Career progression
24 Apr 2016Jellicoe
"Rear Admiral?" The voice said respectfully, I looked up from my data slate to see an immaculately uniformed attendant standing by my table. "You have a call from Admiral Craddocks' office will you take it?" I smiled, this was one of the reasons I chose the Hynde over the various other officers clubs in Nannorum, all transmissions not on the emergency frequency had to go through the front desk so one could relax without constant interruption. "Yes put him through please, and give my booth a privacy shield would you?" I replied, I had hoped for a quiet lunch and relaxing afternoon but a call from a senior aide to the president himself could not really be avoided.
"Of course sir." The attendant stepped back, pulled a pad from his pocket and pushed a button to shroud my booth in electronic secrecy, a moment later a channel opened to my implant and the Admiral came through.
"Ah Stannis my boy, sorry to disturb your lunch but this is right from the top." I winced inwardly, for two months now I had been in constant action in Delainne's space or running supply convoys to our own threatened systems and both myself and my crew badly needed some rest, I felt we had earned a rest but apparently we weren't going to get it.
"It's quite alright sir." I replied. "I'd nothing planned, what can I do for you?"
"I've got a posting for you, if you're interested. Could do you're career a lot of good, reward for the last few months if you like."
"I'm all ears sir." I said with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"The president needs a naval attaché at our office at Cubeo, I thought you might rather fancy it."
"Naval attaché to Princess Aisling? What does that involve?" This was not at all what I had expected.
"Oh advising our representative on military matters, keeping an eye on the enemy in her own den, find out as much as you can and get to know the buggers."
"You want me to be a spy sir?" I was amazed.
"Good lord no! If I wanted another spy there I'd send a spy, you have your talents old chap but that isn't one of them. I want your appraisal of the princess and her abilities, the men who advise her, how good are her senior officers, I want you to make contacts that might come in handy in the future, make the princess like you, anything that might be useful to us."
"Sir it's very flattering to be considered but I'm a field officer not a diplomat, I'm hardly cut out for glad handing senior imps."
"Stannis you're a flag ranking officer now, and there's a lot more to that than just flying around shooting things. We need to know you can handle more delicate situations that require a bit of tact rather than a laser, and this is a golden opportunity. High ranking imperial contacts will also do you a lot of good. If you want your career to progress I strongly recommend you accept, and it shouldn't be too much of a hardship, Princess Aisling is known for enjoying the high life, they say it's hard not to have a good time in Cubeo!" I thought hard, I wanted to progress in the navy and my crew would certainly enjoy a few months relaxation at one of the most glamorous locations in the galaxy, but I quickly became bored of planetside living. That said it was an offer I could not afford to turn down, these chances did not come along often. I decided I had to take it.
"Very well sir I'm in, what do I need to know?"
"Good man! Out people will prepare a brief for you to read through on the way over there, make sure your manners are polished and your dress uniform's immaculate, that sort of thing goes down well with the imps, I'll give you an expense account for charitable donations as well - they like that sort of thing and feel free to put some of your own in. Make the princess like you, get on good terms with her staff and prepare me a report on all of them, understood?"
"Of course sir."
"Oh and don't take your Corvette, they don't like shows of force."
"Understood sir."
A week later I was being greeted by a minor official at Cubeo before being whisked away to the presidents legation.