The Marshal and his staff arrived precisely at the twelfth period and were escorted to the same meeting room by the Chief Usher. He noted that they seemed more composed then the earlier group or perhaps they hid it better. However, their reaction when invited to sit was similar to that of the First Councillors staff, although they hid it better. They were also impressed by the meeting room.

The Dark Lord opened with the same news given to the earlier group.

“I have ordered the First Councillor to recommend replacements for Tama Priestas and Tim Deuris forthwith.” This was of no great surprise to the Marshal and his officers. Neither were the instructions that all officers innocent of any involvement in the conspiracy to be returned to active duty as soon as possible and that he would also entertain the legions recommendations for replacements of the two disgraced admirals. He then proceeded to layout the same items as he had earlier. This time with an emphasis on the Legion.

The Marshall raised an eyebrow when informed of the actions ordered by the Dark Lord but simply asked one question.

“Do you wish us to start immediately planning on these movements my Lord?”

“On the surveys, yes, get started but only use those craft already existing in the clusters I mentioned. Do not transfer any craft from the Triangulum group until the movements are discussed with the Star Commander.” He paused. “Marshal, you may send a message to warn the Star Commander telling him of the changes I am ordering. You may also tell him that I will meet with him after his arrival. You will be there as well as First Councillor Les Doman Resta. If he wishes to discuss anything with me privately, I will accommodate him.”

“Yes, sire.”

“Is there anything else?”

The Marshal leaned forward. “Is there any other contingency planning we should be undertaking sire, or any updating we should do?”

The Dark Lord seemed pleased.

“You should do your best to anticipate what the Star Commander may desire to do. Do not issue any orders but have several plans ready to execute. I understand that this maybe something of a surprise to you.” At this, a rather peculiar look crossed the Dark Lords’ face. It was one of pleased anticipation.

The Marshals’ staff went very still. However Ress Lissor just smiled. “I started the process for a reallocation of the invasion forces this morning sire. I felt that there was something on your mind when you returned and visited me.”

“That is good. You anticipated well.” The Marshals staff relaxed. There was another pause. “Once The Star Commander arrives, I will meet with the three of you together. Then you will know my mind.” He stood. All at the table and the Ladies stood with him.

“Now go and eat. Chief Usher!”

Again the Dark Lord did not raise his voice as he stood up but the doors were opened immediately.

“Sire.” The Chief Usher spoke in his calmly, moderated, tones.

“The meal, it is replenished?” The Dark Lord asked.

“Indeed sire.”

“If you will be so kind as to escort the Marshal and his staff to where they can eat.”

“Of course sire. If you will follow me sir.” The Chief Usher moved sedately to the same adjoining room. The Dark Lord is very polite. He thought.

The Marshal was thinking something entirely different. Like the First Councillor, Marshal of the Legion Ress Lissor was deeply concerned with what he did not know. The Dark Lord had returned and immediately stamped out an incipient rebellion. While there was the usual nastiness occurring, none of these were major, and he had just received a report that two had begun negotiations to surrender on hearing news of the Dark Lords return. In any case, in an Empire as large as this one, if something wasn’t happening that he didn’t have to worry about, he was missing something.

At the room the meal was set, Lissor set the example by getting a plate and taking some food. A rumble arose as his staff started to chat. The same palace staff attending.

“That was, different.” One said.

“I expected someone completely different.” Another agreed.

A senior officer interjected. “Be careful. While He seemed mild and good humoured today, His history teaches us that He can also be just the opposite. We saw just one side of Him today, remember that!”

After some silence, the first officer spoke again. “Well one thing is proven.” He paused, and Lissor glanced at him. “The Ladies, they are beautiful.” Everyone laughed. Even Ress Lissor gave a small smile although the two palace staff maintained their reserve. Hiding his amusement the Marshal went back to thinking.

*********

Following the same line of reasoning that Resta had, lead Ress Lissor to the same conclusion. The main difference was that he considered which Legion officers were most likely to cause problems, rather than which civilian officials. While there were some that needed an eye being kept on, with the lesson that was being sent, he thought that troubles would be few.

All this meant that something else was happening, something new, something dangerous. There was just one possibility. He would have to talk to the First Councillor and soon. They would have to be ready for the joint meeting with the Star Commander.

*********

Those meetings over, Ferni Massett went to the next one on her agenda, that with the leaders of the news organisations. There were five major ones and seven minor ones. Each different company had brought a camera crew and technical support along with a reporter. There were also several independent organisations who had turned up.

A hall had been booked for the afternoon meeting and Massett had arranged for all the seating, indicating the set up needed, which was minor. To her surprise the Dark Lord had insisted on four members of the Imperial Guard escorting her. An even more unwelcome surprise was the casual remark that Administrative Assistant Lea Cania was to accompany her.

“Why, sire?”

“Don’t you like surprises?” The Dark Lord asked, his face expressionless.

“Not usually, no.” Then quickly, “Sire.”

“All the more reason for me not to tell you then.” The Dark Lord and the Ladies all laughed.

Frustrated, Massett left and went to her office to collect some items that she needed. That is where she found her escort and Lea.

“I am to go with you.” Lea said.

“So I have been told.” Was Ferni’s grudging response.

“You don’t want me?”

“I don’t know why you are going.” Ferni stated. Then while they walked to where they could get the vehicle the Guard that attended them had been assigned, “Why did our Master tell you to come?” Casually.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ferni watched Lea.

