Chapter 30

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The yachts jumped to Сopeira and plunged into the calm blue of hyperspace. Thanks to the hacking of the station's navigation system, the jump went smoothly, and there was no need to worry about its results. Rescued slept, under the watchful eye of medics, recovering from numerous paralyzes and injuries. According to the navigators' calculations, the jump should have lasted eleven hours.

There was nothing to do and Taer, like most of the crew, languished in her cabin, thinking for a change about the possible failure of the remaining "saboteurs" and blaming herself for her foolishness.

The mental self-eating session was interrupted by a nasty beep from her communicator:

"I finished cracking open the blocks and sticks handed in by His Lordship." Dudo's voice was somewhat strained.

"So fast?" Taer wondered, glancing furtively at the little blue screen on the back of the communicator. Less than two hours, she wondered again.

"Nothing complicated, just password-protected. Not even physical access to the memory is blocked. The owners didn't seem to expect it to fall into the wrong hands."

"So what's in there?"

"That's exactly what I wanted to discuss. Can you come over? It would be more convenient," he added. "The info blocks are gutted, and it would be very inconvenient to move them."

You let it slacken and then it starts, Taer thought unhappily as she buttoned her tunic. Already I have to go to them. A bit further in that direction and it's finished with Hey, you, run and get the Teymar.

Taer was about to give Dudo a good disciplinary thrashing, but when she opened the door of his quarters, she had to give up the idea. "Lance" sat surrounded by gutted machinery with three suppressors turned on and pale as a Carpathian:

"What happened?" she asked, waiting for the door to close behind her.

"Well, the information the lord gave me..." Dudo began, removing some spare parts from the seat beside him and gesturing for her to sit down. "It does relate to the assassination attempts, but it's more than that. It's a whole elaborate plan to destabilize the entire Sector. The assassination attempt on Lord Cassard is just one episode."

"Let's say." Taer nodded, sitting down and looking at him with interest. "But why all the panic? They've never been secretive about wanting to destabilize, not just the region, but the whole Empire."

"So they're a curtain. It's all here..." He jabbed a finger at the dark tap of the disassembled infoblock. "The PVD is just a tool behind them, the Melatians and the SS."

"Imperial Security?" she interjected, raising an eyebrow. "Sponsoring a PVD?!"

"Yes, according to the records, they organized all this unrest on Tallana!"

"This is insane. Why would SS make a commotion?"

"To impose a State of Emergency and then Direct Imperial Rule."

"But..." Taer started but stopped talking and leaned her elbow on the table to think, reflexively trying to wrap a non-existent curl around her finger.

There was definitely a point to the hypothesis expressed, twisted and bizarre, but there was one. The Tail sector received its privileges in exchange for the service of the nobles to the Emperor during and after the War of Orders. But the irony was that it was only the nobles of the Great Houses who served, and the entire Sector, including the Free Worlds, got the privileges. It came out by accident and was not exactly fair. But the Emperor didn't take back what he had given from Tallana and the others. Perhaps he simply decided to put things back the way they were...

"But why do it like that?" Taer exclaimed aloud. "That's a whole sector of problems out of thin air. It would have been easier to revoke privileges by direct Edict or by Senate Resolution... And then what did Tallana and Lord Cassard have to do with it? And the Melatians?"

"I don't know," Dudo said. "Maybe there were some reasons. I'm not a great politician to know all the ins and outs. I'll tell you what I've read. About the Melatians, I never understood what their interest was, but they're involved. And Lord Cassard is not a simple story there." He's got his infoblock to it. "Here, read it."

The infoblock screen shimmered in every shade of white: "Turn your suppressors off then, paranoid."

"Oh, sorry, I forgot." He reached for the suppressors and started to disable them one by one. "I just realized Imperial Security was involved, and I panicked."

"I know what you mean," Taer murmured as she read.

"Anyway, the attempt on the lord's life is only the first stage," Dudo commented. "They were going to take advantage of it and make a riot on Cassard. The Cholanians would have taken credit for it..."

"And the outraged commoners would just burn them," Taer finished for him. "They're not liked as it is, to say the least."

"But they wouldn't watch them get burned, would they? It's Cassard who's all armed. Statistically, 12 guns per person."

"They don't stand a chance anyway," she objected. "Cholanians, just over fifty million, and that is on a planet of fourteen billion."

"Perhaps," Dudo agreed. "But it's not an instant process."

"Exactly. The Guards would have cleaned it up in no time. All it would have taken was a couple of Triumphs and a few hundred paratrooper bots with paralyzers."

