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well-shaded table. “The race will start soon, but we can talk in the meantime.”
    Usurlus felt a surge of resentment and sought to suppress it. How much time would he have? Ten minutes? Fifteen at most? Why couldn’t Emor meet subordinates in his office? Instead of between various events? Because he has very little time, Usurlus told himself, and by packing people in between things, he forces them to be concise. So be concise.
    Cold drinks appeared as if by magic as the two men took their seats and Usurlus began his report. “Vord raiders continue to be a problem in the Nigor Sector, Highness, especially where commerce is concerned. So I plan to petition the Commerce Department to create regular convoys which will have armed escorts. Doing so will put increased pressure on the Navy, but require fewer ships than individual escorts would, thereby conserving Imperial resources.”
    Emor liked Usurlus for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the way his cousin always kept the big picture in mind even as he sought to obtain additional resources for his sector. An approach that was all too rare where other Legates were concerned. He took a sip of his drink and nodded. “That’s a good idea, Isulu. I’ll support it.”
    It was a win! But Usurlus knew that the clock was ticking, and once the air race began, the session would end. “Thank you, Excellency. I will inform your constituents. There’s another problem, however—one we have spoken of in the past, and which continues to fester.”
    Emor raised a knowing eyebrow. “Procurator Nalomy?”
    “Yes, Excellency,” the Legate replied simply.
    “You understand the politics involved?” the Emperor inquired. “I need the Nalomy family’s support for a number of my more controversial initiatives. Universal health care is an excellent example.”
    “Yes,” Usurlus answered, “I do understand. But, with all due respect, Procurator Nalomy is governing Dantha for her own benefit. If the situation continues uncorrected, I fear there will be civil unrest, you will be forced to send an entire Legion to put the rebellion down, and Senators opposed to your policies will take advantage of the situation by claiming you are either ignorant of what’s taking place or simply don’t care.”
    Emor sighed. What Usurlus said was true. But accusations were one thing. Facts were another. “You have proof to support your claims?”
    “Yes, Excellency,” Usurlus answered, and removed the printout from his briefcase. “I have an agent on Dantha. He wrote this report, which arrived last week. An electronic copy of this document will be sent to your office later this afternoon.”
    Emor accepted the packet and skimmed the front page. It was a long list of items received from the Imperial government, condemned before they could be used, and sold at discounted prices. Assuming it was accurate, the inventory included everything from medical supplies to a wide range of machinery, and most disturbingly a large quantity of weapons. “You’ll notice that one company purchased almost all of those goods,” Usurlus said meaningfully. “An importer-exporter called Star Crossed Enterprises, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Imperial Industries, belonging to the Nalomy clan.”
    The Emperor swore and brought a hard fist down onto the surface of the table. The glasses jumped, and his bodyguards took notice. “The bastards! Senator Nalomy hopes to succeed me. . . . You’d think that he and his clan could wait until then to rape the Empire! But mark my words, Isulu. . . . Good as it is, the evidence you have isn’t good enough. The Nalomys will claim that the Procurator’s subordinates were to blame, or that we’re out to get her for political reasons, or who knows what else. So you’re going to need a lot more than what you have to nail Senator Nalomy’s only daughter. But I agree that something has to be done. So go to Dantha, see what you can dig up, and take the bitch