The Least Favorite Child
Author: C.R. Daems
Date: 2014-03-30 04:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Science Fiction; Military Fiction; Fiction; Action
Description: As the least favored child, it was no surprise when Rivka's father selects her, at age six, to comply with the country's conscript law. Sent away to the military to be raised and trained, she struggles to keep from falling into an abyss of despair. Only when she adopts a new friend's dream of becoming a member of the elite Black Guard does she find a new reason to live. Few make it into the Black Guard, but Rivka is determined. Yet when she makes it and is sent on her first mission, to protect a ruling family during a revolution, she discovers to her dismay that the Black Guard may not be as p
Publisher: Talon Novels

THE BLACK GUARD

Book III: The Black Mamba

By

C. R. Daems

The Black Guard: Book III: The Black Mamba

Copyright © 2020 by C. R. Daems

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from C. R. Daems.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ISBN-13: 9780998325187

Check out all my novels at
talonnovels.com

PROLOGUE

Sasser Mountain: Several Years Earlier

CHAPTER ONE

Vargas: The Screeching Eagle

CHAPTER TWO

Vargas: Princess Isobel

CHAPTER THREE

Vargas: Shopping can be Dangerous

CHAPTER FOUR

Vargas: Colonel Gordan

CHAPTER FIVE

Vargas: Reality 101

CHAPTER SIX

Vargas: They Hear But Don't Assimilate.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sasser Mountain: Interlude from Killing

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sasser Mountain: The Contract

CHAPTER NINE

Draco: Getting Acquainted

CHAPTER TEN

Draco: Rules

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jax: Rest and Reflection

CHAPTER TWELVE

Adalok: Queen Estelle

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Badahoz: Off to a Bad Start

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Quitha: Worth the Risk

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Dawar: Suiters can be a pain.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Lesothe:

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Zamara: The Scroll

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Sassor Mountain: New Contract

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sabretooth: Travel

CHAPTER TWENTY

Uster: Queen Liserli

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Uster: Night Time Entertainment

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Uster: Interrupted sleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jax: Socialization

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Safort: Raiders

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Safort: Old adversaries

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Safort: Geraldo

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Safort: Plan Go

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Safort: The Raider's Camp

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Planet: Safort, the Brothel

CHAPTER THIRTY

Planet: Safort, Almost Rat Free

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Planet: Zanoga, A Roll of the Dice

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Planet: Jax, Sasser Mountain

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Planet: Tordova, King Stephan

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Planet: Tordova, Chaos

PROLOGUE

Sasser Mountain: Several Years Earlier

As I strode toward the exercise yard where the new third-phase candidates were lined up, Captain Tyra Creech shouted, "Guard, attention." They bowed low, their eyes cast downward, making them vulnerable to attack, something no Guard would do except to show respect for a senior Guard officer. Creech nodded to me.

"At ease," I said, looking over the eight candidates who had successfully passed the second phase of Guard training and were now corporals, competing for the rank of lieutenant. At most, half would qualify, and only one would go on to phase four with an opportunity to make captain. "The Guard is the elite of the Jax Military...why?"

"Sir," a tall red-haired woman said, and waited permission to continue. The Guard did not recognize gender while on duty; therefore, an officer was Sir regardless of gender. I acknowledged her with a nod. "To qualify for the Guard, we had to exceed the requirements for the army and marines, making us the best of the candidates."

"What about the navy, Corporal Beals?" I asked, removing the satisfying look from her face.

"We were under eight years of age..." A reference to the Jax Inscription Law.

Under the Jax Inscription Law, children under eight years of age went directly into the army school, while children eight or older went to the navy school.

"So, we will never know if you would also have exceeded the navy requirements and are therefore the best of the best, will we?"

In the stunned silence, Captain Creech frowned.

I paced a few steps back and forth before I continued. "Exceeding the requirement for the army and marine schools is the entry requirements into the Guard school, but not the reason we are considered the elite of the Jax Military. A very lofty position when you consider that the Jax Military is considered the elite of the mercenary groups in the known universe. The heads of government contract with the Jax Military because, over the centuries, we have earned their respect with our tradition, take no prisoners, the famous Jax saying which is taken to mean never surrender. They trust the Jax navy and marines to fight their space battles and the army to fight insurgents. But they trust only the Guard with their personal lives. We have demonstrated over the centuries that no one can provide the personal protection we can, not even the elite Jax army, navy, or marines."

"You mentioned tradition, but not duty," Corporal Franklin, a wiry looking man said, eager to be recognized, then quickly added, "Sir."

"Very good, Corporal Franklin. You've discovered the reason Captain Sapir is here: to explain tradition and duty to us," Creech said, and then looked at me and nodded.

"The Jax Military has long considered tradition and duty one and the same. If you followed tradition, take no prisoners, you had done your duty."

"Sir, isn't that still true?" Corporal Reyes, a stocky broad-shouldered man asked while frowning. The expressions on the other seven faces said they had the same question.

"What is true today is the same as in centuries past. If you die fighting, you will have lived up to the Jax tradition and done your duty. The universe will applaud your bravery, but our reputation is built on winning at any cost, not bravery. I doubt the universe feels we did our duty in those instances where our client died. They may concede we fought bravely and honorably, but not that we did our duty under the contract—to protect our client. I would add that in those cases, those in charge also failed in their duty to protect those under their command." I paused to let each person consider my words and a totally new concept.

"But, sir, tradition requires we each be ready to sacrifice our lives to protect our clients, and that extends to those we command. I would think that is our highest priority," Reyes said, to nods of agreement from the rest of the group.

"The Guard is evolving, Corporal Reyes. Our previous standard assignments involved protecting a person or his family inside a permanent structure. However, the Guard has taken on several nonstandard assignments over the past few years. These assignments have earned us recognition as the Black Guard, and will result in our being asked to take on more non-standard assignments."

A tall woman, named Crider I thought, asked, "Sir, haven't we always been referred to as the Black Guard?" Again, everyone looked to be agreeing but unwilling to comment.

Creech spoke before I could answer. "Yes, Corporal Crider, but that referred to the color of our uniforms. The black now, however, refers to the cost of opposing the Guard—death. Captain Sapir has raised the Guard's already high standards even higher. As a consequence, we anticipate being asked to take on more nonstandard assignments. Those assignments will involve more risk and, correspondingly, more Guards deaths; losses we cannot afford because of our high recruiting standards."

"As Captain Creech points out, the Guard is evolving. This evolution will require us to consider tradition and duty as separate entities, with duty having the highest priority. That is what we will be considering over the next two years. It's a practical and necessary consideration if the Guard is to survive the future," I said, hoping I had the skill to help these new leaders of the Guard see the difference between tradition and duty. The survival of the Black Guard might depend on it.

CHAPTER ONE

Vargas: The Screeching Eagle

I fought for calm as I watched hundreds of pellets lift the body into the air and drive it with a bone-breaking ferocity against the wall. I saw it crumple into a bloody, mangled heap that no longer resembled a human. Two tall muscular men in battle gear walked up to the body and kicked it several times, their faces indifferent, as if they were kicking rubbish out of their way. A final kick to the head caused the half-hidden face to be fully exposed. One side was caved in with bone exposed. Hada Attali's gargoyle-looking face, her eyes open, stared up at me. Her mangled jaw slowly opened, the disjoined parts each moving in a different direction.

"Help me, Rivka," came out as a whispered plea, and I stumbled and fell to one knee. Tears streamed down my face but I made no attempt to wipe them away or to get up. The scene had played over and over in my mind like a broken disk, as I made my way to the top of Sasser Mountain to the shuttle that waited.

I felt a hand under my arm pulling me up. "Sir, there is no rush if you would like some time to catch your breath," Lieutenant Elijah said in a surprisingly normal voice, given her captain was on the ground, crying and unable to rise.

"Thank you, Elijah," I said, looking up at her pale face, wrinkled in concern. "Board the shuttle. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Yes, sir." She nodded, walked the fifty paces back to the shuttle, and entered without looking back. Elijah was an experienced lieutenant who had served with me on serval assignments over the years. She was solid, dependable, and had good judgement, as this incident had demonstrated. Seeing me stumbling, she had taken the initiative and loaded the shuttle, although doing so had violated the normal boarding order–officers first on, first off by rank–and hadn't bombarded me with questions or advice. She knew Captain Attali and I were like blood sisters, and the news of her being shot multiple times would be horrendous. I finished the last twenty steps to the top and stood gazing out over the mountains as I sought that tranquil peace meditation produced. Slowly my heart beat returned to normal, the images pushed away, and the tears stopped. All I could do was hope they had gotten Hada to the Jax cruiser in time to save her life. Worrying would only serve to distract me and maybe get someone killed, without helping Hada.

* * *

When I exited the shuttle into the bay of the Screeching Eagle, the captain stood waiting. I gave a low bow out of respect. He didn't expect anything else. The Black Guard didn't salute or shake hands or bow lower than their ability to maintain eye contact with the other person.

"I'm Captain Hammond, captain of the Screeching Eagle. I understand you and Captain Attali are very close, like sisters," he said, continuing when I nodded. "Early word was that she was seriously wounded by multiple bullets from one or more assault weapons. The latest word is that her team managed to get her transferred to the Crouching Tiger and into the cruiser's medical unit in time to save her life. The message said she wouldn't be fit for duty for several weeks or longer, but should make a full recovery." He smiled, probably at the relief in my eyes.

"Thank you, Captain Hammond. That's going to make the four-day ride on the Screeching Eagle much more enjoyable."

"Good. Lieutenant Sanders will show you to your quarters. If your duties permit, you are welcome to join me and a few of my senior officers for dinner tonight. Say, twenty hundred hours."

"Thank you, Captain, I would be honored," I said, bowed, and followed the young lieutenant out of the bay. My room, with its private bath and single bed, was meant for senior naval officers–full commanders–and the occasional VIP. My captain’s rank would be the equivalent of a full lieutenant in the navy. But the Guard didn't have the navy's equivalent of a captain or commander or lieutenant commander. The lack of medals and awards further emphasized the Guard's uniqueness. The only recognition for performance was the double-dragon award, which was the equivalent of the medal of honor, and the dragon-collar, which was more an honorary title that recognized a level of skill equivalent to winning an Olympic gold medal. The differences left everyone confused–we were Jax military but unlike any other service.

* * *

"Captain Sapir, I would like you to meet my XO, Commander Malone, and Colonel Torres, who is in charge of our marine contingent," Hammond said as I entered the captain's private dining room which could comfortably accommodate ten persons. The captain had a medium build and was average in height. His clean-shaven face was smooth and round, with his white hair cut just over his ears. In a suit, he would have looked the ideal CEO of a major company. His eyes gleamed with intelligence and a penetrating awareness, as he evaluated me.  Malone on the other hand had a wiry frame and appeared constantly in motion like a humming bird. His angular face, narrow eyes, and close-cropped hair gave him a stern demeanor. The colonel, by contrast, had the look of an old warhorse with his stocky build, craggy square face, and short brown hair, streaked with gray.

I nodded to each man as I was introduced. "A pleasure to meet you, gentlemen."

"I understand Captain Attali is a close friend of yours. Time for a little payback?" Torres asked with a knowing grin and a sense of approval.

"No. It's seldom personal, just two groups doing what they are paid to do. The attacking group is usually trying to kill the individual we're guarding, and we refuse to get out of the way," I said and stopped to take a sip of water. The comment generated a frown from Torres but nods from Hammond and Malone. "Making it personal would be distracting."

"Distracting?" Torres growled. "They killed several of your men and almost killed a close friend."

"Distracting, as my thoughts would be on retribution, and not on ensuring my troops were properly positioned for both their safety and the client's," I said. "The past cannot be changed, nor would revenge make their deaths more meaningful or less tragic."

"Ironic," Hammond interjected. "Your reputation has you as a heartless and wanton killer. Yet, you are well respected by those who know you, and you appear to be the Jax Committee's trouble shooter."

"Probably depends on one's perspective. If I kill someone you love, then I'm rightfully a heartless and wanton killer regardless of what that person was doing at the time," I said to slowly nodding heads.

CHAPTER TWO

Vargas: Princess Isobel

Four days later, I exited the Screeching Eagle with Lieutenant Elijah, two senior sergeants, and two eight-guard details. The Jax combat shuttle had settled on a landing pad a hundred meters from a two-story building resembling an old-English residence for royalty. Lieutenant Franklin stood waiting with a tall, muscular man in a dark green uniform with a red stripe running down his pant legs, and shoulder boards with three gold pips. He studied me with a stare of distain.

Lieutenant Franklin, Captain Attali's second in command, bowed with his eyes toward the ground, before speaking, "Sir, this is Colonel Dogar, the head of palace security."

"Another woman," Dogar said, while continuing to evaluate me with a look of disapproval.

"Lieutenant Franklin, what happened," I asked, ignoring the colonel and his remark.

"Your guards nearly got the princess killed," the colonel said with a sneer. My eyes never left Franklin.

"Sir. Corporal Franks, whom I managed to question before he died, said Captain Attali, Corporal Franks, and Private Hurley had just left Princess Isobel's quarters and were heading down the hallway to the West Wing when a group of men appeared out of the stairway from the first floor and began shooting. Captain Attali told the princess to retreat back to her quarters as she and Franks returned fire. The princess ignored Captain Attali and began running down the hallway, shouting for the palace guard as she ran. Captain Attali–" Franklin was interrupted by the colonel.

"Better sense than your captain–"

"Lieutenant, continue," I said desperately wanting to understand the circumstances that got two Guards killed and Hada seriously wounded. The colonel was like an irritating bug buzzing around my head.

"Captain Attali followed her while firing at the attackers in an effort to provide her cover, as she had exposed herself by running down the hallway. They killed the attackers but Captain Attali and Franks were seriously injured and Hurley killed while providing the princess cover. Franks died before we could get him to the cruiser's medical ward. The princess was unharmed.

"The princess did the right thing, seeking the protection of the palace guard. Your captain would have gotten them trapped hiding in the princess's quarters. But what can you expect from women except to run and hide."

"Were you there?" I asked, spinning to face the colonel. "Typical know-it-all male. You don't have a clue but you have all the answers." My anger vanished and was replaced by a focused calm so intense I could hear his breathing and sense his every muscle twitch. I awaited his response. Fortunately for him, he backed up a step and moved his hands away from his weapon, but I could sense his rage. "Sergeant Zinn, kill him if he touches his weapon." I turned back to Franklin and nodded for him to continue.

"I also talked to Captain Attali while providing what medical assistance I could until the rest of our detail arrived. The captain said they could have held off the attackers if the princess had retreated back to her quarters as he had ordered–"

"Your captain had no right to order the princess. The princess was running to where she knew the palace guard was waiting. She obviously didn't trust the Black Guard to protect her." Dogar growled. Anger burned in his narrowed eyes.

"Colonel Dogar, take me to King Machado. My business is with him not you." I understood the colonel might consider the princess above reproach and that he would be offended that Machado had hired the Black Guard instead of trusting him, but I didn't want to kill him just to shut him up. The colonel waved to the side entrance closest to the landing pad and began walking. "Franklin, wait here while I talk with the king and hold the shuttle until I tell you otherwise. I turned and followed Dogar into the building past a security checkpoint and into a long hallway which I knew, from a blueprint of the building, led to the East Wing and the king's personal quarters. We passed ten palace security men judging by their white jackets and dark green pants. They were guarding entrances to the building and specific rooms. Two security guards stood in front of an arch which I assumed defined the East Wing. Once past the guards, he chose the stairs rather than the elevator on the opposite side of the hallway. The hallway we exited into appeared newer, as if it had been recently renovated. The walls were lined with portraits of men, women, and children who looked, by their various outfits, to date back centuries. He stopped at a door with two palace security men. One opened the door, peeked in, then turned toward the colonel and nodded. I followed Dogar into the room. He bowed to the broad-shouldered man sitting in an ornate chair with a large mug decorated with painted scenes. The room looked to be an informal reception room. At one end of the room, the king sat in a slightly elevated chair. A variety of high-back chairs and small tables were spread around the room. Narrow windows looked out onto a manicured lawn, hedges, and, in the distance, a small cluster of trees. Two Black Guards stood against opposite walls. They only nodded to me as they were on duty.

"Good morning, Captain. Are you Captain Attali's replacement?" he asked before sipping from his mug. "They died bravely saving my niece and heir."

"Good morning, King Machado. No, I'm here to formally cancel your contract with the Black Guard for non-compliance," I said, and watched Machado's mouth drop open. He jerked upward spilling the liquid in his mug on the chair and his pant leg. The liquid looked like kaffa and didn't go well on the white silk pants.

"Noncompliance?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. We're not paid help. We're not servants or hired bodyguards. We have a contractual agreement which means a two-way relationship. We agree to provide personal security for one or more individuals, and you agree we are in charge of your security. Your niece broke that agreement by ignoring Captain Attali's orders to retreat to her quarters and that resulted in the death of two Black Guards."

"But her life continues to be in danger."

"She's obviously more comfortable with the palace guard, and Colonel Dogar believes his troops are better qualified than the Guard. So, it makes sense to let them protect her," I said as Isobel walked into the room.

"I panicked," Isobel gave a little girl smile and tried to look coy.

"I agree. You panicked because you aren't comfortable taking direction from the Black Guard. It makes sense that you would be less likely to panic with the palace guard, and therefore, less likely to get anyone killed." This probably wouldn't work but it was worth a try.

"Protecting me is what they were paid to do," Isobel said, as if they were pawns on a chess board and meant to be sacrificed to save the queen…or in this case the princess. Isobel's attitude made her trouble.

"Your Majesty, your palace troops are as good…no, we are better than the Black Guard. We know the building, the people, and have the same weapons they do. We can keep the princess…and you safe," Dogar said, his lip curled in a contemptuous smile. Unfortunately, the king didn't appear to agree.

"Although the palace guard is excellent, they are not the Black Guard's equivalent. Isobel is my only heir," Machado said, sounding desperate. Dogar wanted to scream his protest but knew he couldn't contradict the king. The king laughed. "Dogar, my friend, Princess Isobel wants you as her guard because she knows you'll let her do whatever she wants. I doubt Captain…" Machado looked toward me.

"Sapir," I said appraising Machado. He wasn't stupid.

"I doubt Captain Sapir will be impressed. Rulers hire the Black Guard and pay their exorbitant rates for a reason." He looked back to Dogar. "How old were you when you joined the military, Colonel?"

"Sixteen," Dogar said.

"How much training did you receive?"

"Six months initially, then field exercises and arms training a few weeks every year."

"Captain, how old were you when the Jax military drafted you?" Machado had an amused look that said he already knew the answer.

"Six."

"Six!" Isobel blurted shaking her head in disbelief.

"And your training?" Machado continued.

"Every Guard's training last for sixteen years. Except for an officer's last four years, the training is the same," I said.

"So, Captain, what must I agree to?" Machado didn't smile as his eyes held mine.

"Pay a twenty-five percent penalty for the princess breaking the contract, and you and the princess must understand the consequences of disobeying an order given by any Guard," I said, knowing the Jax Committee wouldn't sanction me refusing to initiate a new contract.

"Obey any Guard! That's ridiculous, Uncle," Isobel shouted and gave an incredulous look, as if I had asked her to undress and dance naked for everyone. "And what if I don't!" she demanded in a defiant, angry tone.

"Princess Isobel, no Guard gives orders to our clients unless he or she feels not doing so would unnecessarily endanger their live or make it impossible to protect them. But to answer your excellent question, it will depend on the circumstances." I paused to make sure I had her attention. I did. Her eyes were lasers, trying to burn through my eyes into my brain. "If you're not in immediate danger, your unwillingness to cooperate with us trying to protect you could result in the termination of the contract. If you were under attack at the time that would also result in cancellation of the contract. Under the latter circumstances, we would be justified in leaving you to your own devices, but since we do not wish you harm, we would make a reasonable attempt to keep you from getting killed," I said and her lip twitched in what she thought a small victory. "For example, Captain Attali chose to make an extraordinary attempt to save you. I would just have shot you in the leg to stop you from running and exposing yourself to the attackers. Then dragged you back to safety–reasonable versus extraordinary."

"You wouldn't…couldn't…my uncle would..." Her eyes turned toward Machado. He was frowning but not voicing any objection.

"Of course, we could amend the contract to include a separate clause that releases us from all responsibility if you defy an order relating to your safety," I looked to Machado who shook his head.

"No. Isobel must understand there are rules and restrictions that apply to kings, queens, and princesses. Without some self-restraint, we would be no better than despots and deserve to be assassinated."

"Senior Sergeant Zinn will be assigned to guard you, Princess Isobel," I said and Zinn stepped forward and proceeded to introduce her eight-person detail. "Two Guards will  accompany you at all times. One must be able to see you at all times unless you are in a room alone and it has only one egress."

"What if I wish to take a man…to my bed?" She shot a nervous glance toward the king then cocked her head toward me.

"Princess, we are not your chaperones. If you wish to engage in dangerous behavior, we will not stop you. We will do all we can to minimize the risk. In your example, we will search the man, make sure we can hear a call for help, and ensure he can't leave until we know you are unharmed," I said watching her as she digested what I said and tried to evaluate how that would impact what she could and could not do. "King Machado, Senior Sergeant Wahle will be in charge of your detail," I said and Wahle stepped forward and introduced his team.

When Wahle had finished, the king spoke. "I noticed that several uniforms have two red dragons while others have only one. A rank of some kind?"

Wahle laughed. "No, they are a reminder of what is expected of a Black Guard. They were the last ones standing after engagements against overwhelming odds and the reason Black does not refer to the color of our uniform but to the cost of opposing us."

"Yes." Machado nodded, "Isobel, notice their uniforms. No medals, yet I would wager in any other service they would have a chest full. I would take the captain's words seriously. These are not the kind of people who bluff or repeat themselves."

* * *

Minister Pantojo was assigned to give Elijah and me a tour of the massive three-story building which looked like the letter "E." The backbone of the "E" was a long hallway that provided access to the three wings: servants, administrative, and the king's residence.

The servant's area, designated the South Wing, included the kitchens, cleaning and maintenance shops, hospital and medical personnel, sleeping quarters, and a general dining area. The middle, or Administration Wing, included the ministers’ offices, and their staff. The king's area was officially the North Wing and contained two dining rooms, guest and VIP quarters, and the king's private floor for him, his mistress, and the princess. We were assigned two vacant bedrooms with their own bathroom suite, although one would have been adequate since one detail would be on duty at all times, and the men and women had been sharing sleeping quarters since they joined the military. I spent the rest of the day touring the building on my own and checking the people I saw against Hada's database, which Lieutenant Franklin had transferred to my Mfi, (Multifunctional Information communication device) which we each carried strapped to our left forearm. Besides being a communication device, it could verify an individual's identification if he or she was in the database, and included a high-speed computer. Between palace security, who provided access to the building, and the Black Guard's individual monitoring, I thought the arrangements adequate, if I forgot that eight attackers managed to breach the building and the North Wing. The king was also aware of the weakness in palace security; hence, he hired the Black Guard.

Feeling I had my team in place, Elijah was on duty, and knowing Hada would live, I retired for the night.

* * *

I had just finished washing and putting on a clean uniform when my Mfi buzzed with an urgent signal. Zinn's face appeared when I answered.

"Sir, we have a problem. Colonel Dogar just arrived with six palace guards, and Isobel informed me that she is going shopping, and doesn't need the Black Guard." Zinn's eyes shown with amusement. He had served with me on several occasions and could anticipate my reaction.

"Tell her I hope she has a good day and that I'm informing the king she is no longer under contract with the Black Guard." I cut the connection to a smiling Zinn. I then buzzed Wahle.

"Wahle, where is the king?"

"In his reception room with Minister Pantojo, working on the day's schedule."

"Inform him that his niece is about to terminate our contract with him, and I would like to meet with him at his convenience." I clicked off and finished strapping my laser to my left thigh and Mfw to the right. Leaving the room, I used the stairs to descend to the first floor and made my way to the reception room, noting the picturesque statues of warriors thru Vargas's six-hundred-year history. Although cast in metal, they had brightly colored enameled surfaces which made them look like they had been petrified.

When I entered the room, I wasn't surprised to find the princess, Dogar, and four palace guards in addition to the king, his minister, and the king's two Black Guards.

"Uncle, I don't need Black Guards to go shopping!" she shouted and then glared back at me.

"Captain Sapir, what's the problem?"

"I believe Princess Isobel and the colonel think this is a game of some sort where they are on one side and I'm on the other. It's a game, but not between the princess, colonel, and me. It's between Princess Isobel and those that want her dead. My life isn't involved, and I have nothing to prove. To me it's just another assignment. If the Princess won't conform to the Black Guard's contract conditions, I'll send half my team home. Commander Wexler won't mind, he has many contracts waiting to be filled."

"You love giving orders to a princess. Makes you feel important–" Dogar began but I interrupted.

"I love saving lives. To me a king, princess, soldier, or maid are all worth saving. Each is a life precious to someone."

"Bitch! You have a nerve comparing my king to a maid," he shouted as one hand pointed a finger at me as a distraction and the other slowly crept toward his Mfw. I was surprised the king hadn't said anything or attempted to settle the matter. A storm was in progress. Thunder reverberated like kinetic bombs, lightning turned the sky to daylight, the wind roared with hurricane, force destroying everything in its path, while rain washed away roads, bridges, and houses; and the king sat content to ignore it.

"Don't be an idiot, Colonel. There are too many people in the room. You could harm someone with that Mfw," I said wondering if he were waiting for the king to stop it. Shit, if the king doesn't, he will take that as permission to kill me.

"The big bad Black Guard afraid?" Dogar's voice mocked in a high-pitched tone.

"What will killing me prove? I thought the object was to protect the king and the princess. Spraying pellets in a crowded room doesn't seem to make sense."

"I'm going to put one bullet between your eyes. That way no one important will get hurt."

I smiled which was a mistake. The king still hadn't intervened, Dogar could picture the fantasy in his mind, and the damn princess was smiling. Dogar thought he had won the trifecta. The problem was his wager was on the wrong race: the princess wasn't vying for his attention. She just wanted me embarrassed. Meanwhile, the king was betting I would win, indicating he didn't like Dogar's attention toward the princess. Not to mention, fantasies are distracting and definitely not helpful in a fight.

His hand grabbed the handle of his Mfw and began pulling it upward. The sergeant next to Dogar and a corporal also began to draw as they saw Dogar's hand on his Mfw.

I slapped my Mfw release and fired a pellet through his left eye before his Mfw had cleared the holster. It slid back into the holster as his brain shut down, and he crumpled to the floor. I shot the sergeant to Dogar's right next as his Mfw had cleared the holster, and the corporal last as he was slower to react. The other two guards let go of their Mfws when they saw the three men fall. Neither Wahle nor the two Black Guards on duty had fired although their Mfws were out. They stood alert and scanned the room.

"She killed Dogar!" Isobel screamed, looking more angry than sorry. "She needs to be held accountable, whipped."

Machado ignored Isobel. "The rumors weren't exaggerated." He nodded, as he surveyed the other Black Guards in the room who were now returning their weapons to their holsters. "That was your fault, Isobel. You made him think you liked him which made him work hard to please you and think he was in competition with Captain Sapir. He saw the captain as a threat to his manhood. He lost focus. His job was to provide security for you and me. He had begun to think he made the rules. He didn't. I do. That brings us to the Black Guard. If you want to leave the building, I want you to discuss it with Captain Sapir, unless you don't wish to rule Vargas someday."

Isobel stood rigid. Her face turning red hot like a volcano on the verge of exploding. Then just as quickly, she bowed her head and said sweetly, "Yes, Uncle."

Just then a slim man entered the room and looked around before lowering himself onto one knee. "Your Majesty, when I heard there was trouble, I came as quickly as I could," he said. Through the open door, I could see a couple of squads of palace security in combat gear.

"Major Gordan, I'm promoting you to colonel and placing you in charge of palace security. You're not in competition with the Black Guard. I hired them as personal bodyguards for the princess and myself. You are to cooperate with them and follow their suggestions. Bring any problems to me for resolution. Colonel Dogar thought to take his complaints directly to Captain Sapir, and you see how that worked out." He nodded to the bodies on the floor.

"Yes, Sire." He waved to a lieutenant who came running into the room. "Holt, get the bodies removed and alert maintenance the room needs cleaning."

Isobel moved next to me while Gordan and Holt talked. "Your life-saving techniques are a bit rusty," she said in a voice dripping with scorn.

"Saving my life comes first, then my client, and then my detail. Since you and I and my troops are unhurt, I would say my skills were adequate, although I would have wished no one had to die.

"You could have wounded him," her words had a hint of anger. I thought her uncle was right and the anger was directed at herself.

"Only in the videos, Princess. If you shoot him in the arm or hand, first you may miss and then he would shoot and maybe kill you, or if he is a bad shot, someone else. Even if you hit the arm or hand you are aiming at, you may not cause enough pain to drop the weapon, in which case he will fire at you. Even if your shot causes him enough pain to drop the weapon, the pain may cause him to tighten his muscles and fire. No, you must assume he intends to kill you, is capable of doing just that, is wearing protective equipment, and you and other people will die if you do not shoot to kill," I said. "No one in the Black Guard takes pleasure in killing someone, and we have nothing to prove. Therefore, we never draw our weapons except in self-defense or to protect others. If your uncle has recording devices in the room, you would see that Colonel Dogar and the other security men drew their weapons before I did."

Isobel eyes narrowed as she examined my face as if that would tell her something. I gave her a wry smile. "Nor do we take pleasure in telling clients what they can and can't do. It's necessary. If we didn't, many of our clients would think there are times and places their enemies would not attack. Our centuries of collective experience tell us that isn't true. If fact, those are usually the best times for an attack, since most aren't prepared. Our only intent is to have you alive and unharmed when we leave." Looking into her eyes, I wasn't sure if I had convinced her this wasn't a game, or rather that it was just a more complex game. Probably the latter case. If so, I knew she intended to play to win.

"What about going shopping," she asked. Her voice low, sweet, and submissive. I scanned the room and located the new head of security, Colonel Gordan, and waved him over. He evaluated me as he approached. His long stride indicated he was confident, had good balance, and dangerous.

"Good day, Colonel Gordan. I'm Captain Sapir." I gave a small bow which he returned, indicating he knew we never shook hands and must have spent some time reading available information about the Guard, confirming he was no fool. "Princess Isobel would like to go shopping, and I would like to understand what that would normally involve."

He assessed me before replying. "Normally, we would send a detail of four to six men. Two would stay close to her while the other two to four would follow twenty to thirty paces away. The numbers and the tightness of the security would depend on where she intended to shop."

"Do you know or suspect who would like to kill the princess?" I asked. The attack on Hada had been very aggressive–eight well-armed men and inside the palace. They had to know something, otherwise why the Black Guard?

Gordan hesitated. "Rebels. Followers of Sachiko Dejesus, who is a representative in the House of the People. He admires a Vargas warlord who ruled over a hundred years ago. His following isn't large enough to challenge the king, or to pull off a coup d’état, but if the king were dead, and there were no heirs…"

"Princess, where were you planning on shopping?" I asked.

"The People's Pavilion," she smiled sweetly, which I suspected was her first move in what she considered a more challenging game. I looked to Gordan.

"It's the newest and largest shopping structure and visited by a diverse group of our citizens."

"A good place for the attackers to arrange an ambush that overwhelms your security and gets bystanders killed. Sounds like what a responsible leader would want to do for fun." I stood looking off like I was thinking. "Princess Isobel, I'll suspend the contract while you are out shopping and let Colonel Gordan provide your security."

"You bitch. You're hoping I get killed–" Isobel shouted but I interrupted.

"No. I'm hoping you aren't attacked because that will mean innocent shoppers and Colonel Gordan's detail will be alive when you return."

"What about me?"

"Then you will also be alive," I said and smiled.

"What if I'm attacked?" Isobel persisted.

"That depends on your attackers. They will have the overwhelming advantage: they can pick the time and place and will have lots of shoppers to provide them cover. Consequently, they will have the element of surprise. Under similar circumstances, I would use a sniper to shoot, leave the weapon, and disappear in the resulting chaos created by the shot."

"You're just worried about your reputation!" She spit out in a tirade of anger and frustration.

"No, Princess. I'm far more concerned about getting Black Guards killed trying to protect someone who has a death wish. The Colonel has no choice but to comply with your wishes. I have a choice."

"You are a coward!" she shouted looking to shame me into agreeing although she wasn't looking as sure about going as she had been.

"Princess, I am not suicidal. If you want to play Russian Roulette with your life, don't ask me or the Guard to pull the trigger."

"You're under contract," she said shifting to a new approach.

"Only so long as you comply with the terms of the contract. The truth is I would have canceled the contract except I believe your uncle is acting in good faith, understands the threat is real, and wants our protection."

"You think I'm not?" she pouted and her eyes misted. I was impressed. She probably conjured a scenario where her allowance got cut.

"You think this a game and all the players except you are expendable. Like in Battle Chess, the object is to capture the king and the pieces are expendable. But the game is to kill the princess. The attackers will be shooting to kill you, not your guards. The pellets they spray in your direction won't care if you are a woman, a princess, good, or evil. They will tear through cloth, then flesh, then into muscle, and finally through your lungs, heart, and lastly your kidneys and spine. Just one pellet can kill you or cripple you for life. But even the pellet that doesn't destroy your organs will leave scars and can cripple you. You cannot outrun a pellet or a laser." I paused as Isobel's face turned ashen and her eyes went wide. "The rebels odds of succeeding double and maybe triple when you leave this building and walk around in the open. Your guards are an illusion of safety. A sniper needs only one pellet through your eye."

"Happy?" Her amusement had vanished to be replaced by horror then anger. "I'm going to have nightmares."

"Yes, if it helps keep you alive," I said, pleased that I finally might have managed to convince her she had to be cautious.

"What about the Royal Plaza?" she asked looking at me, amused but far less so. I looked to Colonel Gordan.

"It's smaller, the shoppers tend to be more affluent, which would make the attackers more conspicuous, and it's one level so snipers have no high ground." He shrugged, awaiting my comments.

"Can you get me six outfits which will be consistent with the typical shoppers at the plaza? That way we can shadow you while making it appear she has only a normal palace detail accompanying her. A smaller detail could make them more confident and less careful."

CHAPTER THREE

Vargas: Shopping can be Dangerous

I accompanied Senior Sergeant Zina and her entire detail to the Royal Pavilion. With that many Guards, we could rotate the individuals shadowing the princess's security and minimize the chances the extra security would be identified. In addition, there would be several available to roam, attempting to identify trouble before it got close.

At the Pavilion, I could detect no distinct style of clothing. The shoppers wore clothes that were better tailored and the material more expensive. The salespeople were immaculately dressed and the shop's displays arranged to excite the senses. There were stores on both sides of the walkway, which could accommodate ten shoppers abreast, designed to look like an outside park with grass, trees, and streams with fish and water birds. The plaza felt old, elegant, and a place where you could stroll and relax.

The princess was obviously a frequent customer who did more than look, judging by the attention she got in each store. The attention explained why she liked to shop. It made her feel special. She certainly didn't need more clothes. I chose to roam, hoping to identify trouble before it found the princess's detail. The rebels might dress consistent with the other shoppers, but I thought they would stand out in any case: looking at the people and not the shops, clothes that appeared to be hiding weapons, and expressions that didn't fit with shopping. As the hours passed, I became more concerned. It would take a watcher time to contact his group that the princess was at the pavilion and for the group to get organized; nevertheless, they were way overdue. I doubted we were just lucky and no one was watching. Isobel loved shopping and wouldn't miss too many days. The only question would be where, and there were only five major shopping areas in the city. Then I saw a group that fit my paranoia profile. There were around ten men and three women. Three of the women immediately left the group. Each woman chose a wing and began looking into the stores as they passed. Since I knew which wing the princess was currently in, I followed the woman who went left into the Frederika Wing. The three wings were named after former queens, Frederika, Kathrynne, and Octavia. Frederika had been the wife of King Anthony, and noted for her love of nature. Accordingly, the wing had a nature theme complete with trees, grass, and small rivers and ponds. The three women dressed in blouses and skirts similar to many of the other women shoppers, but they weren't as new or the same expensive quality most wore. It was obvious to anyone watching the woman I followed that she wasn't shopping but rather looking for someone. She entered each shop making sure she looked into each section, then exited and walked briskly to the next store. Halfway into the wing she spotted two of the princess's guards stationed at the entrance to Ella's Secrets, which looked like undergarments and nightwear from the fairy-like mannequins in the display window.

She had found the princess and should have returned to report to the men who were waiting and undoubtedly armed with Mfws or assault weapons. The fact that she didn't, but rather entered the shop, made me nervous, so I followed. Inside, the walls were lined with wooden cabinets with pictures attached to each. The pictures were of women wearing one or more articles. Touching the screen activated the picture and initiated a one-minute clip of a woman dressed in the article while walking, dancing, or lying on various objects. If the customer was interested, an assistant would open the cabinet and exhibit the article in various colors and sizes.

The princess stood at one of the cabinets being shown a variety of lace lingerie. Isobel took one of the articles and walked over to a full-length mirror. The woman from the group joined her.

"You would look gorgeous in that," the woman said as she slid a stiletto from inside her shirt. She then suddenly grabbed Isobel by the hair, jerking her head back, and raised the stiletto to cut her throat. But Zinn stopped the arm with her right arm and slammed an open palm strike to the woman's temple. The blow jerked the woman in a half circle, and she bounced off one of the cabinets as she crumpled to the floor. The woman's stiletto lay at Isobel's feet.

Isobel look down at the stiletto and then the woman. Her face showing her changing emotions: horror, fear, relief, and finally a small smile on her flushed face. "Captain Sapir, you could have stopped her before she messed my hair."

"I was going to let your security stop her," I said looking serious, although the expression of shock on her face made it hard.

"They didn't notice her," she shouted looking toward the two palace guards standing some ten paces away. She relaxed and stared at me for several minutes. "You wouldn't have." She gave me a forced smile.

"Maybe not." I wandered out into the plaza, hoping the incident would make her realize the seriousness of her situation. "Colonel, let's try and get the princess out of here without a shootout," I said, when I found him outside the store scanning the area.

"How?" He continued to scan the area. "That woman must have others with her."

"Yes, there are ten men at the entrance. They sent a woman into each wing to find the princess. When this one doesn't return, they will be coming," I said hoping he wasn't looking to fight unless he had to. "You and your men stay with the woman. I'll take the princess into one of the stores and hide her. They'll see you and should ignore the stores thinking the princess is with you. When they pass, we will take the princess to the shuttle and return to the king's residence. I doubt they will want to die fighting if the princess isn't present. The woman won't be worth it as she disobeyed orders and caused them to lose their chance to kill Isobel."

The colonel nodded after only a short delay. He had two men stand over the woman while the others spread out several paces and faced back toward the plaza entrance. A sizeable crowd had accumulated about thirty paces away from the guards and backed up another twenty when the guards drew their Mfws. They took little notice of the princess sandwiched between Zinn and me as we walked through and into a men's sports store.

"Unless you want your store destroyed by gun fire and people killed, I suggest you act normal," I said and pushed the princess into an area where men's suits were hanging." I clicked on my Mfi. "All Guards, mingle with the crowd watching the palace guard and support them if the rebels attack." Several minutes later, the ten men and the two women passed us, pushing the watching shoppers aside. When the people saw they had Mfws, they retreated. Zinn, the Princess, and I followed.

CHAPTER FOUR

Vargas: Colonel Gordan

Colonel Gordan, had been in palace security all of his adult life. He had joined the Vargas military as a young man of seventeen. As a youth he was wiry, agile, and excelled at basic training, and subsequently on the job which earned him recognition and promotions. Several years of dedicated service, and a reputation for hard work and getting the job done, made him eligible for the elite palace guard. There he rose to the rank of senior sergeant, and after he foiled an assassination attempt on the king's brother, he was promoted to lieutenant. He was strict but fair and flexible which made him popular with his men. Over the years he foiled several more assassination attempts that earned him the position of second in command and Colonel Dogar's logical replacement.

Unlike Dogar, he didn’t object to the presence of the Black Guard. Although King Machodo was a reliable ruler, his niece was universally disliked, and the idea of her being the next ruler had galvanized the radical members of Vargas who wanted a stronger ruler and military. As a result, assassination attempts were no longer one or two unstable individuals but organized military operations which the palace guard wasn't equipped to handle. When they failed, heads would roll regardless of the fact that they weren't staffed, trained, or equipped to handle those kinds of attacks. Gordan was smart enough to know after they killed Isobel, the king would be next and that would be bad for the country.

Gordan stood with warring emotions over the unconscious body of the rebel woman. Her confederates would soon be approaching, thinking Isobel was with her security. If he fought, some of his men would get killed, but it was an opportunity to weaken the opposition to the king. If some survived, he might be able to learn the names and locations of other members. Captain Sapir had left four Guards with the crowd which would mean he would have the attackers in a cross fire and the Guards were deadly shots as Dogar should have realized. The Black Guard wouldn't be staying for long as they were very expensive. So, Gordan had to take whatever advantage of them he could.

As the rebels pushed through the crowd and drew their weapons, the crowd receded. His detail had found partial cover behind cement fountains and other decorative metal animals. The twelve rebels stood forty paces away, and four Black Guard in civilian clothes mingled with the watching crowd some forty paces behind the attackers, completely ignored.

"You and your men may leave, Colonel, unharmed if you leave Isobel and our companion," one of the rebels offered, as his eyes scanned the palace guard for Isobel.

"Fire," Gordan shouted and his troops opened fire. Three rebels went down as the crowd of spectators scattered in panic. He knew several of the spectators had been wounded, maybe killed, and hoped none of the Black Guard had been hit. He knew that might happen although he had insisted his men set their Mfws to single shots. His men weren't expert shots; therefore, even on semi-automatic their Mfws would spew over a hundred pellets per second, and the pellets which missed their intended target–the majority–would be potentially lethal for several hundred meters. A second later, the Black Guard fired while seeking cover.

"Cease fire," Gordan screamed in disbelief. All the rebels were down but his men were still firing. The Black Guard where now nowhere to be seen. He had no doubt an examination of the bodies would show the Black Guard had killed, not wounded, the remaining nine rebels as they moved to avoid his men's fire. He and his eight men only managed to bring down three rebels shooting from a standing position. The Black Guard had killed nine while moving. He was glad the Guard was here. He and his men weren't ready for the rebels.

* * *

As we reached the lobby and the exits, I could hear the Mfw fire sounding like a New Year's celebration although it lasted for less than a minute. Bystanders were bound to have been injured and maybe killed. Why people on every system insisted on staying to watch a confrontation with armed contestants was beyond me. Most semi-trained shooters left their weapons on automatic which meant fifty to one hundred percent of the pellets spilling out missed their target and continued on their mindless way until gravity pulled them to the ground a thousand meters away or they were stopped by an object of sufficient mass–like the idiot who thought he was a spectator when his presence made him an unarmed participant–a live target. The four Guards I had left to support Gordan would have reduced the number of injured and killed, but any casualties were a result of Isobel's insistence on going shopping. I could understand the rebels dislike for her since she thought the citizens of Vargas were expendable in the pursuit of her pleasure. Except for Duty, I think I would paint her red so the rebels had a better target. I smiled at the thought. In fact, the Jax protected many unfit rulers and important but nefarious people. To do otherwise would mean we would be in the business of deciding who was good and who was bad. But what constituted bad? In the end that would come down to imposing the Jax's standards on the universe and taking sides with rebel groups, who for all their rhetoric, were usually as undesirable as the ruling party when they came into power. No, it was easier to support the ruling government. That wasn't a perfect solution, but it made the Jax predictable, dependable, and sought after by those who had the money to afford our exorbitant fees.

I lay awake for some time pondering how Choje Abhaya, my Buddhist friend and mentor, could reconcile life as a Buddhist in the Black Guard. I fell asleep looking forward to my next meeting with him.

