Back in the council hall, the Emperor surveyed the star map of the Vroarsca system. Besides Sacred Earth, it contained two ice planets, three gas giants (one which sensors indicated had some sort of irregular debris on it), and two rock planets. The rock planets, indicated by a red circle, were the only ones in the system useful to Martin, as they were the only ones the colonization ships were equipped to handle. Martin thought how foresighted it was of Gavin Ree to run multiple other projects alongside the more celebrated 'warp point use' one. Now he would be able to spread the Empire not only to the surrounding solar system, but throughout the galaxy. He smiled to himself as the thoughts flowed through his mind.
Suddenly, or rather, relatively suddenly, as the minister was rather afraid of the Emperor, the Head Scientist of the Empire shuffled slowly into the chamber. He was, unlike the emperor, rather small and thin, and unconfident when questioned. Martin noticed him enter. "Come, Selph, we have not all the time in the world." The man nodded and quickened his pace in a rather obedient manner.
"My Emperor, you requested my attendance here today, at this time?" Selph nervously checked his watch.
"Yes, yes, that is correct. I have two things I wish to ask of you. First, what direction should our research take? I'd like a good foundation for an intergalactic empire. Something general, but strong to start out with."
Almost without thinking Selph said "Physics, my Emperor. We need to further study Physics."
Martin's eyes narrowed. "What good is Physics to ruling an empire?" He quizzed in a slightly aggravated fashion.
Selph knelt, trembling. "My Emperor, Physics is important for two main reasons. One, we can, with further research, invent shields..."
Martin's expression softened slightly.
"Also, my Emperor, we can devise destructive Meson Blasters and Anti Proton Beams. There's more I have planned, but..."
Martin cut him off. "Don't worry, Selph. I knew I could trust you to do the best for the Empire. Physics shall be the nation's scientific target at once."
Selph, still slightly nervous, quietly asked, "Emperor...What was the second thing you wanted to talk about?"
Martin gave a proud, gentle smile. "You've got a huge starting bonus. We stockpiled months of lab time just for this moment, and now's when to use it." Truly, he thought, Gavin Ree was a genius.