'Well,' Kaplan said slowly, 'I haven't really had the opportunity to see her in action, you understand.' FitzGerald nodded. For someone who had absolutely no trace of hesitation when the fecal matter hit the rotary air impeller in combat, Kaplan had a pronounced tendency to throw out sheet anchors in
'Having said that,' Kaplan continued, 'I'd have to say that so far she's worked out quite well as the ATO. I've worked with her in the simulator, along with our entire Tac team, and she's very, very good. As I would have expected from her Academy grades and her evaluation from Captain Oversteegen.' She snorted suddenly. 'Actually, it would be a goddamned miracle if she
'I imagine some people could manage to remain blissfully incompetent, no matter who they studied under,' FitzGerald said dryly.
'Maybe they could, but I guarantee you they couldn't do it without getting hammered in their evaluations by the Salamander and Oversteegen.'
'Um.' FitzGerald considered for a moment-it didn't take any longer than that-then nodded. 'Point taken,' he conceded.
'As I say,' Kaplan went on, 'she's performed very well in simulated combat. Given the degree of composure she showed dirt-side during that business on Refuge, I'm not worried about her losing her nerve or panicking when the missiles are flying for real, either. I haven't had as much opportunity to evaluate her on the administrative side, though. Everything I've seen suggests that she sees keeping up with her paperwork and staying current with the department's details as being almost as important as solving tactical problems-which is rare enough for officers with twice her experience. But we've only been working together for a bit over one week. Over all-' she shrugged '-I think she could hold down the slot if she had to.'
That, FitzGerald reflected, was probably about as unequivocal a statement as he could expect out of her at this point. It wasn't that Kaplan was one of those compulsive ass-coverers. She was perfectly willing to stand up and take responsibility for the consequences of her decisions or recommendations. But if she had no fear of consequences for herself, she did have her own peculiar version of a moral fear of consequences for
'And her performance as OCTO?' he asked.
'So far, excellent,' Kaplan replied with a promptness which surprised him. 'I actually had more reservations about that aspect of her duties than I did about her performance on the bridge,' the TO said. 'The main thing that worried me was the same thing you pointed out to the Captain: how young she is. I figured she might have trouble maintaining the necessary distance because of how close to her age the snotties are. But it hasn't worked out that way. I've been monitoring her sims with them, for example, including her post-action critiques. She not only manages to maintain her authority without ever having to use a hammer, but for someone her age, she's also shown an amazing sensitivity to their social dynamics.'
'Really?' FitzGerald hoped he didn't sound as surprised as he felt. Kaplan's comments amounted to the closest thing to an unconditional endorsement he believed he'd ever heard from her.
'Really,' the tactical officer affirmed. 'Matter of fact, she's better at the dynamics thing than I ever was. I can appreciate someone who does it well, but it's never really been my strong suit. I can
'Is there something I should be stepping on as XO?' FitzGerald asked, and Kaplan shook her head quickly.
'No, it's nothing like that. She just doesn't
She shrugged.
'It's not that Zilwicki or any of the others are actively riding him, or getting on his case. For one thing, they're all good kids. For another, they all take their responsibility to function as junior officers seriously. They're not going to piss in each other's beers over any minor crap. But Zilwicki's as much of a natural leader as he is a loner, and her attitude affects those of the other snotties. She's not deliberately hammering d'Arezzo, but the fact that she doesn't much care for him is helping to
FitzGerald gazed at her for a moment, smiling quizzically, then shook his head.
''Stiff— necked, Highlander
'So sue me.' She made a face at him. 'Doesn't mean it's not accurate, now does it?'
'No, I don't suppose it does.' He rocked his chair from side to side for several seconds, his lips pursed in thought. 'So, from what you're saying, you're satisfied with her performance?'
'Yes, I am,' Kaplan said, coming up to scratch with unusual firmness. Then she grinned suddenly. 'By the way, did I tell you what she says the snotties are calling the ship?'
'The snotties?' FitzGerald cocked an eyebrow at her.
'Yep. Sounds like the official nickname's probably been bestowed-the
'
'None. Abigail says Pavletic used it first-and damned near died when she realized she'd let it slip. And, of course, Abigail took the opportunity to twist all of their tails just a bit. In a gentle, kindly fashion, of course.'
'Oh, of course!' FitzGerald agreed. He considered the name again and decided it would probably stick, unless something catchier had already come out of the enlisted quarters. And as he'd said, he'd heard worse. Much worse.
'Well, it's a good thing she's got her new name all issued and ready to go,' he said. 'And it's an even better thing that you're satisfied with Abigail's performance,' he added, and smiled sourly as it was her turn for both eyebrows to arch. 'It seems Captain Terekhov was correct. We're not going to get a more senior ATO assigned before our departure date. Especially since said departure date has just been moved up by forty-five hours.'
Kaplan sat back in her chair, her expression suddenly thoughtful. Forty-five hours was two Manticoran planetary days.
'May I ask if we were given any reason for expediting our departure?'
'No, we weren't. Of course, there could be any number of reasons. Including the fact that
'He's certainly got his hands full,' Kaplan agreed. 'Although, from the intelligence summaries I've been reading, the situation in Talbott's a lot less tense than the situation in Silesia right now.'
'Admiral Sarnow is 'living in interesting times' in Silesia, all right,' FitzGerald agreed. 'On the other hand, he's got a lot more ships than Khumalo does, too. But whatever our Lords and Masters' logic, what matters to us is that we're pulling out in three days, not five.'