“That’s the regulation time, sir.”
“Yes, I know.”
The ship eased out of its berth. There was a moment of free-fall, then the drive engine came on and the grav-field equilibrated.
“Tell me, lieutenant, how did you get picked for this assignment?”
“I wish I knew, sir,” Hector said, his lean face twisting into a puzzled frown. “I was working out a program for the navigation officer ... aboard the cruiser. I’m pretty good at that ... I can work out computer programs in my head, mostly. Mathematics was my best subject at the Academy—”
“Interesting.”
“Yes, well, anyway, I was working out this program when the captain himself came on deck and started shaking my hand and telling me that I was being sent on special duty on Acquatainia by direct orders of the Commander-in-Chief. He seemed very happy ... the captain, that is.”
“He was no doubt pleased to see you get such an unusual assignment,” Leoh said tactfully.
“I’m not so sure,” Hector said truthfully. “I think he regarded me as some sort of a problem, sir. He had me on a different duty-berth practically every day I was on board the ship.”
“Well now,” Leoh changed the subject, “what do you know about psychonics?”