The Dancer Prince
Chapter 28
Written by Ambassador Yrishna Wolf.
"Sensors aren't detecting any sign of the remnants of the enemy fleet, Space Marshall," The Supreme Militants' Union's coordinator announced after a several day search of the Cardassian star system, "I think we can safely assume they aren't coming back."
"They aren't coming back... for a while," The Space Marshall replied ominously as the S.M.U. fleet assumed orbit over Cardassia Prime. They had saved Cardassia once again from the evils that the Styx were attempting to force upon her.
On the streets of Cardassia Prime, the tension which had been present here just a few days before had dissapeared in an instant. With security forces given the go-ahead to leave the defense shelters that had been hastily assembled during the planetary bombardment that the Styx had arrived to hold for half an hour. Her Majesty the Princess Catherine Defont was the first to emerge from the shelters as she graced the streets inspecting the damage done to the capital city of Cardassia Prime. Within a few moments of her leaving her shelter, the medical shelters were opened, allowing the nurses and doctors to bring the most seriously injured patients to the hospitals of Cardassia. Catherine Defont sighed as she watched her body gards surround her as more and more people were allowed out of the shelters and began to stream onto the streets.
The city skyline was partial damaged, with some of the buildings still in flames. Damage control crews would soon be out trying to salvage whatever buildings they could. The barrage that the Styx had put the Cardassian cities through was extremely short and the damage would be fixed within a few months. Catherine Defont smiled and looked over head, seeing the dots that were circling the planet. The Space Marshall had accomplished everything he had promised. He had found the Ghost Fleet, he had saved Cardassia from her enemies, and soon His Majesty the Crown Prince Youri Rosbourg would be back at Chinon to reclaim his throne. Everything would soon be back where things should have been.
The Segan Civil War was over, the Vladimirian fleet decimated by the Ghost Fleet and the allies of Vladimir Rosbourg withdrawing with their tails in between their legs. The Ghost Fleet would soon depart, she was informed, as they were needed to head towards Chinon. The Church, which had been an ally of Youri, had attempted to slow as much as possible the crowning ceremonies of Vladimir Rosbourg and now that Youri would soon be returned, the Church wanted to crown him as quickly as possible. Waiting for the Crown Prince's arrival was also Alexander Rosbourg, the son of Vladimir Rosbourg. He was the heir to the Vladimirian dynasty but Catherine had quickly understood that there existed a special relation between Alexander and Youri that would make the healing process much more rapid and firm. She was happy that everything was returning to the way things should be, and she looked forward to continuing her work rebuilding Cardassian to her previous stature.
"Space Marshall Nelson, Crown Prince Youri Rosbourg here," Youri Rosbourg glanced over to the Captain of the Selevenar, "Ghost Fleet's ready to head back to Chinon. I would like to extand my invitation for your presence at the homeworld."
"The Supreme Militants' Union accepts your invitation," Space Marshall Nelson replied, "We'll follow your lead, S.M.U. out."
"Send a message to Cardassia Prime, inform them we are heading out of the system," Captain Anderson ordered to his communications officer, "Ready to depart on your orders, your Majesty."
"Engage at your pleasure, Captain," Youri Rosbourg replied as he stared at the debris field in front of him. His heart strained for a moment as he watched the three hundred Clarel Class destroyers destroyed during the battle, closer to the Federation border would also lay the debris field of the Cardassian fleet and Vernok Krix, all destroyed, everywhere the dark reminder of the civil war remained aloof, "I'm going to go back to my quarters, keep me appraised of any new developments."
"Understood your Majesty," Captain Anderson replied as he bowed to his sovereign.
"Oh you don't have to do that," Youri blushed, looking over at the Captain for a moment, "Good job out there."
"Your father made it possible, your Majesty," Captain Anderson, "We owed you this victory."
