Free Scout Force by Rodney Smith Page A

catch some sleep.   Ben even watches my six for me.   The sensor array gives him a much better view of the surroundings than me.”
           “So, John, how are things here on the Bolivar?   I’ve studied the schematics of the Lincoln class carriers, so I should be able to find my way around okay.   How do the wing and the ship’s company get along?   Are there any local customs I should know about?   We learned Fleet protocols at the Academy, so you don’t need to cover the obvious things, but ship customs, taboos, and faux pas to avoid.”
           “Well, there are two flag officers onboard the Bolivar.   One flag officer is often one too many, but we get to live with two.   The Battle Fleet Commander is Admiral Haddock-Halloway and the Fleet Air Commander is General Bugarov.   I think we got both because this is the latest Lincoln class carrier and it was designed with an expanded flag country as a battle fleet flagship.”
           “Admiral Haddock-Halloway is all right.   He runs a taut ship and doesn’t tolerate any of the usual ships’ company versus fighter wing stuff.   The general, on the other hand, is a piece of work.   First off, she hates lieutenants.   Speak to her only when spoken to and above all never contradict her.   She thinks she's some sort of re-born Napoleon and her tactics are just as old.   She keeps setting up these Fleet Fighter Force exercises that emulate Cannae, Hastings, and Pearl Harbor more than they do realistic scenarios.   I don’t think she has ever had an original tactical concept pass between her ears.”
           “She’s a stickler for military discipline.   If you are the first to see her enter a fighter wing compartment, call the area to attention, unless the admiral or ship’s captain is already in the compartment.   She even insists that ship’s company do the same.   They hate it.   The ship’s captain particularly hates it.   He has instructed bridge personnel not to recognize her when she comes onto the bridge.   She tried to dress him down for this and he reminded her that she was on his ship and if she had a problem with it to take it to the admiral.   I heard a rumor that she did and was told that normal courtesies would be extended to her, but the captain was in charge of the ship and all personnel embarked upon her.   She should concentrate on fleet fighter matters and leave the captain to run his ship as he saw fit.”
           “She did not take that well.   So she took it out on the carrier fighter wing, attempting to enforce her sense of military decorum on us.   I think the ship’s company feels sorry for us.   Things always tend to go a little wrong during her ceremonies.   The lights will flicker on the flight deck or the public address system will go out.   One time general quarters were called during the middle of a parade.   Another time the ventilators on the flight deck kept switching on and off, causing the flags to blow one way then the next.   She never did figure out that the airflow kept the flags blowing in her face.   I think the captain figured out what was going on and put a stop to it, but occasionally something strange will still happen.   You want to try some of my Super Cargo?”
           Kelly looked at the giant snail thing he was eating and figured that must be what he was referring to.   “Is that what that thing is called?”
           “Sure, they taste better than they look.   They grow these things on Rosencrantz in the Deneb system.   They are quite a delicacy.   They taste a little bit like Conch from Earth.   Has a very buttery taste.”
           “That’s okay.   I think I’ll pass on the slug for the time being.   I’ve traveled a lot with my folks and eaten a lot stranger food.   I just wanted chicken tonight.   So, tell me about CPT Willis.   What is she like?”
           “Janey, actually, you’d better not call her that