The Captain
Aleshia had finally managed to get an interview with the captain of the ship. “Are you sure you don’t wish me to handle this for you?” her husband asked.
“Oh, no, Darling,” Aleshia drawled, clinging to his arm as they walked down the cooridor into the rarefied atmosphere of the ‘all navy’ part of the ship. “Illoia asked me to deliver the message personally to her father… and I’m not looking forward to that, I can assure you, so I think I really should ask the Captain myself for a special escort. And besides, I’ve never gotten to come into this part of the ship before.”
“Neither have I, actually. The services each tend to reserve certain privileges for themselves, and this is the Navy’s. I think we go down here.”
They arrived at a door which proclaimed itself the Capitan’s office, and her husband pressed the plate. The door slid open seconds later, to show a saluting… Middy? (She never was sure of these Navy ranks.) “Come right in, Sir, Ma’am,” he said.
“Oh, thank you,” Aleshia gushed. They took these lads so young! “Do we need to sit down or…”
“Oh, no, Ma’am,” the lad said. “The Captain is ready for you. Go right in.”
They went in the door indicated and there was the Captain himself, sitting behind his desk. He rose as they entered and he and Aleshia’s husband exchanged casual salutes.
“How can I help you?” the captain asked.
“Sir, I need you to do something for me,” she said. She didn’t think her drawling accent would work for this interview.
“Yes, Ma’am? Oh, and may I offer you congratulations?”
“Oh, why thank you. I certainly hadn’t thought I would get a husband on this trip,” she said, and watched him blanch. “Let alone such a handsome one. And with five children, did you know that?”
“Congratulations, Ma’am,” the captain said, completely naturally.
“Yes, well, I look forward to getting to know them a lot better, but I told my husband I had to get this interview out of the way first. It concerns the governor’s daughter…”
The captain blanched again, and Aleshia could only guess how appalled he had been when that bit of news had broken. “I need you to hold back the news.”
“Excuse me?”
“The news about the governor’s daughter. I need you to let me hand deliver it.”
There was a long pause, then the captain finally said, “Very well. I will have the registrar print you a paper copy. And I will hold off the publication… I will let you debark first, and take the first shuttle. It should take you no longer than an hour, all told, to get to the governors house and deliver your message? We will be landing at 2am his time (the captain had checked)… I don’t envy you your task.”
“Thank you,” Aleshia said. There didn’t seem anything else to say.
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Von
Links
Article 17
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.
If they "land" at 2 am, they could probably delay letting anyone know about the governor's daughter for about 5 hours without anyone thinking anything about it.
Why are there so many unmarried lads with children? Is the ship life that hard on the women?