*2nd post* Ready to move on with the journey, speed up time or have another event pop around the corner.

There is a signet ring, and meltable wax.r

Two more days, and your two ships are entering Zoboa System.

Soon, you're called to the bridge and told....

"A quartet, four System Defense ships, light, but also Regent's Cruiser is coming our way.  Both the ZSD toknow who we are."nd the Regent's personal guardship are demanding to know who we are."

"Do tell them please. You are also tell that you are escorting the emperor to his home after finding him. I'll understand if they'll want to talk to me so be sure to have coffee ready if they want to come over for a check. Do we have cake? Prepare yourselves for guests."

Once everyone is ready and bustling I try to mentally get Louie's attention.
(("Louie, what can your senses and sensors tell me about those ships and those that are on there?")), I ask him. (("Please reply silently in my head."))

"The Regent's Cruiser, Peaceful Sword, has a Kringsta commander who responded with a snort of laughter, and then a demand to stand by and be boarded.  The ZSD are moving into postion to block our escape."

===========

"None of the ships are Sun Cannon.  If you stay away from the ZSD, you should be fine as their heaviest weapons are very close range, or boarding.  They are as fast as I am, if far lighter.  The Peaceful Sword is much heavier, but in a straight up slugging match we would defeat it quickly.  However, it has superior ship handling skills and if we get into some sort of tactical bind its not impossible for them to checkmate us."

===========

You have two ships, what are you doing with th eother?

I thank the captain of our ship for his help, but as they don't seem to cooperate I'll take a stand in front of the screen and hail them personally.
I should have expected they would not believe us straight away. That was silly of us. I take a pose that I hope is authorative, if not a bit intimidating in it's self awareness.

"To the Regent's Cruiser, Peaceful Sword, this is your emperor speaking. What seems to be the problem that you are contemplating high treason against your very own emperor?"

ooc: Is he the Kringsta from the vision?

His mouth clatters, and all  his hair puffs up, and he stares and stares...

"What are you?" is clearly what he wants to ask, but instead he says.

"That is a mighty claim.  Do you offer proof?"

He's clearly rocked back on his heels, and any impatience in him is now gone.  He's very cautious now.

He seems familar, like he was associated in the villain's web of influence, but not the villain.

I close my eyes and silently pray for a word of wisdom/knowledge over the Kringstra I am addressing, hoping that a show of God's blessing is enough.

Do I remember hearing about how the prophecy regarding the return of the emperor or something like that goes? And if so, what is the summary?

One of the key supports of the Emperor is the Sun Cannon fleet, and you have #24, Louies,with you.  And as you pray, you realize that the opposing commander does not realize what type of ship he is facing.

"Please Captain, take a look at this ship.", I tell the Kringsta Captain, maintaining my authoritative stance, somewhat bolstered by the Kringsta's reaction.

He turns his head to study a monitor, you assume, and frowns, which is what Kringsta do inmp profound agitation.

"That's impossible. How do you commit this fraud? The Emperor, may the Living God grant him peace, is dead.  Surrender and face the justice of the Regency Council, strange being."

I smile.

"I am clearly alive. But I'll follow you. We will let the Council decide wether I'm a fraud or not then. There's no need for violence here. An empire divided amongst itself is no good empire at all. History has shown us this."

I turn to the crew from both our ships (if possible) and say: "We will follow these people willingly and peacefully. I am sure this is all a big misunderstanding."

I turn to the Kringstra again. "Lead the way, captain ... eh, I didn't get your name I think."

You're able to screen both ships at the same time.

Its clear you've surprised the Captain named 'Tallok'. He's not sure what to make of you.

"My fatheris on the counsel." One of the Avian's says after the screen goes off.

And as your ships go in, you see a number of signs of prayer among a minority of your crews.

"Say the w ord, Sire, and I will burn a hole through the walls of the Regent's Palace and come rescue you." Louie says in your mind.  "They do not realize my power. I think.  It has been so long since the Sun Cannon ships saw real combat, that none alive know us, as we are."

Your two ships land at Naboul Spaceport, just north of Zoboa's First Landing city which holds several million, primarily Blitken, so there is a LOT of blue about.  Even the spaceport runways are painted blue.

