Lyta and Ivanova Part 12 of ---(WIP)

Address criticisms to [xazqrten@cox.net]. Without, it there can't be any improvement.

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

   "Good morning, captain," said Commander Owens as Susan entered her office, 
prepared to attack the days mountain of paperwork. 

   "You’re assuming a lot, Pat," she responded.
   
   "The first group of crewmen just left for the Board of Inquiry 
interrogations."

   "I know. This is their chance to really do it to me. I have been on 
their asses for almost a year and a half. Finally they get a chance very 
few crewmen ever get, a chance to take their CO down. It should make for 
interesting reading when they’re finished."
 
   "You don't think much of your crew, do you?"

   "It doesn't matter how I feel, Pat. By the time the prosecutor gets 
through with them, even the ones who might like me will sound like the 
hounds from hell. Lawyers are like that."

   "You don't have much respect for the integrity of the legal profession."

   Susan had to sit down and hold onto her desk to keep from falling to 
the floor laughing. Even then her sides were beginning to hurt. With tears 
in her eyes, she said, through laughs, "Pat. You’re one hell of a comedian."

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

   "How would you characterize Captain Ivanova, Ensign Lyle?" asked 
Captain Conrad.

   "Are you speaking in general terms, sir, or do you have something 
specific in mind?" answered the ensign.

   "This is getting tiresome, ensign. Just answer the question!" shot 
back Conrad.

   "With all due respect sir, do you have something specific in mind or 
just general terms?"

   In desperation, Conrad snapped, "What do you think of your commanding 
officer, ensign?"

   Sanchez, Marsh and the others seated their table were having trouble 
concealing their amusement at the exchange. Ensign Lyle was the tenth 
crewman interviewed that morning and like the others he was offering no 
information. Every shred of information was having to be dragged out of 
him. If someone was willing to trash their CO, he or she hadn't appeared 
before the board yet.

   "I like her, Captain Conrad. She works us hard, but the time goes by 
really fast. She’s a much better CO than my last one."

   After verbally fencing with the ensign for fifteen minutes, Conrad 
dismissed him from the witness stand. He had come to the conclusion that 
trying to nail Captain Ivanova down by getting statements from her officers 
and crew was a waste of time; however, the next person up was a seaman 
who had been demoted, restricted and awarded considerable extra duty at 
Captain's Mast by Ivanova, because of an incident on a planet named 
Glenthor, almost a year ago. Surely this fellow would have something bad 
to say about the good captain.

   To his dismay, the seaman was no help. The young man explained that 
the captain had sent each individual crewmember a personal message outlining 
what was expected of them when they went ashore, and what repercussions 
could be expected for failure to behave properly. He also explained that 
crewmembers were required to send a personal response acknowledging receipt 
of the message and acceptance of the terms outlined in it. He readily 
explained what he had done and what the results had been. He had paid 
restitution, been demoted, restricted from the next four liberty stops 
and thirty days of cleaning sewage filters. He admitted he hadn't liked 
the extra duties, but he accepted that he had went out of his way to merit 
it. He stated that he had earned his lost rate back, since being punished, 
and no he didn't fault the captain. After all, she hadn't forced him to 
go on liberty, get dog drunk, make an ass out of himself, and damage 
private property.

   Conrad dismissed the man and turned to the board members, "I suggest 
we break for lunch, gentlemen."

   General Sanchez adjourned the board for lunch with 1300 designated as 
reconvening time.

*******************************************************************
 
   "What do you think Arthur?" asked Sanchez.
  
   "About what?"
     
   "Captain Ivanova. She hasn't showed any interest in our proceedings. 
I would have thought, she might be interested in what her crew said about 
her," replied Sanchez.

   "She knows there isn't anything she can do to change what is, and what 
will be said. I think she isn't wasting time on it. Getting her ship ready 
for repairs is a big job. Personally, I think it speaks well of her. She 
has her priorities, and worrying about us isn't on her list."

   "True. Most officers I know or have known would be sweating blood about 
now. I’m impressed by her crew's testimonies. They all seem to like her, 
in spite of her being a hard taskmaster," commented Sanchez.

   "Maybe getting them out of this last firefight alive has something to 
do with it. She lost no crew and what few pilots she did lose were unavoidable, 
friendly fire accidents. How many commanders do you know who have crews that 
are that good?"

   "Point taken." 
  
