Chapter 69: The Zithayan Dynasty Part 3

"Standard procedure if a Navy vessel needs to go through the Gates. Can't remember the last one to make the trip." Captain Jenkins took a long sip at his brandy. "It is also standing orders that no ship is to attempt a rescue in the Gates. Good thing you aren't naval or you'd be up before a review board."
"To be honest, Sir, it wasn't a conscious decision."
Cal told him the story then stared into her brandy as she swirled it. "If I had it to do again, I would have cut off my reaction and left him behind, and not just because he's a twit. This is my first voyage as Captain. I'm supposed to be First Mate and learning the ropes. Captain Henrichs took a fever and left me in charge. I would fully support a review board removing my command." To Cal's horror, a tear dropped into her brandy. "It's immaterial that I succeeded, the risk was too great on top of the already dangerous conditions."
"Drink up, Captain. That's an order."
Cal sipped down the brandy and let its fire burn to her gut. Captain Jenkins poured her another glass.
"You just proved you're the right person to captain your ship. I ran aground on my first command. It isn't the stupid things we inevitably do, it's whether we learn from them. Yours might have been harder than most, but if I were on the review board, I'd be recommending you go back to First Mate as planned, then take another run at Captain when you're ready."
"Thank you, Sir." Cal took another gulp of brandy. "That's what I'm going to ask when we get back to port."
"I could send a man to command you home." Captain Jenkins tilted his head and lifted his eyebrows.
This is a test, forget about what he wants me to say. What do I need to do? Cal sighed and put her glass on the table beside her chair.
"The crew trusts me; a new command would be disruptive. However, if you happen to have someone who needs passage home, any advice they give would be most welcome."
"My dear, if you get tired of civilian command, we can use good officers in the Navy."
Cal looked at him unable to keep the shock off her face. If she hadn't put her glass down she might have slugged it back to give herself time to think.
"Let me put it this way, Captain; the Navy needs people who can think on their feet and make tough calls. People only get that way with training and experience. The fact you're willing to take on someone to offer advice shows determination to learn. That you don't hand over your command tells me you have gumption and the will to see things through. It so happens I do have a man who needs to get back to Anglia. He's smart enough to know when to offer advice and when to keep his mouth shut. One of our best trainers before the Ambassador snatched him up for this detail."
"I would like to meet him."
"I'll send him over to visit." Jenkins picked up her glass and handed it back to her. "Now, about the reason you came here." He made drinking motions with his hand.
"I refuse to stagger back to my ship." Cal sniffed at the brandy and regretfully put it back on the table. "The passengers who hired my ship did so saying they were scientists. They planned to survey species along the east shore of Harasah and beyond. I don't think they are doing that. I have my suspicions as to what they are about. If I'm right, my interference could get them killed or captured. If I'm wrong, they've been gone more than a week without so much as a runner, and it may be time to set a search in motion."
"Your Lord Sifton is a shady one. I haven't heard anything official, but there are stories. Now you're the Captain. What are your responsibilities to this man?"
"According to the contract, I command the ship, he commands the team and determines the course and timing of the voyage. My concern is for my ship and crew. My gut tells me this is more dangerous than the Gates of Hell. The Kestrel is being watched. My crew is sure they are being followed on shore leave. Something has the Zithayan Dynasty worried. My instinct is to weigh anchor and head home. It isn't good for the crew to stagnate this long, especially if the situation is delicate. What I keep coming up against is I don't like the man, and maybe it's colouring my judgement."
"People like Sifton make a career out of landing on their feet. The folks around them usually aren't so lucky. From what you said about the contract, you're stuck waiting unless something urgent comes up. But if the situation deteriorates, I'll figure something out. In the meantime, waiting is the hardest part of life."
"True." Cal stood up and checked that the floor didn't tilt under her. "Thank you for the talk and the brandy."
"When you get home, look up the Naval Academy, tell them I sent you. Better yet, I'll give you a letter of introduction. We may be able to steal you yet." Captain Jenkins stood and saluted and Cal returned it. He accompanied her down to where she picked Bundo up. They walked back to the Kestrel, Cal deep in thought.