This probably shouldn’t be considered a part of The Royal Progress, since Brett King isn’t one of the main characters… but it addresses an occurrence therein, so… here it is.

As to the content itself… he can be an asshole, granted… but he’s not a hard ass.

“Slide Rule”

By Joseph Manno

When Parihn had finished, her captain said, “I’d been wondering just how long it would take you to admit your part in this.”

She grimaced.

“You already knew?”

“It’s a reasonable assumption: Brett’s rash, not a moron. He didn’t want Liberty going to full impulse while he was out there creating his minimalist masterpiece…. and who better to make sure that doesn’t happen than the on-duty conn officer?”

She steeled herself and plunged ahead.

“But, Cicero… to bust him…”

“Relax. He hasn’t lost the rank permanently. It’s a… a field demotion.”

“There’s no such thing.”

Mantovanni smiled.

“There is now.”