The shuttle dropped both Sabra Boon and Tobis Nenna at the ground services area set up by the legion so as not to disrupt normal services at the main terminal. Exiting the shuttle, they collected their luggage and the necessary equipment that their profession required of hem. Tobis gave Sabra a sideways look but asked no questions of her. He knew her well, saw how distracted she was, so he felt that he should be patient.
While half her mind was on where she was to go, she hadn’t been told yet, the other half was rerunning the unexpected revelations regarding her ancestry she had received from the Dark Lord. She glanced at her friend, sighed and continued on into the reception area without speaking. Tobis followed, wondering what Sabra and the Dark Lord had talked about but knowing that he would never ask and that she would never tell.
As they made their way slowly to their goal, the arrival lounge was crowded, an officer stopped them.
“Sabra Boon?” It wasn’t really a question.
“Yes, that’s me.” The smile came automatically.
“Tobis Nenna?”
“That’s me,” came with another automatic, professional smile.
“I’m Lt. Colonel Liss Olleo, you are both to come with me.” She turned and gestured to two enlisted troopers, both carrying side arms. “It is still a bit dangerous out there, a lot of very angry people I guess.”
“I see,” Sabra replied.
“We are in your good hands.” Tobis replied with a genial smile. “Which way do we go?” He finished, looking around.
“This way,” Liss did not return the smile but started walking. The two news people exchanged glances. This colonel obviously did not relish being detailed as a guide for them and was likely also unhappy about being away from her unit in what was still effectively a war zone. Hoping to break the tension, Sabra spoke again to her.
“You’re a friend of Commander Rita Caenett aren’t you?”
“What of it?” Liss Olleo replied tersely.
“I remember seeing you in the palace on occasion and the Commander spoke fondly of you and Colonel Roi Tonner last time I spoke to her.”
“She did?” The reply came after a fraction of silence. “Did she give you any message?”
“Sorry, no. I last spoke to her four days ago, before I went to Landue World.” Sabra saw no point in misleading the officer. “Neither Tobis or I went to the command ship. We came straight down from Barrows Star.”
“I see.”
“Yes, I don’t know if she even knows that we are here.” Tobis put in. Liss just grunted as they arrived at their shuttle. Tobis thought it best not to comment further. Liss gestured for them to board.
“This will take you to another location, you will be met there by someone, I don’t know who.”
Sabra climbed aboard followed by Tobias who paused momentary. In a quiet aside he spoke to Liss. “I know what it’s like to have a friend with a powerful patron.” Liss’ expression did not change but her body language did. With a nod he stepped aboard and was guided to his seat by a crewmember.
The doors slid shut and the two looked at each other. While there were windows, they were not in seats where they could see out so they just sat wondering what they were going to. Sabra also was running through her mind what she had learnt about Cami on the trip back from Landue World.
*********
The Ladies smiled as Sabra entered the suite that they and the Dark Lord were using. Looking around, she could see that it was both functional and comfortable; indeed more so then the room she had been assigned. Clearly it was a room for guests of some influence, as space even on this battleship was limited.
“Welcome,” From the couch he was occupying the Dark Lord waved her in. With a command of “Sit.” She lowered herself into the well cushioned chair indicated while He took a different chair.
For a fraction, the Dark Lord held her gaze. “You have questions for me, I see.” He stopped and seemed to be considering what to say next. “I will give you the story, and then you can ask me your questions if you are not satisfied. Is that fair?”
“Yes sire.” Sabra quietly replied, tensing herself for whatever revelations were to come.
“Relax, Miss Boon, this is but the rest of the story.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Sabra caught the Ladies exchanging glances, clearly they were unaware of whatever it was the Dark Lord was to reveal. She took a breath and settled herself as best as she could.
With a swift glance at the Ladies, the Dark Lord began.
“I have not been completely open with you, for that I am sorry, but at the time it was necessary. You could only take so much in and it was necessary to feed you only as much as you could assimilate.” There was a fraction of silence. “Here is the last of the tale.”
For Sabra, the wait was almost unbearable. At last she was to see the final pieces of the puzzle, the last stitches in the tapestry of her ancestor.
