*****

"Ambition's debt is paid."

- Shakespeare, "Julius Caesar," Act 3, Scene 1

*****

(Continued from Part One)

It was the fifth year of Empress Hoshi's reign -- the year 5 N.I.C. (New Imperial Calendar). In that time, Hoshi had managed to not only hold the Terran Empire together, but to consolidate more power in the position of Emperor than ever before.

There had not been a true Terran Emperor since Zefram I, who was the first to establish Earth dominion over an extra-Terrestrial society -- the Vulcans. Zefram left no heirs, and his consort-successor Lily was weak by comparison. Power began to ebb from the Emperor and flow to the Imperial Senate until, by the time of Archer's mutiny, Emperor Brannon was a mere figurehead.

Under Hoshi, true power returned to the Emperorship. All remnants of the Rebellion were crushed -- usually quite ruthlessly, but with T'Pol's counsel, Hoshi also made several strategic, if inconsequential, concessions to gain an end to the fighting.

The technological advances gleaned from the future-Defiant gave the Terrans all the advantage they needed to expand their borders, and Hoshi ruled this territory from any one of her many palaces spread about the quadrant. The main one was on Earth in Sato City -- the new name for what was once Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Hoshi was a popular leader who enjoyed the respect if not actual love of her subjects. Which is not to say that she was anything but a merciless dictator -- and she enjoyed it. Once, on Rigel X, Hoshi was acknowledging the cheers of a lively crowd. When she asked the interpreter what they were saying, he told her proudly, "They are shouting 'Hoshi the Great'!"

"Hmm," she mused. "I'd rather be known as Hoshi the Terrible."

It was not long after Hoshi's ascension that talk turned to a successor. Some still considered her title of Empress to be honorary, and thought there ought to be a constitutional passage of power -- most likely to her Regent, Malcolm Reed. Others took her to be the first in a long line, and thought she ought to start birthing potential heirs.

She did enter into marriage -- several times concurrently in fact. But preparing for the future was not her motive -- securing the present was. To that end, she married a total of three times, each to powerful Houses throughout the Empire. She married a husband from Vulcan and one from Andoria -- finally establishing a level of peace in that sector -- and even took a wife from the planet Ardana.

She rarely saw her spouses, as they were required to remain on their homeworlds as her Viceroys. It was no secret that her affection rested mainly with her Captain-of-the-Guard, Travis Mayweather. Many often joked (discreetly) that his true title ought to be Her Majesty's Consort. But they never married, and Hoshi had yet to bear a child.

Still more rumors abounded about the relationship between Hoshi and T'Pol, her Vulcan counselor, whose official title was now Advisor. T'Pol had earned the grudging respect of her political adversaries at the way she had so quickly and skillfully moved from captured Rebel awaiting the gallows to trusted aide, confidant, and bedmate. T'Pol, who had grown her hair back -- except the pubic area, which remained smooth, as Hoshi liked it -- was never far from Hoshi's side, but she did her best to remain politically separate. She truly had no aspirations to the throne, and did not want to incur the wrath of Hoshi's many enemies. Treading the minefield that was Hoshi's psyche was difficult enough.

*****

Thus, the first few years of Empress Hoshi's rule was more positive than not.

At the beginning of her fourth year, however, something terrible happened to throw the scales out of balance. Hoshi suddenly took ill with a severe case of Xenopolycythemia and hovered near death for many days.

While everyone expected her to die, she miraculously recovered and was able to resume her duties.

To call it a complete recovery, however, would be inaccurate. Her personality seemed to be significantly altered following her battle with the disease. While she had always been arrogant, ambitious and ruthless, she had never been reckless or overly sadistic. But she leaned even more toward this dark side following her recovery.

For example, the Empress' clothing had always retained the military flair of her original uniform, but she now started dressing in more flowing -- and revealing -- outfits. It was said that at times she even received official guests completely in the nude. She would caress her own body while eyeing her visitors -- male or female -- and making lewd comments until they dismissed themselves as quickly as possible.

In fact, Hoshi had become not just promiscuous -- her many liaisons were an open secret -- but unabashed about it. Mayweather and T'Pol had always maintained an unspoken alliance. If the Empress was bisexual, then it was only logical for her to take two lovers. But it was soon commonplace to see strangers of every race and sex entering or exiting the Empress' quarters at all hours of the day or night.

The bloom was off the rose. The once beloved ruler of the Terran Empire was spiraling down into decadence that even the most heterodox societies could not condone.

T'Pol realized that the Empire was nearing a turning point. At the moment, however, she was at a loss for a logical response. Her original plan had been to get close enough to the Empress for a chance to defeat her -- hopefully in such a way as to re-energize the Rebellion.

In a way, she had already been more successful than she ever expected to be. Her influence with Hoshi grew to the point where she was able to bring about many positive reforms -- especially regarding her homeworld of Vulcan, which had achieved an almost alliance-status versus the colony-status that it once held.

