by Neal Jones
"Actually," Ormran replied, "we already thought of that. Our invasion of the Emperium would involve a much more...subtle approach." He leaned forward, his eyes burning with predatory delight. "The Emperium is in a state of chaos right now. The Imperial Senate and the lord emperor kept their invasion fleet a secret from their people until just a few years ago. Now, in the aftermath of that project's cataclysmic failure, the Jha'Drok people have lost all faith in their government, especially their lord emperor.
"My fellow councilors and I believe that we can use this to our advantage by making contact with the Shouk Drigald, one of the more powerful rebellion movements among the mass population. In essence, we will be using the same tactic against them that they tried to do with us several years ago, when they made a covert alliance with the Haal'Chai."
"And look at how that strategy failed for the Jha'Drok," Kroth pointed out. "What makes you believe that it will work for us?"
Harrik interrupted before Ormran could respond. "Because the Jha'Drok weren't completely focused on us. They were merely using us as a diversion for the Federation. They divided their resources and, in the end, that became their downfall. We, however, will be completely focused on the Jha'Drok. The Drigald will open the door for us, but we will be using multiple avenues to subvert and eventually bring down the government. This operation will, of course, take several months, possibly a year or two, but we believe this will succeed."
"And what about the Haal'Chai? Or the Federation for that matter?"
"We will let slip of our plans to the right people within the Haal'Chai," Ormran assured the chancellor. "It's good that you mention that point, because one of the more...delicate aspects of this plan involves a truce with Alikk Vi'Sar. We're all on the same side, after all, and we eventually will be conquering the Interstellar Federation. We just need some time to work everything out, and I believe that Vi'Sar can be made to understand that. And once he's willing to help us, I'm sure that we're going to see a reduction in the Kauramide and Sohnath protests that have been so violent of late. That, in turn, will buy us the time we need to conquer the Jha'Drok Emperium from the inside out."
"In the meantime," Maddoc said, leaning forward in the same conspiratorial manner as Ormran, "we will continue our peace talks with the Federation. I'm sure there's plenty of trade agreements that can still be arranged, territorial concessions that have yet to be resolved from our original negotiations ten years ago, things of that nature."
"Perhaps even our induction into the Federation as its fifty-seventh member world," Oc'Chen finished.
"Well," Ormran added quickly, "not quite that far."
"But if we make overtures and suggestions in that direction," Oc'Chen insisted, "then it will keep the Federation even more off guard. By the time we actually get around to signing a member charter agreement, our invasion of the Emperium should be complete, and that signing will never actually take place."
"Thank you, councilors," Kroth said before the discussion could go any further. "I will take all of this under advisement. For now, we will continue as we are." He stood and pressed a button on his terminal to summon his aid.
"Thank you, chancellor," Ormran replied. He and the other councilors followed Noesh out of the office.
Kroth sat down and stared at his blank terminal screen for almost an hour before Noesh interrupted his reverie.
"Sir, is there anything I can get you before I go home?"
Kroth stirred, suddenly realizing what time it was. He shook his head. "Have a good evening, Noesh."
"You do the same, sir."
But the high chancellor had very little sleep that night.
( 6 )
Ben tiptoed out of Emalie's bedroom. It had taken four bedtime stories and two musical numbers to get her asleep, and he found his wife on the couch, her book reader activated but lying in her lap. She was staring out the viewport, and he plopped down beside her to see what she was reading.
"Why, Mrs. Rosenberg, I wasn't aware that you enjoyed such prurient literature. If you're into this genre, then you should talk to Commander Garrett. I discovered the other day that he enjoys collecting romance novels, particularly classic ones from the Federation's first century. He said that he enjoys the works of a Murdohn author - what was his name?"
"Ben, I'm pregnant." Jennifer turned to her husband.
The doctor nearly missed her comment as he suddenly remembered the author's name, and he was about to continue when his wife's words hit home. He stared at her for a minute or two, mouth agape, stunned beyond words. "What?" was all he could finally manage to say.
