"Danielle, stop shifting, please," Danny said.

"It hurts!" Ths girl whined, causing her father to sigh.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I'm not very good at combing hair. I mean, look at mine," Phantom pointed at his messy haircut, earning giggles from Dani.

Danny had refused an offer to let servants handle this matter. After all, he was her father, and he intended to be one. Phantom didn't want to be like one of those monarchs who leave their children completely without any attention. He will give her every ounce of love and attention she deserved and he could give. It was an important day for the entire Empire, the day when it officially gets a heiress. Danny ordered the tailor to make clothes for such occasion.

Her chest clothes were black, with bright green edges, with its black top ending right below her shoulders. She also wore dark gray skirt with fluffy ends, and a white bow tie on her chest, along with white gloves and white and green boots. Dani liked it a lot, the colors made her look like her Daddy.

Finally older Phantom came up with idea. He tried to pull the girl's long hair back, and managed to make a ponytail. Danny then used a brush and fixed the remaining hair. He took a look on his little Phantom, before a loving smile appeared on his face.

"Oh, you are so adorable!" Danny couldn't resist hugging the child and lifting her in the air. Dani hugged him in response and giggled.

"Uhm, Your Highness, it is time."

Phantom looked at the doorway and saw one of droid lackeys standing in the doorway, holding a pillow with his crown on it. Danny sighed and put the girl on the ground. "Are you ready, baby girl?" He asked.

"Aha," she nodded eagerly.

Danny took the ice crown and put it on his head, before exiting the room and walking through the corridor as Dani followed him. Near the big doors Phantom looked at the small princess clutching his arm.

"Dani, stay with this droid until I call for you, alright?"

"Alright, Daddy," the girl smiled adorably.

"I'll watch over her, My Lord."

Danny's look held an obvious message 'you better'. He turned around and opened the doors widely, walking out on a big balcony. There was already a microphone on a railing waiting for him. From the balcony he received a view over the entire huge forum. It was overcrowded with people, who cheered loudly at seeing the Emperor. When Phantom made a sign, non-verbally asking to be more quiet. The crowd listened to his request, and he started to speak.

"Dear citizens of the Empire," he greeted with his famous disarming smile. His voice reasoned across the entire square as multiple news droids floated around to get a footage, transmitting it all across the interstellar state. "I'm returning to our beautiful capital with joyous news! First, I'd like to welcome former planets of Hobl Princedom as a part of our country, as well as Solar system. Along with following the interests of the Empire while visiting it, I admit, I also pursued my own personal interests."

"I grew up on this only inhabited planet of Solar system. By visiting it again after my exile, I was confronted by the ghosts of my past. I can say that some meetings were pleasant, and some weren't. However, one meeting in particular, granted me joy beyond any measure. I've been looking for it ever since I stepped my foot on the planet's soil again. My 'departure' has been so abrupt, I didn't have time to say proper goodbyes and the most important thing to me was left in care of my close friends. It pains me that I wasn't present during the first years of her life."

That part confused most of the watching populace. Danny meanwhile gave a shining smile.

"But now my family has finally reunited again. Let me present you, Danielle Jasmine Phantom, the Crown Princess of the Empire and my daughter!"

Phantom looked back and gestured for Dani to come closer, and the girl ran to her father. Danny picked her up, and the entire country saw the small child, before bursting into loud cheers. Dani flinched.

"Why are they shouting, Daddy?" She asked.

Danny turned off microphone for a moment. "Because they like you, my dear. How about you say hi?" He turned on the device again.

Dani blinked "Hi!" She said shyly and waved her hand, unaware that microphone was making her louder.

Some, if not a half of the crowd awed at her adorableness. Danny had a feeling that she had already earned the population's love. He had the last announcement to make.

"I wish that every person, who calls our country his home could feel the same level of joy as I do. And so, I decided to commence a celebration on each planet we own. Rejoice, the Empire, and have a wonderful week!"

The crowd cheered again, and the Royal family turned to leave after a minute of watching. Dani seemed happy, and Danny was smiling too. But on the inside, he was worried. Now, all bets were off. He had to get rid of loyalists, completely. Because as long as they live, his little Phantom was in danger.

The last day of the celebration week was in a big ball and planned on the evening, where the Imperial elite was invited. Since all the noble families had been either purged or strapped from power, there was a different kind of intelligentsia. Military and Navy commanders had received an invitation for war achievements, different CEOs of state controlled companies for economical wonders. Some nobles had actually visited the balls if the Emperor deemed their deeds worthy, like charity or philanthropy. Some obviously did it not because of righteous intentions, but at least they were forced to do something useful. And of course, they were being watched just in case.

