Sanctorium Leo, With the Praetor.

THE PRAETORIAN OFFICE

The books that filled the bookcases - there were nearly 5,000 books in the room - all belonged to the young Praetor and were all cherished posessions of his. To him, books and knowledge were more valuable and priceless than the clearest diamonds, the purest gold. The young Praetor was an intellectual above all else at heart, and underneath his physical prowess and skills in the martial arts and blade combat beat the heart of an Antaran scholar. He was proudly a son of the Arcalian Chapter of the Order, having spent many long and fulfilling months at the Aetherium Tower before becoming Praetor. The second and third story bookshelves of the room were accessible by a heavy metal walkway that ringed the room, accessible at either end by a metal staircase.

Eight tables arrayed throughout the room had numerous elegantly-designed, silver devices on them, each one small and mechanical. Were the radio not softly playing, the office would have the soft, rhythmic clockwork clicking of nearly forty different such devices adding a soft symphony of mechanical function to the room. He cranked up each device early every morning - each looking like a miniature clock, a small engine, a series of delicate propellors on a orb-shaped array of minute machinery - and their tiny gears and mechanisms clicked throughout the day. The two bookcases nearest the doors were also filled with various items Belesarious had collected - an astrolabe and sextant from the thirteenth century, a fourteenth century surgical tool set in a glass-lidded case, and other historical treasures priceless for their value to history and heritage more than anything else.

The heavy cabinet radio set to in a small alcove would send the notes of his favorite music wafting through the room. He would glance at the sole picture on his desk, him with his wife, dressed in elegant black robes with elegant gold patterns on the hems and sleeves, standing in front of him in his black and deep purple ones, on the steps of Epoxague the day after he was made Praetor. His hands rested on her hips, her hands on his hands. Suspended from her ears and hanging around her neck were the diamond earring and necklace set he had bought her when they were married. Her eyes seemed to glow, even in the picture now, and he would let his thoughts dwell on his beloved for a few quiet minutes as music from the radio or the mechanical rhythms continued to gently fill the room.

One floor of the Adamantine Spire of the National Palace was home to a spacious private bath used only by the Praetor and his Twelve. Its marble-tiled, columned chamber was vast and comfortable, with the entire chamber taking up the entire floor with four small private areas for changing and the like, with the elevator being in a small lobby by itself. The entire wall of the floor was windows, granting those who lounged in one of the four vast baths excellent views of Cedelphia and beyond.

It was not unheard of for the Lords who relaxed in the baths to bring their wives with them, and such was the case today. Seated in a bath where all they had to do was look to their left and right respectively and see right out the window were Rayden Lord Belesarious and Talon Lord Durla on one side and Tarken Lord Jeratai and Galen Lord Umbacano on the other. In the next bath over were the wives of the four men, quietly talking to themselves as the four powerful men discussed current events.

BELESARIOUS
There's yet to be any open signs of Mako learning of poor Ne'ia. I've little doubt, though, that he'll be elated and concerned at the same time.

JERATAI smiling
A clean piece of work, that was. The bullet lodged in the late president's head is an Odessan manufacture, as is the weapon left behind. The sniper wore gloves, so there's no prints to be found. It's the style that OAK sells worldwide. Its only 'foreign' component was the scope, one of our own, but that was removed and replaced with the one originally made for it.

UMBACANO
I'll be looking forward to seeing how they handle his funeral. Whether it'll be a public one or a totally private one.

JERATAI waving a hand dismissively
Unimportant. Ne'ia is dead and now we'll see just how Mako and Paval will get on when Communalism sweeps the island.

DURLA laughing softly
Those rumors are getting very ugly, aren't they? Mako may be worth keeping around for the future.

JERATAI
Possibly. Give me your glass, Talon, I'll refill it.

