Chapter 28
The tension was so thick in the room that even a laser welder would have had problems cutting through it. Garret stood at one of the suite’s large bay windows, staring out into the softly falling snow outside. Winter was closing in, and the snowfall was coming every day now.
He was dressed in dark blue cotton shirt and leather pants that were apparently the ‘fashionable’ things to wear during the winter. They were definitely warm, which was the only reason that Garret let Aaron dress him in them. Masako had frowned at him when she saw him in them over breakfast, but she had kept her mouth shut after he’d all but ignored her since their confrontation yesterday.
“Do you mind Imaline staying?” Billy’s voice was soft from where he stood fingering one of Aaron’s porcelain figurines. Aaron would have a fit if he knew Billy had touched them, but while Masako was greeting her parents out in the main room, Garret had retreated to the safety of his bedroom. Billy had followed him, and shut the door in Aaron’s face when he sought to follow them.
“No, I don’t mind.” Garret said with a shrug. “I’m surprised she wants to stay here though. Her family is on Peladon, aren’t they?”
“She wants to get to know you and Masako better.” Billy said with a shrug. “I know you won’t believe this, but she’s mellowed ever since we learned she was pregnant. She’s only three months behind Masako you know.”
“Yes, and conceived the ‘natural’ way.” Garret said with an almost bitter chuckle as he stared out at the snow. Billy looked too dashing in his dress uniform with its medals and ribbons as well as the gold command button. He was now the commanding officer of the Heavy Battle Cruiser Reliance and a small squadron of supporting ships. He was heading off on a four-month patrol, scouring the shipping lanes between Calos and the traitor worlds for hit and run groups as well as pirate activity which had recently began to grow more frequent. His wife would be staying on Calos, the official homeport of the new battle group.
“Garret, don’t be that way.” Billy said softly. “You know damn well that this has all been hard on me too.”
“What about her work for House Lars?” Garret said instead of replying to his brother’s statement.
“Dad has been allowed to ‘advise and correct’ lab assistants since the start of the civil war.” Billy said softly. “We can afford to spare her from the family business until the child is born, and even a few months after that.”
“How convenient.” Garret said sourly. He could hear the footsteps as Billy came closer, and he tensed as his brother’s hand fell on his shoulders.
“Garret, don’t do this please.” Billy said softly. “Tomorrow you are being married and I’ll stand for you the way you stood for me. We both knew this could always happen.”
“Yes, and I have my life to lead now, which is good since our plans of me being your bed-partner after you were married aren’t possible now.” Garret said bitterly, voicing something he’d never really dared to voice before. “Fate only knows how I’d have dealt with being cast aside for some trollop who could bear you a kid.”
“What’s gotten into you?” Billy’s voice was sharp, and sad, as he pulled his hand from Garret’s shoulder as if it had been burnt. “When did you get so negative?”
“Sorry I’m not your happy-go-lucky little brother anymore.” Garret couldn’t help the wave of bitterness born of his frustration. “Why the hell did I ever think I could help turn this damned planet around? Half the people here would be just as happy to see me leave as stay, as long as they got to keep my money!”
“Garret, this world was occupied by earthers for over thirty years!” Billy retorted sharply. “They’ve only been a Republic world again for half that, and they haven’t had any Great Houses to provide the moral leadership until you came here! You’ve got to give them more time. You can’t undo decades of damage in a few weeks or months!”
“Yeah, yeah, I hear that all the time.” Garret said and was actually a little pleased that his brother took a couple of steps away from him.
“When was the last time you took some time off?” Billy’s voice was softer than he expected, and he actually turned to look at his brother. The look of concern on his brother’s face wasn’t what he expected to see.
“I don’t know.” Garret said with a shrug. “I guess the last time was when I took Aaron up to look at Braxix.”
“That doesn’t sound like time off.” Billy said shortly. He had a pensive look on his face that turned into a once-familiar look of determination. “Get changed.”
“What?” Garret asked with surprise.
“Get out of that outfit and into some warm clothes.” Billy ordered. “I understand that you’ve gotten the ski lifts here working again. Let’s go snow skiing.”
“We haven’t done that since we were fourteen!” Garret protested.
“Then it’s about time.” Billy said with a small smile that started to melt some of the ice around Garret’s heart. “Get some warm clothes on.”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Garret asked defensively.
“You look like a cheap pleasure clone all done up for the clubs.” Billy snorted.
