“But didn’t they give the material a na?” Aron asked, realizing that throughout the report, it had only been referred to as "the material."
{Due to its significance, they decided it would be best if the emperor nad it,} Nova replied, materializing another hologram displaying the eting notes where the decision had been made.
“Mh…” Aron humd thoughtfully, considering possible nas. A smile spread across his face as he settled on one. “How about ‘Fountain of Life’? Since the material turns into a liquid state when near life, and it needs to be in liquid form for the conversion process, I think it fits quite well. Don’t you think so?” He glanced at Nova, curious about her thoughts.
{........}
Nova stared at him, speechless. Her expression practically scread, Is this really the best you could co up with, given that brain of yours?
After a brief silence, she finally responded. {Then, I will designate the na as ‘Fountain of Life,’ or FOL for short.}
Deciding there was no harm in it, she accepted the na—after all, in so small way, it did fit.
“Also, since this is the second ti soone has caused new life to be born, I think we should establish a specific reward for those who achieve it—along with the prestige that cos with doing sothing so beneficial for the empire. What do you think?” Aron suggested. Once could be chalked up to luck, but twice? That hinted at a pattern, possibly even a third occurrence in the future.
{I’ll notify Gaia of your suggestion and have her co up with a plan,} Nova replied, imdiately offloading the responsibility to GAIA, the AI overseeing governnt affairs and the one who would ultimately enforce it anyway. {What should the award and dal be called? Do you have a specific na in mind?}
Aron took a mont to think before answering, “The Genesis dal and The Genesis Award. The dal as formal recognition and the award to reflect the achievent itself. It should have different levels, with those directly responsible for the creation of life receiving the highest-ranked honor, and the levels descending to include everyone involved in the exploration fleet.”
{Gaia says she will start working on it and will report back once she has coordinated with the relevant agencies,} Nova inford him after updating Gaia with the details.
“Okay, good,” Aron nodded in acknowledgnt before asking, “So, what other matters related to the exploration fleet do I need to address?” He wanted to deal with all the necessary tasks concerning the returnees.
{There are a few key decisions that need to be made,} Nova listed. {First, what should be done with the fourteen individuals created as a result of the FOL? Second, what should be done with the FOL material they brought back? Third, when should the empire be inford about their return? Fourth, what should be done with the exploration ships they brought back? And lastly, how should we inform the families of those who remained at TRAPPIST-1 to continue guarding the system? There are additional considerations, but those can be addressed as the situation evolves.}
“Okay, good,” Aron nodded in acknowledgnt before asking, “So, what other matters related to the exploration fleet do I need to address?” He wanted to deal with all the necessary tasks concerning the returnees.
{There are a few key decisions that need to be made,} Nova listed. {First, what should be done with the fourteen individuals created as a result of the FOL? Second, what should be done with the FOL material they brought back? Third, when should the empire be inford about their return? Fourth, what should be done with the exploration ships they brought back? And lastly, how should we inform the families of those who remained at TRAPPIST-1 to continue guarding the system? There are additional considerations, but those can be addressed as the situation evolves.}
Aron, having already thought through his responses, answered without hesitation.
“The fourteen individuals should be sent to the House of Hope. They and anyone else created as a result of FOL under imperial control will be considered imperial citizens and treated the sa as any other citizen.
The Fountain of Life they brought back will be sent to Mars for initial storage while a dedicated research lab is constructed to handle all research related to the material.
Now that we are sure nothing harmful has occurred, we can announce to the public that the exploration fleet has officially returned.
As for the families of those who remained at TRAPPIST-1, inform them that their loved ones are on a delayed return schedule due to operational requirents. They should expect their return in, at most, four years. We will bring them back sooner using the wormhole technology, but they don’t need to know that yet.
The exploration fleet should remain where it is for now. Have the exploration fleet mbers provide their suggestions on what should be done with the ships. We’ll use their input as a basis for our final decision
Finally, regarding the eting to update the ethics of imperial research on intelligent life, it should be scheduled as soon as the returning crew completes their ntal evaluations. Once they are cleared, they will be going on an extended vacation, and we need their firsthand input before that happens. Their experience is invaluable.”
Nova imdiately took Aron’s responses, making a few modifications for clarity and to align them with the authority of the emperor. Once refined, she forwarded them to GAIA, who would ensure that all relevant departnts received their directives and executed them accordingly.
Within monts, the orders were set in motion, each departnt beginning preparations to implent the necessary steps—whether it was the integration of the fourteen new individuals, the secure transport and storage of the Fountain of Life, or the careful coordination of public announcents.
Everything was progressing smoothly, but as always, Nova kept a watchful eye, ready to adapt should unforeseen complications arise.
……………
The empire buzzed with excitent as the news spread, with curiosity reaching a fever pitch. Every exploration fleet’s return had historically brought back sothing of great significance, and this one was no exception. Speculation ran wild—what had they discovered? What new knowledge or advancents would they contribute?
For the families of the returning crew, the announcent was a mont of joy and relief. They had been inford just minutes before the public, allowing them a brief mont of privacy before the empire erupted with discussions. Those whose loved ones remained at TRAPPIST-1 received detailed updates, including expected return dates and personal ssages carried back by the fleet. Many eagerly awaited the physical goods sent by their family mbers, small but cherished tokens from across the stars.
While scientists and researchers were fixated on what new discoveries had been made, the general public was more focused on how the returning crew would react to the empire’s transformation. So much had transpired during their absence that it was almost overwhelming to grasp. The conflict with the Astral Conclave, the groundbreaking discoveries by other exploration fleets—such as the creation of new life—the unveiling of the emperor's imnse power, and countless other pivotal events. It was as if the empire itself was living through an era where centuries of progress were compressed into re years, embodying the phrase: "There are decades where nothing happens, and weeks where decades happen."
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