Three armored and armed hovercraft wait outdside.

I join, and even lead the crew in a short prayer as I see the people's need for prayer.

"Father God, you are the King of Kings and the source of all wisdom and peace. I pray that, through Your Holy Spirit you would lead us today, both in words and in actions, in the steps I'm supposed to take. Shine Your holy light upon this situation, be it misunderstanding or something darker. Your light has the power to reveal, not only to us, but to the world, the machinations that go on in the darkness. Protect us and guide us, as we search to walk Your way. I thank you Lord. Amen."

I also thank the avian for his peace of information. Having one of the students be a father in the council could be important, depending on how the talks would go. All in all, things have rather improved. Instead of being boarded, we were being escorted to the council. No lives were lost, no blood was shed, no families destroyed. A small victory.

I do wonder why that Kringsta immediately talked about boarding. This hardly looks like civilized protocol.

Now was the time to wonder how to approach the people waiting outside. I could select a sort of bodyguard to accompany me, it would show of power and make me regal. But it would not give a good message. It would signal a willingness to fight. A willingness of confrontation or an expectation of opposition.

The captain of our ship told me that the three peoples have awaited my 'return' and were willing to hand over command. I could imagine though, that some of those in power will be unwilling to hand over power.

"Thank you Louie, I hope we won't need to use it though.", I think to Louie, while looking at the screen.

Was there a crowd gathering, or was everybody just minding their own business?

As you pray, you sense a gathering attention.

There are several hundred curious beyond the outer ring of airport workers and the inner ring of officials and guards (few officials) to greet you.  More are quickly arriving. Almost all are Blikten.

And you can feel the pressure of several hundred Blikten minds on your own.  Each is soft, but they add up to a great deal.  The feel is gentle and curious.

I wonder about the pressure on my mind that these Blikten seem to have. "Can I send a message to them by thinking? Is it like talking to Louie?", I think to myself. Not sure what I would send them, I try to send them the mental equivalent of a peaceful and warm smile. A single that I am of good intention to them. A greeting of sorts.

Then I walk out. Alone and unarmed. It is a message that I trust them. I do not want to be a threat, and I am not afraid of them. While kings and emperors over the entire world (and probably the galaxy) always had bodyguards, the King of Kings never had a bodyguard while he walked the earth, and nevertheless He had succeeded in doing the task for which He came. While I don't really understand my task fully yet, I do put my trust in God rather than in men.

As I walk towards what seems the most obvious place to be I wave to the people and see what happens. If officials approach me I hold my hand out in greeting. If Louie had some kind of emperor clothing stored somewhere, an official garb of some sort, I would be sure to wear it.

When you walk out, the Blitken all go to one knee in a unified wave that is indeed a wave as they have no long bones so they ripple into the new form.

Its hard on the eyes as the mind keeps trying to say 'no, does not compute' and the eyes keep insisting on what they saw.

About thirty officials in gorgeous outfits approach.  And there is the regular plan you see which was to have you shackled, and some try to go ahead with it, but others of them point out the Blitken behavior and tell them to stop.

Meanwhile, one of the RC Blitken walks up to you, and extends his hands.

"On behalf of Landing City and the Regency Council, welcome Emperor of the Three Races."  And you can tell the rest of the RC meeting party really did not like that....

Overcome with awe over such a group bowing in unison (let alone in a seeming unnatural way), I cannot resist a surprised and thankful, smile. It's a bit hard to cope with. One day I'm just a graphic designer, the other day I'm suddenly an emperor with people bowing to me. It's overwhelming.

Seeing the shackles being put away I have to frown though, but my God has indeed provided. When we are weak, He is strong indeed.

I gratefully take the hand of the Blikten and shake it. "I thank you for your warm welcome, I am overtaken with gratitude for your welcome." I do not only say that to him, but also think it to him/the blikten collective presence. "I praise God for you."

I turn to the other 29 councillors. "I am honored to be welcomed to this planet, yes, to our empire. I am sure that we, together, under God's guidance, will find and keep the straight path He has for our empire."

I turn to the crowd and hastily give them a signal that they can stand again, as I see them still kneeled on the ground and hold my hands high in greeting and celebration.

