you?"
"No. The human interface would've been too slow. Only Symath and mind-to-mind communication made it possible."
"You didn't use chaff, did you?"
"No. That could have sent the missile off course and could have hit the planet. The Lynx has battle steel. The planet doesn't. We have taken away their ability to defend themselves. Now we owe them our protection."
"Yes… I think we would all agree with your reasoning. Unfortunately it would have been several hours too late. Like searching all officers'… and friends' quarters. Admiral Plimson was right to place his faith in you."
* * *
The court martial took two days as each individual's explanation for having the chips required verification. The two who hadn't taken any action admitted that they had been paid and told us of two additional bonuses. One petty officer was found not guilty. He had acquired the chip playing dice. The petty officer who attempted to attack the merchant received a reduction in grade. I recommended and the board agreed that the others be given a dishonorable discharge. The two who discharged the missile were sentenced to the Cerberus pinal colony for life and the others for ten years. The board also recommended an investigation into the bribery.
I hoped that the harsh sentences would serve as a powerful message as to the consequences of acts of mutiny.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Mnemosyne hull finished
One month later the Heavy cruiser, Harpy, and the Light cruiser, Kestrel, entered Freeland space with the regular six-month supplies, parts, personnel replacements, and Riss. Although I had expected some Admiral because of the seriousness of the court martial, I was pleasantly surprised to find Vice Admiral Zann on board.
"Skipper, Admiral Zann is requesting your presence at dinner tonight. Shall I send your acceptance?" Ommen smiled.
"No, tell the Admiral I'm busy," I said. I restrained a grin as Ommen's mouth dropped open. Varisko looked at me and smiled. It was nice to see her coming into her own.
"Oh, on second thought, I need a night out."
Ommen laughed and turned back to his console.
"Varisko, you have the Watch."
"I have the Watch," she repeated. I went to my cabin and called Terril.
"Terril, if you're coming along you better dress up. We're having dinner with the brass." It seemed Terril was a third member of my security whenever I left the ship.
"What are we having for dinner?"
I could almost see her smiling. "Whatever the Admiral fancies." I clicked off and connected to Ommen. "Comm, get me a line to Da'Maass." While I waited, I sat reflecting on the past… twenty months. There had been some dangerous moments, but I could feel the Riss' dream of going to the stars within reach.
Da'Maass's face appeared on my SID. I hit accept.
"Captain Reese, how may I be of help? I know where we can have a wonderful dinner."
"I already have a dinner date. You did say the Mnemosyne hull is finished and ready for inspection. I think my dinner date would like to see it."
His face stiffened. "Yes, dybbuk. It's ready. I think you will be pleased."
"I don't doubt it, Da'Maass. You have worked hard and been a major contributor. Be prepared to give us a tour tomorrow."
"The Mnemosyne will be waiting." He smiled, if a bit forced, and cut the connection.
I shook my head. That was a problem for the future though, and I called Varisko.
"XO, coordinate with Da'Maass. We are going to visit the Mnemosyne tomorrow. Invite captains Pavao and Corbitt, Commander Byer, Colonel Seng, Sa'Arkadi, and the Elders. You are welcome to come and Terril will be part of my security. Tell the Bridge, I promise them a tour soon." I disconnected, spent an
"No. The human interface would've been too slow. Only Symath and mind-to-mind communication made it possible."
"You didn't use chaff, did you?"
"No. That could have sent the missile off course and could have hit the planet. The Lynx has battle steel. The planet doesn't. We have taken away their ability to defend themselves. Now we owe them our protection."
"Yes… I think we would all agree with your reasoning. Unfortunately it would have been several hours too late. Like searching all officers'… and friends' quarters. Admiral Plimson was right to place his faith in you."
* * *
The court martial took two days as each individual's explanation for having the chips required verification. The two who hadn't taken any action admitted that they had been paid and told us of two additional bonuses. One petty officer was found not guilty. He had acquired the chip playing dice. The petty officer who attempted to attack the merchant received a reduction in grade. I recommended and the board agreed that the others be given a dishonorable discharge. The two who discharged the missile were sentenced to the Cerberus pinal colony for life and the others for ten years. The board also recommended an investigation into the bribery.
I hoped that the harsh sentences would serve as a powerful message as to the consequences of acts of mutiny.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Mnemosyne hull finished
One month later the Heavy cruiser, Harpy, and the Light cruiser, Kestrel, entered Freeland space with the regular six-month supplies, parts, personnel replacements, and Riss. Although I had expected some Admiral because of the seriousness of the court martial, I was pleasantly surprised to find Vice Admiral Zann on board.
"Skipper, Admiral Zann is requesting your presence at dinner tonight. Shall I send your acceptance?" Ommen smiled.
"No, tell the Admiral I'm busy," I said. I restrained a grin as Ommen's mouth dropped open. Varisko looked at me and smiled. It was nice to see her coming into her own.
"Oh, on second thought, I need a night out."
Ommen laughed and turned back to his console.
"Varisko, you have the Watch."
"I have the Watch," she repeated. I went to my cabin and called Terril.
"Terril, if you're coming along you better dress up. We're having dinner with the brass." It seemed Terril was a third member of my security whenever I left the ship.
"What are we having for dinner?"
I could almost see her smiling. "Whatever the Admiral fancies." I clicked off and connected to Ommen. "Comm, get me a line to Da'Maass." While I waited, I sat reflecting on the past… twenty months. There had been some dangerous moments, but I could feel the Riss' dream of going to the stars within reach.
Da'Maass's face appeared on my SID. I hit accept.
"Captain Reese, how may I be of help? I know where we can have a wonderful dinner."
"I already have a dinner date. You did say the Mnemosyne hull is finished and ready for inspection. I think my dinner date would like to see it."
His face stiffened. "Yes, dybbuk. It's ready. I think you will be pleased."
"I don't doubt it, Da'Maass. You have worked hard and been a major contributor. Be prepared to give us a tour tomorrow."
"The Mnemosyne will be waiting." He smiled, if a bit forced, and cut the connection.
I shook my head. That was a problem for the future though, and I called Varisko.
"XO, coordinate with Da'Maass. We are going to visit the Mnemosyne tomorrow. Invite captains Pavao and Corbitt, Commander Byer, Colonel Seng, Sa'Arkadi, and the Elders. You are welcome to come and Terril will be part of my security. Tell the Bridge, I promise them a tour soon." I disconnected, spent an
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