“Captain on deck!” Stern barked as Grimm opened his door. Grimm stepped onto the deck to see every crewman in sight stop whatever they were doing, turn toward him, and snap him a perfect Fleet salute. He kept himself from smiling. “Mister Stern,” Grimm said beneath his breath. “Why is it that the crew bothers with formal protocol only when a serving member of Fleet comes aboard?” “Because we like to remind the uptight bastards that on this ship, you’re in command, Skipper. Regardless of what Fleet thinks of you.” “Ah,” Grimm said. He lifted his voice slightly. “As you were.”
