“The politicians needed soothing and so did the general public,” the First Space Lord said, once he’d run a bug detector over the car.  Technically, bugging government or military facilities was illegal, but that didn't stop the media.  “They were really quite upset.”

Ted nodded.  It had been two days since Ark Royal had returned to Earth and the public had gone wild.  Everyone had known that the aliens were invincible ... until Ark Royal proved otherwise.  Certainly, quite a few armchair admirals had complained about the decision to abandon the backdoor system after the battle, but the Admiralty had understood.  The aliens might easily come back with more firepower ... or simply pick another star to use as a waypoint on the way to Earth.

“It's a farce, sir,” he said.  He cursed himself a moment later.  Normally, he would never have been so expressive in front of a superior officer.  “My people deserved better.”

“They always do,” the First Space Lord said.  He smiled as the car came to a halt in front of a large building, protected by a row of policemen.  “Enjoy the reception, Captain.  You’re the hero of the hour.”

Ted sighed, inwardly.  He was the highest-ranking officer from the carrier ... but most of the guests would be higher-ranking still.  Every naval officer – and probably a few army officers – had tried hard to wrangle invitations.  His crewmen would be hopelessly junior to the officers they were supposed to chitchat with, promising a day of awkward chatter and embarrassing silences.  But it had to be endured.

“Thank you, sir,” he said, unconvincingly.

Inside, a band was playing, hundreds of senior officers were already milling about ... and there was a large table full of expensive booze.  Ted stared, wondering just how many thousands of pounds had been spent on the wine alone, then reached for a glass before stopping himself.  He couldn't afford to get drunk, not now.  Instead, he took a glass of orange juice and looked around for someone he could actually talk to.  But there was no one, apart from the Japanese Naval Attaché.  And he was known to be the most frightful bore.

Sighing, Ted walked over to greet him anyway.  It had been two years since they’d last met, when the Japanese officer had managed to convince the Royal Navy to give him a tour of Ark Royal.  Ted had wondered, in all seriousness, if the Japanese Navy intended to build their own armoured carriers, but nothing had ever materialised.  Under the circumstances, he decided, that seemed something of a pity.

“Congratulations on your victory,” the Japanese officer said.  “I wish to hear all about it.”

***