Queen Maureen

Maureen marveled at her reflection.

She kept herself in shape. So she looked great clothed or nude. But this Imperial Armor was better than than a Givenchi bustier.

It covered her head to toe. Attached to a silky body suit there were innumerable ballistic plastic plates. They had been three dimensionally printed in response to a laser scan made of her body.

They had told her the armor was hers to keep. She thought John would flip over it.

There was a side hinged back and breast combo that carried her helmet ring, rebreather, and pack interface.

The rest of the girls were similarly equipped.

John had cautioned Niolani about showing her technological development before she could do it in force. But she had later dismissed the idea as man thinking.

The first Assault Jupiter, ironically number two, was about to be sprung on the unsuspecting insects of Cattleprod 9.

For the hundredth time she wished John and Don were there.

Niolani's girls were tough and experienced, but her men were a known quantity.

Kayleesa was below decks with a platoon of Red Guards. Their armor was like Maureen's, but red.

She was goiing to have to see Lanhilde about getting similar suits made up for the rest of the family. But  there was the mission first.

Cattleprod 9 had once been settled by humans. There had been no native sentients when Imperial forces arrived. The planet settled in for rapid development and a population explosion.

It had been the first world hit by Bugs.

There had been a bombardment followed by an airborne assault by winged insects packing laser rifles.

"The only reason we know what happened" Niolani said," is that the Imperial News Service TeleShifter got out at the last second."

"We've had no information since then."

Kayleesa was to take the AJ2 into orbit around Cattleprod.

She was to make a planetary survey then, based on the result of the survey, she had options.

If she did not think she could survive a landing she was to return home, as she was if a superior space force was ready for her.

If there were bugs and their installations were obvious, and she thought she could do the job without excessive risk to the ship or its crew, she was to select targets of opportunity.

"So we're here to chew their asses?" Maureen asked.

Kayleesa smiled. "Succinctly put. Exactly."

"Earth Women must be skilled at warfare." she added.

"Not really" Maureen said."We leave it to the men. "

"And they can't get enough of it." Kayleesa had finished.

Maureen nodded grimly."it does seem so." she said.

"Don't worry" Kayleesa said."Your guys looked pretty bright for men. They'll submit"

Back in the palace, professor Robinson was relaxing with a book.

It was an impressive edition, leather bound and printed on super calendered paper.

Niolani had it printed just for the Professor.

It was an english translation of "Imperial Principles."

It was the book from which Imperial men were taught how to act.

Mercifully it wasn't an alien version of Goofus and Gallant.

These girls really did believe in their society, and at home they made a special effort to be just.

It explained that long ago society had been plunged into chaos by planetary balkanization and male domination.

Empress Nichelle the first had brought the world under one government.

She was just, but quite firm about males in authority.

So many men had been lost in the wars that they were sought after and protected.They had come up as a sort of second class citizen. they didn't vote with the women's assemblies.

But they did have property and personal rights

Legally they could refuse sex with an eleigible woman. But culturally it was a major faux pas.

Men did hard labor, it was written, because men require exercise to stay healthy and attractive.

Male muscle was appreciated among the women of the empire, and there was a lot of heavy lifting to be done. So the boys did it.

Women were cautioned in their books not to make slight the labors of the men. they really were building the sinews of society. And if they were proud, it said, they won't agitate for control.

There was a knock at the door.

he marked his page with the little paper cutout of Niolani . Then he crossed to the door.

There were two women waiting.

The blonde was a new face. The other one was known to him.

"Forewoman Thora" the professor smiled "How may i serve you?"

"Hello, Professor. You could invite us in."

"Oh," he smiled," consider it done. "

"Welcome to my quarters" he said  "And you are?"

"Eltke Sonnahen" she said with a curious accent.

"She's from Altach Zebart " Thora said, 'Still working on english."

"Yes." Etlke said, 'let us entertain you."