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Ascendancy
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2021 by Walter Reimer
Prompt: hero
Thumbnail art by
technicolor_pie, color by 
Major Matt Mason
With Kutua’s defection to the Confederate side, the actual voting was a formality. The fur of the hour was ordered to attend.
Surrounded by guards in an antechamber just a few meters from the rostrum, Felix al-Sakai stood perfectly still, only his tail betraying his tension by switching back and forth erratically. The Indochinese leopard was dressed in a blue and gray formal uniform, the black stars of his Admiral-General’s rank on each shoulder. A yellow sash, the color of his family’s flag as Count of Maratha, ran from his right shoulder to his left hip.
The Lord Protector nearly flinched before relaxing and smiling at the leopardess that touched his shoulder. “Alys,” he said softly.
His wife, dressed in a shimmering red silk gown, smiled reassuringly and slipped her right paw into his left. “Feliksha, my love, you need to relax.” She leaned in and breathed in his ear, “You have won.”
Her mate smiled back and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear, “You know better than that.” Their ears perked as the hubbub in the adjoining chamber quieted.
The elderly head of the Supreme Presidium came forward to the rostrum, cleared his throat, and said, “The matter before the three chambers is Public Law 47-15, and upon that matter the Yes vote is four hundred sixty-nine, and the No vote is sixteen, with - “ He paused as people began to applaud, and raised his voice to conclude, “With fifteen abstaining.”
The applause increased as the members of the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, and the Presidium rose to their feet and continued to applaud as the canine gestured for quiet. He eventually succeeded and said, “The Terran Confederate Union’s government now summons the Lord Protector and Count of Maratha, Admiral-General Felix Ngo ibn Vladmir al-Sakai, to come before them and be acclaimed.”
Felix smiled, an expression that was little more than a smirk. “Shall we?” he asked his wife.
Alys shook her head. “You go. You’re the one they are asking for.” She kissed his cheek and winked.
He nodded, stood a little straighter, and stepped out of the antechamber to the sound of applause and cheers.
“Lord Protector,” the canine said as Felix stopped at the rostrum, “the current law being approved, the government expresses its pleasure at your recent victories, and calls you to the throne of Terra. We call on you to take command of the state, and lead us from victory to victory.” He stepped back, and Felix paused as the assembly applauded.
“My friends, fellow citizens,” he said slowly, “I had no wish to become Emperor. My only wish has been to serve Terra, and Terra’s interests, and safeguard the races of Terra throughout the various systems, planets and settlements we have established in the galaxy. You have imposed this upon me, and since I am loyal to the tradition of civilian control of the military, I have had no choice but to accept.” He paused and swallowed visibly as the representatives cheered.
“Although you do me far too much honor by conferring upon me this title and its authority, I pledge to you that I will do my utmost to bring this present conflict to a conclusion on our terms.” He was interrupted again by applause, which died down as he continued, “We are Terrans, no matter what; no matter the species, we all look to Terra as our birthplace.” He held up his paw, fingers splayed. “We may fall separately, “and he clenched his paw into a fist, “but united, when we are one, we will never fall.”
“I call out now, to our sisters and brothers in the Colonies: Come back. Come back to us, to your relatives, to your own blood, because only together can we resist the alien tide that reaches out to conquer us. They are taking advantage of our disunity, and the Colonial leadership has been tricked by the Kashlani. It is time for this to end.” Again, he had to wait for the applause to end.
“Although you have given me the title, I will not ask for a crown. My work is not done – our work is not done. I ask for your support; together we shall build upon the victories we’ve achieved, until we are at peace again, and a peace on our terms. Thank you,” and the leopard stepped back from the rostrum as the chamber erupted in cheers and sustained applause.
Much later, when they were alone, Felix sagged theatrically and grinned as his wife laughed. Alys stepped over to him and pressed against him as they embraced. “Your Majesty,” she giggled.