* * *

"What happened, Colonel Gordan?" Machado asked. He had requested Gordan and I join him in his private office on the third floor. Although it had a large black-wood desk, the room looked more like a good room for relaxing with its stuffed chairs and an entire wall of leather-bound books. Even the pictures scattered around the available wall space were serene and calming: a deer and its fawn drinking from a small lake in a green valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains, an old sleepy village at daybreak, a woman sitting on a grassy lawn in the shade of a massive oak reading to a young child. The pictures gave the impression of being from long-ago, when times were slower and more peaceful. "I'm told the palace guard began the shooting which resulted in the death of two shoppers and six others wounded."

"Sire, somehow the attackers found that Princess Isobel was at the Royal Pavilion. They had three women scouting the pavilion for the princess and ten men, enough to overwhelm her normal security. One of the women found the princess in the Frederika Wing. But instead of alerting the men, she attempted to assassinate the princess. Senior Sergeant Zinn stopped the woman before she could stab the princess. A short time later the ten men appeared. They told us we could leave if we left the woman and the princess," Gordan said but was interrupted before he could continue.

"Where was the princess?" Machado asked leaning forward in his chair.

"Captain Sapir, had taken her into one of the stores thinking the attackers would assume she was with palace security. When the rebels passed the store, Captain Sapir and the princess left the wing."

"Go on." Machado waved for him to continue.

"I knew they wouldn't let us leave until they knew where the princess was hiding, and they had weapons visible. I decided better to shoot first, hoping to minimize the damage and give the Guard time to get the princess away."

"Captain Sapir?" Machado asked. I wasn't sure what he wanted from me. "I understand one of your Guards was injured."

"I left several Guards mingling in the crowd to help palace security if necessary, and to ensure none of the men realized the princess wasn't with her palace detail and chased after us. They were unaware Colonel Gordan would open fire without warning. The corporal's wound is minor." I didn’t add that would be the last time I would support the palace guard.

"No reprisals or comments?"

"No. The Black Guard does not do reprisals. It was my decision to leave Guards in a position to be harmed if Colonel Gordan chose to fire on the attackers.  The colonel is not responsible for the Guard's safety, just as I'm not responsible to protect the public or palace security unless it somehow helps protect you or the princess," I said, knowing it would sound heartless. Machado nodded.

"You let Isobel go to the pavilion," he said but it was a question–maybe several.

"We try to interfere with our clients lives as little as possible, and I'm still evaluating the threat," I said.

"Your conclusion?"

"That you are safe so long as Princess Isobel is alive–"

He roared a laugh and smacked the arm of his chair. "Why?"

"Because your opponent would rather have you on the throne than Isobel. Consequently, he is focusing his efforts on killing her. Personally, I would target you first," I said but didn't elaborate since it was obvious.

"I am glad you aren't my opponent, Captain. Yes, Isobel is reckless and thinks it's a game. Like chess, she has castles, bishops, knights, and pawns to protect her and thinks her opponents are not as clever as she is," Machado said, as Isobel walked into the room, looking dressed to go somewhere.

"Well, they aren't, Uncle," Isobel said as she walked to where Machado was sitting and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She turned and gave me a smirk of a smile.

"They are smart enough to know they don't want you on the throne, I mused. "They do not have to be smarter. Just lucky. One stray pellet is all it will take," I said but didn’t add, or one foolish move, like going shopping.

"Well, Captain Sapir?" the king asked.

"No more shopping trips. Your adversaries have people monitoring the princess' activities or watching this building. They aren't afraid of collateral damage or dying, and appear organized," I said and waited for Isobel's inevitable outburst.

"UNCLE! That will make me a prisoner," she shouted.

"Think of it as keeping your uncle safe," I said, unable to avoid the comment. The king's lip twitched in what I thought a repressed smile.

CHAPTER FIVE

Vargas: Reality 101

Isobel was in a constant state of anger over the following week and wanted everyone to know it. Not that anyone appeared to care; in fact, many appeared to find it amusing and were secretly enjoying her situation.

"How long is this going to last?" Isobel demanded, after a week of ignoring me except for her constant looks that wanted vengeance.

"Until you can convince the general population that having you as a queen might be tolerable," I said while barely managing to maintain a bland expression.

"They have no choice. It's my birthright," she growled.

"They have lots of choices. Assassination. Revolution. Coup d’état. It is done often. Vargas will not be the first or the last. And it's the reason the Jax is so in demand. But we are only a temporary solution, because we do not fix the basic problem–cruel or indifferent or incompetent rulers."

"So, the peasants have to like me?"

"No, but they do have to tolerate you. You, like all rulers, rule at the public's will–"

"I will have an army to protect me!" she shouted and smiled.

"Taken from the population of Vargas. They have fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, relatives, and friends. Their first loyalty is to them, not you." Her triumphant smile had disappeared. "A cook could poison you, a security guard could shoot you, a maid could put a bomb in your bedroom–"

"Enough!" Isobel screamed. She stood glaring at me. Then she smiled. "I'll hire the Black Guard to protect me."

"We are a temporary solution, Princess Isobel. No one is rich enough to afford the Black Guard for years." I paused before delivering the rest of the bad news. "Even if you were, we are not infallible. Eventually, someone would get lucky, or smarter, or just overwhelm us with numbers or artillery or…"

"So, you can't protect me?" She sneered. I couldn't understand why. We were talking about her life not mine.

"As I said. We are good but not infallible."

CHAPTER SIX

Vargas: They Hear But Don't Assimilate.

The emergency alarm on my Mfi jerked me out of a sound sleep and found myself standing at the side of my bed with my Mfw in my hand, a reflexive response, resulting from the high-tension environment in which we currently existed. Although Isobel had been unusually cooperative, the rebels hadn't changed their minds or given up. They would soon be looking for ways to enter her residence, because she refused to come out to play. When I looked at my Mfi, the message read.

<Alert>  King's bedroom suite under attack.

I hurriedly dressed and was out the door in under a minute, knowing the emergency alarm would have everyone on route to their assigned client. I chose Isobel's suite as Lieutenant Elijah would be with the king. I arrived at the entrance to Isobel's wing just as her off duty Guards arrived. The attackers had used an explosive charge to gain entrance and had left two men to guard the hallway. They died as multiple lasers scored hits to kill zones. Sergeant Glick, Corporal Markov, and I slid into the entrance as Corporal Uziel and Private Kao stood in the open doorway, providing a high-low attack profile. They apparently hadn't heard us kill the two outside guards as they were all facing into the interior of the suite. The reception area looked like a bombed-out room. The walls had meter sized holes, and the furniture was shredded from bullets and laser fire. I immediately saw why. A man crouched behind a nearly destroyed bar was loading what looked like a Russian RPG-32, probably what the attackers used to blow off the outer door and to dislodge the Guards watching Isobel. As he rose, I shot him in the head since he was wearing a bullet-proof vest. Two shots followed mine and his head exploded. Two of the attackers spun in time to face multiple laser strikes to their heads and throats before they could target their opponents on the floor. Silence. Fearing the worse, I rose, vaulted what was left of a large couch, and dove through the shattered door into what was once an elegant study.

"The room is clear, Captain," Zinn said, rising from behind a large cherry desk, her clothes soaked with blood.

"Uziel, see to Zinn's wounds," I shouted but it was not unnecessary as she was already pushing furniture out of her path to get to the desk. "Zinn, what's your group's status?" I asked fearing the worst as I surveyed the room, which looked much like the outer room, a junk yard used for target practice.

"We were just getting ready to escort Princess Isabel to breakfast with her uncle when Corporal Krebs alerted me to gunmen approaching. He managed to get back into the room only seconds before a missile hit the door. The explosion threw him across the room. He sustained multiple injuries but remained functional. I sent him with the Princess into her bathroom suite as Sergeant Haber and I awaited the attackers. They rushed en masse. We manage to kill four of the eight before the remaining four found cover." She paused as Uziel removed her jacket. Although she didn't cry out, she was in obvious pain judging by the expression on her face. "We killed several more during the firefight but reinforcements joined them. I believe there were twelve or thirteen in total. Good thing you arrived when you did, Captain. I don't think we would have survived another round with that RPG.

"Where the hell have you been, Sapir," Isabel screamed as she came flying out of the bathroom suite with Krebs hobbling behind her in an effort to keep up. I ignored her and switched on my Mfi.

"Lieutenant Elijah, what is your status?" I asked when I saw her face appear."

"I think it was a diversion, Captain. There were only four and, although the king was never in danger, he collapsed right afterward. Corporal Reti believes he had a heart attack. I've contacted palace security who are transferring him to the hospital. I and a team of four will accompany him to the hospital."

"Elijah, check with the doctors at the hospital. If necessary, we, can always have him transported to the Screeching Eagle–"

"NO!" Isabel shouted as she jumped over a small table to stand next to me. Then in a lower voice she said, "I won't permit it."

I made no attempt to argue. For one thing, he could survive at the hospital and not require the Screeching Eagles medical facility. Besides, I had no authority to overrule her decision. I changed channels on my Mfi and a minute later saw the face of Captain Hammond.

"Captain, could you please send a shuttle to the Kings residence–"

"I forbid it!" Isabel screamed, her face flushed and twisted in rage.

"I have several seriously wounded Guards, who will require your medical facilities," I said into my Mfi, ignoring Isobel, who had stepped back but didn't look repentant. "Sergeant Haber, you're in charge of the detail." I should have been repulsed by Isobel's obvious attempt to gain the throne, but she was no different than many rulers who are driven by self-interest and greed. Nothing I could say or do would change that.

* * *

Two days later, I stood in the reception room looking up at Isobel, who sat in the king's chair, looking down at me like a cat sizing up a juicy meal.

"Princess, you asked to see me?" I said, giving a small bow.

"It's your highness not princess," she said in a superior to a servant tone of voice.

"Until you have officially been appointed Queen, it's princess. But now that you bring it up, the king's death and your new position cancels the old contract. I've contacted the Screeching Eagle and plan to leave later today."

"I want a new contract," she said, shocking me speechless. That was the last thing I expected or wanted.

"I don't negotiate contracts, and a new contract would be more expensive and include conditions to which you would not agree," I said, totally confused. Now that she would soon be queen, she would feel free to do anything she wanted and would not listen to the Guard. She was obviously toying with me. She smiled like a cat who had her mouse trapped beneath her paw with her claws forming a cage.

"Colonel Gordan," she said in a voice dripping with pleasure. Gordon, looking nervous, said something into his hand-held communication device and a few seconds later ten men entered the room with their weapons drawn. "Captain Sapir, through her negligence caused my dear uncle's death and must be held accountable."

I smiled back at her, as I clicked on Captain Hammond's icon. When his face appeared, I sighed. "Captain, I am sorry to interrupt your duties, but I have a ruler who thinks she has authority over the Jax and can punish me at her will. When the shuttle with my detail clears the area, I would appreciate a kinetic strike on the king's residence," I said. Isobel continued smiling like it was a joke. I left my Mfi on speaker.

"I estimate it will take twenty-two minutes to move the Screeching Eagle into position By then, your teams' shuttle should have sufficient altitude. It's been an honor knowing you, Captain Sapir." My Mfi screen went blank. I clicked on the emergency icon. "This is Captain Sapir. Lieutenant Elijah, I am ordering you to load the shuttle immediately. You are authorized to kill anyone you believe is attempting to hinder you leaving. In twenty-two minutes, there will be a kinetic strike on the king's resident which will turn this area for two kilometers into ash. You are to make no attempt to rescue me. It's been my privilege and an honor to serve with the men and women of the Black Guard." I clicked off.

"You're joking," Isobel said, but lacked her previous confidence.

"Princess, the Black Guard does not salute anyone, does not shake hands, and does not make idle threats. If we did, then people would think we were joking when we made a threat and it would be worthless. You have twenty-one minutes to play queen. I folded into a meditating posture as I waited what was to come." Sometime later, I heard Colonel Gordan's voice.

"Your Majesty, I believe her. The black in Black Guard isn't for the color of their uniforms. It's for death.  In addition, Captain Sapir has a reputation of being a heartless bitch," Gordan said, trying to keep his voice normal although the urgency was evident.

"She will die too," she said trying to sound uninterested.

"That is true your majesty, but she doesn't seem to care. She is the only person in the room not watching the time, and I hear the Guard's shuttle leaving," Gordan said. This time his voice had a slight tremor.

"Alright, Captain Sapir, you can leave. I've decided I should not hold you responsible for my uncle's death. It was a medical problem," Isobel said, trying to sound condescending. But I could sense her rising terror. She was in the process of achieving her goal of being the queen of Vargas and risking being killed by her desire to punish me for not bending to her will.

I nodded, and clicked on the icon to the Screeching Eagle. Captain Hammond's face appeared almost immediately.

"That was cutting it close, Sapir. Your teams' shuttle has just cleared the impact zone and I was preparing to issue the order to execute the strike on the king's palace," Hammond said, looking a bit pale.

"I apologize, Captain. I was sick over the thought of all the people who would die if you ordered a kinetic strike on the palace, but rulers cannot be allowed to think they have the right of life and death over the Jax."

"Do you want me to have the shuttle return to the palace?" he asked.

"No. I believe the crisis is over; however, I would not like my team in harm's way if it isn't. Please send another shuttle to pick me up."

"Two hours, Captain Sapir. And I expect you to check in every half hour or I'll assume the crisis is still in effect."

"Thank you, Captain Hammond, will do," I said and cut the connection.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sasser Mountain: Interlude from Killing

"Sapir, that was a decision I hope I never have to make again," Captain Hammond said at dinner that night. He had invited his, XO, Commander Malone, his marine commander, Colonel Torres, Lieutenant Elijah, and me. "I know the result is roughly the same when I order missiles against an opposing cruiser, but against innocent and defenseless…humans," his voice tailed off on the last word.

"I felt the same way, Captain. I didn't give the ultimatum to save my life but to uphold Jax's integrity," I said, knowing it was true. My life wasn't worth the hundreds that would have died to save it.

"For the same reason, I would have ordered the strike on the palace, but I'm glad the princess didn't think it was a bluff," Hammond said and his face relaxed. "What do you think will happen now?" Commander Malone asked.

"She will be dead within six months. Unfortunately, many good soldiers will die trying to protect her reckless activities.

* * *

My mind in a turmoil, it took several days for me to write my after-action report and turn it in to Commander Wexler.

"You did the right thing, Sapir, threatening a strike on the palace. You can't apply the Take no Prisoners philosophy to this situation. Threatening to punish you was an attempt to undermine one of our basic premises. We are not subservient to our clients. If you hadn't acted, future clients would conclude they had the right."

"Yes, sir. That is what I finally concluded."

* * *

Still troubled, I took the shuttle to Cordo and then a skimmer to Tagar City where Choje Abhaya, a Buddhist monk who had become my mentor, lived. It was mid-morning, and I found him cleaning his meditation and teaching room. The floors were made of a light-colored bamboo, and at the head of the room was a meter-size statue of Buddha, sitting lotus style in a monk’s saffron colored robe. The statue sat on a mahogany platform. Behind the statue was a painting of a Bodhi Tree. Walking into the room felt like passing through a shower that washed away my worries and doubts.

I bowed as Abhaya turned toward me. He bowed back.

"It is good to see you, Rivka." He frowned as he approached me. "You look troubled," he said as he motioned toward several cushions. I folded into a meditation posture, not wanting the comfort of cushions, and proceeded to tell him about my confrontation with Isobel. "Yes, that must have been a troubling decision.

"No, Choje. It was an easy choice," I said, knowing that I would make the same choice again. Abhaya sat quiet for a long time with his eyes closed.

When he opened them, he spoke, "You would see all those people die to avoid a whipping?"

"No, I would gladly be whipped to save even one life, but I felt responsible for the potential repercussions of allowing her to have me whipped," I said. "The choice to let me go was Isabel's, not mine."

"Repercussions?" Abhaya asked, his forehead wrinkled in thought.

"Yes, what about the next ruler who decided a Black Guard needed punishment, a whipping, or even death? The Black Guard in charge will issue the same or a similar consequence. Then it could be a million people involved. Rulers are people, some good, some evil. The evil ones will think I was bluffing and, therefore, that the current Black Guard is also bluffing. Consequently, he will not hesitate to call the Black Guard's bluff."

This time Abhaya's silence lasted for a long time. "I always thought it would be very difficult to be a Buddhist and to be in the military." He gave a small laugh. "My thoughts have been of killing just one man. Yet, you bring me real life situations where hundreds if not thousands of lives are at stake. I cannot even imagine making those kinds of decisions, yet you face them without apparent conflict."

"Does the Precept not to kill a living thing hold us responsible for other people's decisions?"

"No, but…"

"I had no way to know what Isobel would do, but I felt certain I knew what the next ruler would do if I let her punish me. He or she would think the Black Guard was bluffing and would refuse to capitulate. I would feel responsible for that outcome since it was far more predictable than Isobel," I said, knowing in my heart it was true.

"Rivka, you are an enigma. You value each and every life, yet you kill and make decisions that affect hundreds of lives without conflict. I think you would make a good teacher, Rivka. Unlike many of us who envision an ideal world, you live in the real world. The Jian Buddhist of this world could benefit from your perspective. The Precepts and the Eightfold Path are important. However, it would be impossible to reach karma, if we are in conflict with the Precepts and the Eightfold Path, because we can't reconcile the real world we live in with the ideal world they envision." Abhaya stared at me for a long time. "We need someone like you, Rivka. Many give up the Buddhist way of life because of their life's daily conflicts, and the Precepts and Eightfold Path. That is a shame. I think you could help those individuals understand that Buddhism is meant to be a path that each individual must find for themselves,

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sasser Mountain: The Contract

I returned to Sasser Mountain feeling better. Talking to Abhaya always helped to center me. He was like the eye of a hurricane, a place of safety from the storm. To my delight, Hada was on station and there to meet me as I exited the shuttle from Cordo.

"I hear you went to Tagar City, to visit Choje Abhaya, I would imagine. Have you decided to take up the Buddhist religion?" Hada asked, after a tight hug of welcome.

"I'm considering it, but I'm still concerned with the Precepts. No sense following a religion if you can't accept their ideals," I said as we strolled down the path to level one and our sleeping quarters. Abhaya thinks my path may be as a monk, and said he would be willing to take me on as a student."

Hada laughed. "I can see it now, Choje Sapir." She sobered, stopping to look at me. "Does that mean you won't be coming home with me anymore for life after the Black Guard lessons?"

"No, I'm going to need those lessons no matter what path I follow."

"Good," she said with a warm smile. "I think Wexler has been waiting for you to return. It appears he has a Draco-like project because Tzadok, Dorbin, and I are on station.

* * *

"The Black Guard is evolving faster than I can keep pace with, no thanks to the Jax Project Committee," Wexler began when the four of us had been seated. He somehow looked older and his eyes tired. "They are approving more complex projects and assigning them to the Black Guard. First Molova, then Safort, where our client was traveling, then the Draco War Games, where there were multiple unrelated clients, and now keeping the peace between warring factions."

"What warring factions?" Dragon Tzadok asked, frowning in thought. "The Grus League?"

"Yes." Wexler nodded. "The Grus League has always had an old-Earth wild-west group of planets. As a result, the planets in that league have, over the years, evolved small but well-armed fleets of cruisers that are for hire, much like Captain Gasparo but with less ethics. The planets they call home act somewhat like the Jax but far less organized, while others are more like Outpost and Valhall with ruling families. Just like Outpost last year, Mastad is attempting to form a coalition that includes Skaria, Agrye, Voflon, and Ubrein.

"Those are nasty groups by themselves, but together they would be a dangerous force," Dragon Dorbin said, rubbing the goatee on his chin. "Like a pack of wolves."

"Draco is in negotiations with Mastad to host the convention, and asked the Jax Project Committee to put together a proposal to moderate the convention and keep the peace. There is a lot of bad blood among the groups. The five planets have a long and bitter history over the past fifty years." Wexler paused for a sip of water. "The JPC has asked me to put together a tentative proposal. I don't have a clue, and thought this was better addressed by dragons."

"Rivka's the Black Guard are in command is going to fly like a bird in a cage," Dorbin said with a snort.

"What if we gave them the illusion that the cage is huge and has no bars across the top?" I said, agreeing with Dorbin, but knowing it wouldn't work without that condition.

"How do you do that, Rivka?" Tzadok asked, smiling and clearly amused.

"By letting them each wear a weapon," I said and was greeted with open mouths that slowly closed–except for Wexler–and then turned to grins.

"Will someone tell me how that will help?" Wexler asked.

"Rivka is betting that any Black Guard is faster than anyone at the meeting. I think that's a pretty safe wager," Hada said. "But the participants will think they are faster and can therefore take control any time they choose."

"Rivka, whoever claimed you were a Black Mamba in a mouse's skin, had it right."

The meeting lasted another six hours as we discussed the details of the contract. Wexler sent the draft contract to the committee the next day, and they approved it the following day, after a two-hour discussion with Wexler. He told the committee that this was Jax's first contract conceived, designed, written, and implemented by dragons.

CHAPTER NINE

Draco: Getting Acquainted

The first night aboard the War Horse, Captain Hwang invited Tzadok and I to join him for dinner. When we arrived, Colonel Wolfson and Commander Turk, the XO, were present.

"Well, Dragon Tzadok, how does it feel being assigned with the Jax Committee's trouble shooter?" Hwang asked with a slight grin playing on his lips.

"Like being on a shuttle and Dragon Sapir has decided to take a shortcut to our destination through the navy missile practice range," Tzadok said with a serious tone and no expression. Turk choked on his wine. "I can only hope it's early and no one is paying attention."

"They don't seem to give Captain Sapir assignments where Tradition and Duty play well together," Wolfson said, nodding sagely.

"Why two dragons?" Hwang asked, now serious.

Tzadok smiled before answering. "Sapir has decided on the Black Guard are the bad asses in the room–not you approach with the mercenaries. She's the badass in the conference while I'm the badass hallway monitor."

Because there would be twenty-five armed mercenaries in the building, Tzadok and I each had two teams of eight Black Guards for the scheduled five-day event. That was thought to give us plenty of flexibility and rest, so the troops would be sharp when on duty.

"General Lerman has assigned the first FIST to the War Horse and the second FIST to the Crouching Tiger, which is accompanying us to Draco. In addition, we have the first Black Widow on board the War Horse." Hwang smiled. "So, I guess that makes us the bad asses in space."

After dinner, Colonel Wolfson led us to the marine area and introduced Tzadok and me to the first FIST unit, which still consisted of the original members I graduated. It felt like a homecoming.

"Congratulations, Gunny Sayre," I said when I saw he had been promoted to a Master Gunnery Sergeant.

"Thank you, Captain Sapir. You were right to expect us to improve to Black Guard standards. At the time, I thought that impossible.  I reconstructed our firing range like we discussed, and we spend several hours each day practicing. We aren't there yet, but we have definitely improved. You've made believers out of us. It will save lives."

They put on a shooting demo for us, and I was impressed by how much they had improved.

"You have made remarkable improvement," I said after watching the demo. The firing range now included pop-up, moving, and partially concealed targets, and were timed to appear at random and disappear within a few seconds. "It won't be long and you will be approaching Black Guard standards"

Four days later, we were delivered to the Draco War Games facility in the Black Widow, a one-of-a-kind shuttle designated for use by the Black Guard, maintained by the navy, and crewed by the marines. Lieutenant O'Grady gave us a demonstration of the Widow's capabilities. "It's like a mini Death Stalker."

It was truly a wolf in sheep's clothing, loaded with offensive and defensive hardware and software, but outfitted like a shuttle for transporting VIPs.

* * *

When we exited the shuttle, Mr. Goebel met us. "Good day, Captain Sapir…" he said and looked to Tzadok.

"Mr. Goebel, this is Captain Tzadok. He and I will be monitoring the Mastad Conference," I said. "Tzadok, Mr. Goebel is the chairman of the Draco Games committee. He is responsible for security.

"A pleasure to meet you, Captain Tzadok. I hope you and Captain Sapir can keep these hot heads in check." He turned to look at me before continuing. "I understand you're allowing them to wear their weapons. Isn't that dangerous?"

"It's either an ingenious gambit or one of Dragon Sapir's less than good ideas," Tzadok interjected before I could answer. He did have a good point. Goebel turned a bit pale.

"I wasn't in favor of having the conference here, but we got a lot of pressure from the Malin Commonwealth. I'm not sure why?"

"Probably hoping they will be more predictable, easier to control, and to hold accountable if they can get organized," Tzadok interjected.

"Mr. Goebel, are you secretly taping any of the captain's rooms?" I asked, thinking that might be the Malin's objective. Goebel was silent for several seconds while he considered his response. "Sir, you can tape the conference room but not the private rooms. But you cannot release them until I and Captain Tzadok have reviewed them and given our consent. Because if you do, I can guarantee there will be trouble. I will inform the Malin representative of my decision up front so there are no surprises, and you won't be blamed," I said, and watched Goebel until he reluctantly nodded. He looked relieved. "Can you show us the arrangements you've made?"

"Certainly, Captain Sapir. They are exactly as you requested," Goebel said. "The conference table is Hexagon shaped and provides each side room for five individuals. Each captain has been assigned one room for his five-man team and each of their rooms is separated by fourteen empty rooms, including the four set aside for the Black Guard. The conference room is on the third floor, and all access doors have locks which will be keyed to you and Captain Tzadok. Cameras have been installed in all the common areas including the stairs and hallways. The facility will be locked and access controlled by the Black Guard. Lastly, I have had devices placed in all the common areas that will emit sleeping gas. The rooms will not be affected."

"Very good, Mr. Goebel." I nodded. "I'm hoping these precautions will keep the conflict to a minimum. Now, if you don't mind, I would like a tour for myself and Captain Tzadok."

We went up to the third floor and examined the conference room. The conference's hexagonal table was a massive four by seven meters, and made from a dark wood which was almost black. I walked over to the table and noticed the built-in tablet, two digital name signs, a red button, and a red light. I looked back to Goebel.

"Each position has two name tags, which will display the names of the two people at the table. The red button activates the red light to let you know the person at that position is asking to speak. Each tablet is connected to the appropriate Captain's room." Goebel pointed to each object as he talked. "Your tablet has several channels which you can use to communicate with your team and your team with you. You can also directly communicate with individual participants."

Although the table was massive, it was dwarfed by the room which was thirty by thirty meters square.

"This is more than adequate Mr. Goebel, and I like that the entrance has double doors," I said. Goebel than proceeded to take us to the second floor and walked us around the circular hallway, pointing out each Captain's quarters: room #215 Captain Balok, #230 Captain Damsan, #245 Captain Furlow, #260 Captain Tara, and #275 Captain Kobb.

"Unless you would like a different room, I've designated rooms #290 through #295 for you," Goebel said, while pointing to the placement of the gas vents. The first floor remains the same as they were during the War Games."

We walked around for Tzadok's benefit since he had never been in the facility. We spent the next two days showing our teams around the building and discussing our responsibilities.

"We are in a unique position," I said to the assembled Black Guards the evening before the conference would begin. "We are here to protect no one and yet everyone. We are like Lady Justice–the blind statue of justice holding the scales and a sword–except we are alive, not blind, and are judge, jury, and executioner. If you see someone trying to kill someone you are authorized to kill them."

"What if both men are drawing their weapons?" Sergeant Haber asked, with a twitch of her lip.

"If in doubt about which drew first, shoot them both," I said. "As I said before, we are here to keep the peace not to protect any one group or individual."

* * *

"Are you ready, Dragon Sapir?" Tzadok asked the next morning as we prepared to begin the conference.

"I'm looking forward to a new day," I said, having no expectations. The day could be bad or good, but I doubted it would be uneventful. We entered the conference room six strong, having decided to split my team into two four-person groups in order to rotate them at lunch and possibly dinner to keep them fresh and alert. The four Black Guards took up positions at the four corners of the room, while I went to the side of the table facing the entrance, and Tzadok stood a couple of meters behind me and to my right. I recognized Captains Balok and Tara, the only woman captain, as they entered the room. They surveyed the room, the positions of the Black Guards, and finally found their digitally displayed name and sat. They had barely sat when Captains Kobb, Furlow, and Damsan entered. As they sat, I stood.

"Welcome Captains. I am Captain Sapir and will be your conference monitor," I said meeting each person's eyes. Captain Tzadok will be monitoring the building–"

"How the hell do we expect a woman to keep order," Captain Damsan spat loudly as he stood glaring at me.

I smiled which caused Damsan's hand to rest on his Mfw. "You're correct, Captain Damsan. Under normal conditions, keeping men with more testosterone than common sense would be impossible, because I would be prohibited from killing you. But under the contract, I have no such picky restrictions. I'm here to maintain order, not to smooth your ego," I said, thinking it would be good to get the rules straight, and an object lesson wouldn't hurt.

"You bitch," he shouted as his hand curled around the handle of his weapon.

"I hope you've appointed a replacement so you don't waste the other captains' time having your crew decide."

"You think you can kill me?" he sneered.

"I have no idea, Captain Damsan. I know every Black Guard in the room would be impressed if it were a draw. I don't know when you last drew that weapon against someone of equal skill, but each Guard in this room must qualify before they go on assignment. That means hitting every target in the kill zone with a single shot. If they were to miss a single target, they must requalify or cannot go on the assignment. I'm only here to keep the peace, so whether you can kill me or not is meaningless since I'm not threatening your position. My function is merely to help you and your mates have a successful conference." I paused and took a sip of water with my left hand.

"Sit down, Damsan," Balok said. "Does she look worried? If she were, she would not have authorized us to wear our weapons. You notice not one of her guards have their hand on their weapon. She's a Venus flytrap, Damsan, and you my friend are a fly."

After a minute of glaring at me to let everyone know he wasn't afraid of me, he sat.

"Thank you, Captain Damsan," I said, scanning the table which revealed varied expressions ranging from amused to threatening. "I invited only the captains to this initial meeting to cut down on the inevitable responses to my rules for this meeting. Rules intended for your benefit if you are really here in good faith, and not for revenge or to prove something. Everyone should understand the Black Guard are not seers and will assume, if you draw a weapon, that you intend to kill someone. In that event, we will respond with lethal force." Again, I paused to meet each captain's eyes. "If you heard rumors about me and the Black Guard, it is best to believe them true."

"We heard you were a heartless bitch," Captain Tara said with an amused smile.

"Then you heard only the good stories about me," I quipped, not liking the idea that I liked killing, but in this case, it may prove to be an advantage. "You should know that the hallways, recreation areas, and this room are being taped. Your rooms are not."

"What if we don't want the meeting taped?" Captain Kobb asked.

"Go home," I said. "The meeting room tapes are for you to study or show to you crew. The hallway and recreation tapes are to ensure any problems can be resolved without needing the benefit of biased witnesses. All tapes will be destroyed at the end of this conference."

"What guarantee do we have that the tapes will be destroyed?" Captain Furlow asked.

"The word of this heartless bitch, who has already informed the people in charge of this facility and those paying for this meeting that the Jax will be unhappy if I find they weren't." That was met with tentative nods. "In the event of an emergency alarm, multiple short blasts versus a long one for a fire, stay in your room. Outside of the rooms will not be safe. Do not attempt to correct any problems you encounter. Bring them to Captain Tzadok or me. We are here to ensure you have the least number of interruptions so you can accomplish your objectives for this meeting. We are therefore best ignored. Now for the meeting rules, those red buttons are to ensure you are recognized, and you get your turn to express your opinions or objections…" I went on to explain how the meeting would be conducted while letting them decide on the times to start, breaks, and topics. They agreed on a break for lunch, and time to get their second-in-charge for the next meeting.

"What do you think?" I asked Tzadok, after the meeting finished and the captains had left for the dining facility.

"It was unfortunate that Damsan didn't draw on you. It would have made a good object lesson." He gave a small laugh. "You know it will eventually happen."

I nodded my agreement as Tzadok left to take up his responsibilities.

* * *

When everyone had sat, Balok's red light lit and I nodded to him. He stood. I had to admire his command presence. If his clothes hadn't been tight fitting and made of leather, with the exception of a red silk shirt open at the neck, I would have thought him the president of a large corporation or senior politician. His angular face was smooth, his black hair cut just over his ears, and his expression pleasant. He stood just under one point nine meters and his lean body indicated an active man. His second-in-command, Quinlan, on the other hand had a stocky build, a square scarred face, a bald head, was eleven centimeters shorter, and looked like a professional fighter. His outfit looked like a combat dark blue military uniform with pants tucked into calf-length boots, a light blue shirt buttoned at the neck, and a waist level jacket. He had no medals or identifying patches to proclaim him one of the Mastad Sharks.

"Welcome, my fellow captains," his voice a commanding baritone. "The Malin Commonealth is annoyed with some of our actions within their space–"

"So, what?" Furlow shouted ignoring his red button. "Do we need their permission?"

"Captain Furlow, if you want to comment, you must signal your intention to comment and wait to be recognized," I said, thinking this was like first contact with a new client.

"I don't need your permission to talk," he shouted. Furlow was average height, around one point eight meters, scraggy brown shoulder length hair, narrow face, wiry body, and beady eyes staring like laser beams at me.

"Your right, Captain Furlow, I can't make you stand in the corner, or make you leave if you won't observe the rules. My only option is to kill you and hope your second-in-command will take the lesson to heart."

Furlow stared at me open mouthed as his eyes darted around the table. Balok saved his life by speaking as Furlow looked to be considering drawing his weapon.

"Sit down, Furlow. She's right. If we follow the rules, we can finish in a week or less. If we don't, we'll be bickering for months, and our crews will mutiny." He waited until Furlow sat with an elaborate show of reluctance and a sneer in my direction. His second-in-command, Reeve, sat frowning at him. He was as tall as Balok but more muscular with a fighter's scarred face, short hair, and a round face. Both their outfits were military looking like Quinlan’s, but a dark brown and they had rank on their jackets. Furlow had a four five-point silver stars, whereas Reeve had only one silver star. Both men had patches proclaiming them Furlow Tigers. "Unless we want Malin fleets hunting us, I suggest the first order of business is to form a charter with us as the ruling committee." He scanned the room and seeing no objections continued. "Then to agree on a set of rules by which we will operate," he paused, "and be held accountable. For those not paying attention, that will make the coalition a force," he smiled at me, "more powerful than the Jax."

I smiled back. In numbers but not training, discipline, and commitment, which is the heart of any military organization. It took them the rest of the day to come up with the name, Skulls or, officially, The League of Skulls.

The next day, Balok came with a draft charter. That took all day and well into the evening before everyone was comfortable, or at least not opposed to the wording. In general, it stated the governing body would be composed of the captains of the fleets from the star systems, the members would be held accountable for following the rules set by the governing body, and subject to the ruling of the majority. I laughed. In its present form the wording was in general terms so that everyone could sign the document. But over time, it would tighten around their necks like a hangman's noose as its members sought the power the Skulls could achieve.

As the meeting ended, Balok approached me. "I'm pleasantly surprised," he began, smiling. "I thought it would be harder to maintain order. As captains we're god-like masters of our ships and as such cannot show weaknesses even to our peers for fear of losing control. Letting us keep our weapons, I had thought reckless. But I see now a stroke of genius. You are treating this conference as your ship and you are in charge." He paused staring at me for a long minute. "Would you really have shot Damsan?"

"Yes. What choice would I have had?"

"None, I guess. But what if you had lost?"

"Do you consider you could lose when you are challenged?" I asked, knowing he would not be their leader if he doubted himself.

He laughed. "Fear is worse than being slow or a poor shot. Be careful, you damaged Damsan's pride. He won't forget that."

"That's his problem to resolve," I said. "But as I tried to point out, drawing your weapon against any Black Guard is suicidal. Even if you are deadly accurate and practice regularly, the best you can hope for is a draw."

"Goodnight, Captain Sapir."

"Goodnight Captain Balok."

CHAPTER TEN

Draco: Rules

"Today, we will begin discussing the rules that the Skulls will be required to follow," Balok said, as the third day of the conference began. "Captain Sapir, the Jax are mercenaries like the Skulls," he paused awaiting my response but continued when I only nodded. "Do you have rules?"

"I would consider them more like traditions than rules," I said.

"Aren't rules and traditions much the same?" Balok asked.

"Not really. A rule is something someone insists you must follow. You may or may not like the rule. How likely you are to follow the rule depends on your assessment of the reward against the risk–the punishment–for not following the rule." I paused, looking around the room and saw nodding heads. "Tradition is something you own as a part of belonging to a group or organization. Breaking a tradition will earn you dishonor and condemnation by the group or organization even if there is no other punishment."

"That's interesting," Balok said, giving a slight frown as he considered my remark. "Can you give me an example?"

"Take no prisoners, is a traditional Jax saying which is meant to mean, die fighting to the last man."

"That's totally ridiculous," Furlow shouted.

"A coward like you would think so," Tara said loud enough to be heard by everyone. Not too surprising, I saw Furlow's hand move toward his Mfw as he shot to a standing position. Ironically, Tara's hand moved away from her Mfw. I drew my Mfw as Furlow began to draw his weapon out of the holster.

"Furlow," I yelled. When Furlow turned in my direction, he was staring at my Mfw which was aimed at his head, whereas his Mfw was just clearing his holster. He froze. "You are extremely fortunate that you are so slow that you had the time and good sense to stop. Had you been faster, I would have had to shoot you, which is just what Captain Tara had planned."

Furlow looked back to Tara, and his expression twisted in anger when he saw her hands empty and held well away from her weapon. "You scheming witch," he shouted.

Tara ignored Furlow. "Why would I do that, Captain Sapir?"

"I have no idea, Captain Tara. But if I feel someone has caused me to shoot someone for revenge, or to test me, I will feel justified in shooting them both." I watched Tara as her lips formed a thin smile. But her eyes held me like a hawk studying potential prey. Her long black hair hung loose across her shoulders framing a narrow face with a hooked nose. She had a lean muscular body and was only a few centimeters shorter than most of the men. I had seen at least three knives on her person indicating that cunning may be her favorite weapons.

"Maybe you should take our Mfws away from us," Tara said sweetly.

"Easier to shoot the trouble makers," I quipped. "Less trouble in the long run for everyone."

"Well, Damon," Balok interrupted, "deciding not to test our monitor is looking like a wise decision."

Damon didn't comment, nor did his disinterested expression change, but his eyes burned with hate. I had made him backdown, making him look vulnerable in the eyes of the other captains. Worse yet, he knew he would lose a one-on-one contest with me. He was like a boiling pot of water with a tight lid. The pressure would continue to build and would eventually explode with unknown consequences.

It took the rest of the day to agree on one rule, not to support rebel groups, but only after a caveat was added, except when the rebel group appeared to be the dominate force. It was obvious that Balok was willing to accept a weak charter and rules, if that was what it took to get an agreement. Once in place, the rules could be tightened until the agreement constituted a viable commitment that the Malin Commonwealth would accept.

"Well, Captain Sapir," Balok said as he approached me when the meeting ended for the day. "Your reputation appears justified. Keeping this bunch of hotheads under control is close to a miracle. I felt certain you would have had to kill at least one by now."

"There appears to be more than one agenda," I said, and Balok nodded.

"True, the Malin Commonwealth would like us to be predictable. Barring that, to be justified in destroying those that aren't." Balok paused, giving me a lopsided grin. "Then there are long held rivalries and bad blood between the captains."

"Eventually, someone is going to think they are smarter than the Black Guard," I said.

"That should be interesting," Balok said, and shrugged as he exited the room.

* * *

"How is it going?" I asked Tzadok, when I found him on the first floor.

"It's obvious that there are cliques among the raiders," Tzadok said. "Based on my observations in the dining hall and recreation area. I would say Captains Kobb and Furlow are one clique while Captains Damsan and Tara are another. Captain Balok appears to be liked or at least tolerated by all the groups."

"He is the driving force behind this meeting." That was my observation based on the meeting to date. He had been acting like a mediator between the parties. "Although he is concerned about the Malin Commonwealth deciding to teach them a lesson, I believe he has visions of being the top dog of the Skulls. While the others are indulging in their petty feuds and the short-term advantages of joining forces, he has his eye on the long-term prize–control of the Skulls."

The next two days focused on rules for operating within Malin space. As before, they only passed with caveats. I thought, or hoped, tomorrow would be the last day. From my perspective, the only interesting part of the meeting was getting to know the captains and their lieutenants. However, I thought the Jax Committee would be interested in knowing about the Skulls for future reference.

I was wandering the first floor, as I usually did after each meeting, as that potentially meant twenty-five raiders mingling, and they weren't all friendly. Therefore, the period when we had the maximum number of Guards on duty. Suddenly, Damsan appeared.

"If it isn't the murderous Black Guard bitch," he shouted, standing some twenty-five meters away just outside the dining area, while I stood near the recreation area. I was a bit surprised as I doubted he was stupid enough to engage me in a fair fight. But his hand was on his Mfw, and his total focus on me. As a shot rang out behind me, Damsan began to draw his weapon. I could see the surprised expression on his face when he realized I hadn't turned back to see what had caused the noise. Committed, he had no choice but to hope I missed or he beat me or I wouldn't shoot. But of course, I couldn't not fire as he was continuing to bring his Mfw into shooting position. I fired a laser beam through his right eye, and he crumpled to the floor.

"You murdered Captain Damsan…and Corgin," Pallan, one of Damsan's lieutenants, shouted. He stood in between two of Damsan's other lieutenants. All three men had their hands resting on their Mfws.

"Your cruiser is going to be without any officers if you draw your weapons. There are six Black Guards watching you, any one of which could kill all three of you without help," I said pausing, hoping they weren't stupid enough to draw their weapons. "We will review the tapes in the conference room, for the benefit of the other captains, as you well know what happened. Your coward of a captain intended for Lieutenant Corgin to shoot his weapon, hoping I would be distracted enough for Damsan to beat me to the draw. Damsan was not only a coward but disloyal to you, knowing Corgin would be killed when he drew his weapon. He didn't care so long as it distracted me." As they realized the truth of my statement, hands moved away from their weapons. "Sergeant Wahle, can you have someone fetch the tape of the area for the last half hour and have it transferred to the conference room monitors?"

"Yes, sir," Wahle said as I headed for the conference room. Several minutes later, everyone began filing into the room.

"I hear you killed Captain Damsan and one of his lieutenants," Balok said as he entered and took his seat."

"I regret that Captain Damsan sacrificed Lieutenant Corgin in his attempt to kill me. That put Corgin in between his captain and the Guard," I said. "I thought we would review the tapes so that everyone understands what happened and that there is no need for revenge. Damsan caused the problem and paid the price." I spent the next hour rerunning the tapes until everyone agreed that Damsan had orchestrated the shootout and had used Corgin to create a diversion.

"Well, Captain Sapir, I'm impressed. You and your Black Guard managed to keep control of our get together, which permitted us to produce a charter and a set of rules. I regret the loss of Lieutenant Corgin. He was Damsan's logical replacement and would have made an excellent captain. But as you pointed out, Damsan placed him in an impossible situation; one he couldn't win no matter what he chose to do." He paused and gave a small bow in my direction. "Damsan was an excellent object lesson that we, the Skulls, should take to heart. Discipline and loyalty. The Black Guard are highly disciplined. During this entire conference, I never saw a Guard who was distracted from their responsibilities. They were loyal not only to the captain but to each other. During the confrontation between Captains Sapir and Damsan, you could sense that every Guard knew, as Sapir did, that they trusted their fellow Guards with their lives." He looked at each group and received nods. "We should be gone within the next few hours." He turned and they all began to file out of the room.

As he was giving his speech, I could almost feel his resolve to build the Skulls into an organization close to the Jax.  A worthy goal, but I doubted he would succeed. The individuals they attracted were too undisciplined, competitive, and hotheaded. Of course, any progress in their discipline would be an improvement. Tzadok entered as the last of the mercenaries exited.

"I was skeptical about letting them keep their weapons, but you were right." He laughed. "I'm beginning to warm to your The Black Guard is in command approach. Although the alternative If you don't like it, we'll leave is also attractive. It solves so many problems and avoids the tedious effort of educating those that don't believe the rules are for their benefit."

Goebel appeared as the Guard was preparing to leave. "I don't believe the facility is still standing. Competing mercenaries mingling with weapons everywhere. I could imagine lethal fights every day, and it escalating to the cruisers overhead," he rambled on clearly excited as his eyes swept the area. "The Black Guard is expensive, but I admit you are well worth the credits."