   Captain Conrad had been listening to the two senior board members and 
asked, "The two of you don't seem like you want to hang Captain Ivanova 
out to dry."

   "Wrong, Captain Conrad. Give us a good reason and we will do just that. 
So far, I haven't even seen or heard anything remotely resembling any wrong 
doing on her part," replied Marsh.

   "Make that two of us, captain. I’ll bet that none of the other board 
members will disagree with us. If you can make a case, we’ll take appropriate 
action, otherwise, she walks," added Sanchez.

   "Make me the third," commented Fitzgerald. "I’ve watched the videos 
and heard from members of her crew. Everything, so far, leads me to want 
to give her a medal. The videos show a crew and pilots honed to as sharp 
and edge as I’ve ever seen. I see a crew that loves their CO, even when 
she drives them up against the wall. Hell, even the kid she busted likes 
her. Captain Ivanova has her faults, but I don't think they fall under 
the purview of this board."           

   "We’ll see, general," responded Conrad.

   "Don't make this personal, captain. Do your job. If you make it personal, 
and it backfires, this woman will rip your guts out and hand them to you 
on a plate," responded Sanchez. "I’ll tell you now; you aren't about to 
scare or intimidate her, and she has a temper."

   Captain Conrad looked at Sanchez and Marsh. He had just been warned, 
in so many words, get it done and over with.

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

   "Are you going to lunch, captain?" asked Owens, sticking his head in 
her office.

   "Only if you buy, commander."

   "Deal."

   She and Owens sat down at an unoccupied table and ordered lunch.

   "What's on your mind, Pat?"
   
   "How can you ignore the proceedings going on over on the station?"

   "Nothing I can do will change anything they’re doing, so why worry 
about it. I have work here that has to be done. We have to quantify our 
damage, identify what parts we’ll need, and work with the shipyard personnel 
to be ready for repairs when we get back. That won't wait."

   "I heard a rumor this morning. It's about when you were XO on the station."

   "You might hear anything concerning that period of my life. It all depends 
on whom you talk with."

   "I’m told they called you, ‘Ice Queen’."

   "Not to my face, they didn't."

   "I’ve known you for almost two years, now. I haven't seen anything that 
would remotely make anyone think that."

   "I’ve changed since those days, Pat. Changed for the better, I hope."

   "May I join you, captain?" asked a gray haired gentleman in coveralls.

   "Captain. This is Norman Kelly, the chief engineer in charge of the 
personnel helping us get ready for the shipyard," said Owens.

   "Please do, Mr. Kelly. I have been remiss in my duties. I should have 
made your acquaintance before now."

   "No problem, captain. Me and my people have been too busy to do much 
more than sleep, shower and shave between shifts. The damage to your ship 
is massive, even though for the most part it is largely superficial. It's 
just that there is so much of it."

   "Would you believe me, if I told you I didn't do it on purpose."

   "Actually, yes. Yes, I would. You don't look like the type to destroy 
her ship just for the hell of it."

   Owens chuckled at the discourse.

   "How bad is it, Mr. Kelly. I mean what you have seen so far?"

   "Financially, it’s a disaster area. Functionally, you’re in very good 
shape. The only question is, of course, will EA be willing to pay for the 
repairs. They have been very shortsighted in the recent past. The legislature 
thinks you can run a military force on the hot air that gets spewed out at 
the finance committee meetings." 

   "I take it, you don't agree."

   "Captain. You’re only as safe as the people who are protecting you. 
Whether it’s a bodyguard, the police, or a military, doesn't matter. If 
you don't pay for it, you can't have it. That is a rather simple idea."

   "Are you getting the support you need from my people?"

   "It couldn't be better, captain. You have a very professional crew."

   "We try, Mr. Kelly."

   "You can call me Norman, captain."

   "My upbringing won't allow me to do that, Mr. Kelly. You must be almost 
as old as my father would be, and I was taught to respect my elders."

   "As you wish, captain."

   "However, if you wish, you can call me, Susan."

   "Susan, it is, captain. I like the name."

   Ivanova and Owens were finished eating and bade Mr. Kelly, good day.

   On her way back to her office, Susan said to Owens, "I like him, Pat. 
I just know we’ll get an excellent repair job, if we get the money."

   "I have to make inspection rounds, captain. I need to feel like I know 
what’s going on, even if I don't."

**********************************************************************
 
  "Chief. Tell us about Captain Ivanova," said Conrad.

