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Romancing the Queen By: Malissa Madison Lars Grendel had no idea why this very young Queen was being so kind to him. Especially since he had just confessed to having accepted a contract to kill one of her best friends. The Royal Guardian, Leonida sat staring at him, clearly, she had no clue either, why her Queen was acting this way. Finally, she pushed herself away from the wall. "I don't know if you're the bravest person I ever met, or the stupidest," she warned. "But if you harm one hair on her head." "Leonida, is it?" he asked. "Commander Leonida," she corrected. "Of the First Draconian Legion." "I would lay down my own life before I allowed anything to happen to her or to any of the other Queens that she calls her friends." The two stood, studying each other. Finally he made his decision as he leaned forward his hand reaching into the top of his boot. "I would trade my blade with you, in hopes that you will use mine to end my life if ever I hurt her in any way." Slowly he drew it out, he'd had it this whole time and could easily have killed Queen Keeli with it. Now he was offering it hilt first to her. Taking it gently she looked at the intricately carved hilt, the etched sixteen-inch blade. This was no assassins weapon, this was something much more. The very pommel of the hilt was the hand carved head of a Dragon. The blade was etched on each side with a lightning flash. Near the cross guard was etched 'VII'. Then more strange letters that she realized were an inscription. "Totalis Protectis Fini," he said. "The pledge of the Seventh Squadron, the Princess Kailee Volt's Personal Guardians." "Total Protection to the End," she finally realized the meaning of the words. "That belonged to my Commander. I took it from his lifeless body after he and the rest stood by and did nothing to save our Charge while holding me in chains." He was looking directly into her eyes now. "My own blade I left in her mother's heart. But the rest of the Squadrons blades are aboard my ship. All thirty-five of the Seventh Squadron who stood by and watched, who forced me, who loved her, to watch her execution. I expect you to use that blade on me if I ever do anything to harm her in any way while I am still here." "You would put your life before hers?" Leonida asked. "Before hers first, or before any of her friends," he said. "There are those around her and they, who only pretend to be their loyal subjects." Now she drew her own Blade. The Blade she was given when she first became a member of the First Legion. "Would you Lars Grendel enter into a blood pact with me to protect her always?" "I will," he answered. She exchanged blades with him, then the two made the cut across their left palm before gripping hands. "We are now joined in blood to Serve and to Protect the Queen," she said and he repeated it. In the little side room Keeli sat listening, the smile growing on her face. Her most trusted guardian, trusted him or she would not have made that pact. Also in the exchange, Leonida had received his memories, knew how deeply he loved Princess Kailee Calissa Volt. "I will stand beside you when they come to question you. And the First Legion will stand with you. Now come, let us find you a suitable room, Lars Grendel Secretly Inducted to the First Legion." As they stepped out into the hallway six more guardians started to fall in behind them. "You will stay here," she directed them. "Lars Grendel is not a threat." Further down the hallway in the private wing they came across Counselor Disa Drake. "Disa, Lars Grendel is a guest of her Majesty. Might we find him a suitable room?" Disa was sharp, her quick gaze took in everything about this stranger. Then the fact the two had shared blood in a pact before she answered. "I was informed that he was to have the second room on the right side," she was more than curious, since Leonida had the second room on the left. While she had the first room on the left across from Keeli's and her mother had the one at the end, those were the only other rooms occupied permanently in the private wing. He was shown to the room then offered fresh clothing and a chance to bathe. Then he was left on his own to do what he wished in the room that was more of a luxury suite. After his hot bath and clean clothes, he lay down on the bed to rest and to think about the events of the last few days. 'I am so proud of you Lars. Please let yourself be happy here,' he felt the kiss on his lips. 