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pleasure to meet you, Prime Council. You sound like you would have made a very good Ranger yourself. I look forward to the day we can meet in person." As the man spoke, Jance told Ben he was the Commissioner of the local Ranger Outpost, which was on Hyclarion.
    "I am honored by the compliment, Commissioner Holdst. I look forward to the day we can meet as well," Ben replied.
    "Commander, I will end this before the Duke can locate the stations. I will contact you again as soon as we can," Holdst replied and ended the call.
    Ben turned and faced one of the camera pick-ups in the hallway. "Brothers and Sisters, I propose we instruct Mother and her fellow AI to infiltrate and assume control of the planet's computer networks. Before you make this decision, I feel I should warn you that this, while being intended as a defensive action, is actually offensive in nature.
    "This is currently a sovereign planet under the control of the Duke of Cassius. I will speak to the Emperor before I give the actual order, but by doing so, it will greatly improve the chances the Rangers have of not only finding resolution to this issue, but surviving what the Duke has planned for them. By definition this is electronic warfare and in previous doctrine was a very common first strike against an opponent.
    "By taking control of the planet data nets, we will have up-to-date information on the Duke's actions and most orders he issues, at least until he realizes he has lost control of it. In all honesty, I do not even know if our AI are even capable of this action. However, while we find out and I speak to the Emperor about it, I would like you to consider giving approval. Thank you, and may wisdom guide your thoughts."
    "Prime Council, to answer your question, we do have this ability and capacity. While we were designed for the purpose of assisting you, this was a primary task of ours during the war and one we are very familiar with," Mother replied.
    "Thank you, Mother. I suppose I should have asked before addressing the Council but I'm worried about the Rangers in orbit and the people on the surface. If we can delay or hamper the Duke's efforts in this in any way, we might just be able to save some lives," Ben replied.
    "If no one else does, I thank you for the effort, Prime," Jance said. "Since Mother has been verified, there should not be much of a problem, at least from that stand point."
    Through the hatch, they could hear the roar of the engines of the craft that was landing. Ben smiled. "Well ladies, should we go say ‘Hi’ to the ruler of the galaxy?"
     
     
    The ship the Emperor chose to come down in was Jance's vessel; the Dalphine. It did fit in the hanger, but just barely. It was a testimony to the skill of the pilot landing that ship in the hanger with only inches to spare for clearance. He did it without so much as scratching the paint.
    Ben was amazed at the precision and execution of Gail's troops. Even though they had little time together for training, even though some of them had been former enemies before the fall, they worked and moved together like they had been doing it from birth. Ben was impressed and made a note to Mother to remind him to speak to the team as well as to place commendations in their files for their performance here today.
    When Hjoolous exited the ship, as one, the entire honor guard dropped to one knee and bowed their heads. Gail, standing at their head, knelt as well, but did not bow her head so she could issue a salute, open palm over the heart, in Hyclarion fashion.
    Ben also knelt to one knee, but did not bow his head. On each side of him, and one step back, both Councilor Carlyle and Commander Halst knelt and bowed their heads.
    Hjoolous walked up to Ben and bowed from the waist in an almost oriental style. "Please, Prime Council, rise. You are not a part of our empire yet, so such supplication is not required."
    Ben nodded his head. "Forgive me for disagreeing with you, Majesty. Even though we may not be