   "What do you want to know, captain?" asked the obviously very old, 
grizzled chief petty officer on the stand. The old man was at least two 
decades past normal retirement age and, most likely, even older than 
generals Sanchez and Marsh. 

   Conrad was getting visibly angry. He had questioned thirteen crewmembers 
today and everyone of them had been totally uncooperative. This old chief 
might be the worst of the lot.

   "How does she compare to the COs you have served under in the past?"

   "With respect to what, captain?"

   "Can't any of you people just answer a question, without verbally 
fencing with me!" exclaimed Conrad.

   The chief looked at Conrad then at the board members, before answering, 
in a quiet level voice, "With all due respect, young man, I can answer any 
question you can ask. It isn't my fault, if you don't know how to properly 
ask a question."

   The quiet, level tone in the old chief's voice left no doubt in anyone's 
mind that he thought very little of Captain Conrad or his outburst. 

   There were sidelong glances amongst the board members, but no one commented 
on the scene. 
   
   Conrad went back to the table he and his associates were using and conferred 
with his colleagues. He sat down as another captain got up from his seat at 
the table and approached the stand.

   "Chief. If I were to ask you to give Captain Ivanova an overall rating, 
comparing her with all the COs you have served under in your career, how 
would you rate her on a scale of one to ten?"

   "I'd have to give her an eleven, sir."

   "Obviously, you think very highly of your CO."

   "Yes, sir."

   "Chief. What is it about Captain Ivanova that commands so much respect 
from you?"

   The old man thought about it for a minute, then answered, "Her priorities, 
captain. Those are what impress me the most."

   "Care to elaborate, chief?"

   The old man smiled, "Not at all, sir. The two things at the top of her 
list are the well being of her crew and safety of her ship. She is a rare 
bird, captain. She puts her career well down the list below, her crew, 
ship, and responsibilities to, as she puts it, humanity."

   "I don't suppose you know why that is, do you?"

   Smiling again, he responded, "Sure do. Her theory is, if she takes care 
of her crew and ship, they’ll take care of her, and the rest will fall into 
place. That's why she trains us until we’re ready to drop. When the time 
comes to do what’s necessary, she wants us to be able to do it without 
thinking about it. She feels that if you have to think about it, you may 
be dead before you can act. I have to tell you, captain. I agree wholeheartedly 
with her on that philosophy."

   "So, she pushes her crew pretty hard?"

   "Yes, sir. Very hard, but not as hard as she pushes herself."

   "You seem to know a great deal about your skipper, chief. How is that?"

   "As you can see, I’m an old man. Fifty-one years in Earthforce, so far. 
I have children older than she is. Why do I know? I talk to her. I talk to 
her a lot. For some reason, she respects my knowledge and experience. I 
think the most important reason is, I don't ever talk about the things she 
confides in me. She’s my CO, but she is a person first. Do I like her? 
Damned right I do. I only wish there were more like her. I don't think 
that's likely though. All you kids think about are your careers, captain. 
Does that answer your question?"

   "Yes it does, chief. Thank you." With that he turned to the board and 
got no indications any more questions being necessary. Looking back at the 
chief, he said, "You’re excused, chief."

   Walking back to the table he looked at Conrad. Conrad just looked at 
him and said nothing.

   The last witness to be questioned was Lieutenant Colonel Frances Munoz, 
commander of the marine detachment stationed aboard the Ares.

   "Colonel Munoz. How long have you been attached to the Ares?" asked Conrad.

   "Since they brought her power systems on line, captain."

   "What is your opinion of Captain Ivanova?

   "In comparison to former senior officers I have served under before, 
she stands out as one of a kind. She's what we marines call a real kick-ass CO."

   "Could you be a bit more specific, colonel?"

   "She is very smart and has balls the size of boxcars, even if she is 
a female."

   "What do you mean by, even though she is a female."

   "I mean she is the equal to any male, I have served with or under in her 
fearlessness. I’ll follow her into battle anytime. Which is more than I can 
say for you, captain, or any other officer in this room, no disrespect meant."

   Captain Conrad was expecting an answer, but not this one. He was taken 
aback and it showed.

   "What causes you to feel this way, colonel?"