Also, heads of recently conquered states, or their successors, in case Phantom decided they were too dangerous to keep around, were also invited. So, there were two new guests: Prince Loke, who now ruled the Princedom, and until the invasion was not a candidate for the throne, and President Lockheart of newly formed Terran Confederacy. He used to be the Head of UN at the time, so it was logical to grant him a temporal position until the first elections. Confederacy was also a temporary measure, until the nations would be ready to turn into Federation.

And of course, Dani had to attend. A few hours before the ball, Phantom was in his cabinet. He pressed a few buttons and the hologram came into view.

"Skulker," he greeted, "How is your investigation going?"

"So far I've gathered some information. This kind of rockets can be used only on BPLA interceptors, but only your army purchases those...you already knew that, I get it. Anyways, they also require special software and hardware present only in them. So, there should have been one interceptor which was either used itself, or was torn scrapped for those detail. And with a war going on, it was complicated. I hope I AM allowed to go where Krell Directorate forbids to go?"

"Consider me nodding," Danny smirked, leaning back in his leather chair. "I take it you have already done so without my content?"

Skulker flinched. "Yes...I've breached their security and got a hold on their documents. This is where it gets interesting. Have you read Directorate production report?"

"Yes, they reported about...twenty thousand built interceptors. It went according to production plan."

In the Imperial system, capitalism existed along with planned economy, and the Emperor had recently ordered to begin Six Month Plan. It concerned state run companies mostly, but big enough independent companies were obliged to build more factories and infrastructure in order to grow economy and create working places on planets where working places were required. If Phantom wanted to fight against the Republic, the Empire needed strong economy, and it was just an experiment for now. If it will be a success, such scheme shall remain, and Five year plans will be implemented.

"Was that your idea making factories report directly as well? It is rather useful, Directorate reports about twenty thousand, but the factory says they made twenty one thousand. In the report they boasted about overly successful three months of production."

"One thousand lost interceptors," Phantom shook his head. "All those vehicles, they could be used to save lives of our soldiers...how long it will take for them to steal a freaking dreadnought?!" He slammed the table with his fist and got up. "And later that people will complain about me being a cruel warmonger who sends young men and women to death."

Skulker wasn't sure about interrupting the monarch's rant. Thankfully Danny used his trained ability to calm himself down. Suddenly, a thought occured in the ghost's mind.

"Director Nimot is invited to the ball," he realized. "I'll have a private chat with him, he better explain why his report is different from that of the factory complex. Good job, Skulker, await further instructions and try to avoid attention."

Phantom turned off the hologram and sighed. The young Emperor looked out of the big wall wide window. As was previously mentioned, only ninety percents of the planet were covered by megapolis. By his edict, Babylon tropical forest was declared untouchable and given a status of National Park. It was also a nice view out of the Emperor's cabinet.

Danny put his hands behind his back and tapped on the ground.

"No one said bringing peace to the galaxy will be simple," he mumbled, before walking away.

The second sun of Babylon had set. The celebration was approaching and the ball room had enough place to fit everyone. It was overcrowded with the most influential people of the Empire, dressed in the richest clothing they could afford. They formed cliques counting from three to seven individuals, bragging about their achievements. Some were more humble than others, but that was all Danny's sensitive hearing could catch.

Many people brought their kids, and Danny knew why, since the majority of children were boys. Phantom had to resist facepalm. Dani was THREE, for goodness sake. And even if she wasn't, they didn't live in Medieval times, and there weren't many important monarchs. He didn't need to marry his daughter in order to gain something for his Empire. Danny wanted his girl to marry by love, and he didn't care who his future son-in-law will be, as long as he is a nice man.

And speaking of whom, Phantom decided to keep Dani closer to him, and the girl was both thankful and disgruntled because of that. She felt uncomfortable being alone around so many unknown people, but she was bored out of her mind, being forced to stand on one place, not being able to go anywhere.

"...to say that I was surprised would be an understatement, but it was a great surprise indeed. Having a daughter from the woman I loved is the greatest gift I could ever ask for. Danielle's mother, Arkeus bless her soul, wasn't able to live through the birth process," Danny told the same exact story five times.

Five times Dani had to go through this tormenting.

"Daddy, can I go to the bathroom?" She looked up at Danny.

Phantom looked around and noticed the lack of company around. He smirked down at her.

"Is this just an excuse to get to your room?"

Dani shifted on her legs and smiled innocently, showing her white teeth. Danny just chuckled.

