Warbound Legacy 5A

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Five

Ashlyn chuckled softly as she read General Gataki’s latest email, the fourth of the day. The man simply didn’t give up. At least he’d changed tactics. Instead of demanding the Army be first during the commissioning ceremony, now he wanted to be added to the list of speakers for graduation. As if there weren’t enough speakers already. Too bad, for his ego at least, she had no intention of giving in to his demands. Not when the schedule had been in place for weeks—something he knew. If he thought himself stubborn, he’d soon learn he had nothing on her.

But first things first. She reached for her comm and sent a quick message to Hernandez. She needed to see both her and Anismova before they left for the day. Then she turned her attention back to Gataki and crafting the appropriate response. This time, she also did as Okafor suggested. She copied the message not only to the general, but also to Admiral Miranda Tremayne and to Linden Klingsbury. Now to see if Gataki choked on his outrage at being called out in front of the others.

As she sent off her response a few minutes later, a soft tap at the door sounded. Looking up, she smiled slightly. A very nervous first-year cadet stood in the doorway. He swallowed hard as she looked him over before she gave a nod and a reassuring smile. This was his first day to shadow her admin and Sergeant Welker didn’t pamper any of the cadets assigned to the office. When Ash asked about it early on, the man explained it was the best way to get them to learn quickly. They might make mistakes, but they would never repeat them. Since it was her philosophy as well, she simply told him to carry on. 

“Ma’am, Captain Hernandez and Sergeant Major Anisimova are here to see you.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Altman. Give me two minutes and then show them in.”

Without waiting for his response, she closed down her comp and climbed to her feet. As she did, her hand closed on the collar of her uniform blouse where it hung on the back of her chair. A slight, albeit bemused smile touched her lips at the sight of the second star at the collar. A star she’d hidden most of the day by staying in her office and working in uniform pants and tank. But now, with most of her staff gone and the day over, it was time to break the news to the two who would be most impacted by her promotion and new assignment.