Chapter 10

McCock was entering the shuttle when he remembered. The Queen settled beside him and the PGS trooper closed the hatch and mounted next to the driver. They set off and McCock raised the matter,

"Ma'am, what with the hard space work being done, the Flock are finding they are out of our depth with the very high level mathematics involved plus the demands of their command responsibilities don't leave enough time for research these days. I ask permission to approach MU for a mathematican, if one of them can pass security scrutiny."

His Queen looked at him with a contemplative air, and then most un-royally gurgled,

"You know, I have just the fellow for you. The Royal Astronomer. Every time the VC meets me he complains that Henry won't publish any research, gives the minimum lectures and doesn't do seminars and would I please un-appoint him. Meet him as see if the chemistry fits.

One for you, now. You tell me the UVA, whatever the number is, detects Renmark's albedo and in that was embedded a news report? You are considering a UVA over Sol so I can talk with the ambassador? Good. Could we listen to news' stations on Sol?"

"Yes, we can broaden the TX to the full bandwidth of the equipment. It really depends on what bands Sol broadcasts. We could, could please mark, either broaden the TX bands we have or perhaps new equipment. I would like to be convinced of the need as there is a limit of space; no there isn't, we can just strap it on the outside, but there might be a power limitation" explained McCock

"There would be a lot of unnecessary material caught. How easy would it be to narrow the collection."

"I think I see what you are getting at. Usually the Ambassador would do the filtering, but if he is neutralised, then we would have to choose what to select and then filter the TX to get anything useful. Thoreau might be helpful but a staff would be necessary and that raises security. A tap over Harbouria would be useful, but, I agree Sol first."

The Queen nodded as the shuttle passed, slowing down, through "The Residence's" gate. The cortege drew up before the apartment block's entrance and the PGS troopers poured out of the accompanying shuttles taking up all round positions. A PGS Lieutenant, followed by an outraged Barati, appeared in the entrance and nodded to the trooper by the shuttle hatch.

As the Queen emerged from the shuttle so did Trudie from the building entrance. Approaching the Queen, Trudie stopped and curtsied.

"My, you did that so gracefully," the Queen managed to stifle a giggle.

"I am a bit out of practice, Your Majesty" Trudie grinned in reply, and, falling into step alongside the Queen, muttered "She isn't here yet, about twenty minutes.'

"Well, I can find something to occupy myself. Aggy, go do something useful; talk with Trudie." She smiled at them and shooed them off.

Then, with an almost visible stiffening, her voice hardened,

"Subedar Major Barati Norgay! A word, please! Walk with me!"

Barati had automatically braced to attention, raising slight smiles on several troopers' lips, and he had blanched; still it was without hesitation that he fell in beside the Sovereign's left side and accompanied her through the grounds.

"You wont tell me what that's all about, will you?" McCock asked Trudie.

"Poetic justice, Aggy, poetic justice." Trudie smiled.

They walked inside to the sitting room to partake of the ritual of 'Afternoon Tea'. 'Mina Denholt, already there, was the hostess. Over the next fifteen to twenty minutes, the three Nancarrow women arrived, followed by Diana Halliday and Shelly Indira. They were quietly casually chatting to be interrupted by the entrance of a PGS officer and trooper causing the assembly to stand to greet the Sovereign. After a long pause, she appeared in the door dismissing Barati with a nod of her head.

The Queen advanced several steps into the room and an attendant ushered Gus and Sabajhi past her to stand off to the side. The boys rather clumsily bowed and the attendant, with a shy smile, dropped a curtsey. The boys looked confused. The Queen nodded at her PGS officer, who placed himself at her left hand while the trooper closed the door and stood with his back to it.

"LtCdr Shelly Black Indira, Royal Mountserrat Navy; attend your Sovereign" ordered the officer.

Shelly unhappily advanced and Mina and Trudie fell in on either side of her.

"Tomorrow" the Queen started, "a Special Gazette is to be published recounting 119's recapture of Gorgipest. We, here, all know the details. In that Gazette are the awards for that action. I have agreed to a private presentation among our friends of this posthumous award for Cowboy's part in that action."

The PGS officer had produced a simple scarlet leather box, opened it and held it for his Sovereign to remove the plain gunmetal Maltese Cross of the PMV on its neck ribbon. The Queen approached Shelly and placed the decoration about her neck and then embraced her; the Queen stepped back, looked directly into Shelly's eyes and said

"Thank you."

While the Queen got her own cup of tea, the others were\ surrounding and supporting Shelly. She noticed that McCock was seated with the boys, on foot stools, listening to him; the attendant stood behind them also listening attentively. The attendant spoke and the boys gave McCock a hug and as they left the room Gus Kowalski put his arm around his friend's, Sabajhi Indira jr, shoulder and held him close.

"In the past, after Dinner," announced the Queen, "the Ladies were dismissed and the Gentlemen partook of their port and cigars. As there is only one mere male here, I exercise my prerogative to dismiss him. Aggy, you need to have a long talk with Barati; he is waiting for you."

McCock felt Nan's hand upon his arm as he began to rise,