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[Tatiana Renkl]

Tegrat, Koradin Sector.

Recent terrorist threats had been squashed by imperial forces in the system over the past months. To most people, things seemed back to normal, but Tatiana Renkl knew better. This was why in collaboration with Intelligence agents, she had agreed to set a trap up to high society traitors. They had inklings of a few nobles from the Koradin system who felt unhappy with the imperial presence, and had been supporting scum in a petty attempt to undermine the imperials, and the sector's Moff, Duchess Renkl from Virgillia 7.

Under the guise of a high scale gathering to raise money for a new university, the Moff had decided that she would make the perfect target for rumors that had been circulating. There had been no direct attempt on her life lately but she knew that after the quenching of the terrorist cells, some were hoping for such a feat. The reception would be a perfect trap for them to try that, because in their minds it would discredit the Empire. Not only would someone replace Tatiana, should she be killed in action, but she wasn't planning to see her grave any time soon.

She had also chosen Tegrat, because she had spent most of her childhood there, and the Renkl estate in the capital city was one she knew like the back of her hand, which would make her more efficient to work with the agents. It would also make people think she was somewhat sentimental, which would lure them into a false sense of superiority.

Clad in imperial uniform, Tatiana looked at her security guards as her vehicle pulled in front of her residence (https://thespaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/facade-view-1050x599.jpg). Much of the personnel had been working in preparing the event that would take place a couple of nights later. For now, in the early morning, it was not as busy as it would be.

Getting outside, she headed towards the entrance, ready to meet with Agent Lovelace, who had already been overseeing the situation for the last days. The young woman had proven her worth already and had come up with the cover story for her presence close to the Moff. It was one of the good things about being both regional nobility and a Moff, people expected one to have many close members of personnel and security. It made things quite practical.

[Adalinde Lovelace]

This job was a huge deal to Adalinde. It was not the first time she had been put in charge of planning, but it was the first time she had been asked to do so by Moff Renkyl.

Adalinde was definitely not in uniform. Neither did she look like herself exactly. Her tattooed skin had been airbrushed to cosmetic blankness. Her normally short cropped hair had been lengthened with extensions, and styled. She wore a smart looking business suit, with a pleated skirt and high heels. These were things she would never, ever choose for herself, and yet it was part of her cover and here she was.

While she met the Moff at the front entrance to her impressive residence, Adalinde did not salute her superior or give any formal greeting at all. For anyone watching them, she was simply one of the recipients of a scholarship to the new university that would be opened. Simply there to support her 'would-be' alma mater.

"Ma'am." She spoke with as much respect in her voice as she could muster, since she was sans salute.

"The Koradin nobles from the document you forwarded to me have all been invited. All of the families, save one, have responded back that they will be in attendance. I believe on the evening in question they should be watched, regardless."

[Tatiana Renkl]

While Tatiana knew how important adaptability and versatility were for Intelligence agents, she was nevertheless impressed by Adalinde's transformation. Of course, nothing in the Moff's behavior indicated it and she played along the charade as she was meant to do. "Good morning," she said curtly but with a hint of pride in her voice, which was appropriate for a "student" who had just earned a scholarship. She led the way inside the estate, listening to the agent, while her eye wandered to check how things were coming together.

"Which family will not join us?" She had a strong suspicion of who they were, but confirmation didn't hurt. It would also give her a better idea of what they may be up to, although she agreed for surveillance no matter who those people were.

"What about the catering services and the entertainment? Is everything in order?" She definitely sounded like the Duchess her parents had raised her to be at that moment. Her life had definitely taken twists and turns that horrified a fair share of nobles but she had always valued all the lessons she had benefited from since a child.

[Adalinde Lovelace]

"The Caron family, also of Tegrat."

The agent kept her answers to her superior short and to the point until she was asked to elaborate, or provide an opinion. Her opinion being that it made no sense for the family that shared the closet proximity to the Moff's personal residence to decline an invitation to such an event. It was an honor they were snubbing for a paltry excuse. Something to do with their son and heir, a Viscount Felix Caron, being indisposed to travel.

"It is, ma'am. Yes."

