The First Councillor and his staff arrived at the eleventh period and were met by the Chief Usher. Escorting the group to the selected room, one close to the Room of the Ministers, he wondered at the grim look of the First Councillor and the stoic looks of the several attendants. Some, he considered, looked positively terrified.

Coming to the selected room, it was down a closed and guarded corridor, he opened the double doors. “Sire, the First Councillor and his staff.”

“Thank you, Chief Usher.” The Dark Lord rose to greet the guests. Much to their surprise, only four of the ladies were present.

The room was similar to the Room of the Ministers, although not as lavishly decorated. The walls were covered with a light golden coloured wood from Turkis in the second cluster while the floor was a green and orange stone from Reppers World in the first cluster. The ceiling was light blue with white mouldings.

The most surprising item in the room was the large table, which had been constructed of a light tan coloured, yet dense, wood, a rare artifact in this modern world. Several chairs graced each side of the table.

The First Councillor was disconcerted when the Dark Lord indicated that he was to take a seat at the large table opposite the Dark Lord and that all the others were also to be seated at the table. Forewarned, the palace staff took their seats, the Head Steward sitting on The Dark Lords right while Chief Massett took the seat to His left. Dinsta was beside Karkart and Cania beside Massett. The three Ladies, Dana, Andrea, and Luca had taken seats behind the Dark Lord. The Chief Usher watched in carefully concealed amusement, the reluctance with which the First Councillors staff took their seats, but everyone was soon seated. The First Councillor noted that the Lady with blue eyes and brown hair was also present, although she had not taken a seat and was leaning against a wall.

“Is there anything else, sire?” The Chief Usher asked.

“The meal is prepared Chief Usher?” The Dark Lord replied.

“It will be ready soon sire.”

“Then thank you, we should be done in good time.”

The Chief Usher bowed and closed the doors behind him. Nodding to the quartet of security guards and pair of Imperial guards standing outside, he walked back to check on the promised meal, smiling to himself. In the meeting room, the Dark Lord was setting the agenda.

“The search for replacements for Tama Priestas and Tim Deuris will proceed forthwith.” Shock rippled down the table at that bald statement. “Even if the courts do not find them guilty, I hold them in breach of their oath to me, an oath they swore live in front of the citizens of Tihab, as well as the rest of the citizens of the Empire. They have forfeited their positions as councillors. Set the process in motion immediately.” The Dark Lords tone was uncompromising. No one argued.

“I will have a list of the nominated backups together with full bios, ready for you by the end of tomorrow sire.” Replied the First Councillor, making a motion to one of his staff.

“Good, now the next item. The bureaucracy has expanded exponentially and needs to be brought under control. All positions are to be reviewed and those found redundant will be reassigned. All ministries are to be reassessed. I want the total cost to the Empire to be reduced by fifteen percent.” There was a gasp at that. “The palace is run by a total staff of less than two hundred, including security. I realise that that does not included the Imperial Guard, however that cost is not bore by the palace, but by myself directly.”

He surveyed the people sitting on the other side of the table. “Are there any questions so far?” No one responded. No one brought up the point that there had already been, under the last several councils, a fundamental retrenching of the Empire. The First Councillor knew that The Dark Lord must know this, but was pushing the issue for his own reasons.

“Good, now, I want a general review of the Empire to be undertaken. I want all the clusters to be reviewed. The first and second can be bypassed for the moment but third needs to be started quickly. There are galaxies in that group that have only a few inhabited worlds. Now I am aware that most of this clusters galaxies are small, but there are a lot of resources in these smaller galaxies that will be needed.” He paused and again waited to see if there were any questions, getting none, He continued.

“Cluster four needs to be given the same treatment as cluster three. Clusters five, six and seven can be started, however I want the majority of the effort to go into three and four.” He smiled. “You are thinking, ‘Where is the resources going to come from for all this work?’ The answer is twofold. The downsizing of the bureaucracy will provide the staffing and I will be repositioning at least some the fleet built up and expanded for the move into the Andromeda group.” At their reaction, He smiled. “I will be meeting next with the Marshal, I am sure he will be just as over joyed as all of you.” The stunned looks on their faces was his reward.

“Now, to some details. I will be putting my mind to this. While I must make necessary trips away, usually at short notice, I will not be forgetting any of this. If there is any foot dragging or obstructionism, deal with it or I will.” A cold smile played on His face. “I am sure that none of you want that.” A visible shiver ran down the spine of those sitting opposite Him.

“Are there any questions?”

There was some shuffling from the First Councillors staff. One woman leaned forward. “Sire, there must be some reason that you are ordering these moves. It would be of help to us if you could explain your reasons for them.”

An air of expectancy dropped over the table.

The Dark Lord smiled. “A masterly put question. I do have my reasons and also I have my reasons for not stating them here. One is I wish to speak first with the Star Commander when he arrives. I have other concerns as well.”

After waiting a fraction, He stood, as He did so, all stood with Him. “You all have much to do. First Councillor, I will expect regular updates from you.”

“Yes sire.” They bowed and left, still stunned from the orders given. The Chief Usher waiting outside, met them, and escorted them to another room where a meal was waiting.

“The Ladies may join you or they may not, sir, but you are not to wait on them.” The Chief Usher informed the group.

Surveying all the food laid out, the First Councillor noted that they would not be able to do justice to the meal offered.

“Do not concern yourselves with that sir, just eat as you would normally. The Marshal and his staff are also to be fed as well as the palace staff. There will be no waste.” The Chief Usher withdrew leaving the civil servants in the hands of two male junior ushers.

“Should we talk about what we have been just told?” One asked.

“Don’t see why not.” Another replied.

One gave a glance at the palace staff standing silently by, faces blank. “Not concerned with being overheard?” She asked.

“With our Master close by? In the same house?” The second speaker laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about the staff taking tales to him, it would be unnecessary!” He looked at the pair. “I mean no offence.”

“None taken,” Came an unsmiling reply. It was clear where the palaces staffs’ loyalties lay. That put a stop to any further conversation.

*********

First Councillor Les Doman Resta did not join in, he had other things to worry about. The startling orders that he had just received from the Dark Lord, worried him. They confirmed that His return had been well timed, from the swift takedown of the plotters, to the projected reorientation of the fleet.

Resta was not concerned about the possibility of a general uprising. In fact, he hoped that the Dark Lords return, along with the example of the apprehension of several legion officers and two council members for treason would bring some long term stability to the Empire. None of the current governors or ambassadors were in any position to revolt. This was confirmed to him by intelligence gathered. Indeed, as he had appointed many of them, he was confident that they would all be forwarding their formal notice of loyalty very soon.

No, what was concerning Resta was the thought that something was coming that he didn’t know about. Something new. Thinking things over, there was only one possibility that came to mind. I must discuss this with the Marshal. Resta thought.