667 Arrival (?)

Proxima Centauri.

It had been a year and three months since the messenger was sent, and everything continued as usual, following the meticulously prepared plan from the start.

Proxima A was as busy as ever, perhaps even busier than before. If observed closely from space, one could see rudimentary cities nestled within the massive tree branches where the Proximians were born. These cities were built in a manner that integrated seamlessly with the trees rather than destroying them, creating a beautiful and harmonious ambiance.

As per the universal bureaucracy rule, there always needs to be a meeting taking place. Currently, one such meeting was occurring between Ayaka, the official responsible for the planet, and admiral Bianchi, the leader of the entire exploration fleet.

"We are expected to complete the training within a month and should start extracting them from the VR pods with everything they need to live together with humans and by themselves already taught," Ayaka reported to Fleet Admiral Bianchi during one of her monthly reports summarizing her heavy tasks.

"Good. And what is the status of the city construction?" Admiral Bianchi asked, despite having the information written in the report.

"With Birch's aid, we have managed to construct all the basic facilities they will need immediately after waking up. As for the rest, we will leave it to them to grow in their own direction, void of our active influence, which will also act as a starter for their economy."

"But we are faced with a problem," Ayaka added after a brief pause.

"Go on, what is it?" Admiral Bianchi prompted.

"The monetary issue is the problem, sir," Ayaka began. "As part of their training, we taught them the monetary value of using money to exchange for goods and services. Within the simulation, they've already created a booming economy, with many becoming quite wealthy through fair means. The logical decision would be to allow them to keep the money they've earned in VR when they come to reality, as to them, that place was real, and they worked hard to earn it.

However, we don't have the authority to create currency; that capability lies with the treasury. If they weren't going to be connected to the empire, it wouldn't be a problem, but now that it's set in stone that they will either be allies or direct citizens, allowing them to keep the currency will mean we are overstepping the control bubble we were provided through the mission. What we do here will directly affect the economy of the empire.

Whether we allow them to keep the money or not, it will cause issues. If we don't, it will mess with their morale and create chaos when they wake up and realize they've lost everything they worked hard for, which was their entire lives. This would be another round of problems we'd have to deal with.

We're currently between a rock and a hard place. What do you suggest we do?" she asked, seeking a decision from Admiral Bianchi, as he was the only one with the authority to address this situation.

We dont need to be concerned about that. As soon as he finished speaking and Ayaka was about to question his reasoning, he preemptively addressed it by activating the holographic system. The display showed the Proxima star system, providing a simplified but comprehensive view similar to the solar systems holographic model.

However, the hologram wasnt focused on the star system itself. Instead, it highlighted ten approaching objects coming from the direction of Earth, positioned outside the star system.

Is the emperor coming? Ayaka asked, astonished. Given that it had been about thirteen months since they sent the messenger, and it typically took around six months for a transition between star systems, the emperors decision to come here within three months was unexpected.

Dont get your hopes up; it's likely his representatives or a delegation. The empires stability isnt yet at a point where the emperor can be offline for over a year, Bianchi replied.

When will they arrive? Ayaka asked, needing to know if she should adjust the timeline for the Proximians' awakening.

Our sensors arent advanced enough to provide precise details, but we estimate theyll arrive in about a week. Given that weve sent all relevant data, they should be aware of this issue. Even if not, the arriving delegation will have the capability to address it, Bianchi explained, as the hologram displayed a line extending from the approaching ships to the Proxima star system, with the estimated time of arrival decreasing second by second.

Thats goo Ayaka began, but her words were interrupted as the Admirals communication system buzzed.

{Admiral, a communication with an imperial network Identification priority sequence is attempting to establish a connection. Should I approve it?} The Fleets AI inquired. This was a routine formality, as the AI was aware that any communication with such a priority sequence could override any denial attempt.

Whats this about? Arent they already on their way? Bianchi asked, puzzled by the sudden development.

{They have come to a halt and exited the FTL bubble, indicating they have no intention of proceeding here at the moment} the AI responded.

Okay, approve it and show me what they intend to do with it, Bianchi instructed, showing little concern for Ayakas presence.

{Understood} The AI responded promptly, granting access and immediately taking over the hologram to display the intended actions from the other side of the connection.

The two of them in the room immediately started watching, attempting to understand what the establishment connection wanted to do with their attempt to establish a connection.

They werent concerned about facing problems from their snooping, as they trusted that the Fleets AI would only display what was authorized for them to seenothing more, nothing less.

Slowly, in front of their eyes and accompanied by explanations from the AI, they witnessed something they had never seen before. By the time they could have seen it in the past, it was already completed and made public, so no one had the chance to observe it from start to finish.