Taking the glass from his brother Adamantine, Jeratai drifted over and walked up the short flight of steps out of the warm, bubbling water. The ladies in the next bath paused to admire the tall, broad-shouldered, very well-muscled body that passed by them to the drink table. Like all Antaran men his age, Jeratai had no qualms about being naked, and like the other three men in the bath with him he was casual and held none of the shame men in other countries might about such a situation as being naked in a bath with three other men.
Such was the tradition of Antaran culture that men and women comfortably mingled in their most natural state when in bath, that like the public plaza or the restaurant it was a place of meeting and socialization.
All four women quietly admired the well-bred man who stood at the bar refilling the glasses he had carried with him. The broad, solid shoulders, well-sculpted back and torso that went downward in a "V" to deeply dimpled buttocks and long, muscular legs. It was not inappropriate for a married woman to admire another man whose body showed its breeding and its strength. Men in Antara were meant to be strong and well-built in their youth, signs they were strong of spirit and discipline as well as mind. To be otherwise one risked being branded sickly and unfit. Jeratai turned, gave his wife a smile, and went back to the bath, easing himself into it and handing the First Administrator his glass back.

BELESARIOUS
As said earlier, Talon, everything is going as planned. We've an interesting opportunity with Raipea, and under a communalist, of all things.

UMBACANO
I'm sketchy on what good Communalism will be for Raipea. But I imagine the possibilities are far more positive than what Ne'ia proposed. At any rate, Mako is more of a known quantity, despite his zealousness. I'm all for approaching him however discreetly if his people succeed in taking control fo Raipea.

DURLA
Which they will. At this point there is little alternative. The people want anything besides what Ne'ia stood for.

JERATAI
And there's still the little matter of that flight squadron we have in international waters near Raipea. The Ballarat and the Tropsobor and their appendant escort squadron. They'll be staying where they are for the time being. They and a few of our submarines are monitoring activities on the open sea, seeing if Pravnicka is slipping anything else in.

BELESARIOUS smiling and sipping his drink
Yes indeed. Everything is going precisely as planned...

It was a quiet evening on 15 May 2117, as Praetor Rayden Belesarious sat at his desk on the top floor of the Praetorian Spire of the National Palace. The three-story high room was walled in marble and lined with bookcases and windows. In the very center of the room, flanked on two sides by marble pillars, was a brazier-style fireplace that had a light fire lit in it despite the warm weather season Antara was experiencing. In the Praetor's mind, the fire added to the room's Old World charm and atmosphere. The cabinet radio was playing Evening Serenade, one of the most popular songs in Antara currenlty and a personal favorite of his, the very first song he and his wife had ever danced to.

At the present moment, Belesarious sat at his desk studying a recent report from the Illuminarus on the state of affairs in Raipea. Even though the Embassy there was the sole Antaran stronghold on the island, with 100 marines guarding a staff of 50 people, the intelligence arm of the State continued to prowl the island, keeping an eye on the Raipean government's activities and the state of domestic affairs. Belesarious had no intention of intervening in the country anymore, but he continued to maintain his interest solely out of respect for his brother Telis Surkel, who had done so much for the people there a few short decades ago.

Belesarious laid that document down in its folio and picked up another from the heavy leather portfolio that was delivered to him every morning that had one-page reports of all matters for that day that his staff, accustomed to how he worked and what he expected, knew he would want to know about. His viceroy, Desann, delivered it to him every morning at precisely high nine, after he had returned from his morning devotions.

The second document detailed the upcoming ceremonies for members of the Imperial Apothecary Society who had earned the recognition of the State for their successful development of a polio vaccine. A team of five scientists - three Antarans, one Etrurian and one Torentinian - had worked for nearly four years on the vaccine, and would stand with the Praetor in the coming week and announce its successful testing and development to the world at large. All five men would receive the Star of Antara for their work.

At that moment, the doors were opened by one of the Praetorian Hussars outside them, and Talon Lord Durla and Arden Lord Desann entered together. Two of his dearest, closest friends and colleagues. Outside observation may consider Antaran social discourse cold and unemotional, but they couldn't properly understand the deep bonds of brotherly love that existed between very close friends. Belesarious and his four close intimates were such examples.

BELESARIOUS
Sit, both of you.

Durla and Desann take two of the four heavy leather and wood chairs arrayed before his desk.

DESANN
I can imagine, Rayden, you called us here for less than official reasons.

BELESARIOUS
As cunningly perceptive as ever, Arden. And you're right.

DURLA
Does it have anything to do with the upcoming strategy session between you and Imperator Optimus?

BELESARIOUS
Yes. We're meeting very soon to discuss the treaties he has proposed. This is going to be a quiet, non-formal gathering. He's coming to Epoxague for the weekend.

DESANN
Will we be required?

BELESARIOUS
Both of you, yes.

