Dickover stopped in front of Wanker. Wanker threw up his best salute, which Dickover returned. The admiral handed over a rolled-up piece of mylar. Wanker accepted and unfurled it. It was a unit citation banner, meant to be flown on the quarterdeck. It read: FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.
Dickover’s hand was extended. “Congratulations, Dave.”
It was the first time Dickover had used his first name. As Wanker was still of inferior rank, custom forbade reciprocation, but Wanker said warmly,
“Thanks, Admiral. Appreciate it. Uh, about our next assignment… ?”
Dickover looked slightly pained. “Yes, yes. You want exploration?”
“Yes, sir. I want to get out there, to the frontier, sir. It’s in the blood, sir. You know?”
“Yes, of course. In the blood. Uh, but exploration calls for a crack crew, Dave. You see—”
Wanker raised his eyebrows innocently. “Sir?”
Dickover realized he was outmaneuvered. “I’ll take it up personally with the Deputy Chief of Operations.”
“Thank you, sir!”
“Again, my congratulations. To all of you. You really stuck it to the Krutons.”
“Beat them at their own game, sir.”
“Yes.” Dickover didn’t seem to have his heart in it. “Well, carry on.”
More saluting, and then Dickover about-faced and retreated.
Wanker turned and said, “Ship’s company, dismissed!”
Dr. O’Gandhi, a serene smile on his face, keeled over and died.
After the doctor was successfully revived. Wanker took Mr. Rhodes aside.
“Walk with me.”
“Be delighted to, sir,”
The tarmac seemed to stretch to infinity. A shuttle streaked overhead, heading out into limitless space, the first stars of which were now appearing in this alien sky, far, far from Earth.
An evening mist rose, and the captain and his first officer strolled through it. Runway fights ran in tandem lines out to a distant vanishing point.
“You know, Rhodes, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.”
“Could be, Captain Wanker. Could be.”
“Vahn-ker.”
“Sorry.”
“Never mind.”
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1993 by John DeChancie
Cover design by Open Road Integrated Media
ISBN 978-1-4976-2670-6
This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
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The Kruton Interface Page 14
