This is the 5th free sample of Oranje, I’ll be posting up to the end of Chapter Ten for free. You can buy it here, or if you’re interested in getting a review copy of the book, you can contact me via email or on twitter (links to both on my website).
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She watched through the window as the shuttle craft drifted towards her. It had a functional design, visible in its appearance. It had large square radiator panels at the back and a shape that was blocky rather than rounded. As it got closer, its surface was illuminated by the station’s light. The grey-and-blue-painted surface was dotted with small scars and holes that spoke of the years it had spent in space. Even with the artificial gravity of the station, she felt the shuttle dock, a slight judder that passed through her. She ran a hand over her hair to make sure it was flat, and she stood at attention, facing the docking hatch. It opened after a short wait, and a tall man ducked through. He was dressed in an immaculate uniform of dark blue with grey cuffs and collar, a trimmed white beard on his worn tan face.
She saluted by touching two fingers to her right temple. “Marshal Hofer, welcome on board Thor station.”
He returned her salute. “Thank you, General Kassar. You may stand at ease.”
She relaxed her shoulders and gazed past him, into the shuttle. “Are none of your staff with you, Marshal?”
“No need to pull them away from their duties for this.” He cast his eyes around the simple grey corridors. “Which way is it to the conference room?”
“This way, Marshal.” She led the way, setting off at a brisk walk, the marshal alongside her as they worked their way through the station.
“Have you settled in now?” he asked.
“Everyone is up to speed on how I like to work, but I’m disappointed with the combat readiness of the force. Not what I had expected from two active constellations. There is a lot of hard work going on to fix that.” She composed herself before continuing. “I do have to admit to being surprised by this visit, Marshal.”
“Why? Every appointment gets a press conference.”
Thud, thud, thud went their shoes on the floor, dulled by the thin layer of grey carpet.
“Not many are done by the head of the armed forces.” She glanced at him, but he seemed to be focused on looking at everything other than her. “It is an honour, but I thought you would have more important issues to deal with right now. The normal round of announcements was made. Is a press conference necessary?”
He gave her a brief smile. “The Republic isn’t going to declare war in the next two hours, General. I can spare the time to announce your appointment.”
They carried on, walking in silence for a while, winding their way through the many connected corridors that made up the station, passing officers who gave them both salutes that they returned.
“Still, it’s been over a month since I assumed this position. Marshal, are you here because of the interview I gave?” She felt there was a pause before he responded.
“You’re free to speak your mind on any matters which don’t affect national security, General, the same as every officer who has taken the oath. It would not surprise me if the issue was raised by a journalist, but you have nothing to worry about.” He gave her a not very reassuring smile. “I hope I won’t be introducing myself at the conference.”
“Major Jan Kato, my chief of staff, will be meeting us there. He will handle all the introductions.”
More silence passed before they reached the conference room. A guard at the door let them in, and they were greeted by the major. He was of average height, with light-brown skin, in a dark-blue uniform of the same style as her own. The room could best be described as functional. A short stage with a podium stood to one side, the wall behind it covered in a worn version of the flag of the Union of Nine. A few rows of chairs faced this, all empty apart from one today. She couldn’t make out much on the ID card slung around his neck, but he would’ve been vetted by the force. Three camera drones sat at the back of the room, ready to broadcast the conference.
She followed the marshal onto the stage and sat down next to him, waiting her turn. Major Kato stepped onto the podium and tested the microphone with a tap of his finger. The lights dimmed, and the drones kicked into life, a projection on the far wall counting down until the time they would be live.
“Good morning, and welcome to this press conference. Marshal Anton Hofer, head of the Union of Nine armed forces, will speak first, then General Kassar. There will be a chance to ask any questions you may have at the end.”
The major stepped to one side as the marshal rose from his seat and walked up to the podium.