"I'm glad you're pleased, Mr. Goebel, and you feel you got your money's worth," I said. Although he wasn't paying for it, Goebel had a right to have been nervous not only for the facility but for the conference's backers, since all the blame would eventually run downhill and land at his feet.

"I am, I am," he said while nodding and sticking out his hand, which he quickly withdrew as he remembered we didn't shake hands. I gave him a shallow bow and followed the others out of the facility.

That night Captain Hwang invited Tzadok and me to dine with him, his XO, and Colonel Wolfson. When we entered, the three men clapped.

"We now know what it takes to keep five murderous groups of mercenaries under control, two Jax Dragons," Hwang said, smiling. There must have been a hundred wagers on the outcome. We could not enter into them without officially condoning gambling, but I have to admit we had some side wagers between the senior officers."

"Who won?" Tzadok asked.

"Colonel Wolfson. He said he would never wager against Sapir," Hwang said. I felt embarrassed that they were giving me all the credit and not mentioning Tzadok, who was senior to me.

"Me either," Tzadok said. "I thought she was crazy, letting them keep their weapons, including Mfws. But I have to admit it was a stroke of genius." He nodded in my direction. Now I was sure my face was on fire. It certainly felt hot. Fortunately, the topics at dinner were about our early lives. Afterward, Wolfson insisted we join the First FIST at the firing range.

"Dragon Tzadok, we've seen Dragon Sapir shoot, and she designed our current target array. What about you trying it," Gunny Sayre said with a grin. "Better yet, why don't you both have a turn…together." That caused an eruption of hoots and clapping.

"What do you think, Dragon Sapir?" Tzadok said with his own grin. "A pushing match with Mfws."

I smiled back. Neither of us would be embarrassed no matter the outcome, and it would give the FIST a good story. "Sounds like fun, unless I lose," I quipped. They went about setting up new targets and clearing the range. Then Tzadok and I stepped up to the firing line, standing side by side.

"Ready?" Wolfson's voice said from a couple of meters behind us, followed almost immediately by, "Fire."

Subconsciously, I noted that the time had been increased, probably doubled, as the next target was appearing less than a second after the last one.

"I'm glad you're on our side," Sayre said as the targets were being retrieved. When the targets were examined, the only way you could tell that both bullets hit the target was the hole was slightly larger or somewhat elliptical. The video of the match looked like we were in perfect synchronization, including the report from each shot which sounded as if only one weapon had fired. "By the way, the timing was twice the rate we train at. Now let's see who won." They slowed the video until you could see the bullets in motion. Tzadok was eventually declared the winner by a millisecond. He had gained a millisecond lead at the first target and kept it for all ten targets.

I gave him a bow to a roar of shouting and clapping from the FIST.

"I would imagine that video will have been seen by every Jax commando within a week," Wolfson said.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jax: Rest and Reflection

"I'm glad that assignment is over," Wexler said, as he finished reading my after-action report. "I could imagine those mercenaries in shootouts every day because they had been allowed to keep their weapons. I would not have allowed them to be armed but on second thought, that may have resulted in more trouble. With weapons they had to worry about dying, either from the mercenary they were confronting or the Black Guard. Without weapons, confrontations would just be fights, and they would have been harder to stop. So, your strategy was correct and unique in that everyone appeared happy with the outcome."

I was somewhat taken back by his comment, until I realized that many more people were impacted when the Black Guard got involved beside the parties trying to kill our clients. In some cases, relatives could secretly want the person we are protecting killed because they would benefit, others may prefer the rebels to win, relatives of the person we kill would hate us, neighboring countries may prefer a new ruler, and sometimes I wasn't happy with the result because one or more of my family got killed or because the killing had been excessive, even if unavoidable.

Wexler grinned. "Yes, as far as I can tell, the mercenaries had a successful meeting, no one misses Captain Damsan, and everyone blames him for Corgin's death. Goebel is happy they didn't destroy the War Games building, the Mailin Commonwealth is satisfied as an agreement was reached, and the Jax Committee, I, and even you are happy with the result."

I had to nod agreement. Wexler was right, there were no losers even considering Damsan's death, as no one is mourning him.

"A perfect contract, yet it worries me. The contracts are becoming less traditional and involving more risk. To the Jax Committee, these contracts are very lucrative and the risk/reward ratio appears favorable because we have been consistently successful. But one disaster and we could lose more Guards than we graduate in two or three years. Worse would be the loss of experience those deaths would represent. The very experience that makes those high-risk assignments successful, could result in more losses and the eventual demise of the Black Guard."

I loved the diversity, but Wexler had a right to worry. The Jax Committee saw these contracts as high reward and low risk, whereas Wexler saw the potential high risk on every unique assignment. It made me understand Dorbin's and Tzadok's admiration of Wexler, and his responsibility of having to choose the individuals for each assignment.

I decided to visit Choje Abhaya in Tagar City, as Hada was on assignment and unlikely to be back for a month or two. Besides, I always felt better after a few days talking with him.

I left for Tagar City the next day after having determined Abhaya would welcome my visit.

"You look well, Rivka. How was your last assignment?" he said, rising as I entered the meditation room.

"Commander Wexler thought it a successful assignment as did I. None of my family got killed or even wounded," I said, after a respectful bow in his direction.

"But someone did get killed," he said, picking up on the None of my family, remark.

"I had to shoot one person."

"Kill?" he asked, but not in a judgmental way. When I nodded, he continued. "Why?"

"Because he was trying to kill me," I said. "He gave me no choice." I smiled, knowing his next question would be, we always have a choice. "No choice other than to die."

"You are an excellent shot. Couldn't you have wounded his arm or hand to stop the fight?" he asked, again without any indication of judgement.

"If I wanted to give him another chance to kill me," I said. "I did not challenge him to a duel and would have conceded the match if that would have satisfied him. I let him draw first so that any subsequent review of the fight would prove I was merely defending myself and did nothing to provoke the fight. Shooting to wound him in an effort to keep from killing him would reduce my odds of surviving. The novels and videos ignore the realities of fights with weapons. First, that I could hit the exact spot I was aiming for one hundred percent of the time, while my opponent is moving, and that other facts didn't materialize. Even if I hit the exact spot I intended, that it would preclude him shooting, that he wasn't as fast as I am, that he wasn't wearing protective gear, and that he didn't have another hidden weapon. Combined with letting him draw first, it would reduce my odds of winning by ten to twenty percent. Or put another way, I could expect to die in at least one of my next ten encounters. I draw last to protect my family's reputation, not to give my opponent a fair fight because I don't know his skill. I choose to kill, not to save my life. but my family and the others he will encounter if he lives."

"Aren't you being judge and jury?" he asked, not to argue the ethics but for me to explore the truth of my actions.

"No, the person trying to kill my family or me may have justifiable reasons to try and kill my client. I cannot know, nor do I care. I am merely trying to protect my family and the person I've been assigned to guard."

"Interesting, Rivka," Abhaya said. "Hada's father, Jian, tried to justify killing so long as it wasn't for glory, hate, or pleasure. That acknowledges that killing is wrong but less wrong if not done for those reasons. You on the other hand see your opponent as the person in the wrong, much like the blindfolded statues of justice. You see him as committing suicide using you as the instrument of his death. Therefore, you don't feel the mental struggle Jian did while he was in the Black Guard."

I returned to Sasser Mountain relaxed and at peace, which I always did after several days with Abhaya. He followed Tibetan Buddhism and believed in the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, not as rigid commandments like most religions but as a way of life leading to internal peace rather than to someplace after death.

"I think I see your next assignment running toward us," Dorbin said. When I turned, I saw Corporal Yardon as he slowed, stopped, and bowed low. I agreed with Dorbin as I was currently the only eligible captain on site. Dorbin had just returned from a five-month deployment and was planning to leave tomorrow on post-assignment leave. He had spent the last hour telling me about his last assignment, protecting a very rich merchant who had been seducing women with promises he never kept. From what Dorbin could determine, he had at least eight individuals who wanted him dead for ruining the reputation of some woman or for ruining their relationship with them. Unfortunately, several of the men or their families had the coin to hire assassins. Consequently, there was an assassination attempt almost every week. The question was only whether they would run out of money before an assassination attempt succeeded. Fortunately, the merchant decided to move to another kingdom, ending the contracts.

"Captain Sapir, Commander Wexler would like to see you," Yardon said between gasps for air.

"A good lesson, Dorbin, to remember when you are dazzling the ladies," I said, nodding to Yardon for us to go.

"I'm hurt, Sapir, that you think I would mislead the women I meet," he said, as Yardon and I walked away.

When we arrived at Wexler's office, the door was open and he waved me in. I bowed low, my eyes to the floor as befitting a senior Black Guard officer, the only person accorded that honor.

"Sit, Sapir. We have another one of those contracts the Jax Committee likes because they are lucrative, and I dislike because they are nontraditional and therefore unpredictable." He sighed. "Because you are primarily responsible for the Jax Committee approving them, I'm giving it to you. Princess Estelle's parents were killed in a shuttle crash, propelling Estelle, at the young age of twenty-four, to Queen. Palace security believe the shuttle crash was an unfortunate software malfunction and not an assassination attempt. Her minister is not so sure, and to complicate matters, Estelle was the king's only child and has no children. Her death would create chaos as the various parties fought for power."

Wexler stopped for a sip of his coffee, giving me a chance to comment. I agreed. It was a recipe for revolution and wars. "That is bad enough, but the queen feels she should tour her kingdom so her subjects can get to know her and her them. She believes the palace guard would be enough security. However, her ministers don't want to take any chances, and are requesting a contract with the Black Guard. The Jax Committee has asked me to prepare a contract." He laughed. "I immediately thought of you. So, you can help me write a proposal."

I could not help thinking of Isobel, although that was unfair since I didn't know Queen Estelle and hadn't even heard any rumors. Obviously, someone or some group wanted her dead but that may have more to do with wanting power than any fault of Estelle. Another Isobel was more than I was ready to manage, although I would order a kinetic strike again under similar circumstances, I would not be comfortable doing it. I gave myself a mental kick. There were enough today problems without conjuring future ones. I guess the Isobel confrontation bothered me more than I had thought.

"I think the same rules have to apply even though she's a queen," I said considering the facts Wexler had outlined. "We can't protect her unless we can see her, and we are in the best position to assess threats. So, the Black Guard is in command of her security and failure to listen to us is justification to cancel the contract."

Wexler laughed. "I don't know what the Jax Committee thinks of the idea of us dictating to our clients, but the dragons are all on board as well as the other captains. It's hard to argue with your track record." We spent the next two hours revising our standard contract, which would soon become our standard nonstandard contract, and selected the sixteen-person team that I would take to Adalok.

Two days later we boarded the shuttle dubbed the Black Widow, the shuttle specifically designed for the Black Guard to use when clients intended to travel. On the outside it looked like a standard marine shuttle, at least to the casual observer. Inside, it looked like a luxury shuttle for senior level executives. In reality, it was a mini war cruiser, built to deliver speeds up to Mach five and missile, laser, and fifty caliber destruction, and had defensive systems to match the best-equipped fighter. The plush seating in the middle would accommodate ten, with an additional ten, somewhat less comfortable, seats for security in the back near the exit ramp. The Black Widow was a true inter-service vehicle: maintained by the navy, operated by a crew of four marines, and reserved for the Black Guard on assignments to transport clients.

I spent ten minutes touring the shuttle with the rest of my team. Afterward, Chief Warrant Officer Dully, the shuttle's pilot, spent an hour describing the shuttle and introducing us to the Chief Warrant Officers: Armando, the weapons officer, Izaak the navigator, and McKenna on ECM.

"In conclusion, I would like to thank the Black Guard for creating the Black Widow," Dully said and bowed. "It's a dream to fly and safer than any other shuttle in the known, inhabitable worlds. It can't outrun a missile, but it takes the missile forty to fifty percent longer to catch us, giving us additional time to work on diverting or destroying it. We have an ECM suite capable of detecting and countering most missiles, and weapons that can destroy most fighters and ground defensive systems. Besides missiles and lasers, the fifty-caliber guns spew nearly two thousand bullets per minute."

"Captain, I noticed that all the senior positions are filled by women," Elijah said as we ascended toward the War Horse. "Is that to accommodate the Queen?" she asked, knowing I was averse to accommodating clients regardless of their wants or biases. I nodded.

"I object to reconfiguring our teams in the field. That tends to give the client the idea that he can command the Black Guard. I don't mind configuring the team when it's convenient and is not done to appease the general population and their biases. In this case, a woman commands the country, so having women in positions of authority won't be seen as unusual and it may help cause the Queen to be easier to accept my suggestions." I saw Elijah frown. "Elijah, when you are in charge, you not only have to be concerned about the client but the observable universe. Jax are being watched by many planets and potential clients. If you accommodate one, you can wager someone else will eventually want the same consideration. However, there are times when the request is reasonable. The Draco War Games was an example. Male guards made Zenaida nervous because of her upbringing and that would have had an impact on the games. So, reconfiguring her team to the extent that she had only female guards in her quarters was reasonable. When she left her quarters, she had the male Guards on her team."

* * *

"This appears to be a relatively standard assignment, although knowing you were assigned screams non-standard," Colonel Wolfson said at dinner that night with Captain Hwang and his XO, Commander Turk. "Why?"

"Consider your FIST Team," I said, trying for a scenario he could relate to. Standard would be entering a crippled cruiser. Non-standard would be having to enter an area of multiple crippled cruisers of unknown origin, and without knowing the extent of their damage. They would have the danger of crossing from one to another, not knowing the configuration of the cruiser, the capabilities of the survivors, their armor or weapons, the cruiser's internal defenses, or if they had captives. In our case, we have the Black Widow which would be like a fighter escort for your FIST."

"An interesting comparison," Hwang interjected. "To simplify, a non-standard assignment is one with a high number of unknown variables." He nodded, gazing off into the distance. "Like combat with an unknown type of cruiser."

"Exactly. The more unknows, the harder it is to plan and to anticipate potential surprises," I said.

"I don't envy you, Sapir. Bad enough facing one unknown cruiser. On your current assignment, each location will be like facing a new cruiser."

CHAPTER TWELVE

Adalok: Queen Estelle

When I exited the shuttle, an honor guard of ten men in gold jackets and white pants with a gold stripe waited, along with two men; one in military attire and one looking like a high-level minister.

"Good afternoon, Captain…?" he said putting out a hand and almost instantly withdrawing it, when I nodded but didn't offer my hand. "I'm Minister Timoteh. I manage the kingdom's accounts, and this gentleman is Senior Colonel Mathaz. He commands the palace guard and the queen's security."

The colonel had a bland expression on his face but his eyes were evaluating every centimeter of me. He looked to be in his sixties, stood close to one hundred eighty centimeters, and had a lean athletic build. His angular face was smooth and clean shaven; however, his eyes were like a hunting cat, constantly evaluating his environment. The minister looked to also be in his sixties with a maturing frame, and a round face which currently supported a warm smile. He had a full beard and full head of hair, both silver. His eyes, like the colonel's, were evaluating me intently.

"I'm Captain Sapir, gentlemen. It is a pleasure to meet you," I said giving a bow. "I'm sorry, Minister Timoteh, the Black Guard do not shake hands or salute. I'm in charge of the Black Guard unit contracted to guard the queen and would be happy to answer any questions you may have, now or at your convenience."

"I'm afraid neither the queen nor Colonel Mathaz is happy that I insisted we hire the Black Guard," Timoteh said with a shrug. "I may be a foolish old man, but recent events lead me to believe her life is in danger and extra security necessary. A malfunction of the queen's shuttle several weeks ago, although apparently a part failure, could have been an assassination attempt. Queen Estelle's early accession to queen would be an excellent chance for the left wing of our society to eliminate royal rule. In addition, her upcoming tour of her providences will make her more exposed than normal." When I merely nodded, he continued. "Colonel Mathaz has arranged two transports for you team and assigned them quarters at the security compound. I have a vehicle to take you to see Queen Estelle." He gestured toward a long black vehicle standing twenty meters behind him, and two open military transports.

I held up my hand before he could move. "Minister Timoteh, my detail needs to be transported to the palace," I said. "They will need to be introduced to her highness and given quarters near to her and in the same building. The shuttle should be parked in a secure area, preferably on a landing pad close to the palace."

The colonel didn't say anything, but anger flicked across his face for a brief second. I chose to ignore his issue for now. It could wait until the queen and I resolved any issues she may have, one of which would certainly be the colonel and his responsibilities. Timoteh nodded, and led me to the vehicle. As we walked, I clicked my Mfi to Lieutenant Elijah's channel.

"Lieutenant Elijah, I'm headed to the palace to meet the queen. You and our detail will also be transported to the palace for introductions after her highness and I have talked. Leave the marines to guard the shuttle until we can make parking and security arrangements." After she acknowledged my orders, I entered the limousine. Both men were quiet during the short ride. The shuttle must have landed on palace property because the ground was well maintained: trees trimmed, grass green and cut, gravel raked, and several statues of men in armor standing or riding four-legged animals. The palace was a two-story structure in the form of a "T." The limo stopped in front of a ten-person-wide stairway leading to a five-person-wide veranda that ran the length of the building and two ornate double doors three-meters wide and four-meters tall. A hard building to defend against an attack with the large entrance and multiple two by three windows lining the veranda that undoubtedly led into rooms and, eventually, the inner corridor.

As we exited the limo, the two guards immediately snapped to attention and saluted.

"Why no saluting?" Colonel Mathaz asked idly.

"Look at your guards," I said and waited as he looked toward them. "They are completely defenseless in that position."

"But they can see it's me, a colonel in the Adalok military."

"But the man next to you is armed. What if someone was in the limo with guns on you and minister Timoteh, or…?"

"You are very paranoid, Captain," Timoteh said, frowning.

"We are strangers in your country, unsure of the facial nuances which would indicate anger or aggression, or who may mean our client harm. So, it is better to be safe than end the contract." I smiled. The colonel nodded giving me another evaluating look. The minister choked in surprise.

"Good, good," Timoteh said. "Just what we need. Guards who trust no one and are suspicious of everyone. Sorry, Colonel Mathaz. Your security is excellent but, like anyone, they are comfortable with the daily routine and therefore, susceptible to assassins. The Black Guard aren't. It could make the difference."

Mathaz said nothing, but it was clear he and Timoteh were not in agreement, either because he didn't agree with Timoteh or because he felt belittled by hiring the Black Guard.

We walked past two more guards at the doors to the entrance, who saluted and opened the doors for us. Inside was a vestibule with a round information booth with a young woman and two security guards. The vestibule was round. The floors and walls glistened with gold-veined white marble. At eye level, the walls contained recessed areas two meters wide. Inside each recess were a flag, a picture, map, and writing. Above each flag a name.

"Those show each province's name, flag, a picture of the town and capital, and a short history," the minister said as we passed the reception booth and proceeded to turn left into the hallway. "The right wing is mostly administration. There is a level below this one, although this one is designated the first level. The lower level contains palace servant's quarters and housekeeping functions, including meal preparation."

The young woman ignored us as we passed. The guards saluted. The corridor was wide enough for five people and lined with pictures of people in a variety of dress indicating royalty and senior positions. Each picture had a plaque below it with a name, date, position, and historical note. The walls looked to be white plaster and the floors wood, indicating the building was old although well maintained. Timoteh stopped a few meters before two guards and waited as one guard spoke into a handheld device he had clipped to his belt.

"Minister Timoteh and Colonel Mathaz seek entrance," he said and several seconds later nodded and opened one of the doors. We walked past two more guards. When we reached a red carpet five meters from the throne both men went down on one knee. I gave a reasonably low bow without taking my eyes from the young woman sitting in the oversized intricately carved chair made from black wood. She looked an average height, about one hundred centimeters tall, thin but not athletic. Her long black hair was tied and laying across one shoulder. She had an angular face with a slight tan, a small straight nose, full lips, and intelligent eyes that were trying to read my mind. I stared back, evaluating her.

"Rise, gentlemen." Her voice a low mezzo-soprano sound, confident and in command.

"Your Highness, may I present Captain Sapir of the Black Guard?" Timoteh said, and she nodded, her eyes never leaving me. "Captain Sapir, may I present Queen Estelle, Supreme Ruler of Kosana."

"I'm not sure I want you, Captain Sapir, as the person in charge of the Black Guard," she said quietly. I could almost feel Mathaz smile. "You have a very bad reputation as being ruthless. Actually, you are described as a heartless bitch," she held up a hand to stop me from responding, which was unnecessary, "and threating to demolish a ruler's entire compound with thousands of people."

I stood debating her words, then said, "I heard Kosana would be better off without royalty."

The room exploded into shouts and movement as the colonel and security guards drew weapons, and minister Timoteh loudly protested me talking to the queen in that manner. Ironically, Estelle remain impassive for a full minute as the guards closed in on me with weapons pointing in my direction.

"Careful," I said. "If you miss you are going to be harming your queen and her minister."

"She's right. Put those weapons away and return to your posts," Estelle said with a small smile. "You are a very perceptive woman and have nerves of steel. One of my loyal security could have shot you. Colonel Mathaz would have a good reason to want you…gone."

"Your majesty, she–"

"Timoteh, she was pointing out quite elegantly that it depends which rumor you are listening to. There are certainly people in the kingdom who agree with her remark, but I hope they are a small minority." She smiled. "Are you a heartless bitch?"

"To those who loved or agreed with those I or my teams killed, we are heartless regardless of whether we were defending ourselves or our client. Bitch is just a derogatory word for female. So, to them I'm a heartless bitch. I doubt our clients have the same opinion."

"What about Queen Isobel? You threatened to kill a thousand people to avoid a whipping," Estelle said in the same quiet voice while cocking her head to hear the answer.

"It's in the contract. The Black Guard are not subject to our clients' laws. Isobel was not pitting herself against me. She had chosen to fight the Jax. If the Jax had let her, soon every ruler would begin to think we were subject to their whims."

"Whims?" Estelle asked with raised eyebrows.

"In Isobel's case, she wanted to punish me for refusing to let her go shopping without breaking the contract with the Jax. The rebels had already made one attempt to kill her while shopping. The king agreed with me. So, when the king died, she decided she would get even for all the days she was confined to the castle."

"You appear to have been right, Captain Sapir. I heard she was assassinated while shopping." She was quiet for several minutes. "Let's retire to someplace more comfortable and discuss the contract." She looked to Timoteh. "Let's use the Klemen Room in thirty minutes."

* * *

The Klemen Room was an informal meeting room which could accommodate twenty persons with room for another ten security to stand out of the way against the walls. Couches and an assortment of comfortable chairs were arranged in a haphazard circle so that everyone was visual. The queen again sat in an oversized chair similar to the throne except this one had an assortment of pillows which gave a more informal appearance. She had appropriately changed into a black pantsuit with gold trim. Minister Timoteh sat to her right and Colonel Mathaz to her left. I sat directly across from her. No security guards were in the room.

"The contract states you are in charge of my security to include palace security. Why?" Estelle asked without looking at Mathaz who was frowning and anxious to talk, but he remained quiet.

"To reduce any ambiguity," I said but continued before anyone could respond. "I do not wish to command palace security or to interfere with their current duties. Ironically, our responsibilities overlap but are not the same. Colonel Mathaz is here to serve you while I'm here to protect you–"

"What do you think palace security is doing–" Mathaz said in a raised voice, unable to contain his outrage any longer. He stopped when Estelle raised a hand.

"The Colonel has a point, Captain," she said quietly while never changing her relaxed posture.

"Actually, he doesn't," I countered. He and any of your security guards would honor your request even if it increased your overall risk. For example, if you asked him to fetch something from the sideboard, he would. Neither my guards nor I would. Why? Because that would distract our attention from our surroundings. If at that moment, a person burst through the door with a weapon, the colonel or guard would be several seconds slower to respond, and you more likely to be harmed."

"That's ridiculous," Mathaz said, but in a more normal voice.

"I'm sure you can rationalize many reasons why that scenario and other minor distractions would not endanger the queen. We would rather think of all the reasons it would put her in danger."

Estelle smiled. "So, what do you expect from Colonel Mathaz?"

"I would like to understand palace security's routine and have the authority to change anything I feel interfered with our ability to protect you, and for security to coordinate with me if there are any changes in their routine. That is seldom necessary in my experience. However, security must understand if I or my team give an order it must be obeyed without hesitation. Colonel Mathaz knows that in the event of an emergency only one person can be in charge or chaos results."

"What if they don't obey your orders?" Estelle asked.

"That is the other way palace security and the Black Guard differ. We are extremely myopic. Our only concern is protecting you. We are not here to protect the building or vehicle you are in, other people in your party, bystanders, or palace security unless that helps us protect you. Therefore, anyone hindering us fulfilling that objective becomes an active enemy."

"It's obvious why you are called heartless," Estelle nodded as if in agreement with herself.

"Don't get me wrong. We hope our decisions save lives, but our contract is to protect you and you alone."

"Do I become the enemy if I don't listen to you?" Her voice a bit sharper this time.

"No. You cancel the contract, and we are no longer responsible for your safety," I said. "The seventeen Black Guard with me, and I, will die to the last person to protect your life. That is our tradition. But we are not suicidal. If you increase your risk against our advice, you will have to depend on your own security."

"I'm not sure I want this kind of security," Estelle said, still weighting her options.

"That is up to you, Your Majesty. Our rules are based on hundreds of contracts over several hundred years and designed to provide our clients with maximum protection."

Estelle sat quiet for a long time, occasionally looking at Timoteh, who gave the faintest nod of approval, and at Mathaz, who gave a slight shake of his head. Eventually, she sighed.

"I'm told your team is in the palace and waiting to be introduced," she said. "Minister Timoteh is an excellent advisor who I trust, and he's concerned about my safety. So, let's get the introductions over. Only time will tell if I can tolerate you and the extra security.

* * *

Queen Estelle, I would like to introduce my second in command, Lieutenant Elijah. She is experienced and more than capable of replacing me if I'm incapacitated or killed." I nodded to Elijah. "Lieutenant Elijah, this is Queen Estelle," I said, wondering how Estelle would react to all women in command.

"Well, Lieutenant Elijah, how do you like working for a heartless bitch?"

"You must have been talking to people who supported those who tried to kill her clients," Elijah said. "Captain Sapir is clever and caring, and my first choice for assignment leader." Elijah went on to introduce the two senior sergeants, who in turn introduced the individuals reporting to them.

"I notice all the individuals in command positions are women. Was that for my sake?" Estelle asked, frowning. "Do you have a quota system?"

"Every person in the Black Guard began their military training at age six. Four years later the best of the candidates went to the marines. Four years after that, the best of that group went to the Black Guard. The lowest ranking guard was not allowed on assignment until after four more years of training. Furthermore, each Black Guard, regardless of rank, must qualify for each new assignment with a perfect score. Individuals for assignments are selected from those currently available on station when a contract is approved. For this team, only one senior sergeant's position was filled by gender, only because men cannot go everywhere a woman may go. Each person here has earned the right to wear the black of the Guard." I decided not to add neither money nor birth nor gender mattered.

"Six? And your service and rank are based on competition?" Estelle said sounding a bit incredulous. Even Mathaz looked shocked. Then Estelle gave a small chuckle. "I started my training at age four. But it was cut short a few months ago. I should have had thirty years to get ready for this assignment." She looked sad as she dismissed us.

* * *

Over the next week, Mathaz showed me around the palace and explained security's routine. It was similar to most palace security. They guarded entrances, exits, and rooms, and provided the queen with two to four guards during the day depending on her activities.

I found we would be visiting five providences over the next month: Badahoz, Quitha, Dawar, Lesothe, and Zamara. He was unhappy that the queen would be traveling in a military shuttle, but I proposed he take the queen's shuttle along for special occasions and as a diversion in case someone planned an attack on the queen's shuttle. I further suggested we make it look as if she was riding in her shuttle.

"Is this really necessary?" he asked when we finished discussing the transportation arrangements.

"Not if you know the queen's shuttle won't be attacked with missiles, and the shuttle is capable of diverting or destroying the missiles if it is attacked."

"You're making her a prisoner," he retorted.

"Better a prisoner than a corpse." I understood his frustration was not so much with the arrangement, but the fact he wasn't in control. Consequently, I tried to convince him it was for the queen's safety rather than just order him to comply. I wanted his support even if grudgingly.  I wasn't sure if Timoteh was right about the threat or not. If he was, the group or individual was an idiot. Why go to the trouble to make it look like an accident with the chance she could survive when killing her wouldn't produce much of an investigation? Everyone would be too busy fighting for power as there was no heir to the throne. On the other hand, Estelle's death would be an excellent opportunity to destroy the monarchy, and for someone to make a power grab or to create a new government: democratic, oligarchy, or autocracy.

Of course, it didn't matter as I had to assume worst case.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Badahoz: Off to a Bad Start

When the day arrived to leave, we loaded the queen into the Black Widow an hour after the royal shuttle had left with a look-alike queen.

"This isn't as luxurious as the royal shuttle, but it is quite comfortable," Estelle said as I gave her a tour.

"And the travel time will be less," I said, leaving off, and you will arrive alive. We planned to land at a remote area only several minutes out of Badahoz to rendezvous with the queen's shuttle and make the transfer so the queen could arrive in the royal shuttle. It was a risk, but I thought minimal since the Black Widow would be tailing the shuttle for the final five minutes. I insisted Minister Timoteh fly with Estelle while Colonel Mathaz chose to fly in one of the military shuttles protecting the royal shuttle.

"Captain Sapir," Warrant Officer Izaak said, while peeking through the door to the front cabin. "Colonel Mathaz is reporting that the Royal Shuttle has crashed twenty kilometers outside of Badahoz."

"Chief, get an exact location and take us there," I said, relieved in a way. Everyone would now consider the threat real and be more willing to cooperate.

"That will put the queen in danger," Timoteh said, his voice several octaves higher in alarm.

I ignored Timoteh. "Chief, keep us up high enough for reasonable safety, remembering you have the queen on board, and scan for life," I said while putting one finger to my lips for silence. Three minutes later, Izaak appeared again.

"There are four men running toward the royal shuttle, which is on fire," he said glancing back into the cabin. "The Adalok military shuttle can't safely land in the area, too many trees."

"Your call, Your Highness. We can kill them without risk." I looked to her, awaiting her decision.

"Can I see them?" she asked while nibbling her lower lip.

"Chief, can you put a closeup of the men on the cabin monitors?"

"Yes, ma'am." A few seconds later the monitors lit with the four men who had surrounded the burning shuttle with weapons held at the ready. "They don't look like they are attempting to help any survivors."

"Kill them," she said hesitantly.

"Chief, you have permission to engage." The words had barely left my mouth when I could hear the ear-piercing staccato of bullets from the two fifty-caliber guns and see the four men and the earth, shrubs, and trees around them exploding. "Chief, keep an eye open for survivors."

"Yes, ma'am."

Estelle, Timoteh, and I watched the monitors until the shuttle exploded. No one had survived.

"You were right, my dear friend. Someone wants me dead," she said while giving Timoteh a hug. She turned to me. "I guess after this, I'll have to put up with you whether I like it or not," she said and gave me a half-hearted smile. "What's next?"

"Nothing will change. I had to assume the threat was real; therefore, my assignments will remain the same, and I will continue to be paranoid."

"You don't think the threat is over?" she asked, her eyes wider than normal in surprise.

"No. Those four were soldiers. I doubt they knew anyone of importance in the group that wants the monarchy to end. They were given orders and weapons. I would imagine they thought it a low-risk assignment. Shoot a ground-to-air missile at an unarmed shuttle that couldn't possibly out run or destroy or deflect it, and go home to accolades and maybe a promotion."

"That's very cynical, Captain," Estelle said staring at me with laser focused eyes.

"There isn't much glory in war, Your Highness, only in the history books. You kill because you are ordered to, not because you hate the other people but because they are trying to kill you. Mostly it's the power hungry and the generals who see the glory, not the soldiers."

Just then the shuttle sat down on the landing pad next to the capital building where a crowd had gathered to greet the queen. I kept the queen sitting, while the Black Guard exited the shuttle, two through the main cabin door and four through the ramp at the back. The remaining ten I kept in the shuttle, not wanting to overwhelm the waiting royalty and spectators. Elijah and I followed the queen out, with Minister Timoteh following. An elderly man and woman in their fifties, and youths in their twenties, stood at the start of a red carpet lined with an honor guard dressed in red jackets and white pants. As the queen approached them, they went down on one knee, heads bowed.

"Welcome, Queen Estelle," the man said. He wore a long green jacket that hung to his knees, which had a red sash over his left shoulder that ran to his right waist. The sash had gold symbols I didn’t recognize. His pants were black and an empty scabbard was attached to the black belt around his waist. His head was bowed and a naked straight sword lay across his extended hands.

"Please rise, Duke Marshall," Estelle said gesturing them up with her hand. The duke sheathed his sword as he rose.

"Queen Estelle, I would like to formally introduce my wife, Duchess Camila, my eldest son Lord Oliver, and my daughter Lady Emilia," Marshall said gesturing to each in turn. The women wore formal ankle-length dresses, Camila in pink and Emilia in white. Oliver was dressed like his father but with a green sash and no sword.

"A pleasure to meet you and I look forward to getting to know each of you, but for now let me say a few words to my waiting subjects. Estelle walked to the wooden platform and climbed the four steps. On the platform was an elaborate chair, a small table with a crystal water container and a glass, and a microphone. Estelle ignored the chair and went directly to the microphone. The crowd went down on one knee.

"Please rise. Thank you for coming to welcome me to Badahoz." She paused for a few minutes as if thinking about her next words; she had no prepared speech. "I'm touring the providences to get to know you, to hear your concerns, and to give you a face to go with my name. Neither Duke Marshall nor I can solve everyone's problems, but we are interested in hearing your concerns and will work on the ones we can solve." That received shouts of, "Long live Queen Estelle," and loud cheering as she exited the platform.

"Someone said those guards in black are the Black Guard," Marshall said, looking around now that all eighteen were out of the shuttle and scanning the area. He looked nervous and confused.

"Yes. Minister Timoteh convinced me to hire them because he believed my first shuttle problem wasn't an accident but rather a botched assassination attempt," Estelle said smiling warmly in Timoteh's direction. "That saved my life, as someone shot down the royal shuttle on our way to Badahoz. In fact, less than twenty kilometers from here. I'm alive only because Captain Sapir insisted I fly in her shuttle. The attackers used a missile to bring down the royal shuttle. No one survived."

"I will send soldiers out immediately to track the assassins," Marshall said, waving at an army officer who looked to be in charge of the honor guard.

"Not necessary, Lord Marshall. They are dead, but maybe they could search for clues as to their identity," Estelle said.

Marshall nodded, turning to the officer who stood at attention, waiting. "Major, get a detail together to search the area where the queen's shuttle crashed. I'm told the attackers are dead. See if you can determine who they are and where they came from. Also, arrange quarters for Captain Sapir and her troops."

"Lieutenant Elijah will give you the coordinates," I interjected, and pointed to Elijah who stood near the Black Widow. "Don't bother with our quarters. We will be staying wherever the queen is staying."

"Yes, sir." The major saluted and moved away at a double time. As he did, Colonel Mathaz hovered near the group with several of his men.

"One large room will be sufficient as half of my detail will be on duty at any given time," I said before the duke could speak. "I would like to talk to whoever is in charge of security, to ensure I understand his duties and responsibilities and that he understands the Black Guard's."

"We can protect our queen," Marshall said, his face tightening in a flash of anger.

"I'm not questioning your ability or loyalty. The Black Guard is under contract to protect the queen. Your people should continue to provide building security. The Black Guard is only interested in Queen Estelle, not you or anyone else in the building."

"I've heard rumors of the Black Guard, and a female captain now that I think of it," Marshall said and wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"You would be wise to believe every rumor you heard is true," I said, trying not to show the amusement I felt. "There are four dead men back at the shuttle who would, if they could, attest to the rumors."

Marshall's glare turned to a smile as he looked toward Estelle. "Perhaps you should curtail your tour, Your Majesty. You would be safer inside the palace."

"That is true, Lord Marshall, but then I would not be fit to be queen. The people have a right to see their queen and to have access to her," Estelle said, then looked toward me. "I think my life is in good hands. If they can get by Colonel Mathaz, they have the nasty Black Guard to contend with." Her short laugh was almost a giggle. Estelle was young but showing astuteness by including Colonel Mathaz, whose feelings were certainly bruised by the Black Guard's inclusion. I noticed a brief smile touched his lips at her words. I had to admire her courage to continue in the face of what was now a confirmed threat. I would wager Colonel Mathaz would love to rush her back to the palace.

Marshall waved us toward a line of ground vehicles. As we walked, he spent a few minutes on his small communication device. "Minister Tahlin will have your rooms, and rooms for the Black Guard, ready when we arrive. I am afraid there is only room for one shuttle at my residence," Marshal said, trying to look apologetic but failing.

"Then you had better move whatever is currently there, unless you want it destroyed," I said, then turned to Colonel Mathaz. "Colonel, you and whoever you want to join you are welcome to ride in our shuttle to the duke's residence."

Marshall sputtered incoherently for several seconds before speaking. "Queen Estelle…," he pleaded looking in her direction.

"Lord Marshall, I've had several of my loyal and dear subjects die today, so I would like my security and that shuttle close. The people wanting me dead are going to find there is a steep entry price to participate."

"Elijah, take one squad and accompany the queen. I'll follow with Colonel Mathaz in the Widow," I said waving the colonel to follow. He said nothing until we entered the shuttle.

"Wow. Are all your shuttles like this?" His eyes darted around the cabin.

"No. This shuttle was built exclusively for transporting very important people from place to place. It has comfortable seating for them, but built to take on anything except a war cruiser. I opened the door to the command center. "These are Jax marines, Chief Dully, our pilot, Armando on weapons, Izaak our navigator, and McKenna on ECM." They each nodded as I pointed to them. "Chief, follow the vehicle procession to the Duke's residence. I'm told there is only one landing pad, and it's ours."

Chief Dully smiled. "Yes, ma'am."

I walked back into the main cabin where everyone was now on board, the shuttle sealed, and waved Mathaz to a seat in the front row.

"Colonel, we are not enemies and each of us wants the same result, the queen safe, and the bad guys killed or captured. I'm not here to replace you but merely to provide specific protection until the current threat is eliminated; expertise normal palace security is neither trained or manned to provide. We each began training at age six and our training is specific to handling assassins."

Mathaz sat quietly for a long time then laughed. "You're right. We aren't enemies. The queen actually thought palace security was sufficient, and she would be dead today if Minister Timoteh hadn't known about the Black Guard and insisted her majesty hire you." Mathaz sat quiet for several minutes. "Why did you call this shuttle the Widow?"

Someone dubbed it the Black Widow after a very deadly old-earth spider, and the name stuck because it was made specifically for the Black Guard on assignments, and because the shuttle is very lethal."

"You told the Duke your team wasn't responsible for him or his people, and that applies to me and my security team," Mathaz said thoughtfully.

"True. I know it sounds heartless. But from hundreds of years' experience, we have found that diverting our attention from our client increases his or her potential danger. It's partly the reason that normal palace security is not as effective in stopping assassins. They are charged with protecting everyone in the building. Consequently, their attention is easily diverted. My team and I hope our actions save the lives of the innocent individuals around us; however, our actions are solely aimed at protecting our client." I paused for him to ponder our differences. "It's also the reason we insist on being in charge of security. Not to run local security, but to ensure if we give orders they are obeyed. In an emergency, the troops can have only one commander or chaos results."

"Captain, the landing pad is empty," Chief Duffy, said with a chuckle. "I guess they took you seriously."

"Thank you, Chief. That's the good part about being considered a heartless bitch. They take my threats seriously."

"Shouldn't they?" Mathaz asked, frowning.

"That's the bad news. They should." Just then I felt the shuttle touch down. "Senior Sergeant Zinn, make sure this shuttle is under guard at all time. Our would-be assassins appear to like shuttles."

"Yes, sir," Zinn's soprano voice rang out.

"Sir?" Mathaz asked.

"In uniform we are the Black Guard, not men and women. Therefore, sir is the appropriate honorific whether the officer is a man or woman," I said as I rose to exit.

"It's been an interesting ride, Captain Sapir," Mathaz said. "Thank you."

The Duke’s residence had a modern four-meter iron fence surrounding the massive two-story "H" shaped building, with what looked like small guard shacks at each of the corners and two on either side of the entrance. The fence was a good hundred meters from the main building. On the roof appeared to be gun and/or missile bunkers. I followed the group to the second floor where the queen was given the entire South Wing, which included ten bedrooms, five sitting rooms, a library, and a suite with games and other electronic and video entertainment. The Black Guard was given two bedrooms where we had the furniture removed, and Mathaz was given a room for himself. His soldiers were housed at the military installation as they were not needed for building security.

Twenty minutes later my Mfi buzzed "Captain, there is a Colonel Weller wanting access to the wing. He claims to be in charge of palace security." Sergeant Haber's face appeared. A short broad-shouldered man was glaring at Sergeant Krebs in the background.

"I'll be right down, Haber," I said and left the room with Mathaz following. As we neared the intersection which provided access to the South Wing, I heard a man screaming. "Get out of my way or I'll call my guards and have you shot."

"Colonel, I'm Captain Sapir. Can I help you?"

"Another damn woman and a fucking captain," he snarled. "I'm in charge of security, not you, and I and my troops will have free access to this area." His hand rested on his Mfw.

"First, let me remind you the queen is a woman and would not like your attitude or language. Second." I held up my hand to stop him speaking. "Second, this is your sovereign's wing, and you have no rights to its access without her approval, which she has entrusted to me, another woman."

The colonel's face turned from red to purple as I talked, and his hand tighten around the handle of his Mfw.

"You should be aware that the Black Guard only shoots to kill. It saves tedious discussions about who was right and wrong and what the argument was about. Any other questions, Colonel?" As I finished, five men came running down the hallway and my Mfi buzzed.

"Captain, there are troops trying to access the door to the stairs from the first floor," Sergeant Ganz said.

I hit the emergency channel, which would have all Guards armed and moving. "Shoot to kill any guards drawing a weapon or attempting to enter this wing," I said watching the colonel, knowing Haber and Krebs had their attention on the troopers coming down the hallway. "Draw or leave. You have no authority in the queen's wing," I said, knowing Elijah would have the queen under lockdown because I had initiated an emergency.

Hate burned in his eyes as he raised his communication's device. "This is Colonel Weller. All troop stand down. Return to your stations."

Several minutes later, Queen Estelle came walking down the hallway. "Lieutenant Elijah, informs me you had an argument with Colonel Weller–"

Colonel Mathaz snorted. "I see the difference, Captain. I would have assumed he had the authority to access this wing and would have backed down. But why did you refuse him permission?"

"Because his troops would ignore my orders in an emergency and chaos would result, endangering the queen's life. Besides, I don't have any reason to trust him or his troops, and even if I did, I couldn't distinguish his troops from assassins."

"Do you think there will be an assassination attempt here?" Estelle asked, watching me like a case study.

"It's possible that whoever wants you disposed of is trying to give the impression that the threat is from Badahoz. If that is true, then other attempts are likely. They are only losing soldiers if the attempts fail. So little risk with possible high reward," I said, giving my current logic. "What do you believe would happen in the event of your death–"

"That's not an appropriate question," Mathaz said, face tight with anger. But Estelle ignored him and answered.

"Civil war, since there is no heir to the throne. Someone may emerge victorious but more likely the providences would evolve into independent states." She gave me a lopsided grin. "One of my goals for this trip is to get a sense of what the dukes would do and maybe get a consensus of what could be done to prevent a war. Even if I'm not assassinated, I could die without heirs."

* * *

That evening, the Duke had a party for the queen which included about a hundred people. If I had known that so many people would attend, I might have considered having more Black Guards on duty, especially since Colonel Weller had at least twelve of his troops stationed around the room, and he probably would love an excuse to cause trouble. The main table sat seven: Queen Estelle, to her left Duchess Camila, and to her right Duke Marshall. On Camila's left sat Countess Caroline, and Lady Emilia. On the Duke's right, Earl Masson, and the duke's son, Oliver. At the table perpendicular to the main table sat a variety of Badahoz nobles and important leaders of the providence.

