Address criticisms to[xazqrten@cox.net]*****************************
1725 in Ivanova's stateroom: Susan had finished reading the legal papers, and looked across her office at White. "They're suing me for more than I'll make in several lifetimes. What's the point?" "The money is just an issue that forces us to go to court. I think their real intention is to use the media circus this will generate to trash President Luchenko, the general officer corps, and the military in general. They're part of the xenophobic faction that would like to force Earth to withdraw from the IA and any dealings with aliens and their governments." "Then I’ve become a really ‘hot’ political potato. Every time I think I'm getting a step ahead, the universe sees fit to kick me in the teeth, very viciously." "It's not all that bad, General Wayne. The recordings that General Marsh gave me clearly shows that the whole idea of the match was Arkland's idea to escape punishment for charges that are clearly insubordination, possibly attempted mutiny, and treason. I think his parents will rethink their position when they become aware of what we have on him." "This lawsuit is only a nuisance. I'm referring to something else completely, Mister White. And... please call me Susan." "Is this other thing personal, or would you want to talk about it. As your attorney, anything you say to me is confidential, and even a court of law can't force me to reveal it." "Yes, it's personal, but I want to talk to someone who has no connection to any of it. You fill that bill." Then she told him about her many tragedies, including word of her husband's death earlier that day. White sat and listened, saying nothing. Years of legal and counseling experience had taught him that many times all one wanted was someone to use as a sounding board. The last thing they needed was advice. Susan fit that description. "You haven't told anyone onboard about the accident, have you?" "No. I want to get through the next few days with as little distraction as possible. Having people telling me how they feel about my situation, and having them try to give comfort, will only exacerbate the situation. When we're finished here, I'll let go." "Command is a lonely position. I don't think I really understood that until I came aboard the Ares and watched you. This discussion puts a real face on it. Your job... I wouldn't want for twice my annual salary. Unlike the President, you actually have to make the final life and death decisions, and... if you're wrong, you can't blame it on bad advice from your subordinates." Susan responded, "On the other hand, does the President ever actually have the last word on really important decisions? She has the legislature and public opinion, with all that entails, to deal with. And... the pay absolutely bites." At this point, White began to discuss particulars of his planned defense. It would be spearheaded by an attack on the Arkland boy's actions onboard Ares, and his lack of adequate performance while serving in his capacity as an aide to the board of inquiry. He also outlined an attack on the boy's parents and how their prior actions had led him to believe that normal standards of conduct were inapplicable to him. The cover-ups and payoffs would be devastating to the public image of the Arklands. He noted that some of them might even be in violation of the law. Susan and White had been conversing for about twenty-five minutes when there came a knock at her door. "Come in, Captain Owens," said Susan. Owens entered, and asked, "How did you know it was me, general?" Susan just tapped the side of her head in response. "I knew you could block, sir, but I didn't realize you could scan." "I can't, Pat. Sometimes I can get a feel for what someone is thinking, but it's nothing like a scan. I detected your curiosity that Mister White had not been chased out of my stateroom." "I've been told that General Sanchez is going to hold a briefing for the politicians and news people at 1800 hours. Are you going to attend?" "Why? I already know what we did today, seeing as how I did it. What would be the point?" "They plan to have a Q&A session immediately following the briefing." "Even more reason for me to stay away. By the way, weren't you supposed to relieve me of command earlier this afternoon?" "Yes. It seems to have been sidetracked." Susan stood up and came around her desk. "We can do it now. This time it's for keeps." "I don't know. They wanted a ceremony." "Computer, record the following as an official record of change of command of EAS Ares. Transfer all command functions to Captain Patrick Owens, Earthforce, effective immediately. Captain Owens, I relinquish command of EAS Ares, effective immediately." Somewhat pensive, Owens said, "I assume command of EAS Ares, effective immediately." Susan finished with, "I stand relieved of command of EAS Ares. She's all yours, Captain Owens. I will vacate this office and stateroom immediately." "That can wait until we return to Earth, and you depart the