Kris grinned. 'I hope so. I'd thought the first batch of Vegan Virgins used up all the silicone on their planet for their boob jobs, but apparently they found a fresh supply to, um, equip another invasion force.'
'Maybe that's why they're trying to invade Earth again,' Bristol suggested. 'Mars needs women, Vega needs silicone.'
Paul chuckled. 'Maybe Mars should be invading Vega.'
'Or Vega should be invading Franklin Station,' Carl sighed. 'We could use a few of those Virgins around here.' He paused as Kris and Jen glared at him. 'Sorry. I could use a few of them, I mean. Not to imply there's any shortage of virgins here. Or of exceptional women of any kind.'
'Better quit before you dig it any deeper, Carl,' Bristol laughed. 'Save me a couple of those Vegan Virgins, though. You want a few, too, Paul?'
Paul kept himself from looking toward Jen but felt his face warming. 'Uh, no. None for me, thanks.'
Carl faked astonishment. 'You're turning down Vegan Virgins?'
Kris sniffed disdainfully. 'Paul simply has too much class to be interested in sluts like that.'
'How can a virgin be a slut?'
'It's possible. Believe me. Maybe Paul's also allergic to silicone. What do you think, Jen?'
'Am I supposed to care what other people think about Paul Sinclair?'
'Well, he is your friend.'
'Oh. In that case, Paul's obviously high-class and also possesses excellent taste in friends.' Jen smiled at Paul while the others laughed.
Paul laughed as well, though partly in relief that an awkward moment had passed. Yesterday at this time I was dreading the day Jen left the Michaelson. Today I'm looking forward to it because it'll mean we won't have to pretend to be uninvolved. Talk about things changing fast.
By the time they finished eating Paul felt mostly recovered. The small group ambled back to the courtroom, finding the rest of the officers from the Michaelson were already there. Most of the department heads formed their usual cluster, with Lieutenant Junior Grade Yarrow hanging around the fringe like an adoring puppy. Off to one side, Commander Sykes and Commander Herdez stood talking to each other. Paul watched the last two for a moment. 'That's kind of a funny pair, isn't it? I can see why Sykes doesn't want to hang with the other department heads. But why with Herdez?'
Bristol looked surprised at the question. 'You really don't understand? Sykes and Herdez have a lot in common.'
'You're kidding. Suppo's a major slacker, and Herdez is tighter than the atoms in a black hole.'
'So? You're missing the fact that they both get the job done, and done right, and don't worry about blowing their own horns. Professionally, they're two of a kind.'
'I'd never thought of that.' Paul glanced at Sykes and Herdez again. It's true. I'd happily entrust myself to the leadership of either of those two. Their leadership styles couldn't be farther apart, but like Bristol says, they get the job done. 'I guess you're right. They still seem like an odd couple, though.'
'There's been odder couples,' Kris Denaldo observed. Jen shot her a look under lowered brows, but Paul thought no one else noticed the by-play.
'It only looks odd,' Bristol insisted. 'It may seem weird, but those two are soul-mates in a way. Not that I ever expect them to end up in bed together.'
Kris opened her mouth again, but whatever she'd been planning to say was interrupted by Jen's elbow jabbing into her side. 'Ow.'
'Are you okay, Kris?'
'Yes. Just a sudden pain in my side.'
'Maybe it's something you ate,' Jen suggested.
'I don't think so. It looks like everyone's heading in. Time for the big finale.'
No longer in stand-by as a witness, Paul didn't have to sit in the front row anymore, so he stuck with the other junior officers as they entered the courtroom. Jen, towing Kris Denaldo with her, made a point of moving several seats over from where Paul, Carl and Mike Bristol sat down. The department heads scattered through the room, as if fearing being hit by the same bolt of rhetoric Wakeman might aim at another of their number. Lieutenant Sindh, a few seats down from Paul, stared grimly ahead. But Commander Herdez walked steadily to the front row, taking a seat near the center.
'The court-martial will come to order.' Judge Holmes looked toward the defense table. 'Commander Garrity, does Captain Wakeman still desire to make a statement prior to the final arguments?'
'He does, Your Honor.'
'Very well. Captain Wakeman, you have the right to make a statement. Included in your right to present evidence are the rights you have to testify under oath, to make an unsworn statement, or to remain silent. If you testify, you may be cross-examined by the trial counsel or questioned by me and the members. If you decide to make an unsworn statement you may not be cross-examined by trial counsel or questioned by me or the members. You may make an unsworn statement orally or in writing, personally, or through your counsel, or you may use a combination of these ways. If you decide to exercise your right to remain silent, that cannot be held against you in any way. Do you understand your rights?'
Wakeman stood. Paul suddenly realized that Wakeman hadn't spoken out loud for the last few days, his only communications being whispered discussions at the defense table. Now, Wakeman's voice sounded almost rusty as he replied. 'Yes.'
'Which of these rights do you want to exercise?'
'To make an unsworn statement, orally, in person.'
'Very well. You may take the witness stand and proceed.' Despite the controlled temperature in the courtroom, Wakeman seemed to be perspiring as he mounted the steps to the witness stand. He paused for a moment after seating himself, as if he'd forgotten he wouldn't be sworn in before making his statement, then swallowed, cleared his throat and glanced down at his data link before speaking.
'The captain of a ship has many responsibilities. Many duties. I have done my best, my very best, to carry out all those duties. I have done my very best to execute the orders I have been given. Because I took my responsibilities so seriously, because I was so concerned with following the orders I had been given, I now find myself facing a court-martial.'
Carl tapped Paul's elbow to attract his attention, then rolled his eyes dramatically. Paul smiled to indicate he understood Carl's message. Poor Cap'n Pete. I may not like the things he was charged with, but this devoted-to- duty martyr routine is too ridiculous. To us, anyway. I wonder what the court-martial members think about it after all they've heard about him so far?
Neither the admiral nor any of the captains gave any clue as to their thoughts as Wakeman continued. 'At every point in the pursuit and encounter with the SASAL ship I made what I thought were the best decisions based on the information and advice I was given. That is surely what is expected of a ship's commanding officer. Indeed, if I hadn't made those decisions, I might well be facing charges for shirking my duty.'
'But what I could not anticipate, what I could not overcome, was the failure of my own subordinates to adequately or properly support me. They gave me bad information, they gave me false information, they gave me recommendations which led to tragedy. I don't know what motivations were involved. I don't know why they failed to support me as well as I had supported them so often in the past.'
Paul tried to keep his face as emotionless as he'd seen Herdez manage. I can't believe Wakeman has the gall to be saying this. It's enough to make me wish I'd let him hang.
Beads of sweat were visible on Wakeman's forehead. 'I am guilty of nothing but attempting to carry out my orders. Nor am I fully convinced that all the facts have been brought out here, that the real mission and intentions of the SASAL ship have been accurately determined. Its actions clearly demonstrated a threat to my ship. Was I to allow my ship to be destroyed through failure to act? If so, I would surely deserve this court-martial. But I did not. I acted.'
Paul stole a glance at Lieutenant Commander Garrity, sitting at the defense table with her elbows on the arms of her chair, her mouth resting against her hands where they were clasped together so that her expression could not be read. Surely Garrity didn't advise Wakeman to make this kind of statement. Surely she's not happy that Wakeman's still trying to blame everyone else for Wakeman's own bad decisions, still trying to claim the SASALs were doing anything but playing a stupid and dangerous game. But she's a JAG. How is this 'my
