Rex felt his heart beating in his chest as he quickly paced down the hall inside HMS Shi-Cho There was an unnatural breeze caused by the ac unit, but Rex was hot. He could feel the blood coursing through his veins as he walked, and sweat beads were forming on his forehead. He was stressed. He was about to commit treason.
In a few days, his father, King Heath Valhoun, was going to attend a meeting with two Imperials from different factions. Rex knew that Heath would not cooperate with the men. This was something that could not stand. The Elysium Empire was failing under Heath's leadership, and they needed more allies, not enemies, or even competition. So Rex was going to speak with Commodore Burtch and do whatever necessary to convince him to demand a meeting with The King. Just enough of a distraction that would allow Rex himself to attend the Imperial meeting.
He worked his way down the hall, passing what seemed like hundreds of personnel. He never made eye contact. Not once. It felt like the length of a Nuna-ball field, but it was really only some 45 yards before he finally reached Burtch's quarters. He slipped in, without knocking, and immediately found the Chiss Admiral sitting at a desk. The Chiss Admiral rose to his feet, not in surprise, but to salute Rex. Rex Returned the salute promptly, still not accustomed to being saluted everywhere he went.
The Admiral returned to his seat and Rex spoke, "Vice Admiral Burtch. Congratulations on your promotion." Rex took a moment to think about his words, then continued, "Burtch, I will not mince my words nor hide my intentions. I need you to demand a meeting with my father. I need you to keep him busy for a day, so that I will take over his place in a meeting. I can give you whatever you need for you to accomplish this task. Is this order understood and accepted?"
