Free The Iron Admiral: Deception by Greta van Der Rol Page B

stillChohzu the Destroyer, the great space demon, sworn enemy of the ptorix.

ChapterNine
    Allysha finished dressing and twirled experimentally in front of the long mirror in her wardrobe. Yes, she looked good. The cream material draped beautifully and the gold sequins around the hem and neckline really did add a feature. She matched the dress with strappy gold shoes with a small heel. Let others break their necks with fifteen centimeter spikes. She had just finished putting on gold earrings when Albert, her apartment’s Information System, spoke.
    “Lieutenant Bristol is here, Allysha.”
    Allysha picked up her bag and met Todd at the door.
     
    He wore his white formal uniform, with two narrow gold stripes on his shoulders, while a short row of campaign ribbons added color to his left breast. The well-cut, fitted jacket, designed to complement wide
    shoulders and a narrow waist and hips, suited Todd’s powerful body well. Sandy blond hair cut short, blue eyes, rugged rather than handsome. Yes, he looked wonderful.
    “My, don’t you look smart?”
    Todd stood there, gaping like a landed fish. “Oh, man,” he stammered, “you look fabulous.”
    Allysha smiled. She hadn’t worn a dress since she left Shernish, half a lifetime ago. “Thanks, Lieutenant.
    I’ve tried to look the part for you.”
    “Oh, man.”
    “Hadn’t we better go?”
    He had a cab waiting for the short hop over to the Parliamentary complex where the ball was held. She and Todd joined other couples walking up the marble staircase to the foyer, already filled with white-uniformed officers and their partners. Lights sparkled off rank insignia and campaign medals, sequins and jewelry. The women’s fashion varied from formal and elaborate to downright skimpy, from simple black to kaleidoscopic confections, while the non-military male partners wore standard, somber evening dress. Voices ebbed and flowed, refined and cultivated here, jovial and laughing there. She and Todd wove their way between guests and waiters carrying trays of drinks, looking for the rest of their group. Admiral Leonov and his wife Irina chatted with a group of other senior people. She ducked behind Todd. She hadn’t told them she’d be here and if they saw her, they’d be sure to tellhim .
    “There’s Anna and her boyfriend,” Todd said.
    Allysha waved at them. Anna’s red dress suited her hair and skin and showed off her figure without being too revealing.
    Todd nudged her. “Well, look at that. Hassan and Siri have come together.” He jerked his head.
    Hassan, handsome and debonair, held Sirikit’s hand. Her flowing, multi colored gown and the gold jewels in her long black hair complimented her beauty. She really was a stunner.
    “Huh. She could have done better than him.” Todd snared two glasses of sparkling wine from a passing waiter and handed one to her.
    Allysha smiled. Chalk and cheese, Todd and Hassan; and not just in looks. Todd didn’t approve of Hassan’s playboy reputation. “I think he might well have met his match.” She chinked her glass gently against Todd’s. “Here’s to a pleasant evening.”
    He flushed, blue eyes twinkling.
    Tensan and his wife Jingsu were the last to arrive. “The babysitter was late,” Tensan said, scowling.
    “Not to worry. Let’s go and find our table,” Allysha said.
    They followed the thinning crowd into an enormous formal ballroom. Above their heads the Galactic lens formed a backdrop to a fleet, a battle cruiser in the center with its accompanying cruisers and frigates around it. All holos, of course, but so well done. The Fleet’s symbol, a three quarter view of a stylized spiral galaxy, hung on the back wall above a low stage where a twenty-piece orchestra provided background music.
    Tables surrounded a large dance floor. Allysha and her group threaded their way toward the back, well away from the more favored locations where the distinctive ornate gold collars of the admirals dominated. She searched the