“Before I went to Ti Lepus for the last time, Cami came to see me. This was very difficult for her to do but she approached me and begged me to save her family and her friends. I agreed to try, but warned her that I would not force anyone to leave the planet. That I would not do.” Sabra could see that this was all new to the Ladies who were watching but also that they were not completely surprised.
“And did you?” Sabra pressed.
“I did, first I collected her friends, Leda and Ava along with two young women who had become her friends at the club. It was a simple matter and Cami was pleased to see them when they met. Her family was different. They had been put under house arrest by the secret police and were being monitored so I had to work slightly differently.”
“I don’t understand,” Sabra frowned, “Why was it different to taking the young girls. I thought that it would be more difficult to take them?”
“It was a simple matter for me to find both the young women as it was the weekend and they were both out of school. Also, neither of them were scheduled to be at the clubs that they were contracted to. They were together and I got their agreement to visit Cami without any difficulty as they were eager to do so and didn’t consider what they were doing too much.” The Dark Lord made a face and one of the Ladies made a huffing sound. “But they were well taken care of and I visited their families to assure them that their daughters were safe. The other two girls were just as easy to collect, they were friends of Cami from the club.” He threw a sideways look at the Ladies. “Camis parents on the other hand, they had different ideas.” He paused for a fraction.
Unable to speak Sabra waved her hand, urging the Dark Lord to continue, wondering as she did so what a weekend was.
“I knocked on their door.” He continued in his calm voice. “I knew that they were all at their apartment as the secret police had confined them to their home after Cami had been taken of the planet. It was Leves order, one he did out of spite, you see at that time he believed that Cami was dead. To continue, needless to say they were surprised to see me.”
“No doubt,” Dana muttered from her seat. Ignoring her, the Dark Lord continued.
“The family, both parents, three sons and two daughters had been confined to their apartment since Leves had taken control. It was an unpleasant time for them and they were uncertain as to why I was there. When I told them that Cami was cured of her injuries they were ecstatic, in of course the understated Ti Lepus way! The parents were less happy when I told them why I was there.” The Dark Lord smiled in a somewhat fond manner as he remembered that day.
“Yes, Jarmel and Yives protested that they wanted Cami to come back to them. I had to tell them that was impossible, and that what she was going to do in a day was going to make it even more so. I then told them what Cami had asked me to do, which they also protested was impossible. They argued that Cami had to return to them and when I repeated that it was not going to happen, they continued to protest. I began to fear that the planets inborn stubbornness was going to make my mission a failure, but the oldest son, Dar actually helped.”
“He did?” Sabra was surprised and also confused about what the Dark Lord had said about Cami doing something While the Ladies were surprised as well, they had heard about Dar through Nathan and Sydney who had heard from Cami.
“Indeed, he had recovered quickly from my arrival and had followed the discussion carefully. When the parents protested, he turned to his parents and pointed out that it wasn’t much use bringing Cami back to their planet if she was going to be arrested or further attempts made on her life. They were both surprised but listened. I saw that they were still unconvinced until Tremma, the middle son, added his voice to Dars.
“Cami had asked me to bring her family back with me to the palace and when I reminded them of that, both parents were adamant that they were going to stay. But they insisted that I take their children. Dar spoke up at once saying clearly that he was staying as he want to be part of the changes that were going to come about, and the two girls also protested out of fear on their part. Tremma did not speak but watched me, while Damma the youngest seemed unhappy but also remained silent. I could see that the two girls were frightened of me, they had huddled together as soon as I had walked in.
“Tremma stopped the argument, turned to me and asked me if I would take anyone against their will. I replied no. He then asked me if the only reason I was doing this was because Cami asked me to and I said yes. He studied me for a moment then spoke quietly to his sisters and his younger brother. One asked him something and he nodded yes. Turning to me he said that he would come with me along with his two sisters and his youngest brother.
“Koral the older of the two sisters plucked up her courage and asked if she could bring something. I replied of course she could as long as she carried it so she and Kinna, the younger sister, went to their room and came out a moment later, each with a small bag. Tremma and Damma had done the same. I told them to say their goodbyes which they did, then I took them to the palace where they were reunited with their sister.” The Dark Lord fell silent.
After waiting for a fraction, Sabra spoke. “That’s all, they just said goodbye?”