He cleared his throat. “Good morning, it’s with great pleasure that I am here today to announce the appointment of General Marienne Kassar as head of the Outer Region Command. General Kassar has served for over four decades now, and has done so in a consistently hard working and exemplary manner. For the past twenty years, she has served as head of the Tactical Warfare program at the academy. Teams of her students have consistently defeated other Space Force commands during war game exercises. We’re certain that she will execute her new command with the same devotion and perseverance she has shown throughout her career. The Outer Region may not be grabbing the headlines nowadays, what with the ongoing dispute with the Arausio Republic going on, but it is vital to our security. General Kassar will have a duty to protect not only the worlds of the Union under her protection, but also the many independent worlds we have treaties with. I know that General Kassar can do all that is required and that she will show the same excellence she always had as a member of the armed forces.” With that, the major finished and stepped away from the podium.
She stood and approached him.
He stood back so they could shake hands and face the cameras as they did, before she approached the microphone. She moved it down a long way so it was the right height for her.
“Thank you, Marshal. It is an honour to have been offered this position and this chance to serve the Union.”
The journalist didn’t seem to be paying much attention to her. He had his mobile out and was busy staring at the screen. Aware of the watching cameras, she kept herself composed and continued.
“I relish this opportunity to have an active command after my many years at the Academy. I will carry out my duty with the same diligence and devotion with which I have approached every role I have had in the Space Force. To serve is an honour in itself—to be chosen to do so in a position of such responsibility, even more so.
“The focus right now may be on the Republic, but I will ensure the safety of the worlds under my protection and maintain the peace and security every citizen of the Union enjoys. I swore an oath when I joined the Space Force to protect and serve everyone, and those words remain foremost in my mind as I take up this post. I relish this opportunity to take part in the training of active forces, to ensure every officer and every spacecraft under my command is at peak readiness at all times. We can never relax our guard and must always be prepared for what we cannot foresee. I will make sure my command is ready for whatever may happen as we go forward. The Space Force has a proud tradition and one I will not let down. Thank you.”
She stepped away from the microphone, but a quick glance at the marshal told her he wanted her to continue. She looked at the journalist again. He was looking at her now, his mobile idle on his lap. The major was standing to one side. A look from the marshal had stopped him from moving back to the podium, so she stepped forward again.
“Are there any questions?” The journalist’s hand went up before the words had even finished leaving her mouth.
“First off congratulations, General, on your new position,” he said.
“Thank you.” She gripped the sides of the podium a little more tightly.
A grin spread across his face.
“A few months ago, there were rumours that you were the hot favourite to take over the Home Region Command, but now you are out here. Did this change occur because of recent comments you made calling another war with the Republic ‘futile and pointless’?”
She stared at him.
“This was the position offered to me, and I accepted it gladly. Any command I could have been given would have been a great responsibility.”
“So you don’t think the interview you gave has harmed your position?”
The journalist had a smirk on his face that hardened her expression.
“As an officer in the Space Force, I am allowed to speak my mind on many subjects.”
“Sorry, General.” His expression said otherwise. “But that didn’t answer my question. Has that interview damaged you?”
Her knuckles were now a much lighter colour than the rest of her black skin.
“I don’t believe it has. It’s not my place to speculate on what discussions may have happened before I was offered this position, but it seems unlikely for them to let comments that are no different from what I have said in the past affect the process.”
“It’s not that much of a stretch to say they have, especially now with tensions between us and the Republic at the highest they have been for decades.”
She glanced at the marshal, who sat on his chair, smiling. His eyes avoided her gaze.
“I can only say what I think. I cannot speak for anyone but myself.”
“Anonymous comments from sources inside High Command say you’re being put away from where the action will be because of your opinions.”
She could feel a vein pressing against her temple.
“I would suggest it’s odd to spend so much time talking about decisions that have already been made. Never mind the fact that if I was being ‘frozen out’ by command, it would be strange to award me the position I currently have.”
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at his mobile before he looked up again with a fresh grin on his face.
“Then what about comments other officers have made in public, saying you’re unfit to hold your command and calling you anti-war?”
“I am not anti-war. I wouldn’t be serving in the military if I was. In this situation, I believe that diplomatic options should be explored as much as possible before committing to a war that will cost lives.”
“Is that not overstepping your bounds a bit, General? You are not a politician.”
“I have merely stated my opinion and nothing more,” she said.
“You must realise that, as a senior military official, your words will be viewed as having quite a bit of weight behind them.”
