Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space

  * * *

  By the end of the first week, Gallant was again standing in the XO’s office.

  The XO thundered, "What are you doing with the Communication Division, Gallant? In one week you’ve logged more equipment out of service for repairs and maintenance then Mr. Neumann did in the six months he was division leader. And what’s up with the garbled messages at long distance. We never had that trouble before. Are you letting Chief Howard do his job?”

  The XO’s admonishment worried him, but he held firm to his decision for running the division, “We are only conducting necessary maintenance and repairs, sir.”

  The XO was livid. “I want you to live and breathe maintenance and repair until everything is back to peak efficiency, just like you found it. If not, I will have you relieved and your record will reflect this failure. Is that clear enough for you?”

  Despite his concerns, Gallant kept his own counsel, and said, “Yes, sir.”