The powerless have always been pawns in the hands of those who wield power. In war, they were the first to bleed. In peace, they were the first forgotten. And if history remembered them, they were only footnotes. And if history remembered them; they were only footnotes.
This very fact is an integral part of one of the galaxy's greatest symbols of peace and prosperity, woven into its very fabric. This very fact is an integral part of one of the galaxy's greatest symbols of peace and prosperity, woven into its very fabric.
House of Aegis.
Its campus conquered lush land, with buildings rising in clusters, dividing forests and rivers, creating borders where none had existed before. A city within a city and easily the most splendid place on earth.
Morning mist twisted between the trees, dampening the air in a cold fog. The scent of fresh earth rose into Giana's nose. Her red stilettos clicked against the checkered tiles as she hurried down the hallway. She paused, gaze fixated on the stained-glass window absentmindedly staring out at the courtyard. She took a deep breath then exhaled slowly.
She loved her job.
Truly.
But being summoned at 3 a.m.? The council had surely lost their minds.
She yawned into the back of her hand, her red lipstick slightly transferring onto it.
She continued down the hallway until she faced a door that towered above her. She waved her palm over the doorknob. It scanned her prints, and with a quiet hiss, the door clicked open.
"Thank you for joining us, Mrs. Allen," a commanding voice boomed from beyond the door.
Giana stepped inside, hands tucked close to her sides. Her eyes swept through the room just enough to register every face but without engaging in eye contact. She had made a habit of studying the room. That's how she survived all these years.
The thick atmosphere coiled with power so palpable that, had she not worn a mask forged from years of will; they might have torn her apart with its mere presence.
"Thank you, King Marzu," she said, bowing her head.
She stood straight, hands firm at her side. Her biggest headache since the start of her career.
The Intergalactic Council.
Sitting before her, the eight members stared. Their eyes searched for any crack in her demeanor. She forced a smile. The one she practiced. The one she got accustomed to.
This council presided over the House of Aegis. It was their right, as they were also the highest form of authority on their respective planets.
Seated two spots down from the head of the table was Premier Yauz of Mercury. A quiet man with a stillness that made people nervous. He remained in his shrunken form, customary for Mercury's people of his stature. His long white beard, which usually trailed behind him like a long bride's veil, neatly rolled in his lap as he perched in a tiny chair atop the table itself. He said nothing, simply nodded, eyes unreadable behind crystalline lenses.
Next to him, the ruler of Jupiter shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Ironically called Jyuth the Friendly Giant, Conqueror of Worlds, he muttered something about furniture designers being weight,weight,. The chair groaned under his weight, and his knees were nearly at his chest. He kept tugging at the seat, trying in vain to give himself room to breathe.
Adorned in a gown that shimmered under the faint lights, Queen Zola of Venus sat across from them. Her face covered, veiled, revealing only her silver, luminescent eyes. Impossibly beautiful. They met Giana's gaze and held it, pressing and sharp. Giana looked away. It wasn't her first time seeing the queen; after all, she herself was from Venus. But under these conditions, her stare felt more like a warning than a greeting.
Further down the table, Admiral Ryder of Earth reclined in his chair, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded in feigned boredom. His golden epaulets glittered on his shoulders, and the sharp line of his jaw could have cut steel. He wasn't much of a talker, but the occasional raise of his brow said more than words.
Beside him sat Lady Nivex, governing Saturn. As usual, heavily adorned with big gold rings around her neck, fingers, and arms. She focused her attention on a small, thin holographic projection that only she could see.She focused her attention on a small, thin holographic projection that only she could see. As vice president of the council, she was a well-known workaholic.
Dr. IIor of Neptune sat opposite her, sipping tea from a porcelain cup that seemed far too delicate for the room. His skin shimmered faintly, blue-toned and iridescent, like sunlight through water. He glanced up only once, his nose turned up.
Nestled between Dr. IIor and Lady Nivex sat the Empress of Uranus, Ky. She perched her slender legs on the table. She perched her slender legs on the table. Her body reclined as she cuddled a small pillow, with her face on it. A sleeping mask covered her eyes; earbuds rested in her ears. Her soft snores were background music to the tension in the room. She and Giana were about the same age. Empress Ky was the youngest leader in the room, having inherited the throne from her father, who had passed ten years ago.
And finally, at the head of the table, sat Mars' king, His Majesty Darnell Marzu. His presence dwarfed everyone else's. Not by size, but by gravity. The King's burnt-orange skin glowed in the morning light streaming through the tall windows. Green coils braided back, adorning thick gold beads. His broad shoulders looked even larger as he rested his elbows on the chairs' arms. He kept looking at her while speaking again, though everyone else focused on him.
"I understand we have much to discuss, Mrs. Allen."
Giana hurried closer to the foot of the table. The door sealed behind her with a final, echoing click.
"Let's get straight to it, shall we?" King Marzu said, clearing his throat.
"As we are all aware, the next school year begins in six months. The usual test is set for dissemination and everything is going as expected. However, Mrs. Allen sent an interesting proposal to my office."
Their eyes shot to her once again. She cleared her throat.
"Yes, Your Majesty." She took a deep breath. "I proposed that we open applications to everyone this year."
The room grew deadly silent.
"Mrs. Allen, you do know what you're asking, right?"
"I do."
"You want the galaxy's royalty and top nobles to compete with the common folk?" King Marzu's brows furrowed.
"Exactly. Many talented civilians could grow into strong leaders in politics, security, and education. They could serve the galaxy as well as, or better than, those born into status." She clasped her arms behind her body. She took a deep breath, reciting just as practiced.
"So you want them to compete with our children? You do know my daughter, along with Lady Nivex's son, starts school this year."
"I do, Your Majesty. And if they're as capable as you say, a few civilians in the running shouldn't threaten their chances… right?"
A sudden roll of chatter shattered the stillness.
Giana figured that she'd gone too far, but she couldn't back down now. She had climbed from nothing to become the principal of the most prestigious school in the galaxy. If she could do it, others could too. They just needed an opportunity.
King Marzu's chuckle rippled through the room, and it folded once more into its regal silence.
She took a moment to study him again. For a middle-aged man, he hadn't aged poorly. He still had the charisma of his youth. Back then, he had an entire fan club; Women across the galaxy dreamed of marrying him.
"You know what? I approve," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Anyone else?"
Nervous eyes bounced about in the room.
"King Marzu, with all due respect, this will reduce the chances for our noble and royal children. What if only commoners make it in? We need a structure to ensure our own are accepted," Dr. IIor argued.
"Well," King Marzu replied. "Then it would be my daughter… and a school full of commoners. If your children are weak, that's on you." A slight close-lipped smile grew on his face.
He stared at Dr. IIor, head cocked to the side, waiting for some kind of rebuttal. When none came, he shrugged. "Any more comments?"
Silence.
"Okay then. Motion approved. Starting now, the House of Aegis is open to all."
He leaned forward, resting his chin on his folded knuckles, his biceps bulging against the seams of his suit.
"This should be interesting."