Imperial palace , Throne Room - Shirou POV
M30, Year 616, 12 August, it's a day of celebration, the unification wars are over, this day now it's a day of celebration, the few surviving warlords, locked inside Khangba Marwu, the imperial maximum security prison. After analyzing the implants from the preserved bodies of the dead Ur-Khasis, the suspicion was confirmed, they had explosives implanted on their bodies, to detonate remotely in case of desertion or betrayal.
The declaration of the Ethnarch defeat, and promise to remove the implants and help cure the survivors, made for an easier surrender of most of the warriors left. Some were in a frenzy, had died before the last stand or just did not believe the proposal, was too good to be true, too merciful and altruistic, no warlord would spend vast wealth feeding and healing defective dying cannon fodder.
The ones that did believe or gave the benefit of doubt, were greatly surprised, they heard about the Thunder Warriors deal, and that there were enough stasis chambers left, the ones without it, the healthiest ones, could prolong their lives using organ transplants from the fallen brothers, since the bodies from Thunder Warriors and Ur-Khasis were at Dumont proposal, preserved for this intent.
As promised, Saber received the rule of Britain, the britain territories were a third of Terra´s territory, it was too much for a single person, but due to Saber massive contribution, the Emperor decided to give her her historical territory, plus all surrounding areas that actually shared culture with the conquered territories from the two warlords.
All British culture and "close enough" were kept on her control, plus some surrounding areas without much "identity" or that wanted her rule instead of the survivors of their current nobility. From a third of Terra, she kept a it. All "universal immigrants" received rewards for their services.
Taiga's Fujimura group received a special system wide permit for mercenary services inside the sol system, in case of need she would be allowed to act outside the sol system on special occasions, and in case of war, her forces could be demanded, but with rights of reimbursement after the situation stabilize. She was allowed to do bounty hunt, private security services, even law enforcement on risky areas, anything of the sort, she was the owner of one of the first private military companies allowed to operate on Sol system.
Rin received vast fertile lands, on the location of her choice, she smartly chose lands that are neighbor to Saber territory, and they managed to convince him to add that plots on Saber jurisdiction, Saber territory grew slightly more, and within Saber territory, she paid no taxes, as a gift. .
Her food company already supplied Terra with the luxurious and exclusive food from ancient terra, and was exclusive supplier of the Imperial Palace for more than a decade, she received enough funds and agricultural tech to future extraplanetary expansion of her business if desired as reward for her services.
Again, Taiga business was settled around Rin business, to prioritize her security, and as a way to squeeze a few more square meters of territory, they are both so greedy that is not even fun. I lie, it's funny as hell.
And i received my trade warrant, signed by the Emperor himself and Malcador, charged with his own psyker power, marked with his essence, that no Custodian or none of his astropaths and navigators could never confuse.
At my request, i asked it to be something that protected me from corruption and political interests. So only he and Malcador have authority to suspend it easy. It will be hereditary, it allow me to gift up to 3 lesser warrants that can be suspended by the Magisters Temporal, or whatever new iteration of it might appear in the future.
Outside the Empire, i was the voice of the Emperor, with full autonomy of action, protection extended to my subordinates. Inside the Empire i had permission to trade and operate on any imperial territory, but had no special authority over local government, except in cases of territory i myself claimed for the empire, in case i kept one of my descendents as local governor, in case i deliver the territory to the empire, i´d have guarantee of right of monetary compensation for all resources spent on acquiring it plus 20 years of tithes.
Only the Emperor, the leader of the Custodes,or at least 11 of his descendents(or majority of surviving ones), to assure a majority and fair judgment, have authority to remove my Warrant. Besides that, Malcador or anyone that become his successor as regent of terra, would have authority over my actions and would be allowed to suspend my warrant or punish me legally.
Inside my ship, it was considered my "sovereign territory" fo almost all intents, my law was almost absolute there, above everyone, besides the few ones that can remove my warrant or custodians. My ships while i have the Warrant, are protected from any hostility from official Imperial Vessels.
Besides that, i was allowed to keep the Oort cloud fleet and space station, plus the same deal of the Udug Huls and Thunder Warriors was extended to the Ur-Khasis, after hear from Saber how skilled Kibuka was, i wondered if we could get him on Taiga custody, i spoke with Big E about the possibility of it, once he was sure all , was stabilized and he milked all information he needed from the man, give the man two choices, stay in prison, or work almost for free to fund the medical treatment of his former soldiers.
Compensate them for their health situation, with one of the killswitch implants on him this time, to keep him in check. The Emperor called me naive, but decided to think about it, the services of such a monster of a psyker are valuable after all.
