[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

regarding how Chief Elder Simonds has been making policy. I wonder if this is
his way of demonstrating to his own people how integral he is, and of
convincing them that they do not want another leader."
"Mountain coming to Mohammed, and like that," Lawler said. "Yes. Well we
can let him play his games."
"In all deference, Sir," Hill replied, not sounding deferential at all,
"I wouldn't use that particular analogy. The Faithful have rejected even the
New Testament of the Christian bible. They view the Islamic faith -- if they
recall it at all -- as a heresy."
Lawler looked momentarily nonplussed. Then he resumed his hand-rubbing.
"Right! That's why these briefings are so important. We don't want to
make any mistakes."
Michael raised one hand, feeling more than ever that he was in school.
"Mr. Lawler, I really should report this change in schedule to
Lieutenant Dunsinane."
Lawler waved his hand in a wide, breezy gesture.
"Do so, Mr. Winton. I shall write her myself requesting that you be
freed from your more routine shipboard duties during this crucial moment in
Manticoran diplomacy."
As Michael moved to com the ATO, he found himself wondering precisely
what tomorrow would bring and hoping against hope that it would not include a
very pissed-off Lieutenant Dunsinane.
* * *
Carlie looked at the memo from Mr. Lawler first with disbelief, then
with anger. She continued staring at it for so long that at last the two
emotions blended into a generalized confusion.
". . . requests that Mister Midshipman Winton be relieved from a portion
of his shipboard duties in order to be better able to serve the needs of Her
Royal Majesty at this crucial diplomatic juncture."
There was more of the same, all soothing, all vaguely pompous, and all
boiling down to what had already been clearly said in that first line.
Midshipman Winton was being given a holiday from his responsibilities as a
member of Intransigent's crew so that he could go play prince.
She'd known that Michael would be going down to the planet with Mr.
Lawler's contingent, but she hadn't considered that Mr. Lawler would be so
bold as to think that a midshipman's shipboard responsibilities could be
superseded by anything else. She'd figured that Midshipman Winton would fit
his trips planetside into his free time. He'd managed his numerous meetings
with Lawler and company then, hadn't he?
Her first reaction was to refuse. Then she thought again about that
phrase "crucial diplomatic juncture." It was no secret that there had been a
Peep presence in-system. The Havenites weren't being either coy or subtle. The
fact that the Peeps -- like the Manticorans -- were demonstrating an armed
presence indicated their own awareness of how touchy the situation was.
Could the presence of Crown Prince Michael make a difference in how the
Masadans felt about the Manticorans? Would she be doing something foolish if
she stuck to regulations? Reluctantly, for she very much wanted to go by The
Book, Carlie commed Captain Boniece and was granted his first available
appointment.
Page 22
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Tag Tilson gave her a lazy wave as he exited the captain's briefing
room, and Carlie had a moment to wonder if the communications officer was also
present on Michael Winton's business. Then she was summoned into the captain's
presence.
"Yes, Lieutenant?" Abelard Boniece looked amused as he motioned her to a
seat. "Your call said you needed to consult me regarding Mr. Winton. I have
read the memo you copied to me. You may proceed from that point."
Carlie could have far more easily handled the captain's looking stern or
even angry than she could the twinkle in his eye, but she straightened herself
in her chair and tried to report as if in the middle of a battle.
"Yes, Sir. Frankly, I don't know what to do. This is Mr. Winton's
midshipman's cruise. I feel that the distraction of playing diplomat has not
been good for him."
Captain Boniece merely raised an eyebrow and Carlie hastened to explain. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]