ship." "Then as commanding officer of this ship, don't you think you should attend the briefing?" Without further conversation, Owens started to leave the room. "Captain Owens," Susan called, "Would you please return the data pad on the couch to General Leftcourt. He forgot and left it here earlier." Owens then departed the room. "That was quick and simple," noted White. "It served its purpose, Mister White. It wasn't much, but it was a legal change of command, and that's all that counts." Susan activated her link with CIC. "Find the captain of the EAS Sinclair. If he is ambulatory, I want to see him in the captain's stateroom. Also, I have transferred command of the Ares to Captain Owens. Contact him for anything concerning the ship that doesn't concern today's combat activities or the medical efforts now in progress." ************************************** 1800 in the main gymnasium onboard EAS Ares: General Sanchez stood at a podium that had been hastily set up at one end of the gym. A large display screen was situated overhead. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you will give me your attention for a minute." Slowly the sound of conversation died out. Senator Mathers looked at General Sanchez and said, "You seem more congenial than the Ivanova woman." "I wouldn't make any hasty assumptions, senator. This briefing is meant to explain things you have witnessed today in context. During the briefing, things that are considered highly classified will be highlighted. These things are not approved for discussion or reporting in the press. To do so will constitute treason. Please believe me when I tell you that I say that in all seriousness. We have assembled the information for our sense of perspective as much as for yours. Please roll the video." What followed was a replay of much of the pertinent video that they had all seen earlier in the day. What was present this time were explanations of just what they had seen, with certain data highlighted as classified. The crowd of people sat quietly watching and listening. Forty-five minutes later when the lights were raised again, General Sanchez again stood behind the podium. "I will now take questions from you, one at a time. Please restrain the questioning to what was covered in the briefing. The President will not be answering any personal or political questions, so address your questions to me." Senator Mathers and others found out quickly that Sanchez was every bit as contentious as Ivanova was when it concerned classified information. As the briefing broke up, Owens stepped up to Leftcourt, handed him a data pad and said, "General Leftcourt. I have relieved General Ivanova as commanding officer of the Ares. General Ivanova said you left this on her couch, and asked me to return it." Leftcourt looked at him for a moment, took the data pad, then thoughtfully replied, "Thank you, Captain Owens. Where is Susan at the moment?" "She's in her - or rather - my office finishing up reports on today's activities, writing special evaluations, making recommendations for special awards and recognition for performances of duty above and beyond the call of duty. From what I gathered, she'll be working all night trying to get a handle on it. She doesn't even have all the data yet. Personally, I think she's burying herself in her duties, but I haven't a clue as to why. I've seen her do it before, general." "Congratulations on your first command, Captain Owens. I only wish it were under different circumstances," said General Sanchez, offering his hand. Owens shook it and replied, "Thank you, General Sanchez." President Luchenko approached Leftcourt and said, "I thought Ivanova would be here." "She's busy with other duties. She handed command over to Captain Owens a short while ago." "I suppose that means I won't be seeing her again before I depart?" "There's no reason for her to see you, Madam President. If I remember correctly, she handed us her resignation this morning. She even gave you her insignia and jacket. Her handing over command to Captain Owens makes her a civilian now. I thought you would be elated. Is there a problem?" Then handing the data pad to Charles Luchenko, he continued, "I believe this is yours. It would appear that she never even looked at it." Charles took the data pad and replied, "Somehow, I'm not surprised." "What have you two been up to?" asked President Luchenko. "General Leftcourt left the data pad on the couch in the captain's office. He wanted to get her response to the information. For whatever reason, she didn't even bother to look at it," answered her husband. "I'm not at all surprised," replied his wife. The men looked at her with confused expressions. "Why not?" asked Leftcourt. "As you so succinctly pointed out, she is maybe the best tactician in Earthforce. She obviously saw through your ploy," laughed President Luchenko. Leftcourt made a face, and replied, "Touché." "It's time we got people loaded and on their way back to Earth, General Leftcourt. Also, I would