The Imperial Special Task Force was the Samael Empire’s independent intelligence agency. Their sole purpose was clear and absolute: “For the empire.” They would do anything that benefited the empire, no matter how immoral or inhumane. And in doing so, they were granted unlimited support from the empire without bureaucratic delays.0

Of course, results were demanded. A single failure meant immediate dismissal and stripping of title. There was no second chance. That was why the Special Task Force never began anything they were not certain would succeed.0

Kai, an eleven-year veteran operative, scanned the man before him: Keter. He was the unpredictable variable in what had otherwise been a flawless operation. Kai had accounted for every possibility except this man. It didn’t matter that Keter was the illegitimate son of Sefira, or that he was from Liqueur. What mattered was that he was now interfering.0

“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Lord Keter. I’m Hanson, a humble merchant operating a small trading firm in the Baen Kingdom.”0

Kai introduced his alias with ease. The usual course of action would be to eliminate anyone interfering with the mission. But Keter was not ordinary. Kai decided to probe him first to...0