During the evening, the queen received over half the people attending. They would request an audience, come up individually or in family units, kneel and talk with her. Since I was standing only two meters directly behind her, I heard each conversation. I was impressed with her casual manner, obvious interest, and mature responses. I had Senior Sergeant Geller at the far right of the table and Sergeant Volpe to the far left, with Corporals Paler and Alpert at the back of the room.

When she had finished, the duke signaled for the entertainment. Shortly afterwards, a band came in with four girls who performed acrobatic moves while the servants removed the tables and pushed the chairs against the walls, clearing the room for dancing. Estelle danced with a number of men, mostly sons of the attending nobles. I pulled the four Black Guards to the edges of the dance floor area so they would be close to the queen if something happened. During a short intermission, the back door into the room flew open and a man stepped into the room and fired into the ceiling. Screaming began as people ran helter-skelter or dove toward the floor. As I reached for the queen, I saw a man peeking through the half opened front door. He said something into his wrist unit and the lights went out. More screaming. I snapped my night vision glasses on as I grabbed Estelle's arm and pulled her out of her chair. Three men were entering the door with Mfws pointing into the room. I pulled Estelle to me as I dove left toward the floor, keeping her under me and away from the door as I fired. I hit one in the kill zone as I started to dive, and the other two as I flew toward the floor but probably not in the kill zone. Fortunately, it was not necessary as I heard the pop, pop, pop of the familiar Black Guard's Mfws firing before hitting the floor with Estelle. Silence.

"Are you all right, Your Majesty?" I asked while watching the front door. Nothing. The silence ended as everyone began talking, shouting, and running to the space gods only knew where. I figured that was palace security's job now that they had failed to keep the assassins out of the building.

"It's a good thing I'm young and my bones are strong. With all that equipment you're wearing I'm probably bruised from head to foot," she said in a surprisingly calm voice. Then with a slight hint of nervousness. "Are we safe now?"

"I think so but I have the rest of my team on the way. They should only be a minute. I had no sooner said that and they began arriving in ones and twos. Most were only partially dressed.

"Orders, Captain?" Elijah asked as she knelt on the other side of the queen, screening her.

"Get everyone to put their weapons away, and shoot anyone who resists," I said, not trusting palace security, who were now all hyped up and primed to shoot at any noise.

"Duke Marshall, get your palace security to holster their weapons," Estelle shouted loud enough to be heard above the noise. He hesitated until she screamed, "Now!"

"Colonel Weller, get your troops to holster their weapons," Marshall said. "It's the queen's order."

"I think, I'd like to retire for the evening," Estelle said as she rose. "But…I should see who if anyone was hurt."

Elijah, Zinn, Ganz, and I accompanied her as she toured the room inquiring after people's welfare. Four individuals were injured in the back of the room. Colonel Weller came storming over while Estelle was talking with a man who had an arm wound.

"That damn bitch's people got four people wounded. She's incompetent and dangerous." I stuck my laser in his open mouth.

Colonel, our bullets are distinct," I said, frustrated to the point of wanting to scream. "What you will find when the bullets are removed from those four individuals is that they came from your panicking troops, and that none of their bullets are in the assassins which you let into the building. That is the reason I don't allow you or your troops into the queen's wing. Because, you and they are dangerous." I turned to Elijah. "Elijah, I want each bullet tagged as it is removed. List where and from whom it was removed."

"Yes, sir!" she replied and bowed, her lips twitching with amusement.

"The Black Guard doesn't miss, ever?" Estelle asked.

I laughed. "I'm probably the only Black Guard in the room who can't tell you exactly where each of my shots went. I know my first shot hit the lead gunman in the head and the next two shots hit the second and third man, but I wouldn't wager on where."

"You were flying through the air with me in tow."

"Not a very good excuse. What if we had been alone?"

She shook her head. "I want to see the lieutenant's report when you get it."

* * *

"Well, I know now why you are so expensive. Elijah's report verifies that palace security shot all four of the guests and that the Guard shot eleven times and all the bullets were recovered from the assassins," Estelle chuckled," and you missed the kill zone with one bullet. "tsk, tsk," she said waving a finger at me. "Good thing we weren't alone."

"I can't believe my own security shot my guests," Marshall said. He sat at a small round table with Estelle and his family, eating breakfast while discussing the attack.

"Father, these are the men who are supposed to be protecting our lives," Oliver said in disbelief. "What do you think, Captain Sapir?"

"It is not as bad as it appears, Lord Oliver. Most palace security personnel come from army units and will respond adequately if attacked by a group of armed men and are good at keeping pests from invading the palace," I said. "However, they aren't trained to handle paid assassins. They are trained to guard entrances not people. However, Colonel Weller's troops failed to guard the doors and let assassins enter your residence. Having said that, it isn't for me to make recommendations."

Marshall shook his head. "That's irony. My guests would have been safer without palace security."

"And me," Estelle said. "They were here to kill me."

"Not true, Your Majesty, you brought excellent security for you and your subjects," Marshall said, followed by a genuine smile.

"Captain Sapir," Estelle began hesitantly. "Would it be safe for me… and my subjects if I visited the town tomorrow?"

"Your Majesty, there would be more risk for you, less if you didn't give anyone advance notice, other than those here. I can't judge the risk to the public. Only the assassins can control that. As I've pointed out before, the Black Guard are only concerned about your safety not those around you."

"But you saved lives last night," Estelle insisted.

"My teams' actions were made to save your life, not the guests. We are happy if our actions saved lives but saving their lives was not our intent," I said, as people tend to confuse outcomes and motives.

"That sounds so heartless," Lady Emilia said, meeting my eyes.

"Is your palace security here to protect you or your visitors?" I asked.

"Both!" she responded immediately.

"Idealistically, that maybe true, Lady Emilia." I nodded in her direction, knowing it was a diplomatic response. "That is the difference between the Black Guard and palace security. They would see the duke and his family as the priority, but would attempt to save others. In so doing, they would lose focus on you and increase the risk to your life. Ironically, if the assassination attempt last night had been against the duke, the Guard would have reacted the same as if the assassins represented a threat to the queen. Everyone would have said we saved the duke, but we would have acted to ensure the safety of the queen."

Estelle laughed. "Let me rephrase the question. Do you think there will be an assassination attempt against me if I go into town today?"

"I think the odds would be low, although I will act as if it's a certainty." I smiled.

"Alright, get ready. We leave as soon as I can change into something appropriate."

* * *

As I waited for the queen to get ready, I pondered the question of who could be behind the recent assassination attempts. One of the dukes thinking to become the king or queen, or a group hoping to create an independent state, or another cabal wanting to get a foothold on Adalok, or someone who had a grudge against the queen or her family. The latter appeared unlikely as it appeared well-funded and organized. Someone wanting to become king or queen also seemed unlikely, as a war between kingdoms was more likely to destabilize rather than unite the country. Another continent would start by inciting unrest in all of the providences. I concluded it was some group in one of the providences who wanted to abolish the monarchy system. Of course, that changed nothing. I had to assume everyone was out to kill her, and she needed day and night protection.

We left the palace, two hours later in the duke's bullet proof limo with three additional limos. Better to have too many vehicles than too few, I reasoned. I brought Sergeant Zinn's squad of eight and put Sergeant Geller's squad on alert along with the Black Widow. Colonel Mathaz also came along with a few of his security guards. I think he came to observe, as it would be his responsibility when the contract ended. The driver of the queen's limo had been directed to take us to the Open Market, a large circular area lined by permanent stores. The open area in the center consisted of day vendors who paid for a day's pass to sell their goods, ranging from farm produce to common household items and articles of clothing. The permanent stores sold higher end products like paintings, china, knives, silks, and electronics. At the queen's insistence, we stopped a block away so she could enter the market unnoticed. She had managed to scrounge a rather plain cotton floral skirt, green blouse, red shawl which she wore over her head, and plain black shoes. Zinn and I also dressed in country style clothing to blend in with her. I felt naked wearing an ankle length skirt and no Mfw. My shawl covered my Mfi and a laser.

Estelle bought some fruit which we munched on as we walked. She stopped at every stall and talked with each merchant about the weather, the past growing season, and local events, as she examined their wares. As she left each stall, she wrote something on a small communication device. Two hours later, she handed the device to Timoteh, and made her way to the permanent stores. Again, she examined the merchandise in each store and talked about local events, weather, and business. In many of the stores she selected an item and informed the merchant she would retrieve it tomorrow. After visiting the last store, she emerged with a smile.

"Minister Timoteh, it's time," she said into her wrist unit and turned to me. "You may call in your Black Guards, Captain Sapir." Just then, Timoteh held up a small bell and banged on it. As the market noise died down, he began reading names.

"Mr. Fredrick, please come forward. After a minute the man came forward while looking around nervously. "The queen asked me to give you this and thank you for a pleasant talk." Then he handed the man a coin. I looked to Estelle who was grinning.

"A gold sovereign," she said.

"Mrs. Toolly…" Timoteh continued calling out names. Now people were looking around and began pointing toward us as Black Guards assembled around Estelle's group. Shop owners were standing in their doorways staring as the crowd's focus turned to Estelle. She waved and the crowd went silent.

"Thank you for a very pleasant day. I enjoyed sharing my time with each of you," she said, as the crowd as one went down on one knee. "Rise. With your support and labors, you, Badahoz, and the kingdom of Adalok will prosper and grow strong." She waved to loud shouts of, "Long live Queen Estelle."

"That went well," Estelle said after entering her limo. "And no one tried to kill me."

I was tempted to say, the day is young, but I didn't want to ruin her obvious delight with the way the event went. She had a right to be pleased. The people will remember this day for years to come. The story of the day the young queen visited the market like a commoner and gave each merchant a gold sovereign.

The next day, Estelle held a formal audience with the providence nobles. It was hard to believe she was barely twenty-four as she listened and discussed real and potential problems with crops, taxes, bandits, squabbles with neighboring providences, and her plans for Badahoz and Adalok. We left for Quitha the next day.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Quitha: Worth the Risk

When we exited the shuttle on the landing pad, next to the duchess's palace, Duchess Ishara and her two sons stood waiting with a colonel and a ten-man honor guard. As before, I followed behind the queen as Black Guards spread out around the area. The duchess and her sons knelt as she approached.

"Rise," Estelle said, as she stopped only a meter short of the trio.

"Your Highness, welcome to Quitha. I would like to introduce my eldest son, Visil, his wife, Radka, and my youngest son, Yosif," Ishara said, nodding to each who bowed in turn. Visil looked to be in his early thirties. He was tall and lean, standing erect yet relaxed. He seemed to be discreetly evaluating the queen. His wife was seven centimeters shorter than her husband, with a very shapely figure, raven black hair, and a heart shaped mouth. She too was appraising the queen. Yosif looked to be in his early twenties, shorter but broader than his brother, hair cut over his ears, clean shaven, round face, and eyes that darted around while trying to keep his head straight. He seemed more interested in the Black Guard than the queen.

"Your Majesty, we heard you had some trouble.  I hope you weren't hurt," Yosif said, his eyes glistening with excitement. "Have you replaced your palace security?" He nodded in the direction of several Black Guard.

"No, Yosif. Since my palace security is necessary to guard the palace, Minister Timoteh has arranged for special security for my tour of the providences. Before Yosif could continue, Ishara interrupted her son's further conversation.

"Your Highness, Minister Marko has your rooms ready. Perhaps you would like to freshen up before lunch?" Ishara said, waving toward the two-story building in the shape of a squared off "C." "Colonel Oran has arranged quarters for your security team at the military fort."

"No, Ishara. My security will have quarters in my wing," Estelle said quickly and decisively.

"As you wish, Your Highness," Ishara said without any emotional reaction. The colonel frowned slightly. The queen was given the entire second floor of the West Wing. An hour later, my Mfi buzzed. Corporal Palak's face appeared.

"Captain, Colonel Oran would like to speak to you."

I nodded and headed for Polak's position, which was where the front hallway intersected the west wing. Oran looked relaxed considering Polak hadn't permitted him access. He was an older man with a stocky athletic build, brown hair and beard, streaked with grey, and a smooth bulldog face.

"Colonel Oran, would you join me? There is an empty room where we can talk." Actually, there were at least ten empty rooms, since the Guard only needed two, and Estelle's party wasn't that large considering she was a queen. She had replaced her personal servants that were killed in the downed royal shuttle but that was only six persons, since the duke or duchess would provide meals, maids, drivers, and any other help she needed.

"Captain Sapir, I wanted to discuss security arrangements and any concerns you may have," Oran said, giving me an evaluating appraisal. "I understand you had some trouble in Badahoz."

I wasn't sure if he were talking about the attempted assassination attempt at the dinner, or Colonel Weller.

"Colonel Oran, the Black Guard is very myopic. Our sole responsibility is Queen Estelle. Consequently, Black Guards will be accompanying her wherever she goes inside or outside the palace. In addition, we will provide total responsibility for her quarters. We take no responsibility for palace security, the duchess, her children, or her guests." I stopped to let him digest that. His eyes squinted in thought before nodding. "That means we will consider anyone hindering us or not obeying our orders a threat."

"Orders?" Oran asked, frowning.

"Yes, she is your sovereign, and therefore the highest priority in an emergency. As a result, an order from me or my Guards must have priority and be obeyed."

"So, if it's a choice between the duchess and the queen… I'm to protect the queen?"

"No. The Black Guard will take full responsibility for the queen's security. But if the Guard would shout for palace guard to stop shooting, for example, they must recognize that the Guard is speaking for the queen."

"But why–"

"It's impossible to give examples. You just have to accept any orders from the Black Guard are to protect the queen, and will also be in the best interest of the duchess if she is present. As you know all too well, if two persons are giving orders chaos will most likely result. If they ignore the order, we will be forced to conclude they are endangering the queen and are part of the assassination plot," I said.

"What if you are wrong?" he said. I shrugged.

"We aren't perfect, Colonel; however, every Black Guard has undergone at least twelve years of training and those above private have had many assignments protecting clients against a variety of assassins. Consequently, their assessment will be the best you are likely to get without advance notice." I paused, watching his reaction which was oscillating between a reluctance to relinquish his authority to the Guard and choosing to silently keep his options open. In the end he chose the latter.

"I understand," he said, thinking I would assume he was acquiescing.

"Thank you, Colonel. I will assume your men have been informed and understand the consequences of noncompliance," I said, thinking it was going to be a long tour, not sure whether the assassins or local security was going to be more trouble. After all, security at Badahoz had not only let the assassins into the palace, they had provided no notice, giving them the element of surprise. We both rose and I saw him to our check point.

"Interesting," Oran said. "You are restricting access to this entire wing."

"We are guarding our client's room." I smiled. "She's a queen, so her room is a wing."

"There you are," Estelle said as she came striding down the hallway. "How do I get you when I want you?"

"Ask any Guard. We are in constant communication with each other." I pointed to my Mfi. "It is interesting that the majority of palace security units don't use them. I think it's because of their rigid hierarchical structure."

"Don't you have a hierarchical one?" she asked, looking at Private Joo and Corporal Polak's sleeves. "You have rank."

"Yes, but in an emergency, I would demote any Guard that didn't take appropriate action before contacting their senior sergeant or an officer," I said. "The next senior person or persons could be incapacitated or involved in their own crisis."

Estelle nodded. "I’ve been invited to an afternoon tea, and wanted you along. I didn't think you would want Private Joo or Corporal Polak answering for you." She smiled, and nodded for me to join her.

"Your Majesty, you have a very experienced team on this contract. Everyone here has been on several assignments with me and could accurately predict what I would say, although they would probably prefer the words come from my lips." I noticed both Joo and Polak nod although neither stopped scanning the area. Halfway down the hallway, two palace guards stood in their white jackets and dark green pants, gold aiguillettes, and a Mfw on a strap around their necks. One braced to attention while the other opened the door into the room. Joo quickly stepped into the room before Estelle could, effectively blocking her from entering. After a sweep of the room, he stepped aside. Estelle gave me a hard look.

"Another example of what palace security would never dare to do, although any room you plan to enter could be a potential trap. The person or persons you expect to meet could be dead, or planning a coup d’état, or bomb…"

"Captain, you're scaring me." She looked both angry and nervous.

"Consider our rudeness and excessive paranoia as the price for you not having to worry." I smiled. She shook her head and entered. Every one stood and went down on one knee.

"Rise," she said, as she chose the oversized chair at the end of the rectangular mahogany table that could have accommodated twenty, and sat. Each setting of highly decorated china plates, crystal glasses, silver knives, forks, spoons, and embroidered napkins looked to cost more than a servant could earn in a year. For a second, Estelle's face tightened but was quickly replaced with a warm smile. "Please sit." That appeared to be the signal for the servants to begin bringing in the food and severing lunch or tea. It looked more like a dinner for thirty people rather than the five persons present. The countess sat to Estelle's right while the others sat across the table to her left. The paneled walls would have made the room dark if not for the six narrow tall windows and the rays of morning sun shining in. The room had a military theme with tapestries of battles, men in armor, ancient weapons, and military flags. Palace security had only the two guards outside, while I had two inside, one at each end of the room.

"Your Highness, we have scheduled a welcoming celebration tonight and an audience for tomorrow. Minister Timotch said he has discussed it with you," Ishara said, while watching Estelle. "I was afraid you might not want any large events after what happened at Badahoz."

Estelle gave a small laugh. "If the Captain," she nodded over her shoulder toward me, "hadn't thrown me to the floor, I could have missed the assassination attempt. It happened so fast. Although I have bruises to remind me it really happened." She twisted her head to look back at me with a scowl, but her eyes sparkled in amusement.

"She threw you to the floor?" Radka's hands shot to her mouth in horror.

"You should have her whipped!" Visil said, his face showing a mixture of rage and disbelief.

"You can't, can you Queen Estelle," Yosif said, staring at me in awe. Estelle cocked her head as if to hear his reason.

"They claim immunity from their client's laws, and have a powerful cruiser," he pointed at the ceiling, "to enforce their claim."

Estelle smiled. "You are correct, Yosif. It sounds as if you know a lot about the Black Guard.

"Yes, Your Highness. They are legends across the known inhabitable systems. The Jax draft children at age six, and they compete for their rank and service. The Black Guard are the elite. I read they never miss their target."

"Almost never," Estelle went on the tell about the assassination attempt, my argument with Weller, and the tagging of the bullets. Afterwards, they discussed the upcoming events. "I would also like a trip into town. The market area."

"Is that safe?" Ishara asked, her voice full of concern.

"I want people to get to know me as a real person, not just as a ruler who doesn't care about them. Thankfully, Minster Timoteh's wisdom will make up for my inexperience, like he did by identifying the accident for what it was, and for insisting I hire the Black Guard."

* * *

"What do you think, Captain Sapir?" Estelle asked. "About my trip to the market."

"It will be less of a surprise unless the rumor mill uses runners between providences. You will also need more sovereigns."

Estelle laughed. "Is that why you have additional Black Guards and prohibited Yosif from coming along?"

"Yes. He would have had to bring palace guards with him. That would make you more conspicuous. You will be safer without them adding to the chaos."

"Chaos?"

"When the shooting starts."

Estelle frowned. "I'm sorry, but I believe it's necessary and worth the risk."

I nodded, not liking the risk but understanding the awkward position in which the death of her parents had placed her. It was the perfect opportunity to overthrow the monarchy.

We stopped several streets from the Farmers' Market, which was an open area except for twenty or so large trees that provided shade from the hot summer sun, and lot of places for an ambush, I mused as we approached. I had Sergeant Click walk alongside her as if he were a husband, relative, or boyfriend. Estelle bought some small items from each stall which she gave to Click to carry, which he periodically unloaded on Corporal Alpert. We were three-quarters through the market when I saw them; four men who dressed like farmers, except it was obvious from their posture, bearing, and the way they walked, that they weren't shopping.

"Markov, Krebs, Kao, Peller, I said into my Mfi. There are four men, ninety degrees to the right of where I'm looking. It would be nice if they left the market quietly," I said, while facing away from them so they couldn't see me talking.

"I've got the one next to the blue stall," Krebs said a few minutes later.

"I've got the one in the brown jacket and blond hair," Kao said.

Peller and I have the two standing next to the tree where the lady is selling scarfs," Markov said. I continued to scan the area, in case I had missed others, while moving closer to the queen and Click. The four had definitely identified the queen. The only question was whether they were the entire assassination team, or if others were in the area. I couldn't identify any others that looked suspicious, but that wasn't comforting given the four I had identified. A half hour later, Timoteh, rang his bell and began calling out names while Estelle and Click slowly moved to join me and the remaining Black Guards in uniform.

"Sir, Markov has the four men secured over there," he said, pointing to a thick cluster of trees.

"I doubt they will know anything, but we should bring them back to the palace and question them anyway. Maybe someone will recognize them," I said as the queen joined us and the crowd began pointing in our direction. Estelle waved, as the crowd went to one knee.

"Rise," Estelle yelled. "Thank you for a wonderful afternoon and a chance to get to know you. You are wonderful," she said to shouts of "long live the queen" and clapping.

"Well, Captain, that went well and no assassins. I'm a little disappointed. I thought the Black Guard were infallible." She grinned, as the limo sped away from the market. "Missing the kill zone and no assassins. Tsk, Tsk."

"What would you like us to do with the four men my team are escorting back to the palace?"

"Assassins?" Estelle squeaked.

"That or they were mad that they didn't get a gold sovereign."

"I didn't hear any shooting."

"We managed to identify them before they got organized and were able to subdue them quietly. Any shooting would have created panic." And panic would have put you in real danger, I thought but kept it to myself. "So, yes, your surprise get-together went well."

Estelle shook her head slowly. "Minister Timoteh should be running the kingdom not me. I'm not ready to be queen," she said putting her head in her hands.

"You were smart enough to take Minister Timoteh's advice, and from what I've seen, you listen to those who talk. In my experience, listening is a skill all bad rulers lack. They have all the answers."

"Will this ever end?" she asked in a little girl's voice.

"Power is very seductive, and those least fit to wield it are the most aggressive in seeking it. All you can do is to take reasonable precautions and choose the people you trust carefully. I think you have the right attitude to be a good ruler," I said and meant it.

She laughed. "Few if anyone would dare say something like that to me. They would tell me how wise I am, what a great queen, and that everyone loves me."

"Bad rulers make sure everyone says exactly that and punish the foolish person that speaks otherwise. Good rulers prize the truth."

"And not to take rumors at face value," she said and smiled.

* * *

Questioning the four prisoners revealed very little. As I suspected, they didn't know who hired them. They had responded to a rumor circulating in the bars in the rougher parts of town for men with army experience. Two hard looking men had interviewed them and agreed to pay one thousand gold sovereigns to kill the queen and had given them half in advance. They were recruited in Dawar Providence, and told the queen would be attending the open market in Quitha sometime in the next several days. Each man had been carrying a rifle. The plan was simple. The four men would roam the market looking to identify the queen. When they did, they would split up. Whoever had a good shot would shoot her, and the others would immediately begin shooting, hoping to incite a riot which would make it easy to disappear.

"What did you discover?" Estelle asked when she was ready to attend the dinner later that day. Minister Timoteh and Colonel Mathaz were present.

"About what I expected. They were offered a thousand sovereigns to kill you and have no idea who hired them. Although they were hired in Dawar, I doubt that is meaningful. The group behind the assassination could be from anywhere, including the capital. The two men who did the recruiting may know something, but they are long gone by now," I said. "They were told you would be visiting the market."

"What am I supposed to do, hide in the palace?" she all but whispered, just barely loud enough to be heard.

"Listen to your security and take reasonable precautions," I said. "Colonel Mathaz is evaluating the Black Guard for when we leave."

"I've discovered you are extremely paranoid and myopic." He snorted. "I think I will need to have a special palace security unit, one that is very myopic."

"What about the party tonight?" Estelle asked, frowning.

"Unless you plan to return to the palace and hide, you should go on with your life," I said, and decided a little humor was in order. "And let the expensive, heartless bitch do the worrying."

A smile touched Estelle's face. "Good idea. I'm hungry," she said as she rose. "Pay close attention, Colonel Mathaz. You are going to replace the heartless bitch."

"Yes, Your Majesty. These assassins are putting me in the right mood," Mathaz didn't smile.

Although I didn't think there would be another assassination attempt at the dinner as palace security was on high alert and the market should have been a more viable operation, I took Senior Sergeant Geller's entire team and had Lieutenant Elijah on standby. I was glad I did when I saw that Colonel Oran had ten of his palace guard in the room.

"You look lovely, Your Majesty," Ishara said when Estelle gestured to her and her family.

"Thank you, Duchess Ishara," she said and turned to face the guests. "Please, rise, and thank you for coming." Then she turned to me. "What do you think about the palace security? Ishara said the colonel told her that they were needed since the Black Guard said they weren't here to protect her, her family, or her guests."

"I would think we would all be safer if they guarded the entrances to this room rather than in here shooting at the assassins after they entered," I whispered. Estelle turned to Ishara and repeated my comment, the colonel was called to her, and soon afterward all the guards but two exited the room.

"I agree," Mathaz said. "But how do you get the guard to be sharp shooters?"

"Practice, practice, and more practice. The guards assigned can't afford to miss. Wounding an assassin doesn't end the threat."

The meal went well and assassins weren't part of the entertainment. Ishara walked the queen back to her quarters. When the door shut, she turned to me.

"You hurt the colonel's feelings. Was that necessary?" Ishara asked with a royal glare meant to intimidate.

"The colonel was endangering you, your family, and your guests lives, which included the queen," I said. "Not to mention making your guests nervous."

"He was ensuring our safety."

"Imagine that six assassins enter the dining hall. Panic would erupt. You and your guests would rise and begin seeking shelter. The assassins would be shooting at anyone in the way, your guards would be shooting at the assassins who are now among the guests, and neither the assassins nor the palace guard are expert shots. So, they would be firing their Mfws on automatic. At ten pellets per second and ten guards, that's one hundred per second. Can you imagine the carnage? Better to stop the assassins before they reach the room."

"Wouldn't you also be better off guarding the doors?" she asked.

"We are not the palace guard. We are an honor guard for the Queen of Adalok."

She surprised me by smiling. "Take good care of Estelle. I think she will make a good queen."

We departed for Dawar three days later without further incidents.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Dawar: Suiters can be a pain.

We landed just outside of the duke's residence and were met by Duke Belesis.

"Welcome to Dawar Providence, Your Majesty. I'd like to formally introduce you to my wife, Duchess Felicie, and my three sons, Karl, Tillo, and Warin," Belesis said, after being told to rise. He had a square build, which at one time may have been muscle, but now looked soft. His wife had a good figure for a woman in her fifties. Karl looked to be the oldest, in his mid-twenties, ten centimeters taller than his father, and a trim figure. Tillo looked to be a few years younger than Karl, but short and stocky like his father. Warin was the youngest, in his late teens. The three sons were watching Estelle like hungry wolves.

"Thank you, Duke Belesis. It's a pleasure to meet your family and tour Dawar."

"I hear you've had some trouble at Badahoz, Your Majesty," Felicie said, looking eager to hear the latest news.

"Apparently, some group would like to end the monarchy. If they succeed, I'm afraid they may not like what they get."

"True, Queen Estelle, years of war and suffering," Belesis said, frowning in thought.

"Perhaps an heir would spoil their plans," Felicie said and her face brightened, barely stopping a look back to where her sons stood.

"I doubt a pregnant queen or a defenseless child would deter their plans. No, I think it's me or them. I'll have to count on my loyal subjects to figure out who they are. Life is difficult enough without inflicting a war on them."

"Your majesty, I'd be proud to lead a force against your enemies when you identify them," Karl said. I'm a colonel in the Dawar army."

"Thank you, Karl, I doubt they have an army. They are hoping that killing me will create a power struggle among the dukes that will give them a chance to seize power," Estelle said as a matter of fact. Belesis nodded while Felicie's face turned pale. The sons didn't look any too happy over the prospects of war or losing power.

"Come, Your Majesty, Minister Gebbart will have your rooms ready for you and your security," Belesis said. "I understand you have hired the Black Guard, and they insist on being in your area."

"Yes, they are very intrusive but at the same time comforting."

* * *

The duke's residence was a two-story building, approximately five hundred meters long and fifty meters wide. Two permanent wooden structures with double doors, one on each side of the stairs, designated the Duke's family's quarters and a separate wing for guests, which was now dedicated to the queen. The fifteen rooms varied in size but the smallest was ten-by-ten meters. The hallway separating the rooms was five-steps wide. The queen occupied a suite at the end of the hall, which was twenty-five by twenty meters, and included a sitting room, bathroom, and bedroom. Each room was equipped with the latest modern conveniences.

My Mfi buzzed as I was inspecting the rooms assigned to Estelle. Lieutenant Elijah's face appeared when I pressed Accept. "Sir, the duke's eldest son is requesting to speak to the officer in charge." She was straining not to smile, since she already knew how I would react.

"I'm on my way," I said and cut the connection. When I reached the door, Elijah, Zinn, and Kao stood facing Karl.

"Captain Sapir, this is ridiculous. This idiot of a corporal refused me entrance into this wing. I requested his superior. Then his sergeant," he pointed to Zinn, "who also refused me permission to enter. And now his superior, this lieutenant." His face was flushed, and he looked ready to stamp his foot in frustration. "I want to see the queen, now!"

"Do you have an appointment?" I asked.

"I don't need an appointment to see the queen. This is my father's residence, and I'm his heir."

"At the moment, this is the queen's wing and you need approval from her to enter. If she were expecting you, she would have notified me, and I would have notified corporal Kao, senior sergeant Zinn, and Lieutenant Elijah."

"I'm a colonel and you are only a captain. I'm ordering you to grant me access," he shouted.

"I'm not preventing you from entering. The queen is restricting your access since she hasn't notified me she wishes to see you." Now I was having trouble maintaining a bland expression.

"You are going to get out of my way or I'll call the palace guard to remove you."

"I don't think they have permission to enter the queen's wing either. The correct procedure would be to make an appointment with the queen, because neither your rank nor royal heritage mean anything to the Black Guard. If you like, I will let the queen know you want an appointment with her."

"Do that then. Now!" He shouted, spittle flying out of his mouth.

"I will tell her when I see her. That may not be until dinner unless she requests my presence or leaves her room before then."

"Damn you. I will make you pay for this." He spun on his heel and stormed down the hallway.

"Watching the Black Guard has been truly interesting," Colonel Mathaz said. "I would have let him in and interrupted the queen to determine if she wanted to see him. No corporal, sergeant, or lieutenant would have had the nerve to refuse him under the circumstances."

"Private Kao is obeying my orders and knows he is never going to be punished for following them," I said.

"What if Karl had forced his way in?"

"Kao would have shot or disabled him depending on the circumstances."

"But he's the duke's son. He wouldn't hurt the queen," Mathaz protested.

"How do I know that? He and his father may be part of the group wanting to assassinate her."

"You really are paranoid."

"Colonel, you can look foolish a hundred times. You can only be wrong once."

* * *

"I hear you refused Karl permission to see me," she said looking angry but a quiver of her lip ruined the effect.

"You didn't notify me you were expecting him," I said.

"Thank you. The palace guard would have granted him access for several reasons. This tour isn't to find a husband. It's to meet my subjects as their monarch. Of course, I will have to admonish you in public," Estelle said.

"Colonel Mathaz is learning. I think he will adapt quickly after we leave."

Estelle nodded. "I think he will. He's a good man and one, like Timoteh, I can trust." She sighed. "It's time for the party. What do you think?"

"I think the duke will have his security on alert if for no other reason than his own safety. While I think the odds are low, if something happens, the duke's increased security should give us plenty of notice."

"And how does that help?"

"Sorry, ma'am, I don't believe there will be any excitement tonight," I said, realizing she wanted assurances that nothing would happen, not my analysis of the potential threat.

"That's much better, Captain." She gave me a cheek-splitting grin. "Good, I won't need additional padding. We can go then."

I had to smile as we made our way to the dining hall on the first floor. She was taking the threat remarkably well. I wondered if it was because she had already lost everyone she loved and wasn't leaving anyone to grieve for her, or because she was a very strong woman. Probably both, I concluded.

The dinner was uneventful. At the end of the dinner, the guests were led into another room where chairs lined the walls, leaving the middle of the room open for entertainment and later, dancing. For over an hour, several groups of acrobats, jugglers, and magicians entertained the guests. Afterward, a band consisting of three violins, a piano, two clarinets, and a harp, played songs for dancing.

Every man who considered himself eligible requested a dance with Estelle. She accepted everyone that asked, but limited them to one dance. I thought that generous, as I suspected she wasn't interested in dancing, and clever, as it avoided being pestered repeatedly by one or more individuals, specifically the duke's sons.

To my surprise, Karl grabbed Estelle's arm as she left the floor with some baron's son, propelling her towards the French doors leading out onto the balcony. I signaled Zinn, who stepped in front of the couple. As I approached, I could see Estelle's face tighten in pain.

"Get out of my way sergeant, or I’ll have you beaten," Karl shouted drawing the attention of several guest in the area. Zinn didn't move, her face neutral.

"I would not try to move her," I said as I came closer.

"Why? She can't shoot me!" Karl sneered at me.

"Why not? She has a weapon and its loaded." I shrugged.

"I'm the heir to Dawar!" He shouted. Now half the room heard him, which somehow made him bolder.

"Her bullet will kill you as easily as any pig farmer," I said coming to stand just behind the pair.

"You can't stop me from going out on the terrace. I can have you whipped as well as any common soldier."

"No, I can't stop you, but I can stop Queen Estelle. She and I have a contractual agreement which she would break if she exited this building against my orders as it would, in my opinion, place her life in more danger," I said and continued before he could comment. "Sergeant Zinn, if Lord Karl doesn't release the queen immediately, shoot him in the knee. Hopefully, this planet has the technology to rebuild it."

As Zinn’s Mfw swung downward toward Karl's knee, he let go and jumped away. As he did, Sergeant Haber stepped up next to the queen, while Corporal Paler and Private Joo removed the weapons of the two palace guards in the room, and Sergeant Glick moved next to Colonel Eckehard who had been reaching for his communication device. A minute later, Duke Belesis came running over. I spoke before he could speak.

"Your Grace, your eldest son appears to have lost his common sense, or he is in league with the assassins trying to kill Queen Estelle," I said shaking my head in disbelief.

"How dare you–" Belesis began but I cut him off.

"How else do you explain him wanting to take the queen out on an open terrace where any assassin with a rifle could kill her? When Sergeant Zinn correctly stopped him, he threatened her. He threatened the queen’s security who were attempting to protect her. That's very suspicious. Now he is threatening me. Normally, I'd just shoot him as a threat to my client, but I didn't want to upset the queen."

The Duke stood with his mouth open, raw anger showing in his eyes at having his son threatened, but knowing even trying to punish the guard would be disastrous. Embarrassed at his guests seeing him powerless, and disgust at his son's stupidity, he finally decided to let his son take the blame.

"You're right, Captain. I'm afraid the queen has dazzled his common sense. Taking her outside was not a good idea. I'm glad you stopped them," he said implying the queen had consented to go with his son. A face-saving gesture which Estelle didn't contradict. Estelle elected to stay until the dance ended, but only danced with those men who hadn't yet had a turn. The duke left with his son and returned a half hour later without him.

"Thank you, Captain Sapir," Estelle said after we were in her wing. That arrogant…man grabbed me and forcibly pulled me toward the terrace. I wanted to scream but thought you might shoot him, and that would cause an awful rift between the duke and me, one I can't afford so early in my reign." She invited me into her room with a wave. "I thought you handled the incident perfectly. The duke and I can blame you for being arrogant and overly cautious, so I won't have to take any action against Karl, and the duke saves face." She smiled, then frowned. "You don't mind, do you? I know it isn't nice putting the blame on you."

"The heartless bitch doesn't mind. It's why we are so expensive." I grinned.

"Of course, the duke knows his son has no chance of ever marrying me. Between you and me, I would marry a corpse before I would marry Karl."

Breakfast with the Duke and his family went well, with each member of the family and Estelle giving me looks to kill. Eventually, Karl spoke.

"I don't understand why we can't punish that common sergeant and her," he jerked his head in my direction. I concluded the man was mentally challenged if he thought Estelle had gone with him willingly.

"The Jax have long held they are not subject to their clients' laws and are willing to destroy anyone that challenges that stipulation. They would destroy this residence and everyone within several klicks if we tried," Belesis said glancing at me standing against the wall.

"But she would also die," Karl said.

"She's willing to make the sacrifice to maintain the Jax mystique. Are you willing to sentence you, your family, and thousands of subjects to punish her?" Belesis asked. Eventually Karl shook his head.

"What about a duel, father?" Karl persisted.

"I forbid it!" Felicie shouted. "Even I know they aren't called the Black Guard because of the color of their uniforms. They are professional killers. They kill for a living. They fired eleven shots at the assassins that attacked the queen in Quitha. They found all eleven bullets hit the kill zone. Son, you are a noble, not a gun fighter."

I noted Estelle's lip twitch at the mention of eleven in the kill zone.

* * *

Estelle toured the army base after breakfast and talked about a variety of providence issues as they went from one facility to another. After lunch, Estelle took her place in the great hall to hear petitions, mostly from nobles and merchants.

The person approaching Estelle was a wiry built man in an expensive dark blue silk shirt and pants. He claimed to be a merchant, and looked like one except for his shoes, which were a soft leather, rather than the more traditional stiffer calf-length leather ones. He stopped and knelt just before the red carpet leading up to the throne, close enough to talk but a safe distance for security.

"Your Majesty, I coming bearing a gift from the common man." He jerked upright and turned as an object arched into the air looking to land in Estelle's lap. Recognizing it as a grenade, my right arm shot out as I kicked out, knocking Estelle's chair and her over. I caught the grenade, turned, and threw it will all my strength at the closest window, snapped my Mfw free, and fired at the window. It broke a fraction of a second before the grenade would have hit the window, sailed through, and exploded two seconds later. Glass from the shattered window came blowing into the room as I threw myself over Estelle. I noticed idly that the merchant lay sprawled and not moving, and that the four Black Guards had their Mfws out and were scanning the room. The thirty people in the room were laying on the floor or huddled in groups against the walls. I lay draped across the arm of her upturned chair, my face only a few centimeters from hers.

"I'm definitely going to need more padding in my dresses." She gave me a lopsided grin.

"I could loan you one of our undergarments," I said. Her eyes went to my shirt which she pulled out a few centimeters and scratched her fingernail across the material.

"Nice but it's doesn't feel comfortable. What happened?" she asked.

"The man threw a grenade at you and thought he could make it safely to the door in the chaos."

"I give you a royal pardon for manhandling the queen," she tried to sound official, but it came out weak and was followed by a sob. "I want to go home."

"But you won't," I said quietly, knowing she wasn't the kind to quit.

"No. The position is mine for better or worse.'' She finished the audience after a two-hours rest, bath, and change of clothing. We left for Lesothe the next morning.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Lesothe:

At the landing pad in Lesothe, we were met by Duke Dungi and his daughter, Mirari, who looked to be in her thirties. Dungi's wife had died years ago. It was rumored he preferred to remain single as he already had an heir and liked being free to court a variety of women.

"Welcome, Your Majesty, to Lesothe," he said as he stood. He looked in good condition for a man in his fifties, tall, muscular, with a smooth face looking fifteen years younger. "The rumors are disturbing. I'm surprised you haven't returned to Adalok."

"I understand that no king or queen can please or be liked by everyone. Nor do I believe whoever is trying to kill me hates me. I have begun to believe someone sees this as a perfect opportunity to sieze power," Estelle said with a hint of anger in her voice. "So, I'm putting him and his group on notice that it's me or them. Adalok is not big enough for us both."

"Spoken like a queen I'm proud to serve," Mirari said. "You cannot show them weakness or it will embolden them and their followers." The women smiled at each other in some sort of secret pact.

Dungi laughed. "Ma'am, you and my daughter will keep the men among us honest." He nodded toward me. "You were smart to hire the Black Guard. If the rumors are true, whoever wants to harm you has a major problem."

"I can guarantee the Black Guard are awesome from the lowest ranked person to their heartless bitch of a captain." She produced an ear-to-ear grin. "I wish I could afford to keep them until I was ready to step down."

"Minister Imanol is aware you want your security in the palace and has your room ready if you would like to freshen up before lunch," Dungi said, waving toward the palace, a massive two-story structure that looked like one long straight building from the front but was actually three wings like a squared off "m".

Imanol met us at the front entrance and escorted us to a second-floor wing on the other side of the building from Dungi's wing. Mirari accompanied the queen into her suite.

"Ma'am, none of us believe it's one of the dukes. They are all loyal, to one degree or another," she gave Estelle a crooked smile, "besides they have too much to lose if a war starts to determine who will rule the kingdom. You provide stability."

"So, we are looking for someone who wants to destabilize the kingdom," Estelle said while nodding. "But I can't see what he accomplishes by destabilizing the kingdom." She turned and looked at me.

"He may feel that destabilizing the kingdom will provide the chaos needed to grab whatever he has designs on. He may only want a small piece to begin with, hoping to gain more and more as time goes on. Or, another kingdom wanting to cause unrest in Adalok," I said not really caring as it didn't change the contract or my responsibilities. "I guess you still want to go to the market knowing they will have people there waiting to kill you."

"Are you going to use the contract terms to cancel if I do?" She asked, her face close to tears.

"Don't give me that, "please mommy I'll be good," look. Remember, I'm a heartless bitch and immune to tears and begging," I said. "So, yes. Unless we can work something out that gives me reasonable odds of you surviving." I didn't like it, but I thought her continuing would cement her position whereas quitting now may cause her to lose the dukes' support. "How do the vendors get permission to sell on market days?" I asked, hoping it was closely regulated.

"The vendors must purchase a license," Mirari said. "Most families have had their licenses for years."

"Lady Mirari, can you have someone check to see if any new licenses have been purchased in the last week or two?" I asked, thinking they may try something like that after we had identified the last four they had sent.

"You think they are that organized?" Mirari asked, forehead wrinkled in thought.

"Yes, they have money and can hire soldiers. I would wager it's a small group with money and connections to criminals."

* * *

A dance was held in her honor the next night and it went off without an incident. The formal audience was held the next day, also without any problems. Estelle had an easy-going style which seemed to endear her to everyone. Of course, that could be faked, but it seemed genuine in most cases. The third day, we decided to attempt a visit to the market. Duke Dungi had his soldiers erect a fence around the area, and had two guards checking licenses prior to the official start of the market. Estelle obtained a valid license and entered with the other vendors accompanied by me and two other Guards who carried her tent and wares. We were all dressed in appropriate clothing for vendors. Shoppers were asked to wait for the official opening.

"Sergeant Ganz, Corporal Volpe, why don't you check out vendor Zeru," I said after our tent was up and then motioned to Estelle that she could begin her walk around. She wasn't particularly noticeable as many of the vender were strolling around or gathering in groups. A little over an hour later, Estelle and I left the market through an opening in the fence at the rear of the area, and the shoppers were let in.

"That went well, Captain," Estelle beamed an award-winning smile at me, obviously pleased with herself.

"That new vendor, Zeru and his two friends were assassins. Sergeant Ganz found rifles, throwing knives, and grenades, but nothing to sell. We'll question them, but I doubt they know anything important."

"You were right, Captain Sapir, and I appreciate you letting me attend. It was important, not a whim. Thank you." Then she smiled again. "But that did go well."

Just then, Minister Timoteh entered the market and stood on a stool and rang his bell. "Vendor Alize," he shouted and an elderly woman appeared looking nervous. She smiled after biting the coin to make sure it was real. A few people noticed the young woman standing near a group of men, several in black, and began pointing. Estelle waved.

"Thank you, I've loved talking with each of you. You are why the kingdom of Adalok is strong. I love you!"

With that, many knelt but Estelle raised her hands for them to rise. Then the chanting began, "Long live Queen Estelle."

"One more to go," Estelle said as she entered the vehicle for our return trip to the duke's residence. We left for the providence of Zamara the next day.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Zamara: The Scroll

At the landing pad, Estelle was met by Duke Murdus, a shapely woman, and two young men in their late twenties.

