[IC] Conqueror of Worlds: Can Love Transcend Across Time and Space?

[Angel Vicky]

Conqueror of Worlds: Can Love Transcend Across Time and Space?

Chapter One - Fates Intertwined

"Aeri! We're going to be late!" Her mother calls out for her daughter as she came running out of the palace gate and toward their mini shuttle, preparing for launch. The fair haired High Priestess of Altheria boarded the shuttle with her mother, the Queen. They were on their way to the neutral space station that bordered the new border of the expanding Astra Empire. All twenty world leaders would be there. Ten of them would be supporting Emperor Tiberius III and ten would support Queen Iridonia and the High Priestess of Altheria, deemed the most peaceful planet of all.

Aeria-Sarisa looks out of the window as the ascend into outer space that took them to their bigger transporter ship. It would take them a few hours to travel there and hopefully the meeting would not take more than a few days if an agreement could not be reached.

Ever since Aeria's father died from an accident, it had just been the two of them. Mother and daughter together forever. "You know Aeria...isn't it time you found someone to settle with?" Iridonia asked her as Aeria turned to look at her with bright blue eyes. The House Starlight was famous for their eyes.

"I'm not going to be around forever, darling. And I'd hate to think that you'll be all alone." The Queen worried. Who was as equally young looking and fair as her daughter.

"But I've got Snowflake." She insisted naively as she referred to her pet white tiger. Iri smiled sadly. "I know there is someone out there for you. You just have to find them."

Aeria sighs as she looked at the window. "There is no-one out there for me. Anyone I ever care for ends up dying. And after Father died...I just couldn't face losing anyone else."

Iridonia puts her hand on her daughter's. "It's not your fault they died. It would be better for you to be with one of your own people who will not outlive you." But they didn't treat her the way she longed for. They were all afraid to go near the High Priestess or either too confident and arrogant to think they deserved the Queen's daughter.

[Avanhelsing]

Some people would say that there was nothing better than standing in some field in the middle of nature. Other people thought that peace was sitting around their families. However, Emperor Jason Tiberius Augustus the Third thought that sitting on his throne in the command deck of his ship was the most peaceful place in the galaxy. Everyone moved like they were in a ballet moving exactly how they were supposed to. People were whispering orders to the different decks as the preparations for warp. Jason was wearing his imperial gear, which seemed to be a combination of military and royal. He looked like he could fight in the clothing and the long laser sword at his belt helped with that image.

Jason was in his own world until his servant and personal adviser, Lucius, came walking up. The being appeared to be human but was a Synth-human. The Empire had designed the Synths to be the perfect bureaucrat for their massive empire. They were incorruptible due to the fact they were both human and robot.

"Dominus." He said with a bow to Jason. "All decks are reporting ready for warp." Lucius said with a robotic accent that made him sound both real and not.

"It is beautiful. Isn't it Lucius?" Jason asked as he looked down on the world of his birth. " So many people living their lives in general peace and prosperity. To think that I am going to do something I despise for their sake." He added softly.

"It is needed, Dominus. The people need that peace and the Empire needs it. " Lucius said looking out the bay windows. "With this you will bring peace to a Galaxy in need of it." The Synth added softly.

Jason sighed as he turned to the helmsman."Helm. Bring us about. Bring us to full warp to the station." He said as he watched the warp bubble appear and the ship vanished into it. He needed to get to this meeting even if he did not want to.

[Angel Vicky]

The space station.


The Altherian shuttle arrived fifth out of the twenty nations attending the Peace Summit. Queen Iridonia and Princess Aeria-Sarisa stepped off the landing platform and onto the walkway. Both adorned in royal white robes. Her mother wore a golden lined dress and an extravagant headdress and veil to signify her higher royal status, whereas the Princess wore a silver lining dress and a simple silver band around her forehead. The mother only looked ten years older than her daughter. Aeria-Sarisa was in regal training in readiness to take the crown of her homeworld.

