Admiral's Ghost

by NB VanYoos

  The Admiral’s Soliloquy

  Tyler sat through the conference’s administrative information with what he hoped was a look of interest. He knew his staff was already all over it, sorting, prioritizing, making contacts, and ensuring the Admiral had a part to play in the internal operations.

  One of Vice Admiral Teesen’s young officers was finishing his report, and Tyler couldn’t help but think the man would have made a great addition to the Admiral’s staff. Too bad he chose the wrong side. Like many who now stood beneath the Vice Admiral’s banner, Tyler imagined the man had been bought with promises of power and promotion.

  Was the Military really this superficial? Could loyalty simply be bought with promises of promotions?

  Don’t be stupid, they are no different than any other bureaucracy.

  Adanni’s admonition stung, but Tyler held his temper in check. He had to admit, his only experience with the military had been selling drugs to GIs from Camp Pendleton. It was lucrative, but it didn’t really teach him about the military. At the time, he’d sort of thought of them as a joke. Who would want to live their life within such an orderly and controlling system?

  He looked back through the Admiral’s memories and realized the Admiral had likely been one of the few great leaders who had acquired his rank and position by his deeds rather than his connections and political affiliations. It was nothing short of a miracle that he’d survived the brandishing of his father as a traitor. Considering his lack of connections, his accomplishments must have been great to come away from the incident unscathed.

  Tyler was beginning to see how little the Admiral really knew about the inner workings of this world. He had been a brilliant tactician, leader, and administrator, but he had lacked the knowledge necessary to compete in the political arena. Tyler understood why he spent so much time off-world, and why he was quickly losing support in the upcoming battle. No one believed him capable of winning a political fight.

  I’m not sure I can! Tyler complained inwardly.

  Nonsense, just let out the Admiral in his full military glory. Adanni responded coldly. Just focus your anger and fear at those who would betray you.

  Sure, sounds good on paper. Tyler replied.

  Want me to do it? Adanni asked slyly.

  No. Tyler was adamant about not giving up control.

  Then, find a backbone and use it!

  Adanni was right, Tyler needed to focus his energies on the task at hand and put aside his doubts. He brought his attention back to the conference as the young officer finished to a round of mild applause. Apparently everyone else was impressed.

  At the other end of the table, Vice Admiral Teesen rose during the applause, a smug look on his face. “Thank you, Officer Troos, a brilliantly presented report.”

  The game is afoot, Tyler thought.

  “Now,” the Vice Admiral began, “we will adjourn for a short break before I present the current thinking on our next move in the war.”

  Well, that was it. They were down to the wire. He looked for the Marshall, but he had not returned. Tyler hoped he’d make it back shortly as he would want to hear in-person the unveiling of the Vice Admiral’s plan.

  Tyler went to fetch a drink, and spotted Regent Sneerd and Vice Admiral Teesen engaged in an intimate discussion. Without the Marshall at his side, Tyler felt out of his league.

  Regent Sneerd lifted an eye towards the Admiral and showed little surprise at the cold stare Tyler was giving him. He barely stopped talking to give the Admiral a slight nod of his head. Tyler simply left the room.

  “Admiral Osloo?” A voice called from behind a crowd of people waiting for refreshments. “Admiral Osloo?”

  Tyler spotted the young soldier waving a piece of paper as he made his way through the throng, apologizing and saluting the impressive ranks he passed.

  “Yes, what is it?” Tyler asked.

  “An urgent call for you, sir,” the soldier blurted, “you can take it in another room.”

  “Is it Grand Marshall Sliss?” Tyler was surprised to get a call from the Marshall.

  “No, sir,” the soldier replied, “the gentleman said you would know who it was.”

  The soldier had a look of confusion on his face. Tyler imagined some of it was awe at standing next to and talking with Poolto’s hero.

  Who could it be? Tyler wondered. Suddenly, it dawned on him, Nayllen!

  “Oh, yes, I was expecting a call—please take me somewhere private to take it.”

  “Yes, sir.” the soldier said crisply, the look of concern gone from his face.

  The poor soldier must have been terrified to deliver an unknown caller to the Admiral. Tyler was surprised he had taken the call at all. What had Nayllen said to the young soldier to convince him?

  Tyler was led to a small room down the corridor. The soldier showed him how to access the call before leaving quietly.

  Tyler sat behind the small desk and turned the console towards him, away from the door. No need to share this with anyone who might walk in. He pushed the blinking button and watched as Nayllen’s face popped onto the screen.

  “Nayllen,” Tyler lied, “how nice to see you so soon.”

  “Save it,” Nayllen responded critically, “I know you are not happy to see me.”

  “Fine,” Tyler agreed, “what do you want?”

  “I want your answer.” Nayllen said. “Will you meet with my associates?”

  “Then, I will meet more than one?” Tyler queried.

