He stepped through the hatch, recognising and cursing his own weakness.  As CAG, it was his duty to send Rose into danger, time and time again.  He would have to do it until she ran out of luck and died ... or until he died, whereupon Rose would be promoted into his shoes.  But now ... he didn't want to send her into danger.  She wasn't just a pilot to him any longer, she was far more than that.  Or did she think that he was nothing more than a convenient leman for her?  He didn't have to fly beside her, he wasn't likely to brag about his conquest ...

Women, he thought, ruefully.  Can’t live with them, can't live without them.

But what was he going to do?

Sooner or later, he knew, someone would find out.  They would walk into his office and see him screwing Rose while she was bent over the desk, or even see them exchanging warm glances and draw the right conclusions.  There were few secrets in the wardroom; pilots knew each other so well that they would probably deduce the truth from a moment of carelessness.  And then?  Kurt didn't want to think about what could happen next.

Normally, you would be transferred, a mocking voice at the back of his head pointed out, sardonically.  Or she would be transferred ... but she’s already been transferred once, hasn't she?  What sort of reputation will she get if she transfers again?

And no one will blame you ...

Kurt nodded to himself as he passed a small group of crewmen carrying a box of spare parts in the other direction.  Rose’s file might not be too detailed, but the world of starfighter pilots loved its rumours.  One transfer might go unnoticed, a second would be all-too-noticeable ... unless, of course, there was a valid excuse.

He shouldn’t touch her again, he knew.  But he knew that all of his resolve would melt when she met him again, soon enough.

His communicator buzzed.  “CAG,” the XO said, “report to Briefing Compartment A.  I say again, report to Briefing Compartment A.”

Kurt’s blood ran cold.  Did the XO know?

“Understood,” he said, bracing himself.  He couldn't afford to walk into the compartment looking guilty.  The XO, the general disciplinarian on the ship, would notice and start wondering why.  “I’m on my way.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

“They haven't moved at all, sir,” Farley said.  “I think they’re drones.”

Ted gave him a sharp look.  “Are you sure?”

“... No,” Farley admitted.  “But it’s been five days and they haven’t moved, not once.”