“Thank you, Tal Aro’nh,” Kori’nh said in a clipped voice. “I will consult you if ever I have difficulty establishing priorities for the Solar Navy.”

The conservative old Tal subsided into an embarrassed silence.

Kori’nh regarded the subcommanders until he saw that he had their full attention. Through the thism the Mage-Imperator understood Kori’nh’s general aims, and approved. The Adar could feel the all-seeing leader sensing his actions, watching the movements of the fleet like a benevolent deity.

This was an impulse, Kori’nh knew, but an important one, and he was curious to see how the Solar Navy would perform. He also dreaded what might happen.

“I have obtained several Earth military strategy games, computer simulations the humans constructed primarily for entertainment.” He handed out imprinted datacards that contained the simulations, converted to a form readable by their warliner command systems. “You will study them for a day, and then I challenge you to play against me.”

The gathered Quls were shocked. Tal Aro’nh looked confused and alarmed. “But Adar, what relevance do human … diversions have to our duties in the Solar Navy?”

Kori’nh regarded the old man sourly. “They have every relevance, Tal Aro’nh. What if one day the Mage-Imperator declares war against the humans? Would it not be best to understand a bit of their strategy ahead of time?”

“A war with the humans?” the Quls muttered to each other.

Tal Aro’nh looked angry now. “Impossible, Adar! The Mage-Imperator would never demand such a thing.”

Kori’nh’s voice was as flat and threatening as a naked blade. “So, Tal, do you now presume to know the thoughts of the Mage-Imperator? Do you understand why and how our leader arrives at the decisions that affect his entire empire? K’llar bekh! Shall I slice off your testicles and see if you suddenly have access to the thism?”

Tal Aro’nh backed down immediately. “Not at all, Adar.” He snatched up the datacard. “We will assess these simulations and play your… space games here, privately, without embarrassment.”

Kori’nh had already attempted the games himself, running simulations in his quarters. Most of the scenarios were simplistic and naive, with a childishly clear objective, usually to conquer a world. But the Adar insisted, and the Quls gathered up their orders and departed for their own warliners.

Two days later, Kori’nh engaged his subcommanders in direct human-style space combat—without pomp and tediously rehearsed maneuvers, without a plan that every officer knew beforehand.

Every one of the subcommanders failed so miserably that even Tal Aro’nh had the good grace to be embarrassed.

80: TASIA TAMBLYN

80TASIA TAMBLYN

All EDF recruits were summoned to the Mars base’s lecture hall for yet another emergency briefing. Tasia accompanied Robb Brindle into the cold, harshly lit room constructed in a domed-over crater. She felt a knot in her stomach, a growing dread about the reason for the mandatory gathering.