🚀 go-pugleaf

     Halworth Kreig sat back in his chair and let out an explosive
sigh.  He had been working on the audit of Tamlin Edo for two weeks
straight, and he was starting to reach the end of his patience.  This
was a fact that Kreig did not take lightly, as he was generally
regarded as a man of inexhaustible patience.
     Everything he found, it was all too pat.  He *knew* that Edo was
hiding something.  Eduard had even given him some general avenues of
exploration, but so far nothing had panned out.  All he could find was
what Edo wanted him to find.  There had to be something.  There just
*had* to be.
     He had considered delving into Carmen Elarosa's files.  As head
auditor, he had the authority to subpoena those materials if he could
justify his need.  So far he could find nothing that would allow him to
issue a subpoena.
     Without knowing why, Kreig decided to explore one last path before
calling it a night.  He ran the accounting records for Exocet Mark I in
a parallel comparison to those of Exocet Mark II to see if there were
any patterns or discrepancies.
     Kreig let his analysis programs run for twenty minutes, and as his
finger was on the cancel button, the program signaled for his
attention.  There was an irregularity so small in the Mark II files
that he had originally discounted it as a clerical error, but it was
also there in the Mark I files.
     The same irregularity, in the same account, for the same amount,
in the same exact spot.  It might be pure coincidence, but it might
also be the chink in Edo's armor he had so desperately been searching
for.  With renewed vigor, Kreig resumed his sifting and searching.

              Space, the final avenue of exploitation...
                         Authorial Productions
                          in association with
                        Mademoiselle Muse, Inc.
                                  and
                   The Aspartame Tango Dance Troupe
                               presents:
                                RIALTO
                          (Strictly Ballroom)

                           Episode Thirteen
                           "Confrontations"
                                  by
                            John P. Bankert
                       (who has no floor craft)

     Geld stretched the length of his frame out on the bed.  The hotel
was adequate at best, but at the moment his was in no position to
quibble.  His funds were running low, and his work was not yet done.
     Of a certainty, his meeting with Tamlin Edo went better than
expected. He was not sure how she would react to his proposal, but she
was most agreeable.  She had been easy enough to dominate, and was not
even aware of what was happening.
     Dominance had always been easy for Geld.  Easier than it had been
for his half brother Tami.  Easier than it had been for their father.
Easier than it had been for anyone he had ever met, and Geld had met
all of Rialto's ruling Chi'velts at one time or another.
     Geld could hardly be blamed for his background, could he?  Just
because his father had had the poor sense to dally with a less than
savory woman who had caught his fancy was not his fault, was it?
Jabreth was willing enough to face his responsibility, and had taken
Geld in without question.
     But the politics of the situations were uncertain at best.  As
head of the house of Merhacha, Jabreth had his sights set on the
position of su'Rialto.  He had been grooming Tami for ten years before
Geld had been born.
     Ten years later, when Geld had started dominating the house-hold
staff, Jabreth took notice.  But Geld's dominance was subtle and
insinuating, not at all Jabreth's style.  Within five years Jabreth had
forced Geld out of his house, branding him M'rek, an outcast.
     A year later, it had been easy enough to get the captain of a UCP
ship to bring him to earth.  Geld had found earth to his liking, his
snake in the grass style of dominance fitting in perfectly here.
Earthers were amazing in their unconscious use of Chi'pi and Ko'pi, and
of not being bound by the moral responsibility of Rialton society.
     Now, ten years worth of effort later, Geld was at last nearing the
completion of his goals.  Jabreth was out of his reach now, dead, but
Tami was not.  Tami and all the others who had shunned him, made a
mockery of him.
     Geld's quiet introspection was interrupted when an alarm went off.
Geld picked up his accessor, turned off the alarm, and read the
message.  The accessor was put back down, and Geld reclined and rested.

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Halworth Kreig looked up from his terminal, eyes bleary.  It had
been almost ten hours since his discovery of the twin discrepancies in
Exocet Mark I and Mark II, but since then he had made significant
progress in untangling Tamlin Edo's web.
     Another few hours, and his work would done.  He would turn his
findings over to admin, and his staff would be able to finish picking
up the pieces. Edo would fall, and Kreig was fairly certain the Carmen
Elarosa would fall with her.  Eduard would be pleased.
     Kreig turned back to his terminal to resume working, when someone
began banging loudly on his office door.  Kreig's hand was halfway to
the gun he kept in his desk drawer when his office door flung open and
a tall, dark figure entered.
     "Good morning, Mr. Kreig."
     "You seem to have the advantage sir."
     "Yes, yes I do.  Any last words Mr. Kreig?"
     "No."
     "Good.  I hate long speeches."  The intruder wasted no further
time, firing twice.  The first shot was directly between Kreig's eyes,
the second into the heart.
     Kreig's murderer walked behind Kreig's desk, moving his victim out
of the way.  He proceeded to systematically erase all of Kreig's work
and left quietly.