The two were greeted by robotic servants who then showed them the way to their quarters before the meeting in a few hours, they were just waiting on everyone else to arrive.

"Well if it isn't the Galactic Siren herself." Came a voice behind Aeri and she turned around to see Vik'run, the most warmongering person she knew and War Chief of Deimos. And how she despised him. He was unfortunately on her side in the Free World States. "I was only expecting your mother and Queen." They obviously had met before.

Aeria-Sarisa crosses her arms. "Vik'nul." She addressed him with somewhat disdain. "I see that you are well..." He was another man who regarded her as just someone to only look at and not listen to.

"As are you, Highness." He bowed sarcastically to her. "Are you going to be singing us pretty songs in these peace talks?" He snorts as Iridonia came upto him. "No, actually she is representing our world as the Head of the Free World States. Or had you forgotten she was chosen by the majority of the people?" Aeria-Sarisa was well known across the galaxy as a songstress of peace, many people admired her singing.

[Avanhelsing]

"Dominus. We are approaching the Station. How should we mobilize?" Lucius asked as the War-Child entered the neutral zone of the station.The ship had a full army and battle group should it be needed. Military custom decreed that he traveled with a full battle group.

Jason was wearing his uniform and a small laurel of gold. He hated wearing the crown but he needed to show power and control for this meeting. "Ready the Imperial Guard and a shuttle." He said before looking at the helmsman. "Keep the ship here and only move if I order it." He said as he walked out the door. He could hear the shouted affirmative as the door slid shut. Jason walked to shuttle as Lucius walked in behind him.

"We have reports that not all the leaders are here. Imperial High General Arrius has already arrived and is waiting for you, Dominus." Lucius reported as Jason nodded. Arrius was know as the Butcher of Pax 5 for his sack of the planet during the reign of Jason's father. Jason kept him around since he needed someone the people were scared of. As with the entire military, he was fiercely loyal to the emperor and was ready for war. As a close friend to his father, Arrius had been on the Regents Council when Jason was a child. He had been more of a father to the boy and raised him in the proper manner. Jason had a good relationship with all of the former regents.

Jason nodded and returned the crisp salute offered by the General and his staff. "Are you ready for this? If things turn sour, my men and I will give our lives so you escape, Emperor. " The general said as Jason looked out into the center area. "I will not allow that to come to past but thank you General." Jason said with a nod. "This meeting will either save or destroy the galaxy. " He mused as he waited for the meeting. He knew that his own delegation was broken down the middle on what to do. Half wanted full war and the other half wanted peace. Jason stood in the middle as he always did. "Your father would have been proud to see you here." Arrius said as more ships moved in. "Now I have to save the Empire by any means." Jason mused.

[Angel Vicky]

Vik'nul, Iridonia and Aeri turn around to watch the Astra Empire ships approach with a full battalion. Suddenly they felt very intimidated. Vik'nul leans into the Princess. "I hope your pretty words can stop that lot out there..." He scoffed and walked off. Aeria-Sarisa narrows her eyes as he walks away. "You have no idea what I'm capable of." If things really did turn sour, even though she had vowed to only use her powers for good, she would have to save the people on this station by ANY means necessary.

Little did they all know that lurking somewhere in the deepest, darkest corner of space was an ancient threat none of them could prepare for. Only a united Galaxy would prevail. And this was why she was born. There was a prophecy among her people that decreed the aerial spear would rise above all odds and unite the galaxy with the most feared Emperor.

But she disregarded it as fallacy. Although she was given that very same name by coincidence. She was glad to also see the arrival of her fellow allies from the farthest planets who had traveled in a small group from a rendezvous point. Vik'nul's planet was the closest to the Astra Empire's newly forged borderlines. He had no choice but to seek help from Altheria and its allies, no matter how much he despised peace talks. He wasn't about to let Emperor Jason Tiberius III take his planet.

