Excerpt from Ghost Patrol
Angel rechecked his directives, scanned for changes, increased the magnification of the image on his screen. He narrowed his eyes, trying to make out the name on the officer’s badge.
“—imperative that I leave this station,” the man was saying.
“I have no clearance for you, sir,” replied the Gen. “Let me check with the pilot.” He tapped into the communicator on his shoulder.
Angel sent a reply to the trooper, then sent another code to those in the passenger cabin. On his screens he could see them hurry to finish their tasks, and two took up posts on either side of the entryway.
“There are no changes to our orders, sir,” said the Gen.
“Get the pilot out here,” ordered the officer then. “I’ll take care of this myself.”
Angel’s instincts keened. As the pilot, he was responsible for the ship, its cargo, its mission, and the lives of everyone aboard. Only under very specific circumstances was he permitted to leave the cockpit.
An officer would know that.
