That the citizens of Tihab generally dressed in a somewhat idiosyncratic manner, was attributed by many to rare glimpses of the circle of Ladies. This might have encouraged some of the women, but no one could decide why some of the men would at times dress equally outrageously. Perhaps it was the influence of the many people from different planets. One thing was generally agreed; the use of many different types of cloaks by both sexes was due to the influence of, and imitation of the Dark Lord.

*********

Just after the twentieth period three women and one man, dressed no differently from any other patron wandered into the Dark Moon, that is, the three ladies flamboyantly while the man was rather casually dressed. Laughing together, they placed their orders with an attractive waitress. Their orders delivered they chattered amongst themselves. The man finished his drink and left just as another three women arrived. They were dressed in an equally vibrant manner although none of these women dressed any differently than any other women and generated as little attention. Another woman, dressed in a neck to floor cloak took a seat at the bar just before the twenty first period. Refusing to drop the cloak, she accepted her order along with a dubious look from the barman.

*********

Following close behind the cloaked lady, Rita Caenett and Ferni Massett entered. Taking a table near the dance floor at the center of the club, they casually looked around. Another waitress took their order, which was soon delivered. Still not used to the Ladies, they failed to see any sign of their support.

“Hope that they are here.” Rita spoke from behind a forced smile.

“They will be.” Ferni assured Rita, casually surveying the room again.

Even though this was the first working day after a two day rest period, the room was still rather crowded with people coming and going. This was both good and bad. Good in that they could ‘disappear’ in the crowd. Bad in that those following Quill mam Ugikl had the same advantage.

Waiting for Ugikl’s appearance was nerve wracking for Rita. Ferni made small talk and Rita did her best to keep up appearances. It was not until halfway through the twenty first period that the man for who they were waiting made his appearance.

*********

A short, somewhat stocky man drifted into the lounge. This man wandered to the bar, dropped his bag and checkered cloak, ordered a drink and casually looked around. The woman with a cloak had by now opened it somewhat. She gave him a casual glance and otherwise ignored him.

*********

The dance area was crowded and Elizabeth, Sydney and Sofia joined the other dancers on the floor and were swaying to the latest sounds. Electronic music was favoured as the choice of most these days.

*********

Others, six of them, one woman and five men, all fit looking and dressed in similar fashion as all the others inside, filtered into the club. Two of the men moving causally towards the bar, two to one side, while the last man and woman remained near the door.

*********

Rita and Ferni nodded to each other. Standing, her drink in her hand, Rita wandered to the bar. Moving beside Ugikl, she took the vacant seat.

“Quill, my friend, you are in a bit of trouble.”

The security policeman spoke equally quietly.

“I hope that you have more help than that skinny girl. I am being followed.”

A soft laugh. “That ‘skinny girl’ is chief of palace security.” Rita spun her seat around and leaned back. The two closing stopped, momentarily disconcerted then continued to close, thinking: So this is his contact.

“You both armed?” There was a certain disbelief in his voice.

“Sort of.” With another laugh.

*********

The three on the dance floor were holding hands and moving towards the bar, laughing as though they didn’t have a care in the world. Lisa, Savana and Sandra had picked up their bags and hats and were moving towards the door. Luca remained on her seat.

*********

The two that had moved to the right, were circling to the side. These were the heaviest armed of the group, with hand held beam weapons. The pair at the door had no weapons other than their training, while the last two at the bar carried edged weapons, as well as a spray drug to incapacitate.

As the two came closer to their target, a signal passed between the six members of the watchers. They were all wearing personal communicators that worked on a tight connection that could not be tapped and were encrypted. The time was right, they had received their orders and knew what to do. The two near the bar would move, one would briefly engage and distract the annoying woman. This problem, amongst others, had been anticipated. Then the second man would use the spray. They will continue to move away as the two circling around would move in to help Ugikl. That was the plan and they had both practised and used it many times.

They were confident. The spray they used would penetrate the clothing and cause confusion and simulate drug taking, but would not kill. They would catch their prey and he would talk to those who wanted him to talk.

Not looking directly at their target, the four moved inward with the elegance of a dance. The two near the door, moved in slightly to improve their view. They kept checking their comm’s and acting as if they were there to meet someone. They did not notice the quietly gathering police and security personal outside.

*********

As the first two closed in on their target, Lady Luca acted along with Ladies Elizabeth, Sydney and Sofia. Lady Luca dropped her cloak, her sword came out and just touched the closest man’s throat. Ladies Elizabeth, Sydney and Sofia, dropped hands and went into action. The man targeting Rita, gasped as Lady Elizabeth lifted him of the floor and threw him into the bar beside Rita. As he bounced, stunned, she stroked the back of his head and he fell unconscious. Startled, Rita jumped to one side.