T'Pol began to wonder if saving Hoshi, rather than overthrowing her, might not be the most logical course. But that would only make sense if she could convince the Empress to forego her more disturbing behaviors. If Hoshi were truly insane, and not simply heady with power, then effecting change was unlikely.

T'Pol began looking at other alternatives. Allowing Reed to ascend to the throne would be disastrous -- for Vulcan and many other worlds. She could make a play for power herself, but she felt the Empire was not yet ready for a Vulcan leader. She began to consider Mayweather...

*****

T'Pol entered her palace quarters in the early evening. Her logical mind was uneasy as she considered the present circumstances of the Empire and what the future might hold.

She stepped out onto the terrace overlooking the palace grounds and the magnificent Sato City beyond. She often enjoyed watching the city lights come up as the sun went down. A short time later, she moved back inside and stripped off her Imperial uniform -- dark blue jacket and pants, with gold piping and epaulets.

Stepping into a shower, she let warm water wash over her, and spread depilating cream over her pubic mound. Empress Hoshi and Captain Mayweather had been traveling the Empire for the past several weeks. Hoshi had returned the day before, but without Mayweather, who was reviewing troops in the Orion system. No doubt, the Empress would call on T'Pol tonight.

Leaving the shower, she toweled off and lit some incense and candles. She sat nude and cross-legged on a meditation mat as she tried to quell her uneasy mind. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, and as her thoughts turned inward, a vision came to her...

In it, T'Pol emerged from the Vulcan Temple of Amonak, in the land of Gol. Before her was a towering statue of Empress Hoshi. At its base, T'Pol saw Mayweather, holding a large sledge hammer. He looked at her, then turned and swung the hammer against the statue. It shattered, and the debris rained down on Travis, burying him...

At that moment, T'Pol was roused from her trance by an incoming message. "Advisor: Empress Hoshi requests your presence in her quarters."

T'Pol smiled sardonically, thinking, "Of course she does." Standing, she slipped on a short silver robe, tying it closed over her pierced nipples and clit before heading out the door.

*****

T'Pol entered Hoshi's outer chamber. She stood, waiting, studying an Ardanian painting -- a wedding gift from one of Hoshi's fathers-in-law, the High Advisor of Ardana's Ruling Council. She heard the Empress enter behind her and turned around.

Hoshi was wearing a transparent gold robe, which was nonetheless open down the front, hiding nothing of her beautiful naked form. "It's good to see you, T'Pol," said Hoshi, embracing her advisor and kissing her on the lips. With no more pretense, Hoshi stepped back and pulled T'Pol's robe off her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet. She embraced her again and pressed her tits against T'Pol's as she hugged her and kissed her even more passionately.

Again Hoshi stepped away. "Tomorrow evening we have a Senatorial dinner to host, but tonight is something special just for us. I have a surprise for you." She called into the next room, "Jessa!"

From the doorway of the main bedroom, a naked Orion girl emerged. T'Pol quickly ran her eyes up and down the alien figure. She was light green all over, with black hair -- long about her shoulders, and neatly trimmed just above her pussy, which was also noteworthy. While T'Pol's green blood gave her vagina and areolas a dark, mossy green hue, the Orion's features were of a much brighter shade.

"Her name is Jessa," said Hoshi, as she walked over and put an arm about the girl, placing a hand on one of Jessa's ample tits. "A present from the Orion king. She is highly skilled in all the pleasurable arts." Hoshi kissed the girl deeply, as she had just kissed T'Pol. The Orion returned the kiss, then continued kissing her way down to the Empress' breasts as Hoshi turned back to the Vulcan.

"Can she speak?" asked T'Pol.

"Physiologically, I suppose she could," answered Hoshi. "But she was never taught. Only trained to satisfy."

T'Pol crossed her arms as she considered the Orion. She felt both pity and contempt for this being whose sole purpose of existence was to please others -- and who was too stupid to know any better.

Hoshi turned Jessa toward the bedroom, and as the two of them walked into the chamber, Hoshi let her arm around Jessa's waist slide down to cup her ass. "Come, T'Pol," she called over her shoulder. "It's going to be a fun night."

*****

Behind the gossamer veils of the Empress' enormous canopied bed, three nude female figures -- clothed only in a thin sheen of sweat -- writhed against each other. The Orion was between the Empress' legs, while Hoshi and T'Pol alternately kissed each other and suckled at each other's tits. The hour was late, and each had had more than one dripping orgasm, but none were yet spent.

Hoshi slid across the silken sheets, away from her two alien lovers. "T'Pol, I want to watch you eat Jessa's pussy."

"By your command," said T'Pol wryly, as she moved to comply with the pleasurable order. Jessa lay back and spread her legs wide. With her hands under her knees, she rolled further back onto her shoulder blades, exposing her asshole as well.

T'Pol stuck out her tongue, taking first soft, then ever firmer swipes at the slimy green cunt before her. As Jessa moaned in pleasure, Hoshi played with her own wet gash for a time. She then moved closer, to squeeze and lick the Orion's large, firm, and fascinatingly green boobs.

