*****************************

   "Susan, you should have at least worn your dress uniform jacket to meet 
the VIPs," commented Leftcourt.

   "If they want dress uniform, then they shouldn't have been waiting to 
ambush me. They'll just have to be satisfied with me in my work jacket."

   "Susan, it still has your captain's insignia on it."

   Susan looked at the rank markings on her jacket. "So it does, General. So 
it does. If they want to me to treat them like 'honored guests', they should 
at least give me a day's warning before they come calling."

   They continued on in silence for a few meters. [She is still keyed up from 
the Drakh fight and the thrashing she gave the Arkland kid,] thought Leftcourt 
to himself. He felt badly about not telling the rest of the boys who was
coming to visit and why. They were going to be pissed at the surprise.   

  "There is one thing we haven't considered General Leftcourt," said Susan, as 
they continued walking toward the main hanger deck."

   "And that is?" he asked.

   "His parents are most likely to push for some kind of trial or, lacking 
that, they’ll sue me in civil court."

   "That’s a distinct possibility. I think you made a mistake lifting 
communications silence after the fight with the Drakh. ISN and the other 
networks have gotten their hands on recordings of the fight in the gym, and 
they’ve been running very heavily edited versions of them. The ones I've seen 
are very biased against you."

   "I'm not surprised. What does give me reason for thought is how much legal 
talent the Arkland's money will buy."

   "We have some aces up our sleeves that nobody is aware of, not even you, 
Susan. General Marsh, being the lawyer he is, has some very interesting 
recordings."

   "I've seen those ISN transmissions and they're really cutting me up. I 
expected better after their experiences with the Clark regime."

   "There is another possibility, sweetheart," noted Charles, "They may have 
received the videos already edited. If so, they may not be aware that they’re 
being used."

   "The only thing I’m sure of is that their son never sent them. General, if 
his parents pursue this, why couldn't we consider it a breach of the agreement 
he made with you?"

   "I’ll ask General Marsh. If Robert has to fight being court martialed for 
those charges, then the press would have to have all the particulars, and we 
have some people who are experts at those scenarios." 

   "I just love it when you two talk dirty," commented Charles.

   "You two go on without me. I’m going to change uniforms. I’ll meet you on 
the hanger deck," said Susan, doing an about face and walking quickly back 
toward her quarters.

   "You'll be late, Susan," replied Leftcourt.

   "It isn't proper for me to set a bad example for my crew, General. 
Regardless of my personal feelings."

*****************************

   "What brings you on this trip?" asked an expensively dressed, dark haired 
gentleman in his mid-forties, of the distinguished looking, older 
silver-haired gentleman sitting in the seat on his left.

   "I might ask you the same question, Brad, but if it will make you feel 
better, I’m meeting a client," replied the older gentleman.

   "I have a similar reason. I have to see someone and serve some papers," 
replied Brad.

   "The Arklands didn't waste any time."

   "Have you seen the videos on ISN, George?"

   "Who hasn't? I don't give them any credence. It’s obvious they've been 
edited. My first question is why? The most obvious answer is for time."

   "And you and your partners never accept the obvious."

   "Something like that."

   "Ladies and gentlemen, if you will look at the screen in the front of the 
passenger cabin, we are displaying a live video feed as we approach the Ares. 
It is as it would appear if we had observation windows," said the pilot's voice 
over the shuttle's public announcing system. "I’m permitted to tell you that 
she is the largest, fastest, most maneuverable and most heavily armed warship 
the Earth has ever built."

   "I can't believe they gave that thing to a woman," commented Brad.

   "Not to just any woman, Brad," replied George.

   The shuttle they were on was the second and last in line to dock with the 
Ares. It was full of newsmen and one Earthforce, interstellar branch, captain. 
The first to dock in the main hanger bay of the Ares would be carrying EA 
President Luchenko, several members of her cabinet, including the EA Secretary 
of Defense and several senators and congressmen. Leftcourt had neglected to 
tell Susan that little tidbit of information. He had told her they were VIPs, 
but not that they would be so high ranking. 

   A shuttle full of EA troops and a shuttle full of presidential security 
personnel had landed earlier in the Ares aft hanger bay, while the ship was 
changing orbits. The troops were to pick up and escort the Drakh life pods off 
the ship. Susan wasn't told their destination, and she didn't bother to ask. 
What she didn't know was that the same shuttles carried the forward security 
detail for the EA president. Their job was to make sure things were safe for 
the president, while making as little fuss as possible - except for the ship's 
security personnel involved, no one else was aware of their presence.