"I know it's boring, sweetheart, but please, wait a little longer, alright?"

Dani pouted, but nodded. "Hey, can you bring me a glass of water, please? I really could use a drink."

The girl nodded again. "Okay, Daddy," she beamed and walked away.

Phantom smiled at the three years old, before returning to his guests. Danny approached one man in particular and smirked.

"Ah, here comes the hero of the day!" Phantom called, clapping his hands.

Haseas turned to him and smirked as well. The man was wearing black and gray uniform, on his chest was a rectangular badge, made of six blue squares and six red squares. The badge showed the ranks of Imperial officers. To the left and to the right from the badge were four cilinders, which looked like ball pens to unaware eyes. They consisted important codes, that's why they were held closely.

"I suppose congratulations are in order," Danny smiled, shaking the older man's hand.

"If you will be so generous, Your Majesty," the yuth smirked.

"Good job, Lord General," Danny patted him on back. "How is your kid doing?"

Haseas rolled his eyes. "Your thoughts are only on kids now, huh?"

Danny shrugged. "Pretty much."

The man chuckled. "I can tell. I felt the same way when Johnor was born. He now wants to go to Imperial Academy once he turns nineteen, by the way."

"Following his father's footsteps," Danny smiled.

"Are you ready to take such a responsibility? A child is not a pet."

"I know that, but it was my decision to let her live. I've long since learned to accept responsibilities for my actions."

"Of that I have no doubts," Haseas smirked, emptying his glass.

"Daddy!"

They both turned to the source and looked down. Dani was standing there with a bottle of water. Phantom raised an eyebrow.

"Dani, I asked to bring me a glass of water."

"I know," the girl mumbled, shifting nervously. "There weren't any windows."

Phantom and Haseas looked at each other in confusion. "Uhm, what do you mean?"

"You said a glass of water, glass is in the windows, right?" Dani asked innocently.

Both adult started choking down their laughter. Danny smiled down at his baby girl.

"Not that glass, sweetie," he chuckled, taking the bottle. "Glass for drinks. Don't worry, I've got one already."

"You have?" Haseas asked.

"Yes, thanks for holding it, Haseas," Danny said, taking the glass from the Lord General's hand. The man blinked in surprise and looked at his empty hand.

Danny poured water into the glass and drank the beverage. Haseas meanwhile looked around.

"Hey, kid, I don't see your girlfriend anywhere."

Phantom made a confused expression. "I don't have a girlfriend."

Haseas rolled his eyes. "Seriously? You spend most of your free time with your 'apprentice'."

"She isn't my girlfriend," Danny sighed. "Why everyone assumes that?"

The man smirked knowingly. "I don't know about how the others thought about that, but personally, it's all just familiar to me. There is just that barely noticeable spark in your eyes when you look at her. My old man used to say the same thing about me. Tell me honestly, do you have any feelings about her?"

Danny tapped on the ground with his white boot. "Maybe...I didn't have much experience with this," he sighed. "I mean, there was a short relationship, then a huge affection for a girl who is long gone now."

"There is the first time for everything, kid...wait, you had a girlfriend?"

Danny's lips formed a thin line as he looked at the Lord General.

Suddenly an announcer near the doors coughed. What a lazy job, just to stand on one place and tell who was coming.

"Newest arrival, Lady Komand'r, Duchess of Limon, Viscountess of Shkaff and Baroness of Babylon."

As the guy was talking, Komand entered the room, and Danny felt his face greening. She was wearing slim black dress, which ended right above her feet. Her left leg was shown through a split in the outfit, and the woman moved on black low heeled shoes. Komand had combed her short and wavy hair into kare, and it seemed to fit the yuth wonderfully. On her hands were black leather gloves, and a coat of black lipstick on her lips. Her eyes immediately fell on Phantom as she approached him. Haseas nudged the Emperor slightly.

"Well, you'll have plenty of time," he whispered and walked off.

Komand watched as Haseas went away, before looking up at Danny. Phantom snapped out of observation.

"I...didn't know you would come," he commented.

"Does that mean I'm unwelcomed here?" The woman raised her eyebrow.

"No, of course not," Danny smiled. "You just never attended these balls."

Komand felt something clutching her leg. Dani was beaming up at her. "Wow, you look awesome, Komy," she said.

The woman felt both her hearts melting at the girl's words. Surely, no fashion expert could give such a strong praise.

"Oh, thank you," Komand smiled and lowered herself to Dani's eyelevel and hugged her. "What a nice dress you are wearing!" She said in awed voice.