like to see Ivanova before I board the shuttle," said President Luchenko. The men looked at her in amazement, as if they were having trouble believing what they had just heard. "It's only a request, Tom." "I'll see if I can convince her." **************************************** 1900 in Ivanova's stateroom: After watching the man in front of her desk trying to hide his pain as he attempted a semblance of standing at attention, Ivanova said, "Sit down on the couch, captain." Captain Gary Denson, arm in a cast, with his chest heavily bandaged and walking with the aid of a crutch, gladly lowered himself onto Ivanova's couch. "What can I do for you, General Ivanova?" He asked, wincing in pain. "Tell me about what you did today, and why? You may or may not know that charges have been filed against you for willfully disobeying a lawful order, causing the deaths of almost half of your crew, the injury of most of the rest and essentially the destruction of your ship. I'm curious, to say the least, to know your train of thought during this situation." "I'm going to be court-martialed, General Ivanova. You're probably going to be involved in it. What you're asking of me is suicide." "I'd say that you've already accomplished that. I'll make the stipulation that anything you tell me can't be used in your trial by the prosecution. Will that suffice?" Looking defeated, but proud, Denson replied, "Yes sir." Denson was still talking when Leftcourt, Sanchez and Marsh knocked on Ivanova's door and entered the room. "Are we interrupting anything important?" asked Marsh. "Captain Denson was explaining his actions, his decisions and the logic of the situation that led him to act as he did earlier today. I think the topic is important, General Marsh. I told him that what he tells me stays with me. I won't allow it to be used in his trial." "You're the senior officer involved with the events of today, Susan. As such, it's your call," replied Leftcourt. "I'd like to know those things myself. How about you fellows?" he asked Marsh and Sanchez. They nodded assent. "Tell them what you told me, Captain Denson. They won't be involved in your trial either." Denson started at the beginning, and quickly ran through the questions put to him. It only took about ten minutes. When he had finished with his explanations, he said, "I'd do the same thing again in similar circumstances, General Ivanova. Sometimes the right decision isn't the safe one." Looking at the heavy hardware looking back at him, Denson waited to be taken down. It never came. "Susan, President Luchenko asked me to request that you attend her departure," said Leftcourt. "Requested? Has Doctor Harris had a chance to examine her?" "It's not a joke, Susan." Looking like a major storm about to break, Ivanova replied, "If it'll make you happy, I'll do it." Then looking at Denson, she said, "Captain Denson, make yourself comfortable here. I want to talk with you when I return." "Yes Sir," he replied. Susan led the others in filing out of the room. Just before he pulled the door shut, Sanchez leaned back into the room, looked at Denson and smiled. "You're home free, Captain. She likes you." Denson looked at the door, and wondered what in hell General Sanchez was talking about. ********************************* 1915 in a passageway on Ares: Susan was walking almost three meters in front of Leftcourt, Sanchez and Marsh. She was moving quickly and silently with a catlike movement. Sanchez was watching her walk and thought to himself, [What a beautiful ass. What I wouldn't give for just... .] "I heard that, General Sanchez," said Susan derailing his train of thought. "My husband used to tell me the same thing every time we made love." Sanchez's mouth opened, but nothing came out. Leftcourt and Marsh exchanged puzzled glances with Sanchez and each other. "What’s she talking about?" Asked Leftcourt. "You didn't say anything." Sanchez answered their questioning looks, "I was thinking about... ." Susan cut him off, "He was thinking about what a nice ass I have, and what he would do if given the opportunity." "I thought telepaths had to be on a line of sight to scan someone," said Marsh. "What are you talking about, Susan. How would you know what he's thinking?" asked Leftcourt. Without slowing down, she replied, "It should be getting painfully obvious, General Leftcourt. My ‘latent’ telepathic ability is beginning to rear its ugly head. No, I can't read minds, yet. But... I can hear very intense thoughts and feel intense emotions. And... yes, I can tell if you're lying to me." Leftcourt whistled. "This puts a different face on everything. President Luchenko will have a fit when she finds out." "Why? She doesn't know anything that would interest me. Besides, when we get back, I'll be getting a job with Lyta and the people she represents. With any luck, I'll be off Earth and out of EA space before the week is out." "If she’ll upset President Luchenko, think about the terror she will strike into the other politicians," commented