Free Rule of Evidence by John G. Hemry Page A

across the whole group like he was aiming a weapon. "And don't you people ever do something like this to me again. I'm going down to sickbay to make sure I didn't get a hernia from trying not to laugh."
    "Attention on deck!" Sharpe called out. After Hayes had left, Kowalski and Meyer started laughing again.
    Paul waved to Sharpe as he left. Sharpe shrugged in response. "Better luck next time, Mr. Sinclair."
    "Maybe this'll scare Fastow straight."
    Sharpe didn't hide his skepticism. "I'll believe it when I see it, sir."
    "I've always admired your faith in human nature, Sheriff."
    "I'm a cop. If you want faith in human nature, call a chaplain."
    * * *
    Franklin station loomed not far away, looking like a hollow discus, its rotation seeming leisurely from this distance. Paul glanced over at Lieutenant Sindh. "I hear your relief will be waiting for us on the pier."
    Sindh smiled. "So I understand."
    "This might be the last time you bring the Merry Mike into Franklin."
    "Ah, the grief overwhelms me." Her smiled widened. "Bosun mate of the watch, notify all hands to prepare for entering port. Paul please notify the captain and the XO that we're ready for final approach on Franklin." Her fingers ran over the controls in front of her. "Lots of traffic out here, as usual, but it's all keeping clear of our approach lane."
    "Captain's on the bridge!"
    Hayes settled into his chair and fastened the straps. "Going to take her in, Sonya?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Try not to scratch the paint." Hayes grinned, looking over as Garcia and Kwan pulled themselves onto the bridge. The three senior officers huddled, Hayes' smile fading into annoyance.
    Paul leaned toward Sindh. "That doesn't look good."
    "No. But we can't worry about that now, Paul. Pay attention to the maneuvering situation."
    "Right. Sorry."
    The Michaelson eased in toward Franklin at an angle, her thrusters firing to match the station's rotation. On the maneuvering displays, curved lines showed exactly where the ship was and where she should be. Sindh ordered the thrusters fired each time the Michaelson drifted off the right vector, almost seeming to know when to fire the thrusters before the ship's automated maneuvering systems did. "Send across line six."
    "Send across line six, aye," the bosun mate of the watch echoed, transmitting the order.
    A line shot out of the Michaelson 's hull, aimed right for the contact plate waiting at her berth. The magnetic grapnel hit and sealed itself to the station. The bosun sounded his pipe. "Moored! Shift colors!"
    More lines went across, fixing the Michaelson 's mass to Franklin station, then very gently bringing the ship in toward her berth. The ship settled in firmly as Paul tried to readjust to a feeling of constant gravity again.
    "Quarterdeck access seals are extending," Paul announced. It was all very superfluous, but he'd quickly learned that saying things over and over again, and announcing things anyone could see on the displays, made certain everybody knew what they needed to know. "Seals matched. Pressurizing. Ready for quarterdeck opening."
    "Very well," Lieutenant Sindh replied. "Open quarterdeck hatch and match the brow to Franklin."
    "Open quarterdeck, aye. Quarterdeck hatch opening. Brow matching. Quarterdeck reports they are ready to assume the watch."
    Sindh looked over at the Captain, who nodded. "Very well. Transfer the watch to the quarterdeck. Secure the bridge watch."
    "The quarterdeck has the watch. Securing the bridge watch, aye."
    Hayes unstrapped and stood up, slightly unsteady himself on his feet. "Good job, lieutenant. But you might get another chance to do this after all." He headed out.
    "Captain's left the bridge!"
    Paul unstrapped and stretched. "What do you suppose the captain meant by that?"
    Sindh shrugged. "Apparently we may be going out again in the near future."
    "Sorry about that."
    "I'm still short, Paul. They can keep us in space every day until I'm scheduled to depart the ship as long as get to leave that