“Oh yes! He can be bullheaded, stubborn, and generally hard to manage.” Lisa with a wicked smile and glint in her eyes responded, “But ya know what would I do without him.”
“I know,” Mylea said, she had seen the bond between her two friends, she didn’t quite understand how it could be so strong without the Aqaut that made her people telepathic and empathic with their lifemate; but it worked for them. In some respects she sometimes thought their bond was stronger than she had with Garth, Lamile’s father.
The Queen saw the by play between her seniors and didn’t quite understand it. If she had been held captive for nearly three weeks; she wouldn’t be bouncing back as fast as Lisa appeared to be. She would want some very quiet time, and some close friends around to help her cool out. Though as she thought about it; there was tension between the Wilsons. Mostly from Lord Wilson, as he wondered what was going to happen next? Lisa for all her brave front was not wholly immune from had happened to her. She was just going to deal with it. Which the Queen thought, as they walked to the flight deck, was the best way to handle it, just get on with it. Don’t dwell on it, don’t wallow in it but acknowledge it and go on.
Lisa had noticed the Queen’s steady survey of her and Mike before they had trooped to the landing craft. She knew what was going on in the young woman’s mind. Lisa made a note herself that she would invite the Queen to lunch in the next day or so, so they could talk.
The landing craft landed at the palace, and there was Jill in one of the electric carts that they used on the palace grounds in place of bigger cars.
“Mom!” She said getting out of the cart running to her step mother, “are you okay!”
“Yes,” Lisa said returning the girls embrace. “Lamile, Crandall and all of them did their job.”
“I am so glad you’re back,” Jill hugged her step mother again. She hadn’t realized until her step mother’s abduction how much she needed her step mother.
“I am glad to be back,” Lisa said. She got into the cart sitting next to Mike, “Get us home Jill.”
“Yes ma’am,” Jill said getting back into the electric cart and taking the three of them to Residence.
“How’s Abby,” Lisa asked.
“She’s okay,” Michael said, “We haven’t told her what’s going on. We thought it best not to until we knew for sure.”
Lisa was quiet for a while then said, “Sally most likely had some strong opinions about that.”
“Yes,” Michael said, “but she understood.” “Where have I been for a month?” Lisa asked.
“You were working with a client,” Michael said.
“I see,” Lisa commented. “You know there is no way we can prevent her from learning about this.”
“I suspect she knows,” Jill replied, “I saw her seeing a part of a news holo of your abduction.”
“How did she react,” Lisa asked.
“She asked if that was you they were talking about,” Jill answered, “I told her I didn’t know.”
Lisa was deep in thought as they approached the residence. Lisa saw Abby sitting on the steps of the residence with her mother in law. Lisa got out and saw how Abby’s face lit up as the little girl ran to her mother. “You’re safe!” “Yes I am safe,” Lisa said.
“I was so worried,” the little girl said, “Daddy and Jill wouldn’t say anything; but I
knew you were in danger.”
“How did you know that?” Lisa sat down on the steps with her daughter.
“That woman on the holo said that you were kid…napped,” the girl said hesitantly. The child had been in the study trying to find her holo of Star Pony when she saw Hozenbur’s. She had kept the secret to herself.
“Oh,” she turned to her family, “I’ll be in a while.”
“Will you be okay,” Joyce asked her daughter in law as she sat down next to her.
“In time,” Lisa answered as the girl climbed up on her lap. “In time. Let me be with
Abby for a while. I’ll be in, in a while.”
“Okay,” Michael bent down and kissed his wife on her head and then took Jill and his mother inside.
“Abby,” Lisa said trying to get her head around what she had to tell her daughter. “Yes I was in terrible danger. But that woman will never hurt any of us again. She was a terribly bad woman who hurt a great many people.” “Did Daddy rescue you?” the child asked.
“Daddy helped,” Lisa replied, “he, Aunt Mylea, Lamile, and Jill all worked to make sure that I came back to you.”