"I'm pregnant. I just passed my first trimester."
Ben laughed with the kind of giddiness that can only come from such news, and he embraced her, kissing her with a fierce passion that she couldn't quite bring herself to match. Ben became aware of this, and he broke the kiss.
"What's the matter? Is there something wrong with the baby?"
"No. No, the baby's fine. Everything is fine."
"No, everything's not fine. I know you too well, Jenn. What's bothering you?"
"Nothing. Really. I'm just tired. It's been a very long day, and I think I'm going to bed." She kissed him, and she hoped that it was convincing. "Don't stay up too late."
Ben felt a familiar flush of anger rising in his cheeks, and he almost reached out to stop her. But then he thought better of it and said, "Goodnight then. I'm going to get caught up on work and I'll be there in a little bit." He watched her leave, wondering at what point in the last couple years his wife had been kidnapped and replaced with this unfeeling stranger.
And was there a way to get her back?
Chapter 2
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( 1 )
LADY PRINCESS VATRA INEHL loved mornings. This time of year, when the weather was beginning to turn in accordance with the cold season that would soon fall upon this part of homeworld, was Vatra's favorite. The blistering heat of summer was past, but it wasn't yet too cold for having breakfast on the balcony above the memorial courtyard. The imperial palace possessed three courtyards – the garden, the memorial and the stone. The memorial was so named because of the statues of various sizes and shapes that commemorated the founding fathers of the modern empire. Some were abstract – nothing more than vague shapes or patterns – and others were more traditional, such as the one of Lord Emperor Ech'Iano, first of his name. He was standing in a traditional warrior's pose, his sword held high, the blade poised to strike down all his enemies.
The other reason that Vatra had chosen this balcony was because this was Lady Empress Larewyn's favorite spot, and Vatra had decided it was time that she and Larewyn got know one another better. The poor girl – she was almost a decade younger than Lord Emperor Erengaar, her new husband – had been avoiding Vatra as much as possible, and the lady princess knew that Larewyn was intimidated by her and afraid of her. And that was exactly the way Vatra wanted it.
"Morning sun, Larewyn. How are you?"
Larewyn looked up from her plate of scrambled riston, so startled by Vatra's presence that she nearly dropped her fork. "Morning sun, milady." There was just the slightest stutter at the beginning of the phrase, barely imperceptible, but Vatra didn't miss it. Larewyn was utterly terrified to be caught alone with her.
Vatra turned to Larewyn's handmaid. "I would like some fried chekalu and a glass of raan. Tell the cook that the meat had better not be too seared, or I will have his balls for breakfast as well."
"Yes, milady."
The servant scurried out of sight, and Vatra seated herself in the only other chair at the small table that had been carved from ador wood. Vatra thought the thing was hideous, and if it was an example of Larewyn's taste, then she should be ashamed of herself. "Larewyn, you may address me by my given name. If anyone should be using the title 'milady', it should be me." She gave a little laugh, something almost girlish, a sound that said We're friends, you and I. You've nothing to fear from me.
Larew
yn responded with a forced laugh of her own, but it was hollow. "I must confess that I'm still not used to all this."
"Royalty, you mean."
"Yes."
"The House of Tannit is a noble house. Surely you're not all that unfamiliar with titles and peerages."
"Of course not. I only meant that I am unaccustomed to title of lady empress."
Vatra smiled knowingly. "Of course you are. It must be very daunting sitting upon the throne of an empire. But I'm more than happy to lend you my wisdom in these matters. The role of a lady empress is not all that difficult, you know. At least not anywhere near as strenuous as that of lord emperor."
The handmaid returned at that moment with Vatra's breakfast. She waited for the lady princess to taste the chekalu, and then disappeared as soon as she received a dismissive nod.
"Yes, my husband has been very...cranky of late," Larewyn replied, and then immediately blushed as if she had admitted something she shouldn't.
