Page 57 of Captain's Companion

“I get an allowance to stock up on items,” Ulrik said. “We will leave from the station I picked you up at. Return will depend on how far out the corporations have built space up while we’re gone.”

“Is it good money,” she asked.

“It is,” he said. “If you hate it, I’ll look for something else.”

“What will I do,” she asked.

“Whatever you want,” he said. “I have a bigger budget for morale type things like the birthday bashes.”

“Will we be able to order things to be there when we get back,” she asked.

“As soon as I sign the contract, I get the details of it all and can start working on it,” he said.

“Can I read the contract before you sign it,” she asked.

“Sure can,” he said. “I’ll give you access to my accounts too.”

“I can share mine with you,” she said.

“We’ll be partners,” he said.

“I want that,” Gwyn said.

***

Gwyn sat drawing in his ready room. He liked the mornings where he did paperwork and she sat with him. They talked through a lot of things during these times. “I read the contract,” she said.

“What do you think,” he asked.

“I think you should ask for more for the overall budget,” she said. “It’s about twelve percent lower than the last mission they sent out and your mission is bigger.”

“I hadn’t realized,” he said. “What else did you notice?”

“They’re not allowing you any leeway in the time,” Gwyn said. “When I looked up other contracts, they all had extra time built in for the unknown.”

“I’ve never been late,” Ulrik said.

“Yet another reason for you to ask for more credits,” Gwyn said. “Are you determined to stay with this corp?”

“I guess not,” Ulrik said. “I like the freedom they give me.”

“There’s a new Sinivite corporation,” Gwyn said. “Are you aware of it?”

“I am,” Ulrik said. “It’s run by the mate of a cousin of mine.”

“Do they have anything you’d be interested in,” Gwyn asked setting down her pad. She left it open. He saw it was for one of her children’s stories.

“I haven’t checked,” he said. “I’ll reach out later today.”

“Good,” she said. “Am I bugging you with all this?”

Pushing back, he moved from his desk to scoop her out of the chair. He sat with her on his lap. “I’ve always gone wherever. So long as I was moving up in rank and getting the experiences I needed to move into the next level, I haven’t really cared who I worked for. I find I care a bit more now. Since my career will drag you along, your input is key for my decisions.”

“Okay. The Sinivite company does not require a companion or mate,” she said. “It’s an option.”

“Unusual,” Ulrik said.

“Are you contacting the controller,” she asked leaning her head on his shoulder.

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