"Really?" At the woman's nod, Dani got stars in her eyes.

Danny chuckled at the exchange. "So...duchess."

Komand rolled her eyes and got up. "We both know that those titles mean nothing," she deadpanned.

Phantom shrugged. "It still has funny sounding to it," he said, trying to sip from the glass. "Maybe I'll even use it as nickname for ya."

The apprentice took the glass and drank the water herself. Karma was instant this time. After some time of silence, Komand felt impatience radiating from her friend.

"Danny, what's wrong?" She asked.

Phantom sighed and gestured for her to follow, taking Dani's hand. When they got to the secure placd, he retold Komand everything he learned from Skulker, carefully avoiding harsh words in his daughter's presence. Not that Dani understood much from what they talked about.

"And what are you going to do next?"

Danny shrugged and crossed his hands. "I am actually planning to use another means of military production. If we indirectly strap Directorate from its grip over our war industry, loyalists won't have any new weapons."

Komand looked at him in confusion. How was he going to do that? Before she could ask, the music changed to a much slower one. As a thought occured in her mind, Komand blushed slightly. Surprisingly, Danny had the same one. He smiled and turned to the woman.

"May I invite you to a dance, Duchess?" Phantom asked, offering his hand, and Komand became completely red.

"Well, I don't mind," she smiled slightly as well.

Suddenly, the announcer spoke again.

"Director Nimot of Krell War Directorate!"

At that both Force Users perked up and immediately turned to the doors. They opened and a mid aged man went inside the hall. He was a yuth, with short black beard and black eyes. He was wearing red and blue tunic with a leather belt and black boots. The Director approached the Emperor and bowed slightly. Danny had a calm expression on his face.

"Greetings, Your Highness, it is my greatest pleasure to be here."

Phantom faked a welcoming smile. "Please, the pleasure is all mine, Director."

The man nodded at Komand. "Duchess," he greeted,and Danny couldn't suppress a quiet snort of laughter. Then he looked at Dani, who unconsciously clutched to her father's leg. "Ah, that's the little princess everyone is talking about. Hello, there, little one."

"Hi," Dani responded quietly.

"Forgive her, she is shy around new people," Phantom put in.

"That's alright, Your Majesty. Now, I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, but there is a matter which I'm afraid cannot wait."

Danny sighed, glancing at Komand, whose lips formed a thin line. "Alright, but be quick," he said, before looking at his friend. "Later," he mouthed.

Phantom and Nimot walked out on the balcony. It was easily accessible from the hall, and at the same time very secluded.

"So, what is it?" Danny asked leaning against a railing.

"I have a request, My Lord. I'm not asking for an immediate decision, just for you to consider it."

Phantom waved his hand. "I'm listening."

"I found a way to minimize our infrastructure spendings. As you probably know, Krell now lacks almost all resources and has to import them. And thus, there are wastes for fuel, crew payment..." a tiny note of displeasure escaped his mouth. "And other things. I propose to move some of our factories on another planet, rich with minerals. Directorate has recently discovered just the planet for it."

Danny raised his eyebrow. "I hope you aren't asking for state funding of this ordeal."

"It would have been generous, but I cannot allow myself to demand something from you, My Lord."

Phantom tapped on his chin and hummed in thought. "This shall be a small arms factory, in case we will have to change it to fit civilian needs. I want guarantees that it will turn into profits or be any of use."

Danny had own reasons for that. His plan won't require any war factories at all, and he will need to converse them into normal ones, in order to keep working places for people. Besides, he could always switch them back to war industry.

Nimot didn't seem fully satisfied. "The War Council requested more tanks and walkers, My Lord. We are already making more guns and ammo than we have soldiers. But we have lost a lot of ground vehicles in this war, and we must build more."

Phantom tapped on the railing. "And why the War Council hasn't informed me about such crucial lack of vehicles that you need to build an entire factory?"

"I don't know, Your Highness."

The Emperor's eyes glowed brighter as he looked at the older man. "Really? Just like you don't know about a thousand of interceptors?"

"What do you mean?" Nimot asked, and Phantom felt nervousness growing inside of him.

"I can ask another question, are all loyalists so bad at hiding tracks? My old accomplice has found a peculiar report, factories tell me one thing and you tell completely another. Twenty thousand and twenty one thousand, considerable difference, too big to miss. Mind explaining?"

"And what makes you think I was the one who lied?"

