Chapter 178 - Spy Games

(Officer’s Club, Sarcyne Naval Base, Dimiya Orbit)

“So, what did you need to see me about, Alok?”

Captain Maeral Zumrora was in a rather sour mood, despite his recent promotion. While a captain in Naval Intelligence was important, it really just meant that they were dealing with important problems. Like Alok Paxisys, he was one of the few intelligence officers that the Black Star Company’s CEO liked, and was willing to work with, which is why he was stuck on the Navy’s version of Paxisys’s task force.

Today, they were both meeting in the Officer’s Club here on the base. While the Confederate Intelligence Service was a civilian organization, they worked with Naval Intelligence often. Each group had different specialties and focuses, which helped to paint a broader picture of the situation. Of course, Paxisys was wearing a Lieutenant’s uniform, unmarked, as a polite cover to let him sit openly here in ‘officer country’.

The reason they chose to meet here was because of concerns they both shared about other parties who may be looking to listen in on their conversations. Actually, they rotated their meeting spots regularly, so that it would be difficult to plan an ambush, or arrange anyone to bug their meeting location. It was simply good tradecraft to not allow yourself to fall into predictable patterns. Those patterns might be unavoidable when you were dealing with contacts who didn’t know your face, or who communicated through dead drops, but when you knew the person on the other side, you could dispense with some of the checking of bona fides in favor of ensuring that no one knew where to set up to spy on you. With enough time and preparation, he knew, it was possible to get an agent into even the most secure facilities, and exploiting habits was one of the ways infiltrators got on the inside.

Paxisys sighed as he took his chair. “Remember that exclusive retreat you hired a special contractor to clean up a while back?” Despite picking new places to meet whenever they needed to talk without leaving electronic trails, there was no excuse for sloppy tradecraft like saying things openly.

“Yeah, can’t say everyone was happy with the end result, but so far things have worked out fine. Why, something come up?”

“Well, one of my people was looking over the supply manifests detailing the takeaway from that job. You know they used reclaimed materials for some of the new work, right?”

“Yeah, can’t say as I blame them, honestly, with the way that whole business went down. And their business is built on using reclaimed goods wherever they can to keep costs down, right? The quality has never suffered, so it hasn’t been an issue, and that attitude instead of just scrapping everything and starting fresh makes them popular in some circles.”

Paxisys nodded. “Yes, well, you heard how they got a couple pieces out of that which were better than the rest? Most of them went to decorating the contractor’s yacht.”

“Yeah, I remember. Also, one got sent to that long-term expansion project he has going, right? What about it?”

“Well, a couple of the special pieces went missing after he took delivery. I’ve done some checking, and the original supplier of one of those pieces went out of business rather suddenly over in Alliance space. I’m wondering if you’ve heard anything more about where those pieces may have gone?”

“No, I haven’t. But then, my associate in the area isn’t exactly well informed about such things. He does his best, but the limitations we had to put on him to keep the relationship…” Zumrora shrugged helplessly.

“I understand. Unfortunately, my gut is telling me that the contractor may be looking to expand operations locally as well as abroad, or at least open channels for information gathering to try and predict future trends. One of the pieces that went missing would be perfect for a local office.”

“I see. So, is this a continuation of the SP debacle, or something else?”

Paxisys considered that for a moment, judging his answer carefully. “Between the SP, and that hothead you had to deal with before the contractor worked on that retreat, I’d say it is more of a CYA setup, but you know how quickly things can go from CYA to something more proactive if things hit the rotary air mover.”

“You think this is going to be a problem?”

“On its own? No. But sooner or later someone is going to start going down the path the SP did, because that contractor doesn’t play by the rules everyone else does, and he’s made no secret about the fact that he isn’t going to play their game. There are a lot of important players out there, and they do not take kindly to people refusing to dance to their tune. Eventually, someone is going to get a case of terminal stupidity.”

“And that guy isn’t going to just sit back and let it happen, especially now that he has diversified into other markets. They know they’re losing any leverage they might have over him, and he knows they know. They’re going to try something stupid, and he’s going to be ready for them.”

Paxisys nodded. “So now I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, I would really like to keep incidents of terminal stupidity from causing more collateral damage than is absolutely necessary. On the other hand, part of my job is to keep monitor and control unauthorized information channels.”

Zumrora winced. “Yes, I can see where that would put you in a difficult position, especially given the nature of who was most likely to get stupid. Thankfully, my area of responsibility isn’t as contentious. Some pride involved, maybe, but the new tools and the training opportunity they recently gave us went a long way to smoothing over those issues.”

The captain considered for a moment, and said, “From what I know of the man, he won’t get too upset about any actions you take to curtail his access, as long as they are ‘part of the job’. Like how he tolerates and even invites a certain level of action when the roles are reversed.”

Paxisys considered that. “So, focus on protecting major assets, while allowing him to essentially do as he pleases inside certain boundaries? Yes, I can make that work. We have to accept a certain level of these things from other governments, after all. But if it comes out, there are people who will be more than simply annoyed with a business doing it.”

“Well, they are in that interesting middle ground. Owning an entire star system as an independent colony may qualify them as a government in some eyes.”

“Yeah, but if you go that route, then you have to deal with the major holdings they have in Confederate space.”

“Yes, there is that.” Zumrora paused, and then shook his head. “I’m sure that guy has considered that point, though, or someone in his group has. Might be better to just be ready to react to whatever he has planned than trying to run preemptive damage control and making things worse because we guessed wrong about which way he’d leap.”

Paxisys considered that. “It may leave us open to a bit of backlash, but compared to the other potential problems, I like it. Though I just hope that nothing happens before we get an idea of the size of his network.”

Zumrora chuckled darkly at that. “And since when have we been that lucky since that guy came on the scene?”

“That’s what I was afraid you’d say.”

(Private Box, Shadowlight Concert Hall, Thelorious, Dimiya)

Senator Ayda Bryneiros was enjoying the performance of one of Thelorious’s hottest acts when the door to her private box opened unexpectedly. Her eyes flashed to the Felisan woman who entered, and then to the guard behind her. He said nothing, but gave her a signal they had arranged long before. Anger turned to caution in a flash. This woman was trouble. What kind, she didn’t know, but if Rathal had used the signal, then it wasn’t good.

“Who in the abyss are you, then?”

The Felisan smiled, and moved easily in her expensive dress gown, looking not out of place in a setting like this. She said nothing until she was seated next to Ayda, her tail swishing slightly in what Ayda knew was a sign of confidence. Finally, she settled in the chair, and said, soft enough that eavesdroppers would be quite frustrated, but Ayda could still hear her over the performance, “Who I am is of no importance. Who I serve is quite another matter altogether. You see, my Master is someone of a degree of importance, and because of that, people tend to seek out disagreements with him, and his people.”

“What does that have to do with you, you might wonder? Well, Senator Bryneiros, you are a member of the Intelligence Oversight Committee, which has, in the past, been used by my Master’s rivals to try and impact his affairs. You, yourself, were not a part of those activities, which is why you retain your position when so many others have lost theirs. Now, my Master would like your… cooperation so that, should similar activities come up in your committee, then you will allow him to know, so he can take proper measures to prevent things from getting out of hand.”

Ayda’s eyes narrowed. This Felisan couldn’t be suggesting… No, she had to be. The last major shakeup on the Committee was because the Shining Path had taken a run at Black Star, and had apparently gotten their hands caught in the cookie jar. The idea that their faction leader organized an assassination was foolish, despite the evidence given to the insurance company after that particular policy was paid out. No, despite what was said publicly, everyone knew that the whole thing was a very pointed hit, and the one who did it had gotten away clean. It was a very clear example of why one should get the measure of their opponent before they tried to strike.

She took a breath, and said, “And why would your Master, no matter how many Black Stars are in his skies, think it would be appropriate to come to me? Why would he believe that I would agree to even listen to what he has to say, through you, instead of reporting you to Confederate Intelligence? That is, after all, what I should be doing this moment.”

“Ah, but that is simple enough. You are from Tevion, are you not? A very conservative planet, that one. Very religious. If I’m not mistaken, Tevion boasts the largest concentration of hardline worshippers of the Communion of the Three Divines. Things like the Rite of Luwreni aside, they tend to be rather set in their ways when it comes to issues of morality, especially sexual morality, yes?”

Ayda most certainly did not like the way this conversation was starting to go. Hesitantly, she nodded, “Yes, it often puts us at odds with other parts of the Confederacy, but Tevion is more conservative than most. Your Master would probably be run off world the moment he tried to set foot on the planet, to be honest.”