Marsh. "Why doesn't the idea of me being a full blown telepath bother you guys?" "We know you, Susan," offered Sanchez. "You have proven yourself to us many times over the years." "He's correct, Susan. People usually fear telepaths because they're afraid of the advantage they perceive them having. You have had plenty of opportunity to take advantage of situations presented to you in the past. You've never done that. Why should you be any different now?" summarized Leftcourt. "By the way, you spoke of your husband in the past tense. What don't we know?" "I was informed by General Maddy that Charley was killed in an automobile accident at ten-twenty our time this morning," responded Susan. General Sanchez looked thoughtful, then said, "That's not possible, Susan. At ten-twenty they would have still been descending to the surface. It would have been at least eleven hundred hours before they could have possibly passed through immigration/customs inspection." "Maybe there was a misunderstanding about the time, but I'm sure he wouldn't have notified me if he didn't have good information," replied Susan. "I'll check with him after we see President Luchenko off," said Leftcourt. All during this conversation they had been walking toward transport tube. **************************************** 1930 in hanger bay one aboard Ares: Susan and her escorts arrived as the senators and congressmen were boarding the shuttle. She keyed her communications system and contacted CIC. "Put me in contact with Whitestar 71." Susan was surprised to see the other flag officers there. General Ames, Fitzgerald and the others. Maybe all Luchenko wanted was to show everyone who was boss. She snickered derisively to herself at the thought. Then she noticed the Lukens woman and her son approaching. Stepping away from the rest of the flag officers she scooped up the boy and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sorry we didn't get to go on the tour I promised." The boy put his arms around her neck and snuggled tightly to her. "He likes you, captain," said his mother. "I'm not the captain anymore. I turned command of the ship over to Captain Owens just over an hour ago," replied Ivanova. "I'm just a plain everyday general now." Several of the generals snickered at this remark. "I don't think 'plain' or 'everyday' presents an accurate picture, General Ivanova," commented Ames. "You can say that in spades, General Ames," remarked Sanchez. "Did you enjoy your nap in my bed?" asked Susan. Sean shook his head yes. "Now you can tell your friends you shared a captain's bed," cooed Susan. By this time the others around them were starting to laugh at the humor. That came to a quick halt as President Luchenko, her husband, her aide and her secret service escort arrived. Her body guards had kept their distance and then some while she was aboard in deference to ship's security. Later, the head of her security detail would admit it was the safest she had been during her term in office to date. "Gentlemen, line up and come to attention," ordered Leftcourt. Susan ignored Leftcourt and continued to pay attention to the youngster in her arms. Leftcourt said nothing. He understood that Susan was legally a civilian now, in spite of the fact that she was working her ass off to get all the details of the day's fiasco wrapped up. On paper she might be a civilian, but in her actions she was every bit as much a flag officer as any of the others present. He was deep in thought about how to convince her to change her mind when President Luchenko stepped in front of him. "A credit for your thoughts, Tom." "I was just wondering what I might do to keep Susan from leaving the service." Susan had walked the Lukens woman up to the stairway to the entrance of the shuttle. She was handing Sean back to his mother and could not hear the exchange between President Luchenko and General Leftcourt. Kissing the youngster one last time, Susan wistfully walked down the stairway to where Luchenko and Leftcourt were conversing. Luchenko turned and found herself face to face with the indomitable Susan Ivanova. She had expected a look of hatred, but what she saw was neutral expression. There was no fire in the eyes looking at her, only the look of someone who was weary and tired. Luchenko looked Susan in the eyes and said, "I'm sorry about your husband. It was on the newscast." Ivanova's expression never changed, but Luchenko understood that the tired and weary look reflected the knowledge of which she spoke. "So am I," responded Susan. Luchenko's aide moved to stand beside her and handed her a uniform jacket with a brigadier general's insignia on it. While still locking gazes with Ivanova, Luchenko, in a quite level voice said, "I would consider it a great personal favor if you would put this back on... on your terms." Leftcourt could hardly believe what he had just heard. Surely, he must have imagined it. He gave a sidelong glance to his fellow officers and saw their faces showing expressions of confusion, so, he hadn't