"I understand they had some kind of plan to divert our Fleet. I haven't had time to read everything. There are a lot of unconnected blocks, and I don't even have an analysis droid. But from what I understand, something is going on with the Bentars and House Kilret at the same time. Fleet would have been scattered over these points. Someone in the Municipality of Cassard is involved. Amid the unrest, they would have had to appeal to the Emperor for protection and direct control."

"And since Lord Cassard has no direct heirs, the emperor must take care of the domain. Dammit." She looked at Dudo. "Do you think the lord knows about this?

"I have no idea. But if he doesn't know, he should find out as soon as possible."

And Countess Durlurl, and the Ruling Lord, and the Council of Pryvies. The great shadows, practically all of them. Taer grimaced in her mind as she realized the enormity of what was happening. Someone, even an SS, wanted to reclaim the jewel of House Fyron. - Cassard. The second most important planet after Fyron itself, and perhaps first in value.

"I'll go wake up the lord," she concluded. "He should look into it."

* * *

As Alex read the data, he grew darker and darker. Taer and Dudo sat next to each other, quiet as mice, casting wary glances at the lord. Finally, he finished reading, and, throwing the infoblock back on the table, leaned back on the sofa:

"Did I understand correctly that Cassard is actually a planet, not a domain?" He asked, glaring unkindly at Taer.

"Erm... Yes..." Taer was a little taken aback by this question. She had expected him to be more concerned with the role of Imperial Security than with the intricacies of property rights. "I mean, not really." She corrected herself. "The planet Cassard is part of the domain of Cassard, which is, of course, bigger than one planet."

"Bigger?" Alex interjected, swallowing nervously. "How much bigger?!"

"Well, actually the whole Cassard System and the light year of the surrounding area."

"Pipec," cursed the lord, in an unknown language, in a dropped voice. "And what is there in this light-year?"

"More than three dozen planetoids..." Taer began to list, trying hard to remember her lessons in navigation. "Two small gas and dust clouds. And the Cassard System itself, which in addition to the planet Cassard, includes six other planets, as well as two dense asteroid belts. But they're not inhabited, so they're not usually mentioned," the specialist added with a bewildered look.

The lord was obviously shocked, but what shocked him, she could not understand.

"Well, really, three dozen planetoids and six planets. Why mention them?" The lord smiled nervously. "There is no population there. And where there is, how much population?"

"About fourteen billion."

"So you're saying," Alex said slowly, separating each word carefully. "That I own a planet with fourteen billion people?"

"Of course not!" she resented. "For over twenty years now, slavery has been banned throughout the Empire."

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Well... Slavery is forbidden. That's a relief." He sighed. "What do I own then?"

"Nothing," Taer assured him, which made the lord's face brighten, and he exhaled in relief:

"I guess I just got it all wrong. I was a little scared..."

"The Cassard Domain, which includes the planet Cassard as a property, belongs to the Cassard family." Taer continued a brief lecture on ownership rights. "Well, and since you, my Lord, are the sole representative of the Cassard family, you have exclusive rights to dispose of all the property and assets of the family. You can set duties and levies and are the highest judicial authority within your Domain. But to say that the planet belongs to you would be legally illiterate."

"Total Pipec! I mean, I got it right..." He muttered, and then he threw his head back and studied the ceiling with a thoughtful look on his face.

Taer followed his example and looked up too. There was nothing of interest on the ceiling. The usual gray metal panels are crossed with lines of light panels. The yacht was in a remarkably "basic" design.

Taer exchanged surprised looks with Dudo, who didn't seem to understand what was going on with the lord either. /Maybe he's in post-traumatic shock from his experience?"

"Did something happen?" The specialist asked cautiously, coming closer and squatting down beside Alex.

"It's nothing. Except that, I happen to own an entire planet. And I only found out about it now, and that was by accident!"

"But that goes without saying." Taer was genuinely surprised. "Lord Cassard, the domain of Cassard, and you knew you were the only one of your Family."

"And a planet with fourteen billion people also goes without saying?" He exclaimed. "Why should I have guessed that? Where is everything? Where are the assistant secretaries, ministers, and advisors? How can it be that the head of a planet with such a population manages not to know about its existence for twenty days? Why I went hunting in the middle of nowhere, accompanied by two men? Where are the hordes of guards? Where, after all, is the briefcase with the red button?"

"What do you mean, with a red button?" Dudo, who had been sitting quietly until then, asked again.

"Ah... never mind," Alex said faintly, raising his eyes to the ceiling again. "I just don't understand how that can happen."

"Your Lordship..." Taer began firmly. "I don't understand your reaction, either. You yourself have always insisted on having as few people around you as possible, and you refuse to be guarded. That's why your secretaries, your assistants, and your other staff, are all on Cassard and won't bother you more than once a year."