“Well excuse me.” Garret shot backhaughtily, but Billy’s stern stare wore him down. “Fine, I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Good.” Billy replied with a nod before heading out of the room. Fifteen minutes later he exited the room to find Billy already dressed in a ski suit similar to what he was wearing.
“You planned this?” He asked his brother with a hint of anger.
“Of course I did.” Billy smiled back. “Masako said you were overstressed, so I thought we’d spend the day relaxing.”
“You know I have a lot to do.” Garret said, starting to back out.
“Your calendar has been cleared for you.” Billy shot back with a warning look.
“Fine.” Garret said.
Four hours later, Garret had to admit that Billy had been right. They’d flown down both operational slopes, starting at the bunny run and then tackling the more advanced course after brushing up on their skiing skills. Now they were heading towards the lodge at the base of the runs, looking to warm up before returning to the hotel.
“You’ve let yourself get out of shape, bro.” Billy teased him with a bright smile as they neared the lodge, still carrying their skis.
“So have you.” Garret teased back with an easy smile. He hadn’t been this relaxed in a long time, and he let Billy get a few steps in front of him before he dropped his skis and bent over to make a hasty snowball. Billy had just started to turn when the snowball hit him in the side of the head.
“Hey!” Billy shouted in mock outrage as he too dropped his skis and bent over to make a snowball. Garret took off at a run, hoping the distance would save him, but Billy’s snowball hit him square in the back. For twenty minutes they ran around the base of the hill, hiding behind trees and pelting each other mercilessly with loosely packed snowballs. The fight ended when Billy managed to tackle him and send a handful of wet snow down Garret’s back.
“Okay, I give!” Garret laughed aloud. He felt good for the first time in ages, the weight of responsibility having slipped from him as he play-fought with his brother, just like old times.
“Good.” Billy huffed through a smile as he stood back up and offered Garret a hand. Garret didn’t hesitate to take his brother’s hand as he got back to his feet. For the first time since they’d started their snowball fight, he realized there was a crowd watching him, including several reporters with cameras floating over their head. A grimace filled his face before he could push it away.
“Don’t worry about it, bro.” Billy whispered. “They need to see you can have a good time just like anyone else.”
“Not quite like the old days.” Garret murmured. “On Peladon, they’d have never dared to film a moment like this.”
“Yes, well we’re not on Peladon, are we?” Billy pointed out and Garret sighed. He did relax though, when Billy put his arm around Garret’s shoulders and they headed back to where they’d dropped their skis.
“Speaker Atrix, who is this?” One of the reporters shouted out as they got close enough.
“You don’t recognize my brother, Captain William Lars?” Garret asked with mock surprise.
“Oh, is that why you were…” The reporter started to ask, but didn’t have the gumption to actually say the word ‘playing’.
“My brother’s been working too much.” Billy said with an easy smile. “Everyone needs to relax a little. Besides, he’s getting married tomorrow and this is our form of a bachelor party. You know, it’s his last day as a free man before getting married, so what better way to celebrate than some good skiing and a snowball fight?”
“Captain Lars, is it true that Traitor forces have succeeded in breaking the blockade?” One of the other reporters lashed out with a question, seizing the opportunity at asking questions they knew Garret would not answer.
“No, the blockade remains effective.” Billy answered with a casual shrug.
“Then where are these raiders coming from?” Another reporter asked.
“They were most likely lying low ever since the Traitor made his move.” Billy answered a lot easier than Garret would have thought. Then again, Billy had been the primary speaker during several military press conferences. “Now they’re making their move and we have to react. We didn’t start this war after all. They did, just like the Earthers started the last one. The Republic fights in defense of its people, all of its people, even those trapped on the worlds being held by the Traitors.”
“Captain Lars, do we really have enough ships–” Another reporter shouted out but Garret interrupted him.
“Look, my brother is here to help me relax before my wedding.” Garret said with a slight frown. “Why don’t you let him do that? I’m sure you’ll be able to find him before he leaves orbit and ask him some more questions.”
“But…” One of the reporters started to protest, but Garret grabbed Billy by the arm and rushed him inside the lodge, and he was glad to see the reporters didn’t follow.
“Those folks are a little more high-strung than I’m familiar with.” Billy said ruefully as they shrugged out of their heavy coats. “No wonder you’re so on edge, having to deal with them regularly.”
“They were being nice today.” Garret said sourly. The field reporters were so different than the interviewers he’d dealt with recently, and the field reporters were starting to smell blood.
“Goodmen, may I help you?” One of the lodge’s staff appeared from behind a counter and it took a moment for him to recognize Garret. “Monsieur Atrix, my apologies! I did not… your appearance is different.”
