I slumped in a chair. “I’ve used a friend, manipulated him, and I’m disgusted with myself.”
“Yours is a lonely job,” she said. “Sometimes one can’t do directly what must be done. Is it for the good of the ship?” “I think so,” I said. “I’m not sure.”
“We’re seldom sure, Nic--Captain. If you believe it’s for the good of the ship, isn’t that enough?”
“Then why am I miserable?”
“You tell me.” It was a challenge, in its calm, quiet style.
I avoided it. “Because of my weakness, I guess. I wish I were wise enough to find another way.”
“I absolve you.” She smiled at me. “Sleep well tonight.”
“I don’t want a pill.”
“I didn’t offer one.” I started for the corridor. “I wish I could help you, Captain,” she said. “But you have to help yourself.” Puzzled, I went back to my cabin. I went to bed and slept peacefully.
In the morning I met Alexi and Derek at breakfast. Both studiously avoided my eye. At noon I took my place on the bridge. Vax Holser and I sat in silence. When the watch was done I thumbed the caller. “Mr. Tyre, bring Mr. Tamarov to the bridge.” Vax looked at me curiously.
The midshipmen arrived. “Permission to enter bridge, sir.” Philip Tyre’s voice was firm and vibrant. He snapped a smart salute.
“Granted.” They came to attention. “Darla, please record these proceedings. I, Captain Nicholas Seafort, do commission Midshipman Alexi Tamarov to the Naval Service of the Government of the United Nations and do appoint him Lieutenant, by the Grace of God.” Alexi was stunned.
Philip Tyre swallowed, his face ashen.
“Mr. Tyre, you are dismissed. Lieutenant Tamarov, you will remain.” With jerky motions Philip Tyre saluted, turned, and left the bridge. As soon as the hatch closed Vax leaped up with a whoop. He pounded Alexi on the back.
“Easy, Mr. Holser, you’ll kill him!” Vax’s brotherly blows could break ribs.
“Congratulations, Alexi!” Vax turned to me with a wide grin. “It’s wonderful news, sir.” Alexi didn’t move.
“You’re free, Alexi,” I told him quietly. “Free of him.”
“Am I?” Alexi spoke without inflection. “Will I ever be?” Unbidden, he sank into a chair, wincing. He began to sob.Shocked, Vax withdrew a step. I motioned him to wait in the corridor.
After a time Alexi gained control of himself. “Why did you leave me there so long?”
“So you’d be sure.” I despised myself.
“Of what?”
“I already have three lieutenants; you won’t be overwhelmed with duties. I’m putting you in charge of the midshipmen. Put things back in order.”
He thought about it. Silence stretched for over a minute.
“Don’t,” he said in a small voice. “I beg you; don’t put me in charge of him.”
“It’s done. Those are your orders.”
“I swore an oath to myself, Mr. Seafort. I won’t be able to stop.”
“I wanted you to be certain whom you were dealing with.” I stood. “So I waited until it was absolutely clear. Perhaps too long. I’m sorry, if that’s any use.” I was too ashamed to meet his eye, so I paced, my eye traversing the bulkheads.
“It’s a long cruise home. I have the welfare of the other midshipmen to consider. Keep them safe, Alexi. Do what you must.”
He put his head in his hands, then rubbed his face. He offered a tentative smile. “Sorry, sir. I’ve been a bit...
emotional lately. It’s like waking from a nightmare.”
“I know what that’s like,” I said. “Believe me.”
28
The next day I called the engine room to give Chief McAndrews private instructions. Then I summoned Mr. Crossburn and handed him a written standing order to disassemble and inspect the launch seats every day until further notice.
He looked around wildly, as if for escape. “Captain, I
can’t do that. Not all day, every day!”
I was inflexible. “You can and you will.”
“I protest, Captain!”
“Noted. Begin your work.”
“No, that’s crazy!”
“What did you say?”
“I said no! You can’t mean it.”
“Mr. Crossburn, come with me.” I led him, protesting, down the ladder to the engine room, to the lower level at the fusion drive shaft. The plank I had ordered the Chief to make ready was set across it; Mr. Me Andrews stood by, his face a
grim mask.
“Stand at attention and look at the shaft.” Crossburn did so.
“This is where I hanged Mr. Tuak and Mr. Rogoff. And the rebels who tried to take over the ship. It’s been a rough voyage and we’re on the way back to Miningcamp, where we were attacked once before. Hiberniais in an emergency zone, Mr, Crossburn, and war rules apply. I tell you now, if you refuse to obey an order, I will hang you. Be silent and think about it.”
I gave him ten minutes. Then I released him. “Go to the launch berth.”
Shaken, he complied. “Aye aye, sir.” Then he added angrily, “You can be sure my uncle will hear of this!”
“Two months pay, Mr. Crossburn, for insolence and insubordination. Anything else?”
“No, sir!” He fled.
I looked at the Chief, let out my breath.
He asked, “What if he’d refused, sir?”
“I’d have had to proceed.” A sudden thought. “Would you have let me?”
“By the regs, I couldn’t stop you.”
“That was no answer.” I decided not to press. I’d made enemies of them all, abovedecks. Why alienate the Chief as well? Several days later I shared a watch with Philip Tyre. He looked pale and shaken. I said nothing.
Vax chose to keep me informed. “Alexi’s all over him, sir. Demerits for attitude, for sloppiness, for inattention.
Twice he’s sent him to the barrel outright, in addition to the demerits.”
“I know. I can read the Log.”
“Yes, sir. Philip is going to have an interesting cruise.”
He would indeed. Alexi was slow to anger and I doubted he would be faster to forgive. I shrugged. Tyre had made his bed.”When are you going to let him off, sir?”
“I’m not.”
Vax looked awed.”All the way home? Eighteen months?”
“Seventeen and a half.” I wondered how soon I could start counting the days.
The Olympians had taken over Level 2, jogging endlessly in the circumference corridor, swinging from the bars in the exercise room, doing push-ups on the mats. From time to time Philip Tyre joined them, sweating profusely in strenuous effort, supervised by a stern and watchful lieutenant.
Soon we would Defuse for a navigation check. Then a few more days to Hope Nation, and our mooring. We’d remain there only two days, just enough to take on passengers for the trip home. Somewhere below me would be Amanda, but I wouldn’t see her again.
Dr. Uburu came to the bridge to speak to me. “Captain, Lieutenant Crossburn has been questioning your sanity. He wants me to join him in removing you.”
“Is he correct?”
She looked at me thoughtfully. “I don’t think so. You might be vindictive, but not insane.”
“Thanks so much.”
She smiled. “Captain, do you recall when the Chief, the Pilot, and I met to find a way to stop your taking command?” “Yes.”
“I can’t believe how wrong we were. This is a jinxed voyage, Captain. Hiberniawill go down in Navy legends.
There’s nothing that hasn’t gone wrong for us. And you’ve coped with it all. You’ve done better than anyone had a right to expect.”
I looked at her to see if she was serious, angry at her blind stupidity. “Leave the bridge at once, Doctor. That’s an order!”
“Aye aye, sir.” She saluted and left, unfazed by my anger.
She thought well of me, perhaps, like the foolish seamen in the Hope Nation bar. But I knew better. I had Philip Tyre and Ardwell Crossburn to add to my long list of failures.
Days later, Lieutenant Chantir told me Philip had been sent to him again. Lars was obviously unhappy.
“I don’t need daily reports, Lieutenant. Just do your duty.”