Erisian arrival

Posted on Wed Oct 19th, 2022 @ 7:09am by Lieutenant Clara Lawson & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]
Edited on on Fri Oct 28th, 2022 @ 9:33am

Mission: Tales from the other side of the Mirror
Location: Erisia, Imperial Palace
3934 words - 7.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Clara brought the shuttle out of warp just outside the planetary fleets perimeter. She sent her identification code and waited for a reply.

Micheal, dressed in his new uniform and rank, sat in the co-pilot's seat, looking out the viewport at the various ships and orbital installations that they passed as they slowly approached the planet. "How many worlds do their Royal Majesties currently control?"

"About twenty at current. This system and another 5 systems towards the core." Clara said as she watched the scopes.

Landing approval came through and she brought the shuttle into its course to land on the planet. "Royal landing pad." She mused. "The Emperor must be home."

Micheal tore his eyes from the powerful starships that they passed, and instead looked upon the world that would become his new home. "Gotta say, even with the recycling programs and weather control nets, Erisia sure looks prettier than Terra." He smiled softly as he watched the planet started to loom larger as they got closer.

"It is. And while its culture is still somewhat stuck in what we would call the medieval period, their tech is amazing."

He nodded his head as he replied. "If those ships and installations are any indication, it's only a matter of time until the Terran Empire is overthrown permanently."

She glanced at him. "Most Terrans would be pissed at that thought." She commented as she brought them in low over the capital city towards the palace.

Micheal shrugged. "As I am no longer Terran, I couldn't give two shits what they think. This will be my home now. As soon as possible, I will request to be given full citizenship."

Clara nodded "They allow it. The Empress is all for it as she knows what the Empire is like back home." Clara brought the shuttle down onto the required pad. There was a lone figure standing there waiting.

Micheal recognized the man instantly. "Well, getting a top brass welcome," he grinned slightly as he saw the Emperor himself standing at the edge of the landing pad.

Clara rolled her eyes. "He slipped his detail most likely." She began the shut down sequence. "Get your things, I need to get my stuff and we can go."

Chuckling, Micheal stood. "Yeah, I'd like to see him try that once I'm in charge." He moved after to collect his meager possessions, then waited by the hatch for Clara.

Clara arrived, her uniform perfectly fitting "Okay here we go." She opened the hatch. And headed down the ramp. She stopped at the base of the ramp and saluted. "Eidosar!" She stated.

Mattias stood there for a moment, silent, as he watched both individuals walk out of the shuttle. Stepping closer, he returned Clara's salute. "How shitty of a bar did you find him?"

Her lips quirked. "Do you remember when we were hunting down Prince Kyians abductors and we ended up in the slums on Rigel? As bad as that."

The Emperor chuckled at that image. He then nodded to his trusted agent and then looked over at his old friend. "Micheal "Mad Dog" Robertson. I told you to get out of the Fleet before they chewed you up and spit you out."

Micheal stepped closer and saluted in the same manner as Clara. "Your Majesty. Thank you for bringing me home."

Clara looked past Mattias as there was the sound of running feet. "You ditched your escort again Your Excellency, Her excellency has sent the back up unit." Clara sighed.

Before the running troops arrived, Micheal looked at the Emperor and asked, "When did my job start, Your Excellency?"

Mattias looked over at Micheal, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "As soon as you got on that shuttle, Tazys."

Micheal grinned an evil grin. He then moved to place himself between His Excellency and the approaching guards. Taking in a deep breath, he bellowed over the sounds all around them. "AS YOU WERE!!!"

The guards skidded to a halt quickly, their training thing over when they heard a powerful voice of authority. The fact that the voice came from a large, rough looking individual with both a laser red eye and the rank of Tazys affixed to his Imperial Guard uniform made each one of them realize just how much trouble they were in.

Clara hid a grin behind a coughing fit and had to turn away. Oh she was glad she was in intelligence and not the guards.

Micheal stalked closer to the group. He knew each of their faces from the files Clara had supplied. He already knew which ones were expendable and which ones to keep.

"You don't know who I am!" He said as he moved between them, staring each one in the eye. "But I know who each and every one of you worthless pieces of shit are! I know who you're fucking! For some of you, I know what you're fucking! I know who your family is, who your high school health teacher was, shit...I even know the name of the nanny some of you got to first base with while you were still in fucking diapers!"

He continued to prowl around the scared guards. "What I don't know, is how the fuck you allowed your charge, the one man EVERYONE recognizes on this world...slip past you and out onto a landing pad, un-fucking-protected!"

