13 When they got back to Academy the entire crew
was given an official commendation, something very rare for Cadets that
had not yet graduated. North was still in bandages on the day before
their Final Exams when the entire class of four-hundred-and-ninety-two
were marched into the lecture hall for their last joint session.
14 They would have some fond memories of this hall. From the lectures
and films they had seen here, to the play each class was required to
put on. But now they had too much on their minds to think of pleasant
things as the Commandant walked out to the podium and motioned the
Cadets to stay seated.
15 ''I am pleased," he announced, "gentlemen, to still see so many of
you here. I will ask you now, to bow your heads in a moment of silence
for the Cadet that was recently lost, and a short prayer of thanks for
the one that was saved. That only seven of you flunked out last year,
pleases me. And from your grades, I think all of you will be here for
graduation.
16 This is your last official lesson, and I always conduct it myself.
The subject of this lecture, gentlemen, is 'Honor'….a small word, with a
lot of meaning. But when you take the command seat of a starship, no
matter what her class, it is a word that takes on tremendous meaning.
For whenever you enter a system, you are the highest authority of your
Lord God that is on hand. The Lord's Guard, local governors, all
civilian administration is always answerable to the highest military
Commander in that section. Don't ever forget that.
17 You are the representatives of your Lord God. Whatever decision you
make, whatever action you take, The Lord God is bound by it, unless it
is a complete violation of regulations. So every word out of your mouth
has to be carefully weighed before it is spoken.
18 Many a career has been ended by hastily given orders. Don't let
yours be. Never forget the incident of the Second