The Gods of Garran: Chapter 4

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A novel by Meredith Skye

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The inner office of the Executive Commander of Garran never had enough light. Even when the sun was up, the light coming through the window was dim. This was the Arid season. But before long the planet would grow dark, coming into the Season of Dusk.

Koethe of Aggravis peered out one window at the darkness. He'd never gotten used to not having winter or summer. A planet ought to have a cold season—not that he missed the ice and snow ... much. The warm weather of the desert planet of Garran suited him better. Ice caused so many problems.

Somewhere out there, his daughter worked as a Chanden Enforcer. Although it required a soldier's training, it was menial in nature. And it could be dangerous. He had counseled her against this—but it was her choice. She didn't need a career. He'd made that clear.

As a father, Koethe was willing to provide for her. Even better—his position on Garran gave him clout to arrange some very good marriages. Very advantageous. But Asta was nothing, if not stubborn. At the very least, she should study at the college.

Somehow, she took offense at this. As a result, they hadn't spoken for at least two years. Koethe sighed.

"Commander, the ship is secure. The General is on his way." The voice of his first chief, Chief Richt came over the com.

Koethe moved to the desk and pushed a button. "Thank you."

For fourteen years Koethe had lived on Garran. He'd lost his wife, Nona, in an attack by natives—something Asta had never recovered from. Nor forgiven—somehow blaming Koethe.

Admittedly, Garran was a barren, back-world, desert planet—but Koethe was the Executive Commander. When the planet gained Province status, he would become the First Governor. He would get credit in history for the taming of a wild planet for colonization. It was the sort of career he lived for.

Now the High Realm had sent military personnel to inspect Koethe's work. The thought annoyed him. He had been efficient. He'd followed his directive: expansion. Colonize the planet and build a populace loyal to the Chanden High Realm. He had done so.

Auditing his books and inspecting his troops were all completely unnecessary. Results were all that mattered. And his results had been good. The only thing that troubled him were these occasional native uprisings. Nothing seemed to satisfy the brutes. Just when progress had been made, fighting would break out again somewhere.

Surely, they couldn't blame him for that.

Koethe left his office to meet the General in the main chamber.

His own officer, Chief Richt, waited there with the three visiting military officers. The tallest, broadest man Koethe recognized as General Godwin, Champion of the Battle of Arnash, Defender of Chizicoot and the Emperor's own cousin.

"General Godwin," said Koethe in greeting, putting his hand to his chest in salute.

"Commander Koethe," returned the General, with politeness. He turned to his two aides, both dressed as the General was in formal olive-green suits, with black trim. "First Militia Commander Nyan. He will be reviewing your troops during our stay."

Koethe nodded politely, still annoyed at the intrusion but not letting it show. It was not the officer's fault. The militia commander, much younger and of a slighter build than Godwin, nodded.

"Commander Nyan," said Koethe. He was pretty good at first impressions, and his impressions were that this was a reasonable man.

The second officer was a woman, with blond hair pulled back severely. She wore no make-up, giving her face a hard look—almost indistinguishable from a man's. The trend of allowing women rank in the military was still just a little new for Koethe's taste. He allowed it, despite being old-fashioned, since it was in the regulations. But the fact that his own daughter had taken advantage of the regulations to join the Enforcers still rankled him, even if all she had was a desk job.

"And this is Second Militia Commander Montani," Godwin introduced her.

"Commander Montani," said Koethe, feeling a bit odd at not being able to kiss her hand, as a gentleman should.

"Commander Koethe," said Montani. Her eyes were cold and unmoved. She would not be easy to deal with. Women always felt they had more to prove. And perhaps they did.

"Commander Montani will be reviewing your financial records," said the General.

"Of course," said Koethe, careful not to betray any sign of annoyance. "I am at your disposal," he said. She scowled slightly. Perhaps too gallant a statement for a progressive woman like Montani.

He knew her kind—ruthless, hardened, more so than other men in her situation. She worked harder to get where she was, had to be tougher than all the men. No doubt she outperformed them ... only to be passed over for promotion in favor of other men. Koethe would have to watch her.

From there, they sat and had drinks. Conversation was stiff and scant. News of the capital planet Vhorlend and Cazio Sooliss, the Emperor, and of the war with the Bissarian Conglomerate. Hints of skirmishes with their neighbors of the Peronia High Realm who constantly watched the Chanden for a weakness.

Koethe knew that the next few weeks would be long indeed. He wished the time would pass quickly so that these inspectors would be gone.

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