Lea pursed her lips, then smiled. “If He didn’t tell you, then I don’t think that I should either.” Lea chuckled.

Ferni snorted. Well that was a waste of time. She thought. That girl is smart.

*********

On arrival at the agreed venue they were treated to a chorus of shouted questions, all ignored. Once inside, the guard escorted them to a room just off the hall, there two representatives were instructed to seat the senior owners and staff at the front with reporters or less senior owners taking seats behind with all recording equipment at the rear.

“You have a tenth of a fraction and we are coming out.” Ferni Massett stated.

“And if we are not ready.” This one, tall good looking, getting by on his charisma and good looks asked in a tone which somehow was both superior and condescending at the same time.

“You better be.” Lea spoke for the first time. Her tone was cold and hard, causing Massett to give her a swift sideways glance.

The first of the senior staff was about to speak when the second interrupted. This one, while almost a clone of the first, had a keen intelligence.

“May I please know who you are?” He said.

“Administrative Assistant Lea Cania, I report directly to the Head Steward.”

While the first one sniffed, the second gave Lea a long look and murmured under his breath. “And the Head Steward reports directly to the Dark Lord.” He stepped away, giving the Guard a look. “We will get things set up.” He gave a winning smile.

Leaving the first muttered “Why do we have to put up with that garbage.”

“I think that you are about to find out just why!” The second responded.

It took longer than the time allotted but less than expected to get things set up. The seating of the organisations was finally completed and the two women from the palace were escorted onto the stage. Two of the Guard had observed, while two remained and Ferni Massett had passed the time by reviewing in her mind what the Dark Lord had told her to say. A couple of times she glanced at Lea, sitting composed. Twice she almost asked Lea a question, then reconsidered.

Finally on stage, Ferni faced the mixed group in front of her. None looked happy at being summoned. Some, mostly those near the back of the room held out recording devices, while most of the ones in the front row tapped the floor with their feet or otherwise portrayed their boredom. One woman appeared more concerned with her clothing and finger nails while the man beside her looked almost asleep.

Taking a deep breath, Ferni began. “I have a message for you from our Master. He is concerned with the reporting being done by yourselves.” She paused to gather reactions. These were the expected glances, mutterings, shrugs and head shakings. One called out.

“If he didn’t lock himself away, he wouldn’t have to worry about what we say about him.”

Ferni smiled. “If you have nothing to report, why do you make it up? That is the core of what He is concerned with. The personal bias that you are putting into what you claim is real news. He requests that you stop this and if you don’t, He will take action.” When she paused again, the room erupted with so many were shouting that it was impossible to make out a single question or commit. The ones wielding recording devices at the rear of the hall were loving it.

Finally order was restored and one man stood. “You are saying that we are being ordered to report only what we are allowed? That is against the law!” He sat down. This was one of the owners of the largest news and entertainment organisations in the system. The rest cheered.

“No wonder the Dark Lord is upset at you.” Ferni smiled. “You completely misrepresented what I said and right after I said it.” She looked directly at the man. “If that is the standard you adhere to you are a disgrace and should be fired.”

Angrily the speaker slammed to his feet and took a step forward. The Imperial Guard standing there put a hand on his shoulder stopping him. “Please sit.” The guard said quietly. For a fraction it seemed that the man wanted to argue, but his companions grabbed him and pulled him back.

“To make it clear, you can report all the news you want to. But as news. You can make all the personal commentary you want to but it has to be given as such, not as news.” Again she surveyed the crowd. “Is that clear?”

At the mutter from the group, Ferni decided to accept it as a yes.

“To make things completely clear I will repeat to you the exact words that our Master spoke to me. What he said is:”

“They will not be overlooked. But they also need to be warned that I will not tolerate any reporting that sensationalizes the news beyond what it actually is. Warn them clearly, and if they try to work around the warning, I will hold them to account. Remind them that I have the last word when I wish to and that this will not miss my attention.”

“Stress to them that I do not want to take away any freedom of expression from them. But I will not tolerate any slanting or subtle presentation of the news to reflect internal bias whether intentional or unintentional. They are to be totally disabused of that. I am fully aware of the bias that has crept in and will not tolerate it. The owners will deal with it or I will. The choice is up to them.”

She paused “Does that make things clear?” She surveyed that group yet again.

“So what are we expected to do?” One asked.

Lea answered this time, “Clean house.”

“What do you mean by that?” Said another.

“Train your reporters to know the difference between speculation and the facts of the matter. Better yet, train your whole team.” Lea replied.

The woman in the front row was feeling more than somewhat vindictive. She also felt safe as she was in a roomful of her colleagues. Never mind that they hated her just as much as she hated them and they all hated each other.

“So what will happen if we don’t comply?”

Lea smiled. “For a start. This.”

There was a fraction of suspense as all the group looked up. Then every electronic camera and recording device in the room, except those carried by the representatives of the palace, began to fizzle, pop and spark. Hand held items flew from their owner’s hands in all directions as they were thrown away. Bodily mounted gear was hastily removed. As a final indignity, the fire suppression system came on, sprayed the room with water, and then switched off.

“Any questions?” Came from Ferni who also gave Lea a We will talk later, look. “You have been warned.” Came after a last survey of the room. They left with the guard, the six of them the only dry people in the room. Those left behind stared speechless, then began a soggy exit.