Paul didn't have to fake his smile now. Sam, do you really think I haven't learned not to spill my guts to you? If I said one word remotely critical of Silver, you'd be telling Silver and half the rest of the ship about it within the hour, and making me sound like I'd labeled Silver a hopeless incompetent. 'I can't tell, yet.'
'That's not exactly a ringing endorsement.'
'Because I don't have enough experience with Silver. That's all. I'm not going to evaluate someone based on a single time standing watch with them.'
'It sounds like he didn't do too good.'
Stop fishing, Sam. 'I didn't hear any complaints.' Which was true. Paul closed out his files. 'Sorry, I've got a meeting.'
Garcia didn't scramble the watch teams. Lieutenant Sindh began to develop a deepening frown as she waited for Scott Silver to arrive, always late, on the bridge to relieve her. Acting unaware of Sindh's disapproval, Silver always had an apology and an explanation for his lateness. Paul found himself begrudging duties on the bridge as Silver routinely assumed everything would be done by Paul as his assistant.
The test-firing went smoothly this time. Either the Michaelson 's two escorts or the inability to replace the ship Greenspace had used last time meant no one interfered with the test. Paul, not on watch on the bridge, sat in Combat watching the Michaelson 's combat systems track the target, then engage it with the new weapon. The phased-pulse laser scored direct hits on the target, as it should've since the target had a beacon attached and was traveling on a fixed trajectory. The contractors smiled and pronounced the weapon a success. Whether it would work in a real combat situation was another matter altogether, of course.
Captain's Mast, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, also known as NJP in the initials-addicted military. The first Captain's Mast for Captains Hayes, meaning the first time the officers and crew would see him directly deal out discipline to those accused of relatively minor infractions against rules and regulations.
Paul stood at attention against one bulkhead of the crew's mess, having locked a hand onto a nearby tie down both for safety and so he could keep his feet from drifting up into the middle of the proceedings. Next to him stood the ship's highest ranking enlisted sailor, Senior Chief Petty Officer Kowalski. Kowalski nodded in greeting. 'Another fine day underway, Mr. Sinclair.'
'Underway's the only way.' Paul gave the expected reply, only his tone betraying the expected irony in the statement. 'How many have we got today, Sheriff?'
On the other side of the compartment, Master-at-Arms First Class Ivan Sharpe stood next to the hatch, ready to usher in those sailors who would face the captain. He raised three fingers in response to Paul's question. 'Slow day, sir.'
'Fine with me.'
Senior Chief Kowalski looked toward the hatch. 'Everybody here?'
Sharpe leaned out to confirm, then nodded. 'All present and accounted for, Senior Chief.'
'In that case Petty Officer Sharpe, please notify the captain we are in readiness for Mast.'
'Will do, Senior Chief.'
Paul knew it would take a few minutes for Sharpe to reach the captain's cabin and then return with Captain Hayes. He wondered again how Hayes would handle the Mast cases, and whether he'd ask more questions of Paul than either of his two prior captains had done. Since Captain's Mast was non-judicial, it wasn't really a legal proceeding, but the rules for it were still set forth in legal guidance like the Judge Advocate General's Manual. Still, most Mast cases dealt with routine offenses, so captains rarely had to ask questions about procedures, and since no lawyers were present for Mast, they couldn't confuse the issues either.
Sharpe arrived back at the hatch and leaned in to yell, 'Attention on deck!' Paul and Senior Chief Kowalski stiffened to attention.
Captain Hayes entered, his movements in freefall still a bit tentative, then looked at both Kowalski and Paul in acknowledgement of their presence. 'At ease.'
Paul and the Senior Chief relaxed into parade rest, though with their hands locked onto tie-downs instead of clasped together behind them.
Hayes looked toward Petty Officer Sharpe. 'Bring in the first case.'
'Aye, aye, sir. Seaman Haggerty.'
A small procession entered the compartment. Seaman Haggerty, his uniform trim and neat, came to stand at attention directly before the captain. Ensign Diego, Haggerty's division officer, came next and took up a position along the bulkhead opposite Paul, followed by Chief Petty Officer Bidden.
Hayes checked his charge sheet. 'Seaman Haggerty. You are charged with violating Article 89 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Disrespect toward a Superior Commissioned Officer.' He glanced toward Ensign Diego. 'Are you the superior commissioned officer in question?'
Randy Diego nodded nervously, but his voice came out firmly. 'Yes, sir.'
'Tell me what happened, Mr. Diego.'
'Sir, we were putting together a work detail. I had orders from my department head to get some materiel stowed away safely that night. Chief Bidden and I called the division together and told them we'd be working past liberty call to make sure it was done. There was some grumbling, captain. I didn't mind that. But Seaman Haggerty came up and asked to be excused on account of a social engagement. I told him no, that everybody'd be working. At that point Seaman Haggerty turned away and said he couldn't believe he had to listen to orders from a, uh, 'snot-nosed kid'.'
Captain Hayes looked toward Chief Bidden. 'Chief, did you hear that statement?'
Bidden nodded. 'Yes, sir. Loud and clear. I told Haggerty he'd better express regret for that statement and do it right then, but he had a head of steam up, I guess, and wouldn't.'
'I see.' Hayes centered his gaze on Seaman Haggerty. 'What do you have to say?'
'Sir, I, uh, got a little worked up. I know I shouldn't have said what I did.'
'It's a little late to admit to that, Seaman Haggerty. Do you have anything else to say?'
Haggerty looked momentarily desperate. 'I… No, sir. I'm just real sorry. I'd take it back now in a heartbeat, Captain. I do want to apologize to Mr. Diego. Honest.'
Hayes looked back toward Randy Diego. 'Ensign Diego, what kind of sailor is Seaman Haggerty?'
'Captain, he's been a pretty good performer before this. I'd expected him to make petty officer third class soon. But I couldn't let this go by.'
Hayes nodded. 'That's right. Chief, do you have anything to add?'
Chief Bidden shook his head. 'No, sir. Mr. Diego summed it up right. Haggerty's been a good sailor. He ain't talking, but I think he was looking forward to seeing a girl, and he let something other than his brain do the thinking that day.'
'I see.' Hayes eyed Seaman Haggerty. 'Do you understand the gravity of your offense, Seaman Haggerty?'
'Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I do.'
'Ensign Diego talked about you possibly making third class soon. How happy would you be if someone junior to you then responded to your orders by insulting you?'
'I wouldn't like it, Captain.'
Hayes frowned down at the charge sheet for a moment. 'I'd be fully justified in throwing the book at you for this, but your division officer and chief both say you've been a good sailor and this incident was an aberration. Even then, though, I can't let it pass. Speaking so disrespectfully of an officer to his face cannot be tolerated.' Hayes paused. 'I'm going to order you to be fined half of one month's pay. And reduced in rate one paygrade.' Haggerty flinched. 'Suspended for six months.' Haggerty brightened, then quailed again as Captain Hayes raised a hand in admonishment. 'If you screw up again, you'll be a seaman apprentice, not a petty officer third class. Understood?'
'Yes, sir. That won't be a problem, sir. I promise.'
'Good. Dismissed.'
Haggerty looked toward Petty Officer Sharpe in some confusion. Sharpe hooked a finger to tell him to leave. Ensign Diego and Chief Bidden followed.
Paul nodded to himself. That wasn't an easy case, but Hayes seemed to find the right balance between discipline and mercy. Haggerty's going to miss that pay, so he didn't get off free, but he's got a chance to beat the