The food and beverages had been selected by her. An impressive array of hors d'oeuvres would be carried on trays by members of her team, clad in the formal livery of Moff Renkyl's family, each in touch with the other, and with her, as they moved about the event. As it was a function for the advancement of education, Adalinde had thought it inappropriate to include an open bar, which had caused a minor groaning from someone on her team, and a stern look from her. In the end she had been overruled, if it was to be a successful evening, they would get more donations for the university if the guests were feeling...warm and giving.

Funding or not, the university was not her objective.

The enormous space of the Moff's residence had required Adalinde to be creative in her use of personnel, they could not be everywhere. The impressive central space of the home was open to the air. It was set with white, linen-covered buffet tables which later would bear main courses. Musicians with stringed instruments would be set up to play. Inside was another story, a dance floor had been set up with a DJ droid spinning out upbeat music to dance to. The floor itself seemed to move with a constant laser light show - one that included cameras that would move across everyone in the room.

After briefing the Moff on the location of the cameras and making known the other members of her team, they were nearly ready to admit the real catering team and entertainment, to add to their number. "Was there anything else you would like to go over, ma'am?"

[Tatiana Renkl]

Tatiana nodded to Adalinde's expected response. The Carons had never forgiven her for turning down the marriage proposal to ally their second-rate house to her own. The Carons were not as powerful as they thought they were. Many centuries ago they had played on the same level as the Renkls, so to speak, but this time was long gone. And Tatiana had had no interest to become wife to their pathetic son. That one was a hopeless case, who up to this day, hadn't found a spouse who stuck around more than a couple of years, adding disgrace to the Carons, much to Tatiana's amusement. Not that she had had anything to do, at least directly, with one of the wives.

Tatiana's eyes discreetly observed everything that Adalinde was telling her about, when it came to the actual party. Such events were not only perfect fundraisers, but also so suitable for her to play bait. She was playing a dangerous game, but it was often what it took to support the Empire. She had served in the Navy, on the first line, she knew what upholding one's principles meant.

"Not for now, we can go over fashion details in a couple of hours. So far, I am comforted in our decision to select you for this scholarship."

The fashion excuse was totally credible, as young female guests of Tegrat noble houses had always come under the wings of the Lady of the House, as the Moff currently was.And it would be more practical to discuss further details behind closed doors.

[Adalinde Lovelace]

"Thank you for your confidence, ma'am."


*****


Those couple of hours later, Adalinde was within the bed chambers of the lady of the house while Moff Renkyl finished her final touches. In a few more minutes they would go out together and the event - both the fund raising event - and unless she was really off the main event, would begin. She just had a feeling. Even with her bests operatives working with her, and all of this planning, something was going to happen. She also had a feeling that Moff Renkyl was very aware of that fact also, and that it was the point. Not to protect her, but to entrap whoever dared. Adalinde would achieve both directives.

Adalinde stood before the Moff's dressing table mirror smoothing her hands over her own bare arms, feeling naked without her tattoos. Whatever..

"I will be beside you, as the recipient of the scholarship. The other agents will spread out, surrounding the premises so no one will be leaving without one of us being in their way..", she said over her shoulder, giving her superior some relative privacy.

[Tatiana Renkl]

Tatiana had chosen a white pantsuit (http://cdn01.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/passion-noomi/noomi-rapace-passion-venice-new-04.jpg), which would not only attract attention to her, among black and grey uniforms, tuxedos, and other colorful dresses, but also provided cover for her security. Two stiletto weapons were literally hidden in her high heels, and the cut of her shit allowed for a high tech protective layer right underneath. She was willingly playing bait, but she was no stupid chattel. Letting her hair down to frame her face also added another screen, even though the one ear piece she would have on her at all times was hidden to the eye no matter what.

When she met with Agent Lovelace again, she nodded when the other imperial confirmed the plan. "Do we have any last minute personnel changes? How many of the guests have already arrived?" She bet about two thirds of them, for as fundraiser and host, she was to make her grand entrance.

