Chapter 95

　　"-Protests have erupted across the Empire in the last twenty-four hours over the controversial celebration held on Terra for Princess Marella`s birthday. Some have criticized the Royal Family for its elitist` and restrictive attendance requirements. Reportedly over one million people have been invited to Terra."

　　"Representatives from Unshackle Terra,` whose membership claims to have purportedly exceeded one hundred million followers on the Imperial Net, had this to say."

　　"We`re protesting the unfair treatment of citizens by the Emperor. Terra is for all Terrans, regardless of wealth or lineage. Restricting people`s ability to return to ancestral homes and visit our ancestors` birthplace is cruel and barbaric.

　　"We shouldn`t have to give our lives in service to the Emperor or be born to a noble family to travel home!"

　　"We`ll be bringing you footage of the celebrations live on the ground of Terra when we return."

　　Kal and Mare were sitting in an open-air caf� and watching the news holo displayed on the wall beside them. As the report shifted to the celebrations themselves, he turned away and took a last drink of his coffee before setting it down in its white porcelain saucer.

　　"You agree with them?" Mare deduced from Kal`s reaction. They had spent considerable time together over the past month, and she understood his thoughts well. While he was usually calm and reserved, she noticed small tells that revealed his inner thoughts.

　　"We should go. They`ll be here soon." Kal said, standing from the table. Across from him, Mare looked unrecognizable with a wide-brimmed hat and dark sunglasses. She wanted to enjoy the festivities but didn`t want people to recognize that she was the birthday girl.`

　　Combined with her white sundress, Kal thought she looked radiant. He wore simple khaki pants and a light blue shirt in the Terran June heat.

　　Walking through the streets towards the arrivals section, Mare asked her question again.

　　"They have a point." Kal replied, gently guiding her with her hand on her back around a group of people watching a street performer juggle and sing. The group laughed and clapped their hands at the display while an Imperial guardsman observed the street.

　　"What do you mean?"

　　"I understand why people would be upset. Terra has been off-limits to the general public for millennia. These protests are nothing new. I remember similar arguments from when I was a boy."

　　"We`re doing it to protect Terra. The environment is still recovering, and we can`t allow unrestricted travel with the Emperor living here. What if someone were to smuggle a bomb or drop something onto the surface from orbit? It would be a disaster for the Empire."

　　"Valid, but there are good counterpoints. The environment here has been healed for thousands of years. Hell, most terraformed planets in the Empire have more native Terran Flora and Fauna than here. From what I remember of my studies, life on Terra only exists because experts pooled species from across the galaxy and reintroduced them." Kal replied, shaking his head.

　　"As for the Emperor, I`m sure the Imperial Throne would fit on any planet easily enough. There`s only one real reason Terra is closed and will never reopen to the public. Terra is special. There`s power in that. The Emperor is extraordinary because he is the one that decides who can come here. It adds legitimacy to everything he does."Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

　　"So, you`re in favour of Unshackling Terra`?" Mare asked, frowning. She agreed with his logic but disagreed with his argument.

　　"No, of course not. It`s just that I can see both sides."

　　"Remember, you live on Terra now too." Mare reminded him.

　　"For now, but I`m Caledonian. My ancestors might have migrated from Terra, but we have over ten thousand years of history away from here. Caledon is my home." Kal stated firmly.

　　They travelled swiftly through the resort town, weaving through the busy streets and avoiding the large crowds. Mare`s disguise worked well, and they weren`t spotted, even when they saw groups of Nobles from a distance.

　　Arriving at the landing pad, they were alone except for the Imperial Stewards, who immediately bowed to the pair. Mare stood out to the Imperial Servants, who recognized her immediately, either from her appearance or by Kal accompanying her, but respected her desire for privacy.

　　"What time is it?" Kal asked, and Mare raised her arm where her holo display had been integrated into a wristband. She didn`t like using Optics. The technology was irritating and always present.

　　"Almost eleven. They should be here soon. Oh, there it is!" She said, pointing out the approaching shuttle making a graceful descent through the few white, puffy clouds that drifted overhead. Landing gently onto the concrete pad, the shuttle cut its engines and opened its bay doors to release the crowd within.

　　From amongst the travellers, Kal spotted the pair he was looking for. As a minor noble, he was only entitled to invite two people to accompany him to Terra. Sylla was an obvious choice, but Tamara`s insistence that he take Talha over her surprised him.

　　He thought as the head of his House Guard, she would want to attend to protect him and judge his health, but she urged him to bring Talha.

　　"You know, you could have asked me for additional invitations. I know the organizers. I`m sure I could have put in a good word for you." Mare joked, nudging him as the pair from Caledon walked toward them through the crowd.

　　"I didn`t think of that! Could you have also gotten me a bigger room, or maybe in a different wing? Mine`s facing the ocean, and I find there is too much of a breeze." Kal replied with a grin.

　　"Idiot. I would have been happy to help you bring more of your companions from Caledon." Mare stated.

　　"I know, but I don`t want special treatment. You`ve done more than enough for me. I don`t want to take advantage of our friendship." Kal said honestly, causing Mare to smile at him.

　　"It`s good to see you, Kal! You`re looking better than the last time I saw you." Talha shouted over the din of conversation. Approaching them, she stopped speaking when she noticed Mare next to him.

　　"Baron Caledon, thank you for inviting us. Milady." Sylla greeted them formally, giving a curtsy that surprised Kal with its grace. Talha blinked and stared for a moment before awkwardly copying her. Sylla was wearing a green dress, so the action looked normal, but for the shorts and t-shirt wearing Talha, it looked abnormal.

　　"Enough of that! Mare`s a friend, there`s no need to be on pins and needles around her, and I don`t want you bowing and scraping the entire time you`re here. You`re my invited guests, equal to everyone here." Kal said, lifting Sylla from her curtesy gently by the arm.

　　"Kal`s right. Please, call me Mare." Talha nodded at her words, agreeing instantly, while Sylla was a bit more wary. It would take her time to be comfortable around another Noble aside from Kal.

　　"Honored guests, please allow me to escort you to your accommodations. If I may, Milady, Milord?" A Steward approached the group, giving another bow to the nobles before gesturing for them to follow him.

　　"Of course. Your rooms should be next to mine. We`ll follow, and then we can take a walk around the town?" Kal offered.

　　The group followed the Steward, the pair of new arrivals marvelling at the beauty of Terra. Caledon`s troubles during Kal`s stasis had marked their planet, and it would take years for it to recover. But seeing Terra and knowing its history, they hoped that Caledon would become a paradise again.

　　The rest of the day was spent walking the streets, eating in one of the best restaurants in the resort town and seeing the various vendors and entertainers brought in for the celebrations.

　　In the evening, they met up with Cid, Ty, Micah and John, the four finally meeting Mare in real life, which no one had ever done as Mare rarely left Terra unless accompanied by her parents.

　　Sat around a large table in a pavilion, with lanterns on poles providing a warm glow and a band playing on a stage to entertain them, they enjoyed the first day of celebrations to its fullest.