Home System
© 2025 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  rabbi-tom


Varan stood in front of the mirror in her quarters and made certain for the third time that her turquoise formal Fleet uniform was in order and spotless. The uniform bore her rank insignia on the left sleeve above her wrist, and her two Battle Honor decorations were slightly higher up her arm, midway between the rank insignia and her elbow. She was proud of her rank and her decorations, the memories of how she achieved them shorn of their emotional weight.

While on the trip from Chadan she had received a message from her mentor, Admiral-first l’Fel. The dark brown-furred vir had instructed her to wear formal uniform, and she planned on meeting Varan when the transport docked at Tlath. Varan had acknowledged the message while the transport was still inbound near Kirnakir, the gas giant that stood at the edge of the Imperial home system, and had started getting ready.

Her final day on Chadan with her family had been very pleasant, and she dismissed the memory of her stepfather’s hands on her shoulders and her brother’s hands on her rear end as her mother and sister looked on. There wouldn’t be time to pleasure herself and get another shower before the ship arrived.

Tlath was the larger of the two moons of Gwath ka-shlal. In addition to being the primary Fleet base and shipyard in the system, it was the home of the System Defense Force and the Command Academy she’d be attending. Satisfied with her appearance, Varan switched the mirror to viewing mode.

The moon was close, but just to the left was a blue-green planet she’d never set foot on but recognized instantly: Gwath ka-shlal, the Hearth, the Imperial Homeworld. She magnified the image and picked out the Farz Peninsula, magnified it again and moved east before her breath hitched in her throat.

It was hard to pick out any details at this distance, but a grayish blotch could be seen. The Imperial Palace complex was huge, requiring the removal of most of a mountain for its foundations.

Varan had been to several planets in her career, but she was awestruck by the sight of this world. She decided to visit the world if possible, based on what time off she could get from her studies and whether there was a quota on tourism.

But the thought of walking where the Savior himself might have walked?

The thought tantalized her.


***


Nefed l’Fel had the silver circle of an Admiral-first’s rank on her sleeve, along with a single Battle Honors award and a few decorations for her combat service. She was easily spotted among the other shlani in the station’s docking lobby, and Varan walked up to her and saluted. “Frelen-nin l’Fel.”

“Gartabin g’Raf,” l’Fel said as she returned the salute. “Welcome to Tlath.”

“Thank you, Ma’am. It’s a privilege to be chosen for the Academy.”

L’Fel smiled. “Your record, and Admiral k’Daridh’s endorsement, recommended this assignment, Captain. Come, I will escort you to your quarters. A syllabus has been transmitted to your padd,” she said as they started walking. She had a habit of walking with one hand or the other behind her back, usually grasping her tail to help it stay clear of the floor. “Was your leave time well-spent?” she asked as they left the lobby and proceeded down a corridor.

“Very much so,” Varan replied. “I visited This Far, Station NZh-2233, and Chadan to see my family before coming here.”

The other vir arched a brow. “This Far and Station – aka, yes, your Terran friends.”

“And her parents,” Varan said.

“It speaks well of them that they could open their homes to you.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“I mean no disrespect, Captain,” l’Fel said. “It also speaks well of you to be open with them. It shows that trust is possible between our races.” She gave her a wry smile. “There are courses in psychology and diplomacy in the syllabus.”

Despite herself, Varan chuckled.