(Is there a speaker system or anything? I suppose not, as it was not the plan to officially welcome me. If there is no further reaction from the Council, I want to see if I can somehow use Louie to broadcast my voice, as he seems to have some link to me. Perhaps he can replay what I say through the speakers?)

The shackles bothered me, signifying that trouble is far from over. It would be naive to assume otherwise anyway. Anyway, the Blikten reaction was decidedly more than expected. One race down, two left to convince. And the other two did not have the unity the Blikten seem to have. This will take some work. I am assuming that the Kringa will need some kind of show of power or feat of courage to be convinced, while the Avians ... I'm not sure. I think they will appreciate attention to culture, the arts and science. I need to find a way to communicate that I am capable of this appreciation, and am willing to invest in it, if possible.

There is a waver through the crowd under that big dome of sky when you smile at them.

You feel Anger/Doubt from the assmebled Blitken when you view the modern shackles.

"Some of us suspected you might be of a Fourth Race.  It is good to have my grandfather's speculations confirmed.

The RC show mostly noncommittal faces although one Avian strikes you as glad to see you.

"Are you suggesting we have not been on a straight path already?" Snapped almost roared one of the Kringsta.  Who yes, you recognize as one of the supporters of the villain in the vision.

"Speak, Lord of Thirty Suns." Louie's voice booms in basso thunder across the spaceport's empty spaces to wash up against the more distant towers of the city.  "And I shall vibrate the air for you, O Great One."  Yep, Louie's decided that a little laying it on thick is called for.

Before the RC freeze back into noncommittal, you get a decided sense of shame, of fear, of understanding followed by raw terror, of yearning for fairness from the RC's various members.

I smile.

"Thank you Louie. I will keep this in mind once I address the crowd."

I look back upon the cowering council and pick out the courageous Kringsta that dared to confront me.

"I honestly don't know my brave Kringsta, but I have seen you and the one you actually follow in a vision, and I doubt the two of you will lead us on a straight and narrow path." I look him right in the eyes as I say this, as if looking into his soul. I quickly and silently pray for a word of knowledge, should I need to prove myself to him.

As the proverbs say: The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Depending on wether he reacts wise or foolish, there may still be hope for him.

"What madness is this...?" He bellows out, which is a mistake as you've got more than enough volume to win a shouting match.

And you say the word that comes to you.

"Inlys."

And fear, followed by rage...

And he's charging you with a giant battle axe in hand, after leaping over, and plowing through those in front of him....

"Time to test the power of the Lord's Name." I think, as moments reading about missionary stories featuring just what I'm attempting now flash before my eyes. I hold out my hand in a stop sign towards him and shout: "Stop! In Jesus' Name!"
And then hoping that my authority in Christ punches through.

As a backup plan I'll call on Louie's power if needed. If possibly only stunning, not blowing him up.

You yell, and realize he's not demonic, simply angry and afraid and determined not to give up what he has no right to claim.

Being charged by a full-grown Kringsta, who is larger than most of the ones on your ship, in full battle rage is like facing an avalanche.  You yell for Louie...

And fire blooms, but the axe comes down...

====

You wake....floating.  Your head aches.  You're in a dark gray room, above  a healing bed.  There is a doorway.

I look at the bed. Am I in it?

You're floating above it, and looking down toward it gives you a spiral or corkscrew spin in mid-air.  You tumble over twice before gently bumping and rebounding from the rock wall.

And in so doing you catch a glimmer of your face in a stainless steel table.

Your left eye is now red, plastic....just like the Emperor in the vision.  And you can see a scar running down the center of your scalp, upon closer exam, and almost to your nose.  It looks like the Kringsta nearly cut your head in two.

Around you is much silence.

You're floating above it, and looking down toward it gives you a spiral or corkscrew spin in mid-air.  You tumble over twice before gently bumping and rebounding from the rock wall.

And in so doing you catch a glimmer of your face in a stainless steel table.

Your left eye is now red, plastic....just like the Emperor in the vision.  And you can see a scar running down the center of your scalp, upon closer exam, and almost to your nose.  It looks like the Kringsta nearly cut your head in two.

Around you is much silence.