Youri looked at Captain Anderson for a moment again and then turned around, walking into the turbolift. The ordeal of the past seven months were all too quick, and too incomprehensible for him to remember. His father's dissapearance, his close ascendance to the throne, the civil war... the camps. The only thing that made sense to him was his Alexander. His father had warned him to be most careful if he fell in love with a man, he cautioned to him that the testosterone made them less dependable and to always have a woman around to advise. His mind drifted back to Edward, his cousin who had sacrified his life in order to ensure the continuation of the lineage. There was Joan La Chercheur, Captain Daniels, Emilie, the Space Marshall. They had all fought for him, they had all helped him when he most needed it. How could he ever pay them back for the work they had done?
"By simply ensuring the future of your people, the future of peace, my son," Charles replied, as he touched his son.
Youri frightened screamed at the top of his lungs, continuing to scream for five minutes as his frightened soul quickly turned off his screaming valves.
"Are you quite done, son?" Charles smiled, "Yes, I'm here, and yes, you're seen me, and no I am not here to stay."
Youri looked at his father, "It's you? It's really you?!?"
"Yes, it's really me, in flesh and blood," Charles thought about the cliche for a moment, "Well, kind of... The Quadaz have allowed me to visit you."
"I'm happy to see you," Youri walked over to his father and embraced him, "I missed you, I needed you so much and you weren't there."
"I was there," Charles spoke back, softly, "And I saw you struggle, and find love. I will always be with you, and I am sorry that you had to be left alone... But fate ran its intended course, and now you must stand firm and strong, and rebuild that which has been destroyed better and stronger."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Youri watched him, not comprehending that his father had become a Q, a supreme being, "So many people have died."
"The Quadaz work in mysterious ways," Charles embraced his son, "And I must now work in those mysterious ways as well. You've done well, we are pleased with you... You must now trust yourself to build the future which you have been destined to build.
"When do you leave?" Youri smiled, "Will you be present when I return to the Selevenar Galaxy?"
"I leave now, but I will never have really left," Charles looked at Youri, pausing to try to understand, "I am everywhere without being everything... It's hard to explain."
"I won't try to understand," Youri broke their embrace and kissed his father, "Adieu. I understand you must leave... So before I change my mind and threaten to kill myself so you can stay, you better go."
Charles smiled, "My good good son, I miss you so much... Be strong, be good, be yourself for your sake and that of our people."
"Good bye, father," Youri closed his eyes, when he reopened them, his father was gone.
- - - - -
Alexander awoke refreshed after twelve hours of sleep. It had helped to restore his energy sources that he had allowed to drain as he awaited word on whether or not Youri has survived the battle. He couldn't believe his lover would have chosen to be in the heat of battle when he had never carried a sword. He was a dancer prince, not a fighting one, Alexander argued to himself. Alexander looked at his bedroom, which would soon be returned to Youri as this was originally his bedroom. Alexander smirked, things were going back to the way things were supposed to be. His prayers were answered, and those who led his father's invasion would soon return home to the Segan Popular Union. Alexander looked outside, seeing the gray clouds now gone. A warm sunshine filled the wet land, as outside he could see some of the servants' children playing.
Yesterday, the S.P.N.N. network was reactivated and was once again broadcasting news from all four corners of the Segan Monarchy. S.P.N.N. hadn't found out yet of the battle that had taken place in the Cardassian Monarchy and it would be his duty during his audio-visual press release later today to inform everyone what had transpired. He never felt his skills as a public speaker were all too great, but he knew that he would have to make his best speech to ensure reconciliation between the S.P.U. and the Segan Monarchy could take place. For once, it would the institutions moving faster than the people rather than the institutions being slower. There needed, quickly, a change in policies, changes that would make sure a civil war like this would not be possible.
Alexander looked at the clothes which had been left for him, freshly pressed by the palace's servants. It was the most beautiful and expansive of his clothes, his father had them bought for his coronation. Alexander knew his father wouldn't mind that he would use them for this purpose. This speech would be the commencement of the healing a process, one which as soon as Youri got his behind over here could continue in strength. This civil war as entire mistake, and it was a mistake which the new leaders in love with one another would have to fix. They came from very different backgrounds, but they understood the respect they had for each other when they looked into their eyes. Alexander missed Youri so much, he had everything planned for the day after he got back, from morning until midnight no one better disturb them.
