gentleman who’d been at his side in the Council chambers earlier. Councilor Torm was his name, she remembered as she smiled slightly in greeting, taking the seat the emperor held out for her, right next to his own.
“You look lovely, Captain,” Tigh murmured near her ear as he assisted her.
She looked up, and his handsome face was entirely too near. Quickly, she looked away, trying to hide the blush that wanted so desperately to rise in her pale cheeks. “Thank you, Your Highness, but dress uniforms are very much alike, I’m afraid.”
Tigh sat close at her side. “Perhaps, but the way you fill yours out is entirely unique...and gorgeous.”
Again, that flush of embarrassment wanted to rise, but she tamped it down. She made no response, guessing he would probably argue his point, just for the sake of small talk, and she had no patience for that. She wanted nothing more than to get this dinner over with and escape back to her compartment. She wasn’t cut out for state dinners and all the trappings and politics they entailed.
Emperor Tigh, surprisingly enough, seemed to share her attitude, though he hid it better. Small movements of his hands indicated his discomfort, though you’d have to be sitting practically in his lap to notice. He was a very controlled man, but his eyes gave him away. He didn’t have the ruthlessness she’d encountered in many of the jit ship captains she’d faced in battle, though she knew he was a trained warrior. Still, he didn’t seem as aggressive as the other jits she’d fought. Then again, a state dinner was quite a different setting than a battlefield. Still, she watched him, curious about the man who seemed so different from others of his race.
“Emperor Tigh.” Michael spoke once everyone was seated. “You already know Captain Starbridge. Allow me to introduce my wife, Leah.” Michael went around the table, introducing the rest of his command staff. They were all women and all very high-ranking military commanders. When he was finished with the formal introductions, Tigh sat forward and did the same, adding a bit of personal information about each of his men.
“Councilor Torm was advisor to my father,” Tigh said of the old man who sat at his right hand while Ginny was on his left. “He retired to his family when my brother took the throne but recalled me from the Zenai when Elius died.” The old man nodded, looking serene as only an accomplished statesman could under such close scrutiny. Tigh turned to the next man, sitting down the long table among the human women.
“Captain Halith Zen of the flagship Jendai Zoluu. He was recently promoted to captain and is a longtime friend. His mother was a trusted councilor to my parents on social matters, and we practically grew up together. When I left for the Zenai, he joined the fleet, serving in home sector, protecting Solaris Prime.
“Executive Officer Jimnai Burk is also an old friend. We studied together in the Zenai monastery on Solaris Prime for several years before I left for exile on the mountain. He is a third-level novitiate but has also been a member of the home fleet for many years.
“Hansa is Armsmaster on this mission, though he has served as Captain of the Imperial Guard and Armsmaster for the Fleet. He objected to Elius’ actions and was imprisoned for over a decade on Volhul for his views.”
The women regarded the giant man with varying degrees of alarm and pity. Even in the Milky Way, the infamous prison of Volhul was well known. It was spoken of in fearsome tones, used as a threat to keep wayward soldiers in line. Few who went there were ever seen again.
“Xeer is one of the guard corps on this mission and is the new master of the Palace Guard. We also trained together for a time in the Zenai monastery on Solaris Prime, but Xeer’s true skills lie with weapons and technology. He is a galaxy-class sharpshooter.”
Michael nodded approvingly. “As is Captain Holmes.” He nodded to the older woman seated about halfway down the long table. “She shoots competitively several times a year. It’s always a pleasure to see her bring home the trophy. Perhaps we can arrange a match between her and Mr. Xeer while you’re here.”
Xeer nodded, holding one hand over his heart in respect. “It would be an honor.” The smile he sent the female captain was both daring and friendly. This Xeer seemed like a bit of