At the door he stopped. "Request, sir."
42 "Yes?" North asked.
43 "As we will be an entire new Command," Spearonias continued, "may I
request that we adopt Republic uniforms and insignias?"
44 "I would like that," agreed North, "but I believe it would be an
added expense we could not afford."
45 "It would be no expense at all," announced the Peepian Officer,
"your Government, some time ago, sent a shipment of uniforms and
insignia for our Officers that were to serve on your space station and
in your Command. But our then Fleet Commander ordered them put in
storage."
46 "Very good," agreed North, "you may issue them as needed. Any other
supplies that have been tied up you think we can use?"
47 "I am not sure, sir,” the Peepian answered, "but if there are any,
I'll find them, and make use of them."
48 "See that you do!” North ordered.
49 The next couple of days were hectic as the work of organizing a new
Fleet began. To North's surprise he learned that many retired Officers
requested ship's positions if they were available even if they had to
take a lesser rank than they held before.
50 Spearonias came to North asking him what he should do on this
matter. "I've already," he explained, "stripped the promotion lists,
and assigned most of the Command Positions. I don't feel right giving
former Commanders Second and Third Officer positions. But it's not fair
to push back the Officers I have already assigned, either."
51 "I'm sure these retired Officers will understand," assured North.
"They have said they will take whatever positions are available. Let us
hold them to their word. There will be promotions soon enough!"
52 Spearonias agreed. One afternoon as North was finishing up work,
Spearonias entered the office with Spearina. "Look who I found in the
hall!" he announced.