Free Inadvertent Adventures by Loren K. Jones Page A

read the report, including the unofficial bit about Sterling's misadventure and the events leading up to your meeting again. That does not excuse your actions. However, the Navy doesn't want a scandal about this. We can't afford the public relations fallout. While we can't put you in front of a Courts Martial, we can't allow you to remain in uniform, either." Admiral Teach came to attention and looked Admiral Stevenson in the eye.
    "Rear Admiral Annette Fairmont Stevenson, you are charged with dereliction of duty in regards to taking your battle group away from your assigned patrol area without orders or authorization. Additional charges of misappropriation of Navy resources in regards to your taking an entire battle group off on a personal mission, use of Navy personnel in pursuance of a personal vendetta, and in general behaving in a manner that would be an embarrassment to the entire government if it ever comes to light. Because of the last charge under the ancient Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a non-judicial sentence was passed on you in a private session of the Joint Chiefs, and your punishment decided.
    "It pains me to do this, because you had a brilliant career ahead of you, but, in accordance with my instruction from the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations, I must ask you to resign your commission."
    "I had intended to do exactly that, Sir," Admiral Stevenson replied and watched the shock on Admiral Teach's face.
    "You intended to resign, Ann?"
    "Yes, Sir," Ann said and looked into his eyes. "I let my career and command of the Saint Peter cost me the man I loved. I've spent the last ten years kicking myself for that mistake. We've rectified part of it already, and my leaving the Navy completes the process."
    Admiral Teach looked into her eyes and nodded. "If that's how you want it, then I have to say I'm relieved. We can't afford to have the particulars of this incident make it into the news, and if you had decided to fight the charges, they would have. The story you cooked up at Hobson's makes this fiasco sound like something noble. There are a lot of people who don't want to believe it, but most of the people who know the truth are in this room."
    "Admiral Teach," Sterling said as he took a step forward, "all we want is to live our lives in peaceful anonymity. We have plans and the funds to make that happen, so we'll be away as soon as we can buy a ship."
    Admiral Teach nodded slowly. "Very well, Sterling. Admiral Stevenson, Captain Harrisson has some paperwork for you to sign. Now I'd like a word alone with Sterling, if you don't mind." He indicated the door and everyone except Sterling left. When the door closed the Admiral's expression changed dramatically. "Damn, boy, you sure know how to stir the pot, don't you?" he said as he rounded the desk and stuck his hand out to Sterling.
    "It wasn't on purpose, Skipper," Sterling said with a wide grin as he took his former captain's hand.
    "No, if what I hear is true, it would have taken someone even crazier than you to do that intentionally. I understand that you turned our tactics around on that raider and convinced it you were the Kiev. That took some guts on the part of you and your captain." The admiral looked at Sterling and he nodded.
    "Denise Stabenow, now Larsson, and her husband and first mate, Olaf. The other two members of our crew were killed by the raider. I owe Denise my life. That's what set Ann off, by the way. Pahna Mah wanted to kill me because I beat his crooked games and left with my winnings."
    "She's too damn impetuous. Always has been. It's a shame, but it's a good thing that you two have gotten back together. You can keep her calm. Always could. Now, as to this ship you're looking for. Another freighter?"
    Sterling nodded. "Yes, sir. It's funny, but once I'd been shanghaied my life improved. I never should have left the service or space, and certainly never should have left Ann."
    The admiral smiled and