“We will check it out,” Smith said.  He looked from face to face.  “This isn't a drill, but a real situation.  We – the entire human race – are going to war with a threat of unknown power and motivation.  All we really know about them is that they’re hostile.  I expect each and every one of you to do your duty.”

“Of course, sir,” Anderson said.  He patted the table affectionately.  “The old lady will do her duty too.”

Smith smiled.  “Of course she will,” he agreed.  He stood, then paused.  “As yet, there has been no formal announcement of the situation.  I imagine that will change, soon enough, but until then please don’t mention it in your v-mails.  It would be inconvenient to have to break you out of prison.”

James had to smile at the weak joke, although he knew that Smith was right.  It wouldn't be long before word got out – and, once it did, there would be panic.  No wonder the Admiral had wanted to get as much done as possible before the news hit the media datanet.  But something would definitely leak once the reserves were called up ...

Of course it will, he thought, tartly.  The reserves haven’t been called up for anything other than mandatory training in years.

Smith waited for the officers to leave the compartment, then turned to James.  “I want you to familiarise yourself as quickly as possible with the crew and our internal systems,” he ordered, shortly.  “Once we get the first set of reservists, I want you to handle their integration into the ship’s crew.  My current set of officers will have seniority, regardless of actual time served.  We can’t afford unpractised officers trying to take command, not now.”

“Understood,” James said, recognising the unspoken warning.  He was an unpractised officer, at least on Ark Royal.  There was no alternative, but to study the ship as quickly as possible and figure out just what improvements had been made to the original systems.  “I won’t let you down.”

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

“But it wasn't my fault!”

Kurt Schneider gritted his teeth as he drove away from the school, silently cursing his teenage daughter under his breath.  It was her fault, he knew, that he had been summoned out of work early just to hear the headteacher explain, in great detail, precisely why Penny had been summarily suspended from school for two weeks.  And then – and then – he’d been warned that if her behaviour didn't improve, she would be permanently expelled and forced to find another school.

“It really wasn't,” Penny whined.  “I didn't mean to get into a fight ...”

“You told your teacher that she was a right stupid cow,” Kurt growled.  The recording of the whole incident had been shocking.  “And your headteacher was quite right to say your behaviour was unacceptable.”

“But she kept changing the rules,” Penny insisted.  “I ...”