Ride The Rising Tide (The Maxwell Saga) by Peter Grant

well you were able to put one over on them!” A roar of laughter greeted his sally.
    Robinson added, “Your top score on Exercise Grindstone has put you well out in front in the Honor Platoon competition. I don’t see any way another platoon can catch you now, even though the Unarmed Combat Competition’s still to come. I reckon our team’s sure to do well enough to at least maintain our lead, even if you don’t win it — which I fully expect you to do, of course!” More cheers. “Congratulations to all of you. That was a hell of a performance.”
    Corporal Shabab nodded. “Yeah, you’ve all done real well.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s just after midnight. The mess hall has mid–rats for anyone who’s hungry — the only time you’ll get them during Boot Camp, so make the most of them!” Laughter. “Since you’ve made us look good — and since none of the other platoons have made it in yet — we’ll give you a break. You can lie in until zero–six–hundred. That’s a whole extra half–hour’s sleep!” Groans. “Oh, you don’t want it?” Hurried cheers. “Okay, just kidding. Fall in for breakfast at zero–six–thirty.”
    ~ ~ ~
    The last week of Boot Camp was physically easy compared to the first eleven. It was occupied with final exams, which gave many recruits a few bad moments, but which they all passed. The instructors went over their postings with the recruits, to make sure each knew where he was going and what he’d be doing for the next few months.
    PO Robinson dealt with Steve’s immediate future. “You don’t have to do the full four–month Basic Spacer Training course, because you’re a qualified merchant spacer according to the standards and regulations of the Lancastrian Commonwealth. We recognize them, of course — after all, we helped write them! After you get back from your graduation leave, you’ll enter a three–week conversion course to teach you the differences between the way we do things and what you’re used to, then do two weeks at Damage Control School. After that, they’ll use you on short–term local tasks for a few weeks until the start of the next pilot’s course at Small Craft School. After you graduate from that, you’ll almost certainly get a two–year assignment to a Fleet auxiliary — a transport or depot ship. They’re similar to merchant freighters in some ways, so a posting to one will make the best use of your background and experience.”
    “ Sir, this recruit understands, Sir.”
    “ Good. On to other matters. Fifteen recruits from this intake will be promoted to Second or First Class Spacers due to prior experience and qualifications, as arranged by their recruiters. That includes you, of course, thanks to your merchant spacer background and pilot rating. The Honor Graduates of each platoon will receive their meritorious promotions first, then those fifteen will be called in alphabetical order. Listen out for your name and respond promptly.”
    “ Sir, aye aye, Sir!”
    “ Next, I know you were notified not to wear your Lancastrian Cross in Silver or Superior Unit Award ribbon when you reported here, or during training; but for graduation and thereafter, you’ll wear them, of course. Since the Fleet awarded them, we recognize both of them, even though you were a civilian when they were conferred. If you’re not sure how to mount them on your Number One uniform, ask me or one of the other instructors to show you how to do that.”
    “ Sir, aye aye, Sir.”
    “ We asked the Senior Unarmed Combat Instructor whether you could be examined for a Fleet black belt. We went through the Regulations with him looking for a way, but we couldn’t find one. They specify that a minimum of thirty hours’ instruction are required for each level, and make no allowance for prior training in other martial arts. However, he’s agreed that your leadership and training of the platoon team can be taken into account, over and above helping us