Chapter 47

14:00 Thursday, November 14^th, 1991

Parade Ground, Hearst Gymnasium

University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720

This will be a good test, Lenore thought. I have to be steady as a rock for the platoon. This will be the warm-up. She was ... empty-feeling, was one way to put it. On tenterhooks, and scared were other ways to put it, also, she knew.

The formation went quickly, with routine reminders of upcoming events and obligations – Lenore would have to run a PFT again in January, she learned, and that Student Battalion leadership assignments were up for review.

She was, she was sure, still protected by her bearing. No one had noticed that Lenore was worried, though arctic landscapes were hard to think of today.

Formation finally ended, and the usual crowd around Lenore formed, and she knew she couldn't just trot to the parking lot and leave.

"What's this, Ma'am?" The question came from Midshipman Third Puzon, a second-generation continental-US-born Filipino, who was staring curiously at her left hand. Thinking of how exactly to categorize his ethnicity brought a small smile to Lenore's lips, and it was misinterpreted.

"You got engaged?" he asked, incredulously. "Let's see the rock, Ma'am!" His enthusiasm was infectious, and with Lynne there, laughing at her from behind amused eyes, Lenore realized she could not spoil their fun.

"Okay, okay," she said, with the first genuine smile she'd had since the Gunny got Deb's phone call. "But only for a minute, people, I have to run."

The appropriate 'oohs' and 'ahs' were made, and the questions of "who's the lucky guy?" by the small crowd of her ... friends, Lenore supposed, though she was in a nominal position of authority over them. She promised to bring the Gunny to the last formation before Finals, and most of her squad left.

Lynne remained standing with her, and Lenore filled her in on Chief Kostowe's fall and his status.

"Oh my God, that's terrible," Lynne said, with mingled shock and dismay. "How the hell are you holding up, Lenore?"

"I guess the way I'm supposed to," Lenore answered. "I have an evolution still, and the Chief reminded me of it, that and my duty to the Student Battalion and to school."

Lynne left, then, with a promise to call Deb daily, or the Gunny, in case Deb was at the hospital, and said she'd go visit him on Saturday.

"Collins, where do you go on your weekends?"

Lenore had just turned to go, when the question came from behind her. Shiplett. I haven't got time for this. "Midshipman Shiplett. Why do you want to know?"

"Student Battalion leadership positions are up for review. Weren't you paying attention?"

"Midshipman Shiplett, you may address me as 'Candidate Collins'. That indicates I am prior service. Prior service indicates I have prior commitments, which you have no need to know about. That is where I go on my weekends." Pissed doesn't even begin to describe it, Shiplett, and I hope the frost on those words penetrates even the dense bone surrounding your brain.

Evidently, her cold tone did reach him, as his eyes widened. "Candidate," he put emphasis on the word, "just what other mission do you think you have here?"

Lenore regarded him through narrowed eyes. "I will not discuss it with you, Midshipman. Please excuse me, I have an airplane to catch."

Shiplett stood taller. "No, Candidate, I think you will come with me. I don't believe I can tolerate insubordination and you have refused to answer a direct question."

Lenore stared at him, incredulously. "Shiplett, you are making one hell of a mistake, and I am serious, I don't have time for this."

He had turned, and said over his shoulder, "Collins, I am going to Lieutenant Wheeler. You may either be there when I explain this to him, or you may not."

Her teeth grinding, Lenore followed.

Glaciers calving icebergs, Lenore recited. Stay cool, unruffled. Sandy, wherever you are, help me to not rip the head off this asshole. Help me to stay calm in front of the officers.

It took only the first twenty words from Midshipman Chief Petty Officer Shiplett before Lieutenant Wheeler ordered both Midshipmen to remain where they were, without speaking, until the Commander would see them.

When asked to enter the Commander's office, Lenore marched in, and stepped one step to the left, at the position of attention. Shiplett was one step behind her, assuming the same position to her right.

"Okay, what's going on, Shiplett?" the Commander asked gently.

"Sir, I had asked Candidate Collins why she would not volunteer for weekend duties, sir. I'd reminded her the Student Leadership positions were up for review. She gave me a lecture on proper forms of address, but did not answer the question, sir. Prior to when I asked her, she was telling another Midshipman that she had to leave on a mission, and would not explain to me what that mission was."