Beverly Howard walked into the superintendent's office, chest puffed out and head held high. It was not a position of pride, but one of self-confidence and the authority that can only come with the knowledge that one is undisputedly innocent of their professed crime.

'I need to speak to admiral Parson's immediately," she told the bored looking Ensign behind the desk.

"Do you have an appointment," the young man asked in a voice that told her he had no time for the petty trivialities of her life.

"No, but it is an urgent matter." She had discussed the plan Korbin, Tafton and herself had concocted with Lennie and Scott, both of whom had thought it a good idea, but had also warned Beverly not to back down. She wished she could have run through it with Walker, but she had been unable to find him. Even more, she wished she could have talked it over with Jack. She just wished she could have talked with Jack.

"Make an appointment and come back tomorrow," he monotoned in a way that told her he spent more time repeating this phrase than he did saying anything else.

"I'll just wait here until the Admiral becomes available," Beverly said, moving towards an empty chair.

"Suit yourself," the Ensign said, turning away from her. It irked her that he hadn't even seen fit to check for any possible opening in the Admiral's schedule, but she reminded herself again that this was the right thing to do.

It seemed like hours before the door to the admiral's office opened and he stepped through the threshold, his bald head gleaming in the overhead light. "Wilson," he barked at the young man, who had suddenly become the poster child of alert eagerness. "get me those files on the Barouke incident, and set up a meeting with security officer Chalmers."

"Aye sir," Wilson stated. 'Is there anything else I can do for you sir."

the Admiral pondered this for a moment. "Yes, download my logs to the main computer. They're due in on Friday, and I haven't the time to mess with them."

"Aye sir," Wilson repeated.

The Admiral turned back towards his office. For a split second, Beverly wondered if Wilson would announce her presence. Judging by the supercilious grin he gave her, she decided that was a very remote possibility. "Admiral," she said, springing to attention as the word left her mouth. "A moment of your time please." It was not a demand, but it was not an inquiry either.

"Cadet Howard," he said, his voice betraying his feelings. "How nice of you to drop by. Unfortunately, I am rather busy this afternoon, and will be unable to meet with you. Feel free to set up an appointment for next week with Ensign Wilson. Howard could almost hear the younger man saying "I told you so."

"This will only take a moment, Admiral-"

"A moment that I do not have, Cadet. Good day." The door started to slid shut, the pneumatic device concealed within hissing.

Beverly leapt forward with the grace only a dancer possesses and stepped through the door before it could fully close upon itself. "I'm sorry, Admiral, but I really need a moment."

The Admiral looked at her carefully, as though seeing her for the first time. He was intrigued by the difference in the Howard he saw before him and the Howard who had sat before him wringing her hands together just two days ago. In a moment of uncharacteristic curiosity, he decided to give her a moment. But only a moment.

He nodded curtly for her to begin, making no effort to hide the penetrating gaze he gave his chronometer. He cleared his throat. "Computer, set countdown. Three minutes. Audible alert every thirty seconds."

"Ready," the feminine voice told him softly.

"Begin."

Taking that as her cue, Beverly started. "Admiral, I fear the judgment you have provided for me is unfair, and was made in haste." She paused a moment, but he made no move to reply and she continued. "I feel that you did not spend enough time reviewing the facts, and relied on the evidence provided alone, regardless of any testimony that may have negated that evidence."

"Really," he said, in a voice that told her he really did not care.

"Yes, Admiral. I realize that your schedule is hectic, but I implore you to listen to testimony from parties on both sides of this issue, and then, taking these into account, make your final judgment.

He stared at her as the computer continued to count down. She gulped, but refused to so much as blink. He waited for her to shrink in cowardice under his glare. For a full minute, he stared into her deep blue eyes, and when she did not look away, he made her an offer. "All right Cadet. Your resolve has earned you a hearing. That is all. Your punishment remains as it was. make an appointment with Mr. Wilson as you leave. You have one week."

"Thank you, sir."

"We'll see," he said as the computer announced the expiration of the allotted time.