He was now draped in his royal clothings, and Alexander felt instantly more powerful. He stepped out, seeing his two servants ready to adjust whatever needed adjusting. A touch at the crown, a brushing of his hair, adding of make-up and he was ready to go. Followed by his two body guards, Alexander walked down the steps of the Arnouville Palace. He was now at the grand hall of the palace that led to the two wings of the Palace, and in front, he could already see assembled the people who wanted to hear his speech and the media. His spokesman was already there answering some questions about no doubt his father's pasing away, but he knew his moment to shine was soon at hand. He gathered all his strength, and nodded to his bodyguard as they proceeded to open the glass doors.
"Aaah, here he is now," The spokesman smiled, "His Majesty the Crown Prince Alexander Rosbourg."
Alexander could hear the loud trumpet fanfare as he walked down the steps that led to the podium. He could see the royal guardsmen in full dress uniform holding back the crowds. So, here were the people that had listened to his father's commands for such a short time. Segans, Alexander reasoned, switched alliegances as quickly as the winds changed directions. He loved them very dearly, their faith in their leadership was unmatched, unquestioned, and beautiful. Youri was lucky to have a chance to rule upon such wonderful people. He arrived at the podium, putting on his best political smile as he waved to the crowds. After a few moments, he began to say thank you as he tried to calm the crowds. After a few moments, the entire crowd was quiet.
"I am here to announce that the Segan Popular Union and the Segan Monarchy are seperate states again," Alexander could see the questioning glances as the crowd began to break into small mumbles, "The invasion of the Segan Monarchy by the Segan Popular Union is over."
The crowd broke into cheers, "His Majesty the Crown Prince Youri Rosbourg was saved by the heroics of many of his subjects. In command of the Ghost Fleet, he is on his way back here where I will return control of his territories to him the moment he arrives. The Segan Popular Union wishes to apologize for those who lost their lives fighting for the defense of their nation from the tyrannies that would seek to challenge our two great nations. I call that as the new leader of the Segan Popular Union, we made a grave mistake, a mistake which will take time to amend and fix but which I hope we together can change. Our people were brought into war because we for so many years had thought each other different. But we are neither different nor enemies, we are brothers and sisters. We must make sure this never occurs again and I ask will you, the people of the Segan Monarchy forgive us? Nothing can bring back the lives of htose lost during the civil war, but we can make sure those lives weren't lost for nothing. We invite you to come to the table of peace, in order to share our stories, and to become closer so that one day we can forget our differences and embrace our similarities. I thank you for listening today, I have nothing else to say."
The people assembled were in a state of shock as the cameras remained trained firmly on Alexander who had just completed his speech. Alexander stood uncomfortably behind the podium, as he hoped for a reaction from the people. As he prepared to turn around, he heard a single clap coming from somewhere in the audience. The single clap was repeated, another clap joined in. Within a few minutes the entire audience was clapping and cheering profusively as Alexander turned around with tears in his eyes. They had heard what he had said and they had understood it and embraced it. If they could do it with one speech, he was certain it could be done with perseverence. He was sure he'd have his lover's support on this project of reconciliation. He waved to the crowd, crying profusively of joy. He turned around and walked back towards the palace.
"Here your Majesty," a hand offered a napkin to His Majesty Crown Prince Vladimir Rosbourg.
"Thank you," Vladimir looked up, his eyes bulging, "Charles!"
"Nicely done," Charles shook his hand, "No one sees me here, except you. Take care of my son, and take care to build a better future."
"I will sir," Vladimir smiled warmly, "Thank you."
"No, Thank you for saving my son and my Monarchy," Charles nodded, and dissapeared in a snap of a finger.
