Best Liberty Ever!

Captain Sam Wilson-Carter figured the odds on her ship capturing the coveted Ney Award at five to one. After all, she had the best First Class Cook in the Navy and she'd collected some great junior cooks to back him up. Visitors to USS Michigan always left sated and envious. COMSUBPAC himself had developed a particular fondness for their pastries. She actually felt a tiny pang of remorse for the captain of the submarine they'd recently shellacked during an open-ocean exercise. The admiral had been so focused on their goodies during her post-victory dog and pony show, he'd almost totally ignored the lamentations and poor-mouthing of their opponent. Well, it was all history now anyway. Perhaps she had snookered the other boat unfairly, but it had taken some real work to do it! Shanghaiing three women officers, snatching them right out of the Navy training pipeline! It had been a masterstroke and they'd been her secret weapons. Yes, it had been a good year, for the boat, and for her. Her blessings had been many indeed, as her IS NOT EXCEEDED fitness report boldly stated. Even the delivery of her infant son had been glorious. But why on earth had the Navy sent her name to the President as the youngest rear admiral in the history of the Navy?