Maneuvers

A Thursday Prompt story
© 2019 by Walter Reimer


Prompt: chief


“Congratulations.”

The musk deer returned the leopard femme’s salute, and President Chao-li shook paws with the new Admiral-General as the press took pictures. Both furs studiously ignored any questions and smiled and waved as their handlers herded the media representatives out of the room.

As soon as their personal sensors verified that all eavesdropping devices were properly nullified, Chao-li’s pleasant demeanor fell away and he growled, “You were not my first choice. But the Senat nominated you, and the Presidium agreed to it. Not much I could do.”

Sarafina al-Sakai nodded, once, a gesture that seemed to irritate Chao-li further. Once again she had occasion to be thankful that the efforts to create telepathic AIs or furs had continued to fail. The President would not at all have appreciated her private opinion of the mule deer. He crossed to his desk and took a datapak from it, then held it out to her. “Your daily briefing,” he explained. “That pack of tail-sniffers Nguyen called a staff is waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Mister President,” the leopardess said, and she turned to go.

“Oh, by the way,” and she paused to look at him over her shoulder as he said, “Nguyen’s death is still being investigated, Sarafina.” He smiled, baring his teeth to accentuate his tusks. “Dismissed.”

She resisted the urge to sneer back at him and left the office, allowing her usually neutral expression to twist into an angry grimace. Sister-fucking leaf-eater.

Her personal bodyguards were waiting for her as the door closed behind her. The panther who led the detail nodded at her and said, “We’ve cleared the hallway for you, Ma’am.”

The newly-promoted officer nodded. “Good. We’re going to my office – my new office.”

“Right.” He gestured and the guards fell in to shield her rear and flanks, two of them sweeping the surrounding area with sensors to make certain that no one was watching or pointing a weapon at her. They only stopped when a guard at the door to her office ushered her inside.

They didn’t go in with her. There were other guards in the office.

The leopardess casually saluted the assembled staff, the half-dozen furs that ran the combined Confederate and Colonial military structure, and another dozen principal deputies. People she needed, but could do without if she had to bypass them. Their replacements were already waiting. “Be seated,” al-Sakai said as she sat down. One guard gestured and she said, “Before I start the briefing, I have something to say.”

“I know who disagreed with my plans, when I first presented them.” She paused and eyed her own deputy, inherited upon her promotion. The pangolin met her gaze before lowering his muzzle and looking away.

Coward.

“I will give those who disapproved of my ideas the opportunity to retire, with full pension and benefits – and perhaps some additional incentives.” Ears perked at that. “If you do not wish to retire, you will be transferred to posts that are appropriate to your abilities.” The leopard looked around the room. “Questions?”

“What happened to Nguyen?” her deputy blurted.

She looked up at him, her gaze steady. “He died. A tragedy, that. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Ye-Yes, Ma’am.” The tip of his scaly tail twitched nervously.

“Good. Take your seat, and we’ll begin.” He retreated to his chair, still avoiding her eyes as she started the holoprojector and slipped the datapak into its receptacle.

While the intelligence and forces status reports went on she kept her eyes on her staff. Yes, many of them would retire, and in time that retirement would become permanent; the others who requested reassignment would find their own paths to the hereafter. Either way, she wouldn’t have to trouble herself with them as much as she had up to this point.

One of the reports dealt with analyses of the Kashlanin Imperial Fleet’s strength relative to the Terrans. The true state of their ship losses after the affair with the Ichoniik was still classified, and the shlani never talked about them; however, educated guesses could be made. Proposals followed the report, suggesting that the Terrans build up their fleet to achieve a closer parity with the Empire.

Another report came from the Foreign Ministry. Alhamid Fraz-Iosif, the Minister, announced that he had been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive cancer, and was stepping down temporarily. The President agreed that the Deputy Minister would act in his stead. Finally, a confidential report from the Terran Ambassador to the Empire was summarized, indicating that the Kashlani were intent on increasing economic links with the Confederacy.

Comments were made after the reports concluded; questions were raised and answered, and the various department heads left the office. With her guard detail, al-Sakai sat alone in her new office.

That carpet needs to be changed, she thought, it stinks of wolf.

Her guard commander touched a paw to his ear. “Admiral al-Sakai is coming to the office, Ma’am.”

This news made the leopardess genuinely smile. “Admit him.”

The door opened and a younger, male version of her strode into the office. Her eldest son Felix; he’d risen through the ranks after graduating from the Academy and was now commander of a cruiser division based near Fomalhaut. He was slim, tall and carried himself like a sword – ready at all times and lethally sharp.

Sarafina al-Sakai’s smile broadened. Nothing she was planning was for her benefit.

It was all for him, and he knew it.