Aeria-Sarisa greeted the other World Leaders with a graceful bow. "Songstress! How wonderful to see you again. I trust you are well?" The very tall snake-lizard type leader asked from the Planet Rekkatorria. The elderly lizard man took her soft dainty pale hands in his own scaly rough ones. She smiles up at him with a warmth that melted his soul. He was just as old as she, only his age showed. "All the better for seeing you, Prophet Lakka."

"Haha. I thought that was Vik'nul with you just now, he always rubs people up the wrong way. You'll have to watch him around the Emperor." He pats the elf's hands. "How I miss your songs of love and peace. It is surely needed in these times ahead. I'm so glad you are here speaking for us all." He croaked as he was a very ill man.

[Avanhelsing]

Jason stood by waiting as the other ships from around the empire moved on from the corners of the Empire. He knew that there were eight more of his delegates on the way. Unlike the Free Worlds, the Imperial Delegates were for the most part human or close to human. The Empire was the descendants of the original human colonists. There were a few exceptions. The largest were the Meni. There were about the size of a human child and seemed to be human. The only difference was that they had rodent like bodies. They were native to a desert world in the same system as New Earth, the capital of the Empire. The Meni were master builders and designed every one of the Empire's ships. They mostly stayed on their home world or their shipyards. However they had sent a delegate to the meeting since they were forced to.

Jason looked up as they all finally arrived. He nodded to them as they saluted. "We must be ready for anything. My spies say that Vik'nul is here and itching for battle. Be on your guard but do not attack unless I order it. "He said as they nodded.

He walked off as another of his mentors walked behind him. Senator Julius Marcus was the leader of the peace camp. "You must be strong but remember that peace is the goal, Jason. "The man said simply. "You must do what is best for your people." He added softly.

[Angel Vicky]

And as the last of the Free World State leaders rolled in to meet and greet Aeria-Sarisa and Iridonia in their wing of the space station. They all make their way to the central reservation where the Grand Boardroom was situated for the talks. One by one they emerged into view of the Empire's delegates. Each of them would walk in opposite to one another, each greeting the other with a polite bow, a pair at a time until finally the last four people remained.

Queen Iridonia and Imperial High General Arrius faced one another and the Queen bows respectfully to the Butcher of Pax 5, whom she knew of.

Aeria-Sarisa takes in a deep breath as she prepared to meet the tyrannical new Emperor of the Astra Empire. And she stepped out from the sidelines into his view and faced the Emperor Jason Tiberius Augustus the Third. Red coated uniform.

'Red uniform...' It was if she'd seen the image somewhere before. In a book or even a dream. An image of a red coated man opposite a woman in white. Her mystical powers were playing tricks maybe..?

He wasn't at all like she had imagined. She was expecting a hardened battle scarred man from the way people talked of his feats, much like Vik'nul. Instead she saw a noble man of honour. Before she realised she was starting to stare she slowly bowed to him in her white dress. Head down and arms drawn out to her sides and palms sweeping up in a swift graceful manner.

[Avanhelsing]

Jason was bored as he waited for the other side to finally show up. His side was all ready to go, but the other side did not seem to be ready yet. There was something to be said for the punctuality of the Empire. They really were much more efficient than their other people. Jason waited until there were only four of them left. He looked up and saw the princess of the Free Worlds. He had not expected her to look like that. He bowed to her as was polite. He seemed like a full military man through and through.

"Welcome, Princess." He said sounding as polite as possible. "I am glad that you have arrived safely." He added gently as he went to sit down.

((Sorry on my phone.))

[Angel Vicky]

Why do you feel like someone I need...

"As am I too glad to see that you have arrived safely, Emperor." Aeria-Sarisa responds kindly with a smile as she sits at the opposite side of the table, Jason and her being in the center opposite seats and the others spread out around them. All being seated and ready to begin the negotiations. It was custom for the defending nations to begin with their spokesperson. Which in this case was Aeria-Sarisa. You couldn't see her elven ears for her long hair cascaded in front of them.

