stopped in front of Astra.
“ProConsul,” the attendant’s voice echoed through the vast chamber. “Representatives of the Xennite Emperor and his many allies, Advisor Dlackar the Wise and Advisor Vartor the Clever request an audience.”
“Your presence is always welcome, our most gracious and wise allies,” responded Astra as she bowed slowly to each Advisor.
“Of course, ProConsul,” hissed Dlackar, the Xen elongation of the ‘s’ evident. “As we are pressed for time, we must ask to make this a brief visit.”
“Certainly,” replied Astra as she nodded her head in acknowledgment. Advisors’ time was not to be wasted. “Everyone out!”
The attendant and two guards exited the room as if pushed by an unseen force. The doors to the chamber closed and both Advisors dropped their hoods, exposing their elongated reptilian heads.
“Vartor and Dlackar are waiting for your report,” directed Dlackar.
Astra nodded her head and began. “We have consolidated our hold in the Sierra system and the planned advance into the Golf system is as scheduled with reserves made available following the end of resistance in Bravo. Heavy fighting continues in the Foxtrot and November systems. Our Doran allies, as you have reported, are conducting operations in both India, Mike, and Navato systems.”
“Yes,” hissed Vartor. “Our allies are performing well. What are your concerns?”
“Yes,” added Dlackar. “The Emperor must be aware of any problems.”
“Yes, of course,” replied Astra. “We have reports of continuing raids on slave vessels in the neutral and contested systems, especially the Foxtrot system. Our intelligence sources believe special operations teams are specifically targeting our transports. I believe this is where the Traitor is—”
“Enough of this Traitor,” interrupted Dlackar. “Don’t let your need for vengeance cloud your judgment.”
“Or allow you to forget the First Families’ duty to the Emperor,” added Vartor. “Do not make us regret our decision to work with you—instead of incorporate you—into our plans.”
Astra’s body grew hot. She prayed for the day she could break free of the yokes of her overlords. But for now she had to play the game.
“Yes, of course. Both myself and the First Families understand and will carry out the wishes of the Emperor—with the glory of the Xennite Empire always in our foremost thoughts.”
“Good, good,” replied Dlackar. “What of your losses?”
“I do not concern myself with our losses as I and the First Families would gladly sacrifice all for the Empire, but I can say that our forces have inflicted over two million casualties on the enemy.”
The two Xen turned toward one another in silent acknowledgment of Astra’s pledge of loyalty and then returned to the questioning.
“And the number of slaves gathered?” asked Vartor.
“Approximately 100,000,” responded Astra. “The incursion by Terillian special forces has cost us close to 50,000.”
“These numbers are not acceptable,” hissed Dlackar as he stepped toward Astra. “We were promised 120,000 per year.”
Recognizing Dlackar’s anger, Astra went down on one knee and lowered her head to show her subservience. Her teeth ground together as she feigned humility. “I agree, Advisor Dlackar,” she conceded. “Perhaps if the Emperor would authorize our Doran allies to support us or provide Xen forces….”
“Silence!” shouted Vartor. “The Emperor will allocate our forces and those of our allies—including the Humani—as he sees fit.”
“Of course,” replied Astra as she placed her second knee on the ground. “I simply mentioned this as a request for consideration of our Emperor.”
“Do not forget, ProConsul, that while you rule this planet, you are but one of many that serve the Emperor,” responded Dlackar.
Astra took in a deep breath. “Yes. And I humbly offer a plan to replenish the chattel lost to the Terillians.”
Dlackar turned
“ProConsul,” the attendant’s voice echoed through the vast chamber. “Representatives of the Xennite Emperor and his many allies, Advisor Dlackar the Wise and Advisor Vartor the Clever request an audience.”
“Your presence is always welcome, our most gracious and wise allies,” responded Astra as she bowed slowly to each Advisor.
“Of course, ProConsul,” hissed Dlackar, the Xen elongation of the ‘s’ evident. “As we are pressed for time, we must ask to make this a brief visit.”
“Certainly,” replied Astra as she nodded her head in acknowledgment. Advisors’ time was not to be wasted. “Everyone out!”
The attendant and two guards exited the room as if pushed by an unseen force. The doors to the chamber closed and both Advisors dropped their hoods, exposing their elongated reptilian heads.
“Vartor and Dlackar are waiting for your report,” directed Dlackar.
Astra nodded her head and began. “We have consolidated our hold in the Sierra system and the planned advance into the Golf system is as scheduled with reserves made available following the end of resistance in Bravo. Heavy fighting continues in the Foxtrot and November systems. Our Doran allies, as you have reported, are conducting operations in both India, Mike, and Navato systems.”
“Yes,” hissed Vartor. “Our allies are performing well. What are your concerns?”
“Yes,” added Dlackar. “The Emperor must be aware of any problems.”
“Yes, of course,” replied Astra. “We have reports of continuing raids on slave vessels in the neutral and contested systems, especially the Foxtrot system. Our intelligence sources believe special operations teams are specifically targeting our transports. I believe this is where the Traitor is—”
“Enough of this Traitor,” interrupted Dlackar. “Don’t let your need for vengeance cloud your judgment.”
“Or allow you to forget the First Families’ duty to the Emperor,” added Vartor. “Do not make us regret our decision to work with you—instead of incorporate you—into our plans.”
Astra’s body grew hot. She prayed for the day she could break free of the yokes of her overlords. But for now she had to play the game.
“Yes, of course. Both myself and the First Families understand and will carry out the wishes of the Emperor—with the glory of the Xennite Empire always in our foremost thoughts.”
“Good, good,” replied Dlackar. “What of your losses?”
“I do not concern myself with our losses as I and the First Families would gladly sacrifice all for the Empire, but I can say that our forces have inflicted over two million casualties on the enemy.”
The two Xen turned toward one another in silent acknowledgment of Astra’s pledge of loyalty and then returned to the questioning.
“And the number of slaves gathered?” asked Vartor.
“Approximately 100,000,” responded Astra. “The incursion by Terillian special forces has cost us close to 50,000.”
“These numbers are not acceptable,” hissed Dlackar as he stepped toward Astra. “We were promised 120,000 per year.”
Recognizing Dlackar’s anger, Astra went down on one knee and lowered her head to show her subservience. Her teeth ground together as she feigned humility. “I agree, Advisor Dlackar,” she conceded. “Perhaps if the Emperor would authorize our Doran allies to support us or provide Xen forces….”
“Silence!” shouted Vartor. “The Emperor will allocate our forces and those of our allies—including the Humani—as he sees fit.”
“Of course,” replied Astra as she placed her second knee on the ground. “I simply mentioned this as a request for consideration of our Emperor.”
“Do not forget, ProConsul, that while you rule this planet, you are but one of many that serve the Emperor,” responded Dlackar.
Astra took in a deep breath. “Yes. And I humbly offer a plan to replenish the chattel lost to the Terillians.”
Dlackar turned
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