Page 38 of Caught By Menace

“We have a sympathetic doctor. He and I have discussed an option that would give Hallie and me more time.”

“I hope it works.”

“It will. It has to.” After a moment’s pause, he asked, “Why doesn’t your bride want children?”

“She wants them, I think, just not now. She’s been on her own since she was a child. Her mother and brother abandoned her, and her father was killed by a Merkorian when she was only nine. She seems to have a hard time trusting and depending on another person. I understand her concerns with bringing a child into our union so quickly.”

“Is this your way of asking me to sign your petition for contraception?”

Menace faced him. “Would you?”

“Of course.” Vicious frowned. “Why would you think otherwise?”

“I know you’re very traditional when it comes to things like this. Now that I know what you and Hallie are dealing with, I wasn’t sure.”

“Menace, my personal feelings on the issue have nothing to do with it. I have no business getting involved in the private discussions and decisions between couples. If you approve of her request, I’ll expedite the petition through my office.”

“Thank you.”

Vicious waved his hand. “You’re not just one of my soldiers, Menace. You’re my friend. I want you to find the same happiness with Naya that I’ve found with Hallie. If getting her a contraceptive device does that, so be it. Just don’t pin your hopes on an approval, Menace.”

“I haven’t. I made sure Naya understood how unlikely it was that permission would be granted.”

“Even if I can manage to get the petition approved, they might only give you a few months reprieve. These damn population laws are so invasive.”

The doors to the elevator opened. Menace fell into step behind Vicious, following the protocol of their ranks. Vicious crossed the lobby of the ship’s headquarters but didn’t go to his private space. Instead he took Menace to Orion’s. A pair of medics sat in chairs just outside the ship commander’s office. Both jumped to their feet and saluted Vicious who gave them a quick at-ease. The admiral’s secretary rose from his desk and knocked twice on the door before opening it and announcing them.

Menace trailed Vicious into Orion’s office. His gaze settled on the face of the sky corps pilot who wanted to challenge his rights to Naya. He’d seen the man around theValiantbut didn’t know him well. The pilot sat in a motorized chair and had his immobilized leg in a harness. A small medication pump had been attached to his wrist. Menace wondered if he was even competent right now with all the painkillers running through his system. Broken leg or not, Menace was ready to kick the man’s ass for distressing Naya.

Admiral Orion leaned back against his desk. Just as tall as Vicious, Orion had the brown hair and hazel eyes common in the first generation of children from Grabs in the Angolier sector of the solar system. With his arms crossed, he looked annoyed by the whole situation. “Vicious.”

“Orion.”

The admiral sighed. “Menace, you know why you’re here?”

“I do, sir.” Menace glanced at the pilot. “That man wants to take my wife.”

“She fractured my damn knee so badly they can’t fix it! What am I supposed to do now? Hobble my way through another Grab?”

“Flare,” Orion sharply reprimanded his airman.

Flare gritted his teeth. “Sir.”

Orion gestured to Flare. “He claims that the woman in question deliberately led him into a trap and caused him great injury. This injury prevented him from Grabbing a woman and may have even ended his career.”

“That’s the risk he took when he entered the Grab,” Vicious countered. “We all signed the same forms. If he was reckless enough to follow Menace’s woman across uncertain terrain, the consequence rests solely on his shoulders.”

“Agreed,” Orion replied, “but Menace can run again and find another bride. Flare has multiple surgeries and months of therapy ahead of him. They may have to send him back to Prime and you know the bride situation there isn’t exactly thriving. If he’s bounced out of the sky corps because of his injuries, his standing among prospective brides won’t be nearly as positive.”

“I sympathize with your man,” Vicious said, “but you are talking about tearing apart a couple who have spent a day and a night together. If we were back on Prime, this kind of thing would ignite a blood feud.” Vicious slashed his hand through the air.

“No. Menace Grabbed her. They’re bonded. It’s done.”

Orion looked amused. “Is that a threat, Vee?”

“It’s a fact, Orion. If you try to take Menace’s wife away from him, you’ll have every member of the land corps aboard this ship rising up in revolt. I shouldn’t have to remind you that my force outnumbers yours three to one.”

Orion’s smile faded. “I’m quite aware of the balance aboardmyship.”

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