“That’s fine.” Garret said with a little laugh. His cheeks were flushed and he was smiling. Maybe that was why the man had not recognized him.
“I’ve reserved a suite under the name of Lars.” Billy said to the man who nodded and returned to his desk. Garret led Billy to the counter where Garret was surprised by a somewhat familiar face. It only took a second to remember the name, and he didn’t bother hiding his surprise.
“Roget, what are you doing here?” Garret asked the handsome young man whose hair was now cut in reasonable Caesar style.
“Speaker Atrix, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Roget said formally. He was dressed in the business suit of a hotel clerk and Garret shook his head slightly.
“It’s good to see you as well, but I thought you were back in…” Garret started to say, and stopped at Billy’s hand on his arm.
“We should head up to the room, brother.” Billy said softly and Garret held up a finger before turning back to Roget.
“I’m sorry, Speaker Atrix, but we couldn’t go through with it after all.” Roget said with a blush as he hung his head. Garret understood what he meant, but he wondered why he hadn’t heard this before. “When we contacted your people to tell them we weren’t willing to get arrested and take it through the courts, they helped arrange a job for us here. Denir, my boyfriend, you might remember me mentioning him, he’s working in room service here.”
“Well good for you both.” Garret said with a smile he didn’t feel. He didn’t blame the boy for not pushing things in the plan that had been developed, but he was disappointed his people hadn’t seen fit to tell him. With a nod to Billy, he moved off after Roget handed the room key over to Billy and they made their way to the lifts.
“You know him?” Billy asked softly as they entered the lift.
“Yes, he was in one of those stupid interviews I did.” Garret explained. “Can you believe there are some provinces on this planet that still outlaw two men having sexual relations? We worked with him to set up a legal challenge but I guess he didn’t go through with it after all. At least he’s out of that damn province.”
“You were going to try to force the issue through the courts?” Billy asked as the lift stopped at the top floor of the relatively new lodge and they exited to find that the suite Billy had reserved was one of two suites on the top floor. It was huge, with several rooms and they settled in the lounge area where a bottle of sparkling wine had been chilling in a bucket.
“It’s one of the few areas where I have more than just a voice but some real influence.” Garret said defensively. He still remembered voicing his frustration over not being able to be more than just a voice of reason to Aaron late one night, and Aaron had commented about the courts being an area where Garret did have more direct control, as well as through the military. A laundry list of rules and customs prevented Garret from using the military for things like that, but there was no reason he couldn’t have used the courts.
“Well, let’s not talk about that right now.” Billy said as he shut the door behind him and Garret took a closer look at the table next to which the sparkling wine was chilling. There were four flute glasses there, not two.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Garret asked as there was the sound of a door opening in the suite.
“It’s just us.” Marja Lars said as she entered the main room of the suite wearing a blue dress. Behind her was Toshiro Ito.
“Chief Speaker, Speaker Lars, it’s a pleasure to see you.” Garret said politely while trying to hide his surprise.
“Mother, I didn’t think you’d…” Billy started to say but Marja cut him off.
“The Chief Speaker and I thought we’d join you two for a brief discussion before leaving you to your private celebration.” Marja said with a soft smile. “Come, let us sit. Billy, will you pour the wine?”
“Certainly.” Billy said calmly as he and Garret both shrugged out of their ski suits. The room was warm with a real fire in the fireplace, a luxury on this world where trees weren’t all that common. Garret was wearing soft brown levvin pants and a twill white tunic under his skiing clothes. Billy had a black pair of pants and a gray tunic on under his, and they quickly hung up their skiing attire on pegs near the door before moving over to the table. Garret sat while Billy picked up the wine and prepared to pour it for them.
“Did you enjoy yourselves?” Toshirio Ito inquired as Billy poured the wine.
“It was fun.” Garret said simply, and a smile lit his face. It felt nice to smile like that, and wondered how long it had been since he’d worn a simple, uncalculated smile on his face.
“I am glad to hear that.” Toshiro said as he took his flute of sparkling wine from Billy. “To family, may we have as much time for enjoyment as we do for the business of the Republic.”
“Here here.” Marja said as she lifted her own glass in salute. Billy sat down as they all sipped at the toast.
“Why don’t we get to the business you are to discuss with Speaker Atrix, Captain Lars?” Toshiro said after he’d set his glass down. “Speaker Lars and I are of course fully briefed.”
