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General Randall looked up as the COS knocked and stepped into her office. “What have you got, Mark?”

“I’ve got the Marine commander, Major Ifshan, and the CO, Captain Ericson to see you, ma’am.”

She cocked her head. “And what brings those two luminaries to my hatch? Is there something I need to be aware of?” She sat up suddenly. “Is it a security issue?”

“It appears to be a personnel issue, ma’am,” The COS said with a wince.

Blowing out a breath, she said wearily, “Bring them in. If it’s at my level, this isn’t good.”

The major and the carrier CO came to attention in front of her and she said, “At ease, gentlemen, seats. Now what is the problem?” The CO and the major looked at each other and she snapped, “Dammit, just tell me what is going on!” She glared at the major. “Major Ifshan, is there a security issue?”

“No, ma’am. It’s…well, I have a personnel issue that I can’t solve. It’s Sergeant Diederik and Corporal Alesander.”

“What kind of personnel issue? I found them to be exemplary when they were detached with me.”

The major looked up. “Uh, ma’am, it’s their top sergeant, Top London. He wants them back on the mid-shift. He doesn’t want them escorting you, says they are not reliable, and are poseurs, according to what he told my Gunny.” He bit his lip then added, “I think he has a hard on for those two for some reason.”

She looked sharply at him. “Major Ifshan, do you or you Marines have a problem with that?”

“No, ma’am. We…ah…heard about what went on, and we don’t have any problem with either their appearance or conduct.”

“From them?”

Captain Ericson interrupted, “No, ma’am. Apparently, one of the intel geeks was…talking in the mess. He…was laughing about the bugs Diederik and Alesander turned in, and how they’d collected them. And he might have alluded to a lapel video that he shouldn’t have seen.”

General Randall shook her head and sighed. “Intel…why am I not surprised. This is not the first…never mind. I take it he has been…counseled?”

“Counseled, reduced in rank, and his security clearance pulled. He’s now a bosun’s mate striker. And the lieutenant commander who showed him the video has also had his clearance pulled, along with a letter of reprimand in his file.”

She mumbled softly, “At least nobody died this time.” She sighed again, then said, “For your information, Admiral Octavos has directed that we return directly to homebase as expeditiously as possible.” She held up a hand. “I know you haven’t been told, but we just got the message less than a div ago. This will cut our deployment short, but the admiral wants the actual treaty to be in his hands as soon as possible. Apparently, there is already a schism developing between him and the Gal Council over the treaty’s wording.” She grinned mirthlessly. “I’m guessing Ambassador Cheel has something to do with that.”

Both COS and the CO laughed at that, as the major looked confused. “What should I do, ma’am? I mean with Sergeant Diederik and Corporal Alesander?”

“Tell the top sergeant if he has a problem, he can come talk to me directly. Oh, I forgot, they are reservists, please ask their CO, I believe that is lieutenant colonel, no Colonel McMasters to come see me. This is going to short their deployment also.”

They stood and saluted, and she said, “Dismissed.” After they left, she turned back to the COS. “Mark, I smell a rat with that reserve sergeant major. Something there isn’t right. See what you can find out. Oh, and while you’re at it, find out if we have any senior Ghorka aboard. If we do, I’d like to meet with them.”

“Ghorka, ma’am?” He shook his head, then continued, “I’ll see what I can find on that reserve bunch.”

She smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Captain Harmon.”

He snorted and mumbled, “You worry me when you’re polite.” She just cocked an eyebrow at him as he left the office.

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