Our ships were out-gunned and out-manoeuvred. The Empire clearly knew we were coming. So I thought to preserve as much of your fleet for a more worthy...successor to lead to victory, your Most Radiant of the Heavens,” Hassatt replied calmly.“Never has a fist of the Starlit Hegemony surrendered to barbarians!” the Hegemon screeched.“Until now,” Voice of Truth Nild added. “I find no fault in retreating from a superior force and re-thinking an issue of concern.”“This ... spineless wretch has brought. If I had been standing in a classroom with whiteboards and graphic displays, you would have politely listened to everything I had to say. And then discounted all it.”“Why? Well, and this’ll hurt you, not me. I don’t have a piled higher and deeper degree like you do, Doc. Academically I am a zero. Hell, I didn’t even graduate high school. What I’m trying to say is that you guys are snobs. Because I haven’t got the credentials that you and your colleagues accept, I don’t know what I’m talking. There were pictures of Colette and other stewardesses in groups, she with groups of pilots, with three (captain, co-pilot, and flight engineer), pictures of safaris (she is standing with a rifle, her foot on the maned carcass of a lion). There were pictures of exotic birds and animals, two pictures of her bungee jumping at two different locations. It would have taken a long time to view all of the pictures. She noticed numerous men, some appearing quite young. She saw one of Colette and Arthur. At first it had only been probing questions. Where had he been? Whom had he been with? Over the last few weeks it had become out-right accusations. At the same time, her drinking had begun to increase. And, damnit, so was his because he tended to spend more time with his buddies before going home to face the inquisition. It was driving him crazy.Sighing to himself, he pulled up to Muldoon's, parked his car and went in. Like most cop bars, it was festooned with memorabilia of the PD, the.