and in the event of undefined disturbances my job is to keep order on the bridge."
"That's probably as good a definition as I've heard." Cole looked up at the transparent pod that was attached to the bulkhead. "Pilot, what's your name?"
"You couldn't pronounce it," replied the Bdxeni.
"Doubtless you're right, but I'd like to know it anyway."
"Wxakgini, sir."
"I can come close," said Cole, "but I think I'll just call you Pilot." He turned back to the two human officers. "According to our standing orders, which were given to me before I came aboard, we are in charge of protecting some seventy-three populated Republic worlds on this section of the Rim. Does anyone understand otherwise?"
"No, sir," they both answered.
"Well, I guess that's everything. It looks like a long, dull shift. Still, we might as well keep busy."
The two women looked at him suspiciously. "How, sir?"
"Don't worry," he said. "I don't believe in meaningless assignments just to create the illusion that we're all working. Lieutenant Mboya, to the best of your knowledge are we under radio silence at this time?"
"No, sir, we are not."
"Then, barring an attack on the bridge that requires your attention, I'd like you to contact headquarters on Deluros VIII and get a list of every world that has joined the Teroni Federation since our last update."
"The captain ordered that about seven weeks ago, sir."
"Do it anyway."
"Is there any particular reason why, sir?"
"Since the sides in this conflict are in constant fluctuation, I think we need a weekly information update. Last week's friend could be this week's enemy and vice versa. Have the computer remind you to update the list every week."
"Yes, sir."
"Rachel?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Program your weapons to fire a random shot into deep space every twenty to forty hours. Make it a different weapon each time, and a different duration between each shot. If there are any Teroni out there, let's let them know that we're here and we're armed, and maybe they'll think twice about whatever they're doing. If not, at least this should encourage them to come after us before they attack any of the planets, which should buy a little time for the populaces to erect whatever defenses they've got."
"Yes, sir," said Rachel. "It'll take me about two minutes. Will there be anything else?"
"If there is, I'll assume Captain Fujiama or First Officer Podok have already thought of it," said Cole. "I'm going to grab some breakfast. I'll be back in half an hour."
"We can have it brought to you here, sir," said Christine Mboya.
"Why bother?" asked Cole. "Unless you feel the ship is due to malfunction or come under attack in the next few minutes?"
"I'd almost welcome it, sir," she replied. "It gets so boring here. I would love to see some action."
"I've seen some action, Lieutenant," said Cole. "Take my word for it: boredom is better."
"Can you tell us about your experiences, sir?" she asked. "After you get back from the mess hall, that is?"
"There's not much to tell."
"Come on, sir," she urged him. "You're a hero; everyone onboard knows that."
"I'm an officer who has twice been relieved of his command. Do they know that, too?"
"I think we'd all like to hear your side of it, sir."
"Maybe someday," Cole said vaguely, and left for the mess hall.
As he sat down at an empty table, Forrice, who had been passing by the mess hall, stopped to join him.
"How was your first day at work?" he asked.
"It hasn't started yet," answered Cole.
"What's your impression of the Teddy R??"
"It's undermanned by at least a third, its weapons are inadequate, the hydroponic gardens need tending, and the crew has fallen into slovenly habits. Other than that, it's fine."
"And your opinion of your superiors?"
"Ask me after we've been in battle."
"This ship?" said Forrice. "There won't be enough of you left to bury, let alone question."
"You'd be surprised what a competent officer can do with even this ship."
"Find me a competent officer and we'll
"That's probably as good a definition as I've heard." Cole looked up at the transparent pod that was attached to the bulkhead. "Pilot, what's your name?"
"You couldn't pronounce it," replied the Bdxeni.
"Doubtless you're right, but I'd like to know it anyway."
"Wxakgini, sir."
"I can come close," said Cole, "but I think I'll just call you Pilot." He turned back to the two human officers. "According to our standing orders, which were given to me before I came aboard, we are in charge of protecting some seventy-three populated Republic worlds on this section of the Rim. Does anyone understand otherwise?"
"No, sir," they both answered.
"Well, I guess that's everything. It looks like a long, dull shift. Still, we might as well keep busy."
The two women looked at him suspiciously. "How, sir?"
"Don't worry," he said. "I don't believe in meaningless assignments just to create the illusion that we're all working. Lieutenant Mboya, to the best of your knowledge are we under radio silence at this time?"
"No, sir, we are not."
"Then, barring an attack on the bridge that requires your attention, I'd like you to contact headquarters on Deluros VIII and get a list of every world that has joined the Teroni Federation since our last update."
"The captain ordered that about seven weeks ago, sir."
"Do it anyway."
"Is there any particular reason why, sir?"
"Since the sides in this conflict are in constant fluctuation, I think we need a weekly information update. Last week's friend could be this week's enemy and vice versa. Have the computer remind you to update the list every week."
"Yes, sir."
"Rachel?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Program your weapons to fire a random shot into deep space every twenty to forty hours. Make it a different weapon each time, and a different duration between each shot. If there are any Teroni out there, let's let them know that we're here and we're armed, and maybe they'll think twice about whatever they're doing. If not, at least this should encourage them to come after us before they attack any of the planets, which should buy a little time for the populaces to erect whatever defenses they've got."
"Yes, sir," said Rachel. "It'll take me about two minutes. Will there be anything else?"
"If there is, I'll assume Captain Fujiama or First Officer Podok have already thought of it," said Cole. "I'm going to grab some breakfast. I'll be back in half an hour."
"We can have it brought to you here, sir," said Christine Mboya.
"Why bother?" asked Cole. "Unless you feel the ship is due to malfunction or come under attack in the next few minutes?"
"I'd almost welcome it, sir," she replied. "It gets so boring here. I would love to see some action."
"I've seen some action, Lieutenant," said Cole. "Take my word for it: boredom is better."
"Can you tell us about your experiences, sir?" she asked. "After you get back from the mess hall, that is?"
"There's not much to tell."
"Come on, sir," she urged him. "You're a hero; everyone onboard knows that."
"I'm an officer who has twice been relieved of his command. Do they know that, too?"
"I think we'd all like to hear your side of it, sir."
"Maybe someday," Cole said vaguely, and left for the mess hall.
As he sat down at an empty table, Forrice, who had been passing by the mess hall, stopped to join him.
"How was your first day at work?" he asked.
"It hasn't started yet," answered Cole.
"What's your impression of the Teddy R??"
"It's undermanned by at least a third, its weapons are inadequate, the hydroponic gardens need tending, and the crew has fallen into slovenly habits. Other than that, it's fine."
"And your opinion of your superiors?"
"Ask me after we've been in battle."
"This ship?" said Forrice. "There won't be enough of you left to bury, let alone question."
"You'd be surprised what a competent officer can do with even this ship."
"Find me a competent officer and we'll
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