It had rained all night, and there was still a mist hanging in the morning air. Amy, Beth, Lynn and their respective counsel shivered as they gathered at the administration building. Lynn had allowed Maddie to choose her clothing that morning. She felt strange, not wearing her usual long stockings, instead wearing a mid-thigh-high skirt and heels. Maddie even insisted on doing her hair in a girly fashion, and having her wear a little bit of makeup. Maddie had told her, "Ye remind me so much of me when I was a wee lass. But in times like this, the tough little tomboy needs to step aside, and let the little timid lassie within step out and show herself."

She looked up at Maddie, and gestured toward the others. "Why won't they let us talk to each other?"

"To whom are ye referring, lass?" Maddie inquired. Lynn gestured again at her friends. "The principal forbade us girls to talk with each other until the investigation is over."

"We'll see about that," Maddie fumed. "She canna do that."

Nearby, in their well-pressed uniforms, were a dozen or so officers of the Stellar Military. An academy staff member opened the lobby door, and everyone filed in. Colonel Mays ordered his group to divide into four teams of three, and each team beckoned to each of the girls and their representatives to enter four different conference rooms. Amy looked at Beth with consternation. "They're splitting us up?" she whispered, looking at both Beth and their advocates. Ariana placed a hand on Amy's shoulder. "It'll be fine," she reassured. "Marissa will be with you, and I'll be with Beth. Answer the questions, unless we object to them. Don't volunteer any information, and don't express any opinions. We'll get through this."

As Maddie filed in, she nodded to the colonel. "Colonel Mays," she greeted pleasantly, saluting with her folded umbrella. "General MacDougall," Mays nodded and saluted smartly. "What brings you here today?"

"I'm the legal representative for Miss Lambretta," Maddie replied. "You?" Mays sputtered. "But I thought – " He turned to the school staff member with a puzzled look. The staff member indicated toward the principal, who was just coming into the lobby. "Good morning, Colonel," Miss Holland intoned. "Good morning, Miss Holland. Where is the Hakuoh academy representative for Miss Lambretta? There appears to be some sort of confusion."

"There's nae confusion," Maddie retorted. "I offered her me services, and she accepted. Here's her signed retainer agreement."

"She's not old enough to make that decision for herself," Colonel Mays protested. "Hakuoh Academy has a signed, notarized power of attorney from Miss Lambretta's parents. Begging your pardon, General, but you cannot represent her."

"I was actually hoping that would be your ruling, colonel," Maddie began, much to Lynn's surprise. "After all, if she isn't old enough to retain her own counsel, then under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, she's not old enough to stand trial. You can just dismiss the case now, and we'll leave."

Mays scowled. This was not part of the plan. Someone had thrown a wrench into the machinery. He turned to Lynn. "Miss Lambretta, if she hasn't already told you, she and I have served together in the Stellar Military. Having her as your advocate could be a conflict of interest." Lynn listened and then turned to Maddie.

"Brendan, you're so predictable. Data Integrity Division is right where you belong." She smiled sweetly, as his scowl deepened. She turned to Lynn. "He is correct, lassie, we did serve together and I was his commanding officer. But I'm retired, and so there is no conflict as far as I'm concerned. Knowing all of this, it's your choice and yours alone if you still want me to represent ye."

"Well there may be a conflict as far as I'm concerned," Mays snapped back. "You should recuse yourself, General."

"No laddie, that's not how it works, and you bloody well know it," she continued, her patronizing smile even sweeter. "Your perception of conflict doesn't deprive her of her choice of counsel. In accordance with Title twelve, if you still feel that there's a conflict, it is you who should recuse yourself. I'll leave it up to you. You're the serving flag officer in this inquiry. Now, where do you want us to meet?"

"Room 204, second floor." Mays fumed. Doolittle was going to be furious. How had their mutual commanding officer found about any of this, and why was she here? After she had retired, he had heard rumors that she became an auditor general for the Galactic Empire, reporting directly to the Queen's top admiral. And now she was sticking her nose into this matter. How much did she know? He wondered to himself. He headed to his transport. He had to contact Doolittle.

"We're going to be late," Jenny snipped, watching with some fascination as Keiko donned a clean business suit, at the same time admiring herself in the mirror with the suit that Keiko brought for her. Her own hemline wasn't quite as scandalous as Keiko's, however.