imagined it. Luchenko continued, "This has been an unusual day... a very unusual day. I think that maybe we have all learned something, whether we wanted to or not." Then she handed Ivanova the jacket. Still looking weary and tired and now slightly confused, Susan put her jacket back on. "Thank you," said President Luchenko, offering Susan her hand. Susan shook hands with her and then Luchenko started up the stairway. Her husband stepped up to Ivanova and offered her his hand. "This has been a day to remember, General Ivanova... in more ways than you might think." Susan shook his hand, but said nothing. Charles smiled broadly and moved to catch up to his wife. The aide stepped up to Ivanova and said, "No offense, general, but you are one kick-butt lady." Susan smiled at him as she shook his hand. As the last of the President's entourage went up the stairway, Susan turned to walk away, only to find herself facing a cadre of flag officers. She just looked at them, waiting for one of them to say something. "How did you do that?" asked Leftcourt. "How did I do what?" asked Susan in return. "President Luchenko as much as apologized to you, and what's with you doing her a favor... on your terms. Honestly, Susan, the two of you confuse the hell out of me." "Good." "What kind of answer is that?" inquired Sanchez. "It's a Kosh answer, General." "Your telepath friend said I wouldn't have liked him for that very reason." "She's probably correct." "What made you agree to do her the favor, Susan?" asked General Ames. "She was sincere about it. It was a from-the-heart request," answered Ivanova. "How could you know that?" asked Fitzgerald. Susan tapped the side of her head in response. "She's a telepath, gentlemen," responded Marsh. "Albeit a reluctant one." This statement caused all of the officers to look at Susan again. It made her feel like a specimen under a microscope. She returned their stares, saying, "It's not as if I have any choice in the matter." They continued to stare in silence for about a minute before Leftcourt asked, "Do any of you have a problem with this?" All of them answered negative, but General Ames added, "Tom, I know some people who are going to have a crap hemorrhage when they hear about this." "We just won't advertise it. When they do learn of it, they'll just have to learn to live with it," replied Leftcourt. "If you guys are through staring, I have a lot of work to do." as she finished talking, her contemporaries moved aside to let her pass. "HEY! BOBBY! DON'T FORGET THE LUGGAGE FROM THIS MORNING!" Yelled a corporal from the side of the hanger bay closest to the shuttle. Susan and the other officers turned to see what the shouting was all about. Susan walked over to the corporal and asked, "Who's luggage is that, Corporal?" The young man turned to see who had addressed him and snapped to attention, "Sir, it is luggage belonging to the JAG personnel. There wasn't enough room for all of it on their shuttle. We were going to send it down on the next shuttle, but the ship got underway before we could do that, sir!" "Are there any bags in there belonging to Charles Wayne?" "No sir, general. We checked all the tags. They all belong to the JAG personnel, sir." "Thank you, corporal." Susan turned and walked away from the young man. She smiled to herself, as it occurred to her that he probably wasn't accustomed to having a general walk up to him and ask questions like she had just done. "Tell me, when do the surprises about her stop jumping up and smacking me in the chops?" asked Fitzgerald. "With her, there is no way to tell," answered Sanchez. "Now, gents, I think it's time we got back to preparing for this board of inquiry." "What do you think she has in mind for Captain Denson?" asked Marsh. "I think she's going to tell him he has been a bad boy and offer him a new assignment. He disobeyed Cashdollar's orders and put himself, his ship and his crew in danger trying to buy the lives of more than a million people," noted Sanchez. "She demands the best her people have to offer and gets it. I think in his place, she would have done the same thing. What would you guys have done in those circumstances?" he asked. They hemmed and hawed for a minute, but no one gave any definitive answer. "That's what I thought," commented Leftcourt. "All of you have doubts, because if you survive the decision, your career is probably going to be destroyed by Monday-morning quarterbacks. People like Susan and Captain Denson don't worry about those things. They do what they believe is the right thing, and the devil be damned. My guess is that since Captain Owens is retiring in about fourteen months, about the time we expect the Ares to be ready for post- availability shakedown, she'll offer Captain Denson command of the Ares." "When did she get that much clout? I mean, since when does a brigadier general hand out starship commands?" asked Fitzgerald. "You should have paid more attention to what passed between Susan and President Luchenko. For whatever it's