There was a lasting peace on the planet of Bok that extended for nearly twenty years. After the failed invasion attempt, Queen Penelope had redoubled her efforts to boost the fleet for Bok's defence force. Using Bok's vast mineral wealth, the people were able to get up to fifty ships. There was also a secondary space station now revolving around the farther away planet of Medred. Queen Penelope was transforming Bok from a planet of warrior class traditionalists into a spacefaring, technologically advanced population.
Penelope still had her advisers working by her side. Willa the Page had been upgraded to Willa the Chief of Security Affairs. Shimoon was also now the personal tailor and uniform designer for the palace.
Groovi had also moved up, leaving the myxlo stables behind and becoming Head of Household Affairs for the palace, which oversaw many of the daily duties for cleaning and upkeep. She had been in the position for nearly a decade, and was proud that she had left her slave past behind her to advance so far.
Groovi's only child was soon to return from her combat training. One of Penelope's reforms to ensure that Bok could be safe from invasion was to institute mandatory military service. Since the Day of Ascension was at age twenty for all Boccan women, Penny decided that making the year of compulsory service should start at age nineteen. This would leave all Boccan women ready to ascend, having been trained in combat arts. This was also a great stepping off point for going to higher learning, as the women had been disciplined in both mind and body.
Groovi had approached the throne room one day, hoping to ask for time off to greet her daughter. Queen Penelope was there, signing off on funding for a new water treatment plant. She looked up from her papers, then smiled when she saw Groovi approach.
"Groovi! My darling!" Penny rose up, doing her graceful glides and gestures. She had been spending so long as queen of Bok that her entire personality had evolved over the years. Groovi remembered what an unsophisticated and unsure person she was even before she became queen.
Penny went over and reached out her arms. Groovi took both of Penny's hands and bowed down.
Penny gave a chuckle. "No need for formalities between us! How have you been?"
"Oh, Penny," Groovi sighed. She only dared be so informal behind closed doors. "It is nearly time for Khazal to return from the Academy. I was hoping I could have tomorrow off to greet her."
Penny smiled and nodded. "Take three days. You barely got to see her all year."
"I might say that you're responsible for that," Groovi said with a bit of cheek.
"Yes, well, I did not want to be taken by surprise again," Penny replied. "Keeping the population battle-ready will be to our benefit. Someday, maybe we will not have to resort to such things. I believe the process has been to the benefit of the young women of Bok, though."
"I suppose," Groovi sighed. "I just missed her so, and I have not many others to provide me company."
"You need to get on with your life, Groovi," Penny advised. "Ever since you and Fiona broke up, you have been so alone." She placed a hand on Groovi's shoulder. "I know what it was like to be with you. You have a lot to offer someone. I know we're both old, but it is not too late for you."
Groovi only nodded. "Thank you for the time off." She gave a gracious bow, then departed.
Groovi spent the afternoon preparing Khazal's favourite dishesβfanali custard, fried river beast strips, and
ghosh
, a type of sweet turnip found on their continent. Groovi was scrambling to get everything ready on the table when she heard the auto-doors slide open.
"
Mama!
" The familiar bellow came in from the hallway. Groovi dashed over and saw the love of her life standing in the hallway.
Khazal was just shy of her twentieth birthday now. She stood nearly six feet tall, with bright red skin and the deepest cheekbones you ever saw. She was not as physically imposing as her birth mother, but she cast an impressive figure otherwise. She had spent the better part of her teen years doing athletics and weight training, and it paid off in dividends. She also had a tousled mess of light brown hair, a genetic gift from her mother.
"Baby!" Groovi ran up and gave her daughter a huge hug. Khazal had been taller than her mother since she was twelve. Now Khazal was nearly a foot taller.
Khazal laughed as she felt her fragile little mom try to squeeze her as hard as she could. Groovi took her daughter by the hand and dragged her into the dining area. "Observe! All your favourites!"
Khazal sank into a chair, then deeply inhaled the aromas. "Mama, I was so hungry on the shuttle ride back! Thank you." She grabbed a fork and began devouring. "Did Jinji try to call?"
"Oh, yes!" Groovi sat down to watch her baby gorge herself. "She was most pleased that you were coming home before your Day of Ascension. I thought perhaps we could spend as much time together as possible."
Khazal sighed. "I will do what I can. Jinji had not seen me for a while, either."
Groovi nodded slowly. "I will understand."
Khazal reached over and gave her mom's hand a squeeze. "Let us be together tomorrow, Mama! Perhaps we can go see Mama Oola."
Groovi cheered up after hearing that. "I would welcome that!"
Khazal finished her meal, while Groovi cleared the dishes away. Khazal ran to her room, then flopped down on her old bed. She turned on the holo-comm and dialed up her friend.
Jinji was there, a big smile on her face as usual.
"Greetings, graduate!"
"Jinji, you awful tease!" Khazal laughed heartily. "I have not seen you since the Festival of Stars.
"Khazal, have you known a man yet?"
asked Jinji.