“I’m glad to hear it,” he said frankly, “because I was sweating it just a little, actually.”

“No flag captain wants her admiral to think she’s slack, Rafe. But I’ve been a flag captain, too, you know. There’s not a lot you can do to make the yard dogs turn your ship loose any sooner than they’re good and ready to.”

“Actually,” he admitted, “that’s not the only problem I have. Captain Thurmond, my COLAC, was just detached for compassionate leave. His wife was killed in a boating accident on Gryphon, and they have—had—three children. My understanding is that he won’t be returning. Certainly not before we complete the refit and begin working up again.”

“I know,” Honor repeated. “I wouldn’t worry about it, though. While Admiral Draskovic and I were discussing other personnel assignments, I requested a new COLAC for you. I believe you know him. A Captain Jay-Gee… Tremaine, I think it was.”

“Scotty? You got Scotty for me?” Cardones’ white teeth flashed in an immense grin. “Dare I hope that you got me Harkness, as well?”

“Where one of them goes, the other is certain to turn up,” Honor said dryly.

“Outstanding!” Cardones grinned at her for another second or two, then shook his head. “I’m beginning to think you must have been exceptionally persuasive with Admiral Draskovic, Ma’am.”

“You might say that,” Honor allowed.

“And who else did you get for us, if I may ask?”

“Well, let’s see. I got a task group commander named Truman, and another one named McKeon.” Honor looked up at the ceiling and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “And at my urgent request, High Admiral Matthews has agreed to release a Commodore Brigham to serve as my chief of staff. And for an ops officer, I got Captain Andrea Jaruwalski. I don’t know if you know her, but she’s good, Rafe. Very good. Oh, and I got Fritz Montoya as our senior medical officer, too.” She shrugged. “There may be—oh, one or two other officers I specifically requested, but those are the high spots.”

“It’s going to be like old times, isn’t it?” Cardones observed.

“Not too much like ‘old times,’ I hope.” Honor frowned ever so slightly. “I think it’s a good, solid team, but when I sat down to put it together, I couldn’t help remembering the old Fearless.”

“I’m not surprised, Ma’am. And we did lose some people in Basilisk. And at Yeltsin’s Star, too, for that matter. But we also did what we set out to do both times, didn’t we?” He held her eyes until she nodded, almost against her will. Then he shrugged. “Well, we’ll just have to do it again, then. And at least we’re all practiced up at it!”

“More practiced than I’d like,” Honor agreed ruefully.

“That’s the name of the game, Ma’am.”

“I suppose it is.”

Honor took a long pull at her beer, then made a face as her wrist chrono beeped.

“Rafe, I’m sorry, but I’ve got an appointment with Richard Maxwell and Merlin Odom. I’ve simply got to get some management details nailed down here in the Star Kingdom before I go haring off to Silesia!”