"Welcome, Queen Estelle, I'd like to introduce my wife, Gabriela, and my two sons, Amandor and Santos," Murdus said. He was tall and stocky with a rugged face which supported a full mustache and beard, black and curly like the mop of hair on his head. The boys were as tall as their father but clean shaven and slender like their mother. All four looked nervous.

The two-story "H" looking residence was made from stone and looked old. It sat on a slight hill and was surrounded by a short stone wall with a four-meter iron fence. Presently, a crowd of several hundred had gathered at the front gate with signs that could not be read from this distance and were chanting something lost on the wind.

"That crowd looks hostile," Estelle said putting her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun.

"We have a plague here in Zamara," the duke said cautiously. "We have a man named Flamur who leads a group called Divine Rights, that claims the plague is caused by your family’s blood line and calls for you to be banished from Adalok." The duke’s forehead had beads of sweat by the time he finished. I couldn't blame him. There were people in the duke's providence who wanted the queen dead, and he appeared to be taking no action against the man or the group. The man was clearly guilty of treason, as was the duke for taking no action against him. Estelle stood looking at the group for a long time. She appeared to be considering walking to the gate. She looked to me. I shook my head.

"Perhaps we can discuss this over tea," Estelle said as she turned back to Murdus. "I would like to freshen up first."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your rooms are ready. I've prepared the entire North Wing on the second floor for you and your guests," Murdus said, and waved toward the palace. "From the rumors, this has been a very traumatic tour for you."

"Yes, Duke Murdus, and we have finally discovered the reason," she said glancing back to the gate. We were met by a man in a long black coat, pants, and tie.

"Your majesty, I'm Minister Tonkan. Your rooms are ready for you and your guests. If you need anything, you need merely to contact Greta, the head of the house staff, and she will arrange it for you."

"What do you think, Captain?" Estelle asked when she was finally in her suite with all but two of her ladies in waiting, who were preparing to get her clothes settled and a bath ready.

"We need more information. I'm sure the plague complicates the situation. People will be ready to panic and not be acting rationally. They want an easy solution which gives a person like Flamur power. It does rule out a day at the market," I said. She gave a snort.

"It also rules out a welcoming dinner and dance."

* * *

"The plague started about two months ago," Duke Mardus began after tea and snacks had been served. The small gathering included the duke and his family, his minister, head of palace security, Dritan, Estelle, Timoteh, me, and the two Black Guards assigned to the queen. "I sent my senior physician, Yeshua, into town to determine the problem and help. He reported it was an old plague that returns periodically and to date has no cure. The usual carriers are rats and sometimes other small wild animals. So, I sent in soldiers to help reduce the rodents and set traps. But the plague spread despite our best efforts. A month ago, Flamur, who runs a church dedicated to the God Zorya, a little-known goddess who is supposed to allow each day to exist, began preaching that Zorya would no longer bring new days into existence and night would persist if Queen Estelle wasn't exiled. It was her family's blood that caused the plague, and wouldn't end until she was gone."

"We should just kill him, " Amandor said, his face tight and voice angry. "He's preaching treason against the queen.

"In hindsight maybe. But in the beginning he was careful, suggesting the queen should leave to save her people. It wasn't until he began attracting a large following that he changed to removing her by force," Murdus said. "At that point, killing him could have resulted in a revolution."

"He claims to have proof," Santos said into the silence.

"What proof?" Murdus asked, frowning at his son. Santos shrugged.

"I would like to hold an audience tomorrow to hear what the nobles and merchants think we should do?" Estelle said to shocked faces all around. I leaned close to Estelle.

"You may want to invite Flamur." I didn't normally give clients advice but why not hear his proof? Couldn't hurt and may clear things up. Estelle nodded.

"Ma'am that would be suicidal," Dritan said rising out of his chair. "How could we protect you?"

"Yes, invite Flamur," Estelle said. "Captain Sapir will tell you that she is totally responsible for my wellbeing. You are responsible for the duke, his family, and his residence. And I concur. I'm sure the Black Guard can handle Flamur. I'm interested in his proof. I would certainly abdicate if I were the cause of the plague." She smiled. "He will abdicate if I'm not."

* * *

I had four Black Guards at the gate the next afternoon to monitor the guests being admitted to the audience with the queen. Flamur was allowed five guests to make sure this wasn't an attempt to arrest him. Ironically, neither Flamur nor his followers objected to being searched.

At two o'clock exactly, Estelle entered the hall and surveyed the fifty guests. Everyone knelt including Flamur.

"All rise," Timoteh said as Estelle sat. "Queen Estelle will hear petitions now. Flamur, you may approach and present your petition." Flamur strode to the red carpet leading to the queen's platform and carefully stopped, a small smile on his lips.

"Your Majesty, I formally request you abdicate your title as queen and leave Adalok for the good of your subjects," he said to gasps and muttering in the crowd. "I have proof that your family is the cause of the plagues over the centuries."

"May I see your proof, Flamur?" Estelle asked. Flamur slowly reached inside his jacket and removed a scroll, which he handed Senior Sergeant Zinn, who had stepped next to him and had stretched out her hand. It was obvious that Flamur knew of the Black Guard and was being very careful not to make any gesture that would appear the least bit threatening. Estelle took the scroll from Zinn, read it, and then handed it to Timoteh."

"Your Majesty, I beg speak. I am retired physician Bardhyl, my father was an apprentice to the King Rosario's head physician. I have knowledge of the plague in King Rosario's time."

"I object," Flamur said. "That is nothing but hearsay."

"Flamur, I have promised to hear your petition and I have. To give it a fair hearing, I must consider all sides. For example, I don't know who wrote this scroll or where the author got the information. Do you know? If you do, can I speak to him?" Estelle asked. Flamur shook his head.

"He is long dead, judging by the age of that scroll."

"So, you want me to believe an unknown dead man's writing, without knowing who he was, who he wrote this scroll to or for, and where he got his information without some form of corroboration?" When Flamur said nothing, she waved to Bardhyl.

"You may approach, Lord Bardhyl"

Bardhyl looked ancient and walked slowly to the end of the red carpet, then knelt. He rose with the help of a cane when she gestured for him to stand. "Thank you, Your Majesty. May I see that scroll?"

Timoteh, walked over and handed the scroll to Bardhyl. It read:

In the year 978 in the reign of King Rosario there was a great plague.

It was like the previous plague in 881 under the great, great grandfather of King Rosario.

During the course of the plague, it was determined that Prince Vasco was the disease carrier.

The Prince chose to take his life to stop the plague.

And the plague did stop a short time later.

The decedents of King Rosario carry the disease in their blood and could cause another plague.

In that case they should for the sake of their subjects, sacrifice themselves as did Prince Vasco.

Bardhyl gave a squeaky cackle, which got him the attention of everyone in the great hall. "The writer got it backward. Prince Vasco did kill himself to save the people of Adalok, but not because he was a carrier of the disease and caused the outbreak–"

"How do you know, old man. More made up rumors?" Flamur shouted.

"Quiet Flamur, it's Lord Bardhyl's turn to speak," Estelle said and nodded to Bardhyl.

"No, Flamur. Not rumors. My father was an apprentice to King Rosario's head physician, Agrotes, during the 881 plague. Neither the King nor the Prince got sick, and many of the nobles and ministers did, although Agrotes knew both had been exposed many times. On a whim or through a stroke of genius, Agrotes deduce they had something in their blood that prevented them–"

"See the scroll is right!" Flamur interrupted.

"It is not your turn, Flamur. Don't force me to have you restrained," Estelle said with a finger to her lips. "Please continue, Lord Bardhyl.

"For whatever reason, Agrotes asked Prince Vasco for a sample of his blood, which my father said he injected into three persons with the plague. All three shows signs of recovering within a day and were back to normal, although weak, within four." Bardhyl motioned for something to drink and Estelle had water delivered to him. "Thank you, Your Majesty. When the Prince saw the results, he insisted Agrotes take more blood from him. My father said he collected pint after pint for a couple of weeks, until the Prince looked like a freshly laundered white sheet. The King was enraged when he found out and forbid Vasco and Agrotes from collecting any more blood. The next day Vasco hung himself and left a scroll telling Agrotes to drain his body of blood and use it to cure as many as he could. It wasn't enough to cure everyone, but it cured enough to stop the spread of the disease to other providences."

"Rubbish," Flamur said. "You planned this farce to hide the truth." He waved his scroll wildly in the air. At my nod, Zinn moved close to Flamur and said something that caused him to stop the rant.

"Ma'am, I think it will be easy to prove," I said loud enough to be heard by most in the hall.

"How, Captain?" Estelle asked. I clicked on my Mfi and a minute later Captain Hwang's face appeared, behind him the Bridge of the War Horse.

"Captain Sapir, what can I do for you?"

"I have a medical emergency down here. I wondered if I could talk to your chief medical officer?" I asked. Hwang nodded and a minute later, a gray-haired man in his late forties appeared.

"Captain Sapir, I'm Doctor Vanshon, how can I help you?"

"We have a plague on Adalok. If we have a person with blood that contains antibodies to cure someone with the disease, can you make a vaccine?"

"My initial response is yes, but I'd have to have a sample of the blood and the disease to be sure."

"We'll be up in two hours." I cut the connection and looked to Estelle. "Ma'am you should go, and if Duke Murdus's physician can get a sample from someone who is sick, I think we can resolve the issue in less than a day."

Estelle looked hesitant, but nodded. "We will resume here tomorrow at the same time."

The duke's physician had a sample in a little over an hour, and we lifted off the landing pad a half hour later.

"Where are we going?" Estelle asked, as she peered out the shuttle's small round window.

"To the War Horse." I pointed to a small speck of a light. "They have a very advanced medical facility."

"That's very high," she said looking at the ground below us which was beginning to turn the planet to a bluish ball. "That's a very large ship," she exclaimed a few minutes later as we approached the cruiser. We're going to HIT IT!" she screeched and turned away from the window as the Tiger's tractor grabbed hold of the Black Widow and gently settled it inside one of its shuttle bays. Surprisingly, Captain Hwang was there when we exited along with Doctor Vanshon, dressed in a long white coat over navy blue slacks.

I bowed to Hwang and Vanshon. "Queen Estelle, I would like to introduce you to Captain Hwang, who commands the War Horse, and Doctor Vanshon, who is in charge of the medical unit. Gentlemen, this is Queen Estelle of Adalok."

Both men gave low bows.

"Thank you for agreeing to help me. Captain Sapir is trying to save me from being killed or banished from my kingdom," she said with a small grin. "We have a plague which some are intent on blaming me for causing it while others claim I have blood to save it."

"A very interesting problem, Queen Estelle. If you will follow me, we will try to ascertain which, if either, is true," Vanshon said in a soft deep bass voice. Estelle swiveled left and right as Vanshon navigated the halls and stairs to the medical unit, which was larger than the duke's grand hall. "If you would sit, I need to draw some blood from you. Only a few small vials, I promise. I will need an hour or so to compare the two samples and run a few tests."

To kill the time and get Estelle to relax, I took her on a tour of the ship. I showed her my quarters which were officer’s quarters. She watched marines working out, visited the firing range, looked at the fighter and shuttle bays, and Hwang even gave her a tour of the Bridge.

My Mfi buzzed as Hwang was showing Estelle the view of Adalok through the ship's optics. I clicked on Receive and Vanshon’s face appeared. "Sapir, I have the results. Your queen can stay on the throne." He smiled.

I waited for Hwang to finish, and then headed for the dispensary. "Ma'am, Doctor Vanshon has the results. We were quiet for the rest of the way. Vanshon was smiling when we entered his office. "Queen Estelle, you will be pleased to find that you do, in fact, have antibodies that can fight the plague, and that we have the facilities on the Tiger to manufacture a vaccine to combat the disease. If you will wait an hour, we can send you back with a sample large enough to treat a thousand people, and tomorrow enough to treat a hundred thousand."

Estelle jumped up and hugged Vanshon, who produced a smile that touched both ears.

* * *

Estelle spoke as soon as she sat. "The Jax's chief physician examined my blood and confirmed Lord Bardhyl’s assertion that my blood line contains antibodies that can cure the plague, and that I am not a plague carrier. The proof is in the vaccine they produced from my blood. I brought back enough for one thousand vaccinations. I am told another hundred thousand will be coming tomorrow. Physicians are waiting to give it to anyone who wants one, and other physicians are in Zamara preparing to treat the ill." Estelle pointed a finger at Flamur and then the floor in front of her. Hesitantly, he obeyed while watching the Guards as he approached. "Flamur, I should have you shot for encouraging my subjects to kill me." She held up a hand. "You were careful with the wording but there was no doubt as to the intent. I want you back here in three days, which will give you and everyone else a chance to observe the effects of the vaccine. If you run, I will take that as an admission you meant me harm and were not acting in what you thought was my best interest. If that is the case, you and I will spend the rest of our lives in Adalok. Me on the throne and you in my dungeon. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Your Highness. What if I don't run," he asked, sweat dotting his forehead and his armpits showing sweat stains.

"That is what we will discuss in three days."

"What do you think, Captain?" she asked as we entered her wing.

"That you will soon be able to end the contract and get rid of the heartless bitch who is in command," I said.

"I have to admit you aren't as expensive as I had thought. Considering everything, you are actually cheap, and I've become fond of you. Do you think Colonel Mathaz will be adequate for my protection?"

"He's not up to heartless bastard status and may never be, but I think he has learned a lot and will be more than adequate with your help," I said, at her puzzled expression.

"Yes, you can order him to give you greater freedom which you can't do with the Black Guard. So, you will set the level of security he can provide you. You are well liked, but it only takes one unhappy person to kill you."

Estelle nodded. "Yes, you have taught Mathaz and me a lot about security. We are both responsible for my security." She laughed. "Thank you."

* * *

"Well, Mr. Flamur? What do you think now that you've observed the results of the vaccine?" Estelle began her audience three days later. Flamur stood before her, head bent and looking pale.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong to believe the scroll and to wish you…harm. Lord Bardhyl was right. Your blood protects the subjects of Adalok, and you are the rightful heir to the throne."

"I should punish you severely, but I am afraid too many people would think I was doing it to silence you and that you were right. So, in the interest of the people of Adalok, I am setting you free. To do what, Mr. Flamur?"

"To make sure the people know the truth. The writer of the scroll had the facts wrong; you are not a carrier of the plague, but a carrier of the cure, and that you are a wise and just ruler, and I'm your loyal servant."

* * *

We stopped at each providence on the way back to Adalok to drop off the vaccines Doctor Vanshou had produced.

"Do you think my Flamur decision was good or bad?" Estelle asked, surprising me at our farewell meeting.

"I think it was the right decision for Adalok, which is all that matters," I said.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Sassor Mountain: New Contract

I was disappointed when, after a month at Sasser Mountain, my adopted sister, Hada, had a new assignment although back less time than I was, and I didn't.

"Don't be disappointed, Rivka," Hada shouted, shaking my arm as we sat at our favorite spot. It had rained the previous two days and the torrent of water poring over the cliff roared as it fought through the narrow gorge, making it hard to talk. "You didn't get this assignment because it's pretty traditional. Commander Wexler is saving you for one of those non-traditional contracts the Jax Contract Committee has been prone to approve, because my crazy sister manages to complete them successfully, and they tend to be very lucrative."

I nodded, thinking she was probably right. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. It was a good thing for the Jax, as much of our income came from contracts, but could be bad for the Black Guard, as those types of contracts were potentially more dangerous. Even our traditional contracts produced five to eight deaths yearly, which was only a few less than the yearly number of qualified recruits. Numerically that was good, but it meant replacing experienced Black Guards with inexperienced ones, slowly lowering the overall experience of the Guard and resulting in more deaths. A very troubling trend made worse by taking on non-traditional contracts that could result in four or more deaths on any one of those contracts.

"I suppose you're right," I said with mixed emotions. I liked the challenge and they were more interesting than the more traditional body-guard duty. But like Hada, each Guard's death weighed heavily on me. One death was tragic but multiple deaths was a nightmare scenario which loomed on every non-traditional assignment. Like command, a two-edged sword. You could control the response, and were therefore were responsible for the outcome.

Fortunately, I didn't have long to wait. A week later, Corporal Yardon appeared while I was eating breakfast.

Captain Sapir, Commander Wexler would like to talk with you," Corporal Yardon said, after a low bow.

"Good timing, Yardon," I said, having just finished my breakfast and had nothing on my schedule until after lunch, when I planned to instruct several captains on the use of the whip. Now that everyone was interested, the stories of incidents where the whip had proved an advantage were growing, creating even more interest than before. I walked back with Yardon in silence, wondering if it were an assignment and whether it was traditional or not.

I bowed low when I entered Wexler's office. "Sir, Corporal Yardon said you wanted to see me."

"Yes, Sapir, sit," he said, and took a sip of coffee. "The Jax Committee has another contract for us to write. In a way, I prefer them letting us create the contract and them determining the price, especially for non-traditional contracts. I can't make up my mind whether this is a traditional contract or not. On the surface it is, but it has the potential to turn very non-traditional." He took another sip of his coffee. "The King of Uster, on the planet Franks, in the Hydra Federation, died a little over a month ago. He had three heirs, a daughter and two sons. The daughter is the oldest and is now Queen Liserli. The oldest son is the head of Uster military, and the second son is head of the Uster Airforce. The queen has appointed a number of women to important positions which has earned her the ire of someone or some group. She has survived two assassination attempts but was wounded during the last one. I would say it was a normal contract except for the two sons. They are each in positions of power, have unique access to the queen and to personal information, and are the heirs if she dies."

I nodded. "Hiring us is a good defense for either son or both," I said. "We hired the best to protect her."

"Exactly," Wexler said. "So, Sapir, how many Black Guard will you need to keep one of the sons from becoming king?"

I asked Wexler for a day to think about the potential problems, if one or both sons were involved, and to meditate at Hada's and my favorite spot. I've found over the years that meditating helped the mind sort through the issues and focus on problems that needed addressing.

I met with Wexler the next morning. "I would like the usual condition, I'm in charge of her security including palace security, and two teams of nine, which I will consider three teams of six," I said to begin the negotiations with Wexler as he had the final approval authority.

"Why three teams of six?" Wexler asked.

"Because there are three main players. This allows me flexibility depending on the loyalty of the sons."

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sabretooth: Travel

In the shuttle to the Sabretooth, I mulled over Hada's comment: Wexler is saving you for one of those non-traditional contracts the Jax Contract Committee has been prone to approve. She was right, now that I thought about it. It was also the reason he had begun including me in not only helping to write the contracts but in determining the number of Guards required, and in selecting the individuals. I had been so absorbed in my thoughts, I was shocked when the shuttle light over the door turned green and the door opened. When I exited, a young lieutenant saluted. I gave him a shallow bow in return.

"Captain Sapir, I'm Lieutenant Johnson," The young red headed lieutenant said, standing straight as if at attention. "Captain Elishva asked me to welcome you aboard the Sabretooth and invite you to dine with her and her senior officers if your duties permit."

"You can tell the captain I would be honored."

He nodded. "If you will follow me, I will show you and your Guards to the marine area where quarters have been arranged." He was quiet on the way to the marine area. There we were met by a marine Colonel and a gunny. Neither man saluted but bowed instead.

"Good morning, Captain Sapir. I'm Colonel Jamison and this is Gunny Lyall," the colonel said, his bushy beard showing a toothy smile. "You and the Black Guard are the talk of the marines, and with surprisingly few derogatory remarks." His smile grew bigger. "So, if you don't object, I'd appreciate it if you would let your detail mingle with the troops."

"I think we would all enjoy that, Colonel," I said. Gunny then led us to our assigned rooms. As usual, I found I had been given senior-level quarters with its own bathroom. I was only a captain and never commanded more than a lieutenant-sized unit, but I was always treated like a colonel in the army or commander in the navy. I wasn't about to complain, but it was strange. If I had to guess, I would think it was because of our unorthodox rank structure, lack of medals, and isolation from the other branches of the military. So, they erred on the side of caution. Funny, because like medals, I didn't care.

When I left my room and entered the workout bay, Gunny Lyall met me. "Captain, do you think you could show us the Black Guard style of fighting?"

I grinned. "Gunny, you and your marines are far superior at unarmed self-defense than we are, but I'd be glad to show you the style of fighting we are taught." As I talked, marines and Guards began to collect around us. "We use a style called Wuji, which was patterned after an Internal style of Kung Fu." I spent the next hour explaining and using Black Guards for demonstrations.

"That appears a rather passive style of self-defense," Gunny Lyall said when I had finished. "Our style is more like Krav Maga, aggressive and lethal." He grinned, drawing a finger across his throat.

"How often do you use unarmed self-defense in boarding actions?" I asked, trying to look interested.

"Not often." He snorted.

"That's the same for us. Our preferred method of self-defense is to shoot the aggressor," I said. That got a lot of grins and snorts. "But practiced regularly, it does tend to promote excellent balance, focus, and more relaxed movement. All good things when you can't count on a second shot."

Over the next several days, we had several hours of supervised matches. It was good training and helped pass the time.

* * *

"Captain Sapir, I'm Captain Elishva," a small lean woman said, as I was ushered into the captain's private dining room. She looked young with her smooth olive skin and short curly black hair, although I knew she had to be at least forty. "This is Colonel Jamison, who is in charge of the marines, and my XO, Commander Eberhart."

"A pleasure, gentlemen," I said after Elishva's introductions.

"I had a chance to talk to Captain Hammond last month. He said you had nerves of battle metal and cost him several years of his life. He had been a heartbeat from giving the order to destroy Queen Isobel's castle, you, and the surrounding area. He concluded shooting at an enemy cruiser was much less nerve racking." She smiled.

"Fortunately, Queen Isobel thought punishing me wasn’t worth the possibility of losing her shopping privileges," I said, which elicited smiles.

"What would you have done if your team was still in the castle?" Jamison asked.

"Shot her." I shrugged. "I think that would have sent the same message: the Jax are not your subjects or subject to your laws."

Elishva, nodded, Eberhart choked on the wine he was drinking, and Jamison gave a hearty laugh.

"What do you think about your current assignment?" Elishva asked.

"That mix of players could make for a very interesting assignment."

CHAPTER TWENTY

Uster: Queen Liserli

When I exited the shuttle, a tall man in his late thirties stood waiting with a group of soldiers dressed in combat fatigues, green, brown, and black colored camouflage, with weapons that looked like assault weapons held to their chests. He was also in fatigues with unfamiliar insignia which looked to belong to a senior ranking officer, and a black, yellow, and red ribbon around his neck with the Uster coat of arms: a black circle with a yellow and a red scorpion facing outward and forward. He was obviously one of the royal sons. He nodded as I approached. I stopped and gave a shallow bow.

"Welcome, Captain Sapir. I am prince Bartli, chief of the Uster Army. I have vehicles ready to take you and your troops to our official residence. It's unusual for troops to be quartered at our residence. The palace guards have a separate barracks attached to the palace." He waved toward a limo which had a flag with the family crest on each of the front bumpers. "Lieutenant Donato will take care of getting your troops to the residence.

"The Black Guard is both intrusive and paranoid. We anticipate attacks on our clients will happen at any minute whether day or night, by sneaky assassins, and want our off-duty Guards immediately available for when the enemy attacks with overwhelming numbers."

Bartli laughed. "You are paranoid. My sister has been attacked twice. The first time it was a lone individual who shot at her several times. He didn't hit her, but he did wound a guard and somehow got away. The second time, she was attacked by four masked men. They killed one of her guards and wounded the other." He laughed. "My sister, the queen, is a bit of a tom-boy having been raised with two brothers and can shoot as well as a soldier. She and her guards killed two but the other two got away. We haven't been able to identify the two they killed. Could be from another kingdom, or criminals with no record, or professional assassins."

"How did they get into your residence?" I asked, wondering if he knew whether it was negligence, internal help, or incompetence.

"It's not as difficult as it may appear. During the day one part of the residence is used by the Ministers and we have many people coming and going. It is also the section of the wing where my sister conducts audiences."

"Have they attacked you or your brother?" I asked, wanting to understand the motivation. From what he had said, it didn't appear to be random individuals but a more organized attempt. They had slipped by building security, and it was several individuals the second time.

"No, but of course we are generally at military installations; me at the army base, and my brother at the air force installation."

"Has the queen received any threats or demands lately?"

"The usual hate mail but no death threats." He paused as the limo door opened. "Aah, we have arrived. Come, my sister is waiting for us in her reception room. My brother, Ruedi, is also there."

The building was a massive two-story structure with parking for ground vehicles a hundred meters off to one side. The driver stopped in a circle driveway large enough for several cars to circle together. A large pillar sat in the center of the circle with a bronze mounted rider. The rider sat on a war horse holding a shield on one arm and a spiked ball on a chain in this other hand.

"That's our great, great grandfather, Valenti, the founder of the kingdom of Uster," Bartli smiled as he pointed to the three-story high column on which the statue stood. Two guards stood on either side of the two massive four-meter wooden doors. One saluted while the other opened the door for us. Inside was a large circular lobby with the family crest inlayed in the center and adorned with bronze plaques detailing the kingdoms history. The lobby had three exits into the building, each with two guards dressed in dark red pants with a yellow stripe and a black jacket.

"To the right are rooms for private meetings, to the left the minister's offices, and straight ahead, the queen's audience hall and several private rooms for informal meetings." He waved me to follow him as he entered the queen's area past two armed guards who came to attention as Bartli approached. About halfway down the hallway, two palace guards stood watching as we approached but relaxed when they recognize Bartli. One knocked on the door, peeked in, and then opened the door for us to enter.

A woman in her mid-thirties sat in an elaborately carved black-wooded chair, dressed in  light-yellow pants, red silk blouse, and a gold filigree head band with two scorpions, one on either side of a large amber stone with a scorpion inside. She sat relaxed except for her eyes, which evaluated me from head to foot.

"Queen Liserli, may I introduce Captain Sapir of the Black Guard," Bartli said, and Liserli nodded. "Captain Sapir, Her Majesty, Queen Liserli."

I gave a reasonably low bow as we continued to evaluate each other.

"I see royalty doesn't impress you, Captain Sapir," Liserli said, without any facial expression.

"People impress me or don't, not titles. Titles tell us what people do for a living, not anything about the person's competence or worth."

"True. I know you are a Black Guard but not whether you are worth what you cost," she said with a slight grin. "Too often, what we get isn't worth what we pay."

"True, Your Majesty. But you seldom get more than you pay for," I said. She frowned for several seconds, then smiled.

"An astute observation," she said, frowning. "Why will I be safer with the Black Guard than with my palace security? Colonel Benita," she nodded over her left shoulder where a tall, wiry woman stood in the corner of the room, "has fifteen years of military and combat experience."

"I don't know Colonel Benita so I can't answer your question; however, she is not the individual guarding you day and night, her people are. I assume they came from the military and were given several months on-the-job trainings." I looked to Benita who nodded. "The lowest ranking Guard on my team began their training at age six or seven, and competed for eight years against over one hundred others to gain entrance to the Black Guard school. There they competed for two more years to qualify as a Black Guard. Their training in the Guard has been specifically oriented around protecting clients from assassins, and each has been on multiple assignments. Every Guard can hit the kill zone one hundred percent of the time and must qualify prior to going on an assignment. Those are the individuals who will be guarding you night and day, not me."

Liserli laughed, then sobered. "Why do you need to be in charge of all of my security?" she asked and I noticed Benita straighten and take a step into the room.

"The contract is worded that way to prevent confusion. I don't care to manage palace security. Too often rulers think palace security is personal protection. It isn't–"

"We protect the queen," Benita protested then flushed. "Pardon, Your Majesty."

"Colonel Benita has a valid point," Liserli said, a small smile on her lips.

"Palace security serves an important function, to restrict access to the palace and to protect important people. But they have too many restrictions and distractions to be effective."

"What do you mean, restrictions and distractions?" Liserli asked.

"Four gunmen break into the lobby," I said. "Who are they protecting?"

"Everyone," Benita blurted.

"Say Prince Bartli, Prince Ruedi, and Queen Liserli are in the lobby with several ministers. The gunmen have automatic weapons and are spraying the area. Who is security protecting, the queen or the princes or are they just trying to kill the four gunmen–trying to protect everyone?" I asked to open mouthed expressions.

"What would the Black Guard do?" Liserli asked.

"We are paid to protect you, Queen Liserli. So, while we would be shooting at the gunmen, we would be moving you out of harm's way. We are not contracted to protect the princes or other people in the area if you are attacked. If we managed to kill the four gunmen and save lives, we would consider that a bonus, but it would have been done only to protect you not the others."

"That's heartless," Benita blurted, her face hot with rage.

"Now you understand, Colonel. Palace security is there to protect everyone, which you can only do by trying to kill the gunmen. Plus, in my scenario, you would have to be careful shooting at the gunmen because other important people will be running wild. Distractions."

"You wouldn't be distracted?" Liserli asked.

"No, we know who we are protecting. Anyone preventing us from protecting you is part of the attacking gunmen. It is also the reason the contract states the Black Guard is in charge of all security. If I or any Guard shouts an order, security must understand it is a valid order and to be obeyed as if Colonel Benita gave it. If not, they will be considered to be hindering us protecting the queen and could become a casualty. In an emergency, only one person can be in charge or chaos results."

The room became deathly silent for several minutes.

"That sounds heartless," Liserli said staring at me in disbelief. "My brothers…"

"If you want your brothers protected, we would have to renegotiate the contract to include them. I know it sounds heartless and maybe it is, but from experience our orders during an emergency tend to save lives by letting security focus on what they are there to do while we do what we are contracted to do."

Prince Ruedi laughed. "She's right. We are paying the Black Guard to protect the Queen of Uster, not everyone in the palace at the time of an attempted assassination." He gave me a thumbs up gesture. Liserli nodded somewhat reluctantly.

"Colonel Benita?" Liserli asked.

"Your safety is the only priority, my queen." Benita's voice was firm with no hint of reserve.

"What now, Captain Sapir?"

"Let me introduce my team to you and they can begin taking up their posts. Then I would like to discuss palace security with Colonel Benita and familiarize myself with the palace's entrances and exits, so I can determine what we may need to guard," I said and looked toward the colonel. "As I said before, I don't want to replace palace security or interfere with their routine unless it somehow interferes with guarding you."

"Ruedi, would you please inform the soldiers, I would like the Black Guards escorted here." Her voice soft and warm. A few minutes later Lieutenant Haber came in with the two nine-guard teams.

"Queen Liserli, I would like to present my second in command, Lieutenant Haber. Lieutenant Haber, Queen Liserli," I said and Haber gave a low bow and proceeded to introduce Senior Sergeant Catz. She was interrupted halfway through her introductions.

"Lieutenant Haber, I noticed none of you have medals but you and senior sergeant Catz and three others have double dragons on your sleeves but not the remaining five. What does it signify?"

"The Black Guard do not get medals for doing our jobs, but now and then, the Guard recognizes individual performance and bestows its only award, the double dragons. Not to award the individual or the unit but as an example to others what it means to be a Black Guard."

"Judging by the number in this room, it must be often."

"No, Your Majesty, they were given to Captain Sapir's teams on Lanzhou and New Keif."

"I haven't heard of New Keif, but I have heard of Lanzhou. I thought the story exaggerated, twenty-to-one odds."

"It was only ten-to-one, Your Majesty." Haber smiled.

"And the whip?" Liserli looked to me while examining my uniform.

"It is part of a Black Guard captain's uniform. It honors a long dead captain who intentionally got captured, and endured two days of torture to mislead the enemy. His actions, which resulted in his death, saved his team's lives and the life of his client."

"Rumor says it was used to behead a country's minister." Liserli leaned slightly towards Haber.

"The committee played games with the Jax and lied about the number of rebels, their equipment, and training, which resulted in the Jax being unprepared.  That particular minister had a secret agenda and was responsible for the fraudulent contract and the Black Guards' excessive casualties."

"And Queen Isobel?"

"She played games with our captain, who is affectionally referred to as a Black Mamba in a mouse's skin."

Listerli gave a genuine laugh. "Yes, the rumors all agree. The Jax are reliable and make for bad enemies."

After the introductions were made, Liserli called Steward Vinicio, who showed the team to two rooms in the queen's wing. I left Senior Sergeant Catz and two Guards with Liserli while I went with Benita to tour the palace and learn palace security's responsibilities.

"The palace looks like a step-ladder or the letters "EI" from the air. The front of the building contains the administrative functions of the kingdom: ministers, their staff, and meeting rooms. The upper leg of the "E" is reserved for the palace staff: cooks, maids, craftsmen, etc. The middle leg on the first floor is reserved for the queen to conduct meetings, hold audiences, and host the weekly parliament sessions. The upper floor is a hallway that leads to her private quarters which is in the connecting "I". The bottom of the "I" is reserved for palace security. The lower leg of the "E" on the ground floor is reserved for ministers, while the upper floor is for special guests of the queen."

"So, the only entrance to the queen's quarters from the inside is through the first-floor stairway to the second floor, and through the first-floor stairway in the middle leg which leads to the middle of second floor's middle leg," I asked, thinking I understood the building's structure.

"That's correct, Captain. And both those entrances are guarded by palace security," Benita said.

"There are four entrances into the building: The main entrance in the front, and three on ground level in the rear: one into security and one into the left and right wings. Each is guarded night and day."

"Also correct, Captain. In addition, there is a wall surrounding the palace with only one entrance into the compound which is patrolled night and day with dogs.

"Do you know how the assassins entered each time?" I asked, thinking it would not be hard based on the number of entrances and the number of people roaming the building.

"To be honest, no, since the assassins who survived escaped. The single assassin picked a day the queen was holding an audience where security is relaxed as it's open to everyone with a letter. The second group must have climbed the wall and somehow slipped into the staff's entrance, then to the second floor, and finally into the middle hallway. Only the queen's brothers slowed them enough for security to respond," Benita said, giving me a questioning look. "Since, my queen has put you in charge, what are your orders?"

"I have no interest in managing palace security, unless I think it puts your queen in harm's way. They just need to understand that in an emergency, any Black Guard issuing orders is speaking for you and me and must be obeyed instantly. Those orders will be in the queen's best interest. I would like any normal security you provide the queen personally, like accompanying her from room to room, stopped. That is now the Black Guards' responsibility. You will still provide building and room security," I said. "Colonel, we are on the same team and want the same result. You are providing building security, including the safety of the people inside. The Black Guard is providing personal protection for the queen. That way we will not be confused when an attack occurs, and less likely to aid the attackers, as their greatest advantage is chaos."

Benita nodded. "I love my queen and it's hard to turn over her protection to…people I don't know."

"You are not relinquishing that responsibility. If you can stop anyone from getting past your security, she will never be in danger." I paused for her to consider that. "If you slow them down, you have diminished their advantage and increased your liege lord's chances of surviving. You are the first and most important line of her defense."

She frowned at me.

"No, Colonel. The Black Guard only wants our client alive when we leave." I smiled. "I would be pleased if you can demonstrate the Black Guard are not necessary to protect whoever sits on the throne. If you can't, then you learn by watching us, so that you can when we leave."

* * *

Why is it necessary for Guards to be in my suite and the rooms I enter? Couldn't they just guard access to where I am? Certainly, my wing is safe with my brothers there," Liserli said between sips of her coffee the next morning. Bartli and Ruedi sat with her eating breakfast. Benita, two Black Guards, and I stood back against the walls.

"You are making all sorts of assumptions I'm not willing to make since they impinge on your safety," I said, finding this the fun part of each assignment.

"What assumptions?" Liserli said, her voice dripping with indignity.

"The time of the attack, who is attacking you, where the attack will occur, the weapons they will use, and your reaction," I said.

"What does the time have to do with it?" Ruedi asked, eyes bright with interest.

"The queen indicated you would be there to help. Are you there day and night every day?" I asked. "Even if you are, what good would you be if they managed to enter your sister's room before you were alerted, or like right now when you are unarmed? What kind of weapons do you have in your room to repulse men with assault weapons or grenade launchers? What if they broke into your room first? I cannot assume those who want to kill the queen are stupid or that they won't learn from their failures."

"What do you mean by my reactions?" Liserli asked, her brow wrinkled in a frown.

"You're not a combat veteran. What will your reaction be when people are attempting to kill you and shots and bombs are exploding around you?" I asked. "The Black Guards protecting you are combat veterans, will be in contact with me or Lieutenant Haber, and will know where every Black Guard is located and their current situation. Consequently, his or her decision will understand your best options."

"You are paranoid," Bartli said. "I understand you have a picture and information on everyone authorized to enter the family wing."

"I'm a foreigner in your country. I don’t know your politics, customs, history, or the people you associate with. Therefore, it's better for my client that I don't assume who may want the person killed. It is better I consider everyone a suspect."

"Me?" Bartli asked, with a touch of a smile.

"Yes. You and everyone that comes in contact with the queen." I also smiled.

"That ridiculous!" Liserli shouted, choking on whatever she had been eating.

"You don't think kings and queens haven't been murdered by family, relatives, maids, and guards? They have with regularity. You may think you know everyone that works for you but you don’t. And if you do, I don't and won't risk your life by assuming you do."

"That's insulting!" Bartli growled.

"It's not personal or directed at you. It's Black Guard training," I said, mostly for Liserli's benefit. The rest of the meal was finished in silence. As the table was cleared and an assortment of drinks were delivered, Steward Vinicio appeared.

"Your Majesty." Vinicio gave a low bow. "You are scheduled for your weekly audience at nine, then Minister Imelda after lunch, and Minister Marisela at three."

"What are you two doing today?" Liserli asked, looking toward her brothers as they rose to leave.

"We have some joint exercises, beginning in an hour," Bartli said. "After that, a critique. So, we won't be back for dinner."

"How are the borders with King Mateusz?" Liserli asked with a slight frown.

"Quiet. Why?"

"Unlike his dead father, he's ambitious. Unless I'm mistaken, he will be testing us, looking for weaknesses, both physical and psychological," Liserli said in a stern sounding voice. Bartli and Ruedi nodded agreement.

"Should we break his fingers or saw off the hand he pokes into our kingdom?" Ruedi asked, grinning.

"Just don't kiss it," Liserli said, waving them out. "Benita, any problems I should be concerned with?"

"No, Your Highness. I've given Captain Sapir a tour of the palace, and introduced her to our people. They understand she is in charge of your security and in charge in an emergency. I don’t' see any problems." Benita looked toward me and I nodded agreement.

"And you, Captain?" Liserli smiled.

"Would King Mateusz benefit from your death?" I asked.

"No. He doesn't like me but my brothers and I are pretty much in agreement so nothing that concerns Mateusz would change."

"How many people will attend your audience?"

"The petitioners, I think there are three, and others interested in the petitions and ancillary issues, maybe fifty." She looked at Benita.

"They set up forty-five chairs, Ma'am," Benita said, then looked at me. "We know in advance as everyone attending will have either a signed petition or obtained a letter authorizing them entry."

"Who approves the petitions?" I asked.

"The queen approves the petitions and the appropriate minister for each petition authorizes the attendees," Benita said. "Security checks each person before they are allowed in."

"Time to go," Liserli said as she rose. She had on a formal ankle length dress which looked like three layered dresses. On top and the three-quarter sleeves were yellow, just below the waist a red dress, and a black dress from the knees to the floor. Two Guards led the way, with me to her right, and two Guards behind me.

"I feel like a prisoner," Liserli said as we entered the hallway.

"A very important high value prisoner," I commented which caused her to shake her head. As we reached a small door, one of the two security guards opened the door and a man inside the door shouted.

"All rise for Queen Liserli." He was dressed in a yellow jacket, black pants, and a red sash around his waist.

The door was a private entrance which was only twenty steps from the dais. Liserli sat as we took up our positions: I stood two steps to the right of her chair and a step back, two Guards stood behind and to the left and right of the attendees, and one Guard stood to the left and one to the right of the dais platform.

"Be seated," a man at the door said when Liserli sat. "The first petition is Merchant Olavo."

A short pudgy man dressed in an expensive silver-grey suit, rose and walked to the beginning of the steps leading to the throne and bowed. "Your Majesty," he said as he unrolled a document I presumed was his petition. Liserli held up a hand.

"Merchant Olavo, I have read your petition. Do you have anything to add?"

"Your Majesty, the Royal Grant was given to my grandfather by King Bolivar, your grandfather," Olavo said, with a slight got you smile. "I offered to let the current merchant occupying the land a chance to buy it. He refused. So, the land is mine. I am willing to let him move the building."

"That is true, Merchant Olavo; however, the Royal Grant does not excuse you from the kingdom's laws," Liserli said in a normal voice and without smiling. "Ten years ago, the Ministry of Land Management, MLM, divided your land into two parcels. One was taxed as a business and the other as vacant land. You failed to pay the taxes on the vacant parcel for five years, and in accordance with kingdom law, the parcel was returned to the MLM. Merchant Gervasi paid the current value of the property and the back taxes and was awarded the land. Consequently, your petition is denied."

"Merchant Flavio, you may approach the queen," the man at the door said in a loud voice before Olavo could say anything. When Olavo looked to the queen, she was sipping water from a crystal goblet and scanning the spectators. Olavo turned and stalked toward the exit looking furious. Suddenly, I heard two pops and Flavio and the rear of the hall were engulfed in a thick smoke. I reached down and gripped Liserli's wrist and spun her out of her throne into my chest as I stepped away while presenting my back to those in the audience. I had barely taken one step when I heard multiple shots and the padded back of the throne erupted into a cloud of feathers. Judging by the spray of cloth and wood, the shots were from an automatic weapon and came from two directions. I saw Sergeant Markov, who was to the right of me, had his Mfw drawn and was firing. I suspect Corporal Kao, on the other side of the dais, was also shooting. Jumping off the dais with Liserli, I moved closer to Markov, deciding not to exit the door to the hallway as other assassins could be waiting. When I heard no more firing, I let go of Liserli and turned to face the direction of the seating which was now engulfed in a cloud of thick smoke. I could hear shouting and the sounds of people scrambling to leave the hall. There was no way the two palace security guards could hold the stampeding crowd. Consequently, if the shooters were still alive, they could flee, hidden by the panicking people.

"Sorry, Your Majesty. Your throne is too heavy to move and of little protection," I said, mostly to calm her nerves. I still held one of her arms to ensure she stayed behind me. At least I had body armor that provided some protection. I stood watching as the smoke slowly thinned and the chairs began to take shape. Two bodies lay in a pool of blood, one on each side of the aisle. Liserli leaned out, looking wide eyed at her chair and the feathers which were just beginning to descend toward the floor, then to the two bodies who lay less than twenty meters away from the throne.

She closed her eyes for several minutes before speaking. "It appears those two," she jerked her head in the bodies' direction, "waived their right to a trial." She looked away and was silent for a minute before speaking. "Raol, have someone tell Merchant Injgo his petition was approved, since he left before the session was adjourned." When I looked down at her, she had tears in her eyes. "Captain could you escort me to my room. I'm suddenly tired."

The walk to her quarters was made in silence. I wouldn't have been surprised to find she was in shock. The assassination attempt had been clever and only a second from succeeding. I would be interested in determining how the assassins got smoke grenades and weapons into the room. When we entered her room, Liserli walked straight to a yellow couch and collapsed into the four puffy pillows and quietly cried. As I began to get ready to leave, she spoke.

"I always assumed my bodyguards would step in front of me, to shield me, while they shot the assassin," she said between quiet sobs.

"Not the preferred technique. If your bodyguard gets killed, you're next. It's better to get the client out of harm's way. I pulled you to me as I'm wearing body armor which can protect me somewhat, and I trusted my team would not need me to kill the assassin or assassins, and he or they would be dead before I could turn around."

"But the smoke," Liserli said.

"It was a reasonable tactic," I said, having given it some thought on the way to her quarters. "Trigger the smoke canisters which would hide the assassins, freeze you in place, and allow them to exit with the panicking crowd. Their automatic weapons and closeness to the throne made it unlikely both assassins would miss even if you had risen from the throne. The flaw in their plan was the flashes from their weapons. Even in a smoke-filled room, those flashes would be visible and targeting them is part of Black Guard training."

"How did they get a weapon into the hall? Everyone was scanned." Liserli asked, while wiping her eyes and nose.

"That's an excellent question which palace security should investigate. It's possible that the weapons and canisters where stored in the hall earlier today or yesterday." I didn't know, but that was the most logical assumption, or they were somehow sneaked past palace security.

