The captain stood at his usual position in his stateroom, looking out through the porthole, when a knock sounded at his door.

"Enter," he commanded, turning around to face the marine lieutenant as he walked in.

Though he had only been away for a few days, Marine Lieutenant Valerij Shvernik, or Robert Mills, looked visibly exhausted, his face gaunt as he approached the captain.

"You have some explaining to do, Lieutenant," stated Butackov without ...