The powerless have always been pawns in the hands of those who wield power. In war, they were the first to bleed. In peace, the first forgotten. And if they were remembered they were just footnotes on the pages of history.
This was woven into the very fabric of one of the galaxy's greatest symbols of peace and prosperity:
House of Aegis.
Its campus conquered lush land, with buildings rising in clusters, dividing forests and rivers, creating borders where none had existed before. A city within a city and easily the most splendid place on earth.
Morning mist twisted between the trees, dampening the air in a cold. The scent of fresh earth rose into Giana's nose. Her red stilettos clicked against the checkered tiles as she hurried down the hallway. She paused, gaze fixated on the stained-glass window absentmindedly staring out at the courtyard. She took a deep breath then exhaled slowly.
She loved her job.
Truly.
But being summoned at 3 a.m.? The council had surely lost their minds.
She yawned into the back of her hand, her red lipstick slightly transferring onto it.
She continued down the hallway until she was faced with a door that towered her. She waved her palm over the doorknob. It scanned her prints, and with a quiet hiss, the door clicked open.
"Thank you for joining us, Mrs. Allen," a commanding voice boomed from beyond the door.
Giana stepped inside, hands tucked close to her sides. Her eyes swept through the room just enough to register every face but without having eye contact. She had made a habit of studying the room. That's how she survived all these years.
The thick atmosphere coiled in power so palpable that had she not worn a mask forged from years of will; they might have torn her apart with their mere presence.
"Thank you, King Marzu," she said, bowing her head.
She stood straight, hands firm at her side. Her biggest headache since the start of her career.
The Intergalactic Council.
Sat before her, the eight members stared. Their eyes searched for any crack in her demeanor. She forced a smile. The practiced one she got accustomed to.
This council presided over the House of Aegis. It was in their right as they were also the highest form of authority on their respective planets.
Seated two spots down from the head of the table was Premier Yauz of Mercury. A quiet man with the kind of stillness that made people nervous. He remained in his shrunken form, customary for Mercury's people of his stature. His long white beard, which usually trailed behind him like a train, was neatly rolled in his lap as he perched in a tiny chair atop the table itself. He said nothing, simply nodded, eyes unreadable behind crystalline lenses.
Next to him, the ruler of Juipter shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Ironically called Jyuth the Friendly Giant, Conqueror of Worlds, he muttered something about furniture designers being sizeists. The chair groaned under his weight and his knees were nearly at his chest. He kept tugging at the seat, trying in vain to give himself room to breathe.
Adorned in a gown that shimmered under the faint lights, Queen Zola of Venus sat across from them. Her face was veiled, revealing only her silver, luminescent eyes. Impossibly beautiful. They met Giana's gaze and held it, pressing and sharp. Giana looked away. It wasn't her first time seeing the queen, after all, she herself was from Venus. But under this condition it felt more like a warning.
Further down the table, Admiral Ryder of Earth reclined in his chair, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded in feigned boredom. His golden epaulets glittered on his shoulders, and the sharp line of his jaw could have cut steel. He wasn't much of a talker, but the occasional raise of his brow said more than words.
Beside him sat Lady Nivex, governing Saturn. As usual, she was heavily adorned with big gold rings around her neck, fingers, and arms. Her attention was trained on a small thin holographic projection only she could see. As vice president of the council, she was a well-known workaholic.
Dr. Ilor of Neptune sat opposite her, sipping tea from a porcelain cup that seemed far too delicate for the room. His skin shimmered faintly, blue-toned and iridescent, like sunlight through water. He glanced up only once, his nose turned up.
Nestled between Dr. IIor and Lady Nivex sat the Empress of Uranus, Ky. Her slender legs were perched on the table. Her body reclined as she cuddled a small pillow, with her face on it. A sleeping mask covered her eyes, earphones rested in her ears. Her soft snores were background music to the tension in the room. She and Giana were around the same age. Empress Ky was the youngest leader in the room, having inherited the throne from her father ten years ago.
And finally, at the head of the table, sat Mars' king, His Majesty Darnal Marzu. His presence dwarfed everyone else's. Not by size, but by gravity. His burnt orange skin glowed in the morning light streaming through the high windows. His green coils were braided back and adorned with thick gold beads. His broad shoulders looked even larger as he rested his elbows on the chairs' arms. His gaze didn't leave her, even as he spoke again.
"I understand we have much to discuss, Mrs. Alllen.."
Giana hurried closer to the foot of the table. The door sealed behind her with a final, echoing click.
"Let's get straight to it, shall we?" King Marzu said, clearing his throat.
"As we are all aware, the next school year begins in six months. The usual test is set for dissemination and everything is going as expected. However, Mrs. Allen sent an interesting proposal to my office."
Their eyes shot to her once again. She cleared her throat.
"Yes, Your Majesty." She took a deep breath. "I proposed that we open applications to everyone this year."
The room grew deadly silent.
"Mrs. Allen, you do know what you're asking, right?"
"I do."
"You want the galaxy's royalty and top nobles to compete with the common folk?" King Marzu's brows furrowed.
"Exactly. Many talented civilians could grow into strong leaders in politics, security, and education. They could serve the galaxy as well as, or better than those born into status." She clasped her arms behind her body.
"So you want them to compete with our children? You know my daughter, along with Lady Nivex's son, starts school this year."
"I do, Your Majesty. And if they're as capable as you say, a few civilians in the running shouldn't threaten their chances... right?"
A sudden roll of chatter shattered the stillness.
Giana figured that she'd gone too far but she couldn't back down now. She had climbed from nothing to become the principal of the most prestigious school in the galaxy. If she could do it, others could too. They just needed the opportunity.
King Marzu's chuckle rippled through the room and it folded once more into its regal silence.
She took a moment to study him again. For a middle-aged man, he hadn't aged poorly. He still had the charisma of his youth. Back then, he had an entire fan club, Women across the galaxy dreamed of marrying him.
"You know what? I approve," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Anyone else?"
Nervous eyes bounced about in the room.
"King Marzu, with all due respect, this will reduce the chances for our noble and royal children. What if only commoners make it in? We need a structure to ensure our own are accepted," Dr. Ilor argued.
"Well," Marzu replied. "Then it would be my daughter... and a school full of commoners. If your children are weak, that's on you." A slight close-lipped smile grew his face.
He stared at Dr. Ilor, head cocked to the side waiting for some kind of rebuttal. When none came he shrugged. "Any more comments?"
Silence.
"Okay then. Motion approved. Starting now, the House of Aegis is open to all."
He leaned forward, resting his chin on his folded knuckles, his biceps bulging against the seams of his suit.
"This should be interesting."