She officially began the talks. "Welcome to all. This is a momentous occasion as this is the first Peace Talks in over Twenty years, which sadly broke down due to the death of the late Emperor of New Earth." For which she said with a sadness. "We lost a fine leader of the Galaxy. And I have no doubt that the Astra Empire has an equally fine leader in his son." Aeria had a way of complimenting people with a heartfelt sincerity that was neither lie or sarcasm in the way that she spoke.

"And as such, I don't believe the Emperor would want this war to continue. The Free World State declare they do not wish for war to become their planets either and we propose a truce and to negotiate a way of co-existing in harmony with one another's ideals and cultures to find a common ground we all agree on. Now this will take time and effort on all our parts. I want each and every person in this room to pledge their utmost to do their part. We want no raised voices, only justifiable reasoning and a calm demeanor shall suffice."

At that, most people in the room nod their head in agreement. She held the room's attention quite well for not yet a Queen. Something within her was regal to be able to command such attention without threat or intimidation. Perhaps she held their respect. But not all within the room trusted an Altherian. They were telepathic and it was common knowledge. She may have already had everyone under their control. But Altherians vows were serious when coming to use telepathy and only did so with their own kind and never used it against outsiders without any permission.

[Avanhelsing]

If it were up to him, Jason would have had these talks somewhere else or with a smaller group. His generals wanted war on certain of the free worlds. Deimos was high on that list for a few different reasons. He held his tongue as she spoke. He knew that her species had the power of telepathy and that could mean anything. He waited until she was done talking before he stood up to speak.

"Ave to you all." He said as his delegation returned the motion. "I understand where you are coming from Princess. I respect it even. I have spent the last 18 years getting ready for these talks. In the spirit of unity I will forget the grievances of my empire. I will forgive what the Warchief did my emissaries. "He said as his generals bristled at that. Politics were a tough job. Many of his men wanted to burn Deimos for it.

"However I do not hear a plan for unification. My people prefer actions over words, no matter how pretty they are. So tell me. What is your plan? I can see no way for our peoples to get along. Recents events has taught me that. "He said looking at the Princess. He did not want these talks to descend into madness. He needed a plan and fast. His people wanted blood and he had no idea how to move them from it.

[Angel Vicky]

Aeria-Sarisa looked at the Emperor. She then looks sadly across the table, she knew what she was about to do would change the course of this war and many would even hate her for it from the Free World State. However, she knew what was best for the Empire and for the Free World States.

"I, as the High Speaker of the Free World States, declare its full co-operation and surrender to the Astra Empire." The room erupts in madness. She holds out her hand to hush Vik'nul first as he was yelling the loudest. "I UNDERSTAND..." She shouts over them all and they quieten. "That there is bad blood between some of us here. But that stops. Now." She orders them firmly.

"The only way forward without further bloodshed is unity. And we surrender before all of us are wiped off the map. So either the Empire accepts us into its ranks and gains much needed resources and ally-ship. Or it looses more of its own precious people without gaining a single thing." Aeria was determined to make this work.

The Princess looked at the Emperor, deep into his eyes. "What say you?" The moment of truth had arrived in his decision. Was she right in hoping he was a man of honour? She staked everything now on this one hunch.

[Avanhelsing]

Jason prepped himself for her to say something about he would have to give land over to her empire. He expected that she would order him to give up rescources. The one thing he was not expecting, was that. She had offered her surrender. The noise from her side was matched by the roar of his people. He held up his hand to silence them from screaming or diving across the table.

He placed his head above his hands as she spoke. There was logic to her statements but he was more worried about how his own people would respond. They wanted war. War was profitable and Jason needed to stop that. He sighed and stood up to respond.

"I, Emperor Jason Tiberius of the House August, Third of my name, do accept your surrender and offer my promise that all grievances will be set aside to welcome the Free Worlds to our empire. "He said bowing his head to her. His generals were going to livid but the Senate would love him for it. He had ended the war with decent terms and a stop to the blood shed.