"Let's say," he nodded. "But why is it that when I contacted the Office and asked for a report, there was not a word about the planet."

"I'm sure it was. You were just looking at assets and shares in companies only. And the planet is in the real estate section."

"Real estate..." he rolled his eyes. "Why didn't I think to look there..." There was an overabundance of wicked irony in the lord's voice, but the reason for it still eluded Taer.

"Would it have made any difference to know that the Cassard domain included an inhabited planet?" She asked a leading question.

"Hell, literally everything!" Alex exclaimed bitterly. "I wouldn't be wondering why they wanted to kill me because it would be obvious. I wouldn't have gone on that stupid hunt. Increased security, I suppose. I'd think of something, you know."

"But it's not too late to "think of something", is it?"

"No, of course not. But you can't do without the help of Countess Durlurl now, and you might be able to get by on your own."

"But in a case of this importance, it would have been indispensable in any case"

"That's not what I mean," he said. "Look, there's someone in the municipality helping those Cholan assholes besides the Security Service and the Melatians, and now it's Durlurl's people who will be looking for that someone. Because it has to be done quickly, and I have no one to do it."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Don't you get it?" Alex was silent for a few seconds, clearly trying to find the words. "It's like leaving a child in a sweet shop. After Countess looks for the culprits in the municipality - she'll tear it all down, leaving only HER people behind. Any cleanup leaves only what the cleaner needs. Do you understand? You just can't let that happen. It's basic management. And I have to let her do it. I just don't have a choice."

"Is that why you were so upset?" Taer asked bluntly.

"And because of that, too. Well, how can I explain it to you? Even a large company is a very complex organism. There's a whole planet with fourteen billion people. Can you imagine how complicated it all is to manage, and then it turns out that it should be me!"

"But you've managed before, haven't you? And then, the lords rule, not manage. That's the job of the Office and the Municipality. And if, for some reason, after checking on of Countess Durlurl, you can't trust them anymore, you can just change them."

"With who? Where am I going to get managers who can be trusted with a fourteen billion planet? Shall I advertise?"

"You could just resign the municipality and call for re-election." She shrugged. "And even if that can't solve the problems, appointing someone from the Office, after all, to handle the business routine is their direct responsibility."

"One of us doesn't seem to know anything about planet governance, and I hope it's me." The lord summed up with a sour expression, and with another sigh, he waved his hand languidly. "Well, let's forget about the planet for now. Do you have any idea what to do right now?"

"Pass on all the information to Countess Durlurl and enlist her help before visiting Cassard?"

"Visiting Cassard?" He jumped up. "No way. I bet that's where they'd get me the fifth time, for sure. For the next few months, I'd rather study the situation remotely. Till things settle down there."

"Your Lordship, there is a "Day of Gifts" in five days. You must be on Cassard on the Day of Gifts." She said with particular emphasis on the word 'must'.

"Think about it. If I have to be there. I really should be there. The PVD, the Cholanians, and, let's say, the Security Service know about it. And there's no telling if they've abandoned their plans. And, of course, in that case, they'll try to kill me, probably in a particularly noisy way. To make a big deal out of it. So, no, I won't go to Cassard. The ceremonies will be fine without me."

"Your Lordship..." Taer was somewhat confused. "Day of gifts isn't just a ceremony and handing out gifts with reports. It's an Act of Ownership. Technically, at this point, the clan confirms rights to their domain. You are required to attend. There can't be a Day of Gifts without a representative of the Ruling Clan. And you are the only representative. You must be there." Taer paused for a moment, trying to find the words to convey to the lord the importance of a day of gifts. "Otherwise, it would be like a wedding without a bride... Great Shadows, it would rather be a wedding without a bride than a Day of Gifts without you."

"Being present at the Day of Gifts is the only duty of the nobility, and there is no way to avoid it." Dudo, who had been paying close attention to their conversation, affirmed this.

"And what happens if I'm not there after all?" Alex asked quietly, looking at Taer doubtfully.

"I don't know..." she threw up her hands. "In ancient times, it meant the possession was now entitled to find a new patron. What that threatens now, I don't know. As far as I can remember, it just hasn't happened yet. Usually, the absence of representatives of a clan only happened if it was terminated, and so the domain was declared vacant a year later, at the next Starfall, and passed to non-direct heirs or to the House."

The lord sat silent for a while, tapping his chin thoughtfully until he finally agreed:

"OK, let's say this ceremony is so critical that it should not be missed. What then do we do with all these "well-wishers"?"

