Chapter Four
As always, Pacheco’s demeanor lost some of its stiffness now that he and Jas were alone.
“I just wanted to say, congratulations on another successful battle. How many does that make now? Is it eight or nine?”
Jas smiled, thin-lipped. “I’ve commanded the Thylacine for seven battles so far, Admiral.”
“Good work. I knew I was making the right decision when I recommended you for promotion.”
Jas didn’t reply. Was he expecting her to thank him? She’d guessed long ago that Pacheco was at least partly responsible for her rapid rise through the ranks. That and the terrible losses the Unity Alliance had sustained over the years of the war. But the office of commander didn’t mean anything to her. She would have served just as conscientiously if she’d been in the lowest ranks. What w