He suddenly spun towards the guard he was closest too and grabbed his throat with his artificial left hand. After squeezing, he lifted the man off of his feet easily. "And one more thing," he said in a dangerous growl. He closed his left hand, crushing the throat of the man he was holding aloft, killing him instantly. He then dropped the corpse unceremoniously onto the deck as he spoke in a quieter tone, now that he had everyones attention.

"I also know who among you is a traitor." He moved back to the Emperor's side and addressed his men again. "Escort His Excellency back to the Castle, before I turn you over to he Empress for punishment."

Clara watched with a smile as the guards formed up around the Emperor and she gave him a smirk. "Well you will leave with your guards Excellency." she said and scooped up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "With your permission Excellency? I will report back to Intelligence."

Mattias had watched the whole affair with interest. Whe Micheal killed the man so publicly, he knew that he had made the right choice. Looking over at his Intelligence Chief, he sighed. "I suppose I have no choice," he replied with a sigh. Then, seeing how Micheal and Clara looked at each other, he nodded. "You may go, provided that you make time to have in-person...Intelligence meetings...with the Chief of my protective detail." He smirked slightly as he spoke. He could tell the pair had become close during their trip back home.

She raised an eyebrow. "I never shrik in my duties Excellency, as you well know." then she smirked at him. "Enjoy getting in trouble, Excellency." And so saying she walked off.

Mattias and Micheal both watched her leave, though Micheal's eye was more locked on her pert ass, while the Emperor was simply watching her as a friend and Commander.

Finally, The Emperor turned to address his old friend. "We will talk more later. For now, come, The Empress is looking forward to meeting you." He then turned and started back towards the massive Imperial Palace, his protection detail, led by their new Commander, kept pace with his Excellency, with Micheal on Mattias's left and one step back. The other guards would be circling the Emperor, his place was right by His side.

A few moments later, after leaving the rest of the detail to take up positions along the outer wall of the throne room, The Emperor and Micheal strode purposefully towards the raised dias, where Empress Penelope was currently sitting in her throne, speaking to one of her aides. "My Queen!" Mattias said aloud happily. "I hear you were looking for me?" He assended the dias and leaned in to kiss his wife.

"You ditched your security detail again." She returned his kiss. "If i did it, you would be so upset." She reminded him.

He gave her a sheepish grin. "Well, that's because you are the Flower of the Erisian Empire, my love. Me? I'm just the dirt." He smiled brightly at her. "Besides, who would dare try to have me, knowing they'd have your full wrath against them?" He winked playfully at her.

She narrowed her gaze at him. "I should have your bodyguard doubled." She said still irate. "You are not dirt to me."

Mattias gave Penelope that roguish grin of his that was meant just for her. "Forgive me, my Queen?"

"We shall see." She replied. "Who is the new person?"

Smiling broadly, Mattias leaned in and kissed his wife's right cheek. He then stood up and looked over at Micheal, waving him closer. "My Queen, allow me to introduce you to my oldest friend from Terra and new Captain of the Imperial Close Order Protection Guards, Tazys Micheal "Mad Dog" Robertson."

Micheal climbed the dias, stopping at the second to last step, where he dropped to his right knee and bowed his head respectfully. "Your Grace, I am honored to be in you presence."

"Rise Tazys." Penelope stated. "My husband speaks highly of your skills. I have high expectations for you."

Rising back to his feet, Micheal dipped his head as he replied. "I am honored by the praise, Your Grace. I will give my life, if need be, to keep the Royal Family safe."

Mattias nodded then responded. "We know you will, Tazys." He then looked over to Penelope. "Dearest, I'm going to take Micheal up to my study, to speak in private. When you are done here, would you please join us, and bring our special package with you? I wish to stress to Micheal just how much we will be depending on him."

"Of Course" Penelope replied arily. "Just a few more people to put in their place." she waved her hand towards the doors. "Won't be long."

Mattias leaned in again and gently kissed Penelope, then gave her a quick wink, before turning and started towards the rear door, which led to the section of the castle that contained the Royal apartments. As he moved, he signaled for Micheal to follow him.

Micheal did as bade, quickly falling into step with his Emperor.

Thirty minutes later, both men were sitting in one if the Royal studies, reminiscing about old times.

An hour or so later there was a rap on the door and a page entered. "Her Excellency is on her way, Sir" He said to the Emperor.

"Thank you, William." Mattias nodded to the young man, then stood and moved to the nearest replicator. He ordered a cup of Pene's favorite tea as he spoke aloud to Micheal. "As you know, Mike, your job will not only consist of keeping myself and the Empress safe, but Pene's brother and sister too. However, there is one individual, for now at least, who must be protected at all costs, even more than myself and the Empress." At that moment, the door was opened by a servant and in strode the Empress herself, carrying a small bundle in her arms. "Ah!" Mattias said with a huge grin on his face. "Perfect timing, my love!"

