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. Or some outside force might attempt, through false orders, to remove ships from strategic locations. Therefore, as of now, no ship is to move or initiate communication. They are authorized to first warn, and then fire on, anyone attempting to communicate with them."
"Good God!" Tusk said softly, considering the ramifications. "They can't talk to each other. They can't talk to us. If they do, they get shot! This'll mean chaos, sir!"
"I agree, son, but I've got no choice. The way it looks now, our top code breaker has gone over to the other side-whatever the other side is. We don't even know that much!"
Tusk was silent, awed at the implications of this drastic act. He tried to imagine what it would be like--to be captain of a destroyer, hundreds of lives on board, suddenly cut off, isolated, alone in space. Even distress signals--especially distress signals--would be suspect; more than one ship had been lured to disaster by phony calls for help. "How long will this last, sir?"
"We should have new codes developed within seventytwo hours, at which time I'll cancel Operation Macbeth.
Each ship has its own stand-down command, unique to that vessel. Each has to be contacted individually, by voice, its code verified. Which could take another forty-eight hours."
Bennett reappeared. "My lord, His Majesty will receive you now."
"Thank you, Bennett." Dixter rose slowly to his feet, flexed aching shoulders
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