“Soon,” the First Space Lord said.  He looked down at his desk for a long moment, then up at Ted.  “When the time comes, it had been agreed” – he paused, significantly – “that you will command the offensive.”

Ted wondered, absently, just how many deals had been cut to make that possible so quickly.  Few of the interstellar powers liked the thought of having their starships serve under another power’s command, no matter how closely allied they were.  And Ted’s previous command had been shot to pieces, with Ark Royal the only survivor.  He was surprised that any other power had been willing to agree to let him take command.

“We’re short on heroes,” the First Space Lord said, when he asked.  “Blame the reporters, if you like.”

Ted rolled his eyes, inwardly.  He'd only caught a couple of newscasts between debriefing sessions, but most of them bore little relationship to reality.  One of the reporters – who hadn’t even been on Ark Royal – insisted that Ted had led the boarding party in person.  But if he had, the Royal Navy would have congratulated him and then removed him from command.

“Thank you, sir,” he said, finally.

“Don't thank me,” the First Space Lord said.  “Your life is about to become a great deal more complicated.”

“As long as I keep Ark Royal as a flagship, I don’t mind,” Ted said.

The First Space Lord smiled.  “Congratulations, Admiral Smith,” he said.

***

James couldn't help, but be mildly bothered by the summons to Nelson Base.  Between debriefings and supervising the repairs to Ark Royal, he simply didn't have the time to spare.  But the summons had left no room for objections, so he’d boarded the shuttle and made his way to the giant space station.  Inside, it was no surprise when he was escorted to a private briefing room.

“My official weblog states that I am in a meeting with a design team leader,” the First Space Lord said, as soon as the hatch had hissed closed and locked itself.  “We don’t have much time.”

“Yes, sir,” James said.

“Admiral Smith,” the First Space Lord said, taking a seat.  “Is he suited for independent command?”

“Yes,” James said, without hesitation.

The First Space Lord looked up.  “Are you sure?”

James kept his expression as blank as possible, even though the First Space Lord was probably used to reading people more inclined to deception than James.

“Yes, sir,” he said, finally.  The Captain had come alarmingly close to a relapse, but disaster had been averted ... and he’d managed to get his ship and crew home.  And he’d captured an alien starship in the process.  “Permission to speak freely, sir?”

The First Space Lord nodded, impatiently.