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took a giant carrier ramming her to put her out of commission,” the First Space Lord said.  “Both ships were destroyed in the blast.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” John said.
     
    He felt a sudden stab of sympathy for the First Space Lord.  The man was caught between the traditionalist and reformist parties; one wanting to adopt the latest shiny thing, the other wanting to stick with technology they knew worked.  But both sides were wrong ... keeping the balance between them couldn't be the easiest job in the world.  It made him wonder just what would happen to the Royal Navy when the First Space Lord retired.
     
    “But that is a minor issue at the moment,” the First Space Lord said.  He sat upright, elbows placed on the desk in front of him.  “I didn't call you here to discuss the simulations - and how well they reflect real life.”
     
    John nodded.  It was finally time to face the music.
     
    “Good news first,” First Space Lord said, briskly.  “The World Court in Geneva has provisionally agreed that you are not culpable for anything the Russians did on Vesy, particularly before you ever knew there was such a world.  Your own actions caused more doubt, but it has been generally agreed that you did the best you could under the circumstances.  As such, you don’t need to worry about either a court martial or war crimes charges from Geneva.”
     
    “Thank you, sir,” John said, relieved.  He hadn't worried about a court martial - any Captain’s Court would have upheld his decisions - but the World Court was a political beast.  Guilt or innocence wasn’t a matter of fact, not when politics were involved.  Someone in London might have had to do a great deal of horse-trading to ensure a favourable verdict.  “That’s good to hear.”
     
    “There were a couple of attempts to bring private prosecutions against you,” the First Space Lord added, “but the House of Lords threw them both out.  It helps, I suspect, that the image of the gallant space captain rescuing helpless women and children is so prevalent.  They didn't want to convict a national hero.”
     
    John kept his mouth firmly shut.  It was unlikely that anyone could successfully bring private charges against him for carrying out his duty, not when military officers were generally excluded from such proceedings.  But it would be bad publicity for the Royal Navy and he suspected his superiors had privately breathed a sigh of relief when the decision was handed down.  Having an NGO or charity try to convict him of meddling in alien affairs would be embarrassing.
     
    “The Russians may want you to give testimony at the trial of the surviving renegades, John,” the First Space Lord added, “but we would prefer to see you out in space as soon as possible, so they may be disappointed.   In any case, there is more than enough evidence to convict them of desertion, breaking several treaties and causing the Russian Government a considerable amount of embarrassment, which is a shooting offense in Russia.”
     
    “Yes, sir,” John said. 
     
    “I would still prefer you to remain on Nelson Base or Luna City until you return to your ship,” the First Space Lord said.  “The court rulings will probably not satisfy all of your new enemies, I’m afraid.  At last report, the Society of Interstellar Brotherhood was offering a large reward for evidence that could be used against you, while the more militant wing of Earth First has publically condemned you for not bombarding Vesy into radioactive ruins and exterminating the aliens before they could pose a threat.  They will not be happy to hear about your new assignment.”
     
    John narrowed his eyes.  “Can they prevent me from returning to Earth?”
     
    “Probably not, but it will attract attention from the media,” the First Space Lord said.  “I authorised you to visit Sin City because the media is permanently banned from the complex, no matter the situation.  Earth ...