'And that is why you refuse to second guess the decisions Captain Wakeman made during a fast-moving situation in which he believed his ship to be in danger?'
'That is why I refuse to second guess any decision by my ship's captain.'
'Thank you, Commander Herdez. No more questions.'
Wilkes stood. 'I'd like to redirect. Commander Herdez, you said your crew was well-trained. Do you believe they were incapable of providing effective support to Captain Wakeman during the encounter with the SASAL ship?'
Paul gritted his teeth. He's got her there. Herdez either says she failed to train the crew properly, or admits she did and that Wakeman didn't listen to them.
Herdez shook her head. 'No.'
'So the crew was capable of providing effective support to Captain Wakeman?'
'Yes.'
'Commander Herdez, if Captain Wakeman ordered his ship to ram Franklin Station, would you regard it as your duty to support his actions?'
Herdez almost seemed to smile for an instant before responding. 'That situation has never arisen, Commander Wilkes, so I am unable to evaluate whatever factors might have led Captain Wakeman to make such a decision.'
'You think there are circumstances under which such a decision would be supportable?' Wilkes let his voice rise with incredulity.
'Yes.'
'Such as?'
'Occupancy of Franklin by hostile forces intent upon using its resources against us. Emergency destruction of the station following its evacuation. Maintaining a collision course with the station rather than undertaking avoidance maneuvers which would cause the loss of more critical assets. Emergency destruction of the Michaelson to neutralize an onboard threat to humanity. Orders directing-'
'Thank you, Commander Herdez.' Wilkes shook his head as he returned to his seat. 'No further questions.'
'Do the members have any questions for Commander Herdez?'
Admiral Fowler regarded Herdez carefully, as if she represented an intriguing puzzle. 'Commander Herdez, throughout the sequence of events leading up to the destruction of the SASAL ship by the USS Michaelson, did you ever question the correctness of Captain Wakeman's decisions?'
'Sir, I provided Captain Wakeman with my input to his decision process whenever I deemed it appropriate.'
'But Captain Wakeman didn't pay a lot of attention to your input, did he?'
'He wasn't required to, sir.'
'Did you agree with his decisions?'
'It wasn't my duty to agree or disagree with the captain's decisions, sir. My duty was to implement his decisions.'
'Even if they violated standing orders?'
'The decision on whether actions violate standing orders rests ultimately with the captain, sir.'
'Then you're not willing to state that Captain Wakeman's decisions in that regard were wrong?'
'I did not have the responsibilities of command. It's impossible now for me to say that the individual carrying those responsibilities at the time of those decisions was mistaken.'
Fowler leaned back, smiling crookedly. 'Correct me if I'm wrong, Commander Herdez, but we could ask you variations on those questions from now until the sun burns out and you'd keep giving us the same sort of replies, wouldn't you?'
Herdez' reply was, to all appearances, totally serious. 'Yes, sir.'
Fowler looked around at the other members. 'Anyone else want a crack at her? No? I don't blame you. That's all for us, then.'
After Judge Holmes dismissed Herdez, Wilkes came forward once again. 'The prosecution rests.'
'Very well. Commander Garrity, do you wish to make any motions?'
'Yes, your honor. I would ask that the members of the court-martial be excused prior to making my motion.'
'Granted. The members are excused.' Admiral Fowler nodded in acknowledgement, stood, and led the four captains out the back door. 'You may continue, Commander Garrity.'
'The defense moves for a finding of not guilty as to all charges and specifications based on a failure of the prosecution to prove essential elements in every case.'
'The motion is denied. The prosecution has provided sufficient basis for deliberation by the members of the court-martial as to guilt or innocence for each charge and specification. Does the defense have further motions?'
'No, your honor.'
'This court-martial is closed. It will reconvene at ten hundred tomorrow morning in this same courtroom for the presentation of evidence by the defense.'
Paul stood along with everyone else, abruptly aware of muscles stiff from being held tense while Herdez testified and was cross-examined. Tomorrow, he'd be up there on the witness stand, like a silhouette in a shooting gallery. Tonight, all he had to do was say goodbye to Jen. Variations on being alone against the world. I just have to make it through a few more days. Then it'll be bearable again. No sweat. Maybe if I repeat that enough I'll start believing it.
Chapter Eleven
Paul sat, nursing his drink at Fogarty's, watching Jen go from person to person and group to group. Farewells for people you liked were always bitter-sweet affairs at best. You couldn't help but be happy that they were leaving the pressure-cooker of being part of a ship's crew, but you also knew you'd miss them. He already felt as if Jen were separating from the wardroom of the Michaelson, and from him, and that fact contributed to the melancholy he already felt. Paul checked the time. It's been almost three hours? I didn't realize. Maybe it's time to go.
A moment later Jen came and flopped down in the seat next to him. 'Hello, Mr. Sinclair.'
'Shouldn't that be good-bye?'
'Not yet. You're sitting here all alone and quiet. What's on your mind?'
'You don't need my problems tonight, Jen.'
'Who are you to say what I need? Feeling possessive?'
'No!' Paul looked away, suddenly annoyed with both Jen and himself.
'Hey, lighten up. How many drinks have you had?'
'Less than you, I'm sure.'
'Guess again. This is number two.'
'Really?' Paul looked at her, startled. 'I know we have to work tomorrow, but don't the honorees at farewells usually get wasted?'
'I'm not much for traditions. What's bugging you, Paul?'
'Nothing.'
'Bull. Talk to me.'
'Okay. I'm worried about tomorrow. My testimony. What's going to happen.'
'That's all?' Jen leaned to catch his eyes. 'You're hiding something.'
'Oh, hell, Jen. I'm sorry you're leaving. I don't want you to leave the ship.'
'Really? Why?'
Paul gave her a skeptical look. 'You're… my friend.'
'You've got lots of friends, Paul.'
