Blood and Fire by David Gerrold Page B

When we picked up its first distress signal, we unsealed the manifest—and it was obvious they were out here working on something extremely toxic. Something that we didn’t want the Morthans to know about.”
    Parsons looked directly to her Morthan security chief. “Clearly, what is going on out here is critical war research, Mr. Brik. Critical . We don’t know what knowledge they developed. If anything. But whatever they discovered, whatever they found out, they paid a very high price for it. The ultimate price. If we destroy that ship now, then all that knowledge is lost, and those people will be dying in vain. So will our crewmates. I’m not giving the order to destroy that ship until we can successfully download her log. Whatever they discovered, if we don’t bring that information back, then we’ll be betraying our even more important imperative to support the prosecution of this war to our fullest ability. Do you understand that, Mr. Brik?”
    Brik nodded curtly. “May I speak?”
    Parsons raised an eyebrow. A questioning look.
    Brik rumbled, “There is the very real possibility that while we are delaying the termination of the Norway , the bloodworms will find a way to cross the transfer tube—repulsor fields or no repulsor fields—and infest the Star Wolf .”

    â€œI’m aware of the danger, Mr. Brik. I believe I know something more of the bloodworms than you do.” Ignoring him deliberately then, she turned back to Williger. “Tell me, Doctor. Suppose we download the log of the Norway and find something in it that demonstrates a way to contain the plasmacytes or treat a plasmacyte infection—would you take the chance? Would you try to save our shipmates?”
    Williger didn’t answer, but the pain showed in her face as she thought about the question. Finally, she wiped her nose roughly and said, “You’re grasping at straws, Captain. You’re looking for hope where there’s no reason to—”
    â€œJust answer it, Molly,” Parsons said, with sudden gentleness. “If there’s a way, would you take the chance?”
    â€œAs a fleet officer ... I wouldn’t, because I wouldn’t violate our standing orders.” She hesitated uncomfortably and added, “But as a doctor ... I can’t turn my back on a patient in need.”
    Parsons nodded. “So if I ordered you to take the chance, what would you do?”
    â€œWhat are you thinking of, Captain?”
    â€œJust answer the question, Doctor.”
    â€œI would follow your orders,” Williger said carefully.
    â€œThank you.” Parsons’ tone was equally careful. “So if I asked you to analyze the records of the Norway , I could depend on you to evaluate the risks to the Star Wolf fairly?”
    â€œCaptain,” Williger said stiffly, “I’m offended that you would even ask these questions.”
    â€œI understand your offense, Doctor. You need to understand that for me to make an appropriate decision, I need to know not only what I’m dealing with, but the feelings of my command-level officers as well, because that’s part of the process. I can’t make a commitment to anything unless I know who I can depend on. I already know that I cannot depend on Mr. Brik—”
    â€œI take offense at that, Captain,” Brik growled. Literally growled .
    â€œAs well you should. But understand something—suppose there is a way to rescue our shipmates. Suppose I decide that we should take that risk. I will be violating a Class-Red standing order. Even if we succeed, I will face a Board of Inquiry at the very least, and quite possibly a full court-martial. Even if acquitted, my career as a command officer will be over. Do the both of you understand? I am considering trading my career for the lives of our shipmates. It is possible that just by having this conversation with you, I am ending my career,