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Eden. Too many didn't like the Treaty, as Lavett and Walden had proved.
    "Skipper, the Admiral has invited you to join him on the Bateleur at sixteen hundred hours."
    "Thank the Admiral and confirm I'll be there." Captains didn't turn down invitations from Admiral unless they were in Regen. Fortunately, I had a few hours to get ready.
    "XO, you have the Watch. I'm off to get ready for my meeting." I returned to my room, stood in the Fresher until I turned pink, worrying. I dressed in formal whites and arrived at the shuttle reserved for my use thirty minutes early. Much better early then one minute late. I boarded and sat. I was shocked out of my musing when Terril and a corporal followed me in.
    "Terril, you can't—" She had come prepared, tapped on her SID and a hologram appeared with the letter signed by Admiral Plimson and General Garret authorizing a detail of an unspecified number of Scorpion bodyguards. They were authorized to accompany me everywhere without exception—or my permission. The order resulted from the multiple attempts on my life.
    "Sit, Gunny. Why are you going?"
    "I've never met the Admiral. And I thought it would be interesting to watch you dance with an Admiral."
    "You don't dance with Admirals. It's yes, sir. I'd be happy to, sir. Immediately, sir. It will be boring."
    "Sounds like fun." Terril gave me an evil grin. When I looked out, we were entering the shuttle bay and minutes later the green light came on. As I exited, a young Lieutenant waited.
    "Welcome aboard the Bateleur, ma'am, I'm Lieutenant Alderson, Admiral Plimson's aide-de-camp. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the Admiral's conference room. He should be available shortly. To his credit, he didn't comment on the two Scorpions accompanying me. He led me through hallways familiar from the inquiry at Saipha. I smiled remembering my first time on the Bateleur . I had been accepted as a candidate for the Riss Program and to my amazement picked up and transported on the Bateleur.
    "Captain Reese, can I get you a cup of kaffa or something else?" He tentatively looked to Terril who shook her head as she and the corporal backed up against the wall.
    "Kaffa, would be nice," I said, wanting something to keep my hands busy and maybe relax me. As soon as I thought it, Thalia worked her magic and the tension left my neck and shoulders.
    
    
    The Lieutenant had no sooner put the cup down next to me, than Admiral Plimson and two Vice Admirals entered the room. I bolted to my feet and stood at rigid attention before the Lieutenant could call Attention.
    "At ease, Captain Reese. Let me introduce you to Vice Admirals Stenberg and Wattson. They will be part of the Inquiry Board."
    "My pleasure, sirs," I said still at semi-attention."
    "I see you brought protection," Stenberg said, smiling as he and the others found seats opposite me. Before I could respond, Plimson spoke.
    "Our Captain seems to attract more than her share of killers. So, I've ordered a permanent detail to follow her. I doubt the gunny would let her go anywhere without guards even if I hadn't. The Army seems to have taken her under their wing." He pointed to Terril and smiled. "Well Reese, you seem to have attracted more trouble. The joint chiefs of staff, which Stenberg and Wattson are members, have decided it would be best to have the inquiry here rather than on Eden where it could become a circus, since a large number of individuals and organizations are vehemently against the Treaty. Why don't you give us an overview of the charges you've filed?"
    "I knew Captain Lavett did not agree with the Treaty from the beginning, but I only learned …" I tried to give a brief overview, but bit-by-bit they pulled out every detail.
    "I'm glad you were able to stop the mutiny. The truth would have been twisted around to blame you and the clans. And it wouldn't surprise me if you would have somehow been killed aiding the clans in a revolt." Plimson