"Of course, I always have perfect timing" She replied as she shifted the infant in her arms. "Tazys" she said to Micheal. "This is our daughter, Princess Niamh."

As soon as the Empress entered, Micheal had quickly risen to his feet and bowed respectfully to her. Then, when she presented their young daughter to him, he stepped forward and inhaled sharply when he saw her innocent sleeping face.

Seeing the reaction of the Emperor and Empress, Micheal bowed his head. "I beg your pardons, Excellencies. Your daughter, the Princess is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. She reminds me of my..." he breath caught in hus chest. "My two babies...before..." tears started to course down his cheeks. He quickly got himself under control and looked back up, wiping his face dry as best as he could. "I beg you your forgiveness again, Majesties. You don't want to hear about my past."

Pene smiled warmly. "We know about it Tazys, it is quite alright. We fully understand,"

Micheal was surprised by this fact. "You..you do?" He shook his head and quietly chastised himself. "Of course they do, idiot! Get it together!" He took a deep, cleansing breaths as he straightened up fully. "Thank you, Ma'am. It means more than you know to hear you say that. Rest assured, I will gladly give my life and the lives of my team, if it meant all of you were kept safe from any harm."

Pene nodded. "Have you shown him to his quarters yet Mattias?" she asked looking at her husband.

The Emperor shook his head. "No, not yet, beloved. We have been talking about the ridiculousness of the Terran military and why we are both better off to be free of it forever." He moved over to gently take hold of their sleeping angel, as he said quietly, why don't you give him a quick tour while I return our precious back to her bedchambers? I've missed her while I was away." He leaned in and kissed Penelope tenderly on her lips, not caring that they weren't alone.

"hmmph" Penelope said as she smiled "I know when i am usurped" she teased and handed their daughter over to him. "Come along Tazys, unlike my husband, I do not avoid my bodyguards."

Micheal smiled slightly, watching the two of them. It warmed his heart to see his old friend completely happy in his life. He then nodded and fell into step with the Empress, "Yes, Ma'am."

Pene led him out of the room and down the halls. "There are barracks of course, on the lower levels and to the east, that is where your men are stationed but Mattias and I thought, quarters in this wing of the castle is better suited for you as well as the leaders of all other divisions. " She led him into the south wing. "Several floors are put aside for the military here." she advised.

"That's very kind of you both, Ma'am." He replied respectfully. "For my part, I will ensure that neither of you ever regret that choice. And, once I have met my troops and saw what they can and can't do, I will implement my plans to keep you and your family safe. If we do our jobs correctly, you shouldn't see us that much."

Pene nodded "You have offices on the second floor, quarters on the first and training rooms on the third. You will find offices for Intelligence and Procurement also on the second floor as well as the military Medical bays and the like." Pene smiled. "My husband is overseeing the revamp of the Academy so currently all those involved are housed here as well."

Micheal nodded as he listened. When the Empress had mentioned the Intelligence Department, a small grin crossed his face as he thought of Clara. He responded. "If I may be so bold, Ma'am, I am very happy that you and His Excellency were finally able to get together and start your family. I know he had loved you since the first day the two of you met."

"Thank you. I was the same way. Life has a way of making things work." She replied. She led him up a flight of stairs to a long hall way. "First floor, Officers quarters. Yours is three doors down to the right. Overlooks the back gardens." she headed down the hall.

Micheal's eyes, real and artificial, had been scanning every step of their journey. He had already identified several possible threats to the Royal Family. "Ma'am, if I may ask...I was told that Erisian technology was advanced enough to square away my left arm and eye, either upgrading the implants or possibly replacing with real organics. Is this true?" It wasn't that he doubted Clara, he just needed to hear it for himself.

Penelope nodded. "Yes it is true. Is that something you wish to explore?"

He was silent for a bit, then replied. "As much as I would love to be completely organic again, I feel that it would be a better weapon in my quiver, to still seem....different that the rest. My eye has some rudimentary scanning features, which allow me to see things others can't. And my arm, well it has already been used to publicly execute a spy in your midst. Perhaps, for both, replace them with top-of-the-line cybernetics? If it would please your Excellencies, of course." He bowed respectfully as he finished speaking.

"I am sure that can be arranged. Just speak with the head doctor and tell them it came from either his Excellency or myself." Penelope replied.

Micheal bowed again. "Thank you, Ma'am. I will never give either of you cause to doubt me in any way."

"I believe you." She replied. She paused at his door. "Your quarters Tazys."

