"As you were," Raphael said to the boy, then made eye contact with the higher-ranking officer waiting to be given the at-ease himself. "Sir?"
"As you were," Major-General Kabshiel ordered. He placed his hand on Pathiel's shoulder, his expression softening. "Supreme Commander-General Abaddon has just granted me the favor of allowing my only child to be placed under my command."
"Ah … Abaddon?" Raphael frowned. Had he heard wrong? Yes. He must have heard wrong. He decided to remain silent rather than reveal he was either hearing things, or had not heard of something so ground-shaking because he'd been out in the most remote spiral arm in the galaxy on a top-secret mission.
"Good day, Sir," Pathiel tried to mimic his father's stern expression and did not quite manage to suppress a grin. Wh
