Unfortunately, it didn’t take Cord long to learn that I’d been hiding out on Valkyrie, refusing to go down to the planet and ducking dozens of well-wishers, hangers-on and social invitations.
“Buck up, Admiral,” he instructed. “You’ve had your battle. Now you have to face the music.”
“I’d rather face another dreadnought!”
He grinned. “I’m sure you would. Unfortunately, you’re not being offered that option.” He sobered. “Consider it a duty of your rank, Admiral. Consider it anything you want — but get down here and start hero-ing!”
I cast about desperately. “Uh, I have to plan for an assault on Thaeron, sir.”
He shook his head. “Won’t work, Admiral. Thaeron will wait. They no longer have any offensive capability. They can just wait until you get around to them.” He leaned close to the vid and pointed his finger at me. “Now, get down here and let them make you a hero!” He started to cut off, and then paused. He looked at me with pity.
“I will offer you a piece of advice, Admiral. You possess the unfortunate characteristic of being unattached. You’d be much safer if you were life-mated. Since you aren’t, I’d suggest that you comb your fleet for an unattached female that can accompany you and keep the sharks away. Otherwise, you won’t get a moment’s peace.”
I sighed. “How long will you give me, sir?”
He grinned again. “One day, no more. Don’t try to stall me, Admiral. I’ve already heard that you have a young lady aboard that.. ah… interests you. Bring her along, and get down here!” He cut the connection, which was fortunate. I could feel my face warming.
I agonized for an hour before summoning up the duty roster and learning that Suli was off duty. I temporized for another half-hour in desperation before taking my courage in both hands and heading for her cabin.
She answered the door in that same maroon robe I’d seen before-but this time, it was obvious that there was nothing under it but Suli. I almost forgot why I’d come.
She looked surprised at seeing me. “Why, Admiral!”
Heat flared in my face. “Uh… Ms Fjolking… I… uh.. I need your help. May I come in?”
She purpled and those beautiful eyes widened in panic. Then, suddenly, the flush faded and the eyes steadied. She stepped backward. “Of course, Admiral. Please come in.” That blinding smile flashed.
I stepped in and she closed the door. The cabin was tiny. A single chair and minuscule desk occupied a cubbyhole opposite her bunk. Everything was perfectly orderly. The cabin hardly looked lived-in. “Have a seat, Admiral,” she said, grinning.
“Thank you, but I’ll stand,” I said firmly. Sitting would mean one of us sitting on the bunk.
She shrugged and sat down… on the bunk. “Well, Admiral, what can I do for you?”
“Well, I uh… The Viceroy has ordered me down to Haven. I have to let them make a hero out of me.” My face warmed again.
“Good.” she said firmly. “It’s about time, and highly deserved, too!”
I felt myself flush again. “Come on, Suli, you were here. You know I was no hero. The heroes were out there.” I waved vaguely.
She sniffed. “Too right, I was here. Sure, there were heroes out there. But there was a hero in here, too.” The passion faded from her face, to be replaced by puzzlement. “But what’s that got to do with me? You said you needed my help.”
I writhed in embarrassment. “Well, you see, I’ve been flooded with invitations to social events-dinners and the like. I’ve been ducking them, but the Viceroy caught me, and he’s insisting that I begin attending them.”
She just regarded me silently. “You see, He… uh… I, Oh Sheol! Cord suggested that I arrange for a female to accompany me to these events, to keep me from being bothered by a bunch of women!”
She collapsed in a paroxysm of laughter. My acute embarrassment began to fade into resentment. “Excuse me,” I said stiffly, “I’m sorry I bothered you.” I started for the door, but she put her hand on my arm.
“Please,” she said between peals of laughter. “Don’t leave!” She began to sober as she saw my irritation. “I’m sorry,” she said gently. “I really am. I wasn’t laughing at you. It was just the…” She suppressed a giggle before continuing, “It was just the idea that the great Admiral Val Kedron, Savior of the Rim, Commander of thousands, needs me to protect him from predator females!” She trailed off into more gales of laughter. I began to see the humor in the situation myself, and in a moment, we were both howling. As our laughter began to fade, she added, “me, a Frejan!” and we both roared again. It took several minutes for us to regain our composure.
