Holger, Viscount of Oldenberg strode through the marble halls of the old palace. His steps punctuating a staccato beat in the echoing chamber. The formality of his uniform sent the rumor mill churning as he made his way toward the Kaiser's audience chamber.
The news he carried was grim, and the Marchioness was no where to be found. All contacts with her had died weeks ago, and the IISC failed to respond to all requests for information.
The Viscount was admitted to the chamber, and the Lord High Constable glanced at him before motioning the guards to clear the chamber.
Holger remained stiffly at attention before the Kaiser's throne as the doors closed with a resounding bang of heavy wood and iron. It took seconds for the Lord High Constable to activate the silence screen. While the room appeared almost medieval, the technology of the planet was worked into every corner of the palace.
The Kaiser studied Holger for long moments before motioning him forward to deliver his "urgent" news.
Holger bowed formally before holding a missive out for the Lord High Constable to take to the Kaiser.
"Your Majesty, we have a dangerous situation that must be brought to your attention before it is too late. Your Marchioness is missing, and there has been word of an attack on Pyxis, one of her colonies. A colony of strategic importance."
The lord High Constable offered the detailed document to the Kaiser, but it was not taken. Instead, piercing blue eyes studied the Viscount. "Pyxis is a great distance from Our realm. It would seem to me that Lacerta and the other holdings of the Marchioness should be accountable for it's defenses."
Holger hid his grimace. The new Kaiser didn't seem to have the grasp of just how important some of the more remote colonies were, so he swallowed his first reply and composed himself. "Your Majesty, Pyxis holds the largest reserves of Praseodymium and Terbium. Lacerta has been recovering from its own invasion. They are in no condition to defend Pyxis. The geology team on Pyxis is not armed for such an attack."
"Then the Marchioness is derelict in her duties." The Kaiser motioned for the doors to be re-opened and the other petitioners granted re-entry.
Holger gritted his teeth, bowing again, but not quite so deeply this time. He would have to find another way to get troops to Pyxis.
The Lord High Constable watched the young Viscount depart. That one would bear watching.
The news he carried was grim, and the Marchioness was no where to be found. All contacts with her had died weeks ago, and the IISC failed to respond to all requests for information.
The Viscount was admitted to the chamber, and the Lord High Constable glanced at him before motioning the guards to clear the chamber.
Holger remained stiffly at attention before the Kaiser's throne as the doors closed with a resounding bang of heavy wood and iron. It took seconds for the Lord High Constable to activate the silence screen. While the room appeared almost medieval, the technology of the planet was worked into every corner of the palace.
The Kaiser studied Holger for long moments before motioning him forward to deliver his "urgent" news.
Holger bowed formally before holding a missive out for the Lord High Constable to take to the Kaiser.
"Your Majesty, we have a dangerous situation that must be brought to your attention before it is too late. Your Marchioness is missing, and there has been word of an attack on Pyxis, one of her colonies. A colony of strategic importance."
The lord High Constable offered the detailed document to the Kaiser, but it was not taken. Instead, piercing blue eyes studied the Viscount. "Pyxis is a great distance from Our realm. It would seem to me that Lacerta and the other holdings of the Marchioness should be accountable for it's defenses."
Holger hid his grimace. The new Kaiser didn't seem to have the grasp of just how important some of the more remote colonies were, so he swallowed his first reply and composed himself. "Your Majesty, Pyxis holds the largest reserves of Praseodymium and Terbium. Lacerta has been recovering from its own invasion. They are in no condition to defend Pyxis. The geology team on Pyxis is not armed for such an attack."
"Then the Marchioness is derelict in her duties." The Kaiser motioned for the doors to be re-opened and the other petitioners granted re-entry.
Holger gritted his teeth, bowing again, but not quite so deeply this time. He would have to find another way to get troops to Pyxis.
The Lord High Constable watched the young Viscount depart. That one would bear watching.