"Yes sir?" the man answered.
"Call the Hume ship, Kennedy," the Commander told him, "ask their Commanding Officer to send the service record of their injured officer, Fields.  Also, find out that officer's medical status.  Make five copies of the records and bring them to my quarters.  That is all."
"Yes, sir!"  the officer acknowledged.
The Commander was working on his third drink by the time the records arrived.  The communications officer eyed the half empty bottle nervously, as he entered.
"The records you asked for, sir.  The Hume Commander regrets to inform you the officer in question died a short while ago."
The Commander leaned back in his chair and gave a deep sigh.  "Lekar, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," the officer answered.
"You're a good man, Lekar," the Commander announced, climbing to his feet. "I'll tell you what I want you to do.  Go to those four officers, Lt. Retos, Lt. Carr, Third Engineer Wo, and Second Communications Leak.  Tell them they are to report to my quarters one hour from now. Then tell the Second Officer he has the duty for the rest of the day, as I will be in no condition to command.  And if he wishes to put me on report, he may.  You will wait for those officers to leave my quarters then enter.  Retrieve this tape and have the Second Officer review it.  I will leave it to him as to how the crew is to be informed.  Go!"
The officer saluted and left.
The Commander sat down, grabbed one of the records and swiftly scanned through it.  It was the record of an officer he would have been proud to have.  He threw it back down on the table and consumed the rest of his drink.  When his door buzzed he ordered it open and waited for the four officers to enter and report.
"I've got something for you four to watch," he announced, "and when it's done I don't want a word from any of you. Just listen to what I have to say and then get out!"
He put the tape in the player, then turned away from the screen. He did not watch it, or, the officers, until it was done. Then he turned back to the four men who stood at attention.
"I have," he said, "no honor. My ship has no honor.  I have sworn an oath that justice would be done by you, and it will be done before I turn you over to the Hume officer.  Tomorrow you will make explanation to him as your last act in my command, then I will release you to his authority.  Each of you take one of these records. It is the life of the man you would have dishonored to protect that worm that called himself an Imperial warrior.  Now get out of my sight!"
Each of the officers picked up a record and departed. The communications officer entered and retrieved the tape. The Commander continued to empty his bottle. He did not remember going to bed, but he awoke there next morning in his sleeping robe.  A fresh uniform hung in its appropriate place.  The robe smelled of sickness but if he had been sick someone had cleaned it up.  He would never ask who, as none of his officers would ever mention he had been drunk on board.
The shower helped some of the ache in his body, and the clean uniform lifted his spirits a little.  He stroked his command tags wondering if he would keep them.
It was too late for breakfast so he ate a quiet lunch, not wanting to look at the clock.  His Second Officer appeared.  "I do not wish to disturb, sir," the man announced, "it is almost time.  The Hume officer is waiting below; sir, I officially request you let me handle this duty."
"I will handle my own duties, mister!"  the Commander snapped. "Pleasant or unpleasant they are my duties. But I will note in the record that you offered, and the offer was appreciated."
The Second Officer nodded. "I will return to the bridge, sir," he announced.
The Commander rose. Again it seemed to take him forever to reach the boarding hatch and to descend. The Humes had arrived.  His officers and a party of witnesses were waiting.  Six Purist security men also stood by and all eyes were on him.  When his feet touched ground he got right to it.  Approaching the Hume, he saluted.
"Sir!  These are the four officers you demanded.  Before I release them to your charge I believe they have a statement to make."
The Lieutenant stepped forward and saluted.  "Sir," he began, "we must express our apologies. We were not aware that our shipmate was going to attack your crewman.  Afterwards we panicked.  We thought your man dead and in an attempt to save our honor lied to our Commander. He was unaware of our deception. We are sorry, now, we tried to blame such an honorable man for our own error. That is all I have to say, sir, and I hope you will understand it is the truth."
The Lieutenant saluted the Hume then turned to his own officer and saluted again. "Sir," he said, "we request permission before we are released from your command, to regain our honor."
"NO!" the Hume cried, "We don't want that!"
"Warlock!"  the Commander snapped, "These men are still under my authority. Kindly do not interfere in Imperial affairs. It is their right to end this as THEY wish."
"But it doesn't have to be that way!"  the Warlock pleaded.
The Imperial Lieutenant turned to face him.  "We thank you, sir," he said, "and appreciate your kindness, but it is the