For once, Fenebok agreed with John, "Yes! An explanation!"
"Shut up Cadet," Kikulon started, "You will have your 'explanation'. These are the charges: Acting dishonorable, motivated by self-pity, lying to not one, not two, but three superior officers. Also, stealing property of the Reptilinod Galactic Military and Captain Vogefac. Scheming to overthrow the Honor of your sibling, and to gain honor out of context. Following this, you have been charged by the Xittoli Merchant Commissioners of stealing priceless cogomium shipments, and installing them on the Zetylon without the permission of your Captain. This leads us to charge you with another thing: Cowardice. And we cannot have an officer in the Military who is a Coward. On further deliberation of the crimes, you are hereby removed from the Reptilinod Galactic Military," he charged, "And on a personal note: You may go home and raise Vlethaths' food crops with your Sister."
Fenebok's fingers twitched. And twitched again.
Vekk smiled, "As you can see, there is no defense for these crimes. Consider yourself lucky you are going to a the Tynjed Plantation –– as opposed to the Authority Prison."
Kikulon turned to me, put one of his claws on my right shoulder, and said, "I furthermore promote you to the rank 8: Lieutenant Colonel, whether you join the RSS or not." He quickly made a cut in my shoulder. I clenched my fists. Kikulon was an old man. He had very long, powerful claws.
Then he turned to John, "Is that the explanation you were looking for?"
I blinked. rank 6 to rank 8 in a month? Normally I could barely get to rank 7 in two. I had to tell my family. But I could not just leave the Minopell-Z and my Superiors. It would have to wait, although I was...itching, as the Humans say...to inform them of my promotion. On a lesser note, I started to feel this weird, almost telepathic presence all around me...it was probably Kikulon gloating in how he had put Fenebok down, but it felt...almost feminine. Whatever....John began to talk.