Back in the early and rather hedonistic days of solarium's experimentation, the still-abundant and plentiful resource was readily sprinkled into everything in an effort to elevate these products. The tradition heavily dropped off following the first collapse of society when the material became scarce, and never recovered to those old levels of decadence. But it still did exist on the fringe, usually involving the dregs of impure solarium, that which was not fit for greater purpose.
One of these was so-called 'solar brew,' an alcoholic spirit that boasted about distilling the drink from a mixture that included drops of solarium. The process was hardly an exact science and few actually knew the method in full, not to mention that the taste was rather..unique. 'Like drinking a brew of hot sauce mixed with energy shots,' One bold critic described after trying it on a dare. That, combined with its rather exorbitant price, meant that it was a near-exclusive novelty item to demonstrate extreme wealth, just like the old days. Naturally, your sister had an extensive collection of it so, one painstakingly collected over the years as a personal vice and hobby to show off.
Oh, and it was also quite highly flammable.
Nobody knew how it started amid the fighting. Perhaps it was a grenade thrown into cellar. Perhaps it was a firefight in the basement. Perhaps it was done accidentally. Perhaps it was done on purpose.
Either way, by the time both sides fighting realized that a fire was beginning to spread, it was already too late. The solar brew had accelerated the flames into a raging inferno that couldn't be stopped, not without teams of firefighters and adequate support. Both of these were unfortunately scarce in the ongoing conflict, and the dry, volcanic air of Andernia III did not help one bit.
It wasn't long before the mansion was a total write-off, Brilliance Knights of both sides stumbling out with shaky steps. Some even had to dive to the ground and roll about to extinguish the flames engulfing them, so intense was the flame that it latched onto Guardian Suits. Whatever protections solarium blessed were nullified by the equally potent solarium flames, resulting in the mansion being ultimately unapproachable from all sides. All the Knights of the Black Rose could do was stand to the side and lick at their burns, watching silently while the home of their former master burned.
Radana mutely watched in silent horror while Kat frantically tried to juggle between completing the breach and aiding in treating the injured. "
What the hell," She heard her best friend croak through the connection. "
Wha- oh no, it's being broadcast?!"
The Camellia Knight's head snapped to the side to see that yes, some bystanders were numbly recording and likely uploading the event for all to see across the system. She was so tempted to storm up and snatch the devices out of their hands, but knew that being clad in her customized Guardian Suit right now, it was a bad idea as it would only draw attention to Violet. That was something she dearly hoped to avoid inflicting on her best friend, so she racked her mind for a way to try and get away with it otherwise. Perhaps she could task one of the mercenaries to-
Then the recording devices all turned upwards at the same time, grabbing a new angle to focus on something going on in the flames. Radana followed and gasped when she saw what they had noticed- a figure stumbling from the mansion at the highest balcony of the burning building. The distinct suit was a dead giveaway of who it was, none other than the upstart sister, the rightful Governor.
She didn't look the part anymore though. Her own suit was blackened and warped from the flames and her helmet was sparking .She tore it free and cast it aside with a shout, revealing a face darkened with soot and ash. Hands tightly gripped the railing and deep breaths were sucked in, squeezed between hacking coughs. When she finally weakly raised her head, it was then that she spied all those down below and surrounding her crumbling abode.
There was a mixture of expressions that flashed across her face. Anger. Outrage. Pain. Despair.
Acceptance.
Her eyes finally fell onto Radana and seemingly, a decision was made. Her hand reached up and ripped something from her neck. It was hurled at the diplomat who dexterously caught and held it up, revealing a data crystal that shone in the amber light. Then without further comment, the Solar Princess held her head up high...and walked back into her home.
Moments later, the balcony crumbled and collapsed when the foundations failed, leaving no way in or out. That was the last ever public appearance of the appointed Governor for Andernia III.
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A hand shakily tugged open a desk drawer and withdrew an innocuous looking earpiece, one that could be so easily mistaken as a hairclip or ornament. It was what that diplomat had been wearing that alerted her to a possible manipulator in the shadows, the ever shy sister of the bunch. With a heavy press, the device was activated and then casually tossed onto the smoking desk. Already, embers were smoldering at the legs, so there wasn't much time.
She opened her mouth, paused, then coughed when she inhaled some of the ash. Sweat trickled down her face while she stared blankly at the activated earpiece, then she let out a heavy sigh. "...you and I know now that there's no point in pretending I've been anything but an awful half-sister to you," She frankly admitted. "It's not like me finally admitting it will fix anything now, nor will it change how I will be remembered. A selfish, egotistic, and blind daughter of our shared father.
"Yet even though I and the others were the rightful line, still did he dote and give more attention to you than the others. Than his actual partner that he swore to-" The cough returned with vengeance and her shoulders slumped. "No, dammit. No, there's no point in referencing your illegitimacy again. Not that it ever was, when you had nobler blood than all of us...and that raked us greatly when you acted not to.
"In you, dear sister, is a line that would see our House truly ascend...and us left behind. That was we saw and feared and hated, this cruel irony that unfaithfulness would be the true and uncontested heir would it ever to come to light. Even when you and father never acted on it so, everybody was waiting, anticipating for the moment to come...and when the signs looked like it so, then you cannot fault my assumption."
"So there." Her legs finally lost the last bit of strength and she collapsed into her chair. There was a sea of black tugging at the edge of her vision, the air now a noxious mix of heat and soot. "There...is it. Why you and I will never see eye to eye, no matter whatever we let the other get away with. That constantly creeping fear that I...and the others...are unworthy compared to you. A self-fulfilling prophecy at that, one that is now come true with the last of us.
