Saiyara spent a fortune on the asteroid belt. A Saiyaran company took over the operations. Poor people of Khatoora now had hope to earn a decent livelihood.
Banyarans were taken aback by such a huge investment. They thought Saiyara had taken the step out of emotions, without considering economic setbacks and burdens.
They had more surprises coming.
The people of Saiyara declared monarchy. A centuries-old system changed forever. The planet danced with celebrations. News spread like fire across the wire.
Monarchies were common in wastelands and new worlds. Some powerful with total control, some worked with governments, but all honored the Intergalactic Committee accords. Here on Saiyara, the government now worked under the advisory of the queen.
Eve's face was everywhere. Division that might hurt Saiyara's progress was now gone forever. The jovial event lasted weeks. Eve visited every major city, with Mira by her side.
Eve's beauty was a symbol of faith; her character, of hope; her services and all that she had done for Saiyara, a guarantee.
After the world tour was over, President Pattison invited the queen over for a family dinner. Colonel Hamad and the military chief had also been invited, along with their families.
Colonel and Eve walked in the garden.
"I always knew you could do this, Eve. I'm so proud of you."
"I just called the president to buy that stupid mining field. He offered to buy the whole asteroid strip if I just took the throne. I was so pissed off at Banyarans, I just couldn't refuse."
Saiyara only had the money to buy the asteroid. Andromeda Security Council had funded the venture.
Buying the entire asteroid strip could have caused Saiyara decades of economic setbacks. But the ASC had funded the venture after receiving confirmation that Eve was going for the crown. Trillions of units meant nothing to ASC when it meant one more stable solar system. They were tired of Meshkoff's internal clashes.
Besides, Eve worked ASC missions. They couldn't have been happier about it, knowing the fate of Meshkoff was in strong hands. They helped forge a guardian into a queen.
"Can I call you Major one last time?" Colonel smiled.
The drawback for Eve was... she could no longer serve the military bearing the queen's title.
Eve's eyes were numb. "You can call me whatever you want, Sir!" she saluted the colonel. He embraced her.
Eve and President Pattison in his office room.
"With your support, I can win the next term, and the term after that," he looked at Eve, "but I'm going to complete my third term. I'm going to resign."
Eve observed him quietly. He was an honest man. She knew he cared for the people.
"It will be a good gesture for the opposition. To win their trust. Now the system will be under the control of the Royal Palace anyway. And you'll be there to knock sense into them if they make bad decisions."
"I can't even make good decisions for myself," Eve smiled. "How am I to judge them?"
"Your single decision has changed so many lives."
Pattison didn't complete his five-year term. He resigned early. He had always been a good friend to Eve and visited her often, even guided her steps along with Mira. Eve offered him an advisory position, but he declined, saying he was better off off the paycheck. He loved doing it as a friend.
After dinner, Pattison escorted the guests to the gates of the president's house. Hover cars lifted off.
At the palace—councilors' chambers.
Mira's door knocks. She opens it. Eve stands there.
"I couldn't sleep. Is Rani asleep?"
Mira's daughter Rani was just six years old.
"Yes, just let me get my gown."
The backside of the palace led marble pavement to the beach, all the way where the pavement reached the shores. They both stood there.
"It is different for me too. This palace, all of a sudden."
"I mean, I've lived my whole life on the move. Natasha's been my only home so far. Traveling. Motels. Twelve years has been the most I've lived anywhere. I kinda miss my military quarters."
"What is this about—your heart sinking down at the changes, or are you beginning to miss battle gear already?"
"I don't know. I'm just glad I have you around me. Otherwise, I'd feel torn."
"You've come a long way from Sal Parlos. Now you are a queen. This is better than what I had dreamt for you. And now it's happened. But it doesn't surprise me."
"Why?"
"Because I thought this would be the last stop—if you were a human. But in your ageless life, it is only another step."
Eve's face saddened.
Mira lifted her face. "I would be sad for you, but I'm happy that you are here. This is your home. Your people. You have a lot more friends. And when I'm gone, Rani will be for you and you for her. When she's my age, you'll still be young."
"I didn't ask for this, Mira. I just want you to be with me forever."
"And you were just throwing my bags out, kicking me out of your ship—do you remember that..? Eve, you never had the opportunity to get close to anyone. You are going to move on. Keep growing. You are built for greater things. Even greater than this."
"I'm just built to be me."
"And that is exactly what it takes. Whether you believe or not, in faith or fate, the universe is always conspiring around you."
They stared into the reflection of the moon in the ocean as cool breeze blew on their faces. Sitting silently. Just staying in the moment. In each other's arms.