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2021 by Walter Reimer
Prompt: hero
Thumbnail art by
technicolor_pie, color by 
Major Matt MasonWith Kutua’s defection to the Confederate side, the actual voting was a formality. The fur of the hour was ordered to attend.
Surrounded by guards in an antechamber just a few meters from the rostrum, Felix al-Sakai stood perfectly still, only his tail betraying his tension by switching back and forth erratically. The Indochinese leopard was dressed in a blue and gray formal uniform, the black stars of his Admiral-General’s rank on each shoulder. A yellow sash, the color of his family’s flag as Count of Maratha, ran from his right shoulder to his left hip.
The Lord Protector nearly flinched before relaxing and smiling at the leopardess that touched his shoulder. “Alys,” he said softly.
His wife, dressed in a shimmering red silk gown, smiled reassuringly and slipped her right paw into his left. “Feliksha, my love, you need to relax.” She leaned in and breathed in his ear, “You have won.”
Her mate smiled back and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear, “You know better than that.” Their ears perked as the hubbub in the adjoining chamber quieted.
The elderly head of the Supreme Presidium came forward to the rostrum, cleared his throat, and said, “The matter before the three chambers is Public Law 47-15, and upon that matter the Yes vote is four hundred sixty-nine, and the No vote is sixteen, with - “ He paused as people began to applaud, and raised his voice to conclude, “With fifteen abstaining.”
The applause increased as the members of the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, and the Presidium rose to their feet and continued to applaud as the canine gestured for quiet. He eventually succeeded and said, “The Terran Confederate Union’s government now summons the Lord Protector and Count of Maratha, Admiral-General Felix Ngo ibn Vladmir al-Sakai, to come before them and be acclaimed.”
Felix smiled, an expression that was little more than a smirk. “Shall we?” he asked his wife.
Alys shook her head. “You go. You’re the one they are asking for.” She kissed his cheek and winked.
He nodded, stood a little straighter, and stepped out of the antechamber to the sound of applause and cheers.
“Lord Protector,” the canine said as Felix stopped at the rostrum, “the current law being approved, the government expresses its pleasure at your recent victories, and calls you to the throne of Terra. We call on you to take command of the state, and lead us from victory to victory.” He stepped back, and Felix paused as the assembly applauded.
“My friends, fellow citizens,” he said slowly, “I had no wish to become Emperor. My only wish has been to serve Terra, and Terra’s interests, and safeguard the races of Terra throughout the various systems, planets and settlements we have established in the galaxy. You have imposed this upon me, and since I am loyal to the tradition of civilian control of the military, I have had no choice but to accept.” He paused and swallowed visibly as the representatives cheered.
“Although you do me far too much honor by conferring upon me this title and its authority, I pledge to you that I will do my utmost to bring this present conflict to a conclusion on our terms.” He was interrupted again by applause, which died down as he continued, “We are Terrans, no matter what; no matter the species, we all look to Terra as our birthplace.” He held up his paw, fingers splayed. “We may fall separately, “and he clenched his paw into a fist, “but united, when we are one, we will never fall.”
“I call out now, to our sisters and brothers in the Colonies: Come back. Come back to us, to your relatives, to your own blood, because only together can we resist the alien tide that reaches out to conquer us. They are taking advantage of our disunity, and the Colonial leadership has been tricked by the Kashlani. It is time for this to end.” Again, he had to wait for the applause to end.
“Although you have given me the title, I will not ask for a crown. My work is not done – our work is not done. I ask for your support; together we shall build upon the victories we’ve achieved, until we are at peace again, and a peace on our terms. Thank you,” and the leopard stepped back from the rostrum as the chamber erupted in cheers and sustained applause.
Much later, when they were alone, Felix sagged theatrically and grinned as his wife laughed. Alys stepped over to him and pressed against him as they embraced. “Your Majesty,” she giggled.
Category Story / General Furry Art
Species Leopard
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 39.5 kB
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