“No doubt, no doubt. But it isn’t my Master that is the concern here. You, on the other hand, are known for being something of a moderate, at least as far as your people are concerned. Your opponents have mentioned more than once that your appearances at services are few and far between, and have gotten less frequent the longer you’ve held your seat. The last election was a close one, wasn’t it? Your opponent got over forty percent of the vote.”

“And what does that have to do with this?”

“Why, that should be obvious, Lady Sugarplum.”

Ayda’s blood froze at the name, and she was sure her heart stopped at the mere mention of it. No wonder Rathal had given the signal. Oh god, how did she know? How had she found out? She’d been so careful.

“Yes, I think you begin to see how this affects you.” The Felisan was still talking but she was hardly listening. “Imagine the shock back home when people learn that the respected, if somewhat moderate, Senator Bryneiros was moonlighting in an underground ‘ponygirl’ racing league, and as one of the prize-winning mares, no less! And that her trusted bodyguard was not only her owner, but her breeder as well? The scandal!”

“W-what does your Master want?”

“My Master is a fair man. In return for his help ensuring this information does not come to light, and perhaps entertaining him with an ‘audience’, when he happens to be on Dimiya, he simply asks that you provide regular reports on anything ‘interesting’ that comes across your desk, or is mentioned in Committee.”

She paused, and then said, “Oh, and should you wish to continue on the racing circuit, have no fear, as my Master does not shame others for their kinks. And, as the new ‘manager’ of the League, after the former manager had a sudden urge to retire, you will find that the information on all participants, as well as that of the regular spectators, is far better protected than it was before.”

With that, the Felisan handed her a card, which she took dumbly, and left the box, leaving a horrified Ayda alone with her thoughts.

Previous Chapter                                       Table of Contents                                     Next Chapter



Be sure to read my published works!

Frozen Soul series (Sci-Fi Supervillain story):
Frozen Soul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R125QT
Tales of the Void Traveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ52G37

Rules-Free VRMMO Life (Dark Fantasy GameLit):
Volume 1 - Tutorial
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VPRNDB
Omnibus 1 - Volumes 1-4
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774T354X

Into the Black (Sci-Fi GameLit):
Book I - Game Start https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LT5WGL
Omnibus I - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X2KR7Y

City of Champions Online (Superhero GameLit):
Issue I - Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SHXQS1

Lewd Dungeon (Dungeon Core GameLit):
Book 1 - Welcome to the Apocalypse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB34DHF
Omnibus 1 - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPF6HR

The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T

Chapter 177 - Negotiations

(Star’s Reach Business Licensing Office, Starborn, Star’s Reach)

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN’T GET THE DAMN LICENSE YET? I’VE BEEN WAITING HERE FOR TWO WEEKS!”

Lukkud Smeltstone was not happy. He had led his company to this backwater planet, hoping to get in on the ground floor of a new colony. Should have been a simple setup, land, claim some prime real estate, and set up manufacturing to support the settlement and make things into his own little empire. Nice, simple, profitable.

Except it wasn’t working out that way. These damn Black Stars had a major stick up their asses about not letting people do anything except in the ‘approved’ settlements. The one time he’d tried to take a shuttle out to look at options for landing sites on a new settlement, he suddenly found himself flanked by a pair of fighters that ‘encouraged’ him to return to the capitol by firing warning shots across his bow! The NERVE of it all!

The slave sitting behind the desk in the licensing office simply smiled at him. That was another insult! They didn’t bother having a free employee to run the office, forcing him to lower himself and deal with a slave as if they were his equal! And the damn slave knew how much it angered him, damn it! He could see it on the slave’s face. The smug bastard was just happy as could be giving a free man the runaround.

“I’m sorry, sir, but the Black Star Company is not licensing any independent settlements at this time in Star’s Reach space. As I stated, we do have settlement options available, either as joint-ownership or subsidiary arrangements. Or you can try and join one of the existing settlements by filing for a local business permit.”

Lukkud was beyond pissed. Those licensing deals were damn rip offs! The ‘joint-ownership’ settlement basically meant that he would have only a 45% share of the settlement that HE built, leaving Black Star as the majority shareholder, though giving him nominal rights as the settlement’s manager. The ‘subsidiary’ arrangement involved his group joining Black Star, and signing some fairly involved contracts to operate the settlement as they saw fit, though they were still subject to Black Star’s rules. Typical corporate overlord bullshit.

And if he just gave up on the idea of his own settlement, and joined an existing settlement as a businessman? Then he’d have taxes to pay, both individual and corporate taxes, which were at a higher rate for people who weren’t part of Black Star. Sure, those taxes weren’t too much. Some of the core worlds of the Consortium had higher tax rates, officially, but there were no tax breaks or loopholes in the system. It was ruthlessly efficient that way, and made no room for the typical maneuvers one could use to get out of taxes.

Lukkud took a deep breath, and said, “I want to speak to your Master about this! You have no right to treat me like this, slave!”

The slave did not tremble in fear like he expected. Most slaves, when confronted by a free person demanding to see their master because of their conduct, would have been bowing and scraping to find a way out of their coming punishment. This slave simply smiled.

“Well, sir, I am owned by the Black Star Company directly. The local officers of the company are all company slaves. However, the owner just recently returned from a trip to Sol System, where he met with the Empress of the Terran Empire. Please wait, and I will see if he is available.”

“No need, Carlo.” A new voice came from the doors behind Lukkud, and he turned to see three humans standing there, a man and two women, one of them having a slave collar around her neck. All three were Nomads. The man continued, “Raven has been keeping me up to date about the situation.”

Lukkud eyed the man, and said, “You are the Nomad who runs this whole shitshow? Do you have any idea how rude your slaves are? You should be teaching them proper respect for their betters!”

“Oh, but I have. Unfortunately, Captain Smeltstone, you are not one of their betters.” The man smiled wickedly at him. “Oh yes, in the eyes of Black Star, a free man who is not part of the company is worth less than the lowest slave belonging to the company. Especially when they that free man thinks he can take me for a fool.”

The man’s voice grew dangerous now, “I have reviewed your proposed settlement plans, Captain Smeltstone, and it is painfully obvious that they are clearly designed to rob the Black Star Company of the profits and taxes owed to it on land and material owned by the company. Indeed, it is an attempt at organized theft, and I am afraid that I cannot allow that to occur.”

“THEFT? Now listen here—!” Lukkud’s response was cut off by the man’s voice, cold and imperious, like one pronouncing judgement.

“No, it is time for you to listen to me. As Owner of the Black Star Company and senior authority for all judiciary measures in this system, I declare you and your ships to be banned from Black Star controlled space until such time as you make reparations. You have one hour to return to your ship and leave Star’s Reach orbit or face summary enslavement. Once your ships have left orbit, you are to leave this system within one hour’s time. Use of the Gateway is prohibited.”

“WHAT? You can’t do that, you jumped up shitstain! Just because you’ve got those ships doesn’t mean you can play god! I’m going to file a complaint!”

“You do that. But the clock has already started counting down.”

“You’ll pay for this, I swear it!” Lukkud stormed out of the office, fully aware of the smirks on the damned people’s faces as they watched him. Once he got back to Gauz space, he was going to ruin this bastard’s reputation so hard, as well as sending a complaint to NERV! See how he likes playing god in his little colony that no one goes to!

As the doors closed behind Lukkud, the owner of the Black Star Company brought up his bracer, and said, “Raven, I would like you to connect me to the leader of the Chaos Brigade.”

(Private Vessel Eternity of Pain, Star’s Reach Orbit, Star’s Reach)

Pilot Jack Springer was bored. He knew his job was important. One could not bring the word of Chaos to the galaxy without ships, after all, and the Chaos Brigade was building its strength so that it could gain more ships and gather a fleet like the one these Black Stars had. At the moment, the majority of the ship’s fighters were on the ground below, rotating through the dungeon.

Learning from their experiences in the other dungeon, the Warmaster had led the teams through this new dungeon on the ‘normal’ mode first, as they learned the techniques these Deus Marines used. Know the enemy so that you could hunt them better. A week ago, the first of their groups had cleared the dungeon’s normal mode, and had worked on polishing their skills while the rest of the troops completed their runs. Now, they were preparing for the ‘Raid’ version of the dungeon, to gain glory for Chaos.