Currently we are at the Emperor crowning ceremony, Malcador after a speech about the future of humanity on the stars and the true meaning of the imperial truth and the place of humanity on the galaxy, put the crown on the Emperor, the world erupts in cheer and celebration, people can be seen crying with emotion.
After that, the Emperor himself perform the same ceremony on Saber, declaring her the ruler of a semi autonomous territory on terra, the kingdom of Britain, her now being expanded and reformed capital being rebaptized Camelot, her kingdom being allowed to expand, if somehow acquire some territory outside in the vast galaxy, with the conditions to follow the maximum imperial laws and pay her tithes.
Music and food are abundant, people cheer on the streets, long live the emperor, long live the regent, long live the king. After that, the General, commanders and specific soldiers from the Imperial Army, received medals from the Emperor, to represent our deeds in the bloody battlefield of the Unification Wars. The greatest ones for the commanders and for specially heroic soldiers.
After that, several Astartes, with great emphasis on a space marine called Sigismund, plus legion commanders, received too their own accolades, after that came the turn of the Thunder Warriors including my buddy Ushotan and the legendary Arik Taranis, the Custodes(including my bestie, Dio), Constantin Valdor, Saber, Bazett and in the end, it was the time for my humble self.
It seems it was interesting for the Emperor to make a speech about an Imperial Citizen that gave everything for the Empire, and Imperial truth since childhood, an entire life of service that ended in success and glory, imperial propaganda at its finest. The crowd cheer was now full of Lion King, Iron Maiden(what i found hilarious, Bazett metal arm really becoming her trademark) and Sword King(for my horror, it really won´t go).
Of course, the Custodes that cook for the Emperor learned a lot from me on the kitchen, the Emperor loves his food from the past, he himself teach them some recipes when he remembers, his memory is a mess. Of course, at the big party, i helped in the kitchen, i love the kitchen, and i had to make sure they don´t mess up. I don´t care if they have hundreds of years, i´m still the best on old school earth food.
The nobles loved the old school cousine too, you are welcome Rin, more clients with big pockets for you. Taiga was already making connections, with Merek at her side, i hate to admit, they are a cute couple, even if he stole my neechan.
Still i´m the cool hero uncle, suck that Merek, the kids idolize me! And soon i will be a dad, funny my legs didn't tremble on the battlefield, but now that it finally hits me, i will be… A DAD, it finally hits me like a warhammer on the head, i was happy with the accolades and being recognized for my efforts but, the tears on my eyes now have nothing to do with the ceremony, people seems to misunderstand it through, whatever, i will be a dad!
M616, Somewhere on Necromunda - Lord Melloi POV
Adjust to a new world was not easy, but being literate, healthy, knowlgeable and having supplies for long stay, i managed to get myself some academic work. Gray got herself some bounty hunt jobs, most members of the new mage association managed to get their own bearings in order.
The ones more obsessed with their magical research on this more… Free environment almost ended starving due to their obsessions and lack of common sense, it was easy to get them in debt with me through loans and some basic support.
That, plus my magic classes, influence with the new generation magus and big families, quickly earned me the place of vice director of the association, under the Yggdmillennia boss himself.
To my worry, the dead apostles, and some of the worst sealing designates, after a brief moment adapting, vanished, to pursue their own agendas. Obviously i took some precautions to keep a eye on them, in case they become trouble later. I might not be the most powerful magus, but i´m resourceful, and i loved this universe's technology and human resources.
The iron lords of the Araneus Continuity valued his knowledge and unique resources, making the mage association become the stronger organization below the ruling noble families on a mere decade of existence. Magic healing, magic divining, magical protections that eluded even most psykers. All several of the dead apostles and sealing designates that "went too crazy" after leave the association, quickly were captured again, returning into the new association custody.
"According to the experts, the so called warp storms are calming… I wonder how is our home world is currently. " I wonder, and speak.
"Do you plan on going back? We have kind of a life here now master. " Says Gray.
"There are still loose ends, for the first time, we have a mage association that truly has some sort of control and awareness of all magus around, we should keep a eye on Tohsaka and Emiya too. Just for safety, mistery was never so strong, research is booming, and the opportunities on this galaxy… I don't want variables to ruin things, and i still see potential on the Tohsaka prodigy.`` I say.
Two months after crowning ceremony - Oort cloud space docks
I am on a reunion room with Burk, his wife Mara, Merek, at his side, holding his arm clingy my neechan Taiga, Dumont, our favorite tech priest, Burk now always happy mercenary commander John, that is happy since he heard i blew up Uilleam head with a granade, the general Udug Hul Isaac, the commander Udug Hul Jacob, Sarah, their psyker, Tarik Aranis, Ushotan, Orgo, the Ur-Khasis general, Saber, Bazett, Rin and me.
