I would like to kindly utilize your services.

Posted on Sun Jan 23rd, 2022 @ 6:21am by Commander Sthilg

Mission: Tales from the other side of the Mirror
1270 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

A young woman wearing a black evening dress, flanked by her two bodyguards, beamed down and began to search for a certain Gorn scientist and doctor. Another woman beamed down with her. Her spymistress Vanessa.

Alicianna walked forward with the grace and elegance of an Alindari Noble of her station as her bodyguards scanned the place she had beamed down to. She displayed all of the cold blue-blooded demeanor of a true Alindari.

The grand opera house of the capital of the empire was a bustle as the final act of the first half ended the actors taking a bow as the curtain closed. From his seat in the emperor's private booth, the gorn snorted.

With the old man still in morning he'd said he would take on some of the official duties one of which was this. No wonder the head of the guard had pawned this off on him. Even still the lizard joined in with the round of applause as the glass of the booth fazed into blackness.

" Sir." One of the houses attendants said from the open doorway. turning the lizard looked at the young woman who bowed her head. " There is an Alindari lady here to see you. Her name is Alicianna."

The gorn was thinking who it could be before he remembered the name. It had been of the countess niece. How odd she would see him.

" Send her in." He said to the attendant who bowed and left the room.

The woman who stepped in was staggering. You could see the family resemblance. " Greetings my dear. My condolences for the death of your aunt. She was an amazing woman." he said standing up and offering her a seat as his white eyes gazed at the others.

Alicianna sat down and spoke. "Thank you Doctor." She continued. "However as unfortunate her demise was, she has passed on her debts to me. And now I cannot return to Alindar in Honor until her debts are settled. Which is why I have sought you out. You may be able to assist in this matter."

" Me what can I do to help." he said as he waved his hand of the table replicator. " Help yourself it is the terran emperors," he said picking up the very large champaign glass.

"According to Imperial Law. The closest living relative of each Alindari always inherits the wealth, and debts, of his or her relations. But..." Alicianna held up her finger. "If it can be proven that Countess Salannis was still alive, her debts revert back to her estate." Alicianna noted. "I have not sullied my hands with such things as Slavery. My estate was in order. But it was dear Arrianna that threw in with Captain Taylor. A scandal I wish not to sully my reputation."

" Ah " the gorn said with a sly grin forming on his face. " I think I understand what it is you require. It wouldn't happen to involve the flesh vaults that the emperor keeps under the palace?"

She nodded with a subtlety Arrianna didn't have. "And as Grand Duchess, I will be able to.. restrain my aunt's ambitions, and all shall be well. I can offer Latinum for this boon, my dear Doctor."

" Hum...." the gorn said as he took a sip from his drink. " How would a clone fool your people. It would need her memories wouldn't it." He replied after a think.

Alicianna smiled and tapped her temple lightly. "My people natually share out memories. It's the only thing in our society that is free. " The young woman noted. "Anyway, I can better manage my aunt if she's alive... Should her debts become an embarrassment upon my estate. I can indenture her now." Alicianna noted. "You can't indenture someone when they're dead... so I need her alive. Honor demands her life to be restored so she can fulfill her obligations to the Empire, but she let herself get killed. Following that fool Taylor no less. She may have even whored herself to that fool. I however have different plans for the Beta Quadrant Company... I'm not interested in sales... I'm interested in the sales. Follow? I managed to convince her Imperial Majesty that new trade opportunities will not come about through the Terran's protectionism. She agreed, and I was made Viceroy."

The gorn scratched his chin as he thought it through. " You play a dangerous game young one. The current emperor may be broken by the death of his son but who knows what the next one will be like. Still, as for your offer, I will ask the following. Money is no problem for me as I have access to the imperial treasury. Instead, I want two things. " He said as he began to hold up his hands. " One political immunity from any crimes committed against the Alindari people and two a favour from you to be collected when I see fit."

Alicianna nodded. "Very well. We both have much to gain from this, and much to lose. You may do what you will with the commoners.. Their lives are static... meaningless... and pointless. The gentry shouldn't be a problem either. The Empress and the Grand Vizier is entirely uninterested in the yammering of the lords, and there's always a rival in the Empire to any of the nobility. I'd have all the lords executed if I could.. As for the second." She chuckled a bit. The Gorn was amusing. "It shouldn't be a problem."

" You have a ruthless mind for one so young. " the slave master complemented. "I'd like the first in writing," he added wanting to make sure he had it. " Now for the flesh vaults. As you know the entrance is guarded tightly, but there are other ways in. This city is so large even the terrans have forgotten most of it. I'll need a week possibly two to find a way inside. "

Alicianna nodded. "Not to worry about the legalities... I'll have the documents written up, then I'll slip them in with the usual edicts the Empress signs while she's intoxicated." She noted. "And take as much time as necessary.. This needs to be perfect.. I did not gain the rank of Grand Duchess at fifteen by being careless Doctor... Matters like this must be done with the utmost precisin." She mentioned. "But now that I think about it.. I'm a grand duchess because my brothers and sisters didn't notice the poison in their drink." She chuckled more. "But I suppose I should say please." She laughed. "Would you kindly help me clone my aunt."

" Off course my dear." the gorn replied with a sly yet warm smile. " Just remember. You owe me one favour to be called in at my time and choosing."

"Make sure you stay alive long enough for me to repay my debt to you, Doctor." Alicianna stood and turned to leave. "My aunt trusted these Terrans too much. I advise you not make the same mistakes. Good evening, sir." For a fifteen year old. She was smart. Not once did she partake of any food or drink in the company of the terrans. Not was clear. Alicianna Salannis an Khardan trusted no one. She was ruthless and ambitious. But inside her resided a calm and stoic intelligence for a blue-blood that the Doctor could admire."

Sthilg watched her leave before he carefully tucked the piece of paper into his suit just as the curtain raised again. At least something nice had happened this day though his mind began to worry. This was probably an even bigger risk than his lies to the emperor.