Intro Chapter 01 . 02 . 03 . 04 . 05 . 06 . 07 . 08 . 09 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 27
The stage management for the dinner is hasty, but effective. I study a video of one of their leading actors playing a king, with annotations from Sean. We go over some body language "do's and don't's", and cross our fingers.
I'm the last dignitary to enter the room. I enter to an introduction from the governor, and I sit on the left hand end of the main table -- a position of honor for a first time guest in this culture. My "entourage" sits on my left, and there's an exit door behind me, not far down the wall. "This is supposed to make me feel comfortable as a stranger." Sean explains "The door is close enough to leave quickly, but far enough off to the side to see an assassin coming."
This night governor wastes no time getting into the festivities.
"My friends. We have won a great victory today, but more... much more... lies ahead.
As a toast he says, "Enjoy! Fortify! For the best is yet to come!
And now it's my turn. My veins turn to ice.
I stand and look the crowd over. As Kull the Conqueror I'm permitted to sneer. It looks like I'm doing so... But it's really the smile of stark terror as I face ... people... I have to talk to! God! Why can't I just shoot up the wall and slap on a few collars!
"People of this planet!" I bellow.
"I came here to bring you into what you call the Interstellar Age. And this I will do. Whether you like it, or not. Whether you kick and scream, or not."
I look around, and there is worry on many of the faces. This is good. If I saw smirking, I would have put some holes in the walls.
"What I have discovered since I have landed, is that many of you would are enthusiastic about entering the Interstellar Age. In this I am surprised. And in this, I am well pleased."
I grin a big broad grin and I motion to the governor. There is applause and cheering.
"Kull can be generous. I will see that this province leads this world into the Interstellar Age."
There is great cheering and applauding, and I sit down. My heartbeat starts to slow, and I start to breath again. I've said what I need to say. Now others will explain what I meant. And... I guess... this is what being a leader is all about... or at least part of it.
Intro Chapter 01 . 02 . 03 . 04 . 05 . 06 . 07 . 08 . 09 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 27