Chapter 10

“Lies!” Merrick Tan yelled before catching himself. Covering his exclamation with a cough, he cleared his throat, the redness in his face fading as his calm demeanour returned.

“Apologies, Baron. I meant that you must be mistaken or confused. Stasis can play tricks on the mind. If what you were saying were true, there would be evidence, records, and documents. The Imperial Bank would never defy the Emperor’s orders.” Tan said, his grin returning.

Despite his confidence, there was a bit of desperation in his eyes, a frantic hope that the Baron was incorrect. Indeed, nothing like that existed. Imperial Investigators would have uncovered such a thing after the Rebellion!

“You’re correct, of course. There would be evidence.” Kal confirmed, turning and walking back up the steps. As he did so, he gave Sylla a slight nod, the woman wide-eyed at the revelation he had just casually divulged.

The stunned Governor pulled out her battered Datapad, tapping the screen and sending a file to Tan. Kal had provided it to her this morning but hadn’t elaborated on what it was, simply saying that it would help in their negotiations.

Now she knew it was likely the ‘evidence’ of his Father’s dealings with the Imperial Bank.

Tan’s eyes lost focus, a sign that he was reviewing the information through his Ocular Implant, the information showing directly to his mind, bypassing the need for clunky Datapads or secure terminals. An expensive piece of technology, but one that Kal knew the wealthy Banker could easily afford.

As he read through the information, Tan’s face grew pale, his lips quivered, and the twitching in his fingers grew stronger. The file Sylla sent contained more than just communications between the former Duke and the Executives of the Imperial Bank, but account numbers, transaction receipts, and even Holos of their meetings!

If this got out, it wouldn’t just ruin Tan. It would lead to thousands of executions. The Emperor’s justice would be swift and merciless as it culled the Imperial Bank. Even if Merrick Tan had never done business with the Duke, he was stained by association! If he were lucky enough to keep his life, his career would be over.

Closing the file, Tan thought quickly about how he could salvage this. Could he kill the Baron and the Governor and conceal the file? His thoughts flickered toward his guards.

“As a Safeguard, the file will be sent directly to the Emperor on mine, or the Governor’s, death. It will also include a transcript of our meeting.” Kal spoke, quickly reading the trail of thoughts and emotions that Tan was going through.

“What do you want?” Merrick Tan asked, his voice losing the arrogance that he previously held. He was only interested in coming out of this meeting alive. If the Bank Executives had an inkling he knew their secrets, they wouldn’t hesitate to permanently ensure his silence.

Walking back to where his Father’s Throne had once stood prominent, Kal sat on a large piece of rubble, satisfied that Tan understood the severity of the threat he held against him.

“The debt repayments stop immediately. You’ve collected enough on the interest to pay the initial amount a dozen times over. I will not allow you to bleed Caledon dry.” Kal said, his tone hard, making it clear that it wasn’t a negotiation.

Sat beside him on her stool, Sylla was impressed by the display, confident that the Baron would get his desired result, something she thought impossible. Tan’s face flushed red with barely controlled anger at the demand.

“And what am I supposed to say to my superiors? That I’ve had a change of heart, that I’ve suddenly decided to forgive centuries of debt and cast away our profits after a single meeting with you?!” Tan hissed out through clenched teeth.

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“I do not care, Mr. Tan. I am informing you that my government will not pay. Spin it however you want, but the days of our dependence on the Imperial Bank are over.” Kal stated.

Tan began to pace, muttering quietly and running his hand through his hair.

Sylla quirked an eyebrow at the Baron, silently asking if she should intercede, but Kal only shook his head slightly. Tan was a caged animal looking for a means to escape. He needed to arrive at the inevitable conclusion on his own.

There was no way out, no exit to the cage. Merrick Tan belonged to Kal now, and his life was in the Baron’s hands.

“Fine. I will announce that we are ‘investing’ in the development of Caledon. We should expect a short-term loss for long-term profit. There will be grumbling from my superiors, but my record is spotless. It could work with careful management.” Tan said, grudgingly accepting the idea.

“I believe that is an excellent plan, Mr. Tan. And in the spirit of moving forward together, I believe it would be wise for you to give a very generous donation to the government of Caledon to expand government services.” Before Tan could explode once again, Kal continued.

“You see, we require additional staff but lack the capital to hire them. We also need funds to repair the estate and purchase supplies. A donation, an extremely charitable endowment, would go a long way to helping us.” Kal said, a smirk on his lips as the shorter man standing before him erupted.

Merrick Tan threw a tantrum that Kal hadn’t seen since his Mother had been alive. Elrith Caledon had been famous for throwing a fit at the slightest inconvenience. Tan didn’t hold a candle to her but watching it was entertaining.

The Banker stomped his feet, shouting and cursing with enough enthusiasm that the Estate’s guards had come to see what was happening. A quick gesture by Sylla sent them on their way.

After nearly five minutes, Tan calmed enough to speak coherently, his chest heaving and face covered in sweat from the exertion. His two beautiful companions had long since fled the room, terrified of what was occurring.

“A donation!? Extortion! This meeting is nothing but a shakedown! I won’t pay! Release the documents. See if I care!” Tan ranted, throwing his hands up into the air. Kal shook his head at the display, his face showing a false expression of sadness.

“Mr. Tan. How could you say that? I’m only asking for a donation of funds to ensure a brighter future for Caledon. Besides, how much is your life worth, truly? One million Imperial Credits, two million? I think the small amount of money I’m asking for is far less valuable than your own life. Wouldn’t you agree?” Kal asked, his tone reasonable.

Next to him, Sylla was attempting to stifle a laugh. She had dealt with Merrick Tan for many years, and she never had the upper hand. Today was delightful.

“Fine! A one-time contribution. I don’t care what you have on me. I won’t do more.” Tan said, and Kal knew not to push him too far. They still had one last request for the Banker.

“Thank you. That was very generous of you. Sylla will be in touch. She can even provide you with a record of your donation for your taxes.” Kal smiled as a wave of redness covered Tan’s face again. He couldn’t resist a final dig.

“There is one final thing. When the time comes, you will freeze the assets of every criminal organization on Caledon and each individual and business account on the list Sylla provides you. Once I have control over the planet once more, you will release the funds into my account.” Kal ordered.

“Are you insane?” Tan said, too shocked at what he heard to be angry. What the Baron asked for wouldn’t just cause unrest or riots.

“It will be war!” Tan whispered, his eyes wide as the consequence of what Kal was asking sank in.

Next to him, Sylla stared at the Baron in shock. She knew he was planning on confronting the businesses and criminal organizations that held sway over most major cities, but this was much more direct than she had expected.

“Yes. It will be. The conflict is inevitable, and I don’t want anyone using funds to purchase mercenaries and weapons before we are ready. You are to alert me if there is any suspicious activity. Such as large amounts of credits leaving accounts or off-planet transfers. Is that understood?” Kal asked, observing Tan.

Merrick Tan was reconsidering his agreement with the Baron. The man was reckless, he would get himself, and Tan killed. But he was stuck. If the Baron released that information, Tan was a deadman. He nodded his head in a forceful jerk.

“Good. You may leave, Mr. Tan. Have a pleasant day.” Kal said, gesturing for the Banker to exit. Before Tan could reach the door, Kal spoke once more.

“Oh, and Mr. Tan? You should invest in a book on etiquette. There are some things you could learn that could save your life. For example, if you ever bring armed guards into my presence again, I will have your head.” Kal said. His pleasant tone was at odds with the threat he delivered.

The Banker nodded, giving a quick bow, before hurrying out of this Mad Baron’s presence. Sylla’s laughter chased him to the front gate.