"‘One more thing,’ said Bird as he reached into his pocket. He pulled something silver out and dropped it into Trenchard’s full glass of rum.

Trenchard looked at him as if he had gone insane. ‘What the hell?’

Bird smiled. ‘It’s an old tradition aboard the hunter-killers,’ he explained. ‘These Wolverine’s and Hunters are unlike any other ships in the navy. They’re a different breed of crew. Usually you would have to go through weeks of training to even be allowed to step aboard one. Unfortunately, we don’t have the time for that. I was rushed through the Perisher command course by Admiral Fife. Every officer who tries out for Wolverine command or exec must undertake the Perisher, but we don’t have time in your case! You’ll have to make do with these honorary dolphins.’

Trenchard looked into his glass and saw the silver badge lying at the bottom. He had heard about the tradition. It dated back to when submariners qualified in their basic training. They had to know every inch of the submarine like the back of their hand. If they passed the course, there would be a ceremony up on deck where the Captain would give them a large glass of rum with their dolphin badge at the bottom. The crewmember was supposed to swig down the rum and catch the badge in their teeth.

Trenchard gulped down the large measure of rum in one and bit into the metal badge. It had an oily, metallic taste. He spat it out into his palm and studied it. Two arched dolphins faced each other with the United Worlds emblem at the centre; a star surrounded by eight planets. He carefully pinned the badge over his left breast pocket."