The prisoner constrained, as he was in a Straitjacket and heavily shackled, tried to sit up from the rough bare floor with some difficulty. "It is time", he mumbled to himself, "I can sense it". Then he got up and looked about him. The cell was small and narrow. There was no facility in it; no bed or chair to sit on. The man was short but powerfully built. His muscular neck was restrained by a huge chain attached to the ceiling. His feet also bore fetters. He managed to stand upright facing the wall. Then his eyes glazed over and he began to mutter. Soon a distorted image of a man in a military costume appeared on the wall. "General", the apparition said, saluting. "At ease lieutenant Moroe. I am afraid we do not have the time for cordialities. Report to me". "General, there has been massive unrest within the senate as you are aware of. There are even rumors of possible secession in the near future". "That is to be expected ", the prisoner said. "Continue lieutenant ". "There are rumors that the star lords of the Pleiades have met in secret conclave on a rogue planet somewhere along the outer rim. There is pressure on the Pleiadean premier to move for a vote against the Chancellor". "What a foolish move by the viceroy. Does he know where he stands with us, with our premier?" "No General. And if I may, I think they don't care for Andromedaen support anymore". "How so? " "General, with all respect, some say your arrest and detention without trial is a proof of Andromedaen treachery. The chancellor would not have gotten all that Intel without someone on our side. We have our suspicions sir". "Be careful with words lieutenant Moroe. Walls still have ears. What about the party. Have we made any new strong alliances?" "Begging your pardon, General, but that can wait. There are more pressing issues. Like your death. There is talk that the kangaroo court behind your detention has put a price on your head". "Price on my head?" the prisoner replied chuckling. "But they have me here, chained like a common dog. They can come for me whenever they like". "It is not so easy General. Among the Congress of the Triangle, your name still inspires dread. They fear you, sir. Since your arrest, your quarters have not been disturbed. No soldier would obey orders to go in there". The prisoner chuckled again. "There is talk that you sir are a sorcerer descended from Karam himself, a servant of the great and ancient serpent Za". "So that explains why they put me in an empty cell. No metal, no water, no fire, and no wind. If I could only get assess to one of the elements I would very much love to show Chancellor Sonoku some sorcery indeed. The chains around me are made of some kind of metallic alloy; it does not respond to my prana. Lieutenant Moroe, well done. It would not be long before I see you again. Goodbye". Then as the prisoner heard footsteps outside the cell he lay back on the floor and the image on the wall faded. With each footstep the doctor took in the direction of the prisoners' cell, his heart beat faster till he could almost hear it. He knew what he must do. What he must do to ensure the safety of his family back on Sol. His beautiful daughter Meg, and Mathilda, his wife. He knew what he had to do. The contact that had met with him had been very succinct: "kill the prisoner and no harm will come to your wife and daughter. Fail in this task and you will watch as they are sold to merchants from the outer rim". As he remembered this, his chest heaved deeply In resignation. He knew who the prisoner was, General Grazmol Sudal of the Andromedaen allied forces. A power to be reckoned with. Back at his home planet on Sol, the Generals reputation had been recounted time without number by the media houses and word on the street said he was a sorcerer of immense power, one of the few serpentines left. It was rumored that the Andromedaen premier along with some senates had betrayed him to the Chancellor.