Hand her over to the Imperium

I looked at Ashlyn’s outstretched hand and the desperation in her eyes pleading for my help. Then at Sephanee. Her eyes sharpened in on mine. Come on. I’d selected IMPERIAL AGENT less than a half hour ago. I couldn’t exactly start my career by betraying the Imperium because the first Rebel princess I encountered turned out to be so unbelievably fuckable.

I stepped away from Ashlyn. Her expression fell. “You really can’t imagine how sorry I am about this, Princess.”

Sephanee smirked. “Good boy.”

Ashlyn immediately swung her pistol toward me. I was faster. My shield flashed blue as her shot ricocheted away. I grabbed her wrist, twisted the pistol free and caught her around the waist before she could escape. My class selection had enhanced my reflexes far beyond what I would be capable of on my own.

She fought like hell. I took an elbow to the nose but on the plus side got a quick squeeze of her chest in the commotion. “Get off me!”

“You’re not acting very Princess like.”

“Imperial bastard!”

“You’re a very mean person, your words hurt people!”

Sephanee approached, restraints in hand. Ashlyn finally stopped struggling, chest heaving as she glared up at me. For some reason, that made me feel worse. Sephanee took the princess from my arms and snapped restraints around her wrists and neck.

“Princess Ashlyn Vesperia,” she said. “By authority of the Imperial Directorate, you are under arrest for treason, espionage and armed rebellion against the Everlasting Glory of the Imperium”

Ashlyn looked at me. Not Sephanee but Me. “You’ll regret this.” I watched Sephanee tug at the chain around her neck and lead her away like a disobedient dog. I had the uncomfortable feeling she might be right.

────────

By the time we brought the princess onto our ship the battle was over. Imperial banners hung where Rebel colors had flown an hour earlier. Soldiers dragged prisoners toward transports while officers moved among the wounded, identifying anyone important enough to keep alive and interrogate. Those who were designated useless were being executed on the spot.

KillBot stood beside a pile of weapons confiscated from the surviving Rebels. He looked at Ashlyn. “Princess located.”

“Thanks, KillBot.” Sephanee commented.

“I contributed, substantially.”

“You weren’t there.” I pointed out.

“I contributed elsewhere.”

Judging from the blood splattered hallway behind him, I believed him.

Ashlyn looked around at what remained of her crew.

Her defiance finally cracked. She cried into her palms.

I suddenly found somewhere else to look.

────────

A short trip across the galaxy later, I stood before the Empress. She occupied an impressive throne room. Black marble stretched beneath towering crimson banners. Hundreds of Imperial officers, nobles and soldiers filled galleries surrounding a central aisle leading toward an elevated throne.

Ashlyn stood beside us in restraints. Sephanee stood to my right. KillBot stood to my left. And above us sat the woman who ruled half the known galaxy. The Empress rose.

She was tall, raven-haired and as impossibly well composed as she was voluptuous, wrapped in a black gown threaded with crimson and gold. An elaborate crown framed her dark hair, while the neckline of her dress suggested Imperial genetic engineering had apparently been very generous when designing her bust.

Her eyes settled on me. I suddenly understood why everyone else was kneeling. I joined them.

“Agent.” Her voice carried effortlessly across the chamber. “You boarded an enemy vessel, defeated its defenders and personally captured the most wanted woman in the Imperium.”

Ashlyn muttered something beside me. Probably nothing complimentary. The Empress descended the steps. Slowly. Every eye in the chamber followed her. Mine included. She stopped directly in front of me.

“Look at me.”

I did. Big mistake. Up close, she was breathtaking. She placed two fingers beneath my chin. “Your record says you are troublesome.” I have a record? I glanced toward Sephanee. She nodded enthusiastically. Not my biggest fan it appears.

“Occasionally, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Reckless.”

“Sometimes.”

“Disobedient.”

“When necessary.”

The Empress smiled. “Excellent.” That wasn’t the response I expected.

“Our glorious Imperium has no shortage of obedient men.” She stepped closer. “What it lacks are men capable of acting with purpose.”

A servant approached carrying a small black case. The Empress opened it. Inside rested a silver insignia unlike the one currently on my armor.

“Effective immediately, I elevate you to the office of Imperial Marshal. Whispers swept through the chamber. Even Sephanee looked surprised. A notification appeared.

TUTORIAL COMPLETE

TITLE ACQUIRED: IMPERIAL MARSHAL

IMPERIAL AUTHORITY SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED

SPECIAL JURISDICTION GRANTED

REQUISITION PRIVILEGES UNLOCKED

INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS AUTHORIZED

Now that sounded useful. The Empress personally fastened the insignia to my chest. “Within Imperial territory, you may commandeer vessels, requisition military assistance, investigate Imperial officials and pursue enemies of the throne across jurisdictional boundaries.”

I stared at her.

“So I’m still an Agent I just have a bigger budget and less paperwork?”

“You are whatever the Imperium requires you to be.”

Her fingers lingered against my chestplate.

“And perhaps I will personally require you one of these days” She leaned closer. “We can discuss that privately another time.” Sephanee’s eyebrow rose. I swallowed.

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.” The Empress stepped away, apparently satisfied. Then she glanced toward Ashlyn.

“Take the princess to the tower. I want to know how she pulled off her little heist, whom she gave the information to to, and every Rebel contact she possesses.”

Ashlyn’s enormous brown eyes found mine again. The anger was still there. But underneath it was something else, fear.

The Empress turned back toward me. “Marshal.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty?” That smile returned.

“I will be keeping a very close eye on you.”

Her gaze traveled slowly down my armor and back up. “Do try to give me something interesting to watch.”

Sephanee leaned toward me as the Empress walked away. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The one you had when you met me.”

KillBot leaned toward us.

“He also exhibited it when viewing the princess.”

“Thank you, KillBot.”

“You are welcome, Marshal.”

I looked at the new insignia on my chest. Well that was the fastest promotion I’d ever gotten.