Mother's Here

The travel from Wallach IX was spent within the confines of a small chamber within the Mother Superior’s private shuttle. Countless young girls surrounded a single stalwart individual. It was a parade of powders, gels, and perfumes as the elderly older woman was slowly turned into something almost other worldly. This is how cults of personality were established… one of the many ways the Bene Geserit were able to involve themselves in the many different societies of the Imperium. As Alexandrus sat stoidly with her eyes closed her mind was flooded with all of the possibilities of the the current political climate. Thousands of voices joined her in her meditation. It had been more than thirty years since the Mother Superior had deemed it necessary to leave her Throne. As she rounded up upon her one hundred and eighty seventh birthday something about her felt worn. It seemed as if the burden of this weight was finally taking its toll.

As she felt the ship touch down she opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror. Her black dress still clung to her form as if on the body of someone one-tenth her age. Her hair was made up into an elaborate design. The jewels that the order had collected as gifts over the years at her throat and odorning her fingers. It had been far too long since Alexandrus enjoyed such finery. The were never such occasions on Wallach that required such attire. As she moved to exit the transport the cadre of younger sisters and those still in their younger training years followed her off the ship. The trail of Alexandrus’ dress covered even her shoes. The tall woman moved across the stone landing pad and onto the marble floors of the Palace and seemed almost as if she was simply gliding across the floor.

The group was led quickly towards the Throne Room and as they approached the large double doors the Mother Superior simply raised a finger and her entourage stopped in their tracks and circled around each other in the antechamber as the Mother Superior entered alone. This boy was an animal, the Bene Geserit had manipulated most of his life. But it became obvious to the order that though sometimes unruly he had become a necessary animal. As she apporached the Throne and saw the young man sitting upon it her face remained completely frozen in it’s stare as if carved from ice. A major domo called from behind her. “The Most Reverant, Mother Superior Josefina Alexandrus bin Aqid!”

“Your Majesty…” The Mother Superior softly spoke in a flat tone her eyes never leaving the Emperor. “It is an honor to be recieved so quickly after my request.” She spoke in the same monotone voice but the pure sarcasm in her thanks seemed to be evident.

The Mother Superior was well aware that her order was treading on dangerous ground with their choice for the Crown. Going into this decision was not an easy one but they needed someone who was not well loved by all, nor hated by all. Someone who could restore balance back to the broken Empire. Not even the Emperor knew fully of their plans, the years that had been given in the pursuit of this very day. The Empire had been crumbling long before the invasion and long before Darius. The fall began while that woman wielded the powers of the Throne. This was a necessary evil.

As she stood before the Emperor and watched him come from utop his Throne she did not move a muscle. Her face was stolid as she listened to the Emperor berate her. THis was indeed his home… though he seemed to forget the Crown was still not on top of his head. The man before her was quite lucky they had been forced into this arrangement. The girl, though seemingly loyal to the Order, would have been a liability. Arcaydia Corrino had way too many eratic personality flaws.

She listened as he finished his tyrade. He wished to strip her down, wished to make a show of her arrogance. Very well… she would play this game. “Your Majesty…” SHe bowed her head. “I did not think it necessary to make an old woman go to her knees but I humble myself before your…” She allowed herself a pretend stumble for the crowd’s benefit even though the Emperor knew her abilities were far greater. “I beg your forgiveness…” SHe bowed her head lower and hid a grin. SHe allowed her voice to be heard across the hall. “My order but lives to serve this office and humanity. Sometimes my advanced age leads me to take liberties I should not.” She remained on the floor and stared at the back of the Emperor’s heels with his back turned only a few feet from her.

SHe allowed herself a small vibration in the back of her throat. An almost inaudible whisper reached the Emperor’s ears. A sound created without the Mother SUperior barely moving her lips. It was one singular word. ‘Remember.’ SHe remained in her position with her head bowed waiting for the Emperor to allow her to stand or chose another rougher circumstance.

As the Mother Superior remained in her position with her head down she could hear the boy’s heart rate increase. SHe could smell the small beads of sweat beginning to produce under his skin. She could feel the emotion. The boy was indeed wise beyond his year's, but there was still much he would need to learn if he wished to retain his seat for longer than his predecessor. Ceres might wish to fight his circumstances and even she had to admit he did infact have much power. The Order could only orchestrate so much. They had worked towards removing the old Emperor but that required years upon years of planning that spanned back to the era of the Maywana Regency. He was now a loose dog, she would be forced to work with him in some ways.

What he did not wish to accept was the way the Bene Gesserit had and would surround his life. He might be free of the choker, and even the leash, but their was still a fence built around this Imperium. A fence that had taken milenium to build and that no House, Crown, or power had been able to tear assunder. The Houses needed the Order. It was true that some might hate them, might fear them, might distrust them but that did not create the weakeness that Ceres thought. The distrust was built upon, it was part of their mystery.

As she heard the boy leave the room and the Guards helping her to her feat to lead her into the office. SHe waiting patiently. Her word did indeed have it’s desired effect and she would need to contact the soon-to-be Empress immediately. “I have lived for one billion, nine hundred and one million, two hundred and sixty nine thousand, seven hundred and three seconds. Your Majesty. And your are correct I have lived that time as a mere commoner. As a servant. But in my service my order has become the last mentors to the human race. Your may talk about my arrogance and complexs. And your may indeed be right about the view of some of the nobles at large. But your forget the ties we have bound between Houses. The children we have born. The secrets…” SHe said softly as if to make a point to him alone and not to the guards. “That we hold.”

“I am here but to serve this race. I will tell your what you what I have come here to request. Your line must continue Your Majesty. We need a legitimant heir to this Throne. The Empire must see this as soon as possible or believe me there will be trouble down the line. Your may indeed scorn me or infact kill me. But there will always be another to take my place. We are an unbroken line… unlike your own. I bowed before you. Took my place. Accepted my humility. But I will tell you now as I these seconds run out that you do not wish to remove me from your council just yet.”

“I am the one who will always allow your to remember…” She repeated the word but this time as if in normal conversation. “With your leave Your Majesty, I believe my time has indeed passed. SHe bowed her head deeply.