Read Online Among Bright Stars... by Rodney C. Johnson - Free Book Online

Their discovery... It gave the world the
artificial womb, which has since helped other women have
children.
    Lark Douglas: You’re being far too
modest your Highness. Besides you’re a telepath? We know that
doesn’t just happen, governments engineer special operatives to
have that gift.
    Queen T’Kara: Indeed, that was a
later addition. Thanks to Dr. Rupert Sheldrake’s theory of
morphogenetic fields, and the discovery of the cells that bear his
name, we can engineer telepathy. A discovery of a near-extinct
instinct utilized to the effect of mind reading, as well as um,
other abilities.
    Lark Douglas: Just before 9/11 you
met your mate, the Shotar. From what I’ve gathered, that was an
important moment in Falcanian history. Without you, there would be
no Falcanian Khanate, no winged beings to patrol the skies. You and
your family helped secure land in India. Beyond the reach of the
former United States, you conducted your own experiments, and out
of Kuras, came the first Falcanians. I do know a thing or two about
your Dr. Ambika Sen. It seems, she has close connections in the
Indian Parliament. Once the Khanate was recognized as a sovereign
nation, you and your husband helped repay the Indian government by
using your warriors to invade Pakistan.
    Queen T’Kara: Even we cannot escape
the intricacies of politics. We did what had to be done to secure
peace in the region. With the USA destroyed there chaos ran rampant
across the globe, the mountain areas had to be brought under
control, a hot bed of terrorism. It’s too bad the local government
couldn’t bring the situation to a conclusion. They were either
unable or unwilling to act.
    Lark Douglas: Isn’t that what you’re
doing now? Attempting to rein in the Imperium?
    Queen T’Kara: We are doing what we
need to survive.
    Lark Douglas: But at what cost?
    Queen T’Kara: I ask myself that
everyday Miss Douglas.
    Lark Douglas: Let’s talk about your
mate; rumor has it that the Shotar is a great gift giver. What was
the first gift he ever gave you?
    Queen T’Kara: A purple teddy bear and
a set of gold and copper bangles, they make a most satisfying
clang. He brought flowers for my Mother.
    Lark Douglas: That’s impressive,
jewelry for a first date.
    Lark Douglas: Up there in space are
being built three battlecruisers: The Arshira's Ascension , T’Kara’s Tears , and an as yet unnamed third vessel. Why did
your husband name one of his battlecruisers “T’Kara’s Tears”? Was
that some kind of apology intended for you? Do you think he’ll name
the other vessel after Aria DeFalco – his third wife? There seems
to be a trend.
    Queen T’Kara: My husband is given to
poetics; he’s just honoring me in his own manner. I couldn’t be
certain what name he’s chosen for the third battlecruiser.
    Lark Douglas: But what tears have you
shed that he feels must be memorialized?
    Queen T’Kara: We’ve had... [Ed. This
is the first time in the interview the Queen appears to be
unnerved.] ...I shouldn’t talk about it.
    Lark Douglas: All couples have
problems you’re Highness, nothing to be ashamed of. [Lark: WOW!
This is such a human moment. I wish that I could put to words the
expression on Nadia’s face, it’s a look of total devastation, she
tries to hide it, but it’s hard to conceal a broken heart.]
    Queen T’Kara: I know he loves me... [Ed. There are hints of tears.]
    Abruptly Lark’s interview ceased, Sharr
Khan’s global address had just begun.
    “Citizens of Earth, today my forces struck
against the American Imperium.” He glanced down at his notes. “Our
actions were deemed necessary for our own survival. You see, the
Imperium had developed technology given to them by the Iksar’rang.
A nanotechnology virus intended to be released upon my people, its
single intent, our absolute extinction.” Sharr spoke in a
declarative manner, made it sound as if there would be no debate
about the issue. Indeed to the Falcanian there was none.
    “Is this true