It had not been easy. She reflected on all she had to deal with… her people, upgrading her intergalactic ship Cirrus 3030, and the Akkadians from Gliese 581 who were a menace!
Hatshepshut was a woman to reckon with, but her cup was overflowing!
Born in a dynasty of Queens, she was brought up to think out of the box. Her day started with telepathic conversations with all her chiefs before she could attend to mundane matters of governance.
She missed her grandmother Alia! For she had not only imparted knowledge of warfare, but also psychology, nutrition and storytelling!
“Remember you are a Queen! A leader, a nurturer for our people! Your decisions will impact everyone. So, never be in a rush… unless you are in battle.”
Her own daughter was growing up fast. She would have meetings with her every evening, preparing her to take on the crown. Who knew when it would be her time to drift away from the body?
“Your Highness, my Queen, quick there is an unknown ship approaching!” messaged her Chief Security Officer.
As swift as a cheetah Hatshepshut was in her Royal war room. It was teeming with all her trusted aides. An image was projected on a laser display.
As the details became clearer, the ladies gasped in unison.
It was an antique Cumulus 2980 series… fit to be in museums.
What did the rider want?
“Does it indicate aggression? Have the riders identified themselves?” asked the Queen.
“Nothing so far! But we cant take a risk. The alert has been sounded. Everyone is in the safe vault,” updated Chief.
“Use the Security Screening as soon as its within range!” the Queen ordered.
***
“The enemy approached closer and closer,” whispered her grandmother. All three siblings gathered closer, on the vast bed, snuggling close to her, more for security than for warmth.
“So did we fire? Did you fire?”
“Yes, I couldn’t risk the lives of our people!
The soldiers moved to take away the bodies of those who had fallen. That’s when my Chief yelled, Stop! Stop!”
Saucer eyed, the children slid even closer. “What was it?”
“We rushed and saw…,” she whispered with a slight catch in her voice.
“What Granny?” “Was it the big bad Wolf?” “Or the Devil?”
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Neither! It was our soldiers… our own people who had gone eons back to explore a route to Gliese 581. We thought they were lost or dead.
So, remember my queens, never be in a hurry… Lives once taken cant be given back!”
***
“Your Highness, check this out!” said Chief in excitement.
The antique spaceship had landed and was seeking mercy… peace… Slowly there emerged the shape of a bent, old, tired person. As it straightened its spine… the Queen rushed to it… “Grandma! Where have you been all these years?”
“Just escaped from the Akkadians! They had imprisoned us and extracted all information through advanced teleprinting! Sorry your Mother stayed back so I could flee.”
Pic courtesy: Image by Pixabay