"Thank you, Captain Sapir. I trust Colonel Benita with my life, but I'm afraid I’d be dead now if I had relied on palace security." She laughed. "You are going to be the only person in the kingdom's history to have assaulted a monarch," she pointed to her arm which was beginning to show a large black and blue bruise from her wrist to her elbow, "and not be executed."

* * *

"Minister Hipolito would like to see you to discuss next year's proposed tax changes," Steward Vinicio said as the queen pushed away her breakfast plate and picked up the coffee cup the maid had just filled. "I thought around two this afternoon. That will give you time for lunch. Other than that, you are free."

"Thank you, Vinicio. I think I'll go to the firing range for some practice," Liserli said, and turned toward me, a slight defiant set to her lips. "I do practice regularly, Captain, and can hit what I aim at."

"I think that is an excellent idea," I said smiling, thinking it would accomplish several objectives. Liserli’s look turned suspicious. "My myopic goal is to see you alive when we leave and to feel you have adequate security to cope with future assassination attempts."

"That goal appears contrary to Jax's goals," Liserli said, frowning. "After all, you are mercenaries."

"I wish no one dead, even those that challenge our client, the Guard, and me. I would rather they think me a heartless murdering bitch to be avoided and our client's death not worth the risk."

Liserli laughed as she rose. I noticed Benita staring at me as we proceeded down to the first floor, into the security building, and then into the underground firing range. They had been warned the queen was coming as several security troops were in the area, but the firing lanes were closed and the targets were all new. Liserli drew the pellet gun she wore, then carefully took a firing stance and shot several times.

"Would you like to examine the target," she said with a I told you so look. The target had five of the five pellets she fired in or around the bullseye. The target was set close to fifteen meters.

"A very respectable performance even for someone in the military," I said nodding to her. "However, I would respectfully ask you not to draw your weapon if there is an assassination attempt."

"You arrogant…" Her voice two octaves higher. She paused before continuing. "Why?"

"Because the assassins would not stop moving for you to shoot, wouldn't be fifteen meters away, your pellets that miss will travel a thousand meters unless it encounters something or someone, and I would rather you didn't harm the men and women who would be trying to stop the attack." I held up my hand to stop her from replying. "Ma'am, it is one of the reasons most palace security doesn't perform well against assassinations. With your permission, I would like to give you a demonstration." I cocked my head in her direction.

"So, you can demonstrate how well you can shoot?" Liserli asked, looking angry. She was a queen and not used to being criticized.

"No. So, I can show you and Colonel Benita the problem."

Liserli reluctantly nodded.

"I would like several motorized rails set up at ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, and thirty meters. Then fix the targets on the rails. Paint two black targets on the ten-meter rail, two regular targets painted white on the fifteen-meter rail, one or two with red paint on the head and heart areas on the twenty, and twenty-five-meter rail, and three white targets on the thirty-meter rail," I said, and left Sergeant Toch to supervise the construction. "It should be ready after your meeting with the minister," I said. Benita looked intrigued, while Liserli looked defiant yet interested, not sure if this were a good or bad thing for her image.

* * *

"What we have here is one of many possible assassination scenarios," I said looking at the targets. "The two black targets in the front are your security. The next rail contains civilians who have been caught in the assassination attempt. The next two rails have four assassins coming to kill you, and the three behind them on the fifth rail are fleeing civilians." Colonel Benita and I have set up a two-minute assassination scenario and agreed to let her security try the exercise first," I said not wanting to embarrass the queen by letting her attempt the exercise first. Liserli stared at the range with open mouth fascination. As she did, two men in palace security uniforms stepped up to a line we had drawn on the floor after removing the normal booths. "The start signal is a blast from a horn. Benita smiled as she pressed an icon on her tablet. When she did, all the targets began moving accompanied by shouts, screams, and weapons firing. Two seconds later a horn shattered the air. The men drew their Mfws and stood there several seconds searching the maze of moving targets before shooting with their weapons on automatic. Benita stopped the moving targets and stood looking horrified, then laughed as she walked around the targets. Every target had several holes, some shredded, and only two of the assassin targets were hit in the kill zone.

"My God," Liserli whispered.

"That demonstrates the biggest problem. The guards tend to keep their weapons on automatic, envisioning several assassins charging them, and not thinking about all the pellets that miss and continue on for close to a thousand meters," I said. We are setting up new targets. This time security will have their Mfws on single shot.

The same two men stood glaring down range determined to redeem themselves. I nodded to Benita, and she began the exercise again. We ran the scenario four times with different pairs but obtained the same results: the four assassins were never all killed; multiple civilians were always killed, and ten to twenty pellets invariably missed all the targets and hit the backboard.

"Would you like to try, ma'am?" I asked, thinking she would, now that no one had passed the exercise. She nodded, determination pulsing through her from her stance to her eyes. I raised the two black targets and nodded to Benita who looked apprehensive.

When we reviewed the targets, she had shot one of the black targets, two civilians, hit two assassins but not in the kill zone, and had missed everything six times.

"Very respectable for a queen," I said, meaning it. She shook her head and laughed.

"What about you, Captain Sapir?" She smiled, but I knew we wouldn't leave the firing range until I had a go at the exercise.

"Do you want me or to pick a Black Guard at random?" I tried to look worried. She laughed louder this time. "Both."

"Colonel, you can increase the speed for us," I said and stepped up to the line. I had just arrived when the colonel began the exercise. I drew, fired four times, and reattached my Mfw. Liserli and Benita were quick to examine the targets.

"Show off!" Liserli said shaking her head. She pointed to two Guards in the area. They stepped to the line one after the other with the same results: four shots, four assassins killed. "So, the point of your demonstration is that the assassins will be moving, other people may be in the area blocking our line of sight, and our adrenaline will be causing us to rush and shoot wildly."

"The point was not to embarrass anyone, but to demonstrate what you must do to have a team prepared to provide you adequate security. Ideally, all the palace guards should be close to that level, but at very least the core group who is specifically assigned to guard you."

"You and your team made it look so easy," Benita said, staring at the targets.

"Thousands of hours practicing with moving targets under a variety of conditions. It takes time, commitment, and dedication."

"Thank you, Captain Sapir, for sharing your training with us. I promise not to draw my weapon if we are attacked." Liserli smiled." It seemed so simple when you are shooting a standard target only fifteen meters away."

* * *

The rest of the day was uneventful. I did spend an hour with Colonel Benita.

"Palace security is boring and guarding the queen probably more boring," I said, after suggesting the kind of training that would be good for the palace security and the group tasked with guarding the queen.

"How so?" Benita asked, somewhat in surprise.

"Because it's the same, day after day, and attacks are extremely rare. Consequently, it becomes routine and people lose their focus. You are standing around waiting for something to happen, which doesn't. So, you need to provide a stimulus that keeps them alert, if not for trouble, for you. You need to constantly test their alertness on the job. They need to understand a lack of focus could result in them causing the queen or her brothers or guest to be injured or killed."

Benita nodded, then frowned. "That would disturb the queen…and others."

"Those tests don't have to be major disruptions. The non-security people involved could be warned in advance. Be inventive."

"It is very hard to know who's guarding me," Liserli said during dinner with her brothers. "Since the uniforms look all the same without insignia and medals and most have the same rank, every time I look it's a new face."

"It's part of the problem guarding people. It's boring and stressful. One way of relieving that is to make sure the person isn't doing the same job all the time. For you, we have six-hour shifts, two shifts each day one during the day and one during the night. In addition, we change assignments every two to three hours so the individual has a new responsibility."

"Boring I understand, but why stressful," Ruedi asked, and Liserli and Bartli stopped with food or a drink halfway to their mouth to hear the answer.

"Yes, watching for potential threats: servants coming and going, guests in the room, egress points including windows, et cetera," I said pointing around the room as I spoke.

Bartli gave a short laugh. "It’s a wonder that anyone challenges you on your assignments. I saw our new firing range and heard that you and your Guards were each perfect in shooting the attackers in the kill zone with no wasted or missed shots, combined with your fanatical attention to maintaining focus." He smiled at Liserli. "Good. Ruedi and I love our sister and our current positions, and would hate her responsibility."

"I guess that means I can't get either of you to trade positions?" Liserli said with a snort.

"Every night I pray you outlive me," Bartli said and didn't smile.

"Me too!" Ruedi chimed with an equally serious face.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Uster: Night Time Entertainment

It was the last two hours of the night shift's six-hour duty and the area was as quiet as a morgue. Lieutenant Haber and Senior Sergeant Nadel had just set the second two-hour change of position and were standing against the wall at the end of the queen's wing discussing the attack the other night. Sergeant Reti and Private Joo were stationed at the intersection of the front hallway and the entrance to the hallway leading to the family's two wings. Corporal Polak and Private Dorit were at the other end of the hallway where it intersected with the royal wing. Corporals Paler and Alpert where stationed at the entrance to the queen's apartments, approximately two-thirds of the way into her wing. Sergeant Ganz and Corporal Volpe were in the queen's waiting room which led to her bedroom suite. Captain Sapir was asleep in the room she shared with her second-in-command. Their room was in the queen's wing close to the intersecting hallway. The off-duty teams' room was also near the intersection but in the brothers' wing.

The quiet was shattered when two flashbangs came arching into the air. The first came from the stairway in the middle hallway on the first floor that led to the middle of the second-floor hallway and access to the royal wing. It landed in the hallway but managed to roll into the intersecting hallway leading to the queen's and her brothers' wings. Dorit dove face first to his right into the queen's wing, staying close to the wall and covering his eyes, while Polak did the same to his left into the brothers' wing. Both Guards screamed "Flashbang" while pressing the emergency icon on their Mfis.

Simultaneously, the second flashbang came arching up from the front stairway into the main hallway. Reti and Joo dove backward face first into the hallway leading to the family's wings. They stayed close the wall shielding their eyes and ears with their arms.

Hearing "Flashbang" and seeing Polak diving toward the floor, Haber slammed into the first door on his right, splintering the frame and falling inside with Nadel on his back, as the two flashbangs exploded one after the other. Women began screaming. Looking up Nadel saw they were in one of the queen's maids' sleeping quarters. At the same time, Alpert and Paler had opened the door to the queen's quarters and made it inside, but hadn't managed to close the door before the flashbangs exploded.

Reti and Joo, who had been caught between two flashbangs, managed to stagger to their feet, using the walls to steady themselves. Their hearing was useless and their eyes were tearing from the double flashes. The troops pouring out of the middle stairway toward the royal wing, and the heads appearing on the main stairway, were but shadows. Fortunately, the troops coming out of the middle stairway were focused on the royal wing, so Reti waved Joo towards them. Although they were caught between two enemy forces, both would be reluctant to fire for fear of wounding or killing their own troops.

Polak and Dorit couldn't hear and their eyes had spots dancing around them but they could see bodies moving. The problem was the shockwave had them shaking like jello and their flawless aim would be off. Nevertheless, they each rolled over, tilted their Mfws up forty-five degrees and fired on automatic. The pellets would hit anyone entering the wing but not any Guards coming down the hallway because of the forty-five-degree angle. Missed shots would hit the ceiling. As Haber, Nadel, Alpert, and Paler peeked out, they could hear the sound of gunfire and men shouting as they entered the hallway leading to the family's wings. Haber and Nadel began running for the intersection while signaling Alpert and Paler to stay put. Polak and Dorit were shooting as the attackers came through the entrance into the family's wing. The first four were carrying riot shields but they were useless as Polak and Dorit were on opposite sides of the entrance and had their Mfws on automatic. None of the four received any pellets to the kill zone but each had been hit several times in the side and back. It didn't matter. As Haber and Nadel approached, they delivered head shots as the men spun and lowered or dropped their shields from Polak's and Dorit's barrage of pellets. That caused the next two attackers to stop and back away from the entrance, awaiting support from the six attackers approaching from the main hallway. Polak and Dorit stopped firing as they could see and hear Haber and Nadel approaching, Sapir exited her room, and members of the off-duty team began pouring out of their room.

Reti and Joo had begun a fast walk toward the royal wing, keeping an eye on the attackers rushing in the direction of the royal wing. As the attackers entered the royal wing, the last two stopped as the first four were immediately killed. Reti and Joo fired, killing the remaining two and then raced for the middle stairway as shots rang out from behind them.

Hearing shots in the hallway leading to the royal wing, Haber took a standing position and Nadel a kneeling position at the intersection. On the other side, Senior Sergeant Catz took a standing position and Sergeant Krebs a kneeling position, as Sapir slid into the center of the entrance. The six approaching attackers also had riot shields, which normally would have provided them good protection. However, the Guards were shooting at the attackers exposed ankles. The first two went down which caused the two following to get tangled in their bodies and to fall. With their shields no longer protecting their heads, the four died quickly. The last two died from shots from Reti and Joo, who were standing in the middle stairway to the first floor.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Uster: Interrupted sleep.

I jerked awake at the sound of flashbangs exploding and the emergency signal on my Mfi. Not bothering to dress as I slept in my bulletproof under garments, I snatched up my Mfw, ran to the door, and opened it enough to see four dead men just inside the entrance to the family's wing, Polak and Dorit lying on the ground weapons in hand, Haber and Nadel taking up positions on the right side of the entrance into the royal hallway, and Catz and Krebs on the left. I exited the room, took two running steps, and slid into the center of the entrance. I could see men with riot shields running towards us. The five of us began firing at exposed body parts, mostly ankles and arms. It was over in less than ten seconds.

"Krebs, check to make sure the attackers are dead or secured. Uziel, Ganz, check to see if anyone needs medical attention. Catz, get the off-duty troops to cover any vacant positions." I lay there wondering how many had been seriously wounded or…killed. How did the attackers get into the building without a warning of any kind? And where did they get the combat gear they were wearing, and the flashbangs? Not to mention the damn RPG I saw laying among the bodies? Just then Benita emerged from the middle stairway and began approaching with several palace security men following with weapons drawn.

"Colonel, STOP!" I shouted and multiple Guards' Mfw raised in their direction. "You may approach but tell your men to return to their assigned post or the barracks. We are not in a good mood right this minute." When she reached me, her face was ashen. "Let us go see the queen. I imagine by now she is furious at being held in her room and frightened sick." Before I could say more the queen's brothers appeared with weapons drawn. "Prince Bartli, Ruedi, put those weapons away. Your sister is safe and the attackers are dead. Let me find out where and when she would like to meet." I turned and headed for her suite of rooms. When I arrived, she was sitting in her reception area with a glass of wine looking like a horse in the starting gate.

"My guards tell me the attackers are dead, but they won't let me leave," she said, feigning anger, but her look and voice were shaky.

"They and I would hate for you to get shot or killed by an attacker we missed or thought dead in the chaos. Your brothers and Colonel Benita wish to see you. You could use your office or the conference room. That way you would not have to enter the hallway, and it would give us time to clean up the mess and make sure it's safe," I said, hoping to sound reasonable and trying to avoid having to argue about her safety. She nodded as she rose and headed toward the door to her office.

"My office," she said curtly. Volpe scrambled to beat her to the door, stepped inside and surveyed the area, and then opened the door fully as he stepped aside to let her pass. "Was that necessary?" she snapped. I didn't answer as I doubted she wanted one. I thought it pent up nervousness wanting a release.

Instead I exited into the hallway and waved the three to her office door, knocked, and peeked in. Her office was a comfortable room with armchairs with padded cushions with the queen's coat-of-arms, landscape pictures with animals or individuals in serene settings: near rivers, or lakes, or cottages. A circular hand-woven rug with the kingdom's crest dominated the floor in front of her ebony desk.

She straightened up in her chair and nodded. They entered and bowed. She waved to them to sit. I remained standing. The brothers went straight to her and hugged her. They stood huddled together speaking in a whisper. Eventually, she waved them to sit.

"Well, what happened?" she asked looking directly at me.

"Twelve men wearing military combat gear and carrying riot shields attacked the royal wing. They are dead," I said, leaving out all the gory details. "We had no warning." I added, wondering whether any of the palace security personnel were killed.

"How did they enter the building?" Liserli asked looking toward Benita.

"I don't know, Your Highness. None of the entrances where breached," Benita shrugged. "I'm having my people do a comprehensive search of the building, room by room."

"Where did they get all the military equipment?" Bartli asked.

"They were well organized, using flashbangs and attacking from both stairways," I said. "It appears to me that the attacks are getting more organized and more desperate based on the frequency and numbers. Why you, Your Highness? The attacks don't appear aimed at either of the Princes."

"What are you implying?" Bartli said, rising to stand and face me. His face tight with anger, and his hands curled into fists.

"Have you been attacked, Prince Bartli?" I asked. "Or you, Prince Ruedi?"

"Sit, Roland. There has been enough blood spilled today," Liserli said, to her brother while shaking her head in frustration. "I love my brothers. They know if they wanted my position all they have to do is ask. It's a thankless position and not a lot of fun."

"I am just trying to establish why someone wants you dead and not your brothers. Since they appear to be in a hurry to kill you, there must be something happening within a week or less that your presence alone would cause this person or persons a problem."

"I cannot think of anything out of the ordinary," Liserli said while rubbing her forehead with her fingers. "Actually, with my head spinning from lack of sleep and people trying to kill me, I can't think at all. Let's wait until breakfast. Colonel Benita can tell me the results of her search, Prince Bartli can see if he can identify the…dead men, and my Steward can tell me what I have scheduled for the next week." She snorted a laugh. "Good night and no more flashbangs by royal decree."

* * *

"Well, Colonel Benita, what did your search of the palace discover?" Liserli asked as she took her seat at the breakfast table.

"They apparently hid in one of the empty rooms in the administrative wing. We found the room had recently been used, judging by the garbage we found. The room was locked when we found it. They had a key or someone locked up after they left. Someone had to have helped the attackers enter the building and sneaked them into the room."

Liserli’s face was tight with anger as the servants served her. She ate in silence as did her brothers.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," Vinicio said as he entered just as Liserli pushed away her plate and reached for her coffee. I wondered how he could time it so perfectly, as if he was looking through the keyhole.

"Good morning, Vinicio," Liserli said, smiling.

"I have your schedule for the next week, but of course there will be additional meetings scheduled as the days go by," Vinicio said, looking concerned.

"I know. We are only concerned with the ones that are currently scheduled." She took the tablet he handed her, scanned it, and shrugged before handing it to me. "Mostly boring things and the reason my brothers are content to leave it to me."

I scanned the tablet. "You have meetings with several of your ministers. Is that normal?"

"It is the end of the quarter. So, we will be looking at the revenues and expenses over the last quarter, and reviewing the budget for the next quarter."

"The other names on the list?"

"Influential merchants and business owners who want to discuss the future of the kingdom. In other words, attempt to influence me."

"Do you and your brothers disagree on any of these matters?" I asked. Liserli gave me a hard look. "I mean that a merchant or business would see an advantage to having them decide rather than you."

"My brothers and I talk frequently. We agree on all the issues that they are interested in." She smiled, looking in their direction. "Their concerns are, like yours, very myopic: the army and the air force."

"Are any of the merchants interested in issues that would affect the army or the air force?" I asked. Liserli shook her head.

"They would like their budgets cut and allocated to their priorities, if that counts." She smiled. "But if I'm killed, my brothers would more likely increase their budgets."

"Which of the ministers you are scheduled to meet with this week has access to cash?"

Liserli, looked at the table and frowned. "Ministers Sandalio and Gervasio, but they have had their positions for many years. I've never seen any irregularities in their books."

"Those attacks on you cost significant credits. So, they are either coming from your treasury or an outside interest," I said, thinking the urgency appeared to favor insiders. "Can you move up the meeting with the ministers?"

"What will that accomplish?" she asked, leaning towards me.

"Nothing, if it's not them. However, if they are involved, it will force them to act prematurely and give them less time to be creative."

Liserli nodded to Vinicio. "Tell them an emergency has come up, and I need to know the status immediately."

* * *

I stood with Benita, waiting on Minister Sandalio to show for his 2:00 p.m. appointment with Liserli. She didn't seem nervous or upset when her tablet chimed 2:15 or 2:30. At 2:35 it was apparent why as Prince Bartli marched in with four army personnel and ministers Sandalio and Gervasio chained together at the wrists.

"Your Majesty, Ministers Sandalio and Gervasio were caught at our border with King Mateusz. Probably looking to trade information for asylum," Bartli said, smiling. The two Ministers stood silent looking like they were waiting for the firing squad to show.

"Would one of you gentlemen like to tell me what this is all about in return for a bit of mercy?" Liserli said as she sipped from her recently refilled glass of wine.

"Sandalio and I had an investment go bad several years ago…and thought to borrow some money from the budget. We intended to repay the money over the next couple of years, but when it wasn’t discovered we changed our minds. Then we borrowed some more… Revenues are down this year and with the Black Guard expense, we could no longer hide the money we borrowed. We thought if you weren't the queen, your brothers wouldn't notice the missing funds."

"Thank you, Gervasio for your honesty. Make a complete, taped confession including the specific details and using the correct terminology–stealing funds and killing the queen–and I will not extend the crime to include your families, who I assume did not participate," Liserli said without emotion.

"No, Your Majesty, they knew nothing about us stealing money or our plans to kill you," Sandalio said. Gervasio nodded agreement.

"Colonel Benita, take charge of the prisoners, record their confessions, and charge them with treason," Liserli said and waved for Benita to take them away. She spoke into her communication device and within minutes four palace security guards arrived; they were taken away with Benita following.

"Well, Captain Sapir, what do you think?" Liserli asked, looking tired. "I trusted those men."

"That’s the reason the Black Guard trusts no one when on assignment. It's safer that way and everyone gets equal treatment," I said and Liserli nodded.

"If you don't mind, I'd like you to stay for a few more days to give Colonel Benita advice on creating a group dedicated to protecting the queen and her family," Liserli said as she finished her wine and rose. "I would like to retire to my room."

* * *

We departed three days later, after reminding the queen that the only way Colonel Benita could be successful was if she cooperated. She had to treat the security people in the new unit as if they were the Black Guard and let them do their job.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jax: Socialization

When I departed the shuttle at Sasser Mountain, Hada stood waiting, with an ear-to-ear smile. "I have snacks and drinks waiting in your room. We can fast-track your after-action report," she said, excitement in her voice. I stared wide-eyed at her as if I didn't understand the rush.

"You are still planning to go home with me?" she asked and her face turned to a pout. "You promised."

I grabbed her in a tight hug. "Of course, I am. Even without the pouty face you have been practicing for days." We left four days later after Commander Wexler had reviewed my after-action report.

* * *

"What do you think your parents have planned for us this time?" I asked as the taxi shuttle descended into Avivo, where Hada's parents lived. We paid the driver and began walking the few blocks to Hada's parents' home.

"No idea. You missed the dating experience last time, choosing instead to spend time with Choje Abhaya." Hada laughed. "Personally, I'm not sure either of us is ready for dating. The men our age seem much younger, like they are still in compulsory school. Or, maybe we have had too much real-life experience."

"Well there is no rush. Probably something that needs to happen naturally, when the man is right for us and we are ready," I said. Hada nodded agreement. Looking up, I saw we were at Hada's house. The door flew open and we got the usual exuberant welcome, hugs, smiles, and words of genuine happiness, making me feel like I belonged to the family. This time I think Hada's older sister, Lui, had designed the curriculum.

"I thought we would introduce you to some activities which you may enjoy either to watch as a spectator or to participate," Lui said, her face flushed with excitement as we left the house the next day. The first week, we watched ground-vehicle and skimmer races, as well as hang gliding and paragliding events. Then we were signed up for a sailing class and golf lessons. The second week appeared to be more hobbies, and we had short classes in painting, photography, music lessons, and at home, an introduction to card games and chess.

"My head is spinning," Hada said, on the way back to Sassor Mountain.

"I think we were supposed to determine the activities we weren't interested in rather than decide on what we wanted to pursue. To separate the chaff from the wheat," I said, agreeing with Hada that it had been like sampling fifty dishes to decide what restaurants you would prefer to eat at. Easier to eliminate those you didn't like.

"I know I wouldn't like hang gliding or paragliding even though I'm not afraid of heights. I have enough excitement in my work," Hada said while playing with her bottom lip. "I thought watching cars or skimmers race was boring. Maybe photography or painting. That seemed relaxing and you produce something."

"I tend to agree," I said thinking back on the two weeks. "A musical instrument may be something worth trying."

"Father tried to get me interested in our family store, but I don't think that's right for me. I think Mei, my younger sister, would like that, and she's good with people and likes managing the store." Hada smiled. "I think I would like to settle down, raise a family, and lead a quiet life."

I thought that right for Hada. Few of us liked the killing and violence associated with the duties of the Black Guard, but it was somehow more traumatic for Hada. She always thought she had failed to do something that could have avoided the killing. I, on the other hand, didn't feel sorry for the attackers. They had chosen the violence and got what they sought. But, like Hada, I agonized over Guard deaths, knowing they could have been avoided if I had only been smarter.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Safort: Raiders

Wexler had no assignment for either Hada nor I when we returned. Consequently, the next several weeks were like an extended vacation. Hada and I spent many hours discussing our time at Avivo and what we learned about ourselves. During the day, we helped with the new candidates' training, practiced Wuji, and spent hours at the firing range. A few millimeters off could be the difference between life and death. My extended vacation ended three weeks later, when Yardon intercepted me helping with the third session candidates. Since I was clean and appropriately dress, I went directly to Wexler's office

"Sir," I said bowing low. "Corporal Yardon said you wished to see me."

"Sit, Sapir. Outpost appears determined to form an alliance with the members of the Helix Coalition unless I'm going senile," Wexler said. "Over the past several months there have been a number of raids on different Safort states. It has reached a point where the Safort Upper Chamber, SUC, is questioning our ability to protect them, which smells like Outpost involvement. However, Captain Olmert of the Lion Heart has been monitoring each of the merchant ships from Outpost, Lariw, and Valhall, and hasn't been able to find any indication that they are providing or supporting the raiders."

"Outpost may not be directly involved," I said, although I doubted they weren't involved.

"That's why I'm sending you, Sapir." Wexler smiled. "Losing the Safort contract may cause the SUC to approve the alliance with Outpost and that could have serious consequences for the Jax. Besides, you are the Jax Committee's de facto trouble shooter. They obviously agree, as they approved my choice. The War Horse will be in orbit tomorrow. Expect a shuttle at eight hundred hours for you and your team. Here is a roster of the Guards available for assignment."

As was becoming normal, Wexler let me determine the size and composition of the team and to select the individual members, only questioning my reason for the number and configuration of the teams.

"Twenty seems a rather large number, unless you anticipate you will have to engage them at some point," he said, frowning in my direction.

"Sir, I thought four small teams of five each to be used for surveillance and inspections. If it comes to a fight, I would hope to enlist one of the Jax cruisers and their commandos. That is more their expertise."

Wexler laughed. "Only you would admit the commandos were better suited for a battle than the Guard, because of the apparent loss of face."

"As General Issak would say, Using the right tool for the job."

* * *

"We are headed for Safort to investigate a number of raids that have occurred over the past several months, which the Jax patrols have been unable to stop," I said to the twenty assembled Guards as we waited for the shuttle from the War Horse. Normally, I would have briefed the team the day before the scheduled departure, but the Jax Committee wanted us there yesterday so there had been insufficient time. Better to give the troops time to get their gear ready for deployment. "Outpost is the prime candidate; however, we have no proof. The Jax on station have been monitoring and conducting inspections of the Outpost, Lariw, and Valhall merchants, but have not found any discrepancies in the shuttles or the number of crew leaving and returning."

"Rather an unusual Black Guard assignment," Lieutenant Mintz said. He was newly promoted and this was his first assignment as an officer.

"It's part of our evolution and recognition of our previous successes, but dangerous as we have no experience to guide us. Therefore, duty is especially important."

"What is our duty in this case, Captain?" Mintz asked, his face tight in concentration.

"To identify the raiders," I said. I had spent several hours considering the assignment at Hada's and my meditation perch beside the waterfall.

"Not to kill them and go home?" Mintz asked, a small smile on his face.

"No. We have two Jax cruisers and a couple hundred commandos who train to do that. We have nothing to prove and are not in competition with them. We fight only if there is no other choice."

When I exited the shuttle into the War Horse's shuttle bay, a lieutenant stood waiting. He saluted, and I gave him a shallow bow.

"Captain Sapir, I'm Lieutenant Tillson. Welcome aboard the War Horse. Captain Hwang has invited you to dine with him and Colonel Wolfson tonight if your duties permit," he said, and then pointed to a marine sergeant. "Sergeant Walton will show you and your team to your quarters." He saluted and left as the sergeant stepped forward and gave a bow.

"Good morning, Captain Sapir. If you and your troops will follow me, I'll get you settled," he said and began walking toward the door at the far end of the bay. As we passed through the commandos' workout bay, I thought they appeared eager to see the Guard, which was a marked improvement over the past few years. I hoped the FIST training and the Black Widow had made the Guard and the commandos appear to be part of the same team rather than competitors.

* * *

"Welcome aboard, Captain Sapir. You already know Colonel Wolfson and Commander Jamieson. "I don't imagine Outpost is looking forward to their nemesis returning to Safort."

"We did seem to ruin their plans for a Helix Alliance. If it is really Output and one of their co-conspirators in forming an alliance, they are certainly persistent," I said after returning a small bow from Hwang.

"Any thoughts on how we can help?" Hwang asked as he motioned toward the side bar. "Help yourself."

Hwang and I selected tea whereas Wolfson and Jamieson selected beers.

"It's hard to believe the two most notorious persons in the Jax military prefer nonalcoholic drinks. Well, I for one have to maintain the commandos' image." Wolfson laughed as he raised his glass to us. We returned the gesture.

"By being available as before. Captain Olmert doesn't believe their merchants are part of the raiders. So, I have no idea," I said. "They are apparently using shuttles, as the raids have involved between ten and twenty raiders. If we can find the shuttles, we will have the answer."

* * *

The next morning a shuttle delivered my team and me to the Lion Heart. A commander awaited us as we exited. He bowed.

"Welcome aboard the Lion Heart, Captain Sapir, I'm Commander Delaney, the XO. Captain Olmert and Colonel Vogel would like to see you as soon as possible so that they can determine your needs."

"Thank you, Commander Delaney." I bowed back. "I'm available now. I'm sure they have other pressing duties to attend to." I smiled as his facial muscles relaxed, understanding dealing with the Guard with its minimalistic rank structure, and reporting directly to the Jax Committee was puzzling. I waved for my team to follow. "My team will also need to hear what Captain Olmert and Colonel Vogel have to say."

Delaney led us to the upper level where the Bridge and the captain's quarters, office, and conference room were located. Delaney opened the door only part way and said a few words before opening the door fully and waving me in. I waited as my team found chairs along the wall.

"Good morning, Captain, Colonel. I'm Captain Sapir, Lieutenant Mintz is my second in command," I nodded to Mintz, "and my current team of twenty."

"Good morning, Captain Sapir. I'm Captain Olmert and that is Colonel Vogel, who is in charge of the Lion Heart's commando contingent," Olmert said, nodding toward a short, square shaped man who looked to have been cut from granite, his hair cut short and his expression stone hard. Olmart on the other hand was a tall thin woman with an angular smooth face and long dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Her face had a small thin smile. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Your name is mentioned frequently, and from all accounts, you are the Jax's trouble shooter. Not sure I'd like that position. Makes failing a little too visible."

"It's not a position one volunteers for," I said, noting Vogel's evaluating stare and slight nod of agreement.

"What are you planning on doing?" Vogel asked, with a tone that implied, that we haven't already tried. "It's not outpost's merchants or their allies!"

"I thought I would listen to what you have already tried, before I decide on a course of action," I said, then added. "You have obviously eliminated many of the possible scenarios."

"It's not outpost or its allies!" Vogel repeated, in an angry tone. "We aren't stupid."

I took a seat at the table, choosing not to reply to Vogel. He would obviously like a nice army that he could see to fight, not raiders who prefer not to be seen coming or going. He appeared to think my presence was an insult to his intelligence.

"The sites that were raided, claimed their shuttles were black, whereas all of the merchant's shuttles have been grey or an off white. We checked each shuttle before they left the merchants' ships and again when they returned. We even took pictures of the shuttles before they left and compared them to the shuttles that returned. The same with the individuals who departed on trading missions. The same number and individuals returned. We also monitored the merchant ships entering and departing Safort space and detected no shuttle leaving or entering the ships while in transit. After the trouble started, we assigned each person a pass when they left the ship and checked them when they returned," Olmert said, lips pursed in thought. She shrugged. "I can't see how it could be Outpost or their allies. They maybe behind the trouble, but I don't think they are directly involved."

"Can you loan me a shuttle?" I asked. "Since you won't be permanently at the space station. I will split my team. Maybe half on the space station to do inspections and half on the planet–"

"Waste of time," Vogel shouted. "We've proved that's unproductive."

Proves you didn't find anything, not that there is nothing to find, I mused without a change of expression.

"You are in luck, Sapir. The Committee had one of your Black Widows delivered," Olmert said. "It's aptly named. It should have a red hour glass painted on its underside. That machine could go toe-to-toe with most fighters. Glad to see you have navy personnel maintaining it and the commandos crewing it. We don't need any unnecessary competition between Jax's units."  Before Olmert and Vogel left, Olmert indicated we could continue to use the conference room.

"We will stop the passes, but I want an inspection of each shuttle coming and going, and a final count of the crew for each Outpost, Valhall, and Lariw registered merchant ship entering and leaving Safort," I said. "Also, the number of passengers arriving and leaving on each merchant."

"Why?" Mintz asked. He appeared to be evaluating his new captain as part of adjusting to his new rank.

"The raiders need replacements for the injured and killed, and to provide them rest and relaxation. It's our task to determine how they are getting them. If Colonel Vogel is right and the crew replacements aren't coming in as passengers on Outpost or its allies' merchant ships, then they must be coming in on other merchant ships, or they are provided by a local group working with or independent of Outpost. We need to establish which as quickly as we can."

"And when we do?" Sergeant Glick asked, smiling.

"We eliminate the problem and go home." I smiled back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Safort: Old adversaries

As I was getting ready to depart the Lion Heart, a Junior Grade Lieutenant slid to a stop in front of me and saluted. "Ma'am, Commander Jefferie, the Comm Officer, asked me to give you this," he said, handing his tablet to me. "It's from the Chairman of the Safort Upper Committee."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," I said as I tapped on the icon labelled Captain Sapir.

Captain Sapir, welcome to Safort. As you can see, I am again the Chairman of the SUC. As such, I would like a meeting with you tomorrow to discuss your duties. I hope nine hundred hours will be convenient. Chairman Geraldo.

"Lieutenant, please tell Commander Jefferie to confirm my nine hundred hours meeting with Chairman Geraldo."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, saluted, and ran in the direction of the shuttle bay exit. I smiled. As a JG, he was equivalent to a bug under a microscope which was being watched and evaluated by everyone: his immediate superior, officers he came in contact with, the chiefs, and even the crew of his section. Although each Guard had twelve years of evaluation, in the form of a competition, for me it had been a metamorphosis.

I spent the rest of the day organizing the individual teams. Team One, under Sergeant Ganz, was assigned to inspect arriving and departing Outpost and ally merchant ships. Team Two, under Sergeant Glick, was assigned to inspect all other arriving and departing ships. Team Three, under Sergeant Krebs, was assigned to verifying passenger information–destination, reason for visiting, etc. Team Four, under Sergeant Reti, was assigned to the Widow to follow or provide reconnaissance. Lieutenant Mintz would monitor teams One and Two, while I would monitor Three and Four.

That night, I reviewed the information Colonel Vogel's commandos had collected. Whoever had put the information together had been very methodical. He had a large board where the passes where hung, and along the line were the date and times when he or she had signed out. An examination revealed the person's picture could be replaced relatively easily but none appeared to have been tampered with. But…I concluded it would not have been hard to forge a new pass.

A possible scenario: John A leaves with a pass containing his picture and name. Sometime later Joe G returns with a pass identical to John A's, but with Joe G's picture. Since the same person wouldn't be checking the ID, everything would look alright. The next week Joe G could leave the ship, and John A return with his original pass.

I used my Mfi to contact Lieutenant Mintz. A minute later his face appeared. "Mintz, have both your teams set up facial recognition software for the people coming and going. They can use their Mfi to take pictures of everyone without them knowing it, and then compare it to the people coming and going from the ships."

"Sneaky, Captain. I like it." Mintz smiled. "Passes are good but how could we recognize forty or fifty people. All we could do is verify the picture on the pass looked like the person wearing it. Those passes wouldn't be hard to forge."

"My thoughts exactly," I said. "Plus, eliminating the passes may make them more careless." I clicked off.

* * *

Since Geraldo didn't meet me when I exited the shuttle nor at the entrance to the SUC building, I assumed he was still mad at me and determined to show me he was more important than a Black Guard captain. I smiled mentally, enjoying the game. A man in a grey suit did wave at me when I entered the lobby.

"Captain Sapir, Mr. Geraldo asked me to meet you and take you to his office," he said as he approached. "I'm Carlo."

"Thank you, Carlo." I nodded, wondering if his office had changed or he didn't want me wandering the building, or was just part of the game. If the latter, it was wasted on me. I followed Carlo down the same hallway as the last time to the same office. Carlo knocked, heard, "Come," and opened the door for me to enter. Geraldo remained sitting and waved me to a chair in front of his desk.

"Captain Sapir, it is just like old times. As now, I was the chairman and you a captain," he smiled. I nodded, unsure of the point he was making since his position was temporary, and the comparison of our positions meaningless as I was not a citizen of Safort. He continued when I didn't comment. "I wanted to know your purpose on Safort."

"Part of our commitment to your security. I'm here to find the raiders," I said in a normal voice.

"You should be aware that the SUC will be reconvened in a little over two months. When it is, the odds are good that the Jax contract will be canceled, and the alliance with Outpost passed," he smiled. I shrugged.

"My only concern is finding the raiders, those supporting them, and ensuring they are eliminated," I said, still in a normal voice.

"You can't go around killing Safort citizens! We have laws that protect them!" he half shouted.

"I don't intent to shoot any Safort citizens. That would probably be a mercy compared to what the Safort people will demand."

"What makes you think there are Safort citizens involved, and how are you going to find the raiders? Your Jax Colonel certainly hasn't been successful," Geraldo snorted divisively.

"He's used to opposing armies," I said. "As you are aware, the Black Guard is very myopic. Consequently, the raiders won't be hard to find. They can only survive on a planet with help from its citizens, because it's impossible to hide. They need replacements for those killed or wounded in their raids, food, shelter, ammo, parts for their equipment, rest and relaxation for the troops, and a long list of other things. I expect to report my findings at the next SUC's meeting." I realized that my remarks were a compilation of my thoughts over the past twenty-four hours and my suspicion that Geraldo was involved directly or indirectly. His actions when I returned Representative Sharli for the final SUC vote on the Outpost coalition were highly suspicious. He insisted on seeing her alone, knowing bribes and threats against her family hadn't worked, meaning only death would stop her from voting. A kidnapping and subsequent murder would work if it were done in a manner that excluded him from being involved. Had I accepted his offer to dismiss the Black Guard as having completed the contract, it would have made the kidnapping easy and to infer the Black Guard were partially to blame because they were in a hurry to leave. I felt Geraldo was more than a passive participant in the Outpost Coalition debate.

"Careful, Captain Sapir, you do not overstep your authority," Geraldo said while smiling, but it was clearly a threat. "The majority of the SUC are now evenly divided on the Outpost Coalition. Any heavy-handed action by the Black Guard would tip the balance in the Upper Chamber into supporting it."

"As you are aware, Mr. Geraldo, I am very myopic. My only concern is stopping the killing and looting. The Coalition is other people's concern." I rose, gave a shallow bow, and returned to the Black Widow, positive Geraldo was supporting the coalition initiative and was an active participant in wanting to get rid of the Jax. Back on the Widow, I called Mintz.

"Mintz, have someone get the itinerary for all the Safort merchants and their passengers, coming and going, over the past six months," I said into my Mfi.

"You believe the merchants are supporting the raiders?" he asked in surprise.

"Yes. Safort is divided equally in the Upper Chamber, with the richer and more populated states in favor of the coalition. They see the coalition good for business, increasing their profits, and giving them more power. Greed is a very seductive drug."

* * *

I spent the next two days reviewing the information team Two had gathered. It was obvious that a passenger ship, the Hermes’, and a merchant ship, the Iris’, routes and passengers had changed over the year. Traffic to and from Valhall and Lariw had increased significantly.

"Mintz, have someone check who owns the Hermes and the Iris," I said, as Mintz, Ganz, Glick, Krebs, Reti, and I sat a week later discussing the current deployment of the teams and their findings. "I think they are providing the raiders replacements and rotation."

"Clever," Ganz said. "Everyone is watching the shell with Outpost, Lariw, and Valhall colors, and ignoring the ones with Safort colors."

Mintz called Sergeant Polak on his Mfi. "Polak, I'd like you to find out who owns the Iris and the Hermes. When you do, copy the Captain and me." He looked to me and I nodded.

This week the merchant ship, the Silver Rabbit, registered to Lariw, arrived," Ganz said. "We inspected the crew list and recorded their faces unofficially using our Mfis and had our cameras identifying the faces of those coming and going. All matches good so far." He snorted. "No wonder they were so cooperative. Probably laughing at our backs when we left."

My Mfi buzzed as we were eating. I listened as Ganz talked. "Thank you, Ganz," I said and nodded as I disconnected. "Ganz informs me that the Iris and the Hermes are owned by a company. Both ships were purchased after the meeting at Outpost proposing an alliance. The company name is the Progressive Traders and its owners include the current chairman of the SUC, Mr. Geraldo."

"What does that mean for teams One and Two?" Sergeant Click asked.

"Continue what you are doing," I said. "We want them to think they are winning the slight-of-hand game they are playing. Having identified how the raiders are getting in and out of Safort, you can provide teams Three and Four with departing individuals to follow. I suspect the wounded are transported on the Iris. When we want, we can have the Lion Heart intercept the Iris in space where no one will know we are onto them. If we are lucky, the raiders on Safort have a home base where they store their shuttles and rest."

"Won't they know something happened to the Iris when it fails to arrive at its designation?" Sergeant Krebs asked.

"Yes, but not what. It could be a bad jump, pirates, an accident… Those instances are rare but not unknown. I would prefer to wait until we are ready to close in on the raiders before intercepting either of those ships." I gave a short laugh. "I will have to thank Mr. Geraldo for reminding me Safort is divided on the issue of a coalition and there are many who would condone murder to win."

The next week was slow as we awaited the arrival of the Iris and Hermes. It was frustrating as we did not have anyone to follow until those ships arrived on Safort with replacements. At least, that was my current assessment of the situation. If I were wrong… Just then my Mfi buzzed with a message from Mr. Geraldo.

Captain Sapir,

I need to talk to you about an urgent matter. Meet me at my office as soon as you can.

Chairman Geraldo

I notified Chief Ericson and he and his crew were on board and ready to go as I arrived at the shuttle pad.

"Where to, ma'am?" Master Sergeant Peters, the navigator, asked as I entered.

"The SUC headquarters building. Sorry for the short notice, Peters. Chairman Geraldo appears in a hurry," I said, taking a seat in the first chair. He nodded and entered the crew’s cabin. Less than a minute later, the shuttle rose and began accelerating skyward. I was lost in thought, wondering what Geraldo wanted, when the shuttle banked a hard right and the acceleration pushed me back into the seat.

"Ma'am, we have two fighters on our six with systems hot," Sergeant Christin, the ECM operator, said. "They haven't given a challenge, but they appear to be trying to target us. Any orders?"

"You are cleared to destroy them if they fire on us," I said, hoping giving them a chance to fire first wasn't a mistake, even though I had been told the Widow was capable of defending itself against missiles. I guess I was going to have to get acquainted with all of the Widow's features as our future assignments will require using it to transport clients and Guards, if we survive this encounter. I had to assume that crewing the Widow was a plum assignment only given to the best marine crews.

"They fired," a voice said, as the increased acceleration pushed me harder into my seat. "Two off course… Lasers got the other two… Missiles away at bogey one. Missiles away at bogey two, and immediately afterward the chatter of the shuttle's 50 mm autocannon. "Bogey one on fire… Bogey two exploded," followed by hoots and mixed comments. "All clear, Captain. Estimated arrival time is eight minutes."

