“He does, Admiral.”

Tanner took a moment to straighten his clothing, stepping into the full view of the armor.

“Captain Weston.” He nodded gravely.

Weston hid a smile as he watched the admiral adjust his clothing before stepping around to the front of the armor and wondered if he should inform the man that infantry special warfare armor had 360-degree sensor coverage.

Maybe another time, he thought as Tanner spoke.

“Captain Weston,” the small man began.

“Admiral Tanner.” Weston permitted himself a slight smile. “May I assume that you noticed a change in our current stance?”

“You may,” Tanner replied.

“Might I inquire as to the effect?” Weston probed.

“Your vessel vanished almost entirely from our passive sensors,” the small man replied, “and even though we knew your location, our active sensors were unable to uncover more than a shadow of your previous signature.”

There was a low breath of relief that passed through the bridge, but Weston ignored it in favor of masking his own breath of relief. “That was what we were hoping for, Admiral. Now, if only the enemy finds us equally difficult to see.”

“One can only hope.”

“Indeed,” Weston replied. “We’ll be leaving orbit shortly, Admiral.”

“May I inquire as to your plans?”

“Wouldn’t do you any good, Admiral,” Weston replied, “and I’m afraid that we don’t have the time.”

“I understand, Captain,” Tanner said. “In that case, I wish you the very best and…”

“And?” Weston blinked, hearing something in the other man’s tone.

Tanner paused, looking like he wanted to say more, then shook his head. “It is nothing, Captain. May the Maker journey with you…”

“And you,” Weston replied automatically, as he always did when someone wished him well in one way or another.

The signal was dropped and Commander Roberts leaned over.

“Just as long as we don’t have to meet our ‘Maker’ before he journeys with us.”

Weston stifled a snort. “Why, Commander Roberts, I do believe you just made a joke.”

Roberts looked evenly back at him. “I wish I had.”

“Right,” Weston said. “Sound general quarters.”

“Aye, Captain. General quarters.”

“And get me Major Brinks, if you please.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

Brinks rumbled into the intercom, keeping most of his attention on the squad that worked to clear out a large promenade or something similar.

“Major, how are things?”

“They’re coming along, Captain.”

“Good. I’m calling to inform you that we will be leaving orbit shortly.”

“Understood.” Brinks paused. “Godspeed, Captain.”

“And you, Major.”

“Yes, sir. Brinks out.”

The lights across the ship flickered and came back in muted red as the ship-wide intercom began speaking over the commotion.

“General quarters. This is a call to general quarters.”

“You heard the lady!” Chief Corrin yelled over the ruckus. “Get movin’ ’fore I have your hides pinned to the bulkheads!”

“All stations, secure for acceleration. This is no drill. I say again, this is no drill.”