Free Alien Courage (Rise of the Empress) by Keith Chessell

facilities. We
have business to discuss regarding the Mandates of Almogest. Is that correct?”
The Emperor said plainly in a matter of fact voice.
     
    The Administrator was more than surprised as before
him stood the most powerful man in the Confederacy. He was dressed simply in a
Space Command uniform with no rank insignia. His features were as he expected
per the images broadcast in the media, a tall lean framed man with deep set
blue eyes and strong chin. He had a look of true dignity. The Administrator
immediately liked him. He also saw a man whose life was not his own. Duty and
protocol consumed the very essence of his existence.
     
    “Sir,” the Administrator said saluting. “I have been
requested by…”
     
    “Please,” the Emperor said walking past the
Administrator into the room and going straight to the beverage dispenser. “You
are the first person in the history of the Confederacy to ever gain an audience
with the Emperor in such a short period of time,” the Emperor chuckled. “Well
not exactly, a few enemies have been a little quicker. However, Empress Lacerta
insisted I conclude your visit to the palace. That is quite a feat you have
achieved.”
     
    “Sir’ I wish no disrespect but the method by which I
am here is quite a surprise to me as well,” the Administrator answered.
     
    The Emperor made himself a hot beverage and sipped it.
He looked at the Administrator and recalled his briefing of his man. There was
nothing special he could see nor wished to see. He was
simply a military man running a high level training facility.
     
    “I’ll be straight with you Drex , ” you don’t mind me
calling you by name, do you?” The Emperor asked.
     
    “Not at all Sir.”
     
    “Good. I find it quite refreshing to have the Mandates
of Almogest exercised but you are not a gullible man otherwise you wouldn’t be
here. Those Mandates were made obsolete at the very time the term Trigealian
intervention was first uttered in this sector of the universe. The Imperial
Court scholars are already closing that loophole which has brought you here as
we speak. You have my attention, what is it?” The Emperor said sitting down and
obviously enjoying his beverage.
     
    “Fifty six trainee cadets were killed inside the
Academy.”
     
    “That’s a tragedy, I’m sure, but it isn’t a Imperial concern. You have your chain of command.” The
Emperor replied. “That surely isn’t the reason you’re here?”
     
    “Not exactly sir,” the Administrator added. “It’s the
method of their deaths which is of concern.”
     
    The Emperor was basically enjoying the break from his
routine and promised to assist his wife’s request to have this man dealt with
and sent on his way, she could be so damn persuasive. But now his instincts
told him something else. He somehow knew he might regret this meeting.
     
    The Emperor placed his beverage on the desk and sat
upright. He looked at the Administrator and leaned forward. “Are you Norfian?”
     
    “Yes Sir.”
     
    “Pure Norfian?”

 
    “That’s illegal Sir. Pure Norfians are intervened and
quarantined on their home planet.” The Administrator answered.
     
    “Yes, yes of course,” the Emperor replied, now feeling
uneasy. He knew he should ask the obvious next question how or why the cadets
died, but he also knew the answer may make him potentially scannable for
Trigealian intervention, Imperial immunity or not. He might also be compromised
by the fact that if this man in front of him was ever mind probed by the
Trigeals this meeting would stand out concluded or not. Maybe I’ll just get the
Captain of the Guard to deal with this man, the Emperor thought, yes... yes
that is a better idea.
     
    “I will summon the Captain of the Palace Guard to
conclude this interview, since it is of a security nature. I have many pressing
engagements. I trust your stay at the Palace has been a rewarding one,” the
Emperor said standing and walking toward the