Intrepid

''I don't knit, and I never do anything quietly,'' Vicky shot back. ''And I could ask you the same question. Why aren't you doing something''—Vicky seemed at a loss for words … and settled for—''back on your lovely Wardhaven?''

''Why am I not on my lovely Wardhaven?'' Kris said, beginning to move rather tasty but probably horribly fattening croutons out of her salad and into a row. ''I don't want to be any closer to my mother or father than I have to.''

That got a snort from Vicky and a thoughtful look from Krätz.

''I'm committed to a naval career and for some strange reason, the fleet can't find any job for me near my father, the prime minister.'' That got a third crouton into rank and a dry chuckle from the ensign.

''I refuse to become involved in politics … and every time I get too near Wardhaven, I get sucked into that mess again, and my father gets even madder at me. How am I doing?''

Vicky now needed the napkin to suppress her laughter.

Captain Krätz eyed Jack and got a serious nod of validation. Then he shook his head. ''Your file is making better and better sense.''

''And if you report all this,'' Kris said, ''do you think it will make better sense to your intelligence analysts?''

''They wouldn't believe a word.''

''Then let me add one more bit of wisdom. They shipped me off to Eden because they thought it was the only place in human space where I'd be safe.''

''And you might have been if I hadn't been there,'' Vicky said proudly.

''Hire better assassins next time. I didn't even work up a sweat doing my escape and evade from those bozos.''

''I captured your grandmother,'' Vicky pointed out.

''Major mistake on your part. The Marines took it personal. You never want a Marine company personally mad at you.''

''You realize she's critiquing you,'' Captain Krätz said.

''I thought she was just bragging.''

''You might learn a thing or three if you listen to her. Your father or his minions have been trying to take her out for a long time, and she's still wrecking their plans.''

''More often than not, the only reason I'm messing with another's plans is ‘cause someone's messing with me,'' Kris said, with a sigh. ''I wish you'd just leave me alone.''

''Is that why you're out here?'' Vicky asked.

''I figured if I was out beyond the Rim, I might get some peace and quiet. That why you're out here?''

Vicky turned to her captain and raised an expressive eyebrow.

''Strange, isn't it,'' the captain said, ''when chasing after pirates is safer than being back home.''

''Are we chasing pirates,'' Vicky asked, ''or is the Surprise just pretending it is?''

Captain Krätz shrugged his shoulders. ''How'd you get a shot at a pirate?'' he asked Kris.

''Notice how the Wasp looks like a simple little merchant ship.'' They nodded. ''They took the first shot. I got the last one.''

Their steaks arrived with appropriate trimmings. Kris and the rest paid appropriate homage to them before Kris threw out the next question.

''How bad is it, being a boot ensign in the Greenfeld Navy? My memories of being the junior officer aboard ship are much more fondly memorable as they disappear in the rearview mirror.''

''You started as an ensign?'' Vicky asked.

''Yes,'' Kris said, ''with a captain who made my life far more miserable than I suspect Captain Krätz is making yours.''

Vicky raised her eyebrows as if to doubt that possibility.

''Making ensigns miserable is one of the prime perks of a captain's job,'' Captain Krätz insisted. ''Is that not so, Captain?'' he said to Jack.

''We have a thing called the Fifth Amendment, sir, and I'm going to invoke its protection, sir. Otherwise, I might have to apply for a transfer to your Navy.''

''We're always looking for a few good men.''

''What is it about men?'' Vicky exploded. ''I get handed this ensign gig. My brother starts out as a commodore. He bosses Captain Krätz around. Me, I get bossed around by just about everybody. It's not fair,'' she growled at her captain.

He said nothing, just took another bite of his steak, chewed it for a moment, and then waved his empty fork at Kris. ''As a lieutenant, two mighty promotions up from a lowly ensign, would you have any advice for my JO here?''

Kris thought the question over for a moment, then shrugged. ''As a wise chief once told me, if you don't want to be Navy, get out.''

Vicky scowled sidewise at her superior officer. He shook his head. ''That is not an option for the moment.''

''I see,'' Kris said. And thought some more. ''Your brother started his Navy career as a commodore.''

Vicky nodded vigorously at that.

''From where I sat, that was part of what killed him.''

''What!'' Vicky almost shouted.

''Do you disagree, Captain Krätz?'' Kris asked.

The captain patted his mouth with the white linen napkin and put it down. ''I can't say that I do.''