*****************************

   "You haven't asked where we're taking the life pods," commented Leftcourt.

   "I really don't care, General. They’re no longer my responsibility, once 
they depart the Ares."

   "I took the liberty of notifying your band that there were some VIPs coming 
aboard. They’re already in the hanger bay. Your security people are also 
deployed."

   "Really! You should have come to me, general. It’s a blatant ignoring of 
the chain of command," retorted Susan.

   "Don't get upset. I had a reason for it. It’s a little surprise, from me to 
you."

   "I really don't like surprises, general."

*****************************

   On Mars two days earlier:

   "What can I do for you, sir?" asked the young sergeant sitting behind the 
security desk in the lobby of the EA building.

   It was a three story, one hundred meter square structure that housed 
Earthforce military representatives and several other EA government 
departments, including the EA embassy.

   "I need to close out my final travel claim and pay records," responded 
Patrick Owens.

   "Do you have an appointment, sir?"

   "No. I just got in from Babylon 5 last night. About all I've had time for 
is a hot shower," replied Owens, handing the sergeant his papers. "I resigned, 
before I departed Babylon 5. All I want is to get this finished and go on my 
way."

   The sergeant quickly scanned Owens' papers, then he punched some keys on 
the keyboard in front of him. "This will only take a moment, sir."

   "You don't have to call me, sir. Mister will do nicely, sergeant."

   The sergeant studied the display for a few moments. Then he looked up at 
Owens. "You are wrong, sir. You’re still an officer. As a matter of fact the 
dates on your paperwork raise some questions. Things may not be as simple as 
you think."

   "All I want to do is close the books, sergeant. I don't need a hassle. I 
only came in to do this because I need the funds. Otherwise, I wouldn't have 
bothered."

   "It's not a hassle, sir. When I said you’re still an officer, it’s the 
truth. I’ve summoned my boss. She’ll discuss this with you."

   A very young looking female sporting army captain's bars appeared just as 
the sergeant finished speaking. "What’s the problem, Sergeant Anderson?" asked 
the slender brunette.

   She stepped behind him and looked over Owens' paperwork, then studied the 
display screen. Straightening up and looking at Owens, she said, "If this 
screen is correct, you’re out of uniform, captain."

   Looking puzzled, Owens replied, "In the first place, miss, I’m no longer in 
Earthforce, and second place, I was a commander then. All I want to do is close 
out my financial records. My resignation is already on file. So if it isn't too 
much of a burden, I would like to get it done and over with."

   She crooked her finger for him to come around the console and look at the 
display. He did.

   He studied the display for almost a minute and then looked at the young 
captain. "There must be some mistake. You have the wrong records displayed."

   "Captain Owens, look again. The information is correct. If you wish, I can 
query EA records on Earth. It will only take a minute or so," said Sergeant 
Anderson.

   His boss said, "Do it, sergeant."

   It actually took a minute and a half for the query results to be displayed. 
Owens read the information carefully. "The rotten bastards. Those incompetent, 
rotten bastards. They didn't process my resignation. That son-of-a-bitch, 
Leftcourt, put me on leave."

   "Is that any way to talk about the CJCS, Captain Owens?" asked the young 
woman.

   "My uniforms are still on the Ares. I’m not buying new ones," commented 
Owens loudly.

   "With all due respect, sir, since you’re on leave, we can process your 
travel claim. You’ll have to make an appointment to deal with the remainder of 
your records discrepancies," said the young woman. "It’s odd, sir. According to 
your records, you’ve been a captain for almost a year, and you weren't even 
aware of it. Since your ship prepared your travel papers, apparently they 
didn't know either. Where’ve you been to be so out of touch?" she asked.

   Owens thought for a moment, then answered, "As far as you can go and still 
be inside the galaxy. When can I make an appointment for?"

   The sergeant pulled up another display on his monitor and replied, "How 
about 0900 in the morning, captain?"

   "That’ll be fine, Sergeant. Thank you for your time, Miss."

   "Turner, captain. Army Captain Sean Turner."

   "Thank you for your time, Miss Turner."

   After Owens had walked out of the lobby, Turner said to Anderson, "He 
didn't even know. I pity somebody somewhere, if he ever finds out who is 
responsible."

   "Too bad he's married, Miss Turner."

   "No kidding."

