Chapter ten

"The pilothouse"

Tom joined Meylan at the pilothouse where he also found his son sitting in the chair of the CO.

"You comfortable with it?" he asked Sammy and pointed at the chair.

"Yes, I like it very much," Sam answered with pride.

"I can relate to that. Never got disappointed sitting in there."

"So, my new CO is leading us more and more to our destination," Meylan mentioned and pointed at Sam. "He will make a great Captain like his father."

Tom looked puzzled, his son beamed. Mike joint them and couldn't held back a grin seeing his Godson in his chair. He asked himself "Why is it that the Chandler guys don't give up this seat that easy?" He turned to Tom and said "Your son here is making a good Captain. Must be the genes." Tom grinned back at him and nodded.

"So, I heard from this smartass," Mike pointed at Tom, "that there is a course at the Academy every future captain has to participate. And that you, Jo, participated with Tom at some point."

Meylan looked puzzled, but after seeing Tom wink he got along. "What course, Mike?"

"The interpersonal relationships. Heard that you and Tom were together at that course."

Meylan smiled "Yes, we both had a great time. Why do you ask? Haven't you had the pleasure to participate?"

"No, didn't know about that."

"Oh, I wonder how you got the job as CO without it," Meylan mused.

"Well, his former CNO turned a blind eye to that," Tom said and winked again.

"I see." Meylan said in a tone Mike didn't like.

"What? That a problem, Jo?" Mike asked still not aware that they played a game.

"Yeah, can cost you your leadership." Meylan replied dryly.

"What?" Slattery was paling slightly.

Master Chief and Sasha followed their conversation with interest. They both entered the scene a little while ago and were hooked up. Jeter didn't know how to put the interaction of the captains in space but Sasha knew exactly what was going on. She saw Tom's mischievous eyes and his relaxed body language. He reminded her of the time where she could call him her own. She loved the playing side of him.

Sam also saw the playing side of his father and was happy to see him like that. He missed it. But on the other side he felt sorry for his Uncle. Uncle Mike allowed him most times to be here at the pilothouse and even sit in his chair. So he thought he owned him something. He said "Uhm, Uncle Mike, Dad is mocking you!"

Tom looked at his son in disbelief. His own flesh and blood stabbed him in the back.

"What? I don't know what you are talking about, buddy."

Mike looked from Sam to Tom and then to Meylan. Both men still kept a straight face. Then his gaze returned to Sam, then Jeter and Sasha. The last two couldn't hold back their grins and something in Mike clicked. "You are such a dweeb, Chandler."

Tom burst into laughter "Your face was absolutely worth it. Couldn't resist to mock you a little bit before I have to leave." Turning to his son "And you traitor, gets detention to knife me." He went over to Sam and took him into a playful headlock.

"But Dad, I don't know what you are talking about," Sam said with a copy of his father's mischievous grin.