Illoia had just returned from the fresher, and was wondering wether to dress or to go back to bed, when the door chimed with an Article 2 warning. She hurriedly threw on her outer dress and keyed the door.
“Draftee?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Ma’am, but as you hadn’t commed me for an appointment I thought I should set one up.”
“An appointment?”
“To discuss my new role.”
“Does that start now?!?”
“Yes, Ma’am, the leader assures me it does.”
“Oh, well… we can’t meet here. I, we… we’ll meet in your dorm in fifteen minutes, unless you have other duties?”
“No, Ma’am, my next sim is in a half an hour, so I should have a few minutes at that time.”
“A half hour?” she yawned. “I suppose I’ll go with you now, then.”
She walked together to his barracks and he keyed the door and she followed him in. Into chaos. About a third of the bunks had their privacy shield up but the others, and the floor, were filled with people, all talking, playing some kind of game or, for a few lads in the corner, singing. There was a bit of a pause when she walked in but, by and large, they went on talking.
She followed the lad to his bunk and sat down on the far end from him. “So, well, I don’t have much to do right now as far as social scheduling. I will be having some small functions with the various officers wives, but this will be limited to the dining room, not exactly a huge social event. I think for right now you need to be studying up on the kind of thing that you will be doing, or helping me do. Have you read Hanson’s ‘Polite Behavior’?”
He shook his head, “No, Ma’am.”
“Well,” Illoia said, relieved, as she really hadn’t thought of much for this young man to do, “There you go. Read that and get back to me when you’re done.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the draftee said.
Illoia stared at him for a few seconds, then said, “I don’t know how you do things in the military, but another thing you might think of starting is a journal.” Gaining confidence, she said, “write down who you talk to, what you talk about… socially, not military stuff. Who they are related to. What kind of connections they have… I’m a politicians daughter, so I’m not as aware of military connections. That kind of thing.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, making an entry in his comp.
Just then a toddler came barreling around the corner and ran full into her, followed seconds later by another toddler.
“Hello there!” Illoia said, picking the first toddler up. “Are we playing chase?”
He didn’t answer, instead staring intently and nervously into her eyes. “Down?” He asked.
“Yes, certainly,” she said, putting him back on the floor where, seconds later, he took off, his twin in pursuit.
“Well, that’s all for now, I think,” she said. “I’ll see you when you are done Hansons.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, and she left, relieved…
… only to be interrupted in her sims, two hours later, by a request from him to schedule another meeting. Annoyed she scheduled it for 1400…
“What is it now?” she snapped, when he came back in. “You can’t have finished the book already?!”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, paling at her tone.
“It’s easily 400 pages! Surely your reading speed isn’t that good!”
“I did a sub on it, Ma’am. I researched it and set it up and ran it in my sims this morning.”
“You did a sub…? On Hanson’s…?”
“Yes, Ma’am. You said it is important.”
“Well, it is, but I never dreampt you would do a sub on it! Can you use the information?”
“I believe so, Ma’am. Better than if I’d read it, anyway.”
“Well, I never expected that. Well, what am I going to do with you?”
She mused. “I’ve never had a social secretary before. What… ah!”
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“Why don’t you do some research on exactly what a social secretary is supposed to do! Then you can come tell me and we can work it out.”
He grinned, “Yes, Ma’am. And how long would you like this research to take?”
“At least three days… unless you come up with something interesting before then.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, and left whistling.
Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!
Being ‘restacked’ and mentioned in ‘notes’ is very important for lesser-known stacks so… feel free! I’m semi-retired and write as a ministry (and for fun) so you don’t need to feel guilty you aren’t paying for anything, but if you enjoy my writing (even if you dramatically disagree with it), then restack, please! Or mention me in one of your own posts.
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If you get lost, check out my ‘Table of Contents’ which I try to keep up to date.
Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books include:
The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
Arthur also has a substack, and a website.
Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von
Links
Article 17 is a military science fiction story with aliens and romance. It is set in a future reminiscent of Napoleon era Britain. The war was going very poorly until the military installed a dictator. This story follows one of the dictator’s great men: Cladin Tomirosh, Leader, and thrice decorated hero.
Intro // Podcast Version
She was pretty, popular, snobby, and a planetary governor’s daughter. He was the son of shopkeepers, a social misfit, and a decorated hero. She thought she was there to dance. He had other ideas.
A Dance // Podcast Version
As a governor’s daughter, Illoia usually avoided such events, but when the captain made the announcement that there was to be an Article 17 dance, she, too, was forced to attend. If only the scum hadn’t been there too.
The Unbridgeable Chasm // Podcast Version
Eukles and Meriones, brave military leaders, quail at the idea of crossing the gulf between themselves and asking a lass to dance.
There He Is // Podcast Version
The young hero comes in, and Aleshia and Illoyia gossip about him.
Look at the Young Hero // Podcast Version
The young hero comes in, and greets Eukles and Meriones… and announces his intentions.
Target // Podcast Version
Tom, Leader Cladin Tomirosh, sets his sights on the governors daughter. She isn’t impressed.
Fuming // Podcast Version
Tom and Illoia dance, while she desperately tries to get him to go away!
Now’s Our Chance! // Podcast Version
Eukles and Meriones use Tom and Illoia as a distraction and stalk their own girls.
To Slap or Not to Slap // Podcast Version
Meriones introduces himself to his new wife with a slap on the backside.
No Sane Man // Podcast Version
Illoia insults the young hero, and he proposes.
Never You, Darling // Podcast Version
Illoia finds herself unable to turn down his proposal.
A Wild Dance // Podcast Version
Illoia finds being Tom’s Consented Wife hard… with wild New Irish dances and immodest ones.
Registered // Podcast Version
A new marriage is registered. All hail the dictator!
Middy’s Got a Lass! // Podcast Version
Medinia is deliriously happy… she got 17d!
A Duel to the Death // Podcast Version
Illoia wakes up next to her new husband.
A Dowry // Podcast Version
As it turns out, Illoia brings some money into the marraige.
Fitting // Podcast Version
Even soldiers wives have to wear the uniform.
Message // Podcast Version
So, about telling her father. It’s not going to be easy.
Training // Podcast Version
Even soldiers wives have to learn how to shoot aliens.
The Captain // Podcast Version
So, about telling the governor about the marriage you allowed on your ship, Sir…
Presentation // Podcast Version
The absolute last chance to get an Article 17 wife, with everyone all lined up and shaking hands and no real time to talk…
Ma, Pa, Squeakers // Podcast Version
Imagine sending a tick tock message to your family telling them you are married.
Yee Haw // Podcast Version
Illoia is shocked to find that Tom considers his social responsibilities at a weird eating joint.
New Ship // Podcast Version
Telling the Governor // Podcast Version
Aleshia rides down on a shuttle, takes an aircar to the governors mansion, and gets to face his temper.
Hardship // Podcast Version
Marja is finding marriage very hard. Not her husband, just… life.
Ha that was amusing. ‘Here, go research exactly what it is you’re supposed to be doing for me.’
I’m curious as I’ve never heard of any of the names before - Are the main character names real names or did you come up with them yourself for the story?