Fiction:New Dawn/Royals Meet Once More

The USS Dallas, the personal ship of vice-admiral Ramcard of the. On board was a very special passenger who was able to evade Garlboz's gaze long enough to arrive in Andromeda. After clearence from ALcanti Space Traffic Control he accompanied the empress in a shuttle owned by House Ultanos that travelled ot a private hanger of the imperial palace. Ramashe stepped out to meet Uriel, ALensia and Dragon-captain Davius personally who were all under guard when he greeted her in the hanger.

Both Ramashe and Ramcard bowed slightly in respect to their hosts. Uriel them bowed in reciprocation

Uriel - ''Welcome to Alcanti Lady Ramashe. It has bee nsome time since we last spoke.'' Ramashe - ''I feel honoured to meet your family and to see you again, Uriel. Now that things have settled down in the Rambo protectorate, perhaps we could better-learn about each other.''

Uriel motioned for Ramashe to join them on a tour of the palace. As always the palace was a magnificent structure and a marvel of engineering. Ramashe looked about at the numerous paintings that adorned the walls as Uriel and Alensia guided her and Ramcard. As they headed past a conservatory Uriel turned to Ramashe.

Uriel - I am curious, what is it like living in the Nation as a protectorate of the empire?

Ramashe wa ssilent for a moment before she gave Uriel her answer.

Ramashe - ''At first it was difficult, as we feared we were going to be conquered and placed under full imperial authority. Although the people at first were afraid to lose their freedom - and we didn't always cooperate with the Empire - It seems things are settling down. We are allowed to keep our own customs, traditions and militairy forces. As such not really much changed, only that I hold some resentment for the emperor who holds his throne at Orbispira. But overall, we cannot complain. Though some Imperial officers think they can overrule us in certain things with their precious star destroyers.'' Uriel - ''I can see why you may be upset about this. It reminds me of aspects of Pax Draconica, we let our provinces keep their culture and customs, they contribute to the military. But giving military officers an authority over civillians with most internal matters? Hm, rather brutish of the government if you ask me. Within the imperium, it is a solid line: The admirals hold authority over military and security affairs and the politicians handle keeping society running smoothly.''

Ramashe smiled on Uriel's mentioning of the line. She continued looking about at the paintings as they entered the palace's lobby.

Ramashe - ''I agree, such matters are certainly not something I would agree with but I can do little these days; the nation's protectorate status is rather restricting. I admits though, I am glad that the Imperium is faring very well, with the Commonwealth and the launch of the New Dawn.'' Alensia - You heard about its launch all the way in the Quadrants? Ramashe - Well...Rambo intelligence provided me with the information of the New Dawn's launch before my arrival. Alensia - ''Well. It is my belief that soldiers should not be giving orders to politicians unless it involves fighting.'' Ramashe - ''Agreed. Only in war times can officers do such things. Among the Rambo the military's high ranking officers are only allowed to do this when the Empress, or Monarch for that matter, places the nation or a planet under martial law. If not, a Senator can still dissaprove with officers, even when faced under attack.''

They reavelled to numerous places decorated with rich reds and golds and layered in numerous expensive materials. Both Ramashe and Ramcard were very impressed, their mouths stretched with the feeling.

Ramashe - ''This is all very impressive Uriel. Can such things as this also be seen in museums within the Imperium?'' Uriel - ''There are several such places. The palace itself is closed to tourists but there are estates - both urban and rural - of varying designs across the Imperium. Although the amount of access given does vary from place-to-place.'' Ramashe - ''Splendid! Would it possible for tourists outside the Imeperium to see such places?'' Alensia - Such places already are open, regardless of nationality. Ramashe - Ah splendid!

The visitors were then taken to be shown the grounds surrounding the palace itself. aside from the stone and metal pathways the environment resembled a light and neatly ordered jungle. Ramashe looked around in wonder of the landscape. Curious noises and buzzings ringed through the undergrowth. The sounds of a trickling stream quietly filled their ears as they walked alongside. Looking at the water Ramcard spotted a smal lgroup of flying animals that drifted on the surface. Like many plants on Alcanti, a deep red was the characteristic colour of plants, not green.

Ramashe - In honesty, I do like to walk around wild environments like this to rela and forget the burdens of being a ruler for a while. Uriel - It is indeed a bery effective form of stress-relief and relaxation. At one time, the region this city was built on used to be like this everywhere. These days there are only a handful of spaces like it. THe explosion in populations spureed my people to build outwards, then upwards. Ramashe - I see... Are actions taken to preserve wildlife in wildenerss areas? Uriel - The palace grounds act as a pocket of nature and that generally Alcanti is kept rather pristine to preserve it's overall condition and maintain biodiversity. Ramashe - The general state of wildlife and flora is very important to the stability of a planet. As advanced as people like ours are, we are still tied to planetary biospheres if all life wishes to live comfortably.

Uriel and Alensia looked at each other and nodded in agreement.