The Ashes of Worlds - Kevin J. Anderson [246]
As the ship flew onward, Cesca gave him a kiss. “You’re right. I don’t ever get tired of feeling human contact . . . close human contact. Especially contact with you.”
He glanced at the autopilot and the chronometer. “We do have several hours before we get to our destination. How do you propose we occupy our time?”
“For that, Jess Tamblyn, I suggest you follow your Guiding Star.”
* * *
173
King Peter
The great gathering of civilizations occurred on Theroc.
Condorflies buzzed overhead, as if trying to compete with the numerous Roamer ships that landed in a constant stream in the worldforest clearings. Celli and Solimar acted as the official green priests, and through them the messages and news spread everywhere throughout the telink network.
The representatives of Confederation colonies had used their own green priests to call for ships, so they could attend the convocation. Rlinda Kett, Branson Roberts, and Nikko Chan Tylar delivered as many visitors as their ships could carry. Those ambassadors who could not appear in person sent messages through telink, which were delivered and read aloud so that every attendee could hear the widespread and unwavering support across the Spiral Arm.
Sarein, dressed in the same ambassador’s robe that ancient Otema had worn years ago, acted as a liaison with the former Hansa bureaucracy. Deputy Cain was also there, along with Fleet Admiral Willis, General Conrad Brindle, his wife, Natalie, Robb, and Tasia, all in seats of prominence.
Patrick and Zhett scolded Del Kellum, who continued to scribble messages, passing them to green priests for transmission as he waited through tedious delays before the final ceremony. Now that his skymining business and the gigantic shipyards were operating without hindrance, Kellum couldn’t tear himself away from his administrative duties, but his daughter and her husband made him sit up and pay attention.
Overhead, forty-nine Ildiran streamers raced back and forth, creating sonic booms and leaving a crosshatched pattern of exhaust trails. Though reluctant to leave Ildira again himself — considering what had happened on his last innocent mission to Theroc — the Mage-Imperator nonetheless sent Nira, Osira’h, and Prime Designate Daro’h; through the thism he would know what he needed to know.
Next to King Peter, Estarra held baby Reynald in her arms. She didn’t care that this was a formal government ceremony: She intended for their baby to witness the birth of a truly unified Confederation. Proud grandparents Mother Alexa and Father Idriss wanted to watch the child, but the Queen’s word was final.
OX never allowed himself to be more than a few steps away from the King and Queen. His synthetic skin was polished and all his systems up-graded — especially his memory capacity, to accommodate the data that Deputy Cain had saved in the archives, as well as the new experiences he had accumulated since escaping from Earth with Peter and Estarra.
“Now I can store several more lifetimes’ worth of memories,” the Teacher compy had said when the restoration upload was complete. His optical sensors gleamed gold with excitement.
“You have a lot more work ahead of you, OX,” Peter had said. “You taught me so many valuable things that I was hoping you’d teach our son, too.”
“Will you be Reynald’s Teacher compy?” Estarra asked.
OX did not hesitate. “I would be honored.”
After the Ildiran skyparade wrapped up overhead, the streamers raced back to their warliner in orbit, and King Peter called for attention. “People of Earth and Theroc, people of the human race — whether former Hansa colonists or Roamers — and representatives of the Ildiran Empire.” He looked around to see rapt attention on the faces of the large crowd that sat shaded under the green canopy of leaves. “Endings are often sad, beginnings usually joyous. Today we have both. After listening to an overwhelming majority of representatives, I exercise the authority vested in me as the leader of the Confederation to formally dissolve the Terran Hanseatic League.”
King Peter listened