Below Hoshi, T'Pol licked ever wider circles about Jessa's cunt, finally pushing her tip against a tight green anus. With a bit of pressure, the sphincter opened and sucked T'Pol inside. Pushing her lips against the Orion's ass, T'Pol probed as deeply as her tongue was able.

Meanwhile, Hoshi moved from lying beside Jessa to straddling her as she toyed with her tits. Her pussy now hovered directly above Jessa's, and when T'Pol came up for air, she was faced with two hotly aroused cunts staring her in the face. She quickly dived into Hoshi's hot box, before moving on to her second asshole of the evening.

T'Pol spent the next half hour moving back and forth between the legs of her two lovers. At long last, Hoshi turned around and said, "It's time for Jessa and me to pleasure you, my faithful servant." She rolled T'Pol over onto her back, and then, as wet with passion as everyone was, she pulled out a bottle of oil.

She and Jessa coated their hands with the lube and began massaging T'Pol. Rubbing T'Pol's bald pussy, Hoshi slipped her fingers past the pierced clit and deep inside. Pouring more oil directly on top, she continued pushing until her entire hand was inside.

T'Pol's eyes rolled back into her head as Hoshi began moving her fist in and out. Just when T'Pol felt she couldn't get any fuller, she felt Jessa probing about her asshole. First, one green finger was slid inside -- then another. Soon, four fingers were inside her. T'Pol didn't think she could take anymore, but with skill born of a lifetime of pleasure-giving, Jessa pushed her thumb and the heel of her hand inside. With a sudden suck, T'Pol's ass swallowed the whole of Jessa's hand.

With a single stroke of the Orion's fist, T'Pol climaxed and passed out from the pleasure.

*****

The following evening, the palace hosted a large and elaborate dinner party for the members of the Imperial Senate. Dozens of representatives from all over the Empire were in attendance. They milled about, drinking wine and eating hors d'oeuvres, until the Empress finally made her appearance. There was a mild gasp as she entered the room, but no guest dared to stare too hard.

Hoshi's hair was piled high on top of her head, with gems of every color glued on in adornment. Her eyeliner and blush were outrageously overdone, and she'd made the most of her moderate bosom by wearing a bejeweled bra that pushed them up to ridiculous extremes. Her midriff was bare, save for a dilithium crystal in her navel, and low around her waist she wore nothing more than a gold chain supporting a series of vertical strips of gold fabric. Standing still, she was covered, but as she walked, both her bare ass and freshly shorn pussy were clear for all to see. And when she sat, well... it all depended on how the cloth strips fell.

Furthermore, Hoshi did not enter alone. She held a long thin metal chain, at the end of which was a collar around Jessa's neck. Hoshi led the still naked Orion into the dining room like a prized pet. Not only did Jessa seem not to mind, but as she looked about, smiling blithely, she actually appeared to be enjoying herself.

The guests were called to the dinner table, and Hoshi took her place at the head. Malcolm Reed was seated to her right, and T'Pol to her left. Jessa sat on the floor next to Hoshi's chair, and the Empress would occasionally reach down to stroke her dark hair or feed her scraps with her fingers.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for the honor of your presence." Hoshi raised her glass of Tranya in a toast. "Never has the Empire seen better days than these. And tomorrow, at the Games, I will make an announcement that will electrify the galaxy as never before."

T'Pol exchanged a worried look with Reed across the table. She was concerned because this was the first she'd heard of any announcement -- something Hoshi would usually discuss with her first. And by Reed's expression, it was obvious that he hadn't heard anything about it either.

Dinner progressed, with the clink of utensils against plates and the hum of idle chatter. Hoshi did not eat much, and she seemed preoccupied. Looking up and down the table, she began eying some of her guests menacingly.

"Rarely has this table seen such beauty," she suddenly declared. She looked especially intensely at Zayrah, the wife of Deltan Senator Titas. "My, but you're a pretty thing."

"Thank you, Your Glory." Zayrah blushed slightly and bowed her naturally bald head.

"I mean it, Titas! You are a lucky man."

Titas smiled with pride. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I think so as well." The husband and wife made loving eyes at each other.

The Empress continued. "To go to bed with such beauty. Those eyes, that lovely skin, those wonderful tits." Hoshi stood and began walking toward the girl. "I want to see your tits, woman. C'mon, show them!"

Zayrah blinked uncomprehendingly. "Your Majesty?"

Hoshi now stood threateningly close to the Deltan bride. "Your tits, woman! Show them to us!"

Zayrah looked at Titas. Titas looked from her to Hoshi, then down at the table, too scared to do anything.

"Now!" insisted Hoshi, all playfulness gone from her voice.

The rest of the table sat in shocked silence as Zayrah slowly pulled the straps of her dress off her shoulders and pushed her dress lower. Her large round breasts came into view, and her nipples stiffened -- more in anxiety than from the cool air.