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Henry Stuart slumped back into the chair as Coda massaged his
neck.  He was pleasantly surprised to find his Chi'velt waiting for him
when he finally got out of the meeting with Tami and Eduard Tombolo.
The meeting had been grueling, but he had drawn strength from his bond
with Coda.
     "How did it go?"
     "About as expected.  Tami and Eduard danced around each other like
a matador and an experienced bull.  It was quite fascinating to watch,
actually.  They're both so incredibly strong, I don't believe either of
them can be dominated."
     "What was discussed."  Henry's eyes grew heavy lidded as Coda
continued to expertly knead his shoulders.
     "Dumon't s death, Libby's and Leiphali's abduction and UCP -
Rialton relations, for the most part.  Nothing new was really discussed
- Mostly just repeated rehashing of old information.  I think now,
though, that they have the measure of each other."
     "What will come of it?"
     "I don't know for certain.  I think in the end, neither will win.
It will be a draw of some sort, unless there is an outside influence."
     "And what of you Henry, what will you do next?"
     "I told Elizabeth everything, but I don't know if it had any
effect on her.  I think that the next logical step is to confront
Jason, tell him the truth, and see what happens.  I don't know if
there's any good will there, but I won't know until I try."
     "Good."

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Elizabeth Stuart finished being noisily sick, and stood up from
the commode.  She looked at herself in the mirror.  Her face was pale,
and had a slight drawn quality to it.  This was the second morning in a
row she had been ill.
     The day before she had written it off as perhaps something in last
night's dinner.  Today, however, a small alarm went off in her mind.
Elizabeth did a quick mental calculation, and realized that her period
was a week overdue.
     Fear creeping into the pit of her stomach, Elizabeth got dressed
and went to the embassy's infirmary.  She set up the medical scanner,
and laid down on the diagnostic bed.  Thirty seconds later, the scan
was complete.  In another thirty seconds, the readout on the scanner's
console confirmed her fear.
     She was pregnant.

