The emergency council session was called for noon. I found out about it at dawn when Katheris knocked on my door looking grim.

"Reid's pushing for a vote of confidence," she said without preamble. "Claims there's concern about your ability to handle both military operations and the political pressures of leadership."

I was still half-asleep, but her words snapped me awake fast. "He can't do that. I've been commander for barely two weeks."

"He can and he is. Says recent events have created ...