"Now those are beautiful. Look, everyone, at Zayrah's beautiful tits." Hoshi bent over Zayrah's shoulder to fondle the exposed breasts. As she did so, she also kissed Zayrah's bald head. "Tell me, are Deltan pussies as bald as Deltan heads?"

"Your Majesty! That's enough!" Titas suddenly stood and took a menacing step toward the Empress. Her personal guards, who'd been standing unobtrusively against the walls, intercepted him instantly, batting him to the floor. Once he was down, they beat him several more times.

Hoshi swept Zayrah's plates and glasses aside and sat herself on the table in front of her. She pushed the strips of cloth aside, revealing her own bare pussy. "Is your sex as smooth as your Empress'? Don't be shy.

Where's that Deltan sexuality we've all heard so much about?"

Hoshi looked to one of her guards, who then pulled Zayrah to her feet. The top of her dress had gathered about her waist. Taking out a knife, the guard sliced her dress off completely. Zayrah stood in naked embarrassment.

"It is! Bald as a Tholian's backside!" Taking her hand, Hoshi pulled Zayrah up onto the table, parading her naked guest. "Isn't she beautiful? Well, isn't she?"

The table of confused guests did not know what to do, finally offering up a weak, sporadic clapping.

"Bend over," ordered Hoshi. "Let me see that ass of yours." As the Deltan complied, Hoshi pushed her down onto her hands and knees, scattering more plates and glasses. She kneaded Zayrah's butt cheeks and stroked her pussy from behind.

Suddenly, there was a loud clattering and gasps of surprise from the head of the table. Looking round, Hoshi saw that Jessa, seeing her mistress on the table, had climbed onto the table herself. She had laid back in some Senator's Beef Wellington and spread her legs to play with her own pussy.

Hoshi smiled as she returned her attention to her guest. She reached for a plate of butter and took a large fistful of it. She then sloppily smeared it across the Deltan's ass and pussy. "Here's a little something our Vulcan advisor enjoyed last night."

She began pushing her hand deep inside Zayrah's pussy while the girl, tears rolling down her cheeks, shut her eyes against the pain. With one hand firmly lodged, Hoshi pushed her other against the Deltan's anus. "I'm just loosening her up for you, Senator," she said mockingly to Titas, who was still in a daze on the banquet room floor.

Another gasp came from behind Hoshi. She turned again and saw several guests shrinking away from Jessa, who was relieving herself on the dining room table. A champagne-colored stream flowed from between her legs onto the white silken tablecloth, where a yellow stain slowly spread.

This time Hoshi laughed out loud. She pulled her hands from her victim, leaving two holes gaping wide, and slapped Zayrah's ass with a buttery hand. "Line up, ladies and gentlemen. Zayrah's not leaving here tonight until she gets fucked by each and every one of you. And guards -- be sure Titas has a good view."

*****

While most of the guests feigned disgust at the Empress' actions that evening, it was obvious to T'Pol that many of the Senators -- and a few of the wives as well -- enjoyed the good time they had at the Deltan's expense. Luckily, T'Pol was able to slip out of the banquet room without having to partake in the festivities.

A little later, she was lying in the darkness of her quarters when the door chime sounded. Wrapping a robe about herself, she answered the door. It was Reed.

"This is getting out of control," he complained. "A firm hand is one thing, but abuse such as tonight's is too much."

"Really?" T'Pol raised an eyebrow. "You didn't seem to think so earlier. When I left, you had your cock buried inside Zayrah's ass."

Reed's face turned red. "My point," he said, trying to recover, "is that Hoshi's actions are turning her own supporters against her."

"Be careful what you say, Regent. You're coming dangerously close to heresy."

"I didn't say I was against her."

"But you have -- many times -- and she knows it. Do you really think she doesn't have you under constant surveillance? The Empress knows of every conversation you have. My advice to you would be to act quickly, or stop having such dangerous discussions."

Reed looked confused, not knowing how to take that response. "Are you saying that if someone acted against Hoshi, you would support it?"

"I am not saying any such thing."

"Yes, I noticed. In fact, you're careful to not say anything at all," snapped Reed in frustration.

"Don't be angry with me because I am more circumspect in my conversations."

"How's this for circumspect: When change inevitably comes, you'd best decide early which side you want to be on. Become too greedy for your own good, and you might end up sharing the same fate as your slut Empress."

T'Pol returned Reed's icy stare. "I do not want to command the Empire, but if it should befall me, I suggest you remember that my operatives would avenge my death. And some of them... are Vulcans."

Reed turned to leave, then paused. "What's the announcement that Hoshi has set for tomorrow?"

"I don't know. I suppose we had both better attend the Games."

*****

The Games. Hoshi's opium for the masses. The more difficult the times, the more thrilling the spectacle of events that took place in the Imperial Stadiums of the Empire. Regardless of the actual locations, the events were always broadcast to a Galactic audience.