The girl was quiet and Lisa wasn’t certain what to say next. They sat on the front porch until the sun set, Abby falling asleep in her mother’s lap. Concerned, Michael came out and saw both of them asleep on the porch. He tried to gently take his sleeping daughter from his wife, trying not to wake her. Of course that didn’t work, she woke up. Michael reached down for his wife with his free hand helped her to her feet. The three of them walked into the house together.
###
“I couldn’t believe how good Mom looks,” Jill had written in her diary, “I can tell though that she isn’t as cool and collected as she is letting us believe.
“Lamile called me after Mom was on her way to the hospital. Lamile had given me a heads up that Mom was safe and the rest of the kids were also. She told me how she had helped. At first I was shocked that Mr. Kellogg and Aunt Mylea had let her do that, especially after dad’s edict. But they had and from what Lamile had said everyone had performed outstandingly.
“Mitch called after she got back to the academy,” Jill continued, “She told me what Lamile hadn’t. That Lamile was scared that they had put Mom in danger when Mom had talked to Lamile over her ear bug. I need to do something special for both my friends. I will need to talk with Lady Hawthorne and Sergeant Green to see what I can do.” The Princess closed the book as she finished reading aloud.
“It wasn’t Queen Jill who let it be known how much she appreciate what her friends did,” The General commented, “Queen Agatha, Chief Atomi, Princess Carroll, Lady Hawthorne, and Lady Wilson held a very private dinner for the cadets who were instrumental in Lady Wilson’s rescue, as well as the police officers and others who helped rescue her. The biopeople were given an award of valor for their rescue as well as Mitch and Lamile for their courage. The award, The Queen’s Citation for Bravery is issued only to cadets who put their lives in danger while rescuing others, was given out for the first time. It wouldn’t be the last time that Mitch would be cited for gallantry and bravery in the service to the Queen and people of Home.”
The medal, only awarded to Cadets of the Queens’ Own Corps of Cadets, materialized in the class room. It was a simple design, with the corps coat of arms, a Shield shaped device with two scarlet red crowns opposite each other on a field of space black with tiny jewels simulating the star system of Trena. In addition the shield showed a figure carrying another in a fireman’s carry with a bomb burst behind them. Around the shield were the words “Queens’ Own Royal Corps of Cadets”. The medal hung from a navy blue ribbon.
“The Medal of Bravery has been award only 12 times since Queen Agatha first awarded it.” The general continued, “About half posthumously.” The end of class bell rang.
“Next week we’ll discuss the founding of our kingdom’s monarchy.” General Jones reminded the class before saying, “Class dismissed!”
Chapter 33: Equals
“It has always amazed me,” the Princess said at breakfast before class the next week, “that through a series of circumstances that I could be just another girl attending this academy.”
“It does seem ironic,” Peter McAlister commented, “That had Great Grandmother’s charter been different I would be the Prince. But in some regards I’d glad to be another cadet here without all of the pressure that you have.”
“Sometimes it can be a little much,” Princess Lisa admitted. As the heir to the throne took her tray the window for reprocessing, sh
e thought about how the expectations of her could be overwhelming.
“Can you imagine how over whelming it was to the Queen though,” Princess Lisa asked as they went to Langtree Hall for the beginning of their morning classes. She lapsed in silence as two upper classmen came nearer. Underclassmen were not to be talking on the walkways between classes. They entered the hall and climbed up to the classroom.
“I guess it could be,” Queen Agatha’s great grandson commented as they took their seats.
“She went from being a marine brat to that of the ruler of a world in less than a year.” The princess remarked, “That is one hell of a change.”
“But it doesn’t say much how it affected her,” T’harla commented.
“No it doesn’t.” Princess Lisa said softly.
###
It was late afternoon, and Jill was working quietly in the commander’s office at the academy. She was looking over the Mast report for the Saturday morning Commander’s Mast when she was interrupted by Princess Carroll, and her grandmother and a short chubby brunette she didn’t know.
“Jill, this is Suzy Gabriel,” her grandmother spoke up, “She is the Speaker of the
Council that you authorized a few weeks ago to form a government on Home.”