'You don't need to hold onto me any longer. You are truly on a new path now with your future ahead of you.' He wanted to hold onto her though, he had loved her so much. The gentle tap on his door woke him up. "Lars, can I come in?" it was the Queen. "Y, yes. I'm decent," he sat up looking around the room. The events of the last few hours flooding back to him. "I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me?" she asked and he realized just how hungry he was. Counselor Disa Drake fell in step behind them, beside Kitten Kissy. Leonida was waiting outside her own room and joined them on their way to the dining hall. "Lars, while you were asleep the IGP Transport, Reaper arrived. I have informed them that you are my guest. But, still Commander Otru Demure needs to ask you a few questions," she explained so that he would not be caught off-guard. "And I have talked with Tarriana, Vivian and the others. They each have agreed that since you took no actions against them, they can forgive you." He started to speak, to remind her of what he'd done on Draco Four. "Lars, none of that matters here. But if you wish, perhaps Commander Otru can explain how your previous actions are viewed not only by the IGP, but by the Commanders of every Queens Guardians." They stepped through a doorway and everyone stood up. At the table, he held first her chair then that of Disa and Kissy. "Please everyone be seated," she said. He looked to Leonida who motioned for him to sit at Keeli's right hand side, between her and Disa Drake. He was aware of the murmurs running through the gathered crowd. Speculations about who this new stranger was that was sitting in the next highest place at the head table. It was a simple dinner, yet done so elegantly, every bite was delicious. Then after the other guests left and the guardians began to eat the IGP Commander approached the table. "Otru, we are friends here," stated Keeli. "Yes Ma'am," he agreed. "Lars, when you destroyed your other ship, the one that you first arrived in, why did you warn the Officers aboard that it was about to be destroyed?" "I, I didn't want anyone to get hurt," he answered realizing that he really hadn't. "And the Assassin, Malcolm Kesh?" He stopped and thought before he answered. "Mostly because Keeli might have been hurt. But then also because I just couldn't let him do that to someone who was undeserving." "Do you regret having accepted the Contract on Queen Vivian Regent of Orion?" "Yes and no," then he went on to explain. "Yes, because as I studied her I discovered what a wonderful person she is. But also, no because otherwise I might never have gotten to know what wonderful Queens they all are. Or found the way to put my past behind me." "Do you now plan to return to Draco Four?" he asked. "To be honest with you, I have no desire to return there even if I knew how to get there." "What do you mean, even if you knew how to get there?" "I was running from King Dread's Bounty hunters. I made a blind jump, and then I was running from some freaked out robot things and made another series of blind jumps. My Star Drive was damaged and I had to be landed on Remote." "Since there is no way to find Draco Four, I see no way to prove that you committed a crime there. But on behalf of those of us who serve the public, as well as to protect our Queens," "Not so fast Otru," said Vivian as she stepped into the room followed by the heads of each Queens Guardian Details. "Vivian?" questioned Keeli. "Michelle Grey was able to recover quite a bit from the hard drives, of your old ship pertaining to the incident on Draco Four," she stated as she looked directly at Lars. Leonida stepped up behind him, her hand resting on his shoulder. "The First Legion stands with you," she said quietly. "Guardian's" she said as she stopped before him. Now the Commanding Guardian of each Queen stepped forth. "By Royal Order of the Queens Council, Lars Grendel is hereby awarded the Guardian Cross of Valor in his actions to bring justice upon those guilty of being delinquent in the exercise of their sworn duty by allowing the execution of Crowned Princess Kailee Volt," she read. "It is with pleasure that we name you a 'Free Citizen and Welcome Guardian of the A'shiwi Cluster." Now each Guardian Commander stepped forward and lay a Guardians Dagger on the table in front of him. "What does this mean?" he finally asked. It was Darius Merkuri who answered. "It means that you are accepted as an equal in all of our ranks. Is that not so Leonida?" "It is true, but his home will be with the First Legion of Draconia," she answered. Stepping forward now, Vivian placed a Chip drive in front of him. "I believe you earned this as a reward." He recognized the Chip Drive that contained the GC 15M. "I can't accept that. But if you insist, maybe it can be used for more Advanced Guardian Training. To teach them how to spot the things they missed while I was stalking Queen Vivian. I would be happy to teach them," he offered. Under the table Keeli squeezed his hand to show her support. But she still had no idea why she was drawn to this person who was still very much a stranger here. She just had a feeling that their futures lay together. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It was just after midnight when he woke with a start, someone was creeping around in his outer room. He lay there pretending to be asleep as they entered his bed chamber, then her scent caught his nose before her weight settled onto the edge of the bed. "Lars, are you awake?" she asked gently. "Yes, your," her fingers touched his lips silencing his reply. "I wanted to talk with you, to get to know you better," he finally rolled over onto his back to face her. She looked so frail, so innocent perched there on the edge of the bed. Her thin nightgown barely covering her supple young body. Swallowing hard he responded with, "What would you like to discuss?" he understood that behind the scenes, when it wasn't where others could see, she preferred to be personal, not using lofty titles. "The future, our future," she answered and though it was still dark in the room, there was just enough light to realize that she was blushing. "I have had a dream, I never had dreams before, not ones that I could remember. But I saw you, us I mean. Us and our daughter." She was slowly moving over him, her hands moving her nightgown out of the way as she straddled over his hips. Leaning forward she let her lips brush lightly over his. "When we are alone, just the two of us, I would prefer to be called Clarita. It is my middle name, the name I was known by before I was chosen to become the next Queen of Draconia," she told him. "But I am twice your age, shouldn't you have someone who can grow old with you, not ahead of you?" "Lars, what is the normal life span of your people. The people where you were born," she clarified. "Are you afraid of outliving me?" She knew full well from the bits and pieces she had seen taken from the news article about Kailee Volts mother, that she was herself nearing her eighth century. His own commander had been near his seventh. "Lars, it is true I am only sixteen. But my people live on average, about nine centuries or better, we have plenty of time to be together," she told him what he already knew from his searches for information. He was thinking about that when he heard something, only to realize he had been dreaming. But what had awakened him? He carefully opened his eyes just a slit to find the Kitten, Kissy standing at the foot of his bed staring at him. But why? "Kissy," he heard a whisper. "Get back here before you wake him up. Why were you in his room?" demanded Keeli quietly. As she rushed back through the open closet door. "Cl, Clarita?" he whispered, not wanting to alarm anyone. "You're awake? I'm sorry if she disturbed you," she apologized. "Is she going to be in trouble? She didn't really do anything but watch me sleeping." Now she did sit on the edge of his bed for real. "Lars, she is a Kitten, trained to pleasure her Cougar. But she was Queen Nefra's youngest Kitten. And by tradition, when I became Queen, I inherited her as my own," she tried to explain. "Of course, it is uncommon for a Kitten to serve someone that is the same age as herself." "Do all the Queens have pleasure kittens?" he asked. "No not all, but most do," she hesitated trying to find her words. "Moll Trill and Quill Vegan do not, but they are like myself, very young. Those who do, well, they sometimes share with them." "What if you didn't want a Kitten?" he finally asked. "Everyone would understand. But also, it would be very damaging to Kissy. There is a certain stigma attached to being the Kitten of a Queen. And for a Kitten to be rejected, well it doesn't turn out very well for their ego." "Kind of like being a Guardian who missed the signs of danger, and failed to get is Princess someplace safe." he realized out loud. "Lars, when I was chastising her, why did you call me Clarita?" she asked. "Because you asked me too, I mean in my dream," he said. "You were dreaming of me too?" it sounded like a question filled with hope. They began to talk more openly now, Lars aware that Kissy was just inside the closet listening to every word. He could also feel her fears of being replaced. "I don't know what to do about Kissy," she confessed. "I've grown