"Now what else do you wish for? I am willing to allow whatever you wish within reason." He said ignoring the glares he was getting from the Warhawks. He was the leader and the armies were loyal to him. Not the generals. "Ask and it shall be yours."

[Angel Vicky]

Aeria's heart was racing, she felt her body let go of all tension as soon as he accepted. No more bloodshed. She knew she had bet on the right man. She knew they would be more lenient toward them if they surrendered now - they could have more freedom than if they were conquered. They showed willing enough to be trusted to let the Empire lead them to a bright and prosperous future.

She bowed to Jason and with a smile. "We only wish for your aid in times of need. As we shall endeavor to provide you the same aid in your times of need." Altheria had no weapons, what would they do if they were invaded by intergalactic beings? They'd be helpless. And so they would rely on New Earth's military might.

--

They had been talking for what felt like hours. They seemed to be making some good progress on how to integrate each Free State World into the Astra Empire’s plans. This would avert the need for invasion and all leaders would work together on achieving Galactic-wide goals.

Aeria-Sarisa would consult with the Free World States and feed it back into the Emperor himself so that there would in fact be two supreme leaders of the galaxy. This meant the Princess would be working closely with the Emperor and fulfilling his wishes for the greater good. Some saw this integration as key, others however, like Vik’nul, saw it as them rolling over and letting the Emperor take whatever he wanted. Including resources and people.

“It may not be easy but change must happen for each of us if we are to evolve into a higher state of being.” The Queen of Altheria spoke gently to all in the room. “No matter how much we may disagree with them.” She turns to look at Vik’nul specifically. He had countered every argument thus far with extreme defence; he did not like any of the proposed ways of ruling his planet.

Vik’nul sneers at the Queen but throughout the meeting he had noticed how the Altherian Princess, the Galactic Siren, had a way with words and how she had commanded the respect of the room. She was a strong woman in deed. Perhaps he had got her wrong. A woman who fought with words rather than a blade. Even the most angry and dark of hearts could be swayed by her. He was beginning to see how special she was…

“This is all very well and good but….how do you know you haven’t had us under your influence from the very start?” One of the Astra Empire’s delegates stood up. “You Altherians are nothing but witches.” It was clear he was a racist toward Altherians.

“You will not address the Princess in that manner, Human!” Vik’nul yelled, suddenly jumping to her defence. Which was not like him at all. Perhaps he was warming to her.

Aeri sighs and stands up to match his authority, as in this room they were all equal. “No, no Vik’nul. It’s quite alright.” He urged him to back off. “Counsellor. If we had wanted to do that, this war would have been over a long time ago...” She reminded him she could have done so easily at any point. He conceded with that point and sat down. “Forgive my outburst…”

Aeria’s eyes twinkled softly as she smiled kindly. “It is forgotten.” Her mother, Queen Iri, became noticeably fatigued.

“Perhaps…we should retire for the eve and continue the finer details tomorrow?” The Rekkatorrian leader proposed.

[Avanhelsing]

Jason had no idea what he was going to do with all of this. He had to get the under control. He needed to get the message to the Empire or there would be huge issues. He had to get the message out and for some reason he lost control of the people. One of his delegates started to yell about how he thought that the Princess was a witch or some such nonsense.

Jason got to his feet and glared over at the man. The general shrunk down as if he had been shot. Jason was in no mood to deal with racism like this again. The man knew that he was in trouble for saying that. Jason looked up at the rest of the group and nodded. "I believe that it is the best for us to continue talking tomorrow. I will be in my room should anyone want to talk about anything.

He said as he turned on his heel and walked out the door. He could almost feel the anger radiating off of his generals as he walked from the room. he knew that they were furious with him since they wanted war more than anything else. Jason knew that he could not allow that to happen right now. He needed this peace or there would be even more chaos in his realm.

((Phone again...))

