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The Gyst – Chapter 2 In many ways the Gyst flight from the Sauna system was similar to the trek made by the Xhali. Starting from a system they labeled The Wilderness, the Gyst moved forward. It was a flight that lasted nine months. Arguments and contention arose between putting as much distance between them and Sauna as possible and settling on the first suitable world. In the twelfth system entered the Regent Wonset decided that this was the one. Named Royal Ascendant, the planet was eminently suitable for colonization. Along with a handy asteroid belt, the majority of the system’s moons were very rich in mineral content. Once the population base reached a size that would allow colony expeditions the Gyst would be able to fully utilize their new system. The
first and
capital city of Morale was good thanks to RA’s fertile soil and pleasant weather. A new aristocracy to support Prince Kysjyt and the Kingdom was created, under the careful eye of Wonset. No pretense of luxury, affluence and privilege was made in the first two decades. Newly titled barons and dukes worked long hours and live in quarters exactly like those used by the civil population. There were those, however, that believed that fealty to royalty was what brought them to their current circumstances. A group made of professors, civil servants, and businessmen arose and publicly questioned the need for a monarchal government. Call the Foundation, this group called for a referendum on the current government. Their goal was to have expanded democratic rule, turning the monarch into a figurehead position. They believed that such a government would’ve prevented the civil war in the first place, since ego played a large part in starting it. Very few found the Foundation’s argument persuasive. The populace was still quite loyal to the Gyst family and to Kysjyt in particular. Wonset took a dim view of the Foundation, citing it as a disruptive influence in the new society. Usually it only took a short personal visit with the top organizers to dissuade them, but the more vocal members were arrested for advocating the overthrow of the monarchy. In a Crowneport police interrogation room Wonset looked at one of those vocal proponents. Bersig was his name, and his light green exterior was immaculately clean. It was a nervous habit of his, and it became more pronounced when he went to trial. Sitting across the table from Wonset, Bersig tried not to look at the pale yellow Fendalen’s mangled rear antennae and facial scars. Looking at his eyes wasn’t a good idea either, so the Foundation man focused on Wonset’s hands instead. “You will be happy to know that I talked to the judge about your sentence,” said the Regent. “Twenty years was far too long.” Bersig’s antennae perked up. “You got me a reduced sentence?” He still looked at Wonset’s hands, focusing on the ducal ring. “Why would you do that for me?” “Even though we’ve been on this planet for ten years now, and the people number over one million, everyone, including criminals, must contribute.” Wonset looked at the convicted man with cold formalism. “Twenty years in a prison doing tasks that benefited only yourself and your fellow inmates just won’t do, Bersig. As the population grows, so will the need for prison space, but your time won’t be spent adding on to the one in Crowneport. In fact, you’ve been given ten years probation. You’ll be working for the civil service in Bridgeford.” “No prison time?” Bersig said excitedly. “And a job? Oh, thank you, Regent. You are most beneficent.” Wonset made a dismissive sound. “Oh, you may yet curse my name at the end of each day, Bersig. You won’t get a desk job, or even a factory job. You’re going to be a fuzzfruit field attendant.” He took some pleasure in watching Bersig involuntarily clean his forearms and antennae. “A dirty, necessary job since fuzzfruit can’t be picked mechanically. For a nutritious food it is certainly leaves a mess when you pick it and remove the outer covering. Best of all, the fruit remains good on the vine for up to three months once it reaches maturity. Not only do you get to work in the great outdoors and have one of the easiest jobs on Royal Ascendant, Bersig, but you’ll go from farm to farm, picking fuzzfruit during the summer and fall.” “How long did you say the probation is?” said Bersig, his hands wiping away imaginary dirt. “Ten
years.
For the times you won’t be picking you’ll be trained
to repair farm
equipment and do all sorts of other farm tasks, like
muckraking and
plowing. You’ll be kept busy all day,” Wonset leaned
forward, his ducal
ring held right in front of Bersig’s eyes, “and at
night you’ll be busy
cleaning yourself raw. In truth, I wanted to have you
crippled and
blinded so that you’ll become RA’s “Your
words
will be heeded as those from the heavens,” breathed
Bersig. He kissed
the ducal ring and stared down at the table, caring
not to look at
Wonset’s eyes. The Regent left the room. He had spent
enough time on
Bersig, for there were other matters this day that
required his
attention.
