The gathering in the room was a combination of odd looking inhabitants from the planets and many moons of the Solar System. Some were there to receive awards and others to enjoy the privilege of being invited. It was an intimate affair, and to attend one needed a royal engraved invitation. Saturna was dressed in a flowing royal blue silk gown and wore a tiara with two large blue sapphires surrounded by sparkling diamonds in her hair, which was swept up in a tight roll at the back of her neck. She sat stiffly in the gold and platinum throne at the front of the room on an elevated platform slightly higher than everyone else and scanned the crowd noticing some smiling faces, but many with looks of concern. This made her feel uncomfortable. Most of the planets had done poorly in the competitions and it was obvious the dignitaries and guests representing them were unhappy. Saturn signaled for the commencement and Zard’s anthem was played, an unusual but cheerful melody with many high and low tones. This was followed by a brief speech by Yuko. Tonight, Saturna would present trophies to the three finest warriors in the Solar System. It would then be up to Detis to deal with the rest of the ceremony.
As Saturna turned to greet the first recipient walking up the stairs, she caught a glimpse of Anton to the side of the stage. The sight of him made her feel light-headed and she had to take a conscious breath to regain her composure. She wondered if her parents had felt this way about each other. She didn’t have any idea, but desperately wanted to believe they had been deeply in love. After her father had married Detis, he had seemed happy for only a few months. Then slowly he had become distant from everything and everyone, including Saturna.
Trying to concentrate on the task at hand, she focused her full attention on the winner of the bronze trophy, Bonn of Zard. Bonn knelt before her and Saturna placed both her hands on his shoulders. “I honor you Bonn of Zard, winner of the bronze trophy and command that you shall become Captain of the Guards, respected by all officers and inhabitants alike.” The trophy was carried out by two Urite servants. It was a large impressive statue of a gladiator sitting upon a heppal with Bonn of Zard engraved on the front. There was massive banging and calling from the crowd.
Gondee called to Saturna through her auri. “The winner of the platinum trophy is Thor of Veectors. He is entitled to have the rank of General bestowed upon him however you have the power to veto it. I fear Veectors is in the middle or possibly the cause of the trouble we are having.”
“I understand Gondee. Thank you,” replied Saturna as Thor was approaching the stage.
Thor was so huge that Saturna felt like a dwarf even when he was kneeling before her. She thanked her lucky stars it had been Anton and not her who had fought him. Placing her hands upon his shoulders she said, “Thor of Veectors, you have received one of the highest honors in the kingdom. A Veectoreze has not won this position in eighty-four years. You shall become General of the Camp, respected by all. With this position you will work with all inhabitants, making fair and unbiased judgments. You will lose your identity with Veectors and must never be seen favoring the planet of your birth. The responsibility of my safety and well-being will also be upon your shoulders.” Saturna smiled and bid him to stand beside her.
The Veectoreze in the crowd could not yell more loudly. A similar but larger platinum statue was presented to Thor and although three Urite servants carried it onto the stage, Thor picked it up as though it weighed nothing and lifted it above his head. Detis stood on the sidelines grinning from ear to ear. “This may work out very well after all,” she whispered under her breath.
The music played again, inflaming the inhabitants before the presentation of the last trophy. As Anton walked towards her, Saturna tried not to make eye contact, she couldn’t give herself away with all looking on. Anton knelt, and the moment Saturna touched his shoulders she felt peacefulness, completeness, as if she belonged with him. Words didn’t come easily and she struggled to remember the prepared speech. “Your name, Anton of Zard, will be placed in the archives as the greatest warrior in our Solar System. You will be rewarded with the title of Commander in Chief, a new position which will place all military personal, military barracks, interplanetary prisons and all inhabitants under your command. I have created this position not to remove power from other military officers, but for you to guide and mentor them. Let it be known that Anton of Zard will be second in military command next to me.” Turning to the crowd she said loudly, “Now, my subjects let us pay him the respect he has earned.”
Banging and cheering filled the room as Anton received an enormous replica of the Solar System made from solid gold. The inscription under his name read: A Warrior to be Revered.
Applause and congratulations were taking place under Detis’s watchful eye. She had a bad taste in her mouth. “Second in command, hogwash, I’m second in command if Saturna wants to go by the books. But why worry? This will be changing very soon,” she said, chuckling. Putting on a fake smile Detis walked up to the platform as though all was well with her and Saturna. Taking the Queen’s place she was ready to fill-in for the rest of the evening.