Thy Kingdom Come
9780 CY (alternate)
The mighty herald of the Holy Order of the Commonwealth, Andromeda Ascension, floated at station-keeping, watching over the relief ships taking up orbit around a sick planet. The crimson and white warship launched its tiny fighters to escort the medical shuttles that would soon be launching in a race to reach the surface as quickly as possible.
The System's Commonwealth had taken a surprising direction in its development. With the inclusion of a Magog representative, Vicar Takrell, into the Triumvirate, it was just a mater of time before the focus of the government would take a more spiritually uniting turn. The "Unity of Belief" orthodoxy soon gripped all functions of the Commonwealth in a revitalizing effort to bring a more cohesive environment to the mulitfactioned federation.
The Than were the first to adopt Orthodoxy into their culture and upon urging from the Triumvirate, others soon followed. So it was no surprise that the Capital was moved from Tarn-Vedra (at the behest of the Vicar) to San-Ska-Re when the Plague struck.
The Plague. That silent killer that threatened to shake the Commonwealth apart. When it struck Tarn-Vedra, billions died. Many had come to regret not accepting the Vicar's proposal that Tarn-Vedra's population be better dispersed within the Commonwealth. The older institutions of government resisted the idea calling it an undermining and destabilizing influence to the government of Tarn-Vedra. Those of the Orthodoxy argued that such a nationalistic stand of individual planetary bodies proved a destabilizing influence to the Commonwealth at large. Whoever was right, the result was the death of many Vedrans when the Plague struck their system. Relief vessels courageously answered the call for aid from all corners of the galaxies, though not nearly as swiftly as did the High Guard. Ultimately, though, the Plague won (resulting in the deaths of the Royal Family and Hshne of the old Triumvirate among others) and Tarn-Vedra was placed under strict quarantine. Now, only a handful of Vedrans (the remnant of the old Vedran Empire and glories long past) occupied the Order. The Triumvirate (made up of Vicar Takrell, Spring Rivers Flowing, and a human, Alain Ceasaro) moved to turn this tragedy into a force for good.
Unity of Belief orthodoxy became the political position of the government and the System's Commonwealth charter soon was dissolved and the Holy Order of the Commonwealth was born. It would soon distinguish itself as a major force for unity and order within the known universe.
The specter of the Plague still cast its shadow over a great number of worlds. So when pestilence struck, the High Guard responded quickly and decisively.
Such was the case with the planet that the Andromeda settled over.
Cardinal Hunt stood on the bridge watching the smaller ships drop into the planet's atmosphere. His hands clasped behind his back, he started to pace. Lost in thought, his white robe glided across the spotless floor leaving the crew with the impression that their Cardinal's feet never touched ground.
He didn't mind coming to the aid of one of the Order's member worlds (his Seminary training drummed that into him), but he regretted always having to contain a situation rather than prevent one. He knew the Order's best minds were working on many cures for the afflictions the many races of the Order experience. But he knew that secretly they were afraid of another outbreak of the Plague. Extreme quarantine had been the only containment for it.
"Cardinal, courier ship had arrived." Voiced Andromeda's hologram intruding into his reverie.
Dylan absently nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Anything of significance?"
"Twenty-nine worlds have been converted to Orthodoxy. A High Guard fleet is gathering to answer the situation escalating with the Nietzscheans. Two more stations have been raided."
Dylan hands tightened in their grip behind him. Were the Nietzschean's fools? Why were they resisting Orthodoxy? How many missionaries were killed in the Order's attempts to welcome into their fold? This was going to get out of hand! They were given special dispensation due to their prominent membership within the old charter but the Triumvirate's patience was not infinite. How can there be a spread of peace and order throughout new races if it couldn't be maintained within their own borders.
What was it that Orthodoxy said? Those who fail to embrace peace are subject to exist outside of it. That was the Nietzschean. Outside peace. Already the Conclave of worlds have renounced their association with the violent race…
…and if some understanding was not reached, war would be inevitable.
"Thinking about Rhade?" whispered the ship's hologram from a nearby console.
Dylan smiled a grim smile. "I wonder what is happening with him, Andromeda. We were childhood friends. We were both supposed to go into the Academy together. We were going to serve on the same ship. If he didn't walk out of the Seminary, he would be here now."
"Spiritual differences?" inquired the ship.
"The Nietzschean believes in self. Not some 'mystical force justification for control' as Rhade had described Orthodoxy. He never understood the concept of living for others." The Cardinal lamented.
"Speaking of living for others? How is your fiancée? I saw you come aboard after your last visit rather excited."
Dylan smiled at the conversation change. "My superiors did not approve of me marrying outside the High Guard but they couldn't refuse. A happy Cardinal is a more productive one… and Andromeda? She makes me happy. I only hope that I can…."
"Sir!" came a voice from a junior officer. "Emergency courier entering system!"
"Report," ordered Dylan as his attention focused on the young man.
"Transmission is 'eye's only', sir."
Dylan moved to a private console and after a few minutes began barking orders.
"Prepare to break orbit! Helm, prepare to set course for San-Ska-Re!"
"What happened, Cardinal?" inquired the ship, discreetly.
"They have finally struck." Then he turned to the face the hologram. "The olive branch has been burned. Unfortunately for them, we were ready."
"Divine help us all." the hologram intoned.
The Cardinal stared at his crew moving to his orders as the ship's fighters were being secured. The Nietzschean's will not turn the other cheek. His mind reverted to an ancient text that was partially taught at the Seminary. 'Those who live by the sword are destined to die by the sword.'
These were no mere growing pains of an emerging ideal. The ideals have been in place for centuries. Orthodoxy has not changed them. The Nietzscheans have underestimated the Order if they thought it was not ready for them.
Unto the breach…
…and the ship entered slipstream.