“It was the Ti Lepus way.” The Dark Lord replied. “In the palace, they were taken under the care of Sydney and Sofia.” At this the three Ladies sat up, although Sabra noted that the Companion simply smiled.
“So, Sydney and Sofia!” Lady Luca said quietly. “I will have to speak to them.”
The Dark Lord gave the three Ladies a sharp look. “Do not be annoyed with them, I had asked them all to say nothing about Camis request. I just never got around to taking what I said back.” Luca looked less than completely mollified. Sabra felt for Ladies Dana, Andrea and Luca. She knew that she would regard a ‘request’ from the Dark Lord as being more than that! Again she wondered about all that the Dark Lord knew and kept to himself. Putting that aside, she asked if that was all the story.
“So then you destroyed the planet?” Sabra frowned as she asked her question. “And that was the end of Ti Lepus?”
The Dark Lord smiled in his enigmatic way and the air became electric as he replied, “Not quite.”
Sabra froze and all four Ladies sat up. “What do you mean?” Lady Dana asked, quietly but with an undercurrent of anger.
“Yes, we were all there, the four of us. We saw what you did!” Lady Andrea stood in her anger.
“You saw what you wanted to see, what you expected to see.” Came the calm reply. “In any case, you have walked with me for many centuries down many roads, know you me so little?”
The anger in the room was palpable. Sabra sat still, not quite daring to move. The Dark Lords companion was also standing, the surprise clear on her face. There was silence for a fraction, then the Dark Lord spoke again.
“Did you really think me so cold blooded that I would kill billions of people without giving them a proper chance to change? In any case you witnessed what I did in truth. I didn’t change any of your memories, I didn’t have to, even though you were present and heard Cami sis Nep speak, you were prepared to believe that I destroyed the planet anyway.” The Dark Lord shook his head. “You were so willing to believe the rumours I planted.”
“So what did you do?” Sabra whispered into the silence that followed the Dark Lords revelations.
“While I was talking to Leves, the leaders of the planet were turning to Markus. They knew that having condoned one set of murders, Leves would not, could not stop at others, so they feared that Leves would turn on them. Markus was the only other choice. Then I arrived with Cami and Sydney”
The Ladies stiffened at Sydney’s name for the second time but remained silent as the Dark Lord continued to talk.
*********
In his crowded office, Trem de Markus smiled as he waited for the visitor he expected. The men with him were all of the high class, all leaders in the community looked uncertain but resolved. The three policemen present, all of the highest rank including the secret police were expressionless. Also present was the head of the planets military, while sitting beside Markus was the previous Chief Councillor, he had been working with Markus from the beginning.
Without a sound the door slid open and the Dark Lord walked in, His eyes taking in the room. “Gentlemen, welcome.” He stepped to the side. Behind him was Cam sis Nep and a Red Haired Lady wearing a red dress. The man stared at her, they all recalled the stories they had heard about the Circle of Ladies. One mentioned was a Lady of uncommon beauty, crowned with a cloud of red hair.
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Councillor de Markus however stared at Cam sis Nep. “But she was killed! Shot at!” He exclaimed. The silence was profound as the other councillors switched their gaze to the young woman. Stunned, they saw that she was dressed in a brightly coloured dress which, while it extended below the knee, was still short enough to cause comment here. But the intimidating presence of the Dark Lord accompanied by one of his Ladies was more than enough to keep even these men silent. With her new found confidence, Cami matched Councillor de Markus stare with stare.
“They missed but I was stabbed later, then I was healed.” She replied calmly, throwing a glance at the Dark Lord.
After a fractions silence, Markus spoke again. “What do you want?” He asked Cami.
“Freedom.” Was the flat reply.
*********
On the command battleship Maiden Constance everyone waited. The six ambassadors, all Ladies of the Circle, had held their meeting with Chief Councillor Leja Leves and two other councillors. It had taken several days and only reluctantly had Leves agreed. The meeting had lasted part of an afternoon but ended in an impasse had resulted. Now the deadline imposed by the Dark Lord and laid down by the ambassadors was at hand. No one knew what was going to happen when time expired. The whole task force was on alert for any contingency.
“Point one period to time, sir,” the navigator reported.
