The Commander had been disappointed to hear all that, but not terribly surprised. It didn’t diminish his pleasure in the fact that he’d finally be able to put the Kincaid conundrum to bed in a fashion he could feel happy about.
With Guy and the other big fish having slipped their net, there was no longer any excuse for maintaining the news embargo they’d imposed. From what Chief Dingle had said, the rumor mill had already rendered it moot. The Chief would be putting out an official news release anytime now.
The Commander would be releasing a short statement of his own. It wouldn’t say much more than that Sand Piper’s crew was under arrest given new information regards the accusations they’d been involved in smuggling.
It also formally apologized to Katie Kincaid for earlier doubts about her allegations, the Space Force’s failure to more throughly investigate them, and his own personal failure to take them more seriously.
His superiors wouldn’t be happy. He thought it likely he was doing them a favor in the long run, but he didn’t expect them to see that.
Kincaid herself should be arriving in his office soon. He cared a lot more about what she thought at this point.
A knock came. Speak of the devil. He smiled to himself. The girl was trouble. He couldn’t bring himself to hold it against her anymore.
“Come in,” he said loudly enough to be heard through the door.
Kincaid entered. Determined as always, but looking unusually tired and worn.
He waved her over to the tea table. “Don’t imagine you want to spend any longer here than necessary,” he said, “but I’d like to make this session a pleasant one. I have several good pieces of news. So sit down and help yourself to some tea while we go over them.”
She sat and poured herself tea as directed.
As he sat down across from her she focused on putting precisely the right amount of milk into it.
He nodded and poured himself some too.
She looked at him expectantly.
“First thing, in case you’re still worried,” he said, “you’re free to go once we’re done here. You can keep using the room in the officer’s quarters for the rest of the week if you wish. Might be safer. More comfortable, perhaps. You’ve been through a lot. I’d like to make it as easy on you from here on in as possible.”
“Great,” Katie said. More relieved than enthusiastic.
“Okay,” he said. “Second thing, I’d like to apologize in person for doubting your word and all the hassles I’ve put you through.”
Katie blinked and looked pensive. It was an odd look on her. “So would I,” she said. “Thinking about this morning after I woke up, I realize I’ve been an arrogant brat. I regret that. I apologize.”
“Well done,” the Commander said. “I appreciate it. However, not fully justified. The bottom line remains: you were innocent of any bad behavior and you were right about the Bouchers and the smuggling both. You were almost killed twice. After that, I allowed your reputation to be smeared. You could have been smoother and more understanding at some points, but that would have been a lot to ask even of someone much older. I’m sorry about what happened.”
Katie nodded. “Thank you, sir,” she said. “All the same, I think I’ll try harder to be more considerate of other people’s points of view in the future.”
The Commander nodded in turn. “It can’t hurt,” he said. “Sadly, what I’ve said earlier about the Space Force is true. It’s political. You will have trouble fitting in. It’ll be work.”
Katie lit up. She grinned at him. Her posture straightened. The whole melancholy mood she’d been displaying since she’d arrived evaporated. She knew what his words implied. She knew she was getting his endorsement. She’d be going to the Academy.
“Yes, I’m endorsing your application,” he said. “I will add the facts that I believe that, in addition to your outstanding technical and academic skills, you possess exceptional strength of character, an unusual willingness to learn, and an extraordinary degree of persistence even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.”
She looked at him in apparent disbelief. Opening her mouth to speak, she failed to produce any words at first. Finally she said, “That’s very fulsome praise, sir. I’m not sure I deserve it.”
“It’s not the sort of thing you’d usually say to someone’s face,” he said. “It is the unvarnished truth. I’d be remiss not to include those facts in my report on you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” he said, smiling. “It’s all true, but they won’t appreciate those virtues as much as they’d like to think they will. It’s not going to be easy for you at first. Cadets and inexperienced junior officers might be right about the occasional thing, but they’re still expected to know their place. They don’t have a lot of power. They’re not always taken seriously. You will have to learn to choose your battles.”
“Yes, sir,” Katie said.
He took a sip of his tea. “This is the statement I intend to release,” he said, pushing a piece of hardcopy over to her. “Do you see any problems?”
She read it quickly. “No, sir. I appreciate the public apology. I hope this clears my name.”
“It should help,” he said. “Unfortunately, when things go wrong, some of the mess sticks to everyone.”
“Noticed that, sir,” she replied.
“Do try not to get more experience with it,” he said, smiling thinly at her.
“I’ll try.”
“Finally, you’re free to talk about what happened. Our authority to challenge your right to do so is limited,” he said. “However, both myself and the Chief would appreciate if you said as little as possible. It’s still a dog’s breakfast. The Academy and SFHQ aren’t officially involved, but you want as little controversy attached to your name as possible. It’s not usually a good thing for the little fish to catch the big fishes’ attention.”
Katie grimaced. “Yes, sir,” she said.
The Commander allowed himself a small sigh. “It is, sadly, the way of the world,” he said. “I suspect you want to change the world, but maybe not everything all at once, young lady.”
