The Dark Ascent by Walter H. Hunt

Author:Walter H. Hunt [Hunt, Walter H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military, adventure, Fiction, General, science fiction
ISBN: 9780765349828
Publisher: Tor Science Fiction
Published: 2004-07-31T15:00:00+00:00

The best compromise for evening dress was a bit of a step backward. The empress had offered the help of the court's own dressmaker for a gown; but Jackie had concluded that any such garment would make it impossible to wear the gyaryu, which she wasn't about to part from. In the end she decided on a fairly traditional admiral's uniform, with a badge bearing the hRni'i insignia of the High Nest attached to the crimson sash of her office. With the sword belted at her waist she actually cut a rather dashing figure; she had only the briefest of regrets that the uniform, like the rank, was to be retired before she went back to the High Nest.

Despite protests to the contrary, Dan had claimed the privilege of escorting her to the event. He arrived just as the sun was beginning to dip toward the ocean. Within a half-hour he had been fitted out by the Imperial tailor and he disappeared to get changed.

He found her in a spacious gallery, removing a minute speck of dust from one trouser-leg. She'd never seen him in civilian formals, but it wasn't much different on him than full-dress uniform—handsome but essentially misplaced. Still, he carried himself with confidence as always, and out of the corner of her eye she caught him looking at her from a distance, with an expression she couldn't quite read.

"Looking for someone?" she asked.

"I . . . think I found her," he said at last, taking her hand in his. "Never thought I'd say it again, but that uniform looks damn good on you."

"Thanks. I think."

"Compliment intended," he said, looking away and up at one of the grim portraits on the wall. The subject of the depiction scowled back, looking down from some centuries ago; perhaps he was disapproving, or perhaps indifferent.

In the distance the waves crashed on the rocks below and the deep-orange sun spread across the horizon.

"That's Anderson, isn't it?" he said, pointing at the picture.

"I didn't buy the guidebook."

"They say he had ice-water in his veins. Ten years after Emperor Willem took the throne and founded the Empire. Anderson fought a seventeen-hour battle at Aldebaran without ever leaving the pilot's seat."

"Single-minded."

"And he must've had a hell of a bladder," Dan said, and suddenly they both found themselves laughing. He gave her hand a little squeeze; just for a moment a familiar look came into his eyes, one she hadn't seen in a dozen years. She felt her barriers going up within, the natural defenses that told her to watch out for approaching danger.

"We'd better get in there," she said, pulling her hand away, but he didn't seem inclined to let go.

"Wait a sec, Jay," he said, cradling her hand in both of his. He looked at his shoes and then back at her. "I have to tell you something, before I lose my nerve."

"Dan—"

"It's not quite what you think. Jay, we parted under a cloud many years ago. We both understood and didn't understand why it happened.

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