The Vulture's Grin touched down smoothly on the Royal Landing Platform, where black-and-gold sentinel armor gleamed beneath twin suns. Captain Rhys stepped onto the polished surface, rifle slung at his side, followed by Tamika, Old Jin, and Zai Ren—each trying to ignore the thrumming anxiety beneath their excitement. Kira Merov, the girl they'd rescued, walked between them, her battered case clutched close.
A line of royal guards parted to reveal Commander Arvena, helmet tucked under her arm, her silver hair shining like moonlight. At her side were Lieutenant Rovel and Lieutenant Saren, their expressions unreadable.
"Welcome home," Arvena said, voice warm but measured. She motioned to a nearby starliner. "Your journey ends here. Please follow us to the palace."
Rhys exchanged a look with Zai. "Heard the palace is strict about protocol."
Zai swallowed. "One step at a time."
They ascended the ramp into a twin-hulled starliner emblazoned with the twin-star crest. Inside, soft light bathed marble floors, and gentle choral notes drifted overhead. Servants offered refreshments, but no one dared eat until they arrived at the Emperor's court.
Kira perched on a plush seat beside a viewport. "I still can't believe we're here."
Zai sat close. "You're safe now."
Tamika peered at the sleek consoles. "This is nicer than any salvage hub I've seen."
Old Jin tapped his wrist scanner. "Long-range patterns show no hostiles. We're in controlled space."
Rhys studied the passenger manifest. "Emperor's guard—none of our business. Just stay calm."
Moments later, the starliner descended into the palace's vast vestibule—floors of polished ivory and towering blue-marble columns. Guards in pristine uniforms guided them through arches adorned with banners of House Merov.
They entered the Emperor's chamber: a high-ceilinged hall with white-stone floors and gilded dais. Atop the throne sat Emperor Merov, silver-haired and regal, flanked by Prince Regent Halron. Both bore the weight of years in their measured gazes.
The crew bowed. Zai felt his heart hammer as Merov rose. He stepped forward—to take Kira into a brief embrace. "You are safe," the Emperor murmured to his daughter.
Zai bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, it was our duty."
Merov turned to Rhys. "Captain Rhys, you have my gratitude. You protected my daughter at great peril."
Rhys inclined his head. "Happy to serve."
Merov addressed Tamika. "Young engineer, your skill kept her alive. You shall have full access to the Royal Workshop's prototype tools."
Tamika's eyes widened. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Merov gazed at Old Jin. "Scholar, your readings guided us. I grant you the Crown's latest quantum data rig."
Old Jin nodded, almost dazed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Finally, Merov looked at Zai. "Zai Ren, your wisdom and courage have earned you and your grandmother a place within the Imperial Sanctuary. She will receive state-of-the-art care, and you are offered a scholarship at the Royal Academy."
Zai's voice caught. "I am honored."
Merov gestured to a steward, who distributed data scrolls. "Each of you will find a substantial sum credited to your accounts—enough to secure your futures within the Empire. Spend wisely, but know you have earned it."
Rhys and the others exchanged stunned glances as royal credits flashed on their personal HUDs. Zai's eyes widened as he saw a six-figure sum transfer into his account.
Rhys chuckled, shaking his head. "Salvage taxes, here we come."
Tamika beamed. "I can't wait to see what new gadgets I can buy."
Old Jin stared at his HUD. "Enough to fund every restoration project I ever dreamed of."
Zai pressed a hand to his chest, blinking back tears. "Grandmother—she'll be healed."
Kira touched his sleeve. "I'm so grateful."
Merov stepped back to the dais. "Enjoy the palace tonight. A banquet awaits you in the Grand Hall."
---
In the Grand Hall, long tables of polished obsidian glowed under floating candles. Servants moved with quiet efficiency, presenting dishes of steamed algae rolls, crustacean pastries, and glowing lumian fruit. Soft stringed instruments played overhead as guests mingled.
Zai and Kira sat side by side. Across the table, Tamika sampled a silver-glazed fish, eyes alight with delight. Old Jin quietly examined a rotating holo of the new quantum rig's schematics.
Rhys dipped a piece of glazed fruit into eclipse-vine sauce. "I never thought I'd dine in an imperial palace." He looked at Zai. "We've come a long way from Sector 9."
Zai managed a wry smile. "And I still haven't given Grandma Mei her med supply."
Kira leaned in. "That's next. She's already at the Sanctuary."
Zai nodded, swallowing around lump. "She'll be okay."
Midway through the feast, a steward approached with a sealed box bearing each crew member's insignia. "By imperial decree, these are for your service."
Rhys opened his first: a set of star charts marking warp- lane priorities for the Star Talon, including hyper-jump trajectories and defense upgrades. "This is top-tier."
Tamika picked up her box—inside, a set of plasma welders and micro-fabrication projectors, gleaming under the candlelight. "I'm going to build so many things."
Old Jin unwrapped his: a sleeker quantum data rig with modifiable sub-routine cores. He exhaled, nearly shaking. "I never imagined…"
Zai touched his own: a sealed scroll confirming his Royal Academy scholarship and a data cart containing funds for Grandma Mei's medical treatment. His HUD pinged again—another sum credited for his own use. "All of this… thank you, Your Majesty."
As the crew marveled at their fortunes, Kira caught Rhys's eye and nodded toward the grand doors. "We ought to take a moment."
Zai followed her through the doors into a quieter antechamber lit by a single chandelier. Kira took a breath. "I—
Before she could speak, Zai reached for her hand. "Your secret's safe with us."
She blinked, clearing her throat. "Thank you."
---
Deep beneath the palace, a ring of fluorescent lights bathed a secured lab. Dr. Vellis Amaru presided over a holo-podium surrounded by military advisers. On the screens flickered schematics of the Heirloom's AI resonance maps and cross-references to Dustpoint Foundry scans.
Lieutenant Saren pointed to a cluster of coordinates illuminating across a galactic map. "Echo signals are reactivating across multiple sectors—residual nodes surfacing."
Dr. Amaru's expression tightened. "If Echo Genesis regains coherence, it could rewrite core protocols in starships and habitats alike—uncontrolled self-optimization. Casualties could be catastrophic."
A military officer in crisp uniform stepped forward. "Our priority is clear: secure and adapt this AI for the Empire's advantage. Strategic control of these nodes ensures dominance."
Amaru's eyes narrowed. "We proceed carefully. One misstep, and the network could cascade beyond containment."
The officer's gaze was cold. "Directive stands. Containment—and militarization."
In a sealed cabinet, another Heirloom fragment glowed under protective glass. Its crystalline filaments flickered, as if alive.
As the chamber doors hissed closed, Amaru whispered, "So it begins."