“Oh!” Jill gave her full attention to the three women before her. “I see. Speaker
Gabriel, are you here to brief me on the government you folks designed?” “Yes Majesty,” Suzy Gabriel replied.
“Grand mom,” she turned to her grandmother ignoring the woman calling her, majesty, “Carroll have you reviewed Speaker Gabriel’s document?”
“We all have,” Queen Agatha and Larry Mercer walked into the office.
Suzy handed the document to Jill who read it in silence. She nodded at it in a couple of places. Then looked at the Queen asked, “What do you think?”
“It’s really good,” Lord Mercer spoke instead. “It is something that is elegant and simple yet not so. The big thing Miss Wilson is that they have formally accepted you as the Queen of Home.”
“I see the proclamation.” Jill commented, “I see something in here about a regent?”
“Yes Majesty,” Suzy answered, “Several of us felt that since you were so young and new to this planetary ruler business; it would be better for us and for you to have regents or proxies running the planet for a while.”
“I see,” Jill remarked. At nearly eighteen years old she thought she was old enough to manage her own affairs. She was a little insulted that strangers felt that she wasn’t old enough to run her own affairs.
“But only until you are twenty five standard years old,” Suzy answered, “Did you read who we wanted to be your Regents?”
“No,” she hadn’t read the full document.
“We are recommending that Queen Agatha and Marshal Wilson be your regents,” The brunet replied, “It wouldn’t be that different from the setup that you have with your grandmother, and the Princess. Instead of handling your financial resources they would both advise you and handle some of the day to day running of the departments under your supervision.”
Jill opened the document and read the passage then asked, “So Carroll and my grandmother will handle my finances until I am twenty five and Dad and Aggie will advise me and help me manage Home’s Crown Offices until I turn twenty five?” “That is correct.” Suzy replied.
“Speaker Gabriel,” Jill asked, “let me have some time and I will have a response for you shortly. I would like to talk to my father about this.”
“Your majesty,” Suzy spoke, “take as much time as you want.”
“Thank you!” Jill said then called, “School Mistress, would you and Lady Hawthorne see that Speaker Gabriel is given quarters. Also I would like Sergeant Mitchum to be her aid while she is on planet.”
“I will make it happen, Colonel Wilson,” School Mistress answered.
“Thank you,” Jill replied, “Oh and you can post the Mast Report.”
“Will do,” School Mistress replied while alerting Lady Hawthorne and Sergeant Mitchum they were wanted in the cadet commander’s office.
“Have you spoken with Dad about any of this?” Jill asked.
“No,” the Queen answered, “we should have but he was having lunch with Lisa when Mrs. Gabriel showed up at the palace. This is the first time they have had any Mike and Lisa time this week so I didn’t want to disturb them.”
Jill nodded, trying to find a way to get everyone out of her office except Aggie. She was about to say something when Mitch showed up.
“Sergeant Mitchum,” Jill spoke up, “Would you escort Speaker Gabriel to the VOQ and look after her please?”
“Aye,” Mitch said turning to the only person she didn’t know in her friend’s office, “Speaker Gabriel I am Sergeant Mitchum, the Cadet Sergeant Major. If you are ready I will escort you to the visiting officers’ quarters.”
Suzy nodded and said, “By your leave Majesties.”
Aggie and Jill both nodded. The woman left and Jill turned to the others. “Could you give me Aggie a few minutes?”
The two nodded and began to leave. Princess Carroll waited for a second before following the admiral and noble woman from the office. When they were alone Jill motioned for the Queen to shut the door. “School Mistress I want you make sure me and the Queen are not disturbed. I also want you to turn your sensor off in this room for fifteen minutes.”
“Will do Colonel,” School Mistress faded out giving them some privacy.
When they were alone Jill turned to the Queen, “Aggie if you don’t want to be my regent then we’ll find a way to get you out of it. I think it is a good idea.”
“Thank you for that,” the Queen said though she didn’t really know how she felt about being Jill’s regent.
