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kept his body in tiptop condition, but a couple of years doing desk duty had his muscle memory lapsing.
    Allie shouted, “Point runners out.”
    Stone thought they were running full out, at a sprint, but two marines, a married couple named al-Julier, raced ahead of the group, shouting “Clear a path!” and “Make a hole!”
    The marines moved faster, their feet hitting the deck in a pounding rhythm. Following the al-Juliers, and ignoring the elevators, CPL Barb Tuttle hit a hatch with a broad shoulder, slamming it open against a bulkhead, and they took a wide ladder down six decks. Stone took the steps four at a time, but the marines simply vaulted down landing to landing.
    His dataport announced his arrival at Captain Butcher’s office hatch. The marines didn’t slow their run. Tuttle waved good-bye to him with her new bio-mechanical hand as they continued their run.
    Allie’s voice faded into the distance “See you later, lover!” as they sprinted around a corridor curve.
    The hatch was propped open and Master Chief Thomas was standing as if he was watching a parade flow past. “Love to make an entrance don’t you, Ensign?”
    Stone said, “Good morning, Master Chief. Actually, running with the marines wasn’t my idea.”
    “It never is, sir. Best hustle on in. The rest of the officers are waiting on you.”
    Stone ran across the open space to where dozens of officers were sitting in concentric semi-circles in front of Captain Butcher. Like all such meetings, the officers were seated by rank. All it took to find his new seat was a quick glance. He was no longer an ensign junior grade. His two-day-old ensign senior grade tabs shined with a glow that dared anyone to question his right to a chair in front of half a dozen EJGs. An empty chair was waiting for him at the bottom end of the ESG ranks.
    He smiled to himself. Since he was no longer governor, he didn’t have to sit up front where everyone stared at him.
    Butcher said, “Well, we’re finally all here. Welcome Ensign Stone. With his addition, we have a full ship’s compliment and we’re ready to begin operations.”
    Everyone turned to stare at Stone.
    Butcher continued. “We comprise the navy officer staff of the Rusty Hinges. I’ve met with each of you individually, but I want to welcome you all as a group. For a ship of this size, we will be operating with minimal staff. Our key staff are: Lieutenant Commander Gupta, XO and first watch officer, Lieutenant Commander Li, second watch officer, and Lieutenant Senior Grade Missimaya, third watch officer.” Each officer rose in turn and waved or nodded at the assembly.
    “Major Dashell Numos is in command of our marine company.” He gestured at another officer, “Our Chief Engineer is Lieutenant Commander Graciella Zuvela.” Continuing on, he listed officers for quartermaster, intelligence, astrogation, etc. Stone only perked up when Butcher introduced Lieutenant Junior Grade Vera in charge of tactical and weapons. She would be his direct supervisor.
    Butcher shook his head. “We’ve been saddled with a dozen civilian scientists for our first mission. They’re led — sort of — by Doctor Wyznewski. I’ll say Whizzer runs a loose shop, so give the civilians some leeway if you have to deal with them.
    “Speaking of leeway, with Ensign Stone signing on, we also have eight drascos aboard. They can be a surprise if you haven’t met them. Give them leeway in the corridors or their rough epidermis will peel a few layers off your skin. Don’t worry, they’re intelligent, sometimes I think more so than Whizzer and his bunch.
    “As most of you know we also have a couple of dozen vent runners — piglet-type alien creatures.” He glanced at Stone and with an exasperated voice said, “What, Ensign Stone? You have that constipated look you get when you’ve got something to say.”
    Stone stood to attention, “Sir, I need to report that approximately five hundred piglets came up from Allie’s