First Steps
© 2020 by Walter Reimer


Thumbnail art by  rabbi-tom


The rank insignia was simpler than what Varan had been wearing, four triangles arranged in a star around the Imperial Seal, but it signified so much more.

The promotion had come as a surprise to her, thinking that the heads of the Operations or Engineering divisions were better-qualified than she was. Senior, as well, but seniority wasn’t usually a criterion for a promotion in the Imperial military. Still, she was now a subcaptain, and Command-Second to Gartabin k’Jen.

It still didn’t feel real.

“Why me?” she asked v’Tal as the latter finished packing up her belongings. They were in v’Tal’s quarters. The vir glanced at her and Varan asked, “Why did you recommend me?”

V’Tal smiled. “And why did k’Jen approve my recommendation? There were two main factors; one, you had better qualifications and more experience at Yōzhimjir and as Weapons Division commander. The Captain noted that you are good at coordinating ship functions to get the optimal configuration for defense and offense.” She sighed. “That’s a necessary skill, given the Fleet’s current conflict with the Terrans.”

“That would be the second factor.”

The other vir grinned. “G’reget, Varan. You have a knowledge of Terrans, the way they think and how they could react in a given situation, that he doesn’t have.”

“One Terran.”

“That’s still one more than him,” v’Tal pointed out. “Further, we – ernh, you, are likely to be posted here in the system for a while, and it would be in our favor to have someone who can act as a liaison.” Her tail rose and the tailspur wagged at Varan. “This is still a conflict zone, and the Subjected Territories Council has no authority here. That may change, of course.” She finished packing, and shut the case. “I do have one suggestion for you, Varan.”

“Yes, Nerin?” They were the same rank.

“Start getting more time in the simulators,” v’Tal said bluntly. “Boarding actions as well as ship-to-ship combat scenarios. You’ll need all the training you can get.” She had a rueful expression as her tail patted her right leg. “The Terrans have a heavy-caliber projectile weapon that holed my armor. It’s in my report on the action, and Yezhef sent it forward so that a counter can be devised and pushed out to the rest of the Fleet.”

Varan gestured her understanding, deciding to set up a scenario as close to v’Tal’s experience as she could. She had no desire to earn a hole in her leg, or worse. “I keep hoping that the Confederacy will ask for peace.”

“Aka, we all wish that.” V’Tal straightened, her tail lifting high. “I wish you good fortune, Varan.”

Varan mimicked the gesture. “And you, Nerin. Please be careful; Captain k’Jen will miss you.”

Nerin smiled and laughed softly. “Yes, he will. Has he spoken to you?” At Varan’s negative gesture, she said, “He might. Make your own decisions about twining tails with him.” The two embraced, and Varan left to head for her new office.

There were things to do, and she had to get started quickly.