On a War Footing

Posted on Tue Jan 30th, 2024 @ 4:53pm by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Clara Lawson

Mission: Tales from the other side of the Mirror
Location: Erisia, Imperial Palace
Timeline: Four months after jp "Erisian Arrival"
3515 words - 7 OF Standard Post Measure

"Report," Emperor Mattias I commanded. He was sitting at the head of the table in the Chamber of Ministers, located in the Erisian Palace. Before him, his various military advisors and admirals were seated, as they presented their latest reports on the war that the Erisian Empire was waging against the crumbling Klingon Empire.

"The recent battle in Golorda Prime was successful, Your Eminence," Admiral Atraites started from her seat on his left. "The final major ship yard of the Klingon Empire is now in ruin. Intelligence has told us that both the Emperor and the High Council, or st least, what's left of it, are attempting to flee to the Beta Quadrant, to their allies, the Cardassians."

Mattias nodded as he listened. "Let them run for now. By showing that they are cowards, they have done far more damage to their dying Empire than we could. Continue the process of wiping out all life on their worlds."

Clara his head of intelligence sat silently down the table. She was silent for a reason, as she was waiting for her turn to report, not that any other than the Emperor would listen to her words. Even now, being a mere female brought out the worst in some of these men. The Terrans were way better but the Erisian attitudes died hard at times. She had a PADD in front of her. And she waited.

The Emperor looked over the many faces of his cabinet. Of the dozen officers present, there were only a few that he trusted implicitly. Looking over to one, he spoke. "Jhoraelal Lawson, what have your spies told you?" He was aware if the animosity that she faced from the Erisiam males. Hopefully, he wouldn't need to make too many examples out the the officers
present. Good leadership was difficult to find.

Clara raised her head and spoke. "Excellency, My operatives in Klingon space speak of Ferengi gun runners charging exorbitant prices for basic phasers. And the weapons are coming from the Terrans. They are always open to profit off another empire's suffering. The Romulans are blockading their boarders and their Praetor is looking to send people to negotiate with Your Excellency and Her Excellency. It is said, he would be willing to send his son here to 'foster better relations.'"

Mattias made a face of mild disgust. "The Romulans are nothing but scheming cowards. If they wish for peace with our empire, then it will be by our terms." He considered the next actions of his military. Then he spoke again. "Send some of your agents to Romulus, both open and camouflaged. We will know the Praetor's true intentions." He then looked over to the the officers in charge of Erisia's shipyards. "What is the status of Our latest ship construction?"

"We have several ships close to completion though if we skip the test runs they can be done sooner than the deadlines." The man in charge said.

The door opened and an intelligence Aide entered and scurried to Clara, the aide bowed to the Emperor and handed a PADD to Clara who took it with a nod. The aide then bowed and scurried out.

Clara read the PADD and stood. She slid it to the Emperor and looked at his bodyguard. "Do your job. Protect the Emperor and Empress. I have someone to kill." And so saying she took off at a run out the door.

The PADD read [Attack from the Baron. Aimed at the Royal family. Happening in 12 hours.]

Emperor Mattias took the PADD and read the information it carried. He reacted immediately, bolting to his feet. "EVERYONE OUT!" He then turned to his ever-present shadow, the human-turned-alien-cyborg and handed him the PADD as he strode out the door leading to the Royal Apartments. "GUARDS! TO ME!"

Micheal had already alerted the Royal Guard via his internal comms wen Clara shouted her warning. He then fell onto step with his Emperor. It was then that he quickly read the message. A savage sneer crossed his face and he moved a step closer to the Emperor, placing his right hand on Mattias's left shoulder. He was one of the few trusted aides allowed to touch any member of the Royal Family. He used the contact to hurry his charge along a bit faster.

***Royal Apartments***

All through the highly protected living spaces, Royal Guards, handpicked and trained by Micheal, were converging on each member of the Royal Family. Each and every guard willing to give his or her life to protect the Family.

Penelope was standing with her sister and infant child in her arms as the guards filled the room. She looked at her husband as he came into the room. "What is going on?" She asked him.

Mattias moved over and embraced his wife and child in a protective hug. "Baron Laslor has finally showed his hand and has put forth an attempt to kill us all. I have already released Jhoraelal Lawson to hunt him down and eliminate him. The traitor and his entire family dies tonight!"

