“I don’t think I understand. Black is the designated color of all Space Legion uniforms. While it may be unimaginative, I don’t see any reason to change that, even if we could get approval from Headquarters … which I doubt.”
“We don’t want to change the color of the uniforms, sir … just request permission to add something for accent. Specifically …”
The lieutenant removed something from his pocket and held it out to Phule. “… we request the captain’s permission to adopt and wear this flash patch as a designation for our unit … sir!”
The patch was a bright red, diamond-shaped piece of cloth. Embroidered on it, in black, was a skull wearing a belled jester’s cap at a jaunty angle.
Phule studied it for a full minute as silence hung thick in the room. Then, still not trusting his voice, he removed the paper from the patch’s adhesive backing and pressed it onto the sleeve of his uniform with his palm. With slow precision, he assumed the position of attention himself and raised his hand to salute the company.
As one, the Legionnaires returned his salute … then the room exploded in cheers and celebration.
“How do you like it, Captain?”
“Lieutenant Rembrandt did the art! Isn’t it a beaut?”
“We all chipped in …”
As they crowded around him, the Legionnaires took time from babbling and slapping each other on the back to assist each other in installing the new patches on their sleeves. From the speed with which the decorations materialized, it was clear to the commander that the patches had been distributed in advance, with everyone carefully keeping them out of sight until they could spring the surprise on him together.