Make A Deal With The Mistress.

“I am sure we can find some middle ground. You own four whore houses?”

“Yes my lord though I find the term whore lacking in decorum. My establishments cater to a higher class of clientele and even if they did not I would not call them as such.” She replied putting a hand on her hip. I could tell she was holding back.

“My apologize my lady.” I held up my hand.. “And you care for your girls I am told.”

“Like they are my own daughters.” She nodded.

“But not all do.”

“No my lord. Most do not. This is the frontier. The edge of civilized space and most men behave as such.”

“How would you like to run them all as head of their guild?”

“We do not have a guild on this planet.” She shook her head.

“You do now as long as you don't say no to me. The imperial navy has ships that follow the main battle fleet that cater to military personal needs. Much like camp followers of old earth. This includes women who work in the trade. These ships have a strict code of conduct that must be followed when aboard ship. You would be the person making these rules for the entire planet.”

“Seems I do not have a choice.” She smiled.

“We all have a choice but I want people that will put the needs of others above themselves. I just make it hard for anyone to tell me no.”

“Well I do not know how long you and your ideal will last out here but at least it will be fun to watch. Very well my lord I am at your service. Is it okay if I steal Anastasia for a bit so we might see what state the house is in. One of my many duties was to see to coordinate your needs to the lady of the house. I was told there is to be a banquet in your honor tomorrow night?”

“Yes. Lady Cassandra is seeing to that but I trust she would not say no to some help. We are short staffed for the moment.”

“I can see to that. Also I would like to add a few names to your list. Clients of mine who could aid you in the future with the right motivation. They are medium level players with big ambitions and will be most gracious to receive an invitation to the banquet. If Jim doesn't mind reaching out.”

“Of course not my lady.” The Steward nodded as he put a hand to his chest.

“Let us go my dear.” Elizabeth said as she turned her attention toward Anastasia.”

“Go ahead. We can manage without you for a little while. See you for diner tonight?” I gave her a wink..

“Yes my lord.” Anastasia bowed. The two of them left and Elizabeth leaned in to whisper something to her. Anastasia looked back and blushed before they hurried off.

“That one will be a handful my lord.” The Steward spoke up.

“I am sure but you said she knows this game better then anyone else.” I smiled. My methods where more brute ****. Take it or leave it. Someone who was more diplomatic could get things done behind the scenes.

“That she does. She could sell water on earth with that smile and the right dress. Her leaving this house was the first step to its downfall.” He smiled. That was one thing earth never lacked.

“So onto business, how do we look on food? You get those numbers. We have sufficient numbers my lord but the addition of the miners on the moon may put a strain on the hydroponic farms and meat cloning facilities.” He said handing me a data pad after he pulled up the numbers.

“Which means more jobs down here. Does construction and development have the funds to make more?”

“Yes. Though they were underfunded I believe we can afford it within your time projections.” He responded. The fleet could move some of their own food production vessels to follow but we needed to be ready for every ship in the system to turn their attention our way so we didn't end up rationing food.

“And Education?”

“Severely lacking my lord.” The steward shook his head. “Most people know from the time they are kids the only job they will most likely get is in the mines which is seventy five percent of our workforce and that's not counting off world. Last thing this planet needs is more miners.” He shook his head. The people where just scrapping by as best they could. What little culture, art, fashion, etc. the planet had belonged to the one percent. A knock came at the door.

“Come in.” I said and in walked one of the palace guards. Miranda had moved them to the outer perimeter and gates as she cleared them one by one with a small bump in pay for their troubles. They where of course still expected to escort guest who did not have clearance to roam alone.

“My lord.” The guard bowed. “This woman wished to speak to you.” He glanced back where the woman from the mining guild I had meet yesterday stood. She looked a little more presentable now having slept, bathed, and changed into a dress that I would guess was the best she owned.

“Send her in and thank you. If you could please wait outside.”

“Yes sir.” The guard nodded and headed out.

“Speak of the miners.” The Steward spoke softly.

“Freeze those bank accounts as we discussed if you would.” I glanced over.

“As you wish my lord.” He nodded and passed her as she entered. The guard closing the door.

“Miss Sarah Walker.” I smiled.

“My lord.” She made a bow. “I was asked to come give you or thanks on behalf of the guild members and to let you know you have the support of most of the guild and everyone will be back at work Monday. I talked to my brother as well and he is willing to make a deal and except military service. I think it would be good for him. He is a good person at heart my lord.” She finally stood up and took a breath. A bit of her rebellious spirit from yesterday was gone but more out of self control then anything else since she didn't want to offended me and make me change my mind.

“I am glad to hear that. I think the military will be good for him. If he can keep his nose clean I will see about getting him reassigned to this system. Can't say it won't be without risk given smugglers and pirates in the system but this is as far as the war as one can get.”

“Thank you.”

“Sorry. My lord.”

“Quit alright.”

“I just hope you are ready to get to work Monday.”

“Right Liaison. I am not quit sure what all that will Intel but I am willing to put in the work.”

“Mostly you will relay information between the guild and myself or our new minster of Labor. Andrew Anderson.”

“The Andrew Anderson?”

“Yes. It's not set in stone yet but we meet earlier.”