"Hmm" His wife said softly. "His niece is to marry Kyian remember."

Mattias growled angrily, though it wasn't aimed at Penelope. "Unfortunately, my brother will have to find a new bride. I will wipe that entire family from the face of this planet! I will not allow a single ember of a traitor's fire to burn in our paradise!"

"And what if they are innocent of his plotting?" She asked curiously.

He looked down at his beautiful wife, and replied. "How would you propose we determine their innocence, my Queen? For if they are...then I will stay my hand."

"There is a way," she kissed his check. She turned to her maid. "Go to the cells, bring us the Seeker."

The maid curtseyed and headed out.

After the maid left, Mattias looked at his wife with a look of confusion. "What is a Seeker, and why am I only hearing about it now?"

"Seekers are what we call Betazoids." She replied. "We captured one a few months ago. We have been keeping her locked up, and using her to find traitors."

Mattias looked at Penelope with surprise on his face. "A Betazoid?! I thought they were all killed during the sterilization of their world by the Alliance three years ago?"

"Some escaped," His wife replied. "And there are a number of half breeds out there."

The Emperor considered this for a few moments. "We should set up a special division, tasked solely with finding those survivors and bringing them here. Imagine if we could add their mental powers to our already impressive arsenal? We would be unbeatable!"

"It is a thought" Penelope smiled. She glanced back as the door opened and a young female was led into the room. "Ah good." Behind her a male human stood, he held a long stick which was attached to the collar the female wore. "Has she been behaving Miles?"

"Yes Excellency. No Mental attacks have been made by the Seeker"

"Good" Pene turned to her husband. "Take the Seeker with you. Have her make sure of their guilt."

Moving over to stand before the Betazoid, Mattias considered her for several beats. Then, he spoke to her. "Slave, do you wish to improve your status?"

The Female did not raise her eyes but spoke softly "Yes Sir."

Mattias nodded slowly. "Help us find your surviving countrymen, convince them to serve us, and I give you my word that once the Klingons have been brought to heel, We shall turn our sights on the ones who destroyed your world, the Cardassian Union." He let that sink in for a few beats, then asked, "Would you like that, slave?"

"Yes excellency" the female replied softly.

A message came through to Mattias, it read ["Laslor has fortified his base, his family however are still in their castle deep within their lands."]

After looking over the message, he looked at Penelope. "We shall return with the head of the traitor and any who are with him, my Queen." He then looked over to the NCO currently holding the slave at the end of a rod. "Take her to my shuttle. Wait for Us there."

The man nodded and pushed the slave from the room.

After they were gone, Mattias quickly moved to his dressing room and put on his Imperial uniform. This was not a job for Admiral of the fleet, but Emperor. When he was done, he came back out and kissed Penelope. "I will return to you, my Queen."

"Go and return victorious, My King. I will await your return eagerly." She smiled and kissed him. "I look forward to rewarding you for your victory."

Mattias grinned a broader smile, exposing his perfect teeth ad he did so. Bowing to her, he then straightened back up and started out of their suite. As he stepped out into the hallway, Micheal and his squad of close protection guards quickly took up their positions around him. They then made their way to the Royal Shuttlebay. "Get aboard. We want to be airborne immediately." He then climbed aboard his personal runabout and moved to his command seat.

The rest of his team followed him in and soon they were heading for their destination.

The Slave was seated on the floor at the back of the cockpit.

As they made their way to Laslor's location, Mattias turned to face the Betazoid woman. "Slave. What is your name?"

The woman jolted at his question. "Isabelle Souder, My Lord" She replied still not looking up.

"Isabelle," he repeated, feeling her name in his mouth. "Well then, First Slave Isabelle," he said, giving her a new rank. "Your duty will be to help Us find your fellow Betazoids and help them become important pieces of Our Empire. Serve Us well, and you will be rewarded. Serve us badly...and you will die. Do you understand?"

"Yes My Lord," She understood. She had been an independent freighter captain when she had been caught by the Erisians and deep down she longed for those days. But she played the game.

Mattias scrutinized her for a few more beats. Even though he was no mind reader, he was no fool. While one motivated telepath could wreck havoc, and army of them could cause massive destruction. He had to consider a fallback option, in case the slaves felt they didn't wish to be subjugated any longer. Moving over to the replicator, he typed in a few commands. Then, when he had what he wanted, activated the replication matrix.