*****************************

   0900 the next day:

   "Have a seat, Captain Owens," said the major behind the desk major, as he 
shook hands with Owens. "It isn't often I get to see a record as fouled up as 
yours. If it was by accident, it is one for the record books."

   Taking the offered seat, Owens replied, "I really don't care, major. I 
submitted my resignation, they receipted for it, and that is that."

   "I'm afraid it isn't that simple, captain. Because your request was 
submitted with bad data, it wasn't processed. It couldn't be because there’s 
a real mess of dates and ranks. It will have to be sorted out back on Earth 
and that could take anywhere from weeks to months. From the legal aspects of 
what I can see, you’re a captain in the interstellar branch of Earthforce. 
They’ve been paying you as such for almost a year. According to this, you were 
recommended for your own command more than six months ago. I know they’re 
relieving General Ivanova of command, so she can execute her next set of 
orders. It appears you were slated for command of the Ares for a while now."

   "I don't understand, major."

   "I pulled up everything Earthforce has on you. You’ve had a damned 
interesting career to say the least. The short story is that they cut General 
Ivanova's orders about three months ago. They kept it all classified top 
secret. I don't know why, but they did. Your assignment to replace her as 
commanding officer was cut on the same day and also classified top secret, but 
apparently yours were handled by someone besides CJCS. I bet General Leftcourt 
never knew of the screw-up in your rank and stuff. General Ivanova's orders are 
certified by CJCS and countersigned by President Luchenko. They didn't want 
anyone to know ahead of time. Smells damned funny, if you ask me, captain."

    A buzzer sounded on the major's desk. He looked at the monitor 
screen. "Captain, if you’ll come with me, there’s a secure call coming in 
for you. It’s being received in the embassy's secure communications room."

   "Who is it?"

   "It doesn't indicate who, only that it’s secure."

   [Damned curious,] Owens thought to himself as he followed the major out 
of the office.

*****************************
 
   Onboard EAS Ares, two days after the destruction of the Drakh space station:

   "Madam President, what can I do for you? asked General Leftcourt of the 
image displayed on the secure comm. screen.

   "I would like to know your arrival time, Tom. You and the rest of your crew 
were supposed to be here tomorrow afternoon. I want to make some plans, but I 
can't without knowing the Ares' schedule."

   "Susan has decided to take a few extra days to get back. She wants to get 
the ship cleaned up and give her crew some time to get back to their normal 
routine. They're keyed up to a fever pitch. Their little skirmish with the 
Drakh was too short to let them blow off steam."

   "Little Skirmish! Tom, I have seen the video that was sent back yesterday. 
Jesus, Tom, what were you thinking about when you let her do that?"

   "She presented valid reasons for the venture, and also presented reasonable 
scenarios for accomplishing the task. Short of relieving her of command, there 
wasn't much I could do. I’m afraid she played by the rules, Madam President, 
and so did I. If there’s fault, it's mine, not hers."

   "There isn't any fault, Tom. It's just that sometimes she scares the hell 
out of me. I bet there aren't many other captain's who would have tried what 
she did."

   "No argument there. I’ll have a schedule SITREP on your desk no later than 
1600 hours today your time, Madam President."

   "You know, Tom, I never attended the Ares commissioning. I never even sent 
a representative. That was a major insult to Captain Ivanova. I feel ashamed 
of it, after seeing what she has accomplished with the ship and her crew. I 
would like to see the ship when you get back."

   "I’ll arrange it with Susan."

   "I'd rather she not know I’m coming. If it's a surprise, she won't have 
time to have anything unsavory prepared for me."

    "Whatever you wish, Madam President, but I don't think you give her 
enough credit for being fair."

   "I’ll be watching for the SITREP, Tom."

   "Madam President, there’s one thing you might be able to do for me."

*****************************

    Location of the destroyed Drakh station, two days after the attack:

    Four jump points formed in the area where the destroyed Drakh space 
station had been. Lack of response to communication attempts had prodded 
the Drakh high command to send a small task force  to investigate.

   Onboard the lead ship, the Drakh commander asked a rhetorical 
question. "Where is the station and the ships that were here?"

   "Commander, we are detecting very high background radiation in several 
places around this vicinity," Noted a sensor operator. "Analysis indicates 
it is from fusion bombs of various sizes."

   "Are you trying to tell me they were blown up with nuclear devices?"

   "Thermonuclear to be exact, sir."

   "What about life pods and debris?"

