Chapter 40

Once back at Vreekoos, we were shuttled down to the palace for our debrief and family reunions. I also handed over the sketches I’d made to Amantil, having no intention of ever displaying them.

“Thank you, Dayyev,” Amantil said. “These will be sealed and entered into the historical records and may be part of any Table judgments if we find out who authorised, and paid for, these atrocities.”

“Serenissima,” I acknowledged.

Amantil then turned to the others. “Thank you, Dave, Cass, Hiqua for going in first to help try to end the nightmare for those people.”

“You’re welcome, Serenissima,” they all replied.

“Any further reports as to who was behind this?” Amanda asked.

“We’re trying to trace the suppliers of some of the rarer drugs produced, but it may be that sales and distribution are made outside the Empire,” her mother replied.

“What were they being used for?” Aunt Cass asked. “Only we weren’t really set up for analysis.”

“Pleasure and control mostly. Somewhat similar to that orgy-on-demand drug we had issues with several years ago. Others were to chemically enslave people without the use of a collar, making it very difficult to trace once it had been administered.”

“Bit like that mind-control drug used on Parros?” Torric asked.

“Similar, though not quite the same and a lot more insidious if administered, as the person enslaved would not be aware they were controlled, plus no side effects. We suspect several entertainment centres may be using it to control their staff.”

“I’d look at any centres with a low turnover of staff,” Aunt Cass added with a frown, “Either that or come up with an excuse to send in a team of Medical Resource Healers.”

“We already have plans for that,” Aunt Vilgra replied. “Currently we’re busy identifying which centres may be involved, here and in the Imperium.”

“Sounds like it’s more widespread than it appeared,” Amanda queried.

“They’d been at it for almost a year, so yes, it’s widespread, if limited to those outlets with a less than a stellar record on being law abiding.”

“I suspect their excuse will be it wasn’t illegal when we started using it?” I asked.

“Won’t help them here. Imperial law forbids the enslavement of any of my subjects by any means other than the official route,” Amantil replied.

“Good,” I nodded in satisfaction. “It doesn’t help the Rogothi though.”

“No, it doesn’t. I doubt anything but time can help there,” Amantil sighed. “We have an entire planet of severely traumatised people to deal with.”

“Many of whom still blame us for doing it,” Amanda added.

“Yes, though we’re gradually making progress there with the food distribution and the help of the refugees from their ship. As for the victims in the science labs, that’s still an ongoing process and will take binary cycles to sort out.”

“I see you put our more ‘problematic’ Cures out there to aid them,” dad chuckled.

“Seemed apt and they’ll be under military discipline,” Vilgra chuckled.

“Unique solution with the surrogates too,” Hiqua giggled. “All having their debt of service paid off for doing it.”

“We still had more volunteers for it than places,” Vilgra replied with a wry smile.

“Beats trying to join Ground Force too,” dad chuckled. “Though a few of them intended to anyway.”

“Yes,” Amantil nodded. “Now, to business.”

“Next trip?” Amanda asked.

“Yes, to the Hegemony to sign the new trade articles. Doubt you’ll find anything of interest, but I’d appreciate your impressions.”

“Yes, mum,” Amanda replied.

“Dos and don’ts?” I asked.

“Expect delusions of grandeur from their court, along with petty verbal insults and actions,” Amantil explained. “Nild, his family and his advisory council will, however, be polite and friendly and will deal ruthlessly with any petty slights they spot, though much of the signing will be various documents in the Hegemony’s offices of state and away from their direct view.”

“Somewhat similar to the Gershonian court then?” I asked.

“Yes, if less under control, though there are no duelling codes, just a bunch of plotting Nobles jostling for power and influence over the Hegemon ... which admittedly they no longer have,” Amantil mused. “So expect petty delays when not with Nild or his family, long wait times, poor service, etc.”

“I think we can cope,” Amanda sighed.

“Don’t get drawn into it, you won’t win and will simply be used as an example of the ‘barbaric’ Imperials.”

“Yes, mum.”

After the meeting, Liono and I met up with my dad and we took a hypersonic flight home to be greeted joyfully by mum and the kids, all of whom wanted to know about our adventure, though we glossed over the more distressing parts.

“I can’t believe that some people in the Empire would authorise something like that,” mum finally said as we relaxed with tuchs and the kids with hrice juices, while Liono did a security check of the room, something she always did and couldn’t be dissuaded from ... so we never bothered trying.