“Yes, well uh, I did schedule this today with some business in mind, Garret.” Billy said with a slight blush to his cheeks. Garret took a calming breath and waited for what his brother had to say. “You have, of course, seen the reports on the Traitor raids happening along our shipping lanes?”
“Yes, it’s why you’ve been dispatched here with your battle cruiser and its escorts.” Garret said. “You’re under the command authority of Central Command to hunt down these raiders.”
“We believe these raiders are ships from the bolt-holes of the Traitor Houses.” Ito interrupted although Billy looked unbothered by that.
“There hasn’t been much luck in tracking down the bases they operate from.” Billy said and Marja frowned deeply.
“We did that on purpose when we authorized their creation.” She said. “It was so that if Peladon military headquarters was captured, there would be no record of their locations, and if a Speaker was captured, they could only give away the location of their House’s secret base. Most of us established them on uncharted habitable planetoids, or in large asteroids.”
“Admiral Lumbardon has had units seeking them out, but so far has had no success at all in identifying their locations.” Billy continued. “It was hoped that we could capture a few of the ships and learn the location of at least one bolt-hole that way, but so far we have not managed to capture even a single ship. Meanwhile they have captured over thirty civilian transports of different sizes. Only one ship has escaped their attacks to date, and that was the Cynthia Rose owned by your company.”
“I received the report on that.” Garret said with a tight smile. “She carries enough armament that she was able to shoot down the initial wave of torpedoes and then used her boosters to get away, building speed for an emergency jump faster than her pursuer could catch her.”
“Yes, an excellent job by her captain, and since she was carrying a load of extremely sensitive communications and sensory gear, it was a good thing she did not fall into enemy hands.” Ito added. “We have lost enough valuable cargo and units because of spies and saboteurs left behind by the traitors. I believe you received a hefty bonus from the military for that.”
“Two million extra credits.” Garret conceded. “I gave half of it the crew, another five hundred thousand to the captain, and of course put the rest of it in the maintenance budget for that ship.”
“You do always put the welfare of your people first.” Marja said with a grin.
“I got that from you, mother.” Garret replied and she smiled even more.
“Four standard days ago, the missing ships, the ones taken in raids, were located.” Billy said returning to the topic at hand, and Garret found he was surprised.
“Where?” He asked.
“They jumped into the Obduros system and made it behind the enemy’s defensive screen before we could take action.” Billy said sourly and Garret grimaced. That was the hard part about a blockade. With skill and careful planning you could keep a ship from escaping a solar system, but in three-dimensional space it was an impossibility to block all points from which a ship could jump into a solar system.
Well, it was impossible unless you had a few million ships at your disposal.
“At least they won’t be able to get them back out.” Garret muttered while shaking his head.
“Yes, but those are ships and cargo that the Republic no longer has, and if this continues, we will face a severe shortage of ships capable of carrying cargo from Republic world to Republic world.” Ito said with disgust. “Instead of us starving them off with a blockade, they’ll starve us into submission just be making it impossible for us to practice trade between our worlds. So far, about half the corridors are safe from attack, but ignoring the dangerous routes will leave four worlds cut off and we don’t really have the fleet forces to protect all the affected trade lanes.”
“I have authorized the call up of ships from the Lars bolt-hole just to supply the task force that Billy commands.” Marja said with a frown.” The ships with Billy now are the ones that are most ready. Six more will be ready sometime in the next few weeks.”
“Most of the Houses are preparing to activate part or all of their bolt-hole forces to shore up defenses.” Ito said with a frown before gulping down the rest of the sparkling wine in his flute. He held it out for Billy to refill, and Garret finished off his as well. “It is taking too long to reactivate ships or build new ones, and we have a need for fast transports that can be built quickly.”
“Which is one of the things we plan to discuss with you while we are here, although we do not have to have the full discussion now.” Marja said quickly and with a shake of her head. “These new passenger liner/transports you’re building here in the Calosian yards are just what we need. The Republic will want to buy the design from you to use in a fleet of new combat transports.”
“I am only partial owner of the design.” Garret reminded them.
“We know, which is why you’ll need to set a meeting with the Calosian Shipbuilding Board of Directors.” Ito said. “As Marja said, that will wait until after the wedding.”
“Garret, three days ago we finally got a lead on the locations of several of the traitor bolt-holes.” Billy said. “The only problem is, the person with the information won’t tell us.”
“Why not?” Garret asked. “Does he or she want too much money?”
“No, they just won’t negotiate with anyone but you.” Billy said with a shake of his head.
“Why not?” Garret asked confused.
