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“We have eliminated twelve of the women from Madama Ector’s hostel. Eight appear to have vanished. Someone must be helping them.” Lord Varick voiced his theory, echoing Hanoree’s worst fears.
“You think the Order is involved?” Hanoree demanded.
“It is logical. Who else has the power and connections to get these women out of the Empire? Has to be the Order.”
Hanoree agreed. “I want the Temple City surrounded. I want to know who goes in or out. If the Order is harboring our fugitives, I will level their city.”
“What about the Writ of Neutrality?” Varick poured a glass of wine and added Hanoree’s drug of choice, more today because of his anger.
“There is no agreement with the enemies of the Empire,” Hanoree said, taking the glass and downing the contents. Wine and opiates surged through his system. He calmed, and a heightened sense of his own god-like abilities filled him.
“Get My Lady of Wisdom on my communicator.” He drummed his fingers across the surface of the empty glass.
In minutes the serene face of My Lady filled his screen. “Greetings, Most Noble Hanoree.”
“Greetings, My Lady of Wisdom. We are seeking a woman in connection with the assassination of our beloved emperor and his wife. The Empire requires your help in this matter.”
“How can we help you? We are iced in at the Temple City this time of year.”
“We are aware of your weather, My Lady. It has come to our attention that this woman may seek sanctuary. She is an enemy of the Empire, and anyone giving her sanctuary will be regarded as our enemy as well.”
“We have taken in no refugees. Do you have reason to believe she is headed here?”
“I have reason to believe many things. As a long-time member of the Writ of Neutrality, I am calling on the Order to abide by that agreement. Failing to do so will result in unfortunate consequences.”
Anger flared across the face of My Lady. “Be careful who you threaten, Hanoree. Your actions may produce the very thing you fear.” The communication abruptly ended.
Thinking, Hanoree sat back. The Order would be a powerful enemy. He needed an equally powerful ally. Who better than the League of Seeded Worlds? He would need to request support from the League but not go empty-handed. What would entice them to support him should a war between the Empire and the Order break out?
“Put me through to the League. I want to speak with their top official on Bengar.”
Soon his screen was filled with the face of senior Ambassador Hollins. She smiled. “Lord Honoree, it is good to see you again. Let me repeat my condolences on the death of your uncle.”
Honoree replied, “We are in shock, Madam Ambassador, but life goes on. We are seeking those responsible.”
“I am sure when the Council of Nobles declares you emperor your people will be in capable hands.”
“Thank you. It has always been my vision to bring the Empire into the future. My late uncle did not see the advantages of becoming a full member of the League of Seeded Worlds. We have not benefited from its guidance. I want to work with the League to bring trade and prosperity to the Empire.”
Her smile broadened. “How may I assist you in making this vision a reality?”
“The Empire has many enemies. At present there is someone who claims to carry the heir to the throne. There are those who say the empress hired a surrogate before her untimely death. If this is true, the Empire will rejoice. However, since this woman has disappeared there is no way to verify her claims. I have offered her safe conduct and housing until the child is born. If a test proves this is indeed the royal heir, I can act as guardian and advisor until he is of age.”
Hanoree was confident in his skill at sounding sincere and honorable.
“Why do you think she has not come forward?” Hollins asked.
“Either she is a fake, or she has been fed lies and is afraid. I fear that if this is the heir, certain enemies of the Empire will take the opportunity to brainwash mother and child.”
There it was, Hanoree accused the Order. No one else possessed their mental powers.
“You will personally guarantee the safety of the heir and surrogate?”
Honoree smiled into the screen as he lied, “Of course, this is the possible offspring of my beloved uncle.”
When the meeting ended, Honoree congratulated himself for planting doubt against the Order into the minds of the League. He presented himself as a truly progressive leader, willing to usher the Empire into the League.