that survived the Trakaan catastrophe.”
“You promoted a ship-master to take over the squadron over the group-masters, Maaz? Rather irregular, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, Master. It was both necessary and well deserved. Tzal showed remarkable clarity of thought concerning an exciting, yet disturbing discovery his ship made during their initial exploration deep into Region-12. A discovery best discussed in a secure area.”
Raan’s left eyebrow rose at that, but dropped the matter until it could be addressed in a more appropriate place. As they walked towards Raan’s office, Maaz updated him on the gathered fleets, maintenance performed and the growing restlessness amongst the crews. With so many Rak warriors of different regions confined in close quarters with little to occupy them, several small incidents of violence had broken out between rival groups down on the planet’s surface, where oversight by superiors was minimal. Maaz had given Raan a lot to think about, but not as much as he soon would… not nearly as much.
Chapter-11
When you're testing to see how deep water is, never use both feet. -- Benjamin Franklin
Troxia Station, in orbit around the Rak Planet Troxia
Aliens. Raan had virtually no time at all to relax after finally getting off of the small scout-ship he’d been on for so many subcycles on the long trip back from Raku, before Maaz began an in-depth briefing on the new star-faring alien species, which Tzal had discovered. Not that Raan blamed him. No doubt his littermate was incredibly relieved to finally be able to turn over responsibility for dealing with this discovery to superior authority. Raan could empathize. He almost wished he could kick this one upstairs himself, but since his recent ascension to region-master, only the Supreme-Master now outranked him and Xior was just too far away to consult, so the problem was Raan’s to deal with.
Maaz well understood that he owed his own meteoric rise to the top of the fleet ranks to his talented littermate Raan. There was no sibling rivalry here. Maaz understood his own limitations, and accepted that he had risen as high as he ever would. But instead of constantly wanting something more, he was grateful and content to be exactly where he was. Maaz was totally loyal to his littermate.
Raan sometimes wondered if he hadn’t made an error in helping Maaz get promoted beyond his talents, but Maaz had shown excellent judgment and done a remarkable job at keeping the lid on such a momentous discovery, so perhaps that familial weakness wouldn’t come back to bite him on the tail after all. Maaz had also judged Tzal correctly. Tzal had indeed showed incredible forethought and amazing discipline of mind in his handling of the situation, as well. Raan was impressed with both of them.
“Squadron-Master Tzal,” Raan inquired, “do you foresee any problems with any of the group-masters within your squadron due to resentments arising from their having been passed over and your double-promotion suddenly vaulting you from beneath them to above them?”
“None that I cannot handle, Region-Master,” Tzal replied. “I expect only similar reactions to those Drik experienced when Region-Master Glan first placed him in command of the squadron, just prior to our assignment to the imperial fleet. Many thought his affiliation with Glan’s pride to be favoritism and his only qualification for the position. I have Drik’s excellent example to follow.”
“What was it specifically that Drik did to alleviate the grumbling when he first assumed command, then?” asked Raan.
“He offered stoneless personal combat to any group or ship-master in the squadron who thought him unfit to command them.”
Another of the ancient customs… interesting. “Did any of them challenge him then?”
“All of them… except me,” replied Tzal.
“All of them? Drik defeated his entire senior master corps in single combat?”
“Yes, Master... all except me,” responded
“You promoted a ship-master to take over the squadron over the group-masters, Maaz? Rather irregular, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, Master. It was both necessary and well deserved. Tzal showed remarkable clarity of thought concerning an exciting, yet disturbing discovery his ship made during their initial exploration deep into Region-12. A discovery best discussed in a secure area.”
Raan’s left eyebrow rose at that, but dropped the matter until it could be addressed in a more appropriate place. As they walked towards Raan’s office, Maaz updated him on the gathered fleets, maintenance performed and the growing restlessness amongst the crews. With so many Rak warriors of different regions confined in close quarters with little to occupy them, several small incidents of violence had broken out between rival groups down on the planet’s surface, where oversight by superiors was minimal. Maaz had given Raan a lot to think about, but not as much as he soon would… not nearly as much.
Chapter-11
When you're testing to see how deep water is, never use both feet. -- Benjamin Franklin
Troxia Station, in orbit around the Rak Planet Troxia
Aliens. Raan had virtually no time at all to relax after finally getting off of the small scout-ship he’d been on for so many subcycles on the long trip back from Raku, before Maaz began an in-depth briefing on the new star-faring alien species, which Tzal had discovered. Not that Raan blamed him. No doubt his littermate was incredibly relieved to finally be able to turn over responsibility for dealing with this discovery to superior authority. Raan could empathize. He almost wished he could kick this one upstairs himself, but since his recent ascension to region-master, only the Supreme-Master now outranked him and Xior was just too far away to consult, so the problem was Raan’s to deal with.
Maaz well understood that he owed his own meteoric rise to the top of the fleet ranks to his talented littermate Raan. There was no sibling rivalry here. Maaz understood his own limitations, and accepted that he had risen as high as he ever would. But instead of constantly wanting something more, he was grateful and content to be exactly where he was. Maaz was totally loyal to his littermate.
Raan sometimes wondered if he hadn’t made an error in helping Maaz get promoted beyond his talents, but Maaz had shown excellent judgment and done a remarkable job at keeping the lid on such a momentous discovery, so perhaps that familial weakness wouldn’t come back to bite him on the tail after all. Maaz had also judged Tzal correctly. Tzal had indeed showed incredible forethought and amazing discipline of mind in his handling of the situation, as well. Raan was impressed with both of them.
“Squadron-Master Tzal,” Raan inquired, “do you foresee any problems with any of the group-masters within your squadron due to resentments arising from their having been passed over and your double-promotion suddenly vaulting you from beneath them to above them?”
“None that I cannot handle, Region-Master,” Tzal replied. “I expect only similar reactions to those Drik experienced when Region-Master Glan first placed him in command of the squadron, just prior to our assignment to the imperial fleet. Many thought his affiliation with Glan’s pride to be favoritism and his only qualification for the position. I have Drik’s excellent example to follow.”
“What was it specifically that Drik did to alleviate the grumbling when he first assumed command, then?” asked Raan.
“He offered stoneless personal combat to any group or ship-master in the squadron who thought him unfit to command them.”
Another of the ancient customs… interesting. “Did any of them challenge him then?”
“All of them… except me,” replied Tzal.
“All of them? Drik defeated his entire senior master corps in single combat?”
“Yes, Master... all except me,” responded
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