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1. Axl

I’m getting an urgent message on the imperial channel. I open it and immediately recognize my cousin’s face. Her green eyes are red from crying.

“Goddesses, what has happened Empress?”

“Axl, I need you to do something or our House will fall.”

“Anything for you and House Zu, Empress.”

“You must track the middling class trader…” I double-check that our channel is secure while I listen, the Empress can be careless with communications, “the middling class trader,” she repeats herself, “His name is Ros. He’s set to rendezvous with the alpha ship Fer.”

“And then?”

“Kill him before he makes that rendezvous. Make it look like an accident if you can. No one can know it was done by an imperial hand.”

I hold eye contact with her. “Why me?” This sounds like a job for someone outside the Empire.

“This affects you too. You are in House Zu. You do not need details. You need to do your duty Axl.”

Killing another Alliance man without personal cause carries a death sentence. “But without evidence…”

“Is my word as Empress not good enough for you?”

I hesitate. If I deny her she can have me dismissed or at the worst killed in the same way she wants Ros slain.

“Do what you need to do and I swear on the goddess of home, I will protect you, Axl.”

“How can you protect me if this is all a secret?”

“Do you question me, your Empress? Where is your loyalty to House Zu? I tell you to act, you do it, and trust me to care for you. Now goddesses’ speed to complete your mission.” The Empress signs off. I’m left looking at the imperial emblem for a while and then my screen fades to black.

I stare at my empty screen for a second and then I begin my research on the middling class trader named Ros. As a secret operative for the Empire, I have covert technology and security clearance at the highest imperial level. It doesn’t take me long to find Ros, he has a record of some questionable trading but nothing that looks too suspicious. However, a request from the Empress is a demand. I set in a course of jumps to intercept Ros before he reaches his rendezvous. As long as he doesn’t see me coming, which he won’t, this will be over in a few days.

But before I begin, I make an RVM to my sister, Lia. I wait impatiently for her face to appear. “Goddesses be thanked.”

“You’re not coming are you?”

“How did you know?”

“You never RVM unless it’s a regret.”

“I am regretful but I’ve been…” she interrupts me.

“Have been called away by duty. Axl, you’re always called away. You’re never here when we need you to be. It’s no wonder no one wants to marry you.”

“It’s the goddesses’ will,” I reply, ignoring her slight.

“It’s my first day representing our House in the High Council. I wanted you to be here to celebrate our family’s success.”

“And I wish I could be. I’m sorry.” Then as an afterthought I ask, “How are things with Tir?” I don’t like this man courting my younger sister. He’s too impulsive and is rumored to have a sexual dysfunction .

“That’s none of your business.”

“But my marital status is yours?”

“You’re my brother. You can’t be trusted to make such a major decision as marriage without female guidance,” she tells me. “And if I’m really thinking about it, I’m sure that’s the selfish reason you’re not coming home now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Mother has Aru lined up for you. So that you can begin courting a woman before you’re too old to marry.”

A shudder passes through me. Aru is just as ruthless as she is emotionless.

“You of all people shouldn’t be picky.”

“Yet, I don’t want to be married to a woman who only wants me for my status in House Zu.”

Lia dismisses me by looking away for a second. “You should be grateful to have such a doting mother. Aru will be good for you. She will keep you in check and remind you of your duty to the Empire and House Zu.”

I remain silent for a few seconds letting this conversation drop. “I will see you in a few weeks. Congratulations on your first day at the High Council and may the goddesses light your path.”

As soon as I finish the RVM, I strap myself in and hit the first jump to catch up with Ros. I don’t know what he’s done, but I won’t question the Empress. If she commands me, it must be completed. I just pray that I get back to the Empire without being prosecuted for his death.

When I catch up with Ros it doesn’t take me long to recognize that we are almost equally matched. And I am chasing him on the outskirts of the galaxy. If I can just get one more good shot in, he’ll be gone, but he’s an excellent pilot and his maneuvering skills are equal, if not better, than mine own. My sensors tell me there are two people in his craft, but I think this must be a mistake. As I move in closer to try and get an identification readout of who is in his ship, I realize he’s preparing to make a risky jump directly into Earth’s atmosphere. It’s an odd and a dangerous move and one I’m not likely to follow. But then I think about the Empresss words and I can’t let Ros get away. I have imperial orders. I must follow Ros or risk the Empress’s wrath. I have to take the chance of going up in flames too. I follow his jump right into Earth’s atmosphere. Upon arrival I see his ship burst into flames. Then my own engine begins overheating. I immediately abort in my ejection pod hoping none of the primitive human satellites registered this, or Alliance Force. In the pod, I continue searching for Alliance life signs. I see very few, probably Alliance Force officers, and no life signs where Ros might be if still alive. Hes gone and whoever might have been with him. Both of our ships have been consumed by Earth’s atmosphere. My secret imperial mission is complete. The only question now is how do I get back to the Empire without having to explain how I ended up on this side of the galaxy?

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