Small snippet of Family Law 9
October 27th, 2025 | Ramblings
“I do lack experience,” Toby admitted. “I appreciate whatever life lessons shipmates can share.”
“Just be careful. There are plenty of jokesters who will string you along with false stories and think it’s funny. Be skeptical.”
“Do you understand why people do that?” Toby asked.
“I’ve heard some say they must feel they are better than you if they can fool you, but what does it really matter? Once you see them act like that, why waste energy pondering their reasons? Just cut them off as useless for anything and move on. Just be aware they especially like to pull this stuff on new guys.”
“Great, I can’t trust anybody,” Toby said.
“Well, if you suspect that is being done to you, there is another option.”
“Oh?” He had Toby’s attention now.
“Malicious compliance. I knew a fellow in supply in engineering. He was young but nowhere near as green as his new boss thought. The first thing he did was send the fellow off to get a left-hand wrench. There are all sorts of mythical devices to send newbies off to collect on fool’s errands, such as cable stretchers or right-handed screwdrivers. This fellow knew the game and happily said ‘Yes, sir,” and went off. He visited just about everybody in the facility, asked if they had a left-hand wrench with a wink and a smirk. So, he visited and got to meet everybody and ask what they did and who the competent people were. Used his whole shift, goofing off before reporting back that they were out of left-hand wrenches, but the supply master suggested turning a right-hand wrench over. In the end, it made his new boss look worse than him.”
“That’s a dangerous game,” Toby decided. “If it creates ill will with your new boss from the start.”
“Gibson shrugged. “Anything worth doing has risks, but if you run into orders that don’t make sense, call me. Be careful to tag the message private first, and I’ll try to tell you the straight stuff.”
Thanks for the snippet.
I look forward to reading the whole story!
Oh nice! A new character! Any estimate on when this book might be ready?
No, that’s “Starr Fighter,” Gordon recruited him in the last book.
Yes, I didn’t remember him until after I submitted the comment, when it was too late. Of course. Still good because I want to see more of him!
Thanks! I’m currently rereading the series and am up to #8 🙂
Mac, hope you’re adding to this bit. I was intrigued by the character and the issue of hiding “helmet purchases” .
Jack’s butt was numb. He stretched and leaned, lifting each cheek without getting up. He felt his coffee cup. It was dead cold. Sixty-eight was too damn old to be putting in ten-hour days, but he was glad of the work.
Can’t wait for it. I am considering a full reread of the series and usually try to time it for release of the next part.
if you want to change out a mythical object there are so many examples. i worked in IT for a while and am partial to the “wireless cable” which might have been popular at the time because people were getting WLAN set up by us. “Layer 8 problem” or the “ID:10-T”-error for user errors are great too but not fitting here.
There might be a good one fitting into starship culture to invent.
Fantastic! I’ve just finished re-reading the series and checked to find out if no. 9 was possibility. So pleased it is and enjoyed the sample.
It’s coming just slower at 78 and all the things I have to do for my wife. I signed up to have groceries delivered since the cold weather is coming soon. Lots of little accommodations like that help free up time.
I remember a mechanic sending a friend of mine to the parts store for “half a can of vacuum”. He did go, but just to confirm that they were messing with him. You have to wonder what was supposed to be in the other half of the can.
So I can’t wait to see how this fits into the story. I just love the series 🙂
Brings back memories of being in the service and being sent for a can of flightline. Knew it was probably bullshit at the time but did the run around talking with people….
honestly.. in the 36 years since then I have never run into to that other than someone of us telling the story of what was done to us back in the day. I just don’t run to doing that to others and maybe have lived a golden life that I haven’t seen it done to me or anyone else since then.
Yeah, “Get me 50 feet of flight line.” “Go get 2 gallons of prop wash.” And in my particular specialty there were things like “You need some cloud eradicator”, or “turn the film over so you can see what’s underneath the clouds.” The “good old days” and green Newbies.
Go to the office and get a long wait form, great work Mac keep it up.