Gladiatorial fights to the death. Imperial executions. Even orgies of every perverse pleasure. Such were the distractions offered by the Games. And because of their popularity, and the general good feeling that accompanied them -- at least for those not forced to take part in them -- Hoshi often used them as a platform for official announcements.

In mid-morning of the next day, Hoshi, Reed, T'Pol, and the rest of their entourage entered into the Imperial suite overlooking the Stadium of Sato City. A throng of cheering spectators filled every level, noisily calling for the entertainment to begin.

As the royal party took their seats, Hoshi nodded for the Games to start. The guards opened a door on the far side of the Stadium, forcing a large man and more slender woman into the arena. They each wore animal skins and swung wildly at the guards, who used pain sticks to keep them under control.

"They're from the Omega system, in a far sector of the Empire," commented Hoshi. "They're quite barbaric, with a tribal structure. His name is Cloud Simon, and his mate is Tenik or Tamek or something." She gazed at them with keen interest and a fire in her eyes. "They are awesome warriors."

A large steel door on the ground suddenly opened, and a hideous cry was heard. The door led to animal cages below, and at the unseen prodding of its handlers, a hairy white creature suddenly lurched into the field. It was generally ape-like, with white fur, a large horn on its head, and several more down its back. It zeroed in immediately on the two humanoids and hissed menacingly.

"It's called a mugato," said Hoshi excitedly. "They're always ready to fight -- but to make it more interesting, I had Doctor Cutler artificially induce its rutting phase. It will tear the man apart to get to the woman." Hoshi smiled. "Then the fun will really begin."

As the unwilling combatants in the ring began to circle each other, the noise level of the crowd increased to a fever pitch. Armed only with a knife, the man stood between his mate and the animal. The mugato charged, and Cloud Simon slashed at him, drawing blood.

Startled and in pain, the creature fell back. Then, angrier than ever, it lunged ferociously at its attacker. Cloud Simon stabbed with the knife, and the blade plunged deeply into the mugato's chest, but it was not enough to stop the assault. Landing forcefully on top of the Omegan, the creature dug in its claws and bit down on a shoulder. From high above, even Hoshi could hear the crunch of bone.

Cloud Simon continued to fight through the pain, but he was no match. The crowd cheered his bravery, even as they were titillated by his bloody demise. In moments, he hung lifeless in the mugato's jaws. Tossing his prey to the ground, the creature let out a hideous scream of triumph, and then turned to the woman. It began to advance on her, a large pink phallus jutting out from its albino fur.

The woman, momentarily frozen in horror at the death of her mate, turned to flee too late. Her plaintive cries were almost enough to draw pity from the audience, but as the mugato captured, stripped, and then mounted its victim, the crowd cheered anew.

Burying himself deep inside her, the creature came several times in quick succession, as wild animals often do. All the while, the female clawed uselessly at its thick hide. Being kidnapped from her native world, witnessing her mate's brutal death, and then being molested by a wild alien all proved more than she could endure. Surrendering herself, she succumbed to the trauma and faded away to the cheers of the crowd.

*****

That was merely the first of many battles in the arena that day, and by mid-afternoon, the pale and dusty ground had been turned into crimson mud as it mixed with the blood of its victims. As the sun began to set, the "festivities" were drawing to a close.

Several dead bodies were being dragged out of the arena when Hoshi rose and ascended the dais at the front of her suite. The crowd quieted to hear her Imperial pronouncements.

"I congratulate all who took part in today's Games," she began. "The winners, who fought so bravely, and the losers, who died with honor. Any death in the name of your Empress is a noble death. You should all be so honored as to die for your Empress!"

The crowd cheered wildly. Even those who did not share her view knew that it was still wise to applaud her. "Indeed," she continued, "I have recently come to the realization that my presence here, leading this Empire, is not just good fortune, but divine providence."

T'Pol tensed as she feared she knew what Hoshi was about to say.

"Since I was obviously chosen by a higher power to lead this great Empire, it is only fitting that I have a seat at the table of divine beings. Therefore, tomorrow, I shall ascend the throne not only as your Empress, but as your new Goddess!"

T'Pol's and Reed's jaws dropped, even as the crowd went wild with cheering.

Hoshi stood for a moment, soaking in the adulation. She raised her hands above her head. "My deification will begin tomorrow at high noon. In honor of this momentous event, I have ordered a thousand virgins to sacrifice their chastity on the altar of the Empire! Return here tomorrow, my citizens, and honor me by helping to deflower the very best this Empire has to offer!"

*****

The shock of the Imperial Senate, and even her own staff, at the audacious announcement was immense. But Hoshi had become a skilled manipulator, and she knew her daring action would capture the ardor of the masses. To have a goddess so close to them -- that they might see her, perhaps even speak to her -- would be enormously reassuring.

And promising the opportunity to ravage a host of virgins did not hurt either.

At the stroke of noon the next day, Hoshi once again ascended her Imperial dais at one end of the Stadium and stood before the excited crowd. She was dressed in a black robe, with one of purest white nearby.