to really love her, not just as a kitten, but as, well, a lover." "I know that you do," he stated. "K, Kailee had a Handmaiden who was like a sister. She often joined us when we," he trailed off. That was the other woman Executed, she realized. Kailee's Handmaiden Dessinda. "Clarita, Kissy needs to know that you still love her, and just as it was with Dessinda, it will always be her choice and yours," he said gently squeezing her hand. "Would you be as patient and gentle in teaching her as you would be with me?" "Yes, because if done wrong there is no pleasure, and meaningless sex is, well, meaningless," he said. "But what about later, after her Kitten Vows are complete?" "Tarriana shares one of her mother's former kittens with her husband. And the three are so close, they even share children. And of course, her Sister Inlaw, shares a Kitten Wife with her husband," explained Keeli. "If she came to us freely," he said. "I would accept her, and I would respect her right to say no just as I respect yours," the two-kissed long and passionate for the first time. When she moved to strip off her nightgown though he stopped her. "We should start slow, learn to savor the journey. One step at a time, it will be the same with Kissy if she decides to stop hiding in the closet." Slowly, shyly, Kissy edged out of the closet. They began with gentle soft caresses, and kisses. Each one sharing in the experience together as they talked casually about all manner of things, never going beyond heavy petting and kissing. They heard a soft knock at his door. "Yes?" he answered. "The Queen and Kitten Kissy are missing," Leonida informed him from the other side. "I am not Missing, Leonida. We are talking about the future," stated Keeli. "Is Kitten Kissy with you as a chaperone then?" asked her mother Karin. "Yes Momma, Kissy is here. But I am the Queen, and I do not need a Chaperone in my own Palace. But why were you looking for me at this hour?" requested Keeli as she looked to the clock to see the time. "Did you forget that Carlotta Perrell was coming for breakfast today to discuss the new trade agreements with Tagoli?" "Oh crap," giggled Keeli. "Yes, I totally forgot, thank you Momma." "We will meet you on the Balcony for Breakfast. And Disa can brief you on the Agreements," finished Karin. "Yes, and then Lars can move his ship off the Diplomatic Landing Pad," stated Leonida. They hurried to get ready in their own rooms. And as Lars stepped out into the hallway Leonida wasn't there. But another Guardian was. "I am Cherrie, the Queens personal pilot. I was told to show you where to park your ship," she began. "Cherrie, I want it next to your own," stated Keeli as she and a blushing Kissy stepped into the hallway. "But it can wait until after breakfast." "Ma'am, Blood Thirst is about twenty minutes out. And then also the Blade and Kitten are inbound as well," stated Cherrie. The Kitten was a new Courier ship assigned to Glorri Steel Demure. And if the Blade was with her, then Tarriana must be as well, but they hadn't mentioned Tigress II. "If Lars gave you authorization, could you move it for him?" asked Keeli. "I'd better move it," he said. "Besides I need to coordinate with Leonida to show her the vantage points that are not covered over-looking the Balcony. But Guardian Cherrie can join me so that she can keep watch on the cameras that are still there." She stepped in quickly and raised up on her toes to kiss his lips. "Don't be too long," she said. They were almost at the ship when Cherrie said, "So you are already romancing the Queen." "Captain, you are out of line. And it is not your place to Question a Superior." Leonida turned to him, "Sorry about that, but as you know we all take her protection personally." "If you didn't, I would be very much disappointed," he said with a smile. "I know that it was she who came to you, but I was trying to preserve her privacy when her mother began looking for her." That's when he realized they didn't know about the secret door in the closet. He quickly showed Cherrie how to pull up the cameras and monitor them. As he moved it to the lower Pad, Leonida updated him on the day's schedule. "I have no idea why the two Terrellian ships are on their way," she confessed. "I only know that there are three that belong to Tarriana's detail. The Blade is Commander Dorian Merkuri's, the Kitten belongs to Guardian Glorri Steel, who is also a second wife to Tarriana. I doubt that Tarriana is with them though since Tigress II is not in formation with them." She seemed deep in thought for a moment. He could tell that something was bothering her