“Enough,” John roared.
The ambassadors froze; theirentourages had backed to the safety of the walls. As Delma’s body jerked to astop, his fist lost momentum and skimmed across Ersog’s shoulder. Ersog liftedan arm to strike back and Kerrod squeezed him tighter.
“Enough, Fragette,” Kerrodhissed.
John was fuming as he thumped hiscommunicator. “Madison to Gillespie. We’ve just had a weapon discharge in thecargo bay. It’s under control now.”
“Sir,” Gillespie acknowledged. His console had lit up the moment the weapon had fired.
John let out a breath beforeturning his attention back to the ambassadors. “If there is nothing else...?” His voice was strained. “I have a ship to run.”
There were no more complaints. Either that or no one was willing to voice them.
“Good,” John said between grittedteeth. He tucked Ersog’s weapon inside his jacket and stormed off down thecorridor, straightening his uniform as he moved.
It was with sheer relief that he reachedthe bridge and dropped into his chair. He propped an elbow on the arm andrested his head in his hand. “Report.”
“Nothing unusual, sir,” Giacomoanswered. “We’re on our way to pick up the Manadosians.”
John lifted his head. “Take itcarefully. Mister Gillespie, I want all systems on full alert.
“Inside or outside the ship?”Gillespie ventured to ask.
“Both.” The answer wasaccompanied by a glare. “Don’t push it.”
McReidy turned to John a littlehesitantly. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Go ahead.” He was settled anddidn’t want to move.
“It’s kind of private.”
John grumbled to himself as hegot up and headed to his office. If he had to move, he was at least going toget a coffee. He offered McReidy a mug. She accepted and sat down to face himacross the desk.
“I didn’t want Giacomo to hear,”she began.
John was intrigued, but remainedsilent.
“I read the examination resultswhen they came in.”
“You’re not allowed to do that.” His voice was soft, his eyes warm.
“I know. You were busy. There’sa problem with Lorraine’s exam.”
John frowned. “She passed,didn’t she?”
“Well… yes… and no. Her answerswere of such a high standard that…” She took a breath. “They accused her ofcheating.”
“They what!”
“Read the report yourself. It’sright in front of you.” She leaned across the desk and looked for the relevantpart. “From here,” she pointed. “‘It is extremely difficult to imagine…’”
“I can read it myself.” Hepulled the report away and leaned back in his chair, continuing to read fromwhere she left off. “‘To imagine that an officer, based on previousexamination results, could possibly have achieved such a high standard without–’” He continued reading in silence.
His mood change reflected in hiseyes. He slammed the report down on the desk with such force that the noisemade her jump. His eyes burned through her.
“Of course she’s at thatstandard! Giacomo’s been teaching her!”
“They don’t know that.”
“It doesn’t matter what I do! It’s never good enough…! If they weren’t all at that standard, do you think wecould have made this ship what she is now?” He was on his feet now, ventinghis anger.
“Back off a minute. I’m on yourside.” She wasn’t prepared to take the brunt of his anger.
“Well, I can’t very well screamat the examination board, can I?” he snarled.
“Screaming at me won’t do anygood either!” She met his fury.
He dropped his head and closedhis eyes for a few seconds. When they opened, the anger was gone.
“I’m sorry,” he apologised softly. “It’s not your fault.”
He sat down, his elbows proppedon the desk and his face in his hands. He sighed heavily.
“What are they going to do aboutit?”
“You didn’t read that far?”
“No.” He shook his head, almostmanaging a tiny smile.
“They want her to resit underpersonal supervision of the board.”
“When?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Then I better make thearrangements.” He caught her worried look. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’tyell at them.”
This time he did smile.
*
It was soon organised. Lorrainewould resit her examination the next morning. John’s office was approved of asthe location since it could be sealed off from the rest of the ship. It was tobe an oral exam where she would be completely on her own without computeraccess. All possible precautions were being taken to ensure that there couldbe no outside help.
John resented the implication. He resented even more having to tell Lorraine. She was off duty and he caughtup with her in McReidy’s quarters.
She didn’t take the news easily. Hedidn’t tell her the full story; he didn’t want to upset her more thannecessary. Even so, he had to duck as she picked up a book and flung it headhigh across the room at him.
Her anger was at the book and, asshe watched it rebound to the floor, she calmed a little. John watched hercautiously, quickly scanning what else was in reach that she might throw.
She turned away from him, onehand on her hip, the other raised to her mouth. She bit down across herforefinger, hiding the hurt.
He moved across behind her andplaced his hands gently on her shoulders. She turned around into him. He hadnever seen tears in those dark eyes before, though she managed to hold themback.
“I believe in you. You knowthat.” His voice was reassuring and genuine.
She nodded, not doubting him fora minute.
“And I’ll be there for youtomorrow. Don’t tell Giacomo. Not until afterwards.”
She nodded again.
“I’ll see you on the bridge inthe morning,” he smiled.
A couple more objects hit thedoor once it had closed behind him.
He was accosted by Finook on theway back to the bridge. He brushed away the complaint, which was about asimportant as yesterday’s. If the ambassador wished to continue the discussionit would have to be at another time.
It was a relief to get back tothe peace and quiet of the bridge. Most of the day had passed and John felt hehad achieved nothing. By the end of the day, each of the new ambassadors had areason to speak to him ‘at his earliest convenience’. He decided to put in afew extra hours on the bridge to avoid them.
Bela was waiting for him themoment he was off duty.
