Date:
Planet: Baylor

"So, who are we expecting to hear from today?" Edik asked lounging in his chair. "Anyone I can torture?"

Bishop frowned, "You know you might want to consider taking up a hobby. You enjoy torturing these people too much."

"Shut up, Bishop. I don't need you telling me how to live my life; besides, torturing is my hobby. Now, who are we expecting today?"

"There's the girl, Lisanna, who works in Langsdon's Household, and it seems Trevor has some information for you. Just curious, when do you plan on giving him back his daughter?"

"I have absolutely no intention as long as either of them is useful to me. When are they to arrive?"

"Lisanna is here. She's waiting outside."

"Let her in."

The door swung open admitting a young woman, who appeared no older than twenty. She was actually closer to Edik's fifty-six years. She wore a loose-fitting white gown that seemed to float around her, and her long blonde hair hung free down her back.

"Hello, Lisanna," Edik said unable to keep the warmth out of his voice. She was beautiful in a shy, wild way and he was always careful how he treated her. He knew the reason for her shyness. She was one of his past cruelties.

"Hello, Edik. What do you want to know today?"

"I really only need you to confirm something for me. sweet."

"All right."

"Does anyone besides Lord Langsdon sleep in his bedchambers?"

"Oh, yes. Those darling boys I look after when his Lordship is away. They're so well behaved."

"How old are they, Lisanna?"

"Well, now William's the oldest, he's fifteen, and little Scott, he's the youngest, he just turned ten. Anything else?"

"No, that's all right. You've helped me a great deal. Why don't you go buy some chocolates," he said tossing a credit chip to her. Without blinking she caught it and left the room. Sighing Edik closed his eyes slumping in his chair.

"What was that all about?" Bishop asked reappearing.

"What?"

"She walked out of here like a zombie."

"Oh, I've imprinted certain command phrases in her mind to make her forget these meetings and still have a plausible story for where she's been. I set those phrases almost forty years ago. She was so young then. So innocent."

"You want her?"

"Yes, but it must never and will never happen. My touch would set off a storm even I couldn't control." Rising in a rush he crossed to the bar and poured himself a glass of Oxalis Blue wine, "Is Trevor here yet?"

"He's just outside. Here he is on the viewer," Bishop disappeared and a view of the hallway took his place.

Shuffling his feet Trevor hesitated before knocking on the door. He glanced around after he did, his hands shaking as he rubbed them against his trousers. He shuddered when the Master's voice called from within. Opening the door and stepping inside Trevor wished he wasn't so inconspicuous.

Edik smiled from behind his desk enjoying Trevor's discomfort. The man was so average in appearance most people never noticed he was around. An excellent ability for an underling, especially since it was one he could exploit. "So, what do you have to tell me, Trevor?"

"I-I've heard of a man you might be interested in," he paused, uncertain if the Master wanted him to continue.

"Well? I know you wouldn't risk my anger with something trivial."

"His name is Gavin Cade. He has a hand in just about everything. He's a slave broker, a black market antique dealer, he deals in some of the more exotic drugs. Cade also has several legitimate holdings producing not exactly legal products. He is a legitimate rival of Marcus Barjada in the computer industry and...," Trevor stopped afraid he'd said too much.

"And what? What were you going to say?"

"There are rumors, Master. Rumors that he's been experimenting with genetic engineering and cybernetics."

Leaning forward towards Trevor, who instinctively took a step back, Edik drummed his fingers on the desk he saying, "You've done well, Trevor. You may return to your duties."

Trevor scurried to the door when the Master spoke again, making him cringe, "Your daughter is enjoying her stay in my home. I suggest you do everything you can to keep it that way."

He nodded then closed the door behind him. Sipping his wine Edik smiled to himself.

"Mairta's on the secured line for the Baron," Bishop said.

"Obviously she's looking for the Baron. Who else does she know me as? Put her on the desk screen. Usual setting." Edik swung around to face the screen.

"Don't forget your meeting with Langsdon is in ten minutes."

"I know; just put her through."

Instantly she appeared on the screen, "Good day, milord Baron."

"Mairta," Edik nodded even though she couldn't see it. "What do you have to report?"

"The Wulfgar shipment has been destroyed by Dark Justice. The Jack of All Trades' captain said the leader said to tell you Dark Justice will see to it you go out of business."

"Dammit! I take it they didn't destroy the ship if you talked to the captain?"