[Angel Vicky]

The meeting adjourns for the evening and the world leaders departed the board room and made their way to their personal quarters. Aeri escorts her mother carefully to their room, where she placed her on a chair. "Please Mother, go back to Altheria. Your life force will not sustain any further." A result of being off world too many times. "I can handle the rest of the meeting for Altherian affairs on your behalf." Iri nodded and a shuttle was prepped for her. She wouldn't last too much longer.

Aeria-Sarisa watches as her mother's shuttle departs the station, with worry in her eyes. She held herself sadly in her arms. It was then she stared at the Astra Empire's large fleet. The Emperor had not needed to bring them all. She felt the most difficult tasks were still ahead, getting his generals into line and accepting the Free Worlds. Could they really eradicate their racism and hatred?

She began to shiver as she stood there in her open shouldered white dress. Space was very cold. She was used to a hot planet back home.

[Avanhelsing]

Jason walked towards his meeting room while the generals gave chase. Judging by how they were whispering they were in a foul mood. They were most likely about to start yelling. Jason held up his hand to quiet them down. "I said the right thing and you all know it. My father would done the same thing." He said as he motioned for them to stay quiet. "Most of you will return home with the news of what happened. If any of you attempt to stop it, I will have you arrest for high treason. Also the Rubicon Protocol is in effect." He said referencing the law that forbade the generals to move their armies unless he ordered it.

Jason watched as his shuttles left. Only Julius remained since he needed Arrius to uphold his will. Jason turned to walk away from his room as the Imperial Guard followed after him. He wanted to walk around. He was wearing clothing that made him look lower than he did. He preferred wearing good clothes like this. He still seemed noble as he walked. As he went by he noticed Aeria standing on her balcony. He waited until she could see him and waved her over. He figured that they should talk for real.

[Angel Vicky]

Aeria spotted something in the corner of her eye. It was the Emperor. She turns to see him, dressed down in more comfortable attire. She thought he must be quite down to earth. That was a good sign in a leader. She was relieved her faith in others was rewarded.

She made her way down from her balcony to greet him. Still in her formal gown, she had not time to change. Her long hair swayed behind her as she seemed to glide with grace toward him. Her eyes seemed more gentle now than before and they captured the reflected light well from the nearby uninhabited planet in window view.

"Your Highness." She bowed. And upon rising she smiled up at him.

[Avanhelsing]

Jason waited for her to calm down. He could almost hear the Imperial Guard start to worry. He looked over at them as if to calm them down. He did not need his guard to get worried about him. He had enough issues as it was. He did not need them to be freaking out about him. He waited until she was down before he gave her his best smile.

"Please. Just Jason." He said as he returned the bow. He motioned for his guard to stay back in case something were to happen. "I figured we should talk since we will be seeing a lot of each other. I imagine your people are just as angry as mine?" He asked already knowing that the answer was yes. He was trying to figure out what was going on.

[Angel Vicky]

Aeria just averts Jason's gaze when he said he imagined her people were just as angry. She said nothing but she had a slight red mark on her right cheek.

"Just the one..." She thought back to the Free World State meeting before the peace talks.

----

Outside the conference room.

Vik'nul approached the Princess and slaps her across the right cheek. "Surrender to the Empire?! ARE YOU MAD! You would let them have whatever they want?!"

Aeri held her face, it didn't much hurt her as she had higher endurance as an elf. "You were outvoted 9 to 1. And so, you will do what is agreed."

----

Shrugging the painful flashback off, she looked up at Jason with a sad smile. "I'm sure they'll come around eventually." She was trying to force her smile. All she felt was worry for her mother, for Vik'nul's attitude and the future of the Empire with the Free Worlds within it.

[Avanhelsing]

Jason could tell when someone was hurt. He had no idea who had hit her but he knew that some one had. For some reason that really angered him. He kept that to himself since it was not his place to move in. However he liked to think that he liked justice. He could guess who had done it. He did not like having to herd his people all over.

"If they do not come around peacefully we will have to turn to war." He said sounding almost sad about that. "So what do you want to know about me? I admit that I know next to nothing about you except what my advisers tell me." He asked as one of his ships jumped away from the station.