“Oh, they’re against it,” she said blithely. “But they’ll get over it.”

“Would they consent?”

“Not in a million years,” Rafe said. “But you don’t need their consent. You told us so yourself.”

I glowered at them, to no effect. I needed midshipmen; Vax was ready for lieutenant’s insignia. And though he didn’t know it, Alexi would soon be, too. But to shanghai children, as Mrs. Donhauser put it...1 had enough problems without that. And we weren’t that far from port, where I would be replaced. “Thank you, but no. Not without your parents’ consent.’* Paula’s tone was flat. “You’re afraid of my parents, Captain? I thought you weren’t a coward.”

I yearned to slap her. “Shut up, young lady.”

“I will. If you don’t have the guts to sign me up, I don’t want to be under your command.” She folded her arms.

That did it. She needed discipline as much as I needed midshipmen. An even trade; her parents be damned. “You’re sure? You know what cadets go through?”

“I know.” She looked worried for a moment, then shrugged. “If other joeys can take it, I can.”

“It’s harder for a girl. Not many women serve on ships.”

“Lieutenant Dagalow did.”

“Yes.” Naval policy barred discrimination, and officially none existed, but wardroom life could nonetheless be particular hell for a woman. On the other hand, I knew Vax and Alexi well, and they wouldn’t let hazing get too far out of hand.

“You two are willing to be separated?”

They exchanged glances; Rafe nodded slightly. Paula said, “We won’t like it, but we’re willing.”

“Repeat after me,” I said. “I, Paula Treadwell, do swear on my immortal soul... “

“I, Paula Treadwell... “ A moment later I had another cadet.

She took the fifth bunk, in the center of the wardroom; Ricky Fuentes moved up to Sandy’s bunk along the wall. The wardroom would remain crowded. Derek especially would learn new lessons about modesty in the Navy. I didn’t really care. I was counting weeks and days, waiting for the end.

“Lord God, today is December 31, 2195, on the U.N.S. Hibernia.We ask you to bless us, to bless our voyage, and to bring health and well-being to all aboard.” This time I remained standing. “Ladies and gentlemen, by the Grace of God it has been a tragic and trying year. Our friends and comrades, though absent, travel with us in spirit. I look forward, as do you, to landfall at Hope Nation, and on this last night of this fateful year I ask Lord God’s especial blessing to heal the wounds occasioned by our misfortunes.”

I sat. Grudgingly at first, they joined in the “Amen.”

When the last murmurs had subsided I signaled the steward to begin.

Only three now sat at my table. Mrs. Donhauser, Mr. Ibn Saud, and, of all people, Amanda Frowel. “Nicky, let me sit with you. What they’re doing is unfair and wrong. I want to show I’m not a part of it.”

It took courage for my three companions to stay with me.

Jared and Irene Treadwell had gone nearly berserk after their daughter took the oath. At first they claimed I had no authority to enlist her. They invaded officers’ country to reclaim her and had to be physically restrained. Then they circulated a petition demanding Paula’s discharge which every single passenger signed, including the three who now sat with me.

I didn’t mind that, but when the Treadwells started circulating an appeal among the crew I’d had enough. I passed the word that any crewman who signed or even discussed a petition with them would spend the rest of the cruise in the brig, and sent the Chief to warn the Treadwells to leave the crew alone or they too would see the inside of a cell.

They disrupted evening meals and had to be physically ejected from the dining hall. Then came the day the Treadwells accosted Paula and forced her back to their cabin.

Vax and a party of seamen had to dismantle their hatch to rescue the embarrassed cadet.

Their agitation continued until, a week ago, Rafe Treadwell was heard warning his parents that unless they let Paula be, he too would enlist. After that the Treadwells became more circumspect; perhaps they had learned something about their children’s resolve.

I continued to make myself unbearable on the bridge. I drilled the midshipmen in navigation and pilotage without cease. I sent Derek to be caned for some impatience I detected in his tone, and ignored the simmering fury he exhibited for days afterward. I chewed out Alexi regularly until he was so agitated he could barely handle a watch. My off-duty hours were spent alone in my cabin; I had long since packaged the Chiefs pipe and tobacco and sent them to him without comment.

One day I decided to give Alexi an unscheduled navigation drill. Our middies had to be more skillful than I was, should fate put the safety of a ship in their hands. I called the wardroom but no one answered. It was understandable that Alexi would be elsewhere; it was more unusual for no one to be there at all. Curious and suspicious, I sealed the bridge and went to look, shrugging off my serious breach of regulations in leaving the bridge unattended.

The three midshipmen and two cadets were nowhere to be found. I searched officers’ country, the lounges, the exercise room. I checked the galley, the mess halls. I went down to crew quarters. I even peered into the engine room.

Convinced I had an intrigue on my hands, I prowled the ship trying to imagine where the middies might be. Were they conspiring in the hold beyond the launch berth? I passed through the lockto the empty berth. The hatch slid open.

Shouts and laughter, in the dim standby lights.

“Look out!” An object sailed toward me. I ducked. It splattered on my chest, and I was drenched in icy water head to waist. I spluttered with rage.

In an instant I grasped the situation. Piles of water balloons lay about. The middies and cadets, wet uniforms sticking to their limbs, carried armfuls of missiles as they stalked each other.

“Oh, Lord God! The Captain!” The figures froze in horror.

IT DIDN’T HAPPEN.’If I acknowledged what I saw, I would have to act. I didn’t want to act, therefore it didn’t happen. I would ignore it. I turned to leave, but the water squished in my shoe and my intent changed abruptly. I dialed down the light until the berth was nearly dark. “Hostile attack, Vax! I’m unarmed! Situation critical!”

It took him only a second to react. He lobbed a couple of water balloons at me. I caught them and rounded on the nearest middy, who happened to be Derek. “Surrender!” I caught him in square in the face. He squawked and fell back, spitting ice water. I wheeled on Ricky, across the room.

“Attack your betters, will you?” I stalked him.

Alexi was the first who was brave enough to fire at me intentionally. After that it degenerated into a wild melee that ended only after the huge piles of water balloons were exhausted. By that time all the middies and their Captain had turned on the two hapless cadets and bombarded them into submission from all sides.

I leaned against the bulkhead guffawing. After a while I feared I wouldn’t be able to stop. I brought myself under control and faced the grinning middies. “What a breach of regs! For punishment I order you to mop the place up, every inch of it. Acknowledge!”

“Aye aye, sir!” They acknowledged my command with unfeigned delight. I began wondering how I might get to my cabin to change clothes without being seen. I wasn’t aware yet that my funk had finally lifted and I could now face each day, if not cheerfully, then at least unafraid.

Once more, I began to take interest in my duties.

The Pilot asked again to see me. For months I had ignored his requests, but now I decided to evade him no longer. I went to his cabin. I hadn’t laid eyes on him in four months; his appearance shocked me. Gaunt, his eyes red-rimmed and sunken, he came quickly to attention. I released him.