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“I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is,” he admitted. “Only that things… don’t quite feel right.”
I considered the empire and what was happening in it. It was so large there was always something happening somewhere that was unfair or unjust.
I placed a hand on Garrick’s shoulder.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I said.
The chief nodded but didn’t look convinced.
“You need to relax,” I said, “sit back and enjoy life for a change. Have a drink with me. Within minutes, your instincts will calm down and you’ll realize you were worrying about nothing.”
“I can’t drink,” Garrick said. “The guard will change any minute and I need to be there to oversee it.”
They changed multiple times a day. I doubted if the guards were capable of making a mistake.
When something played on my mind, I liked to sit, think, and do nothing. Garrick’s way of overcoming problems was taking action.
“Then have at it,” I said.
Garrick clicked his heels together, saluted with a fist to his chest, and reversed out of the room.
“Atten-hut!” he barked.
The guards in the room stamped their feet. They bowed at precisely the same time and stepped sideways toward the door. They bowed once more at the door before shutting it behind themselves.
I always hated the sound of the doors slamming shut each night. The thud boomed and echoed about the sparsely furnished room.
The emperor had dozens of palaces spread throughout the empire. Every time we expanded to a new solar system, another palace was built in my honor. I would go, enjoy it for a little while to show my appreciation, and then I always returned to this, my favorite palace.
It wasn’t even the biggest one. It was one of the smallest. My father used to bring me here during our breaks and holidays. It reminded me of my childhood and simpler times.
Lately, it hadn’t offered much in the way of peace. Each day, when Slak and Garrick left me alone, a deep sinking sensation burrowed deep in the pit of my stomach. I wondered if it was very different to what Garrick felt when he complained about his instincts playing havoc with his senses. The worst part about it was not knowing what it was in reference to.
I moved to a window and peered down at the palatial grounds below. There was a swimming pool, a sauna, and other sports facilities.
Beyond it, the expansive palatial walls. I could just about make out some of the distant town’s soft yellow lights. Ordinary people living ordinary lives.
My subjects.
They kept themselves busy, doing what was necessary to get through each day. My job was to make their lives as easy and as comfortable as possible.
But I had no contact with them. I had no idea if the work I did each day had much of an effect. We’d enjoyed peace for centuries, so I suppose we must be doing something right.
I heard a commotion.
Raised voices somewhere further up the ramparts.
They spread quickly, shouts rising.
In the courtyard, the guards split in half.
Half came running into the palace, the other half remained in their positions below.
The towers unfurled, opening up like flowers in bloom, revealing huge defensive turrets that locked onto something in the night sky.
What were they targeting?
Was it a drill I hadn’t been informed about?
