Chapter Thirty-Six
The following day as North entered Morn's command
deck, he looked much better. His bruises were treated, his cuts
stitched. He wore a fresh uniform. As Morn looked up, he smiled.
"You're out of uniform, mister!" he remarked, holding up a command
computer.
2 "This thing's already been programmed with your serial number. You'd
better get down to the auxiliary command deck and bring this up to
date. I've already transmitted my battle report, but I doubt if I get a
reply until you've transmitted yours. By the way, I've recommended you
for The Star Of The Empire."
3 North looked like he was going to drop! "That, alone," he said, "I
consider the greatest honor of honors." North saluted, and went about
his tasks.
Three hours later he transmitted his reports, expecting to receive a
thousand questions back from Command that an Officer usually gets when
he loses a ship, but instead, the message returned was for both him and
Morn.
4 "Be advised," it said, "Command accepts the reports of Fleet
Commanders Morning Star and Northern Star, and acknowledges that all
losses were incurred in the line of duty. Well done, to all ships and
crews."
5 "We're only Commanders," remarked North, "not Fleet Commanders."
6 "Communications," ordered Morn, "acknowledge receipt of signal, but
explain error in rank."
7 "Yes, sir," Communications replied. A few moments later the Officer
turned back to Morn, a smile on his face. "Confirmation from Fleet. No
error in communication!"
8 The rest of the command deck crew began to applaud, and North and
Morn just stared at each other. "Fleet Commanders?" North gasped, "That's one step below
General! "
9 "I guess they figured we earned it!" Morn