“Yes, sir,” she acknowledged.
“Madison to Lieutenant Spencer. Take the day off.”
There was a slight hesitationbefore she answered unsurely, “Yes, sir.”
“And thank you.”
There was no hesitation in herreply this time. “You’re welcome, sir.”
Tan headed to the bridge and Johnheaded to his desk. He switched on the console, opened the key and ran anintercepted message through it. The message decoded – a scout ordered toreturn to its home ship.
He knew he should probablycontact Command or the fleet. Somehow, that felt like a waste of breath. Heknew who’d appreciate it, no questions asked.
He searched for the last knownco-ordinates of the Betelian fleet and put a call through. “Commander Madisonof Bismarck for Captain Drago.”
“Captain Drago is busy,” came thegrudging reply.
“Tell him we cracked theAndromedan code and I’m sending him the key. Bismarck, out.” He sent the keyand switched off.
He was barely out of his chairwhen the console switched back on and the captain filled the screen.
“Commander Madison. It is goodto finally put a face to the messages.”
“Good morning, Captain.” Johnsat down again.
“Perhaps in your world, it is.” Drago’s attention drifted between John and the keypad in front of him as hetapped at it. Then a smile passed his face as he leaned back in his seat. “Your key works.”
“I have two excellent officers tothank for that.”
“I thank them also. This may bethe break we have been looking for.”
“I would appreciate it if youcould pass it on to the Earth fleet.”
Drago’s head tilted slightly.
“I’ve never been very popularwith the admiralty.”
Drago’s tone lowered to whatcould almost be considered soft. “Understood.”
The captain signed off and Johnwas left looking at a blank screen.
* * *
Another couple of worlds and theywere back on their original schedule. John was back on the ground andnegotiating treaties with a new energy.
He spent nights in his quartersgoing over the day’s eavesdroppings. On the occasions he was completelyexhausted, his mind kept ticking over and sleep escaped him. He was often onthe bridge early, going over the nightly reports. Coffee in hand by the timethe day shift arrived indicated how long he’d been there.
The ship was running asefficiently as she ever had. Torpedoes remained on the priority list – if andwhen they could get them or the materials needed to build them.
John was careful how he used thecode. The encounters had to appear chance. If the Andromedans thought theircode was compromised, they’d change it – and that was the last thing he wanted.
Rumours sparked through theresistance about the rebel force that was attacking from within. It struckhard and fast, leaving not a trace to its origin.
John was a perfectionist. Nothing was left half finished. When he attacked, his target was completelydestroyed. No survivors were left to go running back with their tale. Andwhen landing parties returned from treaty talks with gossip of the unknownrebels, the pride reflected in them all.
Giacomo’s flying was becomingdangerous. With each success, he became more confident, prompting him to takemore risks. He was causing higher stress levels among the crew than the enemy.
A secret vote wanted him to bestood down. John refused. He had spent too much time on Giacomo to have hisconfidence shattered by a lack of faith among the rest of the crew. Instead,he decided to slow down. He had no intention of letting Command know what hewas up to and if they fell behind schedule again, there’d be a drumming fromAdmiral Powers.
Humphries was at the helm oneparticular morning. He had commanded the bridge overnight and had yet to berelieved. With Giacomo absent, John had made him stay, giving him the helm. Acheeky grin and a fresh lease of life soon eradicated any signs of tiredness.
“Where’s Giacomo?” McReidyfinally asked.
“Apparently, someone got into hisquarters last night and turned off his alarm.” John’s answer was anaccusation. The silence told him the culprit was not alone. In thought if notin deed. Since the point had been made, John had decided to extend it. “He’llbe along later. I’ve got him doing some work for me.”
Keeping Humphries at the helmmight make them change their minds. However, he was not willing to put anyoneat risk to prove it. Actually, he had given Giacomo the morning off. He hadseen the warning signs from the crew and had been waiting for someone to act onit.
Giacomo was always punctual. When he hadn’t arrived for duty, John retreated to the privacy of his office tofind out why. The poor man had still been asleep. He awoke in a panic, wouldbe there immediately, he promised. John told him to wait, a small smile slowlycrept over his face while he thought.
“Take the morning off,” John hadinsisted, stifling all Giacomo’s protests. “Leave them to me. Just stay oncall.”
Humphries’ flying was different. It shouldn’t have been. It was not as if he was on manual control. It wasprobably more the fact that the regular routine had been changed, added to theslight touch of guilt.
“Asteroid field coming up,”Humphries announced. “Sir,” was an added afterthought. “Changing course –”
“Go through it,” John ordered.
“What!” Humphries exclaimed.
“You need the practice.” Johncould barely keep a straight face as the sideways glances came from the rest ofthe crew. “According to reports, you’ve avoided every obstacle you’ve cometo.”
“I’m not stupid enough todeliberately go through an asteroid field if I can avoid it.”
“And I am?”
The accusation had not beenimplied but it could very well have been. His own command had begun to go toHumphries’ head and it was about time he was pulled back into line along withthe rest of them.
“No, sir.” There was no hesitationthis time.
“Then I don’t see that we have aproblem.”
Humphries reluctantly ploughedthrough the field. There was nothing large enough to cause them any problemsthat couldn’t be easily avoided. Some smaller pieces shattered on impact. Theshields held up and no damage was sustained. Occasionally, one struck withsuch force of speed that the ship was pushed from its course. The controlsslipped from under Humphries’ hands and they were buffeted around while hestruggled to regain it.
McReidy’s glare and lowmutterings indicated she was