"Just our cargo was destroyed, milord. They knew what they were looking for again."

"Has anything else been shipped yet?"

"The Wind Sprinter leaves tomorrow. The others follow at three day intervals."

"Notify me as soon as they've all gone out. Where's Phoenix?"

"Gannet's Run. Should I send the contact code?"

"No, not yet."

"Very well, milord. I'll contact you again in ten days."

"Good." Edik cut his side of the transmission. "Damned vigilantes!"

Looking wildly around he spotted a Pryan vase on the bar. In two strides he reached the bar, lifted the vase and hurled it across the room. He watched in satisfaction as it smashed into hundreds of pieces.

"There goes another 50,000 silver chakra vase. Have you ever thought of taking up boxing? It would be a lot cheaper."

Shut up, Bishop, before I have you reprogrammed," Edik snarled looking for something else to throw. Finding nothing else suitably breakable he slumped into his chair. "Dark Justice has to pay for this."

"They'll pay later. Right now you have an appointment with Langsdon."

"Fine. Dig up everything you can on Gavin Cade and have it ready for me when I return." Rising he crossed to the closet door. Inside was a full-length black hooded robe, a pair of VR gloves, and a headset. He put on the robe first, then the gloves, and then the headset. Pulling up the hood to hide his face he said, "Activate."

Instantly he was in a small circular room with rough stone walls. There was a table and a chair in the center of the room; otherwise it was empty. Edik paced the floor, the folds of his dark robe swirling around his legs. Footsteps echoed from the hallway making him pause. Stepping back into the shadows Edik watched the small oak door creak open and Lord Langsdon step in. Richly dressed in the latest fashion he strutted around the room looking for the Baron. Edik watched from the shadows, his blue-green eyes glittering like stolen gems. Deciding he'd annoyed Langsdon enough he stepped forward when his back was turned.

"Good day, Lord Langsdon."

Langsdon jumped nearly a foot in surprise, "Bloody hell, man. Don't do that." Sitting down Langsdon looked him over unable to figure out anything about this mysterious man. "I take it you are the Baron."

"Quaint, isn't it? An old Earth term. I thought it suited."

"Why am I here? What do you want from me?" Langsdon demanded, fingers tapping against the arm of the chair.
He chuckled low in his throat, the shadows surrounding him like a death shroud, "What I want is simple. Transportation for certain products of mine. Safe houses to hold newly acquired personnel before sale." Edik let his demands sink in before continuing, "Also, for my silence, I want 50,000 gold chakra transferred to this account every month."

"What right...!"

"What right do I have? Come now, Langsdon, do you think I would be demanding things if I didn't know all your dirty secrets? Secrets the Council would just love to know about?""

"I don't have any secrets from the Council."

"Oh, no, of course not. I'm sure they know all about the six pubescent boys who serve you in your bedchambers."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I? I know that you have six boys between the ages of ten and fifteen serving you in your private bedchamber. The youngest, Scott, just turned ten. Did Lady Wyndham buy him a birthday present? No? I'm not surprised. Come on, Langsdon, we both know this violates the Child Slavery Law, the Child Prostitution Law, and the Education Law. That is more than enough to get you stripped of your title, holdings and lands, as well as get you kicked out of your House. You line would be declared dead. Unless you can prove me wrong my silence depends on how much you're willing to pay."

"Is that what this is all about? Money?" Langsdon demanded his knuckles turning white as his grip tightened on the chair arms.

Edik's harsh laugh echoed off the cold stone, "There are dozens of others I could charge for my silence if money was all I wanted. No, you are my key to the Council."

"What do you mean?" Langsdon asked, his fingers tapping his chair again.

"Don't play stupid, Langsdon. When the time comes you will vote whatever way I tell you or risk losing your head for treason. Understand? And, please, don't bother trying to tell me you will see that I pay for this indignity. Who will you say I am? I am a man who doesn't exist. Now, leave," then Edik disappeared. Back in his office Edik pulled off his virtual gear.

"That went very well," he said pouring himself a glass of Oxalis Blue.

"I take it he responded as expected?" Bishop asked.

"He's more scared of what I might know than what he knows I know. Another obedient child to add to the list. This gives me voting majority on the High Council. I control four Quadrant Governors and six Regents. How many Planetary Governors do I control?"

"Sixteen."

"Not bad if I do say so," said Edik, sitting at his desk, studying his glass of wine, "and none of them wants to believe how close I am to controlling everything. The fools."