Article 23 by William R. Forstchen

Author:William R. Forstchen [Forstchen, William R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780671878894
Google: MmM2Upa66l8C
Publisher: Baen
Published: 1998-10-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter VII

Justin came into the lounge and looked around. All were silent, staring at him. Saying nothing, he headed for the door to the forward section where Petronovich was standing again. There was one difference, though, and Justin found it disconcerting Petronovich was fully armed, laser assault gun by his side, a heavy blast jacket and helmet layered on top of his anti-radiation gear. The combination of equipment made Petronovich look sinister.

Justin stopped before Petronovich and formally saluted.

"Reporting as ordered by the Captain," Justin announced.

Petronovich pressed a communications tab on his collar and whispered into it. Several seconds later the door behind him unlatched and Justin stepped through. One of the enlisted men, armed and dressed like Petronovich, was on the other side of the door. He motioned Justin down the corridor to the Captain's cabin where yet another guard stood waiting.

The guard opened the door into that sanctum and Justin stepped through, snapping to attention at the sight of MacKenzie, who was standing and looking through the forward view port. Justin saw Doctor Zhing and the other two officers on board, the pilot and co-pilot, sitting at a table.

MacKenzie turned and looked at Justin.

"Stand at ease, Cadet Bell."

Justin did as ordered and waited nervously. He had gone without sleep for the entire night, trying to stay removed from the chaos that had reigned in the ship after the arrests of Matt, Madison, and all the other offworlders from the cadet unit. Wild talk had echoed through the corridors all night. Some of the cadets were stunned, claiming that MacKenzie was insane. Others, the circle who had followed Colson, argued back fiercely enough so that Petronovich, fully armed and under orders from the Captain, finally threatened to shoot anyone who set foot in the corridor for the rest of the night.

This incident had shown Justin yet again just how out of control the ship was. The thought of a senior cadet having to threaten violence in order to maintain control would have been almost beyond comprehension before shipping aboard the Somers,

"Mr. Bell, this is an informal inquiry to gather certain facts before proceeding," MacKenzie announced, his back still turned. "You are expected to answer truthfully. I hope they still teach honesty at your Academy."

"Yes, sir, that is part of the code of honor," Justin replied, trying to keep any hint of sarcasm out of his voice.

"Funny, it didn't seem to take with Everett and his fellow conspirators."

Justin looked around the room and noticed Colson sitting in the far corner. If he was being asked to give evidence, even for an informal inquiry, why was Colson allowed to be present?

Something was terribly wrong and then he realized that no vid was hooked up to record the testimony. Also, he had not been asked to swear an oath, nor had the actual purpose of the inquiry been formally stated. He remembered these requirements from his Procedures and Customs of the Fleet class; their instructor had been very specific about how such things worked.

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