At the morning court, it was not all good news.
A plump goblin stepped forward, dressed in an extravagant silk robe. One look told Lynn it was in charge of finances and provisions.
"Your Majesty, the mineral reserve report."
It opened the booklet in its hands and read aloud.
"Iron ore reserves will last approximately forty-seven years, copper ore fifty-three years, coal ninety-two years..."
"Enough." The Emperor cut it off. "I do not want to hear how many more years we can hold out. I only want to know how long we can last at the current rate of consumption."
The fat goblin wiped the sweat from its forehead and said quietly, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the various mineral veins are being depleted. If we maintain the current state... our main resources will be completely exhausted in fifty years at most."
The hall fell silent.
The Emperor leaned back on his throne and remained silent for a long time.
"Fifty years..." he murmured. "I am already one hundred and twenty years old. Fifty years from now, I might not even be here anymore. But what about my descendants? What about the future of the goblin race?"
No one answered.
The Emperor suddenly sat upright, raising his voice. "That is why I want you to speed up the development of interstellar spacecraft!"
"Our home planet is already failing! Resources are scarce, pollution is getting worse, and a world-ending calamity is about to descend! We must find a habitable planet, or we will all die here!"
The ministers answered in unison, "We obey, Your Majesty!"
The Emperor took several breaths and calmed himself before asking again, "Did the data sent back by the Explorer reveal any suitable planets?"
The old goblin in gray robes stepped forward and shook his head. "Your Majesty,