It was just after the Dark Lord had met with Don Krispa that Chief Massett wandered into the office now occupied by Lieutenant Commander Rita Caenett.

“Got the preliminary report from the Legion and the security police. Nothing interesting but review it anyway.” She gave a shrug. “Nothing added to what we already knew.”

Rita smiled. “I have something new, two something’s actually.” She sat back in her comfortable chair. Although the chair was old and had clearly been repaired and refurbished, it was serviceable and not at all out of place. It seemed to Rita that the palace was a tightly run operation. She liked that.

Ferni eyed the new assistant. This was going to be good, she felt. “Ok, give.”

“I was commed by a contact at the security police. He told me that our reporter, Tobis Nenna, was calling and asking questions about why he was being investigated.” Rita smiled. “So I made a decision and I asked them to call him in for an interview. I stressed that the palace was to be kept out of any questions and that he wasn’t being investigated about criminal activities.”

“Can we trust your contact?” Ferni was concerned. She wasn’t too surprised that Nenna had found out about the investigation, all good reporters have good contacts.

“We can, he is one of their top interrogators and I learned a lot from him. I was about to go and tell you and the rest. The other tidbit is,” She paused, “... more interesting, and I want to discuss it with all of you.”

“I see, ok I agree with you and that will keep him out of our hair for a while.” Ferni nodded, “Let’s go and surprise the rest.”

Senior Administrator Madla Dinsta was not in the office area but quickly arrived when commed by the Steward. Lea took a chair at the wall while Ferni remained standing.

“What’s the emergency? I have the Head Painter working on some damage done on the days off by a drunken idiot.” Madla asked.

“The painter and the carpenter can deal with that for now.” Grada Karkart motioned to Rita who quickly filled them in on the call from the security police and how Nenna had learned that he was under scrutiny. She also explained the actions she had taken. Grada and Madla agreed that her actions were sound.

“It was the second item that concerned me more. I asked him to check, very carefully that what he told me was good intelligence. It is hot.” She took a breath. “One of the most important businessman of the Empire, an owner of some of the largest companies and important suppliers of services and starship power plants, plans to challenge our Master.”

There was an audible sucking in of breath.

“Who?” Snarled Grada. “And how is he planning to do this, this idiotic attempt of a challenge?”

“He wouldn’t tell me directly but I worked out that it is Slav di Naska of Star Builders.” Rita replied. There was a ripple of shock through those listening, this was possibly the wealthiest family in the Empire. “It seems that he thinks the quicker he moves now the better, but my contact doesn’t know for sure. Star Builders is a private holding organization that holds the controlling interest in many other companies. Through one of them he supplies hyper drive engines for the armoured planetoids of the Legion. Another supplies hulls for smaller craft. Others he owns do other work to the empire as a whole. The ships are finished in the Legions shipyards and there are other suppliers as well, but he is the biggest.” Rita took a breath.

“What’s this Naskas next move Rita?” Ferni asked quietly.

“I am not sure, my contact doesn’t know and this is completely new to me. I have never met him and don’t know anyone who has.” She stopped, thinking. “He has security forces available to him, but they shouldn’t be able to stand up to the Legions assault troops, let alone a light cruiser.” She continued after a pause, “But we cannot be sure, he has the resources equal to several planets behind him.”

“Where does he live?”

“I don’t know. There is an apartment in a tower downtown but if he is there or not, I don’t know.” She gave the address, then paused. “He has other addresses and may even be on another planet.”

Grada fell silent, thought for a fraction, then spoke to the officer, “This information, it can be trusted?” At Rita’s confirmation, he sighed and stood. “We have no choice, we must tell our Master.” The others slowly nodded.

“I will come with you.”

“I agree Rita. The call came to you and you will need to attest to its veracity.” Ferni stated.

The Head Steward stood up, “Let’s go. Chief, go to the Imperial Guard, have them look into this man and find out what you can about him. Don’t go to the Marshal yet, not until we have our Masters approval. Madla stay on what you are doing but think about what is going on, we need your input. Lea, you too.” He turned away then stopped. “Madla, I recall that you know someone in the city administration?”

“Yes, I do.” Came in a puzzled tone.

“Contact him, see if he can get the plans for the building where the apartment is and comm them to you.”

A look of comprehension crossed her face.

