She moved around to read itbetter. A warm smile came over her as she read what she realised was a trulypersonal letter. His admiration and respect for Captain Decker showed in hiswords. She placed a hand gently over his, to lift it as she slid the rest ofthe letter in view.
John jumped and she pulled backimmediately. The pen dropped as he rubbed his eyes and glanced sideways up ather. Even in his half awake state, he guessed that she was reading hisletter. Her deep blush confirmed it.
“Any good?” he drawled.
“I wouldn’t change a word.”
John lifted his head. His handrose immediately to his forehead, his eyes squinted shut. There was no pain;his head felt heavy. He sighed, slowly opening his eyes. “What time is it?”
“Time you were in bed.”
He knew better, but couldn’tresist the innuendo. “Why, McReidy, I didn’t know you cared.”
“I don’t,” she answered firmly.
He watched her for a moment, wonderingif she’d start an argument. She didn’t.
His eyes hurt and his headthreatened to thump again. If he looked as bad as he felt, he must be a realmess. He pushed himself upright.
“Give me a while to clean up andwe’ll see what’s happening.”
“It’s a stalemate. They wait. We wait.”
“Suits me. Tell Gillespie… Ishe on duty?”
“No,” she shook her head. “Giacomo, myself and Lieutenant Tan at communications.”
“Tell Tan to starteavesdropping. First excuse, we’re out of here.”
“Eavesdrop?” McReidy lifted aneyebrow.
“We eavesdrop on allcommunications within our range. First request for assistance on any groundsand we make ourselves available. It gives us a legitimate excuse forleaving.” He paused and turned his attention back to the letter in front ofhim. He picked it up and glanced over its contents. “You really think it’sall right?”
“Yes, I do.”
McReidy headed back onto thebridge as John’s fingers flew over the keyboard. It only took him a fewminutes to type the letter; only seconds to send all five to theirdestination. He flicked the screen off and stood up. His neck was stiff andhis back ached. Sleeping at desks was something he would not recommend.
He looked down at his crumpleduniform. Ohh, that would have earned him a lecture from the captain.
He cleaned himself up, but theuniform was going to have to stay. He’d grab a clean one from his quartersafter he checked their current status.
There was nothing of any value toreport, although Tan had picked up mention of Magellan. He had only managed topick up the end of it, but believed it was directed at Ark Royal. He had beenunable to find out the location.
John was still for a moment as heconsidered this speck of information. Ark Royal was the largest carrier in thefleet. Why should she be concerned over Magellan? There had to be somethingelse going on.
“Sir, call coming in from FleetCommand,” Tan informed him. “It’s not listed as private.”
“Put it through,” John bracedhimself for the onslaught.
He sighed with relief as therespondent wasn’t Admiral Powers. He’d had a run in too many with thecommander-in-chief and wished to avoid him at all costs. This officeridentified himself as Colonel Chow.
“It seems you are having somedifficulties,” Chow began.
“I will not endanger the rest ofthe crew. I do not consider the safety standards to be satisfactory and –”
Chow put up his hand and silencedJohn. “I am not here to argue with you. You still have the Magellansurvivors?”
“Yes.” John’s mind ticked overrapidly. He knew that something was definitely up.
“How long will it take you tocome in?”
John quickly did the mentalcalculation. “About a week.” He couldn’t hide the puzzlement in his voice.
Chow wasn’t going to explain. “Your orders are to return to Kuiper immediately. There is a captains’ meetingin eight days time and it is necessary to have the survivors here beforehand.”
“May I ask –?”
“You have your orders.”
Chow signed off.
Still trying to figure out thereason behind it, John suddenly realised the crew were waiting for him.
“Plot a course for home and takeus out of orbit.” He turned and smiled at Tan. “Mister Tan, please inform theminers that we have been ordered home.” It gave him great pleasure to beleaving.
“Yes, sir,” Tan grinned.
“Course plotted,” Giacomoadvised.
“Take us to light speed as soonas we’re clear.” John was happy to be doing something positive at last.
* * *
The days passed quickly. Sickbay was avoided by all the crew unless they had a need to go there. John knewhe should check on the injuries, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Everytime he got near sick bay, his stomach churned and he turned away. He figuredDunlop would notify him if he needed to know anything.
As much as he considered hisaction cowardly, all bar one of the engineers was back at work within days. The man would pull through, but a fractured skull would need time.
The loss of the captain affectedthem all. Giacomo stepped up and took on the new responsibilities he wasgiven. Tan was efficient. Humphries tried to fill the void, but he secondguessed his actions and John couldn’t leave him on his own. McReidy andGillespie fitted in easily and both preferred anything to doing nothing.
John worked a duty roster aroundthem all.
Engineering was the problemarea. John hadn’t selected another chief engineer. He believed they wouldsort themselves out by rank and continue with their jobs. It didn’t happen andhe had to break up a few physical confrontations. He knew it was stressrelated. Those caught in the cave in had reassessed their own mortality.
Being relieved from duty was thelast thing they needed. So was putting them on official report. And a trip tosick bay for a sedative or suggested counselling set nerves on end.
“Time,” Dunlop told John as theyhad a drink in the bar a couple of days later. “Or I’ll put a sedative in theair duct and knock them all out for you.”
The suggestion brought a smile toJohn.
“Don’t worry.”
John found comfort in thedoctor’s hand as it clamped onto and squeezed his shoulder.
“I’m keeping an
