Hidden Empire - Kevin J. Anderson [118]
Kori'nh said, "I hope my forces impress you today, Prime Designate."
"And I hope my son impresses you, Adar."
Within the past months, the Solar Navy had increased its number of ships, focusing on military maneuvers and practicing space combat. Kori'nh had submitted regular reports, some of which Jora'h had read.
"Tell me truly, Adar, are you stepping up military practice missions because you are concerned about an alien threat? I've seen reports from the Terran Hanseatic League of how strange ships destroyed their moons at Oncier."
Kori'nh grunted. "I don't know about that, Prime Designate. Still, many of us were...uneasy at the humans' blatant demonstration of power. Igniting a planet to turn it into a star? Was that truly necessary? What if the Hanseatic League turns that weapon against us?"
Jora'h frowned, trying to understand him. "Are you suggesting we Ildirans had something to do with the attack on the Oncier moons? In retaliation?"
"Not at all, Prime Designate." Kori'nh seemed embarrassed. "I am stating that if an...incident was provoked against an alien race, the humans should take responsibility for it."
Jora'h frowned. "Adar, you seem to know more about this than I do. Has my father given you information? Do we have some knowledge of this alien threat after all?"
"No, Prime Designate."
The crowd suddenly cheered in the stands as a septa of streamers raced across the sky, fast arrowhead-shaped vessels roaring in a tight triangle. As they passed above the observers, the streamers split away from each other and performed wild and complex acrobatics, swirling upward and back, creating a flower of colored smoke in the sky. Then their seven parent escorts charged into the sky, performing larger and slower moves.
"That is going to be your son's new maniple, Prime Designate," Adar Kori'nh said, gesturing to the sky. "He has done admirably well in command."
Jora'h's smoky topaz eyes glinted, reflecting bright highlights from the suns overhead. "I am proud that he was promoted to Septar so early in his career."
The sky ballet continued with warships moving in precise formation, carefully choreographed to look like an aerodynamic mating dance, leaving trails of smoke that etched a web across the sky. Finally, as a grand finale to the display, they dumped gouts of multicolored smoke from their exhaust tubes, tracing brilliant lines in the air overhead.
Jora'h applauded along with the spectators, cheering and shouting as the streamers rejoined their escorts, which then moved back toward their parent warliner. Within a few moments, a small transport pod detached itself from the lead warliner, looking like nothing more than a speck when compared to the gigantic battleship. The transport pod landed in front of the viewing stand and Jora'h's son, Septar Zan'nh, emerged wearing a formal Solar Navy uniform. He marched up, proud and competent before his Adar and his father.
Jora'h's heart swelled with love. "You have done extremely well, my son," he said, though it was not part of the ceremony. Kori'nh stepped back, waiting for the Prime Designate to finish. After a brief pause, Jora'h looked self-consciously at the Adar. "That was all."
Kori'nh moved forward, holding up a sparkling new rank insignia. "Septar Zan'nh, until today you have had command of seven ships and you have proven yourself to be a quick-witted and brilliant tactician. It is my great pleasure to promote you to the rank of Qul. Henceforth, you will be in charge of a full maniple. You will guide forty-nine ships, seven complete septas. Do you accept this new responsibility?"
"With pleasure, Adar Kori'nh." The young man could not hide his grin; then he looked up at Jora'h. "With pleasure, Father."
Jora'h took the badge of rank from the Adar's hands and pinned it on his son's collar himself. "I have always known you would serve the Ildiran Empire well. You have made me very glad."
Jora'h's