It had taken longer for the printer to print them out than it had for the query to be sent, processed and returned, by super-fast tachyon pulse communication.
"I'm not denying that you have wide ranging powers." Reed said. "I'm fully aware of your authority in this matter. I'm only asking that you reconsider; such an action is entirely unprecedented. The ramifications are . . . "
"That's enough." Baldwin said firmly. He had the distinct impression that the halfhearted effort the Captain was making to dissuade him was not a personal response at all. But that he had been ordered to do so from above and was but now following orders.
And what business was it of the Corps', anyway, Baldwin thought? But he was sure he understood. The Prison Planet System was the Corps' baby. There were intrigues within intrigues here.
The Senators and President came and went, but the powers that be were really in the Corps. The top policymakers in the Corps were all lifetime members. An Admiral, for instance, could not be unelected. The President or the Senate could fire an Admiral, but such things seldom occurred.
The Corps was trying to change the human race, of course. They wanted to make us into the perfect soldiers, Baldwin realized in a flash of intuition!
Yet, if it took the dregs of society and in the end produced humans like Rebecca, then could it be entirely bad?
But again, whatever change Bali would produce it had already done so. The planet was on its way to civilization and Baldwin was going to be there to help it. So help him God.
"Is there anything else?" Baldwin demanded harshly.
"No. Nothing else." Captain Reed said. "Sir."
"Then you're excused." Baldwin said.
"A little harsh." Rebecca said when the hatch had sealed behind Captain Reed's departing figure.
"He's a good man, but I want no question as to who's in command." Baldwin said.
"Yes. I begin to see." Rebecca said, placing one of her hands over one of Baldwin's own. "I do begin to see."
Duty, Honor or Death the Corps Sticks Page 28
