“Okay Captain I won't, but let me ask you just one thing. What is going to happen with Lt. Macland?”
“Okay Gardener I am going to tell you something that I'm not supposed to. I do ask that you not repeat what I am about to say.”
Gardener nodded yes.
“Lt. Macland is not going to be formally charged with any wrong doing. He is going to be allowed to resign his commission voluntarily. If he does not resign his commission he is going to serve the remainder of his enlistment on a communication relay asteroid in the Main Asteroid Belt. To say the least it is a lonely and lowly assignment not usually given to officers.”
“I see,” said Gardener. “Well without any hard evidence of wrong doing I suppose it is the best that the service can do. It is sufficient for me. I haven't any interest in closing the circle of retribution. Is that all sir?”
“That's all son”, said Captain Wingham. “Except I urge you to remain with the mission as long as possible. You are uniquely qualified for this assignment.”
“Thank you sir,” said Gardener.
Outside the Captain's office Gardener found Maxine waiting.
“Well?” she said. “What are they going to do about that rat Macland?”
“It's over Maxine,” said Gardener.
“What do you mean it's over. After what he did to you.”
“I mean it's time to move on,” said Gardener.
“Time to move on, is that it? Well Gardener I always said you were crazy for expecting the best out of people and situations and I still say it. But if you're satisfied with the outcome then so am I. I know you well enough to know that your sense of justice has been satisfied even if I don't know how. So what now?”
“Well the corporate board has rewarded me for finishing the mission successfully and offered me whatever I want to stay with the company. I can stay here as lead pilot or I can return to Mars as head of pilot training school.”
“So which is it?” asked Maxine impatiently.
“Well I always wanted to fly,” said Gardener with a smile.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
D.W. Patterson is interested in science fiction – old school. He blogs about his stories and other science/science fiction matters at futurechronology.blogspot.com
Circle of Retribution: A Future Chronology Short Story (Future Chronology Series Book 6) Page 5
