“What is that?”
“Why, protecting the Realm. You’re yelling at the one the King and Queen have decreed that his decisions will be followed without question. He could kick you out of the service and take away your ship.”
Melanie felt terror. She looked at the young man in front of her and suddenly realized that she in was way over her head. “I’ve made a huge mistake, haven’t I?”
“Why did you act like this?”
“I don’t know. I thought that this office they’re supposedly giving was some kind of huge foul up. I’ve never done anything that would justify promoting me to that title. I just didn’t take it seriously. Besides, I am not one that fits in easily.”
“Well you better be considering your next words carefully.”
Mat listened to the young woman’s outrage and started to kick her out of the service until he played back what she said. At that point the other three visitors arrived just as Melanie finished her tirade and he turned his attention to them and away from the angry Searcher. “I wasn’t expecting any more guests.”
“We were watching your interview and we determined that we should be here,” Sprig thought.
Matt looked at the now silent Searcher and then said, “Why did you select Searcher Grace to fill the position as Vice Admiral?”
“Because she is going to be working closely with you for the foreseeable future and in order to be effective she would need that level of rank. She will assist you in getting your orders followed.”
Matt immediately forgot about the Searcher in front of him and said, “I have not decided to work closely with anyone and I believe that no one can make that decision but me. I do not desire nor need anyone to assist me. I consider this issue closed.”
Melanie stood there wishing she could just find a hole and crawl in it. She had angered the prince and she was going to pay for it. If she lost her position in the navy her life would be over. She thought, “Please, can you help me.”
The Prince suddenly turned and said, “Al, are you talking with her?”
“Darn it, you caught me again.”
Melanie said in a shaking voiced, “Who is Al?”
The Prince turned on her and said, “He’s my ships computer.”
Melanie looked like she had been hit with a stunner. “That’s not possible; whoever was talking with me was telepathic.”
“The world is full of surprises, Searcher. You should have listened to me. Ole Al has great wisdom.”
“What did you say to her, Al?”
“I told her to back off.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re so tight that if someone placed a lump of coal in your arm pit you would have a diamond is less than ten minutes.”
Matt had an expression of anger for a moment and then burst out laughing. He laughed so hard it hurt. Al said, “I didn’t think it was that funny.”
Matt said between laughs, “I’m just confused why you said arm pit. Somewhere else would have fit better.”
“Probably, but we have a lady present. Watch your manners.”
Matt pulled himself together and looked at the young woman who was obviously nervous. “Searcher, why did you come to this meeting wearing what you have on?”
“I was told by Central Command that I was scheduled to attend a meeting where I was to be promoted to Vice Admiral over all our military forces. I asked them if they were sure they were contacting the right person and they told me to just get ready. I didn’t take the communication seriously. They had obviously made a mistake and they would contact the one they really wanted to go, so I just continued preparing for the next attack on the mother ship.”
Matt flinched and looked more closely at her, “Searcher, do you command an Alpha?”
“Yes, I do.”
“And you were part of the plan to attack the Eight Leg Mother ship?”
“I’ve already attacked it ten times, Your Grace, for all the good it’s done.”
Matt looked at Melanie for a long moment and then said, “I apologize for questioning your loyalty and commitment to the Stars Realm. I understand your anger and would feel the same if mine was questioned by someone in higher authority. I don’t think I would have said quite what you did because I do like serving in the Navy, however, Al is right; I found myself about to take some of my frustrations out on you and that would not be appropriate. Having said that, Searcher, the next time you show up out of uniform I will drum you right out of that Alpha and have you clean latrines on some of our defender class ships. Is that clear?”
Melanie bowed and said, Yes, Your Grace, but may I humbly request one thing.”
“What is that?”
“I will wear the uniform and follow the protocols set forth for a searcher’s appearance; I only ask that I be allowed to wear my hat.”
Matt looked at the floppy hat with the Ross symbol on it and asked, “What’s so special about that hat?”
“My family’s Grand Father that was killed on Ross by the Cainth was wearing it when he died. We have passed it down from generation to generation and now it is my turn to carry it into the future.”
Matt looked at the young woman in front of him and suddenly knew the strength of her commitment. He felt shame at having questioned it, “Searcher, by Royal Decree, you may wear that hat whenever you choose. Al, send that order to Fleet Command and get a copy printed that Searcher Grace may keep with her in the event that someone is stupid enough to question her right to wear it.”
“Done and done. Can you see now young lady that you should listen to me in the future?”
Melanie looked at Matt and asked, “Is he really your computer? And is he always like this?”
“What do you mean like this? You better be glad I saved you from the wrath of the Prince. It was my intervention that saved you.”
Melanie looked at Matt with wonder on her face. “Yes, Searcher, he is always like this but he is right. I caught him communicating with you and he showed me how I was going to take some of my frustrations out on you. So you do owe him.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. It’s about time I was appreciated for my good deeds.”
The four other visitors listened to the two go back and forth and started to relax. Melanie even thought she might get out alive. Melanie then said, “May I ask a question?”
Matt looked at her and said, “Go ahead.”
“How is it possible for a computer to be telepathic?”
Matt looked at her and said, “You are actually more curious about that than saving your hide.”
Melanie thought a minute and said, “I think I am. He doesn’t sound mechanical at all.”
“You got that right, Lady,” Al quipped.
“Now you back off, Al,” Matt thought. Matt looked at Sprig and said, “I cannot work with anyone at this point in my life and I certainly cannot open my mind to anyone else. I am just not up to the task. Give me one good reason why I should agree to work closely with her.”
“She is the occupant of the second chair.”
Matt froze. Even Al was speechless. Melanie tilted her head and said, “I’m what?”
Anglo moved forward and looked Matt in the eye, “I know it’s too soon since Angel died but you must start working with her and open your mind to her.”
Matt hung his head and said, “I can’t.”
Twig said, “You must.”
Matt looked at them and said firmly, “I can’t.”
Melanie had heard about the death of Angel Dodd and she knew that the Prince was her lover. She could see his anguish and pain. “He should not be forced to accept this,” she said.
Matt looked up at her.
Sprig thought, “Searcher Grace, he must agree.”
“Then I will not agree. I cannot be forced into this.”