worth, Luchenko is now an Ivanova supporter. Besides, by the time the Ares is ready to get underway on her next deployment, Ivanova will have her second star, and maybe even a nomination for the third. People in high places have big plans for her, her being a telepath not withstanding," commented Sanchez, Looking at Leftcourt as he made the last part of his statement. "She's very special, gentlemen," noted Leftcourt, turning to walk away from the group. "And, as Manuel said, you have an investigation to accomplish." *********************************** 2000 hours in Ivanova's stateroom: As Susan sat down behind her desk she looked over at Denson. The pain he was enduring was evident in his facial expression. "I won't keep you long, captain. Your punishment is my responsibility. Cashdollar wants you court-martialed but, that's not his decision to make. You blatantly disobeyed orders, and you have explained you logic and reasoning for this incident. It has cost you your ship and about half of your crew. I won't deny that in your place, I would have made the same decision you did, but that's not what is at issue here. Earthforce cannot afford to have senior officers go off half-cocked just because they don't agree with their superior officer's method of accomplishing a task. Think about it, how would you react, with your XO, if he disagreed with you and didn't follow your orders. Just think about that for a minute, and I think you will agree that you have to be disciplined." Looking her straight in the face, Denson said, "I agree with the requirement for me to be punished. I never had any doubts about that, General Ivanova. I expressed as much to my XO when I gave the orders that resulted in my ship being so heavily damaged. Whatever you decide, I take full responsibility for my actions earlier today. They weren't legal, but as I told the other senior officers, if I was faced with the same or similar set of circumstances again, I would make the same decision again. I will do so in the future. There are responsibilities that you can't, in good conscience, ignore, regardless of the consequences." It was obvious that just breathing was causing Denson great pain, but he would not shrink from her or the pain. "I've been there and seen what can happen for expediency, Captain Denson. When Captain John Sheridan went to war with Clark's government, he faced the same situation then that you did today. In our case if we lost or were captured, our lives were forfeit. Captain Sheridan's decision cost him his career, for expediency." "If you want my career, it's yours, general. I did what I had to do. I didn't see any other choice. We were being destroyed anyway." "I know, and you are fortunate, Captain Denson. I don't have to be expedient. What I do with you is my business, and my decisions will be final." Denson looked her in the eyes and didn't flinch. He was prepared for his career to end in the next few minutes. He had known it would come to this when he had disobeyed Cashdollar's orders, no matter how bad they were. He had danced the dance, now it was time to pay the piper. "What do you think I should do with you, captain?" Denson had expected anything, but this. "I don't know, Sir." "Come now, captain. Surely you've held mast on some of your people. I've held mast on at least one of mine, and I have the best crew in the fleet. Think about the masts you've held. I know there must be one or two that involved someone not following orders from a superior." "I have had to do that, but it's not always cut and dried, general. I've had more that one case where I dismissed the charges because even though the disobeyed order was a legal order, it was a badly thought out order that would have caused other problems. You have to take each case on its own merits." "I agree, Captain Denson. You are dismissed. I’ll want to see you again before I depart the ship." As he got up and tried to stand at attention, he asked, "What about my punishment?" "It's already been taken care of, captain. You better see the doctor about getting some more pain-killers." Denson had been gone less than five minutes when Leftcourt knocked and entered the room. "I see you’re finished with Captain Denson. What did you do to him for punishment?" "Nothing. What he did was nothing more than what Captain Sheridan and I did when we led the rebellion. He made the same decision I would have made in his place. His ship would have been destroyed if he had followed Cashdollar's orders. He simply chose to make his and his crew's deaths meaningful. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions, general. Captain Denson is one of those who understands that. He put his duty to the constitution and his people - human colonists on Mars in this case - above his personal considerations. I can't fault that. As for punishment, the responsibility for the lives lost on his ship today will be with him for the rest of his life. As a former starship captain, surely you understand that." Leftcourt sat on the couch and studied Ivanova for a minute. "You disapprove of my actions?" queried Ivanova. "Would you care?" "No." "I didn't think so. You have a moral compass that not many have, including me. Somehow, I think you've found another one." "So do I." "For what it's worth, I would've made the same decision that he did. He'll make a good skipper for the Ares when she comes out of the yards." "I'm glad you agree." "The others are wondering how you got so much clout." "What makes them think I have any clout?" "Your relationship with Luchenko and me for starters." "They’re badly mistaken. I have even fewer stars than they have. They have their wires crossed." "It shook them up a bit that you're a real telepath." "Is that as opposed to an artificial one?" "Why did you say that President Luchenko was sincere in her request?" "From everything I could gather, the woman hates me, or at least she did. There was something in her demeanor that was different down there in the hanger bay. I felt something from her, but I'm not sure what it was. She doesn't know that I'm a real telepath. Therefore, I assume she made no efforts to hide her true thoughts. Apparently, those thoughts were strong enough to bleed through my mental shields. I don't know why she changed her opinion of me, and I really don't care. Maybe having to deal with Denson and Cashdollar, her and the other politicians and news people on this excursion has caused me to see some things in a different light." "It sounds to me like you have had an awakening of sorts. I'd say it was for the better. You seem to have lost some of your hard edge. Commanding two starships, and the experiences you've had during that time, has matured you considerably. A couple of years ago you were this ramrod captain, stiff as a piece of raw steel. Today you're more like a well tempered sword or a well seasoned piece of oak. You'll get even better when you get into your next assignment." "I still have difficulty visualizing myself running a ‘pork-chop’ operation. Would you care for a salad, some soup and a sandwich, general?" Leftcourt's stomach reminded him that he hadn't had anything since the delayed lunch. "If you insist. Susan, I want to use your communications unit to call Earthforce headquarters." "Be my guest, general." She signaled her steward and ordered up some supper. Mary was ahead of her and already had the food ready to serve. By the time Mary had set the table, Leftcourt had a circuit established with Earthforce Headquarters. Looking out of the display screen at him, with a puzzled expression on his face, was a young lieutenant colonel. "What can I do for you General Leftcourt?" asked the young man. "General Maddy called General Ivanova today and informed her of her husband's death. I'm trying to determine his information source." "Sir, General Maddy and his chief of staff left about an hour ago. He left us a long list of items we need to expedite ASAP in support of your efforts at Mars. He left us a number at which he can be reached, but he also said that we should not intrude on him and the COS unless God himself called." "Well, the last time I checked, I hadn't been deified, so I suppose you shouldn't interrupt him. Is there anyone else there who might be able to shed any light on the situation?" "One moment, sir." The colonel made movements to call someone else. A few seconds later he looked back at his video pick-up and said, "General Leftcourt, I'm going to transfer you to Captain Dan Adams. He was there when the general got the call this morning and when he made the call to General Ivanova." A few seconds later another face came on the display screed. This one looked much younger than the colonel had. "What can I do for you, General Leftcourt?" "Do you know how General Maddy got the news of General Ivanova's husband's death?" "Yes sir. He received a call from the State Department. I understand they had a call from the Glenthorian Ambassador, or at least from their embassy. It seems that the fellow in question was one of their diplomats. Apparently he was on a leave of absence since he and General Ivanova were married. The latest on the accident is that the fire was so hot that most of the bodies were almost totally destroyed." "I haven't seen the newscasts, Captain. Please fill me in?" "According to the reports, general, there was a multi-vehicle pileup in the Osprey Tunnel. There were two trucks, one carrying a load of petroleum products, and a small tank truck loaded with liquid oxygen. They’re still trying to sort out what happened. It was so hot in there that the concrete walls and road surface are melted. The overhead tiles are supposed to be fireproof, but apparently that doesn't include a fire with pure oxygen present. The vehicles are melted together in a puddle. I hear that the tunnel will have to be completely ripped out to the very outer walls and rebuilt." "How in God's name could they possibly identify anybody in that mess?" "The firefighters found one of those attaché cases that many of the