  “Perhaps,” Nayllen responded nonchalantly, “perhaps not.”

  Nayllen looked bored. Tyler could imagine someone in his position wasn’t accustomed to making routine calls. Better to have others pass notes.

  Tyler steeled himself and thought about what Adanni had said. “Okay, where and when?”

  “When is in two days,” Nayllen replied, “and where is on the mining colony of the Siirneen asteroid.”

  Tyler was stunned! A casino was one thing, but a mining colony was too much. He said as much to Nayllen.

  “Look, Admiral,” Nayllen shot back coldly, “my associates and I know you will lose your power today, so what have you got to lose? The Vice Admiral’s plan is as good as done, and you no longer have clout to demand anything from anyone.”

  “I am a National Hero—that carries some clout!” Tyler blurted before he could think about it.

  It took Nayllen by surprise, but he quickly recovered. “Yes, I know, that is why you interest us.”

  That took Tyler by surprise. What could they want with his celebrity?

  Careful, Tyler, he is very devious. Adanni warned.

  I know, Tyler replied, let me handle it!

  “Tell me why you want to meet with me and why it must be off-world!” Tyler demanded.

  Nayllen had a momentary look of indecision, and Tyler thought he had pushed him too far, but he had to know more before he was willing to leave the planet—especially if he was to continue the fight with Teesen. Leaving now would spell disaster for any impetus they might gain after today’s showdown.

  “Very well, Admiral, I’ll tell you something.”

  Tyler watched Nayllen’s face turn colder. He had a brief image of him as an intelligence interrogator, grilling people for information, glee on his face. Tyler felt a chill.

  “We have need of your position to help us stop this war. My associates believe it is possible to obtain a truce and we need your support to ensure it has a chance.” Nayllen finished his begrudging admission and waited patiently for the Admiral to respond.

  “And why off-world?” Tyler asked again.

  “Security.” Nayllen said simply.

  Tyler didn’t believe it, but he was willing to let it slide. They needed him to further their cause to end the war. Why? He could understand why they would want the National Hero to back them, but why did they want to end the war? It wasn’t adding up.

  “Considering your current position,” Tyler began, “I do not see the motivation for ending the
war. You seem to profit nicely.”

  Tyler let his counter sink in, knowing he gambled by pushing so hard. Still, he had to know what he was committing to. Once he was off-world, he would be powerless against them, not that he had much power on Poolto.

  “My motivation is not your concern, but suffice it to say that even an old war monger such as myself does not see the value in destroying both worlds. There is always more profit in peace than in war, and I currently hold the upper hand for peacetime profits.”

  Tyler realized the man was right. With his connections on Krildon, he would have an instant network of trade between the two worlds before anyone else. In fact, he could even sell his network contacts to potential buyers, making money in multiple ways.

  That could be a real motive, but something nagged at Tyler. After all, Nayllen was rich already. Was money really a motivator for someone with his wealth? Tyler didn’t think so. The rich usually sought power, either through political office or by wielding economic strength. Perhaps that was the real motivation, an economic position that would wield power to influence both worlds.

  “Fair enough, Nayllen, but you can imagine my concern for my family. I would be doing them no justice to take your word at face value.”

  “I agree.” Nayllen replied. “In your shoes, I would do the same. However, I am not in your shoes. No more stalling, Admiral, take action.”

  Tyler didn’t like the veiled threat, “And you can help me take action?”

  “We will take action whether you participate or not. However, as I said before, if you do not participate, you may not like the actions we take.”

  “I get the picture and believe that much of your story.”

  “Very well,” Nayllen said, “will you meet with us or not?”

  Nayllen was getting impatient so Tyler decided to stop pushing.

  “Yes, I will meet with you and your associates. How do I get there?”

  “That is up to you, Admiral, but I would create some military pretense. Your position is crumbling, and your activities will be scrutinized.”

  “Fine, where do I go when I get there?” Tyler was certain Nayllen would say something to the effect that he would be contacted when he arrived. Nayllen surprised him.

  “We will put you up at the Regional Governor’s Mansion, at his request, and you should enjoy moderate comfort while there. The Governor will meet you at the space port, honor guard in tow, and escort you back to his Mansion. After that, we will organize a meeting.”

  Nayllen finished with an even greater look of boredom. He looked off to the side, but Tyler couldn’t see who or what it was. Apparently someone spoke with him as he turned back to Tyler.

  “That is all, Admiral. I’ll see you on Siirneen in two days!”

  Before Tyler could respond, the viewer went blank.

  Great, now he was going to an Asteroid. He could only imagine the look of shock on the Marshall’s face. They would need a pretense for going there, something that wouldn’t take away from their efforts in Yooso. Even better, something that might bolster their efforts in Yooso.

  Fat chance of that! Adanni scoffed.

  Excuse me if I am wrong, but wasn’t it you who said to pursue this? Tyler accused.

