Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 19, 2025
Sunbeam barely managed to suppress a giggle. "He's grumping around the ship like an old bear, snapping at everyone. I don't think he's too fond of you. Maybe I shouldn't say it, but he keeps talking about an oversized kitten making monkeys out of his men." "He seemed to dislike me even before that," Corina said. "Probably. He isn't too fond of non-humans, and he doesn't even like many of us.
It took you fifteen hundred years to go from a crude aircraft to just a system-capable spacecraft it took Terra less than a hundred." "That was fortunate for you," Corina said with a touch of pique. "Otherwise Terra would be an Irschchan subject world rather than the center of a growing Empire." Then her tone grew softer. "But I was raised an Imperial citizen, and I am glad of it.
As they entered the building, the leader climbed out of the cruiser, clipped his blaster to his belt, and extended a hand to help his trembling prisoner. That was when Corina struck. He had relaxed his shield slightly, thinking her powerless, and she had no trouble stunning him with darlas.
"You remember Major Dawson, don't you, Sir Corina? His name's Pat; we got to talking while you were hassling with Colonel Greggson. He's going to coach me in unarmed combat he's the ship's men's champion, since Lieutenant DarLeras says it wouldn't be proper for him to compete with non-warriors and he thinks I may have a chance at the women's championship next month."
Typical exaggerated Irschchan respect for authority, Medart thought, but if she stayed around humans long, she'd get over that! "You'd best finish your lunch, Sir Corina. And get used to the title; I've called a Command Crew meeting for 1400, so you can brief them." "Yes, Ranger." Corina turned her attention back to her meal, the milk and medium-rare steak Sunbeam had recommended.
"You can sense shields at a distance, so the Seniors can, too. What's to stop them from killing us with darlas as soon as they sense us?" "You did it!" Greggson's tone was accusing. "I am aware of that," Corina said. "I am surprised I was able to; I made the attempt only because I had more opponents than I had ever faced in training, and had nothing to lose by trying.
"Before we get to serious planning," the Emperor said, "have you given any thought to the arms you want?" "Arms? No, sir." It was traditional, Corina knew, for a new Ranger to use the arms of one who had died but that tradition had not even occurred to her. "May I make a suggestion, then?" "Of course, Your Majesty." "I think Steve Tarlac's would be appropriate.
The prisoner was better than he had expected, a Ranger who would surely know the Emperor's location. From the man's condition, it was as well he had ordered the killing to stop when he had, else he might have lost this valuable prisoner. Aboard the lander, Corina heard swearing which was interrupted by Nevan's "Launch!" command.
Medart closed his eyes, and Corina set her shield at about a third of its full strength. After perhaps a minute, she felt a faint tingle. It got stronger for a moment, peaking at what felt like a gentle nudge before fading again. She studied the Ranger's expression of concentration, and decided to keep her shield up at the same intensity.
Losinj, who is accused of assaulting a Sanctioner officer. He also demands we release Entos." "Send him in," Medart said, the casualness he'd assumed for Corina's benefit vanishing. "I'll handle this myself." "Yes, sir." The viewscreen went blank. Medart turned to Corina. "Did you assault a Sanctioner officer?" "That is a matter of interpretation," she replied.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking