"It's out of my hands, Suppo. See ya, Kris."
Paul stepped out onto the quarterdeck, adjusting his uniform to ensure he looked his best. Lieutenant Sindh came by and inclined her head gravely. "May justice be done this day."
"So I hope." There's one of my greatest fears resolved. No one's treating me like an outcast because I helped bring Silver to a court-martial. Well, Smiling Sam Yarrow's been avoiding me like the plague, but that's not exactly a bad thing from my perspective. No matter what the members of the court decide, the good officers of the Merry Mike think I was right to do what I did. Even Commander Garcia, something I never expected. Paul saluted Chief Imari, the officer of the deck. "Ensign Gabriel's filling in for me in the duty section until I get back. Let me know if anything — " Paul bit his tongue. He'd been about to say "blows up," using the standard slang for a sudden emergency. In this context, with Chief Imari who'd been on the quarterdeck when something did blow up, it wouldn't sound right at all. "If any emergencies arise. Request permission to go ashore."
"Yes, sir." Chief Imari returned his salute. "Permission granted."
Paul strode across the brow, pausing to turn and salute the national flag aft, then headed for the courtroom.
Commander Carr raised one hand in brief greeting, then focused back on the front of the courtroom, her tension revealed only by one thumb tapping quickly against her index finger. Lieutenant Commander Jones sat with Lieutenant Silver at the defense table, neither one speaking as Jones read something on his data pad and Silver looked straight ahead.
"All rise." A shuffle of feet as everyone came to attention. Judge Halstead looked around, then seated himself. "Bailiff, please ask the members of the court-martial to enter."
The members entered the courtroom, their faces revealing nothing.
"Captain Mashiko, have the members reached findings?"
Mashiko nodded. "They have."
"Are the findings on Appellate Exhibit Six?"
"Yes."
"Would the trial counsel, without examining it, please bring me Appellate Exhibit Six?" A long minute passed while Judge Halstead studied the exhibit dispassionately. "I have examined Appellate Exhibit Six. It appears to be in proper form. Please return it to the president. Lieutenant Silver, would you and your counsel stand up, please. Captain Mashiko, announce the findings, please."
Captain Mashiko cleared his throat. "Lieutenant Scott Silver, this court-martial finds you guilty of violating Article 92, Dereliction in the Performance of Duties, Article 107, False Official Statements, and Article 131, Perjury. This court-martial finds you not guilty of all other charges and specifications."
Paul bit his lip, looking downward, not wishing to see Lieutenant Silver's expression at the moment. Triumphant? Stunned? It doesn't matter. Dammit. We nailed him with some heavy offenses, but Silver's getting off on everything directly related to Chief Asher's death. Damn.
"Does defense counsel wish to present any matters in extenuation or mitigation?"
Lieutenant Commander Jones, his face betraying no emotion, shook his head. "No, Your Honor."
Paul finally looked at Silver, whose face seemed locked into rigidity. But his eyes betrayed confusion. You finally got caught, didn't you? And you can't figure out why the games didn't work this time.
"Captain Mashiko, have the members reached a sentence, or do you require further time for deliberations?"
"The members have reached a sentence."
"Captain Mashiko, would you announce the sentence please."
"Lieutenant Silver, this court-martial sentences you to one year in confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and dismissal from the United States Naval Service."
A hissing sound in the courtroom marked sudden indrawn breaths. Paul's stomach knotted. Okay. They got him. Maybe it was a trade-off. Agree to convict on enough charges to get Silver out of the Navy. I don't care. He's toast. He'll never kill another sailor.
Judge Halstead began speaking again, telling Lieutenant Silver of his rights to appeal. The statement droned on, long and exactly as laid out in the Manual for Courts-Martial. Paul looked back to see if any other members of the Michaelson 's wardroom had shown up, and was surprised to see Jen sitting in the courtroom. She flicked a smile his way, then her face returned to professional detachment as Judge Halstead finished his statement and gazed around the courtroom one final time.
"The court-martial is adjourned."
Paul rubbed his face, feeling tension finally begin to ebb from his body. Not perfect. No. But we got him for you, Chief Asher. Rest in peace. If you can. He watched Lieutenant Silver being escorted from the courtroom, Lieutenant Commander Jones at his side, Silver's face now reflecting incomprehension at his fate. And as for you, Silver, I hope your sleep is haunted every night by what you caused.
Commander Carr turned to face him just as Jen came to his side. "A partial victory, but we got what we wanted, Mr. Sinclair."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you. You did a great job."
"I've done better. Thanks for the support from your end." Carr focused on Jen. Paul watched the two women sizing each other up, then Commander Carr smiled at Jen. "Does this gentleman belong to you, Lieutenant…?"
"Shen. Yes, ma'am, he does."
"The famous Lieutenant Shen! Thank goodness that issue didn't come up during the trial. And aren't you the lucky one. But I've a feeling Paul's going to be keeping you busy." Carr extended her hand to Paul. "Good luck. Nice working with you, Lieutenant Sinclair. Maybe we can do it again some time."
Paul shook her offered hand. "With all due respect, ma'am, I'm hoping to avoid courtrooms for a while."
She laughed. "That's often out of our hands. Look me up if you need advice." With a small wave of farewell, Commander Carr headed out of the courtroom.
Jen gave Paul a hard look. "'Look me up if you need advice,'" she mimicked.
"Jen."
"Maybe I'll just come along when you do that."
"Jen, she's married, she's a commander and she's never acted in any way that implies any personal interest in me! Couldn't you at least get jealous of someone I could reasonably get involved with?"
"Like who?"
"Like — " Paul's words froze in his throat. Am I totally insane? How can I possibly provide any names in answer to that question without digging myself a hole so deep I'll never climb out? "Like no one."
"You hesitated."
"I just had to run through everyone I'd ever known or met and realize none of them could ever fall into that category. Except you."
"Very smooth."
They walked out of the courtroom. "Are you actually serious about this or are you just yanking my chain?" Paul demanded. Jen started to reply, then halted. Paul followed her gaze. "Commander Herdez. Good morning, ma'am."
Herdez nodded in greeting. "Lieutenant Sinclair. Lieutenant Shen. Do you have time to accompany me for a drink, Mr. Sinclair? Ms. Shen is of course invited as well."
Paul looked over at Jen, who was watching Commander Herdez as if she were a cobra who'd just reared up in their path. "Certainly, ma'am. Right, Jen?"
Jen exchanged glances with Paul. "Uh, yes. Yes, ma'am."
Commander Herdez started walking toward the officers' club while Paul and Jen followed a half-step behind. Jen looked over at Paul and insistently gestured a question. Paul shook his head and made his own gesture to display a lack of knowledge.
At this early hour, the officer's club had few patrons. The simulated wood paneling and lowered lighting gave the bar an unreal quality, as if it were reached by walking through some sort of portal into an old bar back on Earth. That had been the intent when the bar was designed, of course, but Paul could never decide if the environment there reassured or disturbed him.
Commander Herdez took a seat near the end of the bar, gesturing Jen to the seat on her left side, then Paul to the seat on her right. Jen managed another questioning glare at Paul behind Herdez' back. Paul answered with another expression of ignorance.