Star Wars_ I, Jedi - Michael A. Stackpole [160]
Remart shook his head, and Tavira oriented on him like a hawk-bat on a granite slug. “You have something to offer, pilot?”
“Begging your pardon, Admiral, but that is not how officers are selected among the Survivors.”
“Oh, and what is the process?”
Remart smiled charmingly. “First, someone has to be voted into Bolt Squadron because we’re an elite squadron.”
Tavira nodded. “He would be elected by his own people to fill this slot?”
Remart aped her nod. “Yes, Admiral.”
With the quirt pressed thoughtfully against her lips, Tavira rotated and looked at my squadron. “All those in favor of Captain Idanian joining Bolt Squadron, please raise a convenient appendage.”
Nine hands rose down along the line. Mine did not.
Tavira frowned. “You oppose your election?”
“I have responsibilities to my people.”
“You have responsibilities to me. I want you in Bolt Squadron.”
“As ordered, Admiral.”
She glanced at Remart. “Now you would tell me that he must be elected the leader of Bolt Squadron, yes?”
“That is the way it is done, Admiral.”
Tavira’s smile blossomed full of teeth. “And the position of commander of this squadron is one you covet for yourself, yes?”
Remart’s whole body stiffened. “I would be your most faithful and fierce servant, Admiral.”
Tavira slapped the quirt not so gently against Remart’s stomach. “And yet you might be, but I don’t want you commanding the Bolts. The pressures of command might wrinkle that brow, and I would not like to see that happen to you. All those in Bolt Squadron in favor of Captain Idanian assuming command, please raise an appendage.”
Nine hands went up and, after a quick quirt lash, Remart’s hand joined them.
Tavira smiled graciously. “Though I despise democracy, it is nice to see this quaint custom result in unanimity. Congratulations, Captain Idanian. You have a new command. You now can relay your plans directly to the Invidious.”
“It is a privilege I will be careful in exercising, Admiral.”
Her violet eyes narrowed. “Why do I have the feeling that I may just have made a mistake in having you elevated?”
I kept my expression open. “I have no idea, Admiral.”
“See to it, Captain Idanian, that you give me no reason to think on it again.”
“As ordered, Admiral.” I bowed my head toward her and did not lift it again until she and her entourage had clomped away with Tyresi to introduce her to her new command. I shot a glance at Remart and saw him tremble with anger. I’d give her no reason to think she’d made a mistake. Remart, on the other hand, most certainly would. Because of that, I knew then that when our inevitable confrontation came, only one of us would walk away.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Taking over Bolt Squadron for Tyresi Gurtt proved both more and less difficult than I would have thought. Jacob Nive approved of the choice, which cut the resentment of some of the Bolts. Most of them waited to see how well I could fly, and while the sensor data from the flight against Tycho and shooting the torpedoes down certainly convinced most, a few holdouts waited until we had a chance to practice against each other.
Remart and two others—with the other replacement pilot from Slash Squadron soon joining them—staunchly opposed me. I gathered them into three flight and couldn’t wait until I could toss them at Rogue Squadron or Pash Cracken’s A-wing group. I knew that was a decidedly un-Jedilike desire on my part and felt uneasy about it, but having Remart scheming away about getting me in trouble added stress I didn’t need to my life.
Fortunately for him and me, the Invidious didn’t call on anyone for missions for over a month, leaving us to languish on Courkrus. We all assumed it was taking that long for Tyresi to get the Invidious’ fighter group back together. Invidious’ lack of action didn’t prevent Admiral Tavira from showing up on Courkrus for meetings with the various gang leaders from time to time, though no missions from those meetings passed