Imperial Purrogative

Champion of the Empire Hercules Tom is on the outs with Emperor Maxamillian and, Imperial Purrogative being what it is, has to deal with Rotter plots, traitors, assassins and other Imperial intrigues.
"Imperial Purrogative" is a speculative fiction novelette, and is the fifth of the "Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire" stories, following "Purr Mission", "Nipped in the Butt", "Cat and Mouse", and "Baastards' Revenge."