   "If you have investigated the good captain, as I expect you have, you 
will have learned, she works out with my marines. In fact, she has been 
teaching them hand-to-hand combat. She also leads our calisthenics workouts. 
It may surprise you that, in spite of her age, she can run most of my men 
into the dirt. She can also beat the hell out of many of them. Those she 
can't beat, she makes them pay dearly for their victories. If you knew 
anything about her, captain, you would realize these questions are a waste 
of time. If I have to be in a fight, I would be proud to have her cover my 
back. Is there anything else you want to know about her, captain?" 

   Conrad looked at the panel, no one made any indications of further 
questions. He looked back at the colonel and said, "You are excused, colonel." 
   
   As he left, the colonel looked back at Captain Conrad and the board and 
said, "Last, but not least, gentlemen, she is also extremely beautiful."

   Every man on the board smiled a broad smile at the remark.

   Captain Conrad looked at the board and said, "Gentlemen, that is all of 
the people we planned to question. The only persons left are Commander Owens 
and Captain Ivanova. When do you want to question them?"

   "We’ll save their questioning for the last thing we do, captain," said 
Sanchez. "We have plenty to think about and discuss. We also have to delay 
the final part until several other parties arrive."

   "Gents, if you’ll put together all your comments, recommendations, and 
any other thoughts about this inquiry together and give them to Captain 
Powers by 0800 tomorrow, three days hence, I’ll have them put into some 
semblance of order, have them printed up, and distributed to you for review 
and consideration," commented Marsh.

   "This board is adjourned until further notice, gentlemen. I hope you 
take the extra time to investigate or ask any questions that might arise. 
If necessary, we can reconvene on two hours notice. Does anyone have any 
questions?"

   Everyone shook their head, no.   

   "Captain Conrad. I need a word with you," said Marsh.

   The general took Conrad aside and asked in a whisper, "What the hell 
are you doing, captain. You seem to be going after Captain Ivanova with 
a vengeance?"

   "With all due respect, sir, I’m doing the job I was sent here to do," 
answered Conrad.

   "I don't know what Leftcourt had in mind sending you here in your 
present capacity, but be glad you don't work for me. Do you understand, 
captain?" Marsh's tone left no doubt in Conrad's mind what would happen 
to him, if he worked for Marsh.

   "Yes, sir."

   With his piece said, Marsh went to join Sanchez.

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

   He had been walking aimlessly through the passageways on a route that 
would eventually take him to the area of the Zocalo. He needed a drink or 
two after today's inquiry activities. The threat from General Marsh still 
reverberated in his mind. He hadn't noticed the woman who was walking 
beside him.

   "A credit for your thoughts, captain," said the redhead dressed in black.
  
   With a start he looked at her. "I’m sorry. You were saying?"

   "A credit for your thoughts, captain," she repeated.

   "I’m sorry, ma'am. I don't think I know you."

   "We haven't been introduced yet. My name is Lyta Alexander. Yours is 
Jason Conrad, captain, Earthforce."

   "You have me at the disadvantage."

   "I arranged for the telepath escorts for the board of inquiry officials."

   He smiled. "What can I do for you, Miss Alexander?"

   "It's what I can do for you that's important."

   "How so?"

   "You have been all over the place this evening without any escort."

   "I’m not an important official. I just ask the questions, and lately 
I haven't been pleasing everyone."

   "Is that your job, pleasing everyone, or is it getting at the truth, 
whatever that may be?"

   Conrad looked at the brash redhead and asked, "I don't suppose I could 
buy you a drink and dinner?"

   "Free food and drink! Lead on, captain," she laughed.

   They had been sitting at the café table long enough to eat supper and 
have several drinks. Conrad was relaxed. He liked this woman. There was 
something about her that he found very appealing and it wasn't just her 
looks. She was more than just beautiful, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

   "It works out really well, captain. You take me to dinner and walk with 
me, and I serve as your telepath escort."

   "You and Captain Ivanova are good friends?"

   "That is an understatement. It’s much more than that. She’s as close 
to me as any member of my family ever was. She’s like a sister."

   "It doesn't bother you that I have to try to tear her down?"

   "Not at all. I know her, and you will fail. I’ve been following your 
activities and, so far, you’ve been very thorough. That's as it should be. 
Any less on your part, would be a disservice to her and Earthforce."

   "I don't like what I’m having to do."

   "It makes you the perfect inquisitor. If you enjoyed it, you would be 
tempted to manufacture evidence. That would not be good!"

   "Inquisitor. Interesting choice of words, Miss Alexander."

   "You bought me supper and drinks. That entitles you to call me, Lyta."

