Page 28 of Clan and Command

“I’ve never faced someone using that discipline before. It uses your opponent’s weaknesses against him, right?”

“That’s part of it. It demands calm and control, which is why most Nobeks aren’t familiar with the practice.”

Kila was intrigued. What mistakes in his fighting style would Lokmi find to exploit? “I look forward to seeing how effective odikan is against a pissed-off Nobek captain. Prepare yourself, Chief.”

Lokmi nodded. His grin was replaced by serene concentration as he bladed his body and crouched. He kept his face towards Kila as the captain came around the desk, watching him carefully.

Kila took his time, eyeing Lokmi’s stance, the watchfulness of his gaze, the ease of his movements as they circled each other. Since Lokmi’s fighting style relied on reacting to an opponent, it would be up to the Nobek to make the first move. Already that put Kila at a disadvantage. Lokmi wouldn’t give up any of his limitations until after the combat began.

So be it. He had measured his foe as best he could. It was time to see if he could best him.

Just as Kila was about to lunge at Lokmi, the door announce went off. Kila bared his teeth and shouted, “I’m busy, damn it all. Fuck off!”

A cold voice entered the room. “I think you’d better rephrase your welcome, Captain Kila.”

The Nobek froze to hear the clipped tone. Lokmi went still as well, catching the Kila’s mood. He whispered, “Who is it, Captain?”

Kila straightened from his fight crouch and whispered back, “Bloody damned Rear Admiral Piras.” He thought of adding,the man I screwed the living hell out of last night. The man I pissed the fuck off this morning to the point where he wanted to kill me.

Lokmi’s eyes were wide in shock. If Kila stunned him any further, those eyes might fall out of the chief’s head. He and Lokmi faced the door, standing at stiff attention.

Looks like I’m the one who will get the discipline. Kila said, “Enter please, Admiral, with my heartfelt apologies for the disrespect.”

The door hissed open and Piras stormed in, his expression thunderous with infamous rage.

Kila bent into a lower-than-usual bow. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lokmi do the same. No doubt the chief recognized Piras’s name and knew his reputation.

Piras didn’t appear to notice Lokmi. He was too intent on Kila, and he was in as good a mood as how the Nobek had left him. “Explain yourself, Captain!”

Kila straightened. Piras’s coloring was hectic, his eyes glittering, and his jaw bulging as his teeth ground together. The man was in full-tilt fury, all right. With resignation, Kila told him, “No one informed me you had come on board, Admiral. I was in the middle of disciplining my chief engineer and did not realize it was you seeking to enter.”

Piras jerked in surprise as he looked at Lokmi. Kila felt a flash of amusement to realize he’d been right that the admiral had not noticed the Imdiko. With anger focusing his attention on Kila, Lokmi could have been standing there in a woman’s full-length gown and Piras wouldn’t have seen him.

The Dramok looked the chief over. Some of the wrath eased from his demeanor as he did so. For a moment, a look of recognition crossed his face, then it was replaced by momentary confusion. At last he settled on the bland, if slightly irritable, expression of a commanding officer on duty. In a reasonable tone, he said, “Chief Lokmi, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Admiral.”

Surprise jarred Kila. Piras knew his newest officer’s name? He remembered talking about the engineer to the admiral but couldn’t remember if he’d identified him.

At least Piras’s temper calmed as he continued to gaze at Lokmi. “So. The captain did not take kindly to your upgrades? Did he react as your report said he might?”

It was Kila’s turn to be angry. He snarled at Lokmi, his fangs unfolding from his palate. “You reported me? Before we even had the opportunity to discuss this?”

For once, the Imdiko didn’t look so sure of himself. Though he remained still, Kila got the feeling he wanted to cringe. His tone was the weakest Kila had ever heard him speak with. “In all honesty, I anticipated you would throw me off the ship. I was putting my facts in place to keep that from happening. I most humbly beg your pardon, Captain. I was wrong to inform Fleet Command of my concerns.”

Kila had a delicious vision of tearing Lokmi’s throat out. Ripping it with his fangs and watching the man’s arteries spurt blood all over the place. He shook with the desire to do just that.

Piras snorted. Kila looked at him to see the Dramok shaking his head. His expression was a curious mix of fury and amusement.

He told Lokmi, “You’re the dual breed, right? Imdiko and Dramok?”

“Yes, Admiral.”

“Do you make it a habit to go over your immediate superior’s head in order to bully your way around? Don’t answer that. I’ve seen your record and I know you do. Among other unsavory actions designed to intimidate.”

Lokmi’s jaw dropped. “Hey, Captain Kila has a reputation with chief engineers. He’s known for ignoring them, for disciplining them simply for doing their job.”

“And you’re known for being too aggressive against commanding officers. For instigating trouble instead of working with them.” Piras shook his head. “Did no one teach you how to properly demonstrate your Dramok side? Because tyranny and leadership are two very different things.”

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