The palace, called Stone Ark after the grounded freighter which served as it core, was a busy place all day and night. One-third of the former ship was devoted to technical classrooms, and the shuttlebay was converted to a gymnasium. In one corner, practicing his swordsmanship was Kysjyt. After seeing his charge successfully pushed his trainer out of the ring Wonset stepped forward. “An admirably display, my prince. Your skill rivals that of your father.” “For thrusting and slashing with a 125-centimeter long piece of sharp metal I’m certainly proficient.” Kysjyt dismissed his trainer, which was the commander of the Royal Marines, General Hygis. A veteran of the civil war and participant in more combats than he cared to remember, Hygis made sure he taught the prince everything he knew about sword fighting. To reinforce the seriousness of the training, the general left a good nick under Kysjyt’s chin a year earlier. On occasion the prince would touch that scar whenever something was troubling him. Such as the case now. “You weren’t overly rough with Bersig? If it were me I would’ve broken his legs and then sent him working in the fields.” “I only did what I needed to maintain my image as a bastard, my nephew. If any discontent is to be voiced then it should fall on me instead of you. When a dirty but necessary act is to be done then it will just be my culpable hands that history will remember, not yours.” Kysjyt sheathed his sword in a scabbard that has been in his family for generations. The gemstones at the top sparkled as the prince turned fully towards Wonset. “I’m approaching the time where my hands will be culpable. These last ten years have gone by fast enough. In ten years time I shall be King. You won’t be my shield anymore.” Wonset grunted. “In the background I’ll still watch your back, but in the light of day you best watch yourself. Starting next week, for example, when you being your naval and ground forces training I won’t be their to intimidate the instructors. I’ve done my best not to spoil you, and taught you the finer points on being a king. A few years working under the nearest thing to a king will strengthen your character.” “From what I’m told Captain Qauzu always brings out the best in people whether they like the experience or not.” Kysjyt looked at the far side of the gym at a group of females. “There’s one subject that you and Aunt Wykken haven’t talked to me about yet. According to the rules of succession I should have a designated consort from nobility by the time I’m officially crowned as king.” He gestured towards the group, involuntarily getting their attention. The prince looked distinctively uncomfortable being on the receiving end of female attention. The Regent grinned. “Ah, you’re as shy as your father. Had it not been for me your parents wouldn’t have gotten together.” He waved back in acknowledgement, making Kysjyt blush in embarrassment. “I’ll have Wykken talk to those girls’ mothers over the next few months. By the time you get done with basic training you’ll have a short list of prospects. However, I recommend Dysyl, daughter of Baron Cuset. In the war Cuset sacrificed much to ensure our survival. Marrying his daughter would be the ultimate form of recognition for his work, since he would become the first Archduke ordained in the Kingdom.” Wonset tugged on Kysjyt’s left-front antenna. “Moreover, purple-skinned girls like Dysyl over there are embedded with folklore about being extra-fertile. Why, with your royal powers you’re supposed to be able to make such girls pregnant just by looking at them.” He waved again, and the noble girls acknowledged with waves of their own and some audible giggles. It was a bit too much for Kysjyt. He left before his face and chest became an undeniable shade of red. Wonset shouted after him in playful jest. “Come back, nephew. I haven’t finished embarrassing you in front of your girlfriends yet.” It was sixteen weeks later. Kysjyt
completed
basic spacer trainer, finishing ninth out of a class
of ninety-two.
Along with the other cadets that finished in the top
20% the young
prince was heading for officer training. But first
came three weeks of
leave. Wonset was mildly surprised that his nephew
declined to look at
the compiled notes about the noble girls. It seemed
that Kysjyt was in
secret correspondence with Dysyl, even before going to
training. The
first public confirmation of their interest in each
other was when the
light cruiser Rapscallion landed at
the spaceport.
Dysyl was waiting there, and after greeting his aunt
and uncle Kysjyt
went to her next. A reporter from the Crowneport
Intelligencer took a picture, giving the gossip
column new life and
chatty wives more fodder for the Only in the middle of the second week did Wonset managed to get Kysjyt away from Dysyl long enough to attend a crown briefing. Sitting at the head of a u-shaped table the prince listened with interest. At the ten year mark the population of Royal Ascendant stood at 1,070,000. 90% of that number was at or below the age of 10. With the current population drive at a minimum of seventeen more years, more likely twenty, the population will reach one hundred million. Militarily, the active naval forces consisted of two missile light cruisers, six frigates and two buoy control ships. Five years earlier the beginnings of a space station, complete with one shipyard section, was built. The six primitive frigates were built at the station and the crews came from the mothballed BC Red Visor, CA Silverblade, and DD Flak. Only 12 survey vessels, those with long-range scanners, were kept in service with the remaining 48 placed in mothball storage. Just four of the smallest freighters out of the initial group of 107 were kept intact and mothballed, the rest having been grounded and used for building materials. The Royal Navy, while currently limited to just 22 ships, had a total of 20,000 personnel (mostly reservists). As for the Army, now called the Armored Knight Corps, it could call upon 17,000 reservists to supplement the 5,000 active duty troops. For the Royal Marines their ranks just had 1,000. It was a