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Quarto-Invarian imperialism had, like the depiction of a certain god of old, two faces. One was benign, presenting itself as the guiding father figure, leading his wayward and obviously – for not being Quarto-Invarian - savage children to the civilizing trough of Quarto-Invarian culture.

The other face was that of the stern patriarch who sometimes, albeit reluctantly, had to mete out punishment. Da Silva now saw the latter on Lord Ludvig’s face.

“Then, Mr Secretary of the Treasury,” Lord Ludvig said, “it is time for some drastic measures. I am still the authority here and still remain responsible.”

”You have a plan, My Lord?”

“Yes, Mr Secretary, I do.”

The Governor-General belched heavily. Steel was replaced by water as his eyes started to tear up from the pain, and he concluded the meeting with, “For now I leave it up to you to investigate the matter and to determine ways of increasing revenues. I think a purge is in order.”

With a mumbled “I’ll see what I can do, Lord Ludvig,” but thinking, it’s obviously not just the Empire that needs a good high colonic cleansing, a relieved Da Silva excused himself.

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