*********

Giving a nod and a “On it.” The two left. Lea returned to her desk wondering what was next. The Steward and Rita left through the private entrance to the Dark Lords quarters. All too quickly they arrived there. The usual group of Ladies stood outside dressed in their strange yet erotic way.

“Looking for Him?” One asked. Neither Grada nor Rita recognised her or any of the Ladies present. “We are.” Nodded the Steward. The Ladies pointed to a door that stood open. This was yet another room they had never been in.

“Thank you Ladies.” Entering the room, they both stopped flabbergasted. The room had cabinets lining the walls. The cabinets were full of many artifacts, plates of various sizes with strange figures on them, vases, cups along with other items all of unknown origin. In other cabinets there were shining metal objects. Some were obvious cutlery, others plates for various usages while more were a complete mystery.

A chuckle, followed by, “Like what you see?” Brought them back to reality.

“Our apologies sire.” The two bowed in embarrassment.

A wave of his hand and a smile eased them, somewhat. “We call this the China Room.” The Dark Lord offered. Neither Rita nor Garda had any idea of what a ‘China Room’ was.

“You have news?” The Dark Lord took a seat by a table, his usual companion being already seated in an adjacent chair. Ladies Dana, Luca and Andrea, who had been wandering through the room took up places behind the table, Dana using it as a seat. The Steward stared at this but said nothing.

“We have sire, it would be best if Senior Assistant Rita Caenett gave you the salient points, she developed the information.”

The Dark Lord frowned, then nodded.

Conscious that the Ladies who had been outside were now filtering in behind her, Rita gave a succinct account of the call from her contact in the security police and what she had asked him to do.

“And you think that will keep him occupied?”

“Yes sire, it will be stressed that he could leave any time without any repercussion. He will be curious as to who ordered this, and will try to pick up hints to see if he could figure out who is investigating him. If we consider him clean and you approve sire, we can arrange to interview him in two or three days.”

“Very good.” He smiled. “Get back to me when you have all the results. I will make some arrangements.” The smile faded, “But you have more to tell me I see.”

Wondering what the Dark Lord meant by arrangements, Rita concisely laid out the rest of her story. The Dark Lord listening without any outward show of emotion. The Ladies however, vented their outrage with gasps, cries of ‘traitor,’ along with other, unrepeatable sentiments, the Ladies could be quite earthy at times. The group behind the Dark Lord listened in silence for their part.

Finished, Rita fell silent. The Dark Lord steepled his fingers and sat back in his chair. The Ladies standing behind him looked concerned at this, except for the brown haired one.

“Hmmm, I expected something like this.” He chuckled. “But not so soon, perhaps he feels rushed.” The Ladies relaxed. “It is good, I want to deal with all potential problems quickly, the sooner the better.” He nodded and He turned back to Rita. “Miss Caenett, Chief Ferni will remember the Dark Moon, arrange to meet this contact of yours there. Andrea, arrange for the Imperial Guard to provide security for him.” There was a nod from her. “Steward, contact the First Councillor and the Marshals office, arrange for them to come here at say, the sixteenth period. Select a comfortable room.”

“Yes sire.”

“Hmmm yesterday was the fifteenth, Interesting, just a day late and the wrong month.” Some of the Ladies looked puzzled but a few had looks of dawning comprehension followed by smiles. “Tell them to bring just their closest subordinate, just one, as I wish to take their measure. Have the Chief Usher prepare a light repast, I wish to keep the meeting as informal as possible.” He smiled, “Also you Ladies will have a role to play.” A cheer sounded. They all seemed happy at the prospect of being involved in some activity.

“That is all with regards to them. I do not wish to put the Legion on notice at this time, we will keep it quiet and hopefully, our Mr. Naska will stay calm until we are prepared. Rita, speak with Andrea and Ferni. Give them all the pertinent information about your contact. Then arrange to meet him at the Dark Moon, you know the location?”

“Yes, I do my lord.” Rita wondered what the fifteenth meant to the Dark Lord, but she knew even now, after such a short time, that it would be unwise to ask. She was also wondering why this particular location was being chosen.

“He will meet?” The Dark Lord pressed.

“Yes, I believe so.” Rita replied.

“Good, arrange it.”

“Yes sire.”

“Is there anything else?” The Dark Lord seemed relaxed.

