Isa strode through the halls of the ship taking stock of the panels that had started to rust and the lights that were almost too dim to see by. Their home was in desperate need of repair, but what could she do? The Norton had been independent from the Fleet for generations. She would not be the leader that went crawling back to them. If the leaders before her made it work, then she would too.
The walk to the Organic District was always the highlight of Isa’s day. Despite having a variety of plants around the ship, it was the Organic District that made her feel truly at peace. The cavernous space was filled with plants of all shapes and sizes, though predominately it was used was to grow food. Over time Isa knew the citizens wanted, no needed, more. Soon the space was expanded to accommodate the growth of household plants. Not only did it help with moral, but the health of everyone aboard improved as well. Citizens could request a plant for their homes or petition for a few in public spaces. The Organic District however still housed the majority.
Isa slowly made her rounds through the vegetable gardens, observing the Gardeners as they worked and nodding respectfully as they bowed before returning to their work.
“Queen Isa!” A short young woman called, leaning around a trellis covered in grape vines. “You’re just in time! Some of the harvest is ready. Have some!” Isa struggled to place the girls face. With so many citizens aboard she couldn’t quite remember everyone’s name no matter how hard she tried. Instead she glanced down at the bucket in her hand filled with grapes. She plucked a few from the top, popping one into her mouth with a satisfied moan.
“These are perfect! Make sure you visit the school with your first batch before delivering the rest to the kitchens.”
“Already done! I took them earlier this morning.”
“Wonderful.” She place another in her mouth, tucking it into her cheek before continuing. “What would we do without you all.” Isa raised her voice, hoping the others working diligently around them would hear the praise. She patted the woman on her back before continuing her rounds.
After her diligent circuit around the gardens Isa came to a stop at the edge of the dome. This was her favorite spot on the whole ship. Tucked far away from everything was a small park few seemed to ever frequent. Well trimmed trees and bushes blocked off much of the area, making it feel like a whole new world away from the chaos of the ship. Isa liked to take a moment to stare out the dome at the vastness of space and just, breathe.
Isa pressed her back to a tree, sliding down as she released a deep exhale. For just a few moments she could forget she was Queen of the Norton and just be Isa. She nibbled the grapes she carried as she stared out, so stuck in her own head she almost missed the the blinking lights off in the distance. Isa stood, pressing as close to the glass as she could as she squinted. Yes it was there. A ship. As it drew closer Isa could make out the distinctive features that told her this was another ship from the Fleet.
When was the last time they had been visited by another ship in the Fleet? Not in her lifetime for sure and if she could remember their history correctly, which she often didn’t, it wasn’t anytime during the last ruler’s reign either.
Shoving the last of the grapes into her mouth Isa quickly but calmly hurried back through the ship to the Hub. Just as she passed the guards and entered the room she could make out a crackling over the communications system.
“Say that again,” her viceroy said as he adjusted dials. He looked up as she approached giving her a frustrated shrug as he spoke away from the microphone. “These things haven’t been used in years Ma’am. I think we just have to match with the frequency of the approaching ship to clear the line of communication.” He turned the dials a moment more before the static lowered to a soft almost nonexistent hum.
“This is the general of the Yutan. Signal seems to be strong now. Can you confirm?”
“Yes General we hear you clearly now,” her viceroy said.
“Good. It’s good to hear from you. It’s been far too long.”
“What can we do for you general…?” Her viceroy let the question hang, signaling to their own general to be alert.
“General Karvin. The ruler of Yutan is requesting a meeting with your leader.”
The Viceroy glanced at Isa, who contemplated for only a moment before nodding. “You have our interest. Dock at bay 3, but please wait for our signal to disembark.”
“Understood. We will signal when we are coupled.” The line when silent, the absence of static causing an awkward silence as everyone turned to Isa.
“I suppose we should see what they want.” She turned to the general who had stationed himself to her left. “I want a small escort. We don’t know what they want so we need to remain cautious.” The general bowed to her and turned, signaling for three other guards stationed around the room to join him.
Isa turned toward her rooms, the ornate door to the left of the Hub flanked by more of her ever present guards. In her rooms she quickly changed, secretly happy to finally have a reason to wear the ceremonial dress she had so few opportunities to show off. It was passed down through the rulers, worn by queens and queen consorts alike. Or on several occasions it was left stored away when there wasn’t a ruling queen. It was always repaired and improved before it was passed on however, causing the garment to have an eclectic assortment of styles visible throughout. Isa loved it and despite it being a symbol of the end of her reign, she couldn’t wait to add her own flare.
She emerged a few minutes later, her viceroy waiting in his own ceremonial uniform.
“Maybe we make the Yutan wait a little longer? A show of authority?”
Isa frowned at him. “Don’t be rude Jaime. I don’t want our first visitors ever to start with a negative impression of us. Let’s go.” Isa left the Hub and took the halls toward the bays. The click of boots falling in line behind her was comforting. Now that she was on her way a nervous flutter began in her stomach. She willed herself to remain calm. She was the Queen of the Norton She would act like it and make sure these visitors knew it too.
At the bay Isa nodded to her general who opened a panel to the right of the door, entering a code that would signal to the Yutan that they were clear to board.
Moments later the door swooshed open and a small line of guards not unlike her own filtered out. Behind them came who must of been the general they spoke to, his uniform more ornate than the rest.