“I see, sir.”
“Anything else you’d like to discuss?” he asked.
“No, sir.”
He stood, holding out his hand for a shake. “You’re free to go then,” he said.
She stood and shook his hand. “Thank you, sir,” she said. “I think you’ve been fair. More than fair at points. Thank you.”
And she left.
* * *
It wasn’t until after lunch that Katie appeared in Sam’s shop.
He’d been waiting for her. Working on something new, rather than fixing up something old as usual.
Mining rigs were tough. Built to last, but even the toughest, best-build parts eventually need replacing. The thruster block Sam was replacing wasn’t much more than a solid piece of metal with parts of it strategically drilled out in the right pattern.
Years of constant use, a certain amount of perhaps unavoidable abuse, had eroded away portions of its predecessor. To the point now that it needed to be replaced.
Even the best things come to an end.
Sam was happy for Katie. The rumor mill made it clear her reputation had been rehabilitated. She was the hero of the day. Sam had no doubt that meant the Commander would endorse her Academy application, and that she’d soon be off to terrorize a different segment of humanity.
He chuckled to himself.
The girl did have a way of making her presence felt.
“What’s funny?” she asked from the perch she’d taken on one of his high stools.
“Rumor has it,” he said, “that you’ve managed to go from outcast to hero. Figure means you’re getting to go the Academy this year after all. That right?”
“Guess so,” she said, like she’d like to disagree but couldn’t. “People on this rock sure like to gossip. I don’t see how come I got to be the bad guy, and
I don’t see that I’m such a hero either. Only people seem to like to exaggerate.”
“Not just Ceres. The Academy?”
“Commander Tretyak says he’s going to give me an endorsement.” She fidgeted. “A good one. So that chick’s not hatched yet, but the odds look good. Excellent, I guess, only it’s been such a roller coaster ride I’m afraid of getting ahead of myself.”
Sam paused to line up his milling tool before replying. “Smart not to get too far ahead of yourself. You’re learning. You can never be entirely sure of anything, but I’m guessing you’ve got this in the bag. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” She didn’t seem quite as thrilled as Sam would have expected.
“Leave early, and you can try riding on a real roller coaster.”
Katie grinned. “That’d be neat. There’s so much we read about life on Earth, and see on the vids, but haven’t seen for real. Open sky, oceans, lakes, forests, the big cities, and roller coasters, it’s going to be quite the adventure.”
Sam smiled. “Literally a whole new world.”
“Yeah, it boggles the imagination.”
“You’re going to feel overwhelmed at times,” Sam said. “For all that a spaceship is a complicated thing it’s a lot smaller than a whole planet. Also makes more sense.”
Katie frowned. “You’re not sure I can handle it?”
“I think you’ll manage,” Sam answered, “but there will be times when you doubt that yourself. When that happens look around you and see all the other people that manage to deal with what’s got you stumped and feeling inadequate.”
“Never been accused of feeling inadequate,” Katie said, smirking.
“No, but you’re a growing girl,” Sam said. “One about to venture out into the wider world. You’re going to find things are different from what you’re used to there sometimes. Sometimes it’s going to be hard to cope with it.”
“You’re sure?” Katie chewed on her lower lip. “Any advice?”
“Nothing specific.” Sam abandoned the effort to talk and work both. He pulled up a stool of his own and sat facing her. “The parts of Earth and the people I knew you aren’t going to be seeing much of. Thank your lucky stars for that. After that I was an enlisted marine. You’re going to be a Space Force officer. Different sort of creature.”
“You’ve taught me a lot about life.”
“I’ve tried. I hope it’ll be useful. It won’t be enough, I’m sure, you’re going to have to learn a lot more on your own. Like I told you when it feels hopeless, the thing is to look at the people around you. You won’t find many superhumans. What you’ll find is regular humans who take for granted things you mightn’t know the least thing about. People who know and understand some useful things you don’t, but nothing magical. Have the humility to learn from them, but don’t let them intimidate you.”
“Don’t intimidate worth a damn, you know that.”
“Yes, that’s what I was chuckling about.” Sam gave Katie a wry grin. “Believe me, you will be overwhelmed at times. Only there are going to be plenty of times when you’re the one overwhelming other people. Might be an idea to be careful about that.”
“You think so?”
“I do. It’s a big world out there. You’re going to look back at your time here on Ceres and the Dawn Threader and it’s going to look cozy. Bet you a beer.”
“You know I don’t drink. I’m only fifteen.”
“And when you come back from the Academy, you’ll be a young woman past the age of majority who’s been out for a few drinks with friends and colleagues many times.”
“Wow, I suppose I could be,” Katie replied, eyes wide.
“Rule in the military is that if you’re old enough to risk your life for the cause, you’re old enough to vote and drink.”
“Guess that makes sense.”
“Yep, and don’t know about the officers for sure, but in the ranks a lot of things get worked out over a few cold ones in the mess. I suspect same is true in a more elevated way for officers. Don’t forget the social aspects of what you’re doing, girl.”
