'Ah, another mistrustful military man,' Jukaga replied his voice pitched a little louder so that the press who had gathered at the edge of the group could hear better.
'Your assumption, not mine,' Tolwyn replied softly.
'Yet another prophet of doom that peace will never work,' and he paused for a second, noticing that several reporters and cameramen were jockeying into position to catch the encounter.
'Admiral, aren't we late for our dinner appointment?' Jason said, coming up behind Tolwyn, lying like mad, but unable to think of a better excuse to extract his commander.
'Don't forget, Geoffrey . . .' and Jukaga paused, 'May I call you that? '
'My friends do,' Tolwyn replied coldly.
'All right, then Admiral. Let me remind you that we Kilrathi have suffered just as much in this unfortunate war. We have lost millions as well. I've heard you people talk about atrocities, but we have suffered them too.'
He looked over at Jason and smiled again.
'Though there were some of your warriors who did fight with honor and tried to protect our innocent women and children, even if they were furballs as you so ineloquently put it.'
Jason felt uncomfortable by his attention but looked back at him, saying nothing.
Jukaga hesitated for a moment as if not wishing to say something.
'Speaking of atrocities,' Tukarg, standing behind Jukaga, interjected.
'Let it drop, it's over,' Jukaga replied
Tukarg shook his head
'I had clan blood on that ship,' Tukarg said coldly and he turned to look at the press.
We have intelligence information that your Admiral Tolwyn launched an attack against one of our ships after he had already received the report that a preliminary armistice agreement had been reached and that all offensive action was to cease. Such an act is a war crime.'
'An honest mistake,' Jukaga said as if almost apologizing for Tukarg. 'And besides,' he said with a forced laugh, 'now you've gone and revealed that we had cracked their latest fleet code.
'I'm sorry this has come up,' Jukaga continued, 'but perhaps there should be an investigation to clear your name.'
'There's no need for an investigation,' Tolwyn said quietly
'Oh, then of course you are innocent.'
'No, quite the contrary,' Tolwyn replied, 'I did it because it was my duty. Now if you'll excuse me.'
He nodded curtly and turned away.
The press swarmed after him shouting questions, shouldering Jason and Ian out of the way.
'Nicely done,' Jason said coldly, looking straight at Jukaga.
For a brief instant he felt as if he could almost sense the contempt and then the smile returned.
'I didn't want it to happen. I know how a warriors blood can get up. It was unfortunate but such incidents happen in war. It was best to leave it forgotten now that it is over.'
'But of course,' Jason said coldly.
'You were the one who raided our home world, weren't you?'
'First to Kilrah,' Jason said quietly, repeating what was now the slogan of his ship.
Again there seemed to be that flash.
'Masterful; I studied it intently afterwards.'
'I just bet you did,' Ian replied.
'Perhaps we'll talk again someday,' Jukaga said stiffly and turning he walked off, the smile returning as he waved to the cameras.
'Come on,' Jason said angrily, looking over at Hunter, 'let's get out of here, I need to find a bathroom.'
Jukaga turned back and watched Tolwyn disappear from view, surrounded by a horde of press shouting questions. Tolwyn's actions had caught him by surprise. It was a convenient way of removing one of the finest fleet admirals of the Confederation and to discredit the fleet as well. And yet it struck him as strange that Tolwyn would allow his passion to get the better of him. It did not fit the pattern at all of a man he had studied so intently. He found that he almost felt sorry for him. How easily he had been destroyed, not in battle, but by a ruse. The ever eager reporters of the Confederation, who would now destroy a man that the best fleet officers of the Empire found to be unbeatable.
Yes, he could feel sorry for him even if he was the enemy, and that realization Jukaga found to be almost troubling.
CHAPTER THREE
'All engines stop.'
'All engines stop, sir. Hard dock to station secured'
Docking a ship the size of an escort carrier was always a bit of a tricky job, and with the maneuver finished Jason sat back in his chair and took a sip of coffee.
He looked around at his bridge crew who stood silent. The speeches had already been made earlier when the rest of the crew, except for the few hands necessary for this final run out from Earth orbit, had transferred off.
There was simply nothing more to be said.
'Secure reactor to cold shut down,' he said softly.
He paused for a moment.
'I guess that's it.'
The crew was unable to reply.
'Dock yard officer coming aboard,' a petty officer announced and Jason nodded.
A minute later he heard the footsteps in the corridor and tried to force a smile. A lone officer came on to the bridge, faced Jason, and saluted.
'Lieutenant Commander Westerlin, commander fleet yard five, requesting permission to come aboard, sir.'
He tried to be formal in reply but his voice still caught slightly.
'Permission granted,' and returned the salute.
The officer pulled out a small piece of paper and unfolded it.
'By order of C-in-C ConFleet, to Captain Jason Bondarevsky, CVE Tarawa,' the officer began, and Jason could see he had been through the ritual so many times that he barely needed to read the orders.
'As of the this date, CVE 8 Confederation Fleet Ship Tarawa is hereby officially stricken from active list and placed in inactive reserve. Unless otherwise noted in attached form below, all officers and crew are hereby discharged from active fleet service upon completion of all proper discharge procedures and placed on inactive reserves. Signed C-in-C ConFleet.'
The officer folded the paper and hesitated for a moment.
'Sir, its a bit out of form but I also received a note from the Commander of Third Fleet, Admiral Banbridge, which he asked me to read.'
Jason nodded, and the officer unfolded the piece of paper.
'Never in the annals of the fleet has so much been accomplished by a ship such as yours. I am proud to have served with all of you. The name Tarawa will not be forgotten, God bless you all.'
The officer handed the paper to Jason, who smiled.
'Sir, for what's it's worth I hate this job,' the officer said quietly. 'A lot of the other ships I don t really care about, but your ship, sir,' and he hesitated. 'Sir, I'm sorry I have to take over this old girl. She's a proud ship.'
'So am I,' Jason sighed 'Just take good care of her.'
'We'll do our best.'
He turned and looked back at his crew.