A single hypospray injector materialized, along with a vial of reddish fluid. After loading the hypo, he moved over to the Betazoid and injected her with the fluid. Once he was finished, he stood back and spoke to the slave handler. "Release her."

The NCO Was startled and stared at the Emperor.

Instead of repeating himself, The Emperor simply glared at the NCO.

He hurriedly did as asked and He hauled her to her feet once her bonds were struck.

Isabella raised an eyebrow at the Emperor and waited. She was not foolish.

"Attack me," he stated simply. Behind him, Micheal bristled slightly.

"Why?" She asked as she felt no need to. And she was not stupid.

He replied by backhanded her hard across her face. Hard enough to knock her to the floor. "We are forgiving to an extent. This is the one time that you will question Us without losing your life. Now. Attack Us."

Isabella was not sure about this but she tried and collapsed to the ground in pain.

The Emperor watched the reation with satisfaction. Nodding, he looked over at the NCO who was in charge of the slave. "Take her in the back and see to her injuries. When she has recovered, get her to work on finding more like her." He then looked at Micheal. "Have more of the drug synthesized. We must be ready for when more telepaths are found and captured."

Micheal bowed his head respectfully. "It will be done, Your Excellency."

An Aide looked up from the scanners. "Sire, the intelligence operative has reported, that the main army has engaged our forces."

A satisfied sneer crossed the Emperor's face. "Good. This little insurrection will be over before it even begins. Send word to Our generals... no quarter is to be given. If one stands against the Crown, then they are traitors, and they will die a traitor's death!

There was a chorus of agreement and the message was sent.

A few minutes later, the Emperor was contacted by his Head of Intelligence.

Reaching over with his right hand, Mattias activated the communications unit on the left arm of his command chair. "Report."

"Excellency, I have infiltrated the main castle of the Laslor family. The Baron... he has locked his niece and great nephew in the dungeon."

This news drew a dangerous growl from the Emperor's throat. "Your orders are as follows: secure the prisoners, ensuring their safe evacuation from the castle. Then, you are to capture the Baron. We shall deal with him personally."

"I will personally deliver him to your throne Excellency. And I have my team going over his study. Seems the man has been locking his niece out of his decisions as he wants the marriage to the Prince to continue. She, however, is not a part of this. I will have him before you within the hour."

"Very good, Jhoraelal Lawson. We await your arrival." He closes the comm channel, then looked at his aide. "Signal the generals, the Baron's niece and nephew will be granted safe passage from the castle. The Baron, himself. Is being brought to US, and We will deal with him personally. All other traitors are to be eliminated."

Around him people nodded and moved to do his bidding.
==

An hour later exactly, the Baron was kneeling, bound in chains, before the Emperor. He was a bit roughed up.

Mattias gazed down at the disgraced Baron. While he knew that Penelope would love the chance to skin his traitor alive, he chose to take the pleasure of killing this man himself. "So, Baron. Before you die at Our hand, do you have anything to say in your defence? Be cautioned...what you say may determine how you will die."

The Baron glared at him, and spat blood as he tried to draw himself up to speak. "Your Empress is dying. She will die in 6 months. A poison even now steals her life. She killed the True King and as she dies she poisons her spawn."

A sudden look of rage filled Mattias's eyes as he jumped to his feet. "What did you say?!" He reached back and viciously backhanded the Baron, sending the man back to the deck.

The Baron laughed from his place prone on the deck. "She dies... and you can't stop it!"

Mattias was upon the man in an instant, beating him with his fists. "TELL ME WHAT THE CURE IS, NOW!!!"

Clara took a breath. "Your Excellency, I have people searching his rooms and study now. But if you kill him before we can question him..."

Mattias paused to turn and shoot a dangerous look toward his Chief of Intelligence. He then had an idea. "Bring the Seer forward." He then looked down at the partially unconscious Baron. Whispering quietly, he hissed his warning. "This is your last chance to speak, traitor."

The Seer was brought forward, she was forced to her knees beside the Baron.

The Baron just laughed.

"Slave, this pathetic excuse for a man has claimed that both the Empress and the Princess have been poisoned and will die within six months. You will reach into the deepest parts of his mind and find out first, if this is true. If it is, discover the cure. Rip his mind apart to find it if you have to!" He shouted at the end, then calmed some. "If you are successful, you will be rewarded."

