Penny found her days getting busier now that she was officially the queen. There were daily meetings with the ministers, then training with Oola, then various meetings with concerned citizens. She found herself having to change clothes maybe five times a day, even having to change into a new gown for dinner.
Luckily, she found time to do leisure activities every once in a while. Penny's role was still largely ceremonial, and the ministers were able to conduct much of the business of the planet. She started to realize that the people needed a unifying figure to get behind, and the queen was such a person to do it. Tannis found that Penny was actually polling higher than Revulo was right before she died.
Penny was in no position to complain. She got to dine on the finest food, and to do it at any time of day she wished. She even tested it out by ordering frozen custard after the first hour. Her evenings were largely free, except when a royal party would happen, which was about once a week. Penny always delighted in meeting new people, and the parties were pressure-free since everyone was willing to bring her whatever she wanted.
Penny was also feeling in a bit of a rut. She had so many exciting adventures, and now she was settling into a kind of mundane routine. She was debating whether it was time to go back to Grandfort for some relaxation. Penny had not been laid in two months, and she figured seeing the Majestic Guard again would be a nice break.
Penny was about to let Tannis know, when she came running into Penny's room. "Your excellency! I am so sorry to interrupt. The jailer informed me that Eltar has died."
Penny gasped. "Eltar! What happened to him?"
"They found him unresponsive this morning when they were going to serve breakfast," Tannis said. "He must have died in his sleep."
Penny exhaled. "He's the only one who knew about Revulo's secret child, other than us. We still have to find out for sure who that might be."
"What will you do if your crown is challenged?" asked Tannis.
"I have to do what the people say," Penny responded. "I have to respect the traditions of this planet. Besides, maybe Groovi will hire me to look after the myxlos."
"I believe we are well-served with you in the throne, my lady," Tannis said.
At the third hour the next day, Willa the page got in touch with Penny. "Beg pardon, your excellency, but we have a distress call. There is a trader ship under attack by the moon of Abixus."
Penny thought for a few seconds. "Wait—wasn't that the moon where the Shaskalans were allowed to mine for the crystallized tungsten?" She grabbed Tannis's arm. "Vitala could be on there! We have to go up!"
"Your excellency, we have trained fighters for such things!" Tannis took Penny by the shoulders. "We have to protect you at all costs."
"I have to do this," Penny retorted. "If she's up there, and hurt or even..." She had to steady herself. "I'm going."
"Your excellency--"
"I'm the
fucking
queen and I'll do as I
fucking
please!" Penny shook as she felt her eyes getting wet. "Call Oola and get a ship ready." She shook off Tannis's hands and went to get changed.
A marine drop ship was called up in ten minutes. Oola was all too eager to join, as well as twelve of the finest fighters that the palace could muster. They loaded into the ship and departed to the upper atmosphere.
"Your excellency, we are honoured that you wished to join us," the sergeant said. He looked as old as Penny. "Please allow us to take the point. You may supervise from the rear."
Penny holstered her blaster. "I plan to kick some ass, sergeant. You just stay out of my way."
Oola was strapped into the seat next to Penny. "Your excellency, are you sure you are not letting your feelings for Vitala cloud your judgment?"
"You just watch my six, okay?" Penny looked forward and said nothing else.
The drop ship arrived at the freighter, which had a smaller ship clinging to it. "That must be where the pirates infiltrated," the sergeant announced. "We will force open an air lock, then use the umbilical passageway to board. Remember, we do not want to use lethal force."
Oola checked her rifle. "Speak for yourself."
The drop ship docked, and the umbilical extension came out to cover the air lock door. The grunts all went in, followed by Penny and Oola. Along the way, several pirates were incapacitated by stun blasts. None of the marines were hit at this point.
Oola and Penny followed along, keeping a check on the rear. The marines found the main control room. "Stay here," ordered the sergeant to Penny and Oola. The twelve marines filed in as the door shut behind them.
A loud FWOOSH could be heard beyond the doors. "What has happened?" asked Oola.
Penny shook her head. "Only one way to find out."
The two of them activated the doors, keeping low and getting cover behind two chairs. The marines were all spread out on the floor.
"It was a stun grenade," called out a strange female voice. "I am out, but I have a good fix on you with my rifle. Surrender, and you will not be harmed."
"She's lying," Penny whispered.
"I shall charge in and distract her," Oola offered.
"No, I need you with me," Penny said in a loud whisper. "You're outnumbered," she called out to the room.
"I have a hostage," the voice warned.
"Fuck," Penny muttered. She looked around the large circular room, then got an idea. "Go that way." Oola crawled in one direction while Penny went the other way. Penny made it around the corner of the control panels to have a look when she saw the gun in her face.
"Fuck," Penny muttered.
The woman stood tall with a lean body, with thick thighs encompassed by long leather boots. She had on a button-up blue top. Her skin was fair, and she closely resembled a human. She had dark red hair and piercing blue eyes.
The woman had her gun locked on Penny. "Any last WHAAAA?"
Oola had managed to pick the woman up and hoist her in the air, causing her to drop her pistol. Penny scrambled to pick up the extra gun, then got to her feet.
"I caught the bad guy!" Oola smiled as she held the woman up in the air.
Penny looked around, then saw the hostage. "Vitala!" Penny ran over and undid the bindings, then got the mouth guard off of her.
"Penny Leighton!" Vitala squealed as she grabbed Penny in a tight hug. The two of them looked into each others' eyes, then kissed.
"Ugh," exclaimed the pirate woman. "Spare me this banal gesture."
"Silence, criminal!" Oola dropped the woman on the ground with a dull thump. The woman assumed a fetal position and groaned.
Vitala and Penny got to their feet. Penny handed Vitala a pistol. "I guess we solved another one, right?"
The alarm sounded and the red lights came on. "What is happening?" asked Oola.
