Dreadnaught

“They send out their extremely detailed message,” Desjani added, “and periodic updates and corrections and additions and addenda—”

“Not to mention appendices and annexes,” Duellos said.

“—and headquarters thinks that every particle in the universe is aligned just as they’ve mandated. That makes headquarters happy. We ignore their message, so we can actually do our jobs, and that makes us happy.”

“No wonder the war lasted a century,” Geary said.

“Headquarters no doubt deserves considerable credit for that,” Duellos agreed. “How to get Tulev accepted as your successor, in the unfortunate event that becomes necessary, is a real matter to deal with. Alternately, we try to figure out how to make sure Badaya will act responsibly. Frankly, that may be the better option since bypassing Badaya will be very difficult. Those are real matters of concern; but when the organizational message arrives, you may read a little of it, then hit the delete button, happy to know that you need not do anything it says.”

“Great. Thanks for helping to keep a lid on things when that stupid court-martial message came in.”

Duellos nodded again but lost his amused look. “That was a very serious piece of stupidity. Someone with much seniority and little brains almost did a lot of irreversible damage.” He stood up and shrugged. “Why should that surprise me? My congratulations as well to you both. May the living stars shine on your union.”

After Duellos had left, Desjani stood up, sighing. “I suppose we shouldn’t stay alone in here for any longer than necessary. I thought you handled everything pretty well. Will you be using this compartment for any follow-up meetings with individual officers?”

He hesitated. “I’d been planning on using my stateroom . . .”

“Using this compartment instead of your stateroom will convey a message in itself,” she suggested. “Assuming you wish to convey disapproval of recent actions by anyone in particular. Especially if they’re related to you.”

“Why do I even pretend that you don’t always know exactly what I’m doing?” Geary asked.

She just smiled and left.

Bracing himself, Geary called Dreadnaught’s commanding officer. “I need a private conference with you.”

It only took a couple of minutes for Jane Geary’s image to reappear. “Yes, Admiral?” she asked, betraying no sign of discomfort.

He didn’t ask her to sit down. That, like the choice of this room over his stateroom, would also send a message. “Captain, after reviewing the communications records, I’m concerned about your recent actions.” He had chosen to say it that way to keep Desjani out of it, to prevent implying that he was acting because of what she had reported. “To be specific, I don’t understand why you acted as you did.”

Jane Geary’s voice and expression both reflected composure. “I acted as I thought best, Admiral.”

“You had orders from me that all ships were to remain on station. Not only did Dreadnaught leave her assigned orbit, but you encouraged other ships to do so as well.”

“Under the circumstances, I thought it wise to ensure that pressure was maintained on those who had created the crisis.”

“Even though you had orders from me to the contrary?” He heard the disbelief edging into his voice, knew he was beginning to sound angry and didn’t bother trying to hide it.

“Comms can be faked, Admiral.”

“You were speaking with Captain Desjani, who was conveying orders I had given to her in person.”

“Her comms could have been altered en route to us as well,” Jane Geary explained. “You were both under control of outside forces.”

Something had happened to her. But what? Geary sat down, leaving her standing. “Captain Geary,” he said, using the formal title to emphasize his words, “I was speaking to members of the Alliance government. They are not outside forces. I want to be clear about my reasons for unhappiness. I am concerned not just because my orders were disobeyed but because of how you acted. From the first time I saw you in action, defending Varandal, I was impressed by your judgment and restraint. You did not act recklessly or impulsively.”

Those words got some response, something flickering in her eyes as her mouth tightened slightly. “I took what actions seemed required by the situation,” Jane Geary said. “Just as you always have, sir. I was selected to command a battleship, not a battle cruiser, but that does not mean I lack the spirit of a Geary.”

He couldn’t help a small frown of puzzlement. “No one’s ever questioned that.”

Her eyes met his. “Yes, Admiral, they have.”