“All right, Admiral,” she finally said. “Exactly what is it you want me to do?”
My face grew warm again. “Well, uh, just go with me to these dinners and things… and… uh… pretend that we’re… uh…”
“Involved,” She supplied.
I nodded. “Believe it or not, you’re the only female in the fleet that I know other than in passing.”
She grinned. “I believe it. But if anyone down there knows anything about Frejans, they’ll know a Firster would never be involved with a paleskin. I mean…”
My heart sank. “I know what you mean. I’m sorry. I can see that I wasn’t considering your sensibilities…” I started for the door again, and again she put a hand on my sleeve.
“No, damn it!” she said fiercely, “You don’t know what I meant! And don’t say ‘sensibilities’ when you mean ‘prejudices’! Dark or light, you’re the most man I’ve ever met. I’ve learned more about myself in the past few months than in all the years before them. I’ve learned about prejudice, and I’ve learned about friendship, and…” she flushed, “other things.
“For the first time since leaving Freja, I feel like a member of a crew, instead of some kind of target. I have pale-skinned friends now! People I like and respect, that like and respect me. And I owe that to you. You wouldn’t let me hide inside my small prejudices; you made me come out and greet the world — the real world, not the nonsense that passes for reality on Freja.
“I’ll be delighted to be your protector, Admiral,” she continued. “I owe you much more than that.”
I shook my head. “You don’t owe me anything. I just pointed out the obvious. You were the one that took action. If your life has changed for the better, it’s your doing, not mine.”
She threw me a sidelong glance. “Y’know, Admiral, excessive modesty is just as irritating as a lack of modesty. Maybe you’d better work on that!”
After a few more minutes’ conversation, I reluctantly excused myself. As I left, she took my hand. I stared at my hairy white paw holding that slim black hand, and a thrill of excitement ran through me. I was shocked. I again reminded myself I was no horny teenager, to get excited about a handshake!
There was one more piece of real business for me before becoming Cord’s sacrificial lamb.
Luckily, there was one unarmed tramp in the Haven system at the time. I summoned her captain.
“I have a job for you,” I began. “I want you to go to Thaeron.”
His eyes widened. “Uh, that could be dangerous, Admiral,” he protested.
I nodded. “Yes, it could. However, we must know what’s going on there, and make sure that they know what’s happened here.
“Actually,” I continued, “I suspect they’re so starved for information that you’ll be in no danger at all. I doubt they know anything that’s happened since Gyrfalcon was sent back for repair. Keeping Thaeron informed was probably low on Jonas’ priority lists.”
We worked out a cover story for the tramp. We’d load her up with a typical cargo for Thaeron, mostly luxury foodstuffs. He’d tell whoever asked about the battle here, and portray himself as so greedy a trader that he’d run the risk of destruction to be first into Thaeron with a cargo to sell.
“I expect them to pump you for information, and they may not be particularly gentle about it,” I told him. “But if you talk willingly, I doubt they’ll get rough. While you’re talking, keep your eyes open. I’ll want to know about everything you see and hear, and even how you feel about what you see and hear. Any detail may save lives.”
I issued orders for the tramp to be provisioned with whatever the Captain ordered, and sent him on his way. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. At least I could feel that I was accomplishing something besides being an animated display for Cord.
A few hours later, we shuttled down to Haven. I’d been hoping we’d be able to sneak in unnoticed, but it was not to be. When the shuttle’s hatch opened, a roar erupted from a large crowd. Spaceport guards formed a human chain and held a path open for us through the throng. I turned and offered my arm to Suli, just behind me. She flashed me a grin and a wink before taking the arm as though it was the most natural thing in the world. When we appeared in the hatch, the crowd’s roar increased, and then trailed off, as they became aware of Suli. She was breathtaking in a red hooded cloak that framed her midnight skin and white hair dramatically. She was wonderful, behaving as though a throng greeted her everywhere she went.
A lot of the crowd seemed to be reporters. People shouted inane questions at me while I muttered “No comment!” over and over. Suddenly I noticed that more than half the cameras were now pointed at Suli. I could see the headlines now: ‘Mystery Woman Accompanies Kedron!’ Nevertheless, her exotic beauty knocked them off balance long enough for us to reach our ground car and escape.
