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Relv stood at attention with Tey next to him. Relv was relatively sanguine given that he was likely to lose his command or worse. Tey on the other hand, a good ten years younger that Relv and still a rising star through the command ranks, was sweating profusely.
The Wing Commander paced back and forth a few feet away from them in silence whilst aiming at them the most intense and angry glare he could muster. The anger in his eyes was almost as off-putting as the tirade of furious exclamations and cursing that was assaulting their ears from the life sized holographic project of the Fleet Admiral standing directly in front of them.
After almost five minutes of ranting the Fleet Admiral finally stopped for a deep breath and stared at them. Relv took the short silence as an invitation to speak.
"I think the results of the exercise speak for themselv...."
He was incorrect as the Fleet Admiral cut him short.
"Shut up! I don't want to hear excuses I just want to know whose idiotic idea this was."
Tey shot Relv a nervous sideways glance and Relv sucked in a nice deep breath to calm himself. It was time to stick to his word and take the bullet for Tey, who had been more than equal party in devising the plan in the first place.
"The deviation was executed on my orders sir. As lead ship the Corona was following my direct lead," replied Relv.
The worry lines on the Fleet Admiral's face deepened with a long frown. He was clearly disappointed for some reason. Relv was perplexed by the reaction.
"Really...Commander Darvian you are dismissed. If I see you in front of me again under even remotely similar circumstances you will be relieved of your command!"
Tey saluted and briskly exited the bridge of the Assault Carrier. Relv on the other hand stood tall at attention to await his fate.
"I warned you when we first met Commander that I would not tolerate an agitator in my fleet did I not?"
"Yes sir you did."
"My preference would be to kick you from my fleet completely. However... your benefactor holds some considerable sway so the chances of me winning that battle are remote at best. They cannot stop me from removing your command though, so when I tell you that you will be keeping your command you should understand that it's my decision."
"I not sure I follow you sir."
"I have analysed your manoeuvres in that last exercise in detail. While we have no idea if that will work in the real situation it has given me food for thought on our fleet deployment. If I have to have you in my fleet I want you in the place that best serves me. I am here to win a war at all costs even if that includes keeping you around."
"Yes sir!" replied Relv with a broad smile. "I won't disappoint you!"
"Good because your shore leave is revoked and if you have any more mission deviations they had better come through the proper channels to be authorised first or next live fire exercise you might find yourself piloting a target drone!"