Cultural Exchange
MOTE Prompt Response
Apologies for the late posting. Got caught up in the aftermath of LibertyCon and some household chores. Here’s a short but odd little scene courtesy of Fiona Grey. You can find all the others over at More Odds Than Ends.
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“You’re a corporal,” I managed, after an extended pause.
Acting General Ace Hymera beamed. “Sure was, three days ago. Now I pass inspection every time!”
I wasn’t certain I understood D’nevian military command structure, but this seemed a bit much. “How’d that happen?”
“I rescued him, so I got the job.”
“Oookaaay…” I made a circling “go on” hand gesture.
Hymera cocked his head and grinned at me.
“I. Rescued. The. General. Therefore I got the job of Acting General. Surely your military does the same thing?”
“No. No, they don’t. Rescue a general? Yeah, you’ll get a commendation, maybe even a promotion. But you certainly don’t get promoted all the way from corporal to general!” I shook my head. “This is kinda crazy, you know that right?”
Hymera’s grin faded. “Why is it crazy? I mean, I know one thing that every military on every planet, in every galaxy has in common… the enlisted are the ones who get things done. Officers get in the way. Right?”
I nodded slowly. “Okay. I’m with you so far.”
“Right. So, on D’nevia, if enlisted personnel save a general or other officer, whether his or her predicament is of their own doing or not, said enlisted personnel becomes an acting general or captain, or whatever rank the officer they saved is. Keeps officers on their toes and gives us something to strive for. Now I’m an acting general. I’m off to find some of those less-than-gifted officers I served under for the last ten, fifteen years and have conversations with them.”
I stared after Hymera as he trotted off, presumably to find those less-than-gifted officers. This cultural exchange was going to give me some good stories.
LOL!