Free Shadow of the Blue Ring by Jerome Kelly Page B

forward to sharing this future with all of you and I hope that myself and my people will be a big part of it. On behalf of the entire Human race, thank you all.”
    The room broke into applause once more as James finished his short speech, he didn’t think he could have said any more than that, not without having something written before him. Ravenn allowed him to quickly exit the stage before taking up the microphone himself once more.
    “Well that concludes our awards for the night,” Ravenn said to the watching masses, “so now I think we can finally get this party started for real. Let the main event for the night begin!”
    The military guard at the front of the stage broke up, the crowd went back to it’s previous state and the music began playing, the party atmosphere taking over the grand hall once more.
    “Aww, well done honey,” Isha chuckled sarcastically as James rejoined her on the floor, “we’re all so proud of the great hero of the alliance.”
    “Come on then, how did you know?” James asked her.
    “Oh, a little birdie told me.”
    “Would that little birdie happen to be called Kaydenne?”
    “Yeah, I overheard a couple of Churian officers talking about it,” Melina chuckled, “we agreed that it would be so much more fun to let you find out for yourself. Just seeing the look on your face made it worth keeping the secret.”
    “Ok, very funny,” said James, “well then, shall we get to the…”
    “There you are old friend!” Came the booming voice of Ravenn who was making his way through the crowd towards them, stopping James mid sentence, “so glad you could make it tonight.”
    “Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” James said, shaking his hand, “you really know how to throw a party gen… I mean ex-general.”
    “Ha! Yes it is quite the event,” said Ravenn, “well if my career has to come to an end then I will end it in style. It’s nice to have all the members of the revolution here with me for the occasion too. Our journey six years ago will rank as the greatest adventure of my life.”
    “Well it would take something quite special to surpass those few months, said James, “there hasn’t been anything quite like it since.”
    “Don’t you worry about that young man,” said Ravenn, “there will always be another great battle and another fantastic adventure for you to undertake before long. You just be happy that, for the moment, we have peace and that you have yourself something quite special right here. It’s good to see you again Isha.”
    “It’s nice to see you again too,” said Isha, “and I don’t think there could be a more fitting way for you to put an end to you career.”
    “Thank you miss Cavallera,” Ravenn said proudly, “and miss Kaydenne Melina too, well done in your victory at the Systems Gala last year, a most impressive feat. I watched the entire thing and I was rooting for you the entire way.”
    “Thank you general,” Melina beamed.
    “So what will you do now you are retired from the military,” James asked, “will you be looking to live a slightly quieter life now?”
    “I’ve got myself a nice little place down near the resort of Carpara in the south,” Ravenn replied, “my wife and I are moving down there in just a couple of days. It’s one of the most serene and peaceful places on the planet, the perfect place to start afresh. I may even have some real time to spend with my daughters and the grandchildren for the first time in what seems like forever.”
    “Well you’ve definitely earned your retirement,” said James, “I wish you all the best with everything you do in the future.”
    “And the very same to all of you three,” said Ravenn, “but I must get back to the party, I’m sure there are many more well-wishers queueing up for a turn to say their part.”
    With that, Ravenn made his way back into the crowd and onto the next group of people who were clamouring for his attention. The party had now got into it’s