Survival through Diplomacy

The story so far, according to Uzalu.

Ryza is a large and thriving empire on the northeast continent of Oggranth. It contains the kingdom of Rydia as its capital and owns the former territory of Ssara and Sermouth.

Ublaneth, to Ryza's north, is a notably smaller nation, only comprising a single city connected to an extensive series of mining operations on the Dead Sea Peninsula. By all metrics, it is a pathetic and poor nation that would've been conquered long ago.

However, Ublaneth has a feature that sets it apart from the rest of the world, the Black Obelisk, a massive seven-hundred-meter tower that existed long before written records. Its black, indestructible exterior and the enigmatic Central Core in its interior has been the birthplace of many kingdoms and religions. However, the region has never been able to maintain its power due to geography.

Enter Doctor Devol, a mother and daughter duo that tapped into the Central Core as an unlimited energy source and quickly began making technology unheard of by mortals, from metal men to engines operated by thick black fluids to electricity itself. To date, almost all advances in industrialization, the foundation of Ublaneth's steel empire, came from these two people. Several attempts to take over the have been made by these prolific engineers, the last being eight years ago. The blitzkrieg almost overwhelmed Ryza and its equatorial allies until intervention from the Gods saved them, but in the climactic battle, Kalin slew the older Devol. Now, there was one, and she presumably was out for revenge.

"Daddy was there when Kalin defeated Elder Devol. It's because of that they became best friends."

"Snu wasn't lying," Sam nodded. "He's practically royalty."

"The new weapons and machines we've been building are taken from the last war, but I heard Devol might be working on something even crazier to break through Ryza, a superweapon!"

"Does your dad think I'm one of those?"

"I don't think he's sure, but Captain Kalin seems to hate you."

"I could tell." As guilty as Sam felt about Snu, she had to remember that Kalin's violence was on sight. "Why is he like that? Why does he hate me?"

"Hmmm, it might not be actual hate per se." Uzalu stopped messing with Sam's hair and went to dress work. "Captain Kalin was a wild boy, but I think he's more herder-like, y'know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Shepherds must control a herd and defend them from predators. To do that, you have to be proud, decisive, and ruthless because not only do you kill predators, but you also kill your Kukchi for food. Life isn't sacred if you manage who lives and who dies. All that matters to him is what he believes is right."

Sam wasn't sure how to parse that, but if he wanted to kill her, he would've done so already. However, that meant that whatever argument she brought forth would be moot. Devolite, mutant, Earthling. All of these labels still carry a death sentence because Kalin deems them so. However, if she could get Uzalu to vouch for her and silence Kalin, she could curry favor with the Emperor and be a proper ambassador. The ultimate goal was to get past the point where killing her as the goal.

Within an hour, Sam was redressed into a Pandemian courtesan, something between a noblewoman and a prisoner, dressed in purple robes and large gold plates. The Pandemians around her applauded themselves for their professionalism. A mirror was rolled out to show the feat they had undertaken. It was amazing how much of the suffering she had faced could be buried so easily. All for the visual pleasure of the Emperor.

"Times up," a pair of guards showed up. "Come with us, Devol."

"Please," Sam brushed away his hand. "Let me walk."

Her mannerisms caught them off guard. Whether it was a cultural difference or a strike of class and poise, they escorted her without conflict, both uneasy about how alien this woman was.

When she returned to the main hall, the rest of the palace followed her, with scribes noting her appointment and guards increasing in number the closer they got to the high chamber. It became a parade of gossip and intrigue until the broad, ornamental doors of the chamber opened, and all men were set aside so that the red-haired prisoner could enter. Sam became the center of political theater.

Just as she reached the center of the room, surrounded on all sides by the court, a large bug landed on her shoulder and scurried between her hair and the veil. Sam almost smashed it out of sheer panic, but a small electronic sequence of beeps halted her. Her eyes widened. They found her.

"Dad?" Sam uttered under her breath. "Is that you? Please help me."

Reynolds was there, although at a great distance, his lips quivering at the sound of her daughter's voice. He was so close to getting her back, yet so far. The lag time between high orbit and ground level communications was on a seven-second delay. Ritz was moving like a genius to maneuver the insect correctly. However, despite their presence, they had no way to communicate with her. The bug tried beeping at her.

"It's Morse code!" Sam whispered, excited for a moment. Finally, they could communicate with her. "Wait, I don't know Morse code."

"Damn," Ritz sighed. "It's looking serious down there, sir. That's the local king she's staring at."

Indeed, it looked tense. If something did happen, the Betelgeuse would have no way to stop it. Never mind the seven-second delay. It would take minutes for any sort of reinforcements to arrive. Slowly, the wall holding Reynolds to duty crumbled. His whole life was on the line based on his words. He knew what he was doing was treason, but he turned on his comm bead anyway.

"Anderson," he said, then paused. For humanity, or for Sam? He sighed. "Set up three Albatrosses for surface side. Get within seven kilometers."

