Imperial World

Empress Isabella feared the burly–bodied, six–legged, narrow–headed creature known as kessra. Her fear of the Planos predator, combined with the late Admiral Harrington's suspicions of the creature's intelligence, made each seek a different path to aid Jennifer and the natives of Planos.Isabella never imagined the transformation of Jennifer's mountain cavern home into a functional pioneering homestead with a few modern technological advantages to enhance their safety would become the focal point of the fearsome creature's rage.She knew Taric was aware the empire had to remain true to the charter's bylaws of noninterference in the natural progression of species evolution. Upon receiving Taric's vid message, she witnessed his emergence as a leader, formally requesting the establishment of political and trade relations between their worlds, instantly providing the empire an opportunity to assist without actively interfering with a trade partner's internal affairs.Leaning back in her desk chair with her eyes closed, imagining Jennifer witnessing the siege of her mountain home amid a rising number of savage, unforgiving predators encroaching into the territory, a frightening vision began to play out in her mind of terrifying enraged beasts rapidly advancing toward Jennifer in a coordinated swarm.Shivering with fright, not wishing to see further into the depths of her imagination, Isabella opened her eyes, fearfully shouting in the privacy of her empty office, "No! No! That's not real!"Yet questioning the imaginative visions within her mind's eye, Isabella sensed a faint nagging presence of premonition, asking her, "Or is it?"Apprehensive of the grim reality facing Planos increased Isabella's anxiety over the survival of vulnerable natives living in the eastern wilderness. However, in this case, Isabella believed any variation of humanoid life in the galaxy has more value than a merciless predator with feeding habits akin to sharks inhabiting Earth's oceans.Isabella had to return to Planos, secretly hoping Merlin, the AI inhabiting the fleet's flagship, Maleficent, could ascertain the true scope of the crisis and provide a course of action without violating the charter's strict bylaws.

-- William L Frame