tactical advantages when possible."
"So why do you show yourself now, as my mother?"Caoimhe said.
"Master System is here to negotiate the peace treaty and deliver a message to you both."
"So I don't understand.Is our mother alive?"Eleanor asked.
"Her consciousness is part of Master System.She has helped the Rhimodians learn to control and maintain their primitive sides without upsetting their protocols."
"So she's like a mother to all the Rhimodians?"Bianca asked.
"She has cared for and nurtured them, yes.Especially the younger cyborgs, who are adapting to their primitive urges.She has also brought a great deal of understanding to the Rhimodians about humanoids, especially the Terran Empire."
"And why didn't she reach out before?"Caoimhe asked.
"Out of concern for your safety.The likely response you would endure if you started receiving messages from your dead mother would be dire.She did not want you to experience suffering due to her."
"We suffered a great deal without her," Caoimhe said, her voice cracking.
Master System nodded."You have been watched from the stars by your mother, in the form she is in now.She is very proud of the women you both have become.She is honored that you both are here, on Sol, to finish what she started.But she wants you to be very careful.Your father is not to be trifled with.He tried to kill you before, but the Rhimodians saved you.Trust them now to save the Terran Empire."
Caoimhe nodded, a tear slipping over her cheek.
"Caoimhe," Master System said."Stop trying to be perfect.You are perfect, just as you are.And you will lead the Terran Empire into greatness, as long as you trust yourself.You promised you would bring peace.And here you are, doing it."
The words hit her hard.Especially the last part--it was one of the last things her mother said directly to her on the day she died.
A hand touched her back.It was Bahran.
