Shi Lang did not sit down but stood in his spot when the Queen said that she had a confession to make. He nodded to the lady.
Nexalia said, “Actually, I had prior knowledge that Shunt would try to make an assassination attempt on you. However, it came only when you entered the spaceport. I could have informed you, but when Ameris told me that you can even best her. I thought, why not test you? I apologize for the transgressions.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “I hope you do not let something like this happen again, I am not here to give you the excitement of testing me or my teammates. If we did not die in the attacks, we will make sure to hunt down those responsible for it.’
The whole room descended into silence, this guy just threatened the queen of a celestial empire. What was he even thinking? However, none of the teammates had the mind to retort him. They have been tolerating all this quite a bit over the past few days. That said, Shi Lang sat down at the table and began to eat.
Amelia said, “Shunt revealed to us that Finance Minister Abbey is the true ruler in their community.” in a low voice.
Shi Lang nodded and asked, “What about the people from his faction? Any details?”
Darcx nodded, “A dozen names and descriptions. Small cogs.”
Jenkins said, “We have dispatched the satellites to keep an eye on these people.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Amy, you will cooperate with Captain Ameris, determine, which one of these people has the least contact history with Shunt, and abduct him or her.”
Nexalia raised her eyebrow, Rosa said, “Shunt has been exposed so the people close to him will be guarded and cautious, so by going after the remotest person, we will be having a higher chance of nabbing them without alerting the shadows.”
The captain of the palace guard and the queen nodded to this method of working in appreciation. The purpose for calling over Shi Lang and the others was to maintain the secrecy, they did not want the empire to know that the throne is shaky.
Only the finance minister was not busy seeking the opportunities to usurp the empire, a lot of selfish people would have dreams of starting an empire of their own, and they will rebel and set fire to the peace and prosperity of the Neomonian Empire. Nexalia did not want that to happen.
After the people finished eating they all were about to get to their jobs when Shi Lang said, “Captain Ameris, I need hundred of your people, all tested and checked for royalty. They will follow us on the remote base of operation.”
Nexalia said, “You will get the best of the people, but why so many?”
Shi Lang turned to look at her, “In the coming years of your reign, will you be depending on Terran aid all the time? I just did you a second favor here, we will train your people while they work with us. You will have a secret division that will work and answer only to you and for you.”
Nexalia Neytiri was surprised, ever since she was crowned, she had wanted a force of her own, however, there has never been a force like that, although she had the skills of administration, she did not know how to manipulate the people around her, this was why her brother was the first choice for the throne. Turned out, that when their mother was still alive, this guy wanted to be crowned emperor.
He was only nineteen at that time. So he planned a conspiracy, which failed and he was caught. Thus he was named the finance minister. However, when he got the keys to the mint, he came to a step closer to his goal. But before his mother passed away, she gave his sister the throne and the crown.
Nexalia Neytiri was moved beyond her words and she said with a humble smile on her face, “If not for the fact that you, Shusha Ace have a beautiful fiance beside you, I would have asked you to sire children with me and rule the empire too.”
Shi Lang chuckled and said, “I bless that you find someone else, Your Majesty. Jenkins is single, would you like me to introduce you to him?”
Jenkins gulped and thought, how it will be if the queen said yes. But before his thoughts could run wild, Nexalia shoved him inside the cold pool, “He is not enough to hold our interest.”
Darcx patted Jenkins on his shoulder as he stifled laughter. Nexalia Neytiri turned to look at Amelia and said, “Shushi Amelia, would you accompany me later at night, along with Shushi Rosa and Shushi Harley?”
Amelia nodded and said, “It will be our pleasure, Your Majesty.”
The people moved to deal with their own stuff. Shi Lang had given clear commands if the reports came out filled with fumbles, they could almost imagine their heads on a platter. Shi Lang said, “I would like to confess something as well.”
Nexalia was very interested in this, and they all turned to look at him. Shi Lang had decided to place a card that could give them the edge in this game. He said, “Your majesty, human spies are prone to slip-ups and also corruption. So, we need to place some pawns that can assure the authenticity of the news. Zysha will be in charge of these spies till we are here.”
He cast a gaze at the big cat lazing in the corner, and said, “You all may think I am pulling a number on you but I am not. She is capable of telepathic conversation and her intelligence, well I will let you decide. Zysha, time to broaden their horizons. Befriend her majesty and you will get good food.”
Suddenly, a calm yet rebuking voice sounded in their minds, “You look down on me by that last part of your sentence. Terran boy, the way you think of me as a pet, the same can explain how I look at all of you, that includes this beauty in veil.”
The people were shocked. Amelia looked at Shi Lang with surprise, she did not expect where he found this cat. Darcx said, “Captain, I also want a talking cat of my own.”
His remark was yet to be processed when Zysha let out her claws and bared her fangs at Darcx. She said, “You think, creatures like me are as common as you shit brains? I have been wondering how you got a place in this all. Like are you someone who was sent here to make up for the numbers and manual labor, right?”
Quinn spoke up, “I like her.”
Rosa said, “Me too.”
Nexalia nodded and Amelia asked, “How will she help us?”
Shi Lang said, “Train and teach the animals we plant in the houses of the nobles and beside the ladies of the house or every member of the family. Give them an animal of their choice, but not a carnivore, those are hard to train.” his mood was so calm.
At this moment, Nexalia was having stars blink in her eyes. She was almost unable to stop herself from kissing this cold and calm young man in front of her. Well, she was also partially a human you know. She had needs.
She said, “I see, why you are called Ace.” after taking a deep breath she said, “Ameris, get started on the screening process and arrange for the convoy to take all of them and our guests to the secret base with the first light in the morning.”
Ameris nodded and said, “It will be as you command, My Liege.”
Nexalia nodded and said, “Shusha Ace, I will see to it that every noble house gets an animal, and it will be for the ladies of the house to take care of it personally.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “We will be going out to work, so I will leave Zysha by your side.” he cast a look at Zysha and told her to keep an eye on the Queen.
Nexalia nodded and said, “I understand. She can stay with me. I hope you won’t dislike it.” the second half was intended for Zysha.
The cat gazed at her calmly before finally nodding. Nexalia nodded and said, “Come with me.”
She took Zysha away and the Terrans and the captain of the palace guards were left there. They discussed a few issues before they all dispersed as well. Jenkins asked while moving back to their rooms, “Why did you let out Zysha’s secret to them. It could have been of our use later and serve a better advantage.”
Shi Lang said, “Have you never heard, keep friends close, and enemies closer. Let me add to it, those with the potential to destroy you must be held in your palms. Understand. Do not think too much, Zysha is not that simple.”