Katie looked at her hands clasped in her lap. “Going to miss your advice, Sam. Going to miss you.”
“Going to miss you too, Katie.”
“That it?”
“You’re going to be busy. Keep in touch best you can.”
“Will do. Promise.”
Katie hopped up and left.
16: Bon Voyage Katie
It wasn’t ideal.
Katie wasn’t going to get to hug her parents goodbye.
Almost everyone seemed to agree that it was best she get to Earth as soon as possible, that she’d need the longest period of acclimation there possible. Everyone including the Academy’s Admissions Board who’d expedited the processing of her application since it’d been sent less than two days ago.
Her application to the Academy had been accepted. The regular transport in-system was leaving later today. Katie would be on it.
Katie looked around the dorm room she’d lived in whenever on Ceres. It’d never been her favorite place, but she knew she was going to miss it. It’d be years before she got back to Ceres, and it’d belong to some other student by then. She didn’t know what her new life would be like, but she was already losing parts of her old one.
Her tiny cabin on the Dawn Threader she wasn’t going to get to see again at all any time soon.
The Dawn Threader with her parents on board wasn’t going to make it back to Ceres before she left.
Which was why it was only “almost everyone” that agreed she needed to leave for Earth as soon as possible. The brief text messages she’d exchanged with them made that clear. They wouldn’t stand in her way. They were going to let her do what she felt she needed to. Didn’t mean they agreed with it, let alone felt happy about it.
Now that she was about to leave home herself, Katie realized what a wrenching experience it must have been for her parents. They’d not only left everything they’d ever known behind, they’d also cut all ties. They’d started over from scratch in a very different world. They’d had the capital to buy the Dawn Threader and to start a business with her. They’d known almost nothing about being spacers or what that business required. There been nobody they’d known on Ceres or in the Belt.
Why had they’d taken such a risk? One that was bound to be so hard. Hard even if it worked out. She’d never thought to ask.
In a few minutes she’d have a last chance to do so, if not in person, at least without a long time lag. At least for a long time.
Only it was a chance to say goodbye and paper over any hard feelings.
Not an appropriate time to be opening old wounds.
Katie had read how partings, an inevitable feature of departing on a trip, could be wistful. This was her first personal experience of it. Once again words did the reality no justice.
Enough of that. She waited. Her terminal beeped. She hit the appropriate key.
“Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!” she chirped. She felt like such a fake.
Her mother smiled at her. Her real smile. It was good to see. Her father, one arm wrapped around his wife’s shoulders, waved to Katie with the other. Whenever together they liked to be touching.
“Katie, it’s good to see you well,” her mother said. Behind her, Katie’s father nodded.
Katie had never thought a simple standard greeting could be such a minefield of possible implications.
Her mother smiled. “It’s just a greeting, dear.” Katie’s dad grinned behind her in confirmation. “If we’d known all the trouble you were going to get into, I’m sure we would have been worried sick. I’d beg you to be more careful in the future, but I don’t like to waste my breath. Water under the bridge. We’re going to miss you. We want you to remember us fondly and do your best to stay in touch.”
“I’ll try, I promise, Mom,” Katie replied.
“Good,” her mother said. “I know you will be very busy, but if you could make a point of
dropping us regular, quick updates, we’d appreciate it. I know at your age I didn’t want to hear how I’d always be my mom’s baby, but it’s true. It’ll make me feel a lot better to hear you’re okay from time to time.”
“I’ll make a point of it,” Katie said. “I never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
“We know, love,” her father answered. It was her mother’s turn to nod in agreement. “It’ll just make us feel better to hear from you occasionally. Heavens know you do seem to find trouble when we’re not watching you.”
Katie thought that was odd. She’d always thought she was the one keeping them out of trouble. “I’ll keep a better eye out in the future,” she said. “Never realized how sheltered I was before.”
Her mother nodded. Her father tried to keep the concern he was feeling off his face. Katie knew them too well.
“It’s a big world out there,” her mother said. “I’m not sure it’s ready for you, but you were going to have to leave the nest sooner or later.”
“I would have preferred later, too,” Katie answered. “If I’d known how well I was going to do on the standard tests or how the Admissions Board would react, I think I would have found an excuse not to do them.”
Again her mother nodded. It was a pensive nod. “You couldn’t have been expected to have known,” she said. She paused. “But let it be a lesson. Sometimes some things we do are more critical than we realize. Try to spot things like that ahead of time and figure out how to handle them.”
That was her mother, she liked to strategize. Her father was more into doing things on principle. He followed his heart where it led him.
“Follow your heart, but keep your eyes open,” he said.
Katie nodded. “I will.”
Her mother grimaced. “Which I guess brings us to the least pleasant part of this little talk,” she said. “You were out of line in your use of our ship’s funds. I suspect you broke a few other rules, maybe laws, but neither Chief Dingle nor Commander Tretyak are talking. You’re forgiven, dear.”
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