about the two ships. "They're probably changing things up a bit, being less predictable," he suggested. They were still enjoying their breakfast when Carlotta arrived and he hurried to get her chair for her. "You're new," she observed with a grin. "Good bone structure, High intelligence, you handle yourself like a seasoned Guardian. You must be the infamous Lars Grendel." She reached out nicking his hand with a long sharp finger nail. "Grand Mother?" asked Keeli. Smiling she tasted his blood. "Poppy, bring it to me please," she said. What Poppy lay on the table was a portrait of Carlotta as Queen, surrounded by what was then the First Legion. Reaching out Carlotta caressed the image of one standing close to her. "Your Grandfather was probably the bravest of my Guardians." "Commander Keeve will always be remembered for his sacrifice," stated Leonida. "Sacrifice? He was murdered in cold blood by a Tagolian wearing the uniform of their Kings Guard," spat Carlotta. That had been the year before she'd chosen Nefra and Resigned. "Grandmother, Queen Ziva is coming personally for this negotiation," stated Keeli. "A Queen? Since when have they had a Queen?" "Since the King died in his sleep after marrying her," stated Leonida with a smirk. "If you ask me, she took a page from Moll Trill's play book." "Is she nine years old as well?" asked Carlotta. But further discussion was interrupted by the sounds of two ships landing. They were soon joined by Queen Tarriana followed by both her husband and their second wife Glorri Steel. But before anyone could ask Glorri thanked Lars. "You are actually the entire reason we were able to talk her into changing up her routine travel arrangements," she stated. "After we left they put Tigress in for Maintenance." "I'm just happy that I chose to stop that guy from shooting her," stated Lars. Then noticed the looks from everyone else. "Lars, we recovered this from his residence yesterday, after we got through his security defense system," Glorri handed him her view tablet with the information from the investigation. He too noted the fact he'd previously been expelled from the Order known as the Knights of Terrellia. Were his actions out of grievance? There were nine targets listed, seven of them had been right there at the time. Keeli saw him blanch as he handed the tablet back. "Do you know who issued the contract?" he finally asked. "Two sources, one from Mirwiel, the other from Tagoli," stated Shastarr. "Which is why we, are here this morning." "You only eliminated one of several who accepted the contract. Queen Ziva has been pretty much a recluse since she rose to power and we wish to ensure her intentions. Plus, not many outside the immediate government know that her husband is dead. But she's been kicking over the anthills of corruption," stated Tarriana. "She needs Guardians that she can trust and she knows it," stated Shastarr. "So, she isn't coming here to try and negotiate the mining rights to the Draconian Drift?" Carlotta mentioned the Asteroid fields between Draconia and Tagoli. "She only mentioned it because that is where the Thirteenth Legion is based," stated Glorri. "The Thirteenth is there to guard against Tagolian Miners stripping the Asteroid Belt," stated Carlotta. "King Trencher sent an Ambassador to negotiate, but when we sat down to discuss things his guardians attacked my own without provocation." It was an hour later that Ziva finally arrived. The Tagolian ship setting down on the diplomatic pad. But the ship itself looked like it was a Tramp Trader's ship, and it seemed like the pilot was inexperienced. The thing had made a hard landing, damaging one landing strut. Keeli and the rest stood off to the side waiting as the hatch opened, the gangway extending down to the surface of the pad. When no one stepped off, Leonida and Lars led half a dozen Guardians up the ramp. "We need a medical team ASAP," called Leonida a few seconds later. "Hurry it up, and bring a stretcher. Get more Guardians on the Pad and keep the news out." There were three dead Tagolian Guardians aboard and Queen Ziva who had flown the ship while she was wounded. "She's in bad shape," said the doctor. "But if you hadn't gotten to her she'd be dead right now." Leonida got Lars attention. "The one who was supposed to be piloting had this in his pocket," she held up a Communications Chip. "It's the same as the one they found on the Terrellian." It was two hours later that she finally woke up. "Is Kita safe?" she was looking around in panic. "Kita?" asked Keeli. The other Queens had come when they were given the news. "My daughter, Princess