“Nothing of consequence my lord.” The Steward replied. “The repairs are proceeding in an orderly and satisfactory manner, with the expected surprises of course. We will have a detailed timetable for you soon. There was some minor damage done on the weekend which is being fixed and the person responsible dealt with by the police.”

“Very well.” The Dark Lord gave a nod of dismissal.

*********

The two withdrew and walked in silence back to the Stewards office. Both were preoccupied with what they had to do next. Arriving, they looked at each other, gave a tight smile and went their separate ways. Grada to contact the First Councillors’ office and Rita to find Ferni.

Ferni Massett was at her desk when Rita walked in and closed the door. Sitting back in her chair, she smiled at the Navy Legionnaire. “How is the first day going?”

Rita snorted. “I am about to throw a problem at you. Our Master want us to set up a meeting with my contact and it is to be at a place called the Dark Moon. He says that you know it?”

“I do.” Came with raised eyebrows.

“Nice place?”

“Nice enough.”

“You going to tell me more about it?”

“No.” Ferni was getting used to playing with raised eyebrows.

“Then I am not going to tell you what is going to happen next!” Rita was smiling a catlike secret smile.

Ferni frowned, this was a bit childish. Her mouth opened but before she could speak, there was a knock on the door. Throwing Rita another frown, she was surprised when the Legion officer stood. “Come in.” She called, then scrambled to her feet as Lady Andrea floated in.

“Thank you Chief Massett.” Came in her musical voice accompanied by a smile. Following her was the grizzled chief, the Senior of the Imperial Guard. Lady Andrea turned to Rita.

“Lieutenant Commander as the Master requires, we will arrange protection for the security policeman who is your contact. Now, if you could supply all relevant details so that this may be accomplished.”

Rita took a breath. “I have never betrayed a confidence. This officer has been a friend and we have shared information between us to both our mutual benefit for a number of years. I am uncomfortable betraying his identity, even at our Masters order.”

“We understand, and it is proper for you to feel so. However to protect him, we must know what you know.” The Lady smiled and her charisma filled the room.

Not unaffected, the security chief reflected that the Ladies would have little trouble in getting their way. She was surprised at the sad smile thrown at her.

“We have more difficulty then you may expect, Chief.” Another smile. “We have however, had many years in which to learn to read faces.” Lady Andrea turned back to Rita while Ferni felt a surge of relief.

At least my thoughts are mine. Ran through her mind. Followed by another, less pleasant thought. Maybe!

“Rita, your friend may be in serious danger. This individual will, I fear stop at nothing at this stage. Planning on this scale will not be dismantled easily. Tell us who your friend is and all you can about him. Please.”

It was the ‘please’ that Rita later decided that did it. The thought that a Lady of the Circle was in effect pleading with her settled the matter.

“He is an inspector in the security police. I met him when I was working in Legion intelligence and we have kept in touch. He was watching for signs of rebellion in the third cluster as was I. He was a sergeant and I was a lieutenant. I was transferred out and he was pulled back to police headquarters. We met again when I was transferred to High Council liaison. He contacted me due to some concerns he had about contacts between some of the councillors and businessmen.” She laughed. “The blow up with the Legion caught us both by surprise.”

There was a pause, everyone waited expectantly.

“His name is Quill mam Ugikl. I just call him Ugikl. He works out of the local operations branch in the Lyman sector of the city. I have no idea where he lives.”

The Guardsman spoke for the first time. “What does he look like?”

“Short, shorter than me. Kind of nondescript.” She smiled. “Good for his line of work. He has dark hair, hazel eyes and a sunburnt complexion. Not sure how old he is. I met him for the last time a week ago and the weekend was the first time he had contacted me since then.”

“He will be expecting us to contact him I believe, Rita.” Andrea remarked. “I also believe that he is in hiding right now and his call to you was in the nature of a tripwire. If he is good, he will know that you are in the palace and therefore what he told you would get a reaction.” She looked around, “We are going to have to be very careful.” Andrea paused and the guardsman spoke.

“I agree, set up the meet at the Dark Moon. We will be ready.” The senior Guardsman bowed and left the room.

“Contact your friend and make arrangements to meet with him Rita.” Lady Andrea spoke calmly. “Let us know what he agrees to. We will be ready.”

Rita nodded and left.