The Khan, Kamel Di Rappar, glared at the door of his cell as it slid open. Two guards stood there. This cell was actually a suite for privileged prisoners and he knew that his family was housed in a similar manner. The guards motioned to Kamel to come out. Slowly The Khan rose and walked stiffly to the door.

“What is it? Who wants to talk to me?” Kamel noted that the guards did not quiver or show any fear at the harsh question.

“I have been instructed to bring you to our Master.” An officer standing in the corridor provided the answer. “Let us go. He does not like to be kept waiting or so I have read.” The officers’ smile was grim.

The Khan did not move. “My family?”

“Your wife and daughter are being kept separately in the women’s section. Your son, as you know has his own quarters.” The officer replied as he kept walking. “Only you are being taken to our Master.” The Khan was urged along by the two guards. “Before you ask, I don’t know why.”

Secretly pleased at being out of his cell, even though it was most comfortable, the Khan just grunted. “I will complain most thoroughly at the treatment I have received and demand justice for those who have betrayed me!” An observant man, he did not miss the amused look that passed between the two guards. The officer in front stopped at the entrance to the secure area. He tapped on a console several times, which opened the door. The quartet stepped through into the corridor.

Walking to the transit shaft was something of a revelation for Kamel Di Rappar, looking around he was surprised by the number of crew who were on the move and how many of them were women, including officers. Another item he noted with concern was that he was neither secured nor blindfolded, something he had no intention of asking about. The third thing was that very few of those he saw were openly armed and that there was no saluting of superior officers.

At the transit shaft, they stepped inside the first unit ready. Two non-commissioned troopers joined them, acknowledging the officer with a nod and a ‘Sir’.

It was too much for The Khan to take, speaking to the officer, he still didn’t know his name, Kamel asked why there was no saluting. “Your men don’t salute you?”

“No.”

Surprised at the terse answer, the Khan pressed. “But isn’t that bad for discipline?” To his continued surprise, one of the non-commissioned troopers answered.

“No, the no saluting rule only applies on a planetoid. We have about fifty thousand crew members and officers would be saluting dozens of times a watch whether on or off duty. So our Master decreed that, except for parades and other formal occasions, there would be no salutes given or answered. But He does insist on a form of acknowledgement, as we did when we entered the tube.”

“Oh, I see.” The calm reply disconcerted the Khan but before he could inquire further, a ping announced their arrival. The doors opened and Kamel was urged forward. As he left, he noted that the two troopers had come to attention which the officer acknowledged with a nod. Looking around at their destination, he noticed several armed guards keeping a close watch. He also noticed that this area, while still strictly functional, was furnished to a higher quality than the area he had come from. An officer stepped forward. “This is the Khan?” She asked his escort.

“I am Kamel Di Rappar, The Khan!” Kamel stood proud.

The officer gave a small smile. “You know how to announce yourself at a door?” came the enquiry.

With a surprised look, swiftly suppressed, Kamel answered that he did.

A corridor, one of several, was indicated. “Door at the end on the right.” Was the only instruction given and The Khan was waved on.

*********

Kamel stood looking around, suspecting a trap. The officer, the smile now suppressed gave another gesture down the corridor. Realising that he had little choice, holding his head erect Kamel strode down to the door indicated. I will show them how a man dies, he thought. Stopping at the door that he was told to enter, he glanced over his shoulder at the group watching then he turned and reached for the annunciator. Before he could announce himself, the door slid open. A beautiful woman stood there with a cat like smile on her face, a white dress clinging to her body.

Controlling his surprise, He began to speak. “I am ...”

“Kamel Di Rappar, The Khan.” The woman interrupted, “You are expected.” Stepping back she waved him in.

As the door slid shut behind him, Kamel looked around. In the rather sparsely furnished room, one that was clearly used for meetings, there were four young looking women and one man of indeterminate age. He couldn’t help himself but stare, the women were, all in their own way, beautiful and charismatic. The one who answered the door was slender yet shapely. Her blue eyes and blond hair were something he had never seen before and drew his attention. Open toed sandals with straps laced around her calves adorned her feet.

Another, sitting on a chair was slender, supple with an athletic figure. Her straight dark hair fell to her shoulders and she regarded the Khan with a steady and somewhat disconcerting gaze. A yellow shirt showed from underneath a tan jacket and a short tan skirt, red high heeled shoes were on display on her feet.

The third woman standing to one side with her hands on her hips was rather more familiar. Adorned with a silver coloured circlet, she was tall, tanned, toned and athletic with dark hair and brown eyes. Her form was emphased by the silver single suit cling to her body while black riding boots adorned her feet. The Khan recognised a warrior when he saw one, and didn’t need the sword sheathed at her side for confirmation.

A lightly tanned man dressed in a dark shirt and pants along with dark shoes stood in the centre of the room, his hands in his pockets. On the couch behind him sat the fourth woman. More attractive than beautiful, she was slender, pretty with her shoulder length brown hair falling around her face, highlighted by bright blue eyes. A green open short jacket complimented the white top and light green pants she wore. Sandals covered her feet.

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The Khan was a quick study, the Ladies had been explained to him and all this was taken in at a glance, so his attention focused on the man in front of him.

“Please come in.” The man said holding his head to the side, studying the Khan intently.

“You are the one the soldiers call their Master?” Kamel asked, although it was more a statement. Privately he was surprised and taken aback that this man, of middle height with plain, almost nondescript features and simple dress was the all-powerful ruler of the empire that had wrought such havoc in the kingdom.

