We need to talk, she sent. After I train Jack? Meet me in the hanger when we return, yeah?
He gave her a brief nod. Unless Jace needed him, he knew that they should speak. He wasn’t sure if he could repair their friendship. He assumed that’s what Thammah wished to speak about. But as she escorted his mother from the room with barely a look at her former leader, he wondered if that was correct.
“You did good, Jace.” Jack clasped his son’s shoulder and they embraced. “I can’t believe how you got her to agree to all of that.”
“Ah, yeah, you know when you negotiate with kids who are stealing porn mags all day you can totally handle galactic commanders.” Jace grinned, but then added a little sheepishly, “I wasn’t just learning how to fly for the past decade. Gehenna was running me through war simulations, not to mention every political gambit there could be. So… today was easy in comparison.”
“Easy?” Jack shook his head. “I need a drink just from listening to you! If I wasn’t flying after this, believe me, I would be suggesting one.”
“Well, I’m not flying and I wouldn’t mind a little something,” General Intoshkin said as he and Diane came up from their table.
“You did so well, honey.” Diane kissed Jace’s cheek. “You got everything we wanted and you wanted.”
“He didn’t get us on the Council, Diane,” General Intoshkin said but then let out a chuckle. “But that’s all right. We’ll get there on our own merit. Though it seems like you’re already creating a different Council, Jace.”
Khoth wondered if General Intoshkin would be so pleased once he found out that the Osiris had faked orders from his command. Khoth imagined that it would be smoothed over since humanity really had gotten most of what it wanted. Besides, with Jace being the one truly in charge now, Khoth doubted that the general or his superiors would complain too much.
“While Thaf’ell are superior,” Jace shot him an amused glance, “there really are plenty of species that are not being used to their best purpose right now.”
“I’m sure. If the Alliance doesn’t see the benefits that humanity brings to the table, I’m guessing there’s a lot it doesn’t see,” General Intoshkin said loyally.
“We just need to show them who we really are, General,” Diane said evenly. “Right now, only a limited number of Alliance personnel have been exposed to us. That will change. Speaking of which, we need to mobilize those who will be on the ambassadorial staff.”
“I also have some potential crew members for you to consider, Jace.” The general poked Jace in the chest.
“Dad, you and the Osiris should review these potential crew members and give me your recommendations,” Jace said.
“It will be done. But I have to run to train. Am I excused, Pilot?” Jack stood up very straight.
“You are excused, Flight-Commander Parker,” Jace said with an amused lift of his lips.
Jack smartly saluted, which Jace responded to with a similar salute. Then with a nod to Diane and General Intoshkin, Jack hurried from the room.
“Your mother’s right. We need to get moving on our side so that we have all the right people to bring. But let’s have that drink later, yeah?” General Intoshkin suggested. “I knew you were bright, Jace. I knew you were chosen for a reason. But today… Well, today you exceeded all expectations.”
“Not every day you entrust your fate to a store clerk,” Jace said with a shrug.
“Whatever training you had for over a decade, I think we all could use some,” the general said and turned smartly on his heel to go to the door.
“Let’s talk later as well, Jace?” Diane touched Jace’s left bicep.
He nodded. “Yeah, for sure, Mom. Dinner?”
“Absolutely. See you later.” Diane turned to Khoth then. Her expression was sad for a moment, but then she touched his arm, too, just like she had touched Jace’s. He froze, unsure how to react to this. “I know that had to be hard even for a Thaf’ell with an iron will like yours. I just want to say…” She lowered her head for a moment as if considering her words very carefully. She then met his eyes. “I just want to say how grateful I am that you’re by my son’s side. I know you’ll keep him safe.”
“Mom, I’m going to keep Khoth safe. And you and the general and Dad and--”
“Thank you, Khoth,” she said quietly, ignoring Jace’s protestations that he was going to be the one saving everybody.
Then she, too, left, and he and Jace were on their own. Jace sank down onto the table, swinging one leg.
“Well, that went smoothly? Maybe too smoothly?” Jace raked a hand through his hair.
“High Councillor Voor will honor her promises, but she will look for any opportunity to betray us,” Khoth said crisply.
Jace nodded, nibbling at his lower lip. “I wanted to win her over to our side. But I couldn’t. She won’t see that we are allies. She sees us just as--”
“Weapons to be aimed and fired. She doesn’t want a weapon that thinks for itself,” Khoth agreed.