However, that left Jack and the other crewmen of the Eternity of Pain sitting in orbit around the planet of Star’s Reach, and they couldn’t even engage in a little freelance slaughter, because the Black Stars were watching everything. They knew the Black Stars were watching because they had seen a couple of their stealth fighters appear out of nowhere any time they had launched a shuttle for the surface. And they had been getting some ‘ghost’ sensor returns that could have been stealth ships nearby. The Warmaster believed that the returns were intentional, allowing the Chaos Brigade to know that they were being watched, but not being blatant about it. That didn’t change the fact that they couldn’t have any fun while they were in the system, though.

Suddenly, the communication systems came alive! Snapping out of his bored funk, Springer checked the incoming transmission and saw that it was coming from the Warmaster himself! With excitement, Springer accepted the communication. An unscheduled message from the Warmaster meant there was a task he could do, something that would stave off the boredom of sitting around a planet endlessly.

“Warmaster! How may I serve?”

“Pilot, ready the ship for battle! It would seem that another guild of Nomads has annoyed the owner of Black Star, and he has barred them from the system, on pain of death and enslavement. They have also been prohibited from using the Gateway, meaning they must flee the system the ‘long’ way, and the nearest gateway is a month away in realspace.”

Springer quickly hit the console commands to ensure that the crew aboard the Eternity of Pain would be getting ready for deployment, even as he listened to the Warmaster’s words. “What are your orders, my Lord?”

“The Black Stars have given us dispensation to slip out of orbit under stealth when the three target ships leave orbit. You are to follow them out of the system. The Black Stars have assured me that, so long as anything that happens occurs outside the system, then they will not interfere. Hunt down the ships, and do with them as you will. Any who are captured may be turned into sport, or enslaved as servants for the crew. But if they are all killed, then be sure to offer their deaths to Khorne.”

Springer nodded vigorously. “Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!”

“Indeed. Let none of those ships make it to safe harbor. Even should they surrender, you are to take the slaves and then destroy the ships after looting anything of value that you can take from them. Am I understood?”

“It will be done, Warmaster. The Eternity of Pain stands ready to visit the will of Chaos upon these unknowing fools, and give them over to Khorne!”

“Then go, and bring glory to Chaos this day!”

(Private Vessel Forgeheart, Interstellar space between Star’s Reach and Nuevo Edo)

“Damn it! What the hell are we going to do now, Boss? The Black Stars have the only new colony going right now. And our setup won’t exactly work on any civilized planets. Not if we want to strike it rich in a hurry. This was our ticket to the big time, and now we got nothing!”

Lukkud Smeltstone sighed. “You think I don’t know that? But this damn Mollen is thinking he can do whatever he wants because he has a fleet. We’ll get back to Gauz space and make a play to get some sanctions brought against the Black Stars. Enough people have been concerned about how quickly they’re gaining power that they won’t hesitate to throw their weight behind some way to cripple the bastards.”

“You think that it will actually do anything? How much exposure do they have in the Consortium?”

“Well, if it doesn’t hit them directly, it will encourage others to hit them or risk things spreading to—”

Alarms cut their discussion short, however, as explosions rocked the ship. The two Gauz were thrown by the artificial gravity failed for half a moment before kicking back in again as emergency power came online, sending them into the bulkhead with a crash. Lukkud Smeltstone groaned as he pulled himself off the forward bulkhead, wiping away the blood that was starting to flow from his head wound. He felt like someone was doing one of those Russian tank ballets in his head, but he forced himself to think. Nothing good happened when there were explosions on a ship.

“Report!”

“We… we’re under attack! We’ve fallen back to normal space. The Metaleater and Logsplitter are with us…” His second trailed off. “Never mind. The Logsplitter just lost containment on their reactor. They’re gone.”

“What hit us?”

“We have a cruiser coming out from stealth astern of us. Transponder calls it the Eternity of Pain.”

Suddenly, the communications system lit up, on the emergency band that was answered automatically on Consortium ships. A man wearing armor with some strange symbols upon it was looking back at them.

“ALL HAIL THE GODS OF CHAOS! ALL GLORY TO KHORNE! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!”

Previous Chapter                                       Table of Contents                                     Next Chapter



Be sure to read my published works!

Frozen Soul series (Sci-Fi Supervillain story):
Frozen Soul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R125QT
Tales of the Void Traveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ52G37

Rules-Free VRMMO Life (Dark Fantasy GameLit):
Volume 1 - Tutorial
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VPRNDB
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-stuart-grosse/1128941349?ean=2940161995297

Omnibus 1 - Volumes 1-4
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774T354X
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-omnibus-i-stuart-grosse/1128953195?ean=2940162052081

Into the Black (Sci-Fi GameLit):
Book I - Game Start https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LT5WGL
Omnibus I - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X2KR7Y

City of Champions Online (Superhero GameLit):
Issue I - Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SHXQS1

Lewd Dungeon (Dungeon Core GameLit):
Book 1 - Welcome to the Apocalypse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB34DHF
Omnibus 1 - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPF6HR

The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T

Chapter 176 - Guilds

 

(Private Vessel Eternity of Pain, Star’s Reach Gateway, Star’s Reach System)

“We’ve made it through the Gateway, Warmaster!”

Warmaster Abaddon Horusson of the Chaos Brigade nodded to the Pilot. They had conquered the dungeons that had opened to them so far, enabling them to buy and maintain the Destiny-class heavy cruiser that they had renamed the Eternity of Pain. Nothing, perhaps, compared to the power that the Black Star Navy possessed, but outside of that group, it was the most powerful warship in Nomad hands. Having been bought instead of constructed to order, they could not make it a true representation, but they were building their war chest. With hard work and skill, they would be able to commission a vessel that would be worthy of the name Vengeful Spirit, even if they had not found any sign of the Dark Gods of Chaos in this game.

In the real world, he was the leader of a miniature gaming group spread throughout the New York area. When they had heard that there was not only a Terran Empire, but some form of Space Marines, he had convinced much of the group to take their shot at being the first forces of Chaos in this new world. Two hundred Nomads formed the core of his Brigade, with some locals falling sway to their dark words. When the word had broken that the first designated Raid Dungeon had been found, and that the one who had tried to be Emperor was located there, Abaddon had convinced his fellows to make the journey as soon as the Black Stars allowed passage into the system.

Unclaimed Space This system is not claimed by any of the recognized interstellar governments. Individual factions and governments may fight to claim any parts of this system they can hold through force of arms. Current controlling group: Black Star Company

Abaddon smiled slightly as he saw that notification. So, if you went beyond the reach of the main governments, it became a ‘survival of the fittest’ situation, where anyone who was not strong enough to conquer either submitted, fled, or died? And until the Black Stars were recognized as the government of this area, they could be pushed out? Hmm. The Black Star ships were dangerous, but they couldn’t be everywhere at once. If they could…

“Warmaster, we’re being hailed by the BSN Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi! They are challenging us, demanding our name, affiliation, and purpose.”

Abaddon shook himself free of the fantasy of claiming the system from underneath the Black Stars. Quickly, he brought up the sensor readouts for the ship that had challenged them. Just as quickly, he buried his fantasy of taking this system and poured concrete over it to ensure that no one would be digging it up. That was a true battleship, but if even half of the weapons readings they were getting were correct, then it could easily slug it out with any ship in Known Space.

“On my screen.” His terminal’s sensor readouts were replaced by a stern-looking woman in a black star uniform. “This is Warmaster Abaddon of the Chaos Brigade. We have heard the tales of the dungeon on this world, and have come to conquer it!”

“This is Captain Virstina of the Black Star Navy ship Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi. We will be assigning you an orbital slot near the capitol of Starborn. You may take shuttles down to the planet there, and take an atmospheric flyer to Star’s Vigil, where the dungeon is located, or you can wait for fighter escorts for your shuttles going to Star’s Vigil directly. Be advised that unauthorized traffic to or from Star’s Vigil will be met with summary destruction of the craft involved, without warning. Shuttles getting ‘lost’ or taking the ‘scenic route’ will not be tolerated. Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi clear.”

As the woman’s face disappeared from the screen, the Warmaster leaned back in his command chair. “Pilot, take us to the orbital slot they have provided. Inform them that our shuttles will make for Star’s Vigil directly. Have the shuttles launch, but wait for the escorts before heading to the surface. Use this chance to get as much sensor data as you can on their ships.”