Vatra chortled, almost choking on her morsel of meat, and she took a sip of her juice. "Yes, I imagine Erengaar is very unhappy just now. The state of the empire is very tenuous these days."
"Yes, it is," the lady empress agreed, but only because she could think of nothing else to say. She scooped up the last of her oatmeal and then pushed plate aside. "The weather this morning is lovely."
"Yes, I've always loved it in this part of homeworld. I especially love this view of Gtheldron." Vatra actually cared nothing for the view, though she did admire the sight of Azrenbur's Mountain in the far distance. She turned back to her new sister and cast the slightest of glances at her flat midriff. "If you don't mind my saying so, milady, it has been three months since the union ceremony. Are you..."
Larewyn blushed again, an even deeper shade of crimson than before, and her face visibly tightened, as if connected to puppet strings that were suddenly yanked back. "No," she said very quietly. And then, before Vatra could reply, Larewyn burst into tears. She became even more embarrassed at this, and she tried to stifle her sobs, but it was a few minutes before she could speak. "I feel so ashamed," she blurted. "You're right. It has been so long, and I am still barren. I don't understand what the matter is, and Erengaar..." She finally succeeded in choking back her sobs, and she wiped furiously at her eyes. "I am not naïve enough to believe that he truly cares for me; that he loves me as a proper husband should. The sole reason for our marriage is my fertility, and I promised him on our betrothal night that I could give him a son."
Vatra scooted her chair closer to Larewyn and wrapped her arms around the lady empress. "Oh, Larewyn, you poor thing. Yes, I understand completely." Vatra was amazed by the sincerity in her voice. She had become more practiced at this game than she realized. "It's all right. A child will be conceived when the Lords wish it. And I will keep this between us. You needn't fear me, Larewyn."
The lady empress pushed away, feigning surprise. "I don't fear you. I have never feared you."
"I'm sorry," Vatra replied, smooth as ever. Larewyn was lying and they both knew it. "My misunderstanding."
"Thank you for sharing breakfast with me." Larewyn stood. It was as if her sobbing and confession had never happened. "Will you be joining me again tomorrow?"
"Of course!" Vatra replied, standing as well. "I look forward to it."
Larewyn nodded stiffly and then retreated into the library, the room just beyond the balcony.
Vatra watched her go, smiling as she sat down and reached for her juice. This is going to be easier than I thought. She summoned her servant and ordered another plate of chekalu.
( 2 )
That was far easier than I expected, Larewyn thought drolly as she marched the length of the corridor outside the library. That old bitch actually believes that she has me fooled. Long before her arrival at the imperial court, Larewyn had been warned by her mother about Vatra Inehl. At first, she had thought the Lady Tannit to be overly protective, that the lady princess couldn't possibly be that conniving or ruthless. But after three months of living in the palace, of eavesdropping on the whispered rumors that ran among the servants like frightened rodents, and of witnessing firsthand the carefully veiled aggressive behavior between the members of the royal family when seated around the table in the banquet hall, Larewyn had come to believe that her mother was not only right, but that she, Larewyn, needed to know more about how to deal with the likes of Vatra.
A lot more.
To that end, the lady empress had requested a house to be built on the southwestern edge of the palace grounds. A place that would serve as home away from home for her elderly parents. After all, they were in their twilight years, and the care of their family estate in Thertan had already been bequeathed to their eldest son and his family. Erengaar, of course, had been more than happy to grant his wife's request, and the Lord and Lady Tannit would be safely ensconced in their new home in just a few weeks. Until then, Larewyn's mother had been given the use of one of the many lavish guest suites on the palace's second floor, and that was where the lady empress was headed now.
Marija Tannit was a tall, stately woman, who carried herself with such an air of dignity and self-importance that her husband had warned on more than one occasion that she would throw out her spine if she wasn't careful. As her youngest daughter entered the dressing chamber, Marija's pair of handmaids were adjusting the pleats and folds of her new dress.
