The Barbarian Bride by Nuttall Christopher

Author:Nuttall, Christopher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, military SF, space opera, space fleet, galactic empire
ISBN: 9781606193211
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Published: 2016-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Naturally, as respect for the ideals of the Federation decreased, individual officers started to look to their own power rather than their duty. Indeed, despite the lesson of Admiral Justinian, the lure of supreme power remained strong. Why not? Marius Drake had made himself Emperor.

—The Federation Navy in Retrospect, 4199

Ruthven, 4102

Roman couldn’t help feeling an odd mixture of excitement and concern as the shuttle settled down to the deck. The marines, once they’d boarded the courier boat, had reported the name and identity of the passenger, Commodore Hannalore Vincent. Roman had glanced at her file, while waiting for the marines to transfer her to Valiant and noted that she was very definitely Admiral Vincent’s oldest daughter. Her father, it seemed, had smoothed her advancement through the navy.

And let’s hope she deserves it, Roman thought. The shuttle’s hatch hissed open, allowing two marines to step onto the deck. She might have no real talent of her own.

He sucked in his breath as Commodore Hannalore Vincent followed the marines out of the shuttle, feeling an unwanted flush of arousal. She was stunning, her long blonde hair falling in ringlets down to her shoulders, her uniform expertly tailored to show off her curves without revealing a hint of flesh below her collar. Her face was perfect, too perfect; Roman would have bet half his salary that she’d either been enhanced while in the womb or spent time in a bodyshop, once she’d grown old enough to decide what she wanted. She was thirty-three, according to the file, but she barely looked old enough to drink.

And that makes her dangerous, Roman reminded himself, sternly. He took a moment to compose himself, keeping his reactions under control. She’s smart enough to use her sexuality as a weapon.

“Admiral Garibaldi,” Hannalore said. Her voice was a rich, warm contralto. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Thank you,” Roman said. Elf, thankfully, was standing right next to him or he might have done something stupid. It was possible, he’d heard, to engineer pheromones into one’s body to enhance attractiveness... had Hannalore done something along those lines to herself? Or was he merely reacting to the presence of a beautiful girl? It was hard to be sure. “If you’ll come with me, Commodore, we can talk in the briefing room.”

Hannalore said nothing as they walked through the corridors, but her eyes kept flickering from side to side, taking in the giant superdreadnaught. Roman had a feeling she was looking for pieces of Outsider technology, but there was little of that inside Valiant. He couldn’t help noticing that Hannalore sucked in attention from the crew, their eyes following her as she strode past with nary a care in the world. There was definitely something about her that caught the eye.

“I’m glad you agreed to speak with me,” Hannalore said, once they were in a conference chamber and the hatch was firmly closed. “My father sent me with a message — and power to negotiate.”

“I guessed as much,” Roman said. These days, only a fool would rely on someone outside the family for sensitive negotiations.

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