The Pilot, a local named Jack Springer before he was swayed by the preachings of chaos, looked up at him. “Course set, Warmaster. If I may, why are we putting up with this treatment? Surely there are other places we could go that would be less… adversarial?”

The Warmaster considered the man, and the question he asked without asking. The pilot would make an excellent follower of Khorne, if the Dark Powers existed in this game. He already had the proper disregard for anyone who he felt was weaker than he was, and enjoyed the slaughter quite nicely. Indeed, he was one of the first choices he had to command the Eternity of Pain once they could get the Vengeful Spirit built.

“The other dungeons have all been plundered by now, their treasures known. According to the whispers I’ve heard, this dungeon has a second level, one suitable for large groups such as the Chaos Brigade to take on, and it has not yet been conquered. It will be the most difficult challenge available to us that is still within our reach. And when we triumph, we shall be one step forward towards building the forces of chaos.”

Warmaster Abaddon Horusson, commander of the Chaos Brigade, stood tall, and hit the button to transmit his voice throughout the ship. He took a breath, and said, “Children of Chaos, hear me now! The time has come for us to test ourselves in the fires of battle once again! The dungeon below is the most advanced, the most powerful that has yet been discovered, and its most terrible trials have not been conquered! In the name of Chaos we will conquer this dungeon and turn its treasures to our own uses! Now, have all the troops prepared! We will take to this dungeon and conquer it! The loot we shall gain will light the path into our future! Soon, the Vengeful Spirit shall rise, and our fleet will grow, and worlds shall burn in the chaotic tides that follow at our heels!”

Cheers went up throughout the ship as Abaddon released the connection. Catching the Pilot’s eye, he said, “Pilot, see to a rotation, allowing those crewmembers who would test themselves against the ‘normal’ dungeon to gain experience and a taste for slaughter.” The Pilot’s smile at the thought of the killing to come was infectious.

(Private Vessel Forgeheart, Star’s Reach Gateway, Star’s Reach)

Captain Lokkud Smeltstone, leader of the Crimson Sun Company, smiled as his ‘armed freighter’ passed through the Gateway. The Forgeheart was an older design, but had been updated over the years, until Lokkud and the Crimson Suns had gotten hold of her during a… hostile takeover of the Dark Sentinel Company. While officially called an armed freighter, the Forgeheart was, in fact, a mobile production facility that could be configured to manufacture pretty much anything one could wish for. Perfect for getting in on the ground floor of a new settlement, that didn’t have manufacturing capabilities.

Of course, those production facilities would need raw materials to work from, which is why the Metaleater and Logsplitter were following his Forgeheart through the Gateway. The mining ship could start grabbing and processing asteroids, turning them into raw materials, while the other landed on the surface and began harvesting local lumber and stripping an area for resources as it cleared out space for a new settlement. Space for this kind of work was limited in the Gauz Consortium, where the major companies could lock down entire asteroid fields, but this was virgin territory! Sure, the Black Stars may have claimed the planet, but they couldn’t complain if some entrepreneurs went and started a new settlement, right?

“Captain, initial scans coming in. The primary planet is extremely suitable for life, and according to the data, there are several large asteroid fields that would be ideal for mining operations. No data on rare elements or other valuables yet, but it looks like there are plenty of choices for settlement sites. Only two established settlements on the planet, though it looks like the beginnings of a military base in a third location.”

Lokkud nodded, “Excellent. Let’s find someplace quiet and away from prying eyes. I’m sure the Black Stars are going to be upset if we don’t pay taxes or some crap, but the less they know about, the better, eh? They can’t watch the whole planet, after all.”

“Captain, we’re being hailed. There’s a warship demanding we identify ourselves and our purpose. I don’t recognize the configuration, but it looks to be a destroyer in size.”

“Hmph. Arrogant bastards. Think that, because they have big guns, they can just order us about. Send back that we are the Crimson Sun Company, and we’ll be claiming an unclaimed section of the planet for a manufacturing settlement.”

“Sir, they just responded. Apparently, the Black Star Company has claimed the entire system, and everything in it, and they are not allowing unlicensed settlements to exist.”

“WHAT? Those assholes! Typical military crap. Put me on with him!” The main screen lit up, showing a female knelfi wearing a black naval uniform and what looked like some kind of rank insignia. “Now what the hell do you mean you aren’t allowing new settlements to exist? You can’t keep us from going and making a new settlement!”

“This is Captain Naevys Elafina of the BSN Galahad. Who am I speaking with?”

Lukkud ignored the frosty tone in the woman’s voice. She was just another primitive that thought military might was all that mattered. “This is Captain Lukkud Smeltstone, CEO of the Crimson Sun Company, registered in the Gauz Consortium. We are a fully licensed settlement creation and support company with accreditation throughout the Consortium!”

“Well, Captain, you are no longer in the Gauz Consortium. You are in the corporately owned colony of Star’s Reach, which is property of the Black Star Company. As the Black Star Company has no treaties or agreements with the Gauz Consortium, your licenses and accreditation are null and void in this space. If you wish to create any business, much less a settlement, in the Star’s Reach system, you will need to stop at the capitol of Starborn and apply for a business license. Unfortunately, applications for new settlements are not being maintained at this time, to ensure that those who seek to violate Black Star corporate laws do not manage to get a foothold in the system. Ships attempting to conduct illegal mining operations or conducting illicit trades are subject to seizure without compensation and the enslavement of their crews. Illegal settlements are subject to orbital bombardment without notice.”

“WHAT? YOU CAN’T DO THAT! THIS IS A GAUZ CONSORTIUM SHIP! You would be risking trade embargoes, and perhaps open war between the Consortium and Black Star. They won’t simply allow you to get away with taking over an entire system like this!”

The captain smiled wolfishly at him, “They are, of course, welcome to try and take it from us. But to have any chance of that, they would need to come the ‘long way’. Even if they staged through Nuevo Edo or Amazon, I can promise you that we would be quite prepared for any military response they might make. And, as I said, the Black Star Company has no trade agreements with the Consortium as it is.”

Lukkud shook his head. These people were insane! How could they simply throw aside the lucrative trade deals that the Consortium offered? There was a reason why no one went to war with the Consortium. There was simply too much economic power there for anyone to overcome. These damned Black Stars were getting damn uppity just because they had some shiny warships! He couldn’t believe a fellow Nomad would be so stupid as to allow his people to just run off at the mouth like this!

“Now, with that out of the way, you may either proceed with us as escort until you reach your assigned orbital slot, where you will be under the watchful ‘protection’ of the defense platforms to prevent any accidents or people getting lost while your licenses are applied for and processed, or you can go back through the Gateway and let people know that Star’s Reach is under Black Star control and subject to Black Star’s rules, not the Consortium’s.” The captain’s voice went glacially cold, and her smile was one that promised pain to anyone foolish enough to disagree with her. “Or, you can refuse, be branded as pirates and trespassers, and become a quite permanent addition to the workforce of Star’s Reach.”

Previous Chapter                                       Table of Contents                                     Next Chapter



Be sure to read my published works!

Frozen Soul series (Sci-Fi Supervillain story):
Frozen Soul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R125QT
Tales of the Void Traveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ52G37

Rules-Free VRMMO Life (Dark Fantasy GameLit):
Volume 1 - Tutorial
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VPRNDB
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-stuart-grosse/1128941349?ean=2940161995297

Omnibus 1 - Volumes 1-4
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774T354X
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-omnibus-i-stuart-grosse/1128953195?ean=2940162052081

Into the Black (Sci-Fi GameLit):
Book I - Game Start https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LT5WGL
Omnibus I - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X2KR7Y

City of Champions Online (Superhero GameLit):
Issue I - Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SHXQS1

Lewd Dungeon (Dungeon Core GameLit):
Book 1 - Welcome to the Apocalypse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB34DHF
Omnibus 1 - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPF6HR

The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T

Chapter 175 - Butterflies

(Empress’s Chambers, Imperial Palace, Imperial City-Ship Aurum Throni, Earth Orbit)

“Are you sure this is all right?”

The Empress of the Terran Empire, perhaps the single most powerful human in the galaxy, was blushing like a nervous schoolgirl. This state of affairs amused me slightly, but I had the good grace to pretend I didn’t see her discomfort as we sat in the living room of her private quarters in the Imperial Palace. Her sister, Sheila, on the other hand, was more than willing to take up the slack.

“Oh, come on, Mer! If I had trouble sharing him, I would have ended it long ago! It isn’t exactly a secret that he sluts it up with any woman he finds attractive whenever he has time. Hell, I’m pretty sure he’s slept with half of Nuevo Edo already!”

