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.So I have a lot of time to wonder.Maybe if the queen could permit a bit ofpower we could make some sort of biological? A fast wood-worm or somethingthat dissolves hulls?""If it got loose it would be the death of maritime traffic," Edmund said,rubbing his jaw."No, protocols would prevent it reproducing if it was thatdangerous.But maybe." Edmund glanced at the sun and sneezed."I'm goingto be talking to Evan in a couple of hours.I'll bring it up with him.Maybehe or one of his engineer buddies can come up with something.""What about the orcas?" the lieutenant asked."You'll have to run that one by me again," Edmund said."I'll admit I'm a bittired.Why can't you attack the orcas?""Our orders are to avoid contact.We're supposed to be recon forces is whatthey keep saying.But we can't always avoid contact and Jason thinks we canget rid of some of the damned orca and ixchitl, if we can just get thesupport.""That's it?" Edmund asked."What kind of support?""Nothing more than we're getting, really," the mer admitted."Some moreweapons, maybe some support ships.But we'll probably take more casualties."Edmund considered it for a moment and then nodded."Tell Jason he has mypermission to implement a plan to begin reducing the orca and ixchitl.But ifhe's taking high levels of casualties, that is if he's losing more than he'skilling, he's to desist.Got it?""Yes, sir! Thank you, sir," Asfaw replied."Don't thank me, son," Edmund sighed."You're just putting yourself in the wayof more trouble."* * *Page 86 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Trouble, sir." Chief Brooks sighed, collapsing in the chair across fromHerzer.Herzer looked out the window where one of the petty officers was conducting aclass on knots."No riots," Herzer chuckled."Even over the food.""No, not so far, sir," Brooks replied."It's a sexual harassment complaint.""Bloody hell." Herzer sighed, leaning back."Who?""Seaman, seawoman not to point too fine of a point on it, Regilio and PettyOfficer Lenice.""Tell," Herzer replied, rubbing his eyes.ABC Amber Text Converter Trial version,http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/abctxt.html"He was counseling her on her attitude, which is, frankly, crappy.She accusedhim of soliciting sex.""Did he follow the two man rule?" Herzer asked, not looking up."No, sir, he didn't," Brooks replied."He said that he wanted to bring it upwithout a witness so she would have less of a tendency to back talk.Becausethen he'd have to get strictly official.""Send him back to the fleet," Herzer said, dropping his hands and picking up apiece of paperwork."He's one of the best instructors we have, sir," Brooks argued."Not if he makes that simple an error," Herzer said, looking up angrily andtossing the note back down on his desk."Iagree with his reasoning.But he can not put himself in that sort of a position with half-trainedrecruits.Recruits that don't realize how serious the accusation is.Or howthe accusation is going to haunt them for quite some time.How many people areautomatically going to question.what was her name?""Regilio, sir.""Pamela," Herzer replied, nodding with that reminder."In the intel techprogram.Good math scores.Red hair.Yes, bit of an attitude.Just about the last person up The Mastevery morning.""That would be her," Brooks sighed."People are going to know about it, people are going to talk," Herzer said."Lenice has been with theFleet for a couple of years.Spotless record.No previous indication oftendency to use his rank for sex.So she's automatically going to be viewed with suspicion.Even if he did, infact, proposition her or try to force her to have sex.Which was why, ChiefBrooks, he is going back to the fleet.Today.With a notation in his recordthat he is unsuitable for training cadre.And you'd better thoroughly briefhis replacement.Am I making myself clear?""Clear, sir," Brooks said, standing up."Will that be all?""Unfortunately, yes," Herzer replied, picking up the paperwork again."I'drather it was riots.Oh, and pass this around.Don't let anyone think this isan easy way back to the fleet.The next time this comes up, I'm coming downlike the hammer of hell.All the bells and whistles.They do not want to makethis mistake again.We don't have the bodies to spare."* * *"Good afternoon, Skipper Karcher," Edmund said, waving at a chair."Have aseat.""Good afternoon, sir," Karcher replied, sitting down carefully.She hadalready had a look around the tent and was clearly surprised by its Spartannature."Given that the headquarters was burned to the ground, I thought that we coulduse temporary accommodations," Edmund said, noting the glances."Yes, sir," Karcher replied.She had her captain's hat in her lap and wasPage 87 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlworking the brow with the thumbs of both hands."How's your ship?" Edmund asked, smiling."Fine, sir," Karcher said."In all conditions ready for sea.""This isn't an inquisition, Karcher." Talbot chuckled."I heard about yourrecommended change for the Silverdrake landings.It's being implementedthroughout the fleet.""One of my seamen came up with it, sir," Karcher said."Seaman Fink.""Good man?" Edmund asked."Woman, sir, and yes, she's pretty good.She's applied for dragon-ridertraining."Edmund pulled a sheet of paper over to him and scribbled on it."Approved," Edmund said."As long as you do." He handed the sheet across toher."What's yourXO like?""Good man, sir," Karcher replied."Better than me at celestial navigation.Getting there at generalABC Amber Text Converter Trial version,http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/abctxt.htmlboat handling skills.I mean, he's a good sailor, sir.""Could he take over theBlack?"Karcher paused at that and frowned."Am I being relieved, sir?""I asked the first question," Edmund replied."Yes, sir, he could." Karcher sighed."Good," Edmund said, handing her another sheet of paper."You've just beenappointed command of theHazhir.The XO knows the ship but Shar doesn't feel he's up to commanding it, yet.I've looked at your record and I think you can.""Yes, sir," Karcher replied, taking the paper as if it were incendiary.Sheslid it under her hat and continued working the brim, a bit harder."Just that, 'yes, sir'?" Edmund asked, smiling."Thank you, sir?" Karcher said."You think you can handle it?" Edmund asked."No, sir," Karcher said, honestly."But I can give it my best shot.And Iwould guess that you've thought it over.I'd have expected that you'd transfersomeone from one of the frigates or cruisers and that I'd get that, instead.But if you are willing to take the risk, I'll do my damnedest
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