Ark Royal 2: The Nelson Touch Read Online Free PDF Page B

serve well, wherever you go.”
     
    The next few pilots passed without a hitch, then Augustus arrived.  Kurt pinned the wings to his shoulder, then blinked in surprise as Augustus leaned forward to whisper in his ear.  “I earned this, didn't I?”
     
    Kurt eyed him, puzzled.  “You passed the course,” he said, dryly.  Augustus was an odd young man, definitely.  He had a chip on his shoulder, yet Kurt had never seen anyone more driven to succeed.  “You earned your wings through your own efforts.”
     
    Augustus smiled openly – the first time Kurt had ever seen such an undisguised expression on his face – and almost skipped off the stage, back to the rear of the compartment.  Kurt watched him go, then turned to the next trainee and carefully pinned her wings on her shoulder, putting Augustus out of his mind.  He would be his commanding officer’s problem, Kurt knew.  However, he was confident that Augustus would do well, even if he did lack spit and polish.
     
    It took nearly two hours to pin the wings on all of the new pilots, but he wouldn't have passed the duty on to anyone else, even if they’d offered him a million pounds.  Finally, it was over, leaving a roomful of newly-minted pilots staring at him.  Judging by their expressions, they weren't in the mood for a long speech.  Kurt smiled as he cleared his throat.  He wasn't in any mood for a long speech either.
     
    “Congratulations,” he said.  “I believe that you have been cleared for three days of leave prior to departing for your assignments.  As someone old enough to be your father” – there were some nervous titters from the pilots – “I should warn you that Luna is full of pitfalls, ready to snare unwary young idiots.  If you should happen to be planning a jaunt to Sin City, I suggest you make damn sure you can get back to the Academy if necessary.  And I strongly suggest you check their health certificates before you get into bed with anyone.”
     
    He had to smile at some of the guilty looks.  Sin City was a semi-independent state, dedicated to drinking, gambling and prostitution.  There were few laws and even fewer morals, ensuring that anyone who went there with an open mind was rapidly enjoying whatever pleasure he wanted.  Kurt had been once, as a young pilot, and enjoyed himself more than he cared to admit.  Now, as a father of two, he would prefer to watch as Sin City burned.  But he couldn't deny his pilots the right to choose their own entertainment.
     
    “I would also suggest that you make sure you are not late to your first assignments,” he added.  “It would make a very bad impression on your first commander – and while your records here are sealed, your active duty records are not.”
     
    He paused.  “Good luck, all of you,” he said.  “Dismissed!”
     
    The pilots cheered, then stampeded out of the room.  Kurt rolled his eyes – yep, they were definitely planning to visit Sin City – and then turned to look at the terminal Rose held out to him.  After a moment, he pressed his thumb against the scanner, certifying that five hundred new pilots had just graduated.  For the moment, his duties at the Academy had come to an end.
     
    “We short-changed them, sir,” Rose said.  On duty, she was always professional.  “They deserved a bigger ceremony.”
     
    “I know,” Kurt said, recalling his earlier thoughts.  Pre-war ceremonies had been something to see, even for enlisted crewmen.  Senior officers made an effort to attend, either as participants or just silent observers.  But now ... now, it was just him and his team of training officers.  No senior officer had even attempted to attend.  “It couldn’t be helped.”
     
    He gave her a sidelong look, feeling his breath catch in his throat.  She was beautiful, even with her blonde hair cut short.  Their affair might have been born in tension and the shared certainty of death, but it had endured even after their return