David Feintuch - Seafort1-Midshipmans Hope
v1.0 Original PDF 12-Mar-2002
v1.1 Converted from PDF to HTML 12-Mar-2002. Made sure layout is correct (Checked chapter breaks etc. against the original PDF). No proofreading done.
PART I
October 12, in the year of our Lord 2194
1
Stand to! I roared, but I was too late; even as Alexi and Sandy snapped to attention, Hibernians two senior lieutenants strolled around the corridor bend.
We froze in stunned tableau: I, the senior midshipman, red with rage; a portly passenger, Mrs. Donhauser, jaw agape at the blob of shaving cream on her tunic; my two middies stiffened against the bulkhead, eyes locked front, towels and canisters still clutched in their hands; Lieutenants Cousins and Dagalow, dumbfounded that middies could be caught cavorting in the corridors of a U.N.N.S. starship, even one still moored at Ganymede Orbiting Station.
If only Id come down from the bridge a few seconds sooner Id have been in time, but Id been helping Ms. Dagalow enter the last of our new stores into the puters manifests.
Lieutenant Cousins was curt. You too, Mr. Seafort.
Against the bulkhead.
Aye aye, sir. I stiffened to attention, eyes front, furious at my betrayal by a friend whose sense Id thought I could trust.
Alexi Tamarov, the sweating middy at my side, was sixteen and third in seniority. When Id first reported aboard, hed considered challenging me but hadnt, and wed since become comrades. Now his antics with Sandy had gotten us all in hot water.
Across the gleaming corridor Ms. Dagalows eye betrayed a glint of humor as she pried the canister of shaving cream from Sandy Wilskys reluctant fingers. She passed it to Lieutenant Cousins. Once again, I wished she were the senior lieutenant; Mr. Cousins seemed to take undue pleasure in the ships discipline he dispensed.
Lieutenant Cousins snapped, Yours, middy? Are you old enough to use it? From close observation during the five weeks since Id joined Hibernia at Earthport Station, I knew that at fourteen Sandy had not yet made the acquaintance of a razor. That meant he had, um, borrowed it. From me, perhaps. At seventeen, I was known to shave, if rarely.
No, sir. Sandy had no choice but to answer. Its Mr. Holsers. I bit my lip. Lord God, that was all this fiasco needed: trouble with Midshipman Vax Holser.
Vax, almost nineteen, resented me and didnt care if it showed, for hed missed being first middy by only a few weeks. He was full-grown, shaved daily, and worked out with weights. His surly manner and ominous strength encouraged us all to give him a wide berth.
Lieutenant Cousins nodded to Mrs. Donhauser, whose outrage had subsided into wry amusement. Madam, my sincere apologies. I assure you these children--he spat out the word with venom--will not trouble you again. His look of suppressed fury did not bode well.
No harm done, Mrs. Donhauser said peaceably. They were just playing--
Is that what you call it? Mr. Cousinss grip tightened on the canister. Officers in a Naval starship, chasing each other with shaving soap!
Mrs. Donhauser was unfazed. I wont tell you your duty, Lieutenant. But I will make it clear that I was not harmed and have no grievance. Good day. With that she turned on her heel toward the passenger cabins, presumably to change her tunic.
For a moment Lieutenant Cousins was speechless. Then he rounded on us. Youre the sorriest joeys Ive ever seen! A seventeen-month cruise to Hope Nation, and I have to sail with you! I took a deep breath. Im sorry, sir. Its my responsibility.
At least you know that much. Cousinss tone was acid.
Is this how you run your wardroom, Mr. Seafort?
No, sir. I wasnt sure it was the right response. Perhaps my amiable manner encouraged Sandy and Alexi to step out of line. Certainly they would never have done so under Vax Holsers tutelage.
I expect stupidity from these young dolts, but its your job to control them! What if the Captain had come along?
Lord God forbid. If theyd squirted Captain Haag rather than Mrs. Donhauser, Alexi and Sandy would see the barrel, if not the brig. For good measure, the Captain might break me all the way down to ships boy. Mr. Cousins was right. I could think of no way to placate him, so I said nothing.
It was a mistake. Answer me, you insolent pup!
To my surprise, Lieutenant Dagalow intervened. Mr. Cousins, Nick was on watch. He couldnt have known--
Its his job to keep his juniors in line!
I did, when I was present. What more could I do? For some reason Ms. Dagalow persisted. But theyre young, were moored to Ganymede Station, they were just letting off steam...
Lisa, take your nose out of the puter long enough to remember the rest of your job. We have to teach them to act like adults! From another officer it might have been a blistering rebuke, but Mr. Cousinss acid manner was well known to all, and she took no notice.
Theyll learn.
When our shaving cream runs out? Cousins glared at us with withering contempt before turning back to Ms. Dagalow.