Free A New Day by Ben Winston Page A

for an atrium like this one where people could come and be around nature. It was designed to help us keep our sanity while we lived down here. Every pod has one of these, but since this is the smallest pod, we also have the smallest forest. Currently, the lighting is reproducing the exact spectra our sun had before The Fall, as these plants and the few small animals in here are all from that time." He paused. "Mother, would you please explain to His Majesty what you've had done in here, as well as the floor plan and amenities?"
    "Certainly, Prime," Mother replied and projected a hologram for them, (which was also new since the Atrium did not have holographic projectors before this.) She explained everything that had been done and adjusted to accommodate the Imperial party and the amenities installed to provide for their comfort.
    "This is far more than we expected, this effort is greatly appreciated. We will be very comfortable here," Hjoolous replied. "Prime Council, once we have refreshed ourselves, where would you like to continue our discussions?"
    "Currently, there are only two places I feel are secure enough for this; my office and the main Council Chamber. I do have a small conference table set up in my office, so why don't we speak there. I can easily get any information we might need," Ben replied. "I'll leave a guide here for you when you're ready."
    While Ben and Janet returned to his office, Jance and the Rangers returned to their own quarters to eat and prepare for the upcoming meeting. Jance told Ben that she would make sure the Rangers he had asked for earlier would be there in an hour.
     
     
    While the Emperor was busy 'refreshing' himself, Ben took the opportunity to return to his office and have dinner. It was already pretty late in the day, but he had missed both the afternoon and evening meals. Deirdre and Jorga joined him, even though they had both already eaten.
    When Ben told them about the upcoming meeting, Jorga dropped a bombshell on him. "I don't know if I'll be able to attend the meeting. Since I'm 'enhanced', the Imperial Guard won't let me near the Emperor."
    "What? That's idiotic, why not?" Ben asked.
    Jorga shook her head. "Actually, it's not. Think about this from their point of view. I'm an unlicensed and unregistered enhanced human. They have no idea what was done to me, beyond what we tell them. To let me get close to the Emperor would be an unwarranted security risk for them." She shrugged. "I might not like it, but I can understand it."
    "Part of the upcoming discussion will be the nanocytes your mother has developed. I would like you to be a part of that meeting not only in your capacity as my vice councilor, but as an example of the work. I'll speak to the Captain of His Majesty's Guard and see if something can't be done. After all, we'll have three Rangers to help protect the Emperor as well," Ben said.
    "What's he like, Ben?" Deirdre asked.
    "He's not really what I expected. He's nice, listens to what people have to say, and makes decisions based on that knowledge. I'll admit I don't know him all that well, but I think I could consider him a friend. Of course, as Emperor, that isn't really possible, but I'm certainly going to try anyway." He shrugged. "I like him. He's a pretty down-to-earth person that hasn't let his position go to his head."
    "When I took dinner over to the Command Center, I met Admiral Yolinar," Deirdre replied. "Damn he's one big guy! But he struck me as very gentle and personable."
    "What are you doing taking dinner over there? You're a minister now, you should delegate stuff like that!" Ben teased.
    She stuck her tongue out at him. "I wanted to do it. I think it's a good thing I did too, from the way the food got attacked, I don't think any of them have eaten all day."
    "What did you take for the Admiral?" Jorga asked. "I didn't think they had the same dietary requirements we do."
    "They don't. They're mostly vegetarian, but will eat some white meat like