My first officer considers my proposal. “I am not sure why you are so attached to Volunteer 4711.”

“Do I have your and the crews’ backing on this?” I do not have time to list all of Volunteer 4711’s positive attributes.

My first officer considers my proposition for a few minutes, and I honestly do not know if he will agree. It is not only my reputation at stake but the whole fleet’s. Marrying a volunteer from an alien species is simply not done by a male of my class, even though I no longer hold the superior social rank I once did.

“Volunteer 4711 has shown great devotion to our people and this crew by learning our language and customs. She is not a traditional beautiful by any of our standards, and I do not know what kind of children she could provide for you, but if you choose her as your wife, I will not lead a mutiny against you and will remain loyal to you both.”

“Thank you,” I say, relieved, although my voice only reflects confidence. “Now, I must go and ask her to marry me. We do not have much time before the government fleet arrives, and it must all be legal.”

“Yes, Commander. I will make the necessary preparations and meet you in the conference room.”

I walk out onto the bridge with my first officer. He takes his post, but I leave to find Volunteer 4711. It is the middle of the day, so I assume she is in her quarters. I use my handheld communicator to buzz her and tell her to meet me in my quarters.

By the time I arrive, she is already there waiting for me.

I feel nervous suddenly, which is ridiculous because she only has three options.

“There’s been a change in plan,” I begin. “The Home Planet government wants to take you back to your ‘rightful’ place on the farm. They have sent their strongest fleet to get you. I cannot legally prove that you were taken illegally to the farm, as too many people have been bribed to say that they never saw you at the auction. Nor can I go to war for you, or I will have a mutiny.”

“I have to go?” she asks, her brown eyes glassy with tears she is bravely trying to hold back.

“No, there’s another way,” I hesitate before giving her all her options, wondering if I should even bother. “You can marry the other commander as he has asked for you many times. I denied him because I did not think you would want to be on the same ship as the other Water woman, given that you do not get along. But it would be a good match. He is a man of high status, and you would no longer be a volunteer.”

“I would rather go back to the farm than marry the other commander,” she says quickly.

“Is there anyone on this ship you might have a romantic interest in who could step in and marry you?” I ask. I want to make sure that I am not interrupting anything she might have going on with one of the servants that I do not know about before asking her to marry me.