Commander Read Online Free
Author: Phil Geusz
short-sighted, and even downright stupid. Exactly what I’ve come to expect of most of my so-called nobility, in other words.” He scowled.
“David… James is our best possible hope for the future. He might well become a truly great king. Surely you can see it.”
“Yes,” I answered. “Only a fool wouldn’t.”
He nodded back. “Sadly, there’s no shortage of those .” Then he leaned back in his chair. “Speaking of nobles… You do realize, don’t you, that in a sense you were cheated this afternoon?”
My ears perked. “Sir?”
“At the awards ceremony,” His Majesty continued. “Any other officer in the Fleet would’ve received at least a knighthood for what you accomplished, David. Or even something more. If you were human, you’d very likely be a newly-minted Lord in your own right this very instant. A Peer of the Realm.”
I gulped. Somehow, I’d never even considered...
“I hope you’re not too disappointed. Some of my more radical advisors, including a couple Heralds who’ve come to know you personally, argued for exactly that. They felt not only that you deserved it, but that it’d make an important statement about Rabbits and their future place in society as well.” He sighed. “But I put the kibosh to it myself, David. And I wanted you to know that. Because it’s too much too soon, you see. The land grant was meant as a substitute, intended both to soften the blow and open other possibilities instead.” He smiled. “Besides, I just couldn’t imagine you being called ‘Milord’ by your fellow Rabbits for the rest of your life. It just doesn’t fit the David Birkenhead I know and love so well.”
I looked down at my hindpaws. “Th-th-thank you for not ennobling me, sir. You were right. I’d have hated it!”
“It would’ve sent the wrong message entirely,” the elderly man agreed. “Or at least it would if done today. Our over-emphasis on the aristocracy lies behind many of our most intransigent problems. Better that you remain outside of that particular snakepit. For the moment, at least.”
My cheeks burned, and I was unable to meet his eyes.
“Anyway,” His Majesty continued, moving on to another, more pleasant topic. “The last time we spoke, I made it a point to ask you to pursue a naval career and do your best to succeed at it, as the most promising way to advance the interests of Rabbitkind and of this Kingdom.” He smiled. “For the record, you may consider yourself officially informed that you’re succeeding. So much so, in fact, that I’ve had great difficulty deciding what to do with you next.”
“I’d like to be an engineer,” I mumbled. “It’s all I ever wanted. Since I was little.”
His Majesty’s smile faded. “You were designed to want to be an engineer,” he reminded me. “An engineer and a successful leader. Apparently, however, the talents that make for a smooth-running engine-room are applicable in other endeavors as well.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, David. Engineering can be your hobby, if you like. But it can’t be your career. You’ve proven yourself far, far too valuable for that.”
“But sir! I—”
He cut me off. “David… I just spoke to you of my hopes and dreams for James, and of how I was doing my best to smooth the way for him. Part of the master plan is to provide him with the best possible circle of allies and advisors. I’m slipping them into place now, while I’m still vigorous and able to do so. You’re one of them, of course.” He shook his head. “Be honest with me. For all the high esteem in which I hold the kingdom’s starship engineers, I don’t think you can best held James ascend to the throne against opposition and then rule effectively from the engine room of a starship. Do you?”
I gulped. “No, sir.”
“Neither do I,” he replied. “In an ideal world, you’d be a grizzled old admiral that I could put
“David… James is our best possible hope for the future. He might well become a truly great king. Surely you can see it.”
“Yes,” I answered. “Only a fool wouldn’t.”
He nodded back. “Sadly, there’s no shortage of those .” Then he leaned back in his chair. “Speaking of nobles… You do realize, don’t you, that in a sense you were cheated this afternoon?”
My ears perked. “Sir?”
“At the awards ceremony,” His Majesty continued. “Any other officer in the Fleet would’ve received at least a knighthood for what you accomplished, David. Or even something more. If you were human, you’d very likely be a newly-minted Lord in your own right this very instant. A Peer of the Realm.”
I gulped. Somehow, I’d never even considered...
“I hope you’re not too disappointed. Some of my more radical advisors, including a couple Heralds who’ve come to know you personally, argued for exactly that. They felt not only that you deserved it, but that it’d make an important statement about Rabbits and their future place in society as well.” He sighed. “But I put the kibosh to it myself, David. And I wanted you to know that. Because it’s too much too soon, you see. The land grant was meant as a substitute, intended both to soften the blow and open other possibilities instead.” He smiled. “Besides, I just couldn’t imagine you being called ‘Milord’ by your fellow Rabbits for the rest of your life. It just doesn’t fit the David Birkenhead I know and love so well.”
I looked down at my hindpaws. “Th-th-thank you for not ennobling me, sir. You were right. I’d have hated it!”
“It would’ve sent the wrong message entirely,” the elderly man agreed. “Or at least it would if done today. Our over-emphasis on the aristocracy lies behind many of our most intransigent problems. Better that you remain outside of that particular snakepit. For the moment, at least.”
My cheeks burned, and I was unable to meet his eyes.
“Anyway,” His Majesty continued, moving on to another, more pleasant topic. “The last time we spoke, I made it a point to ask you to pursue a naval career and do your best to succeed at it, as the most promising way to advance the interests of Rabbitkind and of this Kingdom.” He smiled. “For the record, you may consider yourself officially informed that you’re succeeding. So much so, in fact, that I’ve had great difficulty deciding what to do with you next.”
“I’d like to be an engineer,” I mumbled. “It’s all I ever wanted. Since I was little.”
His Majesty’s smile faded. “You were designed to want to be an engineer,” he reminded me. “An engineer and a successful leader. Apparently, however, the talents that make for a smooth-running engine-room are applicable in other endeavors as well.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, David. Engineering can be your hobby, if you like. But it can’t be your career. You’ve proven yourself far, far too valuable for that.”
“But sir! I—”
He cut me off. “David… I just spoke to you of my hopes and dreams for James, and of how I was doing my best to smooth the way for him. Part of the master plan is to provide him with the best possible circle of allies and advisors. I’m slipping them into place now, while I’m still vigorous and able to do so. You’re one of them, of course.” He shook his head. “Be honest with me. For all the high esteem in which I hold the kingdom’s starship engineers, I don’t think you can best held James ascend to the throne against opposition and then rule effectively from the engine room of a starship. Do you?”
I gulped. “No, sir.”
“Neither do I,” he replied. “In an ideal world, you’d be a grizzled old admiral that I could put
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