The car had been sent by Cord, and it whisked us to the Viceregal Palace, where adjoining quarters had been arranged for us.
I introduced her to Cord, and he was as instantly smitten as every other male that meets Suli. At lunch, he was holding her chair and monopolizing her conversation. I began to get irritated.
“If you’ll excuse me sir,” I said. “I’ll just return to Valkyrie and blast off for Betelgeuse.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “Of course, Admiral, of course!” Then he seemed to process what I’d said, did a comical double take, and flushed. “Wha…” His expressions ran the gamut from preoccupation to puzzlement, embarrassment, and finally, anger. “How dare you?”
I chuckled. “Sorry, sir, I just couldn’t resist.” It was the first time I’d ever seen him in less than complete control.
After a moment, the humor of the situation struck him, and his anger dissolved in chuckles. "I take your point, Admiral," he said with a grin. After that, he was completely in control with Suli, unfailingly polite, reasonably attentive, but not so obviously smitten.
We descended into a maelstrom of social obligations. It seemed everyone on Haven wanted to meet and express his or her gratitude to the ‘hero’. We were mobbed everywhere. Every day it was another ceremony or dedication. Every evening it was another reception or formal dinner, with Cord, me and sometimes even Suli as guests of honor. I had a lifetime’s worth of cold, barely edible food, and was greeted by a seemingly never-ending stream of strangers.
In just one more out of a blurred series of parties at the palace for the local powers-that-be, I’d been shaking hands as usual and exchanging inconsequential chatter when something soft nudged my arm.
I turned. Suli stood there. However, it was a different Suli; looser, somehow. Those beautiful gray eyes were heavy lidded, and she seemed uncoordinated. This was so untypical that it riveted my attention. It took only a few slurred words to let me know that she was completely drunk.
I grabbed her elbow as she staggered, excused myself, and slid my other arm around her waist. She giggled. “Kinda forward, aincha, Adm’ral?”
I felt my face begin to grow warm. “I think we’d better get you to your room.”
She pulled back, looking at me archly. “Why, Adm’ral! What’re your intentions?”
The warmth crept down my neck. “Strictly honorable, Suli,” I replied. “I think you need somewhere to rest for a few moments.” She let me guide her to the lift shaft.
We reached our floor, and I helped her into her room. “What happened, Suli?” I asked, “Is something wrong?”
“Damn ri’ sump’n’s wrong,” she slurred. “Ony man onna planet I wan’, an’ y’don’ wan’ me!”
I stepped back in surprise. Me? She wants me? “Don’t be ridiculous, Suli,” I began, ignoring my own cardinal rule never to argue with a drunk. “Every man on Haven, me included, wants you. Maybe especially me,” I added in a mutter. “Why don’t you lie down for a few minutes, and we’ll talk about it in the morning?”
White hair whipped as she shook her head violently. “Nope!” she said, “You won’ talk inna morning. Y’r scared ’a me!”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” I replied tartly. Me? Scared? Never. Well, maybe a little intimidated…
“I’ll bet if I was a paleskin you’d wan’ me!” she continued as if I’d never spoken. She grabbed my head, and stared into my eyes. “I’m not some kinda statue!” She said fiercely, “I’m a woman! I know what I look like, but I won’ let you turn me into some kinda work of art!
“Val Kedron,” she continued jeeringly, “Big hero. Big brave man. Scared t’tell a woman he wants her! What do I haveta do, Adm’ral? Trip you an’ fall on you?”
I was taken aback. I’d had no idea… “Come on, Suli,” I said uncomfortably. “Why don’t you lie down for a few minutes?” I urged her toward the bed, and she sat on its edge.
She shook her head again. “Don’ wanna lie down,” she protested, but she let me lower her onto her back. She began snoring almost immediately.
I stood over her for a few moments, thinking. Should I remove some or all of her clothing? I debated about it, and decided I’d better not.
Could it be true? Could this ebon goddess actually want me? A fat old middle-aged man? A paleskin? Or was it just the liquor talking?
More importantly, did I want her? Did I really want her, or did I just want to possess her exquisite beauty? Did I want a serious relationship with her, or was I just a horny old goat smitten by a beautiful and exotic woman?