I now knew what it felt like to be a client. He or she was sequestered as the fight raged around him or her, but could do nothing except wait to see who won. It seemed like only a minute later and we were touching down on the landing pad. I rose and walked into the crew cabin.

"What happened?" I asked as all four smiling faces turned toward me.

"Two Mach 2 fighters appeared from the direction of the SUC headquarters where their army and air force bases are located," Chief Ericson said. "They made no attempt to communicate with us, their weapons systems were hot, and they were attempting to target us. I turned away to make them chase us since we could easily outrun them, and it made their autocannons useless and slowed their missiles approach. They fired four air-to-air missiles. Sergeant Ellison easily destroyed them, and Sergeant Christin returned fire with our missiles and 50 mm autocannon."

"And we won," Christin said. "Again."

"When we get back to the Lion Heart, I will treat you to whatever you want to eat and drink at a restaurant of your choice in exchange for you educating one ignorant Black Guard on the capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses of the Widow," I said to smiles. "I made my decision to wait until they fired based on not wanting to be accused of being the aggressor without knowing the threat I was placing us in."

"Your order to let them fire first was a good call, Captain, as their air-to-air missiles top out at Mach 3, which means we could outrun them unless they were launched close to us and we were traveling under Mach 3. Then it would depend on other factors like the effectiveness of our ECM and Sergeant Ellison. In this case they were behind us when they fired, and we were already at Mach 3, so we could have outrun their missiles or easily destroyed them with our lasers."

"The offer stands. It's always good to let the other party draw first, but only when the risk is understood and low. I would prefer not to guess when it came to Jax lives. For now, let's return to the Lion Heart."

I had no sooner returned to the Lion Heart, then I had a call from Mr. Geraldo on my Mfi. His face looked stressed and his voice was an octave higher. "I just heard your shuttle was attacked. I want you to know I had nothing to do with the incident."

"The message came from your office requesting an urgent meeting," I said, wondering whether he was being truthful or just covering his ass. "Since that was an act of war against the Jax, I would like an investigation and the guilty parties identified by the next SUC meeting. The Jax Committee will want to know when it considers its response." I disconnected and wondered what the Outpost-Safort coalition for the alliance would do now. Stopping the raids may not produce enough votes to eliminate the Jax security contract, but continuing them may expose them, now that I had been thrown into the mix. I had thwarted their attempt to eliminate me or to at least disrupt the investigation. So logically, I could expect more raids and attempts to distract me. I went to bed looking forward to the return of the Hermes tomorrow and the Iris two days later.

* * *

"The Hermes will dock at the Safort space station today at one hundred hours. The manifest lists two hundred and five passengers from Haven, Chance, Lariw, Kaycia, and Valhall," I said to the assembled team leaders, the Widow crew, and Lieutenant Mintz. "I would like several individuals dressed as typical travelers to join the line of departing passengers, and mingle with them as they collect their luggage." I looked around the group to see smiling faces, knowing I frequently used Guards in disguise on my assignments. The troops appeared to enjoy my disguise parties. "Unless I'm wrong, as many as twenty of the passengers are replacement raiders. So, the objective is to determine large groups, from five to ten I would think, as they would not want to draw attention to themselves and may choose separate modes of travel to get to their meeting's destination. When they identify likely groups, they are to get the information to Lieutenant Mintz. He and I will determine assignments for the teams. Any questions?"

"How are we going to follow them?" Sergeant Reti asked.

"I have rented or acquired a number of skimmers, military shuttles, and ground vehicles. They will be assigned to individuals or teams as we select the targets to be monitored. Remember," I said, looking around the room at each individual, "the objective is to find their shuttles, not to engage them. If you believe they have identified you as following them, contact Lieutenant Mintz, and terminate the surveillance. Depending on how they are traveling, we could possibly use the Widow or the Lion Heart to follow them. Regardless, I don't want them to know we are onto their method of operating. It is critical that we terminate the raiders before the next SUC in just over a month."

Before the meeting ended, we decided that four individuals from Team One would provide the Guards to mingle with the departing passengers.

"What do you think about our chances of finding the shuttles?" Mintz asked when everyone had left for their assignments.

"I'm hoping their previous success focusing the Jax attention to the Outpost, Lariw, and Valhall merchants, along with the natural cockiness of raiders, will make them careless. If they are smart and well organized, they will proceed to their destination as individuals. That would make finding them extremely difficult. But that tactic would be very time consuming and contrary to most raider's personality," I said, hoping my assumptions would yield results, as failure meant a loss of weeks between the arrivals of the two ships we were monitoring. In fact, I was gambling a lot on the Hermes and Iris being the link to the raiders.

Mintz and I sat in silence, lost in our own thoughts as we awaited Team One's reports. Several hours later, his Mfi buzzed. He listened for several minutes before clicking off and speaking. "Ganz said they have identified six groups. The rest are in small groups of twos or threes, tend to be too old, too young, or too out of shape." Mintz spent several minutes on his Mfi and then created a hologram with the information organized in a table:

1) A mixed group of twenty-eight individuals on a church pilgrimage.

2) A mixed group of six individuals who purport to be on business.

3) Six males who are on a guided tour.

4) A mixed group of seven who are meeting with the SUC.

5) A mixed group of eight who are entered in a winter sports competition.

6) A group of six male winter-sports competitors.

"Teams three and four could cover the identified groups, if we ruled out the sports groups or the mixed groups. The raiders aren't likely to want women on the team, too potentially disruptive," Mintz said after staring at the list.

"No," I said, eyes closed in thought. "I think we will use team two and leave team one to monitor the space station. The schedule is light over the next week. One Outpost and one Valhall merchant, just to keep our eyes off the real action. Besides, one of those groups may be spotters or collecting information for the raiders. I doubt the raiders are randomly choosing the cities to raid. Most likely cities or districts that are voting against the alliance or split on the issue. This is our best chance to identify the location of the shuttles, so I would hate to guess wrong and miss an opportunity. We also need time to identify who is providing the raiders and who is supporting them here on Safort."

Mintz nodded, and began notifying each team which groups to follow.

"Sergeant Krebs, the mixed group, designated one, of twenty-eight individuals on a church pilgrimage, and the mixed group, designated two, of six individuals who purport to be on business."

"Sergeant Reti, the six males, designated group three, who are on a tour, and the mixed group of seven, designated four, who are meeting with the SUC.

"Sergeant Glick, the mixed group of eight, designated five, who are entered in a winter sports competition, and the six males also entered in the winter sports competition, designated group six.

"What about me, Captain?" Lieutenant Mintz asked.

"I would like you to stay here and be the command center for the four teams. I'll be in the Widow, in case one of the teams needs support," I said, thinking this also an excellent opportunity to get my introduction to the Widow's capabilities.

* * *

"Where to Captain?" Chief Ericson asked as I boarded the Widow.

"I have teams following six groups who are potentially replacements for the current raiders or linked to them. Lieutenant Mintz will be updating us on their locations. I would like the Widow positioned high enough not to be noticed and central enough to support any team that might need help," I said while watching the four men.

"Support?" Ericson asked, frowning.

"Yes. If one of the teams is spotted, I would like the Widow to take over if possible. The groups will mostly be traveling by ground vehicle or shuttle but could leave their vehicle and walk."

"The first two are easy. The third would depend. We have very good optics and could track people walking if they are in the open and not in crowds."

"While we are waiting for something interesting to happen, you could educate me on the Widow's capabilities," I said, and was greeted with smiles. Over the next several hours, Mintz kept me aware of each team's progress:

Group 1: All 28 individuals went directly to the All Saints Church. Several hours later they left for Sandosk in a caravan of ten cars for a guided tour of state's religious sites.

Group 2: The six individuals rented a shuttle and flew to Dinkum, then were driven to Empire Communications, a major Safort communication's company.

Group 3: The six males were picked up by two tour vehicles from Sportsmen Tours and are following the Snake River in Ayasha

Group 4: The seven individuals were picked up by a shuttle and flown to the SUC headquarters building in Central City.

Group 5: The eight individuals were picked up by the Ice Sports Association and flown to the Winter Haven Sports Center in Poloma.

Group 6: The six males were picked up by a private shuttle service and also flown to the Winter Haven Sports Center in Poloma.

The rest of the day proved uneventful, as the groups found accommodations:

Group 1: They stopped at several religious sites, then spent the night at the Sandosk Regent Hotel.

Group 2: They spent the day at the Empire Communications headquarters building, and the night at the Dinkum Spa and Resort complex.

Group 3: They spent the day driving to Segus City in Ayasha, and spent the night at Segus Towers.

Group 4: They spent the entire day at the SUC headquarters, partied most of the night, and had rooms at the Royal Suites.

Group 5: They were delivered to the Winter Haven Sports Center which had lodging and eating accommodations.

Group 6: Were delivered to the Winter Haven Sports Center, but were almost immediately picked up by two ground vehicles and driven to Segus City, where they partied until late into the night, before retiring to the Travelers Inn.

"What do you think?" Mintz asked after giving his report. "Group six is the only one that looks suspicious, since they didn't stay at the sports center."

"If my conjecture about the Iris and the Hermes is correct, they will be rendezvousing with the raiders tomorrow, since the Iris is due back to Safort, and it is the raider replacements’ ride home."

* * *

The next day did prove very interesting.

Group 1: The ten-car caravan headed into Jasten but near noon, three cars broke off and drove into Ayasha. They arrived at Vegus City around eighteen hundred hours and went directly to the Travelers Inn, where group six were staying. The five cars began leaving several hours later, one car at a time, taking different routes through the city, but they all exited on the north side of town heading toward the Snake River and the Tulua border.

Group 2: They stayed in Dinkum the entire day.

Group 3: The two tour cars also left Vegas City late that night exiting the same direction as group one.

Group 4: They left SUC headquarters with Geraldo and two other men, and were flown to Segus City, where they again partied late into the night. They ended up at the Segus Towers.

Group 5: Remained at the Winter Haven Sports Center all day.

Group 6: Rendezvoused with groups one and three, then crossed the Snake River into Tulua early that morning.

"Very sloppy," Mintz said as he concluded his report. As the early indicators predicted, Segus City was becoming the focal point. I had the Widow positioned to follow the cars exiting the city.

"True, but normal behavior for raiders, who are not noted for their patience or subtleties," I said, grinning as I watched one vehicle after another pull into a side road not much more than two ruts of a car's wheels width apart. There twenty men exited the thick brush and trees to meet the cars. They spent an hour talking before the twenty men entered the seven cars which exited in the direction of Segus City.

The twenty-two arrivals were loaded into three vans and driven further down the dirt road, stopping several times to place obstacles in the road before proceeding. An hour later, they reached a well camouflaged area that contained two combat shuttles and three small buildings. Without having followed the cars, I doubted we would have found their camp, even had we flown over it.

"Ma'am, you want us to destroy their base?" Sergeant Christin, the weapons officer, asked with an ear-to-ear smile. "Bing, bang, boom and no more raiders."

"No, Sergeant," I said. "They are only part of the package. They are the Outpost cabal part of the plot. We need the Safort cabal before the package will be ready for delivery to the SUC. Let's park some place where we will be able to detect if one of the raiders' shuttles leaves their camp."

Chief Ericson nodded and headed north for several minutes before landing in a clearing in a copse of ice-covered trees.

To my surprise, nothing happened the next day, and I began to worry they would stop the raids until after the SUC met; but that would not make sense as the raids were intended to get a favorable Outpost vote. If Geraldo felt he had the votes, he could stop the raids rather than risk me discovering anything. It gave me a headache thinking about it. My Mfi buzzed just in time to keep my head from exploding. Mintz's face appeared.

"Sir, team four is reporting that Geraldo and his entourage just left Segus City, and team one reported four cars left their camp site," Mintz said.

"Chief, get us in the air. I want to follows the cars leaving their camp. It sounds like a meeting." I had just finished when I felt the slight rumble of the engine and saw the tops of the trees as we rose. We followed the cars from well out of eyesight for about thirty minutes to a secluded area where a large ranch house sat in a heavily forested area well off the main road. They parked just as three other cars entered and parked. Although the area was only dimly lit, the Widow's optics were good enough to identify Geraldo.

"Mintz, let the men on the ground know I would like as many pictures and conversations as possible, but be careful. I don't want them discovered," I said, wishing I could be a salamander roaming in and out of the rooms…with a mini video recorder. I laughed at the image, gaining a quizzical look from the sergeants. "Just wishing I could see into that house and get a first-hand look at what was going on."

"A fly on the wall," Master Sergeant Peters said, smiling.

"I was thinking a newt or salamander, quick, quiet, and able to scale walls and squeeze through narrow openings," I said to grins and snorts.

My Mfi buzzed close to noon when the cars began to leave. It was Mintz, looking like a cat who had a mouse trapped under each paw. "Captain, it's a brothel. An exclusive one since the only cars were raiders…and their friends. The teams searched the area during the night and concluded that there were no vehicles available for the residents, and there appeared to be a couple of men living there. That doesn't bode well for the girls."

"No, it doesn't. Leave a team to watch the place, and a team to follow Geraldo," I said, while pondering whether to invade the house now or wait. I assumed they visited the house often as part of the raiders' benefit package, and closing it down would alert the raiders that they were vulnerable. Leaving it open, subjected the women to more violence, given the teams' conjecture that at least some of the women were kept there against their will. But when all was said and done, I had to consider the consequences of acting too quickly. If the SUC vote went for an alliance with Output, it could be the destruction of the Jax in a decade or two. At least, that was the opinion of the senior Jax leaders. With all the Helix nations providing war ships, the Jax couldn't hope to match the alliance fleet nor win a war, which Output would eventually incite. I suddenly wished Choje Abhaya was here, although it was not a decision he could make for me or even give advice. I reluctantly chose the long view but vowed to close the house as soon as possible, whether the team’s conclusions were right or not.

* * *

"Here is the plan," I said into my Mfi to Mintz and the four team leaders on the conference call several days later when nothing had happened. I hoped Geraldo wasn't closing down operations. "Actually, two plans. One if it looks like the raiders are planning to shut down their operation–"

"Captain, why would they do that?" Sergeant Ganz asked, a question that appeared was on at least two of the four team leaders' minds.

"The objective behind the raids was to convince the Upper Chamber delegates to vote for the Helix Alliance, Output and, by extension to get rid of the Jax. If you look at the cities and towns raided, the vast majority are in states which have consistently voted against the alliance. So, if Geraldo believes he has sufficient votes to win, he may choose to stop the raids and thereby avoid the risk that we will discover his and Outpost's involvement." When I saw nodding heads, I continued. "In that case we will need to attack the raider's camp and take control of the brothel. Because," I added. "If they decide to stop raiding, they will begin cleaning up any and all loose ends, which would include the brothel."

"I wonder if the women know they are expendable?" Sergeant Reti asked.

"I would imagine some of the women know, but they have limited options with their isolated location, guards, and no available transportation. The guards and people managing the women have probably been told they are part of the team and will be well rewarded," I said.

"That will be the day when it rains gold coins," Sergeant Click snorted. "If they aren't part of the Outpost mercenaries, they are more loose ends."

"While we wait," I said, claiming everyone's attention. "Team One will continue monitoring the space station, Team Four will monitor the brothel, Team Three the camp, and team Two will join me on the Widow. If I send Activate Plan Stop, Team One, and Three will join me for an attack on the camp, while Teams Two and Four secure the brothel." I looked at each man's face to ensure they understood. "If I send Activate Plan Go, Team Three will invade the Camp, Team Four will secure the brothel, and Team One and Two will join the Widow to attack the raiding party. The specific details will be developed as we are taking our assigned positions, based on the circumstances at that time. Lieutenant Mintz, your assignment in either case is the raiders' camp."

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Safort: Geraldo

"Have you decided?" Hendrick barked impatiently. "The men are getting restless. A trip to the brothel if nothing else."

"Two more raids, I think," Geraldo said, looking off into the distance. "Picrun and Oberton. Representatives Arthorn and Pettro are on the fence. Another raid in their states should push them to our side. That would give us sixteen of the twenty-eight votes and a clear majority." He hesitated before continuing. "A week apart, then begin cleaning up loose ends. The Iris will be waiting to transport you and your men home."

"Any instructions for the raids?" Hendrick asked, with no expression.

"Make them memorable," Geraldo said. Hendrick just nodded.

"And the brothel?"

"A bonus party for your men, then make it disappear as if it had never existed."

Hendrick nodded and cut the connection. Geraldo gave a shudder. The man was as cold as dry ice. He at least felt a twinge of…guilt at having the women, girls, abducted. Killing them was a mercy, since they would be scarred and shunned for life…and able to identify him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Safort: Plan Go

"Captain Sapir," Master Sergeant Peters said, standing in the doorway to the flight deck. "One of the raiders' shuttles have just launched."

"Thanks, Peters. It looks like the waiting is over." I clicked on the Mfi's General Channel which would be heard by every Black Guard. "I am activating Plan Go. All teams should assemble at their pre-assigned location immediately and wait for my orders to begin operations," I said. "Peters, keep Sergeant Krebs appraised of our position and possible destination."

"Yes, ma'am. They are currently heading due south towards Jaston," he said checking his tablet, which was linked to his navigational board. I checked my annotated political map on my Mfi. "I doubt it. Jaston is pro-alliance. The pro-alliance will want an anti-alliance state. More likely Picrun or Oberton at the southern end of Safort. Either would be a good choice since both representatives in each state are anti-alliance."

"I'll let Gantz know our probable destination based on what we know now," Peters said and returned to the flight deck. Six hours later, Peters appeared again. "Looks as if you were right, ma'am. We are in Picrun and the raiders' shuttle is descending rapidly, which would indicate they are close to their intended landing area. I've notified Ganz. He's only about fifteen minutes behind us."

I rose and entered the flight deck. "Chief, let them land and depart their shuttle before we descend. We are not trying to stop the raid. A shoot out in a town full of civilians would be messy, and I'd like to capture the shuttle intact," I said. "I will need as much corroborating evidence as I can accumulate. The SUC is divided at present, but I suspect a third are hard core pro-alliance and another third hard core anti-alliance. It's the one-third on the fence we need to influence. So, the more proof the better."

"Sounds like the Black Guard is evolving. This is more of a problem-solving assignment, rather than protecting some VIP."

"The Jax is also evolving. This assignment is about avoiding a future war with a Helix Alliance, since it will be controlled by Outpost, Lariw, and Valhall ten years from now."

Peters gave a low whistle.

"Captain Sapir, the raiders' shuttle has landed, and men are leaving the shuttles," Ericson said.

"Get as many pictures as you can, faces if possible. Also, look for a good landing area. Not too far from the shuttles but far enough not to be noticed. Also, let Ganz know the location," I said. Ten minutes later we touched down behind a small hill.

"Captain Sapir, we are about a half klick from the raiders' shuttle. Ganz's shuttle is about five minutes out," Erickson said.

"Excellent," I said as we disembarked to give Ganz room to land. "I want you overhead, high enough to avoid detection, and close enough to give us support if we need it. I won't mind the shuttle escaping as we will have the camp under Black Guard control by the time it returns, but not shooting at us."

"Understood," Erickson said, with a head jerk. Ten minutes later, Ganz and his team One joined me, and team Two, and the Widow was disappearing into the clouds.

"By now the raiders are riding their bikes into the town of Oak Hill. We probably have a couple of hours, but to be safe, I want to take up defensive positions in an hour, waiting for their return. We will arrive quietly in case they left anyone to guard the shuttle. Then take a crescent position behind the shuttle’s ramp with Team One to the shuttle's right and Team Two on the left. Unless we are discovered, no shooting until I indicate. They are unlikely to surrender as they would be facing the death penalty, but I would like to give them the option. Although I would like them taken alive and the shuttle captured intact, if shooting starts, shoot to kill, not wound. A wounded man is potentially more dangerous than an unwounded one, having more adrenaline, less caution, and out-of-control anger."

The half klick was a struggle to reach the raiders' shuttle within the hour I had wanted. The area was dense wilderness with heavy underbrush, thickly treed, and the ground covered with snow and ice. In addition, the last hundred yards had to be crossed in stealth mode or destroy the surprise.

We finally settled into our positions, some twenty to twenty-five meters from the rear of the shuttle. The raiders had left two men to guard the shuttle. I decided to let them live for fear of warning the returning raiders something wasn't right.

The raiders returned thirty minutes later, ten strong on five police-like motorcycles, armed with fixed automatic weapons. They circled around to the rear of the shuttle and cut their engines.

"How did it go, Bert?" said the grizzly-looking man who stood inside as the ramp lowered.

"Easy as stealing from old ladies. Our inside man, has picked easy targets if not particularly lucrative ones," said a tall young lanky youth. Only one police unit managed to respond before we left. They weren't prepared or armed to deal with us and were quickly killed."

"Pete," an athletic man with a narrow face etched in stone snapped. "The object of this raid, like the others, is to cause enough mayhem so that the State's representatives will feel the Black Guard isn't protecting them and would be better off with a Helix Alliance. All of us are well paid given our salary, our large bonus, the loot the raids have produced, and the risk has been minimal–"

"Reach for a weapon and you die," I said stepping out from the tree I had been crouching behind. They turned almost as one to see nine Black Guards with weapons drawn. They had their hands on their weapons but no one had attempted to draw.

"That's not much of an option," the stony-faced man said without any emotion. "Shot here or live to be hung in Central City." He surprised me by raising both hands high into the air while his look caused all of the raiders to raise their hands in surrender. Then he slowly stepped back toward the shuttle. His men shuffled back with him. As they did, I heard the ramp motor and saw the ramp beginning to rise. The grizzly man in the shuttle bay had activated the mechanism. I shot him as the ten raiders dove for the rising ramp while attempting to draw their weapons. The Black Guard opened fire. I ran hard toward the ramp, doubting that all ten were dead. Too many bodies in motion in too tight a space. More likely several were merely wounded and one or two escaped uninjured. I stepped onto one cycle and launched myself into an arching dive into the still one-third open ramp, tucked, and rolled to a standing position facing the pile of raiders. I felt the shuttle beginning to rise, turned, and shot the pilot in the head. As I turned back to the pile of raiders, stony face was rising to his feet with his Mfw swinging up. It was going to be a tie, and would have been, except the pilotless shuttle dropped several meters to the ground and continued plowing forward. Stony face and I were slammed to the floor by the impact and propelled toward the pile of raiders, which had at least one functional man who was in the process of reaching for a weapon. He struggled to get untangled as he too was squeeze back into the now closed ramp. As stony face and I were about to reach the tangled mess of raiders, the shuttle hit something and instantly stopped. That caused stony face and I to slide back toward the cockpit. I had lost my Mfw in the impact. Stony face still had his as it was attached to a strap around his neck. As we slid, I reached out, grabbed the strap, and tore it lose, but I lost control of the strap, and the weapon flew to the side wall. We slammed into the wall separating the personnel compartment from the cockpit. Stony face managed to stagger to his feet and draw a combat knife from his boot. He dove toward me, knife posed for a downward strike. I was still dizzy from hitting the wall, but I managed to thrust a front kick into his chest. For a second, he hung suspended in air at the end of my leg. He slashed down cutting the inside of my leg, and would have severed my femoral artery if it had not been for my protective under garment. Before he could strike again, my left foot struck him in the face. He stumbled backward as I drew my laser, but before I could fire, I heard shots and the wall behind me was peppered with pellets. I rolled toward stony face hoping the shooter would hesitate for fear of hitting his leader. He didn't, unfortunately for stony face, as several pellets hit him in the leg. I took advantage of his scrambling backward to locate the shooter and put a laser beam through his right eye and another through a second raider who was struggling to push a man off him so he could get up.

While I was occupied with the surviving raiders at the other end of the bay, stony face leaped forward and kicked the laser out of my hand. A second kick to my head glanced off my shoulder as I rolled away to a kneeing position and managed to draw my knife. Stony face still displayed no emotion as he advanced on me, no crouching or weaving or feints. I stood at peace with no thought of winning or losing, just the fight. He slashed at my face, then reversed his motion and sliced across my chest, and finally lunged with the knife at my intestines. I hadn't moved for the two feints. He was close but slightly too far to make a meaningful cut to my face and no chance of cutting through my protective armor. When he lunged, I twisted right. My right arm guided his knife hand safely past me while my left slammed into his right temple. He crumpled to the floor. His worst nightmare–captured alive to stand trial and be executed.

I opened the side door into the shuttle and found Sergeant Ganz staring up at me. "Sir, you need any help? We couldn't get in with the ramp up and the side door locked."

"Yes, put stony face over there," I nodded to the man on the floor, "in restraints, lower the ramp and make sure anyone alive is treated and restrained. Then see if this shuttle will fly." I looked around at the eight Guards standing looking back at me. "Sergeant Reti, check in with Lieutenant Mintz and determine the status of Teams Three and Four."

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Safort: The Raider's Camp

When Captain Sapir had sent Activate Plan Go on his Mfi, Sergeant Krebs began moving his team up the narrow road, more like ruts the ground vehicles made coming and going to the cabin. Halfway to the cabin, they heard men laughing and joking and a vehicle starting. Krebs waved everyone off the road into the trees and thick underbrush. The speeding car passed without hesitation.

"If the Captain's estimate is correct there shouldn't be more than six to eight raiders left at the cabin," Krebs said just above a whisper. "Corporal Paler, warn Sergeant Glick that six raiders maybe heading towards the brothel." When Paler nodded, Krebs continued. "Stealth approach. We need to determine if they have anyone guarding the second shuttle, then to watch the house to see if we can see how many and where. I doubt they will have shades on the windows. Once we have that information, I'll assign positions."

It took another half hour to get in position, although they need not have been so careful as the remaining raiders were making too much noise to hear them approach, and no one was guarding the shuttle. Two men were on the porch talking and drinking and maybe assigned to guard the shuttle. Four men were inside the living room playing a gambling game, and one man was upstairs in one of the bedrooms.

"Well, Lieutenant Mintz, are we going to finesse our way in or use brute force?" Sergeant Cerff asked, mischief in her eyes.

"Which do you prefer?" Mintz asked, with a twitch of his lip in amusement. He had been considering his options for the past few minutes. Cerff provided a good opportunity to get another viewpoint, which Sapir always did, insisting it provided good training for everyone.

"Finesse will take hours and one mistake will cause a cluster fuck to deal with," Cerff said, smiling. "Let's just blow past them. Should be over in minutes."

Everyone like the idea. Cerff and Private Joo would charge the stairs and be responsible for the two sitting and talking. Mintz, Krebs, and Paler would follow through the door into the living room to take care of the four gambling, while Cerff and Joo would race upstairs to take care of the man in the bedroom and anyone else they may have missed. They spent thirty minutes using available cover, the shuttle, trees, and shadows, to get within fifteen to twenty-meters of the house. When everyone signaled they were ready, Mintz sent Go on his Mfi, and Cerff hit the stairs at a run. She shot one of the two before they saw her on the stairs. The second man drew his weapon to late and was shot by both Cerff and Joo.

Mintz, Krebs and Paler passed Creff and Joo when they slowed to ensure the two were dead. Krebs and Paler entered the unlocked door and sprinted for the living room. The four men were so engrossed in their game, they died before their brains could comprehend they were under attack.

Meanwhile, Mintz took the steps to the second floor, two at a time. He went to the door with the light on and knocked. When the man opened the door, he hit him in the head with his baton. He made sure the raider was secure, while Creff and Joo searched the other rooms.

The entire operation took less than two minutes. Thirty minutes later they had secured the shuttle and had established a defensive perimeter, awaiting Captain Sapir, but ready if the six men returned before Sapir.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Planet: Safort, the Brothel

Sergeant Glick sat staring at the resort-like building as his Mfi vibrated. When he looked, Sergeant Krebs's face appeared, smeared with woodland face paint. Glick smiled thinking of his own face.

"Glick, six raiders just left their base camp. I wouldn't be surprised to find they were heading your way," Krebs said in a whisper.

"Thanks, Krebs. That could have been a disaster if they arrived when we were cleaning house." He clicked off and opened his team's private channel. "I have been informed we have six party boys on the way. Let them settled in before we crash the party."

Twenty minutes later, a ground vehicle came racing down the dirt road and skidded to a stop in front of the house. Six men piled out, laughing and, not too steadily, raced up the steps to the double doors. A tall shapely middle-aged woman opened the door only a heartbeat before they would have slammed into it.

"Welcome, gentlemen," she shouted. "Go into the parlor and have something to drink. I've notified the girls you are here. They should be down in a few minutes; they need time to get undressed."

That elicited hoots, laughs, and comments as they rushed by the woman who was shaking her head and looking up in exasperation, then shouted. "You break it. You own it."

That was followed by the sound of something shattering. She closed the door after a quick look around outside.

Glick and his team of three sat watching the windows for the next hour as the chaos settled down. It appeared four of the six new arrivals were upstairs in the bedrooms, two were in the living room drinking with several women, the elderly house matron was in her office on the ground floor, one guard roamed around the outside grounds, one stood at the entrance, and the third was inside somewhere. The latter guard tended to roam the second floor but occasionally made a trip downstairs. The biggest problem was the twenty women, mostly underaged girls, throughout the house. The raiders would not care who was in the way when the shooting began. He suspected they wouldn't stay longer than a couple of hours but didn't feel he should wait for them to go, although it would greatly simplify the house cleaning. Just then the third inside guard came out and the three sat on the steps talking.

"Fire on my command. Alpert take out the man on the right, Lenard, the one in the middle, and Dorit, the man on the left," Glick said into his Mfi, paused a few seconds, then quietly said, "Fire."

The three slumped backward as one, as three laser beams penetrated eyes and burned through to their brains. The teams quietly made their way to the stairs, collected the bodies, and stashed them out of sight around to the side of the house.

"Lenard and Dorit, you take the rooms upstairs. Alpert, you secure the matron, then join me in clearing the living room," Glick looked at each individual until they nodded. The four then crept up the stairs, opened the door halfway, and when they saw no one, slid in. Alpert went left toward the matron's office door, Lenard and Dorit up the stairs, and Glick into the hallway. Staying against the wall, he peeked into the living room where at least fourteen naked women lounged on chairs and sofas, danced, or were being manhandled by one of the men. Glick itched to shoot the two men, but he was afraid the resulting screams from the women would prematurely alert the men upstairs.

Upstairs Lenard and Dorit stood whispering.

"If we open the door and shoot the raider, the woman or women will probably scream, either when they see us or after we kill the raider," Lenard said, whispering into Dorit's ear. Dorit nodded.

"The other raiders may take that as normal rough sex," Dorit said. "We need to be quick in case they don't or it attracts the raiders downstairs."

Lenard nodded. "Except for our protective under garments, we could take off our shirts and expose our breasts. That would freeze the men enough to get in the first shot."

"Your boobs, maybe. Not mine," Dorit said with a short snort. "Alright, you take the last two rooms and I'll take the first two. Open, identify, shoot, and on to the next room." Dorit walked quickly and quietly down to the end of the hall, stopped next the last door, and nodded to Lenard.

Lenard turned the door knob, opened the door far enough to see a large hairy-back thrusting his hips up and down. Her laser sliced across the back of his neck, cutting the cervical spine. He collapsed on the woman. Without waiting, she closed the door and in three quick steps had the door knob to the next room. She jerked the door open to find a man reaching for a whisky bottle and a small girl lying next to him, crying. A laser bean cut through his ear into his brain. Ironically, no screams.

Simultaneously, Dorit, open her first room door to find a man pulling on his pants and a woman walking toward the bathroom. She shot the man through his eye as a beginning smile froze with recognition. He fell sideways off the bed onto the floor, knocking the contents of a small table with him. Dorit put a finger to her mouth when the woman looked back at the noise and saw her. Dorit closed the door and ran to the next one. This time the man appeared asleep or passed out drunk. No one else appeared to be in the room. Since she might be needed downstairs, she shot the sleeping man in the head and closed the door. Lenard stood in the hallway, smiling. She then waved and the two ran for the stairs.

Alpert open the office door, slid inside, and closed the door before speaking. "Quiet, and you and the ladies will live through this house cleaning. Besides, by now there is no one to come to your aid, and it will just piss me off." He proceeded to secure the woman's hands and feet with restraints and added a gag just to be sure. Then he joined Glick.

Glick nodded as Alpert neared him. He had expected noise from upstairs as the signal for him and Alpert to start cleaning out the living room but hadn't heard a sound. He smiled when Alpert jerked his head down the hallway and turned to see Lenard and Dorit. He turned back to peer into the living room, took aim at the short stocky middle-aged man laughing while squeezing a young girl's breast so hard her face was distorted in pain and tears ran down her cheeks. His hair smoked as the laser burned through the mass of greasy-brown hair and through his skull. Then he shifted his laser right two-meters to a man sitting on a couch drinking a bottle of beer while his other hand held a woman head down at his groin. It burned through his left eye.

"Ladies," Glick shouted. "Someone, please shut off the music." He waited as the women took in the four in black uniforms and the two dead men, with an array of cascading emotions. "We are the Black Guard cleaning service. You will be free to leave after we take your statements.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Planet: Safort, Almost Rat Free

I sat in the Widow listening to Mintz report on Team Four's progress and then Sergeant Glick's summary of the action. I relaxed hearing no Black Guards had been injured or killed. Hopefully, our findings would sway the SUC into rejecting the Helix Alliance and keeping their contract with the Jax. I notified the team leaders that I wanted them to resume their previous duties, pretending things were back to normal.

I spent the next week putting together a presentation. The difficult part was avoiding making any direct accusations and letting the SUC come to their own conclusions. That way they would own it and not the Black Guard. Otherwise, we could be accused of bias as we had an interest in the outcome.

When I finished, I called Geraldo who would already be aware that we had caught the raiders but hopefully not that I knew all the details. In which case he may believe he could manage the damage if he acted fast.

"Yes, Captain Sapir, how can I help you?" he said cautiously. His face a mask of neutrality which showed master level control, as I must be number one on his Wanted Dead or Dead list.

"We have caught the group raiding Safort," I began. "Unfortunately, they all chose to die fighting rather than stand trial. But I would like to wait until the normal SUC meeting to present what we found, since that will give me time to chase down hundreds of loose ends that could help connect all the dots."

"That's excellent, Captain Sapir…" He paused, his mind racing with options although his face portrayed nothing. Eventually, the small polite smile, which had never changed while he thought, grew into a genuine happy smile. "No, this is important and the SUC should be informed immediately. We can clean up the loose ends. The Black Guard has cleaned up the mess and we owe you, but it's our problem now. I'll let you know when the meeting will take place, but I should think it will be in a day or two, so stay available." With that he nodded and cut the connection.

I laughed, idly wondering what surprise he was preparing for me. It should be a very interesting meeting.

* * *

"Good morning, Captain Sapir, who is he?" Geraldo nodded to Lieutenant Mintz who I had decided to bring along as insurance since I had no idea what surprise the good chairman had arranged. "This is a closed meeting as the information is classified."

"Lieutenant Mintz is my second in command." I held up my hand to stop Geraldo from interrupting. "He was involved in certain aspects of the investigation that I wasn't, and is here to answer any questions the committee might have that I might not have first-hand knowledge of." Seeing the four-armed SUC security guards present, I knew it had been a good decision. My attention would be on the presentation and answers, and not totally on my surroundings.

Sensing he had lost, Geraldo growled before continuing. "Representatives of the Safort Upper Chamber, I have called this closed meeting at Captain Sapir's request to discuss the raiders which she claims the Black Guard has destroyed. Captain, you may proceed."

I ignored his at Captain Sapir's request lie, partially because I had finessed him into the meeting and partially because it would not matter. "Thank you, Chairman Geraldo and members of the committee, for giving me time to speak. I think it's important for you to be aware of the facts we have gathered since it concerns Safort and not the Jax. Our concern was stopping the raiders–"

"It has taken you long enough," a man sitting in front of a name plate that said Mr. Cantoon Topeki.

"Yes, sir, it did. Captain Olmert assumed that Outpost was responsible for delivering the raider shuttles, supplies, and replacements to Safort, since they are in favor of a Helix Alliance, and successful raids would make the alliance attractive."

"You have proved they didn't," Geraldo said smiling.

"What makes you say that, Mr. Geraldo?" I asked.

"You have been monitoring the merchants from Outpost, Lariw, and Valhall, and have not found any evidence of their involvement," Geraldo shouted.

"Actually, the part of the assumption that was wrong was the part about who was delivering the raiders and replacements. Captain Olmert never considered that Safort merchants were ferrying the raiders in an out."

"Nonsense!" Geraldo shouted, as side conversations started up all around the table. "Shoot her! She's drawing her weapon." As he did the four guards began drawing their weapons. I had to stop reaching for my weapon and let Mintz take the first one or two, to ensure the tape would show I didn't have my weapon out until long after Geraldo shouted. Mintz took the first two easily and would beat the third, but I doubted he would beat the fourth. So, I drew and killed the fourth.

"She is an out of control killer!" Geraldo shouted again.

"Enough! Everyone sit!" I shouted. "Now that Mr. Geraldo has had his poorly executed slight-of-hand demonstration. I suggest we review the cameras in the room to show you the trick, and for me to explain a possible motive.

"I want her arrested!" Geraldo japed a finger in my direction.

"You will notice that the four SUC security men were stationed close behind Mr. Cantoon, from Dinkum, Mr. Sheelin, from Picrun, Mrs. Sharli, from Talua, and Mrs. Antenea, from Sandosk, all representatives that oppose the Helix Alliance. So, a forced shootout either got me killed and or one or more of those representatives.  A win-win for those favoring the alliance."

"Yes, I want to see the tapes for this meeting," Representative Sharli said, her voice cracked like a whip. "This is beginning to feel like the attempt to kill me during our initial vote on the alliance."

"Damn you, Sharli. Just yesterday you agreed that She," Geraldo, his face purple with rage, jabbed a finger in my direction, "and Jax orchestrated those events to make it look like Outpost was trying to manipulate the vote."

"Actually, Mr. Geraldo, I was following Captain Sapir's excellent advice: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I believe before the vote last time you attempted to have me detained so I couldn't vote," Sharli said.

"I too want to see the tapes," Mr. Cantoon said to nodding heads all around the table. It took thirty-five minutes to retrieve the tape and to arrange to have them played on the room monitors. It was clear my hand was nowhere near my Mfw or Laser when Geraldo shouted, and that I had not drawn for a second or two after Mintz. It was also evident that those guards were stationed so close to the representatives as to make them quasi-shields.

"Now," I said. "To the possible reason to shut me up. The merchant ships that delivered the raiders were the Iris and the Hermes; Safort merchant ships, owned by Representatives Geraldo, Morandi, and Termman, who purchased them just before the first vote to join the Helix Alliance." Geraldo sank back in his chair as all heads turned in his direction. "To continue, we took pictures of the men leaving the Hermes and followed several groups. That led us to their camp, which is located in a wilderness area on the borders of Talua and Poloma, and owned by Representatives…you guessed it. Mr Geraldo, Morandi, and Termman. One of those houses was used as an exclusive brothel for the raiders and stocked not with willing prostitutes, but young girls kidnapped during the Raiders' early raids–" I had to stop as the room erupted in shouting and multiple side discussions. An hour later, the three representatives had been arrested and taken to jail for subsequent arraignment, and Sharli was appointed Chairperson. Then, after an hour break, I was allowed to continue.

"Thank you, Chairlady Sharli. The Talua police have taken possession of the raiders' camp because it was inside Talua borders. I have a chip with the faces of the men leaving the Hermes and the dead raiders. You will see the match. We also have three raiders that survived our encounter, but doubt they will tell you anything on advice of their lawyers, paid for by whoever backed them. We and the police have statements from the women they kidnapped and used, and the woman who acted as the house matron." I paused for a drink of water. "Unless you have questions, I think that concludes my presentation."

It didn't. They had questions that went on well into the night.

* * *

"Well, the Jax Committee trouble shooter has done it again. Very impressive," Captain Olmert said as I joined her, her XO, and Colonel Vogel.

"We," I said, noting the sarcasm in her voice.

"I failed miserably, "Olmert said, her voice now had a hint of anger. I wasn't sure if it were directed at me or herself.

"Not true, Captain. You rightly assumed it was Outpost who sent the raiders, and logically their merchants were smuggling the men and equipment into Safort. Your investigation was thorough and proved conclusively they weren't directly involved," I said, and held up a finger to stop her from replying. "Had I been here initially, I would have concluded the same thing, and would have had to conduct the same investigation. That saved me a lot of time and forced me to probe for alternative ways of delivering the raiders to Safort. Besides, I had previous experience on Safort, and knew Geraldo favored the Helix Alliance and wasn't to be trusted. They were clever but not as clever as the Jax. To team work!" I said raising my glass in a toast.

Vogel laughed. "We all believe the Jax military is a family, but you may be the only Jax officer who acts like we are family and not in competition. You developed the commandos' FIST course, and have them feeling special again; General Issac calls on you as if you were one of his units to do the dirty work that saves army lives and they know it. No, Captain Olmert, Sapir means what she said and proves it with action. So, here's to the Jax family," Vogel said, raising his glass. He took a sip and smiled. "I've heard that the three SUC representatives you identified as having colluded with the raiders have been cooperating with the Safort justice department, and have provided proof that Outpost was behind the raids. They were quick to capitulate when they found they were going to be prosecuted as raiders."

Vogel was right. The commandos were friendly, mingled freely with the Black Guard team, and spent considerable time discussing FIST and Black Guard training.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Planet: Jax, Sasser Mountain

When I landed at Sasser Mountain, Hada was there to meet me and dragged me off to our favorite spot to meditate. "You are going to tell your adopted sister all the gory details that will be left out of the debriefing and your after-action report," she said with an evil giggle.

"I think this was a huge evolutionary step for the Black Guard, a historic event unless I'm wrong. This was not a military assignment, at least in the normal sense. It was the type assigned to professional government level investigators or trouble shooters. Even the find-and-kill part involved closing all the loose ends and providing legal proof for a court of law," I said, voicing my conclusions while on the flight to Sasser Mountain.

* * *

Hada managed to talk me into visiting her parents, whom I was beginning to think of as my adopted parents. While there, they continued to immerse Hada and me into civilian life. Hada's choices unconsciously tended toward activities involving family and eventually a home, husband, and children. I was beginning to think I would like teaching, and was considering taking Choje Abbaya up on his offer to be his apprentice. After all, wasn't that what I was currently doing, teaching the next generation of Black Guard? So, I was tending towards activities that helped me understand civilians and the demands of married life, children, and making a living. A bonus was the comfort of a loving family of which I was quickly becoming a part.

* * *

Back on Sasser Mountain, I quickly fell back into my routine: working with the new officer candidates, reviewing and revising the curriculum, monitoring Wuji exercises, and spending as much time with Hada as I could, knowing we would soon be on assignments.

"Captain Sapir," Corporal Yardon said when he was within hearing distance. Hada and I had been sitting under one of the shade trees, discussing our trip to visit her parents, and my intention to ask Choje Abbaya to be his apprentice. When I looked up, Yardon stood panting, obviously having run from Wexler's office. "Commander Wexler would like to see you immediately."

"Duty calls," I said to Hada, and began a slow jog to the office complex. Inside, Wexler's door was open.

"Come in Sapir," he said waving to a chair. "General Issak, would like your help in solving a problem he is having." Wexler snorted.

"A similar problem to New Keif or Heibei?" I asked, hoping it wasn't. We had been lucky in both instances, if the two deaths at New Keif could be counted as lucky.

"Yes, if you mean an ugly problem he doesn't have a solution for, and it involves a building," Wexler snorted. "Like you, Issak doesn't like his troops being killed if there is an alternative available: a Black Guard named Sapir. They didn't give me much information. They have fifty raiders in a twenty-five-story building with a couple hundred hostages. From that information, we are supposed to put together a team, in case you might need help." Wexler shook his head in frustration. "Well?"

"Two teams of eight with a lieutenant," I said, and shrugged.

"Why?" Wexler's head jerked up.

"No idea but it will give me options," I said, with another shrug.

