Chapter 23
When Summers took over the command position from Second Officer Rose, she encountered no more resistance than surprised faces. When no one objected to her orders, she dismissed her Special Forces escort who left with a salute.
Every person on the ship had heard the major’s announcement, and, like she’d expected, many were in shock. They’d admired Calvin, and his loss of command was a much-needed wake-up call. A first step in restoring discipline.
Her first order was to reopen all communication. This was possible now that the major had overruled Calvin’s lockout. The ops officer, Cassidy Dupont, handled it in only a few seconds. Satisfied, Summers turned her attention to the man at the helm.
“What is your name, Second Lieutenant?” She noticed the insignia on his collar.
“Me?” He pointed at himself.
“Yes, you.”
“Jay.”
“What is your full name?”
“I don’t like my full name. I prefer Jay,” he said very casually.
Summers shook her head, realizing that, even though she had command of the ship, it would still be a long uphill battle before she had a ship worth commanding. Again she told herself this crew could be retrained. It would just take time and a firm hand.
“I asked you a question, and I expect an answer immediately. Do you understand?” she snapped.
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, what is your name and rank, mister?”
“Second Lieutenant Jay Cox, sir.”
“Sit up straight, Mr. Cox.”
His face reddened, but he did as ordered.
Summers nodded approvingly. Then she turned her attention to the young man at the defense post. He was just a boy, maybe eighteen or nineteen. It felt strange to trust someone so young with something so vital. But, despite his youth, his black-and-silver uniform boasted the white bar of midshipman. He was an officer, and Summers would treat him as such.
“And what is your name, mister?”
“Midshipman Patrick O’Conner, Commander.”
She knew everyone else’s names already.
“All right, Mr. Cox, set a new course. Heading, Xerxes System.”
“Aye, Commander.” He input the new course. To adjust quickly, the ship had to slow down to basic speeds; stars once again filled the windows as the ship turned.
“New course plotted, engaging primary engines, and commencing alteredspace jump in forty-five seconds. Standard jump depth. Estimated time of arrival … eight hours.”
“Good.” Summers stood up. “Lieutenant Commander Rose, you may resume command of your shift.”
He saluted, and Summers left the bridge.
Next she’d put in an order to have the illicit drugs seized from Calvin’s quarters. Then she hoped to get some sleep without thinking of him and what had happened between them.
The Phoenix Conspiracy Page 47