I retreated to my room, but I didn’t get much sleep. I was haunted by Suli’s words. I did reach one conclusion: It wasn’t just lust. I wanted a relationship with Suli on any terms she’d accept. Term contract or life mating, with or without progeny, I’d take anything I could get, and count myself incredibly lucky.
I tossed and turned until I watched the sun rise. Finally, I sighed and got up. I got dressed and went down for an early breakfast.
Surprisingly, Cord was there. I don’t know when the man ever slept.
“Well, Admiral,” he said, grinning. “What happened to you last night? It’s not generally considered polite for the guest of honor to disappear halfway through the festivities.”
I shrugged. “Suli got drunk, and I took her up to her room.”
A puzzled look crossed his face. “Suli? But I saw her just before you disappeared. She wasn’t even tipsy.”
I shook my head. “No, sir, she was really out of it. I took her up and put her to bed.” I saw his eyebrow raise, and hurriedly added, “To sleep, Viceroy. She passed out almost as soon as I got her to lie down.”
Cord was looking thoughtful. “Really. And did she say anything interesting before she passed out?” Warmth flooded my face, and he nodded.
“Yes. Well. Suli tells me that you’ve been to Freja, Admiral. Did you spend much time off the port itself?”
Surprised at the change of subject, I replied, “Why, not much. After the first day, I got tired of being treated like an animal, so I stuck to the port bars, with the rest of the paleskins.”
He nodded. “You know, Admiral, I’ve been there as well. But I didn’t have the luxury of hiding in the port, so I learned a bit more about the planet and the people.” This type of chat was not typical of Cord. I wondered where this was going.
“Freja was colonized during a socially conservative time in Empire history,” he continued. “And many of the mores still dominate Frejan society. For instance, in male/female relationships, it is the responsibility of the male to make the first advances. Females are very limited in the actions that they can take to indicate interest to a male.” He looked at me significantly. What he saw evidently didn’t impress him.
He shook his head and sighed. “It is not my habit to advise admirals on their love lives,” he said ironically. “But you are so dense! I think you’ve just been given your absolute last chance. Suli has done everything her moral code permits to indicate her interest in you. This drunken act is an act of desperation — it must have taken her a week to work up to it. I suspect that if she doesn’t see a reaction today, you’ll never have another chance with her. Think about it.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “I did think about it. All night. I just can’t believe that she’d really be interested in a fat old man like me!” The words tumbled out, and a flush of warmth spread over my face.
He chuckled. “I find it rather puzzling, myself. But everyone else has been aware of it for weeks.” He shook his head. “All right, Admiral. I’ll make your excuses. You have the day off. Take my aircar and take her somewhere and get this settled.”
The warmth hadn’t faded from my face. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” I started for the door.
“And, Admiral,” Cord said. I stopped and turned as he continued warningly, “This has been the one and only time that I shall ever discuss your love life!” I fled through the door, his laughter ringing in my ears.
I was trembling as I took my courage in both hands and knocked on Suli’s door. She was wearing a robe of thin white material that did little to conceal the dark shadow of the body within it. Exquisite!
And distracting. As she looked at me expectantly, I began, “Suli, I… ah… I, Oh! Sheol!” I stepped to her, put an arm around her waist, and pulled her face down to mine. Her warm lips made my head swim. After a long moment, I released her, worried. How would she react?
A blinding smile lit her face. “Well! It’s about time!” was all she said before pushing the door closed behind me and taking me in her arms.
She stepped back and, with another of those blinding grins, touched a button at the throat of the robe. It fell away, revealing Suli in all her nude glory.
And she was glorious! Only her wide shoulders and erect posture could have supported such large, full breasts. The large aureoles and prominent nipples, both in purple, were an effective contrast to her ebon velvet skin. The triangular pubic patch was coarser of texture and not quite the pure white of her head hair, having a slight yellow tinge.
Gods! She was gorgeous! Again, I was amazed. How could this exquisite creature, this fantastic example of nature’s artistry, really be interested in me?
After a long moment, she put her hands on her hips and bent one knee in the eternal pose of women. She smiled. “Well, Val, are you just going to look?”
