“Oh, I assure you, Lieutenant. This is as proper as it gets.” Valek stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Adirectchannel.” He gave him a knowing nod like the man should know what he was referring to. Would the man’s ego allow him to ask more questions? Valek guessed not.
“Of course. Carry on, Sergeant.”
“Yes, sir!” He snapped and entered the office.
Colonel Ute stood in the middle of the room. Her hands were on her hips and her posture radiated disproval. “A direct channel? Care to explain, Sergeant?”
He moved closer. Ute’s uniform was similar to Franis’s, except she had four diamonds stitched on her unbuttoned jacket. She’d pulled her honey-colored hair into a bun, but a few tendrils had escaped and curled around her oval face. Golden eyes flecked with brown stared at him, as if daring him to lie to her. A formidable woman in her mid-thirties, she was an excellent choice for general.
“It’s a message from the Commander.”
She relaxed when she recognized him. “Adviser Valek, why are you in disguise?”
“Because I suspected the general would send you away on some distant mission, and I wanted to intercept you before you could leave. Am I right?”
“I’ve been ordered go to an outpost near the border of MD-2 and the Northern Ice Pack.”
Valek laughed. That was about as far away as one could get from the manor house while still being in MD-3.
“I’m glad you find it amusing. It’s cold and icy near the NIP, even in the hot season and it’s where we transfer all the problem soldiers. The only explanation is that I somehow pissed off the General. He knows how much I hate the cold.” She shuddered.
“Would the climate in MD-5 be more to your liking?” Valek asked.
Her gaze sharpened. “It would. Why?”
Valek pulled out the scroll and handed it her. “Because you’ve been promoted to general of MD-5.”
Stunned, she stared at him. “Are you serious?”
“Open it.”
Breaking the wax seal, she unrolled the parchment. Her eyes widened as she read the official missive. When she glanced up, disbelief warred with elation. “Me?”
“You.” He enjoyed watching her reaction. “Do you accept the assignment?”
“I’ve a choice?”
“Of course. You can refuse the promotion. It’ll be a difficult posting due to the recent activities in MD-5. Frankly, it’s a mess and will take seasons to sort out. The other generals won’t be happy they weren’t consulted. You saw what General Franis did, ordering you to the farthest reaches of MD-3 just to buy him some time to contact the others.”
“He ordered me to leave right away. I should be pack?—”
“As a general, you don’t answer to anyone except the Commander.”
“And you. But you never seem to use that privilege.”
“It’s very rare, but I’ve used it. Do you need more time to think about it?”
“No. I accept.” She grinned. “I like a challenge.”
“Then let me be the first to congratulate you, General Ute.” He shook her hand. “The Commander has asked me to escort you to your new posting. When would you like to leave for MD-5, General?”
“General Ute.” She marveled. “Not sure I’ll ever get used to the title. I thought it would never happen. We heard about MD-5, but there are so many qualified colonels in the Territory of Ixia.”
“There are. However, the Commander choseyou. He has faith inyou. Remember that when the other generals are pushing back, claiming you’re not the best candidate.”
She sobered. “Do you have faith in me?”
“I do. And don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice from me or the Commander. It’s not a sign of weakness or a sign that you can’t do your job. You have a hard road ahead of you, General. Use your resources. We’re on your side.”
