garrattj

Five-Minute fiction - 21:48-21:53

I had expected some manner of delay in being granted access to the Crown, Cresa said as he sidestepped the line of men, women, and children all seeking an audience with the Unified Crown.

Yes, well, there would have been a delay. You would have needed to endure that line, the man, Dmitry, said as he gestured to the line they had just bypassed. All these people seek an audience with the Crown for one thing or another. And as you are a friend of the Crown, or at least the Crown perceives you as a friend, you have been granted special access. Of course, all this could have been avoided had you had the foresight to call ahead for an appointment.

Cresa smiled at the thought. It was a daunting prospect to know that he had access to the ruler of entire unified nation, and the prospect was made even more daunting when he considered it was one of the most powerful economic bodies in the solar system.

They proceeded down the high-ceilinged corridor toward the massive gilt-embossed doors of the throne room. Murals, art, all manner of decorative objects adorned the walls, or hung from the rafters. A truly unified