"That's a lovely color on you, mother," Larewyn remarked. She motioned for her own servant to take a rest. The young girl retreated to a corner of the room and waited to be summoned again.
"Yes, I thought so. It's so hard to pick just one dress for a party like this."
"So use all three. Change into a new one every couple hours or so."
"I had thought of that, but I don't want to draw too much attention to myself. This celebration is for your father, after all."
Larewyn sniggered. "Since when has that stopped you?"
Marija laughed, and then motioned for her handmaids to stand back. "Bring me the silver dress with the gold braided hem." As they scurried into the massive walk-in closet, Lady Tannit began to carefully remove her current costume. "So how was breakfast with the lady princess?"
Larewyn stepped forward to help her mother. "It was wonderful. Vatra and I had a pleasant conversation."
The servants returned with the new dress, and Marija told them - and Larewyn's handmaid - to leave the suite. All three nodded and bowed their heads before making a hasty exit.
"So, tell me how it really went."
Larewyn began helping her mother into the new dress. "She's just as manipulative and conniving as you said she was. And the best part is, she actually believes that I'm this frail, timid thing that has no clue about a royal court or how I'm supposed to fulfill my role as lady empress."
"Good! That's exactly what we wanted." Marija stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirrors and turned slowly, admiring the way the fabric hugged her slim figure in all the right places. "Pretend to need her, to need her advice, her sisterhood of friendship. She's desperate, Larewyn, like a child who knows she's done wrong, and her punishment is soon coming. I think I like this one the best. Help me out of it, would you?"
Larewyn obliged.
"It's no secret," Marija continued, "that Vatra has fallen far from her former status in the royal court. Especially now that her father is dead. Her days here are numbered."
"Why hasn't Erengaar banished her? Or, for that matter, simply made her disappear?"
"And then what? Accept her son as his? A child that isn't yours?"
Larewyn flinched at that. "He could just as easily make them both disappear." But it was a lie, and they both knew it. Erengaar needed an heir to the throne, and if one wasn't provided by his wife, he would be forced to accept Jharek as the next lord emperor.
Marija tenderly caressed her daughter's cheek. "You're my youngest, Lar, and you're still so naïve."
Larewyn turned away, batting her mother's hand aside. "That's why y
ou're here. We need to get Vatra away from this palace as soon as possible. And that can't happen until I provide my husband with an heir."
"Don't worry, child. I've already taken care of that. Have you had your tea yet?"
Larewyn scowled. "It tastes like werm's shit." She plopped onto the edge of the bed and looked at her mother doubtfully. "Are you sure this plan is going to work? And tell me again how it's going to help us get rid of that bitch and her son?"
Marija smiled coldly as she folded up the other two dresses. "Just drink your tea and trust in your mother, Lar. I will explain everything in time." She summoned two of the maidservants and ordered one to return the dresses to the tailor. The other she ordered to bring a cup of fresh tea for the lady empress.
( 3 )
Commodore Gabriel had originally planned to have lunch in his office, but since he'd spent all morning there, and after demolishing a mountain of paperwork in record time, he decided that a beer and a hoagie at Grax's was an apt reward. He'd gotten a little more sleep last night than he'd had in a long time, but that was only because he'd driven himself past the point of exhaustion yesterday. That was his new strategy. A vigorous workout in the gym after staying late to finish paperwork, and no catnaps during lunch. That was the other reason for heading to Grax's. Marc was going to start having his lunch at one of the many good restaurants on the promenade, and the expense was no problem thanks to the pay raise that came with his promotion to commodore.
Grax's wasn't yet filled to capacity with the lunch crowd, and Gabriel was glad he'd gotten there early. There was still a couple tables free on the upper level, and he quickly ascended the stairs. Just as he was about to sit, he noticed Commander Decev at a table by herself. She had a dish of what looked like chicken alfredo in front of her, half eaten, and she was focusing on a compad. Gabriel changed course in her direction.