   "Only if you call me Jason. Deal?"

   "Deal."

   They finished their drinks and left the cafe. Lyta agreed that a walk 
in the gardens would be nice. Somewhere during their walk, she got him to 
start talking about himself. 

   Finding seats in the middle of the garden, they sat back and talked, 
rather Conrad talked about growing up, joining Earthforce and why he 
never married.

   "I’m sorry, Lyta. I’ve been hogging the conversation."

   "Not at all, Jason. You’re an interesting man. Have you considered what 
you want to do after you retire from Earthforce?"

   "Not until now. I think after this inquiry is over, retirement is going 
to be my only choice. I’m alienating the hell out just about everybody."

   "That's not true. You seem to have a number of talents and abilities that 
have been wasted by the military. How would you like to change that?"

   He actually stared at her. "Are you offering me a job?"

   She just looked back at him.

   "What do I have to do?"

   "Just retire after the inquiry is over."

   "What if the inquiry goes badly for Captain Ivanova?"

   "My offer has nothing to do with how the inquiry does or does not end."

   He was confused. She made the offer with no strings attached.

   "You don't mind if I ask what the job is?"
 
   "After the inquiry, I’ll discuss particulars. You can then, think it 
over and, accept or decline my offer. It’s as simple as that. There are no 
strings of any kind."

   "Can I ask why?"

   "I travel a lot and I have varying interests. When I find talent that is 
compatible with my interests, I make offers that seem to suit the individual. 
I don't actively seek out anyone, but if they come to my attention, well..."

   "You’re as interesting as you are beautiful, Lyta."

   Smiling a big smile, she said, "Remember, kissing up to the boss only 
works all the time."

   They both laughed, and Conrad realized he felt on top of the world.

   Checking his watch, he noted, "It’s late, Lyta. Today was not one of 
my best, but you have made it much brighter. I think I need to sleep on 
all this."

   Lyta escorted him back to his quarters. The door opened, and his 
roommate Captain Powers saw him shake hands with Lyta, before he entered 
the room.

   "Keeping strange company, aren't you, Jason."

   "No. Why?"

   "She’s Captain Ivanova's best friend."

   "So she told me. What's the point?"

   "It might look like you are being influenced by outside interests."

   "I think my performance will put any thought of that to rest. I wandered 
off without an escort and ran into her. She performed the escort service. 
After all, she is providing the telepaths we’re using as escorts."

   "I forgot about that. You have a point."

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

   Lyta's being with Conrad did not go unobserved. 

   Reporters for several news organizations starving for anything to do 
with the inquiry or its participants latched on to the couple, shooting 
video from a distance to be used for voiceovers by the talking heads. 
None of them had enough gall to stick a camera in their faces. The redhead 
had a reputation and it was bad. They knew who she was, and that she was 
wanted as a terrorist from the telepath war. That was enough to make them 
keep their distance.

  Less than twelve hours later, ISN was the first to feature video of Lyta 
and Conrad having dinner. The talking heads and voiceover kept up a clamor 
about the possibilities of outside interference with the inquiry, by 
focusing on Captain Ivanova's friendship with Lyta. It was hot air, but 
it pulled in viewers just by suggesting improprieties. The other news 
operations were close on ISN's heels with their vitriolic version of 
the same insinuations. 

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

   "Captain. I think you should look at the ISN broadcast," said Owens, 
sticking his head into her Susan's office.

   Looking up at him, she asked, "What's worth watching?"

   In response, he stepped over to her communications display panel and 
activating it and selecting the ISN feed. The video was of Lyta and a man 
in an Earthforce captain's uniform.

   Susan recognized him as the captain who had tried to make her crew give 
damaging testimony about her. Her first inclination was to call Lyta and 
give her hell for being seen with him. Then she listened to the voiceover 
and talking heads and realized it was all speculation and the video was 
intended to convey guilt by association.

   "Thanks, Pat. I’ll ask Lyta about it this evening."

   "Captain. He's the one who dragged our people over the coals."

   "I know, Pat. Your reaction is the one they’re hoping people will go for. 
It generates an audience even when there’s no substance in the report."

   After listening to the report carefully, he replied, "I see your point, 
captain. You know you and I are next in the board of inquiry's hot seat."

   "I’ll worry about, when I am sitting in it. I have nothing to hide or 
be afraid of. Well, nothing to be afraid of anyway. We all have something 
to hide, even if it is nothing more than bed wetting at the age of three."

