Chapter 94

　　The celebrations on Terra would be the first time millions of people experienced the world`s natural beauty. Typically off-limits to all but the most loyal of Imperial Citizens, the surface of Terra would still essentially be restricted to visitors.

　　Instead, one location was selected for the month-long festival. It was decided that North America would make the ideal location to protect the Imperial Palace and the Emperor. In the thousands of years since the world had been overpopulated and polluted, no place had changed so much under the conservation efforts of successive Emperors.

　　The waters of the Gulf of Mexico had healed, the marine life thriving in the pristine environment. Shining blue with white sand beaches, Imperial Engineers had selected a large, flat area next to the beach to begin their work.

　　Tall hotel resorts, amusement parks, administration buildings, and restaurants, they built an entire city in only a few short months for the occasion. Wide walkways were designed to highlight the recreational areas, and all hovercars would be banned from the surroundings.

　　Guests would be assigned spacious and tastefully furnished rooms overlooking the sea or beautiful gardens containing rare flowers and trees that could only be found on Terra.

　　Entertainment would be provided at night on stages and in venues throughout the new city. Singers, acrobats, actors performing plays and comedy routines, there would be something for everyone.

　　And to keep the peace, Imperial Guards in Exosuits would be stationed throughout, while the Imperial Bureaucrats helped the guests with their needs.

　　As June approached, Kal and Mare returned to Terra.

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　　"Can you believe it! We`re here, on sacred Terra!" Ty shouted as they exited the shuttle on the resort landing pad.

　　All guests would arrive in orbit from Starships located in select systems, where they would board an Imperial Guard vessel and undergo strict scans of their bodies and luggage before being ferried to the Terran system and the surface.

　　Everyone, from the poorest person to the highest of nobles, would be forbidden to leave the designated area of the celebrations without a permit, and those were only issued to Nobles to attend the Ball at the Palace, valid for that day only.

　　Even though they would all be treated equally, there was a disparity to be seen in their treatment. Nobles arrived in separate shuttles and had specific buildings with the very best of everything provided. But even then, there were limits.

　　All invited guests could eat and drink for free and go anywhere in the resort except for the private rooms of others. For one month only, Terra had opened its arms to the invited masses, and millions had come.

　　"It`s marvellous!" Cit replied, opening her arms wide and tilting her head back. Breathing in the fresh air, filled with the scent of spring flowers and cut grass, she enjoyed the sun on her face. Her long white dress fluttered in the wind.

　　Ty stepped forward and picked her up, his black dress pants and blue t-shirt contrasting her pristine clothing. The pair spun in a circle for a moment, laughing, before someone loudly cleared their throat behind them.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

　　"If you would all follow me, I will show you to your accommodations." An Imperial Steward offered, gesturing to the path away from the landing pad. Tall and impeccably dressed in a white and blue uniform, the man had a patient expression on his face as he waited for the group to follow.

　　Behind the Steward, Micah was laughing at the discomfort the pair displayed at being the center of attention while John was watching the crowds of people disembarking from other transports with interest. Dressed casually, it was the first time they had all met in the real world as a group.

　　Ty lowered Cid to the ground before running his hand through his blond hair awkwardly as he gave a muttered apology to the others for delaying them.

　　They followed the Steward through the streets of the resort, admiring the town around them that had been designed and built for a single month of celebrations on the most exclusive planet in the galaxy.

　　Everywhere they looked, people from all over the Empire had gathered. Nobles towered over others, their height and attractive appearances highlighting their status for everyone to see. The wealthy and famous stood out with their expensive clothing or faces they recognized from holos on the Imperial Net.

　　"I can`t believe we`re finally here!" Ty exclaimed. They had all been on different Starships for years, doing their duty as guards on trade convoys or transporting to some far sector of the galaxy. When they saw a planet`s surface, it was usually someplace no one would want to visit.

　　Beautiful planets in the best parts of the Galaxy rarely needed mercenaries or freelance Pilots to guard them.

　　"It`s certainly a pleasure to see you all in real life. The game is fine, but nothing can replace the real thing." John said, breathing in the smell of baked goods wafting from one of the bakeries along the concourse. Restaurants and street vendors could be found everywhere.

　　"I`m just glad to be off the ship. Six months orbiting Damara Prime is more than enough for anyone to endure. And I can finally get my own room. No more hot bunking!" Micah added.

　　"Here we are, honoured guests." The Steward said as they approached a tall building situated on the edge of the concourse overlooking the water. The group could smell the ocean and hear the waves lapping against the sand.

　　Entering the foyer, they were greeted by white porcelain tiled floor, stucco walls, and fresh flowers on Beachwood furniture. An elevator brought the group to the 8th floor, where they had a suite with four bedrooms and a patio that faced the ocean. White curtains fluttered in the sea breeze from the open windows.

　　"This is beautiful!" Cid exclaimed, running through the suite and onto the patio deck sporting a table and four chairs.

　　"Indeed, very nice." John commented, looking over the suite. To the four, it was readily apparent that even if it weren`t on Terra, they would never have been able to afford such luxurious accommodations.

　　"Your luggage will be brought up shortly." The Steward stated, giving them a slight bow before exiting and shutting the door.

　　"Nice fellow." Ty said dryly, and the group laughed as they took a tour of their rooms. Two were located on each side of the main room, which held a sitting area, kitchen, and small dining table. The rooms were large, with queen-sized beds with white linen sheets.

　　A knock sounded on the door, announcing the arrival of their luggage. Unpacking took them nearly an hour, particularly from the sheer amount of clothing Cid and Ty had brought. Once they were done, they reconvened in the central room.

　　"What do you guys want to do now?" Micah asked.

　　"Beach!" Cid shouted.

　　"Don`t you want to check out the resort first, maybe grab something to eat?" Micah asked.

　　"Beach! Beach! Beach!" Cid repeated, already running to her room to get changed. Looking at each other, the trio shrugged their shoulders, resigned to spending the rest of the day at the beach.

　　"We can get something on the way." Ty said, going to his room that was next to Cid`s.

　　Dressed in t-shirts and shorts, the four walked through the building`s backdoor that faced onto the beach. Chairs and loungers were arranged across the white sand with large parasols to protect against the sun. A heat haze could be seen shimmering against the water.

　　Cid was the first to run across to the water, her feet sending little sprays of sand flying. Tossing their belongings onto a group of loungers, they crashed into the water. Warm and inviting, they spent the rest of the day laughing and enjoying the beach before returning to dine in one of the restaurants near their lodgings.