The shattered edge

[Yuveraj Khan]

Yuveraj Khan was normally a calm and sedate man, he liked the quiet contemplation of strategy. He enjoyed the fear that the men displayed whenever his ire was aroused. And he reveled in days where nothing went wrong.

It was not one of those days.

The news that Doctor XiaoBei was in the infirmary was not particularly thrilling to him. Especially considering he agreed that the doctor was needed over on the alien derelict.

He rubbed his brow, kneading the tribal tattoo that was traditional in his particular sect of the Coalition.

'€œSir the Trotsky appears to be closing on the alien ship'€¦'€ one of the men reported.

'€œBroch, endeavouring to steal the glory,'€ Khan said, his lip curling in disgust. His hand reaching out to scoop up the growler phone. '€œKerimov to Trotsky, patch me through to Trotsky-Actual'€¦'€

He waited for a moment, as she answered.

'€œLieutenant Colonel Broch,'€ his voice dropped, and hardened as he spoke. '€œI have not given the order for your ship to approach the alien vessel. Nor will I you contemptuous cow, you will pull your ship back to a supporting position and hold your men in reserve, or I will come over to your ship personally and do what Medvedov failed to do, which was end your sorry existence'€¦'€

Razin cleared his throat, '€œCommissar Khan'€¦'€

Khan snarled at him, still holding the receiver, '€œI know your aims, and your continued disrespect for the Commissariat, but you were removed once from the inner circle of power, and I assure you, cross me again and history shall repeat itself.'€

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