Then Steve asked his wife, who was still staring into space. "Does that happen more often?"
"The discussion? Occasionally. Before you're getting upset: This has been part of my life for ten years. Annoying, but my life."
"Okay. Have I jumped the gun again? "Steve asked carefully.
"No. It's okay. You only shortened the matter."
"I have to be good for something. Even without Neanderthal behavior."
He squeezed her hand. She returned the gesture, then closed her eyes.
The flight was quiet, most of the passengers were sleeping, so Steve was confused for a moment when he opened his eyes because he didn't know what had woken him. A glance at the cramped posture of his sleeping wife explained it. She hadn't woken up until now, so he let her sleep. He also fell asleep again until he was awakened by the announcement of the final approach.
Sara's suppressed curse was tough. She gritted her teeth. Steve said nothing so as not to draw the attention of those sitting nearby, instead he carefully pulled his wife around and started to massage her legs. He let go of her just before landing and asked, almost drowned out by the turbines: "Are you okay?"
"I don't know, we'll see in a minute."
He read a mixture of anger and resignation on her face. For a moment, he was seized by fierce anger at her first husband, but he quickly suppressed the senseless impulse. When the plane came to a stop, an announcement from the pilot sounded that everyone should stay seated. A crew member came to them. "You get out first. Your pickup is waiting downstairs. "
"Thank you."
Sara got up and took a hesitant step, one hand on the seat back. With another suppressed curse on her lips, she shook her head. Steve had already got her bag out of the luggage compartment, now she reached for it, pulled out a folded white walking stick and put it together with practiced movements. There was a low murmur behind them as she worked her way to the door and stairs. Slowly and step by step she completed the way down. Steve walked next to her, always with a hand ready to hold her, the man from the crew behind them. When she reached firm ground, Sara turned to him. "Thank you. Open deboarding before we stir up a mutiny."
"Aye, ma'am." The man saluted, then hurried upstairs. Right next to the stairs there was an open jeep waiting in the headlights, it was just before dawn. An Asian-looking, older soldier in a beige uniform got out.
"Commanders. Good Morning. I hope you had a good flight."
"Hello, Lieutenant. Steve, that's Lieutenant Hattori. "
"Commander. Let's go before the stampede is coming."
The first steps were approching behind them on the stairs. Steve silently lifted Sara into the passenger seat and gave her her bag. He ran back to the plane where her suitcase was being unloaded, took it, threw it on the back of the jeep, then climbed into the back seat. As he drove off, Hattori said: "I will take you to the officers' mess for breakfast first. Then to the lodging house, where you can freshen up. I will pick you up again at 11:15h, you will be expected at half past eleven."
"Can you tell us what for?" Asked Steve. "I mean, if we were about to appear at military court, we should have been informed beforehand so that we could take care of legal counsel. But what's going on? "
"Sorry, sir. I have no information about that. I was only told you would come and take the usual accommodation. And when you are to be picked up or taken where."
They drove for a few minutes, then the man stopped in front of a building. He asked them to wait, brought their suitcase in, then drove on.

At the meal counter, Steve realized that Hattori and Sara had apparently known each other for a long time, they seemed like a well-coordinated team. The lieutenant took her tray and followed her as she selected scrambled eggs, toast, butter, honey and tea. She was still leaning on her stick, even though the stiffness in her legs seemed to wear off. He got himself something to eat, then went to the table where Hattori was putting down Sara's breakfast. "Get yourself a coffee, Lieutenant, and join us."
"Thank you, Sir." Hattori nodded and went back to the counter.
"Old acquaintances?" Steve asked when he was out of earshot.
"Kind of. If possible, I have constant contact persons when travelling. Saves explanations. In Coronado it is Hattori. He's my driver here, too. After I gave up arguing with rental car companies here at some point. It works all over the world, but not here."
Hattori laughed and put his coffee cup down as he sat down. "The annoying car rental story?"
"Mhm," Sara said and nodded, her mouth full of scrambled eggs.
"How long have you been grappling with it? A year?"
"Two," Sara corrected after swallowing. "What didn't they put up to me ... A pickup, larger than yours, Steve. An impala with gear shift. Everything, but not a simple mid-range car with hand control in the basic rental car version. At some point I didn't know whether to laugh or cry."
"The admiral wasn't quite as humorous," said Hattori. "The tantrum was worth seeing. I'd like to emphasize this, it wasn't the Commanders fault - and the Admiral knows that too - that she wasn't on time for an appointment, which almost caused an incident. In the end she was brought there with MPs and flashing lights. After that, I was asked to be available to your wife when she works here. As a chauffeur and as an assistant. Before you ask again: I really don't know what's going on. My instructions only last until noon today, after which I was only ordered to be available. Would you like another one, Commander? "The lieutenant pointed to Sara's empty teacup.
"No, thanks."
Shortly after, Steve had emptied his plate and they started. "I'll pick you up later," Hattori announced as he dropped them off in front of the lodging house.
"Do you believe him?" Steve asked as he closed the door of the ground floor apartment behind them.
"Yes. Hattori is thoroughly honest, even if it hurts. For that he got into trouble once or twice. Steve, can I ask you for something?"
He had started to unpack the suitcase, now he raised his head. "Sure."
"If possible, I'd like to go to whatever, without a stick. Even if the pants are too tight, at least that," Sara joked.
He went to her and hugged her. "Don't worry about it. Whatever they want, if they kick you out, you start with us. Take off your pants and I'll do my best." When Sara was sitting on the bed with her legs stretched out, he began to gently massage her.
Hattori was at their door at 11:14 am. Sara had fixed her hair, put her clothes back on, and felt good enough to set off without a stick. She left her emergency bag with the lieutenant in the car when he dropped them off at their destination.
Only then did they learn that Admiral Peters was expecting them personally. His wife gave him a surprised look as the elevator carried them upstairs.
"Commanders, you will be admitted shortly," announced the Admiral's aide. It took only a few minutes, then he led them to Admiral Peters' office.
Here the surprises continued. In addition to Peters, Rear Admiral Brown from Norfolk and Sara's superior in Pearl Harbor, Captain Duncan, were also waiting in the office. They both braced and saluted.