Alliance of Equals by Sharon Lee

Author:Sharon Lee [Lee, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781476781488
Amazon: 1476781486
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2016-07-05T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

* * * * *

Tarigan

Jemiatha’s Jumble Stop

Berth 12

Eleven hours and fifty-one minutes from the Admiral’s twelve, and they were all of them gathered on the bridge. The pilot had ceded first chair to Tolly, choosing to hover at his left hand, while Inki sat second, and Hazenthull occupied the observer’s station.

They had, in the hours since their rising, eaten a meal. The mentors had together examined the cranium which Tocohl had moved to the study room and brought into a state of readiness. They had then returned to the galley, where, together with Tocohl and Hazenthull, they talked over the choices open to Admiral Bunter, and what their responses would be, to each.

“If he accepts the download, I’ll do ops,” Tolly had said. “Inki’ll spot; Tocohl will establish the pipe and keep it open. Haz’ll make sure we get no interruptions.”

That was the most-desired outcome, that the Admiral would accept the download, and the chance at a new life.

Hazenthull was not, in her soldier’s heart, entirely convinced that the Admiral would move in the direction of Tolly’s desires. There had been, to her ear, a mortal weariness in the Admiral’s voice, the same that could be heard in the voices of soldiers who lay dying on the field of battle. Her heart considered it most likely that the Admiral would ask for a comrade’s grace, which Tolly had offered, and which Tolly would, she knew, administer—quick and sure.

And so an ending, for the Admiral, of the pain of living. For Tolly, though…

She feared that mercy would cost Tolly much, as the death of the city administrator had done. Fierce in battle as she knew him to be, still, Tolly was a fighter, not a soldier. He wished to preserve, to empower, to repair. He broke reluctantly, and the death of another was a blade to his own heart.

Had mercy been a blade, indeed, she would have taken his duty as her own. As it was, there was nothing she could offer him, save to guard his back.

“If he asks for the final program…?” Inki had asked delicately.

“Same configuration,” Tolly said, his voice brisk, and his face tight.

Inki nodded, and Pilot Tocohl spoke.

“We hope very much that the Admiral will find himself able to rise to the challenge of an improved environment.”

Both mentors had nodded, each with their face turned slightly aside. So, Hazenthull had thought, somewhat relieved; they are not blind to the likelihood, merely, they wished…very much…that the Admiral will find courage, and that the transfer process would function as it ought.

There had been silence in the galley then. Inki had gotten up to brew another pot of tea, while Tolly leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, arms crossed over his chest.

“And if he chooses glory, the Admiral?” Hazenthull asked, which none of the others had done. Being kojagun—not-soldiers—perhaps they had not thought of it. “How then shall we deal?”

“Glory?” Inki asked from behind her.

“If he should…maneuver, and seek position…”

She glanced over her shoulder, saw no comprehension on Inki’s dark face, and looked back to Tolly.

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