He let the two crewmen out of his cabin, reset the privacy seal and spoke into his personal console unit; he didn’t want to risk using the ship’s console and the possibility of being overheard before he was ready. He tried to keep the report short and as factual as possible, using the names of the men involved and their own words where he could. This report would be for Colonel Young’s ears only. Although, he still couldn’t believe the Captain wouldn’t take action when the extent of the problem was explained to him.

Following Peters’ advice, he forwarded a copy to Medical Officer Torres, and after some consideration, to Peters himself. He wondered briefly whether he should send it through to Colonel Young now, before he saw the Captain, but he felt he should follow the proper procedures as long as he could. Then he went in search of Captain Perez.

Perez was a solidly built man in his mid fifties counting down to his retirement, with iron gray hair and an olive complexion. He invited Ferris in to his quarters and told him brusquely to have a seat, “What’s so important, Lieutenant, that couldn’t wait until tomorrow morning?”

“Sorry, sir, but I’ll think you’ll agree that it couldn’t wait. I’ve been approached by some of the crew about a system of intimidation being applied by some of the officers. To put it bluntly, sir, men have been raped and told it was part of some initiation ceremony to stay on the ship.”

“Hold it right there!” ordered the Captain, putting up his hand as if to stop him physically. He glared at him in angry disbelief. “Who’s been telling you this rubbish? There’s been nothing like that on my ship! I’m not saying there may not have been some rough play, but this is a military vessel for god’s sake, not a kindergarten.”

Ferris stared at him in disbelief. Rough play?

He could see the Captain visibly trying to calm himself and speak more persuasively. “Who’s been squealing? I know, it was that man Lin, wasn’t it?” he smiled condescendingly. “He came to me some time ago with some bullshit story, but you don’t want to let yourself get taken in by that. There was no truth in it, I spoke to Hendriks myself.”

“But Captain—” Ferris had to keep trying.

“No, I don’t want to hear any more about it. My ship’s got one of the best records in the fleet and I want to keep it that way.”

“As you wish, Captain,” Ferris spoke stiffly, “But I feel obliged to tell you I’ll be reporting this directly to Colonel Young at Capella base.” Something flickered in the Captain’s eyes and Ferris suddenly wished he had kept his mouth shut.

“You’ve sent a report?” the Captain asked smoothly.

Ferris hesitated a moment too long before replying. “Yes, sir, just before I came in here.”

The Captain studied him and suddenly relaxed. “I hope you haven’t made too big a fool of yourself, Ferris. That will be all, dismissed.”

The Lieutenant left hastily, made uneasy by the Captain’s sudden about-face. What had just happened here?

As soon as the door shut behind him, Perez spoke into his wristcom.

When Ferris got to his cabin, Hendriks was waiting for him.