Master Sergeant Hart watched the suited figure pulse his thrusters to bring the flight recorder neatly into the shuttle.

“Reckall.”

“Hart. The hell just happened, and why aren’t you dead?”

“Shuttle 2 dropped me off to check the barracks for survivors. I was in the middle of the search when we lost the ship.”

“And the ansible?”

“See for yourself.”

The reply was still cached in the faster-than-light communication unit. Simple and multiply authenticated – USNE forces to investigate events leading to the destruction of the heavy frigate Nineteen Eighty-Four. Wide latitude for actions to be taken against the aggressors.

The lieutenant sighed.

“Ishikawa’s going to want to hear about this.”

“Then tell him. Do you see a security clearance on those orders?”

The sergeant lowered his voice. “And do you think Command will care if a few rebels go missing while we check this out? Use your judgement, lieutenant. Reprioritise.”

His visor was still mirrored, but it nodded slowly.

“Good man. Let’s go.”