McReidy nodded. She got up andput the coffee on.
Giacomo screwed up his face andrubbed his brow. The commander placed him in an unfair position. Being responsiblefor the duty rosters, he was always unpopular with someone. He didn’t have theseniority of rank that enabled his orders to be followed without question. Healso didn’t like having to use the commander for backup.
“The day they don’t complain, you’llwonder what’s wrong,” John had often told him.
* * *
John was awake when Giacomodropped by his quarters next morning.
“Problem?” John asked. He wasn’tusually interrupted in the mornings unless there was.
“No, not really.”
“Private?” John was on his wayto the bridge. If Giacomo wished to speak to him privately he could do so,otherwise they would discuss it on the way.
“No. I’ve got this accommodationorganised and some of the guys aren’t going to like it.”
“That’s their problem. I assumeyou asked them in the first place.”
“That didn’t help.”
“You’re never going to pleaseeveryone. We just don’t have the room. You do the rosters. Organise it sothey never see each other. If there’s any complaints, tell them they can bunkin the brig.”
The small smirk that crossedGiacomo’s face made John frown slightly. There were obviously going to be somevery unpopular arrangements.
McReidy searched John for a hintof his mood when she arrived on the bridge. A quick glance told her nothingwas unusual. Any longer and she would have stirred his curiosity.
“What did he say?” she whisperedto Giacomo.
“I didn’t exactly tell him,”Giacomo confessed.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened a littleat the anticipated outburst.
“Giacomo, McReidy.”
They turned around together, bothfeeling as guilty as possible.
“I believe you both have somethings to attend to. Send me up a pilot and –” John cut himself off and turnedto Gillespie. “Mister Gillespie, would you like the helm?”
“I thought you’d never ask,”Gillespie grinned. He wasn’t the greatest pilot in the world, but he loved thethrill of being in control.
John nodded and turned back toGiacomo and McReidy. “Send me up a couple of crew who aren’t in the process ofmoving.”
To say that the rest of the daywas disruptive was putting it mildly. Giacomo used John’s authority, and hiswords, to his own use. Although he was not challenged openly, the glares andmutterings he couldn’t quite hear told him of his unpopularity.
The women were not as subtle,verbally shrieking their discontent at McReidy until she turned it back onthem. Nobody liked the idea of moving. There was hardly enough room foranyone’s gear as it was without having to make way for someone else. As forthe thought of alien ambassadors being in their quarters – who knew whatcondition they would leave them in!
“If you take all your stuff out,there won’t be anything for them to get into,” McReidy tried to explain. Sheshould have had more sense than to try to explain. She wished she had a copyof Giacomo’s new duty roster for the rest of the week. Unfortunately, hehadn’t had time to change it, although he had mentioned his intention of doingso.
In the end, McReidy had hadenough and used her authority. The accommodations would remain as she had organisedand there would be no arguing. Anyone who had not abided by the evening wouldbe moved forcibly. There was enough room on the ship to keep out of eachother’s way. And if there was one more word about it, there would be hell topay.
The women were silent. Neverbefore had McReidy so powerfully ordered them into submission.
It was a good feeling. Shesighed heavily and turned away before any of them could see the smile that wasquickly surfacing. She left them in silence to do what they had to.
She should return to the bridge,she knew that. The girls had stirred her up, made her angry, and right now shewas not in the right frame of mind to work. She had already reorganised herquarters for Lorraine and Kat. She had done that last night after Giacomoleft. Last night, early morning – whatever the correct time had been.
She headed to the bar. Sheneeded a little time to simmer down and relax. After all, John didn’t know howlong it would take to “attend to other things”, she rearranged his own wordsslightly.
Giacomo was already there,sitting on his own. Not surprising, considering how unpopular he had just madehimself. The bar was empty and he looked up as he heard the door open.
She went to his table and satdown.
“Coffee,” he explained as hewrapped both hands around the mug and took a sip. His elbows were propped onthe table; the mug lowered no further. “We’re not allowed to drink on duty.” The tone told her he would have liked to.
“You got them all moved?” sheasked a little shocked.
He nodded.
He was more efficient than shewould have given him credit for.
Soghra was at the table.
“Coffee… strong,” McReidyordered.
“Sweeter than usual also?” Soghra didn’t miss an opportunity.
McReidy didn’t miss the doublemeaning. “The same as usual,” she told him in a level voice. She flashed aglare at Giacomo, who hid a smirk behind another mouthful of coffee.
“He never gives up,” Giacomoobserved, a quick glance to make sure Soghra was out of earshot.
“I don’t suppose you’ve changedthe rosters?” McReidy asked.
“Nope. But I’ve got plenty ofpeace and quiet in here to do it now.”
They were silent as Soghrareturned with McReidy’s coffee. She saw the little gleam in Giacomo’s eye. Itbrought a smile to her face, making them both giggle as they shared a privatejoke at Soghra’s expense.
“Giacomo, you’re incorrigible. Now behave yourself,” she told him.
She stayed there with him. Itwas quiet, pleasant, and she enjoyed his company. She had become used to him. He was comfortable to be around. Not the slightest bit threatening, as somemen were, to her peace of mind. But then, he only had eyes for Lorraine.
The bridge was not as disruptiveas the rest of the ship. No one was willing to show the slightest discontentaround John. A few crew changes during the day were the only indications thatsomething was going on.
* * *
John decided to spend the eveningbrushing up on his protocol. He had to be familiar with the customs andbehaviours of his ‘guests’. Arans were easy enough. They seemed to rely oncommon sense
