Before the events of The Iron Admial: Conspiracy took place Admiral Saahren was a hero of the Human Confederacy after his heavily outnumbered forces defeated the Ptorix fleet at the battle of Forenisi. This is an interview he gave to a nervous young reporter after that event.
***
Saahren's clerk escorts me into the admiral's office.
Saahren stands when I enter. Dressed in the Fleet's black day uniform, he's
tall, dark and imposing, his lips curved into a brief smile of welcome. I stop
myself from drooling as he waves me to a seat. "So kind of you to see
me," I manage.
He offers a head bow. "My pleasure. What can I tell
you?"
I point at the decoration on his breast, a blue jewel
surrounded by a spreading burst of silver rays. "Congratulations on the
Confederacy star."
He shrugs. "I'm honored, of course, but I was just
doing my job. I see it as recognition of the valor and dedication of all the
crews of all my ships."
I get the feeling he means it. So often it's false modesty.
"Do you think we're safe from the Ptorix, now?"
He considers. "Safe? We can hope. But there are many,
many more Ptorix in the galaxy than humans, and although we coexist on some
planets, we're so very different. It's inevitable we'll clash. Especially with
someone as ambitious as Lord Governor Anxhou in charge of the adjoining Ptorix
sector."
I don't really want to talk about politics, though. I want
to know about him. I ask him why he moved from his home world to Malmos when he
was twelve years old.
His eyes take on a faraway, introspective look. Eventually
he says, "The planet had fallen into anarchy. Warlords had usurped power.
My father was part of a revolt against the local tyrant. During the fighting my father was killed and I
was badly injured. I was lucky enough to come under the care of a
specialist doctor from Malmos. He took me back to the capital with him to
finish my treatment, and then he became my foster father, you might say."
"From there you went to the Fleet Academy."
He nods. "Yes. It was an opportunity I would not have
had if I'd remained on my home world."
"You've never married?"
Again, that enigmatic half smile. "My career has always
been important to me. I see that as a way of giving back, making life safer for
millions of ordinary people. I don't see myself as a family man."
I throw the rumour out to see how he'll react. "There
have been suggestions you're gay?"
He laughs. "I've also heard I'm impotent. Either way,
they can think what they like."
"Even your own officers and crews?"
The grin fades and one black eyebrow arches. "I don't
expect all my officers to like me. That's impossible. But they will obey
orders."
That last is said very quietly. I have to stop myself from
standing up and saluting. I toy with the idea of asking him out to dinner, but
I think I'll be wasting my time. He shakes my hand after I stand to leave.
Warm, strong fingers gripping firmly, not one of those condescending limp fish
offerings people like me get from too many 'important' men.
As the door closes behind me I wonder if he'll ever give
himself the time to fall in love. I've met a few like that. They swear it'll
never happen… then they meet the right woman, and BAM.
Time will tell.
The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy is the first of the five
books in the Ptorix Empire series. It's available for $.99c at Amazon B&N Kobo iBooks
And on the Morgan's Misfits front, I'm still working on Misfits 3. I might tell you a little about that next week.
For all my American friends - have a peaceful, joyous Thanksgiving. And don't eat too much.
Cheers
For all my American friends - have a peaceful, joyous Thanksgiving. And don't eat too much.
Cheers