“Wow. Hell has frozen over. That man is about as anti-empire as they come.”

“And I am pro empire, I can't say we will see eye to eye on everything but he cares about the people as I do. That gives us a middle ground to work from. Did you need anything else.”

“No my lord. Thank you.” She smiled and headed off. The rest of the day went by pretty smoothly. Mistress Elizabeth had taken over many of the preparations for the party with Anastasia by her side. She reminded me of a drill sergeant a bit as she gave orders that where quickly followed by the house staff. I was happy just to stay out of their way so I looked over the guest list. Many where former lords who had had their titles, lands, and most of their finances seized by the late lord. They would be their in the hopes of reacquiring them. The ones Elizabeth had ask to invite where high level merchants who ran most of the economics on the planet not ran by the houses. The next day flew by and before I knew it I was back in a military uniform killing time as the party had kicked off down stairs. I was suppose to wait until I made my grand debut after the guest had arrived. Tradition and all. I took the time looking back over the guest faces and names.

“Enter.” I said as a knock came at the door. Anastasia entered and did a little bow.

“My lord. They are ready for us.” She said standing back up. She looked stunning in the dress Elizabeth had picked out.

“Okay.” I smiled. “Nervous?”

“A little.” She nodded.

“You will be fine. Shall we my lady.” I said offering my arm.

“Yes my Lord. Are you nervous?”

“I rather be dropping into a war zone.”

“I think technically you are my lord.” She smiled and we headed down as they introduced me. Mistress Elizabeth introduced me one by one to my guest. Thankfully not to long to any of them before we moved on. A few where eager to discuss business of one kind or another to restore there titles and lands to whom I told to schedule an appointment with Anastasia. Some I could tell where holding back their contempt for me and my sudden appointment. Every male lord carried a sword on their hip that put me on edge. I knew it was ceremonial but that didn't mean they didn't know how to use them. Not that Miranda and my personal guard where ever far.

“Introducing her royal highness Victoria Fairchild.” A voice called out. Eyes turned toward the front entry way as her royal highness made her way down the staircase. I made my way quickly across the room to greet her. Bowing as I got close.

“Your highness. I didn't expect to see you here though I am glad you honer me with your presence.”

“Well I am in your debt. You did save my future husband after all so I couldn't pass up a chance to thank you in person. Both me and the empire owes you a great deb.” She smiled and offered her hand and I kissed it. “Do you care to dance?” I was a little taken aback by her boldness to ask me before I could do the same.

“I would not say no to her royal highness.” I took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. The music started to play and we began to dance.

“I was sad to hear I had missed you at the Dukes palace on Alpha Centauri. I arrived just after you left.”

“Apologizes my lady but I wanted to get to work here.”

“I think everyone was surprised when you picked this forsaken rock on the edge of known space. Other then to get as far from the war as possible there wasn't anything special about it. You could easily have retired in the lap of luxury in the Alpha Centauri system.”

“I am a little young to retire your highness.” I gave a little shrug.

“Well when you do I imagine you will be quit wealthy. My father has received news of your discovery and has asked me to tell you that you shall get whatever you need. When the route opens we will have every transport ship he can muster at your disposal. He wishes for you to process as much ore as possible before the window opens but is will gladly take as much unprocessed ore as you can send at no reduction in price.

“His Majesty honors me and will have every pebble I can send. A team landed today and is clearing a landing site for more ships. They where to survey the mining area but have been held up slightly because of the amount of valuable ore lying around the impact craters. They expect to be able to fill several transports before they even begin actual mining operations. Several ships in the system are already on their way to join them.”

“Seems you have a gold rush on your hands.” She smiled.

“So it would seem.” I nodded.

“I noticed your concubine.” She smiled and glanced over.

“She was a gift when I got here. I meant no disrespect.” I shook my head feeling a little hot on the collar.

“None taken. This is not the first time they have done this and not just me though I hear I am the favorite of many lesser lords. I find it rather flattering to be seen as the model for perfection. I actually have one of my own who is a far better copy. She stands in for me at parades and other such nonsense where I am just expected to sit their and wave and play the sweet little princess.”

“Maybe I should get myself one.” I shrugged and she gave me a sly smile.

“I meant of me.” I shook my head. “So how do I know I am not talking to the copy and the real princess is on Earth or Alpha Centarui.”

“You don't.” She gave me a wink.

“Get away from me.” A voice said loudly and a serving tray with several glasses hit the ground. One of the servants stepped back as some young lord

“Is their a problem here.”

“Problem. I would say so my lord. You a common soldier now an upjumped lord who we are all expected to bow down to. It should have been my family who took the throne. Not some outsider. You disgrace us by even talking to her highness and you have the nerve to dance with her like she is some common whore like that abomination...” He looked at Anastasia as his words trailed off. My fist hit his face and he hit the floor. He jumped up and drew his sword as he wiped blood from his mouth. Miranda and her men had already flanked me with guns drawn. I held up my hand for them to not shoot.

“You do not want to do that? I could easily kill you where you stand.” I shook my head.

“The hell I don't. Face me like a man.” He snarled.

“It is his right to challenge you. If he is so eager to die let him at least let him do so with what little honor he has left.”

Who would you like the baron to hook up with.