IMP13

==Chapter 13 - Important People==
LCS Frederick Steiner
Tharkad Orbital Anchorage Yard - Slip 16
Tharkad System
Lyran Commonwealth
September 3097
Admiral Kingfisher arrived at 1800 hours, at which point, the ship's Engineers were already two hours into work.
"They're three months behind, sir."  Kapitan Krieger was saying as the hatch opened, "We finally had enough of waiting."
"So you made a decision that's going to result in financial penalties for the realm?"  The Admiral said sternly.
"Which is a greater penalty? Having a serving warship out of action waiting on a committee hearing for the next six months or paying a penalty to a contractor who is obviously NOT honoring their obligation?" Krieger insisted.
It was enough to make Amanda look up from where she was helping a squad of engineer's mates retrofit larger conduits between frames.
"I'm not disagreeing with your position, Johannes. There is going to be political blowback in the Estates General over this and you know that Kelswa-Marsden is going to be looking for scalps.  Haranshire's one of his key backers and he chairs the defense subcommittee...hello Miss Ngo!"
"ADMIRAL ON DECK!!" Amanda bellowed, coming to attention with her boots anchored to the bulkhead with a click.
The other members of the working party came to as close to a position of attention as they could.
"At ease people..." Kingfisher said. "What are you up to doing her, Lieutenant?"
"Sir, Helping Sir!!" she barked.
"With what?" he inquired, "and could you take that stick out of your ass?"
She visibly relaxed, "Apologies, Sir.  I was warned things were very formal out this way...we're making structural adjustments per the submitted plans to adapt for the more powerful Sensor arrays-at least, with the materials the prime contractor brought over before they ceased doing their jobs, sir."
"...and your part? I was not aware you were a welder."
"I've been trained sir, and the work's overdue. I can't fill my normal role as a navigator as long as the ship's on blocks."
"Or a painter, ja?" Krieger continued.
"The men needed to know their leadership wouldn't order them to do anything they were unwilling to do themselves, sir." she said.
"Ah. 'Lead by example', Yes." Kingfisher said, "Good on you.  Come, I require your assistance."
"Aye sir." she released her boots from the bulkhead and handed the welding rig to an E-4, "Like I showed you, neh?"
"Aye mum." he said.
"I believe I recommended a haircut and some uniforms, Lieutenant." he said casually.
"Sir, as soon as the work is done-"
"It wasn't just a recommendation, Herr Lieutenant." he said firmly.  "It is good that you wish to set an example for the men, and it's to your credit you chose to report for duty here aboard your assignment first-if more young officers followed your example, the service would be in far better shape...however..."
"Sir?"
"Lina?" he said to his aide.
Said aide produced an envelope.
"There is just about enough time." he continued, "That means 'open the envelope', Lieutenant."
Amanda, chastened, did so, and read the card contained within.
"Uh...sir?"
"You will attend." he told her firmly, "I have been given explicit instructions that you and any other officers of noble rank or birth in the Squadron are to attend. Note, it is a 'fancy dress' occasion, meaning you need a tailored mess-dress uniform...or in your case, a nice ballgown. You may choose which, but you will attend. You have...twenty hours? To get ready.  You may continue skinning your knuckles here when you get back, but it has been stressed that you are to be presentable before the Archon.  Am I understood?"
"Ayeh Sir." she said quietly.
"Very good.  As your mother was quite fond of saying, 'Get moving then'! you are dismissed."
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