certainty that for the better part of the next two decades those numbers would not rise substantially. The settlement was focused on population growth and education. While the technology to build spaceworthy vessels was retained the sophistication of those vessels was lacking. When the Xhali and Gyst factions parted ways it was the Xhali that took the sole mobile shipyard. Information and requirements on building more advance tech did exist in Gyst databases, but there simply wasn’t enough trained technicians, engineers, and scientists to act on that data. Again it was projected that it would take two decades before a sufficient base of personnel was trained to conduct research and development. Thus, after the reports from the military, treasury, industry, welfare, and science departments were made the main item on the agenda was brought up. Wystyk, a red-color female and head of the science department, activated a holoimager in the middle of the table. A simplified schematic of a star system floated in the air, rotating so that everyone could see it all. “This is the Coil system, two transits out from warp point two. Our six ship survey group has completed its warp point survey three months ago.” Wystyk indicated the four warp points in turn on the hologram. “When the group went to investigate the habitable planet they found a native sentient race. The Coilans are at a bronze level of technology, and have several empires spread across the planet.” An image of a Coilan replaced that of the system schematic. It was a two-headed bipedal being, standing two meters in height and covered in clothes made from animal skins and a wool-like material. Each head had its own pair of eyes, mouth, and ears. “No direct contact has been made, as per standing survey orders. Flying micro-remotes were used to take images of the natives and their culture.” Wystyk exchanged the Coilan image with that of the planet. “It’s a useful enough world from what we know so far. The climate is agreeable and the mineral content is above average...” Kysjyt tilted his head. “Is this a suggestion that we talk the planet away from these Coilans?” The chief Gyst scientist raised her hand. “No, my prince, not so much like we done before back in home space. There’s enough territory on Coil where we can plant a colony when it comes time. If the natives want to initiate contact, we can oblige them, perhaps even open trade.” A shake of the head told Wystyk otherwise. “I have no doubt that the temptation to colonize Coil would become great. It’s a natural nexus with those warp points, and with a mineral rich world to subsidize orbital works any colony would grow over time and totally dominate the Coilans. Plus there’s the temptation to use a primitive race as slaves, like we have done with the Barsat, Ohaj, and Tekkel.” Kysjyt looked at the planet’s holographic image with concern. “What we have here is a chance to do things differently. Even if we don’t colonize there will be those wayward traders that would do business with the Coilans. Perhaps giving them primitive firearms or even worse things, like nukes. So, to prevent that we’re going to initiate contact and establish a crown trade treaty with the major empire on Coil.” “Trade?” said Wonset. He had been silent for most of the meeting, letting Kysjyt ask the questions and making decisions on policy. “What could be possibly trade with bronze age primitives?” It was easy to see that Kysjyt anticipated such a decision. “Jewels, for one, along with gold and steel tools. In return we’ll get exotic foodstuffs.” His mouth opened to form a grin. “I had the opportunity, during those brief periods of personal time during training, to read the weekly survey reports forwarded to me by Wonset. It seemed that the survey teams had taken a liking to Coilan food plants they sampled, even going as far as covertly collecting them from farms.” Wystyk looked a bit uncomfortable from that disclosure. The prince went on. “Also in the reports it’s apparent the Coilans value gold and jewels. Their farmers would undoubtedly value a steel plow over that of one made of stone.” “Yes they would, my prince,” said the treasury secretary. “We can also use this opportunity to start the nucleus of our merchant marine. Even if it’s just one ship, new crews can be periodically rotated in and a reserve can be created.” “Excellent. All that we’re lacking is a foreign affairs secretary to open relations with the Coilans,” said Kysjyt. “We’ll convene again in seven days. I want everyone here to recommend three candidates. Those recommendations are to be given to me in four days time.” He stood up, his armed crossed so that his monarchal ring was plainly visible. It was clear sign that he had made up his mind. “This meeting is adjourned.” Afterwards in the hallway Wonset congratulated his young charge. “A forthright decision you made in there, nephew. Decisiveness is an important quality for a king.” “I
wanted to
be sure that my kingdom’s foundation was solid,” said
Kysjyt. Then his
tone turned philosophical. “In my opinion we can no
longer afford the
foreign policy that served the pre-civil war Wonset
placed
an affirming hand on Kysjyt’s arm. “A wise decision on
your part. The
heavens only know how much progress the “Yes, there is that,” said the prince sheepishly. “Then get going to your Dysyl. I’ll take care of the day’s paperwork.” Wonset congratulated himself as his nephew made for an exit to the courtyard. As regent Wonset could’ve made the decision regarding the Coilans without involving Kysjyt. Instead he decided to test the young prince by giving him an important policy decision. Since childhood Kysjyt was voracious reader of history and often engaged his tutors in protracted discussions about ancient and modern kings. It was apparent that all of his study and contemplation has served him well. The Kingdom wasn’t going down the well-trodden path of conquest but the untested one of peaceful relations. In this the future was frocked with uncertainty, but it wasn’t going to be dull by any stretch of the imagination.
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