Best Laid Plans

Margline felt dwarfed by the room, as well as by Hyptiggia. Still she wanted to see the Counselade as she was, not as myth. Hyptiggia dominated the room. She was well over seven feet tall. Her white-blonde tresses were done in an elaborate braided fashion which framed her golden face and bare shoulders. Her slender long fingers played with the white pleated skirt of the gown she wore. “Please join me, Admiral. Would you share my morning tea?” Hyptiggia’s hand indicated a cushion near her. “It would be my pleasure,” she said as she sat down. Hyptiggia handed her a cup. She studied the Admiral while they sipped their Median tea. She had committed Margline’s file to memory and knew every facet of it. Margline commanded the Academy which included cadets, the explorer corps, spacers, and para-military spacers. Truly she would not have requested Margline if the problem could have been handled in another way. “A serious problem confronts the Council. I believe that you and I can solve it and keep the Academy intact. Together we will manage the “Space Wave Darlings” situation.” “I see. You’re speaking of space Captain Gladriel and Major Lori.” “Never before has any officer, least of all two, become vid stars.” “I have heard the latest gossip. Please note that the vids have a set of cadet heroines, not spacers. I can assure you our women should not be held accountable. Even before they returned from their first mission these adventures were appearing.” “Those characters look remarkably like the two women. One of whom is made to look like a Nordiman. We are not a species that is readily visible to others. Major Lori is a Nordiman as am I and we are too private for this intergalactic nonsense. The other, Captain Gladriel, is a Phisman and they are too provincial and isolated to be seen by other cultures. Now, thanks to the popularity of the vids, the vid characters have become cult figures. In fact, there are some Sub-Council members who want to court martial the two for breach of conduct.” “That would be illegal. We cannot do anything without proper procedures or proof. As far as anyone can prove they have no knowledge or connection to the production or vids." “How true,” she sighed. “I definitely believe in following the letter of the law. That is why I called you.” “Removing them just because someone used there persona would be a legal mistake,” said Admiral Margline as she set her empty cup on the patient robo server’s tray. “Counselade, I have files on these women, beginning with their arrival here as children. Perhaps, if you reviewed their histories--” “I do not want to review histories. Did you know that someone using the name of Van Drofred is selling these adventures?” “No, I did not know that. The women insist they have no idea how information about the Academy reached the vids. They disclaim any part in the vids. In fact, there are adventures from many other spacers which have been transferred to the vids and of which the women have no information or knowledge.” “Our regular, as well as coded, messages and files are being used as the story line of the adventures. How is this possible?” she asked as her left eyebrow rose over her piercing deep blue eyes. “I can guarantee you that the women aren’t privy to this information. After all, who would believe the vids are based loosely on true situations. No doubt this Van Drofred happened to hear or see the two women. As for someone having access to our codes that is a Communications situation. I, however, do not believe this vid thing is serious enough to merit dismissal of the women. If allowed to run its course the vids’ popularity will die away. Remember many of the adventures the series develops have nothing to do with the two women’s assignments. Why not force cancellation of the show?” “How would that look? It would make the adventures even more believable. We must find out who is responsible for this. Until then, I have decided the women must be taken out of the visual arena of popular attention. The media is hunting for them now. That alone is reason to keep them on base, as you have done, and out of sight. I am pleased with that decision. Well done, Admiral Margline. Remember even this is only a stop gap measure. What we need, is a place where we can send them. It must be remote and unavailable to regular media channels. If we get them beyond public notice and keep them there for some time, perhaps the furor will die away. Do we have such a place?” “We have a number.” “Which remote area would you recommend?” asked Hyptiggia. She waved her hand at the wall across from her. A huge galactic map appeared. Hyptiggia circled a large section on the outer rim. “I’ve selected a large area away from regular routes.” Margline pointed at one area. “This is Sector 12. It has a number of mining asteroids and has a low factor for disruptions. The last incident of any major trouble occurred more than fifty years ago. Today the center of mining is the planet Minerva. Its capitol city is Minera and its minor planet and city are called Lattimer. Both planets are protectorates of the Council.” “If I recall rightly, Minera is so peaceful that the only communications with it are the mineral reports included with quarterly-cycle reports to the Council. Besides that that area is farthest from the Council’s control and is only a protectorate.” Hyptiggia studied the area. She smiled. “That might be the right spot for our ‘Darlings.’” She smiled to herself. Margline had picked well and understood the seriousness of the problem. “It meets your requirement. Currently there is only one small problem. Their last few mineral reports are late.” “Excellent choice, Admiral. We can send the women to straighten out the problem and work on the late reports. It is, however, important that they not be associated with Central control, the Academy or the Council.” “They are quite attractive and will undoubtedly receive notice wherever they go. Besides that, what happens if the women really uncover something?” “You tell me they are good officers, so they should be able to handle anything. Besides, what can happen? The late reports cannot be serious.