Sinners of Tyre: Act 1 Chapter 6

Walls and columns of alabaster and marble stood in the bright sunlight, reflecting each ray of sun with their polished surfaces. The Imperial Palace stood upon a plateau, on an island in the middle of the lake, connected to each garden via a bridge. Eight paths led to eight entrances, representing how the seat of power - the heart of the Imperium, forms a deep bond with each of the eight clans. The palace was a circular complex of structures, on the outside a ring of eight entryways accompanied by sixty four marble columns holding up the pediment that crowned it. Further in, was the Grand Forum, where diplomats, ambassadors and other courtiers would await the audience with the Empress herself. It was an inner circle of gardens and fountains, normally bustling with various individuals from every corner of the galaxy, now deserted due to civil strife with the Tekh’Let. Sch’Lvya followed the Empress closely, seemingly intimidated by the grandeur of the Palace. The two ascended up the steps to one of the entrances. Just like every other entrance, it was crowned by a terracotta pediment held up by eight marble columns, with the coats of arms of the respective clan. Red banners and flags shown that this entryway represented the warlike and disciplined House of Val, clan from which the greatest military leaders of the Imperium hailed. Sch’Lvya climbed the steps and passed between the columns, entering the Val Gatehouse. Interior was decorated with sculptures and wall carvings by grandest of Bas’Ilean artists, immortalizing greatest military victories, from both ancient history and modern times. One could spend weeks on experiencing each nook and cranny of this sacred place - Sch’Lvya thought, however, one of the sculptures caught her attention, the most recent one. She stopped in her track, looking up to the enormous carving presenting the Miracle of S’Sol. A breath shivered out of her chest, leaving her speechless as she laid her scaly hand on the wall. She sighed, closing her eyes and taking a moment to pay respects to her brothers and sisters in arms, as well as other species that gave their lives in the battle.

- I’m sorry. – Sch’Lvya bowed her head and whispered in respect. – May Serpent guide you.

- Sacrifice of the S’Sol Heroes will never be forgotten. – Empress stood beside her and bowed her head. – Yours won’t be either.

- The difference is, I’m still alive, and they aren’t. – She sighed and looked down.

- You’ve proven yourself capable on saving others, and putting your crewmen over your own well-being. – Empress looked down to her. – Imperium needs people like you, and that's why you're here.

- Even though I’m a low-born? House of Val gave you a lot of famed warriors, your highness.

- They aren't the only ones capable of heroism, my dear. - Bas’Ilissa shook her head gently. - Having a commoner be my champion will be popular among the public, and I always believed that actions speak louder than words, or birth certificate in this case, even if my councillors disagree.

Sch’Lvya bowed in respect, smiling and signalling readiness to proceed deeper into the Palace. Forum welcomed them with sweet scent of flowers and small insects lively buzzing around. Fountains fed small canals which flown along the whole Forum ring. This area had no roof, and was illuminated by the sun outside, it was a place of calmness and peace. Forum encompassed the central building, a temple where Bas’Ilissa had her throne room, in which she held her court and audiences.

- Are you ready to meet my council, Sch’Lvya? – Empress asked.

- Of course, your highness. – She said quite unsure, her hood completely deflated.

- No need to worry, my child. – Bas’Ilissa gave her a reassuring smile. – They are just a bunch of old, grumpy troublemakers.

Hearing that helped only partially, after all, she only had the backing of one of the nine most important people in the Imperium. Granted, the wardship of the Empress herself was the thing that kept her mind cool.

Audience room in the center of the Palace was cool, with wind flowing freely around the relatively empty hall. In the middle, upon a set of steps stood the great throne from which the Empress ruled. This seat wasn’t just a regular chair, it connected wirelessly to the Bas’Ilissa’s brain, as her body was almost entirely synthetic, augmented by the most advanced implants available in the galaxy. The only thing stopping the Empress from assuming a form of an immortal calculus matryoshka brain, was her will to stay connected to the people she rules over. It didn’t stop her from becoming the nigh perfectly cybernetic Celestial Bas’Ilean, however.