I began fumbling with my uniform, flushing with embarrassment at the hairy, paunchy, pale body I was revealing. When I was as nude as she was, she stepped forward and planted a huge, passionate kiss on my lips while her hands roamed my body.
We never did use the Viceroy’s aircar that day.
The next few days passed in a glorious haze. I barely managed to check in with Shar every day. It was about three weeks after we'd grounded that his reports began to give me hope that I could extricate Suli and myself from the social whirl.
I went to visit Cord. “Sir,” I began. “I think I need to get back to work. Shar’s starting to run into problems.”
He started to shake his head, and then paused. “What kind of problems could Captain Tan-Li be running into that he can’t handle himself?”
“Trouble holding our forces together.” I replied. “The privateer captains want their ships disarmed so they can get back to trading. The mining companies want their boats and pilots back.” I hesitated, and then continued, “You’ve been so successful selling the idea that we’ve won, that everybody wants to declare victory and go home. They seem to forget about Thaeron.”
Cord nodded, his expression thoughtful. “You may be right, Admiral. Very well, you may return to your ship.” He grinned. “I don't suppose you’d be willing to leave Suli here, would you? No, I suppose not. Oh, well.”
It was with an immense sigh of relief that we boarded Valkyrie. It felt wonderful to escape Haven’s cold bleakness and walk onto Valkyrie ’s bridge. It took all my strength of character to keep from ordering her into space immediately.
If what I’d experienced was the life of a politician, I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want political power.
Suli was as weary as I was, but unlike me, she’d delighted in the attention and social whirl. Besides, we were still investigating each other. We’d decided that for the moment, she would keep her own cabin. Too much was happening, could still happen. After the insurrection was over, we’d make plans that were more permanent. Permanent! Glorious!
Once again, the shipboard grapevine had shown its amazing efficiency. Judging from their expressions and actions, our new relationship was no secret from the crew. I didn’t have time to pamper my embarrassment. I had to immediately summon Shar so we could assess our forces and status.
We had Valkyrie, of course. Relentless, our best battle cruiser, had been badly mauled by Nemesis ’ weapons. She was at Outback, along with our other cruiser, Fearless, and two of our three destroyers, Harpy and Predator. Only Raptor, the destroyer that had surrendered at Haven, was undamaged. She was the only true warship still in the Haven system. We had a total of eighteen privateers remaining, and some thirty-two boats.
Those last two facts shocked and disturbed me. We’d started with thirty-two privateers and over a hundred and fifty boats. Of the remaining eighteen privateers, seven were in the Haven system, largely undamaged. The other eleven had gone to Outback for repairs.
There were also the six unarmed rim tramps. Since the Battle of Haven, they’d resumed their trade routes, and were reportedly making their fortunes due to the lack of competition. That was one of the factors causing the privateer crews to want to get back to business.
Another of the factors causing trouble was the attitude of the Outback repair yards. They had assigned higher priorities to the true warships than to the privateers. I wasn’t quite sure why they’d done so; I certainly hadn’t issued any such orders. I suspected that it was simply that military skippers become quite adept at bullying yard personnel.
In this case, it couldn’t be permitted to go on. If we had to assault Thaeron, we needed the psychological advantage of the largest number of ships possible, even if none of the number was completely battle-ready. Besides, we owed our privateers better than second-class treatment.
I decided to take Valkyrie to Outback as soon as I’d talked with the privateer skippers and boat pilots here in the Haven system. I was going to have to convince the privateers on Outback to stick a little longer. Besides, I wanted Shar to coordinate the repair efforts, with strict orders to make sure that he assigned the repair priorities, based solely on the need to get the largest number of ships possible spaceworthy.
I met with the privateer crews and boat pilots in Valkyrie ’s wardroom. Before, we’d needed much larger spaces; but now, with only about fifty people to accommodate, the wardroom was adequate.
As soon as I entered the wardroom, chaos erupted, crews demanding to have their armament removed, and boat pilots demanding transport to this world or that one. I simply stood quiet until the uproar died away.
Finally, the roar subsided to a dissatisfied rumble. I held up my hand, and the rumble faded.
