MAD SALUTED SMARTLY for Admiral Trisk. In the days since the battle on Frigidum, Mad had officially been assigned to the U.R.S. Freedom on security detail, but nobody expected her to carry out any duties. She insisted on patrolling her sector of the ship at least three times a day, much to the annoyance of her new commanding officer.

"I don't think there's a speck of dust in here," Trisk said, running a finger along Mad's bed frame in her sparse quarters.

"Thank you, sir," Mad ...