"Congratulations, you dreaming son of a bitch!" came Deiderichs' voice from the other side of the door, which opened to reveal the general grinning at them. He came over and shook Hathaway's hand, which seemed somewhat limp with shock. "Now get your team to finish building it. Hold on, though."
He reached into his desk. "Goldman was right about one thing. You do need the rank to command a mission as important as this one." He opened the case, revealing different emblems than those currently on Hathaway's uniform. "Congratulations again, Brigadier General Hathaway."
Hathaway was clearly having trouble keeping his voice under control. His eyes looked suspiciously shiny.
"I would have sworn they wanted Goldman," he said huskily.
Deiderichs looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "At first, they did-and so did I. But that was before I got here and had a chance to see the situation. I know better than to take a team with a commander they already listen to and trust, and replace him just because it might be politically expedient. If I went and got someone else, they'd have to spend a year just building the same rapport you have with your team now. If they can build one at all. Just do me a favor and prove that I made the right decision."
"Sir!" Hathaway saluted. The general returned the salute, nodded to the others, and walked out the door.
Ken finally came out of his daze. "I am going to go tell Gupta and
A.J. and then I am going to go get a pass, and then I am going to go party like I have never partied before! And you're all invited!"
Eric Flint Ryk E. Spoor
Boundary