3. Johree
JOHREE
“Three days ago, King Filxr announced that his youngest son, Prince Johree, would relinquish his governorship to his nephew, with the young prince’s father, the Crown Prince, acting as Regent Governor.
This was a huge surprise, as traditionally, upon reaching their fifth birthday, the Crown Prince or Princess’s heir would be granted Tilenfeld, which is within the Xrilla system three parsecs away.
The reason given is that the new joint Human-Dragonii colony of New Haven is in need of a governor.
Currently, the nascent colony is overseen by the local spaceport authority, but with the expected new influx of colonists, and its importance in relation to the new Human-Mylos-Dragonii treaty, the king has stated that he felt an experienced hand was needed and that, given the historical and political significance, the colony deserved royal oversight to show good faith. ”
“Well, Frwiikr, that certainly seems like an excellent idea. As usual, the king is showing just why he’s the most popular king we’ve had yet, and everyone adored his father!
Please join us live on our vidcomm channel as we await the arrival of Prince Johree, who is to appear outside of the Mylos-Dragonii Education and Colonial Opportunity Center that just opened here in the capitol. ”
I snorted at the news comm broadcast. Following on from that fateful lunch with my family, I’d met with the Mylos ambassador overseeing the opening of the center.
He’d explained to me exactly how the test would be conducted, and introduced me to Xeranos, the AI who served the Bride Fleet currently around Earth.
He’d been installed here as well, since humans were under his purview and thus would prevent the need to recreate data he already possessed.
This was not an extension, due to the vast distances involved, but a copy.
Strictly speaking, he was Xeranos and wasn’t, as they were now two separate entities.
He had yet to decide what his name was, so for now, he was simply being called Xeranos.
This new version of the AI was being networked into the systems being installed upon the participating colony worlds as well, both new and old.
If humans were settling there, he’d be present and accessible to all.
If it was a world where there was merely a testing center, he was limited to the testing facility and the private homes of both the Mylos and Dragonii officers working there.
The test itself sounded pretty straight forward.
I’d go in, answer a lengthy questionnaire while the AI scanned my brain waves, then submit a DNA sample that would be run against the currently registered potential mates.
If no match was found, my results would sit in the databases to be checked against future applicants.
“We’ve arrived, Your Grace,” my driver said, stopping the vehicle we were traveling in and turning off his audio comm.
I quickly smoothed back an errant lock of hair while I waited for my driver to open the door.
I stepped out, smoothing down the front of my tunic.
I smiled at the crowd who greeted me, giving a nod to the paparazzi that were covering the event, two of them no doubt the very ones my driver had been listening to.
I played my part to perfection, as always.
“Your Grace!” one called out. “How do you feel about being tested? Do you hope you receive a match?”
I paused, turning around to reply. If I ignored the question, it could be construed that I was going under duress, which simply would not do.
That would make it seem as if I disapproved of those who chose to look for their mate this way, which was definitely not the case.
I disliked there being conditions surrounding the acquisition of a colonial claim, though I understood the whys of it.
The humans were inquiring about applying in drones, in even higher numbers than there had been for the original Mylos scholarship offer.
So many that back on Earth, they’d paused processing applications for the Mylos entirely until their new integrated version of the process was ready to go so that applicants could try for both a scholarship and a land claim and only need to test once.
So, I smiled widely, making certain it looked a little wistful, and said, “Do we not all wish to find our perfect other half? A fated mate is a gift from the very gods themselves, and with proof that some lay scattered among the very stars, the gift the Mylos bring us is a blessed one indeed.”
Flashes went off as several took stills of me at that moment.
“May the gods bless you!” someone in the crowd called out, and I lifted my hand in their general direction as I turned and went inside, my guards who rode on flit bikes surrounding my vehicle, splitting up so that two accompanied me inside.
“Hello, Your Grace,” the Mylos officer in charge of this center said. “Thank you for agreeing to come here today. I understand the ambassador explained what we’ll be doing here today?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Then please allow me to introduce myself. I am Revven and my Dragonii associate here is Piral. And of course, you’ve met Xeranos’ brother.”
“I have decided my name is Bob,” the AI announced. ”It is a palindrome, which gives it a nice symmetry, and being a common human name, will bring a note of familiarity to the colonists who have left their homes to begin anew.”
“Bob,” I repeated. “It’s a good name.”
“Thank you.”
Revven coughed politely. “Now, if you’ll simply answer the questionnaire here on the data pad, Bob will scan you and then, once you’re finished, if you’ll hand it back to either myself or Piral, we’ll then proceed with taking a swab of saliva from inside your cheek.”
One of my guards, Kiprr, stepped forward. “Would it be permitted for me to also test today?”
We all looked at him in surprise, all except for the second guard, Fethri. I realized then that the pair had discussed this before coming here today.
“Your Grace?” Piral asked, as if seeking my permission.
I waved my hand. “If they wish to test and it’s not an imposition for them to do so now, I am fine with it.”
“Very well,” Revven replied, looking at Fethri. “Are you also wishing to?”
“Yes. We wish to do so in order to be guaranteed going with him to New Haven."
I felt touched by their devotion.
“You know that you could end up matched and mated?” the Mylos officer pressed.
The pair shrugged.
“I’ve not had any luck so far, and I’ve used services to introduce me to far too many unmated persons to keep count. So, if that takes the guesswork out of it, I’m good,” Kippr declared.
“Same, only my mother is the one who keeps pressing. Every week, we get a new guest at the week’s end meal and wouldn’t you know it, it’s an eligible Dragonii who’s hoping to meet their fated mate.
I have to admit, the idea of being mated appeals to me, and I’d like the stress of being set up taken away. ”
The pair were handed data pads, and we settled down into the comfortable chairs provided to answer them.
The questions were extensive and varied, and I was glad when I finished at last and was able to go to the next phase.
Piral took my swab and processed it, but no match came back for me, of course, as the testing on Earth had not yet been implemented.
Then the same was done for my two guards, and we took our leave.
This time I smiled and waved while quickly returning to the peace and quiet of my vehicle, breathing a sigh of relief that it was over.
Now all I had to do was travel back to Rednath along with my brother and nephew and formally hand over the mantle of governor.
Then, after a good night’s sleep, I’d depart on my official vessel, the Star Eyrie, to New Haven, where I’d either stay aboard until an official manse was built, or reside in a 3D printed temporary dwelling.
I had already made up my mind to see how the locals received me and what they expected before deciding which I would do, though my personal preference would be to park my ship, live in it, and commute to the 3D temp building I’d use as an office.
Of course, in the infinitesimal chance that I did end up matched, I’d need to consult with my new mate as well, as I’d have to see to his comfort.
And it would most definitely be a he, as I was not attracted to females in the slightest. As for my guards, we’d make arrangements for accommodations for them based upon where I ended up and if either of them ended up mated.