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Tami stared out the window of his study, his thoughts a-scatter.
The meeting with Tombolo and Ambassador Stuart had left him a trifle
unsettled. Nothing new had been revealed, and it seemed fairly clear
that he would be unable to dominate Tombolo.  He wanted to talk with
Mancoti, but it would have to wait until later this morning.  Elizabeth
Stuart had called, requesting a private meeting as soon as possible, so
she had been fit in before his usual morning routine.  A request for
admittance broke the silence, and he granted permission without
checking to see who was asking.
     "Chi'velt subi.  Elizabeth Stuart has arrived."
     "Thank you Mancoti.  Send her in."
     "Chi'velt subi."  Mancoti withdrew, and Elizabeth Stuart entered
the room.
     "Good morning"
     "Good morning.  Tami returned the greeting without turning to look
at his guest.
     "May I sit?"
     "Feel free.  What is it that you wish to discuss with me?"
     "I have a problem, and think you may be best equipped to help with
it."
     "What sort of problem."
     "I'm pregnant."
     "I see that that could be a problem, but wouldn't your father be a
better choice in this case?"
     "Leiphali is the father."
     Tami spun around, looking at Elizabeth, surprise on his face.
"What?  How?"
     "When we were held hostage by the terrorists.  I was scared,
afraid.  I asked him to protect me, to comfort me.  I wanted to
sanctity of his embrace."
     "You bonded with him?"
     The question caught Elizabeth off guard.  "What?"
     "You submitted to him?  Offered yourself to him?"
     "Yes."
     "And he accepted?"
     "He seemed hesitant, but yes, he did."
     Tami moved and sat down behind his desk, looking across it at
Elizabeth Stuart.  His direct, penetrating gaze made her uncomfortable.
"So, you bonded with him then?"
     "I guess so."
     "Do you understand the implications in this?"
     "What do you mean?"
     "As Leiphali's Chi'velt, and you his Ko'velt, you are indirectly
my Ko'velt as well."  Elizabeth mouthed a silent `Oh' in response.  "I
can't give you a direct order as Chi'velt, but I could give you that
order through Leiphali.  Does that make things clearer?"
     "Yes."
     "Good.  Now, I have two other question for you.  After you bonded
with Leiphali, did he seemed distressed or bothered in any way?"
     "Not that I noticed, but I haven't really known him that long
either."
     "Ok.  Second, do you know where Leiphali is?"
     "No.  I wish I did.  He left a note for me before he went.  He
said that he had lost his balance, and he needed to get it back."
     "I see.  Is there anything else that you needed?"
     "I don't think so.  I'm not ready to let my father know this yet."
     "That would probably be wise.  Events are starting to come to a
crux at the moment, and your father has a hand in those events.  I
don't know how he will be involved, but I do feel that all involved
principals should be at their fullest potency.  If you have anything
else you need in the future, do not hesitate to contact me."
     "Thank you."
     Tami nodded, and made the sign of dismissal.  Elizabeth left, and
Mancoti came in in answer to Tami's summons.
     "Chi'velt subi."
     "Were you listening?"
     "Yes Chi'velt."
     "Did you know about Leiphali's bond?"
     "Yes Chi'velt."
     "Why didn't you tell me?"
     "I did not feel it was my place to say anything, and you did not
ask until now.  I accept any punishment you feel appropriate if you
find I was in error."
     "No, not necessary.  What does my morning schedule look like."
     "Fairly normal, except for Rilia waiting outside for an audience."
     "Rilia?
     "Yes.  She arrived asking audience shortly after you received
Elizabeth Stuart."
     "I suppose there's know way around it, is there?"
     "I don't believe so, Chi'velt."
     "All right.  Send her in then."
     "Chi'velt Subi."  Mancoti left, and Rilia came in shortly
afterwards. She assumed the position of respectful submission in front
of his desk.  This was different from her usual demeanor.
     "Yes Rilia.  What do you want?"
     "I need to speak with you Chi'velt."
     The urgency and respect in her tone surprised him.  It was
something he had not heard from her in a very long time.
     "Yes.  What is that you need to talk to me about."
     "I ask for an indulgence."
     "An indulgence?  Of what sort?  Another trip to Ciateli?"
     Rilia winced slightly from the sting in Tami's words, and
continued.  "No, my lord.  I have only recently realized the wasteful
way in which I have been living.  I would ask for some time to myself,
alone, to correct some of my short comings."
     Tami considered the request briefly.  "How long."
     "Perhaps a week, or a little longer."
     "Very well.  You may have the solitude you request.  Tell Mancoti
to come in on your way out."
     "Chi'velt subi."  Tami gave the sign of dismissal to Rilia, and
watched her leave.  This morning had so far been full of surprises.
Mancoti entered perhaps thirty seconds after Rilia had left.
     "Chi'velt subi."
     "Ah, Mancoti.  Have you reviewed the recordings of my meeting with
Tombolo and Ambassador Stuart?"
     "Yes Chi'velt."
     "What do you think?"
     "I believe your assessment is correct Chi'velt.  Tombolo will not
be dominated.  Ambassador Stuart intrigues me however."
     "In what way?"
     "In the past, he has been full of bluster - he talks like a true
dominant, but never seemed, to me at least, to have real strength
behind his talk.  This last meeting however, he was quieter, more
reserved, but seemed to have strength.  His bearing was erect, and his
body language did not project despair or defeat."
     Tami never ceased to be amazed by Mancoti's abilities.  His power
of observation was uncanny, and Tami had never known his conclusions to
be wrong."
     "Speculations as to why?"
     "I don't know the ambassador well enough to say for certain or not
if the change was self created.  Based on what the facts, I would not
suspect him capable of it.  A more likely cause would be that he's
bonded as Ko'velt to someone."
     Tami pondered Mancoti's statement for a few moments.  "Any ideas
as to who?"
     "Our agents inside the embassy have reported him to be a frequent
visitor to the house of Miniki."
     "Coda?"
     "A very good possibility Chi'velt."
     "Investigate this further.  That will be all."
     "Chi'velt Subi."

