Escape to Earth-Living Legends by Saxon Andrew

DON’T DO THAT!! I’LL PLEAD GUILTY TO ANYTHING YOU WANT. THEY DON’T DESERVE YOUR ANGER, IT’S MY FAULT!”
    Michael looked at Katy on her knees and sneered. Audrey said, “Can you think of another time and place where someone’s rage caused them to do things they later regretted?”
    Michael snapped his head up and Audrey just stared him in the eyes. Josey and Jan remained silent behind them and wished they were somewhere else. Michael finally said, “What makes you think this piece of trash is worth saving?”
    Audrey looked at Jan and Josey, “Do either of you want to be transferred back to your former fleet?”
    Michael turned around and looked at them. Jan looked at Josey and then turned to Audrey, “No Sir. I prefer to stay with Fifth Fleet.”
    Michael was shocked. “After all she’s done to you?!”
    Jan looked at Katy still on her knees and said, “It was a misunderstanding, Sir. We’ve worked it out.”
    Michael looked at Katy still shaking her head. He looked at Audrey and rolled his eyes as he threw his arms up. He looked at Katy still begging him not to punish her sailors and turned to Audrey. He shook his head and said, “Fifth Fleet are your children now. Make them behave.”
    Audrey nodded, “And Admiral Greenwall?”
    Michael looked at Katy, shook his head, and said, “She’s part of Fifth.” He turned and walked out.
    Katy looked up and then turned to Audrey, “Sir, what does this mean?”
    “Admiral, you have your command back. I do hope you never do anything to draw my brother’s attention your way again.”
    “Sir, I no longer want to be anywhere near your brother.”
    “Stand at attention.” Katy stood up and Audrey reached in her front pocket and took out the two stars Michael had torn from her collar. She handed them to Katy and said, “Don’t disappoint me, Admiral.” Katy nodded and saluted. Audrey returned her salute and Katy looked at Jan and Josey, “When will I get my pilots back?”
    Audrey shook her head, “I don’t know that you will.”
    “May I keep them on my fleet rolls to use them in Fleet Competitions?”
    Audrey smiled, “I suspect they won’t give you their best, Admiral.”
    Katy looked at them and said, “Sir, I believe they will and I believe they are worth everything I gave up to get them.”
    Audrey looked at the two Lieutenants and saw them staring at Katy. She didn’t know how Katy did it, but it was clear these two would give their all for their new Admiral. “I’ll see what I can do. However, the First Commander wishes to have a discussion with your pilots in the morning.”
    Katy walked out of the cell and looked at them. She stuck her hand through the bars and shook both of their hands, “I will always have a place in my fleet for either of you. Good luck and keep me posted on what’s going on.”
    Josey smiled, “Yes Sir, we will.”
    Audrey walked Katy out and went with her to change out of her prison uniform. Katy stepped out of the room in an Admiral’s uniform and looked at Audrey, “You don’t have to worry about me chasing your brother. He frightens me more than I can say. I nearly lost it all and I’ve seen how he sees me now.”
    “Some lessons come hard, Admiral. Go and make Fifth Fleet the best fleet in the service.”
    “That I will, Sir. I know you didn’t have to do it but thank you for coming to my defense. I will never forget your kindness.” Audrey nodded and Katy walked out of Fleet Operations.
    • • •
    The next morning, Jan and Josey were in uniform when they were led into Michael’s office. Audrey, Josh, Jinks, and Laney were sitting along the wall in silence. They came to attention and saluted. Michael returned their salutes and said, “Sit down.” They sat down in two chairs in front of Michael’s desk and he stared at them, “Initially, I thought that Lt. Bartolo was just an extremely lucky pilot who exhibited extraordinary bravery in attacking those four battleships. After examining the