E: Imperium Incident 2

Abc Imperium Stories

Imperium Incident 2

The Lady Emily, Lord of the Instrumentality, Controller of the Threads,
was worried. Her perfect face, framed by the dark hair that peeked from
her gold, crested, helmet, signified that with a troubled frown.

She had seven days to save the Imperium from a creeping cloud of
negativity.

'And sort out the Lady Tess' she snarled, attractively.

"Tess, dear" Emily invited.

Tess laid aside the quilt she was working on. It was a curious thing.
The material was infinitely dark, and the stitching seemed to consist
of silver-blue threads of light, with tiny beads spread out along
them.

"What's that?" Emily asked, curious despite herself.

"Oh, I thought a trans-existential stealth cloak might come in handy,
Lady"

Emily was stunned. 'What the hell did she mean?' She paused for a few
moments.

"For what purpose?" She asked sweetly.

"Why" Tess spoke impetuously "So you can cross into the imperium that
is attacking us, find the cause and stop it" Tess stopped,
breathless.

Emily was silent for a long time. Her lovely face was calm and
impassive. Tess gazed up at her thinking 'I wish I looked like that -
but then - I do have the brains!'.

Eventually Emily spoke.

"And why should I do that, Tess dear?"

Tess was astonished.

"Because it's the ONLY WAY" she blurted.

Once those magyk words were spoken, the die was cast. Emily was locked
into the plot that Tess had created. Unless she could construct a new
sub-plot or a radical alternative, she had no choice but to follow the
inevitable path laid out before her. 'That bloody bitch!' Emily thought
'she's history!'

"Yes, thankyou my dear" Emily said pleasantly "Finish it off will you,
I can't wait to be on my way"

Tess was impressed, and that cold, steely stare that bored into her
convinced her that Lady Emily was already focused on her deadly task.
What a woman!

***************

"Tony" wheedled Emily "do I really have to go? The threads need me,
especially at this time. I could let Tess go - she's clever with her
hands"

"What!" Lord Tony, Prime Lord of the Instrumentality, looked up from
his glass. Emily could see he was a wee bit hazy.

"No, no! She's too valuable. She's recalibrating all our screens so we
get better views and updates. And she's doing a personal project for me
on the introduction of accountants"

"What" Emily was taken aback "I didn't know that!"

"Aaah!" Lord Tony put a finger unsteadily to his lips "you don't have
to know everything, little Em, you just have to look lovely!"

The lady Emily could not believe what she was hearing. She stood up, to
full height.

"Lord Tony" she proclaimed loudly "I hereby issue a formal preliminary
personal complaint about that remark and your behaviour at present."
This was serious!

Tony gazed blearily down into the pale yellow fluid. He could still
taste the fur on his lips.

"This is supposed to be non-alcoholic!" He exclaimed, realising his
condition.

"That bloody Newbie! I'll?."

The Lady Emily took his glass and dashed it down. Shards scattered
across the floor, and a spreading puddle of liquid seethed across the
stone, smoking faintly.
Imperiously, she called server.

"Bring cherries!" She commanded

"But milady, cherries is restricted, only ?"

"GET CHERRIES!" Emily's 'command' voice riveted the hapless
server.

All around, people were looking.

"HIGH ORDER SECURITY!" she barked.

Immediately, the coffee shop emptied.

Tony gazed at her in admiration. This was why she'd been admitted to
the ruling echelon - she was one awesome babe when roused!

Emily forced Tony to consume the cherries. He gulped them down, gagging
on the stones, but persevering. In no time he was stone cold sober
again.
"Lady Emily!" Tony stood, noble, steady and impressive, gold
breastplate glinting.

'Christ! I'm in for a right bollocking' Emily thought sweetly.

"For services to the Imperium, I award you the 'Enid Blyton Star, First
Class'"

Emily was gobsmacked! The highest honour for a female Lord! Then she
pulled herself together.

"Praise the Imperium and bless the Intrumentality, I am honoured and
humbled! I shall serve well and dutifully, I shall do what must be done
without protest" This was the ritual response.

"Now what were you saying?" Tony enquired as he settled back in his
seat with a mug of steaming Java provided by the server.

"Er, nothing!" Emily could say nothing now, given the vow she had
made.

'Shit!' she thought. Then, glancing at her watch.

'Only six-and-a-half days to save the Imperium!'

(to be contd)