Empress sat down on her throne and closed her eyes. Suddenly, the room flared up in tyrian purple lights, as she connected with the systems using the implants in her brain.

- I call forth the Council of Eight, may the court session begin. – She spoke, her robotic voice echoing in the hall.

Almost instantly her call has been answered. Eight corners of the room lit up in various colours, as holograms of the eight elder councilors appeared. Each of the aristocratic clan heads stood in a perfect circle around the empress’ throne, as there isn’t a single one more influential than the other. The red hologram appeared first. Clad in highly ornamental armour and a long cape, was the mother of modern Bas’Ilean Fleet, Val’Keeryi - the strategic brain behind the Imperial war machine. Next to her, stood the golden hologram of Sev’Eeya, clothed in a traditional dress and as old as she is financially cunning, her clan was the commercial backbone of the Imperium. Further along the circle, the architect and artist, head of the culturally oriented clan, Fyr’Nezza, clad in violet and sporting a highly innovative outfit. The Jade light shined from the hologram of Ruq’Sel, the gray eminence of the Imperial Court, the head of a clan filled with renowned diplomats, clad in a traditional toga. Next hologram was the blue form of an energetic, and in compare to other councilors - relatively young Teq’Nyq, wearing a lab coat almost as if he was pulled from another experiment he was performing. He and his clan were dutifully leading the Imperial Scientific Collegium, responsible for scientific progress of the Imperium. The dark hologram represented Taar’Maq, the entrepreneur extraordinare, the biggest industrial magnate whose investments power the economy, the clan he leads are the main supplier of Nitride fuel. Clad in white, oldest of the councilors, Yv’Layt, the head priest of Serpentarium Maximum, the chief archivist, almost completely turned into a machine and only member of the council Sch’Lvya met personally. Last but not least, Qol’Yma, the youngest of the council, clad in amber, taking over her clan after her elders passed during the tragic campaign of the Hegemony in the sector her family reigns over. She’s an experienced historian and archaeologist turned into a stateswoman.

- Welcome, my councilors. – Said the Empress once every hologram appeared. – I’m glad everyone of you could make it, especially in these dire times.

- It’s our duty, your highness. – Val’Keeryi bowed.

- I called you forth to present my new champion. – She gestured towards Sch’Lvya, who felt completely overwhelmed by the grandeur of those around her.

- My, my. – Sev’Eeya fixed her sight on the young she-serpent. – Sch’Lvya of Bas’Aqash.

- Yes, Councillor. – She bowed deeply, in respect to superiors around. – I wouldn’t expect your excellence to know of me.

- I got a good memory to those indebted to me. – She crossed her arms. – I haven’t heard any news, nor recieved tithes from Bas’Aqash in months, so I’m hoping for some insight about this situation.

- This is not the time, Sev’Eeya. – Yv’Layt took her attention. – The young one is on a mission from the Serpent herself.

- Yes, ma’am, not a good moment for that at all! – Teq’Nyq barged in. – I personally oversaw the rebuilding of her body, she wasn’t conscious for months!

- Hmph, you may be right. – Golden hologram spoke unamused. – Don’t think I’ll let it slide, Sch’Lvya.

- I’m not going to take threats to my new champion lightly. – Bas’Ilissa brought council to order by rattling her long tail. – As of today, Sch’Lvya of Bas’Aqash shall join the ranks of VIPER Agents. She will have diplomatic immunity inside Imperial borders, I hope I made myself clear.

A brief silence filled the hall, with some of the councillors showing signs of disgruntledness. Becoming a VIPER Agent, standing for Vanguard of Imperial Protection, Execution and Reconnaissance was a big deal, especially for someone of low birth. However, it was ultimately up to the Empress herself to name her champions and Sch’Lvya was far from the first commoner to recieve the prestigious title of a VIPER.

