Another Honorverse story. Warning this story contains spoilers for A Rising Thunder, as I have already read it with the eARC. So you may not understand this until you either get the eARC yourself or actually get the book.
Summary:
Thomas Theisman is a man of integrity, honor, and truth. He saved Haven from it the Committee, held off the manticorians when they were enemies, forgave them when they became allies, and is instrumental in the ability for 'The Grand Alliance' and 'The Grand Fleet' to function.
But there is something which both people and even treecats don't understand. Underneath all of the awards, the honor, the high ranking position and the calm collected exterior what is there? In the fragile moments after all the rough spots, like combat or that confrontation with Ransom, what drives him to be the person he is?
More importantly, why does everyone never try to see beneath the mask? Are they afraid they'll find nothing there, or are they afraid they'll find everything... and change the way they see a simple military man forever?
A high pitched squeal of delight rang across the lawn as a young girl, with blonde hair and crystal blue eyes caught the Frisbee and took off running.
A bunch of treecats raced after her, intending to steal it and obviously play keep-away.
Honor Harrington smiled as she sat back as she watched Katherine and Raoul run around with a large gaggle of fur trying to corner them. She took a sip of water, her artificial eye twitching and bringing into focus the amazing amount security guards and armsmen (and armswomen) posted around the lawn.
Think we were preparing for an assault... she thought and her eye returned to normal to look over her guests.
Lester Tourville and Mercedes Brigham sat to one side, talking quietly over their drinks, sweet ice tea. Alice Truman, Alfredo Yu, Warner Caslet and Oliver Diamato were sitting together of the grass, actually reviewing some sort of board game, which looked a lot like the complicated version of HyperWar, a popular strategy game which pitting imaginary starships against one another.
Honor turned to look around and found the last two people present.
Hamish Alexander-Harrington was standing under a Manticorian Oak tree, it leaves providing shade from the sunlight. He wasn't wearing anything fancy, nobody was for that matter, for this was just a simple gathering of friends. He was chatting with Thomas Theisman and the two's Mind-Glows radiated happiness and curiosity, with a touch of seriousness. Honor wouldn't be surprised if they were discussing something about the First Manticorian-Havenite War.
That when a loud 'bleek' cut through the air and everyone turned as Lurks In Branches snatched the Frisbee and took off with two kids and more tree cats in pursuit. The 'cat turned in two circles before the Frisbee went flying.
Lurks of Branches, so far, was new to the Frisbee and hasn't quite gotten the hang of throwing it. The Frisbee with an accuracy Honor wasn't sure was possible for a mis-throw, flew towards the Havenite Secretary of War like a missile of a preprogrammed attack run.
Thomas almost didn't have time to react. But Honor felt his Mind-Glow change as he caught the flying disc in his right hand before it hit his face. He smiled and sent the Frisbee back the way it came, it barely clearing Raoul's head as it somehow dodged the agile treecats and went rolling over the lawn.
Honor was slightly surprised at the Admiral, as he had never even touched a Frisbee before. They weren't hard to figure out, but it took time to learn how throw the Frisbee in the way Thomas did. She shrugged and turned to Lester as he stated to ask her a question and everyone turned back to what they were doing.
Thomas Theisman caught the Frisbee and felt the slight sting the plastic toy left in his hand. He smiled as the group of treecats and children stumbled to a halt a safe distance from the Havenite.
He felt his grin grow slightly evil and remembering the way Honor had thrown the Frisbee to show him Nimitz's tricks he returned the disc through the air, watching as it flew with great speed over young Raoul's head and the gaggle stumbled after it.
"Not bad, Admiral." White Haven commented nodding as Samantha pounced on the Frisbee and Free Wind, Warner Caslet's treecat, tackled Sam and the two caused a pile up of 'cat on the toy. "Considering you've never touched one before. I thought for sure Lurks would have knocked you out cold with that misthrow."
Theisman glanced back at Hamish and then said, "If you think..." his voice ominously low and his blue eyes dark, "that you can rid of me that easily, I'm afraid that it won't work. Your technique is highly irrelevant and totally immature."
"Oh?" Hamish asked his own tone dropping slightly about 10 degrees, "And in which way do you wish to go? I'm sure Honor would love to spar with you."
The Havenite turned his nose up and sniffed in distain. "No, let's keep the uncivilized form of death that your wife practices out of this, I say we do it the fair way." He paused until Hamish quirked an eyebrow. "Let's go up into space, and like proper military officers, diplomatically work this out with our missile pods. I can beat you any day."
Hamish snorted and rubbed his chin in obvious thought. Then he looked back up, his crystal blue eyes glowing with a strange sort of twinkle. "Is that a threat or a promise?"
Thomas crossed him arms standing a little taller, though he was still shorter than the Manticorian and nodded once. "It's a promise."
"Well in that case I'll have my missile pods ready by the end of the day." Hamish said sincerely. "In the mean time I think I should report you to the President, no doubt you..."
Thomas Theisman didn't even hear the last part of his sentence, became in the moment he saw something streak towards them.
In all fairness, Thomas as observant as he was couldn't exactly read minds or sense emotions. He had seen no hand movements, heard no commands and saw no glances.
But that didn't mean he knew exactly what had happened when an 8.5 kg creamy brown blur jumped into his chest.
The Havenite let out a startled cry and fell backwards as Samantha weigh made him lose balance. He fell down as Hamish's bonded 'cat rapped herself around him and her agile fingers found his armpits.
The second he hit the ground he had burst out laughing and Thomas tried, unspectacularly, to stop the 'cat from tickling him. He wasn't usually ticklish, as he and his former roommate at the Naval School on Haven had discovered when said roommate had ambushed Theisman in their room. That day had always stayed with him as one of the more memorable moments of his midshipman days.
Now he laughed and tried to say something, but failed and he caught a glance of the 'Got-What-You-Deserve' look on Hamish's face. Finally after an eternity and a half, Samantha stopped and swarmed into her person's arms purring loudly, a smug look on her face.
Thomas sat up and almost immediately started to cough as his lungs inflated painfully after that torture inflicted by the treecat. He finally stopped and looked around at the others and all of them seemed a little to intently focused on anything except him.
"Alright, you win." Thomas said and Hamish held out a hand and he took it, standing and fixing the ruffled off duty uniform.
Thomas heard a loud chuckle from what sounded Alfredo Yu and he looked up at him, but as fate had it, the former Peep gone Grayson was moving one his pawns on the board to a different position with a look of puzzlement and concentration.
Thomas shrugged and snorted as the Frisbee was thrown towards him by Nimitz. He caught it and threw it to Katherine, who was able to catch it and throw it to Waking Wind, Alfredo Yu's 'cat and brother to Free Wind, who did a flip caught it and started playing tug-of-war with Raoul Alexander-Harrington.
"Hey Tom!" It was Honor and he turned around as Honor motioned him over. "Lester and me were just beating around a few questions, mind helping?"
"Not at all." The Havenite replied, blue eyes warming with a friendly glow as he walked over to the pair.
Hope you like it so far, multi-chaptered story. This one I intend to finish.