DURLA
Rayden, you know the Pravnicks are under the impression we're operating on a five-year plan for the next invasion of Fernandina.

BELESARIOUS
Yes, I know. And they'll be proven wrong when the Torentinian navy doesn't make a single move towards their neighbor, and we do nothing likewise, won't they? Of course, that won't satiate Paval's gassing about our imperialist intentions towards the country.

DURLA nodding
Unfortunately.

BELESARIOUS
Well, it is no matter. As I said once before, one day Paval will run off at the mouth about the wrong thing, and it will get him into trouble. At home or abroad, his loud-mouthing will one day cost him dearly.

Belesarious lets his gaze fall on one of the ticking silver devices on the table nearest his desk. After a moment he looks back.

BELESARIOUS
But enough of that. We have to other matters I'd like you two to help me prepare for. The first is the polio vaccine. Having proven to be successful, the Society has petitioned for State patent and recognition. I have agreed. Vandron will be meeting with the scientists Monday, and we will be recognizing them in a small ceremony here at the Palace on Wednesday.

DURLA
They were indeed successful? That is a good bit of news.

Desann and Belesarious both nodded. Durla had lost his paternal grandmother two years earlier, in 2115, to polio after nearly 10 years fighting the disease. It had crippled her legs and she got around in a wheelchair. Her mind had remained razor-sharp, as had her wits. Her humor and hospitality had been as warm and welcoming as ever, but she never walked again.

BELESARIOUS
Second is the upcoming charity fundraiser that Orosea and Adrienne are hosting for the medical efforts in Fernandina. The Society has people active there, as well, giving medical examinations and necessary shots to the Anahuac youth and also providing basic medical services to the adults. Medical care in the region is rather poor, as you both know.

DESANN
Yes, they and Galatea will be performing together one night during the fundraiser. We'll all be there. There's been considerable turnout for tickets, I've heard the tickets have nearly sold out.

DURLA
A quarter-million tickets at five credits each...that'll be money well-used. How about the donations?

DESANN
There's been several sizable ones. Excluding ticket sales, nationwide donations to the fundraiser has so far totalled twenty million credits.

BELESARIOUS
Each of the Great Houses has met, we will all be donating a million of our own to the fund.

DURLA
For a total of over thirty-two million credits the Society can use in Anahuac to help the people. Excellent.

BELESARIOUS
Yes. It's good to talk about something other than international troubles for a time. Come, let us have evening meal. We'll return here afterward and perhaps Galen and Halaster will join us for some evening entertainment.

Another morning of State business concluded, Talon Lord Durla closed his leather portfolio and looked at his good friend. The Praetor's eyes were focused on something not there as he took a drink of the strong black coffee sitting at his right hand.

DURLA
What's on your mind, Rayden?

BELESARIOUS
Was thinking about the business of Mako visiting Sinoptikon.

DURLA
Hm. I agree it'll disrupt what we have tried to do. It may very well give the Communalist insurrectionists the boost they need to start ramping up their activities.

BELESARIOUS
I've not yet given serious thought to how precisely we will react. But I have some interesting prospects to entertain from Doctor Solimar.

DURLA
And, of course, the Odessans felt no need for undue concern.

BELESARIOUS
No.

DURLA
Did we waste Antonin's time sending him to Bamz Amschend like that?

BELESARIOUS
No, because it has given us prospects for working with the Odessans on ways to stabilize Fernandina without the Pravnicks getting credit for it. Ways that could help us better work with them to undermine Pravnick influence. Willhuf will be meeting with their financial people on these matters after the turn of the year.

DURLA
Ah, yes...what you mentioned yesterday.

BELESARIOUS
Precisely. Shall we go and have midday meal before we return to discuss the new Olduvai reports? Vandron will be here then.

DURLA
Certainly. Oh...I almost forgot. Prince Sergei's airship will be in Etruria in less than two days. Will you be there for the holiday? The one Optimus mentioned?

BELESARIOUS shrugging
I planned to give Sergei more time to reach the Danetian coast before I left myself. If all goes according to schedule, I will be leaving midday tomorrow and arriving just ahead of his airship.

The Praetor smiles at his closest friend.

Come...Orosea has had the most delicious seasoned lamb laid on by the cook, and I wanted you to try the bottle of Exern 2073 drawn up from the cellar.