“Noted,” Captain Thompson replied. She glanced at Lady Andrea and Lady Dana and the slender Lady with light brown who was only known as the Dark Lords companion, then looked away. The Dark Lord had vanished, to where no one knew. Also vanished were four of the six ambassadors, again without explanation.
*********
In his office, Chief Councillor Leves still laughed, but could not completely disabuse himself of all tension. He turned to his senior military advisor.
“Any reaction from the Empire’s forces?”
“Nothing, sir. No raising of shields, at least not by the closest ones. These are the only ones we can read remotely from the transfer station.”
“Good, they will do nothing!”
His military advisor was unconvinced, but said nothing.
*********
“Time, sir,” the Navigator reported. General Major Dennus looked at the Ladies, opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the unexpected appearance of the holograph image of Cami sis Nep. Not even the Ladies were able to react before the image opened it mouth to speak.
“I am Cami sis Nep and I was almost killed in the savage attack on my contract family the Dressilers, this was ordered by Chief Councillor Leja Leves. He is the leader of the agitators and is responsible for the murders and my injury.”
*********
“Midday has passed, Chief Councillor.” The military advisor turned to Leves and continued, “There is still no reaction from the Empire’s forces.”
Leves smiled. Then his smile vanished. “What is this?” He stuttered. “But she’s dead,” he exclaimed as the holograph began to speak. His staff all turned and stared at him.
*********
Jean ne Pator, the Dressiler’s housekeeper sat at the large picture window. The family member who had inherited the dwelling had assured her that the position she held would be retained and her status improved. Looking out the window and remembering back when the Dressilers had told her about the Dark Lord and described his powers in a casual conversation, she knew that the family would never move in. Picking up the remote controller, she waited. If necessary when it started, she intended to open the window and step out. But she also remembered the conversations with her brother so she had some hope. When Cami appeared she was shocked, changed her mind and began to listen intently.
*********
Tension was, if possible, even higher on the bridge of the Maiden Constance. Captain Thompson glanced at General Major Dennus as she called for an update and watched the hologram speak. Absently she noticed that the Ladies had vanished.
*********
In his office in the Council’s building at Lepus Mal, Leves was sitting behind his desk also watching Cami speak. He had commed General Dennus and demanded that the transmission be cut. He was shocked to learn that the Empire had nothing to do with it and was as surprised as he was.
*********
“I am telling you this because I have wondered about the ways our lives have been ordered for some time now as I am sure that many of you listening have also wondered. I never talked to anyone about this out of fear. Fear that mine and my family’s status would be affected, and I am sure that many of you have the same fear.” Cami paused and took a breath.
“Well I am no longer afraid. I have been stabbed and healed. I owe my life to the Dark Lord who healed me and to him I owe a debt of gratitude I will never be able to repay. I also know that I will never be able to return to Ti Lepus but I will always hold it in my Heart.
“But I fear for my planet. I have felt the power that the Dark Lord holds within himself and tell you now that the legends are real! I won’t speak any more about this. What I will speak of is the murdered family that I lived with. The ones that brought the contract I had with the Trigon Club.
“The mother and father were Cheaine and Rentap Dressiler and the day that they brought my contract was the happiest day of my life and the day that they were murdered was the worst.”
*********
Captain Thompson stepped away from the comm station. She walked to where Dennus was staring at the holo schematic. Looking at the ghostly projection, the Captain shook her head. “I don’t know how He did it and I am quite certain I don’t want to know.” Captain Thompson looked at her superior officer, “Everyone seems to be listening and there is a lot of comm traffic.”
Dennus spoke heavily. “I doubt that we will see any shuttle craft with people trying to escape, they just aren’t like that.” He turned away. “Any information as to what is going on down there?” He stabbed a finger at the display.
“Lots of comm activity and people moving around in the streets.” The Captain gave a wave at the display. “Other than that it’s hard to tell.”
“Any signs of unrest?” Dennus asked Major Hunt Van Houser.
“It’s already started, sir. This is totally unreal for the planet. I mean there are people running in the streets.”
“Could this become a general uprising?” Dennus was taken aback by the strange turn of events and wanted to be ready for anything.
“Anything is possible right now sir. The attack on the Dressilers was broadcast live and got a lot of play.” The Major replied. “There was a lot of unrest and sympathy for them when it happened. How He swung this I don’t know.”
