The Shape of Surrender

The Zakkili man brought the mouthpiece up, taking a long draw from the shisha. He held the smoke in his lungs for a long moment, then released it, a fragrant cloud rising above him. The woman sitting next to him gave a disdainful sniff.

“Must you bring that dreadful thing out each time we meet?”

“You are always the only one who complains, my dear Seven.” The man gave her a smirk, saluting her with the mouthpiece of the device.

“I simply expect more of those present. We should be held to a higher standard,” Seven replied, smoothing her silken dress.

“Seven. Three. Enough.”

A pulse of One’s impatience pushed against the pair, and they fell silent. The woman was intimidating by Zakkili standards, her makeup and attire impeccable. She seemed to exude nobility and control, not a single strand out of place in her carefully arranged hair.

She looked around the circle of Zakkili men and women. Each member sat in a luxurious armchair, each piece among the finest credits could buy. The seats matched the room around them, the sizable parlor just one of countless gorgeous rooms in the mansion.

“The situation on Orphila has been controlled. A new governor has been appointed, and the last traces of the separatist movement have been neutralized,” the woman announced solemnly.

“Unfortunate. I suppose that signals the end of our grasp on the planet,” Three smirked again, releasing another cloud of smoke.

“Enough of your insipid jokes, Three. You know this changes only the shape of our control,” another woman, Eight, scolded. “We’ll funnel money and goods through the planet’s government. If guided properly, Orphila’s growth may even accelerate.”

“Growth in the correct direction, now that the governor, the Crown Daughter, is out of the way.” Five’s voice was laden with scorn as she said the title. “A proper Zakkili colony, not a misguided attempt to elevate our lessers.”

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“Out of the way,” Three chuckled. “Yes, I suppose you could call it that. Excellent work on Taira, Two. Your women are to be commended.”

“They performed to the level I expected.” Two nodded at him. She was a lithe, delicate woman. “Unfortunately, the follow up was not as…elegant.”

“Yes, that brings us to our second matter.” All eyes turned to One as she spoke. “Nalyra still lives.”

“A near thing, according to the report,” Ten added. He was the youngest of the circle, having just become the head of his House two years prior.

“I’m more interested in the reports that followed,” Seven started. “She dismantled the separatists and our agents with a fury I had not believed she possessed.”

“Separatists, they call themselves,” Three scoffed. “Naive fools who wouldn’t last a measure without the protection and support of the Monarchy.”

“Still, they proved somewhat useful, for a rabble of peasants and aliens.” A sneer crossed Five’s lips. “Their only use, perhaps.”

Two stroked her chin thoughtfully.

“I agree with Seven. This is a side of Nalyra we have not seen before. It is worth considering.”

“You think she could be a candidate for warmonger?” Nine asked, surprised.

Ten snickered.

“It would have a certain irony to it, considering that her twin Zikara is a candidate for amorous puppet.”

“Nalyra shifted on Orphila, but did not break.” Three’s face was thoughtful as he took another draw from the shisha. “And she keeps that alien at her side now. Seemingly as more than a mere trophy. A tool, perhaps.”

“Irrelevant.” Five folded her arms. “He can be dealt with later.”

“A motion then.” One raised a finger into the air. “All in favor of reclassifying Nalyra from ‘kill’ to ‘observe’?”

After a breath, nine more fingers were pointed into the air.

“Motion passed.”

The woman sent a psychic command, and a servant hurried into the room.

“Drinks.” One snapped her fingers at the girl, not bothering to look at her.

“Then we shall observe Crown Daughter Nalyra for the time being. There is no need for haste.”

The servant returned with a tray, and One accepted a drink from the girl.

“Now, we must discuss what to do about the more pressing matter at hand. How shall we direct the vassalization of these new aliens? These…Ydani.”

End of Act II