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Empress Claudia's Theory Part I (A short Side Trip into the History of the Dark Universe)
It was before first sunrise and Claudia walked the length of the room that was comprised of the transparent field over-looking the capitol city. All was quiet. There were no warning sirens, no sounds of far off artillery in the countryside or missles in the skies overhead. It had been nearly a year since Cassad land and airspace had been made safe and free of threats. She looked back over her shoulder at Khalil as he slept. His broad shoulders and back were uncovered as he lay draped over the bed, his warm brown skin in contrast to the white of the sheets. Khalil was the second of her two consorts, but the only one that she had chosen herself and the only one from whom she had conceived any heirs of her body.
Their children, Minerva and Alexander presenting a united front at the ages of four, and a five and a half respectively, announced that they were too old to sleep in a room attached to that of their parents and pleaded for their own separate bedrooms. Though it grieved her to see the children growing up and desiring their space away from them Claudia shook off her protective nature and helped the children design their new private chambers down the hall.
Khalil however exhibited no grief whatsoever when he was able to finally reclaim his study which for five years had been converted to a nursery. Claudia herself had to admit that their departure allowed she and Khalil the freedom to reacquaint themselves with the wilder aspects of their physical relationship. It was certainly no surprise to anyone that Khadija was conceived not long after. Claudia crossed the room and pushed back the privacy curtain to marvel at the most recent product of their union. Khadija lay sleeping in her crib intermittently sucking with that quick instinctive motion that reminds a newborn of the necessity of feeding, then fell back into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Claudia resisted the urge to head down the hall to look at the older children. Everything was perfect but she couldn’t shake her anxiety. Their hard-fought for and hard-won peace was wonderful but how long would it last?
“Khalil! Kaye, wake up!” Claudia whispered urgently shaking him as she bounced on the bed next to him.
“Whaaaaat?!” Khalil moaned, “What now, Claudia?”
“Come, Kaye. Wake up!” she said as she jumped onto his back shaking his shoulders.
“All right! All right!” Khalil groaned turning and dumping her off his back and onto the bed beside him, “What is it Claudia?”
“Who do you love most in all the galaxy, in all the universe?” She asked.
“You’re kidding me, right?” Khalil asked, “You did not wake me before the first sunrise to ask me this.”
“Well who is it?” She needled.
“Tell me what you want me to say,” he sighed, “Am I supposed to say I love you more than the air I breathe, that you are my stars, my whole universe?”
“I’m serious!” Claudia said, her face becoming stern.
“What’s this all about Claudia?” Khalil asked with knitted brow.
“Who do you love, most?”
Khalil sat up in the bed and regarded Claudia with a questioning expression, “What brought this on?”
“I just need to know the answer to the question.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, but it is no secret that I love our children more than life itself. And you…of course I can’t imagine my life without you,” he said.
Claudia nodded taking in the answer then asked, “If I was with someone else, if I had someone else that I decided I wanted to bear children with, would you still love our children more than your own life? Could you still not imagine your life without me?”
Khalil slowly moved off the bed drawing up to his full height, nearly a full head taller than Claudia, his arms crossed, his face now drawn and serious, “What are you telling me? There’s someone else?”
“Would it really bother you if there were?” She asked.
Khalil sat down at the foot of the bed and sighed, “I have always understood that although I am a Cassadite directly descended from the old world, I am not a descendant of the First Wave and therefore not fit to sit on the throne beside you. But I have been more than willing, honored to serve as your consort.”
“What are you saying?” Claudia asked as she slipped up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, “You are the youngest decorated Admiral in the Imperial Fleet, Kaye. You have been Ambassador on two colonies. And you are the most beautiful and most perfect man I have ever known,” she cooed planting a furrow of kisses across his back.
“Those questions you asked were not formed in a vacuum, Claudia,” he said extricating himself from her embrace, “Maybe you care to share what’s on your mind?”
Khalil began to pace the floor running his hands through his headful of coarse, darks curls. He stopped near where the baby slept and asked, “Who is it?”
“I just asked a question—”
“—And now I’m asking a question; Who is it?”
“Why would you even think there was someone, Kaye? I have been working constantly. The baby isn’t even a year old, yet. My time is spoken for.”
“Your time is spoken for? That’s your level of commitment to me?” He asked.
“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” Claudia huffed, “I don’t even know why we’re having this conversation.”
“We’re having this conversation because you woke me up before first sunrise to ask me some inane question about who it is that I love, most--”
“—and you said the children and that you couldn’t see your life without me, but how about your mother? How much do you love your mother?” She asked.
“I love my mother dearly, Claudia and I have lost all patience with you,” Khalil said as he grabbed his robe and entered the bath.
Claudia followed him and sat on a stool outside the shower. Khalil undressed and passed by Claudia in silence. When he stepped under the flow of the water Claudia said, “I was just asking because--”
“—If the next thing you say is ‘I had a theory’ Claudia, things are not going to go well with us, today.”
