"No man, no woman, no child . . . stands alone. Nor have we. Together we have accomplished much. In this, I must include those who were stationed here and who have since departed, as well as those of you who have remained. Times and people have changed, but Standora Base remains. Change is a necessity for excellence, and excellence has been your greatest achievement.

"With Commander H'Lieu, I expect you to build upon that excellence, for much as we have accomplished, much remains to be done. We have forged strong working ties within the Service, within the Empire, and with Stenden, its people, and have begun to work well with the Standoran government. But that work must continue.

"Never forget that your success is built upon more than machines, on more than discipline. It is built upon the spirit. In the end, that spirit can move and change planets. That spirit alone can achieve excellence, and understand its price and responsibilities. And for that spirit, which you have demonstrated year in and year out, must all of you be commended.

"In my leaving, my departure, you lose a commandant, and you gain a new one. But your spirit you keep. May it always be so."

The commodore bowed his head momentarily in the silence that held, if possible, deeper than before.

"And now"-and he lifted his sword-"I offer my command and sword to Commander H'Lieu." He turned. "Commander H'Lieu?"

The commander stepped forward to the podium, marveling yet at the understated eloquence of the commodore and beginning to ask herself, for the first time seriously, how she could follow the example he had set.

She stood opposite him, accepting the sword he had offered, then laying sword and scabbard on the half-table on her side of the podium.

What could she say, knowing that her lengthy remarks, at least by comparison, would have been totally inappropriate?

"Thank you." Her words came slowly. "Unlike you, I have not had the privilege of working with Commodore Gerswin. The example he has set is one to which anyone could and should aspire.

"I am not Commodore Gerswin. We are different people; we have different backgrounds. However, I share his striving for excellence and his belief that such excellence can happen only when we work together.

"Beyond that, the commodore has said what must be said, and I wish him well. I look forward to continuing his tradition and working with and for you all."

She stopped, deciding against any flowery conclusion, and bent to pick up the plain sword and black scabbard.

"Commodore, while I accept the responsibility you have passed to me, your sword is yours. May it always be so."

The commodore stepped forward to take back the sword. Then they exchanged places, and both faced the command and the crowd.

Still . . . silence lingered across the upturned faces.

After a long moment, nine notes sounded from the trumpet, in three groups of three, and the reverse parade began as the two senior officers presided over the retreat.

This time as each squad passed the reviewing stand the commodore received a salute from each. The squads did not reform on the parade area, but continued down the plastarmac to the nearest hangar, into which they disappeared.

When the parade area was at last empty of military personnel, except for the corner sentries, nine more notes sounded from the antique trumpet.

The commodore broke the spell by twisting toward the new commandant.

"Nice touch with your acceptance. They'll like it, and you'll come to believe it, if you give them the fairness, the discipline, and the hearing they deserve."

She inclined her head toward him stiffly.

"It is rather difficult to follow a living legend." She pointed toward the civilians who were now filing out toward the main gate. Even from the reviewing stand she could see that several were wiping their eyes.

"Hasn't always been so. Won't be." He patted her shoulder. "You'll make it, probably a lot farther than I did."

"Did?"

"Resigning. I have a few things left to do, and I need the time to do them." He paused. "Shall we go? Captain Ihira is waiting to show you to your office and quarters."

"You're out?"

"Out and packed. With the ceremony, my resignation is fully effective."

"Just like that?"

He shrugged. "Traveled light for a long time. Still do. Seems to work that way whether I decide to or not."

"What . . . where . . . will you go?"

"Intend to travel. Check on some research."

"If I'm not too bold . . . Commodores are well paid, but not for extensive travel."

"Been careful. A small bequest. Position with a group . . . and there's the Caroljoy."

She could not have missed the accent on the name.

"The Caroljoy? A ship?"

"Patchwork of sorts, but certified and speedy. Keeps me more than busy."

"Caroljoy . . . unusual name . . . understand your-" She broke off the sentence.

