Selene blinked twice. "What?"

"A marriage alliance. I trust you know of the Eastern Commonwealth?"

"Of course. Channary sent Lunars infected with letumosis to the Eastern Commonwealth several years ago, right?" 

"Correct. The Empress of the Commonwealth was infected and died. Here's my proposal. I know you were planning on giving the letumosis antidote to the Earthens as part of your original plan anyway. What if you offered to give the Commonwealth the antidote after you make a marriage alliance with them?"

Selene spun around in her chair. "Why the Commonwealth in specific?"

"They're one of the civilizations in the Earthen Union with the most influence and technology at their disposal. A marriage alliance with them in particular would be most beneficial to Luna."

"Hm. But... who?"

"Excuse me?" 

"Who would I have to marry?" 

"The Emperor, of course."

"What?" Selene spun around facing Winter. "He's an old man!" 

Winter sighed. "If you're serious about this for the good of your people, Selene, then it would be irrelevant who you marry or how old they are. This plan would be best for the welfare of the people."

Selene sighed. "I suppose. It's a good plan, Winter."

"Thank you."

Selene spun around. She didn't like the idea of selling herself off to some old man in exchange for an alliance, but it was the best plan anybody had come up with yet. 

"Winter." Selene snapped her fingers. "Tell Thaumaturge Park to collect a case of letumosis antidotes and prepare them for travel. Also, tell the letumosis research doctors to collect blood from the shells given asylum in the palace and start making more antidotes."

"Yes, My Queen." Winter turned on her heel and clicked out of the room. Selene stood, stretched and called for her maid to help her dress in a simple, icy blue silk dress. Selene had always hated things that were itchy or too heavy. Silk and satin were good solutions. Selene's maid let her hair hang in its natural state, thin and straight as a pencil, brushing her shoulders, but straightened it even more and trimmed her bangs to make it look more regal and professional. 

As soon as she was finished, Selene left the room, calling an elevator down to take her to the throne room. That was where she would make her first diplomatic comm to the Eastern Commonwealth. When she arrived, she surprised a cleaning maid who was dusting the portraits of previous rulers on the walls. 

Selene regarded the maid. "Go summon Head Thaumaturge Hayle-Blackburn and Thaumaturge  Mira. Tell them to bring a large netscreen and the Queen's Crown from the treasury with them." The maid nodded, flustered, and scurried out of the room.

Selene collapsed onto her throne, lifting her head up to the ceiling and sighing. Being queen was so hectic. Every time she turned around, there was someone else with another request. She never got a break.

Winter and Sybil Mira opened the doors, servants in tow. A footman was carrying the velvet box in which Luna's queen-crown was kept. Selene sat up straight as a maid wheeled a huge netscreen like they had on earth in front of Selene's throne. 

The footman handed the crown's box to Winter, who took the silver tiara out of the box and placed it carefully on Selene's head. Winter and Mira took their positions beside Selene on her throne.

"Computer, establish a comm link with the Imperial Palace of the Eastern Commonwealth."

Selene waited for several moments, tapping her fingers against the armrests of her throne while the comm went through all the systems and failsafes that the Commonwealth's palace had installed to prevent hackers and etc. 

Finally, once the initial address was verified and the palace security was sufficiently satisfied that it really was a comm from the Lunar palace, the comm connected and the image of a mans face appeared on the screen. He wasn't young, but his features were still handsome. 

Selene smiled graciously. "Greetings, Emperor Rikan. I'm Queen Selene Blackburn of Luna, and I'm here to propose a special opportunity for your people that I'm sure you won't pass up."