The main gate of the Stadium opened once more, and a line of one hundred naked demure young subjects entered. They were mostly human females, but a number of males, as well as non-humans, were included as well. They proceeded around the arena, until the first person returned to the point of entry, completing a circle.

Standing above them, Hoshi opened her black robe, letting it drop to the floor. Standing before the crowd completely naked, she declared, "I have shed my earthly garments, and stand ready to don my heavenly cloak as soon as our sacrifice has been completed. Let us begin!"

With that, several other doors were thrown open, and a group of lucky lottery winners rushed into the field. They each seized the first virgin they could lay their hands on and began ravaging them.

The virgins were themselves loyal subjects, and they believed their sacrifice was for a just cause. As such, some took pleasure in their defilement. Others merely accepted it. A few could not help but cry out and struggle -- which usually only made them more popular targets.

Several thousand citizens made their way through the arena with the first hundred virgins. The scene was quite raucous, and at times the guards had to resort to pain sticks to maintain the slightest semblance of order.

When the first hundred were spent and lying nearly lifeless in the dust, they were ushered out, and a fresh hundred were brought in. And so it went, late into the evening -- large plasma torches illuminating the violations happening on the arena floor. Eventually, the last hundred of the sacrificial thousand were brought in. It was then safe to say that any remnant of virginity left in the Stadium had been thoroughly shredded.

In the middle of it all, Hoshi walked among the ravaging crowds, partaking in as much activity as anyone. Given the feverous circumstances, no one among the crowd recognized her for who she was. At times she even feigned being one of the virgins, letting herself be "deflowered" over and over.

As the midnight hour approached, Hoshi lay naked in the dirt, the seed of a dozen species spilled across her chest, her face, her hair... As she stood, the pooled fluids ran in rivulets down her belly and legs. Empress Hoshi then ascended to her dais once more, as the last of the virgins were consumed below her. The pure white vestments of Goddess Hoshi were draped over her besmeared shoulders, and the rapturous crowd applauded their newest deity.

*****

Several months later, another Imperial announcement set the Empire on its ear. Empress Hoshi was pregnant! Although married three times over to off-worlders, it was assumed -- as well as claimed by Hoshi -- that the father was Travis Mayweatherr. No one dared to suggest a test, as the word of an Empress, not to mention a Goddess, was supreme.

Thus, an heir was now in line, causing loyalists to rejoice, and subversives to plot even more.

It was announced that the child would be a boy. Pointing out that her own name, which quite fittingly meant "star," could be used for a girl or a boy, Hoshi named her unborn son Hoshi II.

Despite her motherly condition, Hoshi walked her palace grounds naked as often as ever. And when dressed for official events, her belly -- and sometimes even her enlarging breasts -- were not just bare, but framed in some manner by her elaborate clothing.

With the hormones of pregnancy coursing through her veins, the already nymphomaniacal Empress was given to more illicit rendezvous than ever. Several times, T'Pol was summoned to the Empress' quarters for what she assumed would be a private evening, only to find Hoshi already in the company of several studs, their deflating cocks in her hand, and their spent loads evident on her distended belly. Hoshi would then demand to be entertained by the sight of T'Pol rousing the studs back to virile firmness.

One night, T'Pol arrived and found Hoshi splattered with blood. "Your Highness!" she cried. "What happened?"

Hoshi seemed unfazed. "Oh, I'd finally had enough of that ignorant little animal." She gestured toward the corner of the room. Lying slumped against the wall was the Orion girl Jessa. She was dead -- a large dagger stuck between her tits, uncomprehending eyes staring into space.

Dismissing the entire incident with a shrug, Hoshi took T'Pol's hand and said simply, "Come, make love to me." And they did, mere meters away from Jessa's dead body.

Later that night, the two women lay in each other's arms in the near darkness of Hoshi's bedroom, the only illumination coming from a few candles. Hoshi turned sideways and rested her head against T'Pol's chest. "I love lying here with you, T'Pol. Your breathing... it soothes me." She looked up at T'Pol, and a sparkle of candlelight flashed in her eyes. "Did I ever tell you about my dream?"

"No, you didn't. Tell it to me."

Hoshi rested her head against T'Pol again, like a frightened child. "It was terrible. I was in bed with Travis. At first, everything was fine. We were making love -- he was inside me. Then he started pushing harder and harder. He went deeper and deeper inside me, until suddenly, his cock came out of my mouth! It wrapped around my neck and choked me! Just when I was about to pass out, I woke up."

T'Pol was immediately reminded of her own earlier vision with Travis. She wondered if there was some connection. Placing a reassuring hand on Hoshi's shoulder, she said simply, "Shhh. It was just a dream."

*****

Reed really was a clumsy fool. At times, T'Pol found it hard to remember that he had been Chief of Security aboard the old Enterprise. But the straightforward world of security did not mesh well with the nuances of politics. In this new world, T'Pol found Reed obvious and inept. But now, that would serve her well.