“I am certain that our Master has planned well. And he has a backup plan.” Dennus had not forgotten a conversation he had had with the Dark Lord by the window in the palace. They stood for a fraction in silence.
“Captain.” Dennus turned to face Captain Thompson. “If you need me, I will be in my office. Gentleman.” With a wave to his staff, he left. His staff followed, subdued and shaken by the unexpected turn of events. Everyone wondered where the Ladies had gone and where the Dark Lord was.
*********
Cami had continued talking to the planets population.
“The Dressler’s were a wonderful family. I was scared when they first optioned my contract and then accepted it but they accepted me fully and wholeheartedly. Dinis their son and Kapat their daughter accepted me almost as family and their mother, Cheaine was wonderful. Their father, Rentap was also kind and understanding. They also accepted my family, my da and ma, my brothers and sisters. The day they all died was terrible, I have had help but I know that I will never be totally free of the horror of it.
“None of you can come close to understanding what I have gone through. I don’t expect you to, but I will try to explain it. Think of your happiest day you have ever had. I don’t know, say a walk in the sun. Or rain, if you prefer.” Cami paused. “Then imagine that your day is ripped away from you.” Cami spoke in a harsh whisper as she brought her hands to her face.
Dropping her hands and taking a deep breath, Cami continued. “The blood, the sounds of the weapons, the swift horror it all, it was over so fast and I found myself running through the tunnels that lay underneath our feet and connect all parts of the city. Somehow I knew that I was in bad trouble.
“I made my way all unawares to Nether West where I was taken into hand by members of the underclass. They helped me although they didn’t have to until I was attacked again by agents of Chief Councillor Leja Leves and stabbed. The people who helped me attempted to save me but it was the Dark Lord who healed me and took me to his palace.
Cami stood in silence for a fraction. Markus, who had watched in fascination like the others in the room, moved to cut the feed, but stopped when the Dark Lord raised his hand.
*********
Rakhman ra Tyrrel and his wife Sirian hugged each other as they listened to Cami. Their four children were sitting on the floor, eyes wide open as they listened. Their oldest a girl a couple of years younger than Cami, turned to her parents. “Does this mean that I can do what I want to do now?”
Her parents looked at each other. “I don’t know Lanni, I don’t.” Rakhman answered his daughter.
“Well, I like her.” Lanni said. “She seems awfully brave!”
Rakhman stared at his daughter. Giving a swift look at his wife, he pulled out his comm unit and sent a message to the security company that had been engaged to protect what was now his company.
*********
Abandoned by most of his staff, Leves had painfully made his way to the Emergency Command Center in Lepus Mal. This was not a well fitted out back up to the government’s main offices. It was just a set of offices with some communication links.
“Get me in touch with the Empire, now!” Leves was gasping. He wondered why he was so short of breath. Not enough exercise. He thought.
“Sir, we will try.” The senior officer, a member of the militia sat at a console and desperately punched keys. After trying for a fraction, he turned to the Chief Councillor. “Sorry sir, it is hopeless. I can’t get a signal to the next block, it appears that we are being blocked by someone.”
Leves took a closer look at the colonel. He saw that the colonel was quite expressionless, more so than any citizen would normally be. Were things getting that bad?
“What’s happening, tell me?” Leves demanded. “I am still chief minister.”
“There is growing unrest in the whole country.” Was the reply. “Just a fraction.” The officer listened then turned to Leves. “It appears that the council of ministers is meeting with Councillor Trem de Markus.” The Colonel replied. “At least that is the information I received.” Leves stared at the militia officer, he had never met him before. “Look around,” the officer continued. “You pissed off the most powerful man in the Empire and this is just the start of what he can do.”
“What should I do?” Leves felt suddenly helpless.
The officer just stared at him, face blank.
*********
Cami was finishing what she wanted to say.
“While I was recovering I thought about the Dressilers, what happened to me, why we were all divided up the way we were. It is just wrong. People should be able to do what they want to do. Not be put into work just because they are born into a class. It should be their choice, not what they have to. Some can be lucky, I was but I am rare and everything I hoped for was snatched away from me and people that I loved, yes loved, were murdered just because someone wanted power.”
Her hand stabbed out, her finger an accusing dagger, her final words were spoken in a loud tone that carried. “Chief Minister Leves, I mean you!”