The Praetorian Sanctum is one of those few chambers in the National Palace that most only know of, but know nothing about it save its general location. From this room high above Cedelphia, the Praetor may meditate and ponder those matters which require his attention, or simply enjoy some quiet time for contemplation.

Today, however, is different. Assembled in the room before the Praetor's throne are Galen Lord Umbacano, Talon Lord Durla, Tarken Lord Jeratai, and newly-installed Inquisitor General Tirion Lord Fordring, his black and scarlet robes denoting his considerable rise in the State hierarchy and the power which he has assumed. Arden Lord Desann, the Viceroy, stands at the right of the Praetor's chair as usual, his hands tucked into the voluminous sleeves of his robes.

Also present are Illuminarus Director-General Vin Baron Solimar and Deputy Director-General for Information Operations Halaster Baron Brandei.

DURLA
This is an unacceptable breach, Vin. Refa's flight was cleared three times by both flight inspection and by your own people for take-off with no problems found whatsoever.

SOLIMAR
My apologies, Eminence. The aircraft was checked three times by the people at Azure Hammer, and then checked three times by our people at the Illuminarus. We are unsure what has happened.

JERATAI
The technical troubles the B-42 developed near Torin Tal Emor can only have been caused by either building stresses on the aircraft through long-term use, or the aircraft was sabotaged or attacked in some fashion we have yet to determine.

FORDRING
Whatever happened to that Harbinger, the Galean Argosy has managed to tow the plane back to Torin Tal Emor and it is being secured for inspection by our people. We will determine what happened, one way or another.

Durla looks at Fordring with an arched eyebrow.

FORDRING
I have had those connected to the plane's maintenance and upkeep appropriately punished for this incident. If necessary, harsher actions will be taken, but I am waiting on further information before doing so.

BELESARIOUS
And my brother?

FORDRING
Nothing as of yet. We are continuing to look.

BELESARIOUS
Find them. Whatever the cost.

FORDRING
Of course, master.

JERATAI
We aren't sure of what has happened to him. But the Galean Argosy is cooperating with Battle Fleet on the search. We will find him, wherever he is.

UMBACANO
This should not have happened, and all of you know it. Maintain maximum security until further notice, at all points. Tirion, you will personally oversee the investigation.

FORDRING
It is already prepared.

BELESARIOUS
Good. Now, let us go and have mid-day meal. We will discuss this matter more afterward.

The run was riding high in the sky on the afternoon of 16 March. It had been a reasonably quiet last two weeks, with the Praetor absent for an evening to celebrate his 28th birthday with his family. The celebration at Beldaburo had seen Durla, Umbacano, Desann, Banjeer, Fordring and Malachi there.

But now, the business of the State went on. A modest gathering in the Praetorian Office consisted of Proconsul Umbacano, First Administrator Durla, Supreme Commander Jeratai, and Inquisitor General Fordring. The Praetor, seated at the head of the long coffee table on the southern end of his office, had Lord Desann standing at his right shoulder, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robes.

Durla laid a report down on the side table and reached for his coffee.

DURLA
Interesting. I'd've never thought they'd consider something like that so important. But, oh well.

JERATAI
It may be nothing. But we'll watch and see.

UMBACANO
So what of the exodus of Sanchians from the canal project?

JERATAI
Last I had heard, the Artanian Navy had picked up quite a few of them escaping on barges that had strayed into their waters.

FORDRING
Hm. What will they be doing with them, I wonder?

JERATAI
I suggested to their Artanian military supremo that they should be released to KOR.

FORDRING
Ah.

DURLA
Speaking of which, what of the NSU removing several of our watchers in their government?

FORDRING
It is nothing. They have removed several agents from access to the flow of information, yes, but it is hardly a blow to our capabilities. The agents removed were not key-level ones.

JERATAI
They seemed terribly intent on removing government agents, specifically.

DURLA
It's my impression that certain...sources...are the ones being most distanced from our people.

FORDRING
Some. Not all. And not the ones that truly matter.

BELESARIOUS
Let them "flush out" our agents. But even then, Valkemi will never find the one that matters the most. The one that is so close to him he'd never believe it.

Durla and Jeratai both look up at the Praetor. The dark brown eyes are hard and shining as he takes a drink of his coffee.

DURLA
Rayden...you...?