   "There is no response from the pod transponders, sir. The largest debris 
pieces we can detect are no more than a meter in size. If the station was 
blown up, the pieces could be hundreds of millions of kilometers from here 
in all directions."

    "Contact the other ships. I want a thorough scan of the surrounding area 
out a distance of two million kilometers centered on this point."

*****************************

In the EA secure radio room on Mars:

   "I understand ma'am, but I told the general that I wasn't interested, or 
words to that effect."

   "If you won't do this, then I have no choice, but to have you pay back all 
the extra pay you received, before you are discharged."

   "I don't have that kind of money to spare, ma'am. I can make arrangements, 
but it will take me a few days to a week."

   "I insist, captain, that either you make restitution now or accept the 
orders. I was elected to see to the best interests of the Earth Alliance. 
Having you in that position is in that best interest. Legally you owe the 
Earthforce fourteen more months of service."

   "When do you want me there?"

   "She arrives in Earth space tomorrow morning, captain. I suggest you grab 
the first shuttle out."

   "Yes Ma'am."

   "How did it go, captain?" asked the major, who had waited outside the room 
for him.

   "I got my marching orders, major. I couldn't come up with the excess money 
they paid me, so I have to take orders for the next fourteen months."

   "If it isn't a secret, who was the call from?"

   "Would you believe me if I told you it was President Luchenko?"

   The major looked Owens in the face carefully. "You aren't joking."

   "I don't joke about being kept on active duty for an extra year and two 
months. My wife is going to really be pissed."

*****************************
 
  Later that day in Owens' apartment:

   "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I really didn't have a choice."

   "I managed to take one of your older jackets out and get the captain's 
insignia sewn on, and bought you a new hat and a set of shoulder boards. I 
didn't think you would want to report out of uniform. Your old uniform 
trousers are a bit worn, but they still fit, and a white shirt is a white 
shirt."

   "You don't seem to be too upset about this."

   She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him and hugged him tightly. 
With tears in her eyes, she said, "I’m so proud of you. We have worked so hard 
for this. Honey, this means that when the fourteen months are up, you can 
retire."

   "I have to catch a ride to Earth ASAP."

*****************************

    Location of the destroyed Drakh station, three days after the attack:

   Onboard the Drakh dreadnought, the Drakh commander was fuming. "Are you 
telling me that whoever did this took the time to destroy the life pods with 
our people in them?"

   "Yes Commander," replied his intelligence officer. "In addition, we 
retrieved some of the wreckage for analysis. The scorching of some of the 
material shows that the destruction was done by Earthforce weapons. 
Communications records indicate it was done within the last three standard 
days."

   "How did Earthforce ships find this station? It is well off the beacon 
pathways."

   "Unknown, Commander. However, I speculate that somehow one of our ships was 
followed. By whom, I don't know. We can try to deduce who it was by reviewing 
Earthforce ship schedules for the past standard week."

   "Do it. In the interim, call for reinforcements. I want to make an example 
of the Earthforce ships responsible."

   "Yes, sir, commander," replied the intelligence officer.

   The wait wasn't a long one. Less than half a standard hour later the 
intelligence officer approached his commander.

   "You have the data?"

    "Yes, sir. According to the most up-to-date records we have, the EAS Ares 
started her transit from Babylon 5 to Earth about two days before the attack. 
She was supposed to be making a speed run, according to their military records. 
However, she has been delayed in her arrival. There is no reason given." 

   "I think the reason is obvious. She had to take the time to obliterate this 
station and the ships that were here then."

   "There were four of our cruiser/carriers and one of our sister ships her at 
that time, commander."

   "Which means whoever we are dealing with is extremely dangerous."

   "That much is not in doubt, sir. What kind of force could do this kind of 
damage? Even our dark masters were not often this thorough."

    Just then the Drakh commander was handed a data pad. Looking at his 
intelligence officer he commented, "We will be joining up with two more 
cruiser/carriers one day out from Earth space. I think their Mars colonies 
will be a good place to start the lessons."

*****************************

   In the Ares' main hanger bay:

   "Exactly who is coming aboard that requires a band, general?" asked Charles.

   "If Susan gets here before that shuttle gets tied down, don't tell her, but 
it’s President Luchenko, the Secretary of Defense, some other cabinet members, 
and a few assorted senators and congressmen."

   Charles whistled. "That’s most of the top brass of the EA, General. Isn't 
it a bit dangerous to have so many of them on one shuttle?"