"You’re right, Sapir. No sense trying to plan, not knowing what you will encounter or the details of the current situation," Wexler said in a resigned voice. "Let's see who is on station and eligible for an assignment."

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Planet: Zanoga, A Roll of the Dice

The troops were still sorting out their equipment as the shuttle rose toward the Black Leopard.

"I'm sorry the team isn't fully prepared, Captain," Elijah said, without an attempt to make any excuses.

"You did well to get everyone to the shuttle on time. General Issak has a problem which he considers urgent; therefore, we are late since he is in Zanoga and we are not even on the Black Leopard," I smiled. "But then, Generals are usually disappointed when the person they want is not standing next to them. You and the teams did well, considering you had no notice."

"Do you know what he wants?" Elijah asked, looking calm, but I sensed she was nervous.

"No. I don't believe he knows either. Probably a miracle to avoid the disaster he is anticipating. This is the cost of being successful the last two times he called on the Black Guard,"

"You keep raising the bar, Captain," she said, managing to stifle a smile.

"Unfortunately, in our business, the bar is either rising or falling. Elijah, my advice is not to worry about it. You will perform better if you don't stress over things you can't control," I said. "We will see what he wants and then do the best we can to help. In my experience, General Issak is a good man. He is not one to sacrifice his troops if he can help it, and knows fighting in a building isn't the army's forte. It's the Black Guard’s."

When I exited the shuttle, Colonel Helon stood waiting.

"Welcome aboard the Black Leopard. For better or worse, you have become General Issak's go to man." He laughed. "Building is synonymous with Black Guard, which is synonymous with Sapir. Come, it’s dinner time and Captain Ippolit has invited us to dine with her. She delayed dinner so you could attend, hoping you wouldn't have more pressing matters."

"Lead on, Colonel. I'm already an hour late." I smiled.

"It always astonishes me that the highest rank in the Black Guard is captain. We have over twenty ranks, seven over captain. You have only six ranks and the highest is captain, not counting the Black Guard commander."

"Our organization is much smaller. Besides, it's faster to go from private to captain, only five promotions, and there is no arbitrary promotion barrier between enlisted and officer ranks."

Helon laughed. As we approached the Captain's private dining room, two marines stood guard. One opened the door, peeked in, then stepped back for us to enter.

"Welcome aboard the Black Leopard," Ippolit said. She was a tall thin woman in her forties with short curly auburn hair and a narrow face which looked welcoming.

"Thank you for delaying your dinner," I said, noting a full commander standing off to the side.

"How could I do less for a chance to talk with the most talked about man in the military? A good and a bad thing, in my opinion. Excuse my rudeness. Captain Sapir, let me introduce you to Commander Filberto, my XO."

"Pleased to meet you, Captain Sapir," he said, in a surprisingly soft voice considering his impressively large physique.

"Colonel Helon, what is the latest from Zanoga?" Ippolit asked.

"Fifty raiders landed on Zanoga and took control of the Zanoga Resort and Casino, planning to grab the money and leave. But the space gods ruined their plan, and the Zanoga army showed up before they were ready to leave. Then a Jax cruiser entered Zanoga space, precluding the raiders' heavily armed merchant ship from being any help to those on the ground. Since the raiders have a couple hundred hostages, it has the potential to be a planet-size cluster fuck. The Zanoga government wants the Raiders killed, and the hostages released unharmed. The casino wants the money recovered and the casino undamaged. The Jax wants its reputation untarnished with the minimum loss of Jax lives. Everyone's solution is Captain Sapir." He grinned.

"See, that is the reason it's bad to be too popular. Come, let us eat." She smiled. "This may be your last good meal for a while."

We departed the Black Leopard, a day and a half later. I wasn't surprised to find General Issak at the landing pad when I departed. I gave a low bow in respect of his rank.

"General Issak, this is Lieutenant Elijah, my second in command," I said.

Issak nodded to her. "I'm Sorry, Sapir, I'm hoping you will have a miracle solution up your sleeve, or, if nothing else, see a solution we've missed."

"What is the problem?" I asked, wondering if it would be the same as what I had heard.

"Fifty Raiders invaded the Zanoga Resort and Casino almost two days ago, planning a hit and run robbery. It should have been successful. They have a well-armed merchant ship in space, but their timing was off. As they began to force their way into the casino, several army personnel arrived for a night of fun and games. They saw the raiders entering and immediately alerted their local garrison, who were there in less than an hour, trapping the raiders. The government called the Jax for support, and again the raiders’ luck failed. A Jax cruiser was within a day's travel. Like the last time we have a contract, but it has a clause restricting us from significantly damaging the hotel and casino. The clause is unnecessary as there are over two hundred hostages. Consequently, bombs and heavy munitions are out, with or without the clause." He paused for questions, then continued when I didn't say anything. "The casino is also a fifteen-story hotel with over three hundred rooms and had an occupancy rate of sixty-five percent when the Raiders arrived."

"Do you control any part of the building?" I asked, quelling the urge to cross my fingers.

Issak smiled for the first time. "Yes. The Zanoga army rushed the casino when they arrived but suffered significant losses as there were too many civilians running loose. They had to be careful shooting; whereas, the raiders didn't have to worry since they didn't care about hitting civilians. When the Jax arrived, the raiders abandoned the casino and moved their hostages into the hotel above. That gave us control of the casino. They control the hotel, elevators, and stairs, using the hostages as shields. Even if we were not concerned about shooting the human shields, they have created barricades using room furniture. Our losses would be prohibitively disproportional."

"Can you get me into the casino?" I asked thinking the raiders controlled the high ground and would have shooters watching the entrance points.

"Yes, through the basement, which holds the facility's heating, cooling, sewage, and water equipment. It has an underground vehicle entrance that is shielded from the hotel's windows." He waved toward the waiting vehicles.

"Have the raiders killed anyone to date?" I asked, wondering about the level of violence they had caused. That may be key in crafting a solution.

"They killed four and wounded eight of the initial Zanoga military who rushed the casino. Five customers and staff were killed immediately, and eight in the resulting melee, but it's impossible to say who shot them. Zanoga is probably as likely as the raiders because of the chaos. They killed three and wounded five Jax army when we rushed the casino. By then they had moved the hostages into the hotel. We know five raiders have been killed but not how many were wounded." As he spoke the vehicles entered down a slopping ramp and into an underground loading area. We exited the vehicles and walked through a side door into a large two-story high room that looked to run the length of the hotel. It was loaded with huge water tanks, boilers, miles of pipes, electrical panels, and maintenance equipment.

"This level can only be accessed through the underground entrance and one elevator which we control," Issak said.

"So, the raiders’ only points of escape are the two hotel elevators, the two stairways, and the windows from the second floor up?" I stated to make sure I understood their options.

"We can deny them the elevators," Issak said. "Although they are blocking their use now."

"Do you have a negotiator?"

"The Zanoga government sent one. He is in contact with the raiders, a man using the name Rkady, which is the name their merchant ship is broadcasting," Issak said, as he led us to the freight elevator which was large enough to accommodate us all. "He is using the casino's back area where all the offices, computers, and security is located as his command center." Issak led us down a long hallway and through a secured door into a maze of offices. One looked like a rest area with snacks and drinks, another led to an employees' locker room. Finally, we reached a glassed-in conference room filled with people. The military guards saluted and one opened the door.

"Lieutenant Elijah, I want two Guards on this door, two monitoring the hotel elevators, and five on each stairway. They are to be positioned to kill any raiders attempting to exit. In addition, I want two men in the basement. I'm sending you their assignment," I said, and clicked send to the message I had typed while in the elevator.

"Yes, sir," she said then smiled at the message on her Mfi. "Right away, sir."

I left it to Elijah and our two senior sergeants, Haber and Nadel, to determine the individual assignments, and followed Issak into the room.

"Mr. Garrisen is the government negotiator," Issak said, pointing to an elderly man in his fifties who was dressed like an executive. He looked exhausted. In the middle of the table was a conference phone station.

"Do these bystanders have a useful purpose?" I asked out of idle curiosity.

"They are government and military officials to help with the negotiations," Issak said, giving me a quizzical look.

"Mr. Garrisen, are you in communication with this Rkady person?" I focused all my attention on Garrisen, ignoring the muttering around the room.

"Who just came in the room," a harsh voice emanated from the speaker on the conference table.

"Good. You are no longer needed. Everyone out! " I said.

"By who's authority," a matronly looking woman demanded.

"Your government, who signed a contract with the Jax to resolve this issue. If I need your help, I'll send someone to fetch you. Out." Sergeant Toch had the door open and both men had their hands on their Mfws. They slowly filed out, many with a comment as they passed me.

"Arrogant bitch."

"I'm lodging a complaint."

"Typical military reaction, force."

"If civilians are hurt, you will be held accountable."

"Garrisen, what is going on," the same harsh voice from the speaker. Toch closed the door while Corporal Preis waved for the group to move along. I sat in Garrison's chair as Elijah entered. She and Issak took seats towards the end of the table.

"What did that government toady promise you, Rkady?"

"Who am I talking to," Rkady asked, sounding rattled.

"A shuttle and all the money you could carry?" I asked. Issak looked wide eyed. Elijah looked amused, but then she had served with me on multiple assignments. Rkady appeared to had recovered his composure.

"Well it's the only way you are going to save the hostages," he said, in a command voice. I laughed for a full minute.

"My contract is to remove you from the premises. I don't get a bonus for saving the idiots you captured."

"Who am I talking to!" he demanded in a loud and commanding voice.

"Captain Sapir of the Black Guard at your service," I said. There was a long silence.

"The captain at New Keif…and Halo?" The voice was low as in thought.

"Those were fun assignments. Like shooting ducks at a carnival shooting gallery. Not much sport. Most of those troops couldn't hit an elephant at twenty meters with a full clip." I tried my best to sound contemptuous.

"You have a reputation as being a heartless bitch, among other things," Rkady said.

"Has a nice sound doesn't it, but it so sexist. I'd prefer heartless sadistic killer. That better captures the mood," I said, and continued before he could answer. "Proving I'm not completely heartless, I am giving you one hour to die like men, trying to fight your way out–"

"How the Hell are you going to get us to leave the hotel?"

"I had suggested setting the hotel on fire, but the idiot general in charge let the Zanoga government insert a clause voiding the contract if we burned the building or used missiles. Pissing about the loss of civilian life, the cost of the building, and lost revenue while it was being rebuilt. Personally, I think they were more worried about getting reelected. Oh, it is now forty-five minutes," I said, reminding him in a roundabout way that this discussion had a time limit.

"You will have to come and fight us one-on-one on the stairs and in each room where our hostages will be helping to shield us from the heartless bitch." He laughed.

"I'm afraid you have taken heartless bitch to be a slur by those who hear rumors. In fact, it is more an accepted fact. I've loaded cyanide-gas cylinders into the air conditioning system. They are due to activate in…" I paused as if looking at my watch. During the pause Issak’s face went stony white. Only Elijah’s shake of her head stopped him from screaming at me. "…twenty-five minutes. Die like a coward or like a man."

"You wouldn't," he said, but not with a lot of confidence. "You would kill over two hundred civilians!"

"Me? No, Rkady, you. They will be activated by a cell telephone which will be found in your possession. You'll go down in Zanoga’s history with a worse reputation than mine. See you in Hell, Rkady," I said and hung up. Elijah laughed finally, unable to contain her amusement.

"My God, Sapir you had me believing every word of it. I thought you had gone mad. I am still not sure it will work." Issak stopped to look at Elijah's Mfi, where I assumed she had my message displayed.

"The smoke canisters are intended to convince them there is poisonous gas entering the rooms and hallways; the canisters contain sleep agents in case they don't take the threat seriously, and choose to stay. It should give us time to clean house," I explained my logic.

"What if they kill the hostages out of spite," Issak asked, trying to conjure the worst scenario.

"It was my decision so, I'm responsible for the outcome," I said to stop further discussion of what bad things could happen. "I think going floor by floor would also have caused them to kill hostages. They have nothing to lose. Zanoga is not going to let them go free."

Exactly at the one-hour time limit, Elijah looked at me. I nodded and she tapped on her Mfi. Within seconds, we could hear the canisters exploding, and several minutes later a misty smoke began drifting out the ventilation ducts. Issak, Elijah, and I took a position some twenty meter behind the two groups guarding the stairs. That permitted us to watch both doors and see if anyone managed to make it past the waiting Guards.

Both stairway doors burst open at the same time, as forty plus raiders rushed into the casino firing on automatic and spraying side-to-side as they didn't know the position of the Guards. Unfortunately, for the raiders, the single door entrance limited the number that could leave at one time. Most died within three steps of the door. It was over in less than a minute, since they were afraid to stay in the stairs for fear of the cyanide gas.

"Elijah, check on our teams," I said, hoping the spray-and-pray firing hadn't killed anyone.

"I wonder what they did to the hostages?" Issak said, a worried look on his face.

"Hopefully, nothing as they were expecting them to die from the cyanide," I said, feeling mentally exhausted. The outcome could still be a disaster. "If you don't mind, I'll let the army check. It will be faster as you have more people."

General Issak was still shaking his head when we boarded the Black Leopard for the trip home.

* * *

"I would have thought that would take a week or two to resolve," Captain Ippolit said at dinner that night. She had invited Lieutenant Elijah and me to dinner along with Colonel Helon and the XO.

"That's why General Issak likes Sapir. She makes impossibly thorny situations disappear like magic," Helon said, shaking his head in resignation. "I'm afraid, Sapir, that puts you number one on the General's speed dial, if you are not already there."

"What do you think, Lieutenant Elijah?" Ippolit asked.

"The general is like Captain Sapir. He doesn't consider his troops expendable pawns, and knows Captain Sapir thinks outside the box and is capable of creating solutions that minimize the losses."

Ippolit laughed. "Sapir you appear to have your fingers in every one of the services, with General Issak and the army, the FIST with the commandos, and trouble shooter for the Jax Committee."

"We are all family," I said, not sure what else to say.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Planet: Jax, Sasser Mountain

"That was a very dangerous gambit, Sapir," Wexler said, after reading my after-action report. "That could have been a disaster and gotten all of the hostages killed, and given us a very unfavorable reputation."

"No one wanted to compromise," I said, having given it a lot of thought on the trip back to Sasser Mountain. "The raiders knew if they surrendered, they would get a death sentence. Consequently, their only option was to begin killing hostages in the hope that the Zanoga government would cave and let them go. The Zanoga government was adamant that the raiders be captured or killed. Too many Zanogans had been killed for them to capitulate. Besides, that would set a dangerous precedent. Sending the Black Guard to route them out would have taken a week or more, and we couldn't have saved the hostages. The raiders would have used them as shields, distractions, and killed them in frustration. They had nothing to lose. So, I judged the bluff a reasonable gambit. Actually, it wasn't really a bluff as I did intend to gas them, just not with cyanide." I snorted. "From the raiders perspective, sleeping gas would have been worse as they would have woken up in prison."

"You dragons scare me," Wexler said shaking his head in frustration. "And you, Sapir, are innovative, which scares me even more."

* * *

The next month was quieter than normal as the Jax were in high demand and most of the people remaining on Sasser Mountain were instructors and candidates. I did manage to visit Tagar City and my friend and mentor, Choje Abhaya, who agreed to take me on as a student, smiling and commenting. "It should be an interesting journey for both of us." On a whim, I visited Hadera and met with my younger brother, Alvah.

"Thank you, Rivka…sister, for visiting me," Alvah said, as we sat eating in a local restaurant. "I know you and father don't get along."

"When I was young, I tried to please him but never could. When he sent me to the military, I was alone and scared and hated him," I said but was interrupted by Alvah.

"He said he had no choice. When I was born, you were the only one eligible."

"Alvah, the truth is that our father believes women are lessor humans, only here to bear children and make men's lives comfortable. He wanted sons and a daughter was a disappointment. It no longer matters. I'm content with my life and hold no ill will toward my birth family."

"Adam is like father, in that way," Alvah said. "I don't agree with them. Whoever I marry will be my equal partner, and I'll want her to meet my sister, of whom I'm very proud."

I agreed to visit more, come to his wedding, and be a larger part of his life.

* * *

"Sapir, I like saving you for the committee's unorthodox contracts, but I have no one left to assign," Wexler said, a few days after I returned from my visit with Alvah. "We have a young man who has ascended to the throne because of the early demise of his father, who was well liked. The king and his wife died in a freak accident, an avalanche, while traveling to visit a dukedom in the mountains. The son was apparently a wild youth: drugs, girls, and parties. As a youth, the instances were harmless and ignored. As a king, they are no longer harmless. He has had several minor attempts on his life and decided he needs the Black Guard."

"I take it that means he has no desire to temper his current life style," I said. "Should be interesting."

Wexler laughed. "Very."

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Planet: Tordova, King Stephan

"I'm disappointed, Sapir," Colonel Wolfson said as I joined Captain Hwang for dinner the first night on the War Horse. "This appears like a normal, straight forward assignment."

"I hope the space gods are listening, Colonel," I said. "Or the king runs out of money before his enemies get too creative."

Hwang nodded. "Only the young, ambitious, or fool hardy wish for excitement. As the old proverb goes, careful what you wish for, you may get it."

"Speaking of excitement, we all thought Zanoga was going to be another New Keif until Issak called the Black Guard." Wolfson snorted. "I hear Issak got promoted to Major General."

"He deserves it," I said, liking his attitude toward his troops. "He's a good man."

"Don't you get tired of being limited to the rank of Captain?" Hwang asked. "Seems like you earned a promotion, being the Jax Committee's problem solver."

"Would you like to get promoted, Captain Hwang?" I asked, thinking I knew the answer.

"To fly a desk?" He shook his head and a small smile touched his lips. "No, Sapir, like you, I'm content doing what I do."
* * *

When I exited the shuttle on Tordova, I was met by an army general and a colonel who looked like palace security in his white jacket and pants with a red stripe. The general was a middle-aged gray-haired man. He was short and stocky with a clean-shaven round face and a neutral expression. He was the first to speak. "Welcome to Tordova, Captain Sapir. I'm General Oisino, the Chief of the Tordova army. This is Colonel Karlan, the head of palace security," Oisino said in an expressionless monotone. "Your contract is rather confusing."

The look on Karlan’s face said it wasn't confusing; it was insulting. Karlan was at least ten to fifteen years younger than Oisino, with a tall, athletic body, and a narrow face with penetrating eyes. He didn't look happy.

"It's the standard Black Guard contract. Since the king probably has the same questions as you, I would prefer to wait to answer any questions when he is present," I shrugged. "I'm only a captain. I don't choose my assignments or make the rules." I'm usually friendlier and try to give a good impression, but if they had a problem, I wasn't in the mood to share it with them.

"I have made arrangements for you and your troops at the Royal Garrison," Oisino said, on the ride to the king's residence.

"Thank you, General Oisino, but that will not be necessary. We are personal bodyguards, not soldiers," I said while watching the scenery. Our shuttle had landed on a military base, judging by the military equipment, personnel, and guarded entrance and exit. As we exited the gate, the land was flat with no houses. Off to the left I could see a medium-sized city that didn't look to have any buildings over two stories. To my right was a large river, and straight ahead, rolling hills that terminated at a low mountain range.

"That's what palace security does. Protect the king," Karlan said. "Are you planning on replacing us?" his tone was harsh and aggressive.

"That is an excellent question for your king," I said, tired of the hostility. "Your king initiated the contract with the Jax and signed it. I'm just a captain following orders."

The temperature in the vehicle dropped twenty degrees and silence followed. Fortunately, the castle appeared five minutes later. It looked like an old Earth castle, but newer and more modern. There was a gate with guards, but the walls weren't very tall or thick; not intended to stop an invading army. More like invading snoopers. The limo stopped in front of stone steps, twenty high and ten wide, which led to two massive doors guarded by two armed men with Mfws on straps, in white uniforms with blue stripes. The guards opened one of the doors and saluted as we neared. Except for the stone walls, the inside looked like an expensive resort complete with a very attractive young lady behind a round counter. Military guards stood, restricting entrance to the two stairways, entrance to a ballroom, dining room, and several other doors which were closed, and a long hallway filled with statues and pictures. Karlan and Oisino led me down the long hallway to the end, where another two guards stood. We were ushered in after a several minute wait. A red carpet led thirty meters to a raised throne where a young man sat. An elderly man in black with a red shoulder-to-waist sash approached us.

"Good day, gentlemen…lady. You must be Captain Sapir," he said in a low bass voice. "I'm minister Nolanda. When you reach the end of the red carpet, kneel, and I will announce you. Stay kneeling until he gives you permission to rise."

"Minister Nolanda, King Stephan deserves respect but he's not my liege lord. He's a client. So, neither I nor any of my guards will kneel, or bow, or debase ourselves to him or anyone else. We are here to protect, not serve him."

Nolanda turn as pale as a dead fish. He turned and almost ran back to Stephan. They had talked only a few seconds when Stephan rose and then shouted something while glaring at me, before sitting back down. Nolanda came running back to me.

"The king wants you to approach to the end of the red carpet," he said in a low voice. "Show respect, Captain Sapir. The king is young and has a temper."

I nodded and strolled forward with Nolanda following. I stopped when I reached within a meter of where the carpet ended and stood at a relaxed attention.

"Your Majesty, this is Captain Sapir of the Black Guard. Captain Sapir, his majesty, King Stephan, supreme ruler of the Doroteo Empire.

I gave a shallow bow. "Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you," I said thinking Empire might be a stretch, like calling a combat shuttle a war cruiser. Stephan waved to Nolanda who ran up to him with some papers and pointed to one.

"This contract says you are not subject to my laws. Well, while you are in my Empire, I make the law, and you will obey them, or suffer the consequences like anyone else," he hissed out.

"Am I to understand that the word of King Stephan is not to be trusted?" I said, as he jerked out of his throne.

"Are you calling me dishonest?" he shouted, and I heard movement behind me."

"I have a contract, signed by you, agreeing that the Jax personnel are not subject to your laws and that you have no right to have us punished," I said. "Does that mean you want to terminate the contract, or that you have no intention of living up to its terms and conditions?" I kept my voice normal and my expression bland.

"You consider the Jax above the law?" He said an octave lower this time.

"No, any infractions will be investigated and punished in accordance with Jax military laws." I decided to throw him a bone of sorts. "We serve on over a hundred planets. No two planets have the same laws and many are religious. There is no way we could learn them all, and some would conflict with Jax laws. We are usually only on a planet for a short time, not to live. So, trying to learn your laws makes no sense and could interfere with us protecting our clients."

He sat quiet for several minutes, then shuffled through the document, stopped and pointed to something. "What about this!" His voice was back up an octave or two. "It says you are in charge of my security, including palace security and the army. I and my security chief don't report to you and certainly don't take orders from a captain."

"That includes all my Guards, not just me," I threw in, hoping he was going to cancel the contract. It wasn't that I just thought him a hotheaded fool, but that he would eventually do something that could get my team injured or killed.

"You're insane!"

"The people on my team have trained for sixteen years to be a Guard and have years of actual experience dealing with assassins. In an emergency, their judgement will be based on that training and experience, and the best you or they are likely to get."

"You claim you and your troops are infallible?" Stephan sneered.

"No, but we won't be colored by panic or inexperience, and it precludes indecision caused when no one knows who is in charge," I said, getting tired of the discussion. Normally, I enjoyed clarifying the contract. In this case, I knew this fool was going to appear to agree but thought being king entitled him to ignore anything he didn't like.

"You can cancel the contract if you don't like the conditions," I said, leaving off reminding him there was a penalty clause, which might interfere with him deciding to cancel.

"I don't like it, but someone is trying to kill me, and that would cause a disaster. The individual dukedoms would be at war. Tens of thousands would die, famine, disease…" His voice trailed off.

"What about your sister," I asked, and regretted it when I saw the sneer, or was it hate on his face and in his eyes?

"She's nothing, a defenseless sparrow with a broken wing. If they didn't kill her, they would throw her out in the streets." He smiled at the thought.

That explains why she isn't part of the contract, I mused. No one matters but King Stephan.

He didn't argue about us needing quarters in the castle, but grumbled about there being a lot of worthless women as the team was introduced to him.

* * *

"Why are you collecting information about everyone in the castle, including my men?" Karlan asked, after an hour tour I had requested to determine his security arrangements and people normally permitted in the castle.

"You and your men can recognize those people who belong and those that don't. We can't," I said.

"But Palace security will stop anyone who doesn't, and my guards are in uniforms," he persisted.

"What if someone kills one of your guards and puts on his uniform?" I asked. "You would know, but neither I nor my Guards would. We both want the same outcome, a live king." When we approached the second-floor wing where the king had his suite of rooms, a teen aged girl stood watching me.

"That is Princess Brianna," Karlan said, smiling. "Good day, Princess Brianna. This is Captain Sapir of the Black Guard. Captain Sapir, Princess Brianna."

"An honor, Princess Brianna," I said giving her a shallow bow. She was of normal height but gangly. Her short auburn hair didn't help, and she wore no makeup. No one would suspect she was a princess.

"I would like to speak with you, Captain Sapir, when you have a free moment," she said in a soft pleasant voice; unlike her brother, her tone was neither demanding nor superior.

"Can it wait until I finish my tour?" I asked, feeling her nervousness, or was it fear? She nodded and seem to relax.

"Karlan can show you to my room when you are finished," she said, and disappeared down the hallway.

An hour later, I knocked on her door. She opened it wide and waved me in. "Thank you for coming, Captain Sapir," she said, and motioned to a small table and two chairs padded with an orange leather. "What would you like to drink? Maya will get it for you." A young thin girl stood attentively waiting.

"Coffee or tea, or water if you don't have either," I said not sure what drinks they had on Tordova. Maya spun and went into another room.

"Captain, my brother and I are not close as you may have suspected by now," Brianna began without preamble. "He thinks me…unnecessary. Well, maybe detracting from his rightful glory, so he downplays that I'm next in line. To make matters worse, he has a cruel streak, and I'm his favorite squeaky toy. While we were growing up, I had my parents for support, and he had to contain his sadistic nature. His parties are attracting out of control idiots, who he encourages to harass me. I’ve had two incidents recently where I might have been raped if not for the palace guard and my knife." She stopped to sip from a cup Maya had just sat on the table, along with a cup for me. I tasted mine and found it a strong coffee-like drink.

"Would you like milk or something sweet for your kaffa?" Brianna asked, as Maya set down two small bowls with spoons. I shook my head, waiting for her to get to the point. "Can you provide me with Black Guards? I have money my father left me that Stephan can't get. Another reason for him to mentally abuse me."

"No, the current team is dedicated to Stephan and you would need his approval even if you paid for them, which I surmise you don't want to do," I said, and could see the desperation in her eyes. My limited interaction with Stephan left no doubt she was telling the truth. I closed my eyes and cleared my mind. To her credit, she made no attempt to break the silence. "Maybe I have a solution, Princess–"

"Brianna, please," she interrupted. "At least in private."

"If the commander of the commandos agrees, I might have a solution. I can't provide them without a contract, but the payment would be far less than Stephan is paying."

"I can pay, Captain. My father left me very rich. I could go off on my own and live quite nicely, but I would have to abdicate the throne. I don't want to be queen, but it would plunge the kingdom into war if Stephan died and there was no heir. I love Doroteo too much to see that happen."

"You think that's likely?" I asked, wondering if she might be willing to expedite his demise. She laughed.

"I think my brother is sadistic, cruel, and a terrible leader, but I cannot ascend to the throne with his murder on my hands. No, sooner or later someone will assassinate him. He alienates at least one person every day. I just need to stay alive until then."

I had to smile. Stephan's sister maybe a sparrow, but her wings weren't broken, her talons were sharp, and she was not stupid. I nodded and clicked on my Mfi.

"Sapir, what can I do for you? A few shuttles full of bored commandos?"

"Actually, I can cure the boredom and get the Jax a bonus," I said, noting Wolfson's face brighten.

"If you can lessen the boredom, you could earn a bonus." He laughed.

"The Princess is without a personal bodyguard, and the situation down here is potentially dangerous. I have a solution which could benefit you both. If you are interested, we could use the FIST…" I went on to explain rotating the FIST unit, five at a time for a week, as body guards. He thought it a great idea and we negotiated an extremely low rate for their participation.

"Brianna, the FIST aren't Black Guards, they are commandos, but they are the first to board an enemy cruiser, are battle tough, and Colonel Wolfson gave you a great rate."

The first of the group of five arrived several hours later. I smiled when I saw it was Sergeant Nagy in charge. "Congratulations, Master Sergeant Nagy, I see you got a promotion."

"A lot of commandos love you, Captain Sapir," Nagy said. "Everyone that qualified for a FIST unit was promoted, we feel unique, and your class is saving lives."

I led them to Brianna's suite and introduced them to her. "The rules," I said, after everyone sat and had a drink. "You are Princess Brianna's personal bodyguards twenty-four-seven and report directly to me. Two of you will be in her suite of rooms and accompany her at all times. No exceptions. If anyone attempts to harm her, you kill them. If King Stephan interferes, you call me. In fact, call me anytime you have questions." I spent the next two hours explaining the duties of a Black Guard and Brianna's part in listening to her guards. Afterward we signed the formal contract.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Planet: Tordova, Chaos

The next day was boring, especially Stephan's constant complaining about being followed and having Guards in the room with him.

"Are you going to want to watch while I have sex?" Stephan said harshly, then a small smile creased his lips as if that might not be bad.

"Your majesty, no one can protect you if they cannot see you; however, we concede there are times when you require privacy, alone or with someone," I said, trying to keep my frustration out of my voice. "We just ask you allow us to take reasonable precautions to minimize the risk you are assuming. In the case where you want to be alone with someone, we would insist on searching them to ensure they have no weapons on them."

"What if I have dangerous weapons in the room, whips, chains, and the like." He gave me a wicked smile.

"King Stephan, we are not your chaperones," although you need one, I mused.  'We don't care if your actions are illegal, immoral, or reckless. We do care if your activity prevents us from providing you reasonable protection from others harming you."

Apparently as bored with the topic as I was, he switched gears. "I'm having a party tonight. Twenty or so guests for dinner and dancing and play-time afterward." His face set for an argument.

"Is it by invitation?" I asked, hoping we would know who was coming.

"Sort of," Stephan grinned. "The people I invited can bring a guest or two."

"No weapons," I said. Stephan shrugged, which didn't give me a warm comforting feeling.

* * *

The guests, young men and women who looked to have already been partying, began arriving a half hour before the scheduled dinner, and went immediately into the dining room where drinks were available. Karlan stood next to me watching his two security men checking invitations. Most of the men had two or three women with them.

I pointed to a man with a Mfw strapped to his thigh. Karlan shrugged. "He is a nobleman's son."

"Stop," I shouted and the noise quieted as everyone's head turned in my direction. "No weapons allowed in the castle. Give them to palace security. They will return them to you when you leave."

"Who the hell do you think you are to give me orders. You will address me as Lord Meeam," he said as his hand rested on his Mfw.

"I am your liege lord's security, Lord Meeam." I said, stepping away from Karlan for his protection since I didn't know if this lord could hit what he was aiming at or would just fire on automatic, spraying pellets in the hope of hitting me. "If you draw the weapon, you will be the late Lord Meeam."

"King Stephan will have you whipped for this outrage," he said in a cocky tone, but his hand left the handle of his Mfw.

"Please hand the weapon to security." I pointed to the two security men. "That way you will be alive to see me whipped." The other guests entering either saw or heard the confrontation or were told about it, as there were no more instances, just a few muttered comments.

"You've upset several noblemen, Sapir," Stephan said as he approached the entrance to the dining hall.

"Just trying to ensure you enjoy your party and are alive when it's over, Your Majesty." I was surprised by how quiet the room became when he was announced, and how respectful everyone appeared when they interacted with him; especially since most were drunk before the dinner ended. The party moved to another reception-like room with chairs, couches, pillows, and drinks. There the party deteriorated into an orgy. Several hours into the mayhem, I received an urgent request from Sergeant Nagy. When I arrived, two men lay on the floor moaning.

"These two tried to force their way into the princess's rooms, claiming the king had given them permission to visit Brianna," Nagy said, looking a bit hesitant "You did say I could use physical force."

"Do you two have names?" I asked kicking their boots to get their attention.

"Stephan will have you all shot for this assault on us," the older of the two shouted, spittle shooting from his mouth.

"Princess Brianna, these two men broke into your room with the intention of harming you. Would you like them whipped, or shot? I would recommend shooting them," I said as I caught sight of Stephan entering the room. "They have by their actions insulted the King."

"What's going on here," Stephan stood with two semi naked women hanging onto him, or maybe holding him up.

"These men think you’re trash and obviously don't respect you," I said, enjoying the moment.

"No, Stephan–"

"There. No King Stephan. No Your Majesty. They consider you their equal, your family their property," I said, playing on his ego. I saw Karlan standing in the doorway, scanning the room.

"Colonel, shooo them." Stephan slurred the words, turned, and staggered out with the two giggling women. When I looked around everyone was staring at me.

"That's harsh, Princes Brianna, but that will keep men from harassing you in the future, since they won't know how King Stephan will respond."

"I agree," Karlan said, giving orders for his security to drag the sobbing men away.

"That is not the first time those two have harassed me," Brianna said. "With my brother's indirect consent. He thinks it's funny and enjoys seeing me afraid. Thank you, Captain Sapir, and you, Sergeant Nagy."

The next morning, Stephan stared at me for a long time. "You played me last night," he snarled.

"How so, Your Majesty?" I asked, barely keeping the amusement out of my voice.

"You talked me into killing friends!" he shouted.

"Actually, I believe I did you a favor." I held up a hand to keep him from responding. "Is your father, Brianna's father?"

"Of course," he said reflectively.

"And you mother is Brianna's mother?"

"Yes, so what?"

"Then you are both royal or neither of you is royal. You cannot have it both ways. If she is seen as trash to be abused, then by association–"

Stephan rocked out of his chair. "They respect me and treat me as the rightful king."

"To your face, or you would have them shot, but what do they really think and say when you can't hear them?" I said and shrugged. "I've guarded many kings and rulers. There is not one that wouldn't have anyone whipped, imprisoned, or shot for insulting their brothers or sisters. Because they understand that insulting their blood relatives is an insult to them. For the same reason they would never speak ill of them."

Stephan stood silent for a long time then sat without a word. I left to do my rounds, hoping my comments would find something fertile in his childish brain to take root and grow, for Brianna's sake.

That day and the next were uneventful. Stephan held his weekly petitioner court. He was as arbitrary and capricious as I had expected. One could have rolled the dice and gotten better results. At least then, the results would have been random with everyone having an equal chance.

I woke to an emergency alert from my Mfi and Haber's voice repeating gas attack. I didn't bother with my uniform as I had on my protective armor, which was black. When I opened my door, the entire hallway was filled with smoke: the half dedicated to the king, and the half where Brianna had a suite and the Black Guard were currently quartered. I slipped on my gas mask, doubting it was poisonous gas but not wanting to take any chances.

"Nagy, stay put inside the room, shoot anyone that enters," I shouted as I imagined the commandos would be trying to determine what was happening. I was only a few steps from the hallway leading to the stairs which led to this wing, and found it also filled with smoke. I dropped to the floor and sent a quick message on my Mfi: assassins, stay low. Two seconds later, I heard movement and then the clatter of weapons firing on automatic, and heard pellets hitting the walls up and down the hallway; then boots running down the king's hallway. I fired on automatic, hoping any Black Guards would be on the ground like me. I heard cries of pain then an explosion. I raced on all four limbs to move fast but stay below waist level where a shooter would most likely be aiming. I passed two men on the floor, one still and one moaning. I shot him. As I neared the entrance to the king's quarters, the door was gone and multiple shots were being fired. Sergeant Haber crouched on the side of the entrance firing into the room. The smoke in there wasn't a thick as in the hallway. I rose, racing for the entrance, and slid on my ass into the room. As I did, Haber began firing. Two figures popped up to return fire. I shot one in the head when it rose from behind a couch and a second one in the arm when it came out to shoot in Haber's direction. He screamed obscenities and dropped the assault weapon he had been holding. There appeared to be only one more gunman, who stood crouched next to the entrance into Stephan's personal quarters, but he was only an indistinct shadow in the poorly lit, smoky room. I fired to the left of the open door not wanting my bullets going through into the other room, hoping to distract and maybe wound if I got lucky. The shadow turned and returned fire as Corporal Besa came flying through the entrance and slammed into the man. I heard a shot behind me and turned to see Haber standing over the man I had wounded. Almost immediately, the Black Guard began reporting.

"Stairs clear."

"Hallway to royal wing clear."

"King's hallway clear.

"Princess’ hallway clear.

Next, I heard Karlan. "Captain Sapir, what's your status."

"Karlan, there was an assassination attempt on the king. They used smoke bombs to obscure their presence. You may want to search the castle in case we didn't get them all." I switched my Mfi to the Guard channel. Haber, Nadel what's your status?"

"A couple of minor wounds, caused by the explosive charge they used to enter the area. We killed the first two that entered, and then had time to find reasonable cover. Stephan was never in danger," Haber reported.

"We were off duty. So, we were not involved; therefore, everyone is fine," Nadel reported.

"Good, everyone stay alert until palace security clears the castle," I said and clicked off. Stephan appeared several minutes later in an expensive night robe with fur on the collar, hem, and the end of the sleeves. As he stood surveying the room, Karlan appeared at the door.

"Karlan, have these men investigated. I want to know who they are and who hired them," Stephan shouted. "And how they managed to breach palace security. Someone needs to pay for this breach of security. Your responsibility is to keep me safe. You keep me safe by keeping the assassins out." He kicked a shattered end table in a fit of rage. "Have someone get me something strong to drink. I'm never going to get back to sleep now." He turned and walked back into his suite, cursing.

* * *

Things settled down for the next several days. The servants and staff attempted to stay out of Stephan's path as he was in a nasty mood, punishing anyone for any excuse.

"I need a diversion," he said as he sent out an invitation for a party at eight. I doubted anyone wanted to come after the shooting the other night, but they were afraid not coming would have ugly consequences.

When someone asked about the two men who were shot, Stephan chose to use my logic rather than admit he did it in a drunken moment.

"I frequently tease my sister, but she is my blood and royal, and will be treated with the respect due a Royal Princess. Those two forgot who they were abusing and gave me no choice,"

Stephan's mood improved over the next few days, which didn't mean he was a nice person to be around. He was erratic. He would smash an expensive item because he didn't like it and then fail to pay a merchant, saying it wasn't worth what he was asking. Then, he’d have a party and give the girls expensive pieces of jewelry. It was beginning to feel like riding in a limo with no shock absorbers on a cobble stone road. Then it happened. My Mfi buzzed with an emergency, and Sergeant Nadel's face appeared. The King has arrested Corporal Uziel. He's in the throne room with half the palace guard and several squads of army."

I hoped this wasn't going to be another Vargas. When I arrived, Corporal Uziel was tied to a chair, naked to the waist, and a big man was standing with a whip.

"Just in time, Captain Sapir, to see what happens to anyone that strikes a King, fifty lashes!" he shouted, his face and eye excited.

"Raise that whip or anyone raise a weapon and the king will be the first to die."

"Then you will die!" Stephan said, smiling. I didn't know what he had to smile about.

"Colonel, the third death will be this castle and the army base. The War Horse hovering in the sky above will have no choice."

"General Oisino, arrest her," Stephan shouted, his excitement rising.

"General, unless you want your army base reduced to dust, I suggest a compromise."

"Kings don't compromise. Arrest her or I'll have you whipped, Oisino.

"Call Queen Brianna to settle this matter," I said, noting Karlan’s slight nod and Oisino's eyes glance in Stephan's direction on the throne.

"She is not the queen. She not even a real princess," Stephan said and laughed.

"Stephan your actions have not only violated your contract with the Jax, but you have committed an act of war against the Jax. Doroteo can only avoid that war if you are removed from the throne," I had left my Mfi open so every Guard knew this wasn't a threat but a commitment. "The captain of the War Horse will be dropping shuttles with commandos to pick up the Black Guard as we speak."

"Shoot her!" Stephan shouted as he rose from the throne and snatched a Mfw from a palace guard. With everyone watching, he began running down the steps to the throne, screaming obscenities, and to my surprise, raised the weapon to shoot Uziel. I shot him through his right eye with my laser, thinking the Mfw would be noisy and could cause a knee jerk reaction that a laser would not, as it was quiet, and it would take several seconds for most to realize what happened.

"Put your weapons away," General Oisino shouted. "Karlan, have someone get the queen. This is now her mess to resolve, not ours."

Five minutes later, Brianna walked into the room. As she did, Minister Nolanda shouted, "Queen Brianna," and everyone knelt. Brianna stood with her mouth open for several seconds, then smiled.

"General Oisino, I believe you can dismiss your troops. It appears they are no longer needed. Colonel Karlan, palace security should return to their normal duties. Captain Sapir, you can release your Guard. She looks very uncomfortable." As men exited the room, I cut the rope securing Uziel to the chair.

"I think Queen Brianna and her kingdom, owe you big time," I whispered. "I would release you from duty, but I believe Brianna will be interested in hearing the details of her brother's death."

"I'm unhurt, sir. You arrived just in time. I would not have liked to be the reason for thousands of deaths, and to have scars as a constant reminder."

I nodded, keenly aware of her concern. On Vargas, had my order been carried out, I would have been dead, but Captain Hammond would have had to live with the memory. A sobering thought.

"Sergeant," Brianna looked at Uziel, waiting for a name.

"Corporal Uziel, Your Highness," Uziel said giving a slight bow of respect.

"Can you tell me how you wound up tied to a chair and half naked?" Brianna asked, leaning forward on her throne.

Uziel took a deep breath before speaking, "I was on guard duty with Corporal Lule. It was approaching the time for shift change, when King Stephan approached me. He offered me a very beautiful ring to retire with him to one of the rooms. I refused. I'm not a prostitute and besides, no amount of money would be worth disgracing the reputation of the Black Guard. When I told him that, King Stephan became very angry and went to strike me. I blocked his arm and swept through his legs, which sent him crashing to the floor. He rose slowly, smiling, and called General Oisino and Colonel Karlan, who arrived a few minutes later with a large number of troops. He then ordered me stripped to the waist, tied to the chair, and given fifty lashes. Captain Sapir arrived before the man with the whip began."

"Captain Sapir?" Brianna asked.

"I informed Stephan that his actions had breached our contract, and that they constituted an act of war against the Jax. I informed the room that unless Stephan was dethroned, the cruiser in orbit over Tordova, would reduce this castle and the army base to dust. I suggested the General or Colonel ask you to settle the dispute. Before they could, Stephan snatched a Mfw from one of the castle guards and ran toward Corporal Uziel. When he raised the weapon toward her, I shot him," I said, then added. "Fortunately, General Oisino and Colonel Karlan acted wisely and sent for you."

"Yes, General Oisino and Colonel Karlan are good men who have been belittled and their troops abused under my brother's rule," Brianna said, looking fondly toward each man. "Captain Sapir, what can I do to make things right with you and Sergeant Uziel?"

"I believe the matter has been resolved with Stephan's death." I looked to Uziel who nodded but couldn't stop a twitch of her lip in amusement. "Normally, there would be a penalty for breaking a contract, but since I voided it, we will ask only what is due us to date."

"General Oisino, would you see to funeral arrangements for my brother, the late King of Doroteo." Brianna paused, tears glistening in her eyes. "He was a terrible king, but he was my brother. We will agree he died by accident in the line of duty." It was more a question than an order. Oisino, Karlan, and I nodded assent. "Good, now Captain Sapir, I would like to enter into a contract with the Jax for you and your troops. The next few months will be critical if I am to be formally declared the queen. Some will not like someone so young as monarch, especially after my brother's juvenile performance. My more mature actions, along with General Oisino’s support and the Black Guard’s protection should make it a smooth transition."

True to her word, Brianna did prove herself mature, if young. She spent three days with the Dukes and Duchesses discussing and resolving their issues prior to a final coronation. We left a month later when she felt she had matters under control, and with the full support of the army, palace security, and her ministers.

On the way back to Sasser Mountain, I wondered how Commander Wexler and the Jax Committee where going to respond to me killing a king. Of course, that was better than destroying a king, his castle, and his army.

The end for now.