The Praetor looks at his blood brother and closest friend. Behind Belesarious, Viceroy Desann lets a small smirk come to his lips.

BELESARIOUS
I what? The one I refer to has been where he is now ever since Grandfather had him put there less than three years after Valkemi became Chairman. And that is all I will say.

JERATAI
Most impressive.

DURLA
Very much so. I am indeed in admiration of the skills of those.

BELESARIOUS
They are worthy of the trust placed in them. One incorruptible source that close is...always ideal.

DURLA
It is my understanding that President Hoffmann from Caladan is to be here this coming Monday and Tuesday alongside Behomat of Galea, Ionfeu of Artania, and Chairman Mao of Catai for the annual Alliance conference.

FORDRING
Security will be at maximum until the heads of state are returned home.

BELESARIOUS
Good. Now, let us move on to...

The corridors of the National Palace, soaring and spacious, nevertheless gave off an aura of immensity and endlessness that would disorient and confuse those not accustomed to moving through them regularly. It was this very nature of the Palace that discouraged people from attempting to infiltrate it; its own design would force their minds into a sensory overload at the confusing labyrinth that seemed to dominate its layout.

But there were ways around it. Very few people knew of these ways, as they were secretive in the extreme. But the National Palace had a select series of hidden corridors that only officials of a certain rank or above could access, much less use. These corridors were well-lit, spotlessly clean, and heavily secured.

At this moment, one such corridor was in use by First Administrator Talon Lord Durla. He swept down Corridor 47c-3, towards a lift that only two dozen men in the entire Dominion even had access to. He called it and stepped on, punching in his destination and riding to the end without a sound. Once off the lift, he turned and exited an unmarked door. He did not acknowledge the Praetorian Hussars that opened the doors for him, moving through with a singular purpose.

Arden Lord Desann looked up as the doors opened. Durla found the Viceroy in the antechamber to the Praetorian Sanctum. Occasionally he would be there instead of at his master's side, but those occasions were rare. Desann gave Durla a nod.

DESANN
Talon. What brings you up here?

DURLA
He is in there, yes?

DESANN
Of course. What is it?

Durla pulled a neatly-folded sheet of paper from the shadows of his robe interior and handed it to Desann. The viceroy looked at it briefly before nodding.

DESANN
Interesting.

Desann led Durla through the second set of doors into a dimmed room. The entire wall was one massive window, and directly across from the doors, situated in front of and centered on that window, was a massive chair. A single hand was reaching down from the right side to scratch gently behind the ears of the massive brindle Antaran Dane that lay beside the seat. That massive canine head turned at the sound of the doors opening as the hand scratched its ears.

BELESARIOUS
What is it?

DESANN
Talon has an interesting communique you may wish to see, Rayden.

The hand rose wordlessly. Desann placed the paper in it. The hand withdrew back to the other side of the chair, concealed. The sound of the paper softly unfolding could be heard.

BELESARIOUS
I had wondered how long this might be in coming.

DURLA
Do you wish there to be a response?

BELESARIOUS
Valkemi isn't the first head of state to send me a communication saying what he had to say to me, personally, was of vital importance. But he is quite adamant on speed being essential, isn't he?

DESANN
So it would seem, yes.

DURLA
Insistence bordering on impatience, almost, by the tone of the last plea for a swift reply. I would say it may be important in more ways than one.

BELESARIOUS
Your sense in such matters is indeed well-founded, if past merits are any indication. Very well, Talon. Send Valkemi a response and inform him that I will meet with him at his earliest convenience.

DESANN
Do you wish to meet with him at Epoxage?

BELESARIOUS
No. I will receive him here. Talon, see to the arrangements.

DURLA
Of course.

Durla turned to depart. Desann moved to stand beside the massive chair, hands tucked into the sleeves of his robe. He looked down at his friend, whose eyes had never left the window.

DESANN
What are you thinking?

BELESARIOUS
I muse on what it may be that Valkemi may wish to discuss.

DESANN
Perhaps Talon is right in it being something important.

BELESARIOUS
Well, we'll find out, won't we?

Desann nodded in reply. He turned back to gaze out the window himself, losing himself in his thoughts.

The presence of Talon Lord Durla, Tarken Lord Jeratai, and Galen Lord Umbacano in the Praetorian Office was enough to often denote that an important discussion of some kind was being had. But no one outside that group ever knew. But such was the day.