“Oh Kaye,” she sighed exasperated, “You know you’re the only person I can talk to about these things.”
“And I have told you time and again that I am not one of your test subjects. I’m not one of your lab experiments,” he replied testily.
“True, but we are friends and a good friend would help me work through this.”
“Then remove me from your list of good friends.”
“Fine Kaye, I’ll find someone else to assist me.”
“You do that,” he fired back.
Claudia knew there was nothing more to say. When Khalil got angry it was better to just stay out of his way for a while. So she left the bath and returned to the bedchamber in time to see Khadija beginning to fuss.
-o)0(o-
Claudia was sitting in her hover chair with her foot leveraging off the transparent shield rocking back and forth nursing the baby as she looked out on the city, when Khalil emerged from the bath.
“Cassad is safe for the moment,” she said without turning to address him, “but even after the passage of centuries we remain strangers in the universe, welcomed in some locales but reviled in others, even those where other humanoids dwell.”
“That’s the nature of exploration, and conquest,” Khalil said as he joined Claudia at the transparent shield then bent down to kiss the head of the nursing baby, “Our military forces have worked diligently to push to the edges of the known universe and have performed admirably. Your circumspect position diminishes their sacrifices and has you always seeing the glass as half empty.”
“Half full or half empty is irrelevant. Neither is an option for the Empire. For the benefit of our people Khalil, I need to explore every way possible, every method imaginable to have the glass completely full,” Claudia said.
“You will drive yourself mad doing so, and for the good of our people I cannot allow you to take me with you,” he said kissing the top of her head.
“So be it,” she said, “But never say I didn’t ask you, first.”
“And what is that supposed to mean,” he asked as he entered his wardrobe and assessed his various clothing options.
“I just don’t want you to be upset when I need to start spending extended time in the lab--”
“--with Malcolm…of course.” Khalil completed her sentence then went silent.
Claudia waited a moment then said, “Don’t start this again, Kaye. Malcolm and I have known each other for a long time. We worked side-by-side for years before you and I ever met.”
“And you continued to share a bed with him even after we met,” he said.
“He is my first consort. He was chosen for me by my family and the Elders.”
“I guess the fact that he’s descended from the First Wave had nothing to do with his being selected. I’m sure they hoped that you would eventually take him as husband. They all must have been very disappointed when you let them know of our liaison.”
“My family and the Elders love you. You know this. I thought we were past all this,” Claudia sighed.
“How can we ever be ‘past this’ if you continue making excuses to be with him, to spend time with him?”
“This has nothing to do with Malcolm. I am trying to work through a theory that may address the long-term security of the Empire, and you have no interest in it.”
“The Empire will be made secure by the fleet, by what the men and women who have sworn to give their lives for the Empire do every day. It will not be made secure by theoretical science,” Khalil said as he disappeared into his wardrobe.
Claudia left off rocking the hover chair and crossed the room burping and rocking the infant until she was again fast asleep. When she finally had the baby tucked in and was pulling the privacy curtain on the crib, Khalil was reentering the room in his dress uniform.
“Second sunrise is on the horizon,” he said.
And no sooner had he spoken before a long melodic tone followed by two short ones sounded through the chamber announcing the arrival of the morning service contingent. Claudia turned and faced the door as her entourage of servants filed in. Each servant bowed in the direction of Khalil as they took their places in two lines before Claudia. As the second sun cleared the horizon, a tall aged servant rang a gong and the entire contingent along with Khalil, all knelt before Claudia touching their foreheads to the floor.
This was the part of the day that Claudia hated most. When she was a girl she was schooled with and played with many of the people who now served her and looked to her to lead the Empire. Some days she would have loved to have had just a few candid moments with people who had been her childhood friends to talk about her misgivings, her plans and hopes. But the rules both spoken and unspoken forbade it. After-all, she was the Empress…infallible and decisive. There was no latitude for uncertainty. Normally Khalil was her sounding board but in issues of science or any other issue where she might be inclined to receive counsel from Malcolm, Khalil was blinded by a jealousy so irrational that she had not yet found a way to get him past it.
A second gong sounded and the entire contingent rose. Without reviewing them she waved her hand and called out, “Dismissed.” The servants immediately began to rush about focusing on their duties. Khalil rose staring daggers at her then rushed to her side whispering sharply, “You hardly looked at them! How do you know that none of them has been compromised?!”
“I have told you time and again that I trust these people.”
“And I have told you time and again that no one is to be trusted, not where the safety of our children is concerned. So either perform the inspections correctly or I will do them myself.”
Claudia bit her tongue not wanting to start a row in front of the servants then said, “If that will make you feel better, then by all means…the inspections are now yours to perform.”
Khalil didn’t respond. He merely nodded a curt bow in her direction then left the room.
Claudia took a deep breath then groaned to herself, “This is not going to be a good day,” headed into the bath to clean up and begin her morning agenda.