   "I have to hand it to you, captain. You’re as cool a customer as I’ve 
ever met, maybe even cooler," he responded as he was leaving.

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

   Owens had been gone about twenty minutes when there was a knock on 
Susan's office door.

   "Come in."

   The door opened and a very old man in chief's work khakis entered the 
office.

   "Good morning, Chief Comer. What can I do for you?" asked Susan.

   "I was looking for a place to hide from my division officer."

   "We can do that. You can load test my couch while you hide."

   "Thanks, captain."

   Susan went back to reading and marking up the papers in her ‘in’ basket. 
After several minutes, she looked at Chief Comer. "What's bothering you 
chief. Is it the ISN report?"

   He shook his head, no. "That report isn't even good crap, captain... 
No. the thing bothering me is this young Captain Conrad. I’ve seen zealous 
prosecutors before, who were trying to make a name for themselves. He doesn't 
fit that category. I’ve talked with all the crewmembers they interviewed 
yesterday. He seems to be on a personal vendetta for you, sir." 

   "That's odd. I’ve never met him. I don't know him or his family. I can't 
imagine what I could possibly have done to cause him to hate me, unless I 
somehow screwed over one of his friends."

   "Anything’s possible, captain. In reference to the ISN broadcast, you 
have some interesting friends."

   "You mean Lyta. She is different, chief."

   "She's gorgeous, captain. I think, I'd like to meet her sometime."

   "You know she’s a telepath. She’s providing the telepath escorts for 
the board members."

   "If she’s your friend, captain, I trust her. I wondered who the civilians 
were that always seem to be in close proximity to the board members when 
they are out and about. If you don't pay close attention, you won't notice 
they’re there. But then, I suppose that's the idea in the first place."

   "You’re worried about the outcome of this inquiry, aren't you?"

   "Honestly... yes I am. I don't trust these board members as far as I can 
throw Babylon 5. I also heard a rumor that Leftcourt and some of his cronies 
are coming here for the last part of the boards inquiries. The word is that’s 
why they’ve delayed questioning you and the XO."

   "I trusted the general to be fair. I should have known better. I can see 
it now. This’ll be when they let in the media and cameras. Pat and I will 
be the spectacle. I knew politics was behind this inquiry. I thought maybe 
General Leftcourt had left those days behind him."

   "You, Captain Sheridan, and your redheaded friend caused a great deal 
of embarrassment for the EA, Earthforce and others. They have very long 
memories, Captain Ivanova. But, it’s just possible that they want to be 
here for your vindication."

   "Will you take bets on that belief, chief?"

   "Not even if I use your money to cover them."

   "Why was your DO looking for you anyway?"

   "He isn't. I just made that up as an excuse to load test your couch 
and talk. Truth is, I haven't even seen him since quarters this morning." 
As he said this, Chief Comer was heading for the door.

   "Chief. The door is always open."

   "Thanks, captain."

   Susan liked Comer very much. He was from the old school. Most had forgotten 
what that
was.

   She made up her mind to take him to meet Lyta.

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

   It was 0900 and Captain Conrad was sitting at the table in the room he 
shared with Captain Powers scrutinizing the printed transcripts of the 
interviews with crewmembers of the Ares. In a second pile were the reports 
from his investigating electronics and computer experts who had gone over 
the communications systems of Babylon 5 and the Ares with fine tooth combs. 
They had been unable to find anything to dispute Captains Ivanova's and 
Lockley's theory as to what happened to the written orders for the Ares 
to depart Babylon 5 space as verbally ordered by Jack Garvey, President 
Luchenko's staff member. The incoming call signal sounded, and Conrad 
accepted the call.

   "Captain Conrad. I don't suppose you have seen the latest ISN broadcast 
have you?" demanded General Marsh.

   Looking confused, Conrad replied, "No, sir. I haven't. Why?"

   "It seems you and Miss Alexander are their lead story this morning."

   "I don't understand what you’re talking about, sir."

   "I suggest you watch ISN and learn. Your career is in jeopardy as it is."

   "Is this another threat, general? They are becoming tiresome."

   "Watch your mouth, captain."  

   "I plan on calling it quits when this inquiry is over, general. Go 
threaten someone else, sir. If having a career means working for people 
like you, then it won't be any real loss." With that he broke the connection.

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

END PART 12