“Your Highness. I am general Karvin. It is my honor to present the ruler of the Yutan, King Harper.” Behind him stood a woman around his height and hair cut short, a bob that stopped just below her ears and framed her face just right. Her uniform was relatively basic given she was the ruler of a ship herself. Had she not been introduced to Isa as a King, she would not have known this person was a fellow ruler.
“Your Majesty.” Isa gave a shallow bow. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Would you and your entourage care to join us for a meal as we discuss your visit?” Isa noted the glance that passed between her visitors, filing it away to discuss later. King Harper approached her, maintaining a respectful distance before bowing deeply at the waist.
“It would be an honor. We have a lot to talk about.” She stepped beside Isa, offering her elbow. Isa placed her hand in the crook of the King’s arm, signaling to her guards to follow at a distance, noting King Harper did the same.
“I admit your visit is quite a shock. By now I expect my whole ship must be talking about it.”
Harper laughed, the sound causing an all together different kind of flutter in Isa’s stomach. “I imagine so,” she said. “From what I understand your people have remained completely separate from the rest of the Fleet right?”
“From what I understand, every ship in the Fleet became an independent nation.”
“Oh we have, don’t get me wrong. Your ship, however, is the only one that hasn’t had to communicate with any others.” King Harper tried to mask a tone of sadness, but Isa picked up on it regardless.
They arrived at the mess hall, noting the few individuals dotted around the tables for an early dinner. She steered them to her private dining room, blushing as King Harper held the door open for her and pulled out her chair. They settled in, the guards spreading out around the room to watch as plates of food were brought in.
“Not to rush things along, but I would like to know the reason for your sudden visit,” Isa said before digging into a plate piled with perfectly seasoned vegetables. King Harper stared down at her plate as if in awe, slowly piercing the steaming greens before bringing them to her lips. Isa watched, mesmerized at how delicately the King chewed as if she was savoring every bite. Almost as if…
“King Harper, does your ship not have vegetables?”
The King sighed deeply, placing her fork down before twisting her fingers together in her lap. Isa waited patiently, already dreading the answer.
“We… we are running out of food in general your highness.” Harper glanced up from under her lashes, her eyes shined with unshed tears. “My ship has been on a slow decline for many years, even before I became the ruler.”
“Please, call me Harper. We are on your ship.” Isa’s heart was breaking under the weight of her confession. She turned and signaled to her general.
“Please make sure King Harper’s guards are fed. Take them to the kitchens and let them have their fill. We will be fine alone.”
“But your majesty I don’t think…”
“I said we are fine Karvin. You’re dismissed.” Isa placed a reassuring hand on his arm before turning back to her guest. She waited until the guards filed out before continuing.
“Continue King Harper,” she encouraged, choosing to ignore the look she received at using her guests title again.
“The previous rulers of my ship did not make the best decisions and because of that the consequences have trickled down. Our population has always been much lower than the rest of the ships in the Fleet, but even that is no longer helping us. Our food supply has run dangerously low. We need to make some extreme changes.”
“We will help however we can your Majesty. I have several experts that would be happy to lend a hand and teach your people how we do things.” Isa abruptly stopped her train of thought as she looked at the expression on the kings face.
“I actually had a different proposal,” she said. Harper placed her hand hesitantly over Isa’s. It was a presumptuous move, but one Isa did not want to correct. “I think we should combine our ships. My advisors have devised a plan that would seamlessly fuse our ships, ultimately doubling the space of your ship. We already have significantly fewer citizens. No one would suffer.” She glanced away, causing Isa to lean forward squinting at her.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“We would need to be married to properly combine our ships. Politically I mean.” King Harper released her hand as Isa jolted back.
“No! Absolutely not your Highness.” She sighed, finally loosing her composer and running a hand through her hair. Isa found the gesture oddly charming and couldn’t help but smile at how disheveled the king looked. “Look,” she finally said. “I want what is best for my people and that is you. Your ship is the only one that hasn’t needed help from the Fleet in all our history. You can clearly take care of your people and we need that.” Harper slide from her chair, kneeling before Isa and taking her hand. The act was so stunning she let the King stroke her hand softly as she continued. “I propose a marriage in which I am not a ruler but your King Consort. You would remain the sole ruler of our combined ships. Everything we have will be yours. I will simply support you in taking care of our people.”
Isa stared into the Kings eyes, letting the information sink in. To double her the space of her ship with only a fraction of the population increasing sounded too good to be true. She knew she should say yes for those reasons alone. She had to look away however at the selfish thoughts that began to invade her mind as well.
There had been plenty of offers for her hand over the years. Many citizens flitting with her and attempting to shower her with affection. She’d turned them all down, never quite feeling right committing her life to another. Kneeling before her however was a beautiful woman who clearly just wanted what was best for her people. If Isa were being honest with herself she’d already enjoyed the short amount of time they spent together, as well as the butterflies that danced under her skin every time she looked at the King. Maybe committing herself to this woman would not be such a bad idea.
Isa had to press down the guilt that was building up however at not telling the King about the repairs her ship needed, the effort and finances they seemed to lack for these seemingly inconsequential things. Perhaps this union could fix as much for them as the people of the Yutan.
“Okay Harper, let’s work this out.”
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