EE Snippet 2

DKH: Ask and you shall receive... sometimes!

... Oops! I almost posted a snippet from J5! My bad. Here you go. ;)

“How is Argus doing sir?” Commander Saul Garretaj asked as he met the Commodore at the airlock.

Horatio stopped his forward progress for a moment then snorted. “Am I that predictable Commander?” he demanded, instinctively moving to one side to let others behind him pass by.

Saul shrugged. “I know you like to finish your check of the yard with the ships about to launch. You usually end it with the one that is closest to launch. Ergo, Argus. It sort of puts a cap on it and ends on a high note.”

“Making it a pleasant task in the end in other words?” Horatio asked with a smile. He wasn't ready to admit the tours weren't tedious to him. He enjoyed being in the slips. What he didn't enjoy was the transit time in between, or the spot inspections he was supposed to perform. Or the backlog of paperwork that inevitably piled up in his absence. “Sort of. I check each slip and spot check each module section randomly. Or mostly random,” Horatio admitted as he indicated they should proceed.

Saul nodded thoughtfully. “Almost randomly sir?” he asked.

“Well, I've learned to read between the lines. To also pay attention to the scuttlebutt and to check-in to potential trouble spots. Sometimes a spot check at the right time can cool heads and get people paying more attention to what they're doing,” he admitted.

“And let you get eyes on problems so you can decide on the spot what to do about them sir?” Saul asked.

“Something like that,” Horatio admitted. “What's up?”

“Admiral Subert sent me along to check on you. Specifically to, and I quote, run him down, drag him kicking and screaming to get cleaned up, and then detail a Marine escort if necessary to get him to the party,” he said with a straight face.

“You forgot the end quote there,” Horatio replied with a chuckle. “Okay, okay, I'll behave.”

“You'd better. You know he likes all his people on deck for occasions like this. And I've got to get moving myself since I'm the one handling the organization and execution of it,” the Chief of Staff said, shaking his head.

“You could have delegated,” the Commodore replied mildly.

It was Saul's turn to snort. “As if. I know you sir. Anyone else wouldn't have the voltage to get the message through to you. You're probably dreaming up all sorts of ways to get out of this.”

“Maybe,” Horatio said without admitting too much. “But I'm not like Admiral Irons. I can handle the occasional party. I even enjoy them if they are fun,” he said.

“This isn't going to be fun. Its work, just in a stuffy uniform and keeping a straight face as you make dinner conversation with people more interested in talking to our Bekian guests and eating rubber chicken until you gag,” Saul said.

“Lucky us,” Horatio replied with a grimace.

“Yes. See you there?” the commander demanded. “I think he was serious about the Marine thing sir.”

“With bells on. Tell Admiral Subert aye aye sir,” Horatio replied solemnly.

Saul sized him up and then nodded curtly. “Good.” He cocked his head. “Sir.”

“Dismissed Commander,” the Commodore said, motioning him to get moving. “I don't want you to miss your own party,” he teased.

Saul gave him a wary look and then got out while the getting was good.

Horatio inhaled and then exhaled heavily. Damn it, now he was committed he thought.

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