Once Lovelace had answered her questions, she followed her out of her room, and they headed to the reception area. It was quite full already, and people were mostly mingling. You had the odd one here and there, who seemed to long for being a wallflower. Even some aristocrat hated gatherings. She trusted the agents present. She didn't expect trouble right away. As a killer, she would wait to get some observatory time, and find the right human shield to protect one's escape. Given her estate's location, outdoors snipers were practically impossible, but for good measure, Tatiana was planning to stick to the actual reception hall, once revealing herself to the gathered assembly.

Tatiana nodded to one of her guards. Then she was announced. "Ladies and gentlemen, Duchess Tatiana Renkl, Moff of Koradin Sector."

With a stern expression, with just the right polite smile on her lips, Tatiana descended the grand staircases, staring at the present nobility. Eyes scanning the room, she knew deep in her bones that tonight would prove full of entertainment.

[Cad Bakvalen]

It was easy to miss Carrick Bastel, and that fact was by good design rather than by good fortune. While the ranks of Imperial nobility wore their wealth quite literally on their sleeves, sporting outfits whose price tags could have easily funded a university scholarship on their own, Bastel was comparatively understated in his attire. HIs suit was nevertheless well-tailored, however, and on the lapel was a badge displaying the insignia of a prominent Imperial university.

As far as the majority of the party-goers were concerned, Carrick Bastel was a professor and academic. To a select few, he was Cad Bakvalen, agent of Imperial Intelligence.

Looking over the rim of his glasses, he watched as Moff Renkl made her entrance. How could he not? Her arrival commanded the attention of the whole room. For Cad, however, it wasn’t the Moff herself who drew his attention. Instead, he watched the crowd, watched for anyone to whom Tatiana Renkl’s arrival elicited something not quite genuine.

[Adalinde Lovelace]

Agent Lovelace also watched the Moff's entrance, from the bottom of the grand staircase, having just arrived there a moment earlier, by way of a servants stair. She was not the guest of honor after all, merely the staged recipient of a scholarship to a University she had no intention of attending.

Marvelous.

Her gaze followed Moff Renkyl's descent, slipping away from the woman to take a measured look at the assembled. Watching for anything as obvious as intent, but finding nothing untoward just yet. Some sort of announcement would be made to remind them all that they were there to crowd fund the bright young minds of the sector. She would receive her phony scholarship, most gratefully of course, and then.. they would see.

A tray of drinks was leveled at her. Adalinde eyed the waiter, one of her agents, and shook her head. She did not want the damn drink, but now it seemed weird. With a pinched smile, she accepted a flute..

[Tatiana Renkl]

Part of Tatiana liked being bait. She wasn't addicted to life-threatening situations, but having served in the military, she had grown used to dangerous field work more often than not, which was why she could baffle some of her personnel for being more hands on in certain matters than her position required. Simply sitting behind a desk, or giving a speech from a lectern were important parts, and she didn't neglect them; but she considered leadership as a complex enterprise. She was also extremely selective about people working beneath her, and in turn trusted them in doing the same. The Empire had no room for incompetence.

She exchanged pleasantries with multiple guests, most nobility. She fiercely believed in education and research generally speaking, so this event was dear to her, besides drawing her foe out. Killing two Krayt Dragons with one Death Star made for a very promising combination. Some nobles still thought they were above the law, and bold enough to say things they believe inconsequential even within audible range. All of this would be relayed and taken care of appropriately. Right now, the Moff knew their pettiness wasn't what mattered, and thus brought her attention elsewhere. She also knew that her strong temperament was well known, and her methods as well. Brute force was but a fraction of the numerous options she was willing to use for the betterment of her sector, and of the Empire at large.

It was eventually time for the actual speech to occur. Baroness Ana Des Marchands took the stage, and introduced the Moff. She knew that the most likely option was that all hell would break loose during her speech.

So be it.

"Good evening, my fellow imperials. Tonight it is my honor we are raising funds for the new Aurora University, which will be a beacon in new educational development not only for Tegrat, but for the whole Koradin Sector. To celebrate this, four remarkable individuals have been chosen to receive the Star Victory Scholarship." She looked at the four students in questions, which included Adalinde undercover. "Please step forward."