A Savage War Of Peace (Ark Royal Book 5) by Christopher Nuttall Read Free Book Online Page B

the files to determine what, if anything, should be discussed.  “Until then, is there anything that requires my urgent attention?”
     
    “No, sir,” Howard said.  “Chief Engineer Johnston has gone to Nelson Base, but he’s due back this evening.  The remainder of the senior crew are currently embarked; I’ve provisionally scheduled a dinner meeting for tomorrow evening at 1800.  We are currently lacking ten crewmen after they were hastily recalled to fill billets on Theodore Smith , but the Admiralty promised me that replacements would be found before our scheduled departure date.”
     
    John groaned.  The war had left too many promising young officers and crewmen dead.  It would take years to replace the dead; even now, five years after the war, the Royal Navy was still short on trained personnel.  And getting newcomers just before they left could cause its own problems.  It wasn't unknown for commanding officers to offload problem cases rather than do the paperwork to arrange for a court martial or dishonourable discharge.  By the time Warspite’s officers discovered the problem, they might be light years from Earth and unable to do anything about it.
     
    “Make sure I see their files before they’re transferred,” he said, reaching for one of his personal displays.  “Any problem children can be left behind, I think.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” Howard said.  He cleared his throat.  “Midshipwoman Powell has requested a transfer to another ship, but so far no one has been willing to take her.”
     
    “We’re too short of crew,” John said.  He didn't blame the poor Midshipwoman for wanting to leave.  She’d been forced to serve as a steward, to all intents and purposes, which had slowed her career down considerably.  And, even in this day and age, being unable to reach Lieutenant by twenty-five tended to suggest, very strongly, that the midshipman or woman was impossible to promote.  “Suggestions?”
     
    Howard nodded.  “We have seven midshipmen, sir,” he said.  “Powell can be taken off the rota entirely, but the other six can handle the duties of a steward between them.  Unless, of course, we can get a couple of dedicated stewards.  We have to host the Ambassador and her party, after all.”
     
    “That’s true,” John agreed.  “We should be able to take a pair of stewards with us, particularly if they’re cross-trained in something useful.  Put in a request at the Admiralty and see what you get.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” Howard said.  “This may cause problems in the bunks, of course.”
     
    “Tell them to suck it up,” John ordered.  He’d never been a Midshipman, but he’d had to deal with starfighter pilots being his equals one day and his superiors the next.  It wasn't an uncommon problem.  “They will be able to handle it, I am sure.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” Howard said.
     
    “And if they don’t, point out that Midshipwoman Powell did all the work on our last cruise,” John added.  He looked down at the deck.  “Speaking of which, find her something that will give her a chance at early promotion, should she do well.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” Howard said, again.  He hesitated, noticeably.  “The only other issue is that Doctor Stewart has ... issued a formal warning note that you haven’t attended for your physical in the last seven months.  He’s insisting that you attend within the week or he will be forced to file a complaint with the Naval Medical Board.”
     
    John fought down the urge to grit his teeth.  “You have pointed out to him that I was on Nelson Base for the last six months and I had a full physical when I returned to Earth?”
     
    “Yes, sir,” Howard said.  “We all had the full physical.”
     
    He shuddered.  John didn't blame him.  It seemed impossible for anything dangerous to spread from the Vesy to humanity - and vice versa - but the Naval Medical Board hadn't been inclined to take chances.  The entire crew had