“It was pretty awful to see and deal with,” dad admitted. “Especially the kids who are still being put right by the Healers.”

“Right physically, but not right mentally, that could take years,” I added sadly. “Many were orphans too; their parents having died either in the invasion or by the treatments.”

“Terrible,” mum sighed.

“I’ve diverted some funds into an AI account to help them buy equipment to rebuild as well as hire several psychotechnologists,” dad added. “Amantil and some of our other friends have chipped in too.”

“Well, that’s something,” mum nodded.

“I know via Amanda that Amantil is seriously upset over this, though she hid it well today,” I added.

“Yes, Manny will be on a slow burn over this,” dad agreed. “Woe betide the people behind this if she catches them.”

“Hope she does. I suspect they’ll have plans to do a runner if she gets close.”

“I suspect they’ll try to get at the Princess, or possibly you, if they do go down that route,” Liono chipped in.

“More likely me,” I nodded. “Going after Amanda would be extremely difficult, whilst I’m a bit of a public figure at times.”

“True, though I doubt they will want to draw any more attention to themselves at the moment.”

“Let’s hope not. I don’t need that kind of trouble in my life.”

“Who does?” Liono replied with a wry smile. “Still, it keeps me well paid.”

“What do you spend it on?” mum asked. “Only you always seem to be around Dayyev.”

“I get days off. I go shopping and enjoy resorts with my blade sisters,” Liono replied, looking surprised at the question.

“True,” I nodded. “Toolon, the reserve bodyguard, takes a slot, though he’s never visited here yet, just the palace.”

“I also use your Guardian gym when Dayyev is asleep as the security setup here is because David is a top of the line Cure,” Liono added.

“Oh, I see,” mum replied with a smile.

“Twice a year I’ll be recalled by Kilios to Marblos for refresher training as well, though that most definitely is not a break.”

“She also Larre’s partner too,” I continued the explanation of Liono’s involvement with me.

“I don’t want to talk about that, it’s personal and private,” Liono warned.

“No problem,” mum smiled. “Just nice to know you have a life away from the job.”

“I do.”

At this point the kids arrived back from their academy teach-in and the conversation diverted away from Liono, to her evident relief. Dad then took us all out for a meal at one of our favourite restaurants to celebrate being home and we caught up with what had gone on whilst we were away, which was nothing dramatic, just family stuff. Dad and I were questioned mostly by mum on what we’d found on Rogoth, but other than covering what had been announced on the newsies we kept quiet on the darker aspects. Though no doubt dad would fill mum in with those details later. The other news mum had was the date of Kiria’s wedding which would be happening after my trip to the Hegemony and was at a time when everyone who was invited could make it.

“Take it Aunt Manny was consulted?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Oh yes. She’s going to officiate and simply can’t just drop everything without notice,” Mum giggled. “She actually called Kiria up and suggested a few dates.”

“Nice of her to suggest a few,” I laughed.

“Well, nobody knows when she’s free and Kiria appreciated the heads up.”

“That’s true, she always appeared to be working when I was around, unless she was doing something with Amanda and Vicki.”

“Been like that since I’ve known her,” dad confirmed.

“Though she does take some time to relax on her island occasionally,” mum added.

“Amanda likes it there too,” I nodded.

“Yep, it’s always a treat to be invited there,” mum agreed.

“How’s Mirri?” I asked Hilli.

“She’s fine, though at a family gathering to do with some sort of religious event today,” he replied.

“She never struck me as religious,” I replied, looking surprised.

“Her family are followers of Tenlis and reaffirm their commitment to the care of children and the ill on this day,” Hilli explained.

“Good folk, the followers of Tenlis,” dad confirmed. “A good few Healers and Meditechs follow him.”

“Oh right,” I nodded, knowing little of Tenlis as religion was not normally covered in education nor had Kiria or her Healer friends ever mentioned him.

“Mirri never talks about it a lot, but she does follow him,” Hilli added. “I just accept it as being a part of her.”

“Best way,” mum replied.

The following day I was busy at the expo site setting up for a display of the work I’d done on Asha and Sanctify. Amanda was not with me as she was being given some sort of extensive briefing on the Hegemony and the new treaty between it and the Empire. I did have the help of Vicki, Plenna, Hilli, Mirri, Truna and Galh as well as Girol who was new to it, but having fun. I’d delivered the coloured sketches to Amantil on the day I’d arrived, though had a couple in pride of place in the expo.