Chapter 177 - Epilogue: Part 1

　　A young woman walked through the halls of the newly rebuilt Imperial Palace on Terra. Unlike the old Palace of Versailles, this building was sleek and modern. It was also filled to the brim with visitors and travelling dignitaries.

　　Things had changed for Terra over the past two decades of rebuilding. Her father told her stories of how very few people would be allowed to visit humanity`s homeworld. Sacred Terra was only for the Nobility, and even they could not live there without the Emperor`s permission.

　　Those days were gone now. Terra was open to everyone if they wanted to visit using a tourist visa. Longer stays or permanent residency required significant accumulated merits for Imperial Service to obtain.

　　Serving in the Imperial Guard, Humanitarian Corps, or even the Imperial Bureaucracy for a number of years were all avenues of service. But for a noble like Flo, she could visit whenever she wanted as long as her parents didn`t interfere.

　　They seemed to be clutching onto her tighter every day, and she couldn`t wait until she was able to travel freely. As an accomplished Mech Pilot, she was more than capable of looking after herself. She just wanted an opportunity to prove herself without having to rely on her parents.

　　Today was a momentous occasion on Terra, hence the reason there were so many people gathered. There seemed to be two reporters for every bureaucrat or Noble in attendance. Pushing her way through the throng, Flo reached the large chambers that served as both the Emperor`s throne room and the location of today`s trial.

　　It would be the first time a Noble was tried under the new constitution, something that her parents had worked hard to implement. Flo almost couldn`t believe that Nobles could act as they pleased, without consequence or oversight aside from what the Emperor could see or hear.

　　It was unbelievable to her.

　　The new civilian oversight committee had worked overtime developing the template, with solid support from amongst the Ducal Houses. And today was the evidence that it was working. The Noble on trial currently was a real piece of work,` as her mentor would say.

　　Coming into the large room, she took her place just a few rows down from the Imperial Throne. The Emperor hadn`t arrived yet, but members of all the Ducal Houses had. She had barely straightened her clothing when her father`s Regent leaned over to speak to her.

　　"You`re late." Samuel chided her.

　　When he spoke to Flo, the typically stern older man looked anything but his usual self. He considered himself something of an uncle to the young woman, taking her under his wing to teach her everything he knew alongside his own children.

　　"Am I? Uncle Augustus isn`t here yet. How can I be late if the Emperor hasn`t arrived yet?" Flo replied. Samuel raised his hand and flicked her lightly on the forehead. She refrained from rubbing the spot. Instead, she glared playfully at Sameul.

　　"Silly girl. Did I teach you nothing? How would it look if Florine Caledon came sprinting in after the Emperor already arrived, panting and sweaty? After all, we`re gathered here because of your efforts." Samuel responded.

　　"I wouldn`t be panting and sweaty.` I`m always dignified and ladylike!" Flo returned, and this time, a smile cracked Samuel`s iron expression.

　　"Indeed, you are incredibly ladylike. Is that why I received a report that you and your cousin were, how did it read& Slandering and maligning the great House of Carmichael?` Did you really tell Malik Carmichael that the birthing pods must have malfunctioned when he was conceived?" Samuel asked, slightly impressed at the young woman`s daring.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　"Of course! I could think of no other explanation as to why he looks and acts like a troll. Malik is lucky I have such a great sense of self-control. Katherine wanted to punch the odious turd in the face." Flow replied.

　　"Thank heavens one of you controlled yourselves." Samuel replied dryly. They were interrupted by the arrival of the Emperor.

　　Augustus had sat on the Throne for twenty years since the ending of the Succession War and the campaign against the Vore. In that time, peace had returned to the Empire, and a sweeping reform to its once oppressive policies.

　　Many agreed that the Empire was experiencing a period of growth. The economy was booming, with new technologies and inventions being introduced rapidly thanks to the collection of research retrieved from the A.I. Collective. Even the borders of the Empire, once stagnant, were expanding.

　　To counter this new focus on advancement, Augustus had developed an A.I. watchdog group to oversee technology development and ensure that the mistakes of the past were not repeated.

　　Some mistakes were made along the way, but many agreed that if Artificial Intelligence were reintroduced to society, it would be treated quite differently than it had been in the past.

　　Standing at attention, the room was quiet as Augustus sat on his Throne. Wearing a formal suit with gold highlights and the imperial eagle on the breast, he surveyed the room before gesturing to an aide.

　　"Thank you all for attending today. This marks a new beginning for our Empire. Demonstrable proof of our constitutional monarch in action. I have pledged the equality of all under the law, and I stand by that commitment. Today, you witness history. The first trial of a Noble since the Rebellion, over five hundred years ago. Bring in the prisoner." Augustus finished, nodding to a member of the Imperial Guard who left the room.

　　Through a side door, a man strode proudly into the chamber. Flanked by a pair of Imperial Guards in Exosuits, he looked as if an honour guard was escorting him.

　　Johnathan, once known by the criminal moniker Lying Jack` and now known as the Baron of planet Granville, walked through the gathered throng with his head held high. After receiving an amnesty and title from Prince Argyle, Augustus had honoured their deal.

　　Granted the planet of Granville in what had once been Caledonian space, he had lived well as the ruler there, along with his former Corsairs. As Kalen Caledon expanded his borders and seized what had once been under their Ducal House, Jack had managed to remain independent through his connections with the royal family and several of the other Ducal Houses.

　　Until the passing of the Imperial Constitution, codifying the laws all nobility had to adhere to. Needless to say, Jack didn`t last very long under its strict rule.

　　"Baron Granville." Augustus spoke as soon as the Guard halted Jack at the base of the Throne. Rather than bow or kneel as was proper for a Noble when greeting the Emperor, Jack smiled widely as he held his arms out to the sides.

　　"Cousin! How good to see you once again. It`s wonderful for you to throw this little celebration for me. You needn`t have gone to all the trouble. I understand that I was wrong. How about a slap on the wrist, and I`ll be a good boy from now on?" Jack exclaimed, and the crowd muttered at the display.

　　With a sigh at Jack`s complete lack of decorum, Augustus turned toward Samuel and Flo.

　　"Granville lies in the Caledonian sector. Let his accusers stand forward." Augustus gestured. Samuel stepped into the spotlight, standing across from the Throne on the right side of Jack, while Flo stood half a step behind the Regent.

　　"Why have you brought this Noble before us today?" Augustus asked formally, beginning the process.

　　"My Emperor. As per the law, Caledon accuses Johnathan Granville of the following offences. Theft, embezzlement, unlawful confinement of Imperial Citizens&" Samuel began to read out the charges against Jack, and with each one, the muttering of the crowd grew louder.

　　It seemed like Jack was being accused of the very worst behaviour of a Noble, but one that wouldn`t have warranted a formal trial by the Emperor even a few decades ago. The public could see just how effective the new constitution was by the trial being broadcast across the galaxy.

　　"Florine Caledon, you represent the Ducal House of Caledon in this matter? You are the one to bring a noble under the jurisdiction of your house to trial?" Augustus asked, although he already knew the answer.

　　The young woman had led a force of Mechs against Jack`s Corsairs with minimal losses. After subduing all of Jack`s military forces on the planet, she had brought them directly to Terra by her father`s order, the Duke of Caledon.

　　"I did, my Emperor." Flo replied, nearly faltering at her words as all the eyes gathered upon her.

　　"And you did so with no casualties on either side and only a few damaged Mechs?" Augustus continued, and Flo took a deep breath. They had coordinated this beforehand, a revelation for the public.

　　"I did, using the Titan Pleiades`." She stated, and the crowd erupted at the statement.