We are on a enormous round table, Saber choice, on a reunion to decide the future of our now large group. The majority of the available manpower are the Udug Huls, followed by Burke's crew. The Thunder Warriors and the Ur-Khasis had most their people in stasis, but still had a reasonable number.
"For starters, your grandfather Battleship is yours Burke, and i will assign you one of my side-warrants, the Winterscale-Fujimura families will have their dynasty assured." I say, remembering my promise, and throwing the warrant he needed for it to work. "Besides that, your dynasty will always be welcome in my space docks."
Burke nods and put his hand on his son's shoulder, proud, now they are truly recovering from the fall from their ancestors.
"I´m a ruler Shirou, as a Queen, my duty is to remain on Terra, i won´t get on the way of your dream but, would you consider stay as my consort?" Says Saber, i feel my heart tighten.
"I will stay on Terra for many years still, we will be together for most of my life, we have so much work to do here, but eventually, i might need to go, this galaxy needs help." I say
"T-Then maybe in the future, when you decide to go, we might already have an adult heir on the throne, and we can go together maybe? I know the chance is low but…" Saber say as she holds my hand, it's embarrassing, but somehow reassuring.
Rin and Bazett blush, and pout, a bit jealous of that showing, since they have a relationship with me too, and actually are both expecting my kids, sorry girls, have to give some love to my Saber too. Wow, that tought sounded so smug and scummy, i´m being too spoiled by them i think.
"All Rin´s production was moved to lands on my territory, for security, as Taiga's operations, the food, cattle, fish, seeds, all was transported and transplanted to new lands, until now it's working.
Burke sold his land, Akkad is not on my territory and while he and his son adventure on the galaxy again, they won't have someone reliable to keep a eye on it, besides, the money and the harvest as product on the ship will help them start business.
I got a decent amount of money as reward for services, enough to kickstart my business too, but i want Burke to have his adventures while he still young enough. Burke would leave with his crew, for now, Merek would stay with Taiga on terra, raise their kids, enjoy married life, while Burke and Mara have their adventures on space, i will lent him 50 thousand Udug Huls, and 50 thousand for Taiga business, they would be responsible for maintaining them feed, healthy and equipped, they will take both 25% of the support personal too, and burke keep 25% of the Tech Priests lent to me by big E, i kept Dumont through.
I would keep 100 thousand for myself for my future exploration, 100 thousand that would for now, help policy Saber territory with Taiga´s men, and the now absorbed local guard, they would be the bulk of security until Saber organized the local military and law enforcement forces. Everyone ok with the terms until now?" I ask, after say my plan.
Everyone nods, as they start to take notes and the ones whose future was decided got away from the table to discuss details. Without get in the way of the rest of the reunion.
"Bazett, i want you to help Taiga manage things, and i want everyone to live together in the palace with Saber, i want our kids to grow together, i want to see my nephews grow too, and we will stay together for sure until i decide to go, then once we have our kids leaving the nest, and taking over business, you all come with me, are you ok with that?Terra still has use for a hero of justice for now i guess. Right?.". I ask her, she nods, Rin and Saber pout a little, but then they notice he won´t leave without any of them.
"Shirou, you said 14 years ago that Sakura would come? I know it´s not exactly the same Sakura, but i kind of miss her anyway…" Rin says.
"Yeah, she and Illya are planning to come here, it seems they want to solve Illya lifespan issue first, and get help with the travel. You from there is a big shot on the Clock tower and remain as the second owner of Fuyuki." I say, Rin smiles bitterly, with the idea that one of "her" kinda gave up on him somehow. Disappointed with herself.
They discuss many things, eventually the reunion ends, and they all return to work, Taiga and Merek go to Fujimura Security headquarters. Rin goes to Tohsaka Food And Health, i stay working on the fleet, but we all for now decided to live on Britain palace, eventually Burk would go, with mara 25% of the Udug Huls and support personnel.
The palace would feel more empty without Burke and Mara, but they dreamed with the stars from a long time, their status and resources, and the fact they had a ship from the age of technology, allowed them the right to get a deal with one of the navigators from the Emperor's owned houses any time he wanted, and one of the Astropaths from the organization the Emperor made to regulate them, we would get a Astropath too, we already have Tersius, since we won't travel for now i lent Tersius to him, he would need to get his own later through.
He told us his first adventure would be risk a travel to the closest systems, near enough from Sol system in case of trouble, he would be probably one of the first ones to travel after the storms started to calm down, he would see if any world needs food, and sell his production, he would keep jumping until find a safe system with a good client, on the way, he would tell about the Empire and try to get the locals to comply, at least if they get in trouble with the big E, would not be for lack of warning. If a rebel territory were not strong enough, he would himself take over and make it the first conquest of his Winterscale dynasty, gunboat diplomacy i say, he nods, i cringe.