Word reached T'Pol that Malcolm and his henchmen were ready to move against Hoshi. Not long ago, T'Pol would have simply exposed the plot, and Reed would have been history. Now, she was almost eager for the prospect of getting rid of Hoshi.

The Empress had recently revealed to T'Pol her plans to have a giant statue of herself erected in the Vulcan Temple of Amonak. This temple was one of the most sacred sites on Vulcan, and the idea of placing a statue of an off-worlder, even if it was the Empress, inside the temple was sacrilegious. News had already leaked, and there were reports of riots taking place on Vulcan.

Again, T'Pol thought of her own ominous vision of the temple. She felt she could no longer ally herself with someone who flaunted such disregard for the subjects she ruled. She could also not accept an Empire ruled by Reed. But if he succeeded in taking out Hoshi, that might provide T'Pol the opportunity she sought. And to take advantage of it, she turned to Travis.

He had a suite separate from the Empress', and late one night, T'Pol paid him a visit. First, she accessed the security system to be sure Hoshi was suitably preoccupied. No one knew that T'Pol had access to surveillance of the Empress' chamber, but it was something she took advantage of often.

A quick check reassured her that she and Travis would not be interrupted. Two Denobulan males and a Tellarite female, not to mention a fully charged physiostimulator, ought to keep even Hoshi busy for a few hours.

Mayweather had just returned from a campaign in the Capella system. The Capellans were a noble race that resisted rule by the Empire. Travis regretted having to kill their High Tier, but the ritualized one-on-one combat had been necessary to end the hostilities.

He sat alone in his room, stripped to the waist, tending a shoulder wound he had refused to allow the doctor to treat. The door chime sounded. "Come in."

T'Pol entered, wearing her favorite silver robe. "I'd heard you were back. I just thought I'd -- you're hurt!"

"It's nothing," responded Travis, as T'Pol nevertheless sat next to him, taking over the bandaging after his own clumsy efforts.

"Why you sacrifice so much for a woman who doesn't appreciate you..." T'Pol began to test the waters. Travis had always put up with T'Pol's proddings, but also always defended Hoshi. Tonight, she would see how far she could push him.

"Remember those fateful days aboard the Defiant? I knew then you were the true power behind the throne. She sits here in her palace, while you travel from one end of the galaxy to the other -- fighting wars and forging alliances to hold this Empire together."

"Don't talk like that."

"There, all better." T'Pol lightly patted his freshly bandaged shoulder. She let her hand slide down across his chest as she leaned closer. She breathed against his ear and whispered seductively. "It used to be just you and me, Travis. You, me, and her." T'Pol nuzzled Travis' ear. "Now, she's fucked half the Empire!"

"No!" Travis backhanded her to the ground as he stood roughly.

T'Pol lay sprawled on the floor, her robe fallen open. She did not try to cover herself. "You know it's true! Where is she now? While you sit here bleeding for the Empire, she's getting it in both holes from two Denobulan man-whores, while she goes down on a Tellarite bitch. A fucking Tellarite! What's next -- a horta?"

"I said stop!" Mayweather turned around and caught sight of T'Pol on the floor. His eyes wandered over her exposed breasts and down to her smooth pussy.

T'Pol stroked her pussy for Travis to watch. "She likes me like this." She got up and began slowly walking toward him. "And Hoshi always gets what she wants, doesn't she?"

Mayweather began unconsciously backing away from T'Pol as she advanced. Suddenly, he had his back against the wall. T'Pol quickly closed the distance between them. "What do you want, Captain-of-the-Guard Travis Mayweather?" She pushed her tits against his chest as she leaned in and kissed him. At the same time, she slid her hand inside his pants and began fondling him.

"Reed's going to move against Hoshi." It was a calculated move, revealing this to Travis. If she succeeded in winning him over, he would be prepared to take out Reed and assume command. If not, he would simply stop Reed, and Hoshi would remain in charge.

"If Malcolm succeeds," she continued, as she nibbled his neck and pulled his raging member from his pants, "then you can kill him and be the hero for avenging the Empress' death."

"No," whispered Malcolm, his senses confused by T'Pol's assault. "Stop talking like that."

"There'll never be a more perfect time."

"Shut up!" Malcolm suddenly grabbed T'Pol by the back of the thighs and spun her around, slamming her up against the wall. With one hard thrust, he buried his cock inside her pussy and began pounding away. "You Vulcan slut! Just shut up and fuck!"

*****

Several days later, the latest session of the Imperial Senate was about to get under way. Delegates were taking their seats in the enormous chamber, composed of the most exquisite Argelian marble. The main committee sat at an oval table in the middle of the large room, while the lesser delegates sat at desks that surrounded the table in an amphitheater-like setting.

Reed was seated at the main table. In his position as Regent, Malcolm's job was to chair the meeting. Meanwhile, Hoshi and her entourage, including T'Pol and Mayweather, were seated in the Mezzanine, to observe the proceedings without taking part in them. T'Pol looked around, wondering who was with Reed and who was not.