"Late for what?" Keiko snipped back. "They haven't served you as much as a summons. We're being generous for agreeing to meet with them on a Saturday before the beginning of an exam week. Screw them. We'll get there when we get there."

Jenny looked her up and down. "You're going to wear – THAT? In front of the military?"

"Especially in front of the military," Keiko grinned. "Jenny, you're a very pretty girl from a wealthy family, and doors just open naturally in front of you. I have to work at it, so that means I have to work with the assets that I have." She jutted out one knee while turning the other leg outward, displaying her shapely calves. "Those military dorks can only see a woman when they've got their credit card out, and ninety percent of being an attorney is distraction and misdirection. Trust me."

Jenny smiled to herself, imagining such a thing. She had enjoyed her bath with Keiko that morning, and hadn't realized how much she missed having another girl wash her, and to be able to return that favor. A bond was forming between the two, and it actually felt good. Jenny hoped she would stick around.

The two young women walked out to a waiting car. A young, smartly-dressed man with dark glasses stood ready to open the back door for them. "Good morning ladies," he greeted, smoothing a cowlick of hair at the crown of his wavy brown tresses. No sooner had he smoothed it down, it popped up again. "Morning, Shane," Keiko greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. "This is Jenny Doolittle." "Miss," Shane nodded to her, ushering them into the car. "Everything ready, Shane?" Keiko asked. Without even looking up into the rear view mirror, his response was terse and professional. "Shuttle's prepped and ready whenever you are, Miss. The ship we hired is in orbit and waiting for us. Also, there's a message from your father on the secure link."

"Got it..." Keiko mumbled, pulling up her message. She quickly read the message, and a slight smile creased her lips. The crap was already hitting the fan. Now it was just a matter of time.

The car pulled up in front of the administration building, and Shane opened the door for the women.

"I've got a few more loose ends to tie up," he said to Keiko. "Page me when you're ready to be picked up."

"Thanks, Shane," Keiko winked at him, as she twirled about, hooked her arm into Jenny's and headed for the building as the car departed.

As they walked into the building, they could see the colonel and the principal talking at the reception desk. The colonel looked over at them as they approached, and the principal sneered at Jenny. "Do you know what time it is?" she demanded, looking at Jenny's business suit. "And do you not know the regulations about wearing your uniform?"

Keiko squeezed Jenny's hand, and spoke for her. "First of all, Miss Holland, is it? Today is not a regular school day, so wearing of the uniform is optional, even on school premises. Article seventeen, paragraph three and four, if I'm not mistaken. Furthermore, no time was specified. I believe you said "morning", colonel, and – " she glanced at her watch, showing about ten minutes before noon, "as far as I can tell, it's still morning."

The colonel stepped from behind the desk, and bowed courteously to her. "Lady Takeda", he started, with some requisite toadying. "Your presence honors us. I wasn't expecting you to be here."

"Oh?" Keiko feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow. "Was there someone in particular you were expecting? Perhaps Mr. Weinstein?"

"Actually, yes. I was told that Karl was going to be Miss Doolittle's advocate. Did something happen?"

"I don't know what to tell, you, Colonel," Keiko shrugged. "Jenny's father told Karl to stay put, and told me to come here. It was very inconvenient for me. I had plans." Jenny looked back and forth at the two of them, puzzled. They seemed to know each other, and the colonel treated her with such fake reverence. She found it fascinating and infuriating all at once. A commotion upstairs caught all of their attention.

"Listen to me, lieutenant," Maddie's voice carried in a shrill tone. "Until all of you get your act together, we're leaving! Come on, lassie. We're done here!" The two descended the stairs to the first floor, when Maddie noticed Jenny and Keiko. She pulled Lynn along, and went to greet them. Lynn almost seemed to have a look of terror in her eyes.

"Felicitations, Lady Takeda," she curtsied, almost putting one knee to the floor, and motioning to Lynn to do the same. Lynn, puzzled, also curtsied deeply, probably for the first time in her life. "General MacDougall," Keiko greeted. "I'm honored to see you again. Do you know Jenny Doolittle, of the Hugh and Doolittle Company?"

