Marines came to attention as the shuttle settled down on its gear, the loading ramp hitting the floor with a clang that echoed across the deck.

Admiral Gracen stepped off first, eyes sweeping the flight deck briefly before alighting on Captain Weston, who was waiting for her.

“Captain,” she said, coming to a stop in front of him. “As you were.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Eric said, glancing at the small courier ship and then back at her. “That couldn’t have been a comfortable trip.”

“It wasn’t,” she said simply, handing him a secure data chip. “Congratulations.”

“Ma’am?” Eric blinked. “I’m not sure I follow.”

“On your promotion, Commodore,” she said simply.

“I . . . what?”

“Captains do not command squadrons, Commodore,” Gracen told him. “And the situation is getting much more complicated out here. How long until repairs are complete?”

“Another day, ma’am.”

“Good. Your new orders are your old orders,” she said. “Get to Passer and the Auto and find out what the hell he’s stumbled into. When you’re done there, go get me more intelligence on this . . . Empire of yours.”

Eric nodded hesitantly, his head still a couple lines back in the conversation.

“Walk with me, Commodore,” she said, acknowledging the Marines as they passed.

“Yes ma’am,” Eric said, subtly signaling to the Marine sergeant major that he could dismiss the honor guard.

“If those are the people who sent the Drasin our way . . . Well, we’ll blow that bridge when we get to it,” she said. “But it’s a safe bet that the Alliance will want to express their . . . displeasure.”

“I’m certain they will, ma’am,” Eric said automatically.

“People want revenge,” she said, “and the politicians want to give it to them. Normally the way this goes is they’ll look around for the closest target they can serve up with minimal fuss, regardless of whether the accused actually had anything to do with the attack or not. I would prefer not to spend the next few decades fighting a war against the wrong people, whether they’re bad guys or not.”

“Been there, ma’am.”

“I know you have,” she said, “which is why I want you to be sure this Empire is the right group and, more than that, find out if we have a chance. Revenge will not keep the people we serve alive if we pick a fight with someone willing, eager, and most of all . . . capable of stepping on us.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“So recon this situation, Marine,” she ordered.

“Aye ma’am.”

“Listen to me, Commodore.” She stopped, turning to face him. “Don’t get us into a war unless it’s the war we’re looking for.”

“In my defense, ma’am, they fired first.”

Gracen sighed. “That would make me feel belter, Commodore, if it weren’t for the fact that you appear capable of driving almost everyone you’ve ever met to firing on you first.”