The lieutenant commander walked briskly down the stone steps towards a small manor house. He paid no attention to the exotic flowers from many worlds that lined the walkway. His attention was solely fixed on the elderly couple that stood just behind the open door. As he neared them, he slowed his pace and gripped the message tube in his left hand tightly. The couple bowed to him as they should when he entered the building. He did not knock: it was his right as an officer in the Imperial Star Fleet to go wherever he wished, even here. "I wish to speak with him," the officer said.
"He left orders not to be disturbed," replied the man; he assumed the man was the husband.
"It is most urgent," the officer replied and resisted the urge to strike him.
The couple glanced at eacah other before the man said, "This way," and begin to move toward the door. He gestured with one hand to show that he would lead the way and the officer stepped aside and followed him. The man lead him around the house along more stone steps. His pace was as hurried as his aged body would allow but still the officer was impatient. Why would such a man, even in his situation, the officer wondered, have such servants. Perhaps they were his parents, although the officer almost recalled hearing that they had died in battle decades ago when the Empire had been at war with the Federation. A far more fortunate fate than what had awaited their son.
He realized the old man had stopped just in time to not crash into him. The old man stood his ground, bowed a second time, and gestured down a side path between to trees that overshadowed the path. The officer did not respond but followed the new path. More trees lined this path and he finally did wonder what they were and where they had come from. All such thoughts vanished when an open circle of stone appeared before him. An old man in a light robe sat on one of the stones, his legs crossed as he faced the sun. His hands were not visible. His head turned slightly as the officer approached.
"Sir, Homeworld has been attacked. The Emperor is unharmed."
The old man rose abruptly. "When? Was it the Andromedans?"
The officer realized he should not have been surprised by the shrewd guess. "Yes, sir. They struck military targets only. Starbase One has been destroyed as have the shipyards. The dilithium refinery on the moon was completely wrecked." He grabbed his sword by the scabbard as he hurried to keep up with the old man as they walked briskly back toward the house. "In a way, this is a blessing in disguise," he said, which brough the old man to a halt. "The Emperor has restored your honor and position. They have given you command of a fleet again. I have the documentation here." He handed the old man the scroll tube. "Welcome back Admiral Kadh."
Topic: Invasion (Read 4523 times)