Part 20 (1/2)

s.h.i.+PYEAR 65.

TRIPDAY 155.

THIRD s.h.i.+FT.

12.30 HOURS.

Janice had been stoic.

Yes, she understood the reason for her dismissal. Negligence of duty was a serious matter. No, she did not think she would accept a position as shuttle pilot on one of Korval's lesser s.h.i.+ps, though she appreciated the captain's offer. She had friends on Angelas, fourth planet in the system they had just entered; she thought she would pay them a visit before looking for another job. After a small silence, she offered the opinion that Mendoza was a d.a.m.n good pilot-ripe for first cla.s.s.

Shan nodded, counting out the coins that bought back her contract. Janice informed him that she was packed and could leave the Pa.s.sage immediately. She had no good-byes to say.

Again Shan nodded as he flipped a toggle and spoke quietly to Seth in the shuttlebay. Janice's departure was scheduled for Fourteenth Hour. They would be within shuttle distance of Angelus then.

The door chimed, and he whirled about, snapping to his feet. ”Come!”

Kayzin Ne'Zame entered the room, checked, and bowed profoundly. ”Captain.”

”If you've come to remind me that I'm to attend the crew meeting, Kayzin, you'd no need. My memory is quite sharp, though I daresay it will begin to deteriorate very soon.”

Covering her shock, her face neutral, she bowed again.

Shan sighed sharply and strode past her to the bar. Glancing over his shoulder as he poured a cup of misravot, he strove for a happier tone. ”Kayzin? Will you drink?”

”Thank you,” she said formally, ”but no.” She waited until he turned his face to her fully before continuing.

”If it does not offend, Captain, I ask to walk with you. There is a thing to be discussed. A matter of rea.s.signment of duty, to accommodate the lack of a second mate.”

”Very well.” He moved to the door and bowed her through before him. That was highly improper: rank earned him that privilege. But what could she do when he waved at her so imperiously?”The case is,” Kayzin pursued through her p.r.i.c.kling hurt, ”that the third mate does not wish promotion to second. He feels he lacks the proper qualifications, that his reaction time is insufficient to demands such as those present upon the bridge this s.h.i.+ft just pa.s.sed.” She paused. Shan said nothing.

”I agree with his a.s.sessment of his strengths-and his weaknesses. He is willing to extend his hand to those duties of administration for which the second mate is responsible.” She looked up at him gravely. ”It is the first mate's recommendation to the captain that this be done. For a short time. And conditionally.”

”The captain hears,” Shan said unencouragingly. ”The conditions?”

Another nuance had developed in the symphony of emotion that was Kayzin. A chilly fogging...

embarra.s.sment, Shan identified, and was amazed.

”In view of the first mate's imminent retirement,” she said levelly, ”and the lack of a second mate, coupled with the third mate's inability to step into that position, it is in the best interest of the s.h.i.+p that another be trained in the line of command as soon as may be. I request that the captain a.s.sign Priscilla Mendoza to the first mate, that she may be strenuously schooled in the duties of the second.”

”Reasoning, please.”

”She has the ability. You yourself placed her in a training position. I admit that track is not as rigorous as this proposed will be. However, it has been my observation that Priscilla Mendoza possesses a strong character, quick understanding, and sure judgment. I believe she may do well for the s.h.i.+p, were she but offered the means. And if she does not,” Kayzin shrugged, ”the s.h.i.+p is no worse off than it is at this present.”

”There is a phenomenon which Terrans call 'personality conflict.' The captain has seen indications of this phenomenon between the first mate and Priscilla Mendoza.”

”The first mate has mastered herself.”

Shan nodded. ”Your recommendations have merit. They will be put into effect tomorrow First Hour, a.s.suming Ms. Mendoza's acquiescence. The captain will require from the first mate a daily report of training and progress-or lack.” He paused at the door of the meeting room and bowed. ”Forgive my hapless tongue, old friend. I regret having caused you pain.”

Her relief was like a puff of Arsdredi smoke. She smiled and returned his bow. ”It is forgotten.”

”By both,” he answered properly, and preceded her into the room.

Shan leaned back in his chair and sipped. The room was full. Those of the crew whose duties prevented their physical presence watched by monitor from their stations. The general hubbub indicated good spirits and confidence.

He considered his inner Wall, then carefully allowed the merest slit to pan its impenetrable fabric.

Hot, scintillating, brilliant iciness a.s.saulted him. He took a breath, narrowed the slit, and began a Sort of the larger threads, flickering among webs of burning color, neither apart from nor completely of them.

Satisfied, he closed the slit, took some wine, and held it for a moment in a mouth dry with effort. The crew was outraged, of course, by the attack. But there was no trace of panic, of terror. They were certain of their s.h.i.+p-of their captain.

He wished he shared their certainty.He moved a hand, and the room's lights dimmed as the central screen glowed to life. The crew's chatter died.

”You are all aware,” Shan began conversationally, ”of the day's second Jump alarm. I'd like you to watch a tape of what led up to the pilot's activation of the alarm.” From the corner of his eye he saw Priscilla start. Lina reached out, and the taller woman settled back, her expression wary.

”We're at minus twenty seconds of the final transition from the scheduled Jump. Pilot Mendoza is at the board. Now-normal s.p.a.ce.”

COLLISION COURSE the screen shouted as Priscilla's hands flickered, hitting the screens up. ”First defense barriers active.” HOSTILE ACTION ”Second screens up, coords fed, alarm on. We're waiting for the coils to come back up. Coils up and we're ready to go.” On the screen his own hand stopped completion of the exercise. The action froze and faded as the room lights came on.

”Reaction time,” Shan said for the benefit of the pilots watching. ”From time of first warning to full defense: one and one-half seconds. From full defense to Jump-ready, two seconds. We were ready to depart twenty-four seconds after the initial alarm. Most of that time was spent waiting for the coils to renew themselves.”

The silence in the meeting room was broken by the soft flutter of pilot hands over imaginary boards as pilot brains counted seconds.

Over to the right, Seth stood. Shan nodded to him.

”Yes!”

”I move that Priscilla Mendoza be given an up-share bonus. She got us out of a tough one. That bomb was right on the drive sections. Would've done real damage if it'd hit.”

Rusty was on his feet before Seth was off his. ”Second.”

”Third,” Ken Rik said. ”And a call for s.h.i.+p-points, Captain. The debt lies there.”

Gil Don Balatrin seconded that diffidently.

Shan nodded. ”Any comments? Disapprovals? Discussions? No? Show of hands, in favor?

”First Mate?”

”Unanimous, Captain.”

”So I counted, also. Thank you.” He initialed a paper on his pad. ”Recorded and done.” He smiled slightly over the room. ”Also recorded and done-two points hazard pay for all crew, payable at Solcintra. More business?”

There was none.

”Thank you. Dismissed.”s.h.i.+PYEAR 65 TRIPDAY 155.

THIRD s.h.i.+FT.