Tombstone, however, knew exactly what was in store for him. It was the end of the twentieth century, the beginning of a new era… a new world. For a long time, he’d wondered whether technology and events had already passed him by, whether or not it would be better if he accepted that he’d gone as far in his naval career as he could. Civilian life, sometimes, looked pretty good.
But he knew now that that was not for him. The special fraternity with the men ― and women ― who sailed and flew with him was something he would not easily be able to lay aside.
He looked around the bridge of the Thomas Jefferson, caught Brandt’s eye, and winked.
The Jefferson might still have three thousand miles of open ocean between her and her home port, but Tombstone Magruder knew that he was already home.