49 "Yes, sir," the young man assured, "I still
feel The Lord God's cause is just. Though I will abide by Tradition and
serve you, I prefer it be in a non-military capacity."
50 "I do not think," assured North, "that will be a problem. You any
good at keeping books?"
51 "I was assigned to Fleet Supply, sir, Issuing Officer for the fifth
and sixth squadron."
52 "Impressive! " North replied, "I'll turn you over to my uncle. I
have a tremendous amount of civilian interests that have nothing to do
with our military efforts. My uncle has been taking care of them. I'm
sure we can find plenty for you to do."
53 "That sounds acceptable," Falling Star acknowledged. North
hesitated. "I'm sorry," he remarked, "about your father. It was an old
feud from many, many years ago ....something that had to be settled."
54 Falling Star looked away. "it's alright," he assured, "you don't
have to explain. I know what my father was. We weren't very close. I
did not care for the company he kept, nor for the way he treated my
mother, or, what he wanted me to do for his friends. The only reason he
married my mother was that his family was pressuring him for an heir.
While he was with her, he made it quite clear what he did with her was
only to fulfill that need. That was the only thing women were good for,
to him.
55 As soon as I was born he sent us away, and I never saw him, until I
was sent to Ground Forces Academy. Then he showed up to introduce me to
the 'good way' of life. After a couple of months I simply stopped
accepting his invitation to visit. After a while he stopped sending
them. I was his heir, he said. If I refused the 'true joys' of life,
that was my business. Though if I was cooperative he would be more than
glad to help me advance.