-o)0(o-
Claudia took off in her private hovercraft for the City. In the Capitol Claudia only travelled with four of her private guard. In all honesty she actually felt comfortable enough in the Capitol to travel alone and it wasn’t because the citizens feared repercussions. It was because she loved each and every citizen, every resident of Cassad territory singularly and collectively and that love was returned one hundred fold. Khalil and even Malcolm, who was not nearly as concerned with security issues, dreaded her sojourns into the cities where the people would cheer and shout and crowd her vehicles. When she walked the streets the residents would shower flowers before her so that her steps were cushioned every step of her journey. Tears would stream from the eyes of those she saw fit to engage with kisses and embraces. She felt safest surrounded by her people.
“We are on final approach to the Alpha lab,” the pilot announced as he maneuvered the hovercraft over the landing pad at the Lab. Opon disembarking her guards escorted her to the door then turned and reboarded the craft. They knew she would call for them when she was done and that she hated them looking over her shoulder when she worked. She smiled and waved at the pilot and her guards as they lifted off then presented herself for scanning and unlocked the hatch to the lab.
As the hatch closed behind her, Claudia felt a wave of relief wash over her. Whenever Claudia walked through the doors of the lab she felt as if a great weight was lifted off her shoulders. It felt like home, more than the main palace or even the summer and winter palaces where her family vacationed.
“And to what do we owe this visit?!” Malcolm’s voice boomed from the opposite side of the lab. Before she could respond he had rushed across the room and grabbed her up in a hug twirling her around before he deposited her back on the floor, breathless. Malcolm was as tall as Khalil and one would swear that Malcolm was more likely a celebrated prize-fighter than a brilliant chemist. He was a hulking muscular man who was as quick to smile as he was to challenge a hypothesis.
“You are insane, Malcolm,” she laughed.
“I must be since I didn’t check to see if Khalil was with you before I did that,” he winked mischievously. “so… I received your transmission. It’s a bold initiative.”
“I know it seems like it is, but it makes perfect sense if you think about it.”
“Have you discussed this with Khalil?” Malcolm asked.
“Last time I looked, I was running this Empire,” Claudia replied.
“I-I’m sorry Claudia. I didn’t mean to suggest—”
“—I know,” she sighed, “Forgive me Malcolm. That was uncalled for. It’s been a really tough few weeks.”
“And congratulations by the way…on the new baby,” he said. “What has it been…six months?”
“Yes, a little over six months…I saw you at the naming ceremony. You should have come to sit with the family.”
“I don’t think we’re quite ready for that, yet. Maybe when Khalil feels a little more secure.”
“How much more secure can he feel? It’s been over seven years!” Claudia exclaimed.
“No,” Malcolm replied in a hushed tone, “It’s been three years.”
Claudia bit her lip and avoided looking Malcolm in the eye. He was right. It had been three years.,,during a period when she was presumed committed to a monogamous relationship with Khalil.
Tags: Claudia, Empire, Khalil, Malcolm, Theory, children, love
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Night Manager on -
The story of the Empress Claudia!
Penelope you are making GREAT contributions to the DU!
Can't wait to read the rest. -
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Permalink Reply by Milton Davis on -
Excellent! You have to finish this. I need to know how it turns out.
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Permalink Reply by Bro anton on -
Not understanding. Dark Universe has more stories about the Cassid Empire?!?! Let me go look!
Night Manager said:The story of the Empress Claudia!
Penelope you are making GREAT contributions to the DU!
Can't wait to read the rest. -
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Permalink Reply by Milton Davis on
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The Dark Universe is story of the fall of the Cassad Empire and the powers that try to replace it.
Bro anton said:Not understanding. Dark Universe has more stories about the Cassid Empire?!?! Let me go look!
Night Manager said:The story of the Empress Claudia!
Penelope you are making GREAT contributions to the DU!
Can't wait to read the rest. -
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Permalink Reply by Bro anton on
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Reading tho other stories now! GREAT STUFF!!
Milton Davis said:The Dark Universe is story of the fall of the Cassad Empire and the powers that try to replace it.
Bro anton said:Not understanding. Dark Universe has more stories about the Cassid Empire?!?! Let me go look!
Night Manager said:The story of the Empress Claudia!
Penelope you are making GREAT contributions to the DU!
Can't wait to read the rest. -
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Permalink Reply by Penelope Flynn on -
Milton created an incredible extension into the Dark Universe and now we all get to play in it!
Bro anton said:Reading tho other stories now! GREAT STUFF!!
Milton Davis said:The Dark Universe is story of the fall of the Cassad Empire and the powers that try to replace it.
Bro anton said:Not understanding. Dark Universe has more stories about the Cassid Empire?!?! Let me go look!
Night Manager said:The story of the Empress Claudia!
Penelope you are making GREAT contributions to the DU!
Can't wait to read the rest. -
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