"No . . . wouldn't have been right to name it after someone still living. She made it all possible, and a great deal more that I never knew." His eyes seemed to mist over for a few seconds, and he stopped speaking.

"Who was she?" asked Commander H'Lieu softly. "She must have been rather special."

"Special?" laughed the commodore, and there was an underbite to the self-mocking expression. "Like saying Old Earth was special. Or that devilkids are unusual. She was a-" He stopped again. "Getting old, I guess, because I'm tempted to talk too much. Leave it at that. She was special."

"I'm sorry," apologized the commander. "I didn't mean to pry."

"You didn't. You asked, and I did not have to answer." He grinned. "But I'm just a relic on the way out, with time on my hands."

Commander H'Lieu could not help grinning back at him. "You're scarcely a relic, and I doubt seriously that you will ever have time on your hands."

"Perhaps not, but I won't have my hands full the way you will. Especially if High Command finds out how good your people really are. Then some senior commodore, a real commodore, not a preretirement commodore like me, may decide to take over Standora Base."

"You think so?"

"Unless you make commodore first." His tone was light, and the shadows that had crossed his features minutes before were gone, gone as if they had never been.

Captain Ihira was waiting at the base of the now nearly empty reviewing stand for them.

The commodore returned the captain's salute, crisply. He turned and was gone.

Commander H'Lieu swallowed twice before speaking. "Lead on, Captain. Lead on."

XXXIV.

G. Kyra J'gerald, Bio. D.

Department of Environmental Biologics University of Suharta Faith, New Hope Code FNH-Red-Sec 3 - RT DL.

Dear Dr. J'gerald:

The foundation has reviewed your proposal for the development through genetic substitution and accelerated environmental stress of "fuel globes" suitable for use in vehicles as a nonpolluting fuel source.

Your proposal has been approved for a Class II grant, for a maximum of seven Imperial years, as you proposed. Class II grants are reviewed annually, and funds are disbursed for the following year upon successful completion of the annual review. If the final specimens meet the criteria outlined in your prospectus, and function as you have outlined, an additional sum will be paid, equivalent to the total amount of the seven-year grant, either in a single payment or annually for ten Imperial years.

The attached contract contains all details. If you agree to the proposal, please authenticate and return three of the copies. On receipt, the foundation will disburse to the account you have specified the first year's funding.

Failure to make specific annual or semiannual reports will constitute breach of contract. Failure to undertake the work, for reasons other than illness, will be taken under advisement and treated under both local and Imperial law.

We wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Lyr D'Meryon Administrator

Narla Div Kneblock, Bot. D.

Drop D-100 Full City, Urbana Code FCU-Blue-Sec 2 - RT BG.

Dear Dr. Kneblock:

Thank you for your proposal to create structural and building materials through the accelerated genetic selection and cultivation of deciduous Ttype flora (trees).

Unfortunately, this work has largely been perfected, and the foundation is not in a position to expend funds for incremental improvements at this time. Since we may not have fully understood all the implications of your proposal, if you have amplifying material, of course, we would be more than pleased to review that in light of any updated submission you choose to resubmit.

Again . . . thank you for your proposal, and for your interest in improved biologics.

Sincerely,

Lyr D'Meryon Administrator

Restra Ver Dien Professor of Sanitary Engineering University of San Diabla Ghila, New Arizona Code GNA-Green-Sec 1 - RT HY.

Dear Professor Ver Dien:

Thank you for the update in your annual report on your progress in modifying water sylphweed to provide the dual function of water purification on a commercial scale and to precipitate toxic and nontoxic contaminants in a reusable mineral form.

In view of your success with water purification, the foundation is pleased to extend your grant another two Imperial years to allow you the additional time necessary to develop the precipitation capabilities in selected sylphweed strains.

An addendum to your contract is attached. Please authenticate all copies and return three to the foundation immediately. Upon receipt of the copies, the foundation will disburse the first of the four additional payments provided for in the addendum.

Looking to your success,

Lyr D'Meryon Administrator

XXXV.