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of them were starting to feel their legs lock up but still they were forced to wait.
    • • •
    “How much longer are you going to allow this to continue?”
    Michael looked at Averel sitting in front of his desk and blew out a breath, “I really don’t want to deprive the Lieutenant of seeing what’s coming.” Averel’s mouth turned into a frown and he said, “I won’t wait much longer.”
    • • •
    “Enter!”
    Josey looked at Jan and helped her take a step. They pushed the door button and the door rose into the ceiling. They walked in and went to attention again in front of the Katy’s desk. She looked at Jan and said, “You may step outside and wait until you’re called.” Jan saluted, did an about face, and walked stiffly out of the room. Katy waited until the door closed and then turned to Josey, “You will start your new assignment as soon as you leave this room. The bathrooms you’re going to clean start on the end of this hall. Your tools to do your cleaning are in the corner.” Josey looked and saw a toothbrush and a small bucket. She turned back to Katy and kept her expression neutral. “Did you honestly think you could get away with ignoring me?!” Josey remained silent. “I asked you a question, Lieutenant!”
    “Sir, I never thought anyone as shallow as you would ever achieve your level of command. I am surprised that I was wrong about that.”
    Katy’s rage was instant and she stood up just as the wall monitor illuminated showing Admiral Stone. Katy pulled herself together and said, “Wait in the hall!”
    Audrey said, “Lt. Bartolo, belay that order. I’ve been looking for you and just found out that you’ve been transferred.”
    “Yes Sir. I now report to Fifth Fleet.”
    “No you don’t.”
    Katy said, “Yes she does, Sir.”
    Audrey looked at Katy and said, “Admiral Greenwall, since when are you in the position of telling a superior officer that they are wrong?”
    “But she has been transferred to my command, Sir.”
    “Orders for her to report to Fleet Operations for special assignment were approved by the First Commander immediately after her medal presentation. When were her transfer orders to your fleet signed?”
    Kate knew she was trapped. A sailor could not be moved until they served six months after a transfer. “They were signed at ten hundred hours this morning.”
    “It appears you’re ten hours late.” Audrey looked at Josey, “You will pack your things and report to Fleet Operations immediately. Your initial commander will be Commodore Averel.” Josey stared at the screen and Audrey said, “Get moving.”
    The screen went dark and Josey went to attention and saluted Admiral Greenwall. Katy’s anger was clear to see but then her anger turned into the sweetest smile she had ever seen. Before she returned Josey’s salute, she pressed a button on her desk and said while looking directly into Josey’s eyes, “Lt. Keller. Get back in here to receive your orders.”
    Josey knew why this venomous bitch had transferred Jan. Katy returned Josey’s salute and looked at Jan as she entered. Her expression was almost pure evil. She looked at Josey and said, “I’ll make sure to take good care of your friend.” Josey shook her head and Katy said, “Get out of my office!!”
    • • •
    Josey left and knew there was nothing that could be done to save Jan. She was certain that no orders had been written for her and now she was stuck for at least six months and probably longer. This cast-iron Admiral would never allow her to leave as along as her vengeance wasn’t done.
    Josey arrived at Fleet Operations and was taken directly to Ship Development where she was introduced to Budge Blaine. She had to get to the First Commander but she wouldn’t see him now. She cried herself to sleep that night knowing what Jan was going through because of her actions.
    • • •
    Three weeks later, Michael showed up in the ship lab and saw Josey working on a simulator.