"It's going to be difficult to deal with the PVD terrorists as I understand from the captured materials, their groups, and equipment are now on Kopeira, which is neutral territory, where the imperial control is in place. We can't use force. We could, of course, go to the local police, but assuming the Imperial SS is helping them, it won't do any good. We could go through the House Council, but that would take a lot of time, and we wouldn't have time before the "Day of Gifts". So they would have to be intercepted already on Cassard, maybe even blockade all transit traffic to Cassard, for the time of the Day of Gifts. Although the Privy Council probably won't go for a blockade, the transit through Cassard is too important to the entire House. And I don't see any problem with the Cholans. Thanks to this." She tapped her fingernail on the infoblock. "We know the names of most of the ringleaders, their plans, and even where they're hiding. We'll just pass it all on to Home Intelligence and the Retainers, and that's it."

"And Countess Durlurl will wave her magic wand and solve all these problems." The Lord summed it up. "Well, why not? And as for those sneaky-ass PDDs on Copeira, I've got an idea. Tell me something, Dudo." He smiled, pointing his finger at the lance. "Is it possible to transmit data to a man who only knows his communicator number without him knowing who transmitted it?"

"Easy," the big man nodded. "Provided his communicator is within range and connected to the infoblock."

"Even if they really, really look?" Alex clarified. "Say, with Imperial Security resources?"

"If done right, not even the entire Imperial Security Service can reliably identify the source."

"That's good," smiled the lord again.

Seeing that smile, Taer tensed slightly: "What's the idea?" she asked.

"Remember that wonderful investigator from the Imperial Intelligence Service who came to 'talk' to me? And then he "talked" to you too, and left his card? So. I want all of it to leak to him."

"With all due respect..." said Taer doubtfully. "That doesn't seem like a very wise decision. If the intel we've obtained is correct, Imperial Security could be behind all this. And handing the data over to an imperial investigator..."

"As I understand it, the Imperial Security and the Imperial Intelligence are somewhat at odds," the lord explained. "What's more, this operation," he pointed his eyes at the infoblock and the scattering of sticks, "is so secret that not even the entire Security knows, and certainly not the Intelligence is privy to it. So we'll just give Mr. Investigator a chance to distinguish himself. Find my assassins, even if they're already dead. And uncover a terrorist network. I bet he won't miss that opportunity."

"But if the Imperial Security Service intervenes..." the 'specialist' began, but was interrupted by the lord:

"How will they interfere?" he smirked. "Will she tell you not to touch our terrorists? An officer from a rival agency?

"I don't think so..." agreed Taer.

"That's what I think too," Alex nodded. "So Dudo, if the data transfer requires preparation, do it now."

"No special preparation is necessary. Just a number."

"You can get the number from Taer," the lord replied, getting up and heading for the door. "I'll go to bed now."

As he opened the door, he paused, turned to Taer, and asked:

"By the way, I still don't understand who these Cholanians are and why they want to kill me?"

"They are refugees and descendants of refugees from Cholana who, during the 'Guilds War', your father agreed to take in."

"And they want to kill me out of gratitude?"

"No, it's just that they are Synths, and the majority of Cassard's population, are Secondarists, and this causes certain conflicts. Anyway, there's a radical group among them who demand autonomy rights for the Cholans..."

"Synths? Secondaryists? What that is? Nationalities?"

"No," Taer shook her head. "It's religions."

"So I've got a religious conflict on top of that," Alex concluded. "What were they thinking when they took in these refugees?"

"But your father gave his word," Taer spoke up in defense. "Giving asylum to families and relatives was a condition of the surrender of the Cholana garrison."

The lord was clearly going to say something to that, but he seemed to change his mind and walked out with a wave of the hand.

"He's strange," Taer said, exchanging surprised glances with Dudo. "He doesn't look like himself."

"Nervous shock," he concluded with an expert look. "After a fight, it happens healthy men cry like babies if they don't have drugs or wine. He'd been kidnapped, and he'd been shot at the station. It's a bit of a rush."

"Well, let's hope it goes away when we get to Copeira," she said and stood up, reflexively adjusting her trousers. "I'll be at my place if you need me. As soon as we get out of the jump, try to contact Countess Durlurl at once."

Dudo nodded silently in response and the cabin door closed behind her with a faint hiss.

Taer decided to devote the rest of her time to transforming the data from a pile of unconnected documents into a reportable form. Of course, a droid could do that. But for one thing, there was no suitable droid on board. And second, it would have to be shown to Countess Durlurl or maybe to the Council of Pryvies, and in a matter of such importance, it was better to do everything yourself.

There were four more hours in hyperspace.

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