Automatically, all three of them stood with me.
9 Vax and Alexi snapped to attention when I crossed the wardroom threshold. They, at least, no longer considered me just the senior middy.
“I don’t have command yet,” I told them. “This is still my bunk and I want to be alone. Go pester the passengers or polish the fusion drive shaft. Beat it.”
Alexi grinned with relief at my sally; he was as unsettled as the rest of us. He and Vax hurried out.
I lay on my bunk fiddling with my holovid until eventually I tossed it aside in disgust. I was trapped. I grieved for my friend Harv, but I was furious he hadn’t had sense enough to commission Vax the day he took command. Vax could pilot, could navigate, understood the fusion drives, and had the forceful personality of a Captain.
I must have dozed. As afternoon watch ended I woke, ravenous. I couldn’t remember when I’d last eaten. I washed and hurried to the dining hall for the evening meal. Masterat-arms Vishinsky and four of his seamen stood outside the hatch, with their billies. He saluted.
“What’s this about?” I gestured to his sailors.
“Chief McAndrews ordered us up as a precaution, sir.
There was some kind of demand from the passengers and an, uh, inquiry from the crew.”
I spotted the Chief at his usual table. He stood when I approached. I flicked a thumb toward the master-at-arms and raised an eyebrow. “A written demand was delivered to the bridge, sir.” His voice was quiet. “By that Vincente woman.
Signed by almost all the passengers.”
“What do they want?”
“To go home. That part’s easy; we can Fuse any time.
They demand that responsible and competent officers control the ship, forthwith. Commissioned officers who have reached their majority.”
“Ah.”
“Yes, sir.” He paused. “And inquiries have come up from the crew,” he said with delicacy. “Wondering where authority now rests.”
“Oh, brother.”
“Yes. The sooner you declare you’ve taken command, the better.”
“Very well. After dinner. The officers will join me on the bridge.”
“Aye aye, sir.” He looked around the rapidly filling hall.
“The evening prayer, sir. Will you give it?”
“And sit at the Captain’s table, in the Captain’s place?” I was repelled by the thought.
“That’s where the Captain usually sits.” His tone had a touch of acid.
“Not tonight. I’ll say the prayer as senior officer, but from my usual place.”
I went to my accustomed seat. Several passengers sharing my table looked upon me with hostility. None spoke. I decided I could ignore it.
When the hall had filled I stood, and tapped my glass for quiet. “I am senior officer present,” I stated. Then, for the first time, I gave the Ship’s Prayer I had heard so often. “Lord God, today is March 12, 2195, on the U.N.S. Hibernia.We ask you to bless us, to bless our voyage, and to bring health and well-being to all aboard.” I sat, my heart pounding.
“Amen,” said Chief Engineer Me Andrews into the silence. A few passengers murmured it after him.
I wouldn’t call dinner a cheerful affair; hardly anyone acknowledged my presence. But I was so hungry I hardly cared.
I avidly consumed salad, meat, bread, then coffee and dessert.
The passengers at my table watched in amazement. I suppose they had reason; the day after the Captain’s death his successor sat at a midshipman’s place, eagerly devouring everything but the silverware.
After the meal I went back to the wardroom. I took out fresh clothes, showered thoroughly, dressed with extra care.
I even shaved, though it wasn’t really necessary.
Reluctantly, I went to the bridge. Sandy, who had been holding nominal watch alone--the ship was not under power--leaped to attention on my arrival.
“Carry on.” My tone was gruff, to cover my uncertainty.
Then, “Mr. Wilsky, summon all officers.”
“Aye aye, sir.” The young midshipman keyed the ship’s caller. “Now hear this.” His voice cracked; he blushed. “All officers report to the bridge.”
Awash with physical energy I paced the bridge, examining the instruments, seeing none of them. Doc Uburu arrived, requested permission to enter. The Pilot followed shortly. A few moments later the Chief appeared. The middies were last; Vax and Alexi came hurrying--clean uniforms, hair freshly combed, like my own--and I smiled despite myself. We all stood, as if grouped for a formal portrait.
I picked up the caller, took a deep breath. I exhaled, and took another. “Ladies and gentlemen, by the Grace of God, Captain Harvey Malstrom, commanding officer of U.N.S. Hibernia,is dead of illness. I, Midshipman Nicholas Ewing Seafort, senior officer aboard, do hereby take command of this ship.”
It was done.
“Congratulations, Captain!” Alexi was first, then they all crowded around me with reassurance and support, even the Chief and the Pilot. It was not a jolly occasion; the death of Captain Malstrom precluded that. What they offered was more condolence than celebration.
After a moment I went to sit. I stopped myself: I had headed for the first officer’s chair. Trying to look casual, I sat in the Captain’s seat on the left. No laser bolt struck me.
I addressed my officers.
“Pilot, we’ll need new watch rotations. Take care of it, please. The middies will have to stand watch alone now; it can’t be helped. Dr. Uburu, attend to passenger morale before the situation worsens. Chief, I need your attention on the crew. If there’s serious discontent, you’re to know about it.
Pass the word that we have matters under control. Vax, you’ll help me get settled. Get a work party to move my gear to the Captain’s cabin. Sew bars on my uniforms. Reprogram Darla to recognize me as Captain.”
When I stopped they chorused, “Aye aye, sir.” It was a heady feeling. No arguments, no objections. I began to appreciate ship’s discipline.
“Anything else, anyone?”
“We can make Earthport Station in two jumps.” The Pilot.
“I’ll run the calculations tonight.”
The Chief said, “Don’t worry about the crew; they’ll settle down as soon as I remind them they get early shore leave.
They’ll be so happy to head for Lunapolis they won’t even think about who’s Captain.”
Alexi asked, “When do we Fuse for home, sir?”
I said, “I never told you we were going home.”
The shock of silence. Then a babble of voices.
I snapped, “Be quiet!” There was instant compliance. It didn’t surprise me; I wouldn’t have dared breathe had Captain Malstrom given such an order, friend or no friend. “Chief, do you have something to say?”
“With the Captain’s permission, yes, sir.” He waited for my nod. “Surely you can’t mean to go on. We’ve lost our four most experienced officers. The crew is frightened. I can’t answer for their behavior if we head for Hope Nation. The ship’s launch is gone; six passengers are dead. Sir, we never thought... Please. The only sensible thing is to go back.”
“Pilot?”
“I can get us back in two jumps, Captain. Six months. It’s eleven months to Hope Nation.”
“I already knew that. Anything else?”
“Yes, sir. The danger is obvious. It’s irresponsible of you to sail on.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Pilot, you’re placed on report for insolence. I will enter a reprimand in the Log. You are reduced two grades in pay and confined to quarters for one week, except when on watch.”
Pilot Haynes, his face red with rage, grated, “Understood, sir.” His fists were clenched at his side.
“Who else?” Of course, after that no one cared to speak.
“I’ll take your suggestions under advisement. In the morn-
ing I’ll let you know. You’re all dismissed. Mr. Holser, you will remain.”
After the bridge hatch shut behind the last of them I turned to Vax, who waited in the “at ease” position. I wasn’t looking forward to our interview. “You’re senior middy now, Vax.”