Act Five, Final Scene
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Act Five, Final Scene
“Nicator, who called herself Ilderia, is dead.”
The voice echoed from every speaker; on the robots, on the televisions, everywhere. A timestamped live feed of Nicator’s body resting on a slab was playing on some of the screens the robots carried.
“I am Catherine Balog, the Storm Queen, pilot of the armor Curtana. Daughter of the Titanium Tyrant and the Gorgon Queen. By right of birth and victory I declare myself Queen of Novapest.”
They marched down the street. They marched down every street. They were armed, but not only with rifles; the ones further back on the line were carrying letters. The letters had been very quickly printed; they contained the text of the speech.
- - -
As queen, my first act is to declare a universal amnesty. All acts committed during the war that began with my father’s death are forgiven. All knights and soldiers who will join the new Royal Army will be welcomed. All others must yield up their weapons and return to a civilian life, or depart the city.
- - -
Catherine shook hands with Decimus, then Veneti.
“Your ships await, Legates.”
“So they do.”
- - -
As queen, my second act is to declare the abolition of feudalism. All comital titles and all titles held from counts are hereby invalid. Temporary governors will be appointed to the counties to enforce the rule of law until such time as a constitutional convention can be called.
- - -
Melissa looked at the suit. They’d recovered it from the wreckage of a burned-out building, somehow still intact. One last miracle from a tinker known for them?
“We need a Luminosa,” said Catherine. “Why not you?”
- - -
There will never be another Count Pyre. There will never be another Count Fear. There will never be another Count Just. As Queen of Novapest, I promise to protect the lives, properties, and other rights of all citizens of Novapest, including the right to self-governance and the right to equal citizenship for all, Powered and otherwise.
- - -
Mercy stood on the docks, Patience next to her. They were using false names, of course.
“Goodbye, Catherine,” said Patience, quietly. “Goodbye, Novapest.”
She looked up at Mercy.
“Let’s see the world.”
- - -
My father founded this nation in blood, but the time of blood has passed. There will be no more riots. There will be no more murders. There will not be another war. Let us have peace. Let us have security. I dream of a world where children can be born, grow up, raise children of their own, and not once see a bullet-wound, hear the march of armor, see their home city aflame. With my power as queen, I intend to make this world a reality.
- - -
There was a monument, in what had used to be Conquest Square.
A steel stele, with names written on it.
Greenrose. Junia. Elgolian.
They died for us.
We will never forget.
The woman watched, and her hair was black and her eyes were gold and her coat was blue, and there was nothing green about her at all.
“Thank you, Catherine,” she said. “Thank you, everyone.”
She was wonderfully, wonderfully free.
“Goodbye.”
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