Kris Longknife Commanding by Mike Shepherd

Author:Mike Shepherd [Shepherd, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-64211-024-1
Publisher: Mike Shepherd

32

Megan found the Admiral’s Barge several steps up from her usual longboat ride. The seats were more cushioned and looked to be in red leather. The carpet on the floor was plush. There were actually curtains framing the fake windows that now showed the space around them. No doubt, it was all Smart MetalTM.

Captain Sung arrived right behind her and the two of them strapped in. A moment later, the barge fell away from the Princess Royal and began its descent. Atmosphere being no respecter of rank, the ride down in the admiral’s barge was bumpier than most.

They were headed for a city with a long name that basically meant some guy with a very long name and his clan’s “Beautiful Red Sunset.”

Most people just called it “Sunset.”

Kris was right about sending them down in her best barge, there was a greeting party that stepped on board as soon as the aft hatch opened. The new city lordling was a bit on the older side, but he proudly wore his full regalia of many colors and his silver chain of office. He was followed by several local clan chiefs decked out with less color and less fancy chains.

The high muckety-muck announced his full name, every word of it, and his office, that needed a lot more words than city regional governor, and finished with, “We are honored to see so respected a subordinate of such an eminent chosen one as Imperial Admiral of the First Order of Steel Longknife.”

If Megan was right, Kris had just gotten short-changed. However, Megan had been working on her own introduction.

“I am Lieutenant Commander Megan Longknife of the clan Longknife of Santa Maria. I am Flag Lieutenant and aide de camp to Her Royal Highness, Grand Admiral Kris Longknife, Imperial Admiral of the First Order of Steel and personally named by the Emperor as Commander of the Imperial Combined Fleet. She is the personal Emissary of King Longknife of the United Society and chosen war leader of that republic. She is the slayer of alien space raiders and the protector of the populations of the planets Alwa and Susquan. I am her fixer, kindly take me to your problem.”

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU’D EVER GET AROUND TO THE REASON WE’RE HERE, Quinn quipped on Nelly Net.

I HAD TO HAVE A LONG NAME AND JOB TITLE, OR I’D GET DISRESPECTED. BESIDES, THIS JOKER SERIOUSLY DISRESPECTED KRIS WHEN HE SHORTENED HER TITLE. I COULDN’T LET THAT HAPPEN.

YOU MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT. LOOK AT THAT FELLOW. HIS BEAK IS HANGING OPEN.

“If you will come this way,” he said, only after closing his mouth with a hard click.

Megan and Quinn followed the Iteeche out of the barge. There, waiting for them on the tarmac were several sedan chairs and two seriously decked out palanquins carried by a dozen porters.

LILY, LET’S PUT ON A SERIOUS SHOW.

GOT IT, had a serious grin attached to it.

Behind Megan, a large block of metal in the barge’s aft cargo bay sprouted eight wheels and rolled down the ramp.

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