“Sir?”
“We are sending a diplomat tomorrow to the Daextru’s nearest starbase as our representative. The reason why you are here is that I wanted to be the one to tell you, in person, that your brother was chosen to go. He is the most junior diplomat we have, and none of his seniors want this mission.”
“You mean they are cowards and don’t want to risk history repeating itself,” she muttered, gripping her chair’s arms hard. “You are telling me the fate of our species lies on my brother’s shoulders? You are entrusting a vital peace treaty to your most inexperienced diplomat?”
“I knew you were going to respond like this.” He sighed and refilled the empty glasses. “We can’t afford for the talks to turn violent again, but we also can’t sacrifice our best, in case they do. Sending your brother is the only logical move for us until we know if peace is truly what they want.”
He offered Jaiya her second round with an apologetic look.
She stared at the offered drink in frustration.
“Let me guess.” She grabbed the glass, swirling it in her hand as she tried to calm herself once again. “You want my wing to escort him to his destination.”
“Correct, as always,” he chuckled. “Your wing is to protect him throughout the whole duration of the mission.”
“Can I make a suggestion, Sir?”
“Proceed.”
“Leave my wing out of it,” she urged, keeping her voice controlled. She didn’t want to sound desperate or pleading. “If everyone believes this may be a suicide mission, then reduce the potential losses now instead of chancing others’ lives.”
He leaned back and tapped his fingers on his armrests. His lips pursed in deep thought, blue eyes drilling into her.
As they sat in silence, Jaiya wondered if she had pushed her boundaries too far. Life as the only daughter of a retired—demoted and dishonored—space admiral wasn’t easy. Her family name was a disgrace, not only useless to her but also an obstacle when it came to advancing in the ranks.
No. It had taken years of blood, sweat, and tears to reach her current position. She wasn’t going to let the not-so-subtle chauvinism that still permeated the space military ruin her chances of achieving the same rank her father once held. Her dream was to one day earn an even higher rank than him, a feat few women had accomplished.
If she could somehow convince the Admiral to allow her to flank her brother, then perhaps she could assist him with the talks, even if only by guarding him.
This mission couldn’t fail. She’d been waiting years for such a perfect opportunity for promotion. If her brother did well enough, both of them would be rewarded. They would be heroes. All she needed to do was to make sure her brother succeeded in his mission.
“So, you are saying that you want us to trustyou, a fighter squad captain, to escort your brother, alone?”
“Why risk more lives than needed?” She challenged. “Two lives lost versus a potential thirteen. If history does repeat itself, you will need as many able pilots for a counterattack and to continue the war efforts.”
“How are you planning on transferring him?” He leaned forward, asserting his dominance in rank. “Showing up in your fighter will raise alarms.”
“One fighter against their whole starbase?” she chuckled. “They would be fools to think they are in danger.”
“Or you are the fool for trying at all.” He raised his eyebrow in question.
She sipped her drink, letting out a small gasp at the bitter liquid, its effects calming her. “It’s either that or let me pilot his diplomat transport. I am fully capable of doing either, Sir.”
“As you should be,” he sighed and refilled his glass. “I accept your suggestion. It may look impractical to outsiders, but your points are valid. If the talks turn sour, we will need as many fighters prepared for the aftermath as possible.” Dias raised his drink to toast her. “I will let your squadron leader know that the orders have changed. You will receive your updated mission file details, including the clearance codes and coordinates.”
“What about my brother?”
“Feel free to tell your brother the news.”
She shot him a smile and lifted her glass, clinking it against his, as a sense of relief flooded her. They both threw back their drinks simultaneously, slamming the glasses on the desk.
“Thank you, Sir. I won’t fail you.”
Jaiya stood and shook his hand.
He nodded and released his grip. “May the Stars shine upon you.”
She saluted him and made her way to the office doors, releasing a deep calming breath. The doors opened automatically as soon as she reached its threshold.
“Captain.”
Jaiya halted and peered over her shoulder. “Yes, Rear Admiral?”
“How are you planning to break the news to your father?”
The question shocked her. While it was true her father still had old acquaintances in the military, she was a grown woman and hadearnedher rank. It wasn’t her fault that the family’s name was worthless.
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She smirked. “He will have to understand that the fate of our species is more important than a couple of lives.”
