Once I’m finished, I close the Commander’s computer and go to the servants’ canteen for some tea and to process everything I just learned. I cannot believe I am on a pirate ship.

CHAPTER 12

COMMANDER

Volunteer 4711 has gone beyond my expectations. When I gave her the rest of her duties as my valet, I expected her to make some mistakes or be too nice in her correspondence. However, she has proved the opposite. All her work is meticulously correct, and she is a bit on the cold side, which is better for me and my correspondence. But I cannot give her all the credit. I have purposely kept her from knowing anything about these people’s ranks so she cannot be influenced by them. To her, this is work, like cleaning my uniform.

When she enters this evening, I want to reward her for her good work. As she undresses me, I say, “You’ve done excellent work taking on the rest of your duties as my valet.”

“Do you think I’m better at correspondence than cleaning your uniforms and sheets?” she asks. I would never permit one of my crew to speak to me this way, but she is different. And I have been a different kind of master for her as I have had to educate her in Silver ways, which has brought us closer.

“You do both equally well, but I would say you probably enjoy the correspondence more,” I reply.

She looks up from unfastening my shoes and gives me a small smile, a human response.

“I want to reward you for your hard work,” I say, and I am pleased to see this gets her attention.

“Yes.”

“But I do not know what you would like?”

She looks up at me, considering. “I want information.”

“What do you mean?”

“I want to know your history,” she says. She has asked me before, and I refused.

“We have discussed that before. Ask for something else. Food credits?” I suggest.

“There’s nothing else I want,” she replies and goes to fetch my white pajamas.

I know she wants access to the GC and Silver databases, but I do not think she is ready. There are many reasons I do not want her to see them, but most importantly, because I do not want her to read about what is happening in the Empire. Water women are being married off to Imperial men, and I do not want her to worry for her own safety. The Empire rules this side of the galaxy, and while I think she knows that from the regular talk on the ship, I do not think she understands how easy it would be for them to take her from me if they set their minds to it. Thankfully, it is not well-known outside Silver society that I have a young Water woman as my valet.

* * *

Volunteer 4711 has now been my valet for more than a galactic year, and we have developed a very satisfying routine. I often feel that I was lucky my transport was sabotaged so that I could bring her into my life. Not only does she have a pleasant demeanor, but she also has a sharp mind. I have come to appreciate her strategic way of thinking and benefit from it, often discussing certain matters with her. I also see it as an extension of her Silver cultural education. As far as I am concerned, she will be my valet for the rest of her life, or the rest of my life, whichever ends first.