ambassadors and their aides use for secure document transportation. You must have seen them. They are the cute little things with the five-thousand credit price tag attached, and that is after any discounts for quantity purchases." Leftcourt looked at Ivanova. She had tears running down her cheeks. Through those tears she said, "Lyta gave it to him as a wedding present. It's supposed to be virtually indestructible. He was using it to carry copies of our birth records and our marriage license. He might even have had some papers concerning any work he expected to do for the embassy here. He was being transferred to the embassy on Earth so we could be together." "That explains how they could be so sure it was him. Under the circumstance of the fire, they may never be able to identify all those killed, not even with DNA sequencing, assuming there's anything left to sequence. It also explains how President Luchenko knew. One of the State Department people probably called her chief of staff. She was in contact with Earthdome for quite a while this afternoon." "I'm sorry, General Leftcourt," said the captain. "Thank you for the information, captain. I'm sorry too." Leftcourt broke the circuit and returned to the table. Susan's crying became more intense. She rushed from the table into her bedroom and slammed the door. Mary drew herself a cup of coffee and sat down in Susan's chair, looking at Leftcourt. "You knew this was coming, general. She’s been put under a lot of stress today. I hope you don't think less of her for the emotional outburst." "Mary, most of the men I know, myself included, would have broken down when we first heard of our spouse being killed, especially after we just finished losing several thousand comrades like we did this morning. She has held up very well. I remember how much it hurt when I lost Linda, my wife of almost forty years, and I didn't have the added stress of today to deal with." "You better eat before it gets cold, general. I'll see to it that she eats as soon as she comes back out here." "She has a winner in you, Mary." "Is there any good reason why I can't transfer with General Ivanova. She is going to need someone she trusts to help her with her child." "If she wants you to go with her, it will happen. You have my personal guarantee." General Leftcourt finished the meal and left. He could hear Susan still crying through the closed door, and wished there was something he could do to help abate her pain. ************************************** 2000 hours aboard the presidential shuttle: Luchenko's husband had asked George White to sit with them on the way back to Earth. They were approaching Whitestar 71 when President Luchenko, watching the screen at the front of the shuttle, which was displaying their approach to the whitestar, noticed that they were not heading toward the starship's landing bay. "Charles, do you have any idea why we aren't docking with the whitestar ship?" Her husband pushed a call button that rang in the pilot's compartment and addressed the question to him. The response was that the shuttle was much too large for the whitestar's hanger bay. "The pilot says our shuttle is too large to fit into their hanger bay," responded her husband. "Then how do they propose to get us back to Earth?" As she asked the question, she felt a jolt that ran throughout the shuttle. "What was that?" She asked. "I believe that was the whitestar's tractor beams just latching on to us," answered Charles. The view on the shuttle's passenger view screen shifted rapidly as the whitestar with the shuttle safely tractored in very close, picked up speed. The other two whitestar's flanked Whitestar 71 as all three of them entered the jump point that Whitestar 71 had opened. "I suppose that answers that question," commented White. "Mister White, how can Ivanova afford to retain your firm?" asked President Luchenko. "We have been retained by a unidentified group that said it represented some friends of Ivanova. Someone established an account to pay for our services, so here I am. Anything more than that is confidential. Before you ask, everything is above board. Even the good General Wayne has no idea who they might be. I will tell you that we don't think she is the real target of the lawsuit." "Oh? Then what do you think is the object of the suit?" asked Charles. "General Wayne agrees with me that it is probably someone who wants to make use of the trial publicity to attack your wife and the military. We have some very good investigators looking into it." "Isn't that expensive?" "It's very expensive Mister Luchenko, but then whoever is financing General Wayne's defense has some unbelievably deep pockets. The lawsuit is for a hundred million credits. With that as a starting point, and knowing that Mrs. Wayne couldn't amass that much money in several lifetimes, just what point is there to the suit, except as a launch platform for something else?" "I see your point," commented President Luchenko. ******************************* END PART 12