Tirion Lord Fordring entered as the Hussars opened the doors of the Office for him, taking his seat on the right side of the coffee table situated in the midst of the six chairs arrayed before the Praetor's desk, his place between Umbacano and Jeratai. Before doing so, however, he laid a sheet of hardcopy in the Praetor's hands. On the other side sat Durla and, next to him, Desann.

Belesarious read the document, and, laying it down, gazed to Fordring.

BELESARIOUS
Indeed.

FORDRING
Yes. Dent thought she was hiding it but she wasn't fooling anyone. The ship count at the bases involved was off and a submarine spotted them going around the northern coasts.

DURLA
Was the submarine spotted?

JERATAI
Does it matter? What are the Derians going to do? Attack it? They know what would happen if they did, especially considering those are international waters.

DURLA
True.

FORDRING
Dent apparently believes she is going to do some great thing in Sinoptikon. She'll be mired down in her meddlings, is all.

DESANN
What, I wonder, makes that woman think she's going to help those people? They will settle their disputes in enough time.

DURLA
Perhaps, but all the same, she's making her name as a champion of some kind.

UMBACANO
Do you think she is aware of the presence of Special Operations?

FORDRING
It's not impossible. She's probably heard rumors of actual military teams in the country, but no rock-solid information of any considerable value. Nothing she could make a noise with, though. Besides, our people aren't actually heavily fighting the Communalists...at least not yet. They are protecting the DRI leadership.

DESANN
The Communalists have been attempting to get at the DRI leadership for over a year and a half now, since Special Operations went over there. They've been cursing how it is the leaders stay so hidden.

UMBACANO
And?

FORDRING
It's simple, isn't it? The DRI leadership is kept mobile. Special Operations moves them around at random on a rotating basis. Then, when important communications need to be sent, Special Operations agents are the carriers.

DURLA
And that Special Operations train that was in Tanis Demopolis?

FORDRING
Left the station at precisely two minutes past midnight last night. Oran watched it go.

UMBACANO
Excellent. When will it be in Elipsus?

FORDRING
In thirty-two hours. Actually...in twenty-four hours time.

BELESARIOUS
Very good. Make sure that those weapons reach the DRI in all due haste. Also make sure that the food and medical supplies get to their units, as well. We're not going to make a big show of force like that foolish woman Dent apparently wants to. We are going to help the DRI quietly but in effective ways.

DURLA
What all, precisely, is on the Special Operations train, again?

JERATAI
Rifles. Submachine guns. Pistols. Enough ammunition for a legion in the field for a decade. Food. Medical supplies and equipment. Water distillation and purification equipment. Some decent level communications equipment.

UMBACANO
Where did the weapons come from?

JERATAI
Purchased from OAK through a front company in Torentine. Routed appropriately. If the Odessans know, we don't care, do we?

BELESARIOUS
Indeed not.

DURLA
There are military advisors on the ground with the DRI units though, yes?

JERATAI
Yes. Advisors, a few communications specialists are with the leadership cells, and there are several military surgical teams over there in hidden locations for the DRI to use.

BELESARIOUS
Good. Continue as planned. If push comes to shove, perhaps Dent will swallow her independent pride long enough to consider working with us if we shift to open operations. But we will wait on that...

The Praetor cast his smoldering dark brown eyes over his advisors briefly.

Now, let us discuss the...

The crisp November morning of Monday the 13th was a typical one in Cedelphia, with the cool temperatures and clear skies. The pale blue afternoon skies were breezy and the few lingering birds sang their songs to those who listened, singing of the arrival of the colder months.

From its site a few kilometers from the National Palace, the Citadel Inquisitorium stood as a towering edifice of Antara's security and intellgence community. Perched atop its highest tower was a great statue of a lion done in black with shimmering crystal eyes. Within, nobody outside knew what happened. Security was virtually air-tight, and intruders captured wished they never had been.

It was here on the afternoon of 13 November 2119 that Praetor Rayden Belesarious went, accompanied by Lord Desann and Lord Durla. His limousene pulled into the secured parking garage underneath the Citadel's western wing and parked in the executive section. Catching the first lift, the trio rode up to the uppermost levels, to the office and conference areas reserved for the Inquisitor General.