“Though before your make you decision Aggie you might want to consider it.” Jill commented. “There is a certain sense to it Aggie. You, a young monarch who came to the throne after the death of your parents know what I will be going through. You can show me the ropes so to speak. Also you, Dad, and Mom have a close bond; the three of you
won’t allow harm to come to me. You will also help me to rule.”
The Queen was silent as she digested what Jill was saying.
“Aggie I turn 18 in a couple of weeks.” Jill spoke into the silence. “That means you only have to put up with me for seven years. More importantly I would be greatly honored if you would be my regent and one of my principle advisors.”
Jill lapsed into silence to await her friend’s response. Aggie’s mind was reeling over the prospect. The evacuation was taking great emotional toll on her. She was sometimes right on the edge of a complete breakdown. It was the combination of the great disaster befalling her home world and the worry of was she doing the right thing for her subjects. She had made up her mind that once Trena was gone she would not be queen. She was coming to grips with that, and was looking forward to being just Agatha McAllister, private citizen. Yet she also wanted to continue to helping her people as best she could.
Finally she took both of Jill’s hands looking her in Jill’s deep dark blue eyes and spoke,
“Jill I swear fealty to you. I will serve you to the best of my ability.”
“I will serve our people to the best of my ability Agatha,” Jill returned.
“How do we tell your family?” Aggie said brushing a tear off her face.
“Very carefully,” the teenager replied, “Dad may have a heart attack over this!”
“I am more worried about Lady Wilson,” Aggie returned, “I was getting the feeling she wanted to go back to being a simple house wife and healer. Not the step mother of a queen!”
“Flip a coin to see who tells who,” Jill suggested with a smile.
“Tales you tell your dad and mom,” the Queen answered, “Heads you tell your mom and dad!”
“Such bravery!” Jill giggled. “But it’s the same thing I woul
d have suggested.”
“I am brave; not stupid,” Aggie said, “the only good part of this is that your family already knows you will be the planetary ruler of Home!” “Let’s get to Serenity,” Jill spoke.
###
They drove from the academy to the palace. Jill looking out the window couldn’t help but notice the sharp contrast between the first time she had rode to the palace with her father and now with Queen Agatha. It had been a couple of weeks after the announcement. Although traffic had been controlled as they went to the palace there had been a lot of it. She could remember police officers blocking cross traffic as they crossed intersections. Now with the population nearly evacuated, there was almost no need for the traffic control as they went to the palace. At the intersections their police escort stopped traffic at, there might be as few as five or six cars, where before the intersection had been loaded with cars and traffic snarled for miles. Now there was hardly any traffic on the roads.
“I almost hate to do this,” the Queen said.
“What? Driving through the city?” Jill asked.
”Yes,” the Queen replied, looking out the window and seeing her once vibrant capital city; was almost a ghost town now. “I mean no. I hate to disturb you parents! I think your mother’s abduction has made them closer.”
“It has your majesty,” Joyce Wilson who was riding with them commented. “Mike was protective of Lisa before the abduction; but now he is even more so.”
“I know,” the Queen said, “he is trying to carve out some time for her every day!”
“Oh shit,” Jill suddenly said realizing what today was, “It’s their anniversary! They were going to spend the entire day together! That was I why still at school. We were to have dinner later tonight to celebrate.”
“Can we wait ‘till morning to tell them?” Princess Carroll asked.
“No,” The Queen answered, “We have to tell Mike tonight. He has to know from us and not some news leak or in a report from the command.”
“She’s right,” Lord Mercer agreed. “They need to know from us.”
Jill nodded wishing that this announcement could wait until the morning. She resented that she was going to intrude on her parents’ quiet time. She had been amazed at how close her father and step mother were, more so after the abduction. Where before, her father would try to find some what he called Mike and Lisa time, now he was making and keeping dates with her step mother. It wasn’t anything special. Often just a quiet dinner with none of the family around, other times he would come home for lunch and they would take a walk. Without telling her parents, she had been staying at school more and more to let them have more privacy. She suspected that they knew what she was doing; but were not saying a word. In some respects, she and her parents had become closer in the last few weeks also.