"Because of how pointless it will be. Punishments for false reports still exist. It is impossible to fake report by telling about producing more. It can be checked with a pinky finger on my foot. However, you can hide what was produced when you report about producing less. Besides, I checked how many resources were used to produce all that ships. And, surprisingly, there is enough to make more than twenty thousand. Maybe you are not a loyalist, but there is still a faked document. Explain."

Nervousness radiated from Nimot in seemingly industrial amounts. Phantom tapped with his foot impatiently.

Suddenly, Danny felt an approaching danger. He raised his hand and the upcoming red blast hit a green barrier.

"So that's why we are talking on the balcony," he deadpanned, before feeling something cold pressing against his temple.

"Exactly, smartmouth," Nimot said.

Phantom only grinned, before slightly waving his hand, making the blaster fly away. He then kicked the man in his knee and then his head. Once he was down, Danny shot sticky ectogoo so he couldn't get away.

"Stick around."

Then Phantom sidestepped another shot, and this time he was able to see where it came from. He disappeared in a cloud of smoke, before teleporting to a skyscraper a few miles away. When he got there, Danny immediately blocked a punch and made a step back, blocking hit after hit. The bounty hunter then took out a blaster and opened fire. Phantom used an ancient technique of Tutaminis in response. And since his heart was a literal orb of energy, absorption of blaster bolts charged him as energy drink. Danny simply blocked a few blasts with his palm, before pushing the man into the window. It didn't break, but the weapon was dropped.

"Jeez, what a warm welcome," Danny complained.

"Do you ever shut up?"

The mercenary took out a vibrodagger and lunged forward. Phantom became intangible when the weapon was about to leave a cut. But, shockingly, even though it didn't pass him, it DID leave a nasty tear in his uniform and a slight cut on his skin. How was this possible?

The bounty hunter chuckled, "Surprised? My donators are quite resourceful."

"So I see, too sad all that money were wasted on such pathetic attempt on my afterlife," Danny responded with a teasing smirk.

Meanwhile back on the ball, Komand was sitting at the table completely alone, Dani didn't count, since the girl was too busy with food. Saying she was pissed off would have been an understatement. Suddenly, she heard someone sitting nearby. Valerie sat on a chair and looked at the apprentice.

"Hey there," the dark skinned woman greeted.

"Good evening," Komand grumbled.

"Jeez, grumpy much?"

Komand didn't respond, looking at the distance.

"So, we never actually had a chance to get to talk to each other."

"What can we possibly talk about?" The alien raised her eyebrow.

"I don't know," Valerie shrugged, before a tiny smirk appeared on her face. "How you and Danny met for example."

"Well, I was tasked with eliminating the threat of rebellion, which just so happened to be him."

Valerie snorted. "Why Danny always falls for girls who wanted to rip him a new one?"

Komand chuckled, before she processed what was said. "Wh-what do you mean?" She asked, reddening.

The former huntress groaned. "Not you too. C'mon, everyone around can see that you and Danny are more than just friends. And don't deny that," she added abruptly, seeing that the apprentice was about to object.

"And you are fine with that?"

Valerie raised her eyebrow. "Why are you asking for my con..." she stopped in midsentence, before bursting into laughter. Komand narrowed her eyes, but Valerie ignored it. "Girl, we ARE just friends now. I admit, I've lost my chance a few years ago and it was a mistake to break up. I'm not trying to hit on him now. Besides, he seems to be more interested in you," she smiled teasingly.

"Really?" Komand blurted.

"Yeah, but take my advice. Confront him about it sooner, because he is too..."

"Clueless?"

"I wouldn't have said that. Even he should have figured that by now. I think he is just not sure about what to do. He liked Sam a lot, but was afraid that if he confessed, their friendship would have been ruined. He didn't have time though, and she was murdered, along with everyone else he cared about. And when you two risk your lives on daily basis, I think you should confess each other sooner."

"I...I'll think about it," Komand mumbled, "Gods, are all humans try to be philosophers?"

"Danny is just overdramatical dork with his own view on life," they both snickered at a very accurate description. "And I'm just saying what I think and know."

Suddenly they heard several cries and sounds of blasts. Dani jumped on her seat in surprise, and women's eyes widened.

"Dani, get under the table and don't make a sound," Komand said, and the girl complied. Behind the tablecloth she was unnoticeable.

Through the front doors entered several men in combat armor. Judging from its customization, they didn't just steal it from the army. How did they get through the guards? The answer was obvious, but nonetheless unpleasant.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," one of them stepped forward. He wore black and orange armor, along with a helmet covering his face. "You probably know why we are here. And don't attempt to run, otherwise you will get a blaster bolt into your head. Now, where is our lovely princess?"