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Annika was no longer terrified by these jumps. She had been at first, having no experience with the military other than talking to her father’s honor guard. But now, at twenty five, she’d been making them with the warmasters and their troops for the past five years.

“Ready, Warmaster Annika?” The voice crackled across her headseat in her helmet.

“Ready, Warmaster Melior,” she replied, gripping her gun.

“We drop on the count of five.” Annika heard Melior’s excitement. This was her third mission with Warmaster Melior and he was always excited when he could lead troops into battle. Her uncle had warned her she’d run into his type a lot in the field.

Annika counted backwards from five and when the hatch opened, she jumped with the rest of the troops. The jetpack in her armor kept her from splattering on the planet’s surface at high velocity. She kept low and took position.

It was another group of people raising an insurrection against her uncle Ethian. She shook her head. These people were tiresome. She hated to think that they were going to be her problem soon enough. She lifted her gun at the order and when commanded, opened fire with her unit. The insurrectionists went down screaming. The order to march forward came and she led her troops in.

Annika returned to the Throne World, sickened once again by the loss of life but aware it was necessary to win wars. Her uncle had confided in her he hated the loss of life as well. It was why he tried to keep it to a minimum, promoting commanders who met his standards for diplomacy over slaughter where possible.

“How was it?” Hanzo asked as she entered the office.

“The usual. Our commander kept the slaughter down to a minimum, but you know there always is some in the beginning.” Annika sighed. “My unit did very well for itself.”

“Excellent. Annika, now that you’re back, we need to report to the council chamber.” Hanzo looked at his young protege.

“We usually don’t go to the council.” She glanced at the chronometer. “Starflare, we’re going to be late if we don’t go now.” She headed for the door. Hanzo followed behind her.

They reached the council chamber only a few steps ahead of Ethian and Raewyn, the current emperor and empress. Hanzo smiled one of his rare smiles at his brother and sister-in-law before taking a seat. “Before we begin, Hanzo has something he wishes to address with the council,” Ethian said.

Everyone looked at him curiously, including Annika. This was unusual. Hanzo never addressed the council. Hanzo stood up. “As you are all well aware, I have been Warmaster General now for well over sixty years. In that time, I have done the best I can for both my father and for Ethian. However, even I get tired eventually. I am exhausted, my lords and ladies. Annika has proven to me she is ready for the responsibility, so effective as of tomorrow morning, I will be stepping down as Warmaster General and Annika will be taking my place.”

“Where will you go, Hanzo?” Ethian asked.

“As you’re aware, Ethian, I have a younger half brother. He and his wife have graciously opened their house to me. I will be going to stay with them for now. I may move into my own place or I may remain with them. I haven’t decided yet,” Hanzo told him.

“I’m going to miss having you around, but I understand needing to retire,” Ethian told him.

Hanzo smiled at his brother. “You should give it some thought, Ethian. You’re not as young as you used to be.”

“Bite your tongue,” Lathan muttered. There was some laughter at that. Annika just stared at Hanzo. She was Warmaster General now? Well, officially not until the next morning, but she was taking his place? From the looks on her parents’ faces, this was something they’d expected but her mother wasn’t happy. Her father was thrilled. Then again, her father came from the military while her mother was born a member of the Imperial family.

Annika followed Hanzo out of the council chamber. She straightened a little more and made sure her uniform was impeccable. If she was going to be Warmaster General at her age, she would give no sign of the nervousness now plaguing her. She would live up to Hanzo’s expectations. He believed in her, so she would believe in herself.