The two heading in to act as the helping hands stopped, caught by surprise their reactions were off just fractionally but it was enough. Lady Sydney, with her riot of red hair now on display touched a finger to one forehead and the man fell to the ground. The other was dispatched by Lady Sofia in a similar way. Shocked to silence by the sudden action a babble of sound arose. The two at the door were equally shocked and turned to leave, only to be met by police with stun guns and Imperial guardsmen with naked swords. They immediately surrendered.

*********

Ladies Lisa, Savana and Sandra were disappointed, they didn’t get in on the action and they silently left. Rita pulled Ugikl towards the rear. There they were met as arranged by four guardsmen.

“There is a vehicle waiting for us.” Rita assured the confused policeman.

“Where are we going?” He asked

“To a very safe place.” Ugikl did not look reassured.

*********

Only one of the four near the bar was now standing. The one with the spray. A hard man he was used to violence. But staring down the sword into the cool eyes of Lady Luca, he felt a chill.

Looking stunning in a silver gray cat suit, Lady Luca commanded the room. Calmly she called to Ferni Massett.

“Chief Ferni.”

“Lady Luca?” The crowd collectively drew in their breath.

“This man has a spray in his left hand. Kindly relieve him of it.”

“As you wish, my Lady.” The crowd watched avidly. The man at the end of the sword stood frozen, now with real fear. If not even half the stories he had heard were true, the woman who held the sword at his throat had killed more people than were now living on this planet. He did not dare to move, using the spray on Lady Luca crossed his mind but only briefly. Behind the Ladies stood the stark figure of the Dark Lord, He would strike swiftly to avenge such an action. The man had no desire to die.

Slowly moving his hand, he held the sprayer, a small thing really, just a couple of cento’s long, out to Ferni. Carefully she took it and placed it into an evidence container. Then nodded to Lady Luca.

“Wise.” Came in a murmur. Slowly the sword was withdrawn as guardsmen and security police flooded the room. This man, the last involved of the group was taken into custody, still immobile, staring at the Lady. Only then, with a lithe move did Lady Luca bound onto the bar.

“Palace business.” She announced. “We are sorry that you have been disturbed. We will leave now and you may return to your enjoyment.” The crowd answered with a round of clapping punctuated by cheers and the babble of conversation grew louder. This night would be rehashed over many more times and the drinks would flow over the counter as word spread. Stepping off the bar, Lady Luca floated elegantly to the floor and stepped to the remaining three Ladies, sheathing her sword as she did so. Every move watched with rapt attention.

With her gay laugh, Lady Sydney threw her arm around her two friends. “That was fun.” She laughed again. “I haven’t done that for a thousand years.”

Lady Luca smiled, a very satisfied smile.

*********

Standing with the senior policeman, a Chief Inspector, Ferni was in the process of handing over the evidence container. Hearing the remark the policeman stared at the four. “Are they always like that?” he asked. He got a shrug in reply.

“I must get back to the palace. Contact me there tomorrow at the fourteenth period. I will have more information for you then, perhaps.”

“Perhaps?” The Chief Inspector frowned.

Ferni gave her chill smile. “It depends on what He wants to do with it.”

The policeman understood. The Dark Lord was involved. That changed everything. He would find out tomorrow, “I see. Until tomorrow.”

“You will have plenty to talk about with those six anyway.” Ferni nodded at the last of the six being bundled out.

A cold smile crossed the policeman’s lips. “We will wring them dry.”

“Stay within the law.” Came sharply from Ferni.

“Of course.” The Chief Inspector looked offended. He changed back to a smile. “As soon as they realise who they were dealing with, they will talk. We just have to give it to them the right way!”

Lady Sydney waltzed over. “Hi Chief Inspector Downs, I am going to steal the Chief if you don’t mind. The Master wants to see her.”

There was a fractions silence, Lady Sydney’s exuberance could be overwhelming. Chief Ferni held her face immobile as Downs struggled to deal with both it and the knowledge that a Lady of the circle knew just who he was.

“Of course my Lady.” The Chief Inspector bowed. With a flashing smile Lady Sydney lead the palace security chief to the back door. The crowd parted as they walked. Glancing around, Ferni noticed that the rest had departed. She was about to ask where they were when they arrived at the door.

“We go through together.” Ferni looked dubious. In the Stewards private papers she had seen cryptic notes about this.

“It will be okay.” Came with another smile.

Opening the door they stepped through. Into the palace.