I took a moment to organize my thoughts. “All right, I know how we’ll handle this. Everybody stay put until I get back.”

A few minutes later I was at Admiralty House, in Forbee’s office, explaining the situation. “What’s your opinion, Mr.

Forbee?”

He seemed intrigued by the possibilities. “Well, sir, the United Nations Circuit Court represents the U.N. Government on Hope Nation. Because we’re so far from home the only appeal is directly to the Governor, who’s also a civilian appointee. He has plenipotentiary powers and he’s a representative of the U.N. Government. While under weigh, you, as commander of the vessel, also have plenipotentiary powers.

But groundside, a captain is subject to the civilian courts.”

I objected. ‘ They’re challenging an appointment I made under weigh. Its validity isn’t for them to decide.”

“No, sir. But they may think differently.”

I paused to think it through. “Admiral Johanson had full authority over Naval affairs even though he was based planetside. His orders weren’t subject to the court, were they?”

“No, sir.” Forbee blinked.

“I’m senior Naval officer and in charge of Admiralty House. I don’t have Johanson’s rank, but his duties and responsibilities devolve on me so long as I’m in Hope Nation system. So I have full authority over Naval matters as senior representative of Admiralty.”

He considered it. “It’s a sustainable position, sir.”

“Sustai--” I came out of my chair with a roar. “Don’t give me that goofjuice! Paula Treadwell is validly enlisted under Naval authority. Maintain and support that position as vigorously as may be required. Do I make myself clear?”

“Aye aye, sir!”

With an effort, I made my voice calm. “Very well. Prepare a general order for me to sign. As senior officer in the Hope Nation system I endorse and ratify the enlistment of Cadet Paula Treadwell by Captain Nicholas Seafort of Hiberniaand I order all personnel to defend and support that appointment.” Forbee typed into his holovid.

The next sentence was the one that could see me hanged.

“I further order all personnel to defend and protect Ms.

Treadwell from any civilian authority, including representatives of U.N. Circuit Court, who attempt to interfere with the performance of her duties.”

I leaned back in my chair. “Now, Mr. Forbee, round up every local system officer who has children. If he or she is out of port, round up their spouse. All children of local officers are invited to a tour of Hiberniatomorrow forenoon.

See to it that they accept the invitation. Order a shuttle for the tour. This evening you will pick up some friends of mine in your electricar--you have a car, yes?--and take them home with you for the night. In the morning they will join the tour in clean civilian clothes. Did you get that?”

He said faintly, “Aye aye, sir.”

I straightened my tie in my cabin mirror. My hair was brushed neatly, my shoes gleamed, the pants of my dress whites were crisply creased, the length of service medals pinned to my jacket. I thumbed my caller. “Lieutenant Holser to the aft lock, please.”

I strode down the Level 2 corridor to the airlock. Vax Holser was waiting when I got there.

It had been two days since I’d left an anxious Captain Forbee at Admiralty House; Hiberniawas due to depart tomorrow. About half our crew had returned from shore leave and the rest were trickling in hour by hour. Passengers for Detour were being ferried up by shuttle. Paula and Ricky, safely aboard, were confined by my orders to Level 1 until embarkation. Paula apologized to me for the trouble her family made; I accepted her apology and ignored her breach of custom in daring to speak to me directly. The circumstances were unusual.

The officers’ children had a jolly tour of the ship. The moment they filed out the airlock to Orbit Station, Mr. Vishinsky and his detail sealed both locks and posted armed sentries.

Their orders were to allow no one aboard except crewmen and passengers for Detour. Passengers’ belongings were searched for weapons before they were permitted aboard, and their papers scrutinized. As a final precaution I had sentries posted at the ladders to Level 1.

General Tho was of the U.N. Armed Forces, not the Navy.

As soon as his shuttle pilot reported that two more children had taken the shuttle to Orbit Station than were waiting to go back, he knew what I had done. He demanded I return young Ms. Treadwell. I refused. Tension abounded, until I announced I would go planetside the next day--today--to appear in Circuit Court regarding Cadet Treadwell.

Now the time had come. I wondered whether I would see Hiberniaagain. I might well spend the next half year in a local jail waiting for a ship to take me back to Lunapolis in irons. Well, if so, Amanda would visit me in my cell.

“Mr. Holser, I order you to defend the ship against unauthorized entry. By that I mean entry by any person except crew or passengers. If I’m not back within twenty-four hours you are to assume I’m held under duress, and that I will not return. You are then to declare yourself Captain and proceed to Detour. Acknowledge your orders.”

“Aye aye, sir. Acknowledged and understood. May I go groundside with you?”

“Of course not. Open the hatch, please.” I waited in our airlock, our inner hatch sealed behind me, until Orbit Station’s hatch opened. I strode into the station and turned toward the shuttle bay.

A U.N. A.F. soldier intercepted me. “General Tho requests you to come with me, Captain.” Was I already under arrest? Uneasy but powerless, I followed him to the General’s office.

I returned General Tho’s formal salute. He waited until the aide had left, his fingers nervously twisting his tiny mustache. When the hatch had shut, he leaned close.

“About time someone gave it to Judge Chesley.” His voice was low. “Man’s been too big for his jumpsuit for years.

Good luck!”

Heartened, I shook his hand. The shuttle was the largest one I’d seen yet. Its many rows of seats were empty; only the pilot, a flight attendant, and I were aboard. General Tho was showing his sympathies the only way open to him.

Feeling a regal envoy, I sat in the center of the shuttle amid empty acceleration seats while the solidly built craft whisked me toward the surface. Because of the shuttle’s great size reentry was barely noticeable. The pilot glided us toward the runway, brought us down gently, and touched the ground as light as a feather just as he killed the engines. A fine performance.

The flight attendant opened the hatch and I stepped out.

“Attention!” Lined up on the tarmac were Captain Forbee and a gathering of officers and seamen, uniforms clean and crisp as if for inspection. I halted, surprised, my hand on the hatch. I hadn’t ordered this show. Apparently Forbee had arranged it to demonstrate the Navy’s support, and to underline my status as senior officer.

“Carry on, gentlemen.” I strode to the terminal, my manner more confident than I felt. Forbee hurried to catch up.

“This way to the car, sir.” He gestured to a luxurious latemodel electricar.

I smiled in appreciation of his efforts. “Very good, Mr.

Forbee.”

“With your permission, nine of our officers have asked to be in court with you, sir.”

“How many officers do you have groundside at present, Captain Forbee?”

“Nine.”

“Very well.” Only Forbee climbed into the car with me.

The rest piled into two older cars. Our convoy proceeded into town. The U.N. Building was an old-fashioned glass and steel edifice, intended to suggest power and authority.

The parade came to a halt. Accompanied by all our officers in their Navy blues, I marched into the building.

It was to be a special session. Already seated in the courtroom, the judge impatiently tapped his finger? on the gleaming hardwood bar. Though aged, he was imposing in his flaring red robes and white wig. Behind him was displayed our blue and white U.N. flag. Jared and Irene Treadwell sat with their lawyer at one of the counsel tables.