   "This close to home, not really. Besides, there’s a reason for her and 
the secretary to be here. They're here to attend Susan's change of command. 
No, she is not aware of this, yet."

*****************************
 
   Susan had hurriedly changed into her best fitting proper uniform and was 
walking fast down the passageway toward the main hanger bay when one of her 
security personnel rounded a corner and collided with her.

   "I'm sorry, sergeant, I wasn't looking where I was going," apologized Susan.

   "My apologies, captain. Is it true that President Luchenko is coming aboard 
this morning? We have her security people all over the place."

   "If she is, sergeant, I wasn't told about it."

   "I hope I didn't say something out of line, sir."

   "Not at all, sergeant. Thanks for the information," replied Susan, as she 
started down the passageway at a fast trot. [That rotten bastard. Of all the 
balls, trying to sneak her on board. If she’s here, who else did she bring 
with her? What the hell is going on here?] Then she remembered that she was 
supposed to be relieved of command upon the Ares' arrival in Earth orbit.

   As she continued on her way, Susan called the O.O.D. in CIC. "Get hold of 
the operations officer and tell him to get me about a dozen junior officers to 
be VIP escorts. Send them to the main hanger bay. If the VIPs get here before 
the escorts get to the hanger bay, have the escorts meet us in the wardroom."

***************************** 

   Somewhere in hyperspace on the way to Earth space:

   "Commander, we are at the rendezvous," noted his navigator.

   "Are the other ships here yet?"

   "They have sent word that they will arrive within the hour."

   "Continue toward Mars at reduced speed until they catch up with us."

   "Yes, commander."

*****************************     

   Susan trotted up to Charles and Leftcourt. "Have I missed anything, General. 
I mean like President Luchenko?"

   Both men looked at Susan. "Where did you hear that?" asked Leftcourt.

   "I almost ran over one of my security people, and he wondered if she was 
coming aboard, seeing as how her forward security people are all over the 
place on this ship."

   Leftcourt looked at Charles and said, "She is scary at times."

   "Tell me about it," replied Charles.

   "What have you two cooked up, General. She knows she isn't my first best 
loved political figure. Hell she isn't even my second most favorite. So, is 
she here for the change of command, or what?"

   "Would believe to pay her respects?"

   Susan laughed so hard she almost choked. "Not in a million years," she 
managed to say between choking spasms from her laughing.

   "What is so funny?" asked Charles.

   "Charley, that woman wanted our blood so badly it hurt, for taking up arms 
against Clarke and his regime. If it hadn't been for John Sheridan hard 
bargaining with her over the people who followed him during the civil war, we 
would all most likely have been shot as traitors. The upper echelon of 
earthforce who had been faithful to Clark's government, which includes our 
esteemed General Leftcourt, wanted our blood very badly, even though we had 
the balls to do what they wouldn't."

   "That's not a fair assessment of the situation Susan," said Leftcourt.

   "Just remember one thing, General Leftcourt. Always thank whatever gods 
you believe in that John Sheridan escaped from Clark's people and lead the 
final assault on Earth. I would have destroyed your forces to the last man, 
and I’d’ve had every one of you, who supported Clark, stood up against a wall 
and shot."

   "Of that, I have not one doubt, Susan," replied Leftcourt.

   "What I can't figure out, General, is this. If she is so hyper about what 
happened during the civil war, why did you people give Susan command of the 
two most powerful ships Earth has ever built? Weren't you afraid of what she 
might do with them?"

   "Son, you need to pay attention to what she says, and remember, Sheridan 
immediately turned control over to the duly elected civilian government after 
Clark was deposed. She might shoot me, but she wouldn't do anything to harm 
Earth. She fought too hard to save it and us. The last two battles she was in 
should prove that."

   "She didn't see fit to even send a low ranking member of her administration 
to the commissioning. Why bother to come to a simple change of command? It 
doesn't make much sense."

   "Have you ever met President Luchenko, Susan?"

   "No I haven't, General, and it's below the bottom on my priority list." 

   Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the first transport 
shuttle being towed into the embarkation/debarkation area of the main hanger 
bay. As soon as the shuttle stopped the ship's hanger bay crew rolled steps up 
to it. As the shuttle door opened, the band started to play. Leftcourt, Charles 
and Susan began walking over to the bottom of the steps. Several civilians, 
obviously presidential secret service, hastened to get there first. They lined 
up, Leftcourt, Susan then Charles.

