Shayla hung her head. “My father. But he wants peace, not war.”
“I believe you. You are no spy.”
The relief flooded through Shayla; she lifted her chin, regaining her confidence. “Then, what can you do to stop the Gifts? To end your silly captivity?”
“Silly? Perhaps it is to you. For us it is a way of life, years upon years. Is that easy to end? I think not. But maybe, we can try.”
“But the Junta—”
“Ah, well, there is something Jago and Kriss certainly don’t know. Nor do the Gotti. But I shall tell you.”
“Me?”
“I trust you. You have courage. I respect that, and I want to know you better.”
“Thank you.”
The queen rose, looked up at the blue water in the skies above, and spoke to the glass ceiling. “There is no Junta. They ceased to exist an eon ago. The judges rule the planets, the army has its generals, the Gotti control technology, and the queens are worshipped, bringing order where there should be chaos.” She looked down at the gaping mouth of Shayla. “I know. Deceitful. And I’m tired of it. As are many of the queens. Your arrival is portentous.”
“Me,” she gasped.
“You, Shayla, have changed your nestors. They speak of you in ways I’ve never heard. None of the nestors I have created have that look in their eyes. What have you done to them?”
Shayla swallowed. There was no holding back now. The queen had revealed many secrets, and it was Shayla’s turn. “I love them. And they love me.”
A broad grin spread across Roisa’s face. “I thought as much. Tell me more about love.”
* * *
Having summoned Jago and Kriss, the queen was determined to begin the process of revealing the truth. A small beginning, Shayla thought, given the scale of deceit that had been perpetuated.
Kriss blanched. Jago sat very still. While the queen talked, they listened attentively, never interrupting. Shayla fidgeted with the sleeve of her dress. It was only when Roisa mentioned the Junta that Kriss exclaimed in surprise. Jago said nothing.
“The Junta issued laws, rallied Hezara to fight the Violence, but to rule over so many worlds was impossible. Each planet had its own needs, so the queens and the judges rule in partnership, while the generals coordinate protecting our borders,” Roisa said.
“No Junta,” Kriss muttered. “Then who commands us?”
“The scrolls of Hezara stand, as the Junta dictated, but what evolved to replace the Junta is a network of committees.”
“What happened?” Jago asked.
“They fought amongst themselves. Some wanted to carry on conquering worlds and making slaves out of the inhabitants of those planets, others preferred diplomacy. While they squabbled, we—that is, the queens and judges—ensured stability. I gather there was a series of assassinations and... it was a long time ago. The request for Gifts grew after that because the queens wanted an end to slavery.”
Jago rose, turned his back on his queen, and walked away from her with his head bowed.
Roisa waited patiently for him to collect his thoughts.
“I suppose,” Shayla said, filling the void, “it explains why the laws and judgements seem barbaric, at least compared to Earth. I mean, no disrespect, but that arena is archaic. Judgement in one day, without any legal advice, it’s not very fair, or modern, is it?” She was rambling. It wasn’t helping.
Jago returned to stand before the queen. “We can create more females? What Shayla found out is true?”
The queen nodded. “With the help of the Gotti.”
Kriss frowned. “We need no help from anyone.”
Jago rested his hand on his nestor’s shoulder. “For now, we do. We need help from other planets, including worlds like Earth. We need to reach out and change things.”
The queen’s dour expression fractured a little. The softest of smiles formed on her face. She glanced at Shayla. They’d had a discussion before the men had returned. Change wouldn’t happen quickly, but there were little things that could be done to start the process.