>>6352260<span class="mu-s">Far Halo Yards, Raiha System</span>
Arcturus Garan stewed in his failure, outside the viewport the <span class="mu-i">Hand of the Throne</span> was undergoing a full refit, not just replacing the destroyed FCS tower, but incorporating new equipment that hadn’t been ready for the battle at Noto.
“This war has gone on for too long,” said a voice from behind him.
Arcturus looked up without turning to meet the newcomer.
“Indeed, it should not have taken this long to crush the rebellious Pact.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Arcturus turned around. Flanked by her honour guard, Empress Asaga Kire Zelevas Ryu stood before him.
Protocol demanded that Arcturus bow, kneel or show some other sign of respect, but here in private he was in no mood to stand on ceremony.
“We have discussed this before; the die has been cast, the Empire must be made whole again.”
“Must it? Perhaps the Empire is as whole as it needs to be. Let the wayward houses go their own way, better to step into the new era with willing subjects than drag rebellious ones behind you.”
“I did not slaughter every pretender to the throne and break down the gates of the palace only to leave the job half done.”
Arcturus' head snapped sideways as the Empress slapped him. A baseline human would have been staggered, but to a man like him the blow was as impotent as the woman who delivered it.
“If you wanted to do as you please you should have placed the crown on your head! Your part was finished the moment you placed it on mine,” she hissed.
“Careful your majesty,” said Arcturus with a bitter grin. “Not all who serve us believe as strongly in the continuation of the Imperial bloodline as I do.”
The two stared each other down for a few seconds. Finally Asaga spoke.
“Do what you must,” she spat. “As will I.”
>Quest will continue later. 