*********
The broadcast ended, the people of the planet began to talk to each other. In as strongly structured yet fragile society as this one it still took a while for the fractures to appear, but appear they did. In this case, it started with Jean ne Pator who called her family.
Jean had kept in touch with her family, even sending small amounts of money to them. She had also, very discreetly sent messages telling them what was really happening, things that they weren’t getting from the news media. This had quietly spread amongst several prominent members of the underclass who, on hearing what she had to say, called a meeting.
*********
In the silent office, the Dark Lord quietly regarded Trem de Marcus and the men who had joined him. In approving the attack on the Dressler’s, Leves had made a critical mistake. While appearing to agree and support Leves, almost all the ministers and high officers had actually turned to Trem de Marcus. Always brutally honest with themselves, they knew that having ordered one set of murders, Leves would not be beyond ordering others.
“I think that you know what it is that you must do.” He said. “The planet cannot go on like this and you here present must be the authors of change. If you cannot usher in the necessary changes, then I will take action. This I do not want to do. You are warned.”
“What about the girl?” One asked, “She will need protection.” Cami had left with Lady Sydney.
“Cami knows that she will not be able to return.” The Dark Lord replied calmly. “Some members of her family and certain friends have also been taken under my protection.” The ministers and officers stared at this. Marcus, somewhat used to the Dark Lord by now, held his smile inside.
“I will give you time, such changes cannot be performed overnight. The Dark Lord continued. “Let us say a thousand years. Yes, it is now the 20th Augar 414, I shall return sometime around then.” He smiled. The smile turned dangerous. “But I will be watching even if you don’t see me.” The soft words sent a chill through all the listeners. “Do not worry about visitors from other planets, I will make certain that people believe that I destroyed you. Do not let me turn that belief into reality.” His gaze swept the room, then with a nod to de Marcus, the Dark Lord turned and walked out the door.
“Let’s get to work gentlemen.” Trem de Marcus sat back behind his desk. The men in the room nodded. The policemen left to arrest Leves, the militia to assist in restoring order, a task that would keep them busy for a long time and others to start the process of change.
Checking his comm, Marcus saw with no surprise that Jean ne Pator was trying to comm him. “Yes Madam Pator.” He said, taking the call.
*********
“So, Cami gave Leja Leves a tongue lashing unique in the annals of Ti Lepus.” The Dark Lord shook his head. “She surprised everyone, Markus, the other councillors, everyone she knew and knew her.” He smiled, “Even me! I believe that the effect on the planet was profound and that is one reason I did what I did.”
“Once Cami had her say, Leves was finished and the planet was baying for change. So I gave them a thousand years to clean their act up. That time will soon be up but I am not in a hurry to visit and see how well they have done.” He smiled. The Ladies didn’t, Sabra considered that they looked even angrier. He, looked them over as He stood. “You will all have a chance to come with me if you wish and give me your opinions.” His voice turned cold, “Remember, their sun still waits for them.” The Ladies stiffened and there was an exchange of glances.
“Even now?” Lady Dana ventured.
“More so now that I have given them all this time and hidden them from the rest of the empire. That is all that they have along with the lecture you and the rest of the ambassadors laid on them. It is all up to them now, I do not know what the state of the planet is as I closed my mind to them although I told them that I would be watching. However none of them have left the planet even though I did not place a ban on them doing so, that gives me cause for worry.” The ladies exchanged glances at the last statement.
*********
Sabra worried as well, What would He do if the planet had not changed or had changed in a bad way, she wondered? The sun?
*********
He turned to Sabra. “You now know the full story, all that is left is minor details of their lives. If you wish, you may join me when I go to visit the planet with those of the Ladies who decide to go.”
“Thank you my Lord.” Sabra had also risen. “I wish to think that over, if I may.”
“The decision will not be necessary for some time,” smiled the Dark Lord. “No rush is needed.” The smile vanished as He turned to the Ladies.
“Are all those I summoned present?” Seemingly afraid, as Sabra had never seen her and the other Ladies, Andrea nodded. “Good.” Was the Dark Lords sole comment. He turned back to Sabra. His, “You will be met on the surface of Destron.” Was followed by a nod of dismissal. Sabra bowed and left to collect her equipment and Tobias.