security guard entered. He was holding a woman. She was fighting and
shouting, ‘Let me go! I have news for the Emperor! Let me go!’
Emperor Valior looked to the door. ‘What’s going on?’ he shouted. ‘I am
leading a meeting!’
‘I’m, sorry, sir,’ the guard said. ‘This woman wants to talk to you. She
says it is important.’
‘Fine. Go ahead. What is it?’
The woman was suddenly very nervous. She had never spoken to the
Emperor. She began speaking slowly. ‘My … my … my highest Emperor,
I’m sorry for my behaviour. But I have news.’
‘What type of news?’ asked the Emperor. Then he added, ‘Hurry up!
This is an important meeting!’
‘A
capsule has landed on my
farm , Emperor.’
‘A what?’
‘A
space capsule. I believe it’s a Kalkian space capsule, Emperor.’
‘How do you know it is a Kalkian capsule?’
‘My husband. He fought against the Kalkians. He described them to me.’
The ministers and the Emperor were silent. Finally, Aldin asked,
‘Another attack? Are they attacking the capital?’
‘No, no …’ the woman said. ‘The capsule has no weapons. But there is
something inside it.’
‘Inside it?’ said the Emperor. He looked around the room. ‘What could
be inside it?’
‘I don’t know,’ replied the woman. ‘I was too nervous to look.’
The Emperor called his guards. He told them to get to that farm – fast!
The guards and the woman got into a
vehicle . Minister Aldin went with
them.
On the way, Aldin spoke with the woman. ‘What’s your name?’ he asked.
‘My name is Kira.’
‘Kira, that’s a nice name. Are you a farmer?’
‘Yes, the farm is all I have left.’
‘Do you live with your husband?’
‘My husband died in the war.’
Aldin suddenly felt
