Tombstone nodded. “Another few seconds and it would’ve been one of
us. You did all right, Sikes.”
The SEAL nodded at Tomboy. “Good thing you spoke up. It distracted
him just long enough for me to get a shot off. If you hadn’t–well, better
lucky than good.”
“Tombstone turned to Tomboy. “TAO–get someone in here to clean up
this mess,” he said, surprised at how steady and calm his voice sounded
even to himself.
Tomboy nodded. “Aye, aye, Admiral,” she said. “But there’s something
else I need to do first.” She crossed three steps over to Tombstone,
carefully stepping over the mutilated body on the floor, and let her arms
snake around him. Tombstone resisted for just a second, then pulled her
toward him as though he’d never let her go.
CHAPTER 16
Friday, 30 December
1500 Local
USS Jefferson
“You got them all?” Tombstone said into the hand-held radio.
“Yes, sir. Nasty bit of work. You’ve got two injured up here, one
pretty seriously. The corpsmen are already here–first impression is that
they’ll make it,” Sikes replied. “You’ve got the bridge of your ship back,
Admiral. And four nasty characters in custody.”
“Good work. And just for the record, it’s not my ship for much
longer. About ten seconds, I’d say.” Tombstone glanced across the room at
Batman, who was pacing back and forth in the admiral’s cabin. His own
cabin, Tombstone reminded himself, not mine. Not anymore–and never again.
This one last brief command of the carrier group had been a fluke.
“You ready to relieve me?” Tombstone asked Batman. “If you’re going
to wear out that strip of carpet, you might as well be the one who has to
explain it to the shipyard.”
“You bet! For a moment there, I was afraid you wouldn’t give her
back.”
“The thought crossed my mind. But I’ve had my tour–Jefferson is all
yours.” Tombstone paused as a thought suddenly occurred to him. A cold,
distant shadow flitted across his face. “Almost. There’s one last thing I
have to take care of.”
“What? You’re not pissed about the JAST bird going sneakers up, are
you?” Seeing the look on Tombstone’s face, Batman added hastily, “Not that
I really care. Being project manager for JAST was last tour, not now.”
“No, nothing to do with your baby at all. It’s just I’ve cleaned up
the mess I left in your cabin–I ought to finish the job.” Tombstone
reached for the telephone, then paused. “Can you wait another five
minutes? No longer–and you’ll be glad you did.”
“Wha-?”
Tombstone cut him off. “I just remembered another little mess I left
on your ship. And I’m going to need the lawyers to straighten it out.”
“You’re sure?” The JAG officer looked doubtful, then shook his head.
“Washington’s going to scream bloody murder over this one.”
“Let them scream,” Tombstone answered coldly. “Those people
endangered the safe operation of this ship with their stupid stunt. I want
criminal charges brought against all of them–and I want my name on the
charge sheet. How long will it take you to get moving on it?” He glanced
over at Batman. “My relief’s chomping at the bit.”
The JAG held out the manila envelope he’d been carrying in his left
hand. “Admiral, after our last conversation–well, I took the liberty
of–I thought you might be asking for this at some point. I think you’ll
find everything in order.”
Something softened slightly in Tombstone’s eyes. “Why, Captain. By
any chance have you anticipated my desires in this matter?”
The lawyer nodded. “I like to be prepared for anything, Admiral.”
“And what, may I ask, is in the other folder?” Batman broke in.
“Commendations for all of them?”
The lawyer looked faintly alarmed. “if I’d thought of it, there would
be. No, the only other option I’ve prepared is an airlift request–with
and without armed guards.”
Tombstone nodded. “You get those armed guards ready to go. I think
I’m going to need them.”
Fifteen minutes later, Tombstone watched from Vulture’s Row as four
civilians wearing flight deck cranials paraded across the flight deck
toward the waiting COD. Two master-at-arms carrying sidearms flanked them.
Each of the civilians had his or her hands clasped behind the back in a