Chapter 80 30:
Then, the Viltrumite Empire celebrated its first imperial holidays.
There were very few within the Empire, so few that they could be counted on the fingers of one hand and there would still be some left over, seven to be exact.
Such as, for example; the Cycle of the Imperial Legacy, which commemorated the birth and "eternal rest" of Argal, father of the Empire, the Cycle of the First Ascendance which remembers the Viltrumite unification under the imperial leadership of the great Argal; or the Cyclical Vindication of Genetic Purification, which commemorated the historical elimination of weakness to ensure Viltrumite racial survival.
There was also the Foundational Cycle, in celebration of the creation of the Empire and the official beginning of Viltrumite interstellar expansion, as well as the "Hour of Imperial Conquests" and "Military Sacrifices" carried out during galactic expansion, in addition to the Imperial Reflection Period, where multiple activities were temporarily suspended to evaluate past crises.
It was worth mentioning then that, since that ceremony, a new commemorative cycle had been added; the celebrated salvation of Viltrum during the recent Lithari Crisis.
It was so because it had been the first to possess characteristics as disastrous as the detonation of the planet Viltrum, a situation never before seen in the entire existence of the Empire.
Therefore, following the recent events, the structure of imperial administration experienced a series of significant changes. Although Korr was publicly recognized as one of the principal individuals responsible for the preservation of Viltrum and received extensive praise for his actions; behind closed doors and after strict investigations, the imperial authorities determined that he had, in the first instance, acted outside established protocols.
In simple terms, they had decorated a poorly indoctrinated rebellious element. But, ironically, because of that rebellion, the salvation of more than 300 billion Viltrumites had been made possible.
Yes, there were that many; although few compared to the vast intergalactic territory they were currently contesting against other races; not to mention their constant demographic decline with regard to the number born per generation.
Faced with that dilemma, the conclusion was reached that, although it had been a miraculous coincidence that deserved recognition, imperial laws had to remain above any individual result, regardless of the facts.
As a consequence, it was considered necessary to assign administrative responsibility for the errors that allowed the circumstances preceding the crisis to arise.
The subsequent review of operational records concluded that the failures could be attributed exclusively to a deficient chain of supervision extending throughout multiple hierarchical levels within the Dorhymatos.
By decree of the Imperial Council, and with the approval of the great regent, all high-ranking officials attached to the institution were relieved of their duties. Their ranks, privileges, and administrative prerogatives were immediately revoked, and they were reclassified as regular combat personnel in service to the Empire.
Furthermore, they were sentenced to a period of ten orbits of mandatory service on the "active battle lines," without possibility of appeal or early review. The condemned would remain excluded from any position of command, advisory role, or administration, having to prove their worth once more through the direct fulfillment of military operations.
Practically speaking, their political careers within the Empire were buried until the end of their days.
In this way, the old administration of the Dorhymatos disappeared almost completely in the course of a single rotation, being replaced by new officials selected directly by the central authorities of Viltrum.
Among those affected, Nouwl-an was unable to remain exempt from such sentences, although his circumstances as a newcomer to the position of military educator were taken into consideration, and thus he was only stripped of his function.
In simple words, he was used as a scapegoat for Korradd's actions when part of the responsibility had fallen upon him as his principal instructor.
Vexa had escaped by the skin of her teeth, for it was taken as a point in her favor that, at that time, she had been granted leave to evaluate her expected recovery since, to begin with, she had only been assigned as an instructor because of her injury.
Korr did not know what Nouwl-an's fate would be, but there was a high possibility that he would be reassigned to the pacification forces responsible for territories recently subjugated by the Empire, or so Vexa had told him during their last conversation that day.
In recognition of the magnitude of the events that had occurred and as a measure to consolidate patriotic fervor among the population, the Imperial High Council, by direct decree of Grand Regent Thragg, declared a period of three rotations of reflection.
This span, equivalent in function to what other civilizations would call holidays, implied the temporary suspension of all activities not essential to the maintenance of imperial order.
The warriors would abandon their posts and momentarily set aside their daily duties.
For the natos of the Dorymathos, the measure carried a particular provision, unique in the entire history of the center in question.
Temporary coexistence with their progenitors had been authorized for the full three rotations. This decision, although presented as an inconsistent concession by the Empire toward its future warriors, formed part of a set of measures aimed at encouraging birth rates among the Viltrumite population.
It was as if the regent were telling them: do you see how valuable it is to have a nato of your lineage? What are you waiting for? Get to work, make children, let the next hero come from your house and raise your genetic lineage to the table of the Imperial Senate.
In short, pure propaganda.
"seriously... seriously, was this really necessary?", Korr said to himself, although he was heard by Vexa, who smiled ironically.
"you are a strange nato."
"you always tell me that, Instructor Vexa," Korr interrupted her, observing the protocol between subordinate and superior, since they were under the public eye.
"I mean, Korr-add; I understand that you are an 'atypical' nato but... look at your classmates."
Korr did not respond immediately and, instead, chose to observe his classmates around him. For the first time in a long while, he had been completely displaced.
After all, they were children and acted like children. In their small minds, the matter of being the future warriors of the Empire had been displaced from their thoughts to make way for their primary emotional needs.
Some spoke among themselves with evident enthusiasm while others could not stop looking toward the skies, hoping to distinguish some familiar figure among the countless silhouettes flying over the complex.
Nulman was the one who drew his attention the most. With his worn stuffed toy held against his chest, the little one spun around on himself again and again, looking desperately in every direction. The anxiety was as evident as the joy that lit up his face each time he believed he recognized his father among those Viltrumites above their heads.
"well," Korr began, considering his words. "my father and I do not have good communication."
"that is so," she said, her smile just as unsettling as it had been for the last two weeks. "I suppose you still detest his presence because..."
"yes, I hate being near my progenitor," Korr interrupted her, not wanting to relive Shyravel inside his head. "I think his actions were not the right ones back then. In fact, he was very cruel to me."