- Effective today, you shall be reinstated to active service and promoted to the rank Quaestor. Serve me well. – Empress gestured towards Sch’Lvya.

- Of course your majesty. – She bowed deeply. – Your will shall be done.

- With this, I conclude this court. – Bas’Ilissa exclaimed.

With a brief bow, each of the councillors went offline, leaving the room in the dark. Sch’Lvya seemingly deflated, sighing deeply and almost loosing her footing. The monarch stood up from her throne, with the room lighting up again. She slowly approached the newly promoted VIPER.

- It wasn’t so bad, was it? – She softly chuckled, setting her hand on Sch’Lvya’s head.

- I... I’m not sure, your highness. – She looked down and crossed her arms. – It’s an enormous honour and I shall serve you in any way I can...

- But...? – Feeling the grain of doubt in her voice, Empress lowered her head to Sch’Lvya's eye level, looking at her reassuringly.

- I’m worried about Sev’Eeya, and what she wants to do with my family. – She looked back into the deep eyes of the serpent matriarch, being deeply entangled in her sight. - It was elders of my clan that took up a Colonisation Contract from Sev clan.

- I wouldn’t worry about old Sev’Eeya, she won’t touch you as long as you’re under my protection. – Bas’Ilissa started to walk out of the hall. – She’s all bark, no bite, after all it's all about money for her.

- As you say, your highness. – She nodded affirmatively and followed the monarch outside.

- Having that taken care of. – Empress stood in the sun, by one of the forum fountains. – I’d like to give you your first assignment.

- Of course. As you wish your majesty. – Sch’Lvya stood by the same fountain. – You seemed quite worried when you mentioned it the first time.

- That is indeed true. – She crossed her arms and looked at her reflection in the water. – I still can’t believe my own blood would betray me.

- What do you mean by that, your highness? – Sch’Lvya tried to inquire with a soft tone.

- The Crown Prince, my eldest son... – She clenched her fists. – Is conspiring against me.

- Are you certain of that, your highness? – Gray scaled serpent tilted her head in surprise.

- I don’t appreciate doubt from my champion. – She looked down to Sch’Lvya, unamused. – Still, I’d like you to investigate his operations in the S’Sol system.

- Of course your highness. – She bowed down. – Do we have any leads I could start at?

- There is one. – Bas’Ilissa tapped her metallic claws against the marble fountain. – My son is known to do business with the Vulpesian military-industrial complex, and one of the most prominent entrepreneurs will be attending his banquet on Lu’Na. You’ll assume identity of Val’Mira, one of Legate Val’Qar issue, and you’ll infiltrate the party to find out what my son is scheeming about with that Vulpesian „fat cat”.

- I can do it, your highness. – She bowed deeply. – However, will the Legate be okay with me impersonating one of his issue?

- I’m sure he won’t mind. – A deep male voice hissed across the forum, accompanied by clanking of body armour.

- Perfect timing, Legate. – Bas'Ilissa put her hands together.

- Your highness. – He bowed deeply to the Empress, then looked down to Sch’Lvya. – It’s a pleasure to meet the hero of Qar’Ma.

- Legate! – Sch’Lvya bowed deeply. – Pleasure is all mine, sir.

- As we discussed, it was actually Legate's idea, for a VIPER agent to assume an identity of one of his issue. It should make the infiltration easier.

- We just needed a trusted agent for this extraordinary assignment. – Val’Qar crossed arms over his highly decorated chest with various medals.

- And that’s where you come in, Sch’Lvya. – Empress looked down to her, with a soft smile. – A trusted and capable agent.

- O-of course! - Sch’Lvya gulped, anxiously flickering her tounge. – I won’t fail you.

- Perfect. – Legate rubbed his chin. – Your ship will be ready to depart tomorrow.

- My... what? - Sch'Lvya's eyes opened widely in surprise.