Executive Intent

They were surprised to see him up and moving about. His right shoulder was heavily bandaged, he wore a neck brace, and his face was shiny from the sunburn cream that had been applied, but otherwise he looked remarkably good for a guy who had been rescued from Earth orbit. “Saw the presser on TV, General,” he said. “You looked good, if I may say so. Ever think about politics?”

“Yes-and then I slap myself,” Patrick responded. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“Went to find that nurse who put this goop on my face,” Boomer said with a smile.

“How do you feel?” A

“A little wobbly, ma’am-I’m not as much of an exercise freak as General Raydon, so I think the zero-g and then Earth-g hit me harder.”

“Not to mention your spaceplane being blasted by a weapon garage and then being forced to evacuate it.”

“That, too.”

“So you feel like talking a little?” Patrick asked, closing the door behind him. A

“Sure-it’s better than playing with that lung-exerciser thingy they gave me,” Boomer said, motioning to the spirometer on the table next to the bed. He sat on the side of the bed. “Shoot.”

“Did Lieutenant McCallum have any problems with the repairs that you’re aware of?” Patrick asked.

“None,” Boomer said. “Went very smoothly.”

“Was he nervous about doing the space walk?”

“I think so,” Boomer admitted. “But I told him it was natural, and that I get a little illyngophobia every now and then.”

“A little what?” A

“Illyngophobia-the fear of getting vertigo.”

“You mean acrophobia.”

“No, that’s the fear of heights. I don’t have a problem with heights. I’m just afraid I might get vertigo. Pretty much the same, but different.” A

“‘A difference that makes no difference is no difference,’” A

“William James, the ultimate verificationist,” Boomer said. “My man.”

While they were prattling on, Patrick stepped away from Boomer’s bed and touched his left hand to his left ear, a signal that he was not taking part in their conversation. “Maddie?”

“Yes, General McLanahan,” the voice of Sky Masters Inc.’s virtual assistant replied a moment later, heard through the resonations transmitted through his skull to his middle ear.

“Co

“Stand by, General McLanahan,” Maddie replied. A few moments later: “General Raydon, this is Maddie from Sky Masters Incorporated calling for General McLanahan, not secure.”

“Is that your Duty Officer calling for you again, General?” Kai asked.

“Same operation; different names,” Patrick said. “Verificationism.” That got A

“Say again?”

“Disregard. How are you?”

“Tired. Yourself, sir?”

“Good. Undersecretary Page and I are here with Boomer.”

“How is he?”

“Up and about.”

“He’s a tough bugger, that’s for sure.”

“I’m very sorry about Lieutenant McCallum.”

“Thanks. He was a great engineer and crewman. I’ll be heading down for his service in a few hours.”

“I’ll see you there. Any more news on the accident, Kai?”

“We’re not secure, General.”

“I know.”

There was a slight pause; then: “Are you heading up the accident investigation board, sir?”

“It hasn’t been confirmed yet.”

“As soon as I get the word that you’re chairing the board, General, I’ll pass along all the information on the entire incident,” Kai said. At that same moment, Patrick received a secure instant message that scrolled across the bottom of his field of vision, thanks to the tiny electronic intraocular lens implant in his left eye. The message read: LET ME KNOW WHERE TO SEND THE FILES.

“Understood, Kai,” Patrick said. “I’ll drop you a line when I get the okay.”

“Roger that, sir.”

“I’ll see you in Palo Alto for McCallum’s service. Fly safe.”

“Will do. Good to talk with you again, General.” And he broke the co

“Raydon?” A

“Yep. He couldn’t say anything until the board is seated.” A

“You’re probably right, sir. But I’ll start taking notes on what I remember and pass them along to the board for the record.”

“Good.” He extended a hand, and Boomer shook it with his left hand. “I hope you’ll feel up to attending McCallum’s service.”

“I’ll be there, General.”

“We’ll understand if you’re not. You’ve been through an extraordinary emergency.”

“I’ll be there,” Boomer assured him. Patrick nodded, and he and A

Back in his car, A

“A

“Why not? You’re by far the highest-ranking astronaut in the world; one of the best-known and well-respected military officers in the nation; you’re available; you know the space systems and the hazards; and you can work for the traditional one-dollar stipend,” A

“You shouldn’t ask,” Patrick said evenly. “In fact, you’re probably in pretty deep already, since some would assume I’d already told you everything.”

A

“No, not yet,” Patrick said. “We’ll see how this plays out.”

A

“To try to put a little pressure on the White House,” Patrick said. “I won’t get the appointment, and folks will wonder why not. Hopefully it’ll focus a little more attention on the investigation so the results won’t be swept under the rug.” A

“Look at you-you’re starting to sound like a damned political hack,” she said. “You’re talking about putting pressure on the White House like you probably used to talk about pla

“I worked in the White House for a couple years, A

“If you’re not on the board, I don’t think they’d allow it, Patrick,” A