I coughed, “That is not true! While I admit that I’ve had quite a few liaisons with individuals on that world, it is nowhere near the number you are implying!”

“Dear, be quiet. This is girl talk.”

I sighed as I was coldly shushed by Princess Sheila. She, Raven, Admiral Han, and Lucio were visiting with the Empress in her quarters (under the watchful eye of the Empress’s primary Guardswoman), several days after Sheila had made her rather… profound offer to the Empress. After that little bombshell, the conversation had gotten completely away from the Empress, with everyone else chiming in their ideas on how to make the proposal work, regardless of what the Empress (or me) thought about the matter.

The only stumbling block to the rumbling freight train that was my pets and the Empress’s advisors planning her impregnation was the slight matter of my being a chimera. Once the idea had moved from ‘wild fantasy’ to ‘working probability’, she had asked me, quite politely, about my heritage, since her child had not only the ‘Nomad Born’ title, which gave the kid a +10% to all XP gains (including skill XP), but also the ‘Chimeric Bloodline’ title, which appeared on those up to the fifth generation from a Chimera parent. Fortunately, that was a question I could answer.

It had taken all of a couple in game months for people to realize that, unless the normal precautions were taken, Nomads could most certainly have children in game. This led to some embarrassing developments for certain ladies and gentlemen who had been rather more libertine with themselves in game than they would have been in real life. The fact that the first confirmed in-game Nomad pregnancy happened to a cross-player streamer who was a man in real life but was playing a Knelfi female in the game only added to the craziness.

At any rate, I had realized early on that I needed to check up on my options, and whether a Chimera could even breed. Turned out it was possible, but difficult when dealing with ‘normal’ groups, but with other Chimeras it was next to impossible. That is why my pets all had the implants which shut that off unless I chose otherwise, since the law of probability said that even a rate 30% that of normal human conception meant the numbers would eventually catch up to me. But since I didn’t have the option of getting an implant myself, I had to do more research to invent a cover, in case any ‘accidents’ happened outside of my inner circle.

The Chimeric Bloodline title was bestowed on all hybrid chimeras that had at least 1/32^nd Chimera blood. While this rarely had more effect than slightly boosting some of their resistances or other minor things, there was a chance that the Chimeric Bloodline could be awakened, though it usually happened naturally in less than half of those with the title. This typically happened in puberty, or under intense stress, like when they are in mortal danger. What form the Chimeric Bloodline took when it awakened was typically a random ability somehow related to their chimera ancestor’s abilities, but could manifest as a reaction to the cause of stress or danger that made it awaken. That had given rise to people who tried to force title inheritors who had not awakened their bloodline during puberty into life-threatening situations in order to ‘cultivate’ certain types of abilities. Such ‘forced activations’ were generally outlawed, as the practice usually involved torture or attempted murder, if not worse, and not all of the ‘tested’ survived.

So, I was able to make a plan that didn’t involve outright lying. Trying to come up with consistent lies was always easier when it was mostly the truth. Since there was no way to deny that any kids I sired would have the ‘Chimeric Bloodline’ title from birth, I would have to come up a good excuse.

The answer I’d come up with was a simple one. In the world Nomads come from, I had done deeds which the ones who maintained the ‘bridge’ between our worlds rewarded by giving my ‘vessel’ here a unique bloodline amongst Nomads, already activated when I came here. I, of course, hid this truth because I understood that there was some bias against those of Chimeric lineage, and because it was the source of some abilities that had been quite helpful in the past, abilities I had taken great pains to hide, so that they would retain their usefulness.

Every word of it was the truth, a fact that I was quite proud of. I could gloss over the ‘deeds’ I had done to deserve this reward with a simple mysterious ‘not allowed to say’, implying that it was some classified secret of my home world. And while Chimeras were basically kill on sight, there were too many people around with Chimeric Bloodlines for any of my kids to be automatically on the chopping block. And unless they did DNA tests, or had access to my titles, then I could pass myself off as a first or second generation Chimeric Bloodline holder, especially since the abilities I actually displayed to people were very minor in scope. Chimeras had grown into myths and legends like the boogeyman or Baba Yaga, and so not having fearsome powers (that people could see) allowed my… inferred meaning (which was different from the real meaning) to play into people’s preconceptions, causing them to believe I really was just a Chimeric Bloodline holder.

Only my people knew the truth, and I had kept that revelation off the streams, so that none of the other Nomads could gainsay me. Sheila wasn’t comfortable lying to her sister, but I pointed out to her that, if we told her the truth, she would likely have to know it ‘officially’. Whereas with my little play on words, she could ‘officially’ be convinced that I was a Chimeric Bloodline holder, whatever she personally believed. I had no doubt that the Empress’s ‘inner circle’ from the Civil War days had an idea about the lie in the truths I’d told.

At any rate, if we were going to ensure an heir to the throne of the Terran Empire, without me spending months in Sol System banging the Empress (which would have been problematic on all sorts of levels), then steps needed to be taken. The fertility drugs that had worked on Admiral Han at the slave ranch were common enough, and raised conception rates to over 100% when administered properly, with twins being a common occurrence, but they took a few days to properly work through a woman’s system and prepare them for breeding. Combined with a potency enhancer I’d taken, there was a 97.5% chance of pregnancy if I had ‘relations’ with the Empress in the next twenty-four hours.

Which had led to the Empress getting a bit of ‘stage fright’, you might say. The legal requirement that one of her Guardsmen be inside the room (since I was not a member of the Imperial family) was bad enough, but she was still uncomfortable with the idea of ‘stealing’ from her sister. Said sister’s dinner offer only made her more uncomfortable, rather than less, due to the depravity of it all. The Empress was not a prude (although it seemed she was not very experienced in this field), but she was definitely more conservative than most of the people who fell into my orbit. That had led to this little gathering, where persuading her to go through with the plan was the order of the day.

I sighed as the girls went around the arguments yet again. I could see that the Empress was trying to talk herself out of this, which was understandable, given the complexity of the situation, but was also annoying as hell to me, especially given the… discomfort the ‘enhancers’ I’d taken were causing in my pants. Instead of simply sitting around waiting for them to finally come to a solution, I looked over to Raven, who had a certain detached amusement at the whole situation, and sent a brief outline of my plan to her from my bracer.

Her eyes met mine, and I could see she was trying hard not to laugh as she raised an eyebrow, questioningly. I simply nodded slightly, and she leaned over in her seat next to me and deftly reached down and opened my pants to free my barely constrained erection. Her new body was the latest model of the ‘companion’ robot line that we’d picked up in Alpha Centauri just after the game’s launch, and there had been some definite improvements in the design that we both enjoyed. The flesh and blood ladies were so into the conversation that it wasn’t until Raven’s mouth descended over my shaft that they noticed what was happening.

“W-w-what are you doing!?”

I looked to the suddenly flustered Empress, and said, disinterestedly, “Well, your Majesty, I was simply getting a bit of relief since this conversation seemed to be going in circles. Raven kindly agreed to help me deal with the side effect of the potency enhancers I took to help with this project, as I was in a good bit of discomfort over here. Please, pay it no mind and continue with the conversation.”

Admiral Han and Princess Sheila were both trying hard not to laugh. They had figured out my plan the moment I started speaking. The Guardswoman’s eyes narrowed, as though she didn’t much care for this turn of events, but kept her silence, as was proper for a sentinel. Though, I didn’t doubt she would be all too happy to respond if the Empress ordered me thrown out of the room.

The Empress, however, simply stared. ‘Dumbstruck’ would be an appropriate adjective to describe her expression. Her eyes were fixed on my staff, which was now coated in the special lubricant the Nadeshiko line was known for, and her mouth seemed to be flapping open like a fish out of water. I was starting to get the idea that, other than any incidental exposures caused by being a member of the Imperial Navy (training groups were co-ed, after all, because modesty was less important than efficiency when you had a decompression drill), this may have been the first time she’d seen a man’s penis. Even if she was just a member of the Imperial Family instead of the Empress, having a guard trailing you around through training and aboard ship could certainly put a damper on the chances for romantic interludes.

Seeing that the Empress was at a loss for words, I looked over to Sheila, whose grin could be called the textbook example of ‘shit-eating’, and she turned to look at her sister. “Come on, Mer. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen someone giving a blowjob before.”