“I’m one of a number of Space Force officers who have been asked for their opinions on the situation. Many voiced support for a war if one happens; others have expressed similar views to my own. Have you asked any of them if they think it has affected their careers as well, or just me?”
She kept her eyes fixed on him as silence filled the room. He broke away from her gaze to look at his mobile again.
“That’s all I want to ask you, General.”
“Then I will hand back over to Marshal Hofer.” She prised her hands from the podium and returned to her seat as the marshal took her place, a wide and—dare she say—happy smile on his face.
“Thank you, General. I will be able to answer a few questions of my own.”
The journalist looked at her, a cheeky grin on his face, before he turned to face the podium.
“Marshal, what do you say to the rumours that the general’s views have affected her appointment?”
“No comment,” he responded instantly.
She fought to keep her expression as neutral as possible.
“What are your views on the current situation?”
“We can’t ignore the current actions of the Republic. They’re violating the boundaries set by the last treaty almost daily. War is a last resort, of course, but we will be ready if it comes to that.”
The marshal looked to be in his element, with a perfectly arranged face and a strong, confident voice.
“Do you believe officers who have voiced opposition to that course of action will be able to do their jobs properly if it comes to war?”
She caught him glance at her out of the corner of his eye.
“Every officer swore an oath to serve and protect. I am sure all of them will remember that and give their all in the line of duty.”
“Will you be asking any officer to make statements to clear up their views?”
“As General Kassar has said, all members of the military have a right to voice their opinion on a wide range of topics. That doesn’t need to change, but I hope some officers will consider what they say in public with the utmost consideration.”
“That’s all, Marshal. Thank you.”
“Then I think we can wrap this up.” He stepped away from the podium. The camera drones went back into standby, and the journalist hurried out the room, pausing to shake the marshal’s hand. He cast one last look at Marienne before the door closed behind him. She was still on her chair, trying to keep calm and to not show her anger, eyes focused on the far wall.
“You handled yourself well, General.” He turned to look at her, with that smile still on his face.
She got to her feet and straightened her uniform, keeping her eyes focused on anything that wasn’t him.
“Those questions were always going to be raised, but people have short memories and will forget,” he said.
You won’t. “When will your shuttle be leaving, Marshal?”
He glanced at the watch on her wrist. She didn’t need to wear it, not with a mobile always at hand, but she liked being able to check the time without getting it out.
“This is only a short visit. I’ll leave within half an hour, but I have some fresh orders for you first.”
The vein in her temple still throbbed as she fought to hide her anger. She forced herself to look at him. If he guessed at the turmoil within her, he showed no signs of it.
“With the prospect of war looking more and more likely, the frequency of war games is being increased. They must be done every two days per crew. This applies to the entire Space Force.”
“My command has been doing that since I took over, Marshal.”
He seemed to be taken aback before recovering with another smile. “Good to hear, General. You’ve earned your reputation as a hard worker.” He faced the fading image of the Union flag on the wall and pointed at it. “Make sure that is repainted. We can’t have the flag in that state.”
“I will make sure that’s made a high priority for maintenance.”
He clapped his hands. “You’re also to have two clusters on combat alert at all times and ready to react to any situation. The intelligence groups have reason to believe the Republic may be interfering with the independent worlds.”
“It will be done,” she said. “May I ask why I had not heard about this before, Marshal?”
“It’s only come to light over the last few days. I thought I would tell you about it in person. There will be a detailed report in the next intelligence update.”
“Any more orders, Marshal?”
“That is all, General.” He looked at her watch again. “I will head back to my shuttle now. It has been a pleasure to see you.”
He saluted, and she pulled herself to attention and did the same.
“I think I can remember my own way back. You needn’t worry about escorting me back.” He smiled a little more widely.
Her neck muscles tensed. “Still, you should have some company on your way. Major, go with the Marshal back to his shuttle.”
The major saluted and followed Marshal Hofer from the room.
When the door closed, she slammed her palm into the wall and clenched her fists. Fighting to control her breathing, she kept it at a nice easy pace and relaxed her hands. She straightened her uniform, took a deep breath, opened the door, and headed straight back to work.
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