Battlecruiser Alamo: The Price of Admiralty (Battlecruiser Alamo Series Book 1) by Richard Tongue

Author:Richard Tongue [Tongue, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2013-06-24T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Marshall looked at the two officers standing in front of him; Dietz on the left and Tyler on the right, then back down at the report they had submitted. The door chimed; he tapped for admittance and an angry-looking Zakharova burst in, shooting a look of daggers at Tyler before taking a place standing behind the captain.

"What you are telling me, gentlemen, is that you came to no specific conclusions," Marshall said.

Zakharova slammed a datapad on the desk, "I don't know what report you read, Captain, but I can see quite clearly that Lieutenant Caine must immediately be relieved of duty and placed under detention, pending court-martial proceedings."

Tyler reddened, gulped for a second, then shook his head, "As Security Chief, I do not consider any such action warranted at this time. The only evidence we have is circumstantial; there is no definite proof that Lieutenant Caine was behind the sabotage of the missiles."

"Nor is there anything to disqualify her," Dietz added. "She is one of half a dozen people, myself included, who had the technical expertise and the security clearance required for such work."

"The others?"

"Mr. Quinn was on duty on the Engineering Deck, and both computer techs were with him. Half a dozen witnesses and work logs indicating where they were working at the time," Tyler said.

"Work logs can be faked, Sub-Lieutenant. Did you investigate that possibility?" Zakharova said, rounding on the young officer.

Marshall looked up at his executive officer, "You are suggesting a conspiracy involving almost the entire Engineering staff. I rather suspect that we would have other evidence of sabotage by now if that were the case."

"Lieutenant Caine is the most likely suspect," Zakharova said, a tone of finality in her voice.

"Perhaps. But I am not taking any further action at this time, Lieutenant."

She slammed her fist on the table, "If she was from Callisto, by now she'd be in the brig under guard! You are letting your own personal bias getting in the way of commanding this ship, and I intend to make a formal record in the log to that effect."

Dietz and Tyler looked at each other; Marshall rose to his feet. "You are at liberty to do so, Lieutenant, but by god you can do so elsewhere. You are contributing exactly nothing to these proceedings. Dismissed."

Zakharova shot a look at Dietz, who shook his head. She threw a last glare at Marshall that would have curdled any milk in the room, then spun on her heels and walked out. Dietz for a second looked as if he was considering following her, but thought better of it and remained.

"Recommendations, Mr. Dietz," Marshall said, breaking the silence.

"All sensitive systems should require authorization by two senior officers instead of one until we have caught the saboteur. Computer access should be monitored."

"Mr. Tyler, anything to add?"

"No sir. I agree with Mr. Dietz's recommendations."

Marshall nodded, "I don't think the extra security is doing any good at this point; you might as well stand your men down after the honor guard ceremony, Mr.

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