On The Imperium’s Secret Service (Imperium Cicernus) Read Free

the medical bay, where he would probably be given some painkiller and told to get back to work.  Dorado was not known for having a good healthcare system, unless one happened to be rich and powerful.  “I’m afraid that some of their property was taken before we managed to secure their ship.”
     
    “I’m sure it was,” Lord Fitzgerald said, dryly.  The police would have gone through their property, taken anything interesting or valuable, and then shipped the rest to the prison, where the guards would see if they found anything interesting or valuable.  Mariko had no idea how much of their property had survived long enough to be sold with them, but right now she found it hard to care.  They wouldn't have been able to take the funds from their Imperial Credit Bank account.  There would be enough there to get transport back home, if necessary.  “Now, leave us.”
     
    Mariko slumped to the floor as the handcuffs were removed, her body still tingling after she’d been shocked.  Lord Fitzgerald walked over and offered her a hand, helping her to her feet, before stepping aside to allow her to hug Mai tightly.  Her sister was crying openly, as if she thought that they’d been reprieved – and in a sense, they had been.  Surely Lord Fitzgerald couldn't be as bad as Carlos. 
     
    “I was given to understand that you were both qualified space pilots,” Lord Fitzgerald said, after a moment.  He’d been kind enough to let them hug each other before interrupting.  “Is that true?”
     
    “Yes, sir,” Mariko said.  The qualifications had been why they’d been allowed to purchase a freighter and set off on their own, although on Dorado she suspected that it was easier to bribe the local Imperial Shipping Officer than actually sit for the exams.  Maybe Lord Fitzgerald had had reason to distrust the local claims when he’d entered the auction.  “We were both tested on Edo two years ago – our files should be accessible if you use the codes on our ID cards.”
     
    “Which isn't actually possible on Dorado,” Lord Fitzgerald said, dryly.  Mariko flushed.  She should have realised that that wouldn't be immediately possible.  Lord Fitzgerald might have had enough money to buy the planet and everyone on it, but he couldn't alter simple geographical realities.  The nearest system with a wormhole station was twenty-three light years away.  “But rest assured I will inspect them once they are back in your hands.”
     
    He turned and led them out of the prison complex, up a long flight of stairs and into a large open room that had clearly been designated as the clearing house.  Most of the guards had vanished, but two had remained to sort out the boxes containing everything they’d taken from the Happy Wanderer .  Seeing the small pile of clothing and a handful of datachips made her wince.  Their property had been pawed by strangers and most of the good stuff was gone.
     
    “Here, Milord,” she said, as she recovered the wallets containing their ID cards.  They, at least, were difficult to fake without causing major problems for anyone who actually tried to use them.  “You should be able to check the certificates easily.”
     
    Lord Fitzgerald nodded and pulled a reader out of his suit’s pocket.  Mariko left him to it and concentrated on digging through the boxes.  The searchers had had odd priorities.  Some fashionable clothes from Edo had been ignored, but they’d taken all of her sexy underwear and a handful of short skirts.  The strictly boring underwear she wore while in deep space had been left behind, as had her shipsuit.  But Mai’s shipsuit – which was more fashionable – was gone.
     
    “Dress quickly,” Lord Fitzgerald said.  Mariko remembered their position and scrambled to put on some clothes, urging Mai to do the same.  They were his slaves – and would remain that way until he let them go.  No one would protect them against a Grand Senator’s family.  “We