Kita." "We didn't find anyone else, just the dead Guardians," stated Leonida. "She was in the space under my chair." "Cherrie, quickly look under the seat that Queen Ziva was using to pilot," they suddenly heard the crying of an infant. King Vain had died of a heart attack during his wedding night. But not before he fathered a child with his somewhat unwilling bride. Ziva had never imagined that level of depravity could exist. But then after becoming Queen she discovered the things that were really happening. Vain's brother Xain, was supposedly helping her to learn to be a Queen. But she discovered that he was working with the King of Mirwiel in a plot to kill off the Queens of the Free Quadrants. "That's when I grabbed Kita and what I thought were the guardians that I could trust. But I was wrong," she cuddled her infant. Carlotta sat with her a long time in private, when she came out she said, "We need an emergency meeting of the Queens Council. The King of Mirwiel and the would be king of Tagoli have contracted terminators to target the Free Queens." She turned to Commander Nessie, "Alert the Thirteenth Legion. Recall all of the Reserve Legion." Nessie looked at her duly crowned Queen. "Alert every Legion," stated Keeli. "Draconia will not stand by while our neighboring Queen is attacked. And we certainly will not allow the rise of a new tyrant on Tagoli." Being the one to call for the emergency meeting, it was held on Draconia. Messages were sent inviting the Arachnid Queens as a courtesy. Slowly as the Queens began to arrive, having been briefed on the current situation it dawned on Keeli that if the Arachnid Queens attended they would need a much larger meeting place. Then Sheena arrived just ahead of Astrid who stated that they were attending and would brief the others as to what was happening. They covered a lot of arrangements. But everyone noted that where before only Leonida had stood silently behind her Queen at such meetings, now Lars Grendel stood beside her Personal Guardian as well. One last minute arrival startled everyone when a guardian entered with a message for Keeli. "She is to be escorted to the Landing Pad, I want one squad to be there to meet her and escort her here," she said. "Lars, you and Leonida will go to make sure Queen Nilldina is properly greeted." "Keeli, what is happening?" asked Tarriana. "It seems Queen Nilldina of the Mirwiel has requested Asylum. When she let it be known that she was in support of Ziva, King Axion ordered her to remain in her Quarters at their palace." No one said a word at seeing the purplish coloration to the right side of the new arrivals face. But the tension was already there. Now once everyone had decided to send Peace Keeping Troops to both Quadrants, Astrid was surprised to hear Keeli suggest they not involve Star Command. "This is a matter for the Queens to resolve on our own. I suggest we involve the Intergalactic Police to be supported by our troops." "What about the Mirwiel? They have no Freeways to connect them. All their trade is done by Starships," pointed out Natani. "Tracker Command is recalling their Chief Trackers to join the Guardians," stated Vivian. "Might I remind each of you in this room that the two tyrants involved have raised Credits to pay for the murder of each one of us in this room." The Guardians and IGP would move in and secure the Royal Palaces as they attempted to arrest the two perpetrators involved. "Lars, you are not going," stated Keeli. "I need you here." "One moment," interrupted Sheena. Everyone present turn to hear what the Draconian Quadrant Phase Spider Queen had to say. "I will send one Squad of my Guardians to assist. Both Zoe and Falla are sending a Squad each as well," she stated. Then looked to Astrid, "We cannot sit idly by and allow others to cite unrest in the Quadrants. We believe this to be the correct action to take." "Then it is decided," stated Astrid. "The Phase Spiders will also move to secure the Embassies and to discover who in the Black Markets are also involved. Star Command will not be involved in this matter." The Queens let their Guardians coordinate with the Phase Spiders as they continued to finish their meeting. Many taking note of Keeli's new Personal Guardian, Lars Grendel. But of course, it was all speculation since he was not in uniform as to what his true role was at the palace. After the meeting and everything was in motion Keeli sat with Lars to explain the importance of the Phase Spider involvement. "This is the first time in recorded history that the Phase Spiders have involved themselves in our Actions that did not involve Skecksies or Hostile Loki," she explained. Then explained how to tell the difference between the hostile and friendlies of both Races. He knew that she disliked the thought of war or any action that might result in the loss of life. But he also knew that she would not permit someone else to murder her friends, nor would he. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Near midnight, kissy slipped into his room. "Mistress needs some distraction or she will not be able to sleep," she said as she took hold of his hand to lead him back through the closet doorway. Lars could feel the Kittens own excitement at thoughts of once again discovering just how much pleasure that he could give them without actually having sex. She was wondering where he had learned the skills taught to first and second year Kittens at the Academies. This was special and she hoped that she would not miss out on anything in two days when she returned to the Academy on Iridani to complete the rest of her second year. Would Headmistress Gwendolyn understand if she discovered this new relationship that she was sharing with her Queen? Already though, Sabina was well aware that Keeli was sharing her experiences with the Kitten. Racer had read the kittens thoughts and shared them with her. Sabina knew that it was a choice freely made by the young Kitten, she also knew that Lars would not do anything that would violate the laws of the Kitten Culture. Of course, she too was wondering where he had learned the things he was teaching them to enjoy. Did they have a Kitten Culture in the Draco System, wherever it was located? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The IGP Transports were being tasked to secure the prisoners and coordinate with the Demonian Prison Transports, Blood Trail and Torment. It had been less than twenty-four hours, and already arrests were being made in the case. It was over breakfast that Sabina called Headmistress Gwendolyn. Ambassador Ta Ray and her Seeker Daughter Kitten, Chantilly had rescued a Tooth Clan Seeker. They now had the location of those behind the plot, and Lars breathed a short sigh of relief. But he and Leonida remained ever vigilant until the last of those they hired was captured. Throughout the day, he would check in with Leonida and the other Guardians. He was carefully teaching them how to spot things that as an assassin had done to observe his target and any possible vantage points. There were plans for him to visit the other Guardian Academies to give seminars on spotting and locating possible dangers from assassins. True most of it was already known, but they had never encountered one who used drones the way he had. They were making plans to take Kitten Kissy back to the Academy in two more days, and Keeli's primary pilot wasn't happy that she was being placed in a lessor roll. She would still be Piloting the Queen's Diplomatic Courier, but the Queen would not be aboard. She was planning to travel in Lars' Long-Range shuttle. "Lars, I think everyone would be happier if you gave her a name," stated Leonida. "Using her Registration is a bit long and complicated." "How about 'Dream Come True' or Vigilant?" he suggested. "I much prefer Pure Fantasy," said Keeli. "After all it is the simple pleasures that bring the most happiness sometimes." "Simple Pleasures," frowned Cherrie. "Like we ever have time for any of those." Leonida started to chastise the young pilot, but was interrupted by her Queen. "Cherrie, this new arrangement will let you have more free time to do the things you've been wanting to do. Like training more back up crews for when you are taking your time off," reminded Keeli. "And while Leonida is here with you," he kissed Keeli's hand. "I can begin teaching Cherrie how to really fly to avoid things like Security Defenses, the way I did. Of course, Guardian Pilots find practicing those Maneuvers to be Simple Pleasures." "Our day is planned now, I think," grinned Keeli as she wiggled her eyebrows. "And my Diplomatic Courier now has a name, Simple Pleasures." "Cherrie, have Delorriz standing by with your backup," ordered Leonida. As they approached the two ships, Lars guided Cherrie to his own. "You should begin flying with me. Then you will fly your own ship and learn her capabilities," he told her. "Besides, you never know when you may need to fly a different ship, so you need to be proficient several different types." Cherrie smiled for the first time now, seeing the soundness of his reasoning. She was also going to get to fly his ship, find its capabilities. But where were they going to be doing that?