The Gods of Garran: Chapter 9

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A novel by Meredith Skye

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The meeting with First Militia Commander Nyan went better than expected. Koethe had met him at the main barracks in Urrlan, the capital city. The review of the troops had taken less time than Koethe expected.

Nyan had asked some standard questions and Koethe had given standard answers. A few hours later, Nyan seemed satisfied.

They sat and partook of tami, a favored drink from their homeworld of Vhorlend. The conversation relaxed from there and they spoke of matters of common interest: new military rulings and the war. Koethe learned that Nyan had spent several years on Koethe's own homeworld of Toolash, in the same principality that Koethe was raised in Aggravis.

This led to reminiscing about their favorite bars, restaurants and sports teams. Koethe felt that he could work with Nyan.

But he dreaded the interview with Second Militia Commander Montani that afternoon more. Anticipating that, Koethe reluctantly excused himself. All the visiting officers had been invited to dinner the following night.

"I'll see you then," said Koethe.

"I look forward to it," said Nyan.

Koethe walked back to his office, enjoying the exercise. Commander Montani had arrived early. He found her waiting for him, along with his own first officer, Chief Richt. How long she'd been there, Koethe didn't know, but she already begun reviewing the financial records. Chief Richt must have allowed her access. She had a right, but it still rankled that she hadn't waited for permission.

She rose when Koethe entered the room. "Commander Koethe," she said with stiff politeness.

"Commander Montani," he responded back, hiding his annoyance at the early intrusion. "You're early." She knew he had an appointment with Commander Nyan that morning.

He knew he should make small talk or offer her a drink but her attitude angered him. Was that her plan? Did she want to anger him?

"I trust that you've been given access to the records you need." Koethe said with just enough politeness.

"Chief Richt has been very helpful, thank you," said Montani. Had she been questioning him about Koethe's activities? His anger spiked. She had no right to pry!

Koethe glanced at Richt, who looked a little uncomfortable. No doubt she had intimidated him. "Thank you, Chief Richt," he said. It was a dismissal.

"Sir," said Richt. Taking the hint, he excused himself.

"Take all the time you need to examine the records," said Koethe, attempting a friendly tone but only half succeeding.

"I will," said Montani somberly. He had no doubt. However, she did not sit down. "I do have a few questions," she said.

"Already?" he asked, wishing that he could pour himself a drink, but this would not be the time—and he begrudged offering her the courtesy.

"Yes," she said. "If you don't mind?"

"Why should I? I have nothing to hide." He leaned back against his desk, trying to appear casual.

"I see that in the last four years, you've funded over 26 schools—seven of which were built in the last three years alone."

This was her objection? "Yes?" he asked, waiting.

"There aren't even that many Chanden children here," she frowned.

"They aren't just for Chanden children," said Koethe.

"You put Chanden children in school alongside Garran children?" She looked taken aback.

"Why not? How better to merge our cultures?"

"I'm not sure that running schools is an approved budgetary expense," she said.

"I am trying to civilize a world," he said, standing up straight again, not bothering to mask his annoyance.

"This is a military operation, yet these schools take 32% of your operating budget?" she continued, her disapproval clear.

"I can't expect to enforce the laws if the people don't understand them," he countered.

"Usually one hires more Enforcers when one wants to enforce the law," she said haughtily. "Not school teachers."

"I built schools to teach them our language. How can I deal with a people that can't understand us?" Koethe took a step towards her. Perhaps he wanted to intimidate her. "You may be a military commander, but obviously you know little about governing. When I took over 20 years ago, Garran was nothing more than a backwater planet. Now it is a full outpost."

"I see. And one day you hope to gain Province status?"

"Naturally," said Koethe.

"And you will be governor?" she asked with a sneer.

"All the progress we've made here, has been made by my hand."

"And the High Realm should pay for this? You'd have them fund your ambitions to be governor?"

A flash of anger went through Koethe and he restrained from speaking for a moment. This woman was a fool. Or—she was goading him.

"Maybe you're hoping for a Kingdom someday," she said. "Is that it?"

He didn't know what she was getting after.

"I've stayed within my budget," he said at last. "My expenditures have been reasonable. I won't have my motives questioned by you," he said.

She stared at him. "The Budget Commission will decide what is reasonable, based on my report," said Montani. With that, she turned and sat down, an obvious dismissal.

Koethe stared at him, thinking of several responses, but making none of them. Meanwhile, she ignored him.

Silently, he sat down at his desk. It would be a long day.

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