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Filling the Gaps
Admiral Snow gazed out from his cabin aboard the
Crystal Harmony
at the still waters stretching to the horizon. A crescent moon hung in the sky crookedly, casting its pale glow down onto the serene seas around Ape Atoll. Snow loved the night. It sang to him, somehow. The candle on his desk had long since burned out, but he was content to sit in the comforting blanket of the dark. No-one around to interrupt his thoughts.
When everyone else is sleeping and you’re awake, does that make you the king of world?
he thought lazily.
The king of the night, anyway. Who cares about the rest.
Footsteps on the deck outside intruded on his reverie. The knock at the door was soft but still jarring over the soft lapping of the waves and gentle creaking of the ship. The admiral let the frisson of irritation pass through him before responding curtly. “Come.”
It was Commander Reeve, holding a small scroll awkwardly in his disfigured fingers.
Interesting.
He wordlessly took it and read. He slowly walked to the window and stared out into the night once more. He could sense his first officer’s discomfort.
“What did it say?” the veteran mumbled. “Sir,” he added, after a pause.
Snow didn’t turn around. “An incident at Dragontooth. Three of our people were killed. One had his throat slit, the other two…well they’re still trying to figure that out, apparently. Rowboat stolen, no sign of the assassins despite an extensive search.”
“Oh.” Reeve shuffled uncomfortably. “I’m sorry to hear-”
“-why? Incompetence is its own penalty…” Snow muttered, in a voice barely above a whisper.
