Heartache comes with idealism. In an imperfect existence, happiness emerges from mature acceptance.

- Writings of the Sol Empress, Words of Faith

[Moon]

Moon shook his head in disbelief as he watched the negotiations from the sidelines. Is that really my little girl?

Pleasant memories of his young daughter flooded Moon's mind: lips sputtering baby food not to her taste; playing pretend-Empress with her sister before an audience of stuffed animals; squabbling with her brother; disassembling devices to see how they worked and then not knowing how to reassemble them. Now Hope arbitrated the future of an entire planet.

A shadow crossed his heart. If only Celeste was here to see this.

A roughened table at one side of the food hall hosted the negotiations. Eshe stood behind Hope with arms crossed and her usual stoic expression. Now freed from captivity and wearing the traditional white gown of a Sol Priestess, Sanva sat beside Hope. Never one for dressing up, even as a little girl, Hope wore a comfortable blue t-shirt top and black leggings, which she rolled up above her prosthetic leg. Beside the Priestess sat a gray-haired man that served as the city magistrate and Confederate Chancellor Janya Patel with her hands folded in her lap. To Hope's other side and leaning in on the table, was Angelique in her role of Assistant to the Priestess and Director of the New Hope Shelter.

Moon marveled at Angelique. How far had she gone since trying to hustle me on the Oracle Station so many years ago? It is like the Writings says, compassion comes around. But now her son had caught my daughter's eye.

Three members of the Khan family, not so happy about ceding power, and two local police officials sat across the table. Moon grinned at their predicament. Since the appearance of the Sol Empress, public sentiment had turned against them. Two Commonwealth military officers in crisp blue uniforms with frowned faces witnessed the proceedings, their starship now in the hands of the Confederacy.

Moon had no illusions that the transition of power would be smooth. While the public was generally supportive, many powerful people had a vested interest in the old system. Hope had taken a wise early step by first securing support from the local police leadership.

For security, a squad of Confederate soldiers in gray uniforms surrounded the table at a distance and the battle-bot stood outside on perpetual guard duty, all under Eshe's control. A fleet of Confederate warships circled Ephenia like a shield. It took no coaxing by Moon for them to come to the Empress' aid.

The clamor of young voices interrupted the proceedings as a group of children charged into the food hall at the apparent embarrassment of the adult caregivers who tried to herd them. Amil ran towards Hope, bypassing the soldiers who now knew to let the boy through. Sura, Amil's newly reunited mother, followed the children in, holding on to Gabriel's arm.

Moon grinned to himself. It seems my son has also found an amorous interest.

Hope hugged the grinning Amil and ruffled his hair. "Let's take a break for lunch," she announced. Over the last few days, Hope made a point to have lunch with Amil and the children.

*****

Early the next morning on the bridge of the Firebird Rise, Moon prepared for departure. Gabriel was already on board, but he had not seen his daughter. He called out, "Sai, can you locate Hope?"

"Yes, sir," the AI replied. "Hope is in the aft-starboard cargo hold with Dr. Stephen Boone. By their close proximity, I believe they are--"

Moon raised his hands. "I don't need to know the details, Sai."

Moon had mixed feelings about Stephen. True, he saved Hope's life, and he was, by all appearances, a good man. But this was his daughter! Hope had tried to sneak off alone with Stephen during the first evening, but Eshe put a stop to that right away. Moon imagined it was awkward for them to be always accompanied by a security team, or have guards posted outside of Stephen's apartment whenever they wished to have some alone time.

Gabriel would not have to suffer the same separation yet, since Sura and Amil would accompany them to a Confederate hospital ship. There, Amil would be given the best treatments for his bone disease, fulfilling a promise Hope made. Also, Hope would receive a new advanced prosthetic leg and Gabriel would get further treatment for his injured shoulder.

As Moon made his way toward the cargo hold, a shudder overtook him. Already had I lost one child, and so nearly had I lost two more. And Celeste... Have I lost her again?

His eyes connected with Eshe in the hallway. With concern painting a solemn expression, she tilted her head toward the doorway to the hold. Inside, he found Hope standing alone in dim light, facing away with arms crossed about her chest. She spoke in a hushed tone. "Am I doing the right thing, Dad?"

"What do you mean?"

"Leaving now. Will this world fall back into the hands of warlords?"

The powers that be, especially the Khan, were not happy to relinquish power, and the negotiations were often contentious. Hope had left Sanva and Angelique in charge of creating a new government. Moon replied, "It is not for the Empress to rule a world, only to point the way. You gave them that chance." He paused, listening to slow heavy breaths on the verge of sobbing. "But that is not what bears on you now, is it?"

She took a deep breath before replying. "I had to send Stephen away. His life is here, and mine is... I don't know where my life will be, or even if it will be. I... I couldn't do that to him."

The anguish behind her words tore at his heart. As Empress, she might never have a true life-partner. "I know that was hard, but for now, I think it was the right thing to do. I love you daughter and am proud of the woman you have become."