   President Luchenko, who had visited several earthforce destroyers in the 
past, appeared at the top of the portable stairway, and was immediately 
followed by a well dressed gentleman of about fifty-five. She stopped, looked 
around at the hanger bay and, thinking to herself, [Damn this thing is big,] 
started down the steps. The gentleman followed close behind her.

   "I hope you enjoyed this little vacation of yours, Tom. I am beginning to 
think you did it to get away without using leave."

   "I'm not sure I'd use the word vacation, Madam President. Good morning, 
Mister Luchenko." he said in response, at the same time acknowledging the man 
with her.

   Stepping in front of Susan, She commented, "You seem to have a talent for 
getting your commands shot all to hell, General Ivanova."

   "It requires a great deal of training, Madam President. It isn't something 
just anyone can do... properly."

   Luchenko didn't rise to the bait. Instead she stepped in front of Charles 
and asked, "Just who might you be?"

   "I'm with her, Ma'am," he replied, hooking his thumb in Susan's direction.

   "You're the psi cop."

   "Former psi cop, Ma'am."

   "You’re the one she confined in what amounted to solitary confinement when 
you were aboard the Zeus with her, aren't you?"

   "The same, Ma'am."

   Looking from Charles to Susan and back again, she said, "She locked you up 
for a year, then threw you off the ship when the opportunity presented itself. 
Then, you later married her." Looking back at Susan, she continued, "I think, 
General Ivanova, you should write a 'how to' book. One about how to catch and 
keep a man. To say the least your approach seems to be rather unique, don't you 
think so, Charles?"

   "It seems to have worked," replied the gentleman.

   "If I had known you were coming, I would have set up some kind of itinerary 
for you and your guests, Madam President," replied Susan.

   "I didn't want to call too much attention to the fact that a shuttle full 
of congressmen and the president were coming here."

   Others of the president's group of visitors started to appear at the top 
of the steps.

   Luchenko, her husband and Leftcourt walked away from the shuttle. Susan and 
Charles walked several meters and stopped.

   "Charley, I need to stay here for a few minutes and make sure nothing gets 
botched up while she's onboard."

   "Well, while you take care of business, I'm going to start packing what few 
things, I've unpacked. I'll take a shuttle down to the surface and start 
looking for an apartment near the supply school you'll be attending."

   Susan stopped and took Charles in her arms and kissed him very deeply. "I 
love you, Charley."

   Across the hanger bay Leftcourt and the Luchenkos had turned just in time to 
see Susan kiss Charles.

   "She can be rather demonstrative when the occasion arises," commented 
Leftcourt.

   As Leftcourt and the Luchenkos left the hanger bay, the junior officer 
escorts that Susan had ordered up arrived.

   Susan turned and walked back to the bottom of the shuttle's steps. A young 
looking well dressed gentleman stepped forward, offered his hand to her and 
said, "General Ivanova, I am Walter Egan, Secretary of Defense. I am pleased 
to finally meet you."

   Susan looked confused, but took the offered hand. Egan explained, "My 
predecessor fell ill about four months ago. I'm the new kid on the block, but 
I've heard so much about you, I just had to take this opportunity to meet you."

   "I hope I don't disappoint you, Mister Egan. Who are these other gentleman 
and women?"

   Egan introduced Ivanova to his fellow travelers. They were the leaders of 
both major parties from the senate and house, in addition to several cabinet 
members.

   "Gentlemen these officers will be your escorts while you are aboard the 
Ares. This is necessary due to the size of the ship, the damage we sustained 
at Babylon 5, and a few restricted areas.. I don't want anyone accidentally 
getting hurt. They will escort you to the wardroom. We will give you a quick 
briefing about the ship."

   As the group started leaving the hanger bay, Susan noticed a woman in the 
back behaving oddly. As the remainder of her group walked quickly after their 
young escorts, she was left behind. Why became obvious when Susan saw that she 
had a boy about eight years old in tow.

   "This is no place for a child, ma'am. Why did the president bring you and 
him along?"

   "I have no idea, captain?"

   "You are?"

   "Mrs. Nancy Lukens, captain. I'm the Secretary of the Interior."

   "Let's catch up to the rest of your group," said Susan, bending down to 
pick up the youngster in her arms.

   As they started to walk away, Egan fell in behind them. He was very 
impressed with this woman warrior, which was how he thought of her.

   "What is your name, young man?" asked Susan. "Mine is Susan. You can call 
me Mrs. Wayne."

   "Sean," answered the boy, sleepily.  
 
*****************************

END PART 6   
    

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