Positions
© 2020 by Walter Reimer


Thumbnail art by  rabbi-tom


Captain k’Jen looked tired as Varan entered his office. “Narchak, sir,” she said. “Are you well? Shall I call the Surgeon-mistress?”

The kam smiled. “It’s merely lack of sleep, Subcaptain. My mate and I had a conversation in real time, and she and I spoke for quite a while.” The smile broadened into a fond expression. “I also spoke with the children. I’ll be fine. Aka,” and he stretched before taking a drink of fruit juice, “ship status report?”

Varan consulted her padd. “Drills are ongoing in all departments to maintain readiness for combat or emergencies. Efficiency could be better in some departments, and I shall be speaking with the department heads about that.”

“Very good. Anything from the system government?”

“This Far’s traffic control issued an advisory that the local star is showing signs of increased flare activity. It’s described as normal, but I have directed the sensor officers to adjust shielding as circumstances dictate.” Her tail moved slightly as she accessed the next item. “We have received an update from the Foreign Ministry regarding the ongoing negotiations.”

K’Jen’s ears flicked forward. “Yes?”

“We have offered to withdraw from a few salients in Terran space, and in exchange the Terrans no longer demand that we help them force the Colonies into conceding Confederate suzerainty.”

“That’s very interesting,” the kam remarked. “Particularly the idea of us withdrawing.”

Varan gestured affirmation. “Yes, sir.” She looked pensive for a moment.

“Ulnt?”

“Ernh, apologies, sir. I was thinking about Captain d’Estcourt.”

“Of course,” and he smiled. “The Colonies are still operating convoys?”

“Yes, sir. I would say that it’s a prudent gesture on their part.”


***


Navot smiled at the Terran canine as the two sat down.

Balakrishnan flicked an ear. “What?”

“I ask your pardon?”

“You look far too happy,” the Dhole-Akita femme said, a suspicious tone edging her voice. “What are you planning?”

“Aka. I received word this morning that my pet morzin has been released from quarantine. She has passed her required medical examinations.” Navot smiled again. “I feel better having Nak with me.”

Balakrishnan felt her ears go straight back. Morzini were mammals, but filled much the same ecological niches as feral squirrels had on Terra. They differed from squirrels in terms of their diet, being omnivores, and in having either no or vestigial legs. Growing to about a meter in length, they were fairly smart and were domesticated as pets.

To the canine, they looked like disembodied tails.

She hoped that Navot would keep the disgusting creature in her quarters.

“I’m pleased that you have your pet back,” she said smoothly. “Now, shall we begin?”

“Of course.” Navot dragged a fingertip across her padd, and the map of the galaxy shifted to one small area. “Salient 7-a. It is currently four Terran light-years from Medusa – “

“You will withdraw from that area,” Balakrishnan said in a brittle tone. “Medusa is one of the most important Core worlds,” as if this cat-eyed, dog-headed cunt didn’t know, “and the Empire’s proximity to it is a clear threat.”

“Then we withdraw,” and the salient fell back.

The suspicious look came back. “And what do you want in return?”

“I came across a very old Terran saying during my research,” the vir said, and her eyes half-closed as she recited from memory, “’Heads, I win; tails, you lose.’” She opened her eyes and regarded the canine femme. “We are diplomats, Balakrishnan-vī. Diplomacy should not be what your kind calls a zero-sum game.”

Unless it pleases the Sovereign to make it so, Navot thought to herself.