'So damn you, Violet d'Iris. I curse you now with what you have always run away from- responsibility." The ceiling beam above her creaked and began to splinter. "Enjoy leading House Iris...sister."
With a crack, the beam gave way and the flaming roof fell down.
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The ashes had barely cooled before Radana was already back in your office, pale-faced and looking quite shaken up. You grimaced and directed her to sit first, making the tea instead yourself this time in a rare instance. There was no doubt you probably steeped the leaves too long and didn't let the boiling cool off sufficiently enough, but she wordlessly accepted the drink all the same.
You took your own sip and let the horrible taste flood your mouth. It felt like the perfect representation of your current situation- gone to shit. "They haven't found the body yet," You finally suggested, the weak note in your tone suggesting strong doubt. "So there's a chance. Because otherwise, with such a publicly televised demise, any surprise 'survival' will be carefully scrutinized with demands for full tests. Unless we let enough time pass, then perhaps we could create an adequate double-"
Radana swallowed and placed the cup down on the saucer. Then she withdrew a data pad and held it out. "We might not have that t-time. Have a look, Kat was able to use the data crystal to crack the FTL beacon."
The unusual stutter was what alerted you to a very serious situation and you took the datapad. After confirming your credentials, you opened it to what seemed to be a list of transcripts. Communications between your late-
absent- sister and others in the general sector area, or with the United Empire at large.
The first conversation made you pause.
The second conversation made you stare.
The third and onwards, your chest tightened and your grip on the datapad intensified, circuits beneath your skin activating. There was a loud crack and the screen shattered, just like the world about you. "No," You insisted with a shake of the head. "This is a trick."
"Princess."
"A plot."
"My Lady."
"A conspiracy-!"
"Violet!" Hands reached out to grip you by the arms and you raised you head to meet Radana's watery gaze. It was a sight that made your blood freeze, the sight of your normally composed childhood friend on the verge of breaking down herself something you never wanted to see again. "I-I know it's...it's absurd! Ridiculous! Kat said so herself, screaming and throwing her equipment! B-but she ran it again, and again-!"
She would have likely continued blabbering on had you not pulled her into a tight hug, your emotions now firmly back in check. Now you were the anchor that held her together, that let the noble diplomat vent all her fears and horrors into you. It wasn't an enviable role, but you knew deep down, in your heart, you had to be the one to do so for her. And likely for your people.
Especially when Helm was...gone.
That had been what you picked up from all the interactions your sister had. Each and every conversation partner had expressed thorough confusion about the existence of House Iris, claiming that they have never heard the name before or even about a system called Helm. That was already a very unbelievable state of affairs given the glory your sire had accomplished that echoed through the stars, acts wrought in the grand name of House Sol.
Then House Sol directly responded with similar confusion, claiming that according to their personal records, there had never been a House Iris. Nor a Helm. Nor a Solar King.
Worst of all, any and all names that your sister had attempted, previous allies or even rivals? Unfamiliar and alien to any of their records. It was as if the colony expedition had stepped into another galaxy, one so achingly familiar with House Sol and the United Empire still there, but everything else...changed. Nothing was familiar, nothing was the same, and none knew of your name.
You and your people were alone, without any aid or support, starting from scratch once again.
No, it was even worst than that. All that invalidation of your history meant that your people were facing a number of immediate crisis, from humanitarian to financial. Your mind was racing quickly along the track, trying to swiftly identify and list the likely result of the impending chaos. It wasn't pretty- in fact, it could make the recent internal dispute look rather tame when anarchy settled in.
Immediate action had to be taken, without even a period of mourn or grieve for your lost family. You needed a strong backer to immediately step in, one that the people could innately trust without doubt or fear. But one that would also be more than willing to understand and respect your independence in spite of the quite lengthy aid. Which innately meant somebody who could taken on the burden with hardly a shrug.
Your mouth twisted in a very thin line, your sister's words echoing in your ears when you came to the natural solution to all these woes.
Oh stars. I'm going to hate this. You sucked in a deep breath and gently pulled at Radana, seeing her wipe the final tears from her eyes. "Are you okay now?" You asked in a low voice, one that hinted that there was work to be done.
She took in a deep breath, then nodded. "As I will ever be," Your closest friend replied with set shoulders. "What do we need to do?"
"I am giving you authority to act on behalf of House Iris to reach out and petition House Sol. We will need their aid."
"That's quite a long shot," She replied after taking a moment to consider. "It'll have to go through and get mired in the Senate-"
"No, we're not petitioning the United Empire." You looked at her squarely. "We're petitioning House Sol. Do I make myself clear?"
Radana's eyes widened. "We're...going to ask the Stellarch?! But without His Late Majesty, or even a record of his deeds in their name, on what basis will we act upon?"
"Just trust me. Try to get that audience however you can." You grimly smiled and patted her shoulder with a free hand. She stared for a few moments longer before bowing her head in acknowledgment of your command. You watched her leave, then looked down at your other hand holding the broken datapad. Without the circuits enhancing the skin, pieces of it had pierced your skin and now droplets of red blood trickled down and around your wrist.
How fitting. "It always comes down to the blood I carry, doesn't it?" You idly mumbled. So you set about cleaning the mess, and planning to clean up the next one as well.
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- We're approaching the moment soon. I may already upload the profiles of immediate known other powers that you would be aware of, just so people can start having a gander.