“We’re not sure, but it’s an offer we can’t just ignore.” Ito said.
“Why do they only want to talk with me?” Garret asked. “Who are they?”
“Johan Pembry.” Billy said and Garret felt his mouth open in shock.
“He sent a courier ship into Peladon space.” Ito explained. “The messenger would only give his message to Admiral Lumbardon directly. We tried following the ship, but it got away from us and the tracking device we did put on it ceased functioning after their first jump. We couldn’t figure out where they went.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Garret asked.
“Take a ship to the coordinates where you saw a courier ship while taking me to Peladon.” Ito said with a slight smirk. “Whether it’s near their base or not, we have not found anything there every time we’ve sent a ship to the area to do a search. More than likely they know we detected their ship there and they abandoned the area, but are now willing to use it as a meeting location.”
“What exactly am I to negotiate with them?” Garret asked.
“Neutralizing those bolt-holes is the key to success for us.” Marja said with a grimace of distaste.
“They claim to have the locations of three of the four bolt-holes.” Billy explained.
“You are authorized to negotiate quite a lot in their favor.” Ito explained, pulling a data stick out of his pocket and handing it across the table to Garret. “Contained in here are the exact details of what we will offer from money to medical supplies to, ah, agreements of transit and recognition. If they wish it, we will even consider repatriation of Johan Pembry and sanctuary for the clones that follow him.”
“I see.” Garret said as he took the data stick. “When do I meet them?”
“You are to rendezvous at the coordinates in three weeks time.” Billy said with a smile. “I believe the Adamant will be ready around then for a shakedown cruise?”
“Yes, in fifteen days.” Garret said with a sigh of approval. This was what he needed, a mission that he could achieve immediately instead of long-term stuff that he might never see actually completed. That had been a large part of his frustration lately. The work on Calos wasn’t something that could necessarily be measured and achieved in a matter of days, weeks, or months.
“Good, then take her to the rendezvous.” Ito said with a smile. “Once you have gained the location of the bolt holes, we are authorizing you to call up the Atrix reserves in your bolt hole as well as whatever forces you can spare from guarding Calos. Captain Lars will stand by with his squadron to assist you in either occupying or destroying those bolt-holes and any ships or personnel you find there. Obviously, having more ships to join our fleet would be beneficial, but denying their use to the enemy in any way possible should be your top priority.”
“You know this could take months.” Garret said with a slight frown. “If it takes too long, Masako will be alone when she gives birth.”
“Then see that we don’t miss the birth of our children.” Billy said with a smile. “I hope you remember Imaline will be staying here.”
“What about Calos?” Garret asked. “Things are sensitive here now with helping them reacclimatize to Republic ways.”
“I believe that falls within the purview of what Speaker Lars wishes to speak with you.” Ito said as he stood up. “If you will excuse us, Captain Lars and I will go have a drink downstairs. You have your orders, Commodore. In case you have more questions, Captain Lars will be staying on-planet for the next few weeks. I fear I will be leaving early in the morning after your wedding.”
“Thank you, Chief Speaker.” Garret said as he stood in respect for the man. When his soon-to-be father-in-law left with Billy, he sat back down and turned to face the woman who he had always called mother.
“Pour me some more of that wine, please.” Marja said as she drained her first glass and held it out. Garret filled it up, noticing the signs of nervousness in her and wondering what this was about. Oh yes, the court case the other day.
“Mother, how are things at home?” Garret asked and she frowned while taking another sip.
“They go well, overall.” Marja replied. “Your father’s restrictions have been relaxed, the business goes well but the house is empty now with you and Billy gone and married. We’ve been discussing adopting another child. I could probably bear another child, but there have been so many children made orphan by the recent troubles that adoption might be a better choice all around. We interviewed several little boys and girls at a nearby orphanage last week. They weren’t supposed to know who we were, but we could tell they did know.”
“Did you meet any that you might adopt?” Garret asked, finding himself intrigued by the question. If they did, he’d have more brothers and sisters, after a fashion and he couldn’t conceive of them having better parents than Marja and Timat.
“Two girls and a boy.” Marja said with a sigh. “The girls are twins about ten, and the boy is this shy little one not more than five. His hair reminded me of you and he just hung back, convinced we wouldn’t want him at all, so naturally we were attracted to him more than the others who tried fawning over us.”
“They’ll be happy with you.” Garret said. “I can’t imagine having better parents, or better teachers.”
“Really?” Marja said in a voice that worried Garret as she arched an eyebrow at him. “You consider us good teachers?”