                             >>>***-***<<<

     Jamison Stewart sat in his small cramped office aboard the UCP
Johnny Mnemonic attending to paper work.  Paper work, usually regarded
as a curse, now proved to be a godsend.  The Mnemonic had been grounded
on Rialto for over a month, and Rialto had so far been very boring.  A
knock on the hatch frame served notice that the boredom was about
cease.
     "Jamie?"
     "Yes Rachel?"
     "You have a visitor."
     "Who is it?"
     "Your father."  The pen in Jamie Stewart's hand clattered to his
desk.
     "Does he know I'm here?"
     "Yep."
     "Can you get rid of him for me?"
     "Nope."
     "Crap."
     "Uh-huh."
     "Thanks Rach.  Thanks a lot."
     "No problem Jamie.  You want me to bring him here?"
     Jamie Stewart nodded, and began cleaning up his desk while Rachel
Borga went to the visitor's lounge to get his father.  She returned
with him perhaps a minute later.
     Henry Stuart stood outside the entrance to his son's office.  "May
I come in?"
     "Yes.  Sit."  Jamie motioned to the side chair.  Henry came in and
sat.
     "Do you prefer Jason or Jamison?"
     "It's Jamie, and don't beat around the bush.  You're here for a
reason, what is it?"
     Henry was only mildly surprised by his son's vehemence.  "You
didn't always talk to me that way."
     "You didn't always destroy our family, *dad*."
     "You're right.  I didn't.  I also didn't always have Megacorp
blackmailing me.  I didn't always watch my wife, your mother, the woman
I loved more than my own life, waste away and die.  I didn't always
think my son was DEAD for seventeen years Jason!"  Henry's mini
diatribe gathered pace and volume it went.
     "I'll grant you that.  Was there anything else, or do you want to
yell some more."
     "No.  I'm done yelling, if you are.  I have some things I need to
tell you.  Even if I never see you again, I at least want you to know
the truth, if you're willing to listen."
     "Start talking."
     "It all started so long ago.  Megacorp is a brutal place to work,
Jamie, you have no idea.  Oh, the low level jobs are easy enough.  Even
some mid level positions, but when you get pulled into the upper levels
like I did, it's unbelievable.  People prey on each other without
mercy, and there's no hesitation to kill.  Megacorp gets what it wants,
one way or another."
     "Even me?"
     "Even you.  They'd have had you one way or another.  If we hadn't
given you up, Megacorp would have taken you from us.  It was the same
later with your sister.  We had no choice."
     "Bullshit.  You had a choice.  You can always choose."
     Henry shot to his feet, his hands gripping the front of Jamie's
desk, as he leaned over it, looking down into his son's face.  His
words came from between clenched teeth.  "Now that, son, is bullshit.
The ability to choose occurs very rarely.  Often your choices are made
for you, even if you think they aren't.  Megacorp wanted you, and if we
hadn't had given you up, they would have taken you.  They would have
taken you, and your mother and I wouldn't have been worth a piece of
shit afterwards.  Giving you up was the only way we could protect you.
Perhaps you'll understand better if you ever have children of your own.
     "By the time your sister came around, Megacorp would have not only
destroyed your mother and I, but the rest of the family as well.  My
parents, Anne's parents, our brothers and sisters, everyone.  And
Elizabeth would have been theirs either way.  DO YOU UNDERSTAND!  I HAD
NO CHOICE!"
     Jamie nodded slowly, Henry's words sinking in.  Henry himself
slumped back into his chair, drained.
     "I can't expect you to understand, and I don't expect that you'll
forgive me.  I can hope, but I don't expect.  I have found a sort of
peace here, Jason, and happiness, if you can believe that.  I don't
care about my career anymore, and I'm not sure that Megacorp does
either.  I'm not much use to them anymore.
     "I do care about both you and your sister.  I always have,
although from your standpoint it may not seem that way.  You two are
the only thing I have left worth anything, and I have to try to reach
you both, you understand.
     "I've already had this talk with your sister, and she reacted much
the same.  I was hard to her, I had to be, and there's so much pain.
But I hurt too, and pain can make you blind sometimes.  I just need to
make sure that you both know why what happened happened, and that I
hope we can be a family again.
     "I have no idea how this will all turn out, but I had to try, you
understand."  Henry finished talking, and the room was silent for half
a minute or more before Jamie spoke.
     "You've had your say.  Leave."  Jamie's words were harsh, but they
lacked conviction.  Henry stood up and said, as he left, "Think about
it."

(continued in part 2)