"I do indeed," Mattie gushed. "Hello there, little miss. It's been a long time." Jenny looked at her. She had met her somewhere, to be sure. That accent was unmistakable. "Yes," she finally said. "It's nice to see you again…" As her voice trailed off, her eyes became glued to Lynn. She had never seen Lynn dressed so nicely, with her hair arranged in bangs and pinned back, and a slight hint of makeup. And those legs, she thought to herself. Lynn was stunning. Her heart was pounding. "Ah, I see you've noticed me little lassie here," Maddie indicated Lynn. "This is my client, Lynn Lambretta." Keiko reached out a hand, and Lynn took it and gripped it firmly. "Nice firm grip for a little girl," Keiko teased. "Do you know Jenny?" Lynn and Jenny looked at each other nervously. Lynn had never seen Jenny in a business suit – it made her look a bit mannish. It was as if their personae had been reversed. She was dolled up as a girl, and Jenny was decked out like a boy. Jenny spoke. "We've never met," she said, offering Lynn her hand, "but I'm really happy to finally meet you." Lynn took Jenny's hand in hers, but held it gently, almost reverently. "It's really nice to meet you, too, Miss Doolittle." "Please," Jenny purred. "Call me Jenny." Lynn hesitated. Miss Holland was still there watching them both with an imperious look on her face. "…uh…Jenny…senpai…"

Jenny smiled, shook her head and took both of Lynn's hands in hers. "…no…no honorifics…no pretenses…just Jenny. Please." Lynn nodded nervously, her hands trembling in Jenny's gentle grasp. "Jenny," she said softly, looking up into her beautiful green eyes.

Miss Holland had seen quite enough. "All right ladies, that's all very sweet and adorable, but you are ignoring my instructions and your uncle's orders!" as she glared at Jenny. Maddie turned to her, staring her down. "To which "uncle" are you referring? And exactly what are these "orders?" she demanded. Miss Holland was not to be intimidated. "Robert Doolittle, the chief of Hugh and Doolittle Interstellar Transportation, gave strict orders for me to relay to Miss Doolittle. She is not to have any contact with the other girls, including Miss Lambretta. By having them together, you are subverting his orders AND mine!".

Maddie chuckled, looking knowingly over at Keiko. Keiko just winked back at her. "So General Robert Doolittle, of the Stellar Military, is giving orders to Miss Jenny Doolittle, regarding a matter that is strictly an internal matter for Hugh and Doolittle…right?" Miss Holland's mouth dropped open a bit. "After all, Jenny's tuition is paid by Hugh and Doolittle, which is currently under the control of her father, James Doolittle…seems to me that it would be a huge conflict of interest for a three star general in the stellar military – the same military that purchases equipment, ships and other supplies from Hugh and Doolittle, to have any involvement in the company until his military career is over…" she turned to the colonel, who had been having a hushed conversation with the lieutenant who had been upstairs. He had turned to listen when he heard the general's name mentioned. "Wouldn't ye agree, Colonel Mays?"

"Frankly, General, I find all of your antics disagreeable." Mays retorted. "The girls can talk to each other all they want. I don't care. I want to know why you and Miss Lambretta are refusing to cooperate with my staff!"

"Refusing to cooperate, are we?" she laughed. "Dinna your lieutenant explain my complaint? It was an official complaint, to be properly documented in accordance with stellar law! Now don't tell me he failed to register my complaint with the serving flag officer! I'll bloody have to file another complaint!"

The lieutenant stammered, "Sir, she seems to think that you have to be present during our interview with Miss Lambretta…" "That's a load of crap, General," Mays burst. "I can't be at each interview. I'll be present for the hearings, but that's it."

"Your lieutenant was swearing us in. That makes it a hearing. And a flag officer must be present for any hearing. Do you want me to quote the regulations?"

"It's not a hearing," Mays was getting exasperated. "It's more like a deposition. And in a deposition, you're put under oath." "Ah, that's different!" Mattie exclaimed, and then turned pure deadpan. "My client declines to be deposed. We're done here until we receive a summons to a hearing. Good day!" She waved at Keiko and Jenny, and then ushered Lynn along with her out the door.

Both Jenny and Keiko watched as Lynn walked away with Maddie. "She really is cute," Keiko commented. "She cleans up nicely." Jenny made a "pfft" sound, and turned to Keiko. "I don't care how she looks, or how she's dolled up. She's just beautiful. That's what I see."

Keiko laughed. "Tell her how you feel, not me."

Keiko turned to the colonel and opened her mouth to speak, but Mays cut her off. "Your client is a witness, Lady Takeda. I hope you weren't going to try to skip out as well."

"It was worth a shot," Keiko smiled. "All right, where do you want us to meet?" "Upstairs," Mays replied tersely. "Room 209."