that all Fleet personnel tune into a broadcast, during which he announced an amnesty for all Fleet people for any acts committed pursuant to orders from a superior officer. He also mentioned that despite Jonas’ claims, the Fleet had never intended to abandon its personnel on the rim. “Our intent was that you would be rotated back as you finished training rimworld replacements for yourselves. His Majesty was very disturbed to learn that Fleet personnel would believe that he would violate the Round Trip Ticket. I was equally disturbed to learn that our people would believe such a ridiculous story. If you can truly believe that the Fleet is capable of such duplicity, perhaps you should reconsider your career choices.
“Yes, the rim will be taking over Thaeron and the ships currently homeported here. His Majesty has seen fit to present them to his good friend and ally, Sander Cord. However, he has not and will not abandon Empire subjects! On the contrary, His Majesty has asked me to urge you to train the rim people as quickly as possible, so we can bring you home.”
After a few more reassurances and pleasantries, Chu-Lo ended his broadcast.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye. I saluted him, but Chu-Lo would have none of it; he shook my hand. “Admiral,” he said, “It’s been a genuine pleasure to meet you. I’m sure we'll be seeing each other again.” Suddenly he leaned close. “Val, thank you for the most fun I've had in years! Playing with that quick-firer and then commanding during that battle exercise are things I’ll remember fondly when I’m chained to my desk.'
His smile faded and his voice got even softer. “I can guarantee you at least five years, Val. His Majesty is positive that he can control the troublemakers for that long. After that…” he shrugged. “Use the time wisely.” He sighed. “I’ll pray that our fleets never have to oppose each other. Good Luck, Val!” He turned sharply and strode away. Ruthless boosted for the jump point within the hour.
Chapter XVII
Valkyrie and the privateers jumped shortly afterward. We had nothing to fear from Thaeron, and our jobs were largely done. All that remained was for the privateers to jump to Outback for removal of their weaponry, and Valkyrie to Haven, so I could report to Cord. I hoped he wouldn’t suck me back into that social whirlpool. We left all the true warships at Thaeron; they wouldn’t be needed immediately — we hoped.
During the long hours in jump, Suli and I talked at length about my encounter with Chu-Lo; or rather, I talked and she listened. Finally, she burst into laughter. “You sound like a teenager who’s met his favorite trivid idol.”
I flushed. “Actually, you’re not far wrong,” I replied. “I’ve admired Chu-Lo for years. He is the Fleet.”
She nodded. “I saw his broadcast, and I watched him when he toured Valkyrie. He certainly has presence. He just dominates any situation, doesn’t he?”
I nodded as she continued. “Somehow you feel that it would be wrong to have any opinion that differed from his. I’ve never met anyone like him — and I’m not sure I’d want to. That kind of power over people makes me uncomfortable.”
“I see your point,” I replied. “In a politician it would be scary. But in an Admiral, it's an asset.”
She shook her head. “I think that kind of power is scary in anyone.” She shrugged. “Anyway,” she continued, “I gather you two got along all right.”
I grinned. “He said that he had been looking forward to meeting me. Imagine!” I shook my head, still having trouble believing it. “He also said that Cord’s going to offer me the job of heading up his rim worlds fleet.”
She shrugged again. “Well, of course he is! Just how many candidates do think he has that have beaten half of the Empire fleet?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “You think so, too? Even Shar said something about it awhile back. I thought he was joking.”
She sighed in exasperation. “Y’know, Val, we’re going to have to do something about this excessive modesty of yours. Here you are, one of the greatest military minds of the age, and you can't even see it. You still think you’re just a shanghaied trader captain.”
I snorted. '‘Greatest military minds’… ridiculous!”
She shook her head. “All right, you tell me. How many commanders can you name that have defeated a dreadnought and a battle cruiser in a single battle, with casualties that have to be called ‘light’?”
I fidgeted. “What if he does ask? What’ll I say?”
She reached out and ruffled my hair. “You’ll say ‘yes’, you idiot!”
I shook my head. “I’ve got to think about this. I have responsibilities. I owe Hari everything. Can I just walk out on him? And what about Jax? And you?”
“What about me?” She asked in a tone I should have recognized as dangerous, but didn’t.
“Well, I promised to sign you on for shares, remember? Or at least take you back to the Empire.” Then I continued with what has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever said, “I suppose I could arrange a ticket..”
She leapt to her feet and stomped toward the door. “Don’t worry about me, Admiral. I’ll be easy to get rid of. In fact, you’ve just done it!”
The door slammed so hard that I almost expected it to fall from its hinges. I sprang up and started after her, belatedly realizing what I’d said and implied. When I opened the door, though, she was no longer in sight. Shoulders slumping in defeat, I closed the door again, wallowing in my misery.
I’d only known Suli a few months, but somehow I couldn’t imagine a life without her. Luckily, we were still in jump — she couldn’t leave the ship. I had time to try to figure out how to make it up to her.
I don’t know how long I sat there trying to decide what to do, but it must have been quite a while. I vaguely remember the steward bringing in a tray of food. Finally, though, someone knocked on my cabin door. Hoping that it might be Suli returning, I said, “Come in!” with real eagerness.
It was with a mixture of regret and pleasure that I saw Hari’s bald head and cadaverous body come through the door. I struggled to conceal my disappointment.
“I thought you might want to talk, Val.” he began.
“Actually, I do want to talk to you, old friend. But what made you think so?” I asked.
He grinned. “The most efficient grapevine in known space.” The grin faded. “I gather you’re having some problems? Suli was observed storming down passageways and talking to herself.”
I cursed. “Doesn’t anyone on this ship have anything to do besides spy on us?”
Hari looked hurt. “They care about you, Val. They want you to be happy, and they want Suli to be happy. You’re the most popular two people aboard. Besides, you know how a skipper’s emotional state communicates itself to his crew.”
I sighed. “You’re right, Hari. In this case, though, I don’t think it's anything serious. At least I hope it isn’t.” I shrugged. “At any rate, I’ll have to deal with it; it was my stupid mouth that caused the trouble.”
Hari’s relief was so obvious and heartfelt that it was comic. I relaxed and grinned. “But I am glad you came, Hari. Everyone I talk to recently seems to have the opinion that Cord is going to offer me command of his rim fleet.” I looked at Hari, but there was no indication of surprise.
He merely nodded. “And you’ll be accepting, of course?”
Anger flared. I slammed my fist on my desk. “Damn it! Why does everyone assume that I want to be an Admiral? Cord forced these stars on me! You should remember!” Memories surfaced, and I continued less excitedly, “In fact, as I recall, you had as much to do with shanghaiing me as Cord did. I was going to turn him down.”
The bald head nodded. “Smartest thing I ever did!” he smirked. “Cord’s cause was right, and you needed a combat command again. You were letting yourself get fat and old.” His skull-like grin reappeared. “Besides, look at the great toys I got to play with.”
The grin faded. “I know you, Val,” he continued. “I’ll bet you’ve been beating yourself up about taking Cord’s offer because you think you’d be abandoning me and Jax, right?”
The direct question threw me off. “Well, I… Yeah, you could say that.”
He nodded. “I thought so. Well, put your mind at ease. Offer me an Engineer’s commission, and I won’t file any grievances.” His grin flared again.
“Are you sure, Hari? I mean, could you settle down here on the rim?”
He looked at me as if I’d grown another head. “Are you joking? The rim is an engineer’s paradise. I’ll spend years just catching up with the state of the art.”