Hope turned and rushed into her father's supportive arms, burrowing her head into his chest. "Sometimes I want to run away and just be an ordinary girl from Delphi."

"I understand." He teasingly ruffled her hair. "Come to the bridge and let's get underway. Or do I have Sai download a psychotherapy routine for you?"

Hope giggled and wiped the moisture from her eyes. "Please, no! Anything but that."

*****

A well-armed Confederate starship, the Covenant, escorted the Firebird Rise. It was of similar design and just as swift, but smaller.

Also, the number of souls aboard the Firebird Rise had grown. Besides Sura and Amil, who were hitching a ride to the hospital ship, Eshe had recruited two young men from the Confederate ranks for additional security detail. Their formal deference to the Empress unsettled Hope, who was not used to such devotion.

Moon sighed. This is only the first of many adjustments.

A delicious aroma of fresh bread and spice wafted from the galley, filling the whole ship, this the work of another new soul — the cook. Saffron was a pepper-haired short woman that looked like someone's favorite aunt, and with the demeanor to match. Her friendly wit quickly won everyone over.

Saffron took out a pan from the oven, the source of the pleasant aroma, placing it on the table. Hope, seated at the table and licking her lips, reached out. But Saffron shook a bent finger. "Not yet, Empress. Let them cool a smidge. And I have not yet put on the frosting."

Sura strolled into the galley, holding Amil's hand. She sniffed. "What is that wonderful smell?"

"Cinnamon rolls, my dear," Saffron replied with a proud smile.

Amil wrinkled his nose. "What's a cimm-er-non roll?" he said, mispronouncing the word.

Hope replied with glee, "Only the best food in the entire universe! Let's share one."

Moon joined the others at the table. He pulled off a piece of a roll with his fingers and popped it into his mouth, savoring the warm sweet softness.

Interrupting the collective culinary pleasure, Sai spoke from above. "Sir, I am detecting a quantum field anomaly astern, following at high relative velocity."

Jerking his head up, Moon said, "Show me. Tactical!"

A holographic display appeared above the table. The display showed the Firebird Rise and its escort as green triangles. The unknown object, depicted with a red triangle, was closing fast. A text box beside it displayed its relative velocity, apparent mass, and range.

"Damn!" Moon pounded on the table. "Sai, push the quantum drive to maximum. Sound emergency alarms and inform the Covenant."

Hope's eyes flew full open. "What is it?"

"We picked up a quantum torpedo."

Moon sprinted to the bridge, Hope following. Gabriel, already there, relinquished the captain's chair to his father. Moon called out as he sat down, "Sai, status!"

The AI replied in an even tone, "Quantum torpedo indication confirmed, targeting the Firebird Rise. Ship relative velocity is seventy-six C, with quantum drive operating within normal limits. Fusion reactors output one-hundred-and-four percent. Time to impact is approximately five minutes."

"Ignore drive operating limits. Get us going faster."

A deep bass hum rose from the depths of the ship until Moon sensed the vibration in his bones.

Sai said, "Relative velocity is eighty-seven-point-nine C. Quantum drive temperatures have exceeded safe operating limits. Estimated time to impact is now approximately six minutes."

Moon's heart pounded as he gazed at the tactical display, showing the torpedo closing in on the Firebird Rise. We won't be able to outrun it, and there is no place to hide.

Hope placed a hand on her father's shoulder. "Dad?" Fright painted her paled face. Sura drew her son in close with one hand and grasped Gabriel's hand with the other with the same fear in her expression.

Covering Hope's hand with his, Moon said in as calm a voice as he could. "Sai, sound the collision warning. Everyone, get buckled in and brace for impact."

Eshe came up beside Moon, her dark lips tightened into a frown. "Sai, open com to the Covenant." A visual image appeared on the forward display panel. The man in a gray Confederate uniform had the same stern expression as Eshe. She said, "Lieutenant, you know what order I must give you?"

"I do, Commander." The man put a fist across his heart and dipped his head. "It is our honor to serve the Empress." The display went blank.

Standing resolute, Eshe's unyielding eyes bore through Moon as he turned to her. He knew she just gave one of the most difficult orders a military officer could ever give.

"What did you order? What are they going to do?" Hope said to Eshe in an exasperated voice.

Moon answered for Eshe. "Sacrifice."

The Covenant moved behind the Firebird Rise into the torpedo's path. When the torpedo neared, the Covenant vented a fusion reactor, producing a glowing cloud behind it. On the rear visual display, a blinding explosion of blue-white lit up the abyss. As quickly as it erupted, the flash dissipated. And the Covenant was gone.

"No! No!" Hope backed up with both hands lifted. "Why?" A tear traced its way to a trembling jaw.

Standing up, Moon opened his arms for her. "Hope, I'm sorry, but these things--"

Hope pushed her father away and limped off the bridge. The clacks of each step of her prosthetic leg faded into the distance.