“I am,” came the soft reply. “And I have something to tell you. Something that you will find difficult to believe or understand.”

Kamel snorted. “I agree with you!” He laughed. “So why don’t you just kill me and get it over with. That’s why she’s here, isn’t she!” He pointed at Luca.

No one laughed, and Dana brought over a chair saying, “Please sit, no one will harm you.” Slowly, reluctantly, the Khan sat.

“Your mind has been tampered with. I will now attempt to repair the damage but I may not be able to completely erase the changes or restore what you have lost.” The Dark Lord spoke without expression.

For a fraction, Kamel stared open mouthed at the Dark Lord then burst out laughing. “You expect me to believe that.” He said, laughing even harder.

Patiently waiting, the Dark Lord stood still until the laughter subsided then continued. “The one who did this did not bother with your son or other family members except your wife, they have their own problems. But he did with some of your advisers. Most have been killed in the fighting or the riots. Those few who survived, I have already attended to.” He explained.

At this the Ladies stared. “When did you do them?” Andrea demanded.

“Over the last two days. It was a simple matter.” The Dark Lord was quite unperturbed. “But you are a little different Khan. You have been touched longer and deeper than any of the others living, so I need to do more and that is better face to face.”

Kamel glanced at the Ladies who continued to stare at the Dark Lord. Fear crept inside him as he began to feel the power in the man standing in front of him. “What are you?” He whispered.

The Dark Lord ignored the question and stepped closer, reaching out with His right hand. Slowly He extended a finger and touched the Khan on the temple. Spreading His fingers and thumb, He brought the finger tips into contact with the Khans head. The Dark Lords glowing eyes locked with the Khans and neither moved for a brief fraction.

A low moan escaped the Khans lips, while the four Ladies watched in morbid fascination, unable to turn away. Slowly the Dark Lord released Kamels head and stepped back. Kamel did not move and seemed to be dazed. The Ladies exchanged glances between themselves and the Dark Lord. Hesitantly, Andrea left the couch and moved to the Khan, touching him on the shoulder. He started.

Slowly the Khan turned his head and looked without comprehension at Lady Andrea. “Are you all right?” She asked, the concern clear on her face was mirrored on the faces of the other Ladies.

Shaking his head, Kamel slowly replied that he thought that he was. Looking at the Dark Lord who was now sitting in an armchair, he opened his mouth, closed it then opened it again. He dropped his head then looked up.

“I would like to see my family.” He said.

Surprised, Andrea stepped back.

The Dark Lord smiled. “Of course you would.” Rising and walking to the door, He motioned for both the Ladies and the Khan to follow him. Leaving the meeting room, they walked in silence to the common area. The same group that had been there before was still there, faces blank.

“The Khan wishes to see his family and I see no reason to not let him and he may stay with them.” The Dark Lord spoke calmly. “They will all remain with us for the time being however.” He turned to an officer who had just joined then, “Captain Vos Nixda, kindly see that the proper orders are issued.” He said, producing a scroll and handing it over.

“At once sire.” The Captain bowed.

Recovered somewhat from the Dark Lords touch, Kamel casually but carefully watched the reactions of the group in front of him. In a somewhat detached state, he observed surprise on some faces and also the nervousness of many of those standing there. Familiar with the grovelling behaviour of the people who came to ask him something or had been summoned by him, the Khan saw instead respect, alloyed with some fear but also total loyalty, boarding on devotion. Also he saw that no matter how politely the Dark Lord spoke, it was clear that he was in complete control.

“Kamel Di Rappar, I fear that it will be impossible for you to return to Destron any time soon.” The Dark Lord turned and addressed the Khan. “Already there are calls by the population for you to be handed over to them for them to deal with. They do not know what has been really going on with the rulers so it would not be fair or right to do so, therefore you and your family will accompany the next part of the fleet who are no longer required here.”

“But, the Kingdom, have you conquered all …..” Kamel was stunned, he knew that it had been just a matter of a few days, barely more than two weeks. “All …” He whispered.

The Dark Lord motioned to another officer who had also just arrived. This officer was dressed in black and silver and the Khan observed that all the legionaries standing around had come to attention at his arrival. This was clearly an important officer. “Sire,” the officer addressed the Dark Lord. “You have instructions?” He was accompanied by a woman dressed in a white uniform. Both were carrying short swords. The Khan also noticed that this officer spoke with respect but also with somewhat less than the total awe that the others showed.

“Indeed I do, Star Commander.” He gestured to the Khan. “A briefing is in order for The Khan as to the status of the Kingdom.”

“I will have General Reasoner brief him sire.” The Star Commander replied and turned to the officer following him, nodding to her. She returned the nod.

“Thank you.” The Dark Lord turned to the woman officer. “Good day Commander Caenett, it is good to see you again.”

Rita Caenett snapped a smart salute, “Thank you sire.” The Dark Lord smiled, nodded and turned back to the Star Commander.

“And I have passed instructions to Captain Vos Nixda regarding the future of The Khan and his family. I understand that his daughter wishes to marry her suitor and he is pressing his suit. These matters I leave in your good hands.” Vis Vistricer nodded.

The Khan had perked up at this new to him information, he had also noted with amusement the way the legions troopers had stiffened when the Dark Lord spoke to the Commander, however it was clear that the Dark Lord had his own rules. He was running all this through his mind but froze along with everyone else as he took in the import of the Dark Lords next softly spoken words.

“I must leave as I have a matter to attend to on the planet surface.”