第90页
“Sir, I don’t—”
Stanforth held up a finger. “Don’t interrupt me, son. That was a helluva piece of astrogation you pulledoff. People noticed. Not to mention the morale boost it’s given to the entire fleet.” He took another sip of
----------------------- Page 151-----------------------
the liquor and exhaled. “Now, that’s the reason we’re all here. We need a victory. It’s been too damnlong—us getting whittled to pieces by those alien bastards. So this hasgot to be a win. No matter what ittakes.”
“I understand, sir,” Commander Keyes said. He knew morale had been sagging for years throughout theUNSC. No military, no matter how well trained, could stomach defeat after defeat without it affectingtheir determination in battles.
“How is it going planetside?”
“Right now don’t you worry about that.” Admiral Stanforth eased back in his chair, balancing on twolegs. “General Kits has his troops down there. They’ve got the surrounding cities evacuated, and they’llbe assaulting Cote d’Azur within the hour. They’ll paste those aliens faster than you can spit. You justwatch.”
“Of course, sir.” Commander Keyes looked away.
“You got something else to say, boy? Spit it out.”
“Well, sir . . . this isn’t the way the Covenant normally operates. Dropping an invasion force and leavingthe system? They either slaughter everything or die trying. This is something altogether different.”
Admiral Stanforth waved a dismissive hand. “You leave trying to figure out what those aliens arethinking to the spooks in ONI, son. Just get theIroquois patched up and fit for duty again. And you letme know if you need anything.”
Stanforth knocked back the last of his whiskey and stood. “Got to marshal the fleet. Oh—” He paused.“One more thing.” He dug into his jacket pocket and retrieved a tiny cardboard box. He set it on theCommander’s desk. “Consider it official. The paperwork will catch up with us soon enough.”
Commander Keyes opened the box. Inside were a pair of brass collar insignia: four bars and a single star.
“Congratulations,Captain Keyes.” The Admiral snapped a quick salute, then held out his hand.
Keyes managed to grasp and shake the Admiral’s hand. The insignia was real. He was stunned. Hecouldn’t say anything.
“You’ve earned it.” The Admiral started to turn. “Give me a shout if you need anything.”
“Yes, sir.” Keyes stared at the brass star and stripes a moment longer then finally tore his gaze away.“Admiral . . . there is one thing. I need a replacement navigation officer.”
----------------------- Page 152-----------------------
Admiral Stanforth’s relaxed posture stiffened. “I heard about that. Ugly business when a bridge officerloses their stomach. Well, you just say the candidate’s name and I’ll make sure you get him . . . as longas you’re not pulling him off my ship.” He smiled. “Keep up the good work, Captain.”
“Sir!” Captain Keyes saluted.
The Admiral stepped out and closed the door.
Keyes practically fell into his chair.
He had never dreamed they’d make him a Captain. He turned the brass insignia over in his palm andreplayed his conversation with Admiral Stanforth in his mind. He had said, “Captain Keyes.” Yes. Thiswas real.