“First,” I said, “I’d like to thank you all for coming. I’d also like to thank you for making possible my escape from Cord’s program of parties and dinners!” Chuckles erupted, but it would take more than lame jokes to do what I had to do.
“All right,” I resumed, “I know you’re dissatisfied. You privateer crews want to get back to the important stuff — trading profits.” I paused for another rumble of laughter. “And you boat pilots, I know you want to get back to herding asteroids instead of shooting up dreadnoughts.”
“You’ve all been hearing Cord's speeches. ‘The danger is past’; ‘the rebellion failed’ and so on. Yes, he makes it sound like it’s all over.
“But it’s not over!” I continued. “Those speeches are for the civilians; those who would have been screaming for surrender as soon as a ship appeared in their sky. How much peace can we count on with an entire fortified system in the sector? Thaeron’s yards and docks have the capability to actually build complete warships. Are you willing to have your children go through this all over again in fifteen years, just because we quit too soon?
“I’m asking you to stay with me just a while longer. I sent a scout tramp to Thaeron several weeks ago. I expect him back at any time. When he arrives, we’ll know more. Maybe you will be able to be disarmed and go home. Perhaps Thaeron is just waiting for someone to come and accept her surrender.
“On the other hand, Thaeron’s commander may be feeling secure behind his thousands of drifting mines, and his fortified moons. He may even have at least one warship. I’m told there was a battle cruiser in orbit there that was being cannibalized. I doubt it’s being cannibalized now. He also definitely has one destroyer. Gyrfalcon was damaged in the battle at Lonesome; Jonas sent it to Thaeron for repair. Those repairs are probably complete by now.”
“What we’ve done so far,” I continued, “is the equivalent of beating off a mugger attempting to rob us. But if you did beat off a mugger, would you be content to turn away and leave his armed accomplice in an alley behind you?”
“I hope that you will stay with me for awhile; but I won’t try to force you. Every one of you is a hero already. I will not try to compel heroes to face more and possibly even greater dangers.”
“In a few hours, I will be taking Valkyrie to Outback, to talk with the privateers and boat pilots there. I give you my word that I will direct the yards and docks to begin removing the weaponry of any privateers that ask, as soon as possible. However, you must understand that repairs to our damaged ships are a higher priority, with a battle yet to fight. So, we’ll disarm your ships, but you’ll have to wait until the yard and dock space is available.
“To you boat pilots I say this. There’s not one of you who hasn’t lost a friend in this fight. Some of you have lost many friends. Too many. I look out here and… there are so few of you! Barely more than thirty out of more than a hundred and fifty. You are the bravest and best of the best. I and the rest of the rim owe you everything. I hope some of you will stay with me. To the others, I say there is no disgrace in leaving now. On the contrary, every one of you has a medal coming. If you decide to go, go with your heads held high. Go as heroes! I will make sure that passage to your home systems is arranged as quickly as possible.
“Finally,” I continued, “I mentioned that we will be leaving for Outback in a few hours. In the meantime, I will make myself available to any of you to discuss your individual situations.” I straightened. “I want to make certain that you understand how much I appreciate the sacrifices you've made for the rim; and I promise you that both Viceroy Cord and I will do our best to make sure the people of the rim appreciate them, too. For now, I salute you.”
A gratifyingly large percentage of them jumped to their feet and returned my salute. A large lump had somehow become lodged in my throat, so I just muttered, “Thank you,” and fled out the hatch.
Shar was waiting. “I saw you palm that ace, Admiral!”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I replied with as much dignity as I could muster.
He grinned. “It’ll be weeks or months before all of the repairs are completed on all of the ships. So you’ve left them the choice of staying with you or sitting on their butts on Outback, arguing over who’ll eventually get to go first. ‘You'll have to wait until the yard and dock space is available’,” he mimicked. “When have you ever known a shipyard to be empty? Space will be ‘available’ when you say it is, and you know it!”
I looked around guiltily. “I know. And I feel terrible about it. I, we, owe them better! But, what can I do? I might need their help with Thaeron.”
His grin faded. “I know. What do you think the boat pilots will do?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, Shar. But I didn’t have the courage to press them hard to serve again. There are so few of them left!”
He nodded soberly. “I understand. And I agree. I’ve never served with braver people — in or out of the Fleet."