Greased Lightning and Magic Lamp both had sent feedback on her preliminary analysis. She incorporated what she could into her defense plan. After anot...er review of Power Man’s reconnaissance report, she was still quite certain that the Betelgeuseans had made a fatal error. It was clear that that Empire’s leadership was not what it had once been.«I wonder if we could create some kind of rebellion? Something to make them too busy to come after us maybe? Something that might even topple the. ." Basel wiggled his toes in appreciation as Eliana pressed her thumbs into the ball of his foot. "The family has been at Karbala for close to a hundred years now."Eliana's eyebrows went up. "That long?"Basel nodded. "They are all such expert shepherds, they have permanent permits from the Sheep Guild for residency... don't have to shift... Yes, you should meet them. Ah, that feels so nice Eli..."She lowered her nose to sniff between his toes. "Oh, you deserve this. I love petting your feet. I. Rotkoff strongly implied that they turned down his offers of so-called ‘partnership’, and that he was responsible for their deaths. First of all, the Butlers. Dr. Butler was a very respected dentist, he inherited a thriving wine-merchant’s business in Rugby. Rotkoff wanted it, maybe as a cover for drug smuggling, or whatever. Butler refused, and a couple of week later his house burned down in the night and all five of them were killed. Three little ones they had, the oldest was eight.’ . We went to a local restaurant and as we sat there he brought up the subject.“I believe your contract with us is coming to an end. Emily and I are quite fond of you and would like you to continue if that is acceptable with you. Of course we will discuss a cost of living increase.”“I too have become quite fond of the two of you. I was hoping we might continue with our present arrangement because it is very much to my liking. Of course I would expect a raise and maybe even a bonus situation in.