Chapter 36

　　"This is Hamada Yumiko for INN."

　　A reporter presented on the Holo screen as Kal left the shower. He had just returned from training and had switched on the projector in his quarters to the Imperial News Network as he did each morning.

　　His studies were progressing very well, especially with the help of several tutors Sylla had hired for him. Things had changed significantly over five hundred years, but he was finally grasping the Empire`s current state.

　　Things were turbulent on the outskirts of the galaxy while serene and safe in the more established worlds first colonized after the Exodus. The names of some Noble Houses had changed after the Rebellion, but Kal was growing familiar with them.

　　"Conflict is growing in the Ephus Province in response to food shortages, while relief supplies are delayed due to instabilities in the region. Imperial Representatives urge caution for anyone travelling in the Province, as they have seen increased acts of Piracy.

　　"A spokesperson for Earl Praxis has assured INN that they will be taking these increased raids seriously, deploying a strike group to eliminate these bandits as soon as they are available. Speaking on the delay, the Earl stated that a recent insurrection by Union activists had required a redistribution of forces but will not affect the security of Praxis.

　　"In the last two weeks, twenty Starships have been assaulted in the Sector, leading many to believe that the local Imperial Forces cannot adequately protect the citizens of those planets."

　　Kal turned the holo off with a swipe of his hand, a frown on his face. Over the past few weeks, the sectors surrounding Caledon had become increasingly volatile. Deliberate acts of sabotage against critical infrastructure, trade ships plundered, their crews killed or held for ransom.

　　Worst, they had invaded several cities. Mechs had dropped from the skies, destroying local forces and looting before vanishing back to their Starships. Each vessel and machine unmarked, their efforts coordinated and spoke of skill.

　　So far, they had kept causalities to a minimum, but it was only a matter of time before things escalated.

　　At his last open forum, more petitioners than ever from the surrounding planets had asked for his protection. While technically under the jurisdiction of the Earl of Praxis, it was clear he had abandoned them to their fates.

　　The Earl had even withdrawn the few troops he had stationed in the area, claiming that they were needed closer to his homeworld.

　　Kal was quickly losing patience.

　　His faith and loyalty to the Emperor would keep him from acting rashly, but it was evident that the Empire had more significant problems than protecting these former rebel worlds.

　　The Emperor`s household was typically secure against the public. His family is tight-lipped over its affairs. However, the Net was filled with more rumours of increasing tensions between the Emperor`s children vying for the throne every day. Kal couldn`t imagine how serious it had become if the general public knew of it.

　　Criminals and bandits raiding planets were terrible, but fighting for the throne could lead to a civil war on a scale not seen since the Rebellion. It was only natural that it drew the Emperor`s attention.

　　Lifting his Datapad from his desk near the large windows overlooking the gardens, he contacted Sylla. It had only been a short time since they had been forced to meet in a dingy storage room for security. But with the upgrades to the Estate, they had much more freedom than before.

　　He ordered everyone to meet in his chambers, the large sitting area perfect for an impromptu meeting.

　　In short order, they were gathered together. Miranda, Tan, Tamara and Sylla arrived within a few minutes of each other. None of them were confused by the setting. Kal preferred to keep things informal with those closest to him.

　　"Miranda, Tan, what have you discovered about the instabilities surrounding Caledon?" Kal asked, getting straight to the point.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

　　"It`s unquestionably a coordinated effort." Tan replied, a bit smug that his hunch had been correct.

　　"The Earl of Praxis?" Kal asked. Their families had been at odds since before the Rebellion, and the death of the Earl`s son hadn`t improved matters.

　　"If he isn`t the ringleader, he is at least involved in some manner. He claims that a rise in crime in his sector of space has necessitated a need to recall his troops, but that`s a bald-faced lie. I`m surprised he even uttered it. Anyone with half a brain can confirm the statistics. There has been no change in crime levels on Praxis in years." Tan replied.

　　"Has he been meeting with anyone unusual recently? Someone connected with this new group of criminals?" Kal asked.

　　"No one directly connected, milord. But there have been a few irregularities. He`s met with numerous corporate representatives lately, presumably regarding new investments, but any one of them could have ties to these bandits." Miranda said.

　　She was well-steeped in corporate dealings and was aware that they often had hidden, rogue groups on their payroll for more illegal transactions. Atkinson Micromotors didn`t have a need for them, but several groups in Treir did.