“Of course.” Garret said with a snort. “We learned as much from watching you as we did from our tutors or at the Academy.”
“Then how would you explain your theatrics in that classroom the other day, or your attempt to use the courts to sway public opinion?” She asked. “Did we not teach you that the courts are a duty, a burden, not a tool to be used? The people must accept government decisions and they often backlash when it comes through the courts to change their lives, yet you attempt to force the use of the Republic calendar through the courts. That is to say nothing over your cheap theatrics insulting that revolting earth bishop.”
“Mother!” Garret exclaimed in surprise. “You don’t understand the situation here!”
“Then enlighten me.” She said as she leaned forward with a gleam in her eyes while she looked at Garret. “Explain to me why you neglect some of the founding principles of the Great Houses in order to force your will on the people of the planet you claim to serve?”
“Calos still hasn’t recovered from three decades of influence under the Jordanites, and now there’s this Bishop here doing his best to convince them that Earth provides a better government for them.” Garret said in one long sentence, summing everything up in a neat little ball. “He’s a very persuasive public speaker, and he reminds the locals of a time when they had lower crime rates and a bigger continent to spread out on and they remember it as a golden time here.”
“Then why don’t you use your voice to remind them of how much better things were before the Empire took this planet from the Republic?” Marja asked. “They had all those things and more back then and Earth took it away.”
“Most of those who remember those days are either very old or dead.” Garret said sourly.
“Still, those days live on in the stories they passed down to their children.” Marja pointed out.
“Modern day Calosians just don’t care.” Garret said sourly. “They want immediate gratification, which the Bishop promises them. That’s why I did that court thing, to show the Bishop has only his own interests at heart, not those of the people like he claims.”
“What about the changing of the calendar?” Marja asked.
“They’ve resisted that for ten years longer than they should have!” Garret said with a little heat in his voice. “I had the power to fix it now, and I wanted to show the people that the Republic can make things better, faster. It was a perfect way to make that example, to prove that Earth isn’t the only government that can deliver quick action.”
“So you take the opportunity to force the people of Calos to do something against their will, showing them that just like Earth, the Republic can force them to do things against their will?” Marja countered and Garret’s eyes widened at the thought. When Aaron had suggested the idea as a way to show Calos the Republic could act quickly and forcefully, he hadn’t thought it all the way out. Now he wished he would have.
“You’re right.” He said sourly, hanging his head.
“Garret, why did you not think things all the way through?” Marja asked. “Did you even discuss it with Masako or any of your advisors?”
“I…I discussed it with Aaron.” Garret said a little guiltily.
“Your cook?” Marja’s voice expressed her disbelief. “Garret, is he trained in governance? Does he have experience or training in diplomacy or public relations?”
“He… no, he does not.” Garret said.
“Then why do you not at least bring his ideas up for analysis by the people you pay to work with you on these things?” Marja asked.
“Masako does not like him.” Garret said softly.
“Why does she not like him?” Marja asked, and as he gave her the answer, he realized he’d been letting his emotions for Aaron cloud his judgment on what Masako was saying. As his mother had just proved, Masako did have a point. Aaron had some good ideas, and wanted to be useful beyond being a cook, but he lacked the training and experience his advisor possessed.
“I’ll… I’ll make sure I discuss things more, and not just act without thinking things through better.” Garret said dejectedly while hanging his head.
“That’s all anyone can ask, my son.” Marja said softly and when Garret looked up, he saw her smiling at him. “I am proud of you, son. I’m proud of both my boys. You are two of those who will lead the Republic in the years to come, and I know we’ll be leaving it in good hands with both of you. Just remember to learn from your mistakes.”
“I will, mother.” Garret said.
“Good, now I’m going to go down and fetch Toshiro.” Marja said as she stood up. Garret stood as well, and they hugged. “We have a party tonight, and I believe Billy has something special for you tonight.”
“He does?” Garret asked and she laughed.
“I’ll not spoil it for you, son.” She promised before sweeping out of the room.
He was lost in thought when Billy returned, but all thoughts fled from his mind as Billy’s arms slipped around his waist and a mouth with the faintest traces of scotch in it touched his lips. As Billy’s tongue demanded and was granted entrance into Garret’s mouth, his surprise and pleasure was so total that he forgot all about politics, wars, and Aaron. All he knew were the hands touching his body, removing his clothes, and the warm mouth moving from his to caress him in a way he thought he’d never feel again.
As with all my stories, E provides immeasurable input, grammar checking, and all those other lovely editing thingies that make the story so much better!
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