Picking Ryder

The operational data that the Authority had sent over was quite interesting. The Authority would be providing half the muscle for the operation. All told they'd be going into battle with three light carriers, a pair of heavy cruisers, four corvettes, and two destroyers. As she wasn't particularly needed in space she was taking the time to actually enjoy herself planetside for a change, relaxing in her mansion's main office. She'd sent a message to Ryder to meet her but according to the reply there was still some time before the newly selected Captain would arrive.

"Shyna. Don't get up but does this look familar to you? One bob for yes, two for no." Katla said, bringing a mirrored tablet screen down below her desk where her **** had been busy trying to get a little bit of a mid-day snack. A single bob of her head confirming that she thought the same thing. "And is this Washi person related to Zui?" Washi Yang was designated as the Authority's task **** commander. Katla didn't think the last name was a coincidence. A single bob. "Same task **** with a replacement?" A single bob, this time adding a swirl of her tongue as she pulled back. "We'll have to talk about that more later. For now-"

"Commodore? Captain Ryder is here to see you." Jaclyn announced via the desk comm. The Seax's new mistress was evidently one for being early.

"Send her in," Katla said absent-mindedly. It was only at the last second that Katla realized her mistake. On Asgard, a bit of desk head during a meeting was nothing unusual, though it was considered polite to have an extra for your guest. As far as she knew Avalon didn't share that tradition. While they did have both servants and slaves to cater to the needs of senior officers that was typically done behind closed doors in private. There was no use belaying the order with the door already sliding open. Which meant she only really had one option.

"Commander Elspeth Ryder, Captain-select of the Seax reporting as ordered." To her credit she didn't stumble over the name, likely because she'd had Jaclyn help her with the pronunciation. The supervisor at the shipyard handling the inspection and name etching hadn't been so lucky. Fortunately they'd caught the error but there had nearly been a vessel in the Queen's fleet formally designated as the HMS Sex. Which Katla wouldn't have considered a bad thing if she was being honest.

"Welcome Commander," Katla stood to greet her, a small 'pop' coming from down below as Shyna was surprised by the movement, causing her to lose Katla's cock for a moment. "Please have a seat." Katla said, indicating the chairs out front, pretending like what was going on was completely normal. To her credit Elspeth's eyes only widened in surprise for a split second before she regained her composure, Taking the offered chair, her ease showing that she'd managed to shake off a bit of the academy rigidness after a year in command. "I wanted to meet with you before the planning session. I'm putting a lot on your plate, new crew, and a new ship, but I know you can handle it."

"Thank you Commodore." Ryder said. "I'm honored to receive such trust."

"Hold that thought while you're getting that new crew into shape." Katla said with a smile, "Soon we'll be moving out to engage the Directorate. The others already have the details and I'll have them sent to your stateroom once you formally adopt command but long story short we're going to be working with the Authority to claim the system of Mwaro. We'll be helping on the naval side but the ground invasion isn't our problem."

"Do they have the **** term set?" Ryder asked, her eyes unconsciously moving slightly lower to where Shyna's efforts continued.

"Five years for space. Ten on the ground." Katla informed her

"That seems a bit... short considering the prize is an inhabited system," Ryder said.

"That's on the Directorate side. They don't value it much, honestly, I think some bureaucrat would be happier to have it off their rolls. Colonies are expensive if they're not producing something." Katla explained

"And the reason there's a different **** time for space and ground?" Ryder asked

"Also Directorate and also a matter of value." Katla let herself frown. "Ground forces are cheap. Naval forces are expensive. Slap someone in armor, teach them to aim and send them to war is the Directorate's usual idea. You can't exactly do that with a ship. When they stopped trying to is when they became a major power."

"I suppose that makes sense," Ryder said with a nod. "I look forward to meeting them on the battlefield."

"I suspect it's the meeting after that you're most looking forward to." Katla said with a smile which was returned after a moment.

"Very true. I would like to have the chance to personally show some of them the glory of our Queendom. We've allowed far too many to forget it." The new Captain was obviously trying to gauge Katla's reaction to that statement. Just another one of the games.

"I'm not really one for politics at the moment. I'm just doing my duty." Katla replied maintaining her usual neutrality.

"Jaclyn has told you of my... affiliation?" Ryder asked

"She has and that she shares it." Katla confirmed.

"Then you know that while I love the Queen I do not share that love for some of those who advise her. She is our sovereign but she is also human. As she grows older she needs support more than ever. Particularly support that will not seek to throw away everything she has accomplished over her reign." Ryder said. Katla waited a moment, processing what was said before replying.

"Commander. Where I come from, you can say pretty much anything you like to anyone you like. You can even say fighting words as long as you're willing to back them up. Usually, unless drunk, we still expect the person speaking to have a point," Katla said, keeping her voice level and quirking an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry Commodore." She said, suitiably chastened before continuing. "Princess Diana wishes to speak with you when we get back from our operation. She asked me to extend the invitation. Captain Foxley didn't believe it proper for herself to do so." Ryder explained.

"Why not meet before? I have some time." Katla asked, she'd considered asking how she even knew about it but in truth, it wasn't exactly a huge secret. Plus the woman was designated to have authority in the Queen's name so she probably could find out anything that she damn well pleased. The only question Katla had was why did she please?

"She left yesterday on a diplomatic mission to the Federation," Ryder informed her, sounding apologetic. "It was a bit time-sensitive from what I understand. I am unfortunately not privy to the full details."

"Alright then. You can tell her I'll meet her when we both return then." There was no way Katla was going to annoy someone that powerful by not showing up. Even if it was to tell her to pound sand. In a polite way of course. "Other than that I welcome you to the fleet Commander. I won't keep you from your preparations any longer."

Understanding a dismissal when she heard it Ryder gave a nod of her head "I hope I will not disappoint you Commodore." With that the new Captain left the room.

"Do I need to give a discretion order? Be honest" Katla asked, looking under her desk, meeting the eyes of the woman whose lips were still wrapped around her cock. Said eyes staying locked as Shyna gave two bobs. "Good. Then you can finish me off and we'll have that little chat about that task ****..."