Free Starhold by J. Alan Field Page B

work to catch up on and didn’t want to wake you. Anyway, you’re the Lord Governor and you can sleep as late as you want.” Her shoulder length hair moved slightly in the breeze as she finished the last of her juice.
    Naar had come to him not quite six months ago, a replacement for an administrative assistant who had fallen ill. Impressed by her intelligence and tireless work ethic, the Lord Governor found Naar to be indispensable when dealing with the task of managing the colony. He had also been conquered by her raw sexuality. Cheprin realized that there was a chemistry between them, as she knew his needs and desires, and he knew hers. Work had led to bed and bed had led to a mutually beneficial partnership. She was 26 True, clever, beautiful, and had become an important part of his life.
    “Don’t forget, you have that conference with the nanotech managers this afternoon,” she reminded him, dabbing her mouth with a cloth napkin.
    “Oh, I had forgotten about that,” Cheprin said while chewing on a piece of apple. Chasing it down with a sip of juice, he brooded about the meeting. “I so dislike dealing with those people. Why can’t they just do their jobs? We all work for His glory. I don’t see why they have to make it so difficult.” He took a few more bites of breakfast, and then motioned to a nearby servant to take his plate away. Thoughts of the difficult day ahead had dampened his appetite.
    The Lord Governor’s extra sleep had cost him the early morning chorus of the birds. Most of the sounds now floating upward toward the Government Compound were the noise of city life: people milling about in the marketplace at the base of the hill, the muffled sounds of traffic on the streets, a flyer passing overhead as it drifted toward the Security Dome. Cheprin reflected on his accomplishments as he looked upon the city. Revitalizing this planet had been difficult and building the city of Bakkoa had been challenging, but he and his people had met the challenge. It had all been accomplished in His name and now was not the time for Cheprin to waver in his duties.
    “Would you like for me to deal with the nanotech managers today?” Naar asked as she placed her hand on his, stroking it lightly.
    He lifted her fingers to his lips, kissing them. “No, no, I’ll deal with them. These people need to understand that when they deal with the colonial government, they are dealing with a High Noble of the Rhuzari Empire. I will meet with them and explain their duties to our Honored Emperor. It is only due to His grace that we are here on this bountiful planet.”
    Naar’s face turned solemn. “Of course, Cheprin. To be sure, we are all His children.”
    As breakfast was being cleared away by the servants, two men came through the doorway from the Lord Governor’s office, the taller man bumping into a servant carrying several carafes of unconsumed juices.
    “Oh, so sorry. Excuse me. Ah, there you are my Lord!” Deputy Governor Sheel regained his balance and crossed the courtyard to where his superior was seated. Sheel was a lanky, goateed man. He appeared to be older than Cheprin, but was actually younger in absolute years. Somewhere just shy of 110 True, Sheel was from one of the Lesser Noble families, hence his Treatments were of inferior quality. His beard was already sprinkled with gray and wrinkles were beginning to show up on his face and hands. It was still better than the natural aging of the Common Children, thought Cheprin. How horrible their lives must be…
    “Lord Governor,” Sheel began, then hesitated, distracted by seeing the last of the breakfast food being removed. “Um, my Lord, I’ve brought Doctor Acree to see you. I believe you stated that you wished to speak with him before his transport departed this morning.”
    As the other man advanced, Naar greeted Sheel. “Have you had breakfast yet, my Lord?”
    “Ah, Madam Naar, so nice of you. As a matter of fact—”
    “Breakfast is over,”