Commander Cantrell in the West Indies(257)

Eddie found he was no longer smiling.

“Simpson went on to say that ‘growing developments’ back home in the USE make it ‘imprudent’ for Simpson’s own new fleet to set sail for the New World. First of all, it’s not ready yet. He’s still overseeing the first production runs of the improved cruiser and destroyer classes that you auditioned here. He also cited ‘uncertain international situations’ as a reason to keep the strategic power of the new fleet close to home.”

“What kind of international situations?”

“He didn’t say, and with Simpson, you don’t ask. Know what I mean?”

“Do I ever. Go on, Mike.”

Mike shook his head, reached into his pocket, pulled out a telegrapher’s sheet and handed it to Eddie with a crooked smile. “I figured you might want to read the rest of it yourself.”

Eddie, nodding dumbly, took the sheet and read Admiral Simpson’s closing remarks:

Collectively, these circumstances require that the core of the USE fleet remains in Luebeck. Logically, this compels a strategic revision of the mission profile of Reconnaissance Flotilla X-Ray. Specifically, it is no longer a mere reconnaissance-in-force. It is, de facto, the USE’s Caribbean fleet-in-being, and the only tool available to accomplish this nation’s critical objectives in that region. Consequently, so that our command-grade contribution to what is being called the composite Allied fleet enjoys equal standing with the senior staffs of the other participating nations, King Christian IV of Denmark is pleased to confer upon post-Captain Edward Cantrell the acting rank of Commodore in Danish service. He has confirmed that this rank shall be recognized by all the nations signatory to the union     of Kalmar, as well as the armed forces of the U.S.E.

So I wish you good hunting in the New Year—and Godspeed, Commodore Cantrell.



Still staring at the sheet without really seeing it, Eddie murmured. “Hell. I’ve been promoted. Several times.”

“Yeah,” commiserated Mike. “Ain’t it a bitch?”