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it.”

    System Standard 2728.1218 Lyra City, Axis Nova
    “Secretary Kerawan, are you a complete fool?”
    Merca Gluck was in a towering rage, Kerawan had never seen him so angry, flecks of spittle flew out of the Grand Pasha’s mouth.
    “Sire, I don’t understand how the ship could have disappeared. It should have been tracked every step of the way to Nabucco I, it’s simply disappeared.”
    “Should have been, should have been, what does that mean, man? Obviously it wasn’t tracked, was it?”
    “Sire, it could have been lost in an accident, these things do happen.”
    “And how would you know for certain, Secretary Kerawan? Suppose these Rescom scum took the ship? Those three prisoners are the most dangerous men in the Systems. Rusal is their chief strategist and Blas is their most respected captain. If that isn’t bad enough, there is Smetana as well. You know our intelligence people have found evidence that he was Rescom’s most lethal assassin?” Kerawan shook his head. “Of all the men you allowed to escape, those three, by the Prophet. I should have your head for this.”
    “Sire, I...”
    “And stop calling me Sire, it is a form of address for a King Emperor.”
    “The people need a King Emperor, Sire. To them, the title of Grand Pasha is very respected but it is not the same thing, you are our most beloved leader, our de facto Emperor even if you do not yet have the actual title. They need a King Emperor, Sire, they need you.”
    Both men understood the game Kerawan was playing. Of course Gluck wanted to be King Emperor, who wouldn’t wish for such a title, to begin a new dynasty that would rule forever over the known universe was the very pinnacle of men’s dreams. Equally, both men knew it was a dangerous game to play. Part of the Axian rhetoric had been criticism of the Rescom Federation leaders, their supposed restoration of a King Emperor who cared little for their subjects. Under an Axian administration there would be no Kings Emperors, they promised, only the Grand Pasha, the anointed of Axia, the only God of the Universe. Many of their most senior leaders, governors, admirals and generals whose men had shed blood in the name of Axia would find the title offensive. And yet, the title of Grand Pasha was not dynastic. To go into immortality as King Emperor Merca Gluck, perhaps Gluck the First, the first of his line, sounded magnificent. Perhaps.
    “If they did escape and take over the ship, where would they go, Kerawan?”
    “I do not know, Sire. My spies are everywhere, on every System. If that ship still exists it will be found and as soon as it is I will send a fleet to ensure its recovery.”
    “I don’t want it recovered, I want it destroyed. The second it is sighted, pulverize it, reduce it to atoms, Kerawan. I want no part of it to remain in existence.”
    “Sire, many of the men on board will be our loyal supporters.”
    “Pulverize it, is that understood?”
    “Yes, Sire.”
    “Good. Now, have you finalized the taxation plans? You know the economy of the Nine Systems is in ruins after the war. What have you come up with?”
    “Sire, the structure of the jizya has been finalized, the payments from the infidels. There are still billions of unbelievers within the Axian Empire, they will be taxed half of their income to be paid to our exchequer. In this way...”
    “Make it three-quarters.”
    Kerawan looked alarmed. “Three-quarters could lead to protests, even riots in the streets.”
    “In that case deal with them,” Gluck snapped back. “Three-quarters, not a single percentage less, is that clear?”
    He bowed. “Yes, Sire.”
    “Our own people, they will not be taxed?”
    “No, Sire. I spoke to all of our planetary governors, it would help if our own people would contribute but they are unanimous, the unbelievers must pay the entire cost of our administration. The policy is very popular with our followers.”
    “Very well. Keep me informed of the progress of the hunt