There were well-wishers and happy smiles. The progress seemed to take forever, but Kris finally found herself approaching the doors of the old church.
“Present arms,” came in Captain Drago’s voice. Make that Rear Admiral Drago’s voice.
Navy sabers slid out of their scabbards and crossed before her. Kris and Jack ducked a bit. Most Navy sabers were only sharp enough to cut wedding cakes, but you never could tell.
Kris went down the line giving her officers the best bride smile she could manage. She owed them all so much. Like any officer on official business, they stood at attention, eyes focused on their sabers.
KRIS, KEEP AN EYE ON ADMIRAL COOKIE, Nelly warned. PART OF THE TRADITION IS FOR ONE OF THE OFFICERS TO HIT THE NEW NAVY BRIDE ON THE RUMP.
HE WOULDN’T DARE, Kris answered, and gave the full admiral her commander’s eye.
His face stayed full deadpan, his eyes up, like all the rest.
Kris walked past him, sure she’d established herself.
And got a hard swipe on her butt with his saber.
“Ouch, that hurt,” she said, more startled than really pained.
“You’ve put in five years as a Navy officer and you know the pain of it. Now you’re a Navy wife, and sorry, dear heart, but there’s a whole new set of hurts to meet. Just ask my wife, God rest her soul.”
Kris dropped out of the mistreated bride routine and stepped back to give the old admiral a hug.
“Thanks for the advice and the warning,” she whispered in his ear.
Then the formality of the military disintegrated as the colonials started to make their way out of the church. Government House was to be the scene of the reception. It seemed that King Raymond’s hasty exit had left it and leftovers available.
Several cakes, including a many-tiered wedding cake, had been baked in just five hours and were waiting for them.
There were lots of traditions to fulfill.
Kris tossed her bouquet of flowers. With Nelly, it was easy to know exactly where to toss it. However, it was none too easy to choose whom she wanted to get it. Abby and Sergeant Bruce had been exchanging looks that Kris couldn’t miss out of the corner of her eyes no matter how much Jack held central place.
And Penny had frequently turned to get a look at the Musashi lieutenant. And Amanda Kutter and her boyfriend were so ready.
The three of them happened to flock together at just the right moment and Kris let fate decide. Amanda outjumped the other two, not that Abby even put her hand up.
Hmm.
There were pictures, including the obligatory picture of the bride and groom feeding each other the first slice of cake. This always ended up hilariously with the two smearing cake and icing all over each other’s faces.
Many times as maid of honor, Kris swore she’d handle this just fine.
Only, the people snapping pictures kept yelling “look here, look here,” and snapping flashes so Kris could hardly see Jack and, no doubt, he couldn’t really see her.
And everyone had a great laugh as Kris and Jack smeared each other’s faces.
Jack saw Kris’s frustration and whispered in her ear. “Don’t take that too seriously. It’s intended to be a mess. Laugh, and they’ll all laugh with you.”
So Kris laughed, and they did all laugh with her.
There was a tradition about a first dance, and Kris was getting ready for that when Granny Rita somehow got control of the mike from the bandmaster.
“Folks, I don’t know how many of you managed to lay your hands on a gift for the bride and groom. I know I didn’t. But there is one very special gift we could give both them and ourselves.
“All of you who’ve listened know what I think of Ray Longknife, or King Raymond as he is now. He’s headed out of our system and back to human space as we speak. He’s got a collection of 173 planets that are banded together back there. I’m glad to have him back there and us over here.”
Not a few people in the crowd agreed with her. A few didn’t, but not a whole lot.
“But the fact remains that there are seven U.S. warships over our head, ready to defend us to the death. Right now, they’re there, and we’re here, and there’s no tie that binds us together. As someone who’s commanded ships and worked hard with most of you to put together a colony here, I know that’s not good.”
The crowd seemed unsure where this was going, but no one moved to shut down the old woman.
“We can’t join the United Society. Seems you have to have a single government. Can you imagine us and the Alwans agreeing on one government for this planet?”
“Can you see the Alwans agreeing on anything?” came from the floor.
“So true, but the U.S. is offering us associated membership. We get to rule ourselves, and they get to stay to hell and gone on the other side of the galaxy. But we do create a tie with the warships protecting us.
“If we vote for this associated membership, our blushing bride here gets to be our viceroy, assuming we elect her as such. She’ll command the fleet as a Navy officer, and as viceroy, she can meet as a civilian leader with Ada and talk civilian stuff. To me, it sounds like a win-win proposition. What do you say?”
At that point, Ada did step in and take the mike away from Granny. “We’ve told you before, and we’ll tell you again, Granny Rita, your chief emeritus status does not allow you to put proposals before the Council of Ministries or the General Council.”
“Well, you’re all here, and I just did,” Granny shouted back at the mike, and her words filled the hall.
Ada sighed and took a long, slow look around the room. She nodded to several people, then took a deep breath. “We have a proposal from the floor, and seeing that we do have a quorum present, I am willing to entertain discussion, assuming the blushing bride doesn’t mind Granny Rita hijacking her wedding reception.”
“I am the one King Raymond nominated for this viceroy thing though my commission hasn’t been issued. It does require a vote of the colonials before it becomes operational. It kind of would be a nice wedding present, as Granny said.”
“Okay, let’s see if we understand the motion properly. If we vote for associated membership in the United Society, Ray will stay on his side of the galaxy, and I’ll be dealing with you. Right?”
“Yes.”
“We will establish a proper civilian military relationship between us and the ships above us.”
“And if the relationship faces strains,” Kris said, “we can negotiate adjustments.”
“I like that,” came from the floor.
“You’re the viceroy,” Ada said, eyeing Kris.
“If you reject me, it would take several years to get another nominee here.”
“But we get to approve any viceroy nominee,” came again from the floor.
“That’s what the draft of my commission says.”
“When’s it going to be finalized?”
“Before King Raymond jumps out of the system, I hope,” Kris said.
“Has anyone seen what this associated membership says?”
“It’s short. You rule yourselves any way you chose. I am empowered to deal with your government. Also, I can open negotiations with anyone and sign draft peace treaties to present to the U.S. Senate.”
“As in negotiate with the bastards?” came from several people on the floor.
Kris sadly nodded her head. “Yes, I can. You know that so far, they won’t even talk to us. If, suddenly they change their mind, this puts me in a place to do something.”
“That’s got to be worth a lot.”
“And she did save our bacon. Who hasn’t seen the pictures of those monsters?”
“I have a proposal properly presented,” Ada said. “Is there a second?”
One came quickly.
“Discussion?”
“What’s there to discuss? I say let’s call for the question.”
Ada didn’t even bat an eyelash. “I have a call for the question. Is there a second?”
“You’re all going to be sorry about this.”