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This was the moment of truth, the best Marines in the universe were in formation, and every tiny ribbon and bit of brass was polished. Our boots were mirror bright, not a speck of dust existed to mar the black perfection of our uniforms. On the stroke of eighteen Hundred hours, I called into my command mic "Atten' . . . Hut" every foot went up, and we were transported to the floor of the Twelfth Galactic region's Imperial Senate. We appeared out of nowhere with a massive stomp as every foot completed the stomp to attention.

The Senate floor was identical to our practice arena. However, this one was emblazoned with banners and was filled with Senators each with their personal Marine Guard at attention beside them. The spectator's gallery started where our arena had quit, and it was filled with spectators and tourist here to see the changing of the Guard. Alone in the massive wall in front of me was the platform where the Regent addressed the Senate. Lord Rathsmor, Duke of Paldonia and Regent of the twelfth Galactic region stood there with the Emperor and his personal guests, intent on the pageantry now being enacted on the floor where I stood.

We stayed at attention, too tense to sleep at attention, too worried to listen to what he said, while the Emperor made his welcoming speech, and then the exchange started. Each Marine in my company went one at a time, to his assigned Senator and stood at attention facing the Marine that they were replacing, saluted and relieved them. Eventually, I was the only one on the arena floor. I walked up the steps to the platform to stand next to the Duke of Paldonia and his Imperial guards.

Up to this point, I knew exactly what was to happen. Cynthia was standing at the back of the platform, licking her lips in anticipation of the bloodshed to occur. I stepped to the front of the platform with my opposite number, Captain Sul, from the Imperial guard, whose position I would now be taking. Captain Sul and I saluted the Emperor.

As we saluted, which was the signal to go into action, all hell broke out on the floor below as my Marines intercepted those Marines who were attempting to assassinate their targets. The Duke had trained his people well. However, they were no match for my select team of highly trained Marines. They tried and failed, in most cases, they died failing. Not one Senator, I found out later, died or was even seriously hurt.

I had my own problems because not one backup, but the entire Imperial guard was closing in on the Emperor. The Emperor threw off his voluminous cloak tossing it, net-like, so it spread out and fell squarely over the guards approaching, entangling them. His battle cry echoed from the walls as he leaped to embrace the remaining guards, surging toward him with mayhem in their eyes.

I had the captain of the guard to contend with; as we saluted I had blocked a karate chop meant for the emperor that he had instantly redirected towards my throat. Had it connected it would have killed me instantly. In a blur of motion, we engaged, and I found myself fighting for my very life.

As we fought, twisted, and turned, I was on the defensive. Suddenly a blinding light poured into my eyes when I could see again time slowed, and I saw small vignettes of frozen motion. The Duke, revenge glittering deep in his fanatical eyes, had dropped his knife as he realized that he had been set up.

I saw that he had pulled a disrupter from beneath his cloak, and was starting to bring it to bear on the Emperor, who had a guard hoisted above his head and was in the act of throwing him at several other guards who were menacing him. Captain Sul was in the midst of a kick, which would crush my throat, and there was no way that I could recover my position to defend myself.

Suddenly the stage lights that had been shining in my eyes, temporarily blinding me, were eclipsed, as Lance stood in front of them. The lights created a halo of light around his person as he blocked Captain Sul's kick upwards, just as it made contact, the main impact catching me in the head, and tossing me to the floor, flashes of light again streaked through my vision.

A disrupter beam flickered out into the air, as the Duke attempted to bring the beam in a chopping motion down onto the furiously battling Emperor. Dust and debris clouded the air as the beam scored the ceiling and wall, trailing thunder behind it.

An instant later Lance tossed Captain Sul on top of Sir James. Captain Sul and Sir James collapsed into a tangle of arms and legs and a furiously active blaster. My Eyes locked with Lance's for an instant; mine in wonder, his in pain. Then he was in the midst of the guards, those that were still standing, they didn't have a chance as Lance, now a destroying angel, moved in a blur of action to fast to follow. Then it was over.

Lance and the Emperor were standing together. The Emperor had a fighting smile on his lips, and his old scar that had been burning redly across his forehead was fading. Lance, just standing calmly, was panting lightly. They looked at each other for the first time. Lance with a look of awe, the Emperor with a look of appreciation and recognition.

Guards were lying in small moaning heaps all over the place. The spectators were only now beginning to understand that something had happened and the screaming was just starting.

Every Senator in the Duke's and Cynthia's payroll was under arrest, by my Marines. His decades of planning and preparation had been washed up in just a few seconds. Somehow Sir James disrupter must have exploded when Lance tossed Captain Sul onto him, for all that remained of the two was a few grisly pieces of flesh in a smoking heap.

The Emperor helped me to my feet and gave me a quick hug before he hurried to the front of the platform. He stood still and held up his arms until the press finally saw him and focused their recorders on him. "Evil will never be dead, as long as there are power hungry men" He intoned. "It was only by ever watchful vigilance and unceasing preparation that I am still alive. I have known of this plot against me for years. However, to catch all the plotters, it was necessary that I let this go all the way. I am not harmed in any way, and every plotter and assassin has been captured. The Empire is safe again."

As he spoke a full company of Marines in battle dress appeared on the floor, and they started to take charge of all prisoners, medics giving what aid they could. It was all over except counting the broken eggs. A squad under the command of one of the women that I had "Disposed of" on Caribbia arrived at the head of the stairs. The Emperor said, "Take charge of her" and pointed to Lady de Winters, who was just standing there, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. "You and You, come with me," he said, pointing to Lance and me.