“Did you run this past an AI?”
“I don't trust them, sir. After Lemnos … the security AI didn't even know that Wraith was there!” The Veraxin signaled second level discomfort and disbelief. “How is that even possible? It is, was our most secure facility!”
“It was a very secure facility but not the most secure obviously,” the commander replied. “I don't know how much you were cleared, so I'm not going to go into details. Suffice to say it happened and we need to be ever watchful. But I'm not seeing a problem here.”
“Sir,” the Veraxin clacked and pointed to a time chop. A ship jinked from one place to another.
“It could be a bug. It could be a glitch in the simulator software … or yes, something else. Don't immediately jump into the last conclusion though—not without more evidence to back you up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And next time, run this by the XO and your own chain of command before you come straight to me with it,” the commander replied.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“I know. You are used to being a small ship command. But now you're not. Start acting like it, Sh'lna.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. You have the watch in an hour?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good then. Did engineering get that glitch sorted out with the boat bay door?”
“Not that I know of, sir. I haven't seen the log yet.”
“I'll go back there and check it out then. You've got an hour before you are on duty. I suggest you enjoy it, Ensign,” the commander said and turned away. He had a ship to run he thought as he moved off with renewed purpose.
---<>---<>---
After his dinner Admiral Subert nodded to Saul. The young man had stayed near in the restaurant just in case he was needed. It wasn't necessary; the admiral didn't need a babysitter. What he had needed was an escort; he hadn't known Governor Saladin had intended to bring his wife with him. At least, he thought it was the man's wife; it could have been his mistress for all he knew. He frowned thoughtfully and then made a mental note in his implants to have Saul do some discrete checking.
“Everything all right, Commander?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. Things are moving quickly now that you put everyone on notice.”
“Right. The days of idling and coasting are over. We're a fighting force, and it's high time they realized that. If they can't shape up, they damn well better ship out.”
Saul winced. “Commander Decius has resigned his commission,” Saul replied.
The rear admiral blinked at him in surprise. The commander nodded. “I thought he was in hibernation?” he asked suspiciously.
“He was near the end of the cycle. Doctor Thornby had him awakened to let him know about the changes.”
“Ah. I see. Dangerous ….”
“No, sir. As you pointed out, he didn't need to do so many hibernations.”
“So … and Commander Montgomery?”
“He's already put in for a transfer and was cleaning out his office when I last checked.”
“I see. The others should be pretty busy though they undoubtedly will offer some sympathy.”
“Yes, sir. They've worked together for some time now.”
“So it's high time for a good shaking up to air things out. New perspectives, fresh eyes,” the admiral said with a nod. “Do make sure I get a heads-up about needing an escort next time, Saul,” he warned as they walked to the lift.
The commander hesitated and then nodded. “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“No problem, you didn't know. Find someone who I can tap at a moment's notice for such things. Command staff if possible since they have rank, but a discrete civilian may work as well.”
“I'll um, look around, sir.” He hadn't banked on doing that for the man.
The admiral looked at him. “I know you're not a dating service, son. But handling such things goes with the job.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good man. What's next?”
“You need to settle into your quarters, sir. Let the departments get rolling on your orders while you catch up on your personal
“I don't trust them, sir. After Lemnos … the security AI didn't even know that Wraith was there!” The Veraxin signaled second level discomfort and disbelief. “How is that even possible? It is, was our most secure facility!”
“It was a very secure facility but not the most secure obviously,” the commander replied. “I don't know how much you were cleared, so I'm not going to go into details. Suffice to say it happened and we need to be ever watchful. But I'm not seeing a problem here.”
“Sir,” the Veraxin clacked and pointed to a time chop. A ship jinked from one place to another.
“It could be a bug. It could be a glitch in the simulator software … or yes, something else. Don't immediately jump into the last conclusion though—not without more evidence to back you up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And next time, run this by the XO and your own chain of command before you come straight to me with it,” the commander replied.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“I know. You are used to being a small ship command. But now you're not. Start acting like it, Sh'lna.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. You have the watch in an hour?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good then. Did engineering get that glitch sorted out with the boat bay door?”
“Not that I know of, sir. I haven't seen the log yet.”
“I'll go back there and check it out then. You've got an hour before you are on duty. I suggest you enjoy it, Ensign,” the commander said and turned away. He had a ship to run he thought as he moved off with renewed purpose.
---<>---<>---
After his dinner Admiral Subert nodded to Saul. The young man had stayed near in the restaurant just in case he was needed. It wasn't necessary; the admiral didn't need a babysitter. What he had needed was an escort; he hadn't known Governor Saladin had intended to bring his wife with him. At least, he thought it was the man's wife; it could have been his mistress for all he knew. He frowned thoughtfully and then made a mental note in his implants to have Saul do some discrete checking.
“Everything all right, Commander?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. Things are moving quickly now that you put everyone on notice.”
“Right. The days of idling and coasting are over. We're a fighting force, and it's high time they realized that. If they can't shape up, they damn well better ship out.”
Saul winced. “Commander Decius has resigned his commission,” Saul replied.
The rear admiral blinked at him in surprise. The commander nodded. “I thought he was in hibernation?” he asked suspiciously.
“He was near the end of the cycle. Doctor Thornby had him awakened to let him know about the changes.”
“Ah. I see. Dangerous ….”
“No, sir. As you pointed out, he didn't need to do so many hibernations.”
“So … and Commander Montgomery?”
“He's already put in for a transfer and was cleaning out his office when I last checked.”
“I see. The others should be pretty busy though they undoubtedly will offer some sympathy.”
“Yes, sir. They've worked together for some time now.”
“So it's high time for a good shaking up to air things out. New perspectives, fresh eyes,” the admiral said with a nod. “Do make sure I get a heads-up about needing an escort next time, Saul,” he warned as they walked to the lift.
The commander hesitated and then nodded. “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“No problem, you didn't know. Find someone who I can tap at a moment's notice for such things. Command staff if possible since they have rank, but a discrete civilian may work as well.”
“I'll um, look around, sir.” He hadn't banked on doing that for the man.
The admiral looked at him. “I know you're not a dating service, son. But handling such things goes with the job.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good man. What's next?”
“You need to settle into your quarters, sir. Let the departments get rolling on your orders while you catch up on your personal
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