The proceedings were about to start when Hoshi stood up. "Before this session begins, you all must hear me!"

There was a murmur throughout the room. Such an act was unprecedented -- the Senate chamber was quite probably the only place where the Empress had less than absolute power. She was not expected to get involved in day-to-day affairs. Nevertheless, at the moment, few were willing to challenge her.

As Hoshi descended the stairs, Malcolm responded. "Your Highness, we must begin the Senate session."

"That won't be necessary, as I've decided to dissolve the Senate."

"What?" Malcolm was about to rise to his feet when Hoshi reached him. She placed a calming hand on his shoulder to keep him seated. T'Pol and Mayweather had followed behind Hoshi, and they watched from a discrete distance as a small crowd formed around her.

"I'm afraid," said Hoshi, "that the Senate not only slows down my policy initiatives, with its endless bickering, but has also serves as a breeding ground for dissension. I do not intend to stand idly by and let that continue." Suddenly, Hoshi reached beneath her tunic and pulled out a dagger. Before Malcolm could react, she stabbed it brutally into his neck.

As she withdrew the blade, Malcolm staggered to his feet with an anguished cry. He grabbed his neck with both hands, but the blood flowed through his fingers, down the front of his uniform, painting the white marble floor a hideous red. Moments later, he fell dead.

Hoshi looked from her dead Regent to the horrified crowd, daring anyone to challenge her actions. She tossed her blade to the floor, and looked at her bloodied hands as if annoyed at the mess. Looking up again, she declared, "As he was valiant, I honor him. But, as he was ambitious, I slew him."

T'Pol recognized the line, from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". It was indeed a tragedy being played out before the Senate. She wondered how many acts were left. T'Pol had expected either Reed or Mayweather to act -- she hadn't anticipated Hoshi striking first. She waited anxiously to see what happened next.

Suddenly, Travis stepped forward. He picked the discarded blade up off the floor and stood facing Hoshi.

The Empress laughed contemptuously. "And what would you do, my dear husband?"

"But I am not your husband."

Hoshi laughed again. "Is that what has you upset? A legality I denied you, so I might marry into the great Houses? Was it not enough to share my bed?" She stroked her round belly. "Is it not enough to be the father of the next Emperor?"

"Is it not enough? It was never even what I wanted! I wanted only your love... But I see now you were only playing the part of the damsel, to win me to your side. Well, Empress... 'Acta est fibula'!"

Travis lunged and stabbed deeply into Hoshi's chest. The Empress screamed, as did several others in the crowd -- perhaps even T'Pol.

But Travis had dealt death many times before -- all for the woman who stood before him now, bleeding by his hand. He pulled the blade out and stabbed again -- right through her belly and into her womb.

Hoshi's eyes grew wide, and she struggled for breath but could not scream. She clutched at her savaged belly, at her unborn heir who had never lived but now had died. She tried to flee, but only slipped on her own blood, which mingled now with Malcolm's on the marble floor. She groped a railing for support.

Around her, her "loyal" subjects only stood and stared. Some, no doubt, were happy to witness her demise. Others might have tried to stop it, if they'd only had the fortitude. Most, however, were doing what they'd always done -- calculating how the latest intrigues of the Empire could be turned to their own advantage. In the end, there were few patriots in the crowd, and few seditionists -- only proletarians.

"Come now, Goddess," said Travis as he took final aim. "'Memento mori'!" With that, he lunged once more and executed a slashing move across Hoshi's neck. This was the true death blow, and a moment later the Empress fell dead. Turning to face the crowd, Travis yelled, "'Sic semper tyrannis'!"

For a room so large, and so full of people, it was eerily silent. The Empire itself held its breath, waiting for what would happen next.

Travis stood before Hoshi's collapsed form. He looked up and caught T'Pol's gaze. His agony at what he had done, what he'd had to do, was obvious to her. Mere moments ago, he'd been a tool to her -- an instrument to be manipulated in order to achieve an end. Now, for the first time, she felt for him. Perhaps for the first time in her life, she felt for another being.

But it was too late for Travis. In anguish, he turned the blade on himself. In a ritualistic, and very effective, act taught to all soldiers of the Empire, he slashed the blade across his own neck. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he too fell dead. Thus, within a span of moments, the same blade had claimed the lives of three of the Empire's most celebrated leaders.

Like its beginning, the rule of Empress Hoshi had come to a sudden and violent end. T'Pol considered all the tremendous gains that had been achieved over the past years, and wondered how many of them would survive the unavoidable chaos that was soon to follow.

She wondered what leader would emerge from the anarchy let loose this day. And as the fearful eyes of the gathered crowd turned toward her, T'Pol wondered if she were ready to be that leader.

(End of Part Two of Three)

Author's Notes:

"Acta est fibula!" -- "The drama has been acted out!"

"Memento mori!" -- "Remember that you are mortal!"

"Sic semper tyrannis!" -- "Thus always to tyrants!"