After riding up the 50 floors, the lift bell rang and the doors opened on the Executive Level. Waiting for them in the reception area was Tirion Lord Fordring, Inquisitor General of Antara. He bowed at the Praetor's approach.

BELESARIOUS
Tirion. What news have you? The message said it was Security Five urgent.

FORDRING
It is, Rayden. And I think you will like it.

BELESARIOUS
Yes?

FORDRING
We have him.

BELESARIOUS
You found him?

Fordring smiled, nodding.

BELESARIOUS
Take me to him.

Fordring led the way into his office. There, seated in one of the black leather chairs arrayed before the large desk sat Raddik Lord Belesarious. He was clad in his robes and tunic. He rose when he saw who came through the door.

For a long moment, the two brothers stood gazing silently at one another. The Praetor's face was a mask of implacable normality, despite the intense emotion showing in the dark eyes. Finally the Praetor stepped forward and embraced his brother's shoulders. Raddik returned the embrace, clearly happy to be home again.

BELESARIOUS 1
You are unharmed?

BELESARIOUS 2
I am. It is...very good to see you again, elder brother.

BELESARIOUS 1
It is indeed good to have you back, Raddik. I made sure that the ones who held you were dealt with accordingly.

BELESARIOUS 2
Oh?

BELESARIOUS 1 smiling
Oh yes. They are all dead. The Twilight Hammer left none of them alive.

The younger Belesarious thought on that for a moment, then smiled with his brother.

BELESARIOUS 1
And how do you feel?

BELESARIOUS 2
Unharmed. What little they had attempted to torture me for information did not work. I'd endured worse pain when I was injured in Kelshvir.

DURLA
What were they after?

BELESARIOUS 2
They wanted to know what I could tell them about the Praetor's feelings towards the unrest in Fernandina.

FORDRING
Raddik had the misfortune of being knocked out of the B-42 as it hit the water. The side hatches had been opened for evacuation procedures.

BELESARIOUS 2
Yes. I remember the craft hitting the water and then I found myself in the water. I lost consciousness and awoke in the custody of people who were most definitely not Galean military.

Belesarious smiled.

BELESARIOUS 1
Well, now that we've returned you safely, Raddik, I think it is time that we deal with the last member of the spy ring that brought this whole mess about.

The group went through the side door in Fordring's office to the adjacent conference room. There, seated, was Joseph Belzac. Though unrestrained, there were four Blackguard Legionnaires in the room, all heavily armed. The Praetor smiled as Belzac looked up at him.

BELESARIOUS 1
It would seem, Mister Belzac, that you fulfilled your purpose precisely as intended. But now, with that matter settled, I have a different purpose for you.

BELZAC
I refuse to aid you in any way.

FORDRING
Guard your words carefully, Mister Belzac. You are in no position to refuse anything.

BELESARIOUS 1
Perhaps not, Tirion. But you do not yet know the extent of your involvement in current affairs, do you? If only you knew your intended mission, yes?

Belzac did not know how to answer the Praetor's cryptic question. He looked over at Durla, who merely returned his gaze with those piercing dark gray eyes. He was about to turn back and reply when suddenly he felt a crushing pressure on his right hand. His gaze snapped down to it, to find the Praetor had grabbed hold of it with his gauntleted mechanical hand. The pressure was incredible, and Belzac felt as if the bones in his hand would crack at any moment.

BELESARIOUS
Remember one thing, Mister Belzac. Your being here is not a sign that you have been pardoned for what you did. Your future is still in jeapordy. How you live - or die - will depend entirely on how well you perform the task assigned you. Regardless of how you perform, or do not perform, your life is forfeit. You belong to me now. Do you understand?

Belzac struggled against the vise grip that had his hand in its merciless hold. But this only made Belesarious tighten his grip even more. He didn't show any sign of making any real effort, his ice-cold gaze locked upon Belzac. Belzac looked up at the Praetor.

BELZAC
Yes.

Belesarious tightened his grip on Belzac's hand. Faint popping could be heard. He pulled Belzac's hand up off the table, the grip tightening even more.

BELESARIOUS 1
I cannot hear you.

BELZAC
Yes! YES!

Praetor Belesarious smiled.

BELESARIOUS 1
Very good. Now, Mister Belzac, I want you to listen very, very carefully...