Empress Merida blushed deeply, and said, “Only in movies! I’ve never—Well, there’s never been time for such things! And most of the boys when I was at school were either idiots trying to gain position through me, or were frightened off by my Guardsman! And once I was an officer, I couldn’t very well do those kinds of things with my subordinates! It would be a complete breakdown in discipline!”

Sheila smiled, and said, “Oh, yes, I was a virgin, too, before the Captain took me in an orgy with myself and four other women set up to sate his lust. And he kept going until every one of us was satisfied, I’ll have you know.”

“I-I don’t want to know that! I’m your sister!”

“Yes, yes, Big Sister.” Sheila smiled, and then half-dragged, half-led the Empress to her knees before me, so she could get a very good view of Raven’s work. “But why don’t you and the Captain go to bed and let him take care of that problem? Unless you would rather the rest of us join in, like I suggested?”

“F-fine! Captain Mollen, I require y-your presence in m-my b-b-bed at once!” Struggling to get the words out in the heat of her embarrassment, Merida quickly rose and turned, her cheeks red as could be, as she made her way to her bedroom. I patted Raven on the head so that she could stop her ministrations, and followed, not bothering to tuck myself back in. After all, the only ones who hadn’t seen it before were the Empress and her Guardswoman, and they were about to see quite a bit of it in the immediate future.

Previous Chapter                                       Table of Contents                                     Next Chapter



Be sure to read my published works!

Frozen Soul series (Sci-Fi Supervillain story):
Frozen Soul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R125QT
Tales of the Void Traveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ52G37

Rules-Free VRMMO Life (Dark Fantasy GameLit):
Volume 1 - Tutorial
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VPRNDB
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-stuart-grosse/1128941349?ean=2940161995297

Omnibus 1 - Volumes 1-4
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774T354X
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-omnibus-i-stuart-grosse/1128953195?ean=2940162052081

Into the Black (Sci-Fi GameLit):
Book I - Game Start https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LT5WGL
Omnibus I - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X2KR7Y

City of Champions Online (Superhero GameLit):
Issue I - Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SHXQS1

Lewd Dungeon (Dungeon Core GameLit):
Book 1 - Welcome to the Apocalypse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB34DHF
Omnibus 1 - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPF6HR

The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T

Chapter 174 - Networking

(Crystal Wind Nightclub, Thelorious, Dimiya)

“There’s our target.”

Konia Whitehand, former agent of the Alliance Intelligence Agency, and more recently reduced to a bedwarmer for pirate scum, but now a slave to the Black Star Company, sipped her drink as she leaned back in the chair she was sitting in. She gave no visible sign that she had heard the voice. Not a surprise since the voice had come from her noise-canceling headphones, and those weren’t typically used for carrying on conversations. The devices were commonly used by individuals who had enhanced hearing when going to places where loud sounds would be particularly ‘distracting’, if not damaging to their sensitive ears. Such places included nightclubs, naturally, with their loud music, pulsing rhythms, and all the other sounds associated with people enjoying their lives.

Of course, Konia’s muffler, as the devices were called, was not typical, even if it looked exactly like the most popular version of the device used by the Felisans on Dimiya. The Black Star Khsaoeb mufflers were quickly taking a rising market share amongst Felisans in the Confederacy, actually, since they had been designed from the beginning to fit a Felisan’s physiology, rather than being a ‘one type fits all species’ concept, like most of the items on the market. Rumor had it that the Owner of the company, her ultimate Master, had set his design people on the task when he found out that a friend of his, the owner of Kiki’s Custom Arms (which was itself becoming a major player in the custom weapons market, focusing on high-spec, custom made firearms tailored to the needs of an individual), had complained that she couldn’t enjoy the nightlife on Dimiya because they hurt her ears, and the mufflers designed by other companies didn’t take into account the differences in physiology between Felisans and, say, Knelfi, making the resultant devices clumsy at best for her to use.

Instead of simply just designing headphones that had a shape purpose built for Felisans (a similar model was already available for Knelfi, and other versions were coming out as they were designed, but the Felisan version was the original), the Khsaoeb (a word that meant ‘whisper’ in one of the old languages of Terra) was designed with noise-canceling and frequency shifting technology in mind, allowing one wearing the comfortable device to tailor which sounds made it through unaltered, and which were reduced to more pleasant levels of volume. It was a rather ingenious device, she had to admit, which is probably why it had instantly been a success amongst the Felisan population on Dimiya. Of course, the ‘civilian’ model was not quite the same as the one she was wearing. After all, those versions didn’t have secure communications devices in the ears, allowing her to hear the report of her subordinate while she was sitting at the edge of the dance floor supposedly enjoying her drink.

A halo popped up in her HUD glasses, another Black Star device, though one designed for general consumption, rather than a single species. Like her Khsaoebs, the glasses were slightly more than the normal version. Most important at the moment was the secure communication function worked into them. She looked at the man her ‘information support’ (read: hacker) had highlighted, and clicked the comm button hidden in the design of her flattering dress once to confirm she had eyes on target.

She had been working with her little hacker for months now, and was impressed with the way Suga Hibari had developed. The woman had been roughly used by the pirates, and had been under threat from Imperial forces before then, but she had taken to the role of ‘spook’ quite nicely, and her rough edges were getting worn down as she lost the need to constantly prove to herself, if not others, that she wasn’t a victim. With her help, she’d been working on building a successful spy network here on Dimiya. That was a task she had done plenty of times before, and she was glad to be doing it again, rather than spending time as an exotic pet for a pirate.

Their target for the evening was the newest potential ‘asset’ for their growing network of information sources. Toross Phileth was a high-ranking bureaucrat in the Ministry of Trade, serving under the Senior Undersecretary in charge of overseeing mercenary and private security groups. He was a career bureaucrat, who wasn’t likely to rise any further since he had no intention of playing the political games that were everywhere in the Confederate government. Higher ranking members of the Ministry had a tendency to come and go with every election, leaving him as one of the senior ‘lifers’. This made him rather more important than his title would suggest.

Unfortunately, that importance was not the kind of importance that got one into the fancy private clubs that the movers and shakers were a part of, like the Origin Club. Outside the Ministry, only a few people, most of them other bureaucrats, knew of his importance. That fact led to a certain amount of resentment that waxed and waned depending on the political climate (after all, HE, thankfully, didn’t have to deal with those jackals in the press), and had given rise to a couple bad habits he had gained as coping mechanisms.

His position had brought him to Konia’s attention as a potential asset. His bad habits (which Suga had artfully exposed with her computer wizardry) were the hook she would use to ensure he was properly held in line. She simply needed the proper bait to ensure that her little fish hooked himself. The ‘bait’, in this case, would be herself, as Mr. Phileth was something of a ladies’ man (in his own mind, at least), and he was particularly fond of non-knelfi businesswomen. He enjoyed using his power to help them with the red tape of the Confederate government and the slight (but noticeable) knelfi-centric bias that existed on Dimiya, being the Knelfi homeworld. Once he helped them, he had his claws in them, and he used the women as he liked. Having beautiful women under his power was his drug of choice, and his position and fetish for non-knelfi ensured he had a constant supply, should any of his current ‘stock’ being to bore him, or had the bad taste to get pregnant despite his arrangements.

Being a womanizer was merely one of Phileth’s vices, of course. It was simply the easiest way to get their foot in the door, as it were. What was going to make this man such a wonderful asset for them was the fact that he had been naughty in all sorts of other ways. There was a certain level of corruption that was expected in the higher levels of any government. That much power, money, and influence had a tendency to attract the types who would fall prey to offers of more power, money, and influence.

In Phileth’s case, he had a bit of a gambling habit. Well, the gambling wasn’t a problem, in and of itself. Plenty of people enjoyed gambling, after all. But he’d lost a sizeable share of his fortune a few years back, around the time the ownership of the Arena changed hands, and in the years since, he’d had a series of bad bets that had further depleted his funds, and racked up a good store of debts. Those debts had not gotten large enough that they were something that would ruin him outright, but they were quite embarrassing. Especially when his most recent ‘favorite’ thing to gamble on was not so respectable as Arena matches. Gambling is one thing. Losing money on the ponygirl races, on the other hand, was quite another. His career wouldn’t survive the scandal if it got out to the media, even if his finances could handle the impact.

Fortunately, one of the hackers that had tried to attack Black Star recently had also been working on gathering evidence on the ‘stars’ of the racing circuit, to use as blackmail material for their own ends. Once Black Star’s people knew about the circuit, they began digging. While individually they might not have been as good as the hacker that got caught, with twelve of them working in concert, they were able to get a LOT of dirt on the members of the circuit, both the ‘racers’ and the most frequent guests.