That order was enough for Anderson to arrest Reynolds, but the warrior's grin could be heard over the comms. "I'll take it from here."

Once everyone was settled, the guards around the throne separated to allow Emperor Szeer full view of this foreign entity. He was an unusual presence, short, portly, but undeniably regal. His skin was leathery from the sun, and his black hair was thick and bold, from a mighty beard to curly tied-back locks. Sam observed him carefully and profiled him. Despite his air of divinity, he seemed unserious, comical even.

"I assume you are the Devol I was told about," he said. "You're not as imposing as I thought.""Don't be fooled by her, my Lord." Kalin stepped forward. "She is immensely strong, like a Bundu. She's not an average girl."

"That so?"

There was no time for distractions, and Sam took center stage. With grace and decorum, she humbly bowed to the Emperor. First move.

Szeer tilted his head. "What, do you want me to take your head?"

Change of plans. Sam curtsied in response, as best she could for a first-time effort."Put that dress down! Are you trying to seduce me!?"

Are you kidding!? Sam thought but didn't profess. Forget submission. She stood at attention military style. Just as she was trained to do.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty!" Sam stated loud and clear. "My name is Sam Reynolds, daughter of Jack Reynolds! I'm from planet Earth!"

The whole room was dead quiet, as if she just signed her own death warrant. Sam felt the same way, frozen in place. The only man not offended was the Emperor.

"Reynolds," Szeer scratched his beard. "Never heard of them, but that name is proud, regal even."

A point of intrigue had been established. Based on prior conversations with Maed, Sam had deduced that lineage was culturally crucial in Ryza. If she made herself look like a noblewoman of a powerful family, she could form a reputation to fight with.

"My father is a commander of six thousand soldiers and is a mighty warrior." Technically, it's four thousand and not a warrior at all.

"I see. Strong warriors make strong children." However, the Emperor's intrigue quickly faded away, turning into deep thought in a way Sam couldn't read. Six thousand, he thought. It's not a bad number, but it's nothing to worry about. At the least, she'd make a valuable hostage if needed. "Kalin, what is your deduction on this girl?"

"Yes, my Lord," Kalin spoke to him for some time, confirming many of Sam's assumptions. Rydia had been paranoid as of late and that they had been watching for "anomalies" in their local region. That explained the hostility toward her. She was lucky to run across Vinisnu before anyone else. However, to her shock, Kalin referenced the bugs that were spying on them. How did they know? Sam thought, but then she remembered blabbing to that merchant a week prior. News spread fast, it seemed.

"Therefore," Kalin said. "I believe this girl to be an android sent by Doctor Devol."

"I thought the same. The bugs, the parasitic birds, the ringing in the northern caves. I think you're right." His deep thought gave way to laziness. "It's better to be safe than sorry. Disassemble her."

The guards circled around her before she screamed them off. The whole room was insulted, shocked, but Szeer was back to attention.

"There's some mistake," Sam said. "Most of those things have nothing to do with me or my people."

"So you admit it."

"I only admit to being an Earthling. I have nothing to do with Devol."

"Earthling?" Szeer perked up. What an odd accent, he thought, the translator adjusting the girl's voice. She was probably lying, this android warrior daughter. He was suspicious and wanted to be done with it immediately but also curious. It was like analyzing a jewel's authenticity.

"She's playing dumb," Kalin said, unphased. "We know what must be done. Give me the order to attack."

"Now, hold on there, boy!" A shout erupted from the back, startling everyone. The man defied the court and guards surrounding him and took center stage with his men. "What are you doing with that sweet little critter!?"

The Emperor leaned forward. "General Yapul?"

"I'll have you know this girl and I were carving Redstreak meat a few days ago. Made us boys a fortune. What're you doing treating her so poorly?"

Sam beamed with delight. General? That old geezer? Talk about good timing."Yapul," Kalin replied with utmost seriousness. "You've been in town a few days. Do you know what this girl did to our home? Your family?"

A cold chill overtook the room as if a corpse had been found.

"Wait." Yapul turned to Sam, pale as hell. "What did you do, girl?"

For the briefest moment, Sam almost gave a panicked, defensive answer, but she caught herself and returned Kalin a piercing glare. "Why don't you tell them, Captain?"

Kalin froze. He almost gave a damning lie that would've had Yapul decapitate the girl on the spot, but he couldn't. Yapul was a father to him. He could lie to his enemy but not his friends. A perfect calculation by Sam.

"She poisoned them with bad Redstreak meat," he muttered. "They were sick, but my men are caring for them."

"Poisoned, eh?" the old veteran blinked. "Yeah, Redstreak meats a tough one. Comes with the territory."

"Thank you," Sam said to Kalin. She had already assumed that beforehand, but hearing the truth finally brought a sense of closure she needed. "I was so worried."

Kalin turned away with a groan. Why was she thanking him when he was trying to kill her. This was getting out of hand. The softness in Kalin's heart was corrupting his will. He was losing his edge to fulfill his duty. It could not stand. For Rydia, for Pandema even, she must die.