Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon Read Free Book Online Page B

cabin; to Ky’s relief, the tone was more satisfied than worried. Facing her still were a half dozen, all those who had been on the
Gary,
including Lee.
    “I gather you want to be in this,” she said.
    “We’ve been with you from the beginning,” Lee said. “And some of it’s been the best time of my life. You bet I want to stay.”
    “Me, too,” muttered the others.
    “It’s not going to be easy,” Ky said. “And here’s why.” Quickly, she outlined the differences in discipline that Hugh had named most critical. “The thing is, if you continue to act like civilians, that could get you killed—or, at worse, the whole ship lost. Yes, even just one of you,” she said to the disbelief in their faces. “Let me outline just one scenario. Say we’re boarded. You’ll say, Been there, done that, right? But I’m talking about actual penetration of the crew compartments, which didn’t happen last time. If you don’t do exactly what you’ve been told—what you’re supposed to—without thinking up any heroic bits that backfire—”
    “Why would they backfire?” Lee interrupted.
    “And there’s another problem,” Ky said. She sighed and shook her head. “Lee, you and the others are used to talking to me as the captain, yes, but also as Gerry Vatta’s little girl who needs taking care of.” His eyes widened, and she nodded. “Yes, you are. That’s understandable. But it has to stop. This is now a military ship; we will be maintaining military discipline. For some of you—including some of the best of you—that’s going to be a considerable strain. You weren’t trained for it; you’re not used to it; you still have that history with me when we had a nonmilitary relationship.”
    Lee opened his mouth and shut it; Mehar raised her hand. Ky nodded at her.
    “I don’t understand why it all has to be military, Captain. I mean, why does it have to be that way for us as well as them?”
    “Because a ship’s crew has to be all one piece, bonded,” Ky said. “You have to trust the military—the
present
military—and they have to trust you. Everyone has to know that everyone else will follow orders quickly, precisely, without questioning, in any crisis. And the newer crew have to know that they are equal with you, that you’re all on the same footing.” She paused again; they were listening intently—not rejecting it, but not yet completely convinced.
    “Look,” she said. “You are my oldest crew; we’ve been through a lot. I can never forget that, I trust you and respect you at a level the others still have to earn. But I can’t treat you differently and be fair to them.”
    Lee nodded, as did Mehar. Lee raised his hand this time before blurting out anything; Ky nodded.
    “I understand that,” he said. “And—I guess—I understand the need to change. But…I’m not sure I can change, and I sure don’t know how fast.”
    “Good points,” Ky said. “Here’s what I want to do. I’ve spoken to some of the military side about what might help you transition with as little difficulty as possible. You’ll all need to do some physical training and some cross-training in other specialties. You’ll all need to start learning, if you haven’t, the correct procedures, in the military sense. The parameters have narrowed; I’ll be pickier about precision; I’ll be pickier about discipline. I want you to get to know the fighting crew, not stay aloof from them. Lee, I know you’ve partied with them—” Chuckles broke out, relaxing some of the tension. “You don’t have to like them all, but you need to know them.”
    “Er…what if they…,” Mehar started. Ky looked at her. “Sorry,” Mehar said. “Captain, if I may?” Ky nodded. “Some of them…they’ve made remarks…personal…”
    “That will stop. I’ve told them. No hazing, none of that. It happens in basic training, but this isn’t standard basic training and we don’t have time for it. I’ve made up a cube with