In the edge of my vision I caught sight of Ricky’s face. It was unharmed. “Philip, take him--”
“Shut up, Captain!” The knife pressed.
“--out to the corridor. Flank.”
“Aye aye, sir.” Tyre darted forward, helped Ricky to his feet. The two of them stumbled out.
Silence. Then Treadwell’s voice came in a hiss. “I hate you.
I hate your arrogance, your certainty that you’re doing right no matter how much you hurt others. If it weren’t for my children, I’d slit your filthy throat and have done with it!”
I made a sound.
“What?”
“I said, do it.”
“Jesus, you’re crazed.”
I could think of nothing to say.
A knock on the hatch. “Are you all right, sir?”
The knife tightened. “No tricks!”
“Fine, Mr. Vishinsky. Remain outside.”
Now that the die was cast, I felt more peace than I had in months. I waited, watching the hatch. “They’ll be here in a moment, I think. If I might suggest... “
“Hah. As if I care what you--”
“Do you want your children to see you with the knife?”
“There’s no way I’m letting you--”
“I give you my word I’ll sit still.” My chin ached. It was hard to talk, with his fingers grinding into me. “Do you want their sympathy or their horror?” Nothing. “Mr. Treadwell, you haven’t a chance to persuade them if they see you hurting me.”“Are you insane? Why would you help me?”
I thought a long while. “So the test will be fair.”
His hand wavered. “Shut up. I want to despise you.”
A knock. A tremulous voice, from outside. “Cadet Rafe Treadwell reporting, sir.”
I said quietly, “Put the knife away, Mr. Treadwell. I’ll stay seated where you can reach me.”
His moment of decision. Slowly, the knife lowered, disappeared. “Go ahead. Betray me.” Vast bitterness.
“Come in, Cadet.”
Rafe entered, snapped a rough salute. He hadn’t had much time to practice. “Sir, I heard--what’s... “ He gave up, came to a ragged version of attention.
“As you were, Rafe. It seems your father wants you to go ashore. To resign. I’m willing to let you.”
“No!”
Behind me, a hiss of breath.
The boy cocked his head, looked at his father strangely.
“Jared, why are you doing this? I’m a cadet now. I’m where I want to be.”
“You can’t just walk away from your family.” Treadwell’s voice was hoarse. “You’re barely thirteen.”
“Old enough to enlist.”
“And you left us nothing but a note. You didn’t have the guts, the courtesy to tell me to my face!”
The boy’s eyes teared. “Would you have listened?”
I said, “Rafe, it may have been a mistake. You decided so fast. Wouldn’t it be best if--”
“You said it was for five years, and I couldn’t change my mind!”
I nodded.
Rafe cried, “That’s what I want, not a chance to back out! You think it was easy, signing up?” His jaw jutted. “See what you’ve done, Jared? Now he’ll have me whipped for insolence. Can’t you leave things alone?”
At the hatch, a knock.
“Son, I... “ Mr. Treadwell sounded uncertain. “Your mother and I, we thought--” His voice broke. “Rafe, why do you run from us?”
“Because I’m not your son!” Rafe’s face twisted. “I’m a creche boy. Sheila was my nurse, and Martine. I had forty brothers and sisters. God, how I miss them!” He ran fingers through his short-cropped hair. “It was your choice to creche us as babies. When you took us out, Paula and I warned you: we weren’t really a family. Irene paid no attention, and neither did you.”
“She’s your mother!”
From the hatchway, a quiet voice. “She was once.” Paula.
Her eyes roved among us. “Are you all right, Jared?”
“I--yes, I think so.” Her father seemed uncertain.
“Captain, sir?”
“I’m not hurt.”
She took two steps in, halted. The rebuke in her face pinned Jared to the bulkhead. “Why did you break Ricky’s arm?”
“He tried to get away, and I needed--”
“The poor joey is hunched in the corridor, crying. He won’t go to the Doc until Mr. Seafort is safe. Nobody wants to hurt Ricky. He’s too good-natured. How could you?”
“I--” No words came.
She faced me, came to attention. “Sir, Mr. Tyre said you had a question for me?”
“Do you want me to annul your enlistment?”
“No, sir.”
Her gaze, when it met her father’s, held pity, and something more stern. “I’m sorry, Jared, really I am. But it isn’t the way you thought it was.”
My mouth was dry. They wouldn’t be leaving Hiberniawith their father. That meant his attention would be turned to me. So be it. “Cadets, you’re dismissed.”
Paula saluted, turned to the hatch. Rafe clumsily imitated her motions. Seated, I couldn’t return salute; instead, I nodded.”Before you go... “I was proud of them, and probably wouldn’t have another chance. “You’ve done well. This isn’t your fault. No matter what happens--” It was the wrong line. I cleared my throat, and tried again. “The Navy will take care of you. That’s all.”
“Yes, sir.” Paula hesitated. “May I?” I nodded. “Jared, I’m sorry. For hurting you, for Irene, for all of us. Please don’t make it worse.” Another salute, and she was gone. Her brother followed.
A hand, on the back of my neck. I flinched, steeled myself.
“There’s nothing left. Except you.” Treadwell’s voice was ragged. “At least I can see that you don’t ruin any more lives.”
“Yes.” I raised my head, exposing my throat. “If I...”
After a moment, he said, “Well?”
My voice was unsteady. “If I come for you, afterward.
It’s just a dream. Sooner or later, I’ll go away.”
“Lord God.” A whisper.
Then a sob.
Eventually I lowered my head. It was beginning to cramp.
Vax smoldered; I did my best to ignore him. After a while I gave up. “Get it said, Lieutenant.”
“How could you let him go!”
“You’d rather I hanged him? And then ate at mess with his children?”
“He threatened you with a knife!”
“I’m unhurt. He’s groundside, so’s Irene, and the matter is closed.”
Vax shook his head with stubborn negation. “If I may say so, you--”
“No, that’s enough. I understand you disapprove.”
Vax subsided, muttering.
Earlier, in the quiet of the lounge, I’d picked up the knife Jared Treadwell had let fall, tossed it aside. Half a dozen steps saw me to the hatch. “It’s all right, Mr. Vishinsky.
Dismiss your detail.”
“Sir, is he--”
“Help him remove his things from his cabin, and escort him to the lock.” I turned to Ricky. “You’ll be all right, boy. To the sickbay. Now.”
“Aye aye, sir. Did he hurt--Captain, I’m sor--”
Philip Tyre snapped, “Cadet, two demerits. About-face, march! When the Captain gives an order, jump. I’ll deal with you in the wardroom!”
I managed to hold my tongue until Ricky was out of sight.
Then, “Mr. Tyre, you argued with your Captain, twice!” I shook with fury. “My compliments to Lieutenant Chantir, and tell him I’m displeased--no, tell him I’m thoroughly disgusted--with your conduct, and he’s to correct it forthwith!”
Philip blanched. “I didn’t mean--aye aye, sir!”
“Go!”
After, I leaned against the bulkhead. Rafe and Paula were in quarters, the master-at-arms with Jared Treadwell, Ricky having his arm attended. Philip had gone to his chastisement.
I stopped at my cabin, changed my shirt, sat awhile on my starched .blanket.
My life had been at risk, and I felt nothing. Well, perhaps not quite that. When the knife had fallen, I’d felt relief. But not much.
I’d think about that later. Time to return to the bridge.