All of this was why Konia was about to turn him as an asset. Sure, she could have just gone with the blackmail approach, but entrapment and a bit of bribery, with the compromising material held in reserve, was better for a long-term relationship. It was easier to go from a ‘friends’ relationship to a ‘bitch’ relationship than the other way around.

Seeing the target moving towards the bar, she finished her drink, thanking Black Star’s technicians for installing the toxin screens in her digestive tract that stripped out poisons or drugs from her system. Drinking was part of the job, but getting drunk was not. While one could use a variety of tricks to make it look like you drank more than you had, counterespionage types were trained to look for that, so the advanced bit of cyberware allowed her to drink normally, which reduced suspicion.

She arrived at the bar just as Phileth did, just by coincidence sliding up next to him at the crowded bar. She smiled at him as she excused herself for bumping him, and he smiled back clearly not having a problem at all. The lure was clearly working. When he offered to buy her a drink in one of the VIP lounges, she could tell he was hooked. She smiled naturally, and agreed. He wasn’t bad looking, for a knelfi, and he was definitely smooth. Too bad he was clearly such a pervert. But perhaps she could turn the tables on him while she turned him. Teaching someone who fantasized about control to submit would make him easier to handle in the future. Some alcohol to help relax the mental defenses and cloud his memory, and a bit of mental psy to complete the job, and he would have an ‘awakening’ that would leave him like putty in her hand.

Dragging a man around by his kinks, especially those you created for him, was always more effective than just trying to scare them with blackmail.

(Confederate Intelligence Service HQ, Somewhere on Dimiya)

Alok Paxisys frowned as he read the reports. For his sins of being one of the few people in the Confederate government (and the only one in the CIS) that the eccentric owner of the Black Star Company actually liked talking to, he had been put in charge as the head of the small (but growing) task force in the agency that was tasked with investigating Black Star, finding out what they were up to, and, hopefully, getting any of their secrets that he could. It was not, as one might think, an easy task.

Which is why the report that was the cause of his current ill mood had landed on his desk. Well, no, that wasn’t fair. It was simply the latest in a string of reports that had landed on his desk, all implying the same thing. The Black Star Company was making moves. They had been beefing up their already formidable security ever since they found out they were being attacked by the Shining Path idiots, but now they looked to be going for a more proactive approach. Major Zumrora (who had also been promoted to get more responsibility from the Navy’s intelligence branch when it came to dealing with Black Star), had passed along a report his ‘liason’ at Madrigal Station had written. While a known Intelligence officer was obviously going to be watched like a hawk, they couldn’t expect him to be on the station and not find some way of getting information about what was happening there.

In this case, it was a manifest of the slaves the Black Stars had taken when they captured the base and most of the sector’s pirate fleet in that ‘Trojan Horse’ style action where Admiral Mollen disguised himself as the leader of one of the three pirate clans in the area. The fact that it had taken so long to get the list wasn’t a problem. After all, Black Star was paranoid by nature, and believed in treating their slaves far better than most companies out there. Getting the profiles on that many slaves was never going to be easy.

No, the problem was a few specific items in that manifest. A few specific individuals that his dataminers had managed to discover as being important. Two were former Navy, the Captain and a Marine off the Kyathaela Daven. The Navy wasn’t going to be happy about the two survivors of that ship not being returned with the ship itself, but he had offered them both the ability to be on a warship again as officers, which would have never happened if they had come home to the Navy. Even after they were ‘raised from the dead’, legally speaking.

The others were, mostly, not that interesting, except for one name. There was a slave in the registry by the name of Konia Whitehand, a Felisan who had been recently enslaved by the local pirates. According to the notes in her file, she was Alliance Intelligence, and had been given a mission to infiltrate the pirate clans and turn them against each other. According to the file, she had been betrayed by a superior who had gone dirty, and had taken bribes from the pirates, which explained how she ended up a slave. He had done some digging, and, within two months of Black Star taking Madrigal base, that dirty superior had been killed and exposed, with his misdeeds laid bare in what was the mother of all black eyes to an Alliance already reeling from the Kul’tirans’ misfortune.

To Paxisys, this suggested that Mollen had arranged the hit to buy the loyalty of this Whitehand, in addition to whatever he got from rescuing her from life as a pirate’s whore. That kind of loyalty, on top of what Black Star consistently tried to build for itself by focusing on its workers and their families first, had led to massive success for Mollen in other fields, as devoted employees who are inspired to new heights will do amazing things. If he now had a fully trained spy in his employ…

Paxisys stopped moving for a moment, before rushing to check some of the other reports that had come in, closer to home. Mollen had access to a fully trained spy, used to going into areas and building up networks, and he already knew that there were factions inside the Confederacy that had decided to make enemies of him. If there was anywhere Mollen would choose to start a spy ring, it would be here, on Dimiya. And he had the perfect pawn to use in the opening gambits! Damnit!

Previous Chapter                                       Table of Contents                                     Next Chapter



Be sure to read my published works!

Frozen Soul series (Sci-Fi Supervillain story):
Frozen Soul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R125QT
Tales of the Void Traveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ52G37

Rules-Free VRMMO Life (Dark Fantasy GameLit):
Volume 1 - Tutorial
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VPRNDB
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-stuart-grosse/1128941349?ean=2940161995297

Omnibus 1 - Volumes 1-4
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774T354X
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-omnibus-i-stuart-grosse/1128953195?ean=2940162052081

Into the Black (Sci-Fi GameLit):
Book I - Game Start https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LT5WGL
Omnibus I - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X2KR7Y

City of Champions Online (Superhero GameLit):
Issue I - Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SHXQS1

Lewd Dungeon (Dungeon Core GameLit):
Book 1 - Welcome to the Apocalypse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB34DHF
Omnibus 1 - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPF6HR

The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T

Chapter 173 - Succession

 

(Private Dining Room, Imperial Palace, Imperial Cityship Aurum Throni, Earth Orbit)

“—and that’s when her mother walked in on us!”

The Empress of the Terran Empire laughed at my story about one of my little adventures on Nuevo Edo. I’d been surprised when our dinner invitation turned out to be in the private dining room, rather than one of the more formal affairs. There were only twelve of us in the room, aside from the ever-present bodyguards that an Empress will always have, even when in private. Actually, that was a matter of law. She couldn’t change that without going through the Senate to amend the laws. Fortunately, there were female members of the Imperial Guard, so that she could, say, take a shower without a man looking on.

It was an interesting setup, of course, long steeped in tradition. Inside the Residence, she always had one bodyguard near her, and any time she left the Residence, she had at least two. If she stepped out of the Palace, she would have three, at the very least, plus whatever escorts that accompanied her.

At any rate, there were twelve of us around the table. Myself, and my seven women were the largest part of the guests, but the Empress also had three of her friends along, as well, all of whom I recognized from the Civil War. Lucio de Lici was the Nomad who helped rescue the Empress, and had become her ‘Chief of Staff’. Admiral Yamamoto had been promoted from commanding the Imperial 8^th Fleet to become Fleet Admiral, the Chief Naval Officer for the entire Imperial Navy. Admiral Han, on the other hand, had returned to service after maternity leave, and was the new commander of Home Fleet, stationed in Sol System.

Admiral Han leaned forward, looking at Sheila. “I must say, Princess, that I was surprised that you weren’t announced alongside Admiral Mollen. Was there a reason for it?”

Sheila smiled, and said, “Oh, yes. If I announced myself as Princess, then that would have all kinds of formal requirements. Officially, I have been ‘missing’ since that idiot Travis started his coup, and my Guardian was killed during the gun battle that led to me fleeing Luna. If I formally announced myself, I would have to have a personal Guardian again. I’ve grown used to not having a shadow in the bath.”

Lucio chuckled, and said, “Oh, it would be worse than that, my Lady. Until your sister manages to find time in her busy schedule for starting a family, you would be the Heir, should she fall. You’d have at least two shadows at all times.”

Sheila made a look of mock horror, and then turned to look at Merida. “Sister, dear, why don’t you hurry up and get knocked up? Please and thanks!” Another round of laughter broke out, aided, no doubt, by the good food, good company, and good wine.

