"Sir, here are the morning dispatches." intoned the lieutenant as she handed a data pad to the Admiral.
"Great, thanks Sara." he replied taking the pad. "How's my speech coming along?" he added in an amused tone.
"It will be ready on time sir." she shifted uncomfortably. "Sir, if I may say, it's been an honor serving with you."
"Thank you, Commander. It's been my honor to serve with you as well." he looked down at the pad then back to the woman. "I may be retiring but I'll still be around." he smiled warmly at her and she returned the smile. The admiral moved to the other side of his desk and returned to reading the dispatches. The Commander knew she was dismissed.
As she started to close the door she heard "Son of a Bi***!" She swung around only to see the admiral slam his hand on his desk and begin to laugh.
"Sir, is everything ok?" she asked startled.
"Everything is fine Sara. Haha. Everything is just fine. Looks like Admiral Nuss is coming back." he replied holding up the pad for her to see. She gave him a quizical look that only made him smile more. "Nevermind."
She tuned to go but before she took more then two steps the admiral said "Might want to hold off on that speech, Commander. This is going to be interesting."
<span style="color:#CCCCCC">"BOLT FROM THE HEAVENS"
</span>
"Nobody ever won a war by dying for his country, you win wars by making the sorry SOB's die for theirs!"