He was a great challenge to herbecause he had not fallen for her – and he was convinced that was the onlyreason she was after him. What would have happened if McReidy hadn’t burst inon them was something he didn’t want to think about. He had to give creditwhere it was due and Bela’s women were behaving themselves.
It took him almost an hour to getaway from her. He didn’t wish to appear intimidated by her attentions and itwas possible to hold a purely platonic conversation. He was saved by a callfrom the bridge.
“Madison here, what’s yourproblem?” he answered.
“We need you on the bridge rightaway, sir.”
“I’m on my way.” He apologisedto Bela and excused himself. Once alone in the corridor, he flicked hiscommunicator. “Thank you, Mister Humphries.”
“No problem, sir. Enjoy the restof your evening.”
It was a pretty mean thing to do,John thought, but all’s fair in love and war. And this was war.
* * *
Lorraine reported to the bridgeon time in the morning. She ignored Giacomo’s questioning look as John tookher straight into his office. McReidy claimed ignorance and changed thesubject, which only caused the pilot to brood more.
Lorraine sat down nervously.
“Are you all right?” John asked,concern showing through in his quiet voice.
“Yes, just a little nervous.”
“Don’t let them get to you.” John sat at his desk. He opened the transmission and switched the image to athe screen on the wall.
Lorraine turned her chair aroundand faced the three examiners. Formalities were brief.
“Lieutenant, do you know why youare here?” asked Chief Commissioner Colden.
“Something about my exam results,sir,” she answered.
John moved from behind his deskand sat on the corner of it, drifting into her peripherals. He felt her moodease although she kept her attention on the examiners.
“There are just a few matters wewould like to clear up,” Colden continued. “Commander, your presence is notrequired.”
“As the lieutenant’s commandingofficer, I request –”
“Request denied.”
“I have the right to be present,”John insisted.
“This is not a trial. You arenot required. The lieutenant will contact you when we are finished.”
Officially, it might not havebeen a trial, but it felt that way to John. He stood up and crossed in frontof Lorraine, his back blocking the examiners’ view. He held his arms outhelplessly.
“I’m sorry,” he mouthed silently.
She nodded in acknowledgement andhe turned and left the room.
As the door closed behind him,the office was sealed off from the rest of the ship. He turned and thumped afist on it in anger. It was like throwing a lamb to the wolves.
Giacomo jumped and turned to theoffice, turning back to his console just as quickly.
It was almost two hours laterwhen Lorraine called John back into his office. During that time, he wasrestless. He constantly fidgeted, his fingers absently flicking the controlson his chair. He kept turning his attention back to the office door as thoughsheer willpower would enable him to see through it.
He didn’t expect an apology fromthe examiners. He thought Lorraine deserved one anyway.
“We are satisfied that thelieutenant’s knowledge is of the standard indicated by the exam results,” wasthe only answer he was getting.
The transmission ended, thescreen went blank. John turned it off and the office was silent.
“You don’t seem very pleasedabout passing,” he spoke quietly.
Lorraine glared. “How dare theyeven imply that I cheated!”
“At least there’s nothing in hereyou can throw at me.”
“I didn’t mean to – Well, yes Idid, actually,” she corrected herself. “But I wasn’t angry at you”
“Need to let off steam? Take itout on me if you like.”
“No, I’m past that… I want…” She ducked her head shyly before looking hopefully up into his eyes.
“Giacomo?” he guessed. “He’s allyours. Send him back when you’ve finished with him.” At that moment she couldhave asked him for almost anything and gotten it.
Lorraine smiled for the firsttime that day.
Giacomo’s attention turned to theoffice door as soon as it opened. Lorraine inclined her head slightly towardsthe bridge door. Duty tempered his desires, so clear on his face as he flickeda glance at John.
“Go,” John mouthed.
The pilot was out of his seat andat the bridge door before Lorraine was. When John gave the helm to McReidy, itwas perfectly clear that he was not expected back in the immediate future.
* * *
Having failed in their attemptsto catch John yesterday, the ambassadors were becoming more insistent. He madetime for them, although he really wasn’t interested in their petty bickering. He found it hard to imagine them ever sitting down together to discuss anythingimportant.
Off duty, he left strictinstructions not to be disturbed. The ship wasn’t large enough that he couldavoid every one of them. The few hours that he managed to steal on his ownearly in the morning became more precious.
McReidy often found him workingpeacefully in the bar in the silence. He needed the time on his own and shetook it on her own authority to allow him his solitude. Any problems duringthis time were to be directed to her.
John reached the end of histether one day when the ambassadors stepped too far. When the bridge dooropened, he turned to see Kerrod striding towards him.
“Commander, it is most importantthat I speak with you,” Kerrod insisted.
“What are you doing here?” Johndemanded, rising to his feet.
“I just told you I –”
“I don’t care what you told me.” John advanced and met the Heedran halfway across the floor. “This is my bridgeand it is restricted to authorised personnel only.”
“But surely, under thecircumstances –”
“No. You have no rights to behere and I strongly suggest you leave now.”
There was no time for Kerrod toanswer. Delma and Ersog had followed his lead and were fighting for John’sattention. It was difficult to figure out who was saying what. A mixture ofjumbled English and alien dialects filled with demands and insults.
John snapped. “All right! That’s it!” he roared. “Enough!”
He stunned them into silence. His eyes as black as his mood,