The Seer closed her eyes and began to probe the Baron's mind. "In his study, in the fireplace, 50 bricks up the chimney facing west. A loose brick. Cure and information on his targets."

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD YOU FREEK!" The Baron Screamed.

"He was planning on marrying the Princess and his neice to the Prince, so when the Empress and her child died, his family would rule. He would then kill the prince and the princess after his niece and the princess have born sons."

The baron screamed.

Mattias glared death at the Baron when he heard the truth. Turning to Clara, he gave her a look that gave her her instructions without him having to say it. Find the cure and information immediately!

Clara nodded. She was so going to need a backrub after this.

After Clara left, The Emperor turned back to the Baron, then looked at the Betazoid. "Isabelle, you are instructed to search the Baron's mind for any and all secrets he is keeping locked away from Us. And, as part of your reward, once the cure has been recovered, you will be allowed to destroy the Baron however you see fit. Would you like that freedom, Slave?"

"Yes Excellency" Isabella replied almost monotone. She continued to probe. "A shipyard, three systems away, hidden in a nebular. Worked by Slaves and Terrans."

"Provide the location coordinates," the Emperor ordered. Then he grinned slightly. "Once the Baron has no further useful information to give, you may destroy him as painfully as you wish."

Isabella gave the coordinates as she continued to probe. "No other information is forthcoming Excellency." She then submerged herself deep in the Barons mind and began shutting down his brain by sending stabbing pain into his cerebral cortex and other parts.

The man screamed horribly at first until she damaged the speech part of his brain and he sat there drooling and then convulsing as she killed him.
Isabella made sure she withdrew just before he died so she would survive.

"He is dead."

The Emperor looked upon Isabelle with pride. "Very good. Stand and come closer." He motioned for her step closer.

She did so without hesitation though her face was neutral she was wary.

"You have done well and We are pleased." Mattias spoke to her calmly. "You will be rewarded. From this day forward, you will be the Imperial Seer. You will be given a comfortable apartment to reside in. You will also train other telepaths, when they are rescued, on how to properly serve the Imperial Family. Keep the faith, and you will never know pain again. Do you understand?"

She bowed. "Yes Excellency."

Mattias nodded slightly, apparently pleased by her obedience. He then looked over at the nco who had been keeping watch over her. "Step forward, Vaeria Orolaes 3s Tar Grant."

The NCO stepped up and saluted. "Excellency?"

"Kneel," he commanded as he drew his sword from the scabbard hanging on his left hip.

The man did so swallowing nervously.

"What is your name?" The Emperor asked as he lifted the point of his sword above the nco.

"Teris Melan, Excellency." The name was not noble or royal. Just a commoner name.

Nodding, The Emperor gently tapped the side of his blade upon both of the man's shoulders. "I hereby knight you, Sir Teris Melan, the first Marquis of Seer Protection. From this day forth, your sole duty will be the safety and protection of the Imperial Seer. Should she come to any harm, you will receive severe punishment." He reheated his sword. "Rise, Sir Melan. Rise and be recognized."

The man rose and saluted briskly, a look of shock on his features. "Yes Excellency."

Mattias gave the man a regal grin. Then, with a wave of his hand, indicated that he should go carry out his duties. "See to your charge, Sir Melan." The Emperor then turned to his Chief of Intelligence. "Take Viper Squadron and capture the installations the Baron was hiding. If any attempt to stand in your way, or flee like cowards, you may eliminate them as you see fit."

"With pleasure Excellency" Clara saluted and headed off to do his bidding.

That done, he turned back to his shuttle pilot. "Take Us back to the Palace. We are done here."

"Aye Excellency"

The runabout then lifted off the ground and began its flight back to the Capitol. On the ground below, the loyal troops were finishing up the gathering and executing of the Baron's accomplices.

~OFF~
====NOTES====

Translations
1.Vaeria Orolaes 3s Tar = Petty Officer 3rd Class


===Author's note===
With the injection, think of the programed rules for the Seer to be similar to Asimov's three rules of robotics:

1. No slave may harm any member of the Erisian Imperial Royal Family
2. No slave will perform any action that result in the harming of any member of the Erisian Imperial Royal Family.
3. The Slave may protect its existence, so long as those actions do not break the first two laws.