  Yes, I do believe it was, Adanni said coldly, but don’t think I have everything planned out. Remember, I can only read your mind.

  Yes, I remember it all too well.

  Tyler left the room and headed back to the conference. He helped himself to food and drink—choosing some of the wine provided. As he walked through the procession, he noticed everyone ignored him. They were polite when he walked past, but no one tried to engage him or meet his gaze.

  Dead man walking. Tyler thought.

  They are only scared for their own positions, Adanni countered, that is why you may yet pull this off. Are you sure you don’t want me to handle this? I have a great deal of experience in this type of situation. In fact, I once was a King on a world where …

  Please, Tyler stopped him, spare me your credentials. I’ll handle it!

  Suit yourself, you can’t die, so no great matter. Toosia however …

  Tyler didn’t like what Adanni implied, and he thought about Toosia and what she would think about his going off-world. It was a major reason for their marital strife, although not the only one. Tyler thought about Eyleeria and cringed. The Admiral had an affair with her for years, and since Tyler broke it off, she had remained eerily quiet and restrained. It scared Tyler a little, but he figured the Marshall had dealt with it behind the scenes.

  As Tyler moved towards the conference table, he spotted Marshall Sliss in the corridor. He made his way towards the door as the Marshall signaled him into the corridor.

  “Yes, what is it?” Tyler asked. “They are about to begin.”

  “I know, but I need to tell you what our staff came up with.”

  Tyler noted the Marshall had a note of confidence in his voice and Tyler imagined they had a plan that might work. Tyler didn’t want to spoil the moment, so he held off telling the Marshall about Nayllen and the future off-world trip.

  “Go on.” Tyler urged.

  “Well, sir, it will require you to denigrate yourself and the entire Supreme Military Command for the battle that nearly cost you your life.”

  Tyler thought about that but decided his reputation was already in question.

  “A gamble, but continue.”

  “We believe if you were to condemn the last attempt at a major offensive, then you could adequately argue caution for the next one.”

  Tyler was following the train of logic but let the Marshall completely outline the plan of attack.

  The Marshall caught his breath, clearly excited by the prospects. “If we urge caution, we can bog down the plan in committee meetings to review the overall plan. During those reviews, we can use the time to develop an alternative strategy while punching holes in theirs. We believe this line of attack may provide your supporters the opportunity to take action without directly rejecting the Vice Admiral’s plan.”

  The Marshall finished, waiting eagerly for the Admiral to respond. Tyler was amused and satisfied to see the fight back in the Marshall’s eyes. He had to admit, it might be what they needed to stall the offensive. In fact, it might even buy them the pretense to go off-world.

  “My congratulations, Marshall, your plan may just work!”

  “Don’t congratulate me, sir, the staff came up with it on their own. I only acted as a sounding board. Officer Slaas deserves a lot of the credit.”

  I think Officer Slaas deserves a promotion. Tyler thought.

  “Plan a party for them, Marshall, they deserve it!” Tyler was impressed with the Admiral’s staff. They were clearly up to the challenges facing them.

  “Yes, sir!”

  Both headed into the conference just as the Vice Admiral was about to start. They took their seats calmly, nodding to the Vice Admiral to begin.

  “Before I begin laying out our future plans, I would like to inform you we have a very special visitor who would like to sit in on these proceedings. Without undue delay, I would like to call you all to attention as I present our great leader of Poolto, Emperor Hallen Yooso IV.”

  Everyone stood at attention, including Tyler, as a small entourage of attendants entered the room clearing a way for the Emperor. The Emperor moved to the back of the room towards a table emptied for his arrival. Tyler noted the Emperor would not sit at the main table, clearly a political move intended to reinforce the Vice Admiral’s new, albeit temporary, position.

  “Revered Supreme Military Command,” the Emperor formally opened, “I thank you for this opportunity to observe your plans for the future of our great planet. Our lives are in your capable hands, and we look forward to hearing how you will defeat our enemies.”

  With his usual, calm demeanor, the Emperor sat down waiting for the Vice Admiral. Everyone retook their seats, and Tyler cast a glance at the Marshall who was clearly concerned with the Empero
r’s presence. Tyler could imagine what went through the Marshall’s mind. Who would stand up for the Admiral with the Emperor next to Teesen?

  Tyler didn’t care. They had a plan of attack, and Emperor or no Emperor, he had no choice but to execute it. As the Vice Admiral began, Tyler caught a glimpse of Regent Sneerd sitting next to the Emperor. Tyler thought he saw a grin on the Regent’s face. Clearly, it was the Regent’s idea to invite the Emperor.

  “Distinguished guests,” the Vice Admiral started, nodding towards the Emperor, “and distinguished colleagues, now is the time for our immediate action to end this war in victory.”

  Tyler was impressed with his start, the Vice Admiral was well coached.