Merida shook her head, and said, “Yes, well, you know how little time I had for dating when I was a Princess. My schedule hasn’t exactly gotten holes in it since I became Empress. And I am fairly certain that my Guardians would be very upset if I went and got swooped up by a freighter captain and inducted into his harem, sister.” She paused, and then said, “But speaking of children, it has been a couple years now. Surely one of you ladies must have…”

Cali giggled, and said, “Well, your Majesty, we do have plenty of fun ‘practicing’, but we’ve been busy, ourselves. Those of us who are slaves came with implants to ensure there were no ‘surprises’ unless our owners wanted them, and we’ve had them maintained since Master bought us. And the others have all had similar procedures done, so that we can pick and choose when things happen.”

Merida shook her head. “Then I guess that means that the only parents at the table are our Admirals, hmm?” Admiral Yamamoto smiled softly, since his son was older now, and had just entered the Naval Academy this semester. Of course, there were two other admirals at the table, as well.

Moon-Hee shook her head. “Well, despite the… circumstances around her conception, I wouldn’t give up little Kako for the world. Though tell me, Admiral Mollen, what should I tell her when she eventually asks how I met her father?”

I leaned back in my chair, thinking back on the raid on the slave ranch where we recovered the Admiral and several other slaves who had been ‘disloyal’ to the Usurper. “Well, I guess that depends on the age she is when she asks? As a child, simply telling her that you met during the Civil War should be enough, yes? But I guess eventually you should tell her the full story.”

Moon-Hee arched an eyebrow, “Really? You’d like your daughter to know how you raped her mother to sell a cover story?”

I shrugged. “Well, I wouldn’t put it quite like that. Perhaps that I had a role to play to keep people distracted long enough that we had a chance to escape with all the prisoners? I dislike nonconsensual acts, but if I had refused, then the ranch’s owner would have been suspicious, and we would have had a lot more trouble getting out of there.”

Merida chuckled. “And I’m sure that the fact that Moon-Hee is a beautiful woman did nothing to assuage your guilt.”

I gasped in mock shock, my hand over my heart. “Your majesty, you wound me! I would have you know that, though Admiral Han is a gorgeous woman, I would never take her without her consent unless there were no other choice in order to protect the lives of my team, or those we’d been sent to retrieve from that hell. I’ll admit that her beauty made the act easier from a physical standpoint, despite the audience, but I had only the best intentions, I assure you!”

Sheila giggled, and said, “You’re just saying that because you want to get into my sister’s pants, ‘Boss’.” When Merida nearly choked on her wine, she winked at the Empress, and said, “My dear lover has never been shy about the fact that he loves beautiful women, and feels that it is his duty in this world to ‘share himself’ with as many of them as he possibly can. I’ve known that since the first time these shameless sluts dragged me into an orgy.” She pointed at Cali, Jayne, Shearah, and Carissa, my original harem members. “And then even Raven and Sana got involved, even before Jagloth!”

I shrugged, and said, “Well, I at least like to believe that I have always been completely honest with those I sleep with, so that they never had any false ideas going in. If they chose to sleep with me, knowing that I was never going to be monogamous with them, then all is well, no?”

Lucio leaned back in his chair, and said, “You know, your Majesty, a lot of the political pressures from the reformed Senate and the bureaucracy would go away if there was a declared heir. After the Civil War, not having any recognized heir to the throne has people worried.”

Merida’s eyes narrowed at her friend. “We already spoke about this, Lucio. If Sheila doesn’t want to have her life invaded by Guardians again, then I’m not going to force it on her. The Senate and the bureaucrats aren’t going to make me ruin her happiness just for political expediency.” Everyone ignored the blush on Sheila’s face.

Lucio nodded, and said, “Oh yes, quite right. And I’m sure everyone here is more than happy for Princess Sheila to follow her heart, so long as you’re alive and well. But I wasn’t talking about her.”

Merida blinked, and then said, “We just got through talking about how I don’t have time for a relationship, Lucio!”

“Sure, but one need not be in a relationship for the necessary functions to be carried out. All you need is a man to take to your bed until you conceive an heir. Since you’re not a man, there can be no doubt to the legitimacy of your child, even if there is no formal relationship between you and the father.”

“But what would people think of me? I’m not going to have people thinking of me as the Slut Empress! If I don’t name the father, people will think I’ve been assaulting my Imperial Guard, or any other insane rumors!”

“Ah, but you can acknowledge the father without having a relationship with him, you know. Especially if the father is known as a notorious womanizer, who has bedded more than one high-ranking individual, even a head of state, and is open and honest about his intentions to ‘spread the love’, as it were.” And then Lucio’s eyes went from the Empress, to me, and back to the Empress, in a clear signal between the two.

“Lucio! I told you I wouldn’t do something like that to my sister!” Merida whispered angrily, her eyes looking from me, to Sheila, pleading with her sister to see that she had nothing to do with this situation.

Sheila met my eyes, and was clearly trying to hold herself back from laughing at the little drama going on in front of us. “Well, sister, I can’t say as I’m surprised that the idea came up. I do know that the only reason Mirikon hasn’t tried to sleep with you yet is because you haven’t seemed open to the idea. And, the circumstances with Admiral Han aside, he has never, to my knowledge, been with anyone who wasn’t either his property or verbally consented to his touch. And even with his property he never pushes it if they refuse outright.”

I cleared my throat, and said, “Well, as Sheila said, I am not averse to going to the bed of a beautiful woman, whatever their status or current titles might be. And, if I may be so bold, your Majesty, you are certainly a beautiful woman. So long as everyone consented, I see no issues in trying to help ease your people’s minds over the future succession of the Imperial Throne without forcing Sheila back into the limelight.”

All of a sudden, Yamamoto laughed. “That is the most courteous way I have ever heard someone ask to be allowed to impregnate a head of state!” The laughter spread to the rest of the table. I think I even saw a grin from the two Guardians flanking the door.

Merida looked like a fish out of water, looking from Lucio, to Sheila, to me. Lucio chuckled, and said, gently, “Come now, your majesty. You know you’ve wanted to taste a bit of what your sister has had ever since you found out about their relationship. There will be plenty of time for finding a proper Emperor-Consort to share your life with and gaining any additional heirs you might like, but having at least some stability in the line of succession would do wonders for morale. And I don’t doubt Press Secretary Parkinson would be able to spin a favorable tale about it, since you two did meet during the Civil War, and fought side by side.”

Moon-Hee chuckled. “It does have a holo-novel romance feel to it, doesn’t it? The roguish freighter captain turned mercenary and the Navy Captain who was forced to take up a responsibility she never believed would be hers? There’s a lot to like there. Especially if you go with the ‘our duties keep us apart’ angle.”

Merida gave Moon-Hee the Eye. “And what if I don’t want my life to be a trashy romance novel? And my kid, if I had one, would have to grow up knowing that?”

I cleared my throat, and said, “Well, I certainly hope I could give you a better time than a ‘trashy romance novel’. I can say without boasting that I am quite sure you’d find it at least at ‘trashy porn video’ level.” I smirked as the Empress’s glare turned my way, but held my tongue.

She held the glare for a moment, and then sighed. “Damnit, this is NOT how I wanted dinner to go! It still feels like I’m trying to get my sister’s man to cheat on her!”

Lucio smiled, and looked my way, “Don’t worry, she’s just surprised. We’ll get her to come around.”

Sheila, though, surprised everyone, when she said, “Well, if the concern is about Miri cheating, why don’t I just join in?” I’m pretty sure the Empress’s jaw made an indentation on the deck, it dropped so fast.

Previous Chapter                                       Table of Contents                                     Next Chapter



Be sure to read my published works!

Frozen Soul series (Sci-Fi Supervillain story):
Frozen Soul https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071R125QT
Tales of the Void Traveler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ52G37

Rules-Free VRMMO Life (Dark Fantasy GameLit):
Volume 1 - Tutorial
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VPRNDB
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-stuart-grosse/1128941349?ean=2940161995297

Omnibus 1 - Volumes 1-4
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0774T354X
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rules-free-vrmmo-life-omnibus-i-stuart-grosse/1128953195?ean=2940162052081

Into the Black (Sci-Fi GameLit):
Book I - Game Start https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LT5WGL
Omnibus I - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X2KR7Y

City of Champions Online (Superhero GameLit):
Issue I - Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SHXQS1

Lewd Dungeon (Dungeon Core GameLit):
Book 1 - Welcome to the Apocalypse https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BB34DHF
Omnibus 1 - Books 1-4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBPF6HR

The Kalipshae Affair (A First Contact Short Story): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739V6R6T