　　"Regardless, the Earl of Praxis won`t take direct actions against us. He would never want to risk the Emperor`s ire, and attacking Caledon would cross that line." Kal surmised, pondering the situation.

　　"Still, either the Earl or someone connected to him is working to destabilize our neighbours. We are already feeling the effects economically." Tan said.

　　"For what purpose? It`s surely an inconvenience to us and will slow our economic recovery, but the effects are limited in the long term. Is it strictly to cause a humanitarian crisis that Kal would need to respond to?" Sylla asked, confused at what the Earl`s goal would be.

　　"Have you found any inkling as to what they are after?" Kal asked. Tan immediately shook his head negatively while Miranda hesitated for a moment.

　　"I may have a theory, but it is nothing but conjecture," Miranda said tentatively.

　　"It`s better than what we currently have," Kal said, nodding at the beautiful woman to continue.

　　"If we look at this logically, there are only a few reasons for anyone to take action against us. Revenge is the most obvious." Miranda started.

　　"And we do not lack culprits seeking revenge," Tamara remarked.

　　"But, when we assess the method used, hiring a large group of raiders to strike neighbouring systems, pushing those planets to reach out to Caledon for help, it doesn`t seem like a reasonable path to revenge against Kal," Miranda explained.

　　"It`s much too indirect," Kal said, catching onto her meaning.

　　"Exactly. Easier to simply hire an assassin or cripple our economy directly. Even attacking our trade ships rather than our partners." Miranda finished.

　　"So, if it isn`t revenge, what does the Earl of Praxis stand to gain from withdrawing his protection over this sector?" Sylla asked.

　　Kal stood, pacing the room as he tried to assemble the pieces. Something was prodding his thoughts from the edges of his mind. A portion of the puzzle was missing, something that would connect everything. He needed to follow a single line of thought and look at the problem from another angle.

　　"There have been dozens of attacks on Starships, ports and civilian population centers in the past few weeks. Tamara, how many Starships would you need to coordinate strikes on a similar level as these pirates?" Kal asked.

　　"Seven, possibly as many as ten to account for unexpected resistance amongst the locals." Tamara didn`t hesitate to answer, and Kal didn`t ask how she knew the numbers required so quickly. Her experience as a soldier and mercenary spoke volumes.

　　"Seven Starships. Approximately twenty thousand crew and combat troops?" Kal guessed, confirmed by Tamara`s nod.

　　"Tan, based on what they have pillaged from those systems, would it offset their expenditures for wages and operations?" Kal asked, turning to the former banker.

　　"They`d be lucky to break even. And if they lost a Starship during a raid, forget about it. A single Starship is worth more than everything they`ve taken. The bandits have had enough sense to rob them rather than destroy or steal Starships. That would definitely bring the Imperial Guard down on them or a coalition of corporations." Tan replied, shaking his head.

　　"So, someone is bankrolling them to stir up trouble to entice us to intervene but to keep it minimal enough so as not to draw too much attention. But why&." Kal trailed off.

　　"Do they want you to leave Caledon? Maybe to try and eliminate you off-world and make it look like an accident?" Sylla guessed.

　　"Easier ways to do that," Tamara replied.

　　"Cheaper as well," Tan added.

　　"Maybe they wish you to overextend yourself by sending troops against the Pirates?" Miranda speculated. The discussion continued while Kal thought about what Miranda had just said. That errant thought that had been nagging him came back in full force.

　　"Tamara." He spoke suddenly, interrupting whatever the others were saying. Their discussion quieted immediately at the intense look on Kal`s face.

　　"What would my Grandfather have done if those under his protection were in danger?" Kal asked, knowing he was on the right track.

　　"He would lead a force to protect them, using-" This time, Tamara would suddenly stop speaking, looking at Kal in shock.

　　"That`s what they`re after," Kal confirmed, silently communicating to Tamara not to finish her sentence. He could sense the confusion in the others, but he didn`t explain. He trusted them with his life, but this secret couldn`t be voiced.

　　"Tan, prepare a Starship. Have the Lunite Tiara placed on board. Tamara, I want a full complement of people we can trust onboard. Assault ships, Mechs, everything you need to provide an adequate guard. Full dress uniform." Kal ordered.

　　"Where are we going?" Tan asked, growing even more confused.

　　"Terra. We`re going to see the Emperor."