As she showed him his new home, Micheal took it all in with quiet astonishment. "This is more space than I've ever had to myself, Your Majesty. Thank you again for your thoughtful generosity."

She waved the thanks away "It is nothing. All rooms for our senior officers planetside are the same unless they have purchased their own homes"

"Well, to be fair, Ma'am. For the foreseeable future, at least, I'll stay nearby, possibly until my team is fully up to task in my opinion. And even then, I don't know if I could walk away. I'm sure His Excellency told you that about me, Ma'am."

"He did." Penelope smiled. "We appreciate the diligence Tazys, I will leave you to get settled in. I have a meeting with the high priest."

Micheal stepped aside and bowed again. "Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you again, for both giving me this opportunity and welcoming me into your home."

The Empress smiled and headed back down the hall, bodyguards falling into step.

From inside his room a voice said "Well I thought you would keep her talking for hours." Clara was standing by the balcony doors.

Smiling happily, Micheal turned to the source of the voice he was starting to enjoy hearing. "Well, one does want to be polite to the provider of a new home and job."

"She has to go talk with the high priest. Show him they are true to the faith. Throw him off guard so I can kill him." Clara stretched her arms above her head. "I wish they would give the order already."

Watching Clara stretch her lithe frame caused a stirring in Micheal. Moving closer, he asked, "And just how would you kill him?" He stepped up to her, putting a hand on the balcony railing on either side of her.

"For this man? I am going to slit his throat, and maybe I will gut him first. He is evil"

Arching his right eyebrow, Micheal asked, "If he is so evil, why don't the Emperor and Empress just execute him?"

"The High Priest has political Power, and must be handled... discreetly."

Micheal nodded in understanding. "I imagine their Excellencies already have a more agreeable Priest in mind to replace him?"

"I believe so." Clara said. "They had to wait to be able to do it of course. Their hands must be seen to be clean." she looked up at him. "And what do you think of you new role?"

He grinned slightly and tilted his head a bit left and right before replying. "It will certainly have its challenges, however, I am confident that I can keep them safe." He took a breath and added, "And going back to our discussion regarding my arm and eye. I think I'm just going to have them replaced with brand new tech. My eye can scan things normal eyes can't see, and you have to admit, the demonstration back at the landing pad would not have been possible with an organic arm." He smirked slightly as he recalled the look of terror on the man's face right before his throat was crushed.

"Hmm a valid point" Clara said. She smiled. "So you are going to bring more terror to them?"

He gave her a dangerous look as he growled slightly. "I will bring terror to any that attempt to harm those under my protection. His right eye moved down her body, then back up. "And I do mean anybody under my protection."

"Hmm then you are really the best man for the job" Clara smiled.

Micheal gave Clara a hungry smile. "Oh, yeah." He then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. "Now, why don't you show me how the showers here work?"

"Oh yes I can help with that" Clara smiled.

A while later, they were laying together in his large bed, the silk sheets covering their nude bodies. Micheal let out a satisfied sigh. "If I haven't already said it, I am glad that you're in my life now."

"You are welcome" She smiled. "My rooms are just a few doors away, in case you want to visit sometime." she said impishly.

"Oh, I most definitely will be visiting them." He reached over to the end table and picked up the glass of water they were sharing. He offered it to Clara first.

She took a sip and smiled. "I should get going, I need to find out if I can kill that priest. And if I do not catch the Empress before she retires for the night, it may be too late."

"Very well," he said after taking a sip of the cool water. "I shall release you from my clutches for now. But be warned," he took hold of her hair and pulled her head back so he could look into her eyes. "If you become harmed in any way, I will be extremely upset."

"Aww how sweet" she teased. "And there is a reason I am the chief of Erisian Intelligence. I am more than a pretty face." she kissed him lightly. "Once he is dead, I will need to.. celebrate." She reminded him and slipped from his grasp.

After returning her kiss, Micheal watched Clara climb out of his bed. A wicked grin filled his face as he watched her. "You're right, my love. You've got a great ass as well." He chuckled softly, before continuing to speak. "As for celebrations, I am just the man for the job."

"hmm hope so" She gathered her clothes and began to dress. "Have a good rest of the day Micheal. I will catch up soon" she finished dressing and with a smile, left by the balcony.

Micheal watched Clara leave, then got up and showered again. Afterwards, he moved about his new home, seeing exactly everything that his new post and status garnered him. Afterwards, he sat down